Doc’s Sports
4 Unit Play. #518 Take Cleveland State -3 ½ over Green Bay
The Vikings appeared to be heading to a No. 1 seed in the Horizon League but then lost five straight including a trip to Green Bay. They now have revenge on their mind and will take care of business tonight at the Wolestein Center. The Phoenix have been a bad road team all season long going just 3-8 and State still has a 9-3 record despite dropping a game their against Wright State. The Vikings have already beaten Butler and Valpo in Cleveland and Green Bay will come next.
John Ryan
5* Villanova
5* Texas
2* Texas ML
3* Dallas Stars
Josh Dean
20* Spurs -2
JIM FEIST
How much defensive energy is Washington going to have left against the run-and-gun Warriors? This is the third game in four nights for the Wizards, and they had to run up and down the court on Sunday against the Suns. Washington started 14-7 over the total on the road, and you can believe the rested Warriors will run right at this tired Wizards team a long way from home. Golden State is 9-2 over the total the last 11 games.
Play the Wizards/Warriors over the total!
DAVE COKIN
Clippers looked like they had no legs in Saturday's loss at Philly. Hard to imagine them getting new life as they wrap up a lengthy road trip. The Bucks are off a loss to the Knicks, but they're actually respectable overall at home. This is mostly a play against the Clippers, although I do like the fact Milwaukee has moved Villanueva into the starting lineup. He's an upgrade over Yi at this point. Bucks minus the points tonight."
BEN BURNS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
SANTA CLARA
Game: St. Marys vs. Santa Clara Game Time: 2/11/2008 11:00:00 PM Prediction: Santa Clara Reason: I'm taking the points with SANTA CLARA. The Broncos will have "payback" on their minds as they lost by 31 points at St. Mary's last month. That loss seemingly served as a "wake-up call" as the Broncos have been playing much better since. In fact, they've won four of six games, going a profitable 5-1 ATS. Those two losses were both very close too as they came by five points (in double overtime) vs. Gonzaga and by two points at San Diego. Gonzaga has been the class of the conference for years and there's no shame in a closs loss at San Diego either, especially when considering that St. Mary's lost by eight there two nights later. Off the hard-fought and emotionally draining win at Gonzaga, Santa Clara was a bit flat for it's next game. However, behind a big effort by the defense, the Broncos still gutted out a 52-50 win vs. Portland. The Broncos, 53-31 ATS the past decade after holding their previous opponent to 60 points or less, will have had plenty of time to recover from the Gonzaga loss now, as the game vs. Portland was a full week ago. Note that the Broncos, who allow 61 points per game at home, are an impressive 43-18 SU (39-20 ATS) when playing with five or six day's rest in between games. The Gaels are having an excellent season and come in with an impressive ranking. They've been beatable on the road though, going just 2-3 SU/ATS in their true road games. Like the Broncos, they're coming off a strong defensive performance, holding San Francisco to just 51 points. Unlike the Broncos, they haven't been strong when coming off that type of effort. In fact, they're just 9-18 ATS the past few seasons after holding their previous opponent to 60 points or less. While the Gaels are solid defensively themselves, they don't typically fare too well against other strong defensive clubs, as they're just 4-12-1 ATS (5-12 SU) since 2005 when facing a team which allows 64 points or less. The Broncos were slight underdogs when they hosted St. Mary's last season and they won by 16 points. The previous season, the Broncos beat the Gaels by seven points here. Looking back further and we find that the Broncos have won 10 of the last 15 meetings when listed as the series host and that they're 12-7-1 ATS the last 20 series meetings overall. Look for a massive effort tonight, as they continue their strong play and improve to 4-0 ATS the last four times they attempted to avenge a road loss. *Big Monday GOM
SAN FRANCISCO
Game: San Diego vs. San Francisco Game Time: 2/11/2008 11:00:00 PM Prediction: San Francisco Reason: I'm taking the points with SAN FRANCISCO. The Dons nearly beat San Diego on the road in their first meeting and I expect them to bring some confidence from that result into tonight's meeting. I also expect them to have learned from the experience and look for them to double-team Gyno Pomare more regularly this time, taking him out of the Toreros' offense. The Toreros, who have been mediocre away from home, are in a tough spot as this will mark their third consecutive road game. Note that the Toreros barely managed to win at Pepperdine (USF also won there) last time out, failing to cover as -3.5 point favorites and falling to 5-11 ATS their last 16 games played in the month of February. Although they didn't fare too well at St Mary's, I believe that the young San Francisco players are finally beginning to understand and use coach Eddie Sutton's gameplan effectively. Note that Sutton, who recently picked up his 800th career victory, was coaching just his fourth game with USF the last time these teams met. Looking at the recent series history and we find that the Dons have won four of the last six meetings here and that the two losses came by just two and three points. In fact, the last three meetings here have all been decided by three points or less. I'm expecting another game which comes down to the wire and feel that getting a handful of points (currently +4) with the home team offers excellent value.
