SPORTS ADVISORS
(24) Florida St. (22-7, 15-7-1 ATS) at (7) Duke (24-5, 14-13-1 ATS)
Duke will try to run its winning streak to five when it hosts the Seminoles inside Cameron Indoor Stadium tonight in this ACC matchup.
Florida State has won six of its last eight (5-3 ATS), including Saturday’s 73-66 home win over Clemson as a one-point underdog. The Seminoles are 9-3-1 ATS on the highway this season, but they lost their most recent roadie a week ago at Boston College 72-67 as a two-point road pup.
Duke has rattled off four straight wins (3-1 ATS) since dropping back-to-back games to North Carolina and Boston College. The Blue Devils got an ACC road sweep at Maryland (78-67 as six-point favorites) on Wednesday and at Virginia Tech (72-65 as a 5½-point chalk) on Saturday. They’ve only had one game at Cameron since their Feb. 11 loss to the Tar Heels, and that was a 101-91 win over Wake Forest as an eight-point favorite on Feb. 22.
Duke is now alone in second place in the ACC standings at 10-4 (7-7 ATS), one game behind North Carolina. The Seminoles are one game back at 9-5 (9-4-1 ATS). The Blue Devils are 6-1 when hosting league rivals (4-3 ATS), while FSU is 4-3 in ACC roadies (4-2-1 ATS).
The Blue Devils have won two straight in this rivalry and seven of the last nine, but they’ve failed to cover in eight of the last 10 meetings with the Seminoles, including going 0-4 ATS in the last four battles at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Back on Jan. 10, Duke went to Florida State and won 66-58 but came up just short as 9½-point favorites.
Florida State is on ATS runs of 10-4-1 overall, 11-3-1 on the road, 13-4-2 in ACC action, 13-4-1 as an underdog and 7-3-1 as a road ‘dog. Duke is 5-1 ATS in its last six Tuesday contests and 4-1 ATS in its last five at home against teams with a winning road record.
The Seminoles are on several “under” streaks, including 6-2 overall, 4-1 on the road, 4-1 as a ‘dog, 5-1 on Tuesdays and 6-2 in ACC games. For the Blue Devils, the over is 5-2 in their last seven overall, but the under is on streaks of 18-7 at home, 22-9 as a favorite, 14-4 in ACC action and 14-2 coming off a spread-cover. And in this rivalry, the under is 10-1 in the last 11 overall.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(10) Wake Forest (22-5, 13-10 ATS) at Maryland (18-10, 12-8-2 ATS)
The Terrapins will try to make it five in a row over Wake Forest when the Demon Deacons come calling at the Comcast Center in College Park.
Wake Forest has won four of its last five (3-2 ATS) overall and scored a 70-60 win at Virginia on Saturday, cashing as a 6½-point chalk. The Deacons have scored 70 points or more in seven straight games and average 82.1 points and 49.8 percent shooting for the season. Over their last five, they’ve put up 83.8 ppg and have been shooting at a 52.6 percent clip.
Maryland has won four of its last six games (SU and ATS), most recently posting a 71-60 upset victory at North Carolina State on Sunday, covering as four-point ‘dogs. The Terps have been riding the play of Greivis Vasquez, who had 33 points and five assists against the Wolf Pack on Sunday and had a triple-double – the school’s first in 23 years – when Maryland upset North Carolina 88-85 in overtime on Feb. 21.
The Demon Deacons are tied for third in the ACC with a 9-5 conference record (8-6 ATS), two games clear of Maryland (7-7, 8-6 ATS). Wake is 3-4 SU and ATS in ACC road games, including 1-4 SU and ATS in the last five, while the Terps are 5-2 in league home contests (3-4 ATS).
The Terrapins have won four straight in this series (2-2 ATS), with the last Wake Forest win coming in January 2005. Maryland swept two games last season, winning 71-64 at home but coming up short as a 7½-point favorite, then getting a 74-70 win at Wake as a 2½-point chalk six weeks later. The visitor is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings and the ‘dog is 5-2 ATS in the last seven. However, Wake Forest is 4-1 ATS in its last five trips to Maryland.
The Demon Deacons are just 1-4 ATS in their last five roadies, but they are 5-1 ATS in their last six on Tuesday and 10-3 ATS in their last 13 when they face a team with a winning percentage of .600 or higher. The Terps are just 1-4 ATS in their last five as a home ‘dog and 3-7-1 in their last 11 after a spread-cover, but they are 6-2 ATS in their last eight contests overall (all in the ACC).
