Harry Bondi
WICHITA STATE (-10.5) over Southern Illinois
Great spot to be "on" the Shockers, who come in desperate for a win after losing their last two games. Southern Illinois is in an absolute tailspin, losing its last five games by double digits and 11 out of 12 overall. The team has no inside presence and depends way too much on the outside shot and the result has seen them score less than 60 points in five straight games. The two teams played a somewhat tight game earlier this year in which the Shockers eventually won by six, and that will ensure full focus tonight from the visitors. Lay the lumber on the road.
Hollywood Sports
Milwaukee Bucks at Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets (30-18) have won six games in a row after their 113-98 win versus New Orleans on Friday. Denver has covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games following a victory. They also have covered 5 of their last 6 games after scoring at least 100 points in their last contest. Additionally, this team is a decisive 39-19-2 ATS when playing with at least three days of rest under head coach George Karl. Denver is 20-3 on their home court this season -- and while the Bucks are 12-11 on the road this season, the Nuggets have covered the spread in 7 straight home games agains teams with a winning percentage on the road. Milwaukee (25-21) snapped their two-game losing streak on Saturday with their 107-98 win versus Orlando -- but this is a team that has failed to cover the point spread in 16 of their last 22 games against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. And in their last 12 trips to Denver, the Bucks are just 2-9-1 ATS. Take the Nuggets minus the points in this one.
Hollywood Sports
Blackhawks at Sharks
Prediction: Under
These two teams have raced out to own the best two records in the NHL so far this season. San Jose (7-1-0-1) looks to bounce-back from their first loss in regulation time this year with their 2-1 loss at Anaheim last night. The Under is 12-3-1 in the Sharks' last 16 games after scoring two goals or less in their last game. San Jose has also played 5 straight games Under the Total holding their last opponent to two goals or less. Additionally, the Sharks return home where they have played 5 straight games Under the Total at home. And San Jose has played 4 straight games Under the Total against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. Chicago (7-0-0-2) enters this game coming off a 3-2 win in the shootout at Calgary on Saturday. The Blackhawks have played 5 straight games Under the Total following a win. They also have played 6 straight games Under the Total after scoring two goals or less in regulation and overtime play. Additionally, Chicago has played 6 straight games Under the Total against teams with a winning record. And in their last 5 games on the road, the Blackhawks have played all 5 games Under the Total. Take the Under in this one.
Rocketman
Buffalo Sabres vs. Ottawa Senators
Play: Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo is 5-1 SU at Ottawa the past 3 years. Buffalo is 6-1 last 7 games when their opponent allows two goals or less in their previous game. Buffalo is 5-1 last 6 road games against a team with a home winning percentage of .600 or better. Ottawa is 4-9 last 13 home games against a team with a losing road record. Ottawa is 7-16 last 23 games after scoring 2 goals or less in their previous game. Ottawa is 1-4 last 5 games against the Northeast Division. Buffalo has won 7 of the past 10 meetings overall in this series including 6-1 last 7 in Ottawa. The Road team is 12-4 last 16 meetings in this series. We'll recommend a small play on Buffalo tonight!
Joe Gavazzi
Michigan -7½
Little to complain about OSU who is 17-4 SU for year, 7-2 SU in Big Ten. After all, they did already beat this Wolves team, 56-53, in Columbus. They allow just 57/38/31 and feature positives in the rebound margin, TO margin and assist / TO ratio. Yet they do lack balanced scoring to compliment the outstanding abilities of Thomas. This has proven problematic in each of their losses vs Duke, Kansas, Illinois and MI St. As a result, must favor the concept of former #1 team / loss, to Indiana Saturday night, and with revenge, for that earlier 3 point defeat on the road. The Michigan numbers are every bit as glitzy as that of the visitor on the defensive end. But behind the perimeter power of PG Burke and fellow assassins Hardaway, Stauskas and GR III, the Wolves convert 51% from the field and 40% from the arc on 8 threes per game. The fundamentals and situation combine enough for us to favor MI against this defensive dandy.
Alex Smart
Suns / Grizzlies Over 183
Memphis style of play remains defensive minded, and their offensive aggressiveness can be best described as less than tenacious The Phoenix Suns on the other hand , play undisplined defense, and have allowed 100 plus points in 4 of their L/5 overall. Tonight I expect the Grizzlies to have more spring in their legs than usual, as they come into this tilt with three days rest. This will result in a higher scoring output than usual, against a pourous defense.Im betting the Suns will be forced into reciprocating with some fireworks of their own or be blown off the court. This will result in a higher scoring affair than many might expect. Final notes & Key Trends:Over is 4-1 in Grizzlies last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest. Suns have gone over in 4 straight road tilts.
Joe Duffy
Wake Forest vs. North Carolina
Play: Wake Forest
Carolina has been hit by the flu bug. P.J. Hairston is doubtful and sophomore center Desmond Hubert has been slowed. James Michael McAdoo will play, but will be less than 100 percent.
Best of all, the Tar Heels next two games are on the road at Miami and hated rival Duke, so this is certainly a classic look ahead.
Remember, without Hairston, they had to go to OT just to beat Virginia Tech at home.
Wake has risen to the occasion against ACC powers, recently beating NC State, and staying within five of Duke. They are one of our favorite types of teams: “consistently inconsistent” a box of chocolates. Such uncertainty is hated by the oddsmakers, making them a very high percentage play as double-digit underdogs.
Wake is actually second in conference play in rebounding, matching up well against a strength of the big chalks. With poor shooting, UNC has had rebounding save them, but boards will be tough to come by here.
Greg Daraban
Florida State vs Georgia Tech
Pick: Florida State
ACC Tilt in Atlanta. FSU was crushed by Duke Saturday. Tonight they meet GT again the Noles have won straight and really own GT. Those games have not been close the last 2 were by 14 and 19 points.
NHL Predictions
Panthers / Jets Over 5.5
The Panthers enter this game 3-5, while the Jets are 3-4-1 after three straight road losses. These two teams met on Thursday with Florida winning 6-3. The totals of these two teams last three meetings have been 9, 9, and 7. And the OVER is 7-1 in their last 8 meetings. The Panthers have played to the OVER in 4 straight games, while the Jets have played to the OVER in 6 straight games. Winnipeg has scored 3+ goals in 6 straight games and have racked up 10 goals in their 3 home games this season. The OVER is 24-7-1 in the Jets last 32 overall and 13-3-1 in their last 17 home games. Also take note that both of tonight's starting goalies have GAA's over 3.00 and SV%'s under .900. Florida's Jose Theodore is 3-4 with a 3.33 GAA and .896 SV%, while Winnipeg's Ondrej Pavelec is 2-4-1 with a 3.55 GAA and .888 SV%. Take the OVER in what should be another high scoring game between these two teams.