SPORTS ADVISORS
(6) Michigan State (20-4, 12-8-1 ATS) at (19) Purdue (19-6, 10-11 ATS)
Two of the top three teams in the Big Ten get together for the first time this season, as Michigan State takes a three-game SU and ATS winning streak to Mackay Arena for a showdown with Purdue.
The Spartans have destroyed their last three opponents (Minnesota, Indiana and Michigan) by an average of 23 points per game while giving up 47, 47 and 42 points in the three victories – their three lowest point totals allowed this season. Most recently, Michigan State pounded Michigan 54-42 a week ago tonight, cashing as a four-point road chalk. Tom Izzo’s squad is on a 5-1 SU and ATS roll, with all five victories coming by 15 points or more. Additionally, it has won all six of its Big Ten roadies (5-0-1 ATS).
Purdue survived a grind-it-out tussle at Iowa on Saturday, winning 49-45 but coming up just short as a five-point road chalk. Although the Boilermakers were held to their second lowest point total of the season, they shot 46.5 percent from the field and held the Hawkeyes to just 36.2 percent, and they had a 29-23 rebounding edge. Purdue has followed up consecutive losses with two straight wins (1-1 ATS) and is 8-2 SU in its last 10 (6-4 ATS), allowing an average of just 57.8 ppg during this 10-game stretch.
Michigan State has a 1½-game lead over Illinois and a two-game edge on Purdue in the Big Ten standings with a 10-2 record (7-4-1 ATS), and its six conference road wins have been by an average of 11 ppg. Purdue is 8-4 in conference (6-6 ATS), and since opening league play with a four-point overtime home loss to Illinois, the Boilermakers are on a 4-0 SU and ATS run at Mackay Arena.
The home team has won four straight meetings in this rivalry (3-1 ATS) and is 7-1 SU in the last eight (5-3 ATS). However, Purdue has cashed in each of the last four series clashes, including both meetings last year – a 60-54 home win as a 1½-point home chalk and a 78-75 road setback as a 13-point underdog. Finally, the favorite has gotten the money in nine of the last 12 battles.
The Spartans are on ATS runs of 5-1 overall, 6-0-1 on the road, 4-1 against winning teams and 11-4 after holding their previous opponent to less than 50 points, but they’ve failed to cash in four of their last five on Tuesday. In addition to its 4-0 ATS run at home, Purdue is 28-12-1 ATS in its last 41 against Big Ten rivals, but the Boilermakers are 0-for-5 this season as a favorite of less than five points.
The under is 7-1 in the last eight meetings in this rivalry and 6-1 in the last seven clashes at Mackay Arena. Additionally, the under is on streaks of 12-2 for Michigan State on Tuesday, 6-2 for Michigan State versus winning teams, 4-1 for the Boilermakers overall and 5-2 for the Boilermakers at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Maryland (16-8, 9-7-2 ATS) at (13) Clemson (20-4, 9-9-1 ATS)
Two days after suffering an embarrassing loss at last-place Virginia, Clemson goes back to work when it hosts ACC rival Maryland, which is looking for a marquee win to enhance its NCAA Tournament resume.
The Tigers took the court as an eight-point road favorite Sunday in Charlottesville, Va., but departed with an 85-81 overtime loss. Since starting the season with 16 consecutive wins, Clemson has split its last eight contests both SU and ATS, with the winner covering the spread in each game. Much of the blame for the Tigers’ struggles has been defense, as they’ve surrendered 80.5 ppg in their four losses, compared with 63.2 ppg in their 20 victories.
Maryland has won two in row and three of its last four (3-1 ATS), including Saturday’s 83-73 rout of Virginia Tech, cashing as a 3½-point home favorite. The Terps’ recent surge comes on the heels of a 1-4 slump (2-3 ATS), all in conference play.
Clemson is in a four-way tie for third place in the ACC at 6-4 (5-4-1 ATS), including 3-2 at home (2-2-1 ATS). Maryland is one game back at 5-5 SU and ATS, including 1-4 SU and 3-2 ATS on the highway.
