The Duke's Sports
Arizona Over (66') for 2 Units
Both of these teams have heady offensive coordinators that should dissect its opposing defense. Oklahoma State's OC Dana Holgorsen, who parlayed his expertise into a future head coaching job at WV, should direct his explosive offense against a thin Arizona defense that wore down against similar spread hurry up offenses in Oregon and Stanford. The Cowboys' QB Weeden has a super supporting cast, including WR Blackmon and RB Hunter should frequent the end zone routinely. On the other hand, the young Cowboys' defense has shown its weaknesses throughout the year and Arizona's OC Sonny Dykes will surely use his talented and experienced offense to exploit them. The Wildcats' QB Foles (knee) had a super year and his accuracy will give the suspect Cowboys secondary trouble. Oklahoma State is 4-0 O/U against non-conference foes and 5-2 O/U against teams above .500. "Over" the call.
Kyle Hunter
Warriors/Hawks Over 203
Cavaliers/Bobcats Over 197.5
Celtics/Pistons Under 186
Don Wallace Sports
3* Baylor +1.5
3* Arizona +4.5
3* Oklahoma City -9
3* Houston +5
Sports Unlimited
Arizona
Dr Bob
2* San Jose State (+2) over FRESNO STATE
San Jose State has one of the best unknown players in the nation in Adrian Oliver, a transfer from Washington that averages 25.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 2.9 assists per game for the Spartans. San Jose State also plays hard on the defensive side of the floor (41.8% FG allowed) and Fresno is not a good enough shooting team to match up well against teams that give effort on defense. The Bulldogs have made just 26.9% of their 3-point shots and only 41% of their field goals and they can’t even shoot with nobody guarding them (just 58.5% from the free throw line). It will be tough for Fresno State to get easy buckets against a San Jose State team that doesn’t turn the ball over (just 11 turnovers per game). San Jose State is 8-3 straight up and riding a 3 game winning streak and the Spartans apply to a 34-4-1 ATS subset of a 90-37-5 ATS road momentum situation. The line is fair and I’ll take San Jose State in a 2-Star Best Bet at +2 points or more and for 3-Stars at +3 points.
College Opinion
UT Martin (+28½) over TENNESSEE
Tennessee Martin is a horrible team that just lost by 60 points at Ohio State on Monday night. However, that loss sets up the Skyhawks in a very good 174-72-5 ATS big road underdog situation. UTM also applies to a 62-16-3 ATS bounce-back situation so the technical analysis is strongly on their side. Despite the strong situation I’m just going to lean with UT Martin tonight since I think the line should be even higher than it is. I’d take UT Martin in a 2-Star Best Bet at +30 points or more.
RAS
Miss St Over 137
Helmut
UCLA Over 140.5
Cal Sports
4* Washington State
3* Missouri St
3* LA Clippers
Evan Altemus
Wichita St -12.5
Wichita State is coming off of a close win against Tulsa, but they let the Golden Hurricane shoot 50% from the three point line which kept them in the game. The Shockers are one of the best mid-majors in the country, and they have already shown that with the way they played against Connecticut in Maui. Evansville has not played well on the road, despite their win at Butler when the Bulldogs weren't playing well. The Purple Aces have been blown out by North Carolina, Middle Tennessee State, and Indiana, including a road loss at Air Force. Wichita State has a significant edge in size, as well as defense and rebounding. This game is the conference opener for the Shockers and they are coming off of a somewhat bad defensive performance, so I expect them to hammer a much weaker conference team at home.
Lenny Del Genio
Phoenix -5
The Suns enter this matchup on a three-game losing streak, including a 108-103 loss to the Clippers on Sunday. The other two were more than excusable as they came against San Antonio and Miami. We'll call the Clippers loss a Christmas hangover. Philly, meanwhile, is going to become a 'play-against' team for us as they are likely to come back down after going 20-10-1 ATS in their first 31 games. The team is just 12-19 SU in HC Doug Collins' first year on the bench and is currently deep into an eight-game road swing as this will be game #6 on the trip. We already played against them once when they were absolutely embarrassed by Chicago last Tuesday, losing by 45. Here they are off a 15-point loss to Golden State on Monday. The problem Philadelphia has is that they are a staggering 0-14 SU when allowing 99 or more points this season. As you can guess, Phoenix again ranks #1 in the league in scoring averaging 107.4 PPG. They swept the Sixers LY, averaging 112.5 PPG on 52% shooting, and have won 20 of the last 23 meetings here at home. Take Phoenix.
