SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(25) Ole Miss (16-5, 11-6 ATS) at (4) Kentucky (20-1, 10-9 ATS)
Kentucky goes after its 15th straight home victory when it welcomes the Rebels to Rupp Arena for an SEC contest.
Ole Miss saw its three-game SU and four-game ATS winning streak halted on Sunday, losing 80-73 to Arkansas as a whopping 11½-point home favorite. The Rebels, who got outscored 46-34 in the second half, shot just 38.2 percent from the field (6-for-22 from three-point range) and allowed Arkansas to make 48.1 percent of its shots. Ole Miss is now 4-3 SU and ATS in SEC action, but 3-1 SU and ATS when visiting conference rivals.
The Wildcats took over the top spot in the polls to start last week, then promptly suffered their first loss of the season Tuesday, falling 68-62 at South Carolina as a seven-point road favorite. However, they bounced back nicely on Saturday, ending Vanderbilt’s 10-game winning streak with an 85-72 rout as an 8½-point home favorite. John Calipari’s team has alternated ATS wins and losses in its last seven games.
Kentucky is now 14-0 at Rupp Arena, outscoring visitors by 20 points per game (86-66) while also holding a shooting edge of 50.1 percent to 38.1 percent. Despite those advantages, the Wildcats are just 6-6 ATS on their court. Meanwhile, Ole Miss is 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS in road/neutral-site games, putting up 75.2 ppg (45.5 percent) and yielding 69.5 ppg (38.6 percent).
These teams met twice last year, once in the regular season at Ole Miss (85-80 Rebels win as a 9½-point home underdog) and once in the SEC tournament (71-58 Kentucky victory as an eight-point chalk). Prior to last year’s loss in Oxford, Miss., the Wildcats had won nine in a row against Ole Miss, and they’re still 96-12 SU in 108 all-time meetings, going 4-2 ATS in the last six.
Despite Sunday’s loss to Arkansas, Ole Miss is still on a plethora of positive pointspread surges, including 4-1 overall (all in the SEC), 6-1 on the highway, 5-2 against winning teams, 9-4 after a SU defeat and 11-4 after a non-cover. Kentucky is 4-1 ATS both in its last five at Rupp Arena and its last five on Tuesday, but the ‘Cats have failed to cover in 13 of their last 19 conference games. Also, they haven’t had consecutive spread-covers in SEC play this year.
The over is 8-2 in the Rebels’ last 10 Tuesday outings, but otherwise they’re on “under” runs of 4-1 overall (all in conference), 10-4 on the road and 5-1-1 against winning teams. Also, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings between these rivals. Conversely, Kentucky has topped the total in nine of its last 12 overall and seven of its last eight at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
(5) Michigan State (19-5, 8-13 ATS) at (16) Wisconsin (16-5, 11-8 ATS)
Michigan State puts its 10-game overall and nine-game conference winning streaks on the line when it pays a visit to the Kohl Center for a Big Ten battle with the 16th-ranked Badgers.
The Spartans, already off to their best Big Ten start in school history, survived a scare against Northwestern on Saturday, pulling away late for a 79-70 victory. However, they never threatened to cover as a massive 13-point home chalk, and Tom Izzo’s troops are now 1-4 ATS in their last five games after starting conference play with five straight spread-covers. Michigan State is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in Big Ten road games, and for the season, it is 6-3 (5-4 ATS) outside of East Lansing.
Wisconsin is coming off Thursday’s last-second 60-57 loss at 10th-ranked Purdue, though it cashed easily as a 9½-point road underdog to snap an 0-3 ATS slide. The Badgers have followed a predictable pattern through nine conference contests, going win-win-loss three different times. Bo Ryan’s squad is 4-0 (2-2 ATS) at home in Big Ten action, the last three being single-digit victories, and Wisconsin has not lost consecutive games all year.
Aside from giving up 70 points in a pair of victories over Northwestern, Michigan State is yielding just 58.4 ppg in its other seven conference wins, giving up 64 points or fewer in all seven. That includes a season-low 47 points in a 54-47 home victory over Wisconsin on Jan. 6. Meanwhile, the Badgers have given up 60 points or less in 10 of their last 12 contests, and they’re holding league rivals to just 55.3 ppg.
