Wednesday Service Reports:

Burns NHL

CAROLINA

Game: Philadelphia Flyers vs. Carolina Hurricanes Game Time: 11/21/2007 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Carolina Hurricanes Reason: I'm laying the price with CAROLINA. Both teams have played very well to start the year. However, while the Hurricanes are coming off a 2-1 win, the Flyers have suffered back to back losses, giving up 10 goals in the process. Both teams have had the past few days off and that also figures to favor the Hurricanes. Carolina is a fairly respectable 12-10 the past two seasons when playing with three days off in between games while the Flyers are a money-burning 5-12 (-7.6) during the same stretch. The Flyers knocked off the Hurricanes when the teams met at Philadelphia last month. However, the Hurricanes held a significant edge in shots and the game went to overtime. At the time, the Flyers were both rested and red hot while the Hurricanes were concluding a six game road trip and coming off an overtime/shootout game the previous night. Note that the Flyers have been terrific at home (6-1-1) but are below 500 (5-6) on the road. The Hurricanes are 8-3 the last 11 times that they faced a team which defeated them in their previous game and I look for them to avenge last month's loss tonight. *November GOM

Burns NBA

CLIPPERS

Game: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game Time: 11/21/2007 10:35:00 PM Prediction: Los Angeles Clippers Reason: I'm taking the points with the CLIPPERS. The Nuggets come in as the hotter and healthier team. However, that has been reflected in the line and the situation favors the Clippers, who have had the past three nights off, the Nuggets hosted the Bulls last night. While its true that was a relatively easy win, its still worth noting that the Nuggets are a poor 7-11-1 ATS (7-12 SU) the last 19 times that they played the second of back to back games. The Nuggets have also really struggled on the road vs. the Clippers. In fact, LA is 6-1 the last seven times the teams met here and the lone loss (last season) came by just three points. Looking back further and we find that the Clippers are an impressive 13-3 the last 16 meetings here. Yes, they're without a couple of their top weapons right now. However, they're still a scrappy team which has managed a 60-33 record here since the start of the 2005 season and which is 10-6 ATS the last 16 times they were getting points. Chris Kaman has particularly elevated his game in the absence of Brand, as he is averaging 18.7 points and 13.3 rebounds. Look for Kaman and co. to be the hungrier team tonight and for that to result in (at least) a cover. *Best Bet

UNDER clippers/nuggets

Game: Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers Game Time: 11/21/2007 10:35:00 PM Prediction: under Reason: I'm playing on the Clippers and Nuggets to finish UNDER the total. The Clippers were already without Brand and now are also without leading scorer Maggette. Their most recent game produced just 165 points, bringing the UNDER go 5-2 their last seven games. The Nuggets saw last night's game sneak above the number by a basket. However, they still played strong defense, holding the Bulls to only 91 points. It was the third straight opponent which they held to 93 points or less, with both of the previous games staying below the posted total. While the Nuggets can certainly score a lot of points, the Clippers generally try and slow the tempo down against high powered offenses. In fact, the UNDER is a profitable 46-30-1 the last two seasons when they've faced a team which averages greater than 99 points per game. Therefore, it's no surprise that the UNDER has gone a perfect 8-0 the last eight meetings in this series and 10-1 the last 11. The last three of those games had over/under lines ranging from 201.5 to 214.5 but none produced more than 191 combined points. Look for tonight's final score to be lower scoring than expected once again. *Blue Chip

Scott Spreitzer Aims for his **6th Straight NBA Win!** (Wednesday)
I'm laying the points with the Pistons on Wednesday night. Detroit is in a great NBA scenario tonight. Teams in their position are currently on a 28-4 ATS run going back to the spring of 2005. It has to do with home favorites who are off a double-digit loss. The rest of the situation must remain for my eyes only for now. The Pistons have beaten NY nine straight times at home. The soap opera that is the Knicks, took another rough loss last night, getting blasted by 26 points at home by Golden State. Stephon Marbury got the start and once again took it easy on the defensive end. This team is an absolute mess. And, they're facing a fired-up Pistons' squad off back-to-back double-digit losses, including an embarrasing 10-point defeat at Sacto. Detroit has had two days to stew about it. They'll take out their angst on the rudderless Knicks. Detroit is my 25* release on Wednesday! Thanks! GL! Scott.