JB Sports
3* Charlotte
3* Lakers
3* Memphis
2* Heat
2* Okla St
MTi Sports
4-Star Utah -2.5 over LA CLIPPERS -- The Jazz are off a home loss to the Blazers in which Deron Williams committed five turnovers but led the team in scoring with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting. We like Utah to bounce right back here. The Jazz are 8-0 ATS as a single-digit favorite when they are off a loss that broke at least a three-game winning streak, winning by an average of 16.8 ppg and covering by an average of 10.2 ppg. In addition, Utah is 7-0 ATS (+13.0 ppg) with at most one day of rest after a LOSS in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. The Jazz are 2-0 against the Clippers this season and are going for the season-sweep here. On 11/28/10, their most recent meeting, Utah won 107-95 as a 6'-point road favorite. The Clips are not stoked in this revenge situation, as they are 0-10 ATS (-10.2 ppg) as a dog when seeking same-season revenge for a home loss by at least a dozen points. Also, the Clippers are 0-5 ATS (-16.4 ppg) when seeking same-season revenge for a loss in which they allowed at least 55% shooting from the field, losing every game straight up by more than 15 points. The player-based trends reveal that the Jazz are 17-0 ATS (+10.3 ppg) after a loss in which Mehmet Okur played fewer than 30 minutes and the Clippers are 0-5 ATS (-10.6 ppg) when Eric Gordon played more than 40 minutes the last two. Lay this small number. MTi's FORECAST: Utah 108 LA CLIPPERS 94
4-Star OKLAHOMA CITY -9.5 over New Jersey - The Thunder led the Mavericks 81-79 going into the fourth quarter on Monday, but they could only manage 12 points in the fourth quarter and lost 103-93. The Thunder's fourth quarter was a disaster for us as well as we have the Thunder and OVER 203 in that game. We like the Thunder to erase that memory from their minds with a blowout win here. Oklahoma City is 6-0 ATS (+8.8 ppg) with at most one day of rest off a home loss in which they led at the end of the third quarter and 5-0 ATS (+9.6 ppg) after a loss against the Mavericks. The Thunder get just the opponent they need in this situation. The Nets are off a 104-88 loss to the Magic in which they had only TWELVE assists and committed 14 turnovers while shooting 39.7% from the field. Bad teams have a lot of trouble responding favorably in this situation, especially on the road vs a good team that is off a loss. New Jersey is no exception. The Nets are 0-13 ATS (-9.9 ppg) after a game in which they had more turnovers than assists and 0-9 ATS (-7.6 ppg) on the road with at most one day of rest after a game in which they shot less than 40% from the field. In addition, New Jersey is 0-8 ATS (-6.8 ppg) on the road after a game at home in which they scored more than 25% of their points from the free throw line. The Thunder are going for the season sweep here, as they beat the Nets 123-120 in TRIPLE overtime in their first meeting this season. Kevin Durant was out for that one a with a sprained knee. At home off a bad game and facing a reeling Nets team, we expect a crowd-pleaser from the Thunder. MTi's FORECAST: OKLAHOMA CITY 113 New Jersey 92
4-Star Golden St at Atlanta UNDER 203 - The Warriors are off a 110-95 win over the 76ers in which they made 15-of-23 from the arc. Wow. This however, is no reason to play the OVER. Golden St is 0-12 OU (-15.2 ppg) on the road after a win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. Also, Golden St is 0-5 OU (-10.2 ppg) on the road with at least one day of rest after a game in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two, 0-4 OU (-16.0 ppg) on the road after a game in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted and 0-4 OU with at most one day of rest after a win in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line, staying under by a whopping 34.2 ppg on the average. The player-based trends reveal that Golden St is 0-9 OU (-13.9 ppg) on the road with at least a day of rest after a win in which Stephen Curry was not the Warriors' high scorer and 0-8 OU (-18.4 ppg) on the road when Monta Ellis scored 15 points fewer in their last game than in the game before. The Hawks are off a 95-80 win over Milwaukee in which they held the Bucks to 37.3% shooting. This usually means more defense. Atlanta is 0-7 OU (-11.6 ppg) since December 11, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a double-digit win in which they allowed less than 40% from the field and 0-6 OU (-16.9 ppg) since March 24, 2010 at home after playing the Bucks. Atlanta's player-based trends tell us that they are; 0-9 OU (-15.7 ppg) at home with at least a day of rest after a win in which Al Horford played more than 40 minutes, 0-7 OU (-14.4 ppg) at home with at least a day of rest after a win on the road in which Marvin Williams played fewer than 30 minutes and 0-5 OU (-15.0 ppg) at home after two away games in which Mike Bibby scored fewer than 10 points in each. Take these two UNDER. MTi's FORECAST: ATLANTA 98 Golden St 95