The Tigers are on a 5-2 SU and ATS run in this rivalry, including a 73-70 road win as a one-point favorite in last year’s lone meeting. The winner has covered the spread in each of the last 10 series battles, and the road team and the underdog have both cashed in four of the last six.
The Terps are on pointspread surges of 4-2 on the road, 5-1-1 after a SU victory and 5-2 against winning teams, but they’re 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight after a non-cover. Clemson is 4-2 ATS in its last six overall and 9-4-1 ATS in its last 14 at home versus teams with a losing road record.
The over is 6-1 in the last seven head-to-head matchups between these schools and is on further runs of 5-2-1 for Maryland overall (all in the ACC), 4-1 for Maryland after a spread-cover, 4-1 for Maryland against winning teams and 6-1 for Clemson against winning teams. On the flip side, the under is 10-5 in the Terps’ last 15 roadies and 8-0 in the Tigers’ last eight at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NBA
San Antonio (35-16, 25-24-2 ATS) at New York (21-31, 30-22 ATS)
After a five-day layoff for the All-Star break, the Spurs resume their eight-game road trip at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, who come out of the break looking to put the skids on a six-game losing streak.
San Antonio is 3-2 (3-1-1 ATS) through the first five games on its three-week journey, but after back-to-back wins at the Celtics (105-99) and Nets (108-83), it fell 91-89 at Toronto on Wednesday as a 6 ½-point chalk. That non-cover snapped a 6-0-1 ATS run by the Spurs (5-0-1 ATS on the road).
The Knicks have also been idle since Wednesday, when they concluded an ugly three-game West Coast road trip with a 128-124 loss at the Clippers, cashing as a 5½-point road underdog. New York is putting up 113 points per game during its six-game slide (3-3 ATS), but has allowed a whopping 120.1 ppg. Mike D’Antoni’s squad has hit triple digits in 13 straight games, but given up 104 or more in 10 of the last 12, including eight in a row.
The Spurs have won seven straight meetings against the Knicks, and they’re 9-1 in the last 10 battles. However, since a 5-1 ATS run by San Antonio, New York has covered three of the last four. The one exception came on Nov. 11, when the Spurs rolled to a 92-80 home win as a 4½-point chalk. The favorite is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 head-to-head battles, and San Antonio is 4-1 (3-2 ATS) in its last five trips to the Garden.
Although the Knicks have alternated spread-covers in their last seven outings, they’re 10-3 ATS in their last 13, including 6-2 ATS at home and 7-3 ATS as an underdog. Additionally, New York is on ATS surges of 6-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Southwest Division, 6-2 versus winning teams, 5-2 after a SU defeat and 4-0 after allowing more than 125 points in their previous game.
In addition to their ATS runs of 6-1-1 overall and 5-1-1 on the road, the Spurs are on pointspread streaks of 4-0 on Tuesday, 4-1 after a SU loss and 23-11 when playing on three or more days’ rest. However, they’re 5-12-2 ATS in their last 19 contests against teams from the Atlantic Division.
For San Antonio, the over is on runs of 7-1 overall, 6-1 on the road, 5-1-1 on Tuesday, 5-1 against winning teams and 5-2 versus the Atlantic Division. New York is riding “over” streaks of 8-0 overall, 4-0 at home, 4-0 against the Western Conference, 5-0 against the Southwest Division and 6-0 when playing after three or more days off. Lastly, five of the last seven Knicks-Spurs clashes have topped the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Atlanta (31-21, 28-24 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (42-10, 27-25 ATS)
Fresh off earning a share of the MVP trophy in Sunday’s All-Star game, Kobe Bryant returns to action when he leads the Lakers against the improved Hawks at Staples Center.
Los Angeles had a seven-game winning streak snapped in Wednesday’s 113-109 loss at Utah as a one-point road favorite, the team’s second straight non-cover after a 6-0 ATS surge. Phil Jackson’s team has scored at least 100 points in nine straight games and 22 of the last 23, the only exception being a 99-point effort in a blowout win over San Antonio. Furthermore, the Lakers have scored in triple digits in 45 of 52 games this season, averaging 108.7 ppg overall.
