Wednesday Basketball Service Picks:

Burns NBA

UNDER magic/sonics (209 or better)

Game: Orlando Magic vs. Seattle SuperSonics Game Time: 11/28/2007 10:05:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Sonics and Magic to finish UNDER the total. I successfully played on the Sonics to finish below yesterday's big number and I feel that tonight's total is too high once again. Note that the Sonics have already seen the UNDER go 3-0 this season when playing a home game with an over/under line of 210 or greater. The Magic, who have seen their road games average 198 points per game, rarely see over/under lines this high. In fact, this is the highest total they have seen all season. Looking back to past seasons and we find the UNDER at a profitable 17-11 the last 28 times that the Magic played a game with an over/under line of 210 or greater. Note that the line was 209 when these teams met at Orlando two weeks ago and they combined for a mere 179 points. That brought the UNDER to a perfect 4-0 the last four series meetings. Those four games averaged just 180.75 points. Looking back a bit further and we find the UNDER at 7-1 the last eight series meetings. Additionally, dating back to last season, the Sonics have seen the UNDER go 10-2 the last 12 times that they played the second of back to back games, including a 3-1 mark so far this season. The last time that the Sonics played the second of back to back games, they managed just 84 points in a 100-84 loss at Charlotte. That game stayed below the total by 15+ points. The last time that they played a home game, after having played the previous night, the Sonics and Grizzlies combined for 203 points, in game that also stayed below the number by 15 points. I'm expecting more of the same tonight. *Blue Chip

PORTLAND (-6 or better)

Game: Indiana Pacers vs. Portland Trail Blazers Game Time: 11/28/2007 10:05:00 PM Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers Reason: I'm laying the points with PORTLAND. I feel that the situation strongly favors the home team. While the Blazers had last night off, the Pacers come off a hard-fought 112-110 win in the high altitude of Denver. While the Pacers did win at New Orleans last week, when playing the second of back to back games, they are still a money-burning 6-13-1 ATS their last 20 times in that situation. This is worse than a typical back to back situation though as the Pacers are also playing their sixth game in the past nine nights. That's a gruelling nine-day stretch for any team and arguably more so for a team that likes to run up and down the floor as much as this year's Pacers squad. Note that even with last night's win, the Pacers are still just 5-15 their last 20 road games. After having consecutive nights off, the Blazers came up short vs. a solid Orlando club on Monday. Despite that loss, they're still a healthy 5-2 at home for the season. Look for the Blazers, 17-8 the last 25 times they played a home game with an over/under line in the 200 to 204.5 range, to have the much fresher legs tonight and for that to result in a convincing win and cover. *Personal Favorite

Frank Patron
Date: Wednesday November 28, 2007

Sport: College Hoops
Game: North Carolina at Ohio State

Prediction: UNC Tar Heels -3

Jim Feist

DALLAS MAVERICKS

Minnesota's surprising win at New Orleans was a bit of a fluke. This young team has been awful on the road, at 1-6 SU/ATS. In fact, they are getting beat by 9 ppg away from home, averaging just 92 ppg. That win ended a 5-game skid overall (1-4 ATS run). Dallas got caught flat-footed against a Washington team that can beat anybody when their outside shooting is on. The Mavs shot just 39.3 percent and it was their first home defeat (6-1 SU, 4-3 ATS at home). "The energy hasn't been there," coach Avery Johnson said. "We have been a little flat. I don't think championship teams can get used to losing two or three or in a row. I don't think that is a good sign." Expect the Mavs to end their losing streak with a much needed win against a true NBA cupcake. Play the Mavericks!

Matt Rivers

MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

There is no doubt that this game has the potential to be a 30 point blowout. In terms of talent alone Dirk and the fellas are light years ahead of the young Timberwolves. Minnesota is not a good or experienced team after trading away Kevin Garnett and may not win 20 games this entire season but they did shock the world in that last game in New Orleans as the 11 1/2 point dog and why not back them here plus another field goal or so?!?!? The 'Wolves could be trailing by this number at the half,as they are that inferior, but the way the Mavs fell like dogs at home to the Gilbert Arenas-less Wizards on Monday by double digits as a similar double digit chalk makes this somewhat of a no-brainer and a no-lose situation. Even if this is not a contest for the majority of the game, at this number the way we see backdoors in the NBA, I'll take my chances on these somewhat improving visitors.