Larry Ness' Oddsmaker's Error-CBB (1st TY in CBB / 26-6 run last seven days in all sports!)
My Oddsmaker's Error is on Syracuse at 9:20 ET. Syracuse missed the NCAA tournament last year, while Ohio State advanced all the way to the final game. However, this year's Syracuse team has all five starters averaging in double figures. Junior guard Eric Devendorf (16.0), 6-9 junior Arinze Onuaku (13.7-5.3) and sophomore guard Paul Harris (12.7) are joined by a pair of blue-chip freshmen in Donte' Greene and Jonny Flynn. The 6-9 Greene is averaging 19.0 PPG and 8.0 RPG, while PG Flynn is averaging 13.0 PPG and 7.7 APG. As for Ohio St, the Buckeyes lost four starters and 73 percent of their scoring from last season's Final Four team. But even after losing three freshmen to the NBA draft in Greg Oden, Mike Conley Jr. and Daequan Cook, Ohio State (2-0) is the third team receiving votes in the AP Top 25 poll and would likely vault into the rankings with a good showing this weekend. That's mostly because of three players who have each averaged at least 17 points in the Buckeyes' first two games. Lone returning starter Jamar Butler has hit half of his 18 3-point attempts, sophomore David Lighty is shooting 62.5 percent and 7-foot freshman Kosta Koufosa (a McDonald's All-American as a high school senior) has a team-high 37 points in just 49 minutes through two games. Thad Matta has proven he can coach and Ohio St will be tough by the end of the year but it WON'T win here! The Orange (24-11) did not receive an at-large berth for the NCAA tournament and has something to prove. MSG is "like home" to Syracuse and that's NOT reflected in the line. Oddsmaker's Error on Syracuse.

Big Al

At 4:30 pm, our member selection is on the Oklahoma State Cowboys over Illinois, as Okie State is a super 14-1 ATS vs. non-conference foes, if both Okie State and its opponent check in off a loss. And the Cowboys are also 24-3 on home/neutral courts vs. a non-conference foe off a loss. Last night, the Cowboys lost to Marquette, while Illinois got beat by Duke.Good luck - Al McMordie

Play on: Oklahoma State

ace-ace / allan eastman

7-11 nba
celtics

5-1 ncaa
butler

Michael Cannon

Wednesday's Play...

10 Dime –

OHIO STATE

Take the points with the Buckeyes tonight when they take on Syracuse.

I know Ohio State lost four of its five starters from last season’s squad that made it to the National Championship game, but I’m banking on Jamar Butler, David Lighty and Kosta Koufos picking up the slack and carrying the Buckeyes tonight.

Koufos is a 7-footer who is actually a better offensive player at this stage than Greg Oden was at this time last year.

The Orange are trying to make it back to the NCAAs behind a couple of freshmen, forward Donte Greene and guard Jonny Flynn. Both are blue-chippers, but there is no real experience edge here between these two teams so I’ve got to like the Buckeyes getting the points.

I’m not sold on Syracuse’ ability to step up and deliver in the clutch against a quality opponent. They haven’t done it in a few years and until I see it I have to take the points against them.

Syracuse is just 2-5 ATS in its last seven games dating back to March. The Buckeyes are 8-4 ATS in their last 12 lined games and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 on neutral courts.

Take the Buckeyes as they grab the cash tonight.

5 Dime –

GRIZZLIES

Take the Grizzlies tonight when they host the Raptors.

I know Toronto is the better team, but they have yet to prove it against the Grizzlies in Memphis.

The Raptors haven’t won in Memphis since 2002 and are just 1-8 overall against the Grizzlies in their last nine meetings.

Toronto is also coming off a disheartening loss to the Mavericks last night, where they blew a 24-point lead and lost 105-99. They may be without leading scorer T. J. Ford, who was injured and sat out the final 16 minutes of last night’s game.

