THE PREZ
MNF GAME OF THE MONTH
ARIZONA at SAN FRANCISCO
Pick: ARIZONA -3
As long as Kurt Warner is healthy, and his team doesn't have to travel three time zones for a road affair, the Cards are a difficult team to beat. And playing against an average 49ers team that will be home dogs on Monday night is a solid investment. Playing against NFL home dogs that average 18-23 points per game against an offense that averages 23-27 points per game has cashed at a 29-8 (78%) clip over the last five NFL campaigns. And - playing on road favorites that are coming off a win as a dog by 10 points or more - all the while revenging an earlier season loss -- is just as solid - cashing at a 29-8 clip over the last 10 NFL campaigns.The number won't find any more value that it currently offers, with Arizona being a field goal favorite in San Fran next Monday night. Get your play in now before the juice climbs.
9* Play on Arizona
Wunderdog
Florida Panthers @ New York Islanders
Pick: 5 units : Florida Panthers +120
The Islanders reclaimed their season after opening with just a shootout win to show for their first 10 games. They rebounded nicely, but it wasn't going to last. They have just two wins, and a pair of shootout wins to show for their last 11 games and in the process, they have found the net just 23 times, barely over two per game. The Panthers haven't played well of late either, but have held their ground on the road at .500 for the season. The big difference here is that they have dominated this poor Islanders team. The Panthers have won eight of the last 10 played between these clubs. With the Islanders just 28-62 in their last 90 games, I'm going with the Panthers here.
John Fina
GOY - 49ers
Ben Burns
New Orleans Hornets at Dallas Mavericks
Prediction: Under
I'm playing on New Orleans and Dallas to finish UNDER the total. These teams played a very high-scoring game (114-107 Hornets) against each other a little over a month ago. while that game would have still finished above the total of 189.5, it should be noted that only 194 points were scored in regulation - the other 27 came in overtime. Tonight's o/u line is several points higher and I believe that provides us with excellent value on the 'under.' Even with the earlier meeting finishing above the total, the UNDER remains a profitable 5-2-1 (or 5-3) the last eight times that these teams faced each other. The 'under' has been particularly profitable when they've faced each other here at Dallas. In fact, 10 of the last 12 series meetings here at Dallas have fallen below the number. The Mavericks have seen the UNDER go 4-2 the last six times that they were attempting to avenge an earlier loss. Despite each of their last two games slipping above the number, they've also seen the UNDER go 23-13 the last 36 games in December. The Hornets admittedly played poorly on defense last time out, allowing 113 points at New York. However, they'd seen each of their previous three games finish below the number. All three games stayed below the 194 point mark. Note that they've seen the UNDER go 5-3 when coming off a game in which they allowed 195 or more points. Chris Paul's comments indicate that the team wasn't happy with their defensive effort last time out. He was quoted as saying: "Our defense was unbelievable. We've got to change that. We've had a few games where our defense was good. Friday it was horrible." Even with that result, the Hornets have still seen the UNDER go 21-11 their last 32 December games. While they may not be able to beat the Mavs on their home floor, I expect Paul and co. to bounce back with a much better defensive effort here, leading to the final combined score staying below the total. *9 Blue Chip
Tim Trushel
49ers
Ben Burns
San Fran 49ers
NHL PRO PICKS
Florida +120
Philadelphia +125
Ottawa +110
Nashville +113
Los Angeles +155
The King Maker
10* Arizona Cardinals -3.5
GREAT LAKES SPORTS
3* HORNETS
Wayne Root
Millionaire - SF 49ers
BLACK WIDOW
6* Widow Wiseguy Cards/49ers MNF GAME OF THE MONTH on Arizona -3
With a win last week and a Cardinals' loss, the 49ers would be only 1 game down in the division and would be playing Arizona this Monday for the division lead. Instead, the 49ers are now 3 games back after losing to the Seahawks while Arizona destroyed the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday. San Francisco now has nothing to be excited about entering this game Monday, and they won't be able to match the effort they get from the Cardinals. Arizona hasn't forgotten how they lost to the 49ers in their season-opener at home, adn they will be looking for a little revenge in this one. Arizona is 5-1 SU & 4-1-1 ATS in 6 road games this season, playing their best football away from home. Their lone road loss came at Tennessee by 3 points, as they allowed a 99-yard drive by Vince Young and company and lost it on the last play of the game. Arizona is scoring 26.8 points/game and allowing 15.2 points/game away from home, winning by an average of 11.6 points/game on the road this season. The road team is a PERFECT 8-0 ATS in the last 8 meetings. Arizona is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games overall. Given this evidence, the Cardinals will have no problem going into San Francisco Monday and coming out with a dominant road win. Take the Cardinals and lay the points.
4* on Warriors/76ers OVER 211
This is a reasonably low total for a Warriors' game. Given that the Warriors score 107.2 points/game and allow 111.4 points/game this season, you can see why we are siding with the OVER here tonight. The 76ers aren't good defensively either, giving up 101.3 points/game and allowing opposing teams to shoot 48% from the floor on the year. With Allen Iverson back in a 76ers' uniform, this team gains some offense but loses some defense as Iverson doesn't put much effort on that end of the floor. The Warriors are 11-1 OVER (+9.9 Units) after 3 straight games committing 4+ less turnovers than opponents over the last 3 seasons. The 76ers are 55-35 OVER (+16.5 Units) after 4 or more consecutive losses since 1996. Take the OVER 211 points.
4* on New Orleans Hornets +9
The New Orleans Hornets have had the Dallas Mavericks' number in recent year. The Hornets are 6-1 in their L7 and 8-2 in their L10 meetings with the Mavericks overall. Now they are catching nearly double-digit points here Monday, and we'll take full advantage of this great price. Chris Paul gives the Mavericks fits, and now theat he is back and healthy this team is finally starting to play up to their capability by winning 3 of their last 4 games overall. Dallas has won 3 straight, but in 2 home games they beat the Suns by 1 and the Bobcats by 1 in overtime. And Dallas is just 4-14 ATS (-11.4 Units) after 3 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons. Take the Hornets and the points.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
SF 49ers
Tony George
Warriors/76ers Under
Marc Lawrence
SF 49ers
Mike Lineback
7 Point Teaser SF 49ers + Under