Free Picks: Service Plays for Sunday, March 3

NCAAB

Michigan State at Michigan
The Spartans look to take advantage of a Michigan team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games against Big Ten opponents. Michigan State is the pick (+4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Spartans favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+4 1/2)

Game 819-820: Michigan State at Michigan (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 74.625; Michigan 72.077
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 2 1/2; 128
Vegas Line: Michigan by 4 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+4 1/2); Under

Game 821-822: Villanova at Pittsburgh (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 64.006; Pittsburgh 74.377
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 9
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-9)

Game 823-824: Florida State at North Carolina (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida State 55.689; North Carolina 74.209
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 18 1/2; 152
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 13; 147
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-13); Over

Game 825-826: DePaul at South Florida (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: DePaul 54.781; South Florida 59.216
Dunkel Line: South Florida by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: South Florida by 3
Dunkel Pick: South Florida (-3)

Game 827-828: Washington State at Washington (3:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 58.258; Washington 63.052
Dunkel Line: Washington by 5; 126
Vegas Line: Washington by 7; 131
Dunkel Pick: Washington State (+7); Under

Game 829-830: Virginia at Boston College (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Virginia 71.331; Boston College 63.410
Dunkel Line: Virginia by 8
Vegas Line: Virginia by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Virginia (-4 1/2)

Game 831-832: Utah at Stanford (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 56.008; Stanford 68.506
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 10
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-10)

Game 833-834: NC State at Georgia Tech (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC State 67.465; Georgia Tech 62.314
Dunkel Line: NC State by 5; 142
Vegas Line: NC State by 4; 136 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (-4); Over

Game 835-836: Manhattan at Loyola-MD (12:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Manhattan 50.800; Loyola-MD 59.394
Dunkel Line: Loyola-MD by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Loyola-MD by 7
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-MD (-7)

Game 837-838: Fairfield at Marist (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 51.946; Marist 55.051
Dunkel Line: Marist by 3
Vegas Line: Fairfield by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+4 1/2)

Game 839-840: Siena at Iona (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Siena 41.204; Iona 60.110
Dunkel Line: Iona by 19
Vegas Line: Iona by 17
Dunkel Pick: Iona (-17)

Game 841-842; Purdue at Wisconsin (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 58.062; Wisconsin 80.665
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 22 1/2; 122
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 14; 118
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-14); Over

DAVE PRICE

Georgia Tech +4

It's the last home game of the season (senior night) for Georgia Tech, and it will be lacking no motivation as it looks to avenge a 13-point loss at NC State in the first meeting. The Wolfpack haven't been the same team on the road where they are 1-5 in their last 6 with the lone win coming by only 1 point. They are 0-3 ATS in their last 3 road games. The Yellow Jackets are a solid 11-5 on their home floor, and although they have dropped 3 of their last 4 at home, 2 of the losses came by 3 points or less. The underdog is 11-3-1 ATS in the last 15 meetings between these two, and I expect this trend to continue as the Jackets leave it all out on the floor on senior night. Take the points.

Chris Jordan

It's the biggest game on the NBA card today - not the Miami-New York game - and I have to side with the Oklahoma City Thunder getting it done on the road over the L.A. Clippers. Listen, as intriguing as that Eastern Conference clash is, why do you think ESPN made Kevin Durant the Sunday Conversation today? It's because it knows which teams will be watched more today.

The Clippers, clearly a championship contender this season, has won four straight games, while the Thunder, the defending West champs, are looking to avoid their third-straight road setback.

I know Los Angeles has looked good since the return of point guard Chris Paul, who was out with a bruised right kneecap. And I realize the Clippers have won eight of their last nine games with all wins coming by way of 15.5 points, on average. But these are the Thunder, and they're not about to let these up-and-comes steal their, well, thunder.

Northwest-leading Oklahoma City knocked off L.A. in overtime back in November, 117-111, and then scored a 109-97 road win in L.A. in January. Forget about the Thunder losing six of eight with a suitcase in hand since that Jan. 22 win. If we're arguing streaks, how about the ATS streaks Okie City arrives on: 8-2 against the Pacific Division and 7-2 after a straight-up loss.

Take the road pup here, as the Thunder should roll.

3* OKLAHOMA CITY

Scott Delaney

My free winner for tonight is going to be in the NBA, as I lay the home chalk with the San Antonio Spurs over the Detroit Pistons.

