ERIN RYNNING
San Antonio at Boston
Recommendation: Under
The Spurs continue their annual ‘Rodeo Trip’ with a stop in Boston
to challenge the Celtics on Sunday. Will this be the NBA
Finals preview? Well, you never know as both teams have the
talent and experience to represent their respective conferences
in June. Again, the Spurs are mired in a monster road
trip, which has actually brought this team together over the
years. This team certainly feels different with perhaps age or
comfort setting with the Spurs simply losing games they’ve won
over recent editions. Point guard Tony Parker will be a question
mark for this contest. With him out of the fold, the play
towards the Under becomes even stronger. Jacque Vaughn
or Damon Stoudamire just can’t push the pace like Parker or
penetrate the paint, which makes this offense much more efficient.
This team has actually gone more ‘big’ of late, which
again also slows down the pace. In addition, after a recent string
of losses Tim Duncan talked about the Spurs getting back to
the basics, while stressing defense over everything else. Meanwhile,
the Celtics flexed their muscle early, while coasting more
of late with already an eye for the postseason. However, when
the Celtics have an important game on their schedule, I expect
this team to revert to their overwhelming defense, which was
the catalyst for this team in the early going. Kevin Garnett figures
to play in this game after missing a few games recently.
Of course, he’s the glue to this defense, while his post-up play
slows down the game a bit on offense as well. Play this contest
Under the total in what figures to be a grind-it-out affair.
WINNING POINTS
***BEST BET
*Minnesota over Toronto by 11
There may be some value with Minnesota in the second-half of the season. The
Timberwolves’ young players are improving and Randy Foye is back on the court. Al
Jefferson has established himself as a force inside. Toronto is in a dangerous spot. This
is the Raptors’ lone road game during a two-week stretch. MINNESOTA 102-91.
***BEST BET
*Boston over San Antonio by 14
This is a statement game for Boston, hosting the defending world champions. The
Celtics’ bench has gotten stronger with Kevin Garnett being out, while Rajon Rondo
has done the job at point guard. The Spurs can still play defense, but Boston rated No.
1 in defensive scoring and defensive field goal percentage. The Celtics can clamp down
on an aging Tim Duncan. The Spurs can’t key on all three of the Celtics’ superstars -
Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. BOSTON 94-80
POINTWISE
ST JOSEPHS over Xavier RATING: 5
Scott Spreitzer Comp
Creighton
GamblersWorld
Prediction: Detroit Pistons
Brandon Lang
5 Dime - Ohio State
5 Dime - Clemson
5 Dime - Creighton
Free Pick - Arizona
CTO
*ARIZONA over Arizona State (Day Game)...Much has changed for these two since the Sun Devils upset the Wildcats 64-59 in overtime January 9. Arizona has covered 5 of its last 6, while ASU is only 1-5 SU, frequently losing touch as opposing defenses have ganged up on frosh G Harden (26 in first meeting vs. U of A). For the Wildcats, 6-2 frosh sensation Bayless is now back in action, high-scoring F Budinger is much more assertive on offense, 6-8 soph Hill is more active in the paint, and 5-9 soph Wise has become a dynamo off the bench. Paybacks are hell. *ARIZONA 76 - Arizona State 52 RATING - 11
Dark Horse Sports
Arizona State at Arizona
These state rivals met back on January 9th, when Arizona was ranked 24th in the country, in what amounted to a well-played home conference win for Arizona State. The Arizona Wildcats have not been back in the rankings since then.
Arizona’s young crew, led by freshman sensation Jerryd Bayless and the sophomore forward duo of Chase Budinger and Jordan Hill, has played themselves into the middle of the tough Pac-10 standings. They are young, but they know how important it is to protect their home court in such a cutthroat conference. They also know that revenge tastes very sweet.
Arizona State is led by another highly touted freshman in guard James Harden and his all-around skill set. The Sun Devils have suddenly found themselves playing flat basketball and in need of a more balanced attack from wherever they can get it. They have lost five straight games, and the tumble from the top of the conference won’t slow down on the road in a hostile environment on Sunday.
Free winner from Dark Horse Sports: Take Arizona ATS. Feel confident in laying the big points on Sunday
The Sports Reporter
BEST BET
*OHIO STATE over INDIANA by 14
Nifty opportunity for young Buckeyes to regain solid footing in Big Ten’s upper echelon..We called for OSU’s defeat in Iowa City on these pages, but this is a far-more-favorable scheduling dynamic for Thad Matta’s youngsters. With five days between this and a cushy date with the Wolverines, homers will be far fresher than Hoosiers, they but three days off a road date with the Illini. Nicked Indiana gets worn down by Jamar Butler and Kosta Koufos in front of friends and neighbors. OHIO STATE, 76-62.
LT Profits
Southern Illinois +5.0
The road teams have dominated the head-to-head series between the Southern Illinois Salukis and the Creighton Bluejays, and we look for that pattern to continue tonight.
In fact, the road teams are an amazing 14-3 against the spread in the last 17 meetings, including the first encounter this year when Creighton covered in a four-point loss at Carbondale. Now granted, the Bluejays are coming off of a 24-point blowout of Northern Iowa, but they failed to cover in a narrow 65-63 home win over Wichita State prior to that, and they are just 2-3 both straight up and ATS in their last five games.
