Robert Ross
UCLA Bruins at Arizona Wildcats
Arizona with an extra day to prepare for this one. It hosts USC Thursday then the Bruins here while UCLA plays at Arizona State Thursday then either hangs around for an extra day or goes home and comes back. Either way the Bruins would probably prefer to play Saturday so that should work in the Wildcats favor. They have enough incentive to beat the Bruins with their 82-60 February 2 loss at UCLA being their sixth in the series. They also lost here to the Bruins last year 81-66 but find themselves on the NCAA Tournament bubble as this week begins. A home upset win over a ranked opponent would catch the eye of the Tournament committee.
Nelly
Minnesota – over Seattle
This is more of a battle for ping polls in the lottery but the Timberwolves have been putting together strong efforts in recent games. Minnesota is 13-5-1 ATS in the last 19 games including 9-3-1 in the last 13 home games. Seattle has not won a road game S/U in almost a month and only five times all season. Seattle has won both meetings this season but Minnesota didn't get things going in the right direction until January and February and both losses came early in the season. Look for Minnesota to put together a solid effort for the win on Sunday.
James Patrick
Indiana vs. Michigan State
The Spartans are undefeated at home with their final home game broadcast on CBS Sports Sunday afternoon. MSU is 11-5 ATS in their home finales and they have revenge from an earlier defeat at Indiana this season for some added motivation. Hoosiers have bad luck in East Lansing as they are just 4-10 ATS when hosted by Spartie and Co. Our Sunday complimentary selection in Big Ten action is Michigan State Spartans.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Duquesne
Note: The Dukes (16-10 / 6-7) travel to Charlotte to take on the 49ers (15-12 / 6-7) in an important Atlantic 10 clash with both teams deadlocked in the conference standings. Duquesne will look to snap an 0-3 SU and ATS losing slide knowing that road dogs off a SU loss as a favorite of 10 or more points are 20-7 ATS if they lost SU and ATS as a dog in the game prior to the upset. These teams improve to 11-2 ATS if they own a win percentage of .600 or greater on the season. With the underdog 17-6 ATS in Charlotte's games this season, look for the Dukes to start a new win streak here today.
We recommend a 1-unit play on Duquesne.
Dave Cokin
Fairfield @ Rider
Play: Fairfield +8.5
Fairfield has gotten red hot down the MAAC stretch, and they'll want to maintain that positive momentum heading into the tourney. Rider has revenge as a motive, but that's been factored into the number, which is now pretty big considering how hot the visitor is. I'm back on Fairfield getting the points.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Detroit Red Wings at Buffalo Sabres
Prediction: over
Reason: Detroit is really struggling coming into this one but expect them to rediscover their scoring touch in Buffalo. The over is 9-3 in the Wings last 12 games vs. a team with a losing record. The over is 9-4 in their last 13 games vs. Eastern Conference opponents. The over is 5-0-1 in Buffalo's last 6 games overall. Buffalo has played over the total in their last 5 home games. The team's have played the over is Detroit's last 4 trips to Buffalo. The over is 6-1 in the last 7 meetings. Play the over.
Vegas Sports Pics
Cincinnati Bearcats - 4.5 over Providence Friars
Providence (13-14, 4-11) has been on a downward slide going 1-9 last ten games. Cincinnati (13-14, 8-7) has compiled its record vs. a schedule rated tenth toughest in the nation which includes a 58-57 win at No.13 Louisville and a 84-83 home loss to No.15 UConn.
Villanova Wildcats + 12 over (at) Louisville Cardinals
No.13 Louisville (23-6, 13-3) vs. Villanova (17-10, 7-8) is 4-2 last six games including a 67-65 home win over No.15 UConn and a 55-53 loss at No.11 Georgetown. The Wildcats are 3-0 (SU & ATS) vs. the Cardinals dating back to January '06.
Maryland Terrapins - 1.5 over Clemson Tigers
Clemson (20-7, 8-5) at Maryland (18-11, 8-6) in ACC games leads the league in both field goal percentage and field goal percentage defense while ranking third in rebounding margin. The Terps swept the Tigers last season winning at home 92-87 and at Clemson 82-66.
