Sports Gambling Hotline
Michigan State vs. LOUISVILLE - at Indianapolis, IN
For Sunday in the Big Dance, take the OVER in your Michigan State-Louisville contest.
Michigan State has been OVER the total in 2 of their 3 Big Dance games, and 3 of their last 4 dating back to the Big 10 tournament. We get the feeling that for the Spartans to hang with the Cardinals, they are going to be forced into showing some offensive fire power, and we feel that even if they get blown out, there will be enough points coming from the Louisville side for us to get this game in the OVER column.
Lousville sailed way OVER the price in their Sweet 16 laugher against Arizona, and they have now played HIGH in 3 of their last 4 dating back to the Big East tourney, and are on a 9-4 OVER clip their last 13 games when installed as the favorite.
We expect another high-scoring game involving the 'Ville before this one is all said and done.
Play the OVER.
5♦ OVER
Chris Jordan
Oklahoma +7 vs. North Carolina, at Memphis
Did you get the feeling after Blake Griffin showed Syracuse how to actually the slam the basketball, since one of its own missed at the Orange end of the court, that the rest of the world is also missing something? Maybe Oklahoma is more than Griffin, who bullied Syracuse around for 30 points and 14 rebounds, while Tony Crocker contributed with a career-high 28 points.
And let’s be real, the Sooners were pulling away from the pride of northern New York midway through the first half, while Griffin punctuated the win with the now infamous noggin-knocking slam dunk.
Bring on the Tar Heels!
I don’t know if the Sooners are going to be dancing with Villanova and U Conn next week, not to mention today’s early winner – which is my 400♦ Line Mistake Winner #3 in a Row – but I do know this is going to be one helluva basketball game. One that I wouldn’t be surprised goes down to the wire.
North Carolina isn’t known for playing defense, mainly because it can score enough to compete better offensively than Carolina’s Bobcats, and that might bite them against a Sooners team that has plenty of mettle to combine with Griffin’s potency, such as guards Willie Warren and Austin Johnson, who will be spot on for this regional final.
Fact is, Oklahoma has solved issues that caused a late-season slide, and is on a 4-1 ATS run in its last five tournament games – a perfect 3-0 this year. As for the Heels, well, they’re mired in ATS slides of 2-7 laying wood in this range, 2-8 off an ATS win and a putrid 0-5 on their last five Sundays.
1♦ OKLAHOMA
DAVE COKIN
CHICAGO BULLS / TORONTO RAPTORS
Take TORONTO RAPTORS
It's way too little, way too late, but the Raptors are finally playing some decent basketball. I like Toronto to extend their modest winning streak here as they host the Bulls. Good spot for the hosts, as they enjoyed Saturday off while Chicago was winning at home. I'll look for the Raptors to notch the win and cover today.
JIM FEIST
PHOENIX SUNS / SACRAMENTO KINGS
Take PHOENIX SUNS
There is some line value with the Suns because they are in a tough situational spot, playing their 4th game in 5 nights. But the Kings have clearly packed in the season, off another no-show game, a 113-95 home loss to Memphis. The Kings came out with their characteristic poor first half that has plagued them all season. Turnovers early and poor defense had the Kings facing double digit deficits most of the game. Sacramento is on a 1-7 SU, 3-5 ATS run, while the visitors are fighting for a playoff spot. Play the Suns.
Nick Parsons
Minnesota Wild @ Edmonton Oilers -150
Teetering on the brink of disaster after an upset loss to Phoenix dropped them into ninth place, the Oilers desperately needed two points out of Anaheim on Friday. Their season all but depended on it. In their biggest game of the season so far, they climbed back over Anaheim and into seventh place with seven games to go and I'm expecting another big effort this evening. Minnesota is 8-12 its last 20 vs. division opponents while Edmonton is a perfect 2-0 in a home game where the total is 5 or less. Play on the OILERS!
