Burns college hoops
CAL POLY (+7 or better)
Game: Cal Poly SLO vs. Portland State Game Time: 12/12/2007 10:00:00 PM Prediction: Cal Poly SLO Reason: I'm taking the points with CAL POLY. I like this Vikings team and won with them in their last game, as they covered vs. a good Washington State game. However, I feel that this will be an extremely difficult spot. Not only are the Vikings coming off a hard fought loss vs. a ranked team but they also have a road game against another national powerhouse from the Pacific-Northwest (Washington) on deck. The fact that the Huskies won by 32 points at Portland State last season will help make it easy for the Vikings to overlook lowly Cal Poly. That will be a mistake though as the Mustangs are better than they're being given credit for. Since dropping their first two games, the Mustangs have gone 4-2 their last six, including wins against teams from the WAC (Utah State) and the MAC (Northern Illinois) Conferences. Note that the Mustangs won 10 of their final 12 games last season and that they got extra playing time during the offseason by making a trip to Australia. Trae Clark and Dawin Whiten return in the backcourt. Clark was fourth in the Big West a year ago at 3.7 assists per game, while Whiten will end his career as one of the most proficient three-point shooters in league history. Meanwhile, returning forwards Titus Shelton and Dreshawn Vance form a fairly imposing defense in the paint. While they don't have any single dominant scorer, overall, the balanced Mustangs currently have seven players averaging greater than six points per game. The Mustangs had trouble scoring in a loss at Northern Arizona last time out. However, we find them at an impressive 11-2 ATS since 2005 when coming off a game in which they scored 60 points or less. During that stretch, the Mustangs were a profitable 18-7 ATS when facing a team with a winning record, 26-13 ATS when listed as an underdog and 38-18 ATS overall. The Mustangs won 92-87 when these teams faced each other last season. Look for them to give the Vikings all they can handle once again this year. *Best Bet
Burns NBA
UNDER celts/kings (188 or better)
Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Boston Celtics Game Time: 12/12/2007 7:35:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Kings and Celtics to finish UNDER the total. The Celtics have played exceptional defense at home this season, allowing a mere 80.8 points per game. Not surprisingly, the UNDER has gone a profitable 7-2-1 in their 10 games here. Its also worth noting that the Celts have seen the UNDER go 15-3-1 the last 19 times they were favored by greater than eight points. I expect the Celtics, who have held five of their last six opponents below 90 points, to dominate defensively again as they'll be facing a Sacramento squad without its top scorer (Martin) and without its top two scorers (Bibby, Martin) from last season. Even against "regular" defenses AND with Martin in the lineup, the Kings have gone 0-8 on the road while averaging just 95 points. Note that the Kings have seen each of their last three games stay below the number and that their last two road games (Denver, Portland) have stayed below the number by a combined 49 points. Looking at the series history and we find that the UNDER is a perfect 8-0 in eight meetings here at Boston this millennium. I'm expecting those numbers to improve this evening as the UNDER moves to 5-1-1 when the Celts have faced a team with a losing record. *Non Conference Total of the Month
UNDER raptors/mavs (196 or better)
Game: Dallas Mavericks vs. Toronto Raptors Game Time: 12/12/2007 7:05:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Raptors and Mavericks to finish UNDER the total. The Raptors played well offensively in last night's win at Atlanta. However, much of the offense (26 points) was provided by T.J. Ford and he went down hard with an injury late in the fourth quarter. I highly doubt that he'll play tonight as he stayed down a long time and was expected to remain in the hospital overnight. That means Jose Calderon should get a lot of playing time at point guard. Calderon is also a capable player who can score and run the floor, when necessary. However, he also has a tendency to slow things down significantly more than Ford, who ranks second on the team in scoring. I expect that to have an effect on the tempo of tonight's game and for it to be played at a significantly slower pace than it would have if the Raptors hadn't played last night and/or if Ford was in the lineup. Note that the UNDER is 3-1 the last four times the Raptors played the second of back to back games and 10-7 in 17 times in that situation in 2007. The last time that the Raptors played a home game, after having played the previous day, was on 11/25 and they combined