Memphis may not be the most talented team in the league, but they have been competitive. They blew out the Sonics on Monday, 125-108. Prior to that they lost three straight games, but they were by a combined eight points.

Take Memphis at home as they get it done over the Raptors.

SUNS

Lay the big number with Phoenix tonight when they host Sacramento.

Amare Stoudemire is back and looking strong, which means bad news for the Suns opponents.

Phoenix up-tempo game will be in high gear tonight against a Sacramento squad that still can’t defend despite the return of Ron Artest.

The Suns have lacked their typical knockout punch of season’s past, but I look for them to put this game away very early and to cruise towards an easy win and cover.

Phoenix has won three of four over Sacramento, but will likely keep the hammer down tonight after being outscored 24-14 in the 4th quarter of Tuesday’s win at Sacramento.

Take the Suns minus the big number as they win and cover at home.

UNLV

Take the points with the Runnin Rebels tonight when they host Louisville.

The Cardinals are a beat-up team right now. They were already palying without forward Juan Palacios when David Padgett injured his right knee late in the first half of Sunday’s win over Jackson State.

Now they get set to play a Unlv team that has won 19 straight home games, and the linemaker wants you to lay the chalk with the Cardinals?

Unlv plays great team defense and will make Louisville work for every shot they get.

The Runnin’ Rebels have only one returning starter back from last year, but I like them getting this number at home against a short-handed Cardinals team.

Unlv is 9-3 ATS in its last 12, including 6-1 ATS at home.

Strike Point Sports

1.5* AZ ST. +1
1.5* Mont. ST +8
2* Rhode Island +3
2* SYR. -1.5
3* Gtown -21
3* Louis -4

Dave Malinksy (he is 21-4 for his last 25 !!)

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REASON FOR PICK: 4* ARIZONA STATE over L.S.U.

We began this tournament by cashing an easy 4* ticket with Illinois over Arizona State, focusing on the major edge in prep time that the experienced Illini had over their younger Sun Devil counterparts. But two games in two days have given a promising A.S.U. team the opportunity to begin building a chemistry that could make them one of the most improved sides in the nation later in the season, and we find a good opportunity to step in right now. Those outstanding freshman guards showed their ability in yesterday’s easy win over Princeton (James Harden and Ty Abbott combined for 41 points), but it was not just talent – there were already signs of the pieces coming together. This, from Princeton coach Sydney Johnson after the defeat - "Yet another coaching clinic by Herb Sendek. They certainly stuck to their stuff, and we respect that in the end his style won out."

That style wins again here against a rag-tag and undisciplined LSU team that will again be without key cogs Tasmin Mitchell (bone spur and tendonitis in his left foot) and Dameon Mason (viral infection). The Tigers were ugly in that opening loss on Monday to an Oklahoma State team that we do not think much of at all (we have already cashed a 4* and a 6* against the Cowboys this season), and barely had enough to escape past Chaminade yesterday. Because there is not all that much building that John Brady can do without Mitchell and Mason we expect to see them playing loosely again here, and they are exactly the kind of opponent that Sendek can exploit. In this case the Sun Devils are not at any disadvantage at all in terms of experience, so we will go with the better talent and better coaching to get the job done.

DR CHAD

DETROIT PISTONS 5 units

wunderdog nba

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Game: Dallas at Houston (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on First Half UNDER 96 -110
These are two teams that can be very defensively minded, and over the years Houston has held many teams down especially at home. Houston held San Antonio to 32 first-half points at home in a statement game earlier, and that is how Houston gets it done. Dallas has struggled out of the gate on the road this year as they produced just 40 against Portland, and put up 39 at Atlanta. We look for this to be a very intense game in the first half with the defenses prevailing, so like the first half to go UNDER.

