SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
L.A. Lakers (32-9, 18-22-1 ATS) at Cleveland (32-11, 20-22-1 ATS)
The NBA’s marquee players will square off for the second time in a month when Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers into Quicken Loans Arena for a matchup with LeBron James and the Cavaliers.
James and the Cavs dominated the first meeting on Christmas Day, scoring a 102-87 victory in Los Angeles as a six-point underdog. James finished with 26 points and nine assists, but it was the red-hot shooting of guard Mo Williams that proved to be the difference as he went 8-for-13 (3-for-3 from three-point land) and poured in 28 points. Cleveland shot 53.5 percent from the floor and held the Lakers to 36.5 percent shooting, with Bryant going 11 of 33 from the field for 35 points.
Cleveland has won seven of the last 10 meetings SU and ATS, but Los Angeles went to Quicken Loans Arena last year and prevailed 101-91 as a five-point road underdog, snapping the Cavs’ 23-game home winning streak to start the 2008-09 season. The underdog has cashed in five of the last six series clashes, and the SU winner has covered in each of the last seven meetings.
The Lakers, who bring a three-game winning streak (2-1 ATS) into this contest, open an eight-game, 12-day road trip tonight. They are just 9-6 (5-10 ATS) on the highway this season, including 1-4 SU and ATS in the last five. L.A. averages four points less per game on the road (99.7) than it does overall (103.5).
Cleveland has won four of five overall (1-3-1 ATS), including Tuesday’s 108-100 victory over Toronto, coming up just short as a 10-point home favorite. James finished just one rebound shy of a triple-double with 28 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds. The Cavs are 15-3 at home this season but have cashed in just six of those 18 contests.
Los Angeles is just 1-3-1 ATS in its last five when playing on two days of rest and 1-4 ATS in its last five against a team with a winning home record, but the Lakers are otherwise on ATS streaks of 33-16-2 as a road ‘dog, 4-0 on Thursday and 3-1-1 against the Eastern Conference. Cleveland is on ATS streaks of 7-0 as a home chalk of less than five points and 15-6 at home against teams with winning road records, but the Cavs are on pointspread slides of 2-6 at home, 1-4 as a favorite, 2-6 as a home chalk and 0-6-1 after a straight-up win.
The Lakers are on a plethora of “under” runs, including 4-1 overall, 19-7-1 against Eastern Conference teams, 25-10 after getting two days off, 6-0 as underdogs, 4-1 after a straight-up win and 4-0 against winning teams. Cleveland has stayed below the total in seven of 10 after a straight-up win, but otherwise it is on “over” streaks of 4-1 overall, 4-0 as a chalk and 6-2 on Thursday.
Finally, the under has been the play in five straight clashes in this rivalry, and the last five played in Cleveland have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Washington State (13-5, 6-10 ATS) at USC (11-6, 8-6-2 ATS)
Washington State makes its annual swing through Southern California when it travels to the Galen Center for a Pac-10 clash with the Trojans.
The Cougars snapped a two-game conference slide with Saturday’s 77-73 win over Stanford, falling just short of covering as a 5½-point home favorite. They’ve now failed to cash in six of their last seven games, including the last three in a row, and they’re 3-3 SU and 1-5 ATS in conference (1-1 SU and ATS on the road). Once one of the best defensive teams in the country, Washington State has given up an average of 78.3 ppg over the last four games and has yielded 68 points or more eight times in its last nine contests.
Like the Cougars, USC halted a two-game losing skid with Saturday’s 67-46 destruction of crosstown rival UCLA, easily covering as a one-point home underdog. USC is on a 6-1 ATS run, cashing in the last four in a row. Take away a pair of narrow losses at Stanford and Cal, and the Trojans have won nine in a row. They’ve also held 10 of their last 11 opponents to 56 points or less, giving up an average of only 50.4 ppg during this 11-game stretch. With that run, USC now ranks second in the nation in scoring defense (54.7 ppg), but the offense produces just 59.5 ppg.
