Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday February, 22

Mississippi at Tennessee
The Volunteers look to build on their 8-0-1 ATS record in their last 9 home games. Tennessee is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Volunteers favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-6 1/2)

Game 527-528: Nebraska at Purdue (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 60.530; Purdue 68.775
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 8; 125
Vegas Line: Purdue by 10; 129 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+10); Under

Game 529-530: West Virginia at Notre Dame (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 66.688; Notre Dame 73.928
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 7; 128
Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 3; 125
Dunkel Pick: Notre Dame (-3); Over

Game 531-532: Temple at LaSalle (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 69.053; LaSalle 65.557
Dunkel Line: Temple by 3 1/2; 148
Vegas Line: Temple by 1 1/2; 145
Dunkel Pick Temple (-1 1/2); Over

Game 533-534: St. Bonaventure at Fordham (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Bonaventure 60.578; Fordham 55.177
Dunkel Line: St. Bonaventure by 5 1/2; 126
Vegas Line: St. Bonaventure by 6 1/2; 132
Dunkel Pick: Fordham (+6 1/2); Under

Game 535-536: Richmond at St. Joseph's (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 56.595; St. Joseph's 67.457
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 11; 138
Vegas Line: St. Joseph's by 8; 135 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (-8); Over

Game 537-538: Dayton at Duquesne (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 57.929; Duquesne 57.468
Dunkel Line: Even; 141
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 3; 147 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dayton (+3); Under

Game 539-540: Mississippi at Tennessee (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi 59.172; Tennessee 68.338
Dunkel Line: Tennessee by 9; 129
Vegas Line: Tennessee by 6 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee (-6 1/2); Over

Game 541-542: Northern Illinois at Eastern Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Illinois 43.355; Eastern Michigan 50.594
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 7; 102
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 9 1/2; 109
Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (+9 1/2); Under

Game 543-544: Ohio at Buffalo (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 59.339; Buffalo 61.044
Dunkel Line: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: Buffalo by 3; 135
Dunkel Pick: Ohio (+3); Under

Game 545-546: Ball State at Western Michigan (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ball State 50.668; Western Michigan 57.023
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 6 1/2; 136
Vegas Line: Western Michigan by 5; 130
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (-5); Over

Game 547-548: Central Michigan at Toledo (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Michigan 45.020; Toledo 56.003
Dunkel Line: Toledo by 11; 125
Vegas Line: Toledo by 6; 131
Dunkel Pick: Toledo (-6); Under

Game 549-550: Bowling Green at Akron (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 56.373; Akron 61.957
Dunkel Line: Akron by 5 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Akron by 7 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+7 1/2); Over

Game 551-552: George Mason at Northeastern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: George Mason 58.827; Northeastern 54.102
Dunkel Line: George Mason by 4 1/2; 135
Vegas Line: George Mason by 2 1/2; 130
Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-2 1/2); Over

Game 553-554: VCU at NC-Wilmington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: VCU 60.737; NC-Wilmington 53.453
Dunkel Line: VCU by 7 1/2; 130
Vegas Line: VCU by 9 1/2; 133 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC-Wilmington (+9 1/2); Under

Game 555-556: Old Dominion at Georgia State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Old Dominion 60.823; Georgia State 61.622
Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 1; 124
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 3 1/2; 120 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (+3 1/2); Over

Game 557-558: Hofstra at William & Mary (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hofstra 51.688; William & Mary 48.153
Dunkel Line: Hofstra by 3 1/2; 123
Vegas Line: Hofstra by 2; 128
Dunkel Pick: Hofstra (-2); Under

Game 559-560: James Madison at Drexel (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: James Madison 49.357; Drexel 63.123
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 14; 124
Vegas Line: Drexel by 15; 128
Dunkel Pick: James Madison (+15); Under

Game 561-562: Delaware at Towson (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Delaware 56.796; Towson 43.001
Dunkel Line: Delaware by 14; 129
Vegas Line: Delaware by 9; 123
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (-9); Over

Game 563-564: Houston at Marshall (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 49.576; Marshall 61.157
Dunkel Line: Marshall by 11 1/2; 147
Vegas Line: Marshall by 13; 142
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+13); Over

