John Ryan
Game: New York Islanders at Montreal Canadiens
Prediction: Montreal Canadiens
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Montreal - Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 24-4 and has made 21.1 units since 1997. This system is already 3-0 this season. Play on any team against the money line off a blowout loss by 3 goals or more to a division rival against opponent off 2 consecutive road losses by 2 goals or more. Montreal has a strong PP too and the NYI do not win often against strong PP teams. Note that NYI are 1-10 against the money line (-9.8 Units) against excellent power play teams that are scoring on > 19% of their chances in the 2nd half of the year this season.
NICK JONES
Utah Jazz -3.5
Its always best to play against home underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points after having lost 2 of their last 3 games when this home dog has a losing record on the season like New Jersey. This system has given 61% winners for 5 straight years with a record of 192-123 ATS. New Jersey is 6-21 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record this season and they are 1-11 ATS after playing a game as a home underdog. The Jazz are putting up 105 points per game on the road this season so you can expect a shootout here, but New Jersey just does not have the firepower to keep up with Utah in this match up.
ATS Basketball Lock Club
10 units Fullerton State
5 units Illinois
4 units Stanford
4 units Oklahoma
4 units Akron
ATS Hockey Lock Club
4 units Dallas
4 units Phoenix
3 units Over NYI-MON
Great Lakes
Boston at Milwaukee
Play on: Boston Celtics
The Celtics are a very respectable 39-23 ATS this year, and 5-1 ATS when playing in March this year they are also 68-41 ATS on the road the last three years, and 9-4 ATS vs |Central division opponents this year. The Boston Celtics is also 18-10 ATS vs teams with a losing record this year. We look for the Boston Celtics to grab the road ATS Win & cover tonight.
Jim Feist
IND Pacers @ ORL Magic
Take "ORL Magic"
Both teams had to play Friday, so it’s the second of a back to back spot. But which one will be more tired? Orlando had to play the punchless Miami Heat, the worst team in the league. Defenseless Indiana had to play at Dallas, knock heads with the Mavericks and then fly to Orlando for another road game. Indiana has no interiors defense, so the Magic will have a field day in the low post. And Orlando is 19-12 SU, 18-13 ATS at home. Play the Orlando Magic!!
Big Al
At 10:30 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Memphis Grizzlies plus the points over Golden State as Memphis falls into a 33-9 ATS system of mine which plays on certain underdogs of more than 10 points, which are off 3 SU/ATS losses, and playing with at least 2 days of rest. Memphis' best player, Rudy Gay, has been upgraded to 'probable' for tonight's game, which is key, as Memphis would be hard-pressed to stay competitive without Mr. Gay in the line-up. Take the points.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Portland Trail Blazers -9.5
We have a 4-26 road team against a 22-9 home team here and we won't hesitate to take the home squad. After a rough stretch, the Blazers have started to play some hoops again and the result is a 7-3 ATS record their last 10 games. Portland is 4-1 SU and ATS versus the T-Wolves at home the past 3 seasons and 9-2 ATS in all games the past 3 seasons. Minnesota is 9-20 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons and 15-28 ATS vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons. The Blazers have won all 3 meetings this season, including a double digit victory at home. Lay the points here fellas.
Mike Wynn
Memphis
Scott Spreitzer
Okla-Texas Under
Razor Sharp
VTech-UNC Over
Joe Wiz
Wisconsin
New Jersey
Jim Feist
Orlando
Vegas Steamline
Mich St-Wisc Under
Dave Cokin
Golden St
Dark Horse Sports
Wisconsin
Psychic Sports
Pacers-Magic Over
#1 Sports
Bucks
ARTHUR RALPH
CAL-FULLERTON
NATIONAL SPORTS SERVICE
Michigan St. +3
Redzone Sports
Clemson
Big Time Sports
Jazz-Nets Over
Glen Mcgrew
Nets
Vegas Sports Pics Early Games
Tulsa + 15
Arkansas + 6
Wisconsin - 3
Oklahoma + 5
John Fina 5* GOY
Suns
Huddle Up Sports
Jazz
WINNING POINTS
NBA
*Washington over Los Angeles Clippers by 7
If there's anything worse than a bad Clippers team, it's a Clippers squad playing their fourth road game in six days. Chris Kaman has been the Clippers best player and he's wearing down. WASHINGTON 98-91.