with the Bulls for just 171 points. Including that result, the Raptors have seen the UNDER go 6-1 their last seven home games overall. Meanwhile, the Mavs have seen each of their last two road games stay below the total bringing the UNDER to 12-7 their last 19 on the road. Although the Mavs won and covered their last game, Coach Avery Johnson was unhappy with his team's defensive performance in the second half as they allowed the Knicks to creep back in the game. He made a big deal about it and I expect the team to respond with a strong effort on that side of that ball for the entire game tonight. Look for the UNDER to improve to 52-33-4 the last 99 times the Mavs were listed as road favorites in the -3.5 to -6 point range. *Blue Chip
KNICKS (-6 or better)
Game: Seattle SuperSonics vs. New York Knicks Game Time: 12/12/2007 7:35:00 PM Prediction: New York Knicks Reason: I'm laying the points with NEW YORK. After three straight double-digit losses, the Knicks could badly use a victory. Tonight's guests should provide the perfect opportunity. While the Knicks had yesterday off, the Sonics played an up-tempo game at Chicago yesterday and are now playing in their different city in the past four days. Note that the Sonics gave up 126 points yesterday and that they allowed Chicago to convert 53.7 percent of its field goals. One might think that because they're a younger team, the back to back situation wouldn't bother the Sonics so much. However, in my opinion, getting ready to play the second of back to back games is often as much mental as it is physical. Consequently, young teams often struggle in that situation just as much as older teams, often more. The young Atlanta Hawks were a perfect example last night. The Hawks had been rolling along but put them in the back to back spot and they played poorly, falling to 0-2 SU/ATS in that situation this month and 6-14 SU / 7-13 ATS their last 20. Likewise, the young Sonics are also 0-2 SU/ATS over the past three weeks when playing the second of back to back games. Both losses came by 16 points, 110-94 vs. Orlando and 100-84 at Charlotte. Looking back further and we find the Sonics are just 6-14 the last 20 times that they played the second of back to back games. Note that 13 of those 14 losses came by four points or greater. The Sonics managed to sneak out a one-point win here last March. However, the Knicks remain a healthy 7-2 SU/ATS the last nine meetings here overall. Look for them to resume that homecourt series dominance with a much-needed win and cover in front of the home fans. *Personal Favorite
Michael Cannon
Utah loses outright last night and drops my free play record to 11-8-1 with my last 20 releases.Lay the points with Nevada tonight when they host San Diego.
There is a big size disparity in this game with San Diego's leading rebounder listed at 6-7.That won't matchup well with a Nevada froncourt that boasts 6-11 Javale McGee, 6-9 DeMarshay Johnson and 7-1 David Ellis.Nevada has struggled somewhat trying to find themselves in the early going, but tonight offers them an opportunity for a temporary fix.San Diego is nothing special offensively and probably won't be able to stop Nevada from slowly pulling away as the game goes on.Lay the points as Nevada grabs the home win and cover.
2* NEVADA
MATT RIVERS
For Wednesday take the points with the Kings
Of course Boston should win this game as they now win every game but no team in the NBA can be laying such a number as the Celtics are today. We all know how these large number games are, the favorite jumps out early, flexes its muscles and then puts it on cruise control with the cover coming down to scrubs on the winning team and some starters and some scrubs on the underdog. I don't see anything being different here.
Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce will probably jump out to the early double digit lead as Sacramento is just not that good but for the C's to cover a number of around two touchdowns plus is too much., Ron Artest, Brad Miller, Francisco Garcia and the Kings do have some potential and despite being far better at Arco than on the road can easily get into this monster inpost when all is said and done tonight.
The Boston players should not exactly be as fired up as possible here with the pedestrian Kings coming to town unlike the visitors who should have more motivation as they are up against the team with the best record in the NBA and they will try and make a statement.The number is just too hefty for any team in this league, period
Scott Delaney
4* New Orleans
CAPPERS ACCESS
CBB Princeton
CBB Vanderbilt
CBB UMass
LT'S LOCK
The LOCK: Xavier -19'
The STREAK: 1 loss
The RECORD: 529-426-21
TONY WESTON
DePaul hasn't played much this season and has actually only played five games since Nov. 9, going 2-3 SU and 1-2 ATS.