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Spurs/Hornets OVER 177.5
The Hornets have gone under the number in 8 straight games to create exceptional line value today. This is the lowest number facing the Hornets during their unders stretch and I expect them to beat it easily. Also, the Spurs have played to the Over in 4 of their last 5 games when faced with a total under 180. Plays over where the total is between 170 and 179.5 points in a game involving two average defensive teams (92-98 PPG) after 42+ games are 94-38 since 1996 and Plays over on any team (Hornets) where the total is between 170 and 179.5 points after 1 or more consecutive unders, in a game involving two average defensive teams (92-98 PPG) after 42+ games are 58-18 since 1996. Bet the Over.
Tom Freese
Oklahoma City at Boston
Oklahoma City is 10-1 UNDER when playing with one day of rest and they are 28-11 UNDER vs. a team with a win percentage of over 60%. The Thunder are 6-1 UNDER after allowing 100 or more points in their last game and they are 5-1 UNDER their last 6 games vs. Atlantic Division teams. Boston is 9-1-1 UNDER their last 11 games vs. Northwest Division teams and they are 5-1 UNDER off a straight up win. The Celtics are 6-2 UNDER off an ATS win and they are 7-3 UNDER their last 10 games vs. Western Conference teams. PLAY ON 'UNDER'
JEFF SCOTT SPORTS
3 UNIT PLAY
Louisville/ Michigan State Over 138
Yes both of these teams play very good defense, but both teams can score as well. The Cardinals have averaged 85.3 ppg in the tourney and 79.5 ppg since their blowout loss to the Irish. The Cardinal have averaged 80.2 ppg in their last 5and hve shot 51% ovr that stretch, plus they have put up 70+ points in 10 of their last 13. Ok that's a little over half of what we need. Now if we can get 70 out of the Spartans, then this will be a cake walk. Michigan State has put up 72 ppg on the year, including 71.6 ppg on neutral floors and 72.6 ppg in the Tourney. Two other factors here should be the fact that this will be a physical game and much like last night's Pitt/ Louisville game it will lead to many FT attemps, plus this should be a tight game and that means one of these teams will be fouled alot down the stretch, giving us some cheap late points. I see this one being played in the high 140's.
2 UNIT PLAY
Louisville -6.5 over Michigan State
I know I said above that this should be a close game and I still think it will for the most part, but I also see the Cardinals depth and pressure defense wearing down the Spartans and pulling away in the final 4 minutes of the game. State is off a couple of close physical games vs Kansas and USC, while the Cardinals got to rest many of their players in the blowout win over Arizona, so they shoud be the fresher team here.
Michael Alexander
Boston Bruins vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Play: Boston Bruins +107
The Boston Bruins travel to take on the Philadelphia Flyers in NHL Picks acation tonight. The bruins, after winning five of six after the All-Star break went through a tough stretch that saw them go only 6-9-4. That streak allowed New Jersey and Washington to gain ground in the East standings. However, after last night's win in Toronto the Bruins have won two in a row putting them at 48-17-10 overall and pushed them five points ahead of the Capitals six in front of New Jersey with eight games remaining. The Bruins are looking to gain the top seed in the NHL picks playoffs for the first time since 2001-02.
The win last night snapped a 5 game road losing streak of NHL Picks for the Bruins. However, surprisingly they have owned the Flyers on their how ice winning their last 3 in a row. The Bruins will be without leading scorer Phil Kessel tonight for a second consecutive game who has an undisclosed injury.
The Philadelphia Flyers come into tonight's NHL Picks game sitting in fourth place in the conference with 92 points. The Flyers have also won four of their last five putting them at 41-23-10 on the season. The current NHL Picks winning streak has moved them one point ahead of red-hot Carolina in the battle for home-ice advantage. However their point total puts them only six points in front of Montreal for the eighth and final NHL Picks playoff spot.
Trends/Angles: BOSTON is 19-7 ATS (+10.1 Units) off a win by 2 goals or more over a division rival over the last 3 seasons. BOSTON is 15-3 ATS (+10.1 Units) after 2 straight wins by 2 goals or more this season. BOSTON is 24-7 ATS (+14.2 Units) against poor possession teams-averaging 3+ less shots on goal than opp over the last 2 seasons.
