Tom Freese
Phoenix at Houston
Phoenix is 27-21 which is good enough for second place in the Pacific Division. The Suns are just 9-15 on the road. The Suns score 110 points a game and they allow 108 points a game. They have six double figure scorers led by Amare Stoudemire and his 20.6 points a game. Future Hall of Famer Steve Nash scores 18.5 points and dishes out 11 assists a game. Four other players average double figures. The Suns are 3-8 ATS after allowing 100 or more points in their last game. Houston is 25-21 and 14-8 at home. The Rockets score 100.7 points a game and they allow 100.6 points a game. The Rockets are led by point guard Aaron Brooks and his 19 points and 5 assists a game. Power forward Carl Landry scores 16.3 points a night. Small forward Trevor Ariza scores 15.4 points a night while forward Luis Scola scores 15 points and 8.8 rebounds a game. The Rockets are 24-11 ATS when playing a team with a winning record in the second half of the year the last two years. PLAY ON HOUSTON -
Chris Jordan
California -2 at ARIZONA
It's a battle for first place in the Pacific 10 today, and with preseason favorite in the mix, I have to side with the Golden Bears here.
I'll hand it to the Wildcats, the youthful and exuberant bunch has been scrappy, but I don't know if it has what it'll take to challenge the Bears.
Cal's four senior starters all average double figures, while three of them - Jerome Randle, Patrick Christopher and Theo Robertson - can all bury the long ball from three-point range.
And since Randle demands defensive attention wherever he is at on the floor, you're either going to have to surrender a second defender, or suffer the consequences from his sharpshooting expertise.
Cal has such a deep roster offensively; even when Robertson went scoreless against ASU the other night, the Bears still won impressively by eight.
And at the other end, the Bears have managed to keep opponents to a meager 27 percent three-point shooting in conference games, the second-lowest defensive three-point percentage in the Pac-10.
Too much talent, the Bears roll.
1♦ CALIFORNIA
Tony Weston
How’d you like that outright winner on Baylor yesterday? The Bears take Texas into OT and get the job done with a strong upset victory.
I’m handing you another Comp Play winner today as I’m taking Florida on the road at Tennessee.
Coming into this game there have been few teams as hot as Florida in the SEC. The Gators are riding a 4-game SU winning streak and have covered in 3 of those 4 games.
Florida rolls into Knoxville having covered in 4 of its last 5 games on the road and now gets to battle a Tennessee team that has had its share of struggles lately.
The Vols have lost back-to-back games SU and ATS coming into today and have covered in just 2 their last 7 games when installed as a home chalk.
Tennessee is laying about 8 points today and will be in a position to lose outright as the Gators flirt with the outright victory.
Take the points and take Florida on the road in this one.
3♦ FLORIDA
Craig Davis
Today's free play is on the NFC Pro Bowlers. They've won the last two and three of the last four in this series and I just think they are more talented, top to bottom. But I think the biggest difference is going to be at the QB position where I think the NFC has a decided advantage. Aside from Matt Schaub, the AFC might be in a bit of trouble. Vince Young and David Garrard are the two backups, and once Schaub is taken out of the game the AFC offense might struggle. Young is still learning the ropes while David Garrard is lucky he still has a job. It's amazing the AFC has had to rely on him of all people, but when Manning is in the Super Bowl and Tom Brady and Philip Rivers are injured, it really leaves you with only a few options. That just tells you how bad the QBs are in the AFC right now. Meanwhile, the NFC will feature three QBs who threw 10 INTs or less this season and all led their teams to the playoffs. Aaron Rodgers is going to find himself in this game for years to come; Romo might follow suit; McNabb has been to plenty of them and is still solid despite getting up there in age. QBs rule the roost, and I'd be more comfortable backing the NFC with those QBs on my side.