Atlanta went into the All-Star break after consecutive wins and covers over the Wizards (111-90 as a nine-point home favorite last Tuesday) and Pistons (99-95 as a 3½-point road underdog Wednesday). The Hawks have won and covered four of their last five and five of their last seven, and they’re on a 3-0 SU and ATS run on the highway.
These teams split their season series last year, with the Hawks prevailing 98-95 as a 3½-point home underdog and Los Angeles returning the favor with a 122-93 blowout victory as an 11-point home chalk. The host is 7-3 SU and ATS in the last 10 meetings, and the Lakers are also 7-3 SU and ATS during this stretch. That includes a 4-1 SU and ATS when hosting the Hawks in Los Angeles, with those four home victories coming by margins of 29, 11, 16 and 46 points.
The SU winner is 10-1 ATS in the Lakers’ last 11 games, 12-0 ATS in the Hawks’ last 12 and 10-0 ATS in the last 10 meetings in this rivalry.
Atlanta is on pointspread upticks of 4-1 overall, 4-0 on Tuesday, 5-2 on three or more days of rest, 20-8 as an underdog (17-6 this season) and 11-4 as a road pup. However, the Hawks have failed to cash in five of their last seven against winning teams.
Los Angeles carries positive ATS trends of 6-2 overall, 4-0 against the Eastern Conference, 4-1 as a favorite, 6-0 when laying between five and 10½ points, 4-1 after a non-cover and 4-1 when playing on three or more days’ rest. On the downside, the Lakers are in pointspread ruts of 2-6 on Tuesday, 3-9 after a SU loss and 1-8 versus the Southeast Division.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight Hawks-Lakers battles, including 4-0 in the last four meetings at Staples Center. Also, the Lakers are on “over” streaks of 7-2 overall, 5-1 as a favorite, 9-2 on Tuesday, 5-1 against the Eastern Conference and 4-1 versus the Southeast Division. Finally, Atlanta is on “over” surges of 4-0 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-0 after a victory, 4-0 after a spread-cover and 4-1 when playing on three or more days’ rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and OVER
DUNKEL
New Orleans at Oklahoma City
The Hornets are just 9-13 ATS on the road this season and face an Oklahoma City team that is 5-1 ATS as a home underdog between 3 1/2 and 6 points. The Thunder are the underdog pick (+4) according to Dunkel, which has New Orleans favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+4).
Game 701-702: Philadelphia at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 119.150; Indiana 121.932
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 3; 205 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 703-704: Charlotte at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 115.632; Orlando 129.088
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 13 1/2; 190 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 705-706: Minnesota at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 111.912; Washington 111.838
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 3; 202
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+3); Over
Game 707-708: Milwaukee at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 113.285; Detroit 121.175
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 8; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 6 1/2; 197
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-6 1/2); Under
Game 709-710: San Antonio at New York
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 123.784; New York 119.100
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 4 1/2; 208
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 711-712: New Orleans at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 119.345; Oklahoma City 118.543
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 198
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 4; 195 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+4); Over
Game 713-714: New Jersey at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 116.848; Houston 122.336
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5 1/2; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 194
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+6 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: LA Clippers at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 107.554; Phoenix 121.999
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 14 1/2; 220 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A;
Game 717-718: Memphis at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 110.227; Utah 124.309
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 14; 203 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A;
Game 719-720: Atlanta at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 117.968; LA Lakers 127.944
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 10; 205
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9; 213
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-9); Under
NCAAB
Missouri State at Bradley
The Bears have struggled to put points on the board (58.6 ppg on the road) and run into a Bradley team that is 6-0 ATS against poor offensive teams (<=64 points per game). The Braves are the pick (-7) according to Dunkel, which has Bradley favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Bradley (-7).