4-Star Cleveland at Charlotte OVER 200 - The Cavs allowed the Magic to shoot 50.6% from the field yesterday and lost 110-95. Cleveland committed 19 turnovers and got off only 72 shots. All this points to the over here. Cleveland is 10-0 OU (+13.0 ppg) on the road with no rest after a game in which they allowed at least 50% from the field and 6-0 OU (+11.6 ppg) after a game in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was less than four. Paul Silas stepped in at the right time. His first three games as the head coach of the Bobcats are at home vs the Pistons, Cavs and Warriors. He won 105-100 over Detroit using an up-tempo style and he should employ the same strategy here. The Bobcats have a 1&0 rest advantage and they should take full advantage of it. Charlotte is 10-0 OU (+11.9 ppg) at home off a home win that broke at least a four-game losing streak. Also, the Bobcats are 4-0 OU (+14.0 ppg) at home with at least one day of rest after a win in which they shot at least 50% from the field. Charlotte should be playing with confidence and energy. They should play a crowd-pleasing, full court game and the Cavs should play along, capitalizing on the chance to break 100 points (in regulation) or the first time in over a month. Take the OVER. MTi's FORECAST: CHARLOTTE 109 Cleveland 105
4-Star LA Lakers at New Orleans UNDER 190 - The Lakers have had tremendous difficulty putting the ball in the hole in their last three, scoring 79, 80 and 82 points respectively. All three games went under by double-digits and we see no reason why this one shouldn't as well. The Lakers are 0-4 OU as a favorite after a loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field, staying under by an average of 22.1 ppg. It is also worth mentioning that LA is 0-4 OU (-17.2 ppg) after playing the Spurs. The player-based trends reveal that the Lakers are 0-14 OU when they are off a road loss in which Derek Fisher shot 25% from the field or worse and had at least one assist. The Hornets are off a 113-98 loss to the Timberwolves in which they led by a dozen points in the first quarter. New Orleans is 0-5 OU (-15.4 ppg) as a dog off a loss in which they led by 10+ points. The Hornets played well on offense, with 23 assists and only ten turnovers. It was their defense that was at fault. New Orleans is 0-5 OU (-19.0 ppg) after a game in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two, with all five games coming from THIS season and 0-4 OU (-15.2 ppg) with at least one day of rest after a loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. Both these teams should feel that the team that plays better defense is going to come out on top. Take the UNDER. MTi's FORECAST: NEW ORLEANS 90 LA Lakers 87
3-Star Memphis at Sacramento OVER 195.5 - The Kings are off a 100-99 loss to the Clippers. However, there are a lost of positives for Sacramento. They made 13-of-26 three-pointers and they only committed nine turnovers. Tyreke Evans, who has been struggling on the court recently due to family issues, broke out with a 32-point performance. The Kings should build off this fine offensive performance. Sacramento is 9-0 OU (+13.5 ppg) at home with at most one day of rest after a loss in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight and 7-0 OU as a home dog with at most one day of rest after a home game in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them, going over by an average of 22.6 ppg. Memphis is off a 96-85 win over the Raptors in which they made only three 3-pointers. The Grizzlies are 6-0 OU (+11.7 ppg) as a favorite with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line. Finally, the Grizzlies are 6-0 OU on the road after beating the Raptors, screaming past the posted number by an average of 35.3 ppg. MTi's FORECAST: SACRAMENTO 108 Memphis 102