***BEST BET
*Philadelphia over San Antonio by 4
Overlook the 76ers and you'll be in trouble. Philadelphia had covered its last 10 home contests through March 9. Despite this, San Antonio very well could overlook the 76ers. The Spurs might even be excused for this since they are off consecutive road contests against New Orleans and Detroit and have a marquee home matchup on Monday against Boston. PHILADELPHIA 100-96.
*Orlando over Indiana by 9
The Pacers entered the second week of this month having allowed at least 102 points
in nine straight games. The Magic are the top scoring team in the Eastern Conference,averaging more than 104 points per contest. ORLANDO 113-104.
***BEST BET
*New Jersey over Utah by 7
Chemistry is better with the Nets these days. There's more defensive intensity. Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter remain capable of explosive performances. The Jazz are going to be one tired team, playing for the fourth time in five days and off a road game last night against the Celtics. Andrei Kirilenko (check status) missed time last week dealing with a sore hip. NEW JERSEY 101-94.
Boston over *Milwaukee by 8
The Celtics handled the Bucks easily in mid-December, winning by 22 at home
despite not having Ray Allen. Milwaukee remains very inconsistent, while the Celtics
have fortified their bench with the additions of veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown.
Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian has hit the first-year wall. BOSTON 104-96.
*Portland over Minnesota by 4
This could be a good under spot. Minnesota ranked last in offense, while the Trail
Blazers have gone below the total in 19 of their first 31 home games. Portland may be distracted, returning home following a five-game road swing. PORTLAND 89-85.
*Phoenix over Sacramento by 7
It?s hard to trust any team that relies so much on Ron Artest as the Kings do. But in
their first 13 games since Shaquille O?Neal joined the lineup, the Suns were 6-7 and
surrendering an average of 111.4 points per game. Grant Hill hasn't looked good since returning from an appendectomy. PHOENIX 118-111.
*Golden State over Memphis by 10
The Grizzlies scoring should pick up with Mike Miller back from injury. Miller's
return makes the Grizzlies defense even more of a liability, but the Warriors had failed to cover 20 of their first 31 home contests. GOLDEN STATE 120-110.
THE SPORTS REPORTER
*WASHINGTON over L.A. CLIPPERS by 9
L.A.?s ugly stepchild finishes a road back-to-back in our nation's capital despite it all, the Wizards have persevered and done fairly well at home. It won?t be difficult for them to take down a tired and under-motivated Clippers squad, with or without Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler. WASHINGTON 96-87
BEST BET TOTAL UNDER
SAN ANTONIO over *PHILADELPHIA by 6
The Sixers have been doing a great job of winning games lately and if they weren?t themselves finishing a back-to-back, they'd be in great position to steal a game from the Spurs. Unfortunately for them, both these teams are finishing five-game weeks nullifying any potential advantage they would have on each other. This should ensure that San Antonio pulls out the road win, but don't expect too many points in the process from two very weary teams. SAN ANTONIO 87-81 *ORLANDO over INDIANA by 14
RECOMMENDED
*NEW JERSEY over UTAH by 8
Sure, the Nets are basically falling apart. The spent the first week of March getting plastered by the competition and were called by their former franchise player for not knowing what direction the team is going ? something about lacking an identity.Well, it?s nice of Jason Kidd to deflect the responsibility for establishing a team?s identity, but he does kind of have a point. After all, Vince Carter isn't capable of much in the leadership department. That being said, the Nets have had two full days of practice and a sparse schedule this week to try and get their act together while the Jazz are concluding a four-game / five day Eastern Conference road trip, finishing a back-to-back in the swamplands of New Jersey after dealing with the Celtics last night. Can you say letdown game? NEW JERSEY 96-88
BOSTON over *MILWAUKEE by 1
The Celtics embark on a four-game road trip against Western Conference contenders once they dispatch of the Bucks. Milwaukee doesn?t do much winning nowadays, but there?s reason to believe they'll keep it close tonight. Boston is playing their fourth game of the week,and hosted Utah in a tough game last night. In contrast, the Bucks haven't played since Wednesday and should be geeked about the opportunity to compete against the best team in the East. The Celtics have four tough games coming up and are liable to mail it in tonight as bad as the Bucks have been, it?s definitely within their ability to cover the spread.BOSTON 96-95
*PORTLAND over MINNESOTA by 10
*PHOENIX over SACRAMENTO by 12
*GOLDEN STATE over MEMPHIS by 9
As our intrepid editor pointed out, the Warriors haven?t done very well as a home favorite.Well, that should be obvious the Warriors don't exactly play the type of basketball that isconducive towards covering big spreads, making them a much better road play than home.After all, how do are you supposed to step on the throats of your opponents if you never play defense GOLDEN STATE 117-108
Cappers Access
Memphis U.
