Michael Cannon
Michigan State at WISCONSIN -2'
I am now 72-59-3 with my last 134 free plays.
Take Wisconsin as the small home chalk over Michigan State.
The Badgers are a hard team to play against, and they are especially tough at the Kohl Center. While their style doesn’t make for the flashy highlights, you can’t argue with its effectiveness.
Wisconsin is coming off Thursday’s last-second loss at Purdue. The Badgers will look to bounce back at home where they are 4-0 SU in Big Ten play, and they also have yet to lose consecutive games this year.
Michigan State is on a 1-4 ATS slide in its last five games overall, and the Spartans are also 0-6 SU and 1-5 ATS in their last six visits to the Kohl Center.
The home team is 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings and has won 10 consecutive regular-season games.
Take Wisconsin as the small home chalk as they grab the win and cover.
3♦ WISCONSIN
Bryan Leonard
Memphis at Cleveland
We'll keep this one short and to the point. Memphis is off a thrilling victory last night at home over the LA Lakers. Now they must travel to Cleveland to face a Cavalier squad looking for revenge from blowing a double digit lead earlier this year at Memphis. The Grizzlies are a tired squad while Cleveland is well rested.
PLAY CLEVELAND
SPORTS WAGERS
TORONTO +1.36 over New Jersey
Certainly everyone has their own opinion about the Leafs trade and only time will tell which team will benefit the most but c’mon, are you KIDDING? The Leafs robbed the Flames by getting one of the premier defenseman in the league along with a solid player in Fredrick Sjostrom, who, given the chance, can score some goals. Sjostrom has great puck handling skills and is a lot better than most know. He’s also great at killing penalties, which has been the Leafs Achilles Heel all season long. The Leafs got rid of some dead weight in Jamal Mayers and Jason Blake and while they gave up some offense in Hagman, White and Stajan, those cats were expendable. The Leafs finally have some stability in net as well. Now, with a whole lot of excitement in Toronto, the new look Leafs will take the ice and play a Devils team that is laboring badly right now. New Jersey has three wins in its last 10 games. On most nights the Devils will struggle to score and that makes them a huge risk laying juice on the road. There is going to be a real buzz in the arena tonight and for at least one game you can expect a jacked up Leafs team to give the Devils all they can handle and then some. The Leafs always play the Devils tough anyway and in fact, four of the last five they have played have gone into OT. Giguere makes his Leaf debut and it’ll feel like a playoff game for him and probably the whole team. Play: Toronto +1.36 (Risking 2 units).
Phoenix +1.35 over NASHVILLE
How tough are the Coyotes? Without looking at the standings, take a fast guess at how many times they’ve lost in regulation in 56 games. If you said 22, 23, 24 or 25, you’re wrong. If you said 20, you’re still wrong. How about 18 times in 56 games. Amazing. The Coyotes are so tough to beat because no team wants to win more and no team plays as hard for 60 minutes every shift of every game. They’ve now won four in a row and seven of nine and they’ve scored three times or more in all of those seven wins. The Preds usually work hard too but they just have one win in its last six and frankly, they have zero advantage over the Coyotes. The best news, however, is that we’re still getting great value on the Coyotes because most don’t watch them, let alone wager on them but if this same team were wearing Red Wings uniforms this game would be a pick. Play: Phoenix +1.35 (Risking 2 units).
Columbus +1.76 over COLORADO
This might be the biggest overlay on the board tonight. Yeah, the Avalanche are having a great year but anyone that follows this game closely knows that they’ve way overachieved this season and a lot of their success has been due to the outstanding goaltending of Craig Anderson. Now they’ll come into this one having lost three straight and having scored just three lousy goals over that span. As much as the Av’s have overachieved, the Jackets are this season’s biggest underachievers. They got off to great start but then labored miserably for about two months. They’re back on track a bit with four wins in it last seven and that includes wins in St. Louis and Boston. So, while a win by the Avalanche would not surprise anyone, there’s no denying they’re way overpriced here and thus, the Jackets are a must play at this price. Play: Columbus +1.76 (Risking 2 units).
Tony George
Thunder / Hawks Over 192.5
Like the over here with 2 high scoring teams, with solid backcourts and Durant for OK City has been off the charts all year, the kid is a baller! I like trends to reverse in the NBA during the season and in series in general, and the last 4 have went under including a 185 point total score in their last game the 18th of Jan. I look for this one to eclipse the total tonight by 8-10 points. Side play too close to call in this one, it will be a nail biter down to the wire, the VALUE is in the total.
Sean Higgs
Seton Hall vs. Villanova
Play: Villanova -10.5
My selection tonight is on Villanova. The Hall gives up way to many points and playing here on the road, it will get ugly. Hall can't handle the rotation of 'Nova. Villanova will score in the 90's tonight, easily covering this 10.5 number.