USC swept the season series against Washington State last year, riding its strong defense to a 46-44 road win (as a 2½-point underdog) and a 61-51 home win (as a 6½-point chalk). Prior to that, the Cougars had won five of the previous six meetings. USC is 4-2 ATS in the last six series clashes, and the ‘dog has covered in five of the last seven.
Washington State is in ATS ruts of 1-6 overall, 4-9-1 on the road, 1-6 in Pac-10 action, 1-4 on Thursday, 0-5 against winning teams, 7-18-1 as an underdog, 5-15-1 as a road pup. On the flip side, the Trojans are on pointspread surges of 6-1 overall (4-0 last four, all in conference), 5-0 against winning teams and 5-1 on Thursday, but they’re 1-5-2 ATS in their last eight as a favorite (all at home).
The Cougars have topped the total in 11 of their last 14 overall, five of their last six road games, five of six as an underdog and eight of nine after a SU win, but the under is 5-2 in their last seven Thursday outings. Meanwhile, defensive-minded USC is on “under” rolls of 4-0-1 overall (all in Pac-10 play), 4-0 at home, 6-0 as a favorite (all at home) and 5-1 after a SU win. Finally, both of last year’s Trojans-Cougars meetings stayed under the total, following a 4-0 “over” stretch in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC and UNDER
BIG AL
Florida at Arkansas
Play: Arkansas
After dropping four straight games from December 30 to January 14, the Razorbacks snapped their losing streak with a 12-point win as a home dog to Alabama. That victory is a huge "buy signal" for me, as one of the things I love to do is play on single-digit home underdogs off a double-digit win as a home underdog. This angle has produced 60% Winners over the past 20 college basketball seasons, including a win last Saturday on Drake (+5) over Illinois State. The Bulldogs had won 88-77 as a home dog against Missouri State, and then followed that big win up with a 69-59 triumph over Illinois State. I look for a similar result by Arkansas here. Take the home dog Razorbacks.
VEGAS EXPERTS
LA Lakers at Cleveland Cavs
Play: Cleveland
The Lakers lack of road games early in the season are beginning to show as they are just 9-6 SU away from Staples Center, including three straight losses before a win over Dallas last week. They have not fared well at all in the underdog role this season, going 1-3 ATS. Cleveland will be looking to return the favor for last season's sweep and the Cavs are 41-27 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 the last two seasons.
Jim Feist
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Denver Nuggets
Play: Over 210
This is the second of a back to back spot for both teams, with Denver coming home from a road trip at Golden State. Tired legs can mean tired defense. The Clippers have plenty of offense with inside players Marcus Camby and Chris Kaman, plus backcourt forces Eric Gordon and point guard Baron Davis. They've been an over machine of late while going 5 straight over the total. The first-place Nuggets have plenyt of offensive firepower, as well, third in the NBA in scoring with 107.4 ppg. Look for an offensive show, Play the Clippers/Nuggets Over the total.
EZWINNERS
Los Angeles Lakers +3.5
The Lakers were a team without an identity a year ago until a 6-0 east coast road trip brought the team together. This is the first game of a more challenging 13 days, eight games and three sets of back-to-backs east coast road trip. This is also one of two big games on this road trip and its a payback opportunity for a Christmas day whipping that the Lakers took at home by LeBron and company. The Lakers will not have to worry about road fatigue as they get to play the Cavs in the first game of this trop and the underdog is 5-1 against the spread in this series. I expect another close game in this meeting as Kobe will be looking for some revenge. Take the points.
James Patrick Sports
Lakers vs. Cavaliers
Re-match of Christmas Day (102-87) victory by the Cavs in "Tinsel Town". Cavs swept by LA last season and we look for them to turn the table on Kobe & Company at Quicken Loans Arena. Our Thursday NBA selection is Cleveland Cavaliers as "The James Gang" plays their best against the elite in the NBA.
