Scott Spreitzer
Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves
I'm taking the points with the Clippers on Monday. I like the addition of Smush Parker to the Clipper roster and I believe the big guard will make a difference in this one. Parker was booted off the Heat roster after just nine games this season for an off-court incident. But don't forget, he played in 164 straight games as a Laker and averaged in double-digits in scoring. His ability to take defenders out to the perimeter and also create off the dribble will be a huge plus for this team. The Clippers will likely be without Chris Kaman tonight, but they draw a squad they can hang with. The Timberwolves find themselves laying a half-dozen points. Yet, this is a team that's just 10-23 SU at home this season, including 0-3 this month. Minnesota doesn't play much defense which is the main reason I'm backing the Clippers. LAC is a horrible 1-16 on the road when they score less than 90 points. Tonight's opponent allows 101 PPG! When the Clippers top 90, they're actually an above .500 road team, going 8-6 SU. The Clippers began this road trip last Monday with a win in Miami. I expect another win as they get ready to head back home.
Play on: Los Angeles Clippers
James Patrick Sports
Bobcats vs. Grizzlies
Memphis owns a pathetic 1-12 point spread record of late and have covered just 6 of 20 in role of home underdog. The Grizz return from a NBA road trip and are in trouble again as the Bobcats are in the playoff hunt and need a win. Our St. Patrick’s Day selection is Charlotte Bobcats.
Great Lakes Sports
Atlanta at Washington
Play on: Washington Wizards
The Washington Wizards are a respectable 37-27 ATS this year, and is a perfect 8-0 ATS as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points this year. The Wizards are also 14-5 ATS after allowing 105 points or more this year, and 22-10 ATS when playing a team with a losing record this year. We look for the Washington Wizards to roll over the Atlanta Hawks, and grab the home ATS Win & cover tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Colorado Avalanche at Minnesota Wild
Prediction: under
Reason: The under is 12-4-1 in Colorado's last 17 games overall. The under is 6-1-1 in the Avalanche's last 8 road games. The under is 20-6-1 in Colorado's last 27 games vs. a team with a winning record. In their last 36 games vs. conference opponents the under is 25-9-2. The under is 9-2-1 in Minneota's last 12 games. The under is 4-1-1 in their last 6 conference games. The under is 6-0 in Colorado's last 6 trips to Minnesota. The under is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings overall between the clubs. Play the Under.
Cajun-Sports NBA Total Selection for Monday
Game:New York Knicks vs. Indiana Pacers
Line: New York Knicks / Indiana Pacers 215
Rating: TWO-Star
Selection: NEW YORK / INDIANA OVER 215
Analysis: With two teams that are deficient on the defensive end of the floor we can expect a high scoring affair. For the Knicks it’s all about scoring and keeping their individual numbers high to the detriment of the team. They have posted a record of 20-12 Over on the road this season including 12 of their last 16 times to post. New York is also coming off a game yesterday versus Atlanta and they are a perfect 4-0 Over in back-to-back affairs their last four. Indiana has preformed much the same with a 19-12 Over record at home this season and 7 of their last 8 have gone Over the posted total. Taking a look at this series we see that 32 of 59 have gone Over the total since 1996 including 6 of the last 9 over the last three seasons. Games played in Indiana have followed suit by going Over 17 of the last 30 times and 3 of the last 4. NEW YORK is 22-7 OVER versus teams who attempt 18 or more 3 point shots/game on the season this season, 11-2 OVER when playing 6 or less games in 14 days this season, 8-1 OVER when playing 4 or less games in 10 days this season. INDIANA is 9-0 OVER in home games versus teams being outscored by their opponents by 3+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons, 14-2 OVER in home games when playing against a team with a losing record - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons, 8-1 OVER in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 210 this season, 15-3 OVER in home games after playing 2 consecutive games as a road underdog over the last 3 seasons. Finally we have a system that tells us to “Play Over” NBA teams when the total is greater than or equal to 200 with a team that averages 43.5-45.5% from the field against a team that allows 45.5-47.5% shooting from the field after 42+ games, after a game allowing a shooting percentage of 55% or higher, 36-13 Over since 1996. Two teams with limited defensive ability means we play Over the posted total tonight in Indiana.
SPORTS REPORTER
*INDIANA over NEW YORK by 11
INDIANA 96-85
ATLANTA over *WASHINGTON by 6
ATLANTA 96-90
BEST BET
*ORLANDO over CLEVELAND by 11
ORLANDO 111-100
L.A. CLIPPERS over *MINNESOTA by 6
L.A. CLIPPERS 96-90
CHARLOTTE over *MEMPHIS by 7
*NEW ORLEANS over CHICAGO by 14
*SAN ANTONIO over BOSTON by 7
SAN ANTONIO 96-89
UTAH over TORONTO by 11
WINNING POINTS
*Indiana over New York by 4
INDIANA 110-106.
*Washington over Atlanta by 5
WASHINGTON 102-97.
*Orlando over Cleveland by 5
ORLANDO 108-103.
**PREFERRED
Los Angeles Clippers over *Minnesota by 5
LA CLIPPERS 95-90.
*Memphis over Charlotte by 1
MEMPHIS 97-96.
*New Orleans over Chicago by 12
NEW ORLEANS 113-101.
**PREFERRED
Boston over *San Antonio by 6
BOSTON 96-90.
*Utah over Toronto by 13
UTAH 116-103.
