Free Picks: Service Plays for Tuesday January, 22

Rob VincilettiFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Kansas vs. Kansas St
Play: KansasFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Jayhawks have dominated their in state Rivals on this court winning 13 of the last 15 years with 12 spread wins. Kansas is one of the top teams in the land once again this season and has not lost since a neutral court game vs Michigan St over 2 months ago. They have won their last 2 games, despite some mediocre shooting numbers, failing to crack 40% in both. They are however a much better defensive team than Kansas St as they have only allowed an opponent to shoot over 45% once this season in that loss to Michigan St. Every other team has struggled to score against them. Kansas is 29-3 vs teams who allow less than 65 points per game and have covered 5 of the last 6 in that role. Kansas St has shooting numbers that have regressed over their last 3 games and it doesn't figure to get better tonight. They have a nice record but have barely beat some spotty teams on their schedule. Look for Kansas to get another win and cover here tonight.

Red Dog SportsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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NC STATE vs. WAKE FOREST
PLAY: NC STATEFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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I think NC State wins at Wake Forest by 11 points. Wake is basically CJ Harris and Travis McKie. They have been in the Demon Deacon program three years together while NCSU has six scorers in the 10 to 15 ppg range. They have CJ Leslie and Scott Wood leading the way. The Wolfpack have solid FT shooters who can pad the lead at the end.

Marc LawrenceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Clippers
Pick: Oklahoma City ThunderFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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When the Thunder takes the court at the Staples Center in Los Angeles to meet the Clippers, Oklahoma City will dress up as a dog for the first time in the last 12 games in this series. In fact, the last two time the Clippers wore favorite clothing in this series they lost both contests straight up on the scoreboard. With OKC in off a 3-point loss as road chalk Sunday night at Denver, we'll back them here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Oklahoma City.

John RyanFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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N.C. State at Wake ForestFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Prediction: Wake ForestFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The simulator shows a high probability that Wake will lose this game by fewer than seven points. NC State is a solid offensive team ranking ninth in the country averaging 78.9 PPG and eighth making 40% of their 3-point shot attempts. They actually do not rely on the three-point shot, but like to work the ball into the post and exploit zone defenses with solid ball movement. Wake, though, is a solid 23-10 against the money line (+18.7 Units) in home games when facing good 3 point shooting teams making >=37% of their attempts after 15+ games since 1997. Wake has a 9-8 record and they know a win here would be an excellent addition to their Tournament resume if they are going to be able to make a run for a Big Dance bid. Wake does an excellent job at getting to the charity stripe and rank 25th averaging 23.6 free throws per game. I strongly believe they will put it all together tonight and put immense pressure on the Wolf Pack to even win this game. Take Wake Forest.

Sam MartinFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Kansas at Kansas StateFREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
Play: Kansas StateFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Huge game in the Big 12 tonight with Kansas visiting in-state rival Kansas State, and we'll grab the points with the home underdog looking for the outright upset win. The Jayhawks offensive woes have now shown through in three straight games, being held to 64 points or less in those three contests. They easily could have lost outright on Saturday against an average Texas team if not for a late surge. Now they face an underrated Wildcats team that plays very well defensively, and will no doubt be up for this huge games. Home court advantage is the deciding factor in this contest, with Kansas State already owning a perfect 10-0 record while allowing just 53 ppg on 36% shooting. Defense leads to the outright upset!

Bryan PowerFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Philadelphia vs. Milwaukee
Pick: PhiladelphiaFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Seems like we have an overlay here despite the fact Philadelphia has not been playing well for some time now. The Sixers barely were able to hold on for the ATS win last night at home taking on San Antonio, first rallying back from 17 down to take the lead by seven, only to then blow the lead themselves. It was their 15th loss in the last 20 games overall.
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However, tonight I feel they wll have enough left in the tank to at least stay within the number, facing a Bucks team that's playing its first home game since returning from a four-game road trip. Milwaukee went 3-1 SU/ATS on the trip, where they were out on the West Coast the last three games, including a 110-104 win at Portland Saturday. Note that the Bucks are just 3-14 ATS at home off a road win the last two seasons and 0-8 ATS at home after scoring 110 or more points in their previous game.
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This is a revenge spot for the Sixers, who suffered a nine-point home loss to Milwaukee back in November. Philadelphia is 6-4 ATS so far this season when playing with same season revenge. Look for them to take advantage of a generous number here against a Bucks team that has failed to cover six of seven times this season when its off a victory by six points or fewer. Take the points here.

