Carlo Campanella
Seattle Supersonics at Denver Nuggets
Seattle gets a HUGE number from the Nuggets as they head to Denver on Sunday evening. Major reason for the line may be Seatle's 7 game losing skid, but the games have been close, covering the spread in 2 of their last 4 efforts. In fact, Seattle comes off a 116-121 home loss to Minnesota, but willing to take the points knowing that they're a solid 15-6 ATS following a home loss this NBA season.Good Luck - Carlo Campanella
Play on: Seattle
Vegas Experts
Sacramento Kings at Phoenix Suns
The Suns are 3-1 on their current five-game home stand and 24-10 on the year at home. They finish off the home stand with the Kings who they have beaten three times this year and eight of the last nine going 6-3 ATS. Here at home the Suns are 4-0 versus the Kings and 3-1 ATS. They beat them November 27 here 127-111 as a 12-point chalk and scored 100-98 and 117-102 wins in Sacramento as well, covering the second contest on December 30 as a nine-point chalk.
Play on: Phoenix
James Patrick Sports
Arkansas vs. Georgia
This is a program that fired Head Coach Stan Heath because, although he was in the Big Dance the past two seasons, he failed to win a game in the tournament. Think there is a bit of pressure on John Pelphrey ? This is a Razorback team that returns all the starters and key personal from last season’s team that lost in the SEC Championship Game to National Champion Florida Gators. The Bulldogs will have their hands full in a high scoring game as the Dogs get to the Title Game after winning a pair on Saturday. Our selection for Sunday is on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the SEC Championship Game.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: New Orleans
Note: Hornets travel to the Motor City with revenge on their minds from a 15-point home loss suffered earlier this season against the Pistons. Catching Detroit off a hard-fought home win over San Antonio certainly helps, as does the fact that they are 1-9 SU and 2-8 ATS in games after facing the Spurs against a .470 or greater opponent playing with same season revenge. Toss in New Orleans' 18-7 ATs mark on this floor, including 10-1 from Game 37 out, and you can smell an upset in the making. Grab the points with the Hornets in this payback.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Philadelphia Flyers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Prediction: Pittsburgh Penguins
Reason: The Flyers played and lost yesterday afternoon in OT, their 3rd loss in a row. The Flyers are 5-15 in their last 20 games overall. Philadelphia is 2-7 in their last 9 road games. In their last 19 games vs. Eastern Conference opponents the Flyer are 5-14. The Penguins have won 4 of their last 5 games. Pittsburgh is 13-5 in their last 18 home games. In their last 5 games vs. Eastern Conference team's the Penguins are 4-1. The Flyers are 1-6 in their last 7 trips to Pittsburgh. Play on the Penguins in this one.
Ross Benjamin
Toronto @ Sacramento
Pick:Toronto +3.5
Any non-conference home favorite playing with no rest, that is off an away underdog ATS loss in which they failed to cover by 10.0 or more points, versus an opponent off a SU loss by 13 or more points, and has a win percentage of .438 or better is 0-5 SU and ATS since 1990. The underdog has won all 5 of these games outright by an average of 9.8 points per game. Play on the Toronto Raptors plus the points.
Brandon Lang
5 Dime - Georgia
5 Dime - Texas
5 Dime - Clemson
5 Dime - Wisconsin
5 Dime - Rockets
Free Play - Charlotte Bobcats
Robert Ross
Game: Clemson at North Carolina
Prediction: North Carolina
Reason: Clubs have played two close games this year (a two-point win by N.C. and a win in double-OT) but numbers in the series (18-4 S/U, 12-10 ATS) still favor the Heels. N CAROLINA is 24-10 ATS when the total is 150 to 159.5 over the last 3 seasons and 18-9 ATS as a favorite this season. Take North Carolina!
John Ryan
Game: Toronto Raptors at Sacramento Kings
Prediction: Sacramento Kings
Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the Kings - AiS shows a 70% probability that they Kings will win this game by 5 or more points. Supporting this graded play are several key angles that show the significant advantages that the Kings enjoy for this game. Note that the Kings are 32-18 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons; 14-29 ATS after trailing their last 2 games by 10+ points at the half since 1996.
