SPORTS ADVISORS
WEST REGIONAL
(at Salt Lake City, Utah)
(5) Butler (31-4, 15-20 ATS) vs. (2) Kansas State (29-7, 20-9-2 ATS)
Butler stunned No. 1 seed Syracuse 63-59 as a six-point underdog in a Sweet 16 matchup Thursday, extending the longest winning streak in the nation to 23 in a row (11-12 ATS). The Bulldogs have been stout defensively of late, holding 10 of their last 11 opponents under 60 points, including the last five in a row. In those five outings, they’ve outscored foes by about a dozen ppg, averaging 66.4 and allowing 54.8.
Kansas State won a double-overtime screamer Thursday night, holding off Xavier 101-96 but getting a push as a five-point favorite. The Wildcats are 5-1 (4-1-1 ATS) in their last six starts, and the lone loss came to top-ranked Kansas in the Big 12 tournament title game. K-State has been a scoring machine, eclipsing the 80-point mark in nine of its last 12 games overall, including six of the last seven.
Butler, in its fourth straight Tournament and 10th overall, has reached the Elite Eight for the first time in school history, having lost three previous times in the third round. Kansas State, in its 24th Big Dance, last got this far in 1988, losing to eventual champ Kansas 71-58 in the regional final. The Wildcats haven’t reached the Final Four since 1964.
Butler is 4-3 (3-4 ATS) at neutral venues this year, outscoring teams by just over a point per game (67.1-65.9) while getting outshot 45.4 percent to 39.9 percent. K-State is 8-2 (6-3-1 ATS) on neutral floors, averaging 82.0 ppg and giving up 74.6 ppg. The SU winner has gone 8-0-1 ATS in the Wildcats’ last nine neutral-site starts.
Going back to last year, the Bulldogs are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 at neutral venues, and they’re also in pointspread ruts of 2-4 as a neutral-site pup and 2-10 when coming off a spread-cover. Still, they sport positive ATS streaks of 22-7 as a ‘dog regardless of venue, 5-2 on Saturday and 5-2 against winning teams.
The Wildcats are on ATS tears of 19-7-2 overall, 8-0-1 outside the Big 12, 16-4-2 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 16-5-2 as a favorite, 6-1-1 at neutral sites and 6-0-1 as a neutral-site chalk. In addition, K-State has cashed in four straight games against the Horizon League.
Butler is on “under” surges of 7-1 overall (2-0 last two), 5-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 4-1 outside the Horizon League and 4-1 after a spread-cover, though the total has gone high in nine of the Bulldogs’ last 12 Saturday tilts and 11 of their last 15 at neutral sites.
Kansas State’s marathon contest with Xavier went way over the 150-point price, but the Wildcats remain on “under” streaks of 7-3 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 5-2-1 after a SU win and 4-1-1 on Saturday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS STATE
EAST REGION
(at Syracuse, N.Y.)
(2) West Virginia (30-6, 16-19 ATS) vs. (1) Kentucky (35-2, 20-15 ATS)
The Mountaineers made do without starting point guard Darryl Bryant (broken foot), beating Washington 69-56 Thursday as a 4½-point chalk, moving to 3-0 SU and ATS in this year’s Dance. West Virginia, the Big East tournament champs, has won nine in a row and 11 of its last 12 (7-5 ATS), and the Mountaineers have been getting it done with defense, holding their last six opponents under 60 points – all on neutral courts. During this stretch, they’re giving up an average of just 54.2 ppg while putting up 63.5 ppg.
Kentucky withstood an early burst and a second-half surge by No. 12 seed Cornell, rolling to a 62-45 victory as an eight-point favorite Thursday to match West Virginia in staying perfect SU and ATS in the Tournament, with the three wins coming by an average of 25.3 ppg. The Wildcats have won 16 of their last 17 (11-6 ATS), and though they had a modest offensive output against the Big Red on Thursday, they still average 79.6 ppg on 48.3 percent shooting, while allowing 64.7 ppg. Kentucky also still fields the nation’s third-stingiest field-goal defense (37.8 percent).
West Virginia, which received its highest seed in school history this year, is in its third straight Tournament and fifth in the last six years, and it got to the regional final this time around, after losing its last two third-round contests. The last time the Mountaineers reached the Elite Eight was in 2005, when they fell to Louisville 93-85. Their only Final Four appearance came in 1959.
