LT Profits
Charlotte Bobcats -4.5
It is not very often that we would support the Charlotte Bobcats as favorites, but the New Jersey Nets are simply a mess right now, as they appear to have quit on coach Lawrence Frank.
The Nets are a dismal 20-29 straight up and 18-30-1 against the spread on the year, and most of the players are now wondering who point guard Jason Kidd will be traded too. The Nets latest losing streak is now three games, and the three losses have been by 16, 15 and 12 points respectively. The last time New Jersey visited Charlotte, the Bobcats came away with the 115-99 victory last month.
Now Charlotte is 18-31 SU, but they actually have a winning 7-6-1 ATS record this year including 5-2 ATS when favored by less than six points. Sure the Cats are returning home after losing the last four games of a Western road trip, but at least they try hard every night, something that cannot be said about the Nets, and New Jersey represents a drop in class after playing teams from the much stronger conference over the last two weeks.
We would not be shocked if the end result here is similar to the 16-point victory the Bobcats posted the last time Jersey came to town.
NBA Free Pick: Bobcats -4.5
Mike Rose
Los Angeles Lakers
Kobe and company last saw action Wednesday night when they lost outright to the Atlanta Hawks as 3.5-point road chalks. The 98-95 loss snapped their 3-game road-winning streak. Through five games of their 9-game Eastern Conference swing, the Lakers own a 3-2 SU and 4-1 ATS mark. Since getting off to a very hot start in 2008 winning seven in a row the Lakers are just 5-6 SU their L/11, but they’ve managed to go 6-4-1 ATS bringing positive returns in for their backers.
The Magic last took to the hardwood on Wednesday night as well when they hammered the New Jersey Nets to the tune of a 100-84 final covering the 10.5-point spread. The 184 points combined snapped a 3-game Over streak for the Magic who come into tonight’s game winners in 8 of their L/10 overall. They’ve also churned out a 6-3-1 ATS mark during that stretch.
The Lakers have owned the Magic of late winning 8 of their L/10 match-ups SU, but neither club holds the upper hand ATS as both clubs earned 5-spread victories throughout that stretch. The Magic went into LA earlier this season for their only match-up of the year, and knocked the Lakers off 104-97 as 1-point road pups. The 201 combined points fell Under the closing ‘Total’ of 210 points.
The Magic opened up as 2-point home favorites with the ‘Total’ set at 213. The Lakers are a combined 28-19 ATS (60%) on the road against +.500 Eastern Conference opponents, while the Magic ring in a combined 19-19 ATS (50%) at home against +.500 Western Conference opponents. The Lakers are a perfect 4-0 ATS their L/4 games playing on 1 days rest, and the road team has cashed 4 of the L/5 times these teams have hooked up. Orlando hasn’t performed well as a chalk of 1-4 points going a combined 2-10 ATS their L/12 opportunities.
Gator's NBA/CBB 70% Report
NBA
Friday: Play Over NBA teams where the total is greater than or equal to 210 after 2 or more consecutive unders, with a team that averages >=102 PPG against a team that allows 98-102 PPG on the season. 33-10 Over since 1996 (76.7%)
PLAY: LA Lakers / Orlando Magic OVER 213.5
ATS LOCK
4 Boston -5 1/2
3 Orlando -1 1/2
ATS FINANCIAL
3 Denver -10 1/2
3 Dallas -12 1/2
Michael Cannon
15 Dime –
MAGIC
Take the Magic tonight as the small home chalk over the Lakers.
I realize the Lakers are a better team now that Pao Gasol is in the mix. He gives them a scoring threat at center and someone who can take some of the pressure off Kobe Bryant.
But this is the sixth road game in nine days for the Lakers, and fatigue is definitely going to be a factor.
Gasol does not match up well with Orlando’s Dwight Howard, who is an absolute bull in the paint. Gasol is more of a slasher, so look for Howard to have a big game tonight.
Take the Magic as they grab the home win and cover.