Jim Feist
TOR Raptors - SAC Kings
Take "TOR Raptors"
It’s true Toronto is on a long road trip, but who is in the worse situational handicapping spot here? Toronto is rested and a .500 road team. Sacramento is on a 3-7 SU, 3-6-1 ATS run playing no defense. It’s a bad scheduling spot for the home team, as the Kings are playing their third game in four nights. It’s also the second of a back to back spot after running up and down the floor with the Phoenix Suns Saturday. Play the Raptors! -
Big Al
At 3:30 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Houston Rockets over the Lakers. Los Angeles suffered a blow for this game when Pau Gasol injured his ankle, and he won't make the trip to Houston for this afternoon tilt. Surely, his absence will be missed, and if Houston wins, they'll be firmly ensconced in the #1 position. Indeed, who would have predicted THAT when the Rockets were 24-20, and on the outside looking in at the Playoffs. But now, Houston has won 21 in a row, and the key to its success has been its defense, led by Shane Battier. Earlier this season, these two teams traded victories on the other's home court, with the Lakers covering the spread in each game. But today, we'll play on the Rockets to blowout Los Angeles.
Gina
Dallas Mavericks (43-23) at Miami Heat (11-53)
Go with the hot Mavericks tonight against the Heat. The line is hefty, but Miami has been dreadful, averaging just 93.7 points per game. The Heat have lost seven straight, just 11-53 this season and is 1-1-5 ATS in the last 7 meetings versus Dallas at home. The Mavericks are 4-0 both straight-up and against the spread in their last four games.
Dallas Mavericks
ARMVIN SPORTS
CBB
ILLINOIS
CBB
CLEMSON at NORTH CAROLINA Over 150.5
NHL
CALGARY 105
NHL
COLUMBUS 146
THE SPORTS REPORTER
BEST BET
L.A. LAKERS over *HOUSTON by 11
All winning streaks have to end sometime and there?s no shame in losing to the Lakers
nowadays. As well as the Rockets? supporting cast has played in recent days, what?s
Houston supposed to do when Kobe Bryant shuts down Tracy McGrady and harrasses
him into a 5-for-25 kind of night? Sure Luis Scola has emerged as a legitimate scoring
option, but that?s the role his countryman Pau Gasol has been playing for years. L.A. LAKERS 108-97
WINNING POINTS
***BEST BET
Los Angeles Lakers over *Houston by 8
The Lakers may be the best team in the NBA. Their defense and bench are vastly
underrated. Kobe Bryant is having another big season. Pau Gasol gives them a scoring option they haven't had before. No team has been hotter than the Rockets entering the second week of March. But the Rockets? long winning streak consisted of beating many bad-to-mediocre teams, including the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Bucks, Wizards,Trail Blazers, Bulls, Heat and Pacers twice. LA LAKERS 104-96
***BEST BET
Toronto over *Sacramento by 6
Few teams can present as many different looks as Toronto. The Raptors have two vastly different point guards, Jose Calderon and T.J. Ford. They have a diverse bench and coach Sam Mitchell knows how to exploit matchups. The Kings are having chemistry issues with Ron Artest and Kevin Martin, their two best scorers, not seeing eye-to-eye with coach Reggie Theus. The Kings were 1-7-1 ATS during their last nine games through March 8. TORONTO 112-106
Chuck Franklin
Charlotte at CLEVELAND -7'
Three of the last four NBA Freebies in the bank, part of a 28-19 NBA Free Pick run... Huge Profits from the Inside Edge on the Odds!
The Cavs have lost the last two games they've played because of turnovers. Head coach Mike Brown says they must take care of the ball in order to get back on the winning track. Cleveland will win this home game as they have done six straight times against visiting Charlotte. The Cavs are on an 8-2 ATS run the game after a loss and they have covered five of the last seven games played.
Despite some recent success, the Bobcats are only 5-12 ATS the last 17 road games when listed as an underdog of less than 11 points. They have only covered the spread three times the last 12 situations when on the road versus a team that has a winning record at home.
This will be an absolute blowout!
3* CLEVELAND
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Lakers +4' at HOUSTON
Headed to Houston for a FREE play today on the NBA hardwood as we go with the Lakers and grab the points against streaking Rockets.
Yes, the Rockets have won 21 straight games and they are on an 18-3 ATS roll but we're backing the Lakers in this one as we all know Kobe loves the spotlight and wants to stick it to Houston and put an end to this incredible streak. Now he might not lead the Lakers to the outright win, but we'll grab these points as this one will likely come down to the buzzer.
Los Angeles and Houston are tied for the top spot in the Western Conference which comes with home-court advantage. The Lakers have dropped two of three and got beat by the Hornets on Friday in New Orleans, 108-98 as a two-point road favorite.
The Lakers are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 and they are 4-0 ATS in their last four as an underdog.
