CTO
10 *MEMPHIS over L.A. Clippers (NBA)...Depleted Clippers might not have hit rock-bottom, but they can see it from here. L.A. has dropped 12 of its last 14 spread decisions after promising 4-0 start. Numerous injuries have exposed wafer-thin bench, and now key PG Sam Cassell is sidelined with a calf injury (missed last 6 games through Dec. 10; HC Dunleavey says he won’t play on this road trip).
Hungry Memphis will look at this game as its best chance to win in a string of games, as they don’t play another team with a losing record until Dec. 22.
*MEMPHIS 112 - L.A. Clippers 93 RATING - 10
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
*BOSTON over MILWAUKEE by 24
Milwaukee is exactly the type of team that will get abused the Celtics. True, the Celtics have manhandled just about everyone this season, but the Bucks are an all-or-nothing jump shooting team that will be especially susceptible to Boston’s high energy defense.The Celtics rank as the NBA’s best defensive team while the Bucks are at the opposite end of the spectrum. Factor in different levels of offensive capability and you have the makings of a rout.
BOSTON 116-92
RECOMMENDED
*GOLDEN STATE over L.A. LAKERS by 12
The Lakers and Warriors rematch, four days after meeting in L.A. Golden State has the definite advantage of being home for an ESPN broadcast and facing a Lakers team that played to a national audience last night against the Spurs. Will that result in a burnt out bunch or can the Lakers show some resiliency of spirit? Look for weary legs to cause more than their usual share of clanked baskets as the home team literally runs away with the game.
GOLDEN STATE 117-105
WINNING POINTS
BEST BET
Sacramento over *Philadelphia by 6
The 76ers have failed to cover two of the past three times they’ve been chalk through Dec. 11. Their offense has been down with Kyle Korver rounding back into shooting shape after being out. He’s the 76ers’ main 3-point threat. The Kings usually are undervalued on the line. SACRAMENTO 103-97.
BEST BET
Cleveland over *New Jersey by 9
The Cavaliers have had three days off to prepare for this revenge rematch of 10 days ago, which the Nets won handily, 100-79. Cleveland didn’t have LeBron James for that matchup. The underdog is 21-12 ATS in the series. CLEVELAND 105-96.
BEST BET
*Memphis over Los Angeles Clippers by 15
The Clippers are in a bad spot, playing their third road game in four days. The
Clippers’ next game is against the Lakers, so it’s also a look-ahead spot. The Clippers have been wracked by injuries, especially in the backcourt. Their best player, Elton Brand, probably won’t be back until after the All-Star break. Los Angels was 2-13 ATS through the first week of December. The Grizzlies have plenty of firepower with Rudy Gay, Mike Miller and Pau Gasol. The Clippers can’t match that. MEMPHIS 113-98.
Vegas Experts Tip Of The Day
lost last night on a total play
6-1 on sides
2-4 on total plays
It's New York at Chicago Friday night in a battle of Eastern Conference disappointments. Can the Knicks stay within the number or do the Bulls get the win and cover?
Chicago looking to avenge earlier loss at MSG. They won two home meetings from the Knicks last year 98-69 and 102-85. Knicks have lost their last four by an average of 14 points and three of those were at home. They lost all four ATS as well. Chicago is 5-3 ATS its last eight, blowing out a poor Seattle club in this price range 123-96. NEW YORK is also 18-36 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons while CHICAGO is 13-4 ATS in home games versus poor passing teams, averaging <=20 assists/game over the last 2 seasons.
Play on: Chicago .6-1 on these plays this month
Vernon Croy
Buffalo Sabres vs. Washington Capitals (NHL) - 7:05 PM EST Premium Play
Pick: Money Line: -108 Buffalo Sabres Play Title: 10 Unit NHL Friday Night Smash
Analysis
10 Units, Take Buffalo ML -108, Buffalo is the superior team here and their powerplay is converting at 21.8% this season while the Capitals powerplay is converting at just 5% over their last 5 games. The Capitals are just 2-10 when playing a team with a losing record this season and just 1-7 this season at home when the posted total is 5.5. The Capitals are just 15-33 in their last 48 games revenging a loss against an opponent. The Capitals are just 4-17 in their last 21 games after playing 3 consecutive home games and Buffalo has owned them the last 3 seasons with a 8-2 record.
Toronto Raptors vs. Indiana Pacers (NBA) - 7:05 PM EST Premium Play
Pick: Point Spread: -2/-106 Indiana Pacers Play Title: 10 Unit NBA Top Play of the Night
Analysis
10 Units, Take Indiana -2, This pick falls into one of my NBA systems and Indiana is 15-5 in their last 20 home games against the Raptors. I look for the Pacers to shut down the Raptors 3 point shot since that was the only way the Raptors beat the Pacers in their last meeting where they shot over 52% from 3 point range. The Pacers are a very good rebounding team averaging 54.6 rebounds per game at home this season and the Raptors are averaging just 44.6 rebounds per game this season on the road. The Pacers build on their win over Chicago as the Raptors have some key injuries heading into this game.
Michael Cannon
20 Dime –
CAVALIERS
Take the Cavs as the small road chalk over the Nets tonight.
LeBron James is back and that is great news for Cleveland fans. The effects of his return to the lineup were felt immediately as the Cavaliers rolled to a 118-105 home win over the Pacers on Tuesday, snapping a six-game losing streak.
LeBron came off the bench in that game but I expect him to start tonight and to see his usual heavy workload.
That’s bad news for a Nets team that crushed the Cavs 100-79 when James was out with his injury.
Cleveland has had three days to prepare for this matchup and I expect them to exact their revenge here tonight.
New Jersey’s annual soap opera continues with Jason Kidd, and I just can’t trust them in this spot with Cleveland so amped up due to the return of King James.