Marc Lawrence

INDIANA PACERS

Pacer take on the Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden knowing they are 7-0 SUATS the last seven games in this series. With Indiana gaining extra value after playing last night in Denver, look for the Pacers to continue their winning ways in this series tonight.

Burns college BB

PENN STATE (-3 or better)

Game: Virginia Tech vs. Penn State Game Time: 11/28/2007 9:30:00 PM Prediction: Penn State Reason: I'm playing on PENN STATE. The Nittany Lions didn't fare too well at the Old Spice Classic. However, they've gone 2-0 at home, winning by an average score of 83.5 to 52. Granted, the competition was rather weak. However, that's not the players fault and the three tournament losses have given us excellent line value here. The Nittany Lions bring back four starters back and a relatively talented recruiting class. Penn State has an outstanding 1-2 scoring punch in 6-5 senior swingman Geary Claxton, a potential NBA draft pick, and 6-5 junior power forward Jamelle Cornley. Claxton averaged 16.3 points and 8.0 rebounds last season and even more is expected this year, while Cornley is coming off a season in which he scored 11.4 points and grabbed 5.7 rebounds a game. So far this season, the pair are averaging 33.2 points per game while grabbing a combined 15.2 rebounds. Joining that duo are two more returning starters in 6-3 junior shooting guard Danny Morrissey and 6-11 senior forward Brandon Hassell. Hassell currently is grabbing 6.6 rebounds per game while Morrissey is chipping in a healthy 8.2 points per game. The Hokies are a talented opponent. However, as coach Seth Greenberg had to say: "We're just extremely young." The Hokies are a terrible 0-7 SU/ATS the last seven times that they listed as road underdogs (or pick'em) of three points or less. Look for their inexperience to show tonight as the Nittany Lions bounce back from their poor tournament showing with a convincing victory for the home fans. *CBB Blowout GOM

James Patrick Sports

MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS

With everyone back from a 23-12 team and one of the country's best recruiting classes also in the mix, the Sparties are ready to roll to another impressive season. Tom Izzo always protects his home court.

Scott Rickenbach
HOUSTON ROCKETS

We are well aware of the fact that the Suns are coming off of an ugly loss at Golden State in their most recent game. However, that doesn't change the fact that tonight they will be trying to bounce back against a quality foe who is not going to be easy to blowout. That said, we see great line value here with a line that has already moved up to 6.5 as of Wednesday morning. Tracy McGrady will be playing in his 5th game since the injury. The first two were slow, the last two have been red hot games for him and that means he will definitely stretch the Suns' defense. Keep in mind that when Phoenix beat the Rockets in Houston, Tracy was hurt. The Rockets, of course, are much better defensive team and they will keep this much closer than many are expecting.

Jimmy the Moose
INDIANA PACERS

Pacers take on the Trail Blazers in the Rose Garden knowing they are 7-0 SUATS the last seven games in this series. With Indiana gaining extra value after playing last night in Denver, look for the Pacers to continue their winning ways in this series tonight.Good luck - Jimmy the Moose.

Vegas Experts
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS

Big number for the Jazz to cover. They came here last year as a four-point chalk and lost 89-88. This is the finale for them of a three-game road trip: they host the Lakers on Friday. Getting out of town with a win is all they're planning on. Incentive is there for Sixers point guard Andre Miller to play well versus one of his old teams. UTAH is 19-31 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons and 0-9 ATS vs. poor free throw shooting teams - making <=71% of their attempts over the last 2 seasons.