Kentucky, meanwhile, has a huge Big Dance resume, playing in this event for the 51st time, advancing to 13 Final Fours and winning seven national championships. The Wildcats are 103-45 SU in the Tournament and are in their 32nd Elite Eight, having last reached this point in 2005, when they lost to Michigan State 94-88. Kentucky’s last trip to the Final Four was in 1998, when it won its last national championship.
These teams squared off in November 2005 and November 2008, both times on neutral floors. The ‘Cats went 2-0 SU and ATS, winning both by double digits: 80-66 as a one-point chalk in Kansas City in 2005 and a 54-43 as an eight-point underdog in Las Vegas in 2008.
The Mountaineers have won all 10 of their neutral-site contests this year (5-5 ATS), prevailing by an average of about 11 ppg (69.1-57.9) and outshooting foes 43.0 percent to 37.8 percent. Kentucky is 8-0 (5-3 ATS) on neutral floors, prevailing by an average of 16.3 ppg (76.0-59.7) and outshooting opponents 48.8 percent to 35.3 percent.
The Mountaineers are on ATS rolls of 11-2-1 in the Big Dance, 6-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 4-0 outside the Big East. Likewise, the Wildcats are on ATS upswings of 6-2 in the Tournament, 6-0 as a Tourney chalk, 6-1 in non-conference play (5-0 last five), 7-1 on Saturday, 13-3-1 against the Big East and 4-1 against winning teams. That said, John Calipari’s troops are also 9-17 ATS in their last 26 starts coming off a spread-cover.
The Mountaineers are on a stream of “under” streaks, including 9-2 overall (7-0 last seven), 7-0 on neutral floors, 6-0 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 4-1 in non-conference play and 20-7 after a spread-cover. Kentucky is on “over” stretches of 4-2 overall, 7-2 in non-conference action, 5-2 in the Tournament (4-1 last four) and 13-6 as a tourney chalk, though the under has hit in four of the Wildcats’ last five Saturday starts.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KENTUCKY
NBA
Portland (43-29, 38-32-2 ATS) at New Orleans (34-39, 33-39-1 ATS)
The Trail Blazers, looking for their seventh victory in eight games, head to the Big Easy for a meeting with the Hornets at New Orleans Arena.
Portland dropped Dallas 101-89 Thursday night as a 3½-point home favorite, moving to a middling 3-3-1 ATS during its 6-1 SU surge. The Blazers are averaging 98 ppg on 45.8 percent shooting, and they field the league’s fifth-best scoring defense, allowing 94.8 ppg on 46.4 percent shooting. In their last five starts, they’ve averaged seven ppg more than their opponents (96.6-89.6).
New Orleans has had star guard Chris Paul (knee) in the lineup the past two games, after a 25-game absence in which the team went 8-17 SU (11-13-1 ATS). The Hornets ripped Dallas 115-99 as a 4½-point home underdog Monday, with Paul limited to 21 minutes and scoring 11 points. However, they lost to Cleveland 105-92 Wednesday night getting 5½ points at home, and Paul had just five points (seven assists) in 31 minutes.
Portland is 4-2 ATS (3-3 SU) in the last six clashes in this rivalry, though in this year’s lone meeting, New Orleans eked out a 98-97 road win as a 2½-point pup on Jan. 25. In fact, the road team has cashed in the last four meetings, and the SU winner is on a 9-1 ATS tear (5-0 last five).
The Blazers are on ATS runs of 3-1-1 overall, 5-0 against Southwest Division foes, 4-1 on Saturday, 7-3 against winning teams and a solid 11-4-1 in roadies. The Hornets are 25-8 ATS in their last 33 home games against teams with a winning road record and 55-27-3 ATS in their last 85 Saturday starts, but they shoulder negative ATS streaks of 3-10-1 overall, 1-5 at home, 2-7-1 against winning teams, 4-12-1 in the Western Conference and 7-19 against the Northwest Division.
Portland is on “over” upticks of 6-1 on the highway, 16-5 on the road against teams with a winning home record and 6-2 against Southwest Division opponents, and the over for New Orleans is on streaks of 14-6 after a SU loss and 11-5 following a non-cover. However, the Hornets are on “under” stretches of 6-1 after a double-digit home loss, 15-3 against the Northwest Division, 6-2 against winning teams and 5-2 after two days off. Also, in this rivalry, the under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
L.A. Lakers (53-19, 30-39-3 ATS) at Houston (36-35, 32-39 ATS)
The defending NBA champion Lakers look to bounce back from last night’s ugly loss at Oklahoma City when they make the trip to the Toyota Center to take on the Rockets.
