Black Magic Sports
5 Unit Black Magic Suns/Cavs BEST BET on Phoenix -1.5
The Phoenix Suns are showing perhaps their best value of the season tonight as just a small road favorite at Cleveland. The Suns have owned the Cavs lately, going 4-1 SU and ATS in their last 5 meetings with Cleveland over the last 3 seasons. Phoenix is 63-33 ATS in road games when playing against a marginal winning team (Win Pct. 51% to 60%) since 1996. Phoenix is 20-8 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less over the last 2 seasons. Phoenix is 27-13 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 over the last 3 seasons. Cash in with Phoenix as the favorite.
4 Unit NBA Total of the Night on Nets/Nuggets OVER 209.5
New Jersey is giving up over 119 points a game over their last 5 games and this is not a good formula heading into Denver tonight for the Nets. Denver is one of the best scoring teams in the league, especially at home where they are putting up 109 points per game. Denver is 24-10 OVER in home games when playing against a marginal losing team (Win Pct. 40% to 49%) over the last 3 seasons. Denver is 28-15 OVER in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons. The Nuggets are 13-3 OVER in home games after 2 straight games with 26 or more assists. Cash in with the OVER 209.5 points.
3 Unit Sharp Play on New York Knicks -2.5
New York is also showing solid value tonight as a small home favorite over the lowly Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks have won 4 out of their last 6 games and are playing much better basketball as of late. The 76ers have lost 10 out of their last 12 games. History is on our side in this game as well. The 76ers have won four consecutive games and eight of the last nine against the Knicks, but have not won five straight vs. New York since 1985-86. New York is 16-5 ATS revenging a home blowout loss vs. an opponent of 20 points or more since 1996. Cash in with New York as the favorite in revenge mode.
Bob Balfe
Nets +8 over Nuggets
Savannah Sports
2 ** Denver Under 209.5
2 ** Utah Under 213.5
John Ryan
Monster Conf GOM
Niagara
Paul Leiner
20 STAR NBA TOTAL
Memphis/Washington Over
10* NBA Knicks
5* CBB Niagara
Doc's Sports Picks For NBA Basketball
6-Unit Play – NBA Game of the Week – Milwaukee +9 ½
5-Unit Play - Totals Game of the Week - Phoenix/Cleveland UNDER 211
SportsAction365
100* New Jersey +8
75* LA Lakers +7
75* New Orleans -11
50* Boston -13.5
50* OVER 196
50* Weber St -3.5
Drew Gordon
1. 400,000* Niagara
2. 50,000* Magic
3. 50,000* Jazz
1. Niagara- After 3 tough conference losses in their last 4 games, this Niagara team is out for blood... Enter St. Peter's, one of the worst teams in MAAC, giving the Purple Eagles the perfect oppurtunity to get back on their feet tonight.
While its true the Peacocks are a better team at home, I use the term "better" loosely, as they're just 4-3 SU & 2-3 ATS in New Brunswick this season. Of the teams they've beaten at home, only Rutgers was halfway decent, and even then, Niagara is a much better team than the road-weary Scarlet Knights, who are just 1-7 SU away this season.
Purple Eagles have a tremendous edge on offense, as their averaging a hearty 77 ppg over their last 5 games. St. Peter's, meanwhile, is averaging just 59 ppg over the same span. Statistically they score better at home, but that wasn't the case in their last one, a 62-57 loss to Loyola-Maryland Saturday. Peacocks have a decent starting 5, led by F Todd Sowell, but the 4-guard attack of the Purple Eagles, led by star G Charron Fisher, is far superior.
Herein lies the problem for St. Peter's, because the Purple Eagles match up particularly well with the Peacocks. Leading scorer Todd Sowell has to match up against Niagara's 6'10 C Egemonye, who's decent offensively, and can rebound (7.2 boards per game) and block shots (26 swats). While 3 of the 4 starting guards for the Eagles can score (with the exception of Nelson, who's the point guard), can rebound (22.9 boards per game combined), and play defense (3 of 4 guards have over 29 steals)!