Game 721-722: Michigan State at Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 68.971; Purdue 74.023
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 5
Vegas Line: Purdue by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Purdue (-2 1/2)
Game 723-724: Ohio at Kent State
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 51.618; Kent State 62.546
Dunkel Line: Kent State by 11
Vegas Line: Kent State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kent State (-6 1/2)
Game 725-726: Pennsylvania at Princeton
Dunkel Ratings: Pennsylvania 50.140; Princeton 50.043
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Princeton by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pennsylvania (+3 1/2)
Game 727-728: Maryland at Clemson
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 64.155; Clemson 73.198
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 9
Vegas Line: Clemson by 11
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (+11)
Game 729-730: Seton Hall at Marquette
Dunkel Ratings: Seton Hall 63.993; Marquette 72.963
Dunkel Line: Marquette by 9
Vegas Line: Marquette by 13
Dunkel Pick: Seton Hall (+13)
Game 531-732: East Carolina at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 52.182; Southern Mississippi 61.589
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Mississippi (-7 1/2)
Game 733-734: Evansville at Creighton
Dunkel Ratings: Evansville 56.598; Creighton 68.125
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Creighton by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (+12 1/2)
Game 735-736: Missouri State at Bradley
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 54.567; Bradley 64.444
Dunkel Line: Bradley by 10
Vegas Line: Bradley by 7
Dunkel Pick: Bradley (-7)
Game 737-738: Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Kentucky 68.196; Vanderbilt 65.646
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 1
Dunkel Pick: Kentucky (-1)
Game 739-740: New Mexico at BYU
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico 67.409; BYU 71.333
Dunkel Line: BYU by 4
Vegas Line: BYU by 7
Dunkel Pick: New Mexico (+7)
Game 741-742: Murray State at SE Missouri State
Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 55.966; SE Missouri State 40.495
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 15 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-13 1/2)
Game 743-744: Austin Peay at Jacksonville State
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 49.836; Jacksonville State 52.303
Dunkel Line: Jacksonville State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Jacksonville State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (-1)
NHL
New Jersey at Florida
The Devils have won four straight, but run into a Florida team that is 7-0 on Tuesday nights. The Panthers are the underdog pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has Florida favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Florida (+100).
Game 1-2: Buffalo at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.978; Toronto 11.568
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 7 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-120); 6
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-120); Over
Game 3-4: Boston at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 11.728; Carolina 11.402
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-160); Over
Game 5-6: Chicago at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.138; Tampa Bay 11.326
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-180); 6
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-180); Over
Game 7-8: New Jersey at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 12.090; Florida 12.459
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+100); Over
Game 9-10: Ottawa at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.462; Colorado 10.897
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over
Game 11-12: Vancouver at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 11.720; Calgary 12.686
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-145); Under
Game 13-14: Edmonton at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 11.636; San Jose 12.490
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-330); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-330); Under
BRAD DIAMOND SPORTS
Play on: Atlanta +10 (719) over LA Lakers
No doubt the Lakers have the deepest team in the NBA, and really, their only worry is the Boston Celtics in June. Here, they open the break against always game Atlanta (31-21) who has the athleticism to play with the Lakers (42-10) for four quarters. With teams rested off the break, the road scenario will not be a negative travel issue for Atlanta. Therefore, the visitor has a real shot at pulling off the outright upset. Atlanta has covered the number in four of their last five and show at 4-0 ATS on Tuesdays. Solid as a rock LA floors with a horrid 1-8 ATS mark versus the Southeast. Plus the Lakers are 2-6 ATS on Tuesday and 3-9 ATS off a SU loss. The points are worth a serious look!
Nelly
Milwaukee + over Detroit
This could be a good revenge spot for the Bucks as the Pistons won in Milwaukee in overtime just over a week ago. The Pistons have been on a miserable run to close the first half of the season, 5-12 S/U and 4-13 ATS in the final 17 games before the break. The Pistons have failed to cover in seven consecutive home games and Detroit's defense has really taken a major step back, allowing 105 points per game over the past five games. Milwaukee has three starters currently sitting out due to injury but it has opened the door for other players as Ramon Sessions has been productive, Richard Jefferson has stepped up his game and Francisco Elson and Charlie Villanueva have taken on greater roles. Milwaukee is 4-2 S/U and ATS the past six games and on the road this season the Bucks have been a profitable team to back. Overall Milwaukee is 31-22 ATS while the Pistons are 20-31. The Bucks only have one fewer S/U win than the Pistons despite the vastly different perceptions of these teams and the Pistons must face the Spurs, Cavs, and Heat in the next three games so overlooking this game is very possible. Detroit has lost 13 times at home this season so the Palace has not been a difficult venue and the Pistons are 7-20 ATS in home games this season.