WINNING POINTS
***BEST BET
*Los Angeles Lakers over Dallas 13
The Mavericks haven’t shown they can consistently win on the road this season. They
have dropped 16 of their first 28 away contests. Jason Kidd is shooting a career-low 36 percent from the field. Pau Gasol has made the Lakers a viable contender for the NBA championship and Kobe Bryant continues to put up remarkable numbers. The Lakers were on a 12-1 ATS run through Feb. 23 getting a number of contributions from unlikely sources. LA LAKERS 107-94.
***BEST BET
*New Jersey over San Antonio by 3
The Nets have better chemistry without Jason Kidd. Vince Carter and Richard
Jefferson have vowed to play better since Kidd left and so far have demonstrated it.
New Jersey’s youngsters have picked up their play, too. Devin Harris should be contributing by now also. The Spurs are playing for the third time in four nights. This is their second game in 48 hours.
ERIN RYNNING
DALLAS-LA LAKERS
Recommendation: Mavericks
Just another Western Conference showdown as the Dallas Mavericks will pay a visit to the Staples Center and take on the Lakers Sunday afternoon. No question, the Lakers are on a roll. This team has quickly gelled after they pulled off a steal and obtained Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies. Not only did it help the Lakers from a pure talent perspective, but they seemed to gain an extra spring in their step as well. However, they’ve played downhill basketball of late, meaning they’re catching teams in positive situations or with injuries, while catching plenty of breaks from the referees as they consistently outshoot their opponent at the free throw line. It’s no wonder the market can’t set the price high enough against this team. In this ‘spot’ on Sunday they’ll expect to catch a focused Mavericks team and the price will be expected too much. Meanwhile, the Mavericks made their own splash with their blockbuster deal landing point guard Jason Kidd. In their first few games with Kidd, there’s an expected transition period, as they’ll have a chance to catch their stride by this game. Many question the acquisition of Kidd by the Mavericks and while potentially the deal is harmful down the line, I still expect the move to pay dividends this season. Kidd is simply a one of a kind player that improves his teammates on the court. Look to take the Mavericks catching too many points
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
*MARYLAND over CLEMSON by 11
Not that Terps are bereft of quality wins, but if they pick this one up in impressive fashion – even it home – it essentially retires any tangible chance Gary Williams will be given any tangible trouble by The Committee. Even without a Top 25 win, hard to believe Clem faces any scent of difficulty, either. Critical ACC mass in Dance is thus assured. MARYLAND, 84-73.
BEST BET
*CLEVELAND over CHICAGO by 12
The first game of today’s ABC doubleheader features recent trading partners, and the awkwardness of former teammates facing each other for the first time. Chicago has suffered a tremendous fall from grace – making the playoffs the previous three seasons and demonstrating much potential with their youth-laden roster – but the bungling of GM John Paxson over the years has left the team in shambles. In contrast, the Cavaliers have suddenly become a force to be reckoned with, acquiring most of the best players in their 11-player three-team trade, and suddenly sporting a roster that looks ready to make an impact in the playoffs. Additionally, LeBron James’ development into the best basketball player in the NBA cannot be ignored. James and his team will be looking to today’s national audience to throw down the gauntlet to the rest of the Association, and the results will reflect that determination. CLEVELAND 96-84
THE GOLD SHEET
SACRAMENTO by 18 over Miami
POINTWISE
TEMPLE over St Josephs RATING: 2
Platinum Plays
Villanova +11 over Louisville
By: Totals 4 U
Take Michigan State to improve their home mark to 17-0 at the Breslin on Sunday.
Computer Sports
Take UCLA laying any number of 6 points or less on the road!
Josh Dean
10* Clemson +1.5
I'm telling you hurry and jump on this before it goes in Maryland’s favor..... Clemson will win this game tonight after their embarrassment last time these two met. Clemson is just too good for this line fellas take them comfortably
5* Pacers -5
FREE B: UCLA/ARIZONA- OVER
Karl Garrett
Take the points today at the Staples Center, as Dallas is just not getting the resepct they deserve.
