BLACK WIDOW
6* Widow Wiseguy Steelers/Brown s AFC North GAME OF THE MONTH on Cleveland +10.5
The Cleveland Browns have been playing better than their 1-11 record. The Browns have a chance to spoil the Steelers' season tonight, and that would make their year to ruin the playoff hopes of a bitter division rival. Cleveland has covered 3 straight, and they are 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games overall. In their last 3 games, they lost by 1 to Detroit, by 9 at Cincinnati, and by 7 at home against San Diego. So in their last two games, they have played two of the best teams in the AFC and have given them all they could handle. The weather conditions tonight, which calls for snow and swirling wind of over 25 MPH, will level the playing field. In perfect conditions, Pittsburgh would have a big advantage with their passing game. But tonight, they won't be able to rely on Big Ben and their passing game. This is going to be a ground game, and with SS Troy Polamalu still out for Pittsburgh, they are missing their best run stuffer. Brady Quinn is giving his team a chance to win every week, not making critical mistakes. The Browns have only 1 turnover in their last 3 games offensively, so they are taking care of the football. That will be key tonight in an upset bid. The Steelers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing record. The Steelers are 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games as a road favorite. The Browns are 8-0 ATS in their last 8 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. The Browns are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games as an underdog of 3.5-10.0. Pittsburgh is getting way too much respect from the odds makers here, as they are still treating the Steelers like they are Super Bowl-caliber team when they really aren't any more. They have too many key injuries, and they aren't getting the job done late in games this year. Take the Browns and the points.
5* Wiseguy CBB on ESPN Game of the Night on Depaul +12
Mississippi State is overrated in the early going this season. Both the Bulldogs and Depaul enter this game with identical 5-2 records, with Mississippi State having lost to Rider and Richmond already this year, two teams they were heavily favored against. Depaul's losses have come against Tennessee by 4 as a 19.5-point underdog and to Vanderbilt by 13 as a 15.5-point underdog. Those teams are two of the best in the country. So now Depaul has been battle-tested, and they'll give Mississippi State all they can handle tonight with a great shot to pull off the upset. Depaul is 8-1 ATS (+6.9 Units) in r oa d g am es after scoring 65 points or less 2 straight games over the last 3 seasons. Take Depaul and the points.
ANTHONY REDD
15-Dime - Northeastern
Frank Patron
10000 Unit NFL Weeknight Lock
Pittsburgh / Cleveland Over 34
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Magic/Jazz UNDER 203.5
For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this matchup is on the "under":
Orlando split its first four road games but has won eight in a row after Dwight Howard’s 25 points, 11 rebounds and seven blocks led the way to a 97-86 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday.
Keep in mind the total has gone under the posted number in ten of Orlando's last 14 on the road overall.
On the other side of the court: No team has more wins at home than the Utah Jazz since the start of the 2006-07 season, and after a mediocre start in Salt Lake City, they’ve won the past five games on their home floor.
Utah is coming off a 101-77 loss to the Lakers last night, and they will have to play better defensively in front of the hometown crowd to knock off the Magic. In fact, its imperative that Utah plays well on the defensive side if it ever has a chance to win; Utah fell to 1-8 after last nights loss to LA, when it allows 100 points in a game.
Remember, the total has gone under the posted number in four of Utah's last six when playing Orlando overall, and in five of its last seven vs. the Magic at Energy Solutions Arena.
Bottom line: Look for both teams to create offense through their defense; when taking all of the above into account, the sharp money in this one is on the UNDER!
Tony George
Steelers/Browns OVER 33
Cleveland has lost by an average 5.7 points over its last three games and scored a total of 67 points during that stretch. Pittsburgh is in a MUST WIN scenario playing the NFL’s worst defense and run defense as well. The Browns have been scoring more, Pitts defense is in a funk, looks like this exceeds the total. Yes it is 20 degrees with some possible rain. I see that as opportunity for turnovers and easy scores. This line is anywhere from 32.5 to 36 in some places…shop your line.
Play 1 Unit on the OVER.
Ron Raymond
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS -150
Keys to selection: When PITTSBURGH played as any home/road team - During Last 2 Years - With 3 Under or Less - Lost Last Game by 1 Goals or More - With SU Record of 3 Win 2 Lost in L5G; the Penguins are 9-3 SU in this cycle.