Vanderbilt comes in a perfect 9-0 SU and 5-3 ATS and also sits as a Top 25 team in the country. The Commodores come into this game outscoring their opponents by a little more than 10 points a game at 85.9-75.4 points per game.
The Blue Demons have been outscored by an average score of 72-75.4 and have scored more than 66 points in a game only twice this season and both of those were in games that weren?t lined. Vandy, on the other hand, has not scored less than 77 points in any game this year.
Look for the Commodores to run laps around the Blue Demons and win by at least 10.
Go with Vandy.
3* VANDERBILT (1* to 5* Scale)
POINTWISE
NBA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
(7:05) Minnesota Timberwolves 97 - PHILADELPHIA 94
(7:05) TORONTO RAPTORS 118 - Dallas Mavericks 113
(7:05) INDIANA PACERS 91 - Chicago Bulls 89
(7:05) Los Angeles Clippers 96 - CHARLOTTE 'CATS 90
(7:35) BOSTON CELTICS 118 - Sacramento Kings 104
(7:35) Seattle Supersonics 91 - NEW YORK KNICKS 90
(8:05) HOUSTON ROCKETS 106 - Detroit 91 (ESPN)
(8:05) Orlando Magic 103 - MILWAUKEE BUCKS 102
(9:05) DENVER NUGGETS 96 - New Orleans Hornets 94
(10:05) PORTLAND BLAZERS 93 - Golden St Warriors 89
(10:35) PHOENIX SUNS 109 - Utah Jazz 100 (ESPN)
BEST BETS: TORONTO, HOUSTON, NEW ORLEANS
NCAAB
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
(7:00) PENN STATE 75 - Princeton 57 (ESPNU)
(8:00) MARYLAND 68 - Ohio U 66
(8:00) Wisconsin 73 - WISCONSIN-MILWAUKEE 60
(8:00) XAVIER 81 - Cincinnati 59
(8:00) DEPAUL 77 - Vanderbilt 75
(9:00) BOSTON COLLEGE 90 - UMass 89 (ESPNU)
(9:00) COLORADO 76 - New Orleans 73
(10:00) NEVADA 71 - San Diego 66
(10:00) SANTA CLARA 65 - Pacific 54
ADDED GAME
(10:00) PORTLAND STATE 67 - Cal-Poly SLO 66
BEST BETS: PENN STATE, OHIO U, WISCONSIN, SANTA CLARA
Big Al McMordie (COMP)
Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns (NBA)
Dec 12, 2007 10:35 PM EST
Play: Phoenix Suns
At 10:35 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Phoenix Suns over the struggling Utah Jazz, who have dropped four straight games. A big problem for Jerry Sloan's squad is its lack of defensive intensity, and that's not a good recipe for success against the league's most potent offensive team. The Jazz are also a horrific 3-24 ATS on the road since 1993, if they lost the previous night at thome, and are matched up against an opponent that has a win percentage greater than .540. Take Phoenix. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie
Marc Lawrence **COMP**
Cincinnati vs. Xavier (NCAAB)
Dec 12, 2007 7:00 PM EST
Play: Xavier
Play On: Xavier Note: Xavier hosts the Bearcats in a series that's seen the Musketeers go 9-3-1 ATS of late, including 6-1 SUATS with revenge. Back the X-men on this string home court tonight.
Jimmy The Moose
Game: Dallas Mavericks at Toronto Raptors Dec 12 2007 7:05PM
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks
Reason: The Mavericks come into this one having won 2 straight games and the healthier of the two team's. Dallas has won 2 of their last 3 road games SU and ATS. Dallas is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games played on Wednesday's. Toronto got Bosh and Bargnani back in the lineup but Ford went down last night with a scary injury and he may miss significant time. The Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games. Play on the Mavericks.