Michigan State barely cashed as a six-point favorite in last month’s seven-point home win over Wisconsin, improving to 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings, including 3-0 ATS in the last three. However, the home team has won 10 consecutive regular-season clashes in this rivalry, and the Spartans are 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six trips to the Kohl Center. Their last win in Madison was Feb. 27, 2001 – a 51-47 victory as a 3½-point road chalk. Also, the home team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings.
Along with its current 1-4 ATS slump, Michigan State has failed to cash in 10 of its last 14 against winning teams and is 6-19-2 ATS in its last 27 on Tuesday. Wisconsin is on ATS upticks of 7-3 at home and 5-1 after a SU defeat, but it is 3-14 ATS in its last 17 on Tuesday.
The Spartans are riding “under” streaks of 6-2 overall, 5-1 on the highway, 15-5 within the Big 10, 16-5 on Tuesday and 6-2 versus winning teams. The Badgers are on “under” runs of 10-2 overall, 39-13 after a spread-cover and 6-2 against winning teams. Finally, the under has cashed in six of the last eight clashes between these rivals, with last month’s battle at Michigan State staying well below the 131½-point posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WISCONSIN and UNDER
NBA
Memphis (26-21, 27-19-1 ATS) at Cleveland (38-11, 25-23-1 ATS)
One day after holding off Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, the Grizzlies make their only visit of the season to Quicken Loans Arena to battle LeBron James and the red-hot Cavaliers.
Zack Randolph scored 22 points and pulled down 17 rebounds as Memphis rallied from a late four-point deficit and beat Los Angeles 95-93 as a one-point home underdog Monday. The Grizzlies halted a brief two-game losing skid with the victory and are now on a 16-5 SU roll. They’ve also been one of the best moneymakers in the NBA since early December, going 19-8-1 ATS in their last 28 contests, including 8-3 ATS on the road.
Cleveland ran its winning streak to eight in a row with Sunday’s 114-89 rout of the Clippers, with James (32 points, 11 assists) contributing a double-double in 40 minutes of action. The Cavaliers easily cashed as a 12-point home favorite, their fourth straight spread-cover following a 3-8-1 ATS slump. The Cavs have won their last three games against the TWolves (home), Pacers (road) and Clippers (home) by 14, 21 and 25 points after winning their previous five by a total of 17 points, including three one-point victories.
Memphis ended a seven-game SU and five-game ATS losing skid to Cleveland back on Dec. 8, winning 111-109 in overtime as a 7½-point home underdog. The Grizzlies have lost five straight games at Quicken Loans Arena, including a 20-point defeat in 2008 and a 15-point setback last year.
Memphis is 7-19-1 ATS in its last 27 games on Tuesday, but aside from that, this club is on pointspread tears of 15-6-1 overall, 7-2 on the highway, 12-3 as an underdog, 7-3 when catching between five and 10½ points, 21-6-1 against Eastern Conference squads and 4-0 versus the Central Division.
In addition to cashing in four straight overall and four of five as a favorite, the Cavaliers are on a 10-4 ATS roll against Southwest Division opponents. However, they’re 1-4 ATS in their last five on Tuesday and 1-5 ATS in their last six when laying between five and 10½ points at home.
The Grizzlies sport “over” streaks of 13-7 overall, 20-8 as a visitor, 8-3 when playing on back-to-back nights, 10-4 as a ‘dog, 20-7 as a ‘dog of five to 10½ points, 6-2 against winning teams and 4-0 on Tuesday. Likewise, Cleveland has topped the total in five of six at home (all as a favorite), seven of nine as a chalk and four of five against the Western Conference. Finally, six of the last seven meetings between these teams have gone over the posted price, as have seven of the last nine clashes in Cleveland.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Atlanta (30-16 SU and ATS) at Oklahoma City (26-21, 28-19 ATS)
The Hawks, who play just .500 ball on the highway, look to snap a two-game road losing skid when they trek to the Ford Center for a duel with Kevin Durant and the Thunder.
