JB Sports
3* Pacers
2* Suns
2* Memphis
Scott Rickenbach
2* (Top Play) New Orleans Hornets (-) @ Oklahoma City
The first lines to come out on this game were in the 4.5 range yesterday afternoon. This morning we watched the line drop as low as a 2.5 in some books. This line move is offering fantastic line value to the Hornets. We understand what every one is likely looking at here – New Orleans struggled before the All Star break – but things can change quickly after the break. That is precisely what we see here. Much of the Hornets struggles prior to the break had to do with injuries. Now, even though Tyson Chandler (questionable) may not play tonight, the Hornets do have a healthy Chris Paul (note what he did in All Star game) plus David West came back in the final game before the All Star break. That means this team is ready to make a big push in the “second half” of the season.
The Hornets are truly fighting for their playoff lives as their slump before the break dropped them way back in the playoff standings and they could now be the team to fall into the dreaded #9 spot if their not careful. We feel this will result in New Orleans coming out of the break with plenty of energy and emotion. They’re facing a Thunder team that wasn’t playing very well entering the break either. Making matters worse for Oklahoma City is that they are one of the six teams in the Western Conference that are, essentially, already eliminated from playoff contention. While they’re playing for the future, that doesn’t necessarily help them in a game like this. They just don’t have the defensive skills to match-up with the Hornets. That’s why New Orleans has taken seven straight games against the Oklahoma City franchise.
Overall, the Thunder lost five of their last seven games entering the All Star break and they’ve already lost both match-ups with the Hornets this season. New Orleans has averaged 107 points in the two wins and this comes as no surprise as the Thunder have allowed 103 points per game on the season. By the way, the Hornets give up an average of just 93 points per game! You will see the difference in these defenses, on the floor, once again tonight. The Hornets Paul had a triple double with 29 points, 16 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Thunder in their last meeting. He will be unstoppable again tonight. Oklahoma City is improving but they’re still young and the more experienced Hornets have their sights set on a surge toward the post-season. That begins tonight. Play New Orleans minus the points as a Top Play selection.
Kevin Rogers
Charlotte at Orlando
Play: Over 188.5
The Magic and Bobcats open up the second half of the season in Orlando, as the Magic look to bounce back following a disappointing performance prior to the break. Orlando fell at home to Denver, 82-73, in the final game before the All-Star Break, shooting just 30% from the floor. The Magic have rebounded nicely after a horrible offensive performance this season, going 11-2 to the OVER after scoring less than 95 points in their last game. Charlotte comes into this contest on a mini-hot streak, winners of two straight, beating the Clippers and Wizards before the break. The Bobcats will be healthier tonight, as the team expects leading scorer Gerald Wallace back, after he missed two weeks with a collapsed lung, and Raja Bell, who was out with a groin injury. Charlotte has eclipsed tonight's total in five of the last six games, hitting 190 points four times. I'll take the Bobcats and Magic to finish OVER the posted total.
MTi Sports
Milwaukee at Detroit
Pick:Milwaukee +7
Analysis: The Bucks lost Michael Redd, their leading scorer in late January and after that lost Bogut and then Ridnour. A look at the success of Mo Williams with the Cavs is strong evidence that players can blossom without Redd in the line-up. Not only has Richard Jefferson taken a leadership role with the team, Sessions had taken giant steps recently and Villanueva and Bell are emerging as well. The Bucks have scored 120+ in each of their last three games and are a team full of excited players that really value their court time.The Pistons, on the other hand have been very disappointing this season and there is a lot of trade talk involving Rasheed Wallace that has to be distracting.The Pistons are 3-0 SU and ATS vs Milwauke this season and they are going for the sweep here. Detroit has shown no killer instinct in this situation this season. In 2008-09, the Pistons are 0-8 ATS (-9.3 ppg) at home vs any team they beat three straight, losing five of the eight straight up.The last time these two met, February 7th, Richard Hamilton scored 38 off the bench on 15-of-25 shooting and Detroit prevailed 126-121 in overtime.The Pistons are 0-7 ATS (-6.9 ppg) after winning the previous matchup in which Richard Hamilton scored at least 30 points.This is a lot of points to give a young team that will be playing the entire 48 minutes. Grab ‘em. MTi’s FORECAST: Milwaukee 92 DETROIT 90
Vernon Croy
NCAAB SMASH OF THE WEEK (6-1 86% CBB Run):
20 Units Maryland
RON RAYMOND
5* Toronto Maple Leafs +105
New Jersey Devils -115
Ottawa Senators +115
CHARLIE