John Fina
December 12, 2007
Selection: BYU
Today Lamar will be on the road as they take on BYU. We will lay the points with BYU! To say the least, BYU should have no problem getting a blowout win against Lamer tonight. The keys to a BYU blowout victory comes down to their superior offense and defense. Lamar (on the road) is scoring an average of only 66 points per game, while BYU (at home) is scoring an average of 89.8 points per game. Lamar (on the road) is allowing opponents to score an average of 83 points per game, while BYU (at home) is allowing opponents to score an average of only 65 points per game. It's also good to note that Lamer is winless on the road this season, while BYU is 12-4 ATS in their last 16 home games. Lay the points! Take BYU
Bobby Maxwell
After winning six of seven and covering the number seven straight times, the Magic went home and dropped two games in a row to the Pacers and Hawks as big favorites.But no worries here though as the Magic get back on the road and will score a 10-point win in Milwaukee. Orlando has won four of its last five on the road and covered five straight. This team looked very comfortable on its West Coast road trip and will get some of that unity back as it goes back on the road for four of its next five.The Bucks have lost eight of their last nine games and just 2-7 ATS in those nine. This team is going nowhere in a hurry.Orlando has won five of six overall against the Bucks and gone 6-2 ATS in the last eight against Milwaukee. We're going with the Magic tonight as they are 21-6-1 ATS in the last 28 overall. They'll improve on this record against Milwaukee.
2* ORLANDO
GOLD SHEET
NBA
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
PHILADELPHIA 99 - Minnesota 90
This figures to be a rare chalk opportunity for Philly, which had covered 2 of first 3 in role theDec. 2. Meanwhile, Minnesota played last night in Washington and has dropped first four playing 2nd of back to-back games. 06-Min +2 95-84 (191), MIN -6' 104-102 (OT-188)
TORONTO 99 - Dallas 94
Dallas not providing a lot of value lately (1-8 vs. line last 9 thru Dec. 2, and no covers last 4 as home chalk thru Dec. 5). Mavs also had to scrap for 6-point win (and no cover) vs. Raptors Nov. 20 at American Airlines Center, rallying from 24-point deficit before collaring Sam Mitchells bunch. 07-DAL -8' 105-99 (197); 06-DAL -10' 117-98 (192), Dal -5 97-96 (193)
INDIANA 100 - Chicago 90
Chicagos slow start continues, especially on road, where Bulls have lost and failed to cover last 4 and 7 of 8 thru Dec. 4. Both teams played last night, but Indiana (4-2) has performed much better vs. the number than Chicago (0-3) when playing second of back-to-back games (through Dec. 7). 06-CHI -6' 89-80 (187), CHI -11 106-91 (189), IND -1' 98-91 (192), Chi -2 92-90 (183)
CHARLOTTE 104 - LA Clippers 94
Need some good reasons to back Clippers (1-10 vs. line last 11 thru Dec. 3) these days, especially against Charlotte bunch thats covered 6 of last 7 as host thru Dec. 4. Rested Bobcats could take advantage of unrested Clippers coming off a game in New Jersey last night. 06-LA -9' 100-93 (192), La -2' 102-93 (194)
BOSTON 103 - Sacramento 83
Boston taking a lot of names this season as it avenges lots of losses by previous editions, including last years Celtics team that lost both tries vs. Sacto. Doc Rivers bunch now 7-2 vs. line as TD Banknorth Garden chalk thru Dec. 6, while Kings 1-6 vs. number away thru Dec. 7. NBA teams laying more than 9 points at home are 24-15 vs. the number through Dec. 2. 06- Sac -4 96-91 (195), SAC -6 104-101 (203)
NEW YORK 104 - Seattle 93
Isiah Thomas and arguably dysfunctional Knicks should get rare chance in favorites role vs. Seattle, but note N.Y. had failed to cover first 3 as chalk this season thru Dec. 6. Note Seattle rookie Kevin Durant shooting just 33% when playing the 2nd of back-to-back games, and the Sonics played in Chicago yesterday. 06-Ny +5 111-93 (201), Sea +2 100-99 (197)