Bobby Maxwell
Louisville -1 at SETON HALL
Nailed the FREE winner with the Bucks on Wednesday as they took care of the Raptors and improved to 55-22 with comp selections, including 32-8 over the last 40 days. Today's freebie is on Louisville as the Cardinals travel to take on Seton Hall.
Big East battle here with a huge edge going to Louisville. Go ahead and lay the chalk and play the Cardinals to get the win and cover at struggling Seton Hall.
Rick Pitino is going to get his guys going, and even though they’ve dropped two in a row, look at the competition as they fell to a top-5 team at home in Villanova and then went to Pitt and should have won that one if not for some ugly free-throw shooting down the stretch, losing 82-77 in OT on Saturday.
Matter of fact, their last three losses are all to highly ranked team in Kentucky, Villanova and Pitt. Seton Hall is on a much lesser level of competition and you’ll see Louisville come out with confidence and dominate the Pirates. The Cardinals have won four of their last five meetings with Seton Hall, including a 95-78 blowout last season.
Samardo Samuels had a huge game against Pitt on Saturday and he is starting to raise the level of his game as he put in 25 points and grabbed six boards against Pitt.
Louisville has cashed in 27 of 38 road games and they are 42-15-2 ATS in Big East games. They cash in almost three-fourths of their conference games!! Seton Hall has failed to cash in six of seven overall and five of six Big East contests.
There is a lot of problems at Seton Hall and you can count on Louisville delivering this winner tonight!
5♦ LOUISVILLE
Karl Garrett
Louisville -2 at SETON HALL
Taking a look at the records of Louisville and Seton Hall, we see that both schools bring 6 losses into tonight's Big East battle in New Jersey. It is quite important to get the win tonight for sure, and the G-Man will have to rely on Rick Pitino's team to get the road "W" tonight.
For one thing, the Cardinals have won 4 of the the last 5 series meetings, and the Cards are also 27-10-1 against the spread over their last 38 lined road games.
Seton Hall's 10-0 mark was obviously a tad fradulent, as the Pirates have lost 6 of their last 8 games straight up, and are just 1-6 against the spread in those games that had a line posted.
Until the Hall proves they can win in a "step up" spot, I will go against them.
2♦ LOUSIVILLE
Dominic Fazzini
Oregon State at STANFORD -6'
I dropped the ball with my complimentary selection Wednesday as Pittsburgh's 31-game home winning streak ended with a 74-66 loss to Georgetown. And while I've fallen off a little bit lately, I'm still 59-40-3 over the last 102 days, including 42-27-3 over the past 72.
I'm coming back with another college basketball play today, but the results are going to be much better with this one!
Stanford returns home after losing two road games to Washington and Washington State. The Cardinal are a much different team at Maples Pavilion, going 7-2 on their home floor, including wins over USC and UCLA in their last homestand.
Stanford averages 72.2 ppg and has a powerful 1-2 punch in forward Landry Fields (21.5 ppg, 8.7 rebounds) and guard Jeremy Green (17.4 ppg), who account for 54 percent of the team's points.
Oregon State is a pretty tough defensive team, but it struggles on offense, ranking next-to-last in the Pac-10 with 62.4 ppg.
With this game on its home floor, Stanford should roll tonight. Take the Cardinal to cover the points.
