DUNKEL
Memphis at Philadelphia
The Grizzlies are just 1-5 ATS against the Atlantic Divsion and face a Philadelphia team that is 3-0 ATS in February. The Sixers are the pick (-11) according to Dunkel, which has Philadelphia favored by 17 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-11).
Game 501-502: Memphis at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 108.229; Philadelphia 125.523
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 17 1/2; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 11; 188
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-11); Over
Game 503-504: Denver at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 121.557; Orlando 128.592
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 7; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 8 1/2; 210
Dunkel Pick: Denver (+8 1/2); Under
Game 505-506: Washington at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 105.638; Charlotte 118.685
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 13; 181
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 7; 188
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (-7); Under
Game 507-508: Phoenix at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 114.837; Cleveland 126.619
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 12; 207 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 7 1/2; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-7 1/2); Over
Game 509-510: San Antonio at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 123.884; Toronto 114.425
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 9 1/2; 198 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 190
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6 1/2); Over
Game 511-512: Atlanta at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 116.114; Detroit 119.740
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 3 1/2; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 513-514: Indiana at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 115.890; Milwaukee 119.454
Dunkel Line & Total: Milwaukee by 3 1/2; 214
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 515-516: Boston at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 126.536; New Orleans 119.741
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7; 187
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 517-518: Sacramento at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 105.921; Houston 123.576
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 17 1/2; 217
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 12 1/2; 213
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-12 1/2); Over
Game 519-520: LA Lakers at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.318; Utah 126.486
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 2; 214 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2 1/2; 216
Dunkel Pick: Utah (+2 1/2); Under
Game 521-522: Oklahoma City at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 115.565; Portland 124.450
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 9; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 11 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (+11 1/2); Over
Game 523-524: New York at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: New York 116.403; LA Clippers 115.790
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1; 214
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 4 1/2; 218
Dunkel Pick: New York (+4 1/2); Under
NHL
Washington at NY Rangers
The Caps are coming off a 3-1 win over Florida and are 8-0 following a division game. Washington is the pick (-140) according to Dunkel, which has the Capitals favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (-140).
Game 1-2: Chicago at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.247; Atlanta 11.611
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-220); 6
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-220); Over
Game 3-4: NY Islanders at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 11.697; New Jersey 12.710
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-300); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-300); Under
Game 5-6: Washington at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.583; NY Rangers 11.112
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-140); Under
Game 7-8: Ottawa at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 11.298; Buffalo 12.915
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-175); Over
Game 9-10: San Jose at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.005; Pittsburgh 11.855
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-130); Under
Game 11-12: Colorado at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.108; Minnesota 12.125
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (-210); Under
Game 13-14: Phoenix at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.832; Dallas 13.303
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-210); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-210); Over
Game 15-16: Calgary at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.660; Anaheim 12.006
Dunkel Line & Total: Anaheim by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Anaheim (-130); Under
Game 17-18: Montreal at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.165; Edmonton 11.649
Dunkel Line & Total: Edmonton by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Edmonton (-130); Under
Drew Gordon
LA Lakers at UTAH +1
Line smells fishy on this one, doesn't it? Well boys, fact is this is a tough spot for the Lakers, and as hot as they may be right now, I foresee plenty of issues tonight in Salt Lake and here's why:
First of all all, the Lake Show played vs Oklahoma City last night, and despite winning they did not cover as 12-point favorites. Although their record with no rest is a sterling 9-3 ATS, going right back out on the road, after coming home for just one game is NOT the best of situations. Focus and fatigue will be a issues tonight for Kobe and company, plain and simple.
Second, while Utah's been up-and-down this season, they have been great at home (as usual), going 20-6 SU & 15-11 ATS in Salt Lake. Let's not forget, they crushed Dallas by 28 and Charlotte by 19 in their last two home games, and returning home after a tough loss to Golden State is EXACTLY what this Jazz team needs.
Finally, while the loss of Bynum hasn't exactly shown over the Lakers last 5 games, they could've used him big-time in this match up. You see, like the Lakers, the Jazz are using a softish Euro-style player at the center position in Memhet Okur. Had they had Bynum, he would've eaten Okur for breakfast, but that will not be the case with soft-ass Gasol "guarding" the paint (we all know Gasol couldn't guard his shadow). In the end, for as good as the Lakers are, they are in a terrible situational spot, versus a team that's excellent at home.
Small play on Utah plus the points over the LA Lakers in this NBA match up.