Jesse SchuleFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Oklahoma City vs. L.A. Clippers
Pick: Oklahoma CityFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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After yet ANOTHER BIG WINNER with Chicago over the Lakers last night, my record with complimentary hoops picks in 2013 is an AMAZING 12-1! I will look to keep the ball rolling tonight, with a play on the Thunder on the road in Los Angeles.
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Those of you who have followed my picks in the past will know that I don't make a habit of playing big public teams like the Thunder, Heat, Lakers and Clippers, but with two of those teams playing each other tonight, I am gonna have to take one of them.
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The Clippers played last night at Golden State, and they were on the wrong end of a 106-99 ballgame. Chris Paul was in the lineup, in just his second game back from a knee injury. The veteran was not very effective, shooting just 1-of-7 from the field. Coach Vinny Del Negro said after the game that he wasn't sure if Paul would be active tonight against the Thunder. "You could see he doesn't have that extra burst like he usually has," Del Negro said. "It's nice to have him out there because he settles everything down. It's just that he can't play at the level he's used to with the injury."
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The Thunder had won six straight before going into Denver and losing in overtime to the Nuggets. There is no shame in losing at the Pepsi Center though, as only three teams have come out of Denver with a victory this season. Oklahoma City had the day off on Monday, and should have an extra jump in it's step against a banged up Clips team that played on the road last night.
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Both Durant and Westbrook are coming off 30+ point performances their last time out, and you expect the dynamic duo to continue their hot shooting in L.A. tonight.

Sean MurphyFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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St. Louis vs. Chicago
Pick: St. Louis
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What to expect: It's another case of the wrong team being favored early in this lockout-shortened season. The Blues are the real deal. That's a lesson we should have learned last season, but based on the lines we've seen thus far in 2013, there's still plenty of value to be had backing Ken Hitchcock's squad. The Blackhawks are being favored due to home ice advantage, but who really has the edge in this spot? Chicago returns home on only one day of rest following a perfect 2-0 road trip to open the season. That trip included stops in Los Angeles and Phoenix, so the Blackhawks have already covered plenty of ground. St. Louis is playing on the second of back-to-back nights, but only has to make the manageable trip from Nashville - keeping in mind last night's game featured an early start time due to the holiday. St. Louis has a substantial edge between the pipes, regardless of whether its Halak or Elliott manning the goal. Chicago did take all three meetings here in this building last season, but two of those came by way of shootout. Both teams are even stronger this season, but it's the Blues that have a little more to prove right now, and I expect their undefeated start to the season to continue for at least one more game.

David ChanFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Orlando vs. Detroit
Pick: DetroitFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Orlando is 14-26 SU and 20-19-1 ATS; it's coming off a 111-105 loss to Dallas as a 3.5 point underdog. The Magic are struggling on both ends of the court, but especially the defensive where they're giving up 108.9 in losing ten of their last 12. They've been even worse vs. teams with losing records, giving up an average of 113 in their last five such contests.
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So it comes as no surprise to learn that Orlando is 6-11 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record.

Detroit is 15-25 SU and 18-22 ATS; it's coming off a 103-88 win over Boston as a 2 point underdog on the 20th.
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This is a "double revenge" situation for the home side, having lost both games to the Magic this season.

Despite the overall slow start for bettors this year, note that Detroit is in fact 11-8 ATS vs. teams with losing records this year.
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The Pistons are playing much better of late, having won eight of their last 12, and suffice it to say, I expect them to avenge those earlier losses, and take care of business on their home floor!

SPORTS WAGERSFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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PROVIDENCE +6 over PittsburghFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Friars can be extremely tough at home, as they were when they had Syracuse on the ropes just 13 days ago before the Orange responded with a furious second half rally to win by six. Now we're being offered that same margin against a Pitt club that is about as erratic as any team in the Big East. The Panthers have played an easier schedule (ranked 108) than Providence (ranked 61st) and they've only played three road games this year.
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The Friars are 8-2 at home. A loss to DePaul is somewhat disturbing but that one came just before the Syracuse game in which Providence showed what they're capable of. They've won two of three since and they usually give this conference rival trouble, having covered both games played here since '06 and covering four of the past six in Pittsburgh. In what figures to be a low scoring game (the total is 125) that is likely to be contested right to the wire, give us the points offered in a game the host can win outright.