Game 565-566: South Florida at Syracuse (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Florida 64.138; Syracuse 79.340
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 15; 118
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 13 1/2; 122 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-13 1/2); Under

Game 567-568: George Washington at Charlotte (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 53.795; Charlotte 60.651
Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 7; 126
Vegas Line: Charlotte by 5; 131 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-5); Under

Game 569-570: TCU at Air Force (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: TCU 58.559; Air Force 58.447
Dunkel Line: Even; 133
Vegas Line: Air Force by 2; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: TCU (+2); Over

Game 571-572: Central Florida at Rice (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Florida 60.645; Rice 58.065
Dunkel Line: Central Florida by 2 1/2; 126
Vegas Line: Central Florida by 1; 130
Dunkel Pick: Central Florida (-1); Under

Game 573-574: Rutgers at Marquette (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rutgers 59.073; Marquette 69.639
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 10 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Marquette by 12; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+12); Over

Game 575-576: Oklahoma State at Oklahoma (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 64.547; Oklahoma 62.243
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 2 1/2; 135
Vegas Line: Oklahoma by 4; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (+4); Under

Game 577-578: Tulane at SMU (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 54.328; SMU 57.048
Dunkel Line: SMU by 2 1/2; 119
Vegas Line: SMU by 1 1/2; 114
Dunkel Pick: SMU (-1 1/2); Over

Game 579-580: East Carolina at Memphis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 56.183; Memphis 67.132
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 11; 136
Vegas Line: Memphis by 15; 140
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+15); Under

Game 581-582: Southern Illinois at Drake (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 49.604; Drake 62.520
Dunkel Line: Drake by 13; 129
Vegas Line: Drake by 6 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drake (-6 1/2); Over

Game 583-584: Indiana State at Missouri State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 54.489; Missouri State 64.148
Dunkel Line: Missouri State by 9 1/2; 119
Vegas Line: Missouri State by 5 1/2; 125
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State (-5 1/2); Under

Game 585-586: Bradley at Northern Iowa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Bradley 46.021; Northern Iowa 59.062
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 13; 133
Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 15 1/2; 129
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (+15 1/2); Over

Game 587-588: South Carolina at Vanderbilt (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Carolina 59.034; Vanderbilt 70.715
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 11 1/2; 137
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 14; 133 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (+14); Over

Game 589-590: Georgia at LSU (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia 60.774; LSU 69.547
Dunkel Line: LSU by 9; 115
Vegas Line: LSU by 6; 120 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LSU (-6); Under

Game 591-592: Wichita State at Illinois State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 72.509; Illinois State 61.615
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 11; 134
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 5 1/2; 138
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-5 1/2); Under

Game 593-594: Michigan State at Minnesota (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 74.013; Minnesota 69.403
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 4 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 6; 127 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+6); Over

Game 595-596: Southern Mississippi at UTEP (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Mississippi 60.582; UTEP 57.524
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 3; 124
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 1; 129
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-1); Under

Game 597-598: Texas Tech at Iowa State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Tech 52.917; Iowa State 66.788
Dunkel Line: Iowa State by 14; 139
Vegas Line: Iowa State by 16; 131
Dunkel Pick: Texas Tech (+16); Over

Game 599-600: Kansas at Texas A&M (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas 74.162; Texas A&M 67.551
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 6 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Kansas by 9 1/2; 123 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas A&M (+9 1/2); Over

Game 601-602: UC-Riverside at CS-Northridge (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 48.507; CS-Northridge 46.425
Dunkel Line: UC-Riverside by 2; 122
Vegas Line: UC-Riverside by 1; 128 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (-1); Under

Game 603-604: Boise State at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 57.372; UNLV 69.139
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 12; 138
Vegas Line: UNLV by 14 1/2; 141
Dunkel Pick: Boise State (+14 1/2); Under

Game 605-606: Wyoming at San Diego State (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wyoming 58.607; San Diego State 66.377
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 8; 119
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 5 1/2; 116 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego State (-5 1/2); Over

Game 607-608: UC-Santa Barbara at Long Beach State (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 57.448; Long Beach State 67.988
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 10 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 8; 140 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (-8); Over

