Cajun Sports
New Jersey Nets @ New York Knicks
Selection: 2* New York Knicks -7
Madison Square Garden will be the site of tonight’s battle between the host New York Knicks and the visiting New Jersey Nets. For the Nets this will be their final game of a five-game road swing that has seen them lose the previous four games SU and ATS allowing their opponents to score 116, 109, 107 and 121 respectively. These teams have met twice this season at the Izod Center with the Knicks winning the first meeting 121 to 109 covering as a 7.5 point road underdog and then the Nets getting a measure of revenge winning 106 to 101 as a five point home favorite. The Nets are 1-4-1 ATS their last six series meetings. The Knicks are 24-14 ATS revenging a loss where opponent scored 100 or more points this season and 15-7 ATS revenging a same season loss. As if the Nets needed any more bad news it appears guard Devin Harris will miss tonight’s contest due to a shoulder injury. Harris is a key component for the Nets offense against the Knicks as he shot 55 percent from the field and averaged 34 points per game in the first two meetings this season. Data base research has uncovered several active systems for tonight’s game. Play AGAINST NBA teams after losing their last three games SU and ATS, 54-77-2 ATS. If the game has a line range of 6 to 7.5 points that record is 7-18 ATS for our Play AGAINST team. If our Play AGAINST team has lost their last four games the record is 2-10 ATS. Play AGAINST NBA division road underdogs after going ‘under’ the total in their last game, 18-36 ATS. If our Play AGAINST team has gone ‘under’ in their last two games the record is 10-22 ATS and if they have gone ‘under’ in their last four games the record drops to 1-8 ATS. Play ON NBA division home teams coming off an ATS win in their last game, 54-30 ATS. If they are a division home favorite the record is 58-34 ATS. If our division home favorite has won their last two games ATS the record for these teams is 20-8 ATS, if they won their last three ATS the record is 14-4 ATS and if they won their last four games ATS the record is a perfect 7-0 ATS. NBA division home favorites coming off two road games are 24-8 ATS and a perfect 7-0 ATS if they were on the road for their last four games. Both teams are fighting for the final playoff spot along with the Bulls, Pacers and Bobcats so we expect an all out effort from the host tonight. Not only are the Knicks trying to gain a little playoff ground they are also seeking revenge for the last meeting between these two teams. Lay the chalk with the host as the Knicks get the win and cover in the Big Apple on Wednesday night.
Graded Selection: 2* New York Knicks 114 New Jersey Nets 101
James Patrick Sports
Nuggets vs. Grizzlies
Denver has cashed winning tickets in 20 of 28 meetings with Memphis and they own a 4-1 ATS mark in Tennessee. In this series the home team has just a 4-11 ATS record and we'll go with our Wednesday selection on Denver Nuggets in NBA action.
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Detroit
The Pistons look to rebound off last night's tough 2-point loss at Dallas when they take on the Rockets in Houston Wednesday evening in a game that sets up especially nice for Detroit. That's because the Pistons play with same season revenge while the Rockets enter off an 11-point revenge win at New Orleans Monday night. With Detroit 10-5 SU and 10-4-1 ATS of late in this series, look for the Pistons to improve to 5-0-1 ATS when exacting revenge in this series here tonight.
Scott Rickenbach
Sacramento Kings (+) @ Charlotte
We got burned by the Kings last night as they only scored 11 points in the fourth quarter after scoring 86 points in the first three quarters! We'll come right back with them here as they take on a Charlotte team that has been playing solid basketball but is over-priced here.Yes, the Bobcats are a much improved team but to be laying double digits in a clear flat spot is a bit much. The Bobcats are coming off of a big win over the Raptors and they play them again in Toronto on Friday. That means that it's hard for the Bobcats to be excited about facing a weak Western Conference foe. They could overlook Sacramento and that will prove to be a mistake as, before yesterday, nearly all the Kings recent defeats had come by a single digit margin and they have the firepower to "hang tough" in this one. The Kings fell apart late in last night's game. That is unlikely to be repeated here. Consider a small play on Sacramento on Wednesday night.