Now Southern Illinois may be a disappointing 12-11 SU overall, but they have managed to go 7-5 in Missouri Valley Conference play, putting them in a tie with Creighton. Thus, because the Salukis won that first meeting, an upset win tonight would virtually assure them a higher seed in the upcoming MVC Tournament.
Look for Southern Illinois to use that motivation to continue the road dominance in this series.
CBB Free Pick: Southern Illinois +5
Carlo Campanella
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Toronto heads to Minnesota on Sunday after being upset at home, 98-102, by the Clippers. Not only is Toronto 16-8 (Over/Under) on the road this season, we find them going "Over" in ALL 9 games this year following a SU loss as Favorites, with an average combined final scored of 208 points!
Sunday Night NBA Comp From James Patrick Sports
Nuggets vs. Cavaliers
The Nuggets were Golden for us on Friday in their victory over Washington and they have been performing real well of late. With the Cavs banged up and Denver on a four game win streak at the Cavaliers expense our Sunday NBA complimentary selection is on #701 Denver Nuggets.
Marc Lawrence College Hoops Free Play!
Play On: Indiana
Note: Hoosiers take on the Buckeyes in Columbus with revenge on their minds from their most recent meeting last season. With Indiana 4-0 ATS in this series when playing with revenge off back-to-back wins, and Ohio State just 3-5 SU against .800 or better opposition this season, we'll back the Hoosiers here today.
Dave Cokin's Free Sunday Play!
717 URI @ 718 Fordham
Play: URI -4
Rams vs. Rams, but that's where the similarity ends. URI seems to go full bore for the full 40 virtually every game. Fordham is sloppy and unimaginative on offense. The senior-dominated home team just doesn't seem to care too often to be successful. URI is gunning for win number 20 here, and while I don't see this being a runaway, I like Rhode Island's chances of getting past the reasonable number.
Greg Daraban's Free Play for Sunday
735 UCLA (21-2) at 736 Washington (12-11)
These 2 teams are going in opposite directions.The Bruins just handled Washington St on Thursday.Now they get to play the Huskies who are struggling and are on the verge of losing an NCAA bid.Kevin Love has been unstoppable. He is averaging 17 points a game. UCLA finishes off the weekend with a drubbing of UW.
Take 735 UCLA
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves
Prediction: Toronto Raptors
Reason: The Raptors have been so-so lately but a game vs the Timberwolves should put them back in the win column. Toronto is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a losing home record. In their last 5 games following an ATS loss the Raptors are 5-0 ATS. The Timberwolves have been playing very well of late but in their last 27 games as a home dog they are 7-20 ATS. The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 trips to Minnesota. The Timberwolves are 0-6 ATS in the last 6 meetings overall between the clubs. Play on the Raptors -.
Robert Ross
Game: Anaheim Ducks at Detroit Red Wings
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings
Reason: Anaheim 2-19-3 all-time at the Joe including 0-7-2 its last nine. Red Wings off rare back-to-back losses so will look to get back on the winning track here. Ducks started their long road trip 0-4, swept the three New York teams, now step up in class to face the Wings. Take Detroit!
Locksmith Sports
1 Unit on Arizona State +9.5
At 3-5 on the season, the Sun Devils are not a good road team, but they always get up for their in-state rivals. Arizona State beat the Wildcats at home by 5 points earlier this season and will easily keep this one within the number. The Cats have had a long layoff and we feel that hurts them here as they are just 4-13 ATS when playing with 7 or more days rest since 1997. Arizona is 1-9 ATS in home games after having won 4 of their last 5 games over the last 3 seasons, only 1-8 ATS after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 3 seasons, and 1-10 ATS in home games versus teams who are called for 17 or less fouls/game over the last 3 seasons. Arizona relies on winning the free throw battle and the Sun Devils' defensive discipline just doesn't allow it. Take the points.
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Washington +9.5
There's no question that the Huskies have been struggling and the Bruins have been rolling, but we'll make a small play on the Huskies here as they get up for this one with their backs against the wall. UCLA is in a letdown spot after a big win over Washington State and we'll catch them looking ahead to a date with USC. Washington has won 7 of the last 10 home meetings in this series and 2 in a row the past 3 seasons. The Huskies lost, but covered the spread, against UCLA in the first meeting this season and that's the result we are predicting here in a close game. Take the points.
LAS VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Rhode Island Rams - 4 over (at) Fordham Rams
Fordham (8-11, 2-5) is 0-3 last three games averaging 55.0 points. Rhode Island (19-4, 5-3) is 4-1 last five games averaging 81.2 points. RI went 2-1 versus Fordham last season.
Temple Owls - 3 over Massachusetts Minutemen
UMass (15-7, 4-4) at Temple (11-10, 4-3) is 5-2 last seven games including a 78-59 home win over A-10 leader No.13 Xavier. Temple is 9-1 all-time over UMass in the Liacouras Center.
UCLA Bruins - 9 over (at) Washington Huskies
Washington (12-11, 3-7) vs. No.5 UCLA (21-2, 9-1) looking to maintain its one game lead in the Pac10 is 9-0 away from home off winning at No.17 Washington State 67-59 on 02/07.
Clemson Tigers + 9.5 over (at) North Carolina Tar Heels
No.3 UNC (20-2, 6-2) is 1-2 last 3 home games. Clemson (17-5, 5-3) is 5-2 road off winning at (1-8 ACC) Virginia 82-51 on 02/07. Teams met on 01/06, UNC won at Clemson 90-88 in OT.