4-Star Utah -2.5 over LA CLIPPERS -- The Jazz are off a home loss to the Blazers in which Deron Williams committed five turnovers but led the team in scoring with 31 points on 11-of-16 shooting. We like Utah to bounce right back here. The Jazz are 8-0 ATS as a single-digit favorite when they are off a loss that broke at least a three-game winning streak, winning by an average of 16.8 ppg and covering by an average of 10.2 ppg. In addition, Utah is 7-0 ATS (+13.0 ppg) with at most one day of rest after a LOSS in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. The Jazz are 2-0 against the Clippers this season and are going for the season-sweep here. On 11/28/10, their most recent meeting, Utah won 107-95 as a 6'-point road favorite. The Clips are not stoked in this revenge situation, as they are 0-10 ATS (-10.2 ppg) as a dog when seeking same-season revenge for a home loss by at least a dozen points. Also, the Clippers are 0-5 ATS (-16.4 ppg) when seeking same-season revenge for a loss in which they allowed at least 55% shooting from the field, losing every game straight up by more than 15 points. The player-based trends reveal that the Jazz are 17-0 ATS (+10.3 ppg) after a loss in which Mehmet Okur played fewer than 30 minutes and the Clippers are 0-5 ATS (-10.6 ppg) when Eric Gordon played more than 40 minutes the last two. Lay this small number. MTi's FORECAST: Utah 108 LA CLIPPERS 94
4-Star OKLAHOMA CITY -9.5 over New Jersey - The Thunder led the Mavericks 81-79 going into the fourth quarter on Monday, but they could only manage 12 points in the fourth quarter and lost 103-93. The Thunder's fourth quarter was a disaster for us as well as we have the Thunder and OVER 203 in that game. We like the Thunder to erase that memory from their minds with a blowout win here. Oklahoma City is 6-0 ATS (+8.8 ppg) with at most one day of rest off a home loss in which they led at the end of the third quarter and 5-0 ATS (+9.6 ppg) after a loss against the Mavericks. The Thunder get just the opponent they need in this situation. The Nets are off a 104-88 loss to the Magic in which they had only TWELVE assists and committed 14 turnovers while shooting 39.7% from the field. Bad teams have a lot of trouble responding favorably in this situation, especially on the road vs a good team that is off a loss. New Jersey is no exception. The Nets are 0-13 ATS (-9.9 ppg) after a game in which they had more turnovers than assists and 0-9 ATS (-7.6 ppg) on the road with at most one day of rest after a game in which they shot less than 40% from the field. In addition, New Jersey is 0-8 ATS (-6.8 ppg) on the road after a game at home in which they scored more than 25% of their points from the free throw line. The Thunder are going for the season sweep here, as they beat the Nets 123-120 in TRIPLE overtime in their first meeting this season. Kevin Durant was out for that one a with a sprained knee. At home off a bad game and facing a reeling Nets team, we expect a crowd-pleaser from the Thunder. MTi's FORECAST: OKLAHOMA CITY 113 New Jersey 92
4-Star Golden St at Atlanta UNDER 203 - The Warriors are off a 110-95 win over the 76ers in which they made 15-of-23 from the arc. Wow. This however, is no reason to play the OVER. Golden St is 0-12 OU (-15.2 ppg) on the road after a win in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them. Also, Golden St is 0-5 OU (-10.2 ppg) on the road with at least one day of rest after a game in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two, 0-4 OU (-16.0 ppg) on the road after a game in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted and 0-4 OU with at most one day of rest after a win in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line, staying under by a whopping 34.2 ppg on the average. The player-based trends reveal that Golden St is 0-9 OU (-13.9 ppg) on the road with at least a day of rest after a win in which Stephen Curry was not the Warriors' high scorer and 0-8 OU (-18.4 ppg) on the road when Monta Ellis scored 15 points fewer in their last game than in the game before. The Hawks are off a 95-80 win over Milwaukee in which they held the Bucks to 37.3% shooting. This usually means more defense. Atlanta is 0-7 OU (-11.6 ppg) since December 11, 2009 with at least one day of rest after a double-digit win in which they allowed less than 40% from the field and 0-6 OU (-16.9 ppg) since March 24, 2010 at home after playing the Bucks. Atlanta's player-based trends tell us that they are; 0-9 OU (-15.7 ppg) at home with at least a day of rest after a win in which Al Horford played more than 40 minutes, 0-7 OU (-14.4 ppg) at home with at least a day of rest after a win on the road in which Marvin Williams played fewer than 30 minutes and 0-5 OU (-15.0 ppg) at home after two away games in which Mike Bibby scored fewer than 10 points in each. Take these two UNDER. MTi's FORECAST: ATLANTA 98 Golden St 95
