Alex Smart
Dallas Mavericks -5
The Miami Heat and the Dallas Mavericks go head to head in the state of Texas tonight in a east vs west conference confrontation. The Heat have not played well on the road this season, as is evident by a 13-23 overall record that has seen them lose 6 of their L/7 and 11 of their L/14 SU as visitors . Miamis current road woes do not give much credence or confidence to any bettor to lay down money on them. With that said, I am recommending a wager on a Mavs side that despite of playing last night ( 108-88 win vs Minny) have been strong at home with a 26-9 overall record, winning 14 of their L/16 SU . It must be noted that Dallas has defeated Miami 9 straight times in the regular season .Injury update: Heat guard Luther Head broke his hand and is out. Final notes & Key Trends:Heat have failed to cover 5 of their L/6 as an underdog of 5 of 10.5 points. Mavericks have covered 7 of their L/8 vs a side with a losing road record. Heat are 4-11-1 ATS L/16 in this series.
Projected score: Dallas 103 Miami 93
LT Profits
New Jersey Nets pk
We cashed a nice ticket fading the New Jersey Nets vs. the Milwaukee Bucks on Monday, but we actually like their chances here catching the equally underachieving Detroit Pistons in a letdown spot.
The Pistons visited the team with the best record in the NBA last night, the Cleveland Cavaliers, in Cleveland where they had lost just one game all year. Detroit turned in a great effort, holding a lead late in the fourth quarter before succumbing 79-73, never in danger of not covering the 10-point spread.
Given that the Pistons have played down to their opponents all year (or maybe they are just old and overrated), this seems like an obvious letdown spot, as there is seemingly no way they can match their intensity of last night on short rest vs. a seemingly easier opponent. Besides, Detroit is just 4-9 straight up this season on the second of back-to-back nights, further reflecting their age.
Yes, the Nets look to have quit, but while they were just going through the motions vs. a couple of fellow also-rans in the Bucks and Timberwolves, they should be able to muster up enough pride to give their all in this spoiler role vs. a team that is still fighting for a playoff spot.
After all, New Jersey has been competitive vs. the Cavaliers and Lakers and they beat the Heat, all within the last two weeks, so they have indeed raised their level of play vs. the better clubs. Beside, you can bet they received a severe toung-lashing after a 29-point home loss to Milwaukee.
We may not take the Nets the rest of the year after tonight, but this does seem like a very winnable spot for them.
Pick: Nets Pick
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Orlando Magic -10
Toronto is 1-10 ATS when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season this season, losing by an average of 11 points in these games. Toronto is 1-8 ATS in road games versus teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots/game - 2nd half of the season this season, losing by an average of 11.4 points in these games. Orlando is 24-7 ATS after having won 15 or more of their last 20 games this season. Orlando is on fire and will bury the Raptors tonight as it goes after the No. 2 spot in the East.
Scott Rickenbach
Los Angeles Lakers @ Milwaukee Bucks
PICK: Milwaukee Bucks
Not only are the Lakers struggling right now, they're also caught in a tough back-to-back spot and Kobe Bryant looks less than 100% as he tries to play through a minor ankle injury. As for the Bucks, they are rested and feeling confident after blowing away the Nets in New Jersey on Monday. Now they get a shot at home against Kobe and Company and, as a result, you know they will be up for this game! It's a classic home dog with more bite than bark as their record leads to teams underestimating them. The Lakers will be surprised at how much stronger this Milwaukee team is than the one that faced them back in Los Angeles earlier this season.
Keep in mind that the Bucks starting lineup tonight will be much different than the one that faced the Lakers earlier this season. Having this game at home and also having the rest edge will certainly help the Bucks as well. Consider a small play on Milwaukee plus the points on Wednesday night.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Bobcats +9.5
With Leon Powe and now KG out, the Boston front line is starting to look a little thin. The Bobcats are fighting hard for the postseason and that was evident when they took down the Lakers last night. Charlotte always plays the Celtics tough and the result has been a perfect 4-0 ATS mark at Boston the last 3 seasons and covers in 8 of the last 10 meetings overall. Charlotte is 9-1 ATS after allowing 85 points or less this season and 15-6 ATS off a home win this season so expect another cover from the Bobcats tonight.
