Dwayne Bryant
Cleveland Cavaliers -6 at Indiana Pacers
"King James" and the Cavs are coming off their first home loss of the season -- 101-91 to the Lakers. That tells me about all I need to know. Why? Because this season the Cavs are a PERFECT 9-0 SU and ATS in the game following a SU loss. LeBron scored just 16 points on 5-of-20 (25%) shooting in that loss to the Lakers, so I expect a monster game from James tonight. The Cavs are also 8-2 ATS in their last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Indiana is coming off a loss as a favorite at Washington and they've dropped four of their last five overall. The Pacers are obviously not playing good basketball right now and it would take their "A game" just to keep this one close tonight. The Pacers are also 0-4-1 ATS in their last five games when their opponent allowed 100 points or more in their previous game.
Cleveland has won nine straight in this series, covering eight of those contests. The favorite is also 13-3-2 ATS in the last 18 meetings. I expect the fired up Cavs to come away with a double-digit win.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
(Power Angle Play)
San Antonio -5 over NEW JERSEY
The Spurs are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 road games and 14-3-1 ATS in the last 18 meetings, while the Nets are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game and 0-8 ATS in their last 8 meetings with the Spurs here, plus the Road team is 5-1-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings. The Spurs are playing great ball right now as they have won 9 of their last 11 overall and 9 of their last 12 on the road. They have beaten the likes of Boston, Utah and Phoenix in their last 5 road games and the Nets are certainly not in the category of those 3 teams. The Spurs offense is ranked just 20th in scoring (97.8 ppg), but they are ranked 7th in offensive FG% (46.5%), plus their offense has come alive lately as they have put up 106.2 ppg in their last 6 games. The Defense for the Spurs is ranked just 18th in FG% (45.8%), but they have allowed just 94.6 ppg (7th). The Net's offense is just 19th in scoring (98.3 ppg) and 27th in FG% (44.3), while their defense has struggled at times, allowing 99.9 ppg (17th), 46.1% shooting (22nd) and 39.5% 3pt shooting 29th. Despite the recent good play of the Nets, the Spurs are the play here and they will prove t with a big double digit win here.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- Since 2006 the Nets are 0-9 ATS as a regular season dog with no more than 1 days rest, if they are off a loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field.
(Power Angle Play)
DALLAS -12 over Sacramento
The Kings are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, while the Mavericks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game, plus the Home team is 4-1-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings. The Kings have really struggled when playing in Dallas, as they are just 1-13 SU & 2-11-1 ATS in their last 14 trips there, while being outscored by 13.6 ppg in the process, including being outscored by 14.5 ppg in their 13 losses. That's domination. The Kings have been just a horrible defensive team this year, as they have allowed 109 ppg overall (29th) and they are dead last in FG% defense (48.3%) and 3pt FG% defennse (40.4%). That defense has been even more pitiful of late as they have allowed a whopping 119.1 ppg in their last 14 games. The Kings offense hasn't been bad as they are 13th in scoring (99.4 ppg), but they do rank just 24th in FG% (44.5%). Their offense has been better of late, but they will be facing a decent Dallas defense that is 15th in scoring (99.7 ppg) and 9th in FG% defense (45.1%). The Dallas offense puts up 100.7 ppg overall (11th), including 102.7 ppg at home and they are 10th in FG% (45.8%). Their offense has been taken to new hieghts of late as they have averaged 106.4 ppg in their last 8 games. The Kings allow 110.2 ppg on the road, while being outscored by 12.3 ppg in those games, plus they have have allowed 114.5 ppg in their last 18 trips to Dallas and in their last 6 games overall they have been outscored bu 15.4 ppg. Can you say blowout?
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- Dallas is 11-0 ATS as a regular season favorite when facing a team that they lost to on the road in their previous same-season matchup.
2 UNIT PLAY
LAKERS -13 over Oklahoma City
This was to be a power angle play, as the last two year the Lakers are 18-4 ATS during the 2nd half of the season vs teams that allow 99+ ppg, but with then coming off two road wins vs Boston and Cleveland they could suffer from a bit of a letdown vs the lowly Thunder, so I made this a lower rated play. The Lakers are simly the best team in basketball right now and are facing a Thunder team that is 13-38 overall and just 3-20 on the road. LA SHOULD roll here.
