Jimmy The Moose
Buffalo Sabres at Toronto Maple Leafs
Prediction: Over
The Sabres have been playing in low scoring games of late but when they face the Leafs they score goals, especially in Toronto. The Leafs have played over the total in 4 straight and in 9 of their last 10 games. Toronto's last 4 games have all been vs. Eastern Conference opponents and all have been high scoring. The Leafs last 4 home games have played the over. The over is a profitable 10-4-2 in Buffalo's last 16 trips to Toronto. Play the over.
Brian Hansen
Vancouver Canucks at Calgary Flames
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver is red hot right now and shows no signs of slowing down and tonight offers a chance at another great value play. The Flames are 0-2 after playing 3 consecutive road games while Vancouver is 14-11 its last 25 when playing against a team with a winning record! Play on VANCOUVER!
Big Al Mcmordie
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs
At 7:35 pm, our member selection is on the San Antonio Spurs minus the points over the New York Knicks. I've written a lot about this over the last few years, and we'll once again use this team trend tonight. And that's to play on the San Antonio Spurs when they have at least two days' of rest. Since February 2003, the Spurs are an awesome 84-50 ATS in this role, including 9-2 ATS when playing with at least five days of rest, which they have tonight. The Spurs have won seven straight in this series (covering four), and 10 of 11 since 2003 (covering seven). The Knicks have lost six straight games overall, and I look for S.A. to hand Mike D'Antoni's crew its seventh straight loss tonight. Lay the points.
MTi Sports
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks
Prediction: Under
The Spurs are 0-10 OU (-15.9 ppg) with at least a day of rest after a loss on the road in which Tim Duncan had a double double. In addition, the Knicks are 0-6 OU (-19.4 ppg) at home off a loss as an away dog in which they led at the end of each of the first three quarters and the Spurs are 0-11 OU with at least one day of rest off a single-digit loss in which they led at the end of the third quarter, staying under by an average of 17.1 ppg. Take these two UNDER!
Alex Smart
Atlanta Hawks @ Los Angeles Lakers
PICK: Los Angeles Lakers
The LA Lakers according to my own the numbers are currently the NBAs top team. Yes, even better than the Cleveland Cavaliers and the defending champion Boston Celtics. Meanwhile, the visiting Atlanta Hawks are a much improved side, since last years post season run against the Celtics, that saw them take the eventual league king pins to 7 games. Despite of their more confident play, the Hawks are very over matched in this spot , as was the case when they played here at the Staples Center back on Feb 19, when the Lakers , pounded them by a 122-93 count . I am betting on a repeat performance tonight by an explosive team that averages 108 + PPG on offense. Final notes & Key Trends: LA has shot 50% from the filed in their L/5 games , when hosting the Hawks and have covered 4 of the L/5 meetings. The Hawks have failed to cover 5 of their L/7 against an above .500 team.
Projected score: Lakers 112 Atlanta 99- Play on the LA to cover
Larry Ness
Milwaukee Bucks @ Detroit Pistons
PICK: Detroit Pistons
This year's Pistons hardly resemble the team which has made SIX straight Eastern Conference Finals. Detroit opens play in the season's second half at 27-24 with a 14-13 home record. As for Milwaukee, the Bucks are with leading scorer Redd (21.2) for the remainder of the season, center Andrew Bogut (11.7-10.2) will miss at least the rest of the regular season and PG Luke Ridnour (10.7-3.4-5.7) is expected to miss another month with a broken right thumb. Despite all that, the Bucks are 26-29, which if the season were to end now, would give them the East's final playoff spot. Guard Ramon Sessions (11.7-3.0-4.8) has been 'hot' as of late, shooting 58 percent from floor in last five games (had a career-high 44 points vs the Pistons on Feb 7). Power forward Villanueva (15.7-6.5) is averaging 22.9 PPG and 8.1 RPG over his last 13 games and small forward Jefferson (17.8-4.9) is as always, playing at a high level. The Bucks are just 10-20 on the road but they are 16-12-2 ATS. The Pistons are an 'ugly' 6-16 as a home favorite to this point and we'll have to see if Iverson's (18.2-3.2-5.1) new haircut (revealed at the All Star game) will have any effect on the team's lack of chemistry. Reports are that Stuckey (13.7-3.4-4.9) is wearing down and obviously Hamilton (17.4-3.0-3.6) has never quite gotten used to the loss of Billups. Prince (13.7-6.5) and Wallace (13.0-7.6) are still quality players but Detroit's famed depth is no more. The Pistons have lost three straight, 12 of 17 and are just 23-24 since trading for Iverson but they seem to be able to beat the Bucks from 'memory,' alone. Detroit made it 14 wins in its last 17 meetings with the Bucks back on Feb 7 in Milwaukee, with a 126-121 OT win. The Bucks led by six points with just under four minutes to go in that game but couldn't hold on. As mentioned earlier, Sessions had 44 points in that contest, while Villanueva had 33 but Iverson and Wallace each had 27 with Hamilton 'exploding' for 39. When it comes to playing Milwaukee, Detroit seemingly "finds a way." Lay the points.
