*L.A. LAKERS over Atlanta (NBA)...Rejuvenated, reinforced Lakers will have a bit of extra motivation for this quick rematch with Atlanta.Los Angeles blew a 4th-quarter lead and lost the Feb. 6 meeting in Atlanta when Kobe Bryant injured his pinkie and made just 4 of 16 shots while Joe Johnson had 28 pts. and Al Horford pulled down 20 rebounds to lead the Hawks. This will be the home crowd’s first look at Pau Gasol, and expect him to come up with a big game to compliment anticipated bounce-back effort from Kobe.
*L.A. LAKERS 111 - Atlanta 90 RATING - 11
POINTWISE
NCAA
BAYLOR over Oklahoma RATING: 2
NBA KEY RELEASES
DENVER over Boston RATING: 2
L.A. LAKERS over Atlanta RATING: 3
Bobby Maxwell
We've now hit five straight FREE winners after Monday's winner on San Diego as the Torreros got the cover at home against Gonzaga. Today we're on the NBA hardwood with a complimentary selection on the Cavaliers as they host Houston.
The Houston Rockets go to Cleveland today on a roll, having won eight straight games and working their way up the ladder to a tie for seventh place in the Western Conference playoff race.
But now they hit the road to Cleveland after five days off. Five days that allowed the Cavaliers to get a lot healthier than the last time these two met back on Feb. 7. In that game, Houston delivered a 92-77 home victory as 5 1/2-point favorites.
The Cavs are getting healthier and had two players deliver great performances during All-Star weekend when LeBron James was named MVP of the All-Star game and Boobie Gibson hit 11 3-pointers to lead the Sophomores to a win in the Rookies-Sophomores game.
The offense got clicking for the Cavaliers before the break, and now with the return of Gibson and Drew Gooden to the lineup, it should be even better. They scored 118 and 105 in their final two games before the break and average 101.3 at home this season.
The Cavs are 39-19-1 ATS in their last 59 Tuesday games and should add to that winning total today. We're going to play the home underdog and go with Cleveland in this matchup. The break was at the wrong time for the Rockets, who were rolling before the layoff. Play the Cavs in this matchup.
2* CLEVELAND
Michael Cannon
DePaul vs. CONNECTICUT -12'
A winner on Georgetown yesterday as they deliver over Providence!
Take UConn tonight as the big home chalk over DePaul.
The Huskies are rolling, having won nine straight and going 6-2-1 ATS. Their size inside is intimidating and I don't see DePaul being able to get anything done in the paint.
The Blue Demons have been on a down slide, losing five of their last six. They have also been prone to second half letdowns, so don't be surprised if the Huskies pull away after halftime.
UConn will be out to avenge last season's 66-58 loss at DePaul, so expect a focused, 40-minute effort.
Take UConn minus the big number as they deliver the home win and cover.
3* CONNECTICUT
Platinum Plays
NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS + 9
Razor Sharp
BOWLING GREEN +12 over Ohio U
Totals 4 U
MEMPHIS/SEATTLE UNDER 207
Big Time Sports
GOLDEN STATE / UTAH OVER 224
#1 Sports
SAN DIEGO STATE AZTECS - 2
Computer Sports
U.CONN-13
Easy Money
MIAMI-OHIO -5
HUDDLE UP SPORTS
Orlando/Detroit over 195
TV Hotline
AKRON +5
HD Actionline Sports
1* Iowa -9
Dark Horse Sports
Wichita State +5
Vegas Steamline
Iowa -9½
Bob Akmens Comp
Davidson -13.5
This play is the result of a successful computer model that has allowed Bob Akmens Sports to finish in first-place in 152 different categories of documented monitored handicapping contests since 1978.
The computer models I’ve developed for each sport look at the most-predictive variables that go into the winning and losing of games.
Several interesting factors in today’s play are as follows
DAVIDSON covers the spread when [all figures are ATS (against-the-spread)]:
They put 5 men on the floor anywhere: 15-8 last 23; 50-31 last 81; 125-86 last 211 games
They’re a home favorite of 12.5-15 points: 8-1 last 9; 12-4 last 16
They play another Southern Conference team: 36-19 last 55; 93-49 last 142
They play immediately after a conference game: 35-19 last 54; 90-54 last 144
Off of a win vs a conference rival: 11-5 last 16; 31-17 last 48
After allowing 60 points or less: 8-1 last 9
After scoring 80 points or more: 8-3 last 11; 28-12 last 40; 50-28 last 78
When playing vs a team with a winning record: 9-3 last 12; 71-43 last 114
When playing vs a winning team deeper into a season, after at least 15 games:
45-17 last 62 (that’s an amazing 72.6% spread-record over 62 games!)