Wake has topped the total in six of its last seven overall, five of six after a straight-up win, five of six as a favorite and eight of 11 Tuesday contests. Maryland is riding “over” streaks of 5-3 overall, 4-1-1 at home and 5-2 after a spread-cover. Finally, the under is 4-1 in the last five Wake Forest-Maryland battles overall, but the over is 4-1 in the last five meetings in College Park.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Kansas State (20-9, 8-11-2 ATS) at Oklahoma State (19-9, 10-11-1 ATS)
Two Big 12 teams playing their best basketball of the season are set to square off inside Gallagher-Iba Arena in Stillwater, Okla., when Kansas State visits Oklahoma State.
The Wildcats have won nine of their last 11 (5-4-1 ATS) overall, including Saturday’s 77-72 home win over Nebraska, coming up short as 7½-point favorites. K-State is 4-1 (2-2-1 ATS) in its last five conference road games.
The Cowboys have won five in a row (SU and ATS) and delivered a 68-59 home win over Texas on Saturday, cashing as a one-point favorite. During the five-game win streak, Oklahoma State has allowed just 67.4 ppg, compared with 74.7 ppg allowed for the entire season.
Oklahoma State has won five of the last six (3-3 ATS) and eight of the last 10 (4-6 ATS) in this rivalry. However, Kansas State took last year’s game 82-61 at home as an 11½-point favorite, but the Cowboys won the last one in Stillwater, 84-70 in 2007 as a three-point home chalk. In fact, the host is 4-1 ATS in the last five series clashes.
Both teams sport identical 8-6 conference records. Oklahoma State is 7-7 ATS in the Big 12 (5-2 SU, 4-3 ATS at home), while K-State is just 5-8-1 ATS in conference (4-3 SU, 2-4-1 ATS on the highway).
The Wildcats are on a plethora of negative ATS streaks, including 9-19-2 overall, 5-15-1 in Big 12 games, 4-12-1 on the road, 1-5 on Tuesdays, 1-5 after a non-cover and 4-11-1 on the road against teams with a winning home record. Conversely, Oklahoma State in on ATS upticks that include 7-3-1 at home, 5-0 in Big 12 action, 5-0 as a favorite and 7-2-1 as a home chalk,
Kansas State has gone over the total in four of five overall, 22 of 32 on the road, four of five as a ‘dog, five of seven on Tuesday and 21 of 30 on the road against a team with a winning home mark. The Cowboys have topped the total in five straight Tuesday games, but otherwise they are on “under” streaks of 6-2 as a home favorite, 7-3 as a favorite anywhere, 4-1 after a straight-up win and 5-2 at home against a team with a winning road record.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA STATE
NBA
Phoenix (34-25, 23-34-2 ATS) at Orlando (43-16, 37-21-1 ATS)
The Suns open up a four-game road trip – all against playoff-caliber teams – when they invade Amway Arena for a matchup with the Magic.
Let by the resurgent Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix has won two in a row (SU and ATS) and six of eight (SU and ATS). O’Neal has scored 78 points in his last two games, including 45 against the Raptors on Thursday and then 33 in Sunday’s 118-111 upset win over the Lakers, with the Suns cashing as 4½-point pups.
The Magic have alternated wins over the last five games, but managed a 106-100 victory in Philadelphia on Saturday as 1½-point favorites. However, they were stunned in their last home game, falling to the Pistons 93-85 as 9½-point favorites on Friday. For the season, though, Orlando is 22-7 SU and 17-12 ATS at home.
The Suns have dominated this rivalry on the scoreboard, winning six in a row and eight of the last nine, but they’re just 2-4 ATS and 3-6 ATS during these two stretches. Phoenix scored a 113-112 home win over Orlando back on Dec. 12, but the Magic walked away with the cash as a two-point underdog. The Suns have prevailed in their last two trips to Orlando, including last year’s 106-96 victory as a 1½-point favorite, and they are 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) in their last four visits to Amway Arena. The ‘dog is on a 13-3 ATS tear in the last 16 series clashes, and the road team has cashed in each of the last six.
