Kelso
5 units Utah State +23
4 units Bowling Green -10.5
3 units Eastern Michigan +16.5
Anthony Redd
5-Dime Bobcats
Lenny Del Genio
Washington vs. Oklahoma City
We're excited about this Oklahoma City team. After last year's 3-29 SU start, they are a respectable 26-36 and have started .500 this season. They have already taken the Lakers to OT, upset the Magic and beat the Spurs when they had both Tim Duncan and Tony Parker in the lineup. Washington just won for the first time in seven games and is in an obvious letdown spot here after beating the Cavs Wednesday night. They are 17-38-2 ATS when playing with one or less days rest. The addition of Maurice Cheeks to the Thunder coaching staff has been a big plus. So too has been the improved bench play to go along with stars Durant, Green and Westbrook. This is now a top-eight defense. The last two seasons, the Wizards are 3-18 ATS when taking or getting less than three points. Take Oklahoma City.
Marc Lawrence
Orlando vs. Boston
When the Celtics host the Magic in Beantown Friday night they will do so with major revenge on their minds from being bumped from last year's playoffs by Orlando. Meanwhile, Boston has enjoyed great success as a series host, going 30-10 ATS the last 40 games, including 6-0 ATS during the regular season when the Magic arrives off a same season revenge contest. With the Magic in off a revenge win from a 28-point loss they suffered earlier this season against Oklahoma City, look for the Celtics to get theirs here tonight. We recommend a 3-unit play on Boston.
Tony George
Denver vs. Clippers
Wow, Marcus Camby out for the Clippers. In their last home game they lost to Toronto by 15 points, and the Raptors play NO defense and the Clips managed just 89 points against them. Denver is rolling, the Clippers frontcourt has no answer for a red hot Anthony, and the Nuggets are 12-5 ATS their last 17 against the NBA Pacific division. Denver should roll them big time tonight unless they fail to get off the bus!
Play 1 Unit on Denver
Evan Altemus
Orlando vs. Boston
This total is set at the same level as last season, despite the Celtics having Kevin Garnett back in the line-up. Garnett is essential to the defense and his presence causes games to go well under the total, especially these featured games against the best teams in the NBA. Last season’s playoff series between these two teams had five of seven games go under the total. Orlando will also be without their star point guard Jameer Nelson. He is a huge key to the offense, as everything goes through him on the offensive end. Look for both teams to play great defense, and this game will be played at a slower pace. Take the under.
4 UNIT SELECTION UNDER.
Ron Raymond
Islanders vs. Minnesota
Keys to selection: The Wild got caught in a first game off a long road trip trap vs. Phoenix on Wednesday and they are currently riding a 4 game losing streak. After doing some research, when you have a home favorite at home coming off a 4 game losing streak the last 2 seasons, the home fave (Min) is 42-25 SU in this situation for 62.6%.
Database Tip: When MINNESOTA team played as a home team - Total is 5.5 - Allowed 3 or more goals AGAINST in their last game - Coming off a Home loss as a Favorite; the Wild are 10-1 SU in this situation. Take the Wild.
Bob Balfe
Boise State vs. Utah State
Utah State has improved a lot on offense since last year and can run the ball very well. Boise does have a good defense and Utah State knows they will need to control the clock by running the ball if they have any shot at winning. I think most people know they have zero shot of winning. Boise has to be getting frustrated as they win big each week, but will not climb too much higher in the polls. I also am not too impressed with this good Broncos Defense the last two weeks and they have let up a good number of points. This is a type of game that will move fast. Look for Utah State to do just enough to cover this number in their final home game of the year. Take Utah State.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Akron vs. Bowling Green
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on Bowling Green:
The Zips can only look forward instead of pointing fingers and looking back. Akron jumped out to a 17-7 lead over Temple, but allowed the Owls to score 49 unanswered points en route to a 56-17 win. With several players sidelined due to injuries and numerous inexperienced players forced to take the field, the Zips fell victim to a lack of depth and I'm expecting a similar collapse this evening.
The Zips have had to play quarterback roulette with the senior starter being dismissed from the team and the No. 2 sidelined with an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Akron has been decent against the pass so far, but is going to have its hands full with Freddie Barnes; the BGSU star leads the country with 117 receptions and ranks second with 1,285 yards receiving.
Not only is Akron 1-7 SU its last eight, its also 2-6 ATS its last eight and a horrible 2-5 ATS its last seven on the road.
On the other side of the field:
With two games remaining in the regular season, Bowling Green is in position to have a winning season and become bowl-eligible.
QB Tyler Sheehan is 298-of-465 passing for 3,189 yards and 19 TD's with only six INT's.
The Falcons had their best defensive effort of the season against Miami on Nov. 12, limiting the RedHawks to 295 yards of total offense, just 36 yards on the ground, and two touchdowns.
Bowling Green is 4-1 SU its last five and is 5-1 ATS its last six vs. Akron.
Bottom line: I expect the Falcons defense to continue to play at the same level and believe that their offense will also continues its effective production; look for BOWLING GREEN to improve to 4-3 ATS vs. conference opponents and for Akron to fall to 2-5 ATS against conference foes. 9* BOWLING GREEN.
Barry Holthaus
Boise St. at Utah St.
Pick: Utah State +24
Boise State is almost unstoppable at home on the blue turf but can struggle on the road (at least covering the spread). The Broncos were in a similiar situation 2 weeks ago and only beat Louisiana Tech by 10 (45-35) failing to cover the 21 point spread. I look for a similiar result here as Utah State is much improved.
Ben Burns
9* Main Event
Boise St. / Utah St. Under
Karl Garrett
20 DIMER - BOISE STATE BRONCOS
On the surface this looks like an "inflated" number against a Utah State team that has some offense, and should be able to trade points for a while with the yielding Broncos.
Still, my money is on Boise to handle matters on the road, as the Broncs have done a nice job when laying the big wood recently, sporting an 8-3-1 mark as a favorite of 20-points or more their last 12 tries.
Boise State is playing for a spot in a BCS bowl game, and there has been plenty of talk that they are not worthy of a spot based on some of their wins showing the opposition with big chunks of yards.
My gut tells me the public will jump all over this "inflated" price, but in the end Boise will cover this impost.
The Broncos are 7-0 straight up the last 7 series meetings, and have gone 6-0-1 against the spread in that span.
Make it 8-0, and 7-0-1 boys!
10 DIMER - BOSTON CELTICS
1st meeting since Orlando took out Boston in a 7th game blowout last May in the postseason, and I am liking the Celtics to get some regular season revenge.
Boston has been slumping, splitting their last 6 straight up, while going just 1-6 against the spread in their last 7 games, but Orlando is now without Jameer Nelson, and the Magic are definitely going to miss his presence tonight.
Orlando is just 5-14 against the spread their last 19 in Beantown, and the host is on a 25-12 spread run the last 27 series meetings.
Boston rights their ship with the cover tonight.
Lay it!
Opposite Action Plays
Bowling Green -10.5
College Bettor
Bowling Green -10
Ohio St. -2
UNC +1
Seabass
50* Utah State
100* Steam Bowling Green