These two have split the first two meetings this season with the visitor winning each time. Houston won the season opener in Los Angeles on Oct. 30 95-93 but failed to cover as a 5 1/2-point road favorite. The Lakers then went to Houston on Nov. 14 and got a 93-90 win as a 6 1/2-point 'dog.
Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS in the last eight against Houston and 6-1 ATS in its last seven trips to the Toyota Center.
Kobe loves the big stage and he'll go off tonight and carry Los Angeles to the wire. Now they might now win and end the streak but grab the points as this one comes down to the buzzer.
3* LAKERS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Kansas vs. TEXAS +5' - at Kansas City
4-1 comp play run the last 5 days, and today we grab the points with the dangerous Longhorns.
Texas has already bested Kansas once this season, as the Longhorns came through with the home outright, 72-69 as the 5 1/2-point underdog back in the middle of February for their third straight series cover, and their 7th cover in the last 9 meetings with the mighty Jayhawks.
Look for Texas to be there once again, as the 'Horns guard play keeps them in this one from start to finish.
Kansas has been asked to cover inflated numbers all year long, and a 3-10 spread mark their last 13, along with a 5-9 spread mark this season away from Lawrence is all we need to see to place our money on the 'Horns to stay close in this Big 12 finale.
Possible #1 seed on the line today, and we like the Longhorns to "Hook 'Em"!
Play on Texas.
2* TEXAS
Karl Garrett
Illinois vs. WISCONSIN -7 - at Indianapolis
The G-Man is on a 60-48-2 comp play run coming into Sunday.
Today I will lay the wood with Wisconsin, as I think the Badgers got their scare yesterday in their come back win, and non-cover over Michigan State.
Wisconsin was down 12-points before rallying for the outright win, but thanks to a couple of missed free throws with 7 seconds to go, the Badgers failed to cover.
That blown cover was their first in their last in their last 6 games. Look for Wisconsin to handle the upstart Illini with relative ease in this spot, as Illinois has no business being in this tournament this late!
The Illini have put together a 4-game winning streak at the right time, but the fact they have lost the last 4 meetings with their Big 10 rival straight up, and 3 of the 4 against the spread does not bode well this afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The G-Man has to lay the lumber in this spot and look for a double-digit win and cover by Wisconsin.
3* WISCONSIN
Joel Tyson
Illinois vs WISCONSIN -7 at Indianapolis
Wisconsin has beaten Illinois twice this year, both by double digits. The two wins this year made it four in a row over this Illini team they face today in this Big Ten Championship showdown.
Taking nothing away from Illinois, they have been good as of late winning four straight to earn their spot today. Wisconsin on the other hand has won nine straight and have done so recently by clamping down on defense. I remember the old golf saying "drive for show, and putt for dough" as this applies here today even though we are talking basketball.
Wisconsin has allowed a mere 46.4 ppg to be scored against them over the last five. One thing for sure you will win most of the time when allowing this few number of points. Going back to our golf statement above let me ask you this. How many times lately have you seen this Wisconsin team make an ESPN top 10 highlight show? Can't remember one? Well that's because they show all the offensive highlights of dunks wild shots, etc...
Defense wins championships offense makes offensive highlights. I will take the wins anytime.
If you need proof check out ESPN and see how many teams that made the top 10 highlight reel are playing today. You will be surprised.
3* WISCONSIN
Joel Tyson
Georgia vs ARKANSAS -8
First off, congradulations to the Georgia Bulldogs on their great feat yesterday as the Dawgs pulled off two wins to advance to this championship game, and continue their quest to the Big Dance.
Today however I feel the tank will run empty as in these situations it's normally not the day of the back-to-back events or such, but the day after. Yesterday was pure adreline and this can do a lot for the human body. Last night however Georgia laid down and realized just how tired they really were and will wake up today feeling it as well, as they must face this rested Arkansas team that will be looking to get revenge from their earlier loss in the season to this Georgia team.
Arkansas will be riding high as they have played extremely well to get here today. The Razorbacks have defeated both nationally ranked Vanderbilt first then knocked of Tennessee to advance to this championship match up.
Lay the points and back Arkansas as they end Georgia's dream run.
1* ARKANSAS
Drew Gordon
Toronto at SACRAMENTO -3'
Split my Freebies Saturday, with the Nets winning outright against the Jazz 117-115, while New Mexico State fell to Boise State 107-102. That brings me to 310-291-6 over my L607 Free Play releases!
