Jimmy Boyd
Lakers vs. Suns
Play: Suns -5
Phoenix is showing great value here as a relatively small home favorite against the Lakers. Los Angeles was able to pull off a 107-100 win at home over the Grizzlies last night, snapping a 4-game losing streak. That's keeping this line line a little lower than it should be, plus the Suns aren't exactly a team the public feels all that confident laying points with.
Phoenix went into LA and beat the Lakers 95-90 last Friday. Typically revenge would be a factor, but I don't think that's the case with the Lakers. The real key here is we are catching LA on the road in the 2nd game of a back-to-back set. Los Angeles is a mere 5-30 away from home this season and a dreadful 1-13 when playing on no rest.
The Suns have at least been playing better of late and I look for them to come out motivated after getting outscored by 20 in the 2nd half of a 97-103 home loss to the Grizzlies. Phoenix is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 when playing on a day of rest and 4-1 ATS in their last 5 following a SU loss. Lakers are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 following a SU win and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 against a team with a losing record.
Bob Harvey
Clippers vs. Warriors
Play: Warriors -10
The Golden State Warriors continue their pursuit of NBA history when they entertain the Los Angeles Clippers in Oakland. Game time is 10:30 PM ET at Oracle Arena where the Warriors are favored by -10 with the total at 226. Golden State suffered just its seventh loss of the season in San Antonio on Saturday and had more trouble than it would have liked in a 109-104 win at Minnesota to close out the 2-1 trip on Monday. The Warriors need to go 10-2 over the final 12 games to break the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ record of 72 wins
The Clippers (43-26, 32-34 ATS) have lost four of their last five and six of nine and are playing the finale of a five-game road trip. The Clippers have allowed an average of 110 points in their last five games and are coming off a stunning 109-105 to the New Orleans Hornets. Los Angeles trails Oklahoma City by five games in the battle for third-place in the Western Conference.
The Warriors (63-7, 39-29 ATS) continue to win despite back-to-back off nights from Stephen Curry. The presumptive MVP went 3 of 21 while averaging 16.5 points -- well below his league-leading mark of 30.1 per game -- during the past two games. The Warriors, the NBA leaders in 3-point percentage (41.4), shot 28.3 percent from beyond the arc.
Golden State has won all three 2015-16 meetings this season (1-2 ATS) although each has been by seven points or less. Curry is averaging 31.3 points and Thompson 24.3 in the season series.
The Clippers are 6-17 ATS in the last 23 meetings in Oakland
Marc Lawrence
Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers
Edges -Blazers: 8-2 SUATS off a SU favorite loss this season, including 5-0 SUATS the last five. Mavericks: 4-7 SUATS off a SU underdog win this season, including 0-5 SU and 1-4 ATS as a dog. With the Blazers in a right back revenge rematch mode in this game from a 132-130 OT loss suffered as favorites at Dallas on Sunday, we recommend a 1* play on Portland.
John Ryan
Grand Canyon at Coastal Carolina
Prediction: Coastal Carolina
SIM algorithm shows a high probability that CC will win this game by more than 7 points. This report, due to page space, is akin to an executive summary to what is normally a comprehensive report. So, if you are new to our algorithm methodology check past results pages for a sample of what is provided. We dig deep into the stats, data, and information to provide you the best research that provides the trust and confidence to commit to our work. We have been doing this for 21 years
Technical Discussion Points The following game situations match the SIM projections and my compiled research for the outcome of this game. CC is a near-perfect 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 3 seasons; 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in home games versus good ball handling teams committing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons. The power situations also favor CC noting a perfect 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite over the last 3 seasons.
Dave Cokin
San Diego St. -5
Two suddenly surging teams get together in San Diego tonight. Georgia Tech makes the trek west to face San Diego State, and I'll be on the Aztecs for a second straight game.
If the Yellow Jackets shoot it like they have the last two games in easy wins against Houston and South Carolina, this play is in trouble. But I don't expect that to be the case. This is not an easy trip for Georgia Tech, and they won't be facing a pedestrian defense as the Aztecs can be very difficult to score against.
SDSU is looking very good right now. If they play like they have in the first two games, the Aztecs will win this tournament. Argue whichever way you want on whether the body of work should have earned San Diego State a Big Dance ticket. That doesn't matter. All that does is that this team is razor sharp all of a sudden, and I don't think there's any question the Aztecs are a very good team when they're managing both ends of the court.