4♦ STANFORD
Matt Fargo
3* Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
Butler is overpriced once again which comes as no surprise. The Bulldogs are ranked 20th in the nation and are a very public team as always so these lines need to be on the high side. Butler is only 7-11 ATS on the season including a 3-5 ATS mark at home and 4-6 ATS record on the road (neutral games included). This after the Bulldogs went 17-13 ATS last season so they are obviously having trouble putting teams away. As a favorite between 5 and 15 points, Butler is 2-6 ATS and that is a good indicator as that price range is where the majority is as it excludes games against really good competition and really bad competition. The Ramblers fall into this parameter and are better than average. Loyola-Chicago is off to a solid 12-5 start to the season. It had won seven straight games before losing to Detroit at home three weeks back which started a three-game slide but it recovered with a road win at rival Illinois-Chicago last time out. The schedule has not been nearly as tough as that of the Bulldogs but the Ramblers are 7-1 at home this season and that has to count for something. Coming off a loss has been a strength this season as the Ramblers are 4-1 ATS in this spot on the year and as a home underdog, they are a perfect 3-0 both straight up and against the number. Butler meanwhile covered its last game by 11.5 points as it won by 30 points at home against Youngstown St. That does not bode well as the Bulldogs are 0-6 ATS in their last games following a cover as a double-digit favorite. Loyola-Chicago won the last meeting at Butler last season which sets up a revenge spot for the Bulldogs however the Ramblers will be highly motivated after the Bulldogs defeated them at home last season prior to that by 23 points. It should also be noted that Butler was favored by just 6.5 points in that game and that was against a much worse Ramblers team that won just 14 games all of last season. 3* Loyola-Chicago Ramblers
SPORTS WAGERS
NY Rangers +1.30 over PHILADELPHIA
Wow, something woke the Rangers up. Here’s a team that couldn’t score a goal and now they’ve scored 14 goals in two games, six on the Habs followed by eight on the Lightning. A giant weight has been lifted off the whole team and they’re certainly not as tight as they were three games ago. This is a team that usually gets great goaltending and a big goaltending advantage in this league, like the Rangers will have here, cannot be overstated enough. The Flyers have also turned things around with five wins in seven games but watching this team one could get the feeling that something is just not right. They’re beating up on struggling teams, as the aforementioned five wins came against Columbus, Dallas, Tampa, Pittsburgh and Toronto. Remember, the Flyers went through a stretch in which they lost 16 of 20 games and that serious funk might just have more merit than most think. Play: NY Rangers +1.20 (Risking 2 units).
Columbus +1.88 over BOSTON
The Bruins are another team that is not to be trusted laying close to 2-1. One has to believe they’ll show much more effort tonight after that humiliating 5-1 loss to the Sens on Monday afternoon but the bottom line is the team is not winning hockey games. The lineup changes daily because of injuries, key players are out and as a result the Bruins have five losses in six games and six losses in eight games. Confidence is low and even Tim Thomas has been a fraction of the goalie he was a year ago. The Bruins have not scored on the power-play in five games, going 0-9 and that also reveals they’re not drawing penalties either. The Jackets are an enigma to be sure. So much talent and so very few wins over the last two months. Here’s a team that opened the year winning 13 of its first 20 and since then has won just six times in 32 chances. They may not win here either but at this price against this team, they’re worth a bet, as the Bruins are not a powerhouse by any stretch and they’ll be feeling a lot of pressure tonight to beat this guest. Bruins going bad with lots of pressure on them equals no thanks. Play: Columbus +1.88 (Risking 2 units).
St. Louis +1.59 over OTTAWA
This line is so high because the Blue Notes will play its third game in four days and the tail end of back-to-backs after a 4-3 OT win in Montreal last night. Furthermore, the Sens have woke up big time with four wins in a row and each victory has been more impressive then the last, capped by a 4-1 win over the juggernaut Blackhawks upon returning home from a five-game trip. It’s really incredible what the Sens have done over that four-game stretch when you consider how lifeless they were during a seven-game losing streak prior to that four-game winning streak. Now they’ll play its second game back after said trip and they’ll play a team that has been here once in the past six years. We could definitely catch the Sens a little flat after breathing a big sigh of relief. The Blue Notes are playing too good to ignore at this price in what could be a very vulnerable spot for the hosts. Play: St. Louis +1.59 (Risking 2 units).