Game 609-610: Appalachian State at The Citadel (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 48.765; The Citadel 46.431
Dunkel Line: Appalachian State by 2 1/2; 127
Vegas Line: Appalachian State by 4 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: The Citadel (+4 1/2); Under

Marc Lawrence

Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Boston Celtics

Like the Mavericks, the Celtics appear to be back on track after a slow 5-9 start, winning 10 of 17. Boston?s most impressive mark inside this recent run, though, just may be its 4-2 SU record as dogs, which will certainly be the case tonight in Chesapeake Energy Arena. And if you consider series history you need to consider the Celtics. After all, Boston is 17-9 SU and 18-8 ATS versus Oklahoma City/Seattle since 1998. The fourth game of this cozy five-game homestand could also find the young Thunder looking ahead to tomorrow?s pre-All Star game finale with the Lakers. If that?s the case, look for the veteran Celtics to take advantage of the situation and improve on their spotless 5-0 ATS mark as non-conference road dogs with same season revenge here tonight. A must take. We recommend a 1-unit play on Boston.

Rob Vinciletti

So Illinois vs. Drake
Play: Drake -6.5

Drake has won and covered the last 6 in the series and 17 of the last 24 vs losing teams including 6 straight. Southern Illinois is 0-9 straight up and ats as a road dog from +6.5 to +9 and has lost and failed to cover 3 of 4 times on the road when the total is 120 to 130. When they play winning teams they have lost 13 of 15 times. They have home loss revenge here, however they are 1-3 straight up and to the spread in that role of late. Were gonna Take Drake tonight.

Bryan Power

Philadelphia @ Houston
PICK: Houston -4

The Rockets are a very under the radar team, having compiled a 13-4 SU (12-5 ATS) record at home so far this season. Tonight, they welcome in a Sixers team that's become a bit exposed in recent weeks. After opening the year w/ a very easy schedule, Philly has lost 7 of its last 11, including four straight, and are just 1-7 ATS last eight. Last night saw them fall behind Memphis early and never recover. Not only are they playing the second game of back to backs here, but it is also their third road game in four nights. Two teams trending in opposite directions here.

Jim Feist

Georgia vs LSU
Pick: LSU

Georgia is going nowhere, second to last in the SEC, despite a recent win streak. Most of that was at home and the lone road win was at South Carolina, the only team worse than Georgia in the SEC. The Bulldogs are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games vs. a team with a winning percentage above .600. LSU is on a roll, with the Tigers 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. The favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last 4 meetings and the Bulldogs are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings. Play LSU!

Dave Cokin

Denver Nuggets vs Los Angeles Clippers
Pick: Los Angeles Clippers

The Clippers have been money off a loss this season and now they're off a pair of defeats. Denver is beatable right now and I like a charged up LA squad to get it done right tonight. Lay the points with the Clippers.

MTi Sports

Magic at Nets
Play: Under

The Nets are 0-8 OU (-20.2 ppg) at home with rest after a win in which Kris Humphries had a double-double, 0-7 OU (-18.4 ppg) at home with at least a day of rest after a win in which Kris Humphries had more turnovers than assists and 0-7 OU (-6.1 ppg) at home after a game in which their opponent shot at least twenty three-pointers and made less than 25% of them. The Magic are 0-5 OU (-18.9 ppg) on the road after a win in which Dwight Howard had more turnovers than assists and 0-6 OU (-10.8 ppg) on the road when they have a revenge game tomorrow. Take these two UNDER.

SPORTS WAGERS

OTTAWA -½ +120 over Washington

There are so many things to like about the Senators here with the least of them being that they're vastly superior to the Capitals. Most notably, current form heavily favors the Sens as well. Ottawa has won three in a row, all on the road, and outscored its opponents over that span 16-2. They've picked up points in five straight with four wins and an OT loss. By contrast, Washington has two wins in its last eight games. Both wins came against the sinking Panthers. After beating Florida 2-1 on Friday, the Caps subsequently lost to Tampa Bay and Carolina, not exactly the cream of the crop, by a combined score of 7-1. The Southeast division is so weak that the Capitals could actually finish 12th out of 15 teams in the conference and still make the playoffs by winning the division. Right now, they sit in third place just two points behind Winnipeg and Florida but they continue to lose crucial games to middle of the pack clubs. They’ll step up in class here against these hugely undervalued Senators. Few want to believe this host is as good as their record may indicate but truth be told, Ottawa is a solid club. They keep on winning and the wins are becoming more lopsided than before. The best news is that the Sens are 0-3 against Washington this season and that's a complete aberration that is going to correct itself here. Play Ottawa -½ +120 (Risking 2 units).