Cajun Sports
Ohio University Bobcats vs. Kent State Golden Flashes -6.5
PLAY: 2* Kent State Golden Flashes -6.5
Memorial Athletic Center will be the site of tonights Mid American Conference clash between the host Kent State Golden Flashes and the visiting Bobcats from Ohio University.
Both teams enter tonights game off of wins with Ohio winning at home over Toledo but they have lost two out of their last three against the spread and have lost their last three on the MAC road with an 0-3 ATS mark in those contests. Kent is riding a six game winning streak and has covered in four of the six games with their two ATS losses coming in their most recent contests. Kent State is 8-0 ATS if they are coming off an ATS loss in their last game if they are now installed as a conference favorite of 3 to 6.5 points.
Ohio U. is 0-8 ATS in road games versus teams allowing 64 or fewer points per game after 15 or more games the last 3 seasons and 1-9 ATS in road games versus teams allowing 64 or fewer points per game the last 2 seasons. This is not good news for Bobcat backers as the Golden Flash only allow 59.8 points per game on 38.2 percent shooting from the field and they have accomplished this versus teams that would normally score 64.7 points per game.
The Bobcats play at a slow pace and this will also cause a problem against the Flash tonight as Kent is 18-6 ATS versus teams averaging 53 or fewer shots per game the last 3 seasons. Another obvious shortcoming for the Cats is their inability to control the boards and this plays right into the hands of the Flash as they are 43-25 ATS versus teams who average 33 or fewer rebounds per game on the season.
Kent is 9-3 straight up at home this season and 4-6 against the spread averaging 75.3 points per game on 47.9 percent from the field holding their opponents to 59.8 points per game on 38.2 percent shooting. Ohio is 3-10 straight up and 5-8 against the spread when playing away from home this year averaging 63.5 points per game on 42.9 percent from the field and allowing their opponents to score 70.8 points per game on 47.5 percent shooting.
Kent State as a home favorite has posted a record of 72-49 ATS and if they are facing a conference opponent their record is 100-70 ATS. If Kent is favored with a line range of 3 to 6.5 points they are 41-21-1 ATS and if playing at home their record is 24-8 ATS. If Kent enters the game off a home win they are 22-7 ATS, as a home favorite they are 9-1 ATS and if a division home favorite their record improves to a perfect 7-0 ATS.
The Bobcats are active in a few key college basketball systems tonight the first tells us to Play AGAINST CBB teams off a SU win by ten or more points and now an underdog of 3 to 6.5 points, 15-29-4 ATS. Play AGAINST CBB teams coming off an ATS win of 5 or more points and having gone over in their last game and now installed as an underdog, 24-49-3 ATS, if they happen to be a road underdog their record is 15-34-3 ATS.
The last time these two got together back on January 11th the Bobcats had the upper hand and came away with a home win 71 to 65 as a two-point home favorite. This bureau believes the Bobcats will fall to the Kent State Golden Flashes on Tuesday night in Kent Ohio this is a much different team than the one that faced in early January as evidenced by their current six-game winning streak. Lay the chalk with the host as they avenge that loss and get the cash as well.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: (2*) Kent State 74 Ohio University 65
Dave Cokin
New Mexico @ BYU
Play: BYU -7
New Mexico has been very tough in MWC play. They're right in the hunt for the top spot at 7-3 and the three losses were by a combined eight points. But I think the Lobos are in tough tonight. They made BYU look silly in their first meeting with the Cougars. The game was close into the second half, but the Lobos then got hot while BYU struggled and the game turned into a complete laugher. In fact, I thought New Mexico may have overdone it a little in the last few minutes of that game. I can't step out big against the Lobos because of how competitive they've been, but this is serious revenge for BYU and the Cougars remain a deadly home favorite. Lean is to BYU minus the points.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Vanderbilt
The Commodores return home to host the Wildcats with revenge on their minds from a 70-60 loss suffered at Kentucky five weeks ago. With that we note Vandy is 9-3 ATS in this series with same season double-digit revenge when Kentucky is playing off a SU and ATS win in its last game. Look for the Commies to improve on their 10-2 ATS mark whenever the Wildcats are off a double-digit win and Vandy is not off back-to-back victories. Stay at home with the Commodores here tonight.