Phoenix is 6-2 ATS in its last eight overall and 4-1 ATS in its last five Tuesday games, but otherwise the Suns are on pointspread slides of 4-9-1 on the highway, 8-22-1 after a spread-cover, 5-11-1 against the Eastern Conference and 3-10 on the road against a team with a winning home mark. The Magic are just 1-6 ATS in their last seven after a straight-up win, but otherwise they are on ATS runs of 27-12 overall, 18-5 against the Pacific Division, 19-7 against the Western Conference, 21-7-2 after getting two days off and 13-6-1 on Tuesdays.
The Suns are on several “over” streaks, including 7-2 overall, 5-1 as a visitor, 5-2 after getting one day off, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 5-2 against the Eastern Conference and 8-3 on the road against teams with winning home records. Orlando is on “under” runs of 13-6 at home, 11-3 after two days of rest and 8-3 after a spread-cover, but the Magic have gone over the total in four of five overall and four straight on Tuesday. Finally, the over is 8-2 in the last 10 clashes in this series and 6-2 in the last eight in Florida.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Denver (39-21, 32-27-1 ATS) at Detroit (29-29, 23-35 ATS)
The Pistons will be shooting for their third straight win overall and sixth straight over the Nuggets when they welcome shorthanded Denver to the Palace at Auburn Hills.
Denver has been in a funk, losing four of its last six (1-5 ATS), including three straight on the road (0-3 ATS). On Sunday, the Nuggets lost in Indianapolis 100-94 as a two-point road favorite, just one game after posting a 90-79 upset of the Lakers, who have the NBA’s best record. The normally high-scoring Nuggets have scored 94 points or fewer in three of their last four outings and will be without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony (team suspension) tonight.
Detroit ended its eight-game SU and ATS losing streak with Friday’s 93-85 win in Orlando as a 9½-point underdog, then followed it with Sunday’s 105-95 upset win in Boston as an 8½-point pup. Sunday was the first time in eight games that Detroit topped the 100-point mark. However, despite the recent two-game bump, the Pistons have been dreadful recently at The Palace, losing four in a row, eight of nine and 10 of 12, and they’ve failed to cash in nine consecutive home contests. For the season, Detroit is 7-22 ATS in front of the home fans.
The Pistons have won five in a row over the Nuggets (4-1 ATS) and eight of the last 10 (7-3 ATS). On Jan. 9, Detroit went to Denver and scored a 93-90 upset win as a 4½-point ‘dog, and in last year’s meeting in Motown, the Pistons posted a 136-120 shootout victory over the Nuggets as 4½-point favorites. Detroit is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in the Motor City, though the road team has cashed in four of the last five overall.
Denver is on ATS slides of 0-5 against Eastern Conference teams, 1-5 overall, 1-4 after getting one day off and 0-4 against the Central Division. Detroit hasn’t been good at the betting window either, as it is currently on ATS slides of 4-10 overall, 7-23 at home, 2-7 after one day off, 3-12 against teams with a winning record, 0-6 on Tuesdays and 6-14 against the Western Conference.
The Nuggets have stayed under the total in seven of 10 overall, five of seven on the road and five of six on Tuesdays, but they have topped the total in 11 of 15 after a non-cover and 15 of 20 against Central Division squads. It’s been all “unders” lately for the Pistons, including 5-2 overall, 8-3-1 versus the Western Conference and 23-8-1 at home against a team with a winning road mark. Finally, the under has been the play in 10 of the last 14 clashes in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Marc Lawrence
Valparaiso at Wright State
The Raiders host the Crusaders in the opening round of the Horizon League tourney at the Nutter Center knowing that favorites in this event that defeated their opponent in the most recent meeting are a staggering 21-3-1 ATS. With Valparaiso holding down the No. 9 seed we'll look for No. 9 seeds to fall to 2-8 ATS in this tourney here tonight. Lay the points with Wright State.
Play on: Wright State
VEGAS EXPERTS
Indiana Pacers at Sacramento Kings
Pretty low number here as far as we're concerned in this matchup of two of the league's worst defenses. Kings give up 106 PPG at home, 108 PPG on the year and the Pacers are allowing over 109 PPG on the road this season. Indiana is also 10-1 to the Over when coming off a SU dog win. Four of the last five meetings between these teams have gone Over the total. The fact that both teams come in on 3-0 Under streaks gives us plenty of line value.