Bottom line, Niagara comes into this game highly-motivated, with several strong match up edges, and facing a team that's been a conference doormat all season. Oddsmakers are being extremely conservative with the number on this game, especially when all I see are mismatches. Look for the Purple Eagles to get back on track with a solid road win and cover here tonight.
Take Niagara comfortably over St. Peter's as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Magic- Last time these two teams met, I gave you the Magic as a bonus paid play, and they delivered the 102-100 outright home win over the Pistons. Many of the same reasons apply tonight, despite the fact the Pistons have owned this series in the past , the Magic are playing much better basketball right now, especially when you consider how poorly Detroit has played of late.
So what's wrong with the Pistons? Offense first and foremost, as their ususally consistent attack has hit a snag, averaging 92 ppg on 44% shooting over their last 5 games (2-3 SUATS over that span). You can attribute a big part of that to the struggles of Rasheed Wallace, who's scored in double figures only once in his last 6 games.
Match up-wise, the Magic have an excellent inside/out game with Howard down-low and Turkoglu and Lewis waiting in the wings. They used that strategy to help them beat the Pistons Monday, and they'll use it again tonight. Remember guys, this Magic offense is rolling right now, dropping in 102 on nearly 49% shooting over their last 5. Also, don't tell me the injury to Jameer Nelson is a negative, because they did just fine with Carlos Arroyo at the point guard Monday.
Finally, there's several trends that strongly favor the Magic in this one. First, there's the fact Orlando has been cash-machine on the road, going 19-7 ATS this season, playing their best basketball in hostile territory. Then, you throw in the fact the road team is 14-4-3 ATS over their last 21 meetings and its hard not to like Orlando plus the points in this one. In the end, until the Pistons start playing like the dominant team they can be, I'm inclined to fade them against a team as good on the road as the Magic are, plain and simple.
Take the Magic plus the points over the Pistons in this NBA match up.
3. Jazz- This match up is a little different, because unlike the Pistons, the Jazz are playing rock-solid basketball of late, especially at home, where they're won 7 in a row SU & 5 of those 7 ATS! It should come as no surprise, as this Utah team has always played its best ball in Salt Lake, going 17-3 SU there and 13-7 ATS this season. More of the same tonight, as an improved, but still flawed Kings team gets into trouble in this one.
Why flawed after all their recent success? Because Sacramento is still far too inconsistent on the road, where they fall asleep on both sides of the court, scoring 95 ppg, all while allowing 102 ppg on the season. Granted, the Kings have been a solid bet on the road of late, but watching them play at the Clippers Wednesday quickly erased any hope of consistency from this Kings squad when they travel. They lost by 26-points as 2'-point favorites to a struggling Clippers team... Ugly, real ugly.
Jazz on the other hand, have apparently overcome a tough December that saw them lose plenty of road games. With some extended time back at home, they've licked their wounds, and have come out firing of late, averaging 108 ppg on 50% shooting over their last 5 games. Defensively, they're rock-solid at home, just ask the Clippers, Bucks, Suns, and Pacers, none of which scored more than 89 points in their recent games in Salt Lake!
Look guys, there's no question the Kings have been playing much better basketball now that their healthy, but that doesn't mean they're going to waltz into one of the toughest places to win and deliver. Jazz protect their home court like few other teams in the NBA, and the road-weary Kings still have a ways to go before they take Utah out at home. Jazz roll!
Take the Jazz comfortably over the Kings in this NBA match up.
Michael Cannon
15 Dime –
CAVALIERS
Take the Cavaliers as the small home dog tonight over the Suns.
Cleveland is playing its best basketball of the season. They recorded their most lopsided win in more than 13 years in Wednesday’s 121-85 victory over the Wizards.
The Suns are coming off a loss over the lowly Timberwolves on Wednesday and could be a tired team here tonight. Phoenix is playing its fourth game in six nights and third road game in the last four.
Fatigue could be the great equalizer for the Cavaliers, as it should keep Phoenix from running all game long.
Cleveland has won five straight, going 4-1 ATS during that span. They are on ATS runs of 18-8 as a home dog, 7-3 against the West and 35-17 when playing on one day of rest.
The home team is also on a 6-1 ATS run in this series.