BEN BURNS
NBA BASKETBALL
CHARLOTTE
Game: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Charlotte Bobcats Game Time: 2/11/2008 7:00:00 PM Prediction: Charlotte Bobcats Reason: I'm taking the points with CHARLOTTE. Both teams played yesterday. The Lakers won at Miami while the Bobcats lost at Detroit. That's no real surprise though as the Bobcats have been dismal on the road. They've been competitive here at home for most of the season though, prior to losing their last four here. Note that three of those four losses came by single-digits though and that two of the single-digit losses came against other elite Western Conference teams, Dallas and San Antonio. Prior to that skid, the Bobcats had won four of five here, going a perfect 5-0 against the number. They've beaten some quality teams over the season here, including Cleveland, Orlando, Portland, Utah and Denver. They also hung within three points of Detroit here and lost by only one when they hosted the Celtics. Although both teams will now be playing the second of back to back games, the Lakers' scheduling situation has been much more gruelling. In fact, they'll be playing their eighth different road game in the past 12 days. Conversely, this will mark Charlotte's sixth game during the same stretch. The Bobcats haven't been bothered when playing a home game after playing the previous day. They've been in that situation four times this season and they've gone 3-1 ATS. They blew out Memphis in one of those games and the other three (Philly, Detroit, Boston) were all decided by seven points or less. The Bobcats have also enjoyed success against the Lakers, going a perfect 5-0 ATS the last five series meetings. They won the last three of those games outright and the two losses both came by just a single point. Desperate to snap their losing streak, look for a highly motivated effort by the Bobcats tonight as they continue their ATS success in this series by earning us (at least) the cover. *Non-Conference GOM
GOLDEN STATE
Game: Washington Wizards vs. Golden State Warriors Game Time: 2/11/2008 10:35:00 PM Prediction: Golden State Warriors Reason: I'm laying the points with GOLDEN STATE. The Wizards are in a very tough spot here. For starters, they're still without Gilbert Arenas. To their credit, they've managed to be fairly competitive without last year's leading scorer. That's had a lot to do with the excellent play of Caron Butler. The small forward was named to the East All-Star team and is averaging a career-high 21.4 points. However, Butler didn't play again last night and he's now missed six of the past eight games. He's listed as doubtful for tonight's game but even if he plays, he can't be expected to play like his "All-Star self." The Wizards may get Antonio Daniels back tonight. Like Butler, even if he does play, he may not be 100% though. Regardless of who plays and who doesn't, the Wizards will be facing a highly explosive team. In fact, the Warriors 112.5 points per game at home is the best in the entire league. The Warriors always love to run up and down the floor and they'll surely be doing so against their injury depleted and road-weary guests . While the Warriors had last night off, the Wizards played an extremely hard fought game at Phoenix, taking the Suns down to the wire and eventually losing by a point. In addition to playing the second of back to back games, the Wizards will also be playing in their fifth different city in the past seven days. Prior to last night's draining defeat, the Wizards, 0-3 SU/ATS the last three times they played the second of back to back games, played a hard-fought game in the high altitude of Denver. Look for it to catch up to them tonight as the Warriors run them off the floor with a convincing victory, improving to 9-3 ATS the last dozen series meetings. *Personal Favorite
Michael Cannon
Villanova (+13) at GEORGETOWN
A tough loss on Clemson last night as it looked like they were going to pull off the outright win, then lose by 10 in double overtime. Despite that setback, I'm still on a 9-4 run with my last 13 overall free plays. Take Villanova as the big road dog tonight over Georgetown. The Wildcats needed a 3-pointer in the final minute to get by Seton Hall and avert a six-game losing streak. But they've been money in the bank against Georgetown at the Verizon Center. The Wildcats have never lost to the Hoyas at the Verizon Center, going 6-0 and holding Georgetown under 70 points in each game. In fact, Villanova's last road loss to Georgetown came way back in 1997, when the Hoyas were playing at US Air Arena. Given the fact that Georgetown hasn't really blown anybody out this year, coupled with Villanova's success against them on the road, this should be an easy cover for the Wildcats. Take the points with Villanova as they stay within the number.
4* VILLANOVA
Allen Eastman
NBA
Take Dallas Mavericks –4 over Philadelphia.
Dallas is coming off a loss Sunday to New Jersey. In fact losing on the road has become a bad habit for the Mavericks who have dropped three of their last four away from Dallas. Injuries have been a problem for the Mavs who finally got Jerry Stackhouse and Eric Dampier back. Seeing the Sixers, who they drilled by 15-points in there first meeting, should get Dallas back on track.