SportsKingz
OREGON ST. +9.5
OV 134.5
DUNKEL
Toronto at Orlando
The Raptors are coming off a 134-129 OT win over Chicago, but are just 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games after allowing more than 125 points in their previous contest. Orlando is the pick (-10) according to Dunkel, which has the Magic favored by 13 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-10).
Game 501-502: Toronto at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 114.174; Orlando 127.693
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 13 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 10; 204
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-10); Under
Game 503-504: Charlotte at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 118.848; Boston 124.143
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 5 1/2; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 9; 180
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+9); Over
Game 505-506: Detroit at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 116.025; New Jersey 114.326
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Pick; 187
Dunkel Pick: Detroit; Under
Game 507-508: LA Lakers at Milwaukee
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 124.665; Milwaukee 113.932
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 10 1/2; 203
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 6 1/2; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-6 1/2); Over
Game 509-510: Washington at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 109.197; Memphis 111.645
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 3 1/2; 202
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+2 1/2); Under
Game 511-512: Miami at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 115.842; Dallas 123.370
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 7 1/2; 203
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas by 5; 196
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-5); Over
Game 513-514: Houston at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 120.673; Phoenix 127.342
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 6 1/2; 232 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 224 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-1); Over
Game 515-516: Sacramento at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 112.199; Golden State 116.981
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 5; 246
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 517-518: New Orleans at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 116.308; LA Clippers 111.372
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 5; 199
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NCAAB
Oregon State at UTEP
The Beavers are coming off a victory in the opening round of the CBI and look to build 6-1 ATS record following a SU win. Oregon State is the underdog pick (+9 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has UTEP favored by only 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+9 1/2).
Game 519-520: Oregon State at UTEP
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon State 60.779; UTEP 68.230
Dunkel Line: UTEP by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: UTEP by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+9 1/2)
NHL
New Jersey at Pittsburgh
The Devils look to bounce back from a 3-0 loss at the Rangers and build on their 6-1 record in their last 7 games after losing by 3 or more goals in the previous contest. New Jersey is the underdog pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has the Devils favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+125).
Game 51-52: NY Islanders at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 11.042; Washington 11.826
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-375); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-375); Over
Game 53-54: Buffalo at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.326; Atlanta 11.823
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-125); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+105); Over
Game 55-56: Philadelphia at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.678; Toronto 10.757
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-200); 6
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-200); Over
Game 57-58: New Jersey at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.990; Pittsburgh 11.469
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+125); Under
Game 59-60: St. Louis at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 12.103; Chicago 10.430
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+160); Under
Game 61-62: Phoenix at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 10.925; Colorado 9.457
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+100); Under
CappersJungle
Washington Capitals -1.5 (10 Dimes)
Alex the great has the Capitals stalking a top playoff spot for his squad this year. Curently the Capitals site at 2nd in the Eastern conference right now. Tonight with a win they can get that much closer to the playoffs and sweep the season series vs the Isalanders. Washington’s chance to catch Boston may be a bit slim however they have just a 1 point lead over NJ and they need some key points to hold onto that tonight. With a 27-9-2 record at home we expect a lot from this club tonight. Now back to Alex The Great, he enters this contest following a big game, scoring two goals and adding two assists in a 5-3 win over Tampa Bay on Friday night, giving him 100 points on the season. Ok so we got through some of that, but we better point out one more KEY point. New York would likely be even worse off without points from defenseman Mark Streit, he didn’t even make the trip to Washington with a sore groin. One stat that really stood out to us was NO other Islander has more than 36 points, while Washington has six players with at least that many. Final score 5-2
Milwaukee Brewers (10 Dimes)
Brewers are 18-10 so far in the Cactus League and sitting in 2nd place. Arizona is struggling right now almost dead last at 11-19 for the 2009 spring training year. Ricky weeks has really stepped up this spring training hitting safely in 15 of 16 games. Braun was injured and is sitting at day to day. We don’t expect him to be in the lineup today but that won’t much matter today. Milwaukee has won 11 of their past 13. Arizona is on a 3 game skid right now. Brewers are playing in front of their home crowd and are 11-1 in spring training at home and should continue their winning ways. 10 Dime Winner on Milwaukee Brewers.