Jeff Benton
Louisiana Tech mounted a huge late second-half comeback at New Mexico State last night to steal the spread-cover, giving us back-to-back winning freebies. Let’s make it three in a row on Tuesday as we head to the NBA and back the 76ers at Indiana.
The Pacers have several players on the injury report for tonight, with forward Mike Dunleavy and center Jeff Foster the biggest question marks. Whether or not either plays, I like Philadelphia in this game simply because it is the better team that’s playing better basketball. The 76ers went into the All-Star break on a four-game winning streak and they’re 14-4 in their last 18 and 12-5-2 ATS in their last 19.
During this stretch, Philly has won four of its last five road games, including a 95-93 upset at Houston as a five-point underdog in its most recent contest as a visitor. Throw in a two-point loss at San Antonio as a 9½-point pup, and the Sixers have cashed in five of their last six on the road. What’s been most impressive about Philadelphia’s recent run of success? It has performed better without All-Star-caliber forward Elton Brand (out for the season with an injury) than with him, going 12-1 SU in the last 13 games with Brand on the sidelines and 10-3-1 ATS in the last 14.
As for the Pacers, they’ve lost 16 of their last 27 games, and while they are 9-2 SU in their last 11 home games, that was mostly with a healthy roster. And none of those 11 games were played after a lengthy layoff for the All-Star break. Granted, the Sixers are coming off the same layoff, but they’re in the thick of the playoff hunt where every game is meaningful. We know that Philly is coming to play tonight. On the other hand, this game marks the beginning of “playing-out-the-string” mode for Indiana, and I wouldn’t at all be surprised to see the Pacers come out extremely flat.
Throw in the fact that the visitor is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five meetings in this rivalry, and I’ll support the better, more motivated team.
4♦ PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take the number with the Hawks.
Why not!?!?!?!
The Hawks are actually a pretty good team and should be able to compete today. Sure the Lakers are the clear better team and possibly the best team in the entire NBA but Mike Woodson's squad has been very solid this season and certainly will be rested and fired up here today.
Joe Johnson is a star and guys like Josh Smith, Al Horford and Mike Bibby can hold their own against anybody. Kobe is without a doubt the star of all stars and he proved it once again on Sunday night but laying double digits or so is a lot.
Phil Jackson's team should walk off the court the victor there is no denying that as Kobe, Gasol, Fisher and the home Lakers are as stout as they come but the Hawks are no longer a joke and today is a really good litmus test as they are the hunter here going up against a team with a total target on their chests. Plus Andrew Bynum's injury will hurt this team even if it hasn't thus far as the guy is their starting center and a good one at that.
Far from the lock of my life but Atlanta has become a good team, they really have and plus this number, sure, I'm in!
Craig Davis
Today's Selection
Charleston is coming off a humiliating 14-point home loss to the Citadel and is coming into a hostile environment tonight.
App. State recently suffered a couple of tough road losses but will welcome the opportunity to come back home where they are 6-5 on the season.
Though the Cougars probably have more overall talent, the Mounties are a tough beat at home and need this win more. Sitting at one game under .500 in the conference you can bet they’ll bring the best they have to offer tonight.
We’re comfortable laying the point at home as App. State wins by 5 or 6 points.
2♦ APPALACHIAN STATE
Bobby Maxwell
Atlanta +10 at L.A. LAKERS
Your FREE play winner tonight comes from the pro hardwood as we grab the points and play Atlanta in Los Angeles to take on the Lakers. We've given you comp winners in 14 of the last 23 days and we'll do it again tonight.
Seems like every time the Lakers are a double-digit home favorite, they struggle to even win the game, much less cover the number. So we'll grab the points and play the Hawks tonight.