JR O'Donnell
Atlanta vs. Oklahoma City
Play: Under 192
We note that the Atlanta Hawks are trying to catch the Magic in the Southeast...30-16 and just one game back, An offensive power in Atlanta 99 ppg, but they just do not fill it up away from home. They have problems on the offensive end & really struggle @ Ok City. We will play on the under here as Okie City really pressures the ball & clamps down on the the defensive end. The last 4 in this series have stayed well under & all everything Kevin Durant has his shares of problems with his scoring % against Atlanta ... Under is 5-1 ats in O Ok Thunders last 6 games as a home favorite of 0.5-4.5.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Clippers/Bulls UNDER 195
The Clippers' Chris Kaman is listed as doubtful again tonight, and LA has been hurting offensively without him in the lineup. But I expect those offensive struggles to continue with or without Kaman as the Bulls are holding their opponents to just 94.6 ppg at home this season. And really, neither team has been very explosive offensively this season with the Bulls averaging only 96.5 ppg and the Clippers averaging just 95.7. Chicago should especially clamp down defensively tonight after giving up more than 100 points in their last game after 3 straight games of holding its opponents to 97 or fewer. In fact, The Under is 6-2 in the Bulls' last 8 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Bet the Under for 1 Unit.
Vernon Croy
1* Take the Cleveland Cavaliers ATS
This pick falls into one of my top NBA systems and I have the Cavaliers winning by at least 20 points at home tonight because the Grizzlies just beat the Lakers last night at home. This may sound strange to some but they beat a tired Lakers team last night who were coming off a big win against the Celtics. Memphis is just 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games when their 5 starters combine for more than 160 minutes on the previous day. The Cavaliers are a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games when playing with 1 days rest and they are also 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the Grizzlies. The Cavaliers also have revenge on their mind since Memphis beat them in their last meeting back in December however that game was in Memphis and the Cavaliers have dominated teams at home this season. Take Cleveland Tuesday night.
Matt Rivers
Tonight he has a pick on Rhode Island minus the points. They are laying four-points at LaSalle.
Here is why:
It’s not going to be fruitful in the long run to play a lot of road favorites but in this fairly small play I’ll take my chances with the red hot and legitimately very good Rhode Island Rams today.
LaSalle is very average and at home I guess could put up some resistance in this spot but Keith Cothran, Delroy James and today’s visitors are really good right now. URI has won at both Dayton and Boston College and are a team that will be at the very worst on the bubble this season.
LaSalle’s Rodney Green will get his as he always seems to do but John Giannini’s Explorers have lost seven of their last 11 games and are pretty much toiling in mediocrity at 11-10 overall and 3-4 in the A-10. They just played a pretty spirited game in a cover at Temple but also spent a lot of energy in that thing which came after a dreadful performance at Fordham in a game that the Rams almost lost on the road to the terrible other Rams in Fordham.
The Explorers are just not very good and not very consistent. If they bring their A-Game they can stay in this thing, as they are at home, but that’s only if Rhode Island does not come all guns a blazing and that is the best case scenario for the home squad here.
The Rams have not yet cracked that top 25 but they are only a win or two max away from doing so. Coming to play should not be a problem for Jim Baron’s boys and in the end I expect a 6-8 point URI victory.
Pick: Rhode Island -4
Nelly
Milwaukee + over Orlando
Not too many people are noticing the Milwaukee Bucks but this is a team that should emerge into the playoff picture by season’s end. The Bucks are a few games out of the mix at present but only four games separate the current potential #5 seed and the Bucks. While the recent schedule has not been overwhelmingly challenging, Milwaukee has won the games that they should win while also playing close with its toughest foes even on the road. Milwaukee has actually covered in eight consecutive games including four of those games coming on the road and the Bucks have played close on the road against solid teams, including Houston, Toronto, and Dallas, while also defeating Miami on the road last night. The Magic have a bit of swagger back with wins in six of the last seven games but Orlando is just 12-10 ATS at home this season despite only four S/U losses this season at home. The Magic have a few bigger games upcoming and also have endured some hectic travel of late, playing eleven of the last 17 on the road including Sunday's game in Detroit. The current Milwaukee lineup should match-up well as Andrew Bogut provides one of the few centers that can compete with Dwight Howard and recent play in the backcourt has been excellent from Brandon Jennings, Charlie Bell, and Carlos Delfino. Look for the Bucks to hang close in this match-up and easily cover this inflated spread.
Jack Jones
Warriors/Rockets OVER 218
Take the Over as the Houston Rockets host the Golden State Warriors Tuesday night. Both teams have struggled defensively this season, but both have also shown the ability to put a lot of points on the board.
Golden State comes in averaging 107.4 points per game on offense. They also come in with a defense that has allowed over 111 points per game.
