Dave Price
Kings +7
The Sacramento Kings have been very impressive in the early going. They won 113-94 at Phoenix as 3-point dogs, only lost 94-102 at home to the San Antonio Spurs as 7.5-point dogs, and beat the Minnesota Timberwolves 106-103 at home as a pick 'em. I believe they will go on the road here and give the Atlanta Hawks a game Monday night. The Hawks have played much softer competition as they've beaten the Wizards and 76ers thus far. The Kings have given the Hawks trouble of late as each of the last three meetings were decided by 7 points or fewer. Sacramento is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games playing on 1 days' rest. Atlanta is 0-6 ATS in its last 6 Monday games.
SPORTS WAGERS
CHICAGO +4 over Minnesota
Minnesota’s bubble burst last week with a loss to Philadelphia but that one loss is not going to deter action on them this week. The Vikes have been paying off like a broken slot machine with 10 straight covers dating back to last year prior to last week. Yes indeed, Minnesota has been a cash cow so we can understand why they are so appealing. However, spotting road points to a division rival on Monday Night Football is anything but appealing. It’s also a low percentage play.
Minnesota is a very good football team, defensively, but its offense is stale, stagnant, predictable and just downright awful. Of the 32 teams in this league, you would be hard-pressed to find three teams that have more risk spotting road points than the Vikings. Minnesota has trouble scoring four points, let alone covering four so if the Bears play a clean game, that is, not losing the turnover battle by two or more, chances are they will cover or win here.
Sam Bradford's average throw has traveled 6½ yards downfield this season, which is the shortest of any qualified quarterback in the league. Half of Bradford's pass attempts have been five yards downfield or shorter. This is a conservative passing attack designed to prevent turnovers but the Bears have been pretty good on those throws, as Chicago’s defense has allowed the second-best yards per attempt average in the league.
Sam Bradford is till Sam Bradford and there is a reason why 32 teams didn’t want him. Bradford threw a pick and was sacked six times in a dismal outing in Philadelphia last week so let’s not get too crazy about his first two or three outings in his new digs. Bradford, after all, became the third stringer to Case Kennum for f**k sakes. The Vikes also come into this game with the 31st ranked offense and the NFL’s worst running game. If you can’t run the ball in this league, or at least set up the run, you usually cannot pass either unless you’re named Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady. Fundamentally speaking, Minnesota’s offense is putrid and while Chicago has been a rather dysfunctional outfit for a few years now, the atmosphere, the exposure of playing on Monday night and their motivation for looking good in prime time is more than enough to get our endorsement. Lastly, the low total in this one also makes taking back these points very appealing.
SPORTS WAGERS
L.A. CLIPPERS -10½ over Phoenix
The Suns went basket for basket with the mighty Warriors last night as a double-digit home dog. Phoenix led after the first quarter and even at halftime but in the end, the Suns fell 106-101. On Friday night, Phoenix went into overtime with the Thunder but also lost 113-110. After hanging and covering against both Golden State and OKC, the 10½ points they are getting tonight in L.A. may appear to be very appealing but it’s not enough points. Phoenix is likely spent from the last two games, especially last night where they put in a huge effort in trying to take down the Warriors. They will now travel and play its third game in four nights and tail end of back-to-backs.
The L.A. Clippers also played yesterday but it was a home game against the Jazz where they coasted after taking a 13-point lead into the fourth quarter. Although it's early, the Clip Joint is relying much more on their bench this season, as the reserves have scored at least 40 points in their first two games, which is a far cry from last year's squad that leaned almost entirely on their starting five. We are not in the habit of laying double-digit points but the Suns are likely to be running on empty after two emotional losses to a pair of top tier Western Conference opponents. The Clippers are capable of putting up big points against anyone and figure to put up some crooked numbers here against this vulnerable visitor, who comes into this one in a very unfavorable spot.
Bob Balfe
Vikings -4
Sometimes you can out think yourself in this industry. The Bears have no running game and a banged up offensive line. Jay Culter is coming back only because Hoyer got hurt. The way Cutler has played this is no upgrade. Minnesota has running back issues tonight as well, but they at least have the better offensive line. Minnesota also has the better defensive line. I look for the Vikings to control the line of scrimmage. In divisional games you can throw out all the records, but Chicago is a bad football team and in addition to the offensive injuries are down very deep on the depth chart at cornerback. When you have the 5th or 6th string guy in you are going to give up big chunks of yardage. I think Vegas pumped this line down to scare people off the better team much like they did with the Patriots yesterday.
Harry Bondi
CHICAGO +4.5 over Minnesota
This one looks like it might be a trap to us. Minnesota is coming of its first loss of the season and should take the hapless Bears to the woodshed but we have seen this situation to many times on Monday nights when it looks like the home team has no chance and wins outright. Like my Dad used to say ” When it looks to good to be true it usually isn’t”. Our Steam Team Members are getting ready to pick up a boatload of cash this week after another 7-1 week so we’ll pass to them tonight but think the Bears and Jay Cutler are worth backing
OC Dooley
Kings +7
I am aware that Atlanta has both won-and-covered both games with new big man Dwight Howard in the middle. However on a much quieter level Sacramento actually has a WINNING record out of the gate (2-1) with new head coach Dave Joerger who had previous "playoff" success when coaching a team located in the middle of the country. What impressed me about the Kings is that last time on the floor they came back to WIN on the scoreboard even though digging themseleves an EIGHTEEN POINT hole in the third quarter which is a show of character. The last two times Sacramento star DeMarcus Cousins has faced tonight's opponent his combined numbers (48 points and 28 rebounds) have been extremely impressive. It was last Janauary when Sacramento in front of their fans finally snapped a FIFTEEN GAME losing streak versus the Hawks which gives them confidence. The last time Sacramento won at Atlanta was a DECADE ago and they are 4-14 both SU/ATS "at" Atlanta since 1996. Thus taking in the time frames Sacramento is way overdue to cash a series ticket at tonight's location