Seabastian/Seabass
20* NYK
20* Tor
20* Sac
10* Tor under
50* Penn
Inside Info
100* Minn
Bob Akmens
NHL
Dallas - 135 - POD
Buffalo Over 6
Mike Wynn
10* Toronto
10* Sacramento
Black Magic Sports
NBA
5 Unit Black Magic Clippers/T’Wolves BEST BET on Minnesota -6
The Minnesota Timberwolves are favored here for a reason. The L.A. Clippers have 6 guys on their injury report heading into this game. Their best player in Elton Brand has been out all season. Their top two scorers in Chris Kaman and Corey Maggette were both sidelined with the flu in their last game and are questionable tonight. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have won 4 out of their last 6 games going 6-1 ATS as in their last 7 games overall. The Clippers are just 5-13 on the road. Minnesota has won 17 of their last 22 home meetings with L.A. The Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a win. Cash in with Minnesota as the favorite.
3 Unit Sharp Play on Portland Trail Blazers -7.5
The Portland Trail Blazers will come into this game pissed off and looking for revenge. The Blazers lost on National TV to a buzzer-beater by Lebron James after blowing a double-digit 4th quarter lead. The New York Knicks have lost their first 3 games of a 5-game road trip entering Friday night’s match-up. The Knicks last to the Lakers and Jazz by 11 points each. Portland is 18-5 at home this seasons with a 15-8 ATS mark. New York is 6-14 ATS after a game where they covered the spread this season. The Knicks are playing tired basketball, and are just 15-28 ATS when playing their 3rd game in 4 days over the last 2 seasons. Cash in with Portland as the favorite.
NCAA Basketball
3 Unit Sharp Play on Princeton -5
Princeton will roll over Dartmouth at home tonight. Princeton is 9-1 in their last 10 home meetings with Dartmouth and 16-4 in their last 20 meetings overall. Dartmouth is just 2-7 in road games this season, getting outscored by 13 points a game. We will play on the home favorites after leading their last 2 games by 10 or more points at the half against an opponent after scoring 85 points or more. This is a 76-41 System with a 65% winning ratio over the last 5 seasons. Princeton has picked up their play lately and they will take another step forward tonight. Cash in with Princeton as the favorite.
WILL SYKES COMP
NEW ORLEANS vs SACRAMENTO
SYKE-O-ANALYSIS: I'm going to stay on the Kings bandwagon till the wheels fall off, because I found yet another 'DIAMOND' play. Those lines makers think they're slick here? Well, I again call a DUEL upon them, because there's no way I'm losing this game. And here's why...I'll be honest, I do like the Chris Paul and the Hornets, but I'm not sold on their road game, 11 of their 21 road games were against teams over .500 and they lost 5 of those 11 games. So in actuality the Hornets only have 6 quality road wins out of 21 road games. Yes that is a little more than 50% against above .500 teams but not impressive IMO, because their win against Houston came without McGrady, and their early win in the beginning of the season against the Lakers came without Odom, and again that really puts their quality road wins at 4. On top of that you've got to see it in another perspective where the Kings are awesome at home. These Kings are 'VERY' good at home especially when healthy. Before they got their players back and started playing as a team, the Kings were playing at a very high level at home. That including a game against Detroit on 11/18/07 they were without Bibby and still won the game by 10 as 4 point dogs. Then doing the same thing against the Spurs (11/26/07) without Bibby and everyone on the Spurs were healthy, beating the Spurs by 13 points as 6.5 point dogs. Must I go on? Ok well...they also beat Tracy McGrady, Yao Ming and company (12/01/07), BibbyLESS again, and winning by 8 as 6 point dogs. Want more? Ok...they take out the Jazz (12/4/07) by 10 as 2.5 point dogs...impressive you say? Well there's more, they beat the Magic (1/8/08), and they did it without Artest, Martin, and Bibby winning by 4 as 7 point dogs. And wait it gets better, one of their recent home wins against Dallas (1/14/08) winning by 2 as 5.5 point dogs. And what not in a better spot where the public jumps on the Hornets because they loss as a favorite at home by double digits. Here's a nice little trend to back up those Kings. The home team has in this DUEL has won SU/ATS 10 of the last 11 games. The Kings are also 12-2 ATS when playing as a 3.5 - 6 point favorites as a home dog in a non-divisional game, in which they allowed 95 points or less AGAINST in their last game. Once again those odds makers are trying to psych you out into taking those road favorites just because they lost to the Warriors at home which snapped their winning streak, thing is here those road favorites can be dangerous and bite back at you, but we also have hard evidence that the Kings have more than a better shot at winning this game. So don't get psyched by Vegas tonight. Treat this as a 4* graded play and stick with Sykes, because tonight we call yet another DUEL upon those lines makers and once again.....Sykes becomes victorious.
DUEL DIAMOND: Kings +3.5
L. Ness
Ivy League GOM 15* Penn
NBA 3-pack - Orlando T-Wolves Kings
Michael Cannon
10 Dime –
LAKERS (put out before the trade)
Take the points with the Lakers tonight when they travel to take on the Raptors.
