Sam Martin
Phoenix Suns at Charlotte Hornets
Prediction: Phoenix Suns
Suns have lost six straight games to fall all the way out of the current playoff seeding (one game behind New Orleans for the eighth spot), and while playoff positioning isn't as big of a deal at this point of the season, it is enough of a motivation to pull this team together and get back on track. We'll back Phoenix to win and cover tonight in a good offensive mismatch for the visitor.
Suns laid an egg in an outright two-point loss at Milwaukee their last time out, and coming off back-to-back games where they were held to 40% shooting or less we expect that offense to bounce back tonight against Charlotte. Bobcats only score 94 ppg on the season, so Phoenix won't have to score much in order to win this game. Phoenix is 15-5 ATS away vs. Eastern Conference foes, and they break their losing skid with a win and cover tonight!
Hollywood Sports
Grizzlies Spurs
Play: Over
Memphis (20-4) has played 16 of their last 21 games Over the Total against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. The Grizzlies have also played 4 straight games Over the Total against fellow teams from the Southwest Division. San Antonio (17-8) has played 5 straight games Over the Total on their home court. And in their last 7 games against Southwest Division opponents, the Spurs have played 5 of these games Over the Total. Take the Over in this one.
ASA
Tennessee at NC State
Play: NC State -5.5
This one sets up nicely for NC State. The Wolfpack were just upset at home as Wofford scored a 55-54 win. NCSU blew a 6-point lead late in the game and Wofford scored the winner with just over 1 second remaining. All that being said, it wasn’t a terrible loss for NC State as Wofford is pretty good (ranked 75th). The Wolfpack were 10-point favorites in their game vs Wofford and now they are laying -5 to -6 against a Tennessee team that ranks a full 14 spots below Wofford at #89. The line value and situation is clearly with NC State. Tennessee is off two big home wins over Kansas State and Butler and now play their first true road game. UT’s new coach Donnie Tyndal a fairly inexperienced team with only one returning starter. He has done a nice job but this is a tough spot for his squad. NC State has a higher efficiency rating on both offense and defense. They also turn the ball over at a lower rate. Expect NC State to come out with a purpose after losing here on Sunday. An inexperienced Tennessee team could be a bit fat and happy off two big home wins.
Harry Bondi
ORLANDO (+3.5) over Boston
After winning just 4 games on the road all of last season, ther Magic have become "road warriors" winning 7 road contests already this season and covering 11 of their last 15 road games. Boston is coming off one of their best wins of the year , a 18 point blowout of the pathetic Philadelphia 76'ers, but the green have struggled at home against lesser opponents going 3-9 ATS so far this season on the parquet floor against sub .500 teams. Trends continue again tonight take Orlando.
Dr. Bob
Opinion – MICHIGAN STATE (-13½) over Eastern Michigan
I think Eastern Michigan is underrated but the Eagles apply to a 2-29-1 ATS subset of a 31-66-4 ATS letdown situation that is based on their upset at Michigan as a double-digit dog. That win will get the attention of the Spartans players and should assure a focused effort. Using this year’s scores I would get Michigan State by 14 ½ points, which is where the line on this game opened. However, I know that Michigan State is not going to continue to make 46% of their 3-point shots and my ratings, which adjust for variance, favor the Spartans by just 12.8 points. The line has come down to 13 ½ and the situation is in favor of the Spartans so I’ll lean with Michigan State minus the points.
OC Dooley
Old Dominion -3.5
At one point during the late afternoon hours in the eastern time zone the number for this contest dropped by a half-point offshore and it was easy to see why since visiting Georgia State takes a 5-0 win streak into this contest. Not only is Georgia State winning games the offense is averaging an eye opening 77 points per contest. Georgia State won their most recent outing in a 72-48 romp and one of their backcourt standouts is the same Kevin Ware who at one stage is his career was a member of Louisville’s roster. Despite the advantages of tonight’s underdog it is host Old Dominion (7-1) who is back to laying three-and-a-half points which to me speaks volumes. While Old Dominion is off to an excellent start and commands a 15-5 long term edge in this “series” it is Georgia State who has rattled off wins in each of the most recent 3 clashes which sets up TRIPLE REVENGE. In the past couple of campaigns when off a defensive gem where the team allowed “60 or less” points on the scoreboard Old Dominion has responded with an outstanding 10-2 ATS record