Freddy WillsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Providence +9FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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I think Providence matches up extremely well with Baylor. They have the size down low to rebound in this game and play defense and at guard they have a duo between Bryce Cotton who can score right along with Baylor's Pierre Jackson and they have a point guard who was among the best in the Big East with 7 assists per game in Vincent Council. Providence also has 4 wins vs. top 50 teams this year while Baylor only has 2. Providence really has only been blow out in 4 games this year so I expect them to stay competitive while Baylor is 10-21 ATS int heir last 31 following a SU win.
Jesse Schule
Anaheim Ducks +107
The Ducks are coming off three straight losses, suffering a little bit of a let down after a big win over the Blackhawks last Wednesday. They lost their last game to the Sharks on Monday at home, but the good news for the Ducks is, they don't have to wait long for a chance to avenge that loss.
Anaheim will seek it's revenge at the Shark Tank tonight, against a team that they have dominated the past three seasons. The Ducks have won seven of the past 10 meetings, and they are 2-1-1 versus San Jose this season.
They might be catching the Sharks at the right time, as San Jose is playing it's first game back from a long five game road trip, and they did manage to win two of their last three. The Sharks don't have much room for error, as they are tied on points with ninth place Nashville, but the Predators have played two more games than San Jose.
The players in the dressing room may have reason to be concerned about this year's playoff run though, as the departure of veteran defensman Douglas Murray by way of a trade to Pittsburgh, may indicate that management is looking at rebuilding.
"We're all pros. It doesn't matter who gets traded," captain Joe Thornton said. "We know we have to come out and play."
The fact that Joe Thornton feels that he even has to make that statement says a lot in itself. I think the Ducks will prove to be the better team, with a lot more to play for tonight.
Take Anaheim.
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Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Play: Los Angeles LakersFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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This game features the 36-35 Lakers at the 25-44 Twolves. By sleepwalking through their last game, a 109-103 road loss to Golden State this past Monday, the Lakers find themselves clinging to just a 1 game lead for the final playoff spot in the West against Utah and Dallas. And the Jazz own the tiebreaker in case they finish in a tie with the Lakers. So expect a motivated Lakers squad to take the court against Minnesota. LA certainly owns a gigantic talent edge. The Lakers are 2-0 versus Minnesota this season winning by an average of 16.5 points. The Timberwolves are off an easy road win against Pistons last night. The banged-up Timberwolves now return home exhausted with their depth depleted this late in the season due to multiple injuries. This marks the Timberwolves' 5th game in 7 days. The Lakers are desperate to halt a 3 game losing skid. The Timberwolves can defeat bad teams, but have had problems when stepping up in class. They are 5-15-2 ATS the past 22 times when facing foes with a winning record. The Lakers have covered the past 6 times when playing at Minnesota.
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MINNESOTA -½ +111 over PhoenixFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Regulation. If there’s a team that’s having more fun and playing with more confidence than the Wild, we don’t know who they are. One could make an argument for the Penguins but dominating the regular season is something the Pens are used to. The Wild have been a one-dimensional team for years, relying heavily on defense and grinding out 2-1 and 3-2 wins. They’ve also been mediocre for years but this year everything has changed. Having the biggest turnover in the off-season and not having a chance to work together during a normal training camp, Minnesota got off to a slow start and fell under the radar during that time. However, things are now clicking big time, team chemistry is off the charts and the results are a team that is a serious threat to go all the way. Minnesota can beat you 2-1 or 5-4. It has won six in a row and has outscored its opponents over that span by a count of 29-16. This has suddenly become one of the NHL’s toughest venues for the opposition to win at, as the joint is packed and loud every night. Tonight will be no different.
