DUNKEL INDEX
Miami at New York
The Heat look to build on their 5-1 ATS record in their last 6 games in New York. Miami is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-3 1/2)
Game 501-502: Miami at New York (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 120.494; New York 115.050
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 5 1/2; 214
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 3 1/2; 210
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-3 1/2); Over
Game 503-504: Houston at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 119.466; Dallas 120.011
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 6 1/2; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+6 1/2); Under
Game 505-506: Boston at Portland (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.010; Portland 121.371
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 5; 185
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5); Under
NCAAB
UCLA at Arizona
The Wildcats look to take advantage of a UCLA team that is coming off a 68-57 win over Stanford and is 4-16-1 ATS in its last 21 games following an ATS win. Arizona is the pick (-8) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-8)
Game 507-508: Maryland at Virginia (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 67.777; Virginia 60.497
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Maryland by 4
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (-4)
Game 509-510: Michigan at Michigan State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 60.785; Michigan State 69.550
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 9
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+10 1/2)
Game 511-512: Hofstra at VCU (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hofstra 58.678; VCU 65.947
Dunkel Line: VCU by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: VCU by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Hofstra (+9 1/2)
Game 513-514: Miami (OH) at Central Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (OH) 51.356; Central Michigan 51.766
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 515-516: Kent State at Ball State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kent State 56.261; Ball State 58.133
Dunkel Line: Ball State by 2
Vegas Line: Ball State by 3
Dunkel Pick: Kent State (+3)
Game 517-518: Middle Tennessee State at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 50.770; Florida Atlantic 60.240
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 8
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (-8)
Game 519-520: Western Kentucky at Florida International (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 50.993; Florida International 47.559
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 2
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (-2)
Game 521-522: Vanderbilt at Mississippi State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vanderbilt 66.634; Mississippi State 61.859
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 5
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 7
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (+7)
Game 523-524: Louisiana-Monroe at Arkansas State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana-Monroe 41.792; Arkansas State 51.240
Dunkel Line: Arkansas State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Arkansas State by 11
Dunkel Pick: Louisiana-Monroe (+11)
Game 525-526: North Texas at Louisiana-Lafayette (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 56.585; Louisiana-Lafayette 50.444
Dunkel Line: North Texas by 6
Vegas Line: North Texas by 4
Dunkel Pick: North Texas (-4)
Game 527-528: South Alabama at Troy (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 45.596; Troy 46.818
Dunkel Line: Troy by 1
Vegas Line: Troy by 4
Dunkel Pick: South Alabama (+4)
Game 529-530: Youngstown State at Loyola-Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Youngstown State 45.646; Loyola-Chicago 59.706
Dunkel Line: Loyola-Chicago by 14
Vegas Line: Loyola-Chicago by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-Chicago (-11 1/2)
Game 531-532: Cleveland State at Illinois-Chicago (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland State 60.545; Illinois-Chicago 51.936
Dunkel Line: Cleveland State by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Cleveland State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Illinois-Chicago (+10)
Game 533-534: Idaho at Louisiana Tech (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 57.202; Louisiana Tech 51.662
Dunkel Line: Idaho by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Idaho by 1
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (-1)
Game 535-536: Boston College at Duke (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 62.148; Duke 76.836
Dunkel Line: Duke by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Duke by 17
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (+17)
Game 537-538: USC at Arizona State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 64.738; Arizona State 60.560
Dunkel Line: USC by 4
Vegas Line: USC by 2
Dunkel Pick: USC (-2)
Game 539-540: UCLA at Arizona (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UCLA 62.595; Arizona 73.193
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona by 8
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-8)
Game 541-542: Boise State at New Mexico State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 59.098; New Mexico State 57.890
Dunkel Line: Boise State by 1
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 2
Dunkel Pick: Boise State (+2)
Game 543-544: Illinois at Indiana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 69.590; Indiana 63.577
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 6
Vegas Line: Illinois by 4
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-4)
Game 545-546: DePaul at South Florida (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: DePaul 52.786; South Florida 60.167
Dunkel Line: South Florida by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: South Florida by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: DePaul (+9 1/2)
Game 547-548: CS-Northridge at UC-Irvine (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Northridge 50.836; UC-Irvine 54.838
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 4
Vegas Line: UC-Irvine by 7
Dunkel Pick: CS-Northridge (+7)
Game 549-550: Utah State at San Jose State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 67.631; San Jose State 53.939
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 9
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-9)
Game 551-552: UC-Santa Barbara at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 54.382; Cal Poly 48.372
Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 6
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 4
Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (-4)