Atlanta comes into this one on ATS streaks of 20-8 as a 'dog, 11-4 as a road 'dog, 4-1 overall and 12-2 as a 'dog of 5 to 10 1/2-points. Meanwhile the Lakers are on ATS spirals of 1-8 against Southeast Division teams, 3-9 following a straight-up loss and 1-4 at home against teams with losing road records.
The Hawks have won two in a row and four of five (4-1 ATS). They went on the road Wednesday and beat the Pistons 99-95 as 3 1/2-point underdogs and they've won three of their last four on the highway, SU and ATS.
The Lakers lost their last game before the break, 113-109 at Utah and look at their last two home games, a 105-98 win over the Thunder, failing to cover as 12-point favorites and losing outright to the Bobcats 117-110 as 11-point favorites. Notice that trend? Bad team comes in, gets a lot of points and gets within the number.
Same happens tonight, only with a Hawks team that can hold its own against anybody. Grab the points and play the Hawks.
3♦ ATLANTA
Sports Gambling Hotline
Michigan State at PURDUE -3'
Easy winner on Texas A&M last night to make it a 9-3-2 comp play run our last 14!
Go ahead, and lay the points with Purdue as they play host to Michigan State this Tuesday night.
Purdue is 13-2 straight up at Mackey Arena this season, and 8-4 against the spread in their lined home games. The Boilermakers are also a money-turning 28-12-1 against the spread their last 41 conference games, and the favorite in this series is on a 9-3 spread run the last 12 meetings.
Michigan State has been lights-out on the road, as they sport a 10-1 mark away from East Lansing, but they have lost their last two trips, and 3 of their last 4 trips to West Lafayette, and the Spartans have also failed the spread the last 4 times they have played Purdue.
Purdue is looking for their 20th win of the season, and we like them to notch # 20 this evening in front of the home crowd.
Play on the Boilers.
3♦ PURDUE
Karl Garrett
Maryland +11 at CLEMSON
Louisiana Tech comes back to get the cover last night, as the The G-Man improves to 11-5 the last 16 days for free.
The time is right to hop on the turtle, and dump the tiger!
Maryland has actually won their last pair, and 3 of their last 4 in conference play with their lone loss in that span coming to North Carolina.
Clemson is off an overtime loss at lowly Virginia, as the Tigers have lost 2 of their last 3, and have split their last 8 straight up.
At home, the Tigers are 4-5 against the spread in their lined games, so asking them to cover this big number is a tall order indeed for Coach Purnell's team.
Maryland has won 2 of the last 3 in this rivalry, and the visitor has won the last pair of meetings, and 4 of the last 6 overall.
Those road numbers cannot be ignored, and the G-Man won't ignore them!
Take the points, as Maryland keeps this one interesting.
3♦ MARYLAND
Bob Harvey
Buffalo Sabres @ Toronto Maple Leafs Over
There’s a school of thought that favors the Sabres on the ML tonight. Buffalo is still in the playoff hunt and is 5-2-1 in their last eight games against the Maple Leafs. The Sabres have won four straight in Toronto by a combined 18-7 margin. They’ve also outscored the Maple Leafs 9-1 in winning the last two games between the teams.
The Sabres made a few lineup changes yesterday that should produce more offense tonight. The Sabres' experiment of having Tim Connolly center for Jochen Hecht and Jason Pominville is over. The new lines have Clarke MacArthur joining Hecht and Pominville, and Connolly skating with Matt Ellis and Ales Kotalik.
Tracking the trends, The OVER is 10-4-2 in the last 16 series meetings.
Toronto, the WORST defensive team in the league is 9-1 to the OVER in its last ten outings. They alone can pull most of the weight for tonight’s total topper. I wouldn’t be surprised by a Sabres win but I’d be stunned if this one doesn’t top the total early.
Tom Freese
Kentucky at Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt is in a 39-15 ATS System that says to Play On on home teams when the line is +3 to -3 if they are playing on Tuesday if they are off a road loss by 10 or more points. Kentucky is 1-4 ATS their last 5 games as favorites and they are 1-4 ATS their last 5 Conference games. The Wildcats are 1-6 ATS their last 7 Tuesday games. PLAY ON #738 VANDERBILT -