Play on: Over
John Ryan
Tennessee State vs. Murray State
Play: Murray State -11
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Murray State as they host Tennessee State slated to start at 8:30 EST. AiS shows that Murray State will win this game by 12 or more points. This is the quarterfinal game of the Ohio Valley Conference. Tennessee State has had a great run over the last few weeks to get to this position and opportunity. Murray State just is too talented a team for Tenn. State to contain for 40 minutes of playoff type basketball. Tenn State had lost 5 straight games, before embarking on their current 6 game winning streak. The difference has certainly been on the defensive end. In that 5 game losing streak they allowed shooting percentages of at least 50%. During the 6 game winning streak they have allowed 50% shooting just once. Still, Murray is not the type of team that needs to shoot well to win. The first thing they do extremely well is not to turn the ball over. The forced turnover high has been just 14 over the past 6 game span and have given the ball up just 13 times over their last 2 games and that against solid competition in Morehead State and Eastern Kentucky. Take Murray State.
New Jersey Nets vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Play: New Jersey Nets +4
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the New Jersey Nets as they travel to face Milwaukee slated to start at 8:05 EST. AiS shows a 70% probability that NJ will lose this game by 3 or fewer points and also has a 50% probability of winning the game. AiS also projects an 85% probability that NJ will shoot between 43 and 47%. Note that NJ is a solid 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) when they make 43% to 47% of their shots in a game this season. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 29-7 ATS for 81% winners since 2003. Play against home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points in a game involving two poor defensive teams allowing a shooting percentage of 45.5-47.5% and after 3 straight games and allowing a shooting percentage of 47% or higher.
Cajun Sports
Ohio State vs. Iowa
Play: Iowa +1.5
Big 10 rival’s face-off in Iowa City on Tuesday night as the host Iowa Hawkeyes try and avenge an earlier loss to the Ohio State Buckeyes in Columbus 68 to 65 as an 8 point road underdog. The Hawkeyes are a perfect 6-0 ATS (3-0 ATS TY) in home games revenging a same season loss the last 3 seasons. OSU enters tonight’s contest off a road loss at Purdue on Saturday 75 to 50 as a 9.5 point road underdog. Iowa returns home off a two-game road trip that saw them lose to Michigan State 62 to 54 but cover as a 15 point road dog and at Northwestern over the weekend 55 to 49 as a 6.5 point road dog, they covered in that one as well. In fact the Hawkeyes have covered their last four in a row and eight of their last eleven times to post. Play ON CBB teams after winning their last two games ATS and now installed as a conference underdog, 153-102-9 ATS if they are a home underdog the record is 49-29-4 ATS. Play ON CBB teams after winning their last three games ATS and are now a conference underdog 70-46-6 ATS and if they are installed as a home underdog the record is 25-7-2 ATS. Iowa is 12-3 SU and 7-3 ATS at home this season averaging 63.5 points per game and only allowing 53.8 points per game. OSU is 1-4 SU and 2-3 ATS their last five games overall and they are 4-6 SU and 6-4 ATS on the road this season averaging 63.3 points per game and allowing 67.3 points per game. Iowa will use their defensive schemes to force the Buckeyes to play at their pace and the Buckeyes inability to rebound on the offensive end of the floor will limit their second chance points. Decrease the visitor’s offensive possessions, take away their second chance opportunities and this will spell disaster in Iowa City on Tuesday night for the Buckeyes. Take the point(s) with the host as they get the SU win over an Ohio State team still reeling from the beat-down they took on Saturday at Purdue.
Graded Selection: 2* Iowa Hawkeyes 68 Ohio State Buckeyes 63
Bob Harvey
Chicago Bulls @ Charlotte Bobcats Over 192.5
There is no denying the brilliant coaching job Larry Brown has done in Charlotte. His experience coupled with a couple of bold moves by the front office, has the Bobcats positioned to make a run at the post-season. Tonight Charlotte will enjoy some home cooking as they look to build on a three-game road winning streak.
Charlotte hasn’t won four straight since last season. Tonight they can kill two birds with one stone as they take on the Chicago Bulls, a team that they’re chasing in the East.
On their recent roadie, the ‘Cats got bloodied up by two of the Western Conference “big boys” Phoenix and Houston, but rebounded nicely to close the trip with three straight wins.
