SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Florida (20-10, 13-12 ATS) at (3) Kentucky (28-2, 16-12 ATS)
The Wildcats look to wrap up the SEC’s regular-season championship when they take on Florida at Rupp Arena.
Kentucky fell to Tennessee 74-65 on Feb. 27 as a 2½-point road favorite, ending an eight-game winning streak (6-2 ATS), all in the SEC. But it bounced back at Georgia on Wednesday with an 80-68 victory giving 7½ points. On the home floor this year, the Wildcats are a perfect 18-0 (just 8-8 ATS), rolling up 83.9 ppg on sturdy 49.6 percent shooting while holding foes to just 65.5 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting. They also outrebound visitors to Rupp Arena by nearly a dozen per game (39.6-27.9).
Florida may have already seen its Big Dance bubble burst over its last two starts, losing at Georgia 78-76 as a two-point chalk on Feb. 27, then falling to No. 13 Vanderbilt 64-60 Tuesday as a three-point home favorite. The Gators have shot a modest 42.9 percent over their last five games, including just 28.8 percent from three-point range. In fact, Billy Donovan’s troops have struggled greatly from long range all year, hitting just 30.8 percent, which rates 294th among 347 teams.
Kentucky has won three of the last four meetings in this rivalry (2-2 ATS), following a 7-0 SU and 5-2 ATS run by Florida. Two months ago in Gainesville, the ‘Cats cruised 89-77 as a 3½-point chalk. Still, the Gators are 7-3 ATS in the last 10 contests, but the chalk is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings, and the home team is on a 5-2 ATS surge.
The Wildcats are 7-15 ATS in their last 22 outings after a spread-cover, but they carry positive ATS streaks of 5-1 overall (all in SEC play), 4-0 on Sunday, 4-1 after a SU win and 4-1 against winning teams. The Gators have failed to cash in five of seven overall, but they’re 7-3 ATS in their last 10 Sunday starts and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 roadies.
Kentucky is on “over” stretches of 5-2 overall, 5-1 after a SU win, 4-1 after an ATS win and 5-2 in the SEC, and Florida is on “over” streaks of 5-1 on Sunday, 8-3 after a non-cover, 7-3 after a SU loss and 13-6 against winning teams. In addition, the over has cashed in four of the last six series meetings between these rivals, but the total has tayed low in five of the last six Lexington clashes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KENTUCKY
(15) Wisconsin (22-7, 16-11 ATS) at Illinois (18-12, 12-17 ATS)
The Badgers aim to firm up their postseason credentials with a trip to Champaign for a Big Ten clash against Illinois at Assembly Hall.
Wisconsin has followed a 1-2 SU and ATS hiccup by winning three in a row (2-1 ATS), including consecutive blowout victories. On Feb. 25, the Badgers ripped Indiana 78-46 as a hefty 12-point road chalk, then they suffocated Iowa 67-40 laying 18 points at home Wednesday. Coach Bo Ryan fields the nation’s third-best scoring defense, allowing just 56.1 ppg, while his team scores 67.8 ppg. On the road, however, the margin tightens, with Wisconsin averaging 61.6 and allowing 57.3.
Illinois went on a 5-0 SU and 4-1 ATS run that put the squad on the Tournament bubble, but the Illini have since dropped four of their last five (2-3 ATS) and will likely need to win the upcoming conference tourney or be relegated to the NIT. Illinois lost to No. 6 Ohio State 73-57 catching 9½ points on the road Tuesday, and has lost its last two at home – 62-60 to Minnesota giving three points last week and 72-53 to the Buckeyes as a two-point pup. In their last five games, the Illini have averaged just 57.2 ppg on a meager 37.7 percent shooting (27.6 percent from three-point range), while surrendering 65.2 ppg.
Illinois stunned Wisconsin 63-56 a month ago as a nine-point road underdog, halting a 6-1 SU and 5-1-1 ATS run by the Badgers in this rivalry. Wisconsin is 4-1-1 ATS on its last six trips to Assembly Hall, and the favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings overall.
The Badgers have covered in just two of their last seven games against winning teams, while Illinois is on ATS skids of 1-5 at home, 4-9 against teams with a winning record and 0-4 at home against squads with a losing road mark.