*Note: The Habs are banged up and they will most likely have some guys playing at around 80% this evening vs. the Pens. In fact, at one point vs. Ottawa this week, they had 4 guys in the dressing room where trainers were looking after their injuries.
Take the Penguins.
Mike Lineback
ORLANDO MAGIC -2.5
Opposite Action Plays
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -10
Evan Altemus
ORLANDO MAGIC -3
Orlando is red hot right now, winning nine of their last ten games. The Magic have also been an outstanding road team this season, going 8-4 against the spread and 10-2 straight up away from Orlando. Utah has played well at home this year, but they are in a very tough spot entering this game. The Jazz have to play this game after a huge game at the LA Lakers on Wednesday night. To make matters worse, they are banged up as a team right now, which will make it harder for them to come back and play another big game on Thursday night. Orlando also won both games against Utah last season. The Magic have won their last seven games on the road, including a road win at Boston. Sharp bettors also bet this line up from -2.5 to -3 almost immediately after it was released. Look for the Magic to get a road win and point spread cover.
4 UNIT SELECTION MAGIC.
Bob Balfe
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -10
The Steelers are losers of 4 straight and it has not been to superior competition. Who can really say what is wrong with Pittsburgh? They have just had meltdowns in the 4th quarters of their last few games. The bottom line for this game is simple. The weather is going to be out of control with temperatures feeling like -1 degrees and winds up to 35 mph. The Browns cant pass on a normal sunny day so its safe to say they will struggle tonight. When Cleveland runs the ball they will be using their backup Harrison and will be going against a very good Steelers run defense. So if you cant throw and cant run then its safe to say you probably are not going to put up a lot of points. If the Browns do get down the field would a field goal be even possible in this weather. When Pittsburgh is on offense they are going to run the ball a lot against the left side of the Browns Defense. Left end Coleman is out and so is his backup. Cleveland is also banged up on that side at linebacker and corner with key guys playing hurt. Its tough to take a team laying 10 points in these conditions, but a Steelers loss would knock them out of the playoff race and really could be the spiraling downfall for this great franchise. Look for Pittsburgh to get focused tonight and jump to a big lead early. You never know what can happen in the wind or snow, but usually bad teams beat themselves more often in these types of conditions. The Browns now are playing for the #1 pick next year. Take the Steelers.
Rocketman
PITTSBURGH STEELERS -10
Pittsburgh lost to the lowly Oakland Raiders this past week. Wouldn't you be a little ticked off. I think they take it out on the 1-11 Cleveland Browns here tonight. Pittsburgh is 80-51 ATS since 1992 as a favorite of 3 1/2 to 10 points. Cleveland is scoring only 12.1 points per game overall and 13.2 points per game at home this year. Cleveland is allowing 25.7 points per game overall and 26.8 points per game at home this year. Steelers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games in Week 14. Steelers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games. Browns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games in Week 14. Browns are 4-13-1 ATS in their last 18 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Browns are 4-13-1 ATS in their last 18 games on grass. Browns are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 home games. Browns are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games in December. Steelers are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Cleveland. Steelers are 8-3-1 ATS in their last 12 meetings. Favorite is 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 meetings. We'll play Pittsburgh for 4 units tonight!
Lenny Del Genio
SYRACUSE -2
This is a matchup of unbeatens and one of the marquee battles of the entire Big East/SEC challenge. You can excuse the Orange for playing back to back throwaway games as they began the season by roaring through the Preseason NIT, including blowout wins over ranked foes Cal and North Carolina, games where the line was around a Pick Em and Syracuse beat the spread by a combined 47 points. In fact, looking back further, neutral site games have been very kind to Jim Boeheim as his team is an astounding 49-29 vs. the number when homecourt advantage does not come into play. This includes an outright 89-83 victory last November over the team they face tonight. The Orange's margin of victory thus far is approaching 30 PPG. They lead the nation in effective field goal percentage at 62.3%, which is better than any team has ever done over the course of a full season. It is probably destined to come down a little, but not in this game as Syracuse is currently playing at a pace of 10 possession per game higher than are the Gators. Syracuse is our **ESPN** Winner.
THE BOOOJ
100 Units Cleveland +10
25 Units Over
Teddy Covers
Pitt/Cleveland Over
KB
5* Loyola Marymount ML +100 **POD**
Pitbull
20 units Mississippi State Under 123