Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on New Orleans Hornets -3.5
The Hornets have rattled off 5 straight wins and I expect them to keep right on rolling tonight. Memphis has been struggling at the offensive end, scoring in the 80's in 3 of its last 4 games. Its offensive struggles will continue tonight against the NBA's top ranked scoring defense (91.9 ppg allowed). The Hornets have only given up an average of 88.6 points during their winning streak and they are 15-1 at home when allowing fewer than 100 points. Based on the total, odds makers are expecting a low-scoring game. That certainly favors New Orleans tonight. Consider that New Orleans is 10-1 ATS in home games when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points this season, winning these contests by 10.5 points on average. Take the Hornets.
EZWINNERS
Washington Wizards +7
The Wizards are the only team in the league that have not won on the road this season, but I think they have a good shot to pick up that win in this game against the Bucks. Milwaukee is in a funk right now as they have lost three straight games and eight out of their last ten. The Wizards have won four out of their last six games including a 108-101 win over Utah on Monday. All of those wins of course have came at home, but I expect a strong effort from the Wiz tonight. Washington has trailed by one, five, and four points, respectively, after three quarters in their last three road games, although they went on to lose by double digits each time because of a poor fourth quarter. Washington's winless road record has inflated this line and Milwaukee is only 3-7-2 against the spread in their last twelve games as a favorite. With an 8-9 record the Bucks are one of seven teams with a losing record at home. Take the points.
Larry Ness
Iowa State @ Oklahoma State
PICK: Oklahoma State -4.5
Iowa State and Oklahoma State meet tonight in Stillwater. Iowa State picked up its first Big 12 win of the season in its last outing, beating Baylor 72-57. The Cyclones had opened Big 12 play by losing 63-62 at Nebraska (Huskers haven't lost this year in Lincoln) and just 84-79 at home to Kansas (Jayhawks are 19-0 TY). Oklahoma State also sits at 1-2 in Big 12 play, having lost two straight games (at A&M and Colo) since knocking off Kansas State 76-62 here in Stillwater in its Big 12 opener. The site of the game is a key, as the Cowboys have yet to lose in Stillwater this season (8-0). It’s surely worth noting that the Cowboys are 36-13-2 ATS at home the last three seasons with the Cyclones losing their last three visits to Stillwater while failing to cover any of the three. The 6-7 Moses (16.4-8.1) is having a “breakout season” for the Cowboys this year, after averaging a modest 7.0 and 8.8 PPG the last two seasons. Paige (13.9) is the best of a trio of guards (joined by Olukemi and Penn who combine for just under 20 PPG), which know how to run head coach Travis Ford’s offense (particularly here at home). The Cyclones have over-achieved this year, considering they’ve lost a number of players to eligibility issues plus the duo of the 6-10 Brackins (16.5-8.5) and the 6-7 Gilstrap (14.9-9.3) from last year’s squad. Making matters worse, guard Diante Garrett, the team's leading scorer (17.6 PPG), is questionable for this game with flu-like symptoms. This is hardly good news for new head coach Fred Hoiberg, who’s already depth-shy team cannot afford any more ‘causalities.’ The favorite is on a 7-0 ATS run in this series and I see nothing changing, tonight. Lay the points with the Cowboys.