1 UNIT PLAY
New Jersey/ San Antonio Over 187.5
The Over is 6-0 in Spurs last 6 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game, while the Over is 11-4 in Nets last 15 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points. The Spurs road games this year have averaged just 191.8 ppg overall but their last 5 on the road have all scored 200+, with an average of 208.6 ppg being scored. Net games average 198.2 ppg overall and 197.7 ppg at home. The Nets offense has been better of late as they have averaged 103 ppg in their last 4 games, while the Spurs offense has put up 106.2 ppg in their last 6 games. I know this has been a low scoring series, but withh the way both offenses are playing right now I see no reason why these teams can't put 190+ points on the board in this one.
Evan Altemus
MINNESOTA +3
Minnesota will be playing their first game without their best player, Al Jefferson. He is gone for the season due to an injured knee and is a devastating blow to a Timberwolves team that has been improving since Kevin McHale took over as head coach. However, teams that have lost a starter are excellent bet on teams in their first game without that player. The other players step up for one game in order to overcome the missing player. However, after the first game, these teams have a great deal of problems. Minnesota has a great deal of front court depth, specifically rookie Kevin Love who has been playing better lately. Meanwhile, Toronto is a complete mess right now. They are on a six game straight up losing streak, as well as a seven game against the spread slide. The Raptors will also be without Chris Bosh in this game. Toronto is one of the weakest front court teams in the NBA as well, so Jefferson?s absence will not affect Minnesota much in this game. Toronto should not be laying points against anyone on the road right now. Look for Minnesota to get the outright win.
2 UNIT SELECTION
Wunderdog
New York Knicks at Golden State
Pick: New York Knicks +4.5
The Knicks have had more success this season under Mike D'Antoni's catch-and-shoot offense. When they haven't been winning, they have certainly been getting the money, especially as an underdog. The Knicks have been a stellar 12-3 ATS as a road dog in their last 15 games. The Warriors have been tough as a home dog, but on the season stand just 5-9 ATS as a favorite. The Knicks are playing some good basketball right now, and certainly have the firepower to match hoops with Golden State and be in this one to the end. The Knickerbockers get the call here.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Minnesota Golden Gophers -17
The Indiana Hoosiers have been able to stay in some games at home as this undermanned team has played with lots of heart in front of its faithful, but the Hoosiers have been awful on the road. IU is 0-7 in true road games this season and 1-10 in all games away from home, which includes neutral court contests. The Hoosiers are losing those games by a hefty 19.1 points per. Minnesota only beat the Hooisers by 4 at Indiana so they will know better than to take them lightly. Plus, the Gophers are back home off consecutive road losses so they will have some fire in their eyes tonight. Minnesota is 6-0 ATS in home games versus poor defensive teams with a shooting pct. defense of >=45% over the last 2 seasons, winning these games by 17.6 points on average. I have the Gophers by 20 tonight. Lay the points.
Yankee Capper
NBA
Knicks +4
Mavericks -11
NHL
San Jose/Boston Under 5.5
NCAA Hoops
Clemson -3.5
Brian Hansen
Marquette at Villanova
Prediction: Villanova
The Wildcats are rolling. They already beat Pittsburgh here and they smoked Syracuse last game. The Golden Eagles are a fraud that was exposed at South Florida. The Wildcats are practically unbeatable at home and they MASSACRE Marquette tonight. Play on VILLANOVA! All abbooooarrrrdddd!
Sports Gambling Hotline
Oklahoma City +13 at LA LAKERS
Tonight in the NBA, take the points with the Thunder, as the Lakers are in a very bad scheduling spot.
Los Angeles just concluded a brutal 6-game road swing that saw them win all 6, including key wins at Boston, and Cleveland. Plus, the Lakers will go to the All-Star break with a game at Utah tomorrow night no less!
Asking them to cover double-digits tonight seems like a bit much, and the Thunder is a money-making 15-8 against the spread on the road this year, and they are also 4-2-1 against the spread the last 7 in the series.
LA is just 13-14 against the spread at home this season, and while they will win this game outright, getting on top of the impost is a whole other story.
Take the points.
Play on the Thunder.
4♦ OKLAHOMA CITY
Drew Gordon
Oklahoma City +12 at LA LAKERS
This is a tough spot for Kobe and company, as we obviously expect they'll win this game SU, but covering the bloated number against an improving Thunder team is a different story. Of course, one game removed from handing the Cavs their first home loss of the season, plenty of people will be backing the Lake Show tonight. But truth be told, it wouldn't surprise me in the least if LA came out a little flat after a rugged 6-game road trip, and that's all the opening the Thunder will need.
While the Lakers are an impressive 23-4 SU at home this season, their 13-14 record ATS at Staples is nothing to write home about. The Thunder, meanwhile, are a solid 15-8 ATS away this season. The public may love the Lakers, but the sharps love the Thunder, as they get consistently underestimated!