Los Angeles got ripped by the Thunder 91-75 as a 1½-point road chalk Friday night, which snapped a seven-game SU winning streak (3-4 ATS). Phil Jackson’s troops fell miles short of the 105.1 ppg that they’d averaged during the 7-0 tear. On the road this year, L.A. is averaging 100.6 ppg and allowing about a bucket less at 98.2.
Houston has followed a four-game win streak with a 1-4 SU and ATS skid, including SU and ATS losses in its last three games. On Thursday, the Rockets fell to the Clippers 99-93 as a five-point home chalk. In the past five games, Houston is giving up 105 ppg on 49 percent shooting, including 40 percent from 3-point range, while scoring 97.6 ppg on 40.7 percent shooting. The Rockets have also been outrebounded by nearly nine per game during the slide (47.4-38.6).
Los Angeles has won three of the last four meetings in this rivalry, though the two teams have split the cash. In three contests this season, the Lakers are 2-1 SU (1-2 ATS), most recently winning 88-79 as a seven-point home favorite. The home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven matchups, and the SU winner is on a 16-1 ATS tear in the last 17 meetings.
The Lakers are 5-12-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall and 1-4 ATS in their last five after a SU loss, but they are on ATS surges of 8-1 on Saturday and 4-1 after a non-cover. The Rockets are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 following a day off, though they own ATS slides of 1-4 overall, 1-7 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 1-5 against the Pacific Division, 1-5 on Saturday and 5-16 at the Toyota Center.
Los Angeles is on “under” rolls of 5-0 overall, 7-1 against winning teams, 6-1 on the road, 11-2 in the West, 4-1 going on no rest and 20-8 against Southwest Division foes. Houston is on “under” upswings of 5-2 at home, 6-1 against winning teams and 33-16 against squads with a win percentage above .600, but the over has hit in the Rockets’ last six Saturday affairs. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in six of the last seven clashes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and UNDER
VEGAS EXPERTS
Dallas Mavericks at Golden State Warriors
We've learned our lessons with taking road favorites, so look for the Mavs to continue their slide against old nemesis Golden State. We all remember 2007. Well, this year has seen Dallas go just 10-20 ATS vs. teams with a losing record and 2-11 ATS vs. teams with a win percentage between .250 and .400. They are only 18-33 vs. the number when favored overall. In their last two games, the Warriors have scored 128 and 131 points. They are 14-2 ATS at home the last two seasons after scoring 120 points or more their previous game.
Play on: Golden State
Terron Chapman
West Virginia vs. Kentucky
Play: Kentucky -3.5
The No. 1 seed Kentucky Wildcats and No.2 seed West Virginia Mountaineers are set to do battle Saturday night at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse with a trip to the Final Four on the line. Both won their Sweet 16 games with strong defensive performances, and it’ll be much of the same in this contest. But when the dust settles on this Elite Eight match-up, it will be the Kentucky Wildcats who will be punching their ticket to Indianapolis.
The East Region is the only region in which the top two seeds have taken care of business. Adding to the storyline is the only thing to separate these two states is a border. This will be the eighth meeting between these two head coaches, with Bob Huggins holding a significant advantage with a 7-1 record in games against Calipari.
The Wildcats imposed their will against Cornell, using their athleticism and defense to power themselves to a 62-45 victory. The Wildcats defense smothered Cornell, the nation’s best three-point shooting team, into a 5-for-21 night. The Big Red had no answer for the length of Kentucky and the Wildcats will look to use that length to make someone else besides D’Sean Butler beat them Saturday. Butler reportedly suffered a hand injury, but is expected to go Saturday.
The Mountaineers win wasn’t pretty, but as usual, it was effective. They held the Huskies to 39% shooting, forcing 23 turnovers and outrebounding them 41-25. The Mountaineers only shot 40% from the field themselves, although they made shots when they needed, and squashed any run the Huskies made.
The Wildcats can be explosive offensively, but they’ve shown in this tournament and throughout the season that they can win when the shots aren’t falling. The Mountaineers showed a lot of grit playing without their starting point guard, “Truck” Bryant. However, the lack of depth will come back to haunt the Mountaineers against Kentucky and if Mazzulla struggles to stay out of foul trouble, it will be a long night.
The West Virginia defense and the identity of the team which is a reflection of their coach, will keep them in this one. Expect to see alot of the 1-3-1 zone as the Mountaineers attempt to keep the Wildcats out of the paint. But the Wildcats have too much talent and they have the size on the inside that’s needed to battle the Mountaineers on the boards. Without the extra possessions it will be difficult for the Mountaineers to score, and I look for the Wildcats to punch their ticket to Indianapolis in what should be an entertaining but defensive ballgame. Play on the Kentucky Wildcats for 1 unit.