In this rivalry, the total has stayed low in the last four clashes overall and six of the last eight in Champaign. In addition, Wisconsin is on “under” tears of 25-10 overall, 4-1 against winning teams, 36-16 on the highway, 14-3 on the road against teams with a winning home record, 15-5 on Sunday and 44-20 in the Big Ten. Likewise, Illinois sports “under” streaks of 5-1 overall (all in the Big Ten), 4-0 against winning teams and 15-6-1 on Sunday, though the over is 11-4 in the Illini’s last 15 home outings and 9-3 in their last dozen after a SU loss.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
MISSOURI VALLEY TOURNAMENT
(at St. Louis, Mo.)
Wichita State (25-8, 13-12-1 ATS) vs. Northern Iowa (27-4, 19-11 ATS)
The top two teams in the Missouri Valley will collide for the tournament title and an automatic Big Dance bid when the top-seeded Panthers battle Wichita State at the Scottrade Center.
Northern Iowa stifled Drake in the quarterfinals 55-40 laying 10½ points Friday, then put the handcuffs on Bradley in a 57-40 victory Saturday as an 8½-point favorite in the semifinals. The Panthers have held 11 of their last 12 conference opponents to less than 59 points, including nine to 55 or less, and they currently rank second in the nation in scoring defense at 54.4 ppg. Offensively, Northern Iowa averages 63.2 ppg.
Wichita State dropped Missouri State 73-63 as a three-point chalk in the quarterfinals, then held off Illinois State 65-61 Saturday as a two-point favorite to reach the conference title game. The Shockers have won and covered three straight after a modest two-game SU skid and six-game pointspread purge. Wichita State is averaging 70.0 ppg and giving up 61.2, and it is holding opponents to just 26.2 rebounds per game (fourth).
These two teams split their regular-season meetings this year, with the home team winning each time and Wichita State cashing in both games. On Jan. 19, the Shockers won 60-51 giving two points at home, and on Feb. 3, Northern Iowa prevailed 59-56 but fell short as a six-point home favorite. Wichita State is on a 5-2 ATS run in this rivalry (3-4 SU), cashing the last three in a row and four of the last five.
The Panthers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight neutral-site starts, going 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season (including three double-digit victories). But they are also just 2-4 ATS in their last six games against winning teams. The Shockers, meanwhile, are on ATS tears of 8-1 on neutral courts and 7-3 as a neutral-site chalk, though they still carry negative pointspread streaks of 3-6 overall, 3-6 as a chalk and 3-5 in Missouri Valley play.
Northern Iowa is on “under” tears of 23-6 overall (4-0 last four), 20-4 at neutral sites, 10-3 in road/neutral-site contests this year, 18-4 in conference action, 10-2 as a chalk, 5-1 against winning teams, 21-6 after a SU win and 8-3 as a neutral-court favorite. Both of Northern Iowa’s MVC tourney games also fell far short of the posted prices of 118½ and 118, respectively.
Prior to the MVC tourney, Wichita State was on a 7-3 “under” run on the highway, and the Shockers’ two games thus far in St. Louis split, going over the posted price of 128 against Missouri State and falling just short of the 128½-point total against Illinois State. Finally, the total stayed low in both meetings this year, after a four-game “over” streak in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NBA
L.A. Lakers (46-17, 26-34-3 ATS) at Orlando (43-20, 33-29-1 ATS)
The Lakers, looking to salvage a three-game Eastern Conference road trip and avoid their first three-game losing streak in more than two years, head to Amway Arena to face the Magic in a rematch of last season’s NBA Finals.
Los Angeles is at the beginning of stretch in which it will play 11 of 14 games on the road, and it has already dropped the first two of those games. The Lakers fell at Miami 114-111 in overtime as a five-point favorite Thursday night, then came back Friday and got trounced at Charlotte 98-83 as a 3½-point chalk. L.A. is averaging about a bucket more than its opponents on the highway this year, scoring 100 points even and allowing 98.1 ppg. That translates into a modest 17-12 road record (11-17-1 ATS).
Phil Jackson’s team hasn’t dropped three straight contests since January 2008, a stretch of 228 games (playoffs included).
Orlando has won four in a row and six of its last seven (5-2 ATS), notching three wins on the road and three at home. On Friday, the Magic topped New Jersey 97-87 but fell just short as a 10½-point road chalk, ending a three-game ATS uptick. Orlando has the NBA’s No. 1 field-goal defense (43.7 percent) and is sixth in points allowed (95.5 ppg), and over the past five games, the Magic have shot 50.1 percent and averaged 105.8 ppg, while allowing 92.4 ppg on 43.8 percent shooting.