Detroit 101 - HOUSTON 98
Detroit is playing its best ball of season as HC Flip Saunders team has returned to health. Pistons routed Cleveland, Milwaukee & New Jersey in last 3 games through Dec. 3 by an average score of 115-87. Houston presents a formidable opponent, but favor Piston balance over the Rockets Yao-McGrady 1-2 punch. 06-DET -1 104-92 (182), HOU -3' 91-85 (182) CABLE TV ESPN
Orlando 104 - MILWAUKEE 95
Hot Orlando might have been sending out warning shot to rest of league when it buried Milwaukee by 19 on opening night. Magic certainly spooked Bucks in that Halloween romp by hitting 12 of 22 beyond arc, and Rashard Lewis made emphatic Orlando debut when scoring 26. Magic 16-3 vs. line thru Dec. 2, and the Lewis-Howard combination looks deadly after a month. 07-ORL -7 102-83 (199); 06-ORL -8' 98-73 (194), MIL +1 116-111 (191), ORL -5' 99-81 (200), Orl -6 117-94 (199)
DENVER 106 - New Orleans 105
New Orleans gave an early hint of its improved defense in 93-88 win over Denver at New Orleans Arena Nov. 4. Hornets held A.I. and Carmelo to combined 16-49 FGs and prevailed with balanced scoring (6 in double digits). N.O. solid 7-3 vs. line first 10 on the road. 07-No +5' 93-88 (214); 06-NO +3' 99-89 (199), No +5' 114-112 (OT-202), DEN -6' 106-91 (207), Den +1' 107-105 (206)
Golden St. 111 - PORTLAND 101
These two have been headed in opposite directions past few weeks, Portland dropping 9 of last 10 vs. number (and 6 of last 7 as dog) thru Dec. 2, while Golden State has won 9 of last 10 (8-2 vs. line) thru Dec. 2. 06-GS -9 102-89 (207), PORT -1' 106-87 (208), Gs -10' 120-98 (214)
PHOENIX 114 - Utah 112
Utah more than held its own vs. Phoenix last season, beating Suns 3 of 4, including a pair of upset wins in desert. Look for
Jazz to go uptempo with Phoenix, as it did in each game last season (3 of 4 were overs). 06-Utah +7 108-104 (211), UTAH -4' 120-117 (OT-212), Utah +11' 108-105 (218), Pho -3 126-98 (211) TV-ESPN
NCAAB
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
PENN ST. 52 - Princeton 49
Ivy sources report Pete Carril disciple Sydney Johnson doing a pretty good job replicating unique style of The Master? for this years Princeton bunch, which hasnt embarrassed itself under its new coach vs. top-level competition in early going. Don?t think Penn State qualifies at that level, especially with F Cornley in and out of lineup with bruised knee, putting too much scoring burden on G Claxton. 06-DNP
MARYLAND over Ohio by 10 to 13 06-DNP
Wisconsin over WIS.-MILWAUKEE by 14 to 17 06-WIS -22 68-49
XAVIER 78 - Cincinnati 56
Payback time for high-flying Xavier bunch that's itching to atone for upset loss vs. crosstown rival Cincy last season. Bearcats still dont have depth or manpower to properly implement HC Cronins preferred uptempo style, so big firepower edge to Musketeers, with 6 scoring in DDs during first few weeks
including handy win over explosive Indiana). 06-CINCY +5 67-57
DEPAUL over Vanderbilt by 1 to 2
Interesting matchup between a pair of highlytouted
frosh big (Jerry Wainwrights 6-10 C Koshwal, and Kevin Stallings 76-10
Aussie Ogilvy). 06-DNP
BOSTON COLLEGE over Massachusetts by 6 to 8 06-Bc +3 84-73
New Orleans over COLORADO by 1 to 2 06-DNP
NEVADA over San Diego by 7 to 10 06-DNP
SANTA CLARA over Pacific by 11 to 14 06-Scu +4 67-49
Michael Cannon
Wednesday's Plays...
10 Dime –
BOBCATS
Lay the points with the Bobcats tonight when they host the Clippers.
Charlotte comes into this game well rested having last played three days ago and should be able to control both the tempo and the boards tonight.
That’s because with Elton Brand out, the Clippers have trouble matching up with Emeka Okafor. Los Angeles is also playing its third game in four nights and second in 48 hours.
With all the injuries the Clippers have this is a rare opportunity for the Bobcats to shine in the role as a favorite.