Pass NBA

SPORTS WAGERSFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Philadelphia -103 over NEW JERSEYFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Devils won their opener on Long Island but a thing of beauty it was not. They caught a lethargic Islanders team that beat writers deemed, “the Isles worst opening day performance in memory”. As bad as the Islanders were, New Jersey had to hang on for a 2-1 win. Martin Brodeur didn't face any sustained pressure in that one but that all changes here.
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The talented Flyers are 0-2 so you know they'll be hungry for a win. They lost their opener to Pittsburgh, 3-1 and followed that up with a loss in Buffalo against a very spirited Sabres team. Those are two upper-tier squads and Philadelphia didn't look a bit out of place in either. The Flyers led 2-1 with five minutes to go in the second period in Buffalo and trailed 2-1 to Pittsburgh before an empty netter sealed their fate. This is a strong team with big-time talent up front that is very likely going to find the back of the net enough times here to secure their first win.
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EDMONTON -103 over San JoseFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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It reads as a 3-2 OT win against Vancouver but it was much more than that for the Oilers. They hadn't won in Vancouver since 2008. They trailed 2-0 with four seconds left in the second period and scored with under six minutes left to tie it before winning in a shootout. It was not only an uplifting win to begin the season but it came after Vancouver was humiliated the night before. With all of its high draft picks maturing into something rather dynamic, Edmonton could be on the verge of an explosion. Playing its home opener, this building will be electric tonight as Edmonton fans haven't been this excited in quite some time. Also noteworthy was the strong play of Devan Dubnyk in the opener.
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The Sharks won their opener in Calgary by 4-1. A They were off to a slow start in that game, which is worth noting because last season they led after the first period just 19 times in 82 games, Is that an older team simply taking too long to get revved up for games? If this team allows the Oilers to jump out to a lead and gain momentum, it could be over in a hurry. In the Oilers home opener, we like the small tag on this emerging host.
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Winnipeg +154 over WASHINGTONFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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We've seen a lot of teams bounce back from a poor opener and surely the Capitals could emulate that. However, the price here on the Jets is too juicy to pass up on as the Capitals looked slow, unprepared and completely out of sync in its opener in Tampa. After watching the Islanders skate circles around the Bolts yesterday, that performance by Washington on Saturday looks even worse.
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The Jets are up against it here with their third game in four days but they look a lot better than advertised. After playing two very tough teams in Ottawa and Boston, they should be well-prepared to take this step down in class. Winnipeg played a strong game last night (an OT loss in Boston), they played a strong two periods on Saturday and we're suggesting they're undervalued right now. Looking for its first win after two decent showings, Winnipeg is very capable of getting it here. Solid value.
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CAROLINA -½ +122 over Tampa BayFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Regulation only. The Hurricanes should be anxious to get back on the ice after an opening night 5-1 loss in Florida. That score may be this early season's most misleading. Carolina was sharper than that score indicates. They ran into a super-hot goaltender and allowed three PP goals in six penalty kills. Carolina goalie Cam Ward was a bit off his game but don't expect that to last long. With many key additions that include Jordan Staal, Joe Corvo, Alexander Semin and Marc-Andre Gragnani, the 'Canes have all the components to win the Southeast and make a deep run. This is one of the league's most improved teams and will play their home opener in front of a packed house.
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The Lightning's deficiencies were exposed somewhat in yesterday's 4-3 loss on the Island. They were caught running around in their own end on numerous occasions and fell behind 4-0 before a furious third period rally that saw them pull within a goal. That exerting effort had to take something out of them and now the Bolts will play their third game in four days. Chances are Mathieu Garon will make his first start of the year between the pipes and that also adds to the appeal of the host.

Steve JanusFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Philadelphia 76ers +6½FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Bucks are going to be a popular play today, as many will look to fade the 76ers on the road in the second game of a back-to-back set, but I personally think the line has been inflated too much because of that.
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The Bucks are 5-2 since they fired Scott Skiles. While they appear to be playing better, I'm not sold on this team just yet. Four of those wins came against the Suns, Raptors, Suns, and Trailblazers. During that stretch they lost at home to Detroit 87-103 and at the Lakers 88-104.
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The 76ers are a young team and the lack of rest shouldn't keep them from playing competitive basketball, especially in a game that means a lot to Philadelphia. The 76ers are currently 3.5-games back of the Celtics and 5-games back of Milwaukee for the final two playoff spots in the East.
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Let's also not forget that the Bucks are coming off a long four-game road trip. Their first of more than two games all season. It can be difficult to get going in that first home game. In the earlier meeting between these two teams, Philadelphia had just won three straight on the road, only to return home and lose to Milwaukee 96-105.

Dave PriceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Wake Forest +7½FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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It's going to be tough for NC State to cover this number on the road on such short rest. The Wolfpack just played Sunday so they haven't had much time to gear up for this one mentally or physically. The Demon Deacons have had an extra day of preparation time, and they will be hungry following back-to-back defeats. Plus, they haven't forgotten about the embarrassing 76-40 home loss they were handed by NC State last season. That loss will be the driving force behind an inspired effort tonight. The Demon Deacons are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games overall, 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a loss. Also, the underdog is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings. Take the points.

WunderdogFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Philadelphia at Milwaukee
Pick: Milwaukee -6.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Philadelphia 76ers are not close to the team that they put on the floor last season. They are just 6-14 on the road for the season, and are off a challenging game last night at home vs. San Antonio where they came up short, losing by 5. It will be tough for them to muster the energy on no rest, and taking to the road. Milwaukee has won five of their last seven to move three games over .500, and have played well above the line at 14-8 ATS in their last 22. The Sixers have not been very productive on no rest as they are a dismal 7-19 ATS n their last 26. The Bucks have dominated the Atlantic by going a superb 44-14-2 ATS in their last 60. Lay the points and take Milwaukee.