Atlanta followed up Friday’s impressive nine-point home win over Boston with Saturday’s ugly 104-86 loss at Southeast Division rival Orlando, falling way short as a 5½-point road underdog. The Hawks, who also suffered a 15-ponit loss at San Antonio on Wednesday, are just 11-11 as a visitor (13-9 ATS). Still, the Hawks enter February on an 8-4 SU and ATS roll. Also, the SU winner has covered the spread in 42 of Atlanta’s 46 games, including the last seven in a row, and the winner is 20-2 ATS in its 22 roadies.
Oklahoma City has bounced back from a three-game losing skid with back-to-back home wins over Denver (101-84) and Golden State (112-104). The Thunder easily covering as a two-point favorite versus the Nuggets but just missed as an 8½-point chalk in Sunday’s win over the Warriors despite a season-high 45 points from Durant, who has now scored at least 25 points in 21 consecutive games, tallying 30 or more 17 times during this stretch. Durant is averaging 29.6 ppg on the season
The Thunder have won eight of their last 11 at the Ford Center, going just 5-6 ATS (all as a favorite). In fact, the underdog is 12-4 ATS in Oklahoma City’s last 16 games.
Atlanta entered this season with a three-game winning streak against the Thunder, but that ended Jan. 18 in Georgia, as Oklahoma City pulled out a 94-91 victory, cashing as a six-point underdog with Durant (29 points) and Jeff Green (15 points, 11 rebounds) leading the way. The Thunder franchise – going back to its days as the Seattle SuperSonics – is 11-1 ATS in the last 12 meetings with the Hawks. Also, the ‘dog has gotten the money in four of the last five head-to-head battles.
Atlanta is on ATS runs of 19-8-1 against the Western Conference, 8-2-1 versus the Northwest Division, 12-3-1 after a SU loss, 7-0-1 after a double-digit defeat and 10-2 after a non-cover, but the Hawks are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 when catching less than five points on the road.
Aside from a 3-7 ATS mark in their last 10 as a favorite, the Thunder are on positive pointspread stretches of 4-1 against the Eastern Conference, 18-5 on Tuesday, 6-0 against winning teams, and 37-17 after a non-cover. In fact, only twice all year has Oklahoma City failed to cash in consecutive games.
These teams have stayed under the total in each of their last four meetings overall and their last four battles in Oklahoma City. Furthermore, the Thunder carry “under” trends of 6-2 overall, 7-3 at home (all as a favorite), 5-1 when laying less than five points at home and 7-0-1 on Tuesday. Also, Atlanta sports “under” trends of 4-1-1 on the road, 3-1-1 as an underdog, 3-1-1 against the Western Conference and 5-0 on Tuesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Marc Lawrence
Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers
Prediction: Indiana Pacers
The Pacers host the Raptors in this right-back revenge rematch when they lost 117-102 at Toronto this past Saturday night. Looking inside the numbers we note that the Raptors are 5-14 SU and ATS in one game road trips while the Pacers are 13-4 ATS when playing with 15-point or more same season revenge, including 8-2 ATS at home. Look for more of the same here this evening.
JIM FEIST
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS / CHICAGO BULLS
TAKE: CHICAGO BULLS
The Bulls are home from an impressive road trip, on a sizzling 5-0 SU/ATS run -- all on the road! No team had defeated five straight teams with winning records on the same trip since the league began on Nov. 1, 1946. MVP of the trip was Derrick Rose, who averaged 23.6 points and 5.4 assists and he consistently displayed his newfound comfort level in taking over games down the stretch. This is a motivated team gaining confidence -- and a likely playoff spot if they keep this up. The same can't be said of the Clippers, who are on a 1-5 SU, 2-4 ATS run and playing their 7th straight road game. Play the Bulls.
EZWINNERS
Houston Rockets -6.5
The Rockets have been on a horrible 2-12 run against the spread that also includes an 0-8 run against the spread at home, but this is an excellent chance for them to cash a ticket. The Rockets have dominated this series against the Warriors. Houston has won eight straight meetings between these two teams and they are 8-2 against the spread in those games. This is one of the few games where the lack of front court size is not an issue for the Rockets. They match up very well with Golden State and their superior defensive play should be the difference in this game. Lay the points.
