Arthur Ralph
Super Pick New Orleans
900 Daily Play: Atlanta Hawks
CTO
PHILADELPHIA over *Golden State (NBA)...Technical and fundamental matchups favor Philly in this game, as the Sixers are one of the hottest teams in the league, logging a 10-2-1 mark against the spread in their last 13 games. Meanwhile, Golden State, which figures to be favored, has recorded an abysmal 6-17 chalk mark at Oracle Arena through Feb. 25 and yields an NBA-worst 108 ppg. Improved Sixer defense has been at the root of the Philly upswing, as Mo Cheeks’ men have allowed just 91 ppg in their last 15 games, down from 97 ppg prior to that run. And, with G.S. big man Andris Biedrins (team-leading 10 rpg) sidelined after undergoing an emergency appendectomy,Warriors shorthanded on frontline.
PHILADELPHIA 108 - *Golden St. 99 RATING - 11
POINTWISE
COLLEGE HOOPS
BROWN 79 - Princeton 62
CORNELL 84 - Dartmouth 63
COLUMBIA 81 - Harvard 61
YALE 78 - Pennsylvania 60
BEST BETS: CORNELL, COLUMBIA
NBA
TORONTO RAPTORS 91 - Indiana Pacers 82
BOSTON CELTICS 100 - Charlotte Bobcats 99
ATLANTA HAWKS 106 - New York Knicks 88
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 95 - Minnesota 84
Washington Wizards 88 - CHICAGO 83 (ESPN)
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS 118 - Utah Jazz 113
HOUSTON ROCKETS 99 - Memphis Grizzlies 82
DALLAS MAVERICKS 106 - Sacramento Kings 97
Los Angeles Lakers 111 - PORTLAND 'BLAZERS 99
DENVER NUGGETS 106 - L.A. Clippers 95 (ESPN)
Miami Heat 100 - SEATTLE SUPERSONICS 94
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS 108 - Philadelphia 98
BEST BETS: CHARLOTTE, ATLANTA, L.A. LAKERS (3), MIAMI (4)
Tom Freese
Game: Miami Heat at Seattle SuperSonics
Prediction: Seattle SuperSonics
Reason: Seattle is 14-5 ATS off a home loss and they are 8-0 ATS off a double digit home loss. The Supersonics are 5-1 ATS their last 6 games as favorites and they are 5-2 ATS their last 7 games vs. the Heat. Miami is 5-18 ATS vs. losing teams and they are 1-8 ATS as a road dog of 6 or less points. The Heat are 7-15 ATS with same season and they are 5-15-1 ATS after allowing 100 or more points in their last game.
PLAY ON SEATTLE
WINNING POINTS
***BEST BET
*Houston over Memphis by 24
After losing to Memphis in mid-November, the Rockets have defeated the Grizzlies
the past two times by an average of 16.5 points. The Rockets have been red-hot going 15-1 SU and 11-5 ATS through Feb. 23. Tracy McGrady has regained his All-Star allaround game and Luis Scola has been a good fit to the starting lineup providing needed muscle for Yao Ming. The Grizzlies already are playing for draft position, after giving away their best player, Pau Gasol.
HOUSTON 115-91
***BEST BET
*Seattle over Miami by 16
There aren?t many teams worse than Seattle in the NBA. Miami is one such club. The
Heat were a mind-boggling 1-26 SU through Feb. 25. The Sonics actually have
improving players with Chris Wilcox and Kevin Durant. Now that the team is overhauled expect good efforts from the Sonics. Miami is coming off a game the night before against the Lakers, a game it will take more serious than this one. The Heat had failed to cover the past six times when playing in the second of back-to-back games.