3♦ NFC
DUNKEL
Phoenix at Houston
The Rockets look to take advantage of a Phoenix team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games as a road underdog. Houston is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockets favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Houston (-3 1/2)
Game 801-802: Denver at San Antonio
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 123.298; San Antonio 121.479
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 4 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (+4 1/2); Over
Game 803-804: LA Lakers at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 121.503; Boston 121.661
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 1; 195
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+1); Over
Game 805-806: LA Clippers at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 110.450; Cleveland 128.874
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 18 1/2; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 11 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-11 1/2); Over
Game 807-808: Philadelphia at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 114.130; New Jersey 108.212
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 6; 183
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 4 1/2; 189
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-4 1/2); Under
Game 809-810: Indiana at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 111.433; Toronto 124.543
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 13; 215
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 9; 217
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-9); Under
Game 811-812: Orlando at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 122.819; Detroit 112.638
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 10; 184
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 5; 187
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-5); Under
Game 813-814: New York at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: New York 113.865; Minnesota 110.276
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 3 1/2; 213
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota by 2; 211
Dunkel Pick: New York (+2); Over
Game 815-816: Golden State at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 118.437; Oklahoma City 122.843
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 4 1/2; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 9; 214
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+9); Under
Game 817-818: Phoenix at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 115.132; Houston 121.418
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 221
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 3 1/2; 219
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-3 1/2); Over
NCAAB
Maryland at Clemson
The Terps look to build on their 8-0 ATS mark in their last 8 games as a road underdog from from 1 to 6 1/2 points. Maryland is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Terps favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Maryland (+4 1/2)
Game 819-820: Minnesota at Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 71.313; Ohio State 75.847
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 7
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+7)
Game 821-822: Virginia Tech at Miami (FL)
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia Tech 67.389; Miami (FL) 68.493
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 1
Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (+2 1/2)
Game 823-824: Pittsburgh at South Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 67.341; South Florida 66.412
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 1
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Florida (+3 1/2)
Game 825-826: Florida at Tennessee
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 65.160; Tennessee 77.038
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 12
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-7 1/2)
Game 827-828: Butler at WI-Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 69.264; WI-Milwaukee 61.232
Dunkel Line: Butler by 8
Vegas Line: Butler by 7
Dunkel Pick: Butler (-7)
Game 829-830: Ball State at Ohio
Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 50.828; Ohio 56.487
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio by 11
Dunkel Pick: Ball State (+11)
Game 831-832: Valparaiso at WI-Green Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Valparaiso 53.570; WI-Green Bay 59.447
Dunkel Line: WI-Green Bay by 6
Vegas Line: WI-Green Bay by 5
Dunkel Pick: WI-Green Bay (-5)
Game 833-834: Fordham at Xavier
Dunkel Ratings: Fordham 40.474; Xavier 73.408
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 33
Vegas Line: Xavier by 27 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-27 1/2)
Game 835-836: Indiana State at Evansville
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 55.430; Evansville 52.973
Dunkel Line: Indiana State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Indiana State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (-1)
Game 837-838: Penn State at Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 58.975; Purdue 75.739
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 17
Vegas Line: Purdue by 15
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-15)
Game 839-840: California at Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: California 66.576; Arizona 66.622
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: California by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (+2 1/2)
Game 841-842: St. Joseph's at Duquesne
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 53.330; Duquesne 57.631
Dunkel Line: Duquesne by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 7
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (+7)
Game 843-844: Maryland at Clemson
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 74.104; Clemson 72.434
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Clemson by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (+4 1/2)
Game 845-846: Virginia at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia 64.523; North Carolina 72.023
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia (+8 1/2)
Game 847-848: Wichita State at Southern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 61.947; Southern Illinois 60.646
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-1)
Game 849-850: Manhattan at St. Peter's
Dunkel Ratings: Manhattan 50.714; St. Peter's 60.282
Dunkel Line: St. Peter's by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Peter's (-5 1/2)
Game 851-852: Niagara at Loyola-MD
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 53.094; Loyola-MD 54.023
Dunkel Line: Loyola-MD by 1
Vegas Line: Niagara by 2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-MD (+2)