CBB selection: Take Utah State +6.5 over Nevada.
Utah State is 18-6 on the season and in first-place in the WAC with an 8-1 record. The Aggies have won 13 of its last 14 games and three of its last four on the road. Utah State is leading the WAC in free throw shooting (.783) and three-point shooting (.399), and is second in the conference in overall shooting (.505), scoring defense (68.1), scoring margin (+4.8) and assists (17.92). Traditionally these games against Nevada have been tight ones decided in the final minute or so. However Utah beat Nevada by 14 points at home less than two weeks ago and they should it keep it close at Nevada tonight.
ATS Consultants Newsletter Plays
Best Bet
Houston over Portland 94-83
The Blazers have played well in the first half, but they are not yet in the elite of the Western Conference. Houston beat them last time on the road and Tracy McGrady is finally starting to get healthy. Portland also doesn't have an answer for Yao Ming up front and the Houston defense is too tough for the young Blazers.
Preferred Plays
Philadelphia covers over Dallas 99-101
Texas over Kansas 78-71
COMPS
REDZONE
San Francisco
Templer's Sports Picks
Phoenix/Dallas OV5
Las Vegas Sports Advisors
Dallas -3.5
Bob Harvey Sports
Under 209.5
Kyle Baugues
Portland -5
MIKE WYNN
Portland -5
Game-time Sports
Dallas Mavericks -3.5
Red Zone Sports
SAN FRAN DONS & DALLAS MAVS
Bobby Maxwell
San Antonio at TORONTO +1
It's an NBA FREE play coming tonight from Toronto as we go with the Raptors hosting San Antonio. The Raptors are coming back to Toronto after a 105-82 beatdown of Minnesota as six-point road favorites, and granted they have a much stiffer test coming than the T'Wolves, they got a little rest witih the blowout and will score a big win tonight against the Spurs. The Spurs are playing the eighth game of a nine-game East Coast road trip and played Sunday in Boston, losing 98-90 as two-point favorites. The Spurs expended a lot of energy in the game, as it was a back-and-forth contest that saw Boston pull it out in the fourth quarter. Now the old-legged Spurs have to play 24 hours later and they are just 2-8 ATS on the second night of back-to-back games. They are just 12-12 SU on the road this season and 9-15 ATS. You konw these guys are staggering to the finish line with five days off coming starting Thursday. Meanwhile the Raptors are looking good lately, going 6-2 ATS in its last eight home games and 7-1 ATS against the Southwest Division. These two teams met in December when Toronto went to San Antonio and scored an 83-73 victory as seven-point underdogs. Today they're still small 'dogs and while we'll take the points just to play it safe, look for the Raptors to win this one outright. I'll take young legs over old ones every time on the second night of back-to-backs.
4* TORONTO
Drew Gordon
L.A. Clippers at MILAWAUKEE -4'
While there's no doubt both of these teams are terrible, situational trends, the Clippers recent road play, and certain match ups edges, have me loving the Bucks at home in this spot. First, this is the final game of a long and tough road trip for the Clippers. It will be their 7th road game in 11 nights, and Basketball 101 tells us they'll not only be tired, but lack focus, as the Clips just want to get back home in what is already a relatively meaningless season. Second, did you see their last road game? They didn't even show up for 76ers Saturday, losing 101-80, down by 19 at halftime. You could argue that they'll try harder tonight, but I doubt it, Sam Cassell already has one foot out the door, and if he's their "veteran floor leader"... What does that say? Finally, the injury to Yi Jianlian has opened the door for Charlie Villanueva, who always had the talent, but is just now starting to deliver in some real minutes. He gives the Bucks a much tougher option than Jianlian, and his 21-point, 13-rebound, 2-block effort against the Knicks in 35 minutes action Saturday is hard to ignore. Also, obviously, the return of Michael Redd to the lineup is huge, especially coupled with the emergence of Villanueva. Also, on a side note, Kaman looked tired at Philly Saturday (2 of 10 for just 4 points), not a good sign against solid Andrew Bogut in this one. Bottom line, the Bucks and Redd were not happy about losing his first game back against the Knicks Saturday. They thought with their star back, it would be a cake walk, but I believe they learned their lesson. Look for a focused Bucks team to come out firing against a Clippers squad just aching to get back to the comforts of home. Bucks roll! Take Milwaukee comfortably over the L.A. Clippers in this NBA match up.
3* MILWAUKEE
NORTHCOAST COMPS
3* ILL-CHI
4* LAL/CHAR UNDER
Ben Burns Comp.
