Joel Tyson
13-6 comp play run the last 19 days as the Magic cash in on Saturday night!
Both the Hornets and the Suns have been burning their backers of late, as New Orleans heads to the valley of the sun having dropped 6 straight pointspread decisions, while winning just 2 of their last 10 straight up.
Phoenix has been a bust-out in their last 3 against the spread, while splitting their last 6 games straight up.
Still, prefer to lay it with the Suns who have won and covered 3 of the last 4 series meetings, and who are still on a 14-5 overall spread run their last 19 games.
Suns add to the Hornets misery on Sunday.
3♦ PHOENIX
Jeff Benton
Got back on the winning track with the free plays Saturday as Temple (5♦) destroyed Rhode Island. So I’m now on runs 37-19-1, 27-13-1, 24-12-1 and 18-9-1 with plays that I’m giving away! For Sunday, I’ll go right back to Temple and lay the chalk against Richmond in the Atlantic 10 tournament finale.
I like Richmond – a lot! I think the Spiders deserve an NCAA Tournament bid, and if they get it, I think they could be a sleeper. I just don’t like Richmond today, in this spot, against a red-hot Temple team that’s not only gunning for its third straight A-10 tourney title and also is seeking to avenge one of its two conference losses.
It was back on Feb. 6 that the Owls went to Richmond and stumbled to a 71-54 loss as a 1½-point road underdog. It was a thorough beat-down as the Spiders shot 57.8 percent (including 9-for-16 from three-point range) and Temple shot 31.4 percent (1-for-10 from three-point range). Well, all the Owls have done since then is win nine in a row, cashing in eight of those contests (including the last six in a row). During the nine-game winning streak (all in the Atlantic 10), here are the point totals Temple has surrendered: 56, 55, 67 (in overtime), 41, 53, 51, 57, 51 and 44 points.
While Richmond struggled to win its first two tournament games (77-72 over UMass on Friday; 89-85 over Xavier in overtime on Saturday), Temple annihilated St. Bonaventure (69-51) and Rhode Island (57-44). And while Richmond’s last five games have been decided by five points or less, Temple has posted six double-digit wins during its winning streak (none by fewer than six points).
Bottom line: Obviously, Richmond desperately wants to get this game to lock up its Big Dance bid and take away any doubt, the Spiders are running into a freaking buzzsaw, and it’s a buzzsaw that’s been ridiculously good defensively. Throw in the Owls’ astounding 40-14-1 ATS run in the Atlantic 10, and it’s a no-brainer to lay this cheap price.
5♦ TEMPLE
Matt Rivers
Minnesota vs. Ohio State
What an amazing end of the season for Tubby Smith's Golden Gophers. This team was dead and buried not much longer than a few weeks ago according to many, including myself. This program had been through a ton in terms of suspensions and overall issues and appeared to be worn down and just underachieving to the max.
Minnesota always had some talent and was many people's Big Ten surprise team but all in all it just never panned out. Until now.
Westbrook, Joseph, Sampson III and Hoffarber form a squad right now that is no joke at all. After three straight ridiculously impressive victories in this tournament, and at 21-12 overall, these guys should be in the Big Dance. What they did to Purdue yesterday was impossible to believe. Yes Robbie Hummel is out and the Boilermakers were awful but don't take all the credit away from yesterday's three point pup.
But it's sill far from certain that the Gophers definitely have their ticket punched and have to go out today as if their tournament lives are at stake and impress one more time. It won't be easy by any means as Evan Turner is the best player in the nation and the Buckeyes are a high quality team that is at worst a two seed in the NCAA tournament.
As I said yesterday though when I went against Ohio State, that Thad Matta's boys do have flaws as they are lacking much of a bench and can get outrebounded at times.
OSU has looked mediocre at the very best in both of their games here in Indianapolis, obviously very lucky to have even beaten Michigan on that 35 foot buzzer beating three and were definitely outplayed yesterday by the Illini in the double overtime thriller.
Grabbing only around four is not a great deal because Ohio State is the superior team but these Gophers appear to be very focused and on a mission and in the end I don't see another average performance by the Buckeyes being able to derail this surging train.