John Ryan
Toronto Raptors vs. Orlando Magic
Play: Toronto Raptors +9½
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Toronto as they visit Orlando slated to start at 7:00 EST. AiS shows a 72% probability that Toronto will lose this game by 9 or fewer points. Supporting this graded play is a strong system that has posted a 49-19 ATS mark for 72% winners since 2003. Play against favorites after a win by 6 points or less against opponent after scoring 100 points or more 4 straight games. Here is a 2nd system that has gone 43-19 ATS for 69% winners since 2003. Play against home favorites of 10 or more points after going under the total by 54 or more points total in their last ten games in the second half of the season. Toronto is not a strong foul drawing team, but Orlando is just 60-94 ATS (-43.4 Units) versus poor foul drawing teams attempting <=24 free throws/game in the 2nd half of the season since 1996. Take Toronto.
Karl Garrett
Toronto +10' at ORLANDO
G-Man on a 6-2 comp play run the last 8 days.
Take the points tonight as Toronto heads to play a distracted Orlando team.
This is a sandwich game for the Magic, as they just played at Miami on Monday, and will host Cleveland on Friday. Yes, the Magic have won 6 in a row, but they are just 2-3 against the spread in their last 5 games, and with the # 1 seed Cleveland Cavaliers coming to town on Friday, Orlando will allow the Raptors to stay inside of this roomy impost.
Toronto is actually playing some decent ball right now, as the Raptors come to the Sunshine State having won, and covered 4 in a row.
Believe it or not, the Raptors have yet to be eliminated from the postseason chase, so with just a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, look for Toronto to continue their late season surge.
Take the Raptors plus the points.
2♦ TORONTO
Sports Gambling Hotline
Charlotte +9 at BOSTON
Tonight in the NBA, take the points with the streaking Bobcats as they visit the Celtics.
Charlotte was a 94-84 winner last night at home against the Lakers, and while duplicating that effort may not happen on the road, the Bobcats should definitely be close.
The 'Cats are on a 6-2 spread run their last 8 games, and they are closing in on the 8th playoff spot in the East, so you know they will be going all out in tonight's contest.
Charlotte also owns an outright overtime win over Boston the last time these teams met in early January at Charlotte. That win put the underdog in the series on a 12-0 run the last 12 meetings.
Care to make it 13-0?
Play on the Bobcats plus the points.
4♦ CHARLOTTE
Drew Gordon
Charlotte +9 at BOSTON
6-1 L7 Free Play releases, including the Trail Blazers taking the Jazz behind the woodshed last night 125-104! Another FREE winner on the pro Hardwood tonight
Now granted, if Kevin Garnett were playing this would be an entirely different match up, because he can defensively dominate the Bobcats frontline. But with the Big Ticket sidelined, the Celtics defense goes from impregnable to only slightly above average, and that's exactly what keeps this game within the number.
By now you should know about these feisty Bobcats, who at 44-30 ATS on the season, have been a cash-cow to their backers. Oddsmakers continue to give them little respect, despite the fact they just beat the Lakers outright last night by double-digits in Charlotte (Bobcats are 11-8 ATS with no rest, so fatigue is not a huge factor)! Also, don't forget that the Bobcats already beat the Celtics once this season 114-106 January 6th, and that was with Garnett in the lineup!
Felton, Wallace, and Okafor all played well against Boston in that last one, and with Garnett out, they should all play well here again. Garnett's absence on the inside not only opens the game up for Wallace and Okafor, but leaves the paint wide open for Felton's penetration. Glen Davis maybe as good an offensive player as Garnett, but their team defense is not nearly as good with the under-sized Davis manning the power forward spot.