Los Angeles has won three in a row and five of the last six in this rivalry, with four of those wins coming in the NBA Finals, and they’ve gone 4-1-1 ATS in that span. In the lone meeting this season, the Lakers won 98-92, pushing as a six-point home favorite. The Lakers are 6-1 ATS on their last six trips to Amway, the underdog is on a 10-1-1 ATS tear between these squads, and the road team is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five clashes.
The Lakers are 6-1-2 ATS in their last nine Sunday starts, but the pointspread streaks spiral downward from there, including 1-7-1 overall, 0-4 on the highway, 1-4 after a SU loss, 0-5-1 after a non-cover, 2-5 as a pup, 1-5-1 against the East and 1-5-1 against Southeast Division foes. On the flip side, the Magic are on ATS rolls of 5-2 overall, 4-1 at home (all as a chalk), 18-7-1 against the Pacific Division, 20-8 on Sunday, 7-3 after a day off and a lengthy 61-30-2 after a non-cover.
The total has stayed low in six of the last seven meetings in this rivalry, including the last three in a row. In addition, Los Angeles is on “under” streaks of 9-3 overall, 8-1 as a pup (all on the road), 6-1 against winning teams, 7-2 on the road and 26-10 following a SU loss. Likewise, Orlando is on “under” stretches of 21-7 overall, 4-0 at home (all as a chalk), 6-0 against the Pacific Division, 6-1 against winning teams, 20-6 laying points, 45-18 after a day off and 35-16 against the West.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Portland (37-27, 35-28-1 ATS) at Denver (41-21, 28-30-4 ATS)
The Trail Blazers pursue their fourth straight victory when they trek to the Mile High City to take on the Nuggets in a Northwest Division battle at the Pepsi Center.
Portland has won three in a row and five of its last six, going 4-1 SU and ATS on a five-game road trip – with the only loss coming in OT at Chicago – before returning home Wednesday night to rout Indiana 102-79 as a nine-point chalk. The Blazers have averaged 104.7 ppg in the past six games and allowed just 93, with all five wins coming by at least nine points (the last three by double digits).
Denver bounced back from losses at the Lakers and Phoenix (0-1-1 ATS) with a pair of home wins in its last two games, ripping Oklahoma City 119-90 giving seven points Wednesday and topping Indiana 122-114 as an 11-point chalk Friday. The Nuggets rate second in the league in scoring at 107.5 ppg, though they also allow 102.6 ppg (22nd). In the home jerseys, Denver’s output jumps to a whopping 112.2 ppg, while its opponents’ scoring remains the same at 102.6.
These rivals have split their last six games SU and ATS, with the home team going 5-1 ATS in that stretch, including Portland’s 107-96 victory as a one-point chalk on Christmas Day. The SU winner has cashed in the last seven meetings, the favorite is on a 5-1 ATS run, and Denver has gone 24-10-1 ATS in the last 35 meetings, including 4-1 ATS in the last five at the Pepsi Center.
The Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last five Northwest Division games, but they sport positive ATS streaks of 5-1 overall, 10-2 on the highway, 4-1 in the West and 6-2 as a road ‘dog. The Nuggets are 9-1-1 ATS in their last 11 after a non-cover and 37-14-2 ATS in their last 53 as a home chalk of five to 10½ points, but they are on pointspread slides of 1-3-1 overall, 9-19-1 as a favorite, 2-5-2 in the division and 1-7-2 after a SU win.
Portland is on “over” surges of 9-2 on the road, 6-2 as a road pup, 5-2 in division play and 14-6 in the Western Conference, and Denver is on “over” tears of 5-2 overall, 4-0 at home (all as a chalk) and 5-0 giving points. However, the Blazers are on “under” runs of 5-1 against winning teams, 5-1 as a ‘dog and 26-10-1 after a break of three or more days, and the under is 5-1 in the Nuggets’ last six against winning teams.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in five of the last six meetings overall, but the over has hit in 11 of the last 16 clashes in Denver.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER
Marc Lawrence
Florida at Kentucky
Prediction: Florida
The Gators meet the Wildcats at Rupp Arena in the regular season finale for both squads with major revenge on the minds of Florida from a 12-point home loss suffered earlier this season against Kentucky. In spite of the loss, our database reminds us that the Gators are 7-3 SU and ATS the last 10 games in this series. It also informs us that Florida is 14-3 ATS with SEC revenge when playing with three or more days of rest, including 5-0 SU and ATS when off a loss. These are the kind of spots in which major upsets occur. Forewarned is forearmed. Grab the points with the Gators.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Houston Rockets at Detroit Pistons
Um, if it ain't broke, don't fix it. We laid the small number with the Rockets last night against a bad team on the road and will do the same here. Pistons have lost six straight and are still distracted by the Rodney Stuckey situation. Detroit is 19-38 ATS off BB SU losses the last two seasons. Houston has beaten Detroit three straight times.
