Sports Monitor
MATCHUP: Chicago Bulls (7-12) at Indiana Pacers (10-11)
WHEN/WHERE: Wednesday, December 12th 7pm EST
THE LINE:
Indiana is -1 and the total is 198 points
TRENDS: Nine of Indiana's last 13 games have gone over the total.Chicago is 7-12 against the spread this season.
GAME SUMMARY: The Chicago Bulls appear to be slowly recoveringfrom their dismal start.
SPORTS MONITOR
PREDICTION: Chicago and Indiana over the total
Winners Edge-12/12/07
NBA:
Seattle Supersonics +5 , 1 unit
CBB:
Santa Clara -4.5 , 2 units
Vanderbilt -4 , 2 units
5-15 last 20 picks ;D
Matt Rivers
100,000* NBA DOG ROCKS Plus Bonus Lock
Your winners here are on:
1. 100,000* Bulls
2. 50,000* Magic
1. Chicago has had a rough rough start to the season thanks a lot in part to all of the trade rumors regarding Kobe Bryant going to the Windy City but things have been a little better of late and this Chicago team still has a ton of talent and will really get things going today. Grab the points but I really do think this visitor will get the win!
Scott Skiles' squad has a ton of talent and are extremely undervalued right now because of the slow start. They have stars like Luol Deng and Ben Gordon and other very very good players including Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace and Kirk Hinrich. These guys have a much higher upside than the mediocre at the very best Pacers.
Indiana has been playing fairly well and just won in Orlando in half a shocker. They have a very good player and former All-Star in Jermaine O'Neal and a few other guys but all in all the Pacers are just not nearly as talented as da Bulls and to not have to lay anything, even on the road, with Chicago is a flat out steal. Both teams are on the back-to-back with travel and with more depth on the Bulls this is not a bad thing for us. It may not be a true advantage but it is not bad.
Chicago is still a 50 plus win type of a club whereas the Pacers are a .500 type squad. This game is just the epitome of a value as one team in undervalued and one is overvalued. As I say often, the road is never easy and we are the visitor here but this game is still way too good to pass up, period!
2. Orlando has all of a sudden lost two in a row games for the first time this season but they still boast an absolute superstar in Dwight Howard and should get back on the horse and take care of business once again here. The road has not been a problem at all for Orlando as they have already been away from home for pretty much the entire season and just dominated everybody, except the Suns, on a grueling West coast swing which proves this teams' mettle.
I am a fan of Milwaukee and do believe they are a talented club with a star in Michael Redd along with Mo Williams, Charlie Villaneuva, Andrew Bogut, Yi and others but these guys are back home after their West coast swing which was not great and capped by the miserable fourth quarter and loss in Sacramento on Monday night. Normally the first game back home is never favorable as it seems to always take a game to get things back in stride thanks to the travel and fatigue factors.
Orlando is the clear better team and will have to play with some urgency here after the surprising losses to Indiana and Atlanta. The road has been kind so far for the Magic and I don't see anything changing here as a third straight loss is just not in the cards!
Tony Stoffo's Pick Pack
NHL Full Season Package
Member Plays
Matchup: NY Rangers at Washington
Time: 7:05 PM EDT (Wed)
Play: Over (5.0-105)
Posted on: December 11, 2007 @ 9:22:39 PM EST
NY Rangers at Washington Strong situational total trend in effect here calling for a high scoring game as the Rangers take a trip down to Washington. Play Over - Road teams where the total is 5 or less (NY Rangers) - well rested team - playing only their 2nd game in 5 days, a marginal winning team (51% to 60%) playing a bad team (25 to 40%) in the first half of the season. This trend favoring the Over for tonight has gone 27-6 over the last 10 years hitting at a very profitable 82% With the odds makers posting just a 5 on the total for tonight only makes the Over that much more of a stronger play here.