In there first meeting of the year, Charlotte and Chicago eclipsed the total of 188 with the Bobcats winning in overtime 110-101. Much has changed since that December meeting. Charlotte has reloaded with veterans Boris Diaw and Raja Bell. Those two combed with Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor gives them four great scoring options. Vladimir Radmonavich, who came over from the Lakers prior to the trade deadline is another big time threat, especially from three-point land.
Chicago is expected to have Luol Deng back tonight and I don’t expect Derek Rose to suffer another 3 of 16 shooting performance like he did in the first meeting.
The Bulls are 7-3 to the high side in their last ten outings while the Bobcats have topped the total in their last two games, both victories.
LT Profits
Eastern Kentucky +3
The Morehead State Eagle earned home court advantage tonight by finishing two games ahead of the Eastern Kentucky Colonels in conference play, but we still feel that the Colonels are the superior team and that they will prove it by winning on the road to advance in the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament.
Eastern Kentucky finished just 10-8 in the conference, although they were a nice 18-12 overall. However, they did finish the regular season by going 7-3 straight up in their last 10 games, and they were also a nice 13-10-1 against the spread for the entire season. Most importantly however, we feel it is offensive efficiency that sets these teams apart.
According to the Pomeroy ratings, the Colonels average 1.100 points per possession after adjusting for their schedule, ranking them 55 in the entire country in offensive efficiency. Conversely, Morehead State has an adjusted PPP of just .994, ranking them a poor 207 in that important category.
It also hurts that the Eagles stumbled down the stretch, losing their last four games to finish at just 16-15 overall despite their 12-6 conference mark. Sure, all four of those games were on the road, but even in their last home game, they failed to cover the number vs. a SE Missouri State team that is one of the worst on the conference.
Now Morehead State did cover both regular season meetings, but both of those took place before the late-season swoon by the Eagles, and we look for Eastern Kentucky to turn the tables on them when it matters most here.
Pick: Eastern Kentucky +3
BRAD DIAMOND
Play on: New Jersey over Milwaukee
Not afraid to back the struggling Nets once again in this key road test on Tuesday. Although, the Bucks crushed Washington last time out 109-93, they did so after the Wizards picked up a win at home in front of our President. In essence, Milwaukee played into a positive home situation. Whereas, New Jersey dropped a heart breaker to New Orleans on Sunday, however, they do command a major technical advantage overall here. The Nets are 11-1 ATS versus Milwaukee and 5-1 ATS in Milwaukee. Plus, the Bucks hit the hardwood at 3-9-1 ATS off a SU win. Look for New Jersey to pick up a rare road victory.
Dave Cokin
Tennessee State @ Murray State
Play: Tennessee State +11
Tennessee State has been one of the more fascinating stories in college basketball over the past month. They fired their coach, Cy Alexander, following an early February disaster against Murray State. It looked like they would just pack it in for the season as they were subsequently run out of their own building in a lopsided loss to UT-Martin. But Tennessee State then went on the road and knocked off Jacksonville State, and they haven't looked back since, winning six straight as they head into the OVC Tournament. Murray State will not take this opponent lightly. They were stunned by Tennessee State is last year's OVC Tourney and certainly will not overlook them this season. But the road team has zero pressure and they're red hot, so I think they have a good chance to compete tonight. Tennessee State plus the points is the choice.
Nelly
Ohio State - over Iowa
The Buckeyes are probably still in pretty good shape for an at-large NCAA tournament berth but a loss here would change that completely. Iowa has played extremely well at home but they have often taken advantage of teams in bad travel spots or overlooking the Hawkeyes after Iowa had such a poor start to conference play. That will not be the case tonight as Ohio State desperately needs a win after losing four of the past five games. Three of those games came on the road and Saturday's blowout loss to Purdue should be the wake-up call that the Buckeyes need to finish strong. Ohio State beat Iowa by just three at home earlier in the season so this match-up will be taken very seriously. In that game Iowa shot 52 percent but still lost, and even at home those offensive numbers are not likely to be matched. The Buckeyes should be able to force a higher tempo which will play into their hands in this match-up. Iowa has come close to many upsets and has scored a few, but the Hawkeyes have also struggled to close out games and there will be no element of surprise or a situation advantage with the Hawkeyes tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Calgary Flames at Ottawa Senators
Prediction: Over
The Flames have scored 4 or more goals in their last 3 games. The over is 3-2-2 in their last 7 games. Calgary's last 5 games vs. an Eastern Conference opponent have played over the total. Ottawa has played over the total in 4 of their last 5 games overall. The over is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a team with a winning record. In their last 6 games played with 2 days rest between games the over is 5-1. Play the over.