1♦ UTAH
Drake -2' at INDIANA STATE
Wow, the Sycamores win one game at Illinois State, and all of sudden they're getting respect from the oddsmakers! Why? What has Indiana State done all season, except lose at home, going 2-9 SU & 2-8 ATS... And now, all of a sudden, they're going to start playing well?! C'mon guys, we know better than that!
We learned a couple things from their last meeting, including that the Indiana State offense is painful to watch! They scored just 50 points on 32% shooting, including a pitiful 8% from 3-point (2 of 23)! Not only that, they turned the ball over 15 times, while forcing only 9 turnovers themselves, making for a 19-point loss about a month ago. What has changed since then? Sycamores have won just 2 of their last 9 since then (both wins in OT no less), and have continued to struggle on both ends of the court.
Finally, while Drake hasn't exactly been great this year either, having lost 6 of their last 7 prior to their lopsided 68-54 home win against Bradley. They have been head and shoulders better than the Sycamores, and I expect will build nicely off that confidence-boosintg win over the Braves 4 days ago. In the end, there's no question who the better team is here, and I expect the final score to reflect that with a solid Bulldogs road win and cover!
Take Drake over Indiana State in this college hoops match up.
2♦ DRAKE
Scott Delaney
Today's Selection
North Carolina is your winner in the battle of Tobacco Road.
All due respect to Coach K and the Duke Blue Devils, but the Heels have long been considered as the best team in the nation, despite early struggles and surprise losses.
Duke's success this season has been labeled a bit of a surprise when it took place, and if such is the case, the recent blueprint of how to get to this team will have the Heels primed for this one.
Forget the fact the home team has won one of the last six games, I'm thinking more about the fast-paced game the Heels are going to sprint out to, shaking up Duke's garden variety, ball control offense.
The Devils have split their last four games on the hardwood, albeit both losses were on the road, and the setbacks were mainly because they were caught off-guard by a pair of teams that were able to run past that defense, and open a big enough lead that allowed Wake and Clemson to coast to easy wins.
Duke has managed to get out of the 70s just one time in 2009, while the Tar Heels have been past that plateau eight times. Since losing at Wake Forest, these Heels have won seven straight by an average margin of 16.4 points.
True, this will be the toughest contest since the Wake loss, for Carolina, but the Heels will be up for it just a bit more.
Lay the low road chalk.
NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday take the points with Georgia Tech.
I love Seth Greenberg as a coach and believe that he has done another phenomenal job with his Hokies this season. On the opposite extreme is Paul Hewitt who has a program that has regressed ever since the National Championship appearance five years ago and his Yellow Jacket team that just continues to lose game after game after game.
But I will still take my chances with the team that owns one conference win because the Jackets continue to play tight games and cover a lot of them. Yes G Tech just lost at home to a struggling Maryland team but once again the contest came down to a last second shot, literally. These guys have also played three overtime games. Hewitt's team continues to play hard and fight they just are not able to finish off opponents.
Virginia Tech at Blacksburg is certainly formidable and has overachieved this season in upsetting superior opponents as solid underdogs (Wake Forest, Miami, etc.) but laying a number like this is a bit much as the Hokies are not a run the break and blow you out type of a team.
I see this game staying fairly true to form. Virginia Tech should win in the end but the visitors led by Iman Shumpert and Zach Peacock will hang enough to grab that cash.
Craig Davis
I completely respect what NC State has done recently and I realize they are playing better as of late, but this Wake team is on a mission despite a few recent losses and they are far better, position-for-position.
Wolfpack will keep it close in the first half but Deacons will pull away down the stretch, winning by double figures.
Wake is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 while the Wolfpack are just 14-30-2 ATS in their last 46 home games.
Like our chances with the road team tonight.
2♦ WAKE FOREST
Dave Price
1 Unit on Mississippi State -1
LSU got the Bulldogs bad in its house in late January. I expect the Dogs to return the favor tonight. Mississippi State has won 8 of the last 11 at home in this matchup and 4 of 5 overall the last 3 seasons. The Bulldogs are 11-3 SU and 7-3 ATS in home lined games while 3 of LSU's 4 losses have come on the road. LSU is 4-13 ATS in road games versus good defensive teams - shooting pct defense of <=42% over the last 3 seasons. Miss. State is 6-0 ATS in home games versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 4+ points/game this season. Home court has it in this one.