Matty O'Shea
double-dime bet TOR 4.5 (-110)
Analysis: This line is moving in favor of the Mavericks due to Toronto point guard T.J. Ford's terrible fall in Tuesday's win at Atlanta. Ford left the game on a stretcher after a flagrant foul by Al Horford caused him to hit his head on the floor. While Ford has played an important role for the Raptors at times, he has perhaps the best backup point guard in the NBA ready to step up in Jose Calderon. Toronto went 4-1 SU without Ford earlier this season and a perfect 5-0 ATS. That should tell you the oddsmakers have underestimated Calderon and are doing the same thing here. Calderson also played better than Ford against Dallas in the first meeting back on November 20th, totaling 14 points and 6 assists. The Raptors are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings with Dallas, with 3 of the meetings decided by 2 points or less. The Mavs have not impressed me lately, and they are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games, so I'm taking Toronto as my Double Dime NBA Underdog Play O' the Week.
Jeff Alexander's Picks for December 12, 2007
NBA
3* Jazz +6.5
Utah is a team that matches up with the Suns better than anyone else in the NBA because of its size and athletic ability. These attributes have allowed the Jazz to win 2 of their last 3 games at Phoenix straight up and all 3 ATS. Utah has actually won 4 of the last 5 games in this series overall. Utah is 14-4 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite over the last 3 seasons. The Jazz are also 22-9 ATS in road games versus explosive offensive teams - scoring 103+ points/game since 1996. Take the points here.
NCAAB
3* Santa Clara -5
Pacific does not have the same caliber of team that it has had in recent years. Santa Clara will own the Tigers tonight in this in-state battle. Pacific is just 5-16 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons and 1-12 ATS when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) over the last 2 seasons. Pacific is 0-6 ATS after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 2 seasons and Santa Clara is 13-4 ATS after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread over the last 3 seasons. Lay the points.
3* Colorado -5
This will be a tough road game against a Colorado team that has already made strides under coach Bzdelik. After back-to-back defeats, we'll take the Buffs in this solid bounce back spot at home. Colorado is 9-1 ATS after 2 straight games where they made 37% of their shots or worse since 1997 and 6-0 ATS after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last 3 seasons. New Orleans is just 11-31 ATS after having won 3 of their last 4 games since 1997. Take the Buffs at home
Vernon Croy
Vancouver Canucks vs. Anaheim Ducks (NHL) - 10:05 PM EST Premium Play
Pick: Money Line: 150 Vancouver Canucks
10 Units, Take Vancouver ML +150, We are getting solid line value here with the Canucks on the road who have not lost more than 2 games in a row this season. The Canucks have played better on the road this season than at home and they are 5-2 this season after a loss by 2 or more goals. The Canucks powerplay has been on fire this season on the road converting 24.6% of the time and the Ducks powerplay has struggled at home this season converting just 13.4% of the time. The Canucks penalty kill has been very solid over their last 5 games with opponents converting just 11.1% of the time and I look for it to remain strong tonight against the Ducks poor powerplay. The Canucks already dominated the Ducks winning 4-0 in Vancouver back on Nov.27 and I like them a lot to bounce back with a strong game tonight after their loss to the Kings
Bryan Leonard
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Philadelphia 76ers (NBA) - 7:05 PM EST Premium Play
Play: Total: 186/103 Under
Minnesota at Philadelphia Under The T Wolves have had a schedule loaded with teams who like to get out and run, therefore their numbers are a bit skewed at this point of the season. But when they play a halfcourt squad like the 76ers the totals have remained below the posted numbers. Minnesota will also be playing their fourth back to back set of games this season. In the second half of the prior three they had gone under the posted total twice while landing right on the number the third time. The Timberwolves are a young team who has struggled offensively all season, failing to reach the century mark in 5 of their last 6 games. Only once all year has Minnesota exceeded 103 points in any game. Philadelphia brings a three game winning streak into tonight’s action, and defense has been the key component. The Sixers have allowed just 88, 77 and 90 points in those three victories. In fact, Philadelphia has held the opposition to 90 points or better in regulation in 6 of their last 7 games. Like Minnesota this team doesn’t have a great deal of offensive talent, they win with hustle and defense. Look for points to be hard to come by for both teams tonight as this game stays under the posted total. PLAY UNDER
Sports Unlimited
Marco D'Angelo | CBB Sides Double-Dime Bet
725 Ohio 7.5
Analysis: Ohio travels to Maryland tonight to battle the Terrapins. Maryland is coming off a loss at home to Boston College. Maryland isn't that good this year and should not be laying 8 here. They are laying 7' based on name not talent. Expect a close game throughout and don't be surprised if Ohio pulls the Outright Upset. TAKE OHIO as MARCO'S COLLEGE UPSET GAME OF THE WEEK and make them a DOUBLE DIME PLAY.