Boston Goaltender, Tim Thomas, should be in net tonight and that should put the Bruins in a position to not have to cover a lot of goals. I'm taking the Bruins in this one.
Johnny Guild
San Antonio Spurs at New Orleans Hornets
The home team has dominated this series, winning 10 of the last 11 contests both straight-up and against thee spread. However, the Spurs offense has suddenly awakened and are playing tough defense, while the Hornets offense has gone limp. Go with the Spurs! San Antonio is 3-1 both straight-up and against thee spread in the last four clashes versus New Orleans.
San Antonio Spurs -1
NCAAB
Louisville Cardinals -7
Mich St/Louisville Under -138
North Carolina Tar Heels -7
Mr. A
Cleveland Cavaliers -8½
Phoenix Suns -5
EZWINNERS'S FREE SELECTION
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2009
Game: Oklahoma Sooners vs. North Carolina Tar Heels
Sport: NCAA Basketball
Time: 4:05PM CST
(722) North Carolina Tar Heels (-7)
North Carolina is on a roll and they are one of the few teams that can
match up with the Sooners Blake Griffin on the inside. This game will
rest on the play of the guards and the depth of both teams, areas where
the Tar Heels have an distinct advantage. Lay the points as the Heels
advance to the Final Four.
2009 Free Selections Record 48-39 (55.2%)
=====================================================
Free Selection from Totals4U
Sunday's free selection: Suns/Kings over 238
=====================================================
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
235 - 155 run 60 % 7 in a row on free plays, 16-0 all releases since
Monday, 22-3 since last Saturday all releases no one more consistent !!
=============================
Sunday Over the total Dallas Mav's
=============================
Sat UCONN TY - FRI Michigan State TY - Thur Xavier TY - WED NJ Nets ty - Tues Penn St TY - Mon Atl Hawks ty - Sun Michigan St. TY
MTi Sports
The Cavaliers are 0-7 ATS at home with at least a day of rest after a win in which Lebron James had a double double.The Mavericks are 7-0 ATS on the road after a loss at home in which Dirk Nowitzki took more than 20 shots.Mavericks 12-0 ATS (+12.0 ppg) as a dog with at most one day of rest after a loss in which the percentage of their baskets that were assisted was at least ten percentage points lower than their season-to-date average.
DUNKEL
Dallas at Cleveland
The Mavs are just 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on 1 day of rest and face a Cavs team that is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games against the Southwest Division. Cleveland is the pick (-8 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Cavaliers favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-8 1/2).
Game 701-702: Dallas at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 118.471; Cleveland 128.283
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 10; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 8 1/2; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-8 1/2); Over
Game 703-704: LA Lakers at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.950; Atlanta 120.234
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 4 1/2; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 3 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-3 1/2); Under
Game 705-706: Chicago at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 117.357; Toronto 120.373
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 3; 199
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 2; 209
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-2); Under
Game 707-708: New Jersey at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 116.854; Minnesota 115.324
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 3; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+3); Under
Game 709-710: Philadelphia at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 117.810; Detroit 119.257
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 2 1/2; 184 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+2 1/2); Over
Game 711-712: Washington at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 107.916; Indiana 119.933
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 12; 209 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 8 1/2; 209
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-8 1/2); Over
Game 713-714: Oklahoma City at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 114.240; Boston 124.604
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 10 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 11 1/2; 190 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+11 1/2); Over
Game 715-716: San Antonio at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 121.809; New Orleans 118.383
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 3 1/2; 182 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 1; 178 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-1); Over
Game 717-718: Phoenix at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 121.528; Sacramento 116.499
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 5; 239
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6; 238
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+6); Over
NCAAB
Oklahoma vs. North Carolina
The Tar Heels are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 NCAA tournament games as a favorite between 7 and 12 1/2 points, while the Sooners are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 NCAA tournament games as an underdog by the same margin. North Carolina is the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has the Tar Heels favored by 8 1/2. Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-7).