Tom Freese
Denver at Memphis
Denver is 11-2 ATS off a game where they covered as a double digit favorite and they are 17-7 ATS off a home win this year. The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS after scoring 100 or more points in their last game and they are 27-8-1 ATS as favorites of 5.0 to 10.5 points. Memphis is 6-20 ATS in home games if they are revenging two straight losses where their opponent scored 100 or more points. The Grizzlies are 8-18 ATS off a double digit home loss and they are 5-21 ATS their last 26 games vs. the Northwest Division. PLAY ON DENVER -
Jimmy The Moose
Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets
Prediction: Over
Chicago has played over the total in 4 of their last 6 games. The over is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a Western Conference opponent. In their last 14 games played with 0 day rest between action the over is 10-4. Columbus has played over the total in 5 of their last 7 overall. The over is 4-1 in their last 5 vs. a Western Conference team. The over is 6-1 in the Blackhawks last 7 trips to Columbus. The over is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings overall. Play the over.
Bob Harvey
Belmont vs. Evansville
Play: Evansville -7
Belmont’s hopes for a shot at an NCAA title came to an end with a loss to East Tennessee place in the semi-finals of the Atlantic Sun Conference tournament semi-finals. Now the Bruins have their sights set on a C-I-T championship. The first step in that journey will be a difficult one as they face the Evansville Purple Aces.
Belmont’s loss brought an end to three impressive streaks. The Bruins had a string of three consecutive conference tournament titles and NCAA appearances and 10 A-Sun victories in a row. What has to be extremely frustrating for Belmont is the caliber of teams that they played this season only to lose to inferior talent in their conference tournament. This season, with three starters back, they lost by two at Tennessee and by 14 at Pitt.
I’m guessing Belmont would rather be elsewhere but that’s not the case for EU. And while it’s not the NCAA tournament or even the NIT, the Purple Aces will gladly take the opportunity to appear in a postseason game for the first time in ten years.
Evansville gets the nod based on two factors: home-court advantage and a tougher conference schedule. I also believe the let-down factor applies big time to Belmont.
Its Ace’s high tonight as Evansville covers against Belmont
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday take Oregon State at home.
I have backed Craig Robinson's team a bunch this season and more times than not has proven prosperous. The Beavers have improved dramatically this year and are no longer the absolute garbage we have seen over the past few seasons. Are they as talented overall as today's opponent in Houston? Probably not, but at home in this spot at this near pick price I'll take my chances on OSU.
The Cougars are a team that just continues to shrivel up against a big-time competition. They had Arizona beaten a few months ago on the road and somehow blew a seven point lead in the game's final 40 or so seconds, literally. They also have been destroyed by Memphis as usual. There is talent on Tom Penders' team but I do not trust them to travel like this against a Pac-10 team and be able to win the game.
Aubrey Coleman and Kelvin Lewis will score their points and possibly prove to be the best players on the court but in the end I really think that Robinson will get his guys up for this game and snap that four game skid.
I expect this thing to be tight and come down to the last few possessions. That will be the time the Beavs step it up and continue to better this OSU program.
Bobby Maxwell
Miami +2' at PROVIDENCE
onight we've got another comp winner, this time on the college hardwood as we play Miami to get the win and cover over Providence.
This one will be a classic matchup of a good ACC team showing that the Big East really wasn't as strong as everybody thinks this season. Watch as the Hurricanes go to Providence and steal this one tonight.
Miami opened the season 13-3 and had a 5-1 ATS run in February but couldn't close the deal and failed to cover in their last three games, including the first-round 65-47 loss to Virginia Tech in the ACC tournament. This team has got some talent and they proved in the ACC they can get the job done against the best in the country.
The Hurricanes are on positive ATS runs of 15-3 in non-conference games, 15-5-2 after a non-cover, 6-2 as an underdog and 8-3-1 as an underdog of less than seven points. On the opposite side, the Friars are on negative ATS slides of 3-9 overall, 2-7 against non-conference teams, 1-4 at home and 1-7 against teams with winning records.
These two teams are in different classes and you'll see the Hurricanes are better from the start. Play Miami.