If you've seen the Raptors play on the road in March, then you know the only play here is on the Kings, plain and simple. Toronto is just 1-5 SU & 2-4 ATS on the highway this month, with their only SU win coming agains the sorry-ass Heat. Its not just that they're losing, they're not even competing, losing by an average of almost 16 points in those 5 losses! Now play in Sacramento, a place they haven't won in their last 9 tries... Needless to say, more of the same tonight!
At the heart of the Raptors troubles is the injury to Chris Bosh. Clearly Toronto is lost without their talented All-Star forward, but no one could predict the depth of their collapse without him. They've not only been terrible, but terribly soft with Bargnani and Nesterovic "anchoring" the middle! Nesterovic is nothing more than a 7-foot journeyman, while Bargnani can score, but is softer than tissue paper.
The Raptors issues in the frontcourt get further exposed tonight against a tough, talented, and hard-nosed Sacramento frontline, featuring three high-energy players in Artest, Miller and Moore. Artest has been playing especially well since the surviving the trade deadline, now that he knows his address won't change, he's settled down nicely.
Finally, we all know the Kings can score, but the one thing they've been doing at home of late is play defense. Take for example their last home game, a 96-85 win over Portland, where they held the Blazers to just 38% shooting, while forcing 20 turnovers, including 5 from Brandon Roy. With the Raptors allowing a mind-boggling 117 ppg over their last 5 games, there's no question the Kings defense is the difference here. Sacto rolls in this one!
Take Sacramento at home over Toronto in this NBA match up.
3* SACRAMENTO
Drew Gordon
Clemson +6 vs. North Carolina at Charlotte, N.C.
Split my Freebies Saturday, with the Nets winning outright against the Jazz 117-115, while New Mexico State fell to Boise State 107-102. That brings me to 310-291-6 over my L607 Free Play releases!
You've got to love the way Clemson is playing right now, coming off an impressive outright win over Duke 78-74 yesterday. They had more than enough offense to run with the Blue Devils, but it was their defense that made the difference, and that'll be true once again in this afternoon's ACC Title Game.
Tigers were able to hold the high-powered Duke offense to just 43% shooting, including just 23% from beyond the arc, which is the key to beating the Blue Devils. The Tarheels are a different kind of team, one that features an inside presence that the Blue Devils simply do not have. However, with both meetings this season going into overtime, its clear the Tigers also match up well with North Carolina.
Speaking of their previous meetings this season, North Carolina won both SU, which gives Clemson a strong revenge angle in this one. Granted, North Carolina has actually won 7 straight going back to 2004, but with Clemson coming off a huge win over Duke and Carolina struggling a bit in the Semis against Virginia Tech, things couldn't be more perfect for the Tigers.
Finally, the biggest issue I have with North Carolina is the health of Ty Lawson's ankle. Anyone who's watched him play knows he's not 100%, and without his speed in the backcourt, the Tarheels offense tends to bog down. He scored 5 points on 1 for 7 shooting with just 1 assist over 24 minutes against the Hokies yesterday... Not exactly what you'd expect from your star point guard! When you consider how well K.C. Rivers (19 ppg in 2 games vs. Tarheels) and Cliff Hammonds (22 ppg in 2 game vs. Tarheels) have played against North Carolina this season, Lawson's ankle becomes a serious liability.
Bottom line, North Carolina is vulnerable in this match up. Clemson has proven they can run with anyone in the ACC, and if Lawson cannot get this Carolina offense going, Clemson could very well win this game outright. In the end, expect a competitive contest, and while the Tarheels likely win this game, Clemson won't go down without a fight, grabbing the cash in the process!
Take Clemson plus the points over North Carolina in today's ACC Title Game.
2* CLEMSON
Chris Jordan
Georgia 8' vs. Arkansas, at Atlanta
Should have went with first inclination yesterday, and stuck with Texas.
Today, I have the right side in the Big 12, and will cash that Big 12 Line Mistake. Do not miss that play!!!
Your comp winner is on the darlings of the past few days, the Bulldogs of Georgia, who pulled off two wins on Saturday, and gave hope to the little town of Athens that their beloved canine will get to the Big Dance.
I'll take the points here, as Arkansas will have its hands full with a team that was tenacious against Kentucky, and balanced against Mississippi State.
While Arkansas has played itself into contention for a shot at the NIT, if it were to lose, and by my standards is still a bubble-like team, I don't know how it will get away from the defensive tenacity the Dawgs can bring.
We saw in the first meeting between these two, that Georgia matches up well against the Hogs, as it won by 13 in Athens. Now, 80 miles from home, the Dawgs are the de facto home team and should be able to ignite the crowd by stepping out immediately on this team.
3* GEORGIA