SEATTLE 108-92
BEN BURNS NBA
Passing College and NHL
UNDER Mavs/Kings
Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Dallas Mavericks Game Time:
Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Mavs and Kings to finish UNDER the number. The Kings and Mavs have played a pair of extremely high-scoring games against each other so far this season. Those results, combined with the fact that the Kings have been playing high-scoring games recently, have helped tonight's over/under line to climb above the 200 mark. I feel that is too high for a game at Dallas. Note that four previous series meetings here since 2006 have all had over/under lines in the 190s or high 180s. The Mavs saw their most recent game here land right on the total with 194 points. That was against a Bulls team that, like the Kings, came in having played a series of high-scoring games. That game marked just the second time since Christmas that the Mavs have played a home game after having played the previous day. The previous time that they were in that situation, 12/27 vs. Cleveland, they managed just 81 points. Overall, the UNDER is 28-19-1 when they've played the second of back to back games over the past three seasons. Including the recent "push," the Mavs have seen the UNDER go 9-4-1 their last 14 games here. The only two teams to reach triple-digits during that stretch were the Lakers and Suns and those two teams score more points on the road (Golden State scores more at home) than any other teams in the league. The Mavs have seen the UNDER go 6-3 when facing a team which allows more than 99 per game and 4-1-1 when listed as a home favorite in the -9.5 to -12 range. The last time that the Mavs played a home game, following a loss in their previous game, they held Portland to just 76 points. While they won't likely keep the Kings that low, I do expect them to play well on the defensive side of the ball once again and for the final score to stay below the generous number. *Western Conference TOM
PACERS
Game: Indiana Pacers vs. Toronto Raptors
Prediction: Indiana Pacers Reason: I'm taking the points with INDIANA. I expect the Pacers to be the hungrier team tonight. While the Raptors know that they'll be returning to the playoffs, the Pacers are currently on the outside looking in. They know that they desperately need to snap their skid and start winning some games. Additional motivation will be provided by the fact that the Pacers have lost all three meetings with the Raptors this season, including Monday's loss at Indiana. The Pacers played the Raptors tough in that game though, losing by only four. In fact, all three of this year's meetings have been decided by 11 points or less and the Raptors have only beaten the Pacers by more than a dozen points in one of the past 20 meetings overall. The Raptors come in on off three straight wins, including an impressive 107-85 victory over the T-Wolves on Wednesday. They're just 1-3 SU/ATS this season after three or more consecutive wins though and a money-burning 34-46-3 ATS in that situation over the past decade. The Raptors are also an ugly 3-11 SU/ATS this season after allowing 85 points or less in their previous game. I expect them to have their hands full this evening. *Best Bet
John Ryan
NHL 7* Monster Dog of the Month +5117 made $35.00
Ryan won his 5* Triple System Monster play and has made 5117 units this season translating into more than 18K for the $100 per * unit player. This is Ryan’s strongest graded DOG of the season and is backed by a strong 12-year proven system and angles sporting a 34-11 mark for 75% and 33.6 units made.
7* Underdog Montreal
SPORTS REPORTER
COLLEGE HOOPS
*BROWN over PRINCETON by 12
*CORNELL over DARTMOUTH by 23
Red over Green, as Cornell seeks to become the first team not known as Princeton or Penn to capture the Ivy title since . . . why . . . Cornell! . . . back in 1988. All the pieces were in place,going into the season, and only question was whether old-time tradition would hold, one more year. First round of the Dance may not be pretty, but for now, undefeated Ivy run will do the fans/alums, just fine.
CORNELL 78-55
*COLUMBIA over HARVARD by 12
The parade of hometeam routs marches on.
COLUMBIA 70-58
*YALE over PENNSYLVANIA by 13
Given that most of their 06-?07 scoring punch returned from last season, Yale ranks as the most mysterious disappointment of this years Ancient Eight. Enough stuff left to take these Quakers,though.
YALE 76-63
NBA
RECOMMENDED
*TORONTO over INDIANA by 9
The Raptors have dominated the Pacers this season with their combination of a strong low post presence and deadly outside shooters. Indiana has proven susceptible to teams featuring that combination a weakness only exacerbated by the frequent absence of Jermaine ONeal from the starting line-up. These two teams match-up again after playing on Monday and you have to expect the hometown Raptors, who are trying to mount a strong second half surge, to take care of business.