Boston +117 over ST. LOUIS

We all heard the “what's wrong with the Blackhawks” chants during Chicago's ugly nine-game slide until it stopped after the Blackhawks defeated the Rangers, Blues and Red Wings in three successive games. Chicago went through a rough stretch, as every team does during the course of 82 games and now the Bruins are enduring their own. Truth is, there's nothing wrong with Boston either. Sure, they've lost two in a row, three of four and they've played around .500 hockey for approximately six weeks but a closer look reveals that things are not as bad as they seem. That 2-0 loss on Sunday to Minnesota is one of the more misleading scores of the season, as Boston fired 50 shots on net, while Niklas Backstrom stood on his head. That recent 3-0 loss to the Rangers saw Boston completely dominate and outshoot New York 42-20. The point is, they're playing as well right now as they were when they were ploughing through everyone. The Bruins have not let up and may in fact be playing harder than usual as they get into post-season mode. The results will come and there's no reason it can't start here. The Blues are having a tremendous year. However, they're just 2-2 in their last four and three of those games came against Columbus, Minnesota and the Islanders. However, this one isn't about wagering against the Blue Notes. It's all about taking back a price on one of the NHL's elite teams that the marketplace is misreading. Play: Boston +117 (Risking 2 units).

NHL Predictions

Ottawa Senators -135

The Washington Capitals were pretty much embarrassed on Monday night in what most people would call a must win for Washington against the last place Hurricanes. The Caps were shutout with Canes back up Justin Peters in net, and it wasn’t like the Caps were robbed of a win – they barely got any shots on net in a 5-0 loss. Washington has now lost 5 of their last 6 games. They are a just 10-17-3 on the road this season, and have only won 3 of their last 12 on the road. Overall the Caps are sitting outside of the playoff picture at 29-25-5. The Senators are winners of 3 straight and 4 of 5 after a bad losing streak. The Sens are comfortably in a playoff spot though with a 31-22-8 record and 15-11-3 record on home ice. Ottawa has been impressive in their last 3 wins, outscoring their opponents 16-2 with Anderson recording 2 shutouts. The Caps are averaging just 1.60 goals per game over their last 5 (giving up 3.20 against), while the Sens are averaging 4.60 over their last 5 while giving up just 1.80 against. Washington is on their way down, while the Sens seem to be on the rise. It is going to be extremely hard for Washington to get up for tonight’s game after a huge letdown on Monday. I like Ottawa in this one.

St Louis Blues -124

The Bruins have lost two straight coming into tonight’s game, and are just 3-6 in their last 9 games overall. Despite the recent losing the Bruins are still a solid 35-20-2 on the season, and 17-10 on the road. Recent losses have come @Minnesota (2-0 in a game which they should have won but stellar goaltending got in the way) and @ Winnipeg (4-2). In their last win it took a shootout against the Canadiens to win, and that followed being shutout by the Rangers. Boston is struggling, scoring just 15 goals in their last 9 games overall. The Blues are coming off of a Sunday loss in Chicago (3-1 with empty net goal), but had won two straight and 6 of 7 before that loss. St Louis looked good in Chicago and were leading for a lot of that game before the Blackhawks went ahead in the third. The Blues are one of the NHL’s best home teams, winners of 5 straight at home brining their record up to 26-3-4 there. Overall they are 36-16-7. Brian Elliot is the confirmed starter for tonight in the first of a back to back for the Blues. Elliot is 20-6-2 on the season with a 1.56 GAA and .940 SV%. He has been stellar as of late as well, allowing just 6 goals against in his last 5 starts (mixed in there was a half game shutout and win vs New Jersey). One of the best home teams hosting the defending Stanley Cup champions who are in a bit of a funk right now. Elliot is always a good goalie to bet on. I will lay the short price to get St Louis at home.

