Raging Bull
Soccer:
England -1 (World Cup Qualifier)
The Prez
UTEP -8.5 / 3 units
Maddux Sports
Basketball
3 units on Orlando -10
3 units on Memphis -2.5
3 units on Miami +5
Free Pick LA Lakers -6.5
MR EAST
TORONTO RAPTORS at ORLANDO MAGIC
PLAY: 5 UNITS ORLANDO MAGIC -10
The Toronto Raptors have now won 4 games in a row for the first time all season. All that will do is get Orlando's attention, that they need to show up for this one. Toronto is fool's gold here. They have played their last 8 games vs teams under .500 on the season. The real story is when they hit the road vs a team with a winning record, they are 0-14 straight up since Thanksgiving, and 10 of the 14 have been decided by 10 or more, 12 by 9 or more! The average margin of their defeats has been 15ppg. Let's not forget who the real hot team is here, Orlando is 13-2 in their last 15, and went through the month of March undefeated at home. Orlando won the last one here by 23, and would not be surprised to see a similar margin here.The Magic are 51-17 vs an opponent that allowed 100+ in their last game. Orlando big here!
Discount Sports Picks
10* Houston/Phoenix UNDER 225
5* Oregon St./U.T.E.P. UNDER 135
Elite Sports Picks
Miami +5
Insider Sports Report
4* Houston/Phoenix UNDER 225
Range: 227 to 223
3* Miami/Dallas UNDER 196
Range: 198 to 194
3* Oregon St. +9.5 over U.T.E.P.
Range: +11 to +7.5
Kevin Rogers
Rockets at Suns
Pick: Suns -1
The Suns are running out of time to make the postseason, sitting four games behind the Mavs for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference, as Phoenix hosts Houston. The Rockets have beaten the Suns twice this season, including a 116-112 home win back in early March. The Suns are coming off a road trip in which they lost at Portland, Utah, then the icing on the cake, falling at lowly Sacramento on Sunday. Despite their recent struggles, the Suns are 8-2 SU L10 at home, including wins over the Jazz, Nuggets, and Lakers in that span. Phoenix has bounced back after a terrible defensive performance as well, going 5-0 ATS when allowing at least 125 points in their last game, as the Suns allowed the Kings to drop 126 on them Sunday. The Rockets are still in the mix to finish with the second best record in the West, however, Houston is just 2-7-1 ATS this season after scoring at least 110 points, coming off a 110-point effort against the Clippers. Pardon the cliche, but it's do-or-die for the Suns, and I'll back them at home to avenge the two losses to the Rockets, and at least breathe for another day in the Western Conference playoff race.
Matt Fargo
8* EASTERN CONFERENCE GOM **85.7% RUN**
The Nets are coming off their worst home loss of the season against Milwaukee and this is precisely the time to jump on them. They have dropped six straight games and following that game against the Bucks, almost everyone quoted on the New Jersey side used some form of the word “embarrassing” in their lines and that is what we want to hear. Believe it or not, New Jersey is still in the playoff chase although things are not looking good anymore but they are still playing for something and most importantly tonight, it is pride. We recently saw this same scenario with the Knicks who had dropped six straight games including a home loss to the lowly Clippers yet they came out next game and took out the Hornets. That had a lot to do with pride. Tonight we will see a very similar effort. The Nets could not catch a better team coming in as Detroit is coming off a game against hated rival Cleveland. A win over the Cavaliers would have made this spot even better but the Pistons fought hard last night and lost by just six points in Cleveland in what was a very physical game so there will no doubt be some effects from that. Detroit needs to keep winning to avoid missing the playoffs as its grip on seventh place in the Eastern Conference is getting weaker as it is ahead of ninth place Charlotte by just two games. Losses have been contagious for the Pistons as they are 15-22 on the season following a loss and that includes a 14-23 record against the number. Detroit had won seven straight meetings in this series before the Nets took the first one this season at home back in November. The Pistons came back to win the second