James Patrick Sports
Central Florida vs. East Carolina
The natives are restless about ECU Hoops as the Pirates are losers in (11) straight C-USA games and have dropped (4) straight by double-digits. Little question why Big Game James Patrick's Fan Appreciation Day College Basketball selection is Central Florida Golden Knights.
Bobby Maxwell
Milwaukee +10 at ORLANDO
Currently riding FREE play runs of 64-27-1 and 41-13-1 with my last 55 come selections. Tonight, I have a free winner for you on the NBA hardwood as I grab the points with the Bucks as they travel to Orlando to take on the Magic.
Don’t know if you’ve looked in a while, but the Milwaukee Bucks are the hottest team we’ve seen at the betting window in quite a while. They have cashed in eight straight games and 9 of 10, including back-to-back wins over the Heat on Saturday and Monday, crushing Miami in Florida on Monday night.
Milwaukee is just 5-3 straight-up in the last eight games but they are keeping everything close and cashing tickets. I like the young roster they are putting out there and losing the crutch of perennial all-star Michael Redd has been a blessing for these young guys. Guys like Brandon Jennings, Andrew Bogut and Carlos Delfino have had to figure things out quickly.
Orlando has the force in the middle of Dwight Howard and always a threat in either Rashard Lewis or Vince Carter, but those guys are unpredictable. If the Bucks can contain Howard, this is a game that comes down to the wire.
Milwaukee has cashed in two of the last three in this series, but lost outright in both meetings this season.
The Bucks are on ATS runs of 5-1 on the road, 5-1 as a road ‘dog, and an impressive 8-2 in their last 10 back-to-back contests. Young legs recover quickly. This is too many points to pass up. I’ll grab the points with Milwaukee in this one.
5♦ MILWAUKEE
Dominic Fazzini
Milwaukee at ORLANDO -10
I rolled to an easy victory Monday night with my complimentary selection as Texas handed Oklahoma State its first home loss of the season. I bucked the ATS trends in that one and prospered, pushing my record to 64-46-4 over the last 114 days!
Today, I've got an NBA winner that is going to go a little bit against the grain, taking the Magic to crush the red-hot Bucks.
Milwaukee has won three straight games and has covered in eight straight, but it has struggled in Orlando, losing eight consecutive games by an average of 16 ppg.
The Magic are slightly better than .500 on the road, but at home they are nearly unbeatable, going 18-4 this season with five straight wins, two of them coming against Atlanta and one against the Celtics.
Bucks center Andrew Bogut has been playing well, and had 22 points and 11 rebounds Monday night in Milwaukee's 97-81 road win over Miami, but he's going to have his hands full tonight against Orlando star Dwight Howard, who had 17 points and 10 rebounds while going 8-for-11 from the field in just 24 minutes in the Magic's 117-92 home victory over the Bucks on Dec. 30.
Yes, Milwaukee has been on fire, but it is just 1-5 ATS in its last six games in Orlando, and the home team is 4-0 ATS in the teams' last four meetings while the favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five. Take the Magic to end the Bucks' run in a big way tonight as they cover the points.
3♦ ORLANDO
Stephen Nover
Golden State +6 at HOUSTON
Golden State has been a huge profit-maker covering 12 of the past 15 times it has been an underdog. The Warriors have also covered 56 percent of their road contests this season.
But this handicap is largely a fade on Houston. The Rockets are not playing well and until they turn things around they are worth going against.
The Rockets have failed to cover in 12 of their last 14 games. They are 0-8 ATS the past eight times they've been chalk.
Golden State still has injuries, but at least its big men are back. Monta Ellis and Corey Maggette continue to provide heavy scoring for the Warriors, who have covered five of their last seven.
The Warriors rank No. 2 in the NBA in scoring averaging 107.4 points. The Warriors do rank last in defense, but Houston has the worst field-goal percentage of any team with a winning record.
The teams have met twice this season and the Rockets have won both times, but the average victory margin is just 1.5 points. This should be another close game with the last team with the ball probably pulling out the win.