500* Kentucky @ Vanderbilt Over 135'
30* Purdue -2'
20* Ohio U +7
20* Seton Hall +12
10* Milwaukee +7
Ok City +3' free play
Wayne Root
Chairman- So Miss
Millionaire- Missouri State
MoneyMaker- Purdue
Billionaire- Vanderbilt
PointspreadPros
3 Units ORLANDO -8 over Charlotte
BEN BURNS
LA CLIPPERS
I'm taking the points with the LA CLIPPERS. As most know, the Suns have been a much stronger team than the Clippers in recent years. They were also significantly better in the first half of this season. Not surprisingly, the Suns knocked off the Clippers in two meetings this season, both of them coming in early January. However, a closer look at those games shows that the Clippers covered the spread in each game, losing by eight at Phoenix and by six at LA. Much has changed in the past six weeks or so though. While the Clippers have gotten much healthier during that span, the Suns are currently dealing with numerous "issues." Indeed, they've got trade rumors re. Amare Stoudemire, their leading scorer, swirling around, causing a distraction to both him and the team. Their second leading scorer, Shaq, could easily have an "All Star letdown." They've also currently got a suspension to their third leading scorer, Jason Richardson. Additionally, they've just had their coach replaced. Clearly, things aren't what they used to be in the desert. Meanwhile, the Clippers are playing their best ball for quite some time, winning three of four before the All Star game. As rookie guard Eric Gordon, who 30 points in the game before the break, had to say: "We definitely needed to find some momentum before the All-Star break. We got our guys back together and we're starting to get the chemistry back." While they do host the Suns tomorrow night, the Clippers really want to carry that positive momentum into tonight's game and start the second half on the right foot, rather than waiting for tomorrow. The Suns are 5-13-1 ATS this season when facing a team which allows 99 or more points per game. They're also 6-15-1 ATS when matched up against a team with a losing record. Additionally, they're 0-3 ATS when playing with three or more day's rest in between games. Look for them to have their hands full tonight with the Clippers moving to 5-0 ATS the last five meetings in this series. *Pacific Division GOM
OKLAHOMA CITY
I'm taking the points with OKLAHOMA CITY. I successfully played against the Thunder in their final game before the break, as they were blown out by Portland. However, that was a very tough spot as they were coming off a hard-fought loss with the Lakers the previous night and were catching a rested Portland team which was playing with revenge. Additionally, that game came on the road. Tonight, the Thunder are back home, where they've been very competitive for several weeks. Oklahoma City comes in with a highly profitable 12-3 ATS mark in its last 15 games here. They won nine of those games outright and none of the losses came by more than 11 points. In fact, three of the six losses came by two points or less. Not surprisingly, the Thunder are a perfect 3-0 ATS since New Year's Eve, when listed as home underdogs of four points or fewer. While the Thunder, who are playing with "double-revenge" and who don't play again until Friday, should be fully focused, this is a tough spot for the Hornets. Not only are they still dealing with injuries to Chandler and Peterson (both currently listed as doubtful) but they've also got a big "revenge" game vs. Orlando on deck tomorrow night. You may recall the last time that the Hornets faced the Magic, as that game came on Christmas Day - the Hornets were blown out by 20 points, losing 88-68. While the Hornets are 9-12-1 ATS this season against teams with a losing record, the Thunder are an excellent 18-9-1 ATS when facing a team with a winning record. Look for them to continue their strong homecourt play, improving to 13-7 ATS the last 20 times that they were attempting to avenge an earlier loss. *Non-Div. Best Bet
PURDUE
I'm laying the small number with PURDUE. After closing out January on a major run, the Boilermakers have had some trouble in February. In four games this month, they've gone just 2-2 SU and 1-3 ATS. Those results have helped to keep this evening's number quite low. However, a closer look shows that three of those four games came on the road and that those were the three pointspread losses. The lone home game resulted in a 14-point win (and cover) vs. Penn State. Including that victory, the Boilermakers are a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS at home in 2009. For the season, they're allowing a mere 53.8 points per game on this floor. As usual, the Spartans boast a strong team and it's true that they've been playing well on the road. However, a closer look shows that they've been favored for every one of their conference road games, while this evening, they come in as small underdogs. That hasn't been a good role for them over the years, as we find them at 0-4 SU/ATS the last four times that they were listed as road underdogs of three points or less and a money-burning 5-11 SU/ATS their last 16 in that situation. On the other hand, the Boilermakers come in at