Some teams thrive and can make-do when there are injuries, others struggle. Perfect example, I don't think I've ever seen a team like the San Antonio Spurs, and how it responds to adversity the way they have the past couple years when their roster gets dinged up. On the other hand, it wasn't too long ago the Pistons were thought to be a team that could make a run at the No. 8 spot in the Eastern Conference, but have suffered through injuries.

And with revenge on the brain from a Rodeo Trip loss in Motown not too long ago, I think the Spurs are going to make Detroit pay dearly. I know Tony Parker is out for probably the next four weeks with a pretty severe ankle sprain, but that won't matter, as there is plenty of talent to go around, and the Spurs know how to cope.

San Antonio, with the best record in the NBA, is in on ATS win streaks of 5-0 on NBA Sundays and 8-2 versus the Central Division On the other hand, the Pistons are in on ATS slides of 2-10 against the Western Conference, 1-8 against the Southwest Division and 1-4 overall.

3* SAN ANTONIO

Vegas Sports Informer

Miami (-3) over New York Knicks

The Knicks have owned the Miami Heat as of late. But nobody has owned Miami in the last couple of weeks. LeBron James is playing MVP basketball again and shocking D-Wade has ben playing his best basketball all season long. Look for some revenge and redemption from the Heat, and I see this game coming down the wire. But I also think Miami will be able to pull away late in the 4th quarter. They are the better defensive team, and they are playing outstanding basketball right now. I think that the Heat will love playing in New York City on the big stage, and I think that they are going to take it right to the Knicks. This should be a good game, but in the end it will go to the champions.

Jesse Schule

This is a Free play on STL@DAL to go UNDER the total,

The Blues rank in the top 10 in the NHL in goals scored, with an average of nearly three goals per game. They also own the league's #1 power-play unit, scoring on roughly 30% of their chances on the man-advantage. It might not be so easy for the Blues to keep it up offensively though, with several key players going down with injuries.

Their leading scorer Alex Steen is out of the lineup with an upper body injury, Vladimir Tarasenko is also out of the lineup with a concussion. Jamie Langenbrunner is out for the season, and Andy McDonald is also out with a knee injury. That's a lot of offensive firepower missing from the Blues roster.

Dallas welcomed starting netminder Kari Lehtonen back to the lineup on Thursday, but he was lit up for five goals on 38 shots in a 5-1 loss to Edmonton. The 29 year old may have been a little rusty in his first game back, and he's likely to be better after having his first game under his belt. Lehtonen has been brilliant for the Stars this season, with a record of 7-3-1 with a 2.38 GAA.

The Blues have also welcomed back their starting goalie, with Jaroslav Halak getting back from an injury that has kept him out for a few weeks. Halak is 5-1-1 with a 1.90 GAA this season.

St Louis is a very stingy team defensively, allowing very few shots on goal. The Blues have limited opponents to 20 shots or fewer in four of Halak's last five starts.

The under is 3-1-1 the last five times these teams have faced each other in Dallas. Goals should be few and far between on Sunday afternoon in "Big D".

Take the UNDER.

Brad Wilton

Sunday's comp play comes in the NBA, as I side with the Thunder as the small underdog at the Clippers.

There is a strong chance these 2 teams will be the last standing in the West come playoff time, and the fact the Thunder has won and covered both series meetings thus far does not bode well for "Lob City" in this spot on Sunday.

True, Chris Paul missed the last meeting between the teams, but the Clippers bigger issue is slowing down Kevin Durant who is averaging 34 points per game in the previous meetings.

Los Angeles is playing hot right now - 4 wins in a row, and wins in 8 of their last 9, while Oklahoma City is just 3-4 their last 7, and the Thunder are coming off a Friday night loss in Denver.

Have to believe Oklahoma City gets back on track and cools off L.A. in the process.

Take the Thunder to roll.

3* OKLAHOMA CITY

Craig Davis

Your free play is the Dallas Mavericks plus the points against the Houston Rockets in what should be a fun, high-tempo game.

Houston is a tough team to figure out. They'll beat Oklahoma City, Denver and the Clippers but then lose to Toronto, Cleveland and Brooklyn. Right now they happen to be in the midst of a crazy down trend and the Mavs are catching them at a good time.

While the Dallas Mavericks have had their way with the Rockets recently, they also aren't stupid enough to think this game will be easy. Dallas has their sights set higher than just beating the Rockets for the 10th consecutive time... they need to make up some ground in the West so they don't miss the playoffs for the first time in 10 years.