Wisconsin
Oklahoma
Chip Chirimbes' A Play NBA Guaranteed Megabucks- Jazz at Nets
5* Megabucks- Nets +3.5 over Jazz
The Nets began their annual Thanksgiving road trip losing a 102-75 clunker to the Jazz in Utah where Deron Williams scored 20 points and handed out six assists while Carlos Boozer scored 17. Richard Jefferson scored 22 for the Nets which was nowhere near enough. That game came on the heels of Jason Kidd's pointed "glass jaw" speech about the Nets. Kidd is gone, but the glass jaw theory survives.The Nets have had success at home against the Jazz over the years -- they are 17-16 all time in New Jersey against Utah, compared to 7-27 on the road.
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Early games
Tulsa + 15
Arkansas + 6
Wisconsin - 3
Oklahoma + 5
BEN BURNS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
ARKANSAS
Game: Arkansas vs. Tennessee
Prediction: Arkansas Reason: I'm taking the points with ARKANSAS. The Razorbacks will have payback on their minds as they got blown out at Knoxville last month. A closer look shows that game was close at halftime, as the Razorbacks trailed by only four points. They're coming off a dominating win over Vanderbilt yesterday, which saw them outscore the Commodores by a 50-20 margin in the paint while outrebounding them by a whopping 45-24 count. Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings had the following to say: "We gave them way too many second chances, third chances and fourth chances. That was the difference. They pounded us on the boards. It was a total breakdown on our part." I expect the Hogs to display that type of toughness today, giving the Vols a battle the entire way, rather than just for a half. With complete NCAA security (they know they're going "dancing") and not really expected to win today, the Hogs can come in loose. After failing to cover yesterday, the Vols are now just 6-12 ATS in neutral court games the past three seasons. Looking back further and we find them at an ugly 14-32 ATS in neutral court games over the past decade. I expect them to have their hands-full as the revenge-minded Razorbacks take this game down to the wire with an excellent shot at the upset. *Main Event
OVER Memphis/Tulsa
Game: Tulsa vs. Memphis
Prediction: over Reason: I'm playing on Memphis and Tulsa to finish OVER the number. The Tigers have been terrific defensively lately and have held four straight opponents to less than 60 points. However, they'd previously allowed five straight opponents to score at least 66 points, with those opponents averaging 69.8. One of those teams was Tulsa - the Golden Hurricane managed 67 points in a 82-67 loss. That game had an over/under line of 136.5 but finished 'over' by double-digits. Despite that result, due to this being a tournament, due to recent results and due to the fact that both teams played yesterday, this afternoon's number is currently several points lower. I feel that gives us solid value with the OVER. The Tigers have scored 69 or more points in eight of their last nine games, averaging better than 78 during that stretch. That includes a 94-point outburst vs. UAB in their regular season finale. With this being the championship, they'll be looking to make a similar statement this afternoon. Catching Tulsa off back to back overtime games, I expect them to really push the pace here. Look for the Tigers to put up big offensive numbers and for the final combined score to be higher than expected. *Annihilator
NBA
NETS
Game: Utah Jazz vs. New Jersey Nets