Take Cleveland as the small road chalk as they grab the road win and cover.
5 Dime –
KINGS
Take the points with the Kings tonight when they travel to take on the 76ers.
Philadelphia hasn’t been very successful the few times they’ve been installed as a chalk this year and I don’t expect tonight to be any different. Their offense has been down while Kyle Korver rounds back into shooting form after being out.
The Kings are usually an undervalued team on the line and they can definitely compete in this spot tonight.
Take the points with the Kings as they keep it close in Philadelphia.
GRIZZLIES
Take the Grizzlies as the home chalk tonight over the Clippers.
Forward Pao Gasol is questionable for Memphis tonight, but the Grizzlies still have enough with Rudy Gay and Mike Miller to get by.
The Clippers are in a bad spot, playing their third road game in four days. They also have a look-ahead game with the Lakers on deck, so don’t be surprised if the effort isn’t there tonight.
The Clippers are also beat up, so look for the Grizzlies to run at every opportunity tonight.
Take Memphis as the home chalk as they grab the home win and cover.
Jefferson Sports
These are his records since OCT 6th
OVERALL RECORD since OCT. 6th is 112-69 (62%) in all sports.
NBA EARLY RELEASE FOR FRIDAY
CLEVELAND-2
Burns NHL
I'm laying the price with ATLANTA. The Leafs are playing well right now. However, I've mentioned in the past how they tend to fare poorly on Friday nights and I expect that to be the case again tonight. Its not that the Leafs do an extra ordinary amount of drinking on Thursday night, causing them to be hungover for Friday's games. Rather, in my opinion, it's because they almost always play a big nationally televised (in Canada) Saturday night game. That big "Hockey Night in Canada" Saturday game typically comes vs. a bigger rival than the Leafs face on a Friday and therefore often causes some "looking ahead." That's the case this weekend as the Leafs will face fellow "Original Six" member Montreal, in what has long been one of sport's biggest rivalries. While they had the past two weeks off, the Leafs lost their most recent "Friday game," at Dallas on 11/23. That dropped them to 6-13 the last 19 times that they played on a Friday and 5-13 the last 18 times that they played on a road game. The Leafs come into tonight's game having had the past few nights off. That's typically a negative for them though as we find them at 3-9 the past few seasons when playing with three or more days off in between games. After dropping back to back games, the Thrashers should be extremely hungry tonight. Look for them to improve to 49-38 the past 87 times they played a home game with an over/under line of six or greater while the Leafs fall to 36-46 when playing a road game with an over/under line of six or more. *December GOM
Jack Clayton
5-Star NBA Total
5* (707) Bucks/Celtics over: One thing we know about Milwaukee: They still don't play any defense under coach Larry Krystkowiak. This team was awful last year and is still more interested in scoring behind guards Michael Redd and Mo Williams. They allow 46% shooting, 10th worst in the NBA. They face a Boston offense that can beat you down low and outside, averaging 101 ppg, 11th best. The Bucks got off to a great start against Orlando, making 14 of their first 20 shots and jumping out to a 34-20 lead. The Bucks led by 17 late in the second quarter and, shooting 53.8%, were in front at halftime, scoring 53 points. That's their game. Boston can play any style and will gladly run with this soft Milwaukee defense, as they've improved their three-point shooting and low post game significantly this season. The Bucks give up 103 ppg on the road while the Celtics average 102 ppg at home. This total is far too low. Play the Bucks/Celtics over the total!
Marc Lawrence NBA Super Pick Super Play! - Friday 12/14:
Play On: Dallas Mavericks
Note: Mavs play with revenge from a 4-point loss suffered earlier this year at New Orleans. Not only are they are 3-0 SU & ATS in same season revengers in this series, they are 13-0-1 ATS in their last 14 SU division revenge victories. Stay at home with Dallas here tonight.
DCI
COLLEGE HOOPS
Non-Conference
Drake 60, IOWA 55
VILLANOVA 93, Hartford 69
NBA
PHILADELPHIA 97, Sacramento 93
Orlando 100, CHARLOTTE 95
Toronto vs. INDIANA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
BOSTON 100, Milwaukee 87
Cleveland vs. NEW JERSEY: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
DETROIT 98, Atlanta 84
MEMPHIS 103, L.A. Clippers 101
MINNESOTA 102, Seattle 101
CHICAGO 98, New York 87
DALLAS 101, New Orleans 94
Utah 102, PORTLAND 99
GOLDEN STATE 117, L.A. Lakers 111
NHL
Buffalo vs. WASHINGTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Calgary vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Toronto vs. ATLANTA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
ANAHEIM 3, Minnesota 2
Must Win Sports Picks
NHL 12/14/2007 at 10:00:00 PM
Minnesota at Anaheim
Minnesota
Dave Cokin
(721) UTH Jazz
(722) POR Trail Blazers
Take (722) POR Trail Blazers
The Jazz and Blazers are both streaking, but in opposite directions and it's the supposedly lowly Portland team that's riding the big wave right now. The collision in current form therefore favors the Blazers, plus the number here is too high as it's been adjusted for the Utah revenge from Tuesday's 97-89 Portland upset in Salt Lake. I see value in taking the Blazers plus the points as a very live home dog.
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Drake Bulldogs - 2 over Iowa Hawkeyes
Drake (8-1) at Iowa (6-5) enters off a 56-47 loss at (now 4-4) Iowa State on 12/08, which entered off a 79-44 loss at Drake on 12/05. Off Iowa owning this series, teams have split last two meetings. Drake winning at home 75-59 last season, then No.25 Iowa winning at home 65-60 the previous season.
RAZOR SHARP
SEATTLE/MINNESOTA OVER the total of 198