Lay the points with the Bobcats as they grab the home win and cover.
5 Dime –
MAGIC
Lay the small number with Orlando tonight on the road over Milwaukee.
The Magic have been one of the best road teams in the NBA this year and I expect them to bounce back here after suffering back-to-back losses for the first time this season. They are 11-2 on the road and getting away from home just might be the best thing for them to break out of their mini slump.
Dwight Howard is one of the best low-post players in the league and it’s helped to open up the perimeter for Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu.
Lay the points as the Magic grab the road win and cover.
OHIO
Take the points with Ohio tonight when they travel to take on Maryland.
This is by no means going to be an easy task for Ohio on the road in ACC land, but Maryland is not the best shooting team out there which should allow the Bobcats to keep it close with their perimeter shooting.
Senior forward Leon Williams should control the paint for Ohio. He’s playing aggressively and controlled on the offensive end, averaging 18.2 ppg while shooting 62 percent from the field.
The Bobcats have a deep bench which will help them to stay fresh and keep Maryland from going on any extended runs.
Take the points with Ohio as they stay within the number on the road.
CINCINNATI
Take the big number with Cincinnati tonight when they face in-state rival Xavier.
Now Cincinnati is not a very good team. In fact, they’ll probably finish at the bottom of the Big East standings this year.
But this isn’t the Big East and this is a nasty rivalry, so don’t be surprised to see UC bringing their very best tonight.
It’s always a risky proposition laying this many points in a rivalry game. Just ask West Virginia. They were 28-point favorites over Pitt playing at home with a trip to the national championship on the line.
The Mountaineers wound up losing outright to a super motivated Panthers squad.
My point is determination and focus can more than make up for the lack of talent a team might have.
The underdog is 8-0 ATS in this rivalry the last eight years. Xavier is also mired in a 1-5 ATS slump against the Big East. UC has cashed in four of its last five against A-10 foes.
Take the points as Cincinnati stays within the number on the road tonight.
Minnesota (+8) at PHILADELPHIA
By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
The G-Man gave you Portland last night as they won outirght in the underdog role. Another underdog play tonight for free as I look to improve on my 12-6 comp play mark the last 18 days.
Go with Minnesota plus the points at Philadelphia tonight. The Timberwolves were just stomped by the Wizards in Washington their last time out, but prior to that loss, they had bested Phoenix outright at home, and were very close to upsetting the Hawks down in Atlanta as the 9-point dog.
Expect Minny to be inside of this number, as Philadelphia's current 3-game win and cover streak has bumped this line up a little too high for the 76ers to cover with authority.
Yes, Philly will get the outirght win, but to ask them to cover almost double-digits seems to tall an order tonight.
Grab the points and the underdog in this one!
1* MINNESOTA
Orlando (-3') at MILWAUKEE
By Joel Tyson, Featured Handicapper
The surprise start Orlando Magic take their show to the road tonight, and head in to do battle with the Milwaukee Bucks. The way the Magic were rolling before losing their last two I have no problem laying what I sincerely believe is a small number, as I feel they will turn things around against this stumbling Bucks team.
The Bucks have lost four straight and will have to try to avoid losing a season high five straight against this Magic team that is a league best 11-2 on the road this year.
Play the Magic to get rolling again.
2* ORLANDO
Orlando (-3') at MILWAUKEE
By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
For today's FREE play we head to Milwaukee for a complimentary selection on the Magic as they take on the Bucks.
After winning six of seven and covering the number seven straight times, the Magic went home and dropped two games in a row to the Pacers and Hawks as big favorites.
But no worries here though as the Magic get back on the road and will score a 10-point win in Milwaukee. Orlando has won four of its last five on the road and covered five straight. This team looked very comfortable on its West Coast road trip and will get some of that unity back as it goes back on the road for four of its next five.
The Bucks have lost eight of their last nine games and just 2-7 ATS in those nine. This team is going nowhere in a hurry.
Orlando has won five of six overall against the Bucks and gone 6-2 ATS in the last eight against Milwaukee. We're going with the Magic tonight as they are 21-6-1 ATS in the last 28 overall. They'll improve on this record against Milwaukee.
2* ORLANDO