Vegas Experts

New Orleans Hornets at Cleveland Cavailiers
Play: Cleveland Cavailiers

The Cleveland Cavaliers look to build off these back to back wins over Detroit and Sacramento with another win and cover against New Orleans. The Hornets are due for an ATS loss as they are coming off five straight covers and had a strong offensive performance in their last matchup, hitting 53% from the field. Look for them to struggle offensively in tonight’s matchup as they don’t come close to sticking within the six points they are getting.

Matt Fargo

UC-Santa Barbara @ Long Beach State
PICK: UC-Santa Barbara +8.5

Early in the season many thought this game would have some big implications toward the Big West regular season championship but this now not the case. Long Beach St. has pretty much run away with the title although it is not mathematically over. The 49ers are a perfect 12-0 in the conference with four games remaining and they possess a three-game lead so barring a serious meltdown, they will be the top seed heading into the conference tournament.

Santa Barbara is 9-3 in the Big West and it knows the race is not over year as it still has a chance to catch the 49ers. It will need some help along the way but most important, it needs to take car of its own business first and foremost. The Gauchos have been playing very consistent basketball and are in the midst of their best run of the season as they have won six of their last seven games with five of those victories coming on the road. They are coming off a Bracketbuster win Saturday at Utah St.

Even though it may mean little at this point, Long Beach St. is coming off a gut wrenching loss at Creighton on Saturday as they lost on a last-second bucket. It snapped a 12-game winning streak and a tough loss like that can carry forward. The 49ers have yet to lose at home this season so the undefeated record there as well in conference play may look like it doesn't give the Gauchos a chance to win but we are getting a very healthy line and one that Santa Barbara can easily stay within.

That doesn't mean the Gauchos can't win this game outright. They will no doubt be fired up for this game following the first meeting where it was hammered at home by the 49ers by 23 points which is its worst loss of the season and they have played some other very strong teams along the way. Long Beach St. has owned this series spread-wise but this is easily the biggest number it has laid in a very long time. The 49ers are just 4-11 ATS in their last 15 games following a win against the number.

Sean Murphy

Philadelphia @ Houston
PICK: Under 185.5

We missed the mark with the 'over' in the 76ers loss in Memphis last night, but we won't make the same mistake again.

This is a flawed Philadelphia offense right now, averaging only 85.4 points per game on 40.1% shooting over its last five games. This isn't a favorable spot for the 76ers to bounce back in that regard, as they're playing on the road for the third time in the last four nights.

Note that the Rockets have been at their best defensively here at home, where they allow just 93 ppg on 43.1% shooting.

While the 76ers have struggled mightily on offense, their defense has remained fairly sharp. On the first two games of their current road trip, they've given up just 92 and 89 points. Over their last five games, they've held the opposition to 91 ppg on 42.1% shooting.

Houston has been held to 98 points or less in six of its last seven games, and the only time it topped the century mark over that stretch, the game still played 'under' the total.

This matchup features two of the strongest 'under' teams in the league, as the 76ers check in with a 13-20 o/u mark, while the Rockets have posted a 12-21 o/u record.

Both squads are in typical form right now, as the 76ers have seen the 'under' cash in their last three games, and the Rockets have gone 'under' in five of their last seven contests.

David Banks

Celtics / Thunder Under

The Oklahoma City Thunder (25-7, 17-15 ATS) will look to build upon their recent domination of the Boston Celtics (15-16, 13-18 ATS) when the teams meet up for the second time of the season on Wednesday night; tip-off from Chesapeake Energy Arena is set to go live on ESPN at 7:00 ET.