Finally, one trend you simply cannot ignore is the fact the underdog is an outstanding 12-0 ATS in their last 12 meetings! Boston is also just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games, as the public continues to lay the points despite their inflated lines we've been seeing! In the end, the Celtics probably still win this match up, but covering is another story entirely.
Take Charlotte plus the points over Boston in this NBA match up.
2♦ CHARLOTTE
Jeff Benton
Oregon State at UTEP -9
Yes, my only free-play loss in the last five days came on UTEP in Game 1 of this series Monday, but I smell a trap line here. How can the Miners go from a one-point road favorite to a near double-digit chalk after losing the first game by six points? Simply put, it’s the change of venue. UTEP is 12-4 on its home floor this season, averaging 76 points per game and giving up 69.4 ppg, while Oregon State has won just four of 13 road games while putting up just 57.5 ppg and giving up 66.2.
This is the Beavers’ first roadie in nearly a month, as they’ve played the first four games of this tournament on their home court in Corvallis. In their three road games in the month of March, they lost to archrival Oregon (79-69), UCLA (79-54) and USC (68-52), failing to cover the spread in any of those contests. Meanwhile, UTEP won its only home game in this event by nine points, besting Northeastern 75-66 as a seven-point chalk, and the Miners are 6-1 in their last seven in El Paso (the only loss came against Memphis, and that was a respectable 70-63 defeat to one of the best teams in the nation).
Despite Monday’s loss at Oregon State, UTEP is still 5-2 ATS in its last seven contests and 7-1-1 ATS in its last nine non-conference games. On the other hand, the Beavers have failed to cash in 12 of their last 14 games as an underdog in this price range (7 to 12½ points). Bottom line: I said the other day that Oregon State was living on borrowed time, but the Beavers escaped with yet another win (that’s four wins in this tournament by a total of 14 points). Well, I was a game early on that prediction, as tonight, Oregon State goes down and goes down hard. Lay the chalk.'
5♦ UTEP
GINA
Detroit Pistons at New Jersey Nets
New Jersey's Vince Carter states his team hasn't given up, but I disagree. New Jersey has been lifeless. The Nets have dropped five in a row, including three at IZOD Center. Go with the Pistons. Detroit has won eight of their last nine meetings, going 7-2 ATS.
Detroit Pistons -PK
Johnny Guild
Charlotte Bobcats at Boston Celtics
The hungry Bobcats continue their drive to be in the postseason. Charlotte has won six of its last eight games and without doubt will give the Celtics a tough fight tonight. Charlotte has covered the spread in the last six clashes versus the Celtics in Boston. Take the points! The Celtics have been unprofitable for their backers at home, 2-9 ATS in their last 11 home games.
Charlotte Bobcats +9
NCAAB
Texas-El Paso Miners -9
Mr A
Toronto / Orlando 0ver -203½
Dallas Mavericks -5
Milwaukee Bucks +6½
Tony Weston
Today's Selection
We came through once again yesterday as the Knicks do their job and give us another winner in this spot.
That puts us at 6-1 our last 7 Comp Plays and puts us at 14-5 our last 19 freebies.
We’re coming through with another winner tonight as we continue with more NBA action as we’re taking the Charlotte Bobcats at home against the Los Angeles Lakers.
No matter how bad the Bobcats are - and the franchise is regularly horrible - or how decent they are - and Larry Brown has worked wonders with the team - Charlotte has a history of making money against the Lakers.
Coming into this game the Bobcats have covered in 7 of their last 8 games against the Lakers, including consecutive covers in their last two meetings.
Also, Charlotte has covered in 4 consecutive games against the Pacific Division and has covered in 14 of its last 18 games at home.
Now the Bobcats battle a Lakers team that has covered in only 2 of its last 11 games against the Southeast Division and has gone only 5-12 ATS its last 17 games coming off a SU loss.
In this series the underdog has gone 7-1 ATS their last 8 meetings and the ’dog will cover once again tonight as the Bobcats cash in.
Take the points and take Charlotte at home in this one tonight.
3♦ BOBCATS