Prediction: New Jersey Nets Reason: I'm taking the points with NEW JERSEY. I feel that the situation strongly favors the Nets here. New Jersey snapped a losing streak with a solid win over Cleveland on Wednesday. That win gave them renewed confidence that they can still beat the league's top teams, even without Kidd in the lineup. More importantly, it kept them in the thick of the playoff race. They're currently tied for the eighth spot, making every game critical. They haven't played since the win over the Cavs, meaning they'll be fresh tonight. Not that they should need any additional motivation but they'll also be playing with "revenge," as the Jazz beat up on them when the teams met at Utah earlier. Unlike their hosts, the Jazz are anything but fresh. They're in a "letdown" spot after upsetting the Celtics yesterday and they're now playing in their fourth different city in the past five days. Note that the Jazz are just 3-7 ATS the last 10 times that they played a road game after having played the previous day. The Jazz are also 3-8 SU/ATS the last 11 times that they played a road game with an over/under line ranging from 200 to 204.5. Additionally, they're in one of their worst roles here, as we find them at just 1-6 SU/ATS this season as road favorites in the -3.5 to -6 range. The Nets have won six of their last eight home games. They're also a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS the last four times that they were a host in this series. Look for them to be both the fresher and hungrier team, as they continue their plaoff push and homecourt success in this series. *Best Bet
Larry Ness legend play Georgetown
REASON FOR PICK: (The Hoyas are a four-point favorite). Hats of to Pitt and its head coach Jamie Dixon, who has again done a brilliant job. In the team's 65-64 OT win over Duke (Dec 20), the Panthers lost senior swingman Mike Cook (10.4) to a season-ending injury and then the very next game, PG Fields (11.1-3.8-5.4) went down with what was thought to be a season-ending injury as well. However, Fields returned after missing 12 games. In his absence, senior guards Benjamin (9.4) and Ramon (8.4-3.8 APG) played well, while 6-6 junior forward Young (18.3-6.4) and bruising 6-7 freshman Blair (11.8-9.1) had terrific seasons. Adding depth all year have been 6-6 freshman Brown (6.3-3.1) and 6-8 junior Biggs (5.6-4.1). Fields took awhile to regain his form but over his last five games, has averaged 12.4 PPG. Through it all, Pitt finds itself in the Big East title game, at 25-9 on the season. That's the "feel good" part of this story. Now to the reality. Awaiting the Panthers in the championship game is Georgetown. The Hoyas were a Final 4 team last year and returned all starters save Jeff Green (Big East P-)-Y!). It's a very talented group, led by the 7-2 Hibbert (13.3-6.5). Joining him in the starting lineup are the 6-8 Summers (11.4-5.4) plus guards Wallace (10.6), Sapp (9.8-4.2-3.3) and Freeman (9.1-3.1). Freeman is a freshman, while the other four players are all returning starters. Also around from LY's team is the 6-8 Ewing, who added 6.1 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Wright (5.7-2.5-2.4) is a freshman guard who has made solid contributions, while the 6-9 Macklin (3.4-2.1) and guard Rivers (2.7-2.4), are two sophs who are getting a little more time this year, than they got on LY's Final 4 team. Now to the game. Pitt is playing its FOURTH game in four days and the last two days has had to get past No. 13 Louisville (in OT) and No. 25 Marquette. Meanwhile, Georgetown has taken on just disappointing Villanova (won 82-63) and still-learning West Va (won 72.55). I've said many times (as have others), that Georgetown is a devastating defensive team and one of the nations' most offensively efficient teams as well. The numbers in the Big East tourney bear that out. The Hoyas have held their first two opponents to just 37.0 percent from the floor, while making 54.1 percent of their shots. While Hibbert was held scoreless vs 'Nova, Summers had 19 points plus guards Wallace and Sapp combined for 43! Last night, Hibbert bounced back with 25 points and 13 rebounds. As for Pitt, Young (as he as all season) has led the way, averaging 21.3-7.3 in Pitt's three wins. However, Fields, while averaging 11.3 PPG, has made just 9-of-33 shots (27.3). Now how's this for some deja vu? These teams met in LY's Big East final also, with Pitt coming off wins over Marquette and Louisville (sound familiar?). The Hoyas routed the Panthers in that game, winning 65-42, shooting 52.3 percent and holding Pitt to 26.2 percent. The set-up is even tougher for Pitt TY (fourth game in four days) and the result figures to be the same. LEGEND Play on Georgetown