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The Coyotes are in some trouble. Playing a Detroit team coming off back-to-back wins at Anaheim and playing its third game in four days, the Coyotes dropped their sixth in a row. During those six games, Phoenix has five goals. They also lost their #1 netminder, Mike Smith to injury in that game, leaving Jason Labarbera, a career back-up, to take over the top duties. Since February 14, the Coyotes have just one victory on the road over 10 games. During that stretch, they’ve lost at Columbus, Calgary, Edmonton and Nashville among others and now they’re being asked to turn it around in Minnesota? We don’t think so.
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Anaheim +107 over SAN JOSEFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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OT included. Not only are the Ducks the better squad here, they’re also in more favorable spot. Anaheim has been home since March 18, a span of five games. They lost the final three games of that home stand and will welcome the opportunity of getting back on the road against a team they despise. Anaheim embarks on a four-game trip beginning here with a 9-2-4 road record. With better goaltending, better offense and defense, better special teams and taking back a tag, Anaheim offers up all the value here. The Ducks have also defeated the Sharkies in seven of the past 10 contests.
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San Jose returns home from a very difficult five-game trip. The Sharkies have also played seven of their last eight on the road. At home, the Sharks are just 3-5 over their past eight games with losses to Phoenix, Detroit, Nashville, St. Louis and Chicago. Sharks goaltender, Antti Niemi has been extremely beatable over the past month with a pedestrian .892 save percentage while Jonas Hiller is heating up with a 2-0-1 record and 1.29 goals-against average in his past three road starts. Hiller is 5-1-1 with a 1.41 GAA in his last seven starts overall. Every edge goes to the Ducks and it doesn’t hurt that Anaheim is in a foul mood after being outplayed by this same team on Saturday back in Anaheim.
CRAIG DAVIS
Today's free play is on the Brooklyn Nets over the Portland Trail Blazers in a big game for both teams.
While the Nets knew long ago they were headed to the playoffs, they haven't exactly been "coasting" in an attempt to stay healthy or rest. They have been on a long road trip and look to match a franchise record for road wins in one season and it will take some work to keep that dream alive by winning in Portland tonight.
Give them credit... as they move past the midway point of this insane road trip, the Nets have already had impressive wins at Detroit and Dallas, a gut-wrenching loss at Los Angeles, and then came back with slim-but-needed victory over Phoenix.
They now sit at 3-1 over their last four roadies with a trip to Portland tonight. Ironically, the Nets have NEVER won more than 20 road games in a single season, but now need just three road wins in their last nine tries to match and beat that mark. Grabbing a win tonight would be sick, but definitely possible.
Many wonder what would have become of the Nets had they not been battered with injuries this year... All-Star C Brook Lopez, F Gerald Wallace, and Gs Joe Johnson and Deron Williams'... the list goes on and on.
But other than Johnson right now, the Nets are relatively healthy and loaded for a stretch run which continues tonight. The other bit of good news is that they've been blessed with a deep bench, maybe the deepest in the league.
Portland is good at home, one of the best in the league, but they have a TON of pressure on them to keep up with the Lakers, Dallas, and Utah for the 8th and final playoff spot in the West.
Take Brooklyn as your free play of the day.
4* BROOKLYN
SCOTT DELANEY
I am going with the Utah Jazz for tonight, as I think they're going to denounce the Phoenix Suns, while they continue their strive for a berth into the Western Conference playoffs.
Utah was likely feeling the pressure late last night, when the Dallas Mavericks pulled away for a 109-102 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. With the win, the Mavs pulled into a ninth-place tie with Utah in the Western Conference, and both are now one game back of the final spot in the West, currently held by the Los Angeles Lakers.
And while the Lakers are on the road tonight to visit the upset-minded Minnesota Timberwolves, and the Mavericks are idle, the Jazz have the luxury of continuing their homestand against the Western Conference-worst Phoenix Suns, who have lost three straight and eight of 10.
Phoenix won't be up for this game, and quite frankly, don't care about the rest of the season. I'm laying the points with the Jazz tonight.
2* UTAH
BRETT ATKINS
Hard to ignore the Miami Heat during this incredible 27-game win streak, as they're absolutely annihilating the competition. And during this winning spree, the Heat are 16-11 against the spread. Not impressive as 27-0, right? Well the fact is the defending champs are seemingly more focused on the road.