Game 853-854: Montana State at Northern Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Montana State 47.809; Northern Colorado 60.211
Dunkel Line: Northern Colorado by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Northern Colorado by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (-9 1/2)
Game 855-856: IPFW at IUPUI
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 48.367; IUPUI 60.604
Dunkel Line: IUPUI by 12
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 857-858: Arkansas at Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas 59.196; Mississippi 71.981
Dunkel Line: Mississippi by 13
Vegas Line: Mississippi by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi (-11 1/2)
NHL
Detroit at Pittsburgh
The Red Wings look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh team that is 1-6 in its last 7 Sunday games. Detroit is the pick (+135) according to Dunkel, which has the Red Wings favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+135)
Game 1-2: Tampa Bay at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.518; Washington 12.726
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-250); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-250); Over
Game 3-4: Detroit at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.481; Pittsburgh 11.292
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+135); Under
Game 5-6: NY Islanders at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 11.944; Florida 11.535
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+145); Over
Game 7-8: Los Angeles at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.748; New Jersey 11.333
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-170); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+150); Over
Game 9-10: Phoenix at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.793; Dallas 11.189
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-140); 5
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-140); Under
Game 11-12: NY Rangers at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.554; Colorado 11.619
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-190); Under
SPORTS WAGERS
Indiana +9 over TORONTO
The Raps stock is higher than its been all season and as a result of that the oddsmakers have made them a 9-point choice, the most the Raps have been favored all season long. To give you an idea of how overvalued the Raps are here you only need to look back a short time ago when the Raps were a 7½-point favorite at home against the Nets. That was the highest the Raps have been favored this season. They were also a 7½-point favorite at the ACC over Minnesota and failed to cover in that game. So, yeah, they’re playing some very decent ball right now but this is the exact type of spot in which they could be very vulnerable. In the past and up to this point they’ve been playing with a “us against the world” attitude and now, leading up to a game in which they’ve been reading about how good they’re playing, you can expect a big-time struggle against this underachieving Pacers squad. Make no mistake, the Pacers are dangerous because they have all the ingredients to pull an upset on any day. They have a quality big-man in the middle in Roy Hibbert. They have an outstanding power-forward in Danny Granger and they have a slew of quality scorers that can get hot at any time. So, yeah, the Raps are going good but they’re overpriced here and it would not surprise one bit to see the Pacers win this one outright. Play: Indiana +9 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
SOUTH FLORIDA +3½ over Pittsburgh
Wagering on sports is so much more than breaking down the stats or picking the team that should win. In fact, if the better team always won we’d all be filthy rich but that is not the case and this is a prime example of recognizing that something is not right. Pitt is one of the Big-East powers and they come in ranked #17 in the nation. They have recent road wins at both #15 UConn and #5 Syracuse. Winning in Syracuse is one of the best wins of the year by any team anywhere and it’s worth noting that the Panthers won both those games by 10 points. Incidentally, South Florida lost at Syracuse by 17 and they lost by 19 to the only other ranked team they played, West Virginia. Furthermore, the Bulls are still without its second leading scorer, Augustus Gilchrist, who remains on the rack with a sprained ankle. Now on the first Sunday without NFL football since early September and in the first game of the day to tip-off at 1:00 PM, the oddsmakers have made the superior Panthers a small 3-point favorite and that line will go up. Win, lose or draw, this is a big-time trap and we’re urging you to back off the favorite because the oddsmakers could have made the Panthers a six-point favorite and not swayed a single bet. They’re looking for Pitt money and they’re going to get a ton of it and it’s for that exact reason that the “right side” is the one the books don’t want us to play. Play: South Florida +3½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
FLORIDA -½ +1.03 over NY Islanders
Let’s go back about two weeks ago when the Islanders were playing real solid and had won nine of 12 games. They were scoring goals, they were having fun, they were a cohesive unit and no team was working harder. What transpired next was the return of Rick DiPietro, a guy that had been out for a year and played just five games the year before. The Islanders turned over a whole slew of players during that time and not many of them were familiar with DiPietro. There’s an old saying that says, “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” but the Islanders were without choice because DiPietro was ready and is signed for 15 years at 67M in one of the most ridiculous signings in the history of all sports. Dwayne Roloson and Marty Biron were doing just fine and in fact, Roloson was playing tremendous. What the whole team sees now is Biron being the odd man out, Roloson slowly but surely being relegated to back-up and the 67-million dollar man stepping in and being treated like he’s the second coming. The smarter move would’ve been to allow DiPietro to play about every five games and keep Roloson as the main guy so as not to disrupt the “chemistry” on the team. But alas, management chose the other route and the team is paying the price. The Islanders have lost four in a row and five of six and they’ve scored just eight goals in its last five games. Meanwhile, the Panthers have one regulation loss in its last nine games. No goaltender in the NHL is playing better than Tomas Vokoun and no team works harder than these Panthers. They’ll catch the Islanders in a bad frame of mind and in the second leg of back-to-back afternoon games. Boy, 67 million sure doesn’t buy you what it used to. Play: Florida -½ +1.03 (Risking 2 units).