Game 553-554: UC-Riverside at UC-Davis (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 48.880; UC-Davis 51.448
Dunkel Line: UC-Davis by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Davis by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+3 1/2)
Game 555-556: San Francisco at Loyola-Marymount (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 59.352; Loyola-Marymount 55.898
Dunkel Line: San Francisco by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Loyola-Marymount by 4
Dunkel Pick: San Francisco (+4)
Game 557-558: San Diego at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 42.104; Portland 60.647
Dunkel Line: Portland by 18 1/2
Vegas Line: Portland by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-16 1/2)
Game 559-560: Oregon at Stanford (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 55.895; Stanford 65.554
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-7 1/2)
Game 561-562: Santa Clara at Pepperdine (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Santa Clara 58.644; Pepperdine 58.236
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Santa Clara by 2
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine (+2)
Game 563-564: Fresno State at Nevada (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Fresno State 53.813; Nevada 59.350
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Nevada by 7
Dunkel Pick: Fresno State (+7)
Game 565-566: St. Mary's (CA) at Gonzaga (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Mary's (CA) 63.967; Gonzaga 67.790
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 4
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-2 1/2)
Game 567-568: Oregon State at California (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon State 57.084; California 64.681
Dunkel Line: California by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: California by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+9 1/2)
Game 569-570: Furman at Western Carolina (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Furman 59.246; Western Carolina 50.690
Dunkel Line: Furman by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Furman by 2
Dunkel Pick: Furman (-2)
Game 571-572: Wofford at Appalachian State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 53.621; Appalachian State 52.570
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 1
Vegas Line: Wofford by 4
Dunkel Pick: Appalachian State (+4)
Game 573-574: NC-Greensboro at Chattanooga (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 41.783; Chattanooga 51.022
Dunkel Line: Chattanooga by 9
Vegas Line: Chattanooga by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (-8 1/2)
Game 575-576: Marist at St. Peter's (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marist 41.404; St. Peter's 52.555
Dunkel Line: St. Peter's by 11
Vegas Line: St. Peter's by 13
Dunkel Pick: Marist (+13)
Game 577-578: Rider at Iona (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rider 53.677; Iona 62.800
Dunkel Line: Iona by 9
Vegas Line: Iona by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iona (-7 1/2)
Game 579-580: Austin Peay at E
astern Kentucky (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 54.439; Eastern Kentucky 51.795
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 1
Dunkel Pick: Austin Peay (-1)
Game 581-582: Tennessee State at Morehead State (7:45 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 50.616; Morehead State 57.664
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 7
Vegas Line: Morehead State by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+9 1/2)
Game 583-584: Elon at Samford (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Elon 47.788; Samford 48.296
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Elon by 2
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+2)
Game 585-586: Jacksonville State at SE Missouri State (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 42.325; SE Missouri State 45.413
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 3
Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State (-1 1/2)
Game 587-588: Tennessee Tech at Eastern Illinois (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 49.275; Eastern Illinois 51.707
Dunkel Line: Eastern Illinois by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Illinois by 3
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (+3)
Game 589-590: Idaho State at Sacramento State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 47.992; Sacramento State 45.752
Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State
Game 591-592: Portland State at Eastern Washington (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 49.531; Eastern Washington 48.505
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 1
Vegas Line: Eastern Washington by 2
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+2)
Game 601-602: Oral Roberts at Oakland (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oral Roberts 54.453; Oakland 68.063
Dunkel Line: Oakland by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 603-604: Centenary at IPFW (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Centenary 31.941; IPFW 59.397
Dunkel Line: IPFW by 27 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 605-606: Southern Utah at North Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Utah 44.473; North Dakota State 53.227
Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 9
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 607-608: UMKC at South Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UMKC 47.313; South Dakota State 58.857
Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Scott Rickenbach
Houston Rockets at Dallas Mavericks
Play: Dallas Mavericks
This one sets up very nicely for the Mavericks. While Dallas is off of a home game versus the Clippers on Tuesday. The Rockets are in a tough back to back spot here as they hosted the Clippers on Wednesday. While Houston now plays on consecutive nights, the Mavericks are playing for just the 2nd time in the past 5 days! Going into the game against the Clippers Tuesday, the Mavs had held their opponents to just 63 of 156 from the field. They definitely appear to be turning the corner as, after a rough stretch, Dallas was going for their third win in four games when hosting the Clips Tuesday night. As for the Rockets, their defense has been atrocious of late as they've allowed 50% or better shooting percentage to their opponents in each of their last three games heading into the match-up with the Clips Wednesday. Also, in these three games Houston has allowed an average of 119.3 points per game. Having allowed at least 100 points in 14 of their 16 games from late December through January 24th, the Rockets get pummeled by an angry Mavs team here. Keep in mind, the Mavericks already pummeled the Rockets in the Big D by double digits earlier this season. They can do it again here.