The Heat may be just 6-8 ATS at home during their win streak, but they're 10-3 ATS while ordering room service, and in their second game of a road trip during this run, they're 3-0 ATS when laying points.
So after blasting the Orlando Magic two nights back, and getting a night off to rest, the Heat should be ready for this game in Chicago, where the Bulls are dealing with injury issues right now.
Also during this win streak, the Heat are 11-6 ATS with one day's rest.
Lay the points.
3* MIAMI
JEFF BENTON
Wednesday's freebie is the Lakers as the road favorite over the Timberwolves.
Minnesota just lit up Detroit last night at the Auburn Palace, and they do get to play this one at home, but with the Lakers in NEED of a big-time win tonight, I will side with Los Angeles to pull away tonight as they look to end an ugly three game straight up and against the spread losing streak this evening.
The Lakers have been able to thoroughly dominate the Timberwolves to a tune of 21 straight wins, and the have won each of their last ten games played at the Target Center!
L.A. is looking to sweep the season series against Minny for the sixth consecutive year, and against the spread, the Lake Show has covered five of the last six overall, and each of the last six played in the Land of Ten Thousand Lakes.
No choice tonight but to lay it with the road favorites.
4* L.A. LAKERS
BRAD WILTON
Tonight's free play is the Boston Celtics to bounce-back after an ugly loss last night at home to New York.
The Celtics are sliding down the playoff standings in the East with losses in 5 in a row and 7 of their last 9. Boston also lost the last meeting with Cleveland on January 22nd in Cleveland.
I know KG is now sidelined, but this is a game the C's simply must have.
Cleveland's losing streak stands at 5 in a row, and the Cavaliers have also lost 7 of their last 8 overall. The Cavs have also failed in 3 of their last 5 versus the spread.
On principle alone I am backing Boston to end their skid before Cleveland ends theirs.
Celts to cover as the small road favorite.
3* BOSTON
CHRIS JORDAN
Tonight I am back involved with the Celtics, only I want you laying the points with them in Cleveland.
I know the Celtics have lost five straight games now, but so has Cleveland. And this might be the perfect spot for them to shake the funk before they dip below .500 in the standings. Sitting at 36-34, the C's need to embrace the fact they're headed into the final weeks of the regular season without Kevin Garnett. They need to put some pep in their step and play like they know how to each time on the court.
If this isn't a time for urgency, I'm not sure what is.
On March 16 the teams was gridlocked in a three-way tie for fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings. Now they've dipped to seventh and sit 2-1/2 games back of sixth-place Atlanta.
Boston may be sliding, but the Cavaliers are about as bad as they come right now. During their skid, they're allowing an average of 108 points per game.
Lay the points on the road with the desperate Celtics tonight.
3* BOSTON
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Warriors -9 over KingsFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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The Kings are a very weak road team and even at home have lost to some very weak teams by a lot of points. Sacramento does not play defense well at all and I just don’t see them staying in this game tonight. Golden needs these wins to hold on to the 6 spot. There are a couple teams gunning for the last few playoff spots so these games against the NBA’s worst teams are a must win. Take Golden State.
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Baylor -9 over ProvidenceFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Providence looked awful the other night against Robert Morris, but they were able to bully their way to the win as they score about half their points from the foul line. Baylor has larger and better athletes and will not put the Friars on the line as much. The Bears are a better 3 point shooting team and should pull away early in this one. Take Baylor.
NellyFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Cleveland Cavaliers + over Boston Celtics
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The Cavaliers enter this game coming off a 116-78 blowout loss in Houston but that loss was understandable as in the previous game Cleveland took Miami to the limit in one of the biggest games of the season for the team. Cleveland has not played since last Friday for a very long break and Cleveland will look to snap a 5-game losing streak tonight. Cleveland is only 13-21 S/U at home this season but they face a banged up Celtics squad that is only 12-23 S/U on the road this season. Cleveland won 95-90 when these teams met nearly two months ago and this is a reeling Boston squad coming off five straight losses. This will be a fourth road game in the last five games for the Celtics and the team is also coming off a big game with New York at home last night. Boston is just 6-9 ATS as a favorite of less than five points this season and Boston is a woeful 4-12 ATS vs. losing teams on the road this season, greatly struggling in the road favorite role. The Cavaliers are not a reliable squad but Cleveland has covered in four of the last five meetings between these teams and this team has shown the ability to bring a stronger effort against marquee opponents. Cleveland is also 4-2 ATS this season with at least three days of rest between games.
Hollywood Sports
Memphis at New York
Prediction: Under
Memphis (47-23) looks to rebound from their 107-94 loss at Washington on Monday -- and they have played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total after a double-digit loss. The Grizzlies have also played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total when on the road. New York (43-26) has won five in a row after their 100-85 win at Boston yesterday. The Celtics have played 6 of their last 8 games Under the Total after a double-digit victory. Additionally, Boston has played 5 of their last 6 games Under the Total against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. The Grizzlies are 19-15 on the road -- and the Celtics have played 4 straight home games Under the Total against teams with a winning record on the road. Take the Under in this one.
Teddy Covers
Sacramento vs. Golden State
Pick: Sacramento
Very quietly, waaaay underneath the radar, the Kings have been playing vastly improved basketball in recent weeks. They’ve split their last eight games in SU fashion, including impressive upsets by 15 points or more against the playoff-bound Clippers and Bulls.
Even on the road, where the Kings have struggled mightily this year, we’ve seen Sacto hang tough at Miami, Denver and the LA Lakers while winning outright at Orlando. Point guard Isaiah Thomas: “Our offense has gotten a lot better, we're spacing the floor and playing more unselfish. And we're really getting dialed in on defense. We've been able to turn our defense into our offense.”
The Warriors have shown no ability to separate themselves from Sacramento in any recent meeting. All three previous games between these two teams this year have been down-to-the-wire nailbiters decided by four points or less. The last five meetings between the Kings and Warriors here in Oakland have been decided by 4, 3, 3, 1 and 7 (in overtime); not exactly the type of margins that cash tickets in this pointspread range. And Golden State went ‘max effort’ last time out in their blowout over the Lakers. I’m not convinced they’ll find the same energy (or level of execution) tonight. Take Sacramento.
Larry Ness
Miami vs. Chicago
Pick: Chicago
The Miami Heat are chasing the 1971-72 Los Angeles Lakers record 33 straight wins. Those Lakers won 17 games during that streak by 15 points or more, while this year’s Heat have take more of a grind-it-out approach, often getting into trouble before flipping a switch and pulling away. Miami’s up to 27 in a row but note that after going 8-2 ATS in the first 10 games of the streak, the Heat are a losing proposition since, going just 8-9 ATS over their last 17 wins. Miami plays at Chicago on Wednesday night, renewing a rivalry that has lost more than a little of its luster from a year or two ago. The Bulls owned the East’s best record each of the last two seasons (50-16 LY and 62-20 two years ago) but this year’s team, still minus injured point guard Derrick Rose, finds itself 38-31, 17 1/2 games back of the Heat! Chicago has lost 13 of its last 22 games but this one has to be ‘circled’ on its calendar. Chicago head coach Tom Thibodeau could be without center Joakim Noah (12.1-11.4), who is suffering with plantar fasciitis but the Bulls have recently welcomed back forward Taj Gibson (7.9-5.5 and guard Kirk Hinrich (7.1-5.3 APG. Vet PG Nate Robinson (12.4-4.4 APG) is hot a roll, averaging 18.6 PPG on 51% shooting in his last five. plus let’s not forget Deng (16.2-6.5) or boozer (15.7-9.2) Take the home dog!