Take the Cavs plus the small number as they get it done at home for us tonight.
10 Dime –
RAPTORS
Take the Raptors as the big home chalk tonight over the Bucks.
Toronto is coming off a big win at Boston Wednesday night and I think they’ll keep that momentum going against the Bucks.
Milwaukee has been a terrible road team this year, going just 5-19. This is also the Bucks’ fourth game in six nights and second in the last 48 hours.
The Raptors have won four straight home games and will be looking to avenge a 112-85 loss at Milwaukee suffered back in November.
Take Toronto minus the points as they grab the home win and cover.
5 Dime –
NUGGETS
Take the Nuggets as the home chalk tonight over the foundering Nets.
The Nets have lost a season-high seven straight and they won’t stop that slide tonight.
Denver hopes to have Carmelo Anthony back in the lineup for tonight’s game, which will only make it harder on the struggling Nets.
New Jersey is playing its fifth game in seven nights, third in the last four and second in the last 48 hours.
The Nets are an older team and now they find themselves playing in the high altitude with fatigue already set in.
Take the Nuggets as they grab the home win and cover.
Mitch Sargen
25* RAPTORS
10* MAGIC BLAZERS
FREE PICK NIAGARA
Keith Martin Sports
Niagara -4
Dunkel
Northern Arizona at Weber State
After dropping six of its first eight games, Weber State has turned its season around and comes into tonight's contest riding a five-game winning streak. But the Wildcats run into a tough challenge from a Northern Arizona team that is 5-1 ATS against conference opponents this season. The Lumberjacks are the underdog pick +3 1/2according to Dunkel, which has the game even.
Dunkel Pick: Northern Arizona +3 1/2
Dunkel
Friday's College Basketball
Game of the Night
Weber State beat Northern Arizona three times LY, including an 88-80 win in Big Sky finals; they won last four games, last two by combined total of three points. NAU is 5-1 in Big Sky losing only 80-66 at Portland State- favorite covered all six of their Big Sky games. Big Sky home favorites are 13-7 vs spread
Rest of the Card
-- Canisius is 1-7 in MAAC, 0-3 as road dog, losing road games by 11-51-28 points; three of their last four losses are by 28+ pts Fairfield lost three of last four games, is 4-4 in MAAC, 0-2 as a home favorite. Visitor covered seven of their eight league tilts.
-- Niagara played two awful games in row, losing at Canisius, then getting beat by 19 at Marist; Eagles allowed 77.9 ppg in last four games (1-3). St Peter's lost last five games (0-5 vs the spread); they scored 57 ppg in last three games.
-- Sacramento State is 1-6 in Big Sky, 1-3 as road dog, losing on road by 14-25-24-13. Idaho State is 3-2 in Big Sky, splitting pair of home games; they held four of five foes under 40% but are just 12 of last 49 beyond the arc.
The Real Animal
Friday free NBA pick is 2* Denver -7 1/2:
Denver is without Carmelo Anthony but New Jersey is a fatigued veteran team just going through the motions on their extended west coast swing. The Nets have lost seven straight and have covered just once, in Golden State last night. This is their 5th road game since last Saturday night. They are 4-12 ATS against teams with winning records averaging just 88 points per game or 21 points less than Denver produces at home on average. Tonight Denver is gunning for their 7th straight home win and #19 against just five defeats on the year. Facing non-conference teams in the mile high city this season, the Nuggets are 8-1 ATS with the average score of 114-97. But what really makes this a go-against scenario for the Nets is the fact this is just the 2nd time this year they will be playing back-to-back nights on enemy hardwoods. The first sequence occurred this week in a 116-92 defeat at Phoenix, less than 24 hours removed from a 13-point loss to the Clippers. Take Denver as the Anthony injury is factored in the price
WILL SYKES
FOR TODAY: Charlotte VS Chicago
