WINNERS EDGE
NBA
NJ Nets + 5 , 2 units
CBB
Mt St Marys - 7 , 2 units
Rhode Island + 7 , 2 units
Akron + 7.5 , 1 unit
LT's Lock
Minnesota -3
BIG AL's 100% (9-0 ATS) NBA B-L-O-W-O-U-T WINNER
Al McMordie has an EASY WINNER for you in Tuesday Night NBA action that's out of 100% (9-0 ATS) and 89% (16-2 ATS) angles. It's Big Al's NBA Non-Division Game of the Week, and it will be an ABSOLUTE R-O-U-T! Don't miss it.
Portland
Locksmith Sports Picks
1 Unit on Old Dominion -5
Old Dominion has the big edge in this one playing at home where it went 12-4 this season. Old Dominion is 7-0 ATS in home games off an upset loss as a favorite under coach Taylor. It is winning in these spots by 18.1 ppg. Coach Taylor is 10-1 ATS in home games versus good 3 point shooting teams, making >=37% of their attempts after 15+ games in all games he has coached since 1997. Rider is 6-17 ATS versus good ball handling teams, committing <=14 turnovers/game under coach Dempsey. Coaching comes into play big time in tourney action, especially in these lesser tourneys as there is no question that these teams wanted to be playing in the Big Dance. We'll take Old Dominion at home.
MR. Ernie
2*- Akron over 134
Bobby Maxwell
Taking our shot in the CBI Tournament today as we grab the points with Alabama State as they take on Arizona State.
Everybody thinks Arizona State was robbed and deserved an invitation to the Big Dance. The Sun Devils have everybody doing their crying for them, saying how they deserved to be dancing and rival Arizona should be in the NIT.
But all this crying is going to do is help Arizona State produce a lackluster performance tonight. The Sun Devils will likely win the game but not cover this huge number. Arizona State lost five of their last eight games.
Alabama State won six of their last seven games but lost to Jackson State in the SWAC semifinal 77-72 in OT. The can certainly play defense, giving up 65.4 points a game and 38.6 percent shooting in their last five. And while the Hornets might be disappointed they're not in the big dance, they've got to be excited just to still be playing.
Look for a lackluster first half and Arizona State to get the job done in the second half. But they're just not going to have enough to cover this number. Grab the points and play Alabama State in this NIT late game.
4* ALABAMA STATE
The Mavericks have got some momentum going with five straight wins while the Lakers have lost three of four and failed to cover in four straight.
Dallas went to Miami and crushed the Heat 98-73 as a 15 1/2-point favorite on Sunday and have gotten healthy on the dregs of the Eastern Conference, winning those five straight and covering the number each time.
The Mavs are on ATS runs of 9-0 on a days rest, 6-0 following a SU win and 5-0 as a favorite. The lakers meanwhile are struggling with ATS marks of 0-6 against teams with a winning record, 0-5-1 against the Southwest Division and 1-4 on a day of rest.
The home team has won each of the two games these two have played this season, including the 112-105 win by the Mavs back on Jan. 25 when they pushed as seven-point favorites. The home team is 7-1 SU (4-3-1 ATS) in this series.
Los Angeles is struggling to cope with the injury to Pau Gasol as they just don't seem to have enough offense to get the job done. The Mavs are at home and getting fat against undermanned squads. Let's play the Mavericks to use that momentum to get the 10-point win in this one.
3* DALLAS
Chuck Franklin
The Bluejays will win by double-digits.
Rhode Island has to travel a long way on short notice and they are an awful road team as it is. As a matter of fact, the Rams are only 1-8 ATS the last nine games played overall. On the road they are on a 1-4 ATS run. They are 1-8 ATS the last nine games played after a loss.This will be an absolute blowout!
