LT Profits
Maryland +2.5
Seemingly out of nowhere, The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets have put together back-to-back solid efforts. However, they were fortunate enough to be catching both of those opponents in letdown spots, and we look for the better Maryland Terrapins to put the Jackets back in their place tonight.
First, Georgia Tech upset a Wake Forest team that was coming off of a big win vs. Duke, and then the Jackets covered the number vs. a Florida State team that was coming off of an emotional three-point loss to North Carolina.
Now make no mistake, the 1-6 start inside the ACC by the Yellow Jackets was no fluke, as they really are one of the worst teams in the conference. After all, this team had four losses in non-conference play despite having the weakest non-conference SOS of any ACC team, and they are a modest 8-5 straight up and a poor 3-7 against the spread here at home.
The 14-8 Terrapins are simply the better team here, and even their 0-4 SU road record is deceptive as they are 3-1 ATS in those games with the only non-cover coming against Duke, which is certainly forgivable. Maryland is also the considerably higher ranked team here on the Pomeroy Ratings, where they rank 69 compared to 96 for Georgia Tech.
We will take the better team getting points from a team that is overvalued due to two fortunate covers in this spot.
Pick: Maryland +2.5
Nelly
Creighton + over Northern Iowa
Northern Iowa won the first meeting between these teams by just three points and that victory has been the catalyst to a great MVC season for the Panthers. Creighton was the favorite in this conference and may still be the best team but the Bluejays have suffered a few tough losses. Creighton has had success on the road with a 7-3 ATS record in road games this season and had also covered in six straight meetings in this series before the home loss about a month ago. Creighton features the much more explosive offense, averaging seven more points per game while these teams have nearly identical defensive numbers. Northern Iowa has played five of the past seven games on the road and this could be a tough situation coming three consecutive narrow wins in big conference games. The Panthers have been pulling out wins but there are reasons to suspect the record is inflated and that Creighton should still end up as the best team in the league.
JACK JONES
Maryland +2.5 over Georgia Tech
Both of these teams are bad, and I know Maryland is yet to win a game on the road this year, but the Yellow Jackets are just 1-7 in ACC play. Even though they've suffered some heartbreaking losses and beat Wake Forest, they did lose by seven to Maryland a few weeks ago. Greivis Vasquez is doing it all for the Terps, putting up 16 points per game to go with 5.7 rebounds and 4.8 assists and I feel like he'll do enough to carry this team past a Yellow Jacket squad that has been pretty horrible shooting the ball.
YANKEE CAPPER
NBA:
Indiana Pacers -5.5
LA Lakers +5
Portland Trailblazers -8
NCAA HOOPS:
Maryland +2.5
NHL
Detroit/Pittsburgh Under 6
Speculating Sports
Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Pick: 5 units Oklahoma City Thunder -6.5
These teams met just a week ago, with Sacramento pulling out an overtime win at home. However, Oklahoma City is coming off of two straight excellent performances in home games to Denver and Portland. They easily handled the Blazers just two nights ago and will carry that motivation into this game. Meanwhile, Sacramento was completely embarrassed by Phoenix two games ago, so you would have expected them to come out with a strong performance in their next game. However, they lost against Utah as well, even though that game was at home. There is no reason to believe that the Thunder won’t carry their strong play into this game, in a revenge situation against a slumping team. Look for Oklahoma City to get a big home win.
nba. utah-1 @ golden st, With Deron Williams playing at his best and Andrei Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer nearing possible returns, the Utah Jazz are feeling optimistic as they near the All-Star break.Williams and the Jazz look for their fourth straight win today when they visit the Golden State Warriors, utah covers-1.