Game 719-720: Michigan State vs. Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 69.590; Louisville 80.129
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisville by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-6 1/2)
Game 721-722: Oklahoma vs. North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma 70.230; North Carolina 78.875
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 7
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-7)
NHL
Boston at Philadelphia
The Bruins are just 1-5 in their last 6 road games, while the Flyers are 4-1 in their last 5 on the back end of back-to-back games. Philadelphia is the pick (-130) according to Dunkel, which has the Flyers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-130).
Game 1-2: Nashville at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.036; Detroit 12.233
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-320); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-320); Over
Game 3-4: St. Louis at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 11.346; Columbus 11.699
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Columbus (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (-160); Over
Game 5-6: Ottawa at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 11.086; Tampa Bay 11.726
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+140); Over
Game 7-8: Boston at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.555; Philadelphia 12.590
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-130); Over
Game 9-10: Vancouver at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.354; Chicago 11.520
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-145); Under
Game 11-12: Minnesota at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.402; Edmonton 11.605
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-155); 5
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-155); Under
Game 13-14: Colorado at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 9.550; Anaheim 11.918
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-260); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-260); Over
Sportsbob
Michigan State vs Louisville
Take Michigan State +6.5 for 3 Units & Under 138 for 2 Units
Louisville has benefited from an easy schedule of opponents so far in the NCAA tournament as they faced the play-in game winner Morehead State, and then faced Siena and Arizona in the next two rounds. Today's game will be the first real test for the Cardinals as Michigan State is a dangerous underdog that was a fantastic 16-5 SU this season versus teams ranked top 50 in my power ratings, including 7-2 SU when facing a top 25 opponent. This strong record in big games is not a surprise as Michigan State head coach Tom Izzo remains one the best coaches in the nation. Izzo is 18-8 ATS (69%) as an underdog in neutral court games and his team has performed well so far this tournament with impressive wins versus USC and Kansas. We also get line value as my power ratings favor Louisville by just 4½ points today. The Cardinals rely heavily on their pressure defense, but Michigan State takes solid care of the basketball and they have averaged just 11.8 turnovers in their past five games. The Spartans also qualify as a defensive underdog as they allow just 63.0 points per game and only 41.5% FG (versus opponents that allow 68.0 ppg and 45.0%). Louisville takes 38% of their shots from three-point range and Michigan State has a strong three-point defense that allows just 31.5% (versus opponents that average 35.7%). The Spartans also hold a substantial edge from the free throw line where they average 70% FT this season, compared to a Louisville squad that shoots just 64% FT (ranked 301st out of 344 teams in the nation).
Oklahoma vs North Carolina
Play Under 164 for 3 units and Oklahoma +7 for 2 Units
North Carolina is coming off three straight high-scoring games and the oddsmakers are once again forced to inflate the total as my power ratings predict just 160 total points today and the Tar Heels are 3-1 Under in their past four games with only one of their past six games totaling more than 159 total points. North Carolina gets 77% of their total points from two-point range and they will now be facing a strong Oklahoma interior defense that ranks 20th in the nation and allows just 42.6% from two-point range this season (national average is 48.0%). Oklahoma also relies on their scoring down low with power forward Blake Griffin and North Carolina has a strong interior defense that allows just 44.3% from two-point range and ranks 39th in the nation. This game features one of the best matchups of the season with Tyler Hansbrough versus Blake Griffin down low and each All-American should prevent the other from scoring easy baskets. Tournament games are also a strong 36-12 Under in this price range (160 or higher) when teams enter off back-to-back SU wins. OU should not be counted out here. All of the scoring models actually show this game to be very close....look for a competitive game.
Tony George
Phoenix Suns vs. Sacramento Kings
Play: Suns -5
Love the Suns wgho need every win in the playoff race coming down the stretch here. The NBA's #1 offense against the paltry Kings who have fallen off the map. Think Vegas oddsmakers know the Suns will score some here? The total is 238!! KIngs cannot trrade punches on offense and the Suns getting sneaky good covering 6 out of their last 8.
Suns 118 Kings 101 ....I sniff a blowout tonight guys..