ATLANTA -½ +1.07 over Carolina
In the Thrashers last three games against the Canes this season they’ve scored 5, 6 and 5 goals respectively. Atlanta has not won consecutive games in over a month so there’s just no way they take this night off. They need points, they’re over their lull and they’re just so much better than these Canes. The Thrashers roll out three lines that all can score and its fourth line of Slava Kozlov, Rich Peverley and Eric Boulton is the best fourth line in the NHL and it might not be close. The Thrashers went through a rough stretch, as almost all teams will over the course of a long season but all the signs are there of that being a thing of the past. The Canes will play the next few games with lots of uncertainty, as the rumor mills are swirling big time. As the trade deadline approaches a whole bunch of Canes will get moved with the right offer and it’s not going to take much to get management to bite. This is a team that needs a complete overhaul. Anyway, losing to Carolina would be a two steps backwards for the Thrashers and one really has to wonder how this pitiful intruder will keep pace with this offensive power. Play: Atlanta -½ +1.07 (Risking 2 units).
NY ISLANDERS -½ +1.15 over Florida
The Islanders are playing so tough right now that even they’re losses are good one’s. They trailed Pittsburgh 4-1 in its last but rallied to tie it before an empty netter sealed a 6-4 loss. Still, the Islanders battled hard and never gave up and efforts like that carry over. The Islanders have scored four goals or more in four of its last five games and they’ve scored three or more in eight straight. The Islanders just love playing these days and they love it even more at home, where the fans are starting to flock back. The Panthers are usually pretty tough and they’re rarely an easy out. However, they’ll play back-to-back here, its third game in four days and its sixth game in nine days. That’s tough and you can see the fatigue setting in, as they’ve managed just 22, 24 and 23 shots on net in its last three games respectively and they’ve scored just once over its last two games. Play: NY Islanders -½ +1.15 (Risking 2 units).
Jimmy Moore
Chicago @ Calgary
Pick: Chicago -135
The Flames are playing horrible lately and they are in a bad spot on Thursday night having to play a Blackhawks team coming off of a stinker against the Senators. Look for Chicago to rebound off of a bad loss and keep the Flames losing streak going.
JR TIPS
Los Angeles Lakers at Cleveland Cavaliers
The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers square off against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for the second and final time this regular season after Cleveland won the first meeting 102-87 on Christmas Day in LA. Cleveland got 28 points from Mo Williams and 26 from Lebron James in that game as the Cavs have now covered in 7 of the last 10 meetings between the two teams although the Lakers swept the season series with the Cavs last season covering and winning both games by double digits. There are some games during the season in which the intensity is at playoff level and tonight is one of them. The Lakers will bring their A game and the Cavs will be up to the challenge as both teams were able to watch the tape of the first game and will make adjustments. Both teams will set the tone on defense as these teams have gone under the total in their last 5 contests and 8 out of their last 10 overall so look for a close low scoring game.
TAKE UNDER 195
DUNKEL
LA Clippers at Denver
The Clippers look to take advantage of a Denver team that is 3-12-1 ATS in its last 16 games as a favorite. LA is the pick (+10) according to Dunkel, which has the Nuggets favored by only 7. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+10)
Game 501-502: LA Lakers at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 122.194; Cleveland 128.067
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 6; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 3 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-3 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: LA Clippers at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 117.412; Denver 124.658
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 7; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 10; 210
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+10); Under
NCAAB
Oregon at California
The Golden Bears look to take advantage of an Oregon team that is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 road games as an underdog from 7 to 12 1/2 points. California is the pick (-12 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Golden Bears favored by 16. Dunkel Pick: California (-12 1/2)
Game 505-506: Louisville at Seton Hall
Dunkel Ratings: Louisville 70.737; Seton Hall 69.836
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 1
Vegas Line: Seton Hall by 1
Dunkel Pick: Louisville (+1)
Game 507-508: Indiana at Penn State
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 58.651; Penn State 64.556
Dunkel Line: Penn State by 6
Vegas Line: Penn State by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+9 1/2)
Game 509-510: AR-Little Rock at Florida Atlantic
Dunkel Ratings: AR-Little Rock 47.609; Florida Atlantic 56.042
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (-7 1/2)
Game 511-512: Middle Tennessee St. at UL-Monroe
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee St. 48.451; UL-Monroe 51.655
Dunkel Line: UL-Monroe by 3
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee St. by 2
Dunkel Pick: UL-Monroe (+2)
Game 513-514: Arkansas State at Florida International
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 51.463; Florida International 45.661
Dunkel Line: Arkansas State by 6
Vegas Line: Arkansas State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas State (-4)