North Star (CBB)

Toledo 7.5
Richmond -2
Boston College 2.5
Mass 7.5
Illinois 2.5
Western Michigan 3.5
Alabama 12.5
North Carolina -3
Nevada -3.5

NHL

Dallas 130
Ottowa -145
Carolina (BEST BET) -145
Florida 120
Minny -165
Tampa Bay 111

Burns NHL

MINNESOTA

Game: Phoenix Coyotes vs. Minnesota Wild Game Time: 11/28/2007 8:05:00 PM Prediction: Minnesota Wild Reason: I'm laying the price with MINNESOTA. Recent results have given us solid value with the home team here. That may sound strange when the price is this steep. However, when we consider that the Wild were -200, -250 and most recently -340 the last three times they were a host in this series, tonight's price doesn't seem nearly so outrageous. Note that the Wild won all three of those games, winning by a combined score of 10-4. In fact, this is roughly the same price that the Wild were when they traveled to Phoenix last month - and they're a MUCH better team at home. Note that Minnesota also won that game. The Coyotes come in as the "hotter" team. However, in my opinion, the Wild are still the significantly "better" team. They haven't lost three straight regulation games in a row here in almost two years and they'll be extremely hungry to get back on track tonight. The Coyotes are a dismal 34-55 the last 89 times they faced a team which defeated them in their last game. While they are getting better, I don't feel that they're ready to upset this talented and highly motivated Minnesota team at what remains one of the toughest venues in the league. Minnesota coach Jacques Lemaire has challenged his team to play on a higher level and I look for them to give a huge effort, returning to their winning ways at this rink. *Big Chalk GOM

Brandon Lang

20 Dime: St Louis Billikens

10 Dime: North Carolina

5 Dime: Penn State

Free Comp: NC State

Larry Ness' 20* Eastern Conf Game of the Month (won last two BKB 20*s, both in CBB!)
My 20* play is on the Det Pistons at 7:35 ET. The last time LeBron James visited the Palace of Auburn Hills, he turned in one of the greatest postseason performances in NBA history. In Game 5 of LY's Eastern Conference finals, LeBron scored a career playoff-high 48 points, including his team's final 25, to give Cleveland its first lead of the series. He was the only Cavalier to make a field goal in the last 17:48, as Detroit blew a seven-point lead with 3:15 left in regulation (eventually losing 109-107 in double-OT). James (31.7-8.0-8.5) missed his third straight triple-double last night but had 38 points and 13 assists to lead Cleveland to a 109-104 overtime win over league-leading Boston. The Cavs have won four straight but this is their FOURTH game in five nights! The Cavs are missing Hughes and Marshall plus Varejao may NEVER be signed. Cleveland is allowing 102.8 PPG on the year (2nd-most in the East) and its D won't be helped by the scheduling situation. Rasheed Walalce (15.2-7.2) is expected back for Detroit and the Pistons should be focused here. Prince (15.2-7.2) and McDyess (11.5-7.7) are playing well up front, while Billups (17.2-8.0 APG) and Hamilton remain one of the league's best backcourts. Off the bench, Maxiell, Murray and Hayes are all scoring around 7.5 PPG. Detroit's D (94.1 PPG allowed) is the third-best in the East and I expect the Pistons to complete their four-game homestand with a convincing win! Easten Conference Game of the Month 20* Det Pistons.

Larry Ness' Las Vegas Insider-NBA (12-2 or 85.7% ATS run in all sports since Nov 16!)
My Las Vegas Insider is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET. The Spurs like to be challenged and this game with Washington should bring out the best in them. The Spurs led the league in scoring defense last season, allowing 90.1 PPG to rank in the league's top three in that category for the 10th straight season. That defensive prowess has been instrumental in the Spurs winning four NBA championships during that stretch. While the Spurs are still near the top of the league in scoring defense at 92.9 PPG, they've given up 102.8 in their last four. Five of San Antonio's last seven opponents have shot better than 50 percent from the field, a feat accomplished against the Spurs only eight times last season. Monday night in Sacramento, SA allowed 112 points on 55.1%! Washington has topped 100 points in nine straight games to go 7-2 in that stretch. Butler (23.3-7.2) and Jamison (22.6-9.7) are superb but without Arenas, the Wizards are no match for SA's "Big Three" of Parker (19.9-6.6 APG), Ginobili (19.2-5.1-4.6) and Duncan (18.5-9.1), not to mention the league's deepest group of role players. Haywood (9.3-8.2) has been healthy at center for Washington but he's no match for Duncan, nor can Washington expect the Spurs to shoot 39% or 3-of-21 from the three-point line, like the Mavs did in the Wizards' 110-98 win in Dallas on Monday. Las Vegas Insider on the SA Spurs.