Play on: Houston
Terron Chapman
Northern Illinois vs. Eastern Michigan
Play: Northern Illinois +8.5
Northern Illinois will travel to Ypsilanti, Mich., for the second time in eight days Sunday, when the Huskies take on host Eastern Michigan in the opening round of the FirstEnergy Mid-American Conference Tournament. Tip off is slated for 2 p.m. EST at EMU's Convocation Center.
The Huskies (10-19, 6-10) are coming off a 60-58 win over Toledo on Thursday. The Eagles (16-14, 8-8) will be looking to rebound from a 56-55 loss to Central Michigan on their home floor. Northern Illinois and Eastern Michigan will be going head-to-head for the fourth time in less than 12 months. They’ve split both meetings this season with each team defending its home court. The Eagles won the last meeting eight days ago, 66-60, although the Huskies should be confident heading into this one.
In the last meeting, the Huskies held statistical advantages over EMU in field goals (22-18), three-pointers (7-4), rebounds (53-52) and blocks (10-4), but were whistled for a season-high 35 personal fouls. Northern Illinois went 9-for-25 from the free throw line, while the Eagles recorded a 26-of-48 effort. The Huskies committed just nine turnovers in the game, including only three miscues in the second half. They held a seven point lead with a little more than 10 minutes to play, but the Eagles quickly erased the deficit, and out-scored the Huskies 17-12 over the final 4:37, including 12 free throws.
Seven of NIU's last eight games have been decided by six or less points. Northern Illinois has either owned the lead, or forced a tie in the final seven minutes, in each of the last eight games ... Five of those contests were either tied, or saw NIU hold at least a one-point lead in the last three minutes. The Huskies are playing some of their best basketball of the season and I look for it to carry over into the tournament. The Huskies will give the Eagles all they can handle and figure to be around late with a chance to pull off the upset. Take the points. Play On the Northern Illinois Huskies for 1 unit.
Craig Trapp
Houston Rockets vs. Detroit Pistons
Play: Houston Rockets -2
The Rockets have been a huge money maker for us this year as we have gone 5-1 this year. Today Pistons sound like Stuckey will be sitting out which is bad news as he has been one of the few bright spots in a 6 game losing streak. HOU has been trying to blend in Martin that they received in a trade with SAC. Saw glimpses of some great play and today HOU puts its all together. Houston is such a touch defensive and strong rebounding team that it will really cause problems to DET. Easy road winner.
Rob Vinciletti
Clemson vs. Wake Forest
Play: Wake Forest -1
The Deacons have better numbers here in this one. They are 19-5 after allowing 60 or less, 6-2 after scoring 60 or less and have won 12 of 15 times at home since 1997 when the total is 135 to 140. In home games vs Clemson they have won the last 10 times. The Clemson Tigers are 1-5 straight up and ats as an underdog this year and 4-10 ats as a road dog of 3 or less the past 14 years. Look for Wake Forest to win this one.
DAVID CHAN
L.A. Lakers @ Orlando
PICK: Lakers +3.
The Lakers were favored by 6 when these teams played in LA, and the game landed. A 7-point flip for a swap of home court suggests that the Magic should be favored by one point only here.
Adding fuel to this fire, these teams met in last year’s Finals with a bit more on the line. The Lakers took that series 4-1, including the last two games in Orlando. I’m not 100% sure why the Lakers are getting points here but I think we need to take them.
Actually, I think I know why the market erroneously says this game is 3. The line has more to do with the struggles the Lakers have shown on this East Coast road trip, but that’s the Laker way, isn’t it? If it’s only March, the Lakers aren’t that motivated to win in Charlotte or even Miami. The Lakers will raise their game here for a televised game against an opponent they actually respect.