Charlie's Sports free pick for Sunday
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SportsAction365 free pick
FREE COLLEGE BASKETBALL WINNER
2/8/09
Rhode Island @ Temple
Prediction: Rhode Island +5.5
Time: 2:00 PM EST
Greg Daraban
Washington at Stanford
It does not get any more imporatnt in the Pac 10 this week as this key game tips at 5:30pm Eastern.Washington visits Stanford. UW 16-6. The Cardinal a nice 14-6. Both teams should be headed to the NCAA Tournament. However with this game being played at Palo Alto must take the Host.Take Stanford
John Fisher
Maryland vs. Georgia Tech
Play: Maryland ML +129
Ahhh....went 2-1 on Freebies but got knocked on face as the Zags showed me something. They lack heart and toughness. Okay....lets play on the Terps here. Yes, they have been inconsistant all season. I just like there offense better than the Yeloow Jackets. This game will go down to the wire as neither team knows how to put their opponents away. Look for Langdon and Vasquez to come out of their shells here. Terps 78 Jackets 76
Wisconsin vs. Penn State
Play: Wisconsin ML +119
Was Wisconsins last game just a mirage against Illinois. Was Penn States let down to Wolverines just a bump in the road. I will say yes....however...lets take the momentum here and go with the DOGS. Wisconsin 59 Penn State 56
Boston College vs. Wake Forest
Play: Boston College +10.5
ITs late in the ACC season and teams are getting a little tired. Wake Forest has a big let down against Miami getting trounced. Yes....Vegas is looking for a bounce back game here against BC. However, laying 11 points against the conferences best Senior point guard is too much. BC has won 5 in a row and has the team to stay with Wake Forest here. Wake 84 BC 77 5 STAR
Wunderdog
San Antonio at Boston
Pick: UNDER 186
San Antonio comes off a four-day layoff and has to face the World Champions. It's actually been a longer rest for the starters as most of them sat out a good portion of the Denver game. That could spell some offensive rustiness. After losing at home to the Lakers on Thursday, giving up a bushel of points, Boston has a statement to make here. They want to show the home fans, and the league, that they can still play defense. I expect an inspired defensive effort from the Celtics in this one. When we get two very good teams playing, the intensity picks up and a playoff-like atmosphere prevails. Both of these teams pride themselves on their defense with the Spurs holding foes to 94.5 per game and Boston holding opponents to just 92 per game. When facing a winning team the last two seasons, the Spurs are 48-29 to the UNDER. That includes a 25-9 UNDER mark vs. teams at .700 or better. San Antonio is also 9-1 UNDER over that span when coming off 3+ days of rest. Boston has played in their fair share of games with low totals this season, and they are 17-7 UNDER in games with a total under 190. I like the UNDER here.
Andre Gomes
Sacramento Kings @ Oklahoma City Thunder
Usually when two lowly teams meet each other, I say that the value is always by riding the underdog, as anything can happen and to have a chance to grab some points is always a valuable bet. However I feel that this is not the case of this game involving the Thunder and the Kings.
The Thunder are a really improved team, we can't even mention them as a lowly team anymore because lately this team can be wire to wire at home against any team. In the last 7 home games they beat Detroit, Utah, New Jersey and Portland and only lost against Miami and Denver in a one point loss. This is a great run for them and now that they will be facing a lowly team like the Kings, I expect a great effort not also because this game will be a sellout game and the crowd will be a major factor, but also because this is a huge revenge game for the Thunder, as they lost last Sunday in Sacramento.
Last game they easily dismantled Portland and they were already leading by 60-40 at the break. Meanwhile the Kings made a huge effort last game against the Jazz, but I have to remember that this game was the only sellout game of the season, as the Kings honored Chris Webber and the crowd revitalized the players and they played well. However playing on the road is a different story and the Kings already showed that when their opponent really wants to win, the Kings had no answer for that as they are a soft team.
That's why they lost by 48 points in Phoenix, by 19 points in Boston, by 16 points in Toronto or by 19 points in Denver?I could be here the whole day talking about the tough defeats of the Kings on the road this season, because they never seem to end.
I believe that the Thunder will eventually open an early gap and then the Kings will make a no show game and this will end with an easy win for the Thunder. Take the Thunder in here
SINGLE DIME PLAY on Oklahoma City Thunder -6.5
Dwayne Bryant
Utah Jazz -1 at Golden State Warriors
The Jazz are playing solid basketball, winning four of their last five. The Warriors have lost three of their last four and will be without center Andris Biedrins (13 ppg, 11.8 rpg), who will miss at least three games with a foot injury. That gives the Jazz a nice edge down low with center Mehmet Okur (17.7 ppg, 8.4 rpg). Point guard Deron Williams has been on fire since returning from injury and I don't see that changing against the defensively-challenged Warriors.
Utah has won the last six in this series (5-1 ATS), including a 5-point home win last month. Utah has dominated the boards in this series, out-rebounding the Warriors by an average of 16.4 rpg over the last nine meetings. With Biedrins out, that dominance should continue. I like the recent performances, series dominance, and huge rebounding edge, so I'll back the Jazz tonight.
DUNKEL
Charlotte at Miami
The Heat look to bounce back from last night's loss in Philadelphia and take advantage of Charlotte's 2-4 ATS record on the road when the total is between 180 and 184 1/2 points. Miami is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 9. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-7 1/2).