2♦ WARRIORS
Karl Garrett
Miami-Florida +8 at WAKE FOREST
For Tuesday night in ACC play, grab the Hurricanes plus the points at they visit Wake Forest.
Miami-Florida was able to stop a 4 game losing streak with the weekend win at home over Virginia Tech. On the road the 'Canes are 5-4 against the spread, and they have done well for themselves in this series, winning the last pair of meetings.
One of those wins can back in early January, as they were able to hang on for the 1-point home win, but did not cover as the favorite. I have a feeling we are going to see another hotly-contested battle between the schools tonight, as Wake is just 3-3 over their last 6 games, and just 4-5 against the spread in their lined home games this season.
Too many points for the Demon Deacons to cover here.
This one is decided in the closing seconds, take the Hurricanes plus the points.
1♦ MIAMI-FLORIDA
DUNKEL
Golden State at Houston
The Warriors look to take advantage of a Houston team that is 0-8 ATS in its last 8 games as a favorite. Golden State is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Rockets favored by only 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+6 1/2)
Game 501-502: Milwaukee at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 118.129; Orlando 126.819
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 10; 195 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+10); Under
Game 503-504: Toronto at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 120.660; Indiana 114.792
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 6; 215
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: Memphis at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 122.102; Cleveland 127.711
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 5 1/2; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 10 1/2; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+10 1/2); Over
Game 507-508: Detroit at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 108.638; New Jersey 108.829
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 177
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Atlanta at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.888; Oklahoma City 122.843
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 1; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City; Over
Game 511-512: LA Clippers at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 117.707; Chicago 122.309
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 4 1/2; 194
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 513-514: Golden State at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 116.796; Houston 120.458
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 3 1/2; 212
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 219
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+6 1/2); Under
NCAAB
Seton Hall at Villanova
The Wildcats look to take advantage of a Seton Hall team that is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games as a road underdog from 7 to 12 1/2 points. Villanova is the pick (-10) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 12 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Villanova (-10)
Game 515-516: Rhode Island at LaSalle
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 64.435; LaSalle 59.527
Dunkel Line: Rhode Island by 5
Vegas Line: Rhode Island by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rhode Island (-3 1/2)
Game 517-518: Central Florida at East Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Central Florida 56.605; East Carolina 53.339
Dunkel Line: Central Florida by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: East Carolina by 1
Dunkel Pick: Central Florida (+1)
Game 519-520: Miami (FL) at Wake Forest
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 62.808; Wake Forest 70.891
Dunkel Line: Wake Forest by 8
Vegas Line: Wake Forest by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wake Forest (-7 1/2)
Game 521-522: Seton Hall at Villanova
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 65.836; Villanova 78.410
Dunkel Line: Villanova by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Villanova by 10
Dunkel Pick: Villanova (-10)
Game 523-524: Michigan at Northwestern
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 67.064; Northwestern 66.833
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Northwestern by 2
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+2)
Game 525-526: Towson at Drexel
Dunkel Ratings: Towson 42.803; Drexel 63.834
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 21
Vegas Line: Drexel by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drexel (-13 1/2)
Game 527-528: Mississippi at Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi 67.981; Kentucky 76.515
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi (+10 1/2)
Game 529-530: Providence at Syracuse
Dunkel Ratings: Providence 58.736; Syracuse 80.150
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 16
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-16)
Game 531-532: St. John's at Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: St. John's 61.521; Rutgers 55.964
Dunkel Line: St. John's by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: St. John's by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. John's (-3 1/2)
Game 533-534: Kansas State at Nebraska
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 69.788; Nebraska 68.427
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 3
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+3)
Game 535-536: SMU at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: SMU 58.999; Southern Mississippi 57.168
Dunkel Line: SMU by 2
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SMU (+5 1/2)
Game 537-538: Drake at Bradley
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 60.610; Bradley 59.887
Dunkel Line: Drake by 1
Vegas Line: Bradley by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drake (+4 1/2)
Game 539-540: TCU at BYU
Dunkel Ratings: TCU 54.525; BYU 75.726
Dunkel Line: BYU by 21
Vegas Line: BYU by 19
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-19)
Game 541-542: Michigan State at Wisconsin
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 72.418; Wisconsin 77.299
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 5
Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 2
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-2)
Game 5543-544: Northeastern at Delaware
Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 65.245; Delaware 52.797