JIM FEIST
LOS ANGELES LAKERS / ORLANDO MAGIC
TAKE UNDER
The Lakers are reeling these days, having suffered losses in the first two games of this road trip. The Lakers lost at Miami (111-114) and then got beat by Charlotte (83-98). There just doesn't seem to be a lot of support to the Lakers starters these days. In fact, Kobe Bryant had some harsh words for his team mates after the loss to the Bobcats. When asked if his message to his teammates was well received, a stoic Bryant said, "I don't give a [expletive]. ... It was received." This doesn't sound like a championship team that is looking to repeat. In fact it looks like a team in a bit of disarray. And it won't get any better for the Lakers today as they take on the same team they beat in the finals last year. And that team, Orlando, will be looking to deliver a message to the Lakers. The Magic have the players to back it up too, especially on defense. Orlando is sixth in the league in defense, holding opponents to just 95.48 ppg this year. The Magic are even better at home where they have the third stingiest defense, allowing 93.6 ppg on their home court. In their last nine games the Magic have allowed over 100 points just twice. In fact, only four opponents have scored more than 100 points in the last 23 games by the Magic. The Lakers have some issues right now and this is not the team to work them out against. I look for the Magic to keep the Lakers down in this contest and the game to go UNDER the total.
EZWINNERS
Orlando Magic -2
The Lakers have lost their first two games of this three game east coast road trip and they are not playing very well right now. The Magic are playing well having won six out of their last seven games and this is a statement game for Orlando as they have lost three straight games to the Lakers. It's been well documented that the Lakers have not lost three consecutive games since Pau Gasol was acquired in February 2008, but I expect that streak to end today. This is the third game in four days for LA and the Lakers are 0-5 against the spread this season as an underdog of less than five points. Take the points.
James Patrick Sports
Trailblazers vs. Nuggets
Portland has had their problems at the Mile High City's Pepsi Center losing (17) of (20) match-ups straight-up and (14) of (20) ATS. Nuggets are still in shock after a Christmas Day (107-96) loss at the Rose Garden and that puts us on the Golden ones here. Big Game James Patrick's NBA Sunday selection is Denver Nuggets.
Insider Angles
Lakers +2.5
The Los Angeles Lakers visit the Orlando Magic on Sunday in a rematch of the 2009 NBA Finals, and while the home crows will be frenzied, the worst possible news for the Magic is that the Lakers have lost the first two games of their road trip!
The Lakers opened their trip with a thrilling 114-111 overtime loss at Miami vs. Dwayne Wade and the Heat on Thursday, and that contest proved to be rather draining when they put up just 83 points at Charlotte in their loss to the Bobcats on Friday. However, they have mow had a day off to regroup, and at 46-17, they have the added motivation of looking to avoid losing three straight games for the first time all season.
Now the Lakers may be just 11-17-1 against the spread on the road, but they are usually asked to cover inflated spreads, so the fact that they are 17-12 straight up away from home with a positive average winning margin of +1.9 points per game is more relevant on the rare occasions that LA is an underdog, such as today.
Sure, the Magic are 24-6 straight up at home, which on the surface makes this look like a cheap line. However, they have mostly feasted on Eastern Conference foes here, and the last time they hosted a quality Western team, they coughed up a double-digit lead and ended up losing outright 95-85 to the Dallas Mavericks.
In other words, the Magic have yet to bead a team as good as the Lakers this season, and the fact that the Lakers handled the Magic easily in the Finals last year and should be in an ornery mood after two straight losses should make them doubly tough in this contest, which will be televised nationally on ABC.
Scott Spreitzer
Boston College at NC State
I'm laying the points with NC State on Sunday afternoon. I had Boston College when they knocked off Virginia just a few days ago. But the Golden Eagles were at home, where they have won three in a row, and they were facing a worn out Virginia team. On Sunday, they venture out on the road to Raleigh, for NC State's senior day. Boston College is a different team away from home. They have dropped four straight conference road games in fact, and they're 1-6 SU on the ACC road this season, where the losses have come by an average of 10.7 ppg. It's been a long conference year for the Wolfpack, but they have won two of their last three, and they do own home wins over Wake Forest and Duke this season. Sidney Lowe has been getting strong play down the stretch from senior Dennis Horner. He should have little trouble with BC on the glass. The Pack are also shooting better as of late. They struggled for a good stretch of the ACC season in the second half of games. They seemed to leave their shooting game in the locker room at halftime, enduring long second half droughts. But over the last three games, the Pack have "canned" almost 50% of their second half shots combined, including a red-hot 55.6% from the arc. Floor General Javier Gonzalez has been playing his best basketball of the season in NC State's last three games, and I believe he'll have another strong game against BC's beatable defenders. The favorite has covered four straight in this series, and the Wolfpack are 11-4 ATS off their last 15 spread losses. Look for those trends to continue in the right direction. I'm laying the short number with NC State on Sunday.