Game 515-516: South Alabama at North Texas
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 51.373; North Texas 54.260
Dunkel Line: North Texas by 3
Vegas Line: North Texas by 5
Dunkel Pick: South Alabama (+5)
Game 517-518: Western Kentucky at Troy
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 57.801; Troy 55.945
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 2
Vegas Line: Troy by 1
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (+1)
Game 519-520: New Orleans at UL-Lafayette
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 42.523; UL-Lafayette 53.170
Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: UL-Lafayette by 10
Dunkel Pick: UL-Lafayette (-10)
Game 521-522: Valparaiso at Illinois-Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Valparaiso 53.570; Illinois-Chicago 53.031
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 1
Vegas Line: Illinois-Chicago by 1
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (+1)
Game 523-524: Butler at Loyola-Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 68.090; Loyola-Chicago 56.778
Dunkel Line: Butler by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Butler by 12
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-Chicago (+12)
Game 525-526: Pepperdine at Gonzaga
Dunkel Ratings: Pepperdine 51.985; Gonzaga 71.545
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 24
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine (+24)
Game 527-528: Florida at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 65.181; Arkansas 60.684
Dunkel Line: Florida by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-1 1/2)
Game 529-530: Oregon State at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon State 56.030; Stanford 60.962
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 5
Vegas Line: Stanford by 7
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+7)
Game 531-532: Loyola-Marymount at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Marymount 51.550; Portland 65.372
Dunkel Line: Portland by 14
Vegas Line: Portland by 13
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-13)
Game 533-534: Louisiana Tech at San Jose State
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 64.327; San Jose State 55.910
Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 6
Dunkel Pick: Louisiana Tech (-6)
Game 535-536: Utah State at Fresno State
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 66.419; Fresno State 61.436
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 5
Vegas Line: Utah State by 4
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-4)
Game 537-538: CS-Fullerton at Pacific
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 50.881; Pacific 60.340
Dunkel Line: Pacific by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Pacific by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pacific (-7 1/2)
Game 539-540: UC-Riverside at Cal Poly
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 50.384; Cal Poly 51.667
Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 1
Dunkel Pick: Cal Poly (-1)
Game 541-542: Long Beach State at UC-Irvine
Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 51.828; UC-Irvine 51.381
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (+1 1/2)
Game 543-544: Oregon at California
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 57.487; California 73.530
Dunkel Line: California by 16
Vegas Line: California by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: California (-12 1/2)
Game 545-546: Washington State at USC
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 63.796; USC 69.449
Dunkel Line: USC by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: USC by 8
Dunkel Pick: Washington State (+8)
Game 547-548: Washington at UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 68.370; UCLA 61.756
Dunkel Line: Washington by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-3 1/2)
Game 549-550: San Diego at St. Mary's (CA)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 54.162; St. Mary's (CA) 70.414
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 14
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (CA) (-14)
Game 551-552: New Mexico State at Hawaii
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 56.974; Hawaii 53.597
Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico State (-1 1/2)
Game 553-554: Wofford at The Citadel
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 57.541; The Citadel 53.976
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Wofford by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (-2 1/2)
Game 555-556: Furman at College of Charleston
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 47.148; College of Charleston 59.490
Dunkel Line: College of Charleston by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: College of Charleston by 11
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (-11)
Game 557-558: Chattanooga at NC Greensboro
Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 50.290; NC Greensboro 47.951
Dunkel Line: Chattanooga by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: NC Greensboro by 1
Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (+1)
Game 559-560: Tennessee State at Jacksonville State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 46.565; Jacksonville State 48.647
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 2
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+4 1/2)
Game 561-562: Loyola-MD at Siena
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-MD 50.023; Siena 68.363
Dunkel Line: Siena by 18 1/2
Vegas Line: Siena by 17
Dunkel Pick: Siena (-17)
Game 563-564: Samford at Elon
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 47.086; Elon 45.740
Dunkel Line: Samford by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Samford by 4