3* CREIGHTON
Last night I went against the Chicago Bulls playing on the road at New Orleans. That was another 1500* in the bank as the Hornets won and easily covered, finishing the game on a 24-4 run. I will cash the ticket tonight taking the Bulls as they come back home and beat the Nets by double-digits.
The Nets have won only two of the last eight games played and they are only 11-21 on the road this season, losing seven straight away from home. The Bulls have lost four of the last five, but they will take care of business in this Eastern Conference clash. Chicago has double-revenge for two losses to the Nets already this season. The Bulls have won three of the last four when hosting New Jersey.
The Nets are 3-14-1 ATS their last 18 road games and the Bulls are 5-2 ATS their last seven home games. Chicago has covered the spread in 11 of the last 14 games after a loss and New Jersey is 1-5 ATS the last six played after a win. This will be an absolute blowout!
3* CHICAGO
Chris Jordan
I am going to take a shot with the Mid American Conference-entry Zips here, as they come in with more wins, less losses and a solid shot at winning this one outright.
Akron (23-10 SU and 16-12 ATS) won 10 of 17 on the highway this season, while covering nine of 15 with a suitcase in hand.
Akron played some decent non-conference competition, knocking off Temple and Wyoming early on, while challenging Dayton on the road just before conference play began. Akron has generally been a team that can play defense when it?s put to the test, and this is certainly a final exam.
The Seminoles may be 13-4 SU at home, but they?ve covered only five of 14 in Tallahassee. Look for Akron to push the ball in this one, force the tempo and keep the Noles guessing on defense.
4* AKRON
Look for the Mavericks to make it six straight on the hardwood and at the window, snapping a five-game losing streak to potential playoff teams when they host the Lakers tonight.
I realize Dallas winning streak has come against Eastern Conference teams with losing records, including Sunday?s 98-73 rout of Miami, and the Mavs are 0-5 (2-3 ATS) against Western Conference playoff contenders since acquiring all-star guard Jason Kidd, but this is the perfect opportunity to regain some confidence with roughly three weeks left in the season.
Los Angeles comes into this one off a 104-92 thumping in Houston, marking the Lakers third loss in four games ? and fourth straight versus the books not to mention their second consecutive during a four-game road trip against Western Conference teams in playoff contention.
These two have split two games this season with the home team winning each outing. The host is on runs of 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS run in this series, while the straight-up winner is 7-3 ATS in the last 10. And if you ask me, the Mavericks are poised for the win here. Lay the number with Dallas.
2* MAVERICKS
JIM FEIST
So when are the Rockets finally going to lose a game? It could be here against the team with the best record in the league. However, there's an old wagering rule ride the hot team. There are plenty of reasons to back Houston here, as well. This is the 4th game in 5 nights for the Celtics, and a tough trip thru the Texas Triangle, playing at San Antonio Monday. Houston has won 22 in a row, 18-3-1 ATS. You want to go against that ?
Play the Rockets!
DAVE COKIN
Did Arizona State get the big snub from the NCAA selection committee? I'm not sure, as there's a good argument on either side of the equation. What I do know is that the Sun Devils have a chance to convince everyone they belonged with a big showing in the NIT. Let's see if they've got the right mindset tonight. If they do, they can name the score against a seriously outgunned Alabama State squad. I'm banking on Herb Sendek having his troops well prepped and ready to deliver, so I'll go with ASU minus the big number
John Fina
Selection: Phoenix Suns -4
Today the Phoenix Suns will take on the Portland Trail Blazers. We will lay the points with the Phoenix Suns! The Phoenix Suns should be able to control this game with their superior offense. The Phoenix Suns are scoring an average of 110 points per game, while the Portland Trail Blazers are scoring an average of only 95.7 points per game. This means the Phoenix Suns offense is scoring an average of 14.3 points per game more then the Portland Trail Blazers offense. In addition, the Portland Trail Blazers are a very bad road team. In fact, the Portland Trail Blazers are 2-10 ATS in their last 12 home games. The Phoenix Suns have already proven they can beat the Portland Trail Blazers. This is shown by the Phoenix Suns being 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings against the Portland Trail Blazers. Lay the points!