It's also hard to ignore how well Durant has been playing of late, averaging 33 ppg over his last 6 games! He's truly beginning to blossom, and coupled with Green and Westbrook, this Oklahoma City team has a legitimate "Big 3" in the making. Again, I'm not saying the Thunder win outright; far from it, but they can keep this game relatively competitive.
Finally, it's been reported that Kobe is dealing with flu-like symptoms, and based on the Lakers grueling road trip, I'd say this is the perfect spot for a bit of a letdown. Mental and physical fatigue, especially after battling elite teams like the Celtics and Cavs in back-to-back games, is bound to set it. In the end, the Lakers win, but the Thunder walk away with the cash!
Take Oklahoma City plus the points over the LA Lakers in this NBA match up.
3♦ OKLAHOMA CITY
Karl Garrett
Marquette +4' at VILLANOVA
G-Man on an 8-1 comp play run the last 9 days!
Have to grab what I feel are "generous" points with Marquette this evening as they pay a visit to conference rival Villanova.
The Wildcats are riding a little hot streak right now, winning their last 5, while covering their last 7 contests, but Jay Wright's team has not been able to dent Marquette of late, as the Golden Eagles have won and covered the last 3 series showdowns, including a new year's day 79-72 win at Marquette as the 3-point home favorite.
Marquette just had their 12-game winning streak ended on Friday at South Florida, but I think that will make the Golden Eagles just a little bit hungrier when they set foot on court tonight.
Both teams are guard-oriented, and based on the recent meetings, I believe it is not going to be easy for 'Nova to end the series slide.
Take the points with Marquette, as they very easily could win this one outright.
4♦ MARQUETTE
Michael Cannon
Michigan State at MICHIGAN +4
Take the points with Michigan at home tonight against archrival Michigan State.
The Wolverines have been playing well, and doing it against some top-level competition. Michigan hung tough on the road against No. 1 U Conn on Saturday, in a game the Wolverines actually led at halftime.
Michigan does have impressive wins over Northwestern and Penn State on its resume and will come into this game motivated and ready for their archrivals.
Michigan State is once again at the top of the Big Ten standings. But the Spartans are going to be in for a tougher game than last year’s 15-point win. I have been impressed with the effort that Michigan has displayed in the last few games and I expect them to step it up even more tonight.
Take the points with Michigan as they stay within the number at home.
2♦ MICHIGAN
Gina
Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks
Dallas has won eight of the last 10 meetings against the Kings and the last nine at American Airlines Center. Go with Dirk Nowitzki and company to overpower the Kings and continue their superiority at home. Dallas is 9-1 in its last 10 home games, while Sacramento is a nasty 3-24 on the road this season and is 2-11-1 ATS in its last 14 games in Dallas.
Dallas Mavericks -11
Mr A
San Antonio Spurs -5
Chicago Bulls -2
Dallas Mavericks -12
Johnny Guild
Toronto Raptors at Minnesota Timberwolves
The Raptors are struggling dropping six straight, but have beaten the sad Timberwolves in the last eight clashes, going 8-0 ATS. To boot, the Wolves will be without their top scorer Al Jefferson. Take Toronto to continue their winning ways versus Toronto! The Raptors have won and covered the spread in the last 4 meetings at the Target Center.
Toronto Raptors -2.5
NCAAB
Florida St. Seminoles -10
Boston College Eagles +3.5
JACK JONES
New Jersey Nets +5.5 over San Antonio
The Spurs might be in for a let down here against the Nets, but since New Jersey has lost 12 straight to San Antonio, I think you'll see their best efforts here tonight. The Spurs are in the middle of their longest road trip of the season, and are coming off a big 105-99 win over the Celtics. New Jersey has been playing better recently, winning four straight before losing in Orlando on Sunday. The line on this game is so high due to the injury to Vince Carter, but Devin Harris is the new leader of this team so I think the books over-valued the Carter injury here.
Miami-Ohio -7.5 over Central Michigan
The RedHawks have beaten Central Michigan 13 straight times and have won four straight games both straight-up and against the spread. This team is now 7-2 in MAC play. The Chippewas on the other hand have dropped three straight games to fall to 3-6 in the conference. The reason Miami has been so dominant recently is their effort on defense, holding teams to just 57.6 ppg. Michael Bramos has been doing the work on offense with his 17 ppg average, while down low Tyler Dierkers is putting up 9.1 points and nearly 8 rebounds. How is Central Michigan going to score against this defense when they are only averaging 63.3 ppg?