SYKE-O-ANALYSIS: This has got to be the oddest line i've seen all season. Get ready for this folks, because you're about to witness ARMAGEDDON in Vegas. There's no way Vegas will remain after this play. Monte Carlo on fire is only the beginning of relentless torture. Lets start off by the stats of Chicago winning by double digits, ready for this? The Bulls go 1-7 SU after a double digit win. And the only win that they won SU after a DD win was against the Hornets back in 12/01/07 and ever since then the Bulls have won their next two meetings, so they're 3-0 against the Bobcats (Which puts them on a triple revenge) Do any of you even know what the line was in their first meeting on 12/01? Well it was -7, yup that's right -7 (the Bulls covered 111-95) And now the Bulls are now -3 point favorites? Maybe it might have to do with questionable injuries of Joe Smith, Ben Gordon, Chris Duhon, and Luol Deng. Let me tell you how horrible these Bulls really are. The Bulls have no had better than a two game winning streak, so pretty much after a win, they lose. So what reason does the public have to jump on this pathetic Bulls team? Hinrich scored 38 points and 10 assists, pwah he better have another monster game two win this one, because it's not going to happen. I'm not going to praise the Bobcats on this one because the Bulls will lose this game on their own. Now just take the Bobcats to win this game straight up and watch the line stay steady at -3, because Vegas will gobble up all of Bulls money and spit it out with a big check for me! Don't get psyched like the rest of public because we'll all know how hard it is to beat a team 4 straight times in one year, especially against a team that simply can't win. Just stick with Sykes as Vegas prepares for ARMAGEDDON and once again..... Sykes becomes victorious.
ARMAGEDDON GEM: Charlotte Bobcats ML
Ron Raymond
5units - Suns / Cleveland Under 212 -110
Dave Cokin Comp
Nuggets
WILD BILL
Memphis +8 1/2 (2 units)
Bucks +10 (1 unit)
76ers +2 1/2 (2 units)
Boston -13 (1 unit)
New Orleans -11 (1 unit)
Lakers +7 1/2 (2 units)
Nets +8 1/2 (1 unit)
Utah -7 1/2 (1 unit)
Seattle +2 1/2 (1 unit)
Over 198 Hawks-Sonics (1 unit)
Atslocks.com
10 units Cleveland +2
15 units Niagara -4.5
Frank Rosenthal
NBA
701 Suns-1
708 Knicks-2
711 Magic+7.5
713 Clippers+11
715 Lakers+7.5
719 Nets Under 210
727 Canisius+14
729 Niagara-4.5
DONNY BROCCO
NBA DOUBLEHEADER
Play ON: NEW JERSEY NETS vs Denver Nuggets.. after a close one with Golden State that the Nets gave away in the final seconds, look for the
Nets to exploit no CARMELLO. JERSEY PLUS the POINTS.
Play On: MILWAUKEE BUCKS vs Toronto Raptors... again take the points. Last time game was in Milwaukee and they blew Toronto out. 112-85 now
they're getting 9.5 cant comprehend.
Mike Rose
St Peter's +4.0
Many will be quick to jump on Niagara laying the short chalk on the road here against a St. Peter's club that's only managed 4 wins in their 18 games this season. However, Niagara is far from the powerhouse its shown at home when asked to go on the road and win. They're just 4-5 SU and even though they're 6-3 ATS, they come into this one losers of two in a row against Marist as 2.5-point dawgs (L 84-65) and Canisius who they lost outright to (70-62) as 14-point road chalks. Now, St. Peter's isn't the greatest team the MAAC has witnessed over the years, but they do sport a winning mark at home going 4-3 SU. They've only had a pair of home games in the month of January that saw them win and cover against Canisius and lose a closely contested match-up against Loyola Maryland. They played well in their last game losing at Fairfield 70-64 and managed to barely cover the 7-point spread. The teams statistical splits (home/away) are very similar, so I'd rather much have the points in my backpocket if indeed the victor of this game isn't decided until the closing minutes. This line just looks too sketchy to me with both clubs coming in on losing streaks, so back the ugly dawg in a game the Peacocks will do everything in their power to win.
NBA
LA LAKERS at DALLAS Under 205.5
DALLAS -7
Charlies Sports
Cleveland-2' (30*)
Atlanta-1' (20*)
Dallas-7 (20*)
LA Clippers+11' (10*)
Detroit-7 (10*) free play