Stephen Nover
Milwaukee Bucks @ Detroit Pistons
PICK: Milwaukee Bucks
As a small-market, non-marquee team the Milwaukee Bucks often find themselves getting underpriced. That's the case again in this matchup.
The Bucks are in a triple revenge spot against a Pistons squad that entered the All-Star break on a three-game losing streak, a 1-6 against the spread mark and losses in 12 of their past 17 games.
The Pistons have been a huge money-burner at Auburn Hills failing to cover in 21 of their past 28 home contests. Detroit has won one more home game than it has lost this season.
The Bucks are 11-5-1 against the spread on the road when meeting an opponent with a winning home mark.
Michael Redd is out for the season. Andrew Bogut could be out for the year, too. Starting point guard Luke Ridnour won't be available for this matchup.
So far, though, the Bucks have gone 2-1 when missing these three key players. They are averaging 122.3 points in their last three games.
Bucks coach Scott Skiles has shown great flexibility in turning Milwaukee into an up-tempo team because of Bogut being out. Ramon Sessions is proving to be much better than Ridnour.
The teams met 10 days ago and Detroit won in overtime, 126-121. Sessions completely out-played Allen Iverson. Sessions made 13-of-18 shots from the floor, scored 44 points and dished off 12 assists.
The Pistons lack the Bucks' chemistry and morale. They have a losing record since Iverson came aboard 47 games ago.
There are constant trade rumors swirling around that could factor in the Pistons' concentration level. Detroit coach Michael Curry is changing his lineup starting Antonio McDyess. The last time the aged McDyess was a full-time starter was 2001.
Perhaps the Pistons begin to get things turned around right here. I doubt it, though, and am willing to take this many points to fade Detroit again at home.
This is a one-unit play for me.
Dave Price
1 Unit on New Orleans Hornets -3.5
New Orleans has won 7 straight in this series, and the last 4 have all been by double digits with 2 of those lopsided wins coming earlier this season. Chris Paul is fully healthy and he is not going to allow his team to get off to a slow start post-All-Star break after the lousy way they ended their pre-All-Star break schedule. The Hornets are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 games as a road favorite of 4.5 points or less and 21-6-1 ATS in their last 28 games as a favorite of 4.5 or less. The Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings and the Favorite is 12-4 ATS in the last 16 meetings. Lay the number.
Carlo Campanella
Michigan State at Purdue
Michigan State brings their 20-4 record into Purdue (19-6) on Tuesday night and find themselves in a rare Dog role. Hosting Purdue has won 8 of their last 10 games, including a 12-2 home record this season and is 2-0 SU & ATS during the last 2 as host in this series. They look to repeat last year's 6 point victory over MSU at home and they'll get it, as we find Michigan State in one of their worst Situations, owning an 0-8 ATS record as road Dogs of 6 points or less! Backing the small home Favorite in this Big Ten battle.
Play on: Purdue
Jorge Gonzalez
New Orleans Hornets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Play: New Orleans Hornets -3.5
The New Orleans Hornets ( 30-19) will have their best player , Chris Paul, to start what is called the second half of the season.In reality, most teams have played well over 50 games with only 82 games being played on the season making this the home stretch before the playoffs in the months of May and June. Paul couldn't stop the bleeding before the All -Star Break as his team lost six of eight games going into the break but his play in the All-Star Game, 14 points, 14 assists and three steals, should have his teammates and fans ready for a strong surge The Hornets who have been plagued with injuries all season will be close to having their four star players back. Paul, Peja Stojakovic, David West and Tyson Chandler have not all been on the court since January 17th. Chandler is still questionable and may not play in tonight's game. They may not need them all here in this spot as they have owned the Oklahoma City Thunder (13-39). The Hornets have beaten the Thunder seven straight games, by an average of 12.4 points per game, including twice this season, beating them in the Ford Center 105-80. Take the Hornets to win and cover here against the Thunder. Jorge has a huge play in the Marquee match-up between the ESPN Big-10 Battle between Michigan State Spartans and Purdue Boilermakers and will be releasing a winner in the NBA!