The Mavs have won 4 of their last 5 games straight up, and are on a 3-1-1 spread run along the way. Dallas has bested Los Angeles in 3 in a row, and 5 of their last 6. This will be the first time the Lakers have to face a Dallas team with Jason Kidd running the point, and the G-Man thinks Kidd will make the difference in this one.
The Lakers just had their 10-game winning streak snapped in a loss at Portland, and this price seems a little steep to me, especially when you consider that the underdog is on a nice 7-3-1 spread run the last 11 times these teams have faced each other.
I will take the points and expect a close one all the way in this battle of Western Conference heavyweights.
5* DALLAS (on a 1* to 5* basis)
Brian Gabrielle
Providence vs. Cincinnati
Take Cincinnati Bearcats
The Bearcats never fail to surprise their critics. In their last 10 games played they have gone 5-5 with three of those wins at home. In total they have covered the spread 7 times since January 19th. In sharp contrast the Friars have won 1 game in their last 10 played and that was at home to Depaul. In total they have covered the spread twice since January 24th-1 on the road and 1 at home. With three more games in regular season Cincinnati needs these wins more than the Friars, A post-season tournament run is not out of the question for the Bearcats. Take the points on Cincinnati.
Great Lakes
Atlanta at Boston
Play on: Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a respectable 34-22 ATS this year, and 6-3 ATS when playing on Sunday's this year. The Celtics are also 14-9 ATS when playing a team with a losing record this year, and are 16-12 ATS at home this year. We look for the Boston Celtics to grab the home ATS Win & cover tonight.
Lou Diamond
SAN Spurs and NJ Nets.
Take "Under".
San Antonio Under is 4-0 in Spurs last 4 games playing on 0 days rest. Under is 9-4 in Spurs last 13 vs. Eastern Conference. New Jersey Under is 7-0 in Nets last 7 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Under is 5-0 in Nets last 5 games as a home underdog of 5.0-10.5. Under is 6-1 in Nets last 7 games as a home underdog. Under is 4-1 in Nets last 5 games playing on 2 days rest. Under is 4-1 in Nets last 5 vs. Western Conference. Under is 9-3 in Nets last 12 home games. Under is 11-5 in Nets last 16 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. Under is 15-7 in Nets last 22 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5. Under is 37-18 in Nets last 55 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in New Jersey. Under is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings
Jim Feist
MIA Heat and SAC Kings.
Take "Over".
Without Shaq, Miami has gone to a more small-ball uptempo lineup with newcomer Shawn Marion. They were 2-1 over the total last week. Of course, that doesn.5?t help their defense, which was already bad, allowing 101 ppg. These teams are in the bottom 8 in points allowed. Sacramento has been about running the court under first-year coach Reggie Theus and they are 16-10 over the total at home where they average 104 ppg. Play the Heat/Kings over the total!
Bobby Maxwell
Oregon at OREGON STATE +11
Improved to 10-5 with our last 15 FREE plays after Stanford delivered us a winning on the college hardwood Saturday. Today we're right back in the Pac-10 with a complimentary play on Oregon State as the Beavers host the rival Ducks.
In know it looks like we're crazy, giving out a team that has lost 17-straight games, but look deeper into this rivalry and you'll see the home team has dominated, winning eight of the last nine the Beavers have gone 6-2-1 ATS in those nine.
Oregon State has won three of the last four in Corvallis (4-0 ATS) and the one game they lost was a close one last year, 76-73 as 9 1/2-point underdogs.
The Beavers know they aren't headed anywhere in the post season and they also know they can go a long way toward ruining the Ducks chances of making the Big Dance with an upset in this one. Oregon has lost three straight and seven of its last 10 (4-5-1 ATS) and have looked real bad in the last three.
The problem with Oregon State has been its lack of offense, averaging just 60.2 points a game this season. Look for the Beavers to come out focused and the crowd to be fired up for this one.
ng close and while they likely won't win, look for it to come down to the final minute, easily getting us a winning ticket. Grab the points with Oregon State.
2* OREGON STATE