Dallas (26-32) has its work cut out if it hopes to catch Houston (32-28), the current 8-seed if the Western Conference playoffs were to start today. With two straight games coming up against Houston, they could make up two games quickly in their efforts to get back in the race.

A 116-109 road win Dec. 8 was followed up with a 105-100 home victory on Jan. 16. James Harden dominated the first meeting with 39 points, but Dallas G OJ Mayo was one better with 40.

Dallas is 35-7 all-time versus Houston when Dirk Nowitzki scores at least 16 points. He had 19 in the Jan. 16 victory after missing the first matchup due to injury.

I like Dallas to keep this close and keep their winning streak against the Rockets going with another win today.

3* DALLAS

Jeff Benton

Sunday's freebie is the Miami Heat as the road favorite in New York.

No chance the Heat take the Knicks lightly, since New York believes they are a viable competitor for the crown the Heat currently wear.

The Knickerbockers have won both regular season meetings this year after getting eliminated in 5 short games last year in the postseason by Miami.

Miami is currently riding a 12 game winning streak, and they have covered their last 5 road games coming into the Garden on Sunday.

New York has reeled off 3 straight wins heading into this game, but their spread mark of 1-7-1 their last 9 does not instill much confidence in backing them plus the points with the Heat seeking double-revenge.

Miami the call.

4* MIAMI

Marc LawrenceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Dallas Mavericks at Houston RocketsFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Prediction: Dallas MavericksFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Don't look now but since the return of a healthy Captain Dirk (Nowitzki) to the Dallas lineup, the Mavericks are hitting on all cylinders. That's confirmed by the Mavs' 13-5 ATS mark in their last 18 games, including 8-1 ATS away. With Houston 0-7 SUATS the last seven games n this series, look for more of the same here today. We recommend a 1-unit play on Dallas.

Rob Vinciletti

Charlotte Bobcats vs. Sacramento Kings
Play: Charlotte Bobcats +7½

You will have to reach down and grab them here tonight like usually when playing Charlotte. However this is a good spot for them as we note that road teams with rest that scored 80 or less and shot 40% or less with 20 or less assists are 13-1 to the spread vs an opponent that was a road dog of 10 or more and had previous rest. The Kings are not good enough to lay 7 point and played no defense against the Spurs last out. They allowed 130 points on 61% shooting as the Spurs had 41 assists, easily the highest out put in the league this season. The Kings are also 0-6 ats at home if both teams lost and failed to cover last out. Take the Points here.

Alex Smart

Miami Heat vs. New York Knicks
Play: Miami Heat -4½

The Heat will enter Sunday's matinee showdown in Madison Square Garden surfing a 13-game winning streak. Thats not good news for a Knicks team, that despite of some great talent, have stumbled a little bit of late. Miami also has revenge on board vs New York, which has won both meetings between the teams this season , thanks to the Knicks converting 37 3-pointers. Both wins for the Knicks came by a 20-point deficit. The Heat Im betting will ramp up the defense, and slow down the Knicks this time around! The Heat know how to put Ws on the board against tough competition and seem to take the foot off the pedal against lower teir teams. That was evident of late against Sacraemento and Cleveland- but against an elite team like the Knicks you can bet the Heat will fire up the engines and put the pedal to the metal, and really throttle their opponent as the game progresses. Knicks are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 games overallHeat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

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Florida State at North CarolinaFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Pick: North CarolinaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Florida State just hasn't ever gotten it together this season. They don't run much of an offense, and the normally stout Seminoles defense has been missing in action on too many occasions. I'm obviously not attending any FSU practices, but this team just looks like one that doesn't have much chemistry. North Carolina has some flaws, but the Tar Heels are playing well right now and I can see them rolling here against an opponent that is playing with little urgency. Not a cheap price, but it's a spot where the hosts might be able to put on a show. I'll side with North Carolina minus the points.

Jim Feist

Chicago at Indiana
Pick: Under

The Chicago Bulls bring a modest 2-game winning streak into tonight's contest after their win at home on Saturday over the Nets, 96-85. Problem here is that the Bulls are in the second of a back-to-back spot. This usually means the Bulls will look to slow the pace way down. The last seven times in this spot, their game has gone UNDER. When this second game has been on the road, the Bulls have played five straight UNDERS. The Pacers haven't been scoring much of late, posting 93 or fewer points in three of their last four games. Indiana is coming off a road win at Toronto, 93-81. These clubs usually play pretty close to the vest, evidenced by the seven of the last nine meetings going UNDER the total. Your free play for Sunday is the UNDER.