NHL Predictions
Sharks / Canucks Under 5.5
The Sharks are coming off a 4-1 home loss against the Senators, and have lost 2 of their last 3 games. San Jose is averaging 2.7 goals per game on the season, but just 1.80 goals per game over their last 5. During that span they have been allowing just 2 goals against per game though. The Canucks have lost two straight (both at home) against the Kings and Ducks, and are averaging just 2.40 goals per game over their last 5 games. These two teams have met 3 times this season, with all games going UNDER the 5.5 total. In all three meetings the road team won 3-2, with two of those games needing extra time to decide a winner. Note that the UNDER is 4-1 in the Sharks last 5 overall, and 9-3 in their last 12 road games. The UNDER is also 19-7 in the Sharks last 26 vs Western Conference opponents. The UNDER is 21-8-2 in the Canucks last 31 games when they are a favorite between -151 and -200 which they are today. The UNDER is also 4-1 in their last 5 meetings in Vancouver. This is a big Western Conference showdown and we can expect both teams to tighten up defensively. Look for a 4th straight under between the Sharks and Canucks in a rare Saturday afternoon game in Vancouver.
Calgary Flames -116
The Flames are coming off a shootout victory in Los Angeles on Thursday night, and are 4-1-1 in their last 6. Calgary hasn't been scoring many goals, averaging just 2 goals per game over their last 5, but they have allowed just 1.80 goals against per game during that span. Kiprusoff has been rock solid in his last two starts, allowing just 1 goal in each start with more than 30 shots against in both games. Calgary is 22-20-6 on the season. The Oilers woes continue as they lose two straight road games. Thursday's 1-0 loss in St Louis looks better than it was, as they were outshot 38-15 in the game. Their other loss came in Columbus blowing a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 after Taylor Hall was injured in warm ups. Taylor Hall's status for tonight is still undetermined as I write this, but I would be somewhat surprised to see him back in the lineup given the location of those stitches. The Oilers have won just 3 times in their last 17 games and once in their past 8. On the season the Oilers are 17-25-4, and 11-7-3 at home. Note that the Flames are 8-2 in their last 10 as a favorite, and 5-2 in their last 7 as a road favorite. Calgary has owned the battle of Aberta recently, winning all three meetings this season (2-1 and 3-0 at home and 5-3 in Edmonton back on December 3rd). In fact the Flames are 6-1 in their last 7 meetings in Edmonton, and 36-15-1 in their last 52 overall. Take the Flames here tonight.
SPORTS WAGERS
DETROIT +264 over Portland
The Trail Blazers were a 7-point choice last night playing in Toronto with the Raps best player, Andrea Bargnani out of the lineup. Now that same team playing in Detroit the very next night is the exact same price and that is incorrect. The Pistons were whacked at home by Memphis while Portland took care of business in Toronto, winning by 10. It`s a whacky year in terms of the schedule and if this game were played last night instead of tonight, the Blazers would be -3 or -3½, the same price Memphis was coming in here. What we know for sure is that the Pistons are a tired team, having played last night and playing its fourth game in five nights here. Thing is, the Blazers are even more gassed. They will play their sixth straight on the road in eight nights. They finally head home after this one for a game against the Kings on Monday. You can be sure the whole team will look forward to the plane ride home and a day off to watch playoff football like the rest of us. It’s simply a great situational spot for a Pistons team coming off an embarrassing home loss last night. Play: Detroit +264 (Risking 2 units).
MEMPHIS -9½ over Sacramento
The Sacramento Kings are an undisciplined squad with no direction and a lot of bad habits. They're coming off back-to-back wins against Indiana and San Antonio, which has their stock a little too high. In that win over Indiana, the Pacers quit in the fourth quarter with a 14-point lead heading in. The Kings outscored them 26-8 in the final frame to win by four. Last night, they held off a furious rally by the Spurs to hand San Antonio its first home loss of the year. Coming off two emotional wins and playing back-to-back road games is a recipe for disaster for this Kings team. In the year of the blowout in which the Kings have been the victim of such occurrences many times, you can chalk this one up into that category as well. Memphis is feeling it and barely broke a sweat in its 17-point win at the Palace last night. They've now won five in a row and this should be its easiest of them all. Expect a no-show from this satisfied intruder. Play: Memphis -9½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
Red Dog Sports
Towson / George Mason Over 56 1st Half
These two played earlier in Towson and the first half ended 39-31 for 70 points. Towson has now lost 38 games in a row and should come out relaxed with no chance to win. They have Robert Nwankwo and Marcus Damas as leading scorers and GMU is at home and should put up 35 to 39 points with Ryan Pearson, Morrison and Andre Cornelius leading the way.
WUNDERDOG
Philadelphia at Miami
Pick: Miami -7
This is a big test for the first place 76ers to see how good they really are, heading to South Beach. Philadelphia has been great at home, but just 4-3 on the road. They've split the last two games, winning last night against Atlanta, but getting beat by Denver 94-82, both at home. It's a big test as Miami is tops in the NBA in scoring and is great at home. The Heat is 4-1 ATS in their last five home games, 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. This is the third straight home game for Miami and they have been up to the challenge, ripping the Spurs (120-98) two games ago and shutting down the Lakers in their last game (98-87). They have opened up the offense more and are red hot from long range, as in its past six quarters the Heat is 21 of 33 from long distance. Mike Miller, in his first game back from a sports hernia procedure, connected on all six of his three-point attempts against the Spurs, is a significant addition. Dwyane Wade is still out, but Miami is 5-0 without him, 5-4 with him. Miami has had a full day of rest while the 76ers had to play last night, so grab the red-hot and rested home team. Play the Miami Heat.
Erin Rynning
Oklahoma City at New Jersey
Play: Oklahoma City -8
The Thunder continue their road trip tonight in the Meadowlands against New Jersey. These two teams are polar opposites in terms of NBA talent. The Thunder has built their team around the immense talents of Kevin Durant, while recently signing point guard Russell Westbrook to a long term contract. They’ve filled out their roster with solid role players and have placed an emphasis on defense. Meanwhile, the Nets are trying to change their fortunes with a lottery type attitude. They invested a lot in retaining point guard Deron Williams and were forced to overhaul their roster in the process. Of late, rumors are circulating that Williams will be looking to play somewhere else after his contract expires at the end of this season. Not a good sign considering the talent surrounding him is so poor. The Nets have changed their philosophy on offense and pretty much rely on just jacking threes. On defense, they’re undersized and not very effective. That is a big concern for tonight as few if any teams can matchup with Durant, including the Nets who don’t have anyone on their roster with the ability to slow him down. In addition, the Thunder’s size should completely overwhelm the Nets in the paint. Finally, OKC will be highly motivated after a dreadful performance the other night in losing to the Washington Wizards. A worthy favorite here as we lay the points.