Dunkel Line: Northeastern by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Northeastern by 8
Dunkel Pick: Northeastern (-8)
Game 545-546: Air Force at San Diego State
Dunkel Ratings: Air Force 51.567; San Diego State 65.713
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 14
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 17
Dunkel Pick: Air Force (+17)
Game 547-548: Jacksonville State at Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 48.900; Tennessee State 46.555
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (-1)
NHL
Phoenix at Nashville
The Coyotes look to take advantage of a Nashville team that is 1-5 in its last 6 games overall. Phoenix is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+125)
Game 1-2: New Jersey at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.123; Toronto 10.415
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-150); Under
Game 3-4: Washington at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.428; Boston 11.509
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-150); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+130); Under
Game 5-6: Tampa Bay at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 11.423; Atlanta 11.989
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-140); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-140); Under
Game 7-8: Vancouver at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 13.524; Montreal 11.020
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 2 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-145); Over
Game 9-10: Phoenix at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.407; Nashville 10.854
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+125); Over
Game 11-12: Minnesota at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.854; Dallas 11.928
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-140); Under
Game 13-14: Columbus at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.047; Colorado 11.720
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-180); Under
Game 15-16: Detroit at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 10.775; San Jose 13.865
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 3; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-185); Over
Game 17-18: NY Rangers at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.921; Los Angeles 13.122
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Tom Freese
TCU at BYU
Tcu is 10-12 overall and 2-5 in Conference Play. TCU has lost their last 3 games. Guard Ronnie Moss scores 14.5 points a game and dishes out 6.4 assists a game. Zvonko Buljan scores 13.3 points a game and grabs 9 rebounds a night. Edvinas Rozgas scores 12.4 points a game while shooting 42.5% from behind the line. No other player scores more than 6.8 points a game. The Horned Frogs are 15-35-1 ATS their last 51 games off an ATS loss and they are 1-6 ATS their last 7 Conference games. BYU is 21-2 this year. The Cougars are led by Jimmer Fredette and his 21.2 points a game while shooting over 48% from the three point line. Guard Tyler Haws scores 12.3 points a game while shooting 41% from behind the arc. Guard Jackson Emery scores 12 points a game while shooting 49.8% from the floor. The Cougars are 4-1 ATS their last 5 games off an ATS loss and they are 17-8-2 ATS their last 27 home games vs. a team with a road win percentage of less than 40% PLAY ON BYU -
Matt Fargo
Rhode Island at La Salle
Prediction: Rhode Island
When you think of the Atlantic Ten powerhouse teams, you think of Temple, Xavier and Dayton. Rhode Island rarely enters the conversation and a lot of that is due to the fact that the Rams have not been to the NCAA Tournament in over 10 years. But that will change this season barring another late season swoon. Two years ago, Rhode Island started the season 19-3 but went on to lose seven of its final nine regular season games as well as the opener in the Atlantic Ten Conference Tournament. That sent the Rams to the NIT and last season they vowed vengeance. It was a very solid season as Rhode Island went 22-8 in its first 30 regular season games before losing to Massachusetts in the season finale and then to Duquesne in the first round of the conference tournament. Again, it was off to the NIT for the Rams. This season Rhode Island is 17-3 overall including 5-2 in the conference and because of the last two seasons it is not going to be taking any game lightly. The three losses this season came at VCU by a bucket, at a very tough Xavier environment and at home against Temple in overtime. Of all of the teams in the conference, the Rams have the highest RPI, which is at a solid 11th, despite sitting in third place in the standings. LaSalle was supposed to be a real factor in the Atlantic Ten race this season but things have not gone quite as planned. The Explorers have not played bad but they are extremely shorthanded as they are basically a seven-man rotation right now. Following foot injuries to senior guard Ruben Guillandeaux and senior forward Kimmani Barrett as well as the suspension of junior forward Terrell Williams, its record has suffered because of it. LaSalle has been involved in some very tight losses as of their 10 defeats, half have been by single-digits. Playing close games is never really a bad thing but when a team is on the wrong side of those the majority of the time, it can take its toll. Over the last five games, LaSalle has two wins and those came against Fordham and Penn who are ranked 289th and 326th respectively. The Explorers have lost four straight and seven of the last eight meetings in this series and with the motivation of the Rams right now, it will be difficult to overcome that skid. LaSalle is 0-8 ATS in its last eight games against teams with a winning percentage of .800 or greater and it is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games against teams shooting 45 percent or better from the floor. Rhode Island meanwhile is 10-3-1 ATS in its last 14 road games and it extends that run on Tuesday. 3* Rhode Island Rams
VEGAS EXPERTS
Seton Hall at Villanova
We think it should have been the Wildcats, and not Kansas, that ascended to the top spot in the polls. Their ATS record certainly justifies it as 'Nova continues to surpass the oddsmakers expectations. They've covered 12 of 16 lined games thus far, including eight of 10 as double-digit chalk. That latter mark includes 6 for 6 at home. Seton Hall gives up way too many points (81.0 PPG) on the road to stay competitive here.