Portland Trail Blazers
Matty O'Shea
Lakers/Bobcats OVER
Sports Gambling Hotline
Kansas at TEXAS +4'
We like the points tonight in this Big 12 battle, as Texas comes into this home game with a little mojo working after their come-from-behind win and cover in overtime at Iowa State on Saturday.
The Longhorns have won 3 in a row, and find themselves in a rare triple-revenge spot tonight as they host a Kansas team that is just 4-4 against the spread on the road this year, failing their last 3 on the conference road.
A win tonight would give Texas 20 wins on the season, and the Longhorns have been able to give the Jayhawks problems despite the 3-game slide, as Texas is on a 6-2 spread run in this series, and they are a decent 3-4 straight up the last 7 times they have faced KU.
This is a prime spot for the Longhorns to step up big, as this will be the first time this year Texas has been installed as a home dog. For the year, Texas has covered 2 of 3 when catching points, and we will take them plus the impost tonight.
Play on the 'Horns!
1* TEXAS
THE SPOTS REPORTER
BEST BET
*ORLANDO over CLEVELAND by 12
The Magic have practically had the Southeast division handed to them on a platter, ending January on a strong note in a road back-to-back and having the benefit of an evenly spaced homestand to end the first half of the season. In fact, the Cavaliers basically come gift wrapped tonight in a coat of supreme fatigue after playing three games in the past four days and having to fly to Orlando last night after a difficult game in Cleveland against the fast-paced Nuggets. Normally, you could count on Zydrunas Ilgauskas to provide a nice counter-measure to Orlando’s Dwight Howard, but how much will the aging Big Z have left in the tank after such a tough stretch of games? Missing Anderson Varajeo to injury won’t help the Cleveland frontcourt and the deep Magic squad should be able to exploit a tired Cavaliers team.
ORLANDO 99-87
FERRINGO
1.5-Unit Play. Take #523 Kansas (-4.5) over Texas
Yeah, I know, I'm a big fat square. But I just don't think Texas is all that good. Kansas beat them two of three meetings last year and KU is better this year, while the Longhorns are sans Durant. Texas struggles with teams that have size on the interior - that's why they got worked over by Wisconsin - and the Jayhawks can attack from the perimeter and interior. There will be no letdown and no look ahead out of Kansas tonight. This is their game and I think they will give one of their best performances.
STRIKE POINT SPORTS
2-Unit Play. #519 Take Valparaiso +2 over Illinois Chicago
Struggling a bit, but this Valpo team is the same group that had Butler all but beat last week. All six losses in Horizen league play have come by an average of just over four points each setback. That says they have the talent to play with anyone in the conference, but just have not been getting the breaks or finishing games. That tonight changes, as the Crusaders take the season series with the Flames. Valparaiso held serve at home vs. UIC three weeks back, and the team's recent, close setbacks rally them to get in the win column and get back to .500 in conference play. The small underdog takes this one outright.
Ted Servansky
Nevada
To say there’s some bad blood between these two teams is something of an understatement. Utah State and Nevada are arch-rivals in the WAC. They’ve played in the WAC Conference championship game against one another in each of the last two years with Nevada winning in overtime the first time and Utah State winning a hotly contested game by two last year. The Wolfpack felt robbed by the refs in that game, just one week after they had lost by the exact same two point margin in Logan, a pair of games that they still remember and talk about.
Nevada failed in their chance at revenge in Logan ten days ago, losing by 14. But now, with a short turnaround time and triple revenge against a team they know they can beat (79-62 in the Aggies last trip to Reno), we can expect a concerted effort from the home team; as head coach Mark Fox has his team peaking at the right time after a slow start to the season. The Wolfpack blew out Hawaii by 20 on Saturday, beat San Jose by 38 earlier in the week, beat Fresno by a dozen, and won big at Louisiana Tech and New Mexico State – the same New Mexico State team that beat Utah State by 30 on their home floor two weeks ago. Wolfpack get their revenge here!
Karl Garrett
Big East tonight, and I will bite at the rather large impost the Wildcats are getting against the Hoyas.
Villanova was able to snap an ugly 5-game losing streak with the win - but no cover - against Seton Hall, while Georgetown couldn't buy a basket in their second half collapse at Louisville over the weekend.
Sure the Hoyas are back at home, but against 'Nova that has not been an advantage, as the 'Cats are a perfect 6-0 straight up the last 5 meetings at the Verizon Center!
The underdog in the series is on an 8-3 spread run, and you also need to consider that the Hoyas have struggled with the big number all year long at home, as they are just 3-6 against the spread on their home hardwood this season.This is just too many points, even with Villanova playing as poorly as they have been of late.
Live dog tonight in this Big East battle.
3* VILLANOVA (on a 1* to 5* basis)