Game: New York Knicks at Detroit (8:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 4 units on New York Knicks +12

The Knicks heard all the boos as coach Thomas is really taking the heat. The Knicks were a no-show with 29 turnovers and looked like a High School team. Coach Thomas has always stood behind the players and even took blame for how they played and the loss. We expect a huge effort from the Knicks tonight. That doesn't mean they win, but we expect a much more competitive game, and getting double-digits is very desirable in the NBA. The Pistons are limping into this game themselves having dropped two straight. This game basically comes down to saving Thomas' job, and we believe the Knicks respond.

Game: Orlando at San Antonio (8:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on First Half UNDER 94 -110

A matchup of heavyweights will take place in San Antonio tonight. Orlando has really picked it up from a year ago, and handed Boston their only defeat of this young season. They have also been a team to bring defense to the game as almost half of their opponents have not seen the 90-point mark. San Antonio has long had their calling card held on the defensive end of the court and it's why they usually fare well in the playoffs. This year there has been even more emphasis made on the defensive end. Not a single team has come to San Antonio this season and hung a 50 or more on the Spurs. They have been locking-down all comers to the tune of 38.7 first-half points per game. We certainly don't expect anything different here tonight, and will ride the first half to go UNDER.

Burns college hoops

SYRACUSE

Game: Ohio State vs. Syracuse Game Time: 11/21/2007 9:20:00 PM Prediction: Syracuse Reason: I'm laying the small number with SYRACUSE. The Buckeyes have gotten off to a 2-0 start. However, those games came against very weak opponents (Wisconsin-GB and Columbia) and the Buckeyes haven't played in more than a week. Syracuse has faced slightly tougher competition and has gone 3-0. The Orange have been more profitable than the Buckeyes the past couple of years when playing on a neutral court, going 7-4 ATS. This year's team is led by an extremely talented pair of blue-chip freshmen in Donte' Greene and Jonny Flynn. They are just two of the five players currently scoring in double-digits in scoring. As a team, the Orange are averaging 83 ppg thus far which is worth mentioning as the Buckeyes were just 3-8 ATS the past two seasons against teams which score 77 or more points. While the Buckeyes still have some talented players, they also lost a ton of talent from last year's roster. In fact, last year's Final Four team lost four starters and 73% of its scoring. Look for the Buckeyes to feel those losses for the first time this evening as the Orange, who have something to prove after missing the Tournament last year, earn a solid win and improve to 61-41 at MSG under coach Jim Boeheim. *Annihilator

Docs
3Unit Play. #533 Take St. Louis +6 ½ over Missouri State (8:00 pm) This is just a bus ride away from the Billikens, as this battle of Missouri is renewed tonight in Springfield. We have dug deep to uncover the edge need and that is that C Drew Richards is questionable tonight because of an illness. Without him at 100% the Bears due not have much to hurt St. Louis inside and thus this game will go right down to the wire giving us the cash with whomever comes out on top.

3 Unit Play. #548 Take Duke -4 over Marquette (10:00 pm ESPN) The Blue Devils dominate preseason tournaments and will take down Marquette on Wednesday, winning the Maui Invitational. Duke shoot 56% last night against a solid defensive team in Illinois and expect another solid long range performance from them tonight. The Eagles played outstanding last night and everything went right for them, but like Illinois on Monday, they following night teams just come out flat. Duke continues their march and we collect big in the process.

3 Unit Play. #552 Take Syracuse -2 over Ohio State (9:30 pm ESPN 2) The Orange have consistently done well in preseason tournaments held in the state of New York and this line surprises me that it is so low. The Buckeyes have been out of action for over a week and like Michigan State suffered an embarrassing loss in the exhibition season. Syracuse has won this title twice before and expect history to repeat itself, as the Buckeyes will not be able to recover from their early departures from last season’s title game squad.

Strike Point Sports
1.5-Unit Play. #541 Take Arizona State +1 over LSU (2 pm)
We saw two sides of the spectrum for the Sun Devils in their first two games in Maui. I think Arizona State is much closer to its second performance, and we'll see that again with another win to close out this three-game tourney. With Jeff Pendergraph, Christian Polk and James Harden, this Pac-10 rep has a lot of skill, and more consistency than the young Tigers have. And even better has been the performances of the backcourt duo of Derek Glasser and Ty Abbott. I like the match-up zone Herb Sendek employs with his team, and they'll come through with the win on Louisiana State.