5 Dime –
HAWKS
Take the Hawks tonight at home over the Cavaliers.
Atlanta is surging, having won three straight. The Hawks have been getting improved play from rookie Al Horford, who had 15 points and 20 rebounds in Wednesday’s 98-95 win over the Lakers.
The Cavs are banged up right now, with Drew Gooden day-to-day and Anderson Varejao out. Their bench was already thin before these injuries, and playing on the second of back-to-backs won’t help matters.
Atlanta knocked off Cleveland at home last month, 90-81, holding Larry Hughes and Zydrunas Ilgauskas to a combined 12 points.
It can happen again tonight.
Take the Hawks as they get it done over the Cavs tonight.
Wolkosky Milan
10* LA LAKERS +2
10* SAN ANTONIO -7
10* SACRAMENTO +2
10* LAC/TOR OVER 195
10* SAS/NYK OVER 184
10* MEM/DAL OVER 201
Cash & Profit Experts
NBA
Knicks +7.5 (pod)
Magic -1 Comp
Seabass
20* Minnesota TWolves
20* Kings
20* Yale
10* Knicks
10*Dallas
10* Mem/Dall under
Hockey 10* Anaheim
Psychic Sports Picks Members Area
5 units Utah -2
WISEGUY
2 units Portland +10.5
1 unit Boston -5.5
EZ Winners
1 STAR: (702) ORLANDO (-1.5) over LA Lakers
(Risking $110 to win $100)
1 STAR: (709) NEW YORK (+7.5) over San Antonio
(Risking $110 to win $100)
1 STAR: (709) CLEVELAND (+3.5) over Atlanta
(Risking $110 to win $100)
1 STAR: SACRAMENTO (+2) over Utah
(Risking $110 to win $100)
No college plays.
Mike Lineback
4* Jazz/ Kings over 211
Brandon Lovell
5* Rider -8
Rocketman
3* TWolves
3* Nuggets
Seabass Insider
100* Cornell
Drew Gordon
1. 200,000* Magic
2. 50,000* Fairfield
3. 50,000* Kings
1. Magic- Several things I love about this match up for the Magic, but let's start with the reemergence of point guard Jameer Nelson. Coach Van Gundy has made some difficult, but intelligent moves lately, and they've paid off.
First, he decided to sit or limit Nelson's minutes until he showed he really wanted to play. He responded by playing some of the most aggressive basketball I've seen all season, winning his match up with Jason Kidd on Wednesday, despite coming off the bench. He dropped in 11 points, dished out 8 assists, and was on the attack for all 25 minutes he played... A great sign for this Magic offense.
Another excellent move coach Van Gundy made also came against the Nets, as the Magic have been known to start slow. So what did he do? After another lackadaisical start, he pulled 3 of his starters, sending the message that you play the game for a full 48 minutes... A great tactic, that will surely pay off in tonight's match up against the Lakers.
The biggest issue I have with the Lakers is fatigue. They're in the midst of grueling road trip, and are now playing their 6th road game in 9 nights. Say what you will about the "new-look" Lakers, but there's no question they'll have tired legs in this one. Also, the fact Kobe Bryant is dealing with a dislocated pinkie on his shooting hand is seriously effecting his offense. He scored 6 points at New Jersey, and then 11 points at Atlanta... The Lakers cannot win against a team of Orlando's caliber without Kobe being 100%.
Finally, do you really think the Pau Gasol is the answer against Dwight Howard?! One player is a finesse euro-style small forward in a centers body, while the other is arguably the best pure center is the NBA... No question Howard dominates this match up, most likely getting Gasol in foul trouble early. Andrew Bynum would've been the much better match up for the Lakers, but that's obviously not possible.
Bottom line, look for the Magic to come out firing tonight, as their offense is most dangerous with a resurgent Jameer Nelson leading the charge. The match ups strongly favor the home team, especially considering the fatigue factor and Kobe's injury. Magic roll!
Take the Magic at home over the L.A. Lakers as your top-rated play of the day.