Marco D'Angelo | CBB Sides Double-Dime Bet
738 Nevada -8.0
Analysis: After losing 3 in a row to UNLV,California and Pacific Nevada returned home on Saturday to win but not cover against Montana St. That was Nevada's first game in a week and they flat just going thru the motions or as I like to refer to this type of game as their Buffer Game. Now that they have a win under their belt I expect an even better performance tonight. I have Nevada winning this game by 11-14 Points. TAKE NEVADA and make them a DOUBLE DIME PLAY.
ATS LOCK
4 units Santa Clara - 5
3 units Maryland - 7.5
ATS FINANCIAL
3 units Mass + 5
3 units Wisc Milw + 13.5
THE WUNDERDOG - NHL COMP
Game: Ottawa at Carolina (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Carolina +1.5 goals -235 (puckline)
Ottawa is playing great on offense, but horribly on defense (allowing 4.2 goals per game in their last five games). Carolina is 8-6 at home, scoring 3.1 goals per game. Road favorites of -200 or less off a road win by 2+ goals actually lose outright 65% of the time during the first half of the NHL season. In December games, favorites of any size off a road win by 2+ goals lose 62% of the time. Since last season, Carolina is 10-3 vs. teams at 60%+. They are also 11-3 after a loss this season.
THE WUNDERDOG - COLLEGE BASKETBALL COMP
Game: Vanderbilt at Depaul (8:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Vanderbilt -165 (moneyline)
Vanderbilt has been playing exceptionally well and brings a 9-0 record into this game. DePaul is in for a long season. They own two insignificant wins on the season, and lost to NC A&T at home. That was NC A&T's only road win this season. DePaul has not defended well all season, having yielded an alarming 42.1% from deep. That spells trouble against a sharp-shooting Vandy team that is connecting on 44% from 3, and over 50% overall. The Vandy defense has been stingy as well allowing opponents to connect on just 41.8% from the field. Too much fire-power in this one, and DePaul has just not made a commitment on the defensive end.
Ferringo
6-Unit Play. Take #731 Vanderbilt (-3.5) over Depaul (8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 13)
Note: This is our Game of the Week.
Are we walking head-long into a trap? Possibly. But I'm willing to take that chance. I really like this matchup and I think it’s a much more lopsided game from a talent perspective than the line indicates. Depaul lost at home to North Carolina A&T. Depaul only beat Northwestern at home by one. Um, Vandy would beat both of those schools by 25. This is only the Blue Devils’ second game in two weeks and only their sixth game overall. Vandy has beaten Toledo, Valpo, Bradley, Georgia Tech, and Wake Forest – five teams in the same RPI class as DePaul – by an average of nearly seven points per game. Depaul is a bad defensive team and I don’t think they can trade buckets with an explosive Vandy squad. There is also the Jerry Wainwright Factor, and that he'll likely find a way to make sure we cash. The Commodores are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 nonconference games, 21-7 ATS after a win by 20 or more, and 7-0 ATS on the road after three straight home games. Again, the line and the movement may be indicators but I'm playing this one simply based on what I've seen and what I know in regards to each team.