Matt Fargo
Wake Forest at Maryland
Prediction: Wake Forest
I like the way Wake Forest is playing and I also like the way Maryland is playing but both are not the same. Wake Forest has won four of its last five games with the lone loss coming at Duke which was a big revenge game for the Blue Devils. The reason I like the way Maryland is playing is because it is playing as inconsistently as ever. It gets blown out by Clemson, defeats North Carolina and then falls to Duke it what was a monster revenge game for the Terrapins. Maryland came back on Sunday and won against NC State on the road so that likely means another poor effort upcoming to back it up. It is also playing on a short turnaround here with just a day to prepare. The Terrapins have won four straight games in this series and that works in our favor as the Demon Deacons are not going to be coming into College Park thinking they will be walking away with an easy victory. There is a lot on the line for Wake Forest. It is currently tied for third in the ACC with Florida St. and is just a game ahead of Clemson. A loss here and a home loss to Clemson in the season finale on Sunday could mean a drop to fifth place which means so long to the ACC Tournament first round bye. For the most part, the Terrapins have been solid at home with a 14-3 record including 5-2 in the ACC. The matchups here do not favor the Terrapins however as the athleticism of Wake Forest will show and the offense will be simply too much. The Terrapins are 0-6 ATS in their last six games when playing with just one day of rest and they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games against teams with a road winning percentage greater than .600. Wake Forest meanwhile is 10-3 ATS in its last 13 games teams with an overall winning percentage greater than .600. The road team has covered four straight meetings in this series as well. 3* Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Nick Parsons
Minnesota Wild at Vancouver Canucks
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver has won 10 of its last 12 games overall and I look for it to continue its run tonight against the Wild who are coming off a 3-2 road loss in Edmonton. Minnesota is 2-3 its last 5 after three or more consecutive losses; Vancouver is 10-6 its last 16 after a win by two goals or more! Play on VANCOUVER!
TORONTO vs. HOUSTON FREE PICK
The Houston Rockets will look to continue their dominance at home and extend a nine-game home winning streak and avoid being swept in their season series with the lowly Raptors tonight. Houston (38-22) has been outstanding at the Toyota Center this season and will look to avenge a 94-73 loss at Toronto (23-38) on Jan. 2nd. The Rockets have outscored opponents by an average of 14.5 points during the nine-game winning streak at home, where they are 24-6 on the season. Houston has jumped out to quick leads in its last three games at the Toyota Center, holding an average advantage of 8.3 points after the first period, meanwhile, the Raptors have lost their three road games since the All-Star break, allowing an average of 32.3 points in the first 12 minutes. This will be Toronto's last road game against a Western Conference team this season, and they have gone 3-11 which is the East's worst overall record against teams in the West. Tonight, Toronto faces a Houston team that has won seven of its last eight, the only loss coming from a road game in which they blew a 17-point lead in the final six minutes of a 105-102 loss to Chicago Saturday night. Ron Artest had a team-high 23 points following a 32-point effort versus the Bulls. After Tracy McGrady ended his season nearly two weeks ago having sugery on his knee, Artest is averaging 21.4 points and shooting 51.0 percent from 3-point range in his last eight games. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani each had 19 points for the Raptors in the first matchup against Houston and they combined for 46 points in Toronto's 109-98 loss to Dallas on Sunday night. The Raptors were outrebounded 57-45 against dallas and will have a tough time tonight against center Yao Ming, Shane battier and Ron Artest hitting the boards tonight. Houston is the second hottest team in the NBA after the Utah Jazz and they have been unstoppable at home. They should have no problem against this Toronto team that hasn't won a game on the road since the All-star Break.
TAKE HOUSTON-7 1/2
JRTips - Free Pick
(740) Maryland Terrapins +1.5
ezwinners.com free play
The Terps have been playing well and Greivis Vazquez has taken his game to another level. Maryland has beaten Wake four out of the last five times that these teams have met. The Terps need a couple more wins to have a shot at the NCAA tournament and a big win over a ranked Wake Forest team would really go a long way for their tournament hopes. Look for another big game from Vazquez as the Terps pick up the win.
2009 Free Selections Record 34-27 (55.7%)