4-Star Cleveland at Charlotte OVER 200 - The Cavs allowed the Magic to shoot 50.6% from the field yesterday and lost 110-95. Cleveland committed 19 turnovers and got off only 72 shots. All this points to the over here. Cleveland is 10-0 OU (+13.0 ppg) on the road with no rest after a game in which they allowed at least 50% from the field and 6-0 OU (+11.6 ppg) after a game in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was less than four. Paul Silas stepped in at the right time. His first three games as the head coach of the Bobcats are at home vs the Pistons, Cavs and Warriors. He won 105-100 over Detroit using an up-tempo style and he should employ the same strategy here. The Bobcats have a 1&0 rest advantage and they should take full advantage of it. Charlotte is 10-0 OU (+11.9 ppg) at home off a home win that broke at least a four-game losing streak. Also, the Bobcats are 4-0 OU (+14.0 ppg) at home with at least one day of rest after a win in which they shot at least 50% from the field. Charlotte should be playing with confidence and energy. They should play a crowd-pleasing, full court game and the Cavs should play along, capitalizing on the chance to break 100 points (in regulation) or the first time in over a month. Take the OVER. MTi's FORECAST: CHARLOTTE 109 Cleveland 105
4-Star LA Lakers at New Orleans UNDER 190 - The Lakers have had tremendous difficulty putting the ball in the hole in their last three, scoring 79, 80 and 82 points respectively. All three games went under by double-digits and we see no reason why this one shouldn't as well. The Lakers are 0-4 OU as a favorite after a loss in which they shot less than 40% from the field, staying under by an average of 22.1 ppg. It is also worth mentioning that LA is 0-4 OU (-17.2 ppg) after playing the Spurs. The player-based trends reveal that the Lakers are 0-14 OU when they are off a road loss in which Derek Fisher shot 25% from the field or worse and had at least one assist. The Hornets are off a 113-98 loss to the Timberwolves in which they led by a dozen points in the first quarter. New Orleans is 0-5 OU (-15.4 ppg) as a dog off a loss in which they led by 10+ points. The Hornets played well on offense, with 23 assists and only ten turnovers. It was their defense that was at fault. New Orleans is 0-5 OU (-19.0 ppg) after a game in which they had an assist to turnover ratio of at least two, with all five games coming from THIS season and 0-4 OU (-15.2 ppg) with at least one day of rest after a loss in which they allowed at least 50% from the field. Both these teams should feel that the team that plays better defense is going to come out on top. Take the UNDER. MTi's FORECAST: NEW ORLEANS 90 LA Lakers 87
3-Star Memphis at Sacramento OVER 195.5 - The Kings are off a 100-99 loss to the Clippers. However, there are a lost of positives for Sacramento. They made 13-of-26 three-pointers and they only committed nine turnovers. Tyreke Evans, who has been struggling on the court recently due to family issues, broke out with a 32-point performance. The Kings should build off this fine offensive performance. Sacramento is 9-0 OU (+13.5 ppg) at home with at most one day of rest after a loss in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight and 7-0 OU as a home dog with at most one day of rest after a home game in which they shot at least ten three-pointers and made at least half of them, going over by an average of 22.6 ppg. Memphis is off a 96-85 win over the Raptors in which they made only three 3-pointers. The Grizzlies are 6-0 OU (+11.7 ppg) as a favorite with at most one day of rest after a game at home in which they scored less than 10% of their points from the three-point line. Finally, the Grizzlies are 6-0 OU on the road after beating the Raptors, screaming past the posted number by an average of 35.3 ppg. MTi's FORECAST: SACRAMENTO 108 Memphis 102