Game 801-802: San Antonio at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 121.758; Boston 126.790
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 5; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 8; 189
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+8); Over
Game 803-804: LA Lakers at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 120.894; Cleveland 126.719
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 6; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 4; 206
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-4); Over
Game 805-806: New York at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: New York 116.498; Portland 128.325
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 12; 206
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 9; 211
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-9); Under
Game 807-808: New Jersey at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 120.062; Orlando 128.592
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 199 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 11 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+11 1/2); Under
Game 809-810: Charlotte at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 114.868; Miami 123.750
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 9; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 7 1/2; 180
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-7 1/2); Over
Game 811-812: Indiana at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 116.586; Washington 109.511
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 7; 210
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 813-814: Minnesota at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 113.992; New Orleans 122.569
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 8 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 4; 189
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-4); Over
Game 815-816: Sacramento at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 108.461; Oklahoma City 112.365
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 4; 219
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 6 1/2; 216
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+6 1/2); Over
Game 817-818: Phoenix at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 116.264; Detroit 115.535
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 198
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+1 1/2); Over
Game 819-820: Utah at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 122.486; Golden State 118.236
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 4; 217 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 1 1/2; 223
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-1 1/2); Under
NCAAB
Alabama at LSU
The Tide are just 2-6 in SEC play this season, while LSU is 7-3 ATS as a favorite. The Tigers are the pick (-12 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has LSU favored by 15 1/2. Dunkel Pick: LSU (-12 1/2).
Game 821-822: Seton Hall at Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 58.223; Rutgers 60.494
Dunkel Line: Rutgers by 2
Vegas Line: Rutgers by 1
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (-1)
Game 823-824: Alabama at LSU
Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 58.620; LSU 74.077
Dunkel Line: LSU by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: LSU by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LSU (-12 1/2)
Game 825-826: Purdue at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 70.023; Illinois 76.783
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 7
Vegas Line: Illinois by 2
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-2)
Game 827-828: Dayton at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 60.410; Charlotte 59.787
Dunkel Line: Dayton by 1
Vegas Line: Dayton by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+2 1/2)
Game 829-830: Louisville at St. John's
Dunkel Ratings: Louisville 74.679; St. John's 64.677
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 10
Vegas Line: Louisville by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. John's (+10 1/2)
Game 831-832: NC State at Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: NC State 60.250; Virginia Tech 72.467
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 12
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 8
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-8)
Game 833-834: St. Louis at Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 57.848; Richmond 59.726
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 2
Vegas Line: Richmond by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+5 1/2)
Game 835-836: Creighton at Northern Iowa
Dunkel Ratings: Creighton 60.356; Northern Iowa 68.752
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Iowa (-2 1/2)
Game 837-838: Rhode Island at Temple
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 63.697; Temple 67.446
Dunkel Line: Temple by 4
Vegas Line: Temple by 6
Dunkel Pick: Rhode Island (+6)
Game 839-840: Western Michigan at Akron
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 52.854; Akron 61.929
Dunkel Line: Akron by 9
Vegas Line: Akron by 12
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (+12)
Game 841-842: St. Joseph's at Massachusetts
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 60.563; Massachusetts 60.548
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (+2 1/2)
Game 843-844: Wisconsin at Penn State
Dunkel Ratings: Wisconsin 67.531; Penn State 65.232
Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 2
Vegas Line: Penn State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (+1 1/2)
Game 845-846: Boston College at Wake Forest
Dunkel Ratings: Boston College 64.790; Wake Forest 69.728
Dunkel Line: Wake Forest by 5
Vegas Line: Wake Forest by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston College (+10 1/2)
Game 847-848: Washington at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 68.784; Stanford 69.080
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Washington by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (+1 1/2)
Game 849-850: Indiana State at Illinois State
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 51.784; Illinois State 66.205
Dunkel Line: Illinois State by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Illinois State by 16
Dunkel Pick: Indiana State (+16)
Game 851-852: Maryland at Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 62.013; Georgia Tech 62.591
Dunkel Line: Georgia Tech by 1
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (+3 1/2)
Game 853-854: St. Peter's at Canisius
Dunkel Ratings: St. Peter's 45.283; Canisius 53.995
Dunkel Line: Canisius by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Canisius by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Canisius (-5 1/2)
Game 855-856: Fairfield at Niagara
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 51.327; Niagara 56.785
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Niagara by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+10 1/2)
Game 857-858: Sacramento State at Portland State
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento State 36.887; Portland State 62.311
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 25 1/2
Vegas Line: Portland State by 23
Dunkel Pick: Portland State (-23)
NHL
Detroit at Pittsburgh
The Penguins are coming off an 8-3 win over Edmonton and look to build on their 8-2 record after a non-conference game. Pittsburgh is the underdog pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120).
Game 51-52: Detroit at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 11.733; Pittsburgh 12.096
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-140); 6
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+120); Under
Game 53-54: Philadelphia at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.653; Atlanta 11.814
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-165); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+145); Over
Game 55-56: Edmonton at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.964; Minnesota 10.428
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 3 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 57-58: Nashville at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.382; Dallas 11.274
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+155); Over