NC-GREENSBORO fails to cover the spread when:
They’re a dog: 3-6 last 9
They’re a road dog of 12.5-15 points: 2-7 last 9
They’re a road dog of 12.5 or more points: 6-20 last 26
They play a good offensive team, scoring at least 77 points per game, at least 15 games into a season: 8-16 last 24
DAVIDSON -13.5
MTI Sports
Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers
The Trailblazers are 10-0 ATS at home with 3+ days rest and 10-0 ATS (9.2 ppg) off a loss in which they never led. Take Portland to start of the second half with a solid cover. MTi Sports has isolated a single play on tonight's NBA card. it's a great side play in which the dog has an excellent chance at the outright win.
Portland
Dave Cokin
NC Greensboro and Davidson.
Take Davidson.
NC-Greensboro is an okay team, but Davidson is far and away the class of the Southern Conference. They're killing virtually every opponent at home, and Greensboro is off a blowout win in a game they really wanted against Appalachian State. I see them getting smoked here, and I'll lay the spot with Davidson to score another lopsided romp at home."
Davidson
Jim Feist
SAC Kings and POR Trail Blazers.
Take POR Trail Blazers.
Sacramento is in rebuilding mode, just trading away star guard Mike Bibby. The Kings are a poor 7-18 SU, 11-12 ATS on the road. They take on a Portland team that stumbled heading into the break after a terrific first half. A closer look finds that the Blazers are home after a 4-game road trip. This young team has been lights out at home, at 20-6 SU, 14-11 ATS in front of their rabid fans. Portland has already won at Sacramento and should breeze at home.
Blazers
John Fina
Creighton -7.5
Today Missouri State will be on the road as they take on Creighton. We will lay the points with Creighton! Creighton has the much better offense and defense. Creighton (at home) is scoring an average of 75.8 points per game, while Missouri State (on the road) is scoring an average of only 60.5 points per game. Creighton (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 61.6 points per game, while Missouri State (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 71.1 points per game. As you can see, Creighton has the much better offense and defense. Missouri State is 1-12 ATS in their last 13 road games, while Creighton is 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games. Lay the points!
Creighton -7.5
Vegas Experts
Memphis Grizzlies at Seattle Supersonics
Sonics get little or no home court edge because the team may be moving to Oklahoma City. Coach P.J. too does not seem to be the mentor the Sonics young players need. Grizzlies have some pride and some players in Miller and Gay and don't like hearing about how all is lost with Gasol gone. Game is on the West Coast but figure the club arrived yesterday to get prepared for this one. Memphis is 7-3 S/U and ATS in the series. Seattle is 6-17 ATS in home games when playing with double revenge - 2 straight losses vs. opponent over the last 2 seasons and 38-55 ATS after playing 2 consecutive games as an underdog over the last 3 seasons.
Vernon Croy
Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Toronto Maple Leafs
Play:Toronto Maple Leafs
1 Unit, Take Toronto -131, This pick falls into one of my NHL systems and Columbus is just 5-16 in their last 21 games when playing against a team with a losing record. The Leafs are averaging 3.1 goals per game at home this season and Columbus has struggled killing penalties over their last 5 games with opponents converting at 37.5% with the extra man against them. Columbus is just 2-8 in their last 10 games and they come into this game with a lot of injuries while the Leafs are playing for their jobs. Take Toronto with great value at home tonight.
Matt Fargo
Purdue vs. Indiana U
Play: Purdue
I liked the way Indiana came out on Saturday night against Michigan St. as the energy and emotion was at 200 percent in what was a statement game for all of the allegations going on. Now even though the competition does not lighten up, tonight the Hoosiers will be hard-pressed to match what they brought to the floor against the Spartans. As a matter of fact, it might be the complete opposite considering D.J. White is hurting. Teammates rally around fallen players but no one can come close to what he brings to the floor.
Indiana’s best player is gimpy with a bad knee and the Boilermakers are still getting a lack of respect here. I talked about Purdue’s success in a recent article and how it is no longer going to be getting generous lines. Well, I was certainly wrong with that one as it was favored by only eight points at Northwestern (Ohio St. was favored by the same number at Northwestern three days earlier) and now this line. The Hoosiers should be favored at home but it should be by a single point.
Purdue started the season playing some inconsistent basketball, going 7-4 in its first four games including an embarrassing home loss against Wofford. The Boilermakers followed that up with another bad performance at Iowa St. but since then, it has gone 14-1 with the one loss coming at Michigan St. by just three points, a game in which the Boilermakers overcame a 16-point deficit to tie it with less than two minutes to play. Overall, four losses have been by three points and the five losses have been by an average of 4.4 ppg.