Georgia Tech has a star in Marcus Georges-Hunt and he's going to command lots of attention tonight. I really think he's the key to this game. Hold Georges-Hunt and the Yellow Jackets get pretty ordinary. I think you can bet your bottom dollar that SDSU coach Steve Fisher will come up with a defensive game plan designed to make life difficult for the Georgia Tech star.
I'm not going to bank on SDSU shooting it as well as they did against Washington, a team that plays no defense and allowed the Aztecs one great look after another on Monday. This game won't be anything like that one. Instead, we'll likely see lots of similarities tonight. I think the Aztecs do these same thing a little better than the Yellow Jackets. Add in what will be a big and typically boisterous crowd at Viejas and I expect another intense showing from a talented team that is suddenly seemingly on a mission. I'm right back on San Diego State to come through once again.
Sleepyj
Columbia -7
This number seems kind of high if you just take a look at the two teams..Ball St not a bad squad by any means, but the situation is in favor of Columbia big time...Ball St is coming off two dramatic wins...Both games they could have lost, but snuck out wins in OT and 2OT....So the emotional letdown might be grave here for the Cardinals..On the flip side I really like this Columbia team..On the surface they might not look like a great team, but the season stats say otherwise..They lead in some very important areas and other areas not highlighted with basic stats...This game is in Columbia and I feel good about laying the -7 here with Lions...If you take a look at what they did in the non-conf schedule, you will notice they gave some of the bigger schools a tough time...K-st they lost by 10, but St. Joe's they lost by 2...Played Northwestern very tough in a 3pt loss and they rattled 10 of 14 in conference..This is a good team and I'm not scared of laying this number here..Might look trappy if you like Ball St, and indeed I believe it is..Grab the Lions in a good spot here at home..I got this one 75-63 area.
Ralph Michaels
Georgia Tech/San Diego St Under 133.5
It's rare to see the level of excitement that exists surrounding San Diego St in the NIT. Their game against Washington sold out quickly, and it was called their loudest game of the season, and this game sold out in an hour! When teams have extra motivation in front of a sold out crowd they tens to do what they do best and for the Aztecs it is play defense as they are #3 in the country in my rankings. If you look at the Washington score which was 93-78 you might think we're crazy but the Huskies ranked #2 in tempo and shoot the ball as quick as any team in the country while GT comes in ranked #239 ion adjusted tempo at Kempom.com. Washington by the way was still held to 5 points under their season average. Georgia Tech is also off a misleading game as they put up 83 points in their last game, but that came versus a South Carolina teams which was without 6 players (suspensions and injuries). Beside that last game the Yellow Jackets are 4-10 O/U their last 14 games and all four overs came versus defenses ranked #75 or higher.
Alex Smith
Boston at NY Rangers
Play: : Boston +110
Two Original Six rivals clash in Manhattan tonight as the New York Rangers host the Boston Bruins in a game with big playoff implications . The Rangers have struggled to play consistent hockey for most of this season and have lost five of their last eight games overall. The Bruins have been playing good, solid hockey, earning at least a point in seven of their last 10 contests and holding one of the best road records in the NHL with a 23-10-3 mark. However, they now face-off with a Blueshirts club that protects their "Garden" well with a 24-8-3 record at MSG on the year. New York goaltender Henrik Lundqvist will have to regain his form in order for his club to gain momentum heading into the postseason. The Swedish native has lost five of his last six starts and has allowed three or more goals within the same span. Boston heads into this contest with a bit of a question mark between the pipes as head coach Claude Julien told the media that starter Tuukka Rask is feeling ill and both backups Jeremy Smith and Jonas Gustavsson will both make the trip to NYC. The Bruins are looking to possibly win the Atlantic Division and gain home ice for at least the first two rounds, while the Rangers can only hope to finish second in the Metro and get home ice for their first round opponent, whomever that might be. The Bruins have won seven of the last 10 meetings in this series and with their hot track record on the road, that's the side that I would look to back tonight.
Teddy Davis
Kings vs. Wolves
Play: Kings +4½
There is value here in fading Minnesota tonight. They are coming off a very hard fought game vs the Warriors and clearly won't be as motivated tonight vs the Kings. The T Wolves are getting respect since they have covered 4 out of their last 5. The Kings have been playing competitive ball themselves though covering 3-1-1 L5 and this is also their last game on the road trip so I see them getting up for it tonight. T Wolves are 9-23 ATS L32 games vs team with a losing record.