Dunkel Pick: Elon (+4)
Game 565-566: Fairfield at Marist
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 54.515; Marist 44.376
Dunkel Line: Fairfield by 10
Vegas Line: Fairfield by 12
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+12)
Game 567-568: Austin Peay at Tennessee Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 51.458; Tennessee Tech 50.531
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 1
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (+2 1/2)
Game 569-570: Murray State at Eastern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 62.949; Eastern Illinois 51.094
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 12
Vegas Line: Murray State by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-10 1/2)
Game 571-572: Tennessee Martin at SE Missouri State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Martin 41.381; SE Missouri State 43.129
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 2
Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Martin (+3 1/2)
Game 573-574: Western Illinois at UMKC
Dunkel Ratings: Western Illinois 45.421; UMKC 49.244
Dunkel Line: UMKC by 4
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 575-576: Oakland at North Dakota State
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 57.017; North Dakota State 54.095
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 3
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 577-578: IPFW at South Dakota State
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 45.819; South Dakota State 55.524
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 579-580: IUPUI at Southern Utah
Dunkel Ratings: IUPUI 55.040; Southern Utah 46.835
Dunkel Line: IUPUI by 8
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NHL
NY Rangers at Philadelphia
The Flyers look to take advantage of a Rangers team that is 2-8 in its last 10 games versus the Atlantic Division. Philadelphia is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Flyers favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-140)
Game 1-2: Columbus at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.066; Boston 12.532
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-190); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-190); Under
Game 3-4: St. Louis at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 13.446; Ottawa 12.666
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+145); Under
Game 5-6: Florida at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.620; NY Islanders 11.860
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (-145); Over
Game 7-8: Carolina at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 12.522; Atlanta 11.321
Dunkel Line & Total: Carolina by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-155); 6
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (+135); Under
Game 9-10: Toronto at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.913; Tampa Bay 12.534
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-120); 6
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (-120); Over
Game 11-12: NY Rangers at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.952; Philadelphia 13.767
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-140); Over
Game 13-14: Washington at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.413; Pittsburgh 13.605
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 7 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-110); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-110); Over
Game 15-16: Detroit at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.373; Minnesota 12.132
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-110); Over
Game 17-18: Nashville at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.197; Phoenix 12.269
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-125); 5
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-125); Over
Game 19-20: Chicago at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 11.727; Calgary 12.252
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (+120); Under
Game 21-22: Dallas at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.163; Vancouver 11.740
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-200); Over
Game 23-24: Anaheim at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 12.048; San Jose 13.192
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-220); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-220); Over
Game 25-26: Buffalo at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 12.274; Los Angeles 13.409
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-115); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-115); Under
Stephen Nover
Butler -11' at LOYOLA, CHICAGO
Once again Butler is easily the class of the Horizon League. This marks the first of four straight road games for the Bulldogs.
Loyola is 3-4 in league. But Butler won't be taking the Ramblers for granted. In fact, the Bulldogs should be sky-high for this matchup.
Loyola stunned the Bulldogs last year upsetting them as an 18 1/2-point road 'dog, 71-67. That loss snapped a 16-game home winning streak for Butler.
It was only the second time in 24 games versus ranked opponents that Loyola had won.
Butler is coming off perhaps its best performance of the season, a 91-61 romp against Youngstown State. This was the most points Butler had scored during the past 95 games.
The Bulldogs shot a season-best 56.6 percent from the floor, achieving a season-high in 3-pointers and assists.
The Ramblers have failed to cover in seven of their past 10 home contests. They have dropped three of their past four games.
Loyola is 5-14 ATS in its last 19 games versus a team with a winning record.
This has been a road team series with the visitor going 6-0-1 ATS in the past seven meetings.
3♦ BUTLER BULLDOGS