BIG AL
South Alabama @ Troy
PICK: Troy
Troy State is the #1 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament, such ranking earned by its 13-5 conference (and 18-11 overall) record, and will take on the Jaguars, who finished the regular season with a 16-14 record (8-10 in Sun Belt play), before upsetting Florida Atlantic yesterday, 52-51, in the opening round of the tourney, at Summit Arena, in Hot Springs, AR. The Trojans, of course, have the advantage today of being rested, and have a senior-laden roster (all five starters are seniors) that has played very well down the stretch. One of the things I love to do is play on #1-seeded teams in conference tourneys who are favored by single-digits, if they're matched up against a .570 (or worse) foe off a SU/ATS win. These #1-seeds cover at a high rate, and especially if they have a win percentage less than .815 (in that situation, they're 35-15 ATS since 1992). Look for Troy State to handle South Alabama fairly easily this evening.
Wizards @ Celtics
PICK: Wizards
The Wizards, for sure, have had a trying season. Besides losing star Gilbert Arenas following his legal problems, the Wizards broke up their team by trading Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. But immediately thereafter, they lost newly-acquired Josh Howard to injury. So, it's been a season of "whatever can go wrong, has gone wrong." It all hit rock-bottom on Friday when Washington scored the lowest amount of points for its season - 74 - and fell to the Milwaukee Bucks for the second time in three days, 102-74. That 28-point loss, though, has triggered a very good system which we'll use as ammunition to play on Washington here. No matter what the sport, professional athletes have a lot of pride, and blowout losses tend to be followed by much better performances. Indeed, since 1990, NBA teams off losses of more than 25 points, are 72.4% ATS as double-digit underdogs, if they also lost and failed to cover the spread two games back, and are matched up against a foe off back-to-back wins and covers. Look for Washington to cover this large number. Take the points.
DUNKEL INDEX
Oklahoma City at Sacramento
The Thunder look to build on their 8-0 ATS record in their last 8 games as a favorite between 1 and 4 1/2 points. Oklahoma City is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-3 1/2)
Game 801-802: Philadelphia at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 112.184; Toronto 119.803
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 7 1/2; 205
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 803-804: LA Lakers at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.657; Orlando 125.332
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 1; 196
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 2 1/2; 194
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (+2 1/2); Over
Game 805-806: Houston at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.299; Detroit 113.164
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 4; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 2; 196 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-2); Under
Game 807-808: Washington at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 111.543; Boston 122.537
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 11; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 12 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+12 1/2); Under
Game 809-810: Oklahoma City at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 121.671; Sacramento 113.983
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 7 1/2; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3 1/2; 203
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-3 1/2); Over
Game 811-812: Portland at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 122.715; Denver 125.879
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 3; 211
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 6 1/2; 206
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+6 1/2); Over
NCAAB
Wisconsin at Illinois
The Badgers look to take advantage of an Illinois team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games as a home underdog. Wisconsin is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Badgers favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-2 1/2)
Game 813-814: Florida at Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 64.878; Kentucky 78.897
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 14
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-11 1/2)
Game 815-816: Boston College at NC State
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 63.857; NC State 69.447
Dunkel Line: NC State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: NC State by 2
Dunkel Pick: NC State (-2)
Game 817-818: Iowa at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 59.756; Minnesota 73.547
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 14
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-13 1/2)
Game 819-820: Clemson at Wake Forest
Dunkel Ratings: Clemson 70.421; Wake Forest 73.368
Dunkel Line: Wake Forest by 3
Vegas Line: Wake Forest by 1
Dunkel Pick: Wake Forest (-1)
Game 821-822: Arkansas State vs. Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 52.227; Western Kentucky 58.521
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 823-824: UL-Monroe vs. North Texas
Dunkel Ratings: UL-Monroe 45.020; North Texas 55.169
Dunkel Line: North Texas by 10
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 825-826: South Alabama vs. Troy
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 43.694; Troy 53.004
Dunkel Line: Troy by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 827-828: Denver vs. Middle Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 49.005; Middle Tennessee State 56.295
Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 829-830: Wichita State vs. Northern Iowa
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 59.185; Northern Iowa 65.516
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 831-832: VCU vs. Old Dominion
Dunkel Ratings: VCU 64.059; Old Dominion 65.694
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 833-834: William & Mary vs. Northeastern