Houston also averages over 100 points per game, entering tonight's match up averaging 102.8 ppg in their 23 home games. The Rockets have been good defensively in recent years, but the same can't be said about this year's team as they have allowed 101.2 ppg to be scored on them this season in Houston.
This is a big number, but these teams have scored a combined 215 points or more in each of the last 3 meetings. Points will be easy to come by and I can easily see both teams going over 110 points.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Hawks/Thunder UNDER 192
I expect a defensive battle from a pair of strong defensive teams tonight. The last 4 matchups between these two teams have all gone Under the number, and we haven't seen a combined total score of more than 189 points in any of those games. The Hawks should be especially sound on the defensive end tonight, having not played since Saturday. In fact, Atlanta is 15-4 Under in road games when playing with 2 day's rest over the last 3 seasons. The Under is 4-0 period in the Hawks' last 4 games when playing on 2 day's rest and 4-1-1 in their last 6 road games. The Under is 6-2 in the Thunder's last 8 overall and 7-3 in their last 10 home games. Bet the Under for 1 Unit.
John Ryan
SMU vs. So Mississippi
Play: SMU +5
3* graded play on SMU as they take on Southern Mississippi in this Conference -USA game set to start at 8:00 EST. Our sports handicapping model/simulator shows a that SMU will lose this game by 5 or fewer points. This is the type of game where the dog has a chance to win the game as well. SMU has been playing well winners of 4 straight and coming off a huge win versus Memphis winning 70-60 as 8 point dogs. SMU is playing with confidence and it is reflected by the fact that they are 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) off a home win against a conference rival over the last 3 seasons. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 38-36 against the money and has made 20.8 units in profits since 2004. Play on a road team versus the money line that is off an upset win by 10 points or more as a dog and is playing only their 3rd game in a week. Also supporting the upset bid is the fact that we do not see SM having more than 39 total rebounds. They are 3-9 against the money line (-10.0 Units) when they grab 34 to 39 rebounds in a game over the last 2 seasons. SMU is also a solid shooting team and have shot 51% or better in 6 of the past 8 games. SM is just 2-11 against the money line (-12.1 Units) versus good shooting teams that are making >=45% of their shots over the last 2 seasons. Take SMU.
LARRY NESS
Michigan @ Northwestern
PICK: Northwestern -2
Northwestern has NEVER made the NCAA tournament field but has designs on making it in 2010. If so, the Wildcats almost must win its next two games (both at home). Northwestern comes in 14-7 overall but just 3-6 in Big 10 play. The 6-8 Shurna (18.0-6.7) and the 6-11 Mirkovic (7.2-6.2) start up front, joined by guards Thompson (13.1-4.2 APG) and Nash (9.0-3.4-2.8) along with 6-5 freshman swingman Crawford (11.1-4.3). Rounding out the contributors are Maricotullio (5.2) in the backcourt and the 7-0 Rowley (2.1-2.4) up front. First up in its two-game mini-homestand is Michigan (Indiana is next), a team which has been a major disappointment this year. The Wolverines opened at No. 15 in the AP's preseason rankings but after a 3-0 start, come in just 11-10 overall and 4-5 in Big 10 play. The 6-5 Harris (19.1-6.6-4.3) and the 6-8 Sims (17.6-7.7) have both played as expected but last year's three freshman guards have all fallen well short of expectations as sophomores. Novack (7.5-4.8), Douglas (7.5-4.8) and Arizona transfer Lucas-Perry (5.9) have not improved at all on their freshman averages. When Northwestern won 68-62 at Michigan back on Jan 10, the Wolverines' troubles were in evidence, as Harris and Sims combined for 41 of Michigan's 62 points. Crawford (25-8) led the way for the Wildcats in that win and while he's not likely to match that here, I believe Bill Carmody's team matches up very well to complete the season sweep. Take Northwestern.
Hollywood Sports
Miami (FL) at Wake Forest
Prediction: Wake Forest
Wake Forest (14-5) returns home to look to avenge their 67-66 loss at Miami-Florida on January 9th. The Hurricanes (16-5) had dropped four games in a row before defeating Virginia Tech 82-75 on Sunday. Miami-Florida has struggled on their opponent's home court this season as they are just 2-4 while shooting only 43.1% from the field. They should struggle at Wake Forest against a Demon Deacons' team that holds their opponents to just 36.6% shooting on their home court. Overall, Wake Forest is 9-1 at home with a strong +12.9 net point differential. The Demon Deacons look to bounce back from a 79-58 loss at Georgia Tech -- and Wake Forest has covered their last five games after losing a game by at least 20 points. Miami-Florida has failed to cover the spread in five of their last six games against teams with a winning record while having also failed to cover the spread in four of their last five road games as an underdog. Look for the Hurricanes to continue to struggle despite their temporary reprieve in their Sunday win against the Hokies. Lay the points with Wake Forest.