I know the Lakers are playing their second game in 48 hours, but it’s not like they had to travel cross-country for this matchup.
The Lakers battled the Pistons last night and should have enough left in the tank to stay within this number tonight.
For how well the Raptors have been playing at home, they’ve had their problems with the Lakers at the Air Canada Centre, winning just three times in 11 games.
Take the Lakers plus the points as they stay within the number tonight.
5 Dime –
MAGIC
Take the Magic as the road chalk tonight over the 76ers.
Orlando has been a great road team this year, going 17-10 SU. This should be a good spot for them as the 76ers continue to struggle at home, going just 9-13 SU on the year and 3-7 ATS in their last 10.
Orlando is on ATS runs of 6-2 in its last eight versus the NBA Atlantic and 23-8-2 in its last 33 road games.
Take the Magic as the small road chalk as they grab the win and cover.
Indiancowboy
Dartmouth +5
I believe Dartmouth has a nice opportunity to win outright here and you know very well that if I believe my team has a chance to win outright, I will gladly take them. In fact, the basis of my handicapper is games in which teams can win outright at 35% or better and catching 5 points which I believe leads to 60% significance - that's what I did quite a lot last month and that produced sound profit. The basics of this play is this - Princeton is a top 300 team, they should not even be favored in this game and frankly, my model shows that this game should be a pick-em at best. I want you to look at the total first - a total of 113 and these have been the results from previous years:
02/23/07 DART 53 - PRINC 43
02/10/07 PRINC 44 - DART 45
02/24/06 PRINC 63 - DART 60
02/11/06 DART 49 - PRINC 52
In a game in which a princeton offense runs, the 5 points is significant and Dartmouth has won road games as they are a top 250 team against the likes of New Hampshire, a top 275 team, Colgate a top 200 team and losing to a top 200 Big East Rutgers team by 5 on the road. Princeton has lost 10 in a row including to Manhattaan a top 275 team at home and this game is a coin flip and I will take Dartmouth and the 5 points here. I have been on Dartmouth several times this year and Dartmouth is 6-1 ATS as an underdog of 0.6 to 6.5 in their last 7 road games and the Tigers are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games. I think Dartmouth wins outright personally as Princeton should not be favored given their results this year.
Hornets/Kings Under 203
I have some big gonads, but not even I will go against the Hornets given their winning streak. In fact, I think the public is going to get absolutely buried in this game - this is likely to be the biggest burial this Friday night in all the games as I think this game goes to the Kings and the Under - both 65% and 70% plays that the public is on the opposite side of. But, this does open up a nice trend here as the Hornets do not shoot as well on the road as they do at home. They are a defensive, young, athletic, physical team that relies on screens for the likes of Peja, West and Paul to get up effective shots. But, the Kings are a lanky team with the likes of Miller, Artest and Salmons and I think they will give the Hornets a tough time in shooting the ball. Personally, I think the Kings win this game outright, but I will gladly take the under rather than going against the Hornets.I think this game is going to be physical and a much slower pace and although the side is tough, I do think it goes under. The under is 11-3 when the Hornets face a team with a winning home record and the under is 4-1 for the Kings when they face a team with a winning record at home - meaning the defenses for both respective teams show up.
Rockets/Pacers Over 202
This is my third favorite play today, but still something that I'm going to roll with for a couple of reasons. First off, the NBA is about motivation, any given night, anything can happen. I say that because despite how well the Rockets have been playing without McGrady, the Pacers could win this game as McGrady comes back into the lineup today. The Pacers have also lost 4 in a row - why is this important? Well, 3 of those games were on the road, then they came back home to play a defensive Pistons team and nearly won outright, while the game pushed over. Well, I wouldn't be surprised to see the same happen here as I have a spreadsheet that lets me know when teams play similarly styled teams the following day - I have the Rockets and Pistons as similarly styled defensive teams. I think the Pacers are active today, and wouldn't be surprised to see this go over the total similar to when the Rockets played the Sonics on the road and won 109-107. I have this game at 212 for what it's worth. The under is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings, but I think that changes today, the over is 5-0-1 when the Pacers play on 2 days rest and the over is 9-2-1 when the Rockets play on the road against a team with a losing home record - meaning weak teams show up at home against the Rockets - such as the Sonics. Over is also 4-1 for the Rockets when they are road favorites.
BOB BALFE
Sixers +4.5
Savannah Sports
Toronto -7
Jeffersonsports
NHL
Florida Under 5.5
Ncaa Hoops
Harvard+2.5
NBA
Toronto-6.5
Sacramento+3
Wunderdog
Game: Iona at Saint Peter's
Pick: 3 units on Saint Peter's +2 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
It is tough to back a team favored on the road that has gone 4-27 away from home in their last 31 games, especially when two of those games were by two points. The other two were over teams from lower conferences- both with losing home records. Saint Peter's has been beaten up by the top half of the conference, but has played Loyola - MD tough, beat Canisius and went to OT against Fairfield at home. This is a very winnable game for the Peacocks and we expect them to put one in the win column tonight.