Play on: Villanova
LT Profits
St John's @ Rutgers
The Under is a wallet filling 11-3, 78.6 percent in all St. Johns Red Storm games this season, and we are looking for more of the same tonight when they visit the Rutgers Scarlet Knights in Big East play.
Red Storm road games have been especially low scoring this year, as their offense is not as proficient as when they play in the Big Apple while their defense remains fairly constant home and away. As a result, St. Johns is only averaging 60.8 points per game on the road on a poor 38.9 percent shooting, with those games averaging a combined 128.6 points, more than five points less than this posted total.
We do not expect the Red Storm to suddenly find an offense tonight vs. a Rutgers defense that plays considerably better at home than on the road. The Scarlet Knights are allowing 65.4 points per game on a scant 38.1 percent shooting at home vs. Division I opponents, with the Under going 5-2 in their lined home games. The Under is 3-1 in their four Big East home games.
Looking at the Pomeroy Ratings, St. Johns somewhat surprisingly ranks 35 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency, allowing only .906 points per possession. Rutgers does not grade out quite that well, but they do have a defensive PPP of under one at .988, and as mentioned earlier, the Scarlet Knights play much tighter defense at home.
Finally, the Under is 3-0 in the last three head-to-head meetings between these schools with none of those games reaching 130 points, and we do not think this game will either.
Pick: St. Johns/Rutgers Under 134
Nick “The BookieKiller” Parsons
New Jersey Devils @ Toronto Maple Leafs
PICK: New Jersey Devils -150
For a number of different reasons I believe that the Devils will win this game as Toronto's new players take some time to get accustomed to their surroundings:
The Leafs’ revamped roster will be on display as they open a home-and-home set with New Jersey on Tuesday night, two days after a pair of major trades brought several new faces to Toronto.
One of the NHL’s proudest franchises is in danger of missing the playoffs for a fifth straight season, and the Leafs’ six-game losing streak at the end of a 2-9-2 stretch forced general manager Brian Burke to take action.
On Sunday, Burke acquired defenseman Dion Phaneuf from Calgary and goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere from Anaheim, hoping to shore up a defense that has allowed a league-high 197 goals.
Toronto (17-28-11) also got forward Fredrik Sjostrom and young defenseman Keith Aulie from the Flames, trading away a combined six players including beleaguered goalie Vesa Toskala.
Forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman and Jason Blake and defenseman Ian White were also shipped out, meaning the Leafs will move on without four players who have combined for 126 points this season. The deals, though, could be just the beginning of a bigger shakeup after Burke said Toronto was “still open for business.”
Bottom line: Giguere lost his starting job with the Ducks and is 0-4-1 with a 4.28 goals-against average since his last win Dec. 8th and I believe this move to Toronto will be the "beginning of the end" for the aging keeper.
While normally I always take the "revenge factor" into consideration (the Leafs lost to the Devils 5-3 on Friday night), I believe all of the "off ice issues and distractions", along with the "chemistry factor" Toronto will surely need to overcome before finding any co-hesiveness, will just be too much for the Leafs tonight; the DEVILS are certainly worth a second look in this situation.