The Celtics find themselves on life support heading into the All Star break. Though they only sit 4.5-games in back of the Atlantic Division leading Philadelphia 76ers, wins have been too few and far between for this veteran outfit. Rajon Rondo was just suspended for two games. Kevin Garnett has missed a couple games due to personal problems and the injury list is getting out of control. Since winning nine of 10 games from January 22nd to February 7th (6-4 ATS), Head Coach Doc Rivers squad has dropped six of its last seven games both SU and against the closing pointspread. Most recently, the Cs were blitzed in Big D 89-73 to fall to 0-2 SU & ATS versus the defending champions this season. This will be the final game of their four-game road trip before the break; they lost the first three to Chicago, Detroit, and Dallas by an average of 13.3 PPG to fall to 4-8 SU & 5-7 ATS away from the TD Garden.

The story has far from been the same for the Thunder who will enter Hump Day nights battle with the Celtics possessing the Western Conferences best overall record at 25 up and only seven down. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook have taken strides leading this team in the postseason each of the last two seasons, and it now looks as if this dynamic duo has the supporting cast in place to finally get over the hump in the West. The folks in OKC have been privy to some sensational basketball of late. Take for instance last Sundays 124-118 overtime win against the division rival Denver Nuggets that saw Durant go for 51, Westbrook go for 40, and Serge Ibaka post a triple double with 14 points, 15 rebounds, and a whopping 11 blocks. Unfortunately, the outright wins have not translated into pointspread triumphs with the Thunder just 1-3 ATS in their last four games. Still, Oklahoma City has only been defeated once on 14 occasions in its own house to date and gone 7-7 ATS in those contests.

The Durantula and his mates went into Beantown back on January 16th and scored the 97-88 road win and cover as 2.5-point chalk; the SU and ATS cover was the teams second in a row in the recent series. Both of those win tallies came on the road to move the visitor to a perfect 5-0 ATS in these teams L/5 confrontations. Boston has covered four of its L/5 trips to OKC, but checks in a bankroll depleting 1-9 ATS the L/10 times it went into a +.600 opponents home arena. Oklahoma City has covered 13 of its L/16 versus Eastern Conference opposition, but has only gone 1-4 ATS following its L/5 straight up wins. The under is 6-2 in these teams L/8 match-ups.

SPORTS WAGERS

NEW JERSEY +213 +6½ over Orlando

Playing its third game in three days and fifth game in six days, the Nets went into MSG on Monday as a 9½-point pooch and promplty disposed of the Knicks in very impressive fashion. In the first game of that three in three days, they went into Chicago and beat the Bulls as an 11½-point dog. Now on a days rest, this confident and very undervalued team is taking back significant home points against this overvalued road club. The Magic have won five of six but three of those wins were against the Bogut-less Bucks. All three games were close and all three could have ended in losses. Orlando has beaten the Nets in eight straight so a feeling of complacency could be present and that will cost them, as this is not the same Nets team they've been accustomed to beating. Under new no-nonsense coach Avery Johnson, the Nets are coming on with a lot of good parts in place. There's not a PG in the game that's playing better than Deron Williams is playing. The Nets are just 3-12 at home but 7-12 on the road. That's an anomaly that will be corrected, as this host is too good to be playing .200 ball at home. Good chance that number will start to even out beginning here. Play: New Jersey +213 (Risking 1 unit) Play: New Jersey +6½ (Risking 1.05 units to win 1).

Golden State +153 over PHOENIX

Things are anything but sunny in Phoenix. This team has been transitioning for a couple of years now and will continue along this path into next year when both the aging Steve Nash and Grant Hill depart. Currently, the Suns are coming off back-to-back wins for just the fourth time this season. In three of those four times, they failed to extend to three games and in the one extension, they beat Milwaukee by two for their only three-game win streak of the season. Any properly prepared team is supposed to take care of this motley Phoenix crew on a given night. Golden State is exactly that. What they lack in experience, they make up for with their enthusiastic approach, hard work and willingness to learn under new head coach Mark Jackson. The Warriors have won four of its last seven with losses over that span coming to Portland, OKC and Memphis. The Warriors are an exciting and talented young club that usually beat the teams they're supposed to beat. No longer are they the most entertaining team in the league that won or lost games 130-125. They've made a commitment to defense and to learning how to win at this level. The Warriors embark on a six-game outing beginning here and Jackson will have them ready once again to play hard in the crucial first game of a prolonged trip. Anything but a solid effort and a good result would be more shocking than not. Play: Golden State +153 (Risking 2 units).