Game: Columbia at Yale
Pick: 3 units on Columbia +7 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Columbia is in a familiar role as they have come to Yale as an underdog nine times in the last 10 years, covering seven of the nine while winning four of them outright. The Lions haven't shot as well as they are capable, but they have hit an amazing 73.2% of their free throws which will help them stay close in this one. Yale has had trouble on the defensive end which could allow Columbia to breakout of their shooting woes. Yale is giving up 47% from the floor and an equally bad 38% from behind the arc. These teams are closer than this pointspread, and Columbia has come in here and won as an even bigger dog than this. If they knock down some 3's they have a chance to steal this one.
Game: Fairfield at Canisius
Pick: 3 units on Canisius +7 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Canisius comes in with a horrible 3-17 mark. They have been blown out by virtually every team on the road, and all the good teams at home. The difference here is they have held their own against the sub-.500 teams, losing to Manhattan by four, and even pulled an upset of Niagara and beating all the others. Fairfield isn't playing much better. They have struggled on the road against some pretty poor teams. They needed OT to get past 4-16 Saint Peter's, lost to 5-17 Saint Francis - NY, and lost by 15 points to 8-15 Iona. This is a lot of points for a poor road team that has played ugly on the road against some pretty bad teams, so we will back Canisius here.
Game: Los Angeles Lakers at Toronto
Pick: 3 units on Toronto -6 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Raptors are playing their best ball of the season and have won eight straight at home. The Lakers have dropped four of their last five as their offense has not been enough to make up for their bad defense. Toronto can keep up with the Lakers here in scoring, and they sport the much better defense. Toronto is 40-24 ATS the past three seasons vs. good shooting teams (46%+ from the field). Toronto should get a big win here.
Game: Orlando at Philadelphia
Pick: 3 units on Philadelphia +4.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Philadelphia has now won back-to-back games and are playing solid overall right now. This team has been streaky hot over the past couple of years. They play long stretches of losing basketball, but when they win a couple they seem to run off several good games. Orlando started on fire on the road where they went 11-2, but have now won only one of their last five games. Their 15-2 ATS start on the road has now turned into 2-6 ATS in their last eight. We like the Sixers to hang tough here and maybe win the game outright.
Game: Utah at Washington
Pick: 3 units on Washington +4.5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Pick: 3 units on First Half UNDER 95 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
The Jazz have won six straight and have taken over first place in the Northwest Division from Denver. Washington is off a horrible performance in which they shot just 37% from the field. We expect a focused effort from the Wizards as a result. This team is getting points at home from a 8-15 road team despite their 15-8 home record. The Jazz have a problem on the road and it's called defense (104.7 ppg allowed). The Jazz are just 11-22 ATS the past two seasons laying points on the road. THey are also 10-23 ATS over the past three seasons on the road following two straight wins. Washington meanwhile is 9-1 ATS this season after having lost two of their last three games. In Utah's last 62 road games with a total in this range, they are 45-17 to the first half UNDER. The past three seasons they are 28-15 UNDER in the first half when coming off two straight UNDERs. Washington is 27-14 UNDER in the first half overall this season including 14-6 UNDER if their game went OVER last game. They are also 8-1 UNDER in teh first half after losing by double digits. We like the home dog and the first half UNDER here.
Game: Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota
Pick: 3 units on Los Angeles Clippers +6 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
It would be easy to dismiss this Clippers team on the road as they have as they are just 3-13 in their last 16 games. The fact is that they have played a very difficult road schedule. They simply have not been able to compete with the good teams. They have been on the road against nine teams that are all .600+ and a combined record of 269-141 (65.6%), and have lost all nine of these games. Eight of the losses were by double-digits and the ninth loss was by nine points. They have also been on the road against eight teams that are all sub-.500, and have won five of the eight outright, and the most they have lost to one of these teams is seven! Minnesota has played very well of late, but this is a serious overlay and we will back the Clippers.
Game: New Orleans at Sacramento
Pick: 3 units on New Orleans -2 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 202.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Sacramento has been playing very well as their offense has been clicking, especially at home. They have put up an average of 106.3 points per game in their last seven at home. However, they have not been stellar on the defensive end as they have allowed 107.4 ppg over these same seven games. New Orleans was on fire, but finally dropped a game to Golden State. The Hornets held nine straight opponents under 100 points before Golden State dropped 116 on them. The offense has been scoring well, as they have scored 108.8 ppg in their last eight. We are going to buy low here on New Orleans after their upset loss. We expect a very good performance after their loss to the Warriors. The Hornets have covered 16 of 22 this season vs. losing teams and they are 15-5 ATS on the road. This has all the makings of a very high-scoring game, with the Hornets coming out on top
Dr Bob
NBA Regular Plays
(2*) Toronto Raptors at -8 Points or Less (Upgrade to 3* at -6 Points or Less)
(2*) Orlando Magic at -4 Points or Less (Upgrade to 3* at -3 Points or Less),