TORONTO 103-94
*ATLANTA over NEW YORK by 8
Now that the West Coast road trip is over, the Hawks have to look forward to incorporating Mike Bibby into their line-up. Games like these, against mediocre conference foes, are just the type of games Bibby will give the Hawks a distinct advantage and hopefully an eventual playoff berth. Look for Joe Johnson, in particular, to flourish with Bibby around to help with ball handling and distribution
ATLANTA 96-88
*BOSTON over CHARLOTTE by 14
The Bobcats have the distinction of being one of the first teams to take down the Celtics although the list of Boston conquerors has been growing lately but that sweet memory will prove very distant in the backdrop of tonight?s game. Gerald Wallace just can?t catch a break, most recently suffering a serious concussion when his face met Mikki Moore?s elbow, and the Bobcats lost their best playmaker for the next month. Thats all the edge a vulnerable Celtics team will need to exact some revenge.
BOSTON 91-77
*CLEVELAND over MINNESOTA by 11
BEST BET
*NEW ORLEANS over UTAH by 13
The last time these two teams faced off, the Hornets suffered an embarrassing 22-point loss in Salt Lake City, with Deron Williams clearly outplaying Chris Paul after being snubbed for the All-Star game. The Hornets are sure to remember, and with a national audience watching on ESPN, Chris Paul and his teammates will be motivated to reverse the previous games result.
NEW ORLEANS 114-101
WASHINGTON over *CHICAGO by 6
*DALLAS over SACRAMENTO by 2
The Kings finish a brutal East Coast road trip with a game in Dallas their fifth contest in seven days. For a team that hasn?t experienced much success on the road this season, these type of circumstances do not bode well for tonight?s outcome. Still, the Kings catch a slight break in that the Mavericks spent last night playing the Spurs on national television if Reggie Theus can do a proper job of motivating his players, theres a solid chance of an upset as long as Sacramento has some energy left in their legs.
DALLAS 94-92
*HOUSTON over MEMPHIS by 11
*DENVER over L.A. CLIPPERS by 14
The Nuggets aren?t world-beaters ? any interested observer should have figured that out by now and management will ultimately regret not making a move before the trading deadline, especially in light of the flurry of moves that were made. Still, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony are a lethal scoring duo and the Clippers might as well be an Eastern Conference team.
DENVER 116-102
*GOLDEN STATE over PHILADELPHIA by 16
The Sixers begin a three-game trek out West by visiting the Golden State Warriors, themselves coming off a nice two days of rest to prepare for tonight?s game. The most important thing to realize about this match-up is that regardless of how shoddy Golden States defensemay be, the Sixers just do not have the scorers to keep up in this kind of contest in fact, few teams do, but the Sixers are amazing in their lack of proven scorers and go-to guys.
GOLDEN STATE 117-101
L.A. LAKERS over *PORTLAND by 2
Portland hosts the Lakers after spending two days this week at the Staples Center will they have better luck against Kobe and crew in their friendly home confines Possibly, but it's tough to pick a team that has been sliding so badly against one that has been playing so well.
L.A. LAKERS 96-94
*SEATTLE over MIAMI by 7
It?s possible the Heat could take down the Sonics ? after all, Seattle is one of the few teams that sports a record anywhere near as bad as Miami. But then again, the Sonics play in front of 25 fans at most and face off against the West much more than the Heat ? so perhap the comparison is not apt. Don?t forget that Miami also played last night in L.A.
SEATTLE 96-89
MIGHTY QUINN
Yale.
CAPPERS ACCESS
Hornets
LT's Lock Of The Day
The LOCK: The Jazz +3'
Karl Garrett
New York (+6') at ATLANTA
Call the G-Man crazy, but I am actually going to take the Knicks and the points tonight in the NBA!