The pick: Minnesota
Tom Freese
Toronto at Portland
Toronto is led in scoring by Chris Bosh. He scores 24.1 points and 11.2 rebounds a game. Center Andrea Bargnani scores 17.2 points a game. Forward Hedo Turkoglu scores. Point guard Jarrett Jack scores 11.4 points a game. Guard Jorge Calderon scores 11.7 points a game. Toronto scores 104.1 points and they allow 105.9 points a game. The Raptors are 7-20-1 ATS when playing with no rest and they are 1-9 ATS their last 10 overall. Portland is led in scoring by guard Brandon Roy and his 22.4 points a game. Forward LaMarcus Aldridge scores 17.3 points and 8 rebounds a game. Point guard Andre Miller scores 13.7 points a game. Small forward Martell Webster scores 9.8 points a game. Guard Jerryd Bayless scores 9.3 points a game. The Blazers score 98.2 points a game and they allow 95.2 points a game. Portland is 9-4 ATS after scoring 100 or more points in their last game and they are 5-2 ATS their last 7 games as favorites. PLAY ON PORTLAND -
Scott Spreitzer
Minnesota at Ohio State
I'm laying the points with Ohio State on Sunday. It's been a very nice run for the Golden Gophers, but it all ends right here, as far as I'm concerned. Ralph Sampson III was running all over the court after the win over Purdue telling anyone who'd listen that his team can compete with any team in the country. Settle down, big boy. You just beat a Purdue team that's nowhere near as good as they would have been if they still had Robbie Hummel in uniform. On Sunday, they take on one of the better teams in the nation when they face the Ohio State Buckeyes. And don't think for a second that OSU is going to "take a day off." Ohio State believes they still have a shot at a #1 seed if they win the Big-10 tourney. Whether they're right or wrong doesn't matter. The bottom line is that they believe it, and will play with a purpose. Ohio State takes care of business at both ends of the court, scoring 74 ppg on 49.4% shooting (5th best FG percentage), while holding opponents to 61 ppg on 41% shooting. OSU rocked Minnesota by 22 points on January 31, and I expect another wide margin win on Sunday. The favorite is on an 8-0 ATS run in this series, and the Buckeyes are on a 70% ATS run against winning teams. Meanwhile, the Gophers have lost six in a row ATS when playing their third game in five days. I'm laying the points with Ohio State on Sunday.
Play on: Ohio State
VEGAS EXPERTS
Utah Jazz at Oklahoma City Thunder
This is Utah's third game in four nights. Oklahoma City is 19-6 ATS coming off an ATS loss and has already beaten the Jazz twice this year. In a game between two teams that both have a win percentage of .600 and .750, the home team is 275-202 ATS the last five NBA seasons or 57% winners.
Play on: Oklahoma City
Dave Price
1 Unit on Phoenix Suns -8
Here's the key: Plays on home teams (PHOENIX) off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 3 or less games in 10 days, are 55-20 ATS the last 5 seasons (73.3%), 37-13 ATS the last 3 seasons (74%) and 10-3 ATS this season (77%). We'll take the rested Suns in this bounce back spot tonight.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Jazz/Thunder UNDER 204.5
Both of these teams have played to the Over quite often lately, but it's been a defensive battle whenever they get together. As a result, the Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Oklahoma City and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings overall. A big key here is how dominant Utah is on the glass. OKC is 16-6 Under versus good rebounding teams outrebounding opponents by 3+ per game over the last 2 seasons, and we are only seeing 190.6 points on average in these spots. The Jazz just don't allow that many second chance points. The Under is 5-1 in the Jazz's last 6 games as a road underdog of 4.5 or fewer points and 6-2 in the Thunder's last 8 games as a home favorite of 4.5 or less. We'll take the Under.
JR O'Donnell
Toronto Maple Leafs vs. New York Islanders
Play: Toronto Maple Leafs -101
We note that the Toronto Leafs are actually red hot and playing the best hockey. Our sources have net minder Giguere will get the start against the Islanders. Looking at the Toronto Leafs they traded their first round pick to Boston earlier in the year. In order to ensure that this pick is not a top 3 pick they need to play solid hockey down the stretch & match the Islanders in the standings. This is a must win for them! Last games victory gave the Leafs their first three-game winning streak all season. They haven't won four straight since Feb. 22-28, 2009.. The Islanders also played their best goaltender, Dwayne Roloson last night against New Jersey. He is 40 years old & he will be slow today!! Toronto has been firing the puck at the net & last game saw them fire an 47 shots on goal.
Richard Witt
Richmond +4 over Temple
Owls are snappy, well-conditioned, vetaran mid-major, blessed with a quasi-home site here an hour from Philly. But Spiders cannot be taken lightly, and have the quickness to stay with wily, athletic Temple. Smart dog is capable of winning this, and is no cinch to make the Dance without it.
Stan Lisowski
Minnesota
Golden Gophers breezed Saturday in a romp over Purdue, while Ohio State was grinding out a double overtime affair with a game Illini squad. Significant in those games are the minutes played by key personnel on both sides. Minnesota had 10 players play at least 10 minutes or more, very much spreading out floor time, while the Buckeyes had 3 starters play 49, 50, and 50 minutes on Saturday, after having 4 starters play all 40 minutes the day before against Michigan. Fatigue surely has to be a factor. Minnesota has much need to get off the bubble.