#1 SPORTS
Los Angeles @ Minnesota:
The Clippers 21-44) dropped a tough 109-119 overtime game at Washington Saturday, in which they led most of the way, to record their 11th loss in 13 contests. Injuries have certainly been the toughest opponent Coach Mike Dunleavey has been fighting all year. 223 games missed to injury this season leads the NBA, with PG Shaun Livngston and PF Elton Brand yet to play in 2007-2008, and with no playoff hopes it doesn't look like LA has any interest in rushing 7'0" C Chris Kaman (back) anytime soon. On a postive note, the Clippers gave Sam Cassell the buyout he has been looking for (why does anyone still hire this tool?) and signed PG Smush Parker to help 6'6" SF Corey Magette (22.2p, 5.8r, 2.8a), 6'10" PF Tim Thomas (13.0p, 5.3r, 2.9a), 6'4" SG Cuttino Mobley (12.8p, 3.3r, 2.8a), and 6'8" SF Al Thornton (12.0p, 4.2r, 1.1a) attack the basket. 29 different starting lineups tell the story here.
The Timberwolves (15-50) started their 24 different starting lineup on Saturday and lost 96-107 at Portland with Coach Randy Wittman still trying to figure out his young team. The Minnesota core of 6'10" PF Al Jefferson (21.3p, 11.6p, 1.4a), 6'4" SG Rashard McCants (14.6p, 2.9r, 2.2a), 6'7" SF Ryan Gomes (11.0p, 5.6r, 1.5a), and 6'4" PG Randy Foye (11.7p, 3.3r, 3.5a) plus injured point guard Sebastian Telfair average just 23 years old so not much was expected of the T-Pups this season but one wonders if this franchise will ever get their act together. The defining act of GM Kevin McHale's front office career so far is sending Kevin Garnett to the Celtics - raising questions about McHale's loyalty - and with just 17 games remaining his thoughts are clearly on Ping Pong balls in the NBA Draft.
SELECTION: The Wolves lead the season series 2-1 but we can's advise laying many in either direction in this match up. 94.1 points of offense and 101.4 points allowed defensively for Minnesota vs. 94.1 points of offense and 100.3 points allowed defensively for the Clipps are the numbers and we'll take the L.A. Clippers +6 tonight at the Target Center.
InfoPlays
3* on Toronto Raptors +13.5
The Toronto Raptors are riding a very tough road trip right now with consecutive games against the Lakers, Warriors, Nuggets and Kings. Their trip ends tonight in Utah. They are finally showing the right value after losing 4 straight games heading in to tonight’s match-up with the Jazz. Now they are catching a ridiculous amount of points, a number they will easily stay within tonight, perhaps pulling off the upset. Toronto is 83-49 ATS in road games after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7 games since 1996. Toronto is 24-10 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 or more points since 1996. Bet the Raptors on the road.
Insidersportsreport
4* Charlotte -2 over Memphis
Range Pk to -4
4* Atlanta/Washington UNDER 204
Range 205.5 to 202
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
*ORLANDO over CLEVELAND by 11
It’s always easier when your opponent is coming off a back-to-back; mix that with the
motivation to avenge last month’s home loss to the Cavaliers and you have a recipe for
success in Orlando. The absence of Zydrunas Ilgauskas will also help Dwight Howard’s
ability to roam the paint – after all, he must positively dwarf Ben Wallace, who for years got by on guile and effort rather than size.ORLANDO 111-100
Locksmith Sports
1 Unit on Cavs/Magic UNDER 204
Cleveland is 11-3 UNDER in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season and 23-11 UNDER in road games versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 3+ points/game over the last 3 seasons. Orlando is 18-7 UNDER as a home favorite of 6.5 to 9 points over the last 3 seasons, 21-12 UNDER after one or more consecutive overs this season, and 54-37 UNDER as a favorite period over the last 2 seasons. The Cavs know they are really going to have to play defense to have a shot at winning this game tonight. Neither team gets a lot of transition buckets. We're looking at a very physical half court game. Take the UNDER.
Moneylockoftheday
Digger's Pick
Cleveland/Orlando Over 204
Hawker's Pick
Clippers/Wolves Over 196
GAMBLERS DATA
Orlando -7.5
Alex Smart
Utah Jazz
The Toronto Raptors are slumping and have now lost 4 straight road games. Im predicting their current negative run will continue, against a Utah Jazz squad, that plays their best basketball in Salt Lake City as is evident by a 28-3 SU record. With the Jazz in a nasty mood after losing a heart breaker in New Jersey the other night , I expect they will come out here with all guns blazing, as they immediately look to take advantage of a tired/ road weary Raptor team, that is playing without their star forward Chris Bosh, and off a 105-100 loss last night in Sacramento. Final notes & Key Trends: Utah is 11-1 ATS L12 against an above .500 team. Play on Utah
Ted Sevransky
Charlotte Bobcats -2.0
Memphis has lot 22 of their 33 home games this year, playing without a lick of confidence in front of a half full crowd at the FedEx Forum. John Calipari’s Memphis Tigers are a far greater draw in this town than Marc Iavaroni’s Memphis Grizzlies. The Grizz are 2-19 SU in their last 21 games, completely tanking these days, covering only five pointspreads during the span that dates all the way back to January, when Pau Gasol was traded. Memphis as a short underdog of 5.5 points or less? How about 3-12 ATS this season, repeatedly unable to remain competitive even against lesser tier foes.
Charlotte won five straight games to start the month of March, getting themselves into the Eastern Conference playoff picture. But they have taken a step back over the last week as their schedule has toughened considerably, dropping road games at Dallas, Houston and Cleveland. Now, with Gerald Wallace healthy again and re-integrated into Sam Vincent’s lineup, the Bobcats can salvage something on this otherwise lost road trip, facing a team that has none of the defensive capabilities of their last three foes. Head coach Sam Vincent: “We’ve played a lot of real close, real tough games, and this team has really grown and matured and we’re doing a lot of good things.” Look for signs of that emerging maturity tonight in a game that Charlotte should be able to win with relative ease. Take the Bobcats.