a stellar 6-1 SU/ATS the last seven times that they were home favorites of three points or less. Overall, the Boilermakers are 34-4 SU and 25-13 ATS their last 38 home lined games. During the same stretch, Purdue has also gone a profitable 23-9 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record after 15 or more games of the season. Looking at the recent series history and we find that the Boilermakers are a perfect 4-0 ATS their last four meetings with the Spartans. They covered the spread in a pair of losses at Michigan State and they won by scores of 60-54 and 62-38 the last two times that the teams faced each other here at Purdue. The Boilermakers got Hummel back last game and he should be stronger with a game under his belt. Look for a huge effort from Hummel and co. as they earn the important victory and cover the small number along the way. *CBB Personal Favorite
VANDERBILT
I'm taking the points with VANDERBILT. The early money has come in on Kentucky, as this game opened at a pick'em or with Kentucky laying just one point. While it doesn't surprise me, I feel that the move will prove to be a mistake and that it will be the Commodores which come away with the important victory this evening. These teams met at Kentucky last month with the Wildcats winning by 10, as nine point favorites. However, a closer look shows that the Commodores played that game without leading scorer A.J. Ogilvy. The sophomore dressed but watched the entire game from the bench after aggravating a heel injury the previous day. That was a major blow. In addition to his 14.6 points per game, as Ogilvy also leads the Commodores in rebounds. Off a sub-par outing vs. Tennessee last time out, I expect a big game from Ogilvy this evening. While the Commodores were pounded at Tennessee, they're 2-0 at home this month, most recently knocking off Mississippi by double-digits. Looking back further and we find the Commodores at an outstanding 44-7 their last 51 home games. That includes a 93-52 beating of the Wildcats here last season, their biggest win in the SEC in 15 years, and a 4-2 SU/ATS mark as home underdogs of three points or less. Looking back further and we find the Commodores with a profitable 14-9 SU/ATS mark the last 23 times that they were home underdogs of three points or less. Including last year's destruction, Vandy has won the last three meetings with the Wildcats here in Nashville. While last year's game here should provide Kentucky with some added motivation, I still don't expect it to be enough. Note that the Wildcats may be without Patrick Patterson, currently listed as questionable. While Patterson could play, with a very important game vs. Tennessee on deck, there's also a reasonable chance that Kentucky could hold him out. That would be a big blow as Patterson is second on the team in scoring (only one of two scorers averaging in double-digits, while Vandy has four) and he leads the team in rebounding. Even if he plays, he may not be 100% and/or may be limited. Regardless, look for the revenge-minded Commodores to bounce back with a huge effort, continuing their recent homecourt success in this series and improving to 14-3 the last 17 times that they were attempting to avenge an earlier road loss. *annihilator
AVALANCHE
I'm playing on COLORADO. The Senators' recent win streak has shown that they are better than their overall record indicates. That said, this is a very tough spot for them. While Colorado had last night off, Ottawa comes off a win at Nashville. This isn't just a back to back situation though. That's because it's the final game of a road trip and will also mark their fifth game in the past seven days. That's about as gruelling as it gets in the NHL and I expect it to catch up with the Sens this evening. Note that Ottawa has never had a perfect five-game road trip in franchise history. The Avalanche have admittedly had some real problems of their own. However, they knocked off the Red Wings on Sunday (no easy task!) and that gives them some positive momentum here. While the Sens are now 15-23 their last 38 games against teams from the West, during the same stretch, the Avs have gone a solid 35-25 (+9.6) against teams from the East. Even including recent results, the Avs are still above 500 (16-14) at home while the Sens still have just 10 wins in 29 road games. The Avs, who got veteran defenseman Adam Foote back last game, head out on the road for a 6-game 11-day trip, after this. That makes winning tonight's home game all that much more important. Look for the Avs to be the fresher team and for that, combined with home ice advantage, to be the difference. *NHL Personal Favorite
Nick Bogdanovich
Med Michigan State (+2½) over Purdue
Med New Mexico (+7) over BYU
Jim Hurley
2* Vanderbilt (+1½) over Kentucky
2* Hawks (+9) over La Lakers
Plus LIne Sports
NHL:
Blackhawks puck and money line
NCAA:
Austin Peay +1
Raging Bull
NBA:
Magic -8
MN/Wiz over 202
Spurs -5
NCAA:
MD/Clemson over 144
Penn/Princeton under 121
NHL:
Leafs over 6
Flames over 5.5
ATS Sports Club
NBA:
Rockets -5
Magic -8
Wolves/Wizards over 203
NCAA:
BYU -6
Seton Hall/Marquette over 151
NHL:
Bruins -160
Avalanche -130