2♦ MIAMI
DAVE COKIN
GEORGETOWN / BAYLOR
Take GEORGETOWN
There cannot be much question that Georgetown is the biggest flop in the country this season. Maybe the Hoyas can salvage something with a good run in the NIT. They're certainly in a strong scheduling position tonight as they visit Baylor. The Bears made a huge run in the Big 12 Tournament before falling in the title game against Missouri, and they could very well be on fumes tonight. Georgetown's poor play and apparent lack of any continuity on offense is worrisome enough to keep this from being a big play, but there's enough there to warrant an opinion on the Hoyas plus the points.
JIM FEIST
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS / PHOENIX SUNS
Take PHOENIX SUNS
Phoenix is hot again, on a 2-0 SU/ATS run, tearing up tired teams. Well they catch another break, facing a tired Philly team here, one playing its 3rd game in 4 nights and the second of a back to back road spot. Shaq O'Neal credits the trainers for resurgence. The Suns center bench-pressed strength-and-conditioning coach Erik Phillips in the locker room before scoring 26 points in a 154-130 win at Golden State! Philly has to run up and down the court with the Lakers, then the next night try and keep up with the uptempo Suns -- both on the road. That's a tough task and they will wilt in the second half. Play the Suns.
Stephen Nover
BOS / MIA Under 193
A major part of the handicap is the questionable status of a number of key Boston offensive cogs. Ray Allen (elbow) and point guard Rajon Rondo (ankle) might not play.In addition, inside scorer Leon Powe also could be out. All three were injured last night in a wild 127-121 road loss to the Chicago Bulls. Keep in mind, the Celtics already are without Kevin Garnett.Yes, the Celtics scored 121 in that game. But during their past 10 games, they scored only 77 versus Milwaukee, 79 against Orlando and 91 versus the Los Angeles Clippers.Boston ranks No. 1 in defensive field goal percentage and third in scoring defense. Miami ranks among the top 13 in defensive scoring and defensive field goal percentage.
DUNKEL
Chicago at Oklahoma City
The Thunder look to bounce back from their 78-76 loss to San Antonio and build on their 5-1 ATS record after scoring 85 points or less in the previous game. Oklahoma City is the pick (-1 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 3 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-1 1/2).
Game 601-602: Portland at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 120.114; Indiana 119.838
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 199 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 603-604: Miami at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 116.991; Boston 124.136
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 7; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 6 1/2; 193
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-6 1/2); Under
Game 605-606: Sacramento at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 111.941; Charlotte 121.496
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 9 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 11; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+11); Under
Game 607-608: New Jersey at New York
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.822; New York 119.796
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 5; 219
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 7; 216
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+7); Over
Game 609-610: Denver at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 121.458; Memphis 111.720
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 9 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 5 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-5 1/2); Over
Game 611-612: Minnesota at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.653; New Orleans 123.870
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 13; 189 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 12; 191 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-12); Under
Game 613-614: Chicago at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 116.503; Oklahoma City 120.010
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3 1/2; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 1 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-1 1/2); Under
Game 615-616: Orlando at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 122.816; Milwaukee 119.027
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 4; 205 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 6; 203
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+6);
Game 617-618: Detroit at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 115.578; Houston 125.903
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 10 1/2; 187 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 619-620: Philadelphia at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 114.004; Phoenix 124.460
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10 1/2; 232
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 6 1/2; 228
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-6 1/2); Over
Game 621-622: Washington at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 109.612; LA Clippers 112.900
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 3 1/2; 201 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Clippers by 7; 203
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+7); Under
NCAAB
Miami (FL) at Providence
After after dropping their last three ATS, the Friars look to build on their 3-0 ATS mark after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games. Providence is the pick (-2) according to Dunkel, which has the Friars favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Providence (-2).