Cincinnati Kid
Va Tech @ MIAMI FL
Play: MIAMI FL
Hurricanes and Hokies collide on the ACC hardwood this afternoon from sunny South Florida. Canes seeking that sweet W today after faltering in their three previous contests - Va Tech travels off the upset win earlier this week...inside the series Miami Fl has been the Hokies whipping boys of late losing four in a row and six of the last seven vs. the number...yet a closer look reveals the Canes find the sweet spot when playing off BB SU losses cashing five of six tickets vs. today's visitor. When Va Tech takes to the road off a SU dog win they have sputtered in six of those seven attempts when facing a club off BB SU losses. Hurricanes bring the storm today in Coral Gables.
Hollywood Sports
Witchita State at Southern Illinois
Prediction: Southern Illinois
Wichita State (18-4) has been a dominant 13-0 at home this season -- but they are just 4-3 with a meager +2.9 net point differential on the road. And the Shockers 74-66 win against Illinois State on Wednesday was just their second win in their last four games. Southern Illinois (12-8) looks to bounce back from their 68-65 loss at Indiana State. The Salukis are tough at home as they sport a 7-3 record with a +6.9 net point differential. In particular, the Southern Illinois defense is stingy on their home court as they hold their opponents to just 41% shooting from the field. This looks to be a difficult situation for the Shockers as they have failed to cover the spread in seven of their last ten road games when listed as the underdog. Lay the points with Southern Illinois in this Missouri Valley Conference contest.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on 76ers/Nets UNDER 189.5
The last time these two teams faced off in New Jersey we only saw a combined 161 points, and the time before that, we only saw 163 combined points. In fact, the Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings overall. The Nets enter having played to the Under in 5 straight and the 76ers in 6 straight. We'll make a small play on the Under her today.
John Ryan
Phoenix Suns at Houston Rockets
Prediction: Houston Rockets
5* graded play on Houston in the NBA as they take on Phoenix set to start at 7:00 EST. Our proprietary sports handicapping model clearly shows that Houston will win this game by 5 or more points. This is going to a faster paced game and we strongly believe Houston will score 105 or more points. Note that Phoenix is just 7-21 ATS (-16.1 Units) when they allow 105 or more points in a game this season. Houston is 16-5 ATS (+10.5 Units) when they score 105 to 109 points in a game over the last 2 seasons. Phoenix is averaging just 6 steals per game this season and Houston has done very in past games against poor pressure teams going 25-11 ATS over the last 3 seasons. Take Houston.
Rocketman
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Play: Cleveland -11.5
LA Clippers are 20-26 on the season while Cleveland comes in with a 37-11 overall record this year. LA Clippers are 38-63 ATS last 3 years against a team with a winning record. LA Clippers are 12-32 ATS last 3 years against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Cleveland is 18-3 SU at home this year. LA Clippers have lost 3 in a row while Cleveland has won 7 in a row. Cavaliers are 17-7-1 ATS in their last 25 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. Home team is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings. Clippers are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Cleveland. We'll recommend a small play on Cleveland today!
LT Profits
Montana State vs Northern Colorado
This is a big game in the Big Sky Conference as the Montana State Bobcats and Northern Colorado Bears are both 6-3 in conference play, and we look for a tightly contested battle until the end.
Yes, the Bears are a nice 17-5 overall, but apparently they are no longer a well kept secret from the bookmakers, as they enter this contest righting a five-game losing streak against the spread. This has dropped Northern Colorado below .500 ATS, at 8-9 for the season. Yes, they are 8-1 straight up at home, but that loss came in their last game vs. the Montana Grizzlies on Thursday.
The other Division I team from Montana, the Bobcats, is 11-9 overall including 4-7 on the road. They are 9-8 ATS however, and they did hand Northern Colorado one of their five losses in an 87-63 rout last month. Sure, that puts a big revenge angle in play for the Bears, but that appears to be built into this high line.
Montana State is a very good three-point shooting team at 36.6 percent, and they protect the ball well, only turning the ball over on 18.6 percent of their possessions, which ranks a very respectable 76 in the country. That combination always makes the Bobcats dangerous as decided underdogs
Such should be the case again today in a game that should not be decided until the final seconds.
Pick: Montana State +9.5
Ben Burns
Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils
PICK: New Jersey Devils -160
The Kings are on quite the roll. This is a tough spot for them though. Not only did they play yesterday but they're also playing the final game of a lengthy road trip. Having already achieved more than they ever could have expected on the trip, it should be easy for them to get caught looking ahead to their return to the West Coast.
With the Devils, off a 5-4 win vs. Toronto, a profitable 10-2 this season after allowing four or more goals in their previous game, consider laying the wood.