New York is among the most disappointing teams in the association, but they are actually making money for their backers recently, as the Knickerbockers are a positive 4-3 straight up their last 7 games, and an even better 5-2-1 against the spread their last 8 times on the hardwood.
Atlanta counters with outright wins in just 2 of their last 10, and they are just 2-3-1 against the spread the last 6 times they have been installed as favorites.
For the season, the Knicks are 15-12-1 against the spread away from Madison Square Garden, and in the series it is New York that boasts a 4-2 mark both straight up, and against the spread the last 6 times these clubs have faced one another.
Hawks may get the outright, but the G-Man doesn't see them covering
2*NEW YORK
Bobby Maxwell
Washington at CHICAGO -5
The Chicago Bulls have won three in a row over the Wizards, five of six and seven of nine dating back to 2005. Tonight will be no different as the Bulls are starting to score points with their new-look roster.
The Bulls have averaged 108.2 points a game in their last five games, more than 12 points above their season average. Chicago is coming off a 113-107 victory in Indiana on Wednesday as one-point underdogs and have gone 7-3 ATS in its last 10 overall.
Washington has lost seven of its last 10 overall and just got clobbered in Houston on Tuesday, 94-69 as 11-point underdogs.
The Bulls won the first meeting between these two back in December, 95-84 as a 5 1/2-point underdog in Washington, and the Wizards are 2-7 ATS in their last nine meetings in Chicago.
Go ahead and lay the chalk and play the Bulls in this one. They win this one by 15.
4* CHICAGO
Sports Gambling Hotline
Utah +3' at NEW ORLEANS
Just as New Orleans has matched up well against Phoenix this season, Utah has matched up well against New Orleans this year.
The Jazz and Hornets have faced each other twice this year, and both times Utah has come away with the easy double-digit win and cover. Utah's series win streak stands at 4 in a row, and 8 of their last 10. Against the spread, the Jazz is 6-3-1 in those 10 meetings.
We say more of the same tonight, as Utah is a smoking 20-5 straight up since the start of the new year.
The Hornets aren't that far behind, as they have gone 18-7 since the start of 2008, but their recent 3-game slide worries us, as they did drop a home game to a banged up Washington team in that span.
Until New Orleans shows they can handle this matchup, we will take any points we can get and side with the Jazz.
Play on Utah.
2* UTAH
Joel Tyson
Utah (+3’) at NEW ORLEANS
Take the points in this NBA match up that should be a battle royale as two of the league’s best collide in New Orleans as the Jazz come calling.
The Jazz enters at 37-21 overall while the Hornets find themselves sitting at 38-18 on the year. Utah has had their way with this Hornet’s team as of late, posting wins in the last four match ups including a 110-88 victory earlier this month.
The Jazz have been victorious seven times out of their last 10 tries overall, while the Hornets have won just once over their last four breaking a three game losing streak last time out against the Suns.
Both teams pretty much look alike on paper as the Jazz average 105.4 ppg overall and the Hornets score at a rate of 100.1 ppg. On defense the Jazz give up an average of 99.8 compared to the Hornet’s 95.0 ppg.
The play is Utah and the points in a close one.
3* JAZZ
Chuck Franklin
Philadelphia at GOLDEN STATE -5'
As well as Philadelphia is playing lately, they are still only a mediocre team from the Eastern Conference with a 26-32 record. They have been averaging 101 points per game during a recent 10-4 run. Tonight they head out west for the first of three Western Conference opponents.
They will see what high-scoring really means playing at Golden State, a team that leads the league in scoring at an average of 110 points per game. The Warriors have scored at least 100 points in each of the last 20 games.
Golden State has won four in a row against the 76ers and they have covered the spread 10 of the last 14 in this series, including 5 of the last six played in Oakland. The Warriors are 4-1 ATS the last five games played against teams with a losing record.
This will be a double-digit win for the home team!