Rich Green
ORLANDO -7.5 Over Denver
The Magic lead the Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference under their Head Coach Stan Van Gundy with a record of 38-12 Straight Up and 34-16 Against The Spread on the season. They have adjusted to the loss of G Nelson, and are well-rested. Positive trends for the Magic here include 11-0 SU and 8-1 ATS at Home in this Series, 9-0 ATS with two days of rest, 14-3 ATS versus good Offensive teams, and 19-5 ATS in non-Conference Play.
The Nuggets lead the Northwest Division of the Western Conference under long-tenured League Head Coach George Karl, and stand at 35-17 SU, and 30-21-1 ATS on the year. They rebounded off an embarrassing loss at the Nets to blow out the Heat on the Road last night, and go into the All-Star Break with their fifth straight Road event. Negative trends for the Nuggets here include 0-5 ATS after allowing 85 or less points, 102-142 ATS on back-to-back days, and 6-14 ATS as Road Dogs in this point range.
The line opened at Magic -7.5. We'll go with the Home Magic to cover for us here tonight in a Good Free Play.
Wunderdog
Boston at New Orleans
Pick: UNDER 185.5
The Celtics have played nine games on the road vs teams with a winning record on the season and not one has reached 100 points against them. They are giving up just 86.8ppg in those nine. The Hornets have played 11 at home vs teams .500+ and no one scored over 100 (LA Lakers scored exactly 100). They are allowing an average of 88.5ppg in these 11 games. This total is simply set too high as this game is ready and likely to be played in the 80s. I'm backing the UNDER here.
Good Morning to all!
I simply wish to thank Blade who takes the job everyday to give us the best forum i have seen. Also if any of you guys could help me getting some picks from the "DOC" it would be greatly appreciated. Also does anyone like any capper better than "Doc" i am new so any info would be really great.
Well great luck to everybody today!!!
;D
Rocketman
New Mexico @ Air Force
Play:1* Air Force +12.5
New Mexico is only 3-7 SU on the road this year. Air Force is allowing only 61 points per game overall and 59.6 points per game at home this season. Air Force is 7-3 SU at home vs New Mexico since 1997. I feel like this one should be low scoring giving us great value in the home dog here. We'll recommend a small play on Air Force tonight!
Stephen Nover
Atlanta Hawks @ Detroit Pistons
PICK: Atlanta Hawks
Atlanta is an underdog to the Pistons. The Hawks are the better team. They have the fourth-best record in the Eastern Conference behind only Boston, Cleveland and Orlando. The Hawks showed promise last season in winning 37 games and extending the Celtics in the post-season. They already have won 30 times this season in 51 games.
Detroit is not a good team right now. The Pistons are tired, banged-up and their chemistry issues have gotten worse since they traded Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson.
The Pistons are playing for the fourth time in five days. They are off a 107-102 road loss last night to Chicago in which they were out-scored 17-2 during the final four minutes.
The Pistons are 3-13 against the spread following a loss. They have failed to cover in 20 of their last 27 home games. Tayshaun Prince (42:57), Rodney Stuckey (40:38) and Richard Hamilton (37:28) all played major minutes against the Bulls.
Iverson missed the game because of the flu. Stuckey is dealing with ankle and hand injuries. He's hit just 11-of-34 shots from the field during the past three games. Hamilton still isn't in 100 percent shape after coming back from a groin injury.
Atlanta played last night, too, but breezed to a 111-90 home victory over hapless Washington. Only one Hawks starter, Joe Johnson, logged more than 30 minutes. This is just the Hawks' second game in four days. Hawks coach Mike Woodson has been pointing to this matchup.
The Pistons are 3-6 in their last nine games, 2-7 against the spread. Trade rumors are swirling in Detroit. Morale is bad. The Pistons are limping into the All-Star break in desperate need of regrouping. This is an excellent spot to fade the Pistons.
This is a two-unit play for me.
Ted Sevransky
St. Bonaventure @ Rhode Island
PICK: St. Bonaventure
I’ve cashed more than one ticket this year backing St Bonaventure as a road underdog, and I’ll get right back to the window supporting the Bonnies in their most profitable role tonight. St Bonaventure has already won more games this season than they have in any year since ’01-’02. But second year head coach Mark Schmidt isn’t willing to rest upon that accomplishment. The Bonnies snapped a four game losing streak with a confidence boosting SU win over LaSalle over the weekend.
The numbers don’t lie. St Bonaventure is one of the rare college basketball teams that plays better on the road then they do at home. How do we know? Simple – a 7-2 SU record on the highway this year, and a 6-0 ATS mark as a road underdog, two meaningful trends that continue to be worthy of support.