Jack Jones
Los Angeles Clippers +10
The Golden State Warriors are simply laying too many points tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers. They are starting to feel the pressure of setting the record for most wins in a season, and it has shown in their last few games.
The Warriors lost to the Spurs 79-87 before barely escaping with a 109-104 win at lowly Minnesota last time out. The Clippers come in undervalued due to losing two straight and four of five, and that also has them extra motivated tonight to get back on track.
The Clippers will be motivated already as they have come so close to beating the Warriors lately. In fact, the Clippers have lost five straight meetings to the Warriors all by 8 points or less. They lost by 3, 7, 4, 4 and 8 points in their last five meetings, respectively. As you can see, getting double-digit points here is a huge value.
Plays on underdogs (LA CLIPPERS) - after allowing 105 points or more three straight games against opponent after a win by 6 points or less. are 46-17 (73%) ATS over the last five seasons. The Warriors are also still dealing with key injuries that will sideline Andrew Bogut, Andre Iguodala and Festus Ezili tonight.
Darryl Tucholski
Hawks vs. Wizards
Play: Wizards -105
Take the Wizards money line tonight, they are fresh off of a road victory over the Hawks. This won't be a revenge spot where they take turns beating each other on the road. The Wizards are 9-1 in their last 10 games at home, they've held opponents under 94 points on average.
Dave Price
Jazz +1.5
The Utah Jazz are 5-1 in their last 6 games overall. This recent surge has put them in position to overtake the Houston Rockets for the No. 8 seed in the Western Conference with a win tonight. They are positioned well to do so considering they have had 2 days' rest in between games, while the Rockets will be playing the 2nd of a back-to-back and their 4th game in 6 days after losing 107-111 in Oklahoma City tonight. That rest advantage is a big reason why I like the Jazz to win this game. Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 vs. a team with a losing record. Houston is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 home games, and 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games playing on 0 days' rest.
Scott Rickenbach
Rockets -115
The Rockets have gone from being a 3 point favorite all the way down to being a pick'em in this game versus the Jazz for Wednesday. Certainly some are looking at the fact that this is a back to back spot for Houston. However, not enough weight is being given to the fact that the Rockets had two days off before this back to back spot. Also, the Rockets are playing this game with revenge as they lost a tight game at Utah a month ago. That was the 5th time in the last 6 meetings that the home team has won the game. Even though the Jazz have been hot they have taken advantage of a favorable schedule and let's not forget that Utah is still an ugly 12-23 SU in road games this season! Houston is a perfect 3-0 SU and ATS with the line in the pick'em to -3 range this season. The Rockets have had a bit of an erratic stretch of late but much of that had to do with a heavy road schedule. This will be just their 5th home game in the past 4 weeks and the Rockets have won 3 of those 4 games. I see great line value here considering the line move and with catching the Rockets off of a loss and the Jazz off of a rare road win.
Bruce Marshall
Denver -8
For those interested in this less-than-scintillating matchup, keep in mind that Denver has failed to cover a spread in three tries vs. Philly going back to last season, and continues to be haunted by the ignominy of losing both meetings vs. the Sixers a year ago. Nuggets gained partial revenge with close 108-105 win (and a spread "push") at Wells Fargo Center on Dec. 5. But we're tempted to take our chances with Denver because the alternative is about as exciting as sitting through another GOP presidential debate. As of Monday, Philly had yet to clear the all-time low bar of nine wins set by its 1972-'73 predecessors. Among other lowlights for the Sixers are a chance to rank last in offensive efficiency for a third straight season (the first such streak in the NBA since the Bulls from 1998-2001) and allowing almost 9 ppg more per 100 possessions than before the All-Star break, suggesting HC Brett Brown is not able to extract extra effort from his admittedly thinned roster. We'd rather not take the risk with Philly. Also, too bad that still-trying Denver does not play in the East, against which it is 14-14 SU this season.
Brad Wilton
Wednesday comp play is Ball State in the underdog role at Columbia tonight.
The Lions may advance, but I think this pointspread is a little too high to back the Ivy Leaguers as a "lock".
Ball State has already won back-to-back overtime games to get to this point, so taking the points against a Cardinals team that likes to play it down to the wire seems to be the way to go in New York tonight.
The Cards are on a 7-3 against the spread run on the road this season, while the Lions are just 5-5-1 against the spread in their lined home games this season.
This one shapes up to be a 2-4 point game the whole way, so take the Cardinals straight to the bank, as Columbia scratches out a win in very close fashion.
1* BALL STATE