3* GOLDEN STATE
John Fina
Selection: Columbia -8
Today Columbia will be on the road as they take on Harvard. We will lay the points with Columbia! Columbia has the much better defense. Columbia (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 66.6 points per game, while Harvard (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 79.9 points per game. This means the Columbia defense is allowing opponents to score an average of 13.3 points per game less then the Harvard defense. In addition, we already know Columbia can beat Harvard. In fact, Columbia is a perfect 4-0 ATS In their last 4 meetings against Harvard. Lay the points!
Take Columbia -8
TONY WESTON
The Nuggets are only 2-3 SU and ATS their last five games, but it?s not because of a lack of offense. No, in those five games the Nuggets are averaging 117 points per game, about 10 points more than their 107.6-point-per-game season average.
Now they get to take on a Clippers team that?s averaging only 83.6 points per game their last three games where they?re 0-3 SU and ATS.
The last time these two teams met was Nov. 30 when the Nuggets destroyed the Clippers 123-107 in Denver.
The Nuggets, who are 17-12 ATS at home, will be able to take advantage of a poor offensive team in the Clippers, who are only 11-14 ATS on the road this year.
Denver will have an easy go at it against the Clippers.
Take the Nuggets at home.
3* NUGGETS (1* to 5* Scale)
MATT RIVERS
For Friday take the Pacers up North.
These teams just played a few nigths ago at Conseco and it was the Raptors who won by four points and just barely covered the number. I had a comp play there on the Pacers and came up short. I admitted then and still admit that Toronto is the far superior team but I will still try my hand with the underdog in this spot as well.
No doubt Toronto is a solid squad that is once again headed to the playoffs. They are led by a stud in Chris Bosh and Indiana is a reeling franchise who is once again without its best player in Jermaine O'Neal but this number is a bit much and I do not mind some of the parts that the Pacers have to offer. Danny Grander, Mike Dunleavy, Troy Murphy, Jamaal Tinsley and a few others are better than their terrible 22-36 mark indicates and in this revenge spot why not grab double digits plus!
Indiana has dropped three in a row and six of seven and really have no motivation except for revenge so call me a sucker but I will make a small play on them at this gargantuan price!
#1 spts
SONICS - 1
Huddle Up Sports
Fairfield -6
Razor Sharp Sports
INDIANA/TORONTO UNDER 208
TV Hotline
GOLDEN ST. -6
Totals 4u
JAZZ/HORNETS OVER 204 1/2
Dark Horse Sports
Houston -13
Vegas Steamline
Clippers/Denver Over
Mike Wynn
Fairfield -6
Cajun Sports
Philadelphia 76ers vs.Golden State Warriors
Rating: TWO-Star
Selection: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS +6
Analysis
The Warriors have not been any help to their backers when playing at Oracle Arena where they are allowing an NBA worst 108 points per game which has translated into a 6-18 ATS record for Golden State when laying chalk at home. If they were hoping for an easy ?W? with the 76ers coming to town they will be in for a rude awakening as this Philly team has intensified their defensive effort and now only allow 91 points per game over their last 15 contests. That is a 6 point per game improvement on the defensive side of the ball. The 76ers improved play on defense has also helped in the ticket window for Philly backers as they are on an 11-2-1 ATS run their last 14 games. Golden State also qualifies in a negative situation that says to Play Against teams coming in off two ATS losses at home now playing a non-conference opponent with a line range of 6 to 8 points these teams are 23-45 ATS. The Warriors are also 1-9 ATS off a SU win and an ATS loss while going under at home in their last game. With Golden State struggling and Philly much improved we will take the points here as the 76ers get the ATS win and it would not surprise this bureau if they got the straight up win as well.
Rocco Spacamuro
50 * Indiana Pacers +11
BOB AKMENS BASEBLL
Cincinnati -135 / 1 units
Arizona -130 / 1 units
ARMVIN SPORTS
NHL
MONTREAL 117
TAMPA BAY -106
CBB
ST PETERS at RIDER Over 145.5