2. Fairfield- For those of you that don't follow the MAAC closely, this game may seem like a dangerous spot to take an 8-14 Fairfield team on the road against an 8-14 Manhattan team, but that's simply not the case.
You can throw out Manhattan's 8-14 record, because their strength of schedule is a ridiculous 313th, as compared to a more respectable 173rd for the Stags. Seriously guys, this Jaspers team is a fraud, going just 3-15 ATS overall this season, including 1-7 ATS at home. They've lost 7 straight, and are playing absolutely no defense whatsoever, allowing 79 ppg on a mind-boggling 56% shooting over their last 5 games.
Fairfield meanwhile, is coming off a huge confidence-building outright upset at Niagara, beating a solid Purple Eagles team 76-72 as 11-point underdogs! You couldn't ask for a better win coming into this game, as Fairfield's backcourt stepped up bigtime on the road, and they'll do it again tonight. Its surprsing, because usually the Stags get their production from the frontcourt, but it appears this Fairfield team is starting to find a balance on offense.
Speaking of the frontcourt, the Stags have a huge edge down-low tonight, as a smallish Jaspers frontline poses little threat to forwards Johnson, Nero, and Evanovich. Look for the Stags frontcourt to control the paint, much like they did against Niagara.
Bottom line, I couldn't disagree more with oddsmaker on this one, as I can easily see the Stags winning this game outright. Granted, let's not get greedy, as any points are an added bonus, however, the play here is squarely on Fairfield to expose a bad Manhattan team in their own house Friday night.
Take Fairfield plus the points over Manhattan in this MAAC match up.
3. Kings- For as good as the Jazz are playing, it should tell you something they're only slight favorites at Sacramento tonight. Look guys, the fact of the matter is both of these teams are playing great basketball right now, but there's no question that the Jazz (despite all their recent success) are still vulnerable on the road, where they're just 11-15 SUATS away this season.
True, Utah has won and covered 5 straight on the road, but let's not overlook the Kings recent play either. They've won 7 of their last 10 games, including a nice home win and cover against a great New Orleans team 112-103 February 1st.
Granted, critics will say they just lost to Seattle 105-92 at Arco Wednesday, but that's exactly the kind of motivation this Kings team needs in this match up. If you think Sacramento isn't looking to bounce back hard tonight against the Jazz, then you don't know basketball.
What's been most impressive about this Kings team is their offense, which has blossomed since they got healthy. Led by Kevin Martin, this Kings offense is averaging 103 ppg over their last 5 games, going 4-1 SU over that span. We all know to run with the Jazz you have to be able to score points, and that's precisely what the Kings have been doing. Don't let one bad game against the Sonics deter you from taking the Kings in this spot, remember they're 15-10 SU & 14-11 ATS at Arco this season.
Finally, let's not forget the last time these two met at Arco, where the Kings got a solid 117-107 win and cover back in December, and that was without Mike Bibby in the lineup. Look for another strong effort tonight, as the Kings definitely will be looking to make up for their loss to the sorry Sonics with a resounding home win in this spot. We'll take the points as an added bonus, but don't be surprised if the Kings win outright here.
Take the Kings at home plus the points over the Jazz in late NBA action.
Kelso
Chairmans 10 units Dallas -12.5
Best Bets
Marist -2.5 5 units
Bob Balfe
NBA Basketball
Bobcats -4.5 over Nets
Knicks +7.5 over Spurs
College Basketball
Princton +12 over Cornell
Savannah Sports
2 Units Boston -6
2 Units New Jersey +4
2 Units Cleveland +3.5
Winning Sports Plays
CBB
Harvard +8 -120
Siena +3 -120
Fairfield +3 -120
Rider -7
NBA
Orlando -1 PLAY OF THE DAY
Atlanta -3
PowerPlaywins
Toronto -9.5
Lakers over 213
Cleveland +3.5
Dallas over 201
Iceman Game of the Week
5* Carolina Hurricanes +130