Game 623-624: Duquesne at Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Duquesne 60.352; Virginia Tech 72.168
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 12
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 8
Dunkel Pick: Virginia Tech (-8)
Game 625-626: Miami (FL) at Providence
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 63.357; Providence 68.735
Dunkel Line: Providence by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Providence by 2
Dunkel Pick: Providence (-2)
Game 627-628: Jacksonville at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville 51.349; Florida 64.343
Dunkel Line: Florida by 13
Vegas Line: Florida by 15
Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville (+15)
Game 629-630: Illinois State at Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 59.841; Kansas State 70.413
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (-6 1/2)
Game 631-632: Bowling Green at Creighton
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 53.161; Creighton 68.974
Dunkel Line: Creighton by 16
Vegas Line: Creighton by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Creighton (-11 1/2)
Game 633-634: TN-Martin at Auburn
Dunkel Ratings: TN-Martin 58.799; Auburn 72.938
Dunkel Line: Auburn by 14
Vegas Line: Auburn by 12
Dunkel Pick: Auburn (-12)
Game 635-636: Northwestern at Tulsa
Dunkel Ratings: Northwestern 64.913; Tulsa 68.254
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (+4 1/2)
Game 637-638: Georgetown at Baylor
Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 65.923; Baylor 67.126
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 1
Vegas Line: Baylor by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (+3 1/2)
Game 643-644: St. John's at Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: St. John's 60.928; Richmond 61.066
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Richmond by 5
Dunkel Pick: St. John's (+5)
Game 645-646: Buffalo at Wichita State
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 55.481; Wichita State 62.784
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-5)
Game 647-648: Vermont at WI-Green Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Vermont 55.539; WI-Green Bay 66.247
Dunkel Line: WI-Green Bay by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: WI-Green Bay by 6
Dunkel Pick: WI-Green Bay (-6)
Game 649-650: College of Charleston at Troy
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 56.773; Troy 58.956
Dunkel Line: Troy by 2
Vegas Line: Troy by 1
Dunkel Pick: Troy (-1)
Game 651-652: Houston at Oregon State
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 63.800; Oregon State 64.606
Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 1
Vegas Line: Houston by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+1 1/2)
Game 653-654: Boise State at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: Boise State 53.689; Stanford 71.147
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-13 1/2)
Game 525-526: The Citadel at Old Dominion
Dunkel Ratings: The Citadel 55.238; Old Dominion 62.232
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 7
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 527-528: Mt. St. Mary's at James Madison
Dunkel Ratings: Mt. St. Mary's 54.052; James Madison 54.630
Dunkel Line: James Madison by 1
Vegas Line: James Madison by 4
Dunkel Pick: Mt. St. Mary's (+4)
Game 531-532: Austin Peay at Bradley
Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 53.330; Bradley 61.975
Dunkel Line: Bradley by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Bradley by 9
Dunkel Pick: Austin Peay (+9)
Game 533-534: Belmont at Evansville
Dunkel Ratings: Belmont 53.797; Evansville 62.635
Dunkel Line: Evansville by 9
Vegas Line: Evansville by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (-6 1/2)
Game 535-536: Portland at Pacific
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 55.715; Pacific 58.736
Dunkel Line: Pacific by 3
Vegas Line: Pacific by 5
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+5)
Game 537-538: Drake at Idaho
Dunkel Ratings: Drake 55.069; Idaho 58.733
Dunkel Line: Idaho by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Idaho by 2
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (-2)
Carlo Campanella
Orlando Magic at Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee hosts Orlando on Wednesday after surprising Boston, 86-77, in their last game. That was the second straight game which the Bucks scored 86 points and we find them going "Over" the Total in 9 of 12 games this season after putting up 99 points or less in back-to-back games. With these Bucks averaging 103.8 points per game at home, expecting a much better offensive effort from them tonight.
Play on: Over
Big Al Mcmordie
Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder
On Tuesday night, the Chicago Bulls won their second straight game as an underdog, with a 127-121 win over the Boston Celtics. That followed an 18-point victory over New Orleans, and Chicago has now won seven straight home games dating back to February 20. In this span, the Bulls have defeated several quality clubs: Denver, Orlando, Houston, and the aforementioned Celtics and Hornets. But even though the Bulls are winning at home, it's been a different story on the road. Chicago has actually lost seven straight road games, so it's been the exact opposite of its recent fortunes at home. That's one reason why I like Oklahoma City. And the second is that the Thunder have covered eight of 10, and have won four straight home games since dropping a 14-point decision to the Lakers. Lay the points with Oklahoma City.