meeting in Detroit so that sets up a slight revenge spot here as well. The home team has won and covered five of the last six meetings including both this season. Prior to that loss to Milwaukee, the Nets were 6-6 in their previous 12 home games which may not seem like much success but it isn’t bad when looking at the competition. Five of those losses came against The Lakers, Cavaliers, Celtics, Hornets and Spurs. Wins include Miami, Chicago, Philadelphia and Denver, all of which are currently sitting in the playoff picture so while losing to the elite, it has been able to defeat the marginally good teams and that is certainly where Detroit falls. The Pistons are 2-5 in their last seven road games with those wins coming against hapless Washington and against Toronto in overtime. The Nets are 18-6 ATS in their last 24 games in the second half of the season when playing against a team with a losing record with a winning percentage greater than .400. Detroit put up just 73 points last night and it is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games after scoring 75 points or fewer. The Pistons are also 4-9 this season in the second of back-to-back games including 1-3 when both games have been on the road. 8* New Jersey Nets
Marc Lawrence
NBA Game Of The Month
Houston at Phoenix
Play: Phoenix -1.5
The Suns host the Rockets in a key Western Conference clash in Phoenix Wednesday evening. Looking inside this series we find the Suns with a 15-5 ATS mark of late, including 3-0 ATS when playing off back-to-back losses. They are also 14-6 ATS when seeking same season revenge against Houston, including 10-1 ATS when the Rockets own a .570 or great win percentage. On the flip side Houston checks in off a 17-point revenge win over the Clippers with a triple revenge affair up next on deck against the Lakers. The clincher is the Suns' sterling 36-17 ATS mark in games when playing off 3 losses exact, including 12-0-1 ATS against an opponent off a win of more than 10 points. With Phoenix currently 3 games back for the 8th and final spot in the Western Conference playoffs, look for Shaq and the boys to come up with their best effort here tonight. Phoenix is our NBA Game Of The Month.
Chip Chirimbes
LA Lakers at Milwaukee
Play: Milwaukee +6.5
Okay, maybe I'm pressing my luck but I don't think so. Last night we win with Charlotte over the Lakers and we win easy, by 10 OUTRIGHT. Now, the question becomes will Los Angeles come to play or just mail it in against a for that have trouble winning anywhere. Lakers crusie but Bucks get the money. MILWAUKEE!
Karl Garrett
30 DIMER - LA LAKERS
10 DIMER - CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
30 DIMER - LA LAKERS
Milwaukee is fresh off their Monday blowout at New Jersey, but prior to that shocking result, the Bucks had lost 5 in a row, and 7 of 8 straight up, while failing in 8 of their last 9 against the spread!
Into town comes the reeling Lakers who lost on Sunday at Atlanta, and last night at Charlotte. Tonight concludes their 7 game road trip, and I expect LA to head back to tinsel town with a win and cover under their belts.
The Lakers have won the last 2 season series meetings, and while it is the Bucks that have covered the last 4 series meetings, this is just the wrong time for Milwaukee to be playing the Lakers, as those 2 losses the last 4 days are not sitting well with LA as they get set to board their jet back home.
Expect a double-digit win by Los Angeles tonight.
10 DIMER - CHARLOTTE BOBCATS
Don't look now, but Larry Brown is once again working his magic for another franchise. Say what you want about Brown, but he does know how to get a team to play, especially when they are the preceived "underdogs".
Charlotte is on a 6-2 spread run their last 8, and they are fresh off a home upset win over the Lakers last night. Sure, Boston is playing well right now, but the Celtics aren't as tough without KG in the middle, and the Bobcats did beat them outright the last time these teams played, as the underdog is now 12-0 the last 12 series meetings.
Dr. Canada
Islanders/Capitals Over 6
Sabres/Thrashers Over 6
Flyers/Leafs Over 6
NJ Devils -145
Erin Rynning
20* Nets -1.5
Las Vegas Sport Picks
NBA
2* Raptors/Magic over 204
5* Grizzlies -2.5
NCAA
2* UTEP -9