Frank Jordan
Heat vs. Knicks
Play: Over 208.5
Miami scores over 101 points a game. New York gives up and scores over 106 per game. Look for this to be an offensive shoot out with both teams going back and forth trading buckets and minimal defense being played. Play the Over
David Chan
Houston @ Dallas
PICK: Dallas -5.5
I bet value where I see it and believe that the Mavericks will ground the Rockets this evening, after Houston burned the Clippers on their home floor last night.
The Rockets are coming off an impressive victory over the Clippers last night, 96-83; I expect a "letdown" here.
It doesn't get any easier for Houston after tonight as it continues its road trip with games against the Spurs, Lakers and Jazz upcoming (note that Houston is just 7-13 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record).
Dallas beat the Clippers 112-105 on Tuesday night:
“This was a good start to a homestand,” Jason Terry. “Obviously, we have ground to make up from what we lost when we had our key guys injured. And I think tonight was a good start.”
Dallas is not "looking past" the Rockets tonight:
“Houston, they always play us tough,” Terry said. “A tough team, and I know they’re gonna be another tough challenge," (note that Dallas is 15-9 ATS this year vs. good offensive teams that score 99+ points per contest).
The back-to-back will be just too much for the Rockets to overcome tonight; all signs point to a home blowout!
Marc Lawrence
UCLA @ Arizona
PICK: Arizona -8
The Wildcats return to the desert Thursday evening to host the Bruins in a key PAC 10 battle in Tucson with revenge on their minds from being knocked out of the conference tournament by UCLA last season. That sets the table for tonight's game as Arizona is 4-0 SU and ATS in games when playing with PAC 10 conference tourney revenge against an opponent off a SU and ATS win. They are also 10-3 ATS at home in this series, including 7-1 ATS when playing off a SU and ATS win. Look for the Cats to get their revenge here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Arizona.
Jim Feist
Celtics vs. Portland
Play: Under 187
A pair of defensive-oriented teams meet on national TV. Boston has its defensive mojo back with the return of Kevin Garnett last week, plus they got a surprise with the return of center Kendrick Perkins this week. He was expected back sometime in February, but came back two weeks earlier. He's a strong defensive player, very limited offensively. The Under is 4-0 in Celtics last 4 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and the Under is 13-4 in Trail Blazers last 17 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Look for a defensive game, Play the Celtics/Blazers Under the total.
MTi Sports
Celtics at Trail Blazers
Prediction: Under
The Trailblazers are 0-8 OU (-9.9 ppg) since November 24, 2008 at home after a loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field and The Celtics are 0-10 OU (-15.1 ppg) since December 30, 2008 as a road favorite with at least one day of rest after a double-digit win in which they shot at least 50% from the field. Also, Portland is 0-7 OU (-10.7 ppg) since February 21, 2010 at home with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Lamarcus Aldridge was not the Trailblazers' high scorer and the Celtics are 1-14 OU (-9.6 ppg) since December 17, 2008 on the road after winning the previous matchup at home in which Paul Pierce was the Celtics' high scorer. Take these two UNDER.
Rocketman
Furman @ Western Carolina
Play: Western Carolina +2.5
Western Carolina is 5-0 SU at home this year and 30-4 SU at home the past 3 years. Western Carolina is scoring 78.6 points per game at home this season. Western Carolina is 6-1 SU at home vs Furman since 1997. Catamounts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. We'll recommend a small play on Western Carolina tonight!