Jrtips
NEW JERSEY vs. HOUSTON
The Houston Rockets(32-21) play their next five games at the Toyota Center as they continue their season-long six-game homestand tonight against the New Jersey Nets. Houston has won four straight and 16 of 19 at home, and goes for its sixth victory in a row against the Nets. Tracy McGrady will not play as he has been sidelined 17 games in 2008-09 with pain caused by last May's arthroscopic surgery. The Rockets are 12-6 this season without McGrady in the lineup.Yao Ming posted his 24th double-double of the season Wednesday with 24 points and 18 boards and has three straight double-doubles against the Nets, including the Rockets' 114-91 win on Dec. 22 when he had 24 points and 16 rebounds. The Nets (24-29) stumbled into the All-Star break with back-to-back losses, and Vince Carter, who missed last Sunday's 101-84 loss at Orlando with a sore right elbow, has struggled in his last two games in Houston, averaging just 13.5 points on 31.3 percent shooting. All-Star guard Devin Harris who is scoring 25.8 points per game and shooting 48.5 percent during his last four contests only scored 10 points and an assist as the Nets dropped their last game in Houston, 91-73 on March 10. The Rockets are plying well and should be well rested as they has been on a home stand for a while now. They are a bad matchup for the Nets with Ya Ming inside as shown by his 3 straight double-doubles that opens the game up for his perimiter shooters. TAKE HOUSTON-6
Jim Feist
SAN ANTONIO SPURS / NEW YORK KNICKS
Take Over
San Antonio has the reputation in the minds of oddsmakers and fans as a dynamite defensive team, but they have slipped a bit with age, allowing 45.8% shooting by opponents -- 18th in the NBA. The Spurs can score, though, and are on an 8-1 run over the total. New York doesn't care a lick for defense, allowing 107.8 ppg, third most in the league. The uptempo Knicks are on an 8-0 run over the total. Have to look for a high scoring game right out of the break with two rested teams in this one. Play the Spurs/Knicks over the total.
Dwayne Bryant
Austin Peay +1 vs Jacksonville St.
This is a revenge game for Jacksonville State, who lost by 6 at Austin Peay last month. So with the revenge motive and the swing in home court advantage, it's quite possible that Jacksonville State could get the win tonight. Possible, but not probable.
First, Austin Peay has absolutely owned this series, winning 5 straight and 9 of the last 10 meetings. That is going to feel like a big gorilla on Jacksonville State's back tonight. As soon as Austin Peay goes on a run, they'll be thinking, "Oh no. Here we go again."
Secondly, I don't see a home court edge in this one. Jacksonville State is just 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS at home this season vs. lined opponents, while Austin Peay has actually played better on the road (8-5 SU, 8-3-1 ATS) than at home (6-6 SU, 2-6 ATS). Austin Peay has also won the last two meetings at Jacksonville State. So again, I see no home court edge for Jacksonville State tonight.
Lastly, Austin Peay should be in a pretty foul mood tonight after losing at home to Tennessee State as a 12-point favorite in their last game. So motivation should not be a problem for Austin Peay tonight
Based on recent series history and each team's road/home performances this season, I'll make a small lean and take Austin Peay tonight.
VEGAS EXPERTS
Atlanta Hawks at LA Lakers
Teams laying this many points coming straight out of the Break are always a bad proposition. Atlanta is 16-6 ATS when getting points this season and is much better than the team that lost here last year by 29 points. The Lakers are just 4-14 ATS this season when the total is 210 or higher and 6-17 ATS at home off a road loss. Three of the last five times Atlanta has been a dog, they have won the game outright. Take the points.
Play on: Atlanta
LT Profits
Missouri State +7.5
While there is no denying that the Bradley Braves are having a much better season overall than the Missouri State Bears, Bradley has sputtered badly as of late and cannot be trusted laying this many points in their current form.
After all, the Braves are 1-4 straight up in their last five games, and the lone win was by seven points vs. Evansville, a margin that would not be good enough to cover this spread. The problem has been a total breakdown on the defensive end, as Bradley is allowing their opponents to shoot a disgusting 50.2 percent from the field during this five-game stretch.
Missouri State is coming off of a 71-point effort in their last game, and they could be primed for another improved offensive showing tonight vs. this struggling defense. Sure, the Bears are just 1-9 on the road, but their last road effort was one of their best ones of the season in a covering, narrow 62-61 defeat at Wichita State.
Just as good defense stops good offense, bad defense can make mediocre offenses look good, and we feel that will be the case here as Missouri State scores enough points to slide below this rather large number.
Pick: Missouri State +7.5