Charlie Scott
Butler vs. Kansas State
Play: Over 135.5
After beating Syracuse on Thursday night 63-59, Butler has become this season's March madness cinderella darling. While Butler players aren't household names, Hayward,Howard and Mack can play and score on any defense. Kansas st plays at a fast pace and guards Clemente and Pullen can score from anywhere on the court. The average total set by oddsmakers in Kansas States last 10 games is 149.5. Todays total of 135 is too low for Kansas States fast style of play !
AC Sports Advisors
Butler vs. Kansas State
Play: Kansas State -4
WE love K St and they should roll butler the bubble will be burst today as K st, id for real and Butler id just happy to be their take Butler to win by double digits buy a point if you you feel you must pound this game I did and I bought a to point down to 3 lets make so money that e=why we are in this business good luck and lets make more money!
Craig Trapp
Butler vs. Kansas State
Play: Butler +4
Really like Butler in this situation as they have proven they can stop anyone and score when needed down the stretch. If that's not enough how about a very tired KState after a very late finish in a Double OT thriller. Early KState will play off the emotion from the great win but BUTLER style will wear them down and be too much late. I see BUTLER covering and even having a shot to win this one straight up. Hayward, Howard, and Mack are much better than the mid major conference they are playing at so don't overlook this Butler team.
David Chan
Dallas @ Golden State
PICK: Golden State +4
Golden State is the very best D-League team in the NBA, but the players are giving 100%. The Warriors are 7-2 ATS in the last nine games, and line up against a sleepwalking Mavs team 1-6 ATS in its last seven.
Dirk Nowitzki (ankle) may play for the Mavs but does not figure to be 100%.
Golden State has covered two of the three meetings this season. If you want a long term trend, the Mavs are 9-23-1 ATS in the clubs’ last 33 meetings. That’s a little too long, but Dallas is waiting for the playoffs, while the guys in Warriors’ jerseys are using their 15 minutes of fame to audition for fulltime jobs next year.
Jim Feist
Dallas vs. Golden State
Play: Over 234½
Defenseless Golden State allows 112.5 ppg (worst in the league). Dirk Nowitzki is plenty rested for this one after getting the heave-ho the last game at Portland. They have so many offensive weapons and will attack a Golden State defense that allows .487% shooting by opponents, easily the worst mark in the league. The Warriors are on an 8-1 run over the total, padding their offensive stats while not caring about defense. These teams met on this floor last month and Dallas shot 52% with 41 fast break points in a game that went over the total. Look for plenty of scoring again; Play the Mavericks/Warriors Over the total.
James Patrick Sports
West Virginia vs. Kentucky
The NCAA Tournament has dwindled down to the Elite Eight and Big Game James Patrick's complimentary selection in Saturday action is West Virginia - Kentucky Under the Total as these two defensive powers square off in a fight for one of the Final Four spots that remain vacant for next weekend in Indianapolis, Indiana when the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament Championship will be up for grabs. The Mountaineers have held their past (7) opponents to (60) or less points and if HC Bob Huggins wants to put his winningest team in WVU Basketball history into the Final Four he only need be reminded that when he holds opposing teams to (69) or less his team is (22-0) Straight up.
Triple Threat Sports
New Jersey (+) over Chicago
Nets have eight wins on the season and are just one win away from at least salvaging a tie for season long futility, as the record for leat wins in a season is nine. As such, they will be fighting hard all the way until they get that tenth win in an effort to avoid such a dubious distinction. They have to feel that this game represents a shot at a "W" since they won the last time they were here and since the Bulls were downright afwul in thier last game, a blowout loss to the Heat. Numbers show that Jersey is 8-1 ATS as road dogs of this price range while Bulls just 1-5 ATS as home chalk of this range. Gulp hard, but take the points!
BIG AL
Utah @ Washington
PICK: Utah -9
The Jazz must be scratching their heads after last night's loss at Conseco Fieldhouse to the Pacers. Utah was winning by 12 midway thru the 3rd quarter, but Indy stormed back and, on the heels of a 28-3 run, blew out the Jazz. Utah certainly was reminded that it's a 48-minute game, and I expect the Jazz to play its best tonight, and have a "take no prisoners" attitude. Washington, surely, will be motivated to win, as it has lost 14 in a row, but the sad truth is that Flip Saunders just doesn't have the horses now, after the trades that sent Antawn Jamison to Cleveland and Caron Butler to Dallas (not to mention Gilbert Arenas' suspension due to legal difficulties). Also, since 1990, .601 (or better) road favorites, priced from -5 to -11 points, are a terrific 158-93 ATS off a loss vs. .399 (or worse) non-division foes. Look for the Jazz to rout the Wizards in our nation's capital tonight.