The Rams hit 13 three pointers and won the turnover battle 17-5 in the first meeting between these two teams this year, but even with those impressive stats, they only won the game by a dozen. In fact, if you’re looking for wins by more than 14 points for Rhode Island in A-10 play over the last two years, you’ll find only one, against hapless Fordham. The Rams are not a great defensive team by any stretch of the imagination, consistently struggling to get enough stops to cover spreads as a big favorite – a 33% ATS proposition this year as double digit chalk. And with the coach’s son, senior leader Jimmy Baron hampered with back trouble, look for this game to remain competitive from start to finish. 2* Take St Bonaventure.
Black Widow Sports
1* on North Carolina -1.5
North Carolina is the better team in this match-up Wednesday. Not even Cameron Indoor can save Duke as they are simply outclassed and outmanned in the middle. The Blue Devils’ only shot to win tonight is to make better than 50% of their three-pointers, and we simply do not see that happening. UNC is going to dominate the paint with Tyler Hansbrough and Danny Green leading the charge. Ty Lawson is going to be able to get into the lane all day because the Blue Devils simply don’t have the athletic guards that can stay in front of him. UNC really has the advantage across the board, and home-court is really the only thing working in Duke’s favor. But Duke needed overtime to beat Miami at home last time out, proving that they are vulnerable here. Their 27-point loss at Clemson before that game was an indicator that Duke is a bunch of fakers this season. UNC is 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) in road games versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 2 seasons. The Tar Heels are 29-14 ATS (+13.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons. Tonight is where you see the difference between these two teams, as the Tar Heels dominate from the opening whistle to the final buzzer. Take North Carolina and lay the points.
Jeff Scott Sports
4 UNIT PLAY
(Power Angle Play Of The Week)
PHILADELPHIA -12 over Memphis
The Grizzlies are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, while the 76ers are 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400 and 11-3 ATS in their last 14 vs. NBA Southwest. Yes Memphis is playing much better of late as they have gone 4-1 in their last 5 games, but we note that 4 of those games were at home and thier lone win on the road was vs the lowly Wizards. Noew they head back to the road to take on one of the hottest teams in the league. The Sixers come in with a 13-4 mark in their last 17 games, including winning their last 3 and by an average of 10.7 ppg. The Sixers have been double digit favs 4 times this year and they are 2-1-1 in those and they have outscored their opponents by 16 ppg in the 4 games. The Memphis offense comes in 29th in scoring (93.3 ppg) and will be taking on a Philly team that has allowed just 90.8 ppg in their last 5 games. Prior to the win at Washington, Memphis had lost their 8 on the road and by an avergae of 13.4 ppg. Memphis has also gone 0-10 SU vs winning teams on the road and they have been outscored by 12 ppg in those games. Philly has forged their way to a winning record and they won't let the Grizzlies slow them down here.
POWER ANGLE For This Play--- During the last 2 years, Memphis is just 1-16 ATS vs teams with a winning pct of 51% to 60%.
2 UNIT PLAY
Phoenix/ Cleveland Over 204.5
The Over is 5-1 in Suns last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, while the Over is 6-1 in Cavaliers last 7 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. Phoenix road games this year have averaged 206.7 ppg, while their last 7 overall have put up 217.1 ppg. Cleveland is not a team that likes to push the tempo, but they do have a solid offense and should get plenty of chances to score vs this weak Phoenix defense. True the Cavalier defense is solid, but Phoenix comes in averaging 118.4 ppg in their last 9 games. 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games when they play on no rest have gone Over the total and I expect that trend to continue here.
Rob Homyak
5 units on North Carolina Tar Heels
Oddsmakers currently have the Tar Heels listed as 1?-point favorites versus the Blue Devils, while the game's total is sitting at 155.
North Carolina ran Virginia out of the gym, winning 76-61 at the Dean E. Smith Center Saturday.
Virginia covered as a 24-point road underdog while the final score played under the 164-point total.
Gerald Henderson scored the go-ahead basket with 3:16 left in overtime and Duke rallied from a 16-point second-half deficit to beat Miami 78-75 on Saturday.
The Blue Devils did not cover the 14-point spread, while the final score played OVER the days posted of 140.
North Carolina winning four of the last five meetings and cashing in five of the last six, including three consecutive wins and covers at Duke. North Carolina winning their last 7 games by double-digits. North Carolina is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 trips to Duke. The visitor has gotten the money in four of the last five. North Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games on Wednesday and 5-1 ATS in its last six after a non-cover. Duke 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 on Wednesday and 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight after a SU win.