2-Unit Play. #527 Take Rhode Island +3 over Boston College (4 pm)
The Rams could be a hidden gem just waiting to break out for everyone to see. Against a Boston College team bound for a down year, here is a good chance for them to make a statement. Rhode Island returns its top three scorers from a season ago in Jimmy Baron, Will Daniels and Kahiem Seawright, and that is more than what the Eagles can say after losing three key starters. These Rams play at a high tempo, and that could help boost the small upset here. The A-10 rep comes into Chestnut Hill and leaves with a nice resume-building victory.

3-Unit Play. #531 Take Georgetown -21 over Ball State (7 pm)
One-sided affair. There are just some games where you can play 'name the score' and that will be what the Hoyas will do here. Ball State has nine players this year on its team, and none of them are taller than 6'9''. Facing Roy Hibbert, not to mention the rest of a very aggressive and athletic Georgetown team, that spells blowout and a lot of fouls going against the Cardinals. The Hoyas are one of the best defensive teams in the country, and that along with a very efficient offense will make for a long day for this MAC minnow. Play the favorite here, as they win huge.

3-Unit Play. #535 Take Louisville -4 over UNLV (9 pm)
The Cardinals are dangerous this year, and that has to do with the big trio of rising stars in Edgar Sosa, Terrance Williams and Earl Clark. After losing a lot from last year's Sweet 16 team, I don't think the Rebels can trade blow for blow with Rick Patino's bunch. Louisville has a good deal of supplemenal talent in Derrick Caracter, Andre McGee and Jerry Smith to boot, and Cards are the play here.

2-Unit Play. #552 Take Syracuse -1.5 over Ohio State (9:20 pm)
The Orange are always a threat in their second home at MSG. This young squad is super talented, and it starts with the backcourt of Eric Devendorf and Jonny Flynn. You also add 'Cuse's other super frosh Donte Greene, as well as Paul Harris, and you have athletes out the wazzou coming from Jim Beheim's side. The 2-3 zone for Syracuse will be huge in this game, as Ohio State is much better at attacking the rim, so I don't think the Buckeyes can win this game shooting from outside. Look for a pro-Orange crowd to boost this Syracuse team into the championship of the Preseason NIT. They cover this small number.

1.5-Unit Play. #567 Take Montana State +8 over Fresno State (10 pm)
This is too high a number for a Bulldogs team that hasn't impressed so far this season. Montana State, however, already has a nice victory over Boise State, as well as playing UNLV tough on the road. The Bobcats want to get the pace up to high level and run throughout the game. In a high scoring affair, we'll take them and these points. Montana State will have a shot to win this one, but they do cover here.

Ferringo
5-Unit Play. Take #527 Rhode Island (+3) over Boston College (4 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)Note: This is our Game of the Week.

Here we have two teams that are headed in opposite directions. Boston College is squarely in rebuilding mode while URI is ready to make a statement as an A-10 sleeper. The Eagles romped in the past two meetings, and B.C. is a place URI generally doesn't play well, but now I think the Rams are ready for a little revenge. Rhode Island has a ton of experience and have yet to have a great shooting game. I think one is coming and I think they will abuse a very young Eagles squad. Using a common opponent – Florida Atlantic – as a baseline, URI beat FAU by 27 while BC squeaked by them by six points. Rhode Island is going to win this game outright but we’ll take the points just in case.

4-Unit Play. Take #554 Butler (-6) over Michigan (11:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
Michigan just got beaten by 1,000 points by Georgetown and now must go up against another Sweet 16 club from last year in Butler. The Bulldogs proved in last year’s NIT that they can ring up the big boys in preseason tournaments and A.J. Graves, the best point guard in the country, will make sure that this line gets covered with his free throw shooting. The Wolverines are still working on getting the ins and outs of John Beilein’s system and I don’t think they are there just yet.