DUNKEL INDEX
Portland at New Orleans
The Blazers look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games as a road favorite between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Portland is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Blazers favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Portland (-2 1/2)
Game 501-502: Utah at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 122.564; Washington 115.180
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 7 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 9; 196
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+9); Under
Game 503-504: Portland at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 121.762; New Orleans 115.058
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 6 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 2 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-2 1/2); Over
Game 505-506: New Jersey at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 111.413; Chicago 116.797
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 5 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 9 1/2; 195 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+9 1/2); Under
Game 507-508: LA Lakers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 119.113; Houston 117.054
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Dallas at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 117.415; Golden State 115.307
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2; 229
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 4; 234 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+4); Under
NCAAB
West Virginia vs. Kentucky
The Wildcats look to build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 NCAA Tournament games as a favorite. Kentucky is the pick (-4) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-4)
Game 511-512: West Virginia vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 72.114; Kentucky 77.811
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 4
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-4)
Game 513-514: Butler vs. Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 68.735; Kansas State 74.827
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 6
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (-4)
NHL
Colorado at Phoenix
The Coyotes look to take advantage of a Colorado team that is 1-4 in its last 5 meetings in Phoenix. Phoenix is the pick (-145) according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-145)
Game 51-52: Calgary at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.680; Boston 12.215
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-130); Under
Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.774; Pittsburgh 10.366
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+165); Over
Game 55-56: NY Islanders at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 12.033; Columbus 11.794
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Columbus (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+130); Over
Game 57-58: New Jersey at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.606; Montreal 12.727
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-110); 5
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-110); Under
Game 59-60: NY Rangers at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.953; Toronto 12.092
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-115); Over
Game 61-62: Atlanta at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 11.62; Carolina 11.431
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-140); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+120); Over
Game 63-64: Florida at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.216; Ottawa 12.811
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-185); 5
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-185); Under
Game 65-66: Tampa Bay at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.277; Buffalo 12.397
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 67-68: Detroit at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.526; Nashville 12.709
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-115); Over
Game 69-70: Colorado at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.281; Phoenix 12.625
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-145); 5
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-145); Over
Game 71-72: Vancouver at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.930; San Jose 12.640
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-145); Over
Game 73-74: Dallas at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.061; Los Angeles 10.873
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+150); Over
John Ryan
New Jersey Nets vs. Chicago Bulls
Play: New Jersey Nets +9.5
3* graded play on New Jersey as they take on Chicago set to start at 8:05 EST. We have had strong success with New Jersey recently and nailed them as a 10* Titan winner last night as they defeated the Pistons to match the all-time worst record set by Philadelphia at 9-73. They have actually played well and as unreal as it seems this is their first 2 game winning streak of the season. They have won 4 road games this season and the first as in Chicago. Our proprietary sports handicapping model and simulator shows a high probability that NJ will lose this game by fewer than 10 points. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 35-12 ATS for 75% winners since 1996. Play against home favorites of 10 or more points after going under the total by 30 or more points total in their last three games and with a winning percentage of between 45-55% on the season. Take New Jersey.
MTi Sports
Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets
Prediction: Houston Rockets
The Rockets are 8-0 ATS (+10.1 ppg) as a home dog with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two and the Lakers are 0-8 ATS (-11.0 ppg) as a favorite with at most one day of rest after a double digit road loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field. Finally, the Rockets are 4-0 ATS in franchise history after two losses in which Chuck Hayes shot better than 66% from the field in each, covering by an impressive 15.9 ppg. Take Houston.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Chicago Bulls -9
New Jersey has won back-to-back games, but a Bulls team that was just embarrassed by Miami to the tune of 74-103 will be primed and ready to put the hurt on the Nets tonight. Chicago will be further motivated by the fact that it lost to the Nets the last time these two teams met, and that loss came at home. Prior to getting crushed by the Heat, Chicago defeated Philly by 14 points and Houston by 10. So it is not a reach to think the Bulls can cover this number in the least. Plus, fatigue figures to be a big issue for the Nets tonight as they are just 1-6-1 ATS in their last 8 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes the previous day. The Bulls are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a S.U. loss, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400, and the home team is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings. Lay the points.