DUNKEL INDEX
Utah at Oklahoma City
The Jazz look to build on their 6-1-1 ATS record in their last 8 games as a road underdog. Utah is the pick (+3) according to Dunkel, which has the Jazz favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Utah (+3)
Game 871-872: Indiana at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 115.258; Milwaukee 126.509
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 11 1/2; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Milwaukee by 9 1/2; 204
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (-9 1/2); Over
Game 873-874: Boston at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 118.703; Cleveland 127.147
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 8 1/2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 7 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-7 1/2); Over
Game 875-876: Philadelphia at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 113.686; Miami 121.205
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 7 1/2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 6 1/2; 192
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-6 1/2); Over
Game 877-878: Charlotte at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 118.486; Orlando 124.857
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 6 1/2; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 9 1/2; 188 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+9 1/2); Under
Game 879-880: Utah at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 124.298; Oklahoma City 121.670
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 2 1/2; 201
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+3); Under
Game 881-882: New Orleans at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 114.967; Phoenix 124.718
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 9; 212
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-9); Under
Game 883-884: Minnesota at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 109.935; Sacramento 119.135
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 9; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 8; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-8); Over
Game 885-886: Toronto at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 111.948; Portland 124.512
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 12 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 8 1/2; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-8 1/2); Under
NCAAB
Minnesota vs. Ohio State
The Buckeyes look to take advantage of a Minnesota team that is coming off a 69-42 win over Purdue and is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games after allowing less than 50 points in the previous game. Ohio State is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Buckeyes favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-3 1/2)
Game 887-888: Georgia Tech vs. Duke
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Tech 68.693; Duke 75.778
Dunkel Line: Duke by 7
Vegas Line: Duke by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia Tech (+9 1/2)
Game 889-890: Richmond vs. Temple
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 65.777; Temple 65.827
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Temple by 4
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (+4)
Game 891-892: Mississippi State vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi State 66.246; Kentucky 72.679
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 8
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (+8)
Game 893-894: Minnesota vs. Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 67.741; Ohio State 75.213
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-3 1/2)
NHL Picks
Washington at Chicago
The Blackhawks look to build on their 13-3 record in their last 16 games when playing with 0 days of rest. Chicago is the pick (-120) according to Dunkel, which has the Blackhawks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-120)
Game 1-2: Philadelphia at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 10.651; NY Rangers 11.952
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-130); Under
Game 3-4: Washington at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.339; Chicago 12.373
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-120); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-120); Over
Game 5-6: Colorado at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.228; Dallas 11.858
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-110); Under
Game 7-8: Nashville at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.627; Los Angeles 12.758
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-160); Over
Game 9-10: Phoenix at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.862; Atlanta 10.978
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+115); Under
Game 11-12: Toronto at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.170; NY Islanders 12.188
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (-115); Under
Game 13-14: Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.298; Tampa Bay 12.443
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-165); 6
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+145); Over
Game 15-16: St. Louis at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 12.429; Minnesota 11.081
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+110); Over
Game 17-18: San Jose at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 10.202; Anaheim 10.849
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (+110); Over
Game 19-20: Calgary at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 12.639; Vancouver 12.598
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+145); Over
Nelly
Oklahoma City - over Utah
This is a very tough spot for the Jazz as this will be the fourth consecutive road game and sixth so far in the first two weeks of March. The Jazz lost Friday in Milwaukee and this is still marginal road team despite the run of success for Utah in the past two months. Utah is just 17-15 S/U away from home and Oklahoma City has become an increasingly difficult place to play as the Thunder are now a legitimate NBA team that will be a viable threat in the playoffs. Both of these teams have been excellent against the number this season but the Thunder have been such a sound defensive team at home which will make this a very difficult spot for the Jazz. Utah can score but Deron Williams is banged up and the Jazz are coming off tough back-to-back road games against physical defensive teams which can often take a toll. The Thunder have won both meetings between these teams this season and this looks like a favorable situation for another big win in a key game between teams closely aligned in the standings.
Chris Jordan
Boston at CLEVELAND (-7')
Siding with the Cavaliers today in this Eastern Conference showdown,.
Cleveland had won 11 straight at home against Boston before losing 95-89 on Oct. 27. The Cavaliers evened the regular-season series with a 108-88 victory at Boston on Feb. 25.
But with the season winding down, and Orlando making a ton of noise with a recent surge, I think the Cavaliers are going to be looking to make a statement with this contest.
LeBron James has averaged 37 points in two games against the C's this season, and he should be ready to go again after nursing some injuries the past couple weeks. Also back is Antawn Jamison.
And while the Cavs will be looking to open it up, the Celtics will be wondering whether or not Paul Pierce can show up, as he is shooting just 39.6 percent from the field in his past five games.
Cleveland is on a 21-7 ATS run in this series, while the Celtics are mired in a 8-19 spread slide overall right now.
2♦ CAVALIERS
Michael Cannon
Minnesota vs. Ohio State (-4), at INDIANAPOLIS, IN
I’m on a 9-4 run with my last 13 free plays!
Take Ohio State minus the points over Minnesota for the Big Ten championship.
The oddsmaker has lowered the number based on the Buckeyes previous two wins, but he’s gone too low.
Minnesota played a perfect game in yesterday’s throttling of Purdue, but they are going to be hard-pressed to repeat that performance today.
Ohio State is good enough defensively to keep Tubby Smith’s squad in check, and I see the Buckeyes extending the lead late in the game.
The chalk is on an 8-0 SUATS run in this series and I see that trend continuing today.
Take Ohio State minus the points as they grab the win and cover.
3♦ OHIO STATE