Ben Burns
Calgary Flames @ Columbus Blue Jackets
PICK: Columbus Blue Jackets
The Flames earned a big win over the Red Wings a few nights ago, the second time that they'd beaten Detroit recently. Those "Detroit results" notwithstanding, they haven't been playing particularly well of late. In fact, they're just 3-6 their last nine games, going 1-6 against "other" opponents, besides the Wings. That includes a 2-0 loss at Pittsburgh, last night.
Note that the Flames are a money-burning 2-8 (-5.9) when playing the second of back to back games this season. The last time (at Carolina on 3/6) that they played the second of back to back games, they lost by a score of 6-1.
The Blue Jackets last played on Tuesday, losing at Tampa Bay. They've still won six of their last eight games though and they've been tough at home all year, going 23-11-2. They lost both games at Calgary but they beat the Flames (3-1) when the teams faced each other here at Columbus. Including that result, the Jackets are 5-1 the last six times that they hosted the Flames and 11-4 in 15 all-time meetings here. Consider Columbus
Larry Ness
Villanova @ Duke
PICK: Over
I remember watching 'Nova score 94 at Providence and then hit 102 in back-to-back home games with Syracuse (against Boeheim's famous 2-3 zone) and Marquette in early February. The Wildcats have scored 80 and 89 points in winning their first two NCAA games and now take on Duke. The 6-8 Cunningham (16.3-7.7) will "get his" inside, while 'Nova's perimeter game is quite formidable. Reynolds (15.1) is the ringleader, joined by swingman Anderson (8.8-6.0) and PG Redding (6.9-4.8-3.1). Then of course, there is the team's dynamic duo off the bench, Fisher (10.9) and Stokes (9.7). As for the Blue Devils, they've averaged 80 PPG in their two tourney wins. Swingman Henderson (16.8-4.8) and the 6-8 Singler (16.5-7.5) are both capable of having huge games. These are two highly efficient offense teams, with 'Nova shooting 36.5 percent on threes and 74.6 percent from the line, with Duke shooting 35.5 percent and 72.8 percent in the same two categories. I expect both teams to reach the 80s in this one. Take Villanova/Duke OVER.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Lakers/Pistons UNDER 193.5
The public is all over the over here, but with Iverson out and both Wallace and Hamilton doubtful, I don't see where Detroit's offense will come from. This is just the 3rd game of a 7-game road trip so I don't expect the Lakers to try to lay down the hammer. It is important this time of year to keep Kobe and the starters fresh so I expect LA's second unit to play plenty in this one. We have seen 4 of the last 5 in this matchup go under and while Detroit has struggled this season, it is still solid defensively. The Under is 43-14-1 in Pistons last 58 Thursday games and 10-1 in Pistons last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Bet the Under.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Lakers/Pistons UNDER 194
This one has under written all over it as 4 of the last 5 matchups between these teams have played to the under. In addition, the Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 overall, 8-2 in Lakers last 10 games as a favorite, and 4-0 in Lakers last 4 games as a favorite of 5.0-10.5. The Under is a ridiculous 43-14-1 in Pistons last 58 Thursday games, 8-3-1 in Pistons last 12 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5, and 10-1 in Pistons last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. Bet the Under.
Greg Shaker
Los Angeles Lakers at Detroit Pistons
Play: Over 193.5
I don't have to tell you how important Rasheed Wallace is to this Pistons Team. Without him they do not play nearly as good of D and that is a very good reason why they are 6-1-1 OVER the last 8 contests. LA has been tagged a very large favorite for this game and with good reason. They should be able to own the inside play tonight and that is what has been the case for Pistons contests recently. We know what the Lakers can do when they have the advantage and they certainly do tonight. Eight of their last 9 times on the court have produced a number greater than what is posted for this one, and even though this is a high number for any Home Pistons affair, it is well worth a strong look. We simply cannot look at past play between these two here at the Palace because dynamics have changed quite a bit. Many will point to the fact that Iverson and Hamilton are also ailing and that without them, Detroit will not be able to muster enough offense to give us what we want. But Detroit is 3-0-1 OVER without Richard and 9-4-1 OVER without Allan. The Laker Scoring Train is here in town and they smell a Piston Collapse. They will take advantage of that situation. This line opened at 194 and perhaps it will fall further. I will get it now. PLAY OVER.
Free Selection from Totals4U
Thursday's free selection: Missouri/Memphis under 141
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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
232 - 155 run 60 %
Thursday Xavier
WED NJ Nets 12 1/2 ty Tues Penn St + 11 TY
Mon Atl Hawks ty Sun Michigan St. TY
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EZWINNER'S FREE SELECTION
Date: Thursday, March 26, 2009
Game: Xavier Musketeers vs. Pittsburgh Panthers
Sport: NCAA Basketball
Time: 6:25PM CST
(809) Xavier Musketeers (+7)
Pittsburgh has been shaky to say the least so far in the tournament and they are facing an Xavier team the is used to getting to the Sweet Sixteen. The Panthers defense has not been up to par and Xavier has an experienced team with a lot of depth. The X men should be able to handle the Pittsburgh defense and limit the number of times they turn the ball over and keep this one close all the way. Take the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 45-39 (53.6%)