The Boilermakers have not been blessed with an easy schedule as part of their success. They have defeated some tough teams in some tough places and are showing they are ahead of schedule in what was supposed to be a rebuilding season for the very young team. Purdue is 5-2 against the RPI top 50 and 4-2 against the RPI top 20. It has won at Wisconsin and is currently riding a five-game road winning streak in Big Ten games. They are also are 3-1 against ranked teams during Big Ten games.
How good has Purdue been against the top teams? It is 11-3 ATS against teams that are outscoring their opponents by eight or more ppg after 15 or more games over the last two seasons. Over the last two years, the Boilermakers are 14-2 ATS against teams that force 14 or fewer tpg after 15 or more games. Indiana meanwhile is 2-11 ATS in home games after playing two consecutive games as a favorite over the last three seasons. Also, the Hoosiers are 4-16 ATS in February games over the last three seasons. Play Purdue Boilermakers 1 Unit
James Patrick Sports
Grizzlies vs. Supersonics
With the news of the eminent departure of the Supersonics from the Emerald City we look for them to finish their home schedule in strong fashion for the remainder of the season. The Grizz are a great opponent to get off to a win streak against as they have been bad since their trading of Gasol. Our complimentary NBA selection is on #718 Seattle Supersonics in NBA action.
Nelly
Florida State – over Clemson
This will be the fourth road game in the last five for Clemson and after delivering big wins over Georgia Tech and N.C. State a letdown is possible playing an underachieving Florida State squad. FSU has a 3-8 record in conference play but the losses have mainly come in painfully close games. The Seminoles took North Carolina to overtime at home and also played Duke tough as well as earning two road wins in conference play. In the first meeting this season Clemson won by twelve, but the game went to double-overtime in Clemson. The season has unraveled for Florida State but the Seminoles are still capable of coming up with an upset win tonight.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Purdue
Note: A battle of in-state rivals tips off in Bloomington when (21-5 / 12-1) invades Indiana (21-4 / 10-2) in a key Big 10 showdown. There is no refuting what Purdue has accomplished this season. The Boilers are riding an 11-1 SUATS streak entering tonight contest, and are a perfect 6-0 ATS in the conference road this campaign. With the Hoosiers in off an emotional win-and-cover over Michigan State, look for Purdue to improve to 9-5 ATS n this series in games in which Indiana is off one win exact here tonight.
Great Lakes
Orlando at Detroit
Play on: Orlando Magic
The Magic is a very respectable 33-20 ATS this year, and 12-5 ATS as an underdog this year. The Orlando Magic is also 20-9 ATS on the road this year, and 38-20 ATS after scoring 105 points or more the last three years. We look for the Orlando Magic to beat the Detroit Piston for the road ATS Win & cover tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Chicago Blackhawks at St. Louis Blues
Prediction: Chicago Blackhawks
Reason: Both team's are playing well right now. The Blackhawks have won 3 straight and 4 of their last 5 while the Blues have won 3 of their last 4. Chicago is 8-3 in their last 11 games following a win. Chicago is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. Western Conference opponents. St. Louis is 5-12 in their last 17 games overall. In their last 15 games vs. Western Conference opponents the Blues are 4-11. Chicago has won 8 of the last 11 meetings. Play on the Chicago Blackhawks +.
Vegas Sports Pics
Purdue Boilermakers + 5 over (at) Indiana Hoosiers
No.15 Indiana (21-4, 10-2) forward White, the Big Ten's second leading scorer, is questionable off spraining his knee Saturday. No.14 Purdue (21-5, 12-1) is 13-3 ATS last 16 road games.
Oklahoma Sooners - 4.5 over Baylor Bears
Baylor (17-7, 5-5) at OU (17-8, 5-5) enters off a 66-64 win at Texas Tech, snapping Tech's 11-0 home start. Sooners have won last 27 meetings, including a 77-71 victory at Baylor on 01/26.
Kentucky Wildcats - 5.5 over Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia (12-11, 3-7) at Kentucky (13-10, 7-3) has picked up the pace going 6-1 last 7 games including a 72-66 home win over now No.2 (23-2) Tennessee. Wildcats won at Georgia 63-58 on 02/02.
ATS Consultants
Newsletter Plays
(Best Bet 3 units, Preferred Plays 2 units)
Hoops
Denver over Boston 113-103 Best Bet
The Celts have had a great start, but they are a running into injury issues (Kevin Garnett) and their lack of a strong bench is catching up with them. Denver is a wild card out West, with Carmelo Anthony playing like a superstar and Allen Iverson finally sharing the ball. Marcus Camby could be the game’s best defensive center.
Cleveland over Houston Rockets 94-94-Pref.
Utah over Golden State 103-94-Pref.
Drake over Bradley 74-61-Pref.
Hockey
Over in the Carolina/Boston Game - Pref.
Nashville over Edmonton - Pref.
Under in the Florida/Pittsburgh Game -BB