Dunkel Ratings: William & Mary 52.176; Northeastern 60.923
Dunkel Line: Northeastern by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 835-836: Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 45.823; Eastern Michigan 58.569
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Michigan (-8 1/2)
Game 837-838: Bowling Green at Western Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 51.179; Western Michigan 55.451
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+6 1/2)
Game 839-840: Ohio at Ball State
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 58.275; Ball State 51.668
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio by 5
Dunkel Pick: Ohio (-5)
Game 841-842: Toledo at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Toledo 41.141; Buffalo 57.157
Dunkel Line: Buffalo by 16
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 18
Dunkel Pick: Toledo (+18)
Game 843-844: Loyola-Marymount vs. Gonzaga
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Marymount 58.036; Gonzaga 65.435
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 845-846: Portland vs. St. Mary's (CA)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 60.720; St. Mary's (CA) 64.472
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 847-848: Rider at Siena
Dunkel Ratings: Rider 55.364; Siena 63.627
Dunkel Line: Siena by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 849-850: Niagara vs. Fairfield
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 56.157; Fairfield 58.499
Dunkel Line: Fairfield by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 851-852: Western Carolina vs. Wofford
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 49.172; Wofford 58.634
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 853-854: College of Charleston vs. Appalachian State
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 54.234; Appalachian State 56.193
Dunkel Line: Appalachian State by 2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 855-856: IPFW at South Dakota State
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 52.227; South Dakota State 55.025
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 3
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 857-858: North Dakota State vs. Oral Roberts
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota State 49.032; Oral Roberts 56.922
Dunkel Line: Oral Roberts by 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 859-860: Boston U vs. Stony Brook
Dunkel Ratings: Boston U 54.187; Stony Brook 55.055
Dunkel Line: Stony Brook by 1
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 861-862: New Hampshire vs. Vermont
Dunkel Ratings: New Hampshire 46.360; Vermont 54.158
Dunkel Line: Vermont by 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 863-864: Long Island at Quinnipiac
Dunkel Ratings: Long Island 44.753; Quinnipiac 54.098
Dunkel Line: Quinnipiac by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 865-866: Mt. St. Mary's at Robert Morris
Dunkel Ratings: Mt. St. Mary's 55.999; Robert Morris 54.212
Dunkel Line: Mt. St. Mary's by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 869-870: Wisconsin at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Wisconsin 73.591; Illinois 67.060
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-2 1/2)
Game 871-872: Michigan at Michigan State
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 63.887; Michigan State 75.029
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 11
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (-10)
Game 873-874: Holy Cross at Lafayette
Dunkel Ratings: Holy Cross 49.657; Lafayette 51.034
Dunkel Line: Lafayette by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 875-876: American at Lehigh
Dunkel Ratings: American 43.774; Lehigh 57.740
Dunkel Line: Lehigh by 14
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
Boston at Pittsburgh
The Penguins look to take advantage of a Boston team that is 1-6 in its last 7 games against teams with a winning record. Pittsburgh is the pick (-190) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-190)
Game 51-52: Detroit at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.813; Chicago 12.883
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-170); Under
Game 53-54: Vancouver at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.651; Nashville 12.035
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+110); Under
Game 55-56: Calgary at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 12.476; Minnesota 11.797
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+115); Under
Game 57-58: Boston at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.039; Pittsburgh 12.550
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-190); Over
Game 59-60: Carolina at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.591; Atlanta 11.767
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-130); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-130); Over
Game 61-62: Buffalo at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.914; NY Rangers 11.636
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 63-64: Toronto at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.649; Philadelphia 12.091
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-240); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-240); Under
Game 65-66: New Jersey at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.163; Edmonton 10.654
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-210); Under
Game 67-68: Montreal at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.948; Anaheim 12.832
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-170); Over
Sam Martin
Florida at Kentucky
Play: Kentucky
The Wildcats are laying a 12-spot at home against Florida today, and while this line is just a bit too high for us to release as a premium selection, there is still some value with Kentucky here. The Wildcats have won six straight home games by double-digits, and catch the Gators feeling down after back-to-back close losses while installed as the favorite. Wildcats defense at home should give Florida fits here, and this being the last game of the regular season, the Gators will have Kentuckys full attention. Lay the points! 5* Play on Kentucky.