3-Unit Play. Take Texas A&M (-4.5) over Washington (7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
I’m not thrilled about the prospects of either of these teams but I know that the Huskies aren’t any good. Washington struggled to put away two pretty bad teams – EWU and Utah – and they haven’t faced anything near the pressure that A&M will put on them defensively.

3-Unit Play. Take #533 St. Louis (+6.5) over Missouri State (8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
I’m not impressed with this SMS team this year. Not at all. St. Louis has been building and doing good work up to this point in the season. The Billikens are guard-heavy, but I think that their backcourt will completely outplay and overwhelm the Bears and not allow SMS to take advantage of their size. This is another dog that I think will win outright so there is a lot of value on these points.

2.5-Unit Play. Take #547 Marquette (+5) over Duke (8 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
The Golden Eagles beat Duke by 11 points when the two teams met last year in Kansas City in the championship of the CBE Classic. Both teams remain essentially intact, except that Duke lost its best player to the NBA. The Blue Devils played a physical, grinding game against Illinois last night in which they got a ton of calls (as Duke always does). I don’t think they are as fortunate tonight and I think that the perimeter pressure of the Eagles is going to be too much for them to handle.

2-Unit Play. Take #552 Syracuse (-2.5) over Ohio State (9:30 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
The Orange are 11-4 ATS in Madison Square Garden over the past three years and have played exceptionally well there in preconference tournaments. Ohio State will be ready for the zone, in theory, but will they be ready for the athleticism with which SU plays it? Teams that usually handle Syracuse beat them with size. I don’t think that Ohio State will get enough production out of their bigs to win this one. Syracuse beat two much better teams than the Buckeyes to advance to MSG and I think they advance here behind their exciting freshmen.

2-Unit Play. Take #531 Georgetown (-21) over Ball State (7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
You will very rarely ever see me lay this much chalk in a college game but this is also as big a mismatch as we’ll see this season. Georgetown is a national title contender with all kinds of experience and skill. Ball State is a mess. BSU lost by 16 to Butler and Georgetown may beat them by 40. The Cardinals lost their last game in overtime and four guys played over 40 minutes. That’s how much depth they have. I’m telling you, this line is still 10 points light and that equals value. Oh, and don’t forget that John Thompson III may want to stick it to the school that forced his brother to resign last summer.

1.5-Unit Play. Take #535 Louisville (-3.5) over UNLV (9 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 21)
This line is an overreaction to the loss of David Padgett for the season. Louisville still has a host of McDonald’s All-Americans and seasoned veterans while the Runnin’ Rebels are not the same class of team they were last year. I don’t think that the Cardinals will cruise, but I do see them winning this game by around eight points.

Allen Eastman
1-Unit Play Take #554 Butler Bulldogs -6 over Michigan Wolverines. (Wednesday, November 20, 11:30 pm EST).
Butler is making its longest road trip of the season as they participate in the Great Alaska Shootout, in Anchorage. The Bulldogs (3-0), coming off three consecutive victories over state foes, will face Michigan (2-1) in the opening game of the eight-team tournament. One of the keys to Butlers 3-0 start has been their solid work on defense. Butler limited Indiana State to just 14 points on 20.8% shooting (5-24) in the first half. It was the second straight game that the Bulldogs held their opponent below 20 points in the initial period. Three days later, Butler held Evansville to just 19 points on 27.8% shooting (5-18) in the second half. The Bulldogs have held each of their first three opponents below 50 points. The Bulldogs return most of their starting line-up from last years tournament team, including the Horizion League Player of the Year, Adam Graves. Butler is off to a 3-0 start and 3-0 ATS. Michigan is 2-1 with their victories coming at home, and against the Big South Conference's Radford and the Ivy League's Brown. When they stepped up in class, Georgetown blew them away to the tune 74-52. This is actually an easy one to call. Take Butler and take a serious look at the UNDER.

Insider Sports Report

4* Boston -9 over Golden St. (NBA)
Range -7.5 to -11
3* Cleveland/Minnesota (NBA) OVER 192.5
Range 191 to 194.5
3* Orlando/San Antonio (NBA) OVER 190.5
Range 188.5 to 192.5