Tom Freese
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Boston Celtics
Portland is 25-21 straight up this year. The Trailblazers are 5-12 ATS their last 17 games following a double-digit home loss. The Blazers are 2-5 ATS their 7 home games. Portland is 1-4 ATS vs. NBA Atlantic teams and they are 0-4 ATS their 4 games vs. Eastern Conference teams. Boston is 34-10 straight up this year. The Celtics are 9-3 ATS their last 12 meetings with Portland. The Celtics are 5-1 ATS their last 6 meetings in Portland. The road team in this is 15-6 ATS the last 21 meetings.
VEGAS EXPERTS
San Diego at Portland
It doesn't get much worse than San Diego this year as the Toreros are 3-14 ATS this season in all games despite being an underdog in all but one of those games. Portland is 22-9 ATS as a favorite.
Play on: Portland
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Mississippi State +6
The Bulldogs have been at their best when playing at home against good competition. In fact, Mississippi State is 11-3 ATS in home games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) over the last 3 seasons, defeating these squads by an average score of 78.7 to 67.4. The Bulldogs are even 11-2 ATS, after 15-plus games, versus good offensive teams scoring 77+ points per game over the last 3 seasons, defeating these foes by an average score of 71.1 to 68.4. The Bulldogs have certainly had no trouble at home against Vandy. Dating back to 1999, Mississippi State is 6-0 at home against the Commodores. Also, the Commodores are 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings overall in this series. Vandy has dropped its first 2 on the road in SEC play. It may squeak out a win tonight but not by more than 7 points. Bet the Bulldogs.
Tony George
Boston Celtics vs. Portland Trail Blazers
Play: Boston Celtics -4.5
Not afraid of a road fav on TNT tonight as the Celtics are healthy and geting better, and the scary part is they were winning when not so healthy! On the other side Portland has injured players that are banged up , Aldridge and Matthews will no doubt play but will not be effective in my opinion against a tough lineup for Boston that may get very physical in this game. I do not like road favs often on TNT, especially in Portland, but the Celtics frontcourt and post should absolutely rock the Blazers tonight. Celtics 9-3 ATS last 12 in this series, and really playing some solid defense and in their last 5 games have hit 50% from the floor! Boston wins by 9 to 11 points
Wunderdog Sports
South Alabama vs. Troy
Play: S Alabama +3.5
The South Alabama Jaguars busted out of a four-game losing streak with a big win over Florida International their last time on the court. The win should have their confidence restored, as this is the same team that won five of six before the four-game slide. Troy owns all of three wins vs. Div-1 competition, but because of their upset win over a 15-3 North Texas team, they are getting a jolt in the line. The Jags have come up big with a 10-1- ATS mark vs. teams with a losing home record, and have enough to at least stay close if not win here. South Alabama is the play.
Tony Stoffo
Michigan vs. Michigan St
Play: Over 126
After 2 bad losses against Purdue and Illinois I look for Izzo to want to roll it up here against their big rival so I look for Michigan State to score around the 70 mark tonight. However the Spartans have only beaten 4 teams this year by more than 10 ( Eastern Michigan - Tennessee Tech - Bowling Green - Prairie View A&M ) which means the Wolverines won't be that far behind the 70 plateau also. Add this all up and throw in these solid trends calling for a high scoring game makes for a solid release on the over for this evening in this spot. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 overall. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 games following a S.U. loss. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 vs. Big Ten
Tony Stoffo
Michigan vs. Michigan St
Play: Over 126
After 2 bad losses against Purdue and Illinois I look for Izzo to want to roll it up here against their big rival so I look for Michigan State to score around the 70 mark tonight. However the Spartans have only beaten 4 teams this year by more than 10 ( Eastern Michigan - Tennessee Tech - Bowling Green - Prairie View A&M ) which means the Wolverines won't be that far behind the 70 plateau also. Add this all up and throw in these solid trends calling for a high scoring game makes for a solid release on the over for this evening in this spot. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 overall. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 games following a S.U. loss. Over is 4-0 in Wolverines last 4 vs. Big Ten