3-Unit Play. Take #737 San Diego (+8) over Nevada (10 p.m, Wednesday, Dec. 13)
I think this number is about four points too high – at least. Both of these teams have common opponents – U.C. Irvine and UNLV – and both performed similarly against them. San Diego is a spectacular 27-7 ATS in their last 34 nonconference games, 6-0 ATS in their last six against the WAC, and an incredible 39-16 ATS in their last 55 road games. Conversely, Nevada is just 3-7 ATS in its last 10 and 0-4 ATS in its last four nonconference tilts. Neither of these teams is outstanding at any aspect of the game, neither scores a ton, and San Diego has the better defense. Nevada is young and is coming off a game in which it shot 52 percent yet still struggled to put away Montana State. San Diego played horrible and shot just 32 percent in The Pit but only lost to New Mexico by 10. All-in-all, I think this is a solid selection in a game the Toreros could win outright.
Winning Points Online.
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12
7:35 pm
**PREFERRED
New York* over Seattle by 14
Blind squirrel finds nut. Home team off two embarrassing home defeats gets called upon by one of the worst teams in the league,which played last night in Chicago while
the Knicks rested. While it is true that nobody on the Sonics played more than 28
minutes last night, it is also true that when a team shoots a nice 49.4% from the
field but loses by 40 points, it has some serious deficiencies. Carleisimo doesn't
know exactly what he's doing with these Sonics,using different lineups and rotations. With Luke Ridnour back and being given a chance,Ridnour will use that chance to show that he doesn't belong.
No Marbury again for New York? No problem! Welcome it if it turns out to be true!
The only reason the guy is still playing whenever is because nobody else in
the league wants him. They have to play him on the off chance he plays well and displays some value, any value. When he doesn't play well, at least they can justify it by saying,'at least he is doing something for all themoney we're paying him.'
Kurt Thomas used to be a fair interior defender but he's in a new system on a weak
team now. And, playing in this building, it will be just like old times for HIM to pick
up two quick fouls playing against either Curry or Randolph. Ol' Kurt will feel right
at home coming back to the bench to sit for 15 first-half minutes. NEW YORK, 106-92.
Wunderdogsports (nba)
Game: Dallas at Toronto (7:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 2 units on Toronto +190 (moneyline) (risk 2 to win 3.8)
Pick: 3 units on First Half UNDER 97 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Dallas is 9-2 at home but a sub-par 5-6 on the road. They are scoring 107.3 per game at home but just 99.5 on the road. They have allowed six of their last eleven opponents to score triple digits, allowing 103.3 per game on average and nearly 105 per game over their last five. Toronto is 7-5 at home, scoring 100 per game and playing solid defense. Home teams off a double-digit win are 93-30 in non-conference games over the past five seasons! Dallas beat Toronto in Dallas on November 20th but Toronto is 20-11 since last year revenging a same-season loss. They are likely without TJ Ford here but we think the rest of the team plays that much harder and we like Toronto's chances at the outright win here. Dallas is 24-11 UNDER in the first half when favored on the road by 6 points or less since last season. Toronto is 31-17 UNDER in the first half at home off a road game the past three seasons. We like Toronto on the moneyline and the first-half UNDER here.
Game: Golden State at Portland (10:05 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on Portland +5 (-110) (risk 4 to win 3.6)
Portland is really playing with confidence right now as they have rattled off four straight wins. The difference now is even showing up on the road. They started 0-7 on the road, but have now won their last two. They have gone from a team scoring 80.5 ppg in their last four prior to the winning streak, to a team scoring 108 ppg during it. This team obviously is hot right now, and the fact they can score will help against a Golden State team that never passes up a shot. The Warriors have played much better with Jackson back in the line-up, but have dropped three of their last five ATS. Playing a suddenly hot Portland team on the road, it won't be as easy as it looks.