Take the Phoenix Suns -4
JEFF BENTON
Warriors-Kings game to soar OVER the posted price
I know that the totals in Warriors games have gotten pretty insane lately, which is reflected in the fact that Golden State has actually stayed under the total in three of its last four games (even though those four contests have ended with combined totals of 199, 223, 238 and 217). But these are two extremely fast-paced, up-tempo teams that play absolutely no defense. Just look at the numbers. Golden State is averaging 111 points per game on 46.3 percent shooting, while the Kings pour in 101.6 ppg on 46 percent shooting. And the Warriors yield 107.8 ppg, slightly more than Sacramento?s average of 104 ppg allowed. Both teams allow the opposition to make about 46.5 percent of their field goals.
Now strip things down to the last five games Golden State is averaging 116 per game (48 percent) and surrendering 106 ppg (48.4 percent), compared with Sacramento's 103.6 ppg for (47.5 percent) and 107.2 ppg allowed (49 percent). Finally, there are these impossible-to-ignore trends: For the Warriors, the over is 10-1 in the last 11 on the road, 9-3 in the last 12 within the division and 19-7-1 in the last 27 overall, while Sacramento has topped the total in 13 of its last 17 home games and seven of its last 10 overall. Throw in the near pick-em odds on the sidemeaning overtime is a distinct possibility, and I see this one flying over what is admittedly an inflated total.
(Based on a 1* to 10* rating system)
4* Warriors-Kings OVER the total
MATT RIVERS
For Tuesday take Nevada at home.
Rob McKiver may be the best player on the court and the Cougars overall are probably as good as the Wolfpack but on the road Hakeem and Clyde's alma mater is in some trouble.
Nevada has not had the season they wanted to as they have gotten somewhat used to being in the Big Dance but these guys at home are very good as evidence by the seven straight wins there and I would be surprised to see that streak end here.
The 'Pack are a capable team that has held its own against solid competition. They won at New Mexico State, pounded San Diego and beat Santa Clara. Houston is on that level and should compete here but the road is a difficult difficult place and should be too much for the Cougs here.
Houston has dropped three of four SU and all four ATS. Why should anything change here on hostile turf!
TONY WESTON
There are some who think this play-in game between Coppin State and Mount St. Mary's doesn't really matter as either will end up losing by at least 50 to North Carolina in the real first round of The Tournament.
But it matters because it's an easy winner for us as we absolutely love Mount St. Mary?s to destroy the 20-loss Coppin State Eagles.
Even though Coppin State started 4-19 SU to begin the season, the Eagles finished strong going 11-1 SU, including a perfect 4-0 mark in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament to earn a spot in the play-in game.
However, the Eagles take on a Mountaineers team that has been consistent throughout the season. Mount St. Mary's is 5-0 SU its last five games and is 8-1 SU in its last nine games
Over that 5-game stretch the Mountaineers have outscored their opponents by 13.2 points per game, 76.8-63.6.
Coppin State, on the other hand, is scoring about as much as its opponents in its last five, 64.6-64.2.This one will be ugly, but take Mount St. Mary?s.
2* MOUNT ST. MARY'S (1* to 5* Scale)
Karl Garrett
Going to lay the points tonight at Creighton, as I have a feeling the Rhode Island Rams are going to be in over their heads at this tough venue.
The Blue Jays went a solid 15-2 straight up on their own hardwood, and went 8-5 against the spread in their lined home games.
Rhode Island went just 6-9-1 against the spread away from Kingston, and you talk about a free fall...the Rams come into this game off losses in 7 of their last 9 straight up, covering just once in that span against the spread.
Just too many negatives coming into this game on URI's side, so the G-Man is going to lay the lumber in this first round NIT meeting tonight.
3* CREIGHTON