SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
(20) West Virginia (6-1, 2-4 ATS) at South Florida (5-2, 2-3 ATS)
South Florida tries to snap a two-game losing streak when it welcomes the surging Mountaineers to Tampa for a Big East showdown.
West Virginia brings a four-game winning streak into Raymond James Stadium, including a 2-0 mark (1-1 ATS) in Big East action. The Mountaineers rallied to edge UConn 28-24 on Saturday, coming up short as eight-point home favorites. Junior RB Noel Devine, who is averaging 148 rushing yards per game during the four-game winning streak, ran for 178 yards against UConn, including the game-winning 56-yard scamper with 2:10 to play. Devine ranks seventh in the nation in rushing (912 yards) and he’s averaging 6.7 yards per rush with 11 TD runs.
The Bulls have had a tough two-week stretch in conference action, facing unbeaten Cincinnati two weeks ago in Florida and losing 34-17 as one-point underdogs, followed by Saturday’s 41-14 loss at one-loss Pitt as a 6½-point underdog. South Florida’s defense has allowed 403 rushing yards the last two weeks, and now must contend with Devine.
Last time the Mountaineers were in Tampa, they dropped a 21-13 decision as seven-point favorites in 2007 as the No. 5 team in the country. They did exact some revenge last year, winning 13-7 but failing to cash as a seven-point chalk as South Florida had a 326-280 edge in total offense. The teams have split their four meetings since 2005, with the Bulls going 3-1 ATS (all as an underdog).
West Virginia averages 31.3 points and 421 total yards per game (191.7 rushing ypg), and it has scored between 24 and 35 points in every game this year. South Florida is putting up 31 points and 379.4 ypg (177.7 rushing ypg), but in their three ACC contests, the Bulls have scored 17, 17 and 14 points while averaging 318.7 ypg.
The Mountaineers are on ATS slides of 6-12 overall (1-4 last five), 1-7 against teams with a winning record, 2-6 as a favorite, 3-7 in Big East action and 2-5 in October. Meanwhile, South Florida is 13-6 ATS in its last 19 at home, but just 1-4 ATS in its last five in October and 3-11 ATS in its last 14 against teams with a winning record.
West Virginia has stayed below the total in four of its last five Friday games, but it is also on “over” streaks of 5-2 overall, 7-3 after a SU win and 4-1 against opponents with a winning record. The Bulls have stayed below the total in 10 of 14 as an underdog and six of eight against winning teams, but the “over” is 9-3 in their last 12 at home and 5-2 in their last seven after a non-cover. Finally, the “under” has been the play in each of the four series clashes between these schools.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NBA
Chicago (1-0 SU and ATS) at Boston (2-0 SU and ATS)
The Celtics look for their third straight win in four nights to open the season when the Bulls come into Banknorth Garden in Boston.
Chicago kicked off the season on Thursday with a 92-85 upset home win over San Antonio, cashing as a three-point underdog. Six Bulls scored in double-digits, led by Luol Deng’s 17 points, and Deng also added nine rebounds.
The Celtics opened their season with Tuesday’s 95-89 win in Cleveland as a five-point underdog, then followed it up Wednesday with a 92-59 rout of Charlotte, easily covering as a 10-point favorite. Ray Allen paced Boston on Wednesday with 18 points while point guard Rajon Rondo had a double-double with 10 points and 11 assists.
These teams played a thrilling seven-game opening-round playoff series in April (3-3-1 ATS) with four of the games going into overtime before the Celtics prevailed 109-99 in Game 7 in Boston, cashing as 5½-point favorites. The teams split the money in the series (3-3-1 ATS), but the road team went 5-1-1 ATS. Also, the underdog is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight clashes.
The Bulls are just 1-3-1 ATS in their last four against the Atlantic Division, but they are on positive ATS runs of 5-1 on the road, 5-1 when playing the second night of a back-to-back and 4-1 on Friday. Boston is on ATS runs of 4-1-1 against Central Division teams and 4-1 on Friday.
Chicago is on “over” streaks of 4-0 on the road, 4-1 overall, 4-1 as an underdog and 4-0 against the Atlantic Division. The Celtics are on “over” runs of 25-10-1 at home, 5-0 against Central Division teams and 4-0 on Fridays, but they have stayed under the total in five of six overall and four of five as a favorite. Finally, the last four playoff games between these squads last spring topped the total, and the over is 5-0 in the last five meetings in Beantown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
Orlando (1-0 SU and ATS) at New Jersey (0-1 SU and ATS)
The Nets open the home portion of their season by welcoming the defending Eastern Conference champion Magic into the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, N.J.
Orlando opened its season with 120-106 home win over the Sixers on Wednesday, cashing as a 10-point chalk. Former All-Star Vince Carter had 15 points in his debut with the Magic, but it was Dwight Howard who led the way with 21 points and 15 rebounds. Orlando had a 70-47 halftime lead.
New Jersey went to Minnesota on Wednesday and dropped its season opener 95-93 as a two-point favorite, losing in buzzer-beating fashion. Brook Lopez paced the Nets with 27 points and 15 rebounds while Yi Jianlian (17 points, 12 rebounds) and rookie Terrence Williams (15 points, 10 rebounds) both chipped in with double-doubles.
The Magic took two of three over the Nets last season (1-2 ATS), but lost in New Jersey 103-93 as a 6½-point favorite in April, long after Orlando had clinched its playoff seed. Prior to that setback, the Magic had won four straight (3-1 ATS) in this rivalry. The favorite has cashed in eight of the last 11 series clashes.
Orlando is on ATS runs of 8-1 against the Eastern Conference, 7-3 against the Atlantic Division and 5-2 on Friday. The Nets are on ATS streaks of 4-0 at home, 4-1 as an underdog, 6-2 as a home ‘dog and 18-7-1 against Eastern Conference opponents.
The Magic have stayed below the posted total in nine of 13 as a favorite, five of seven as a road favorite and four of five against the Atlantic Division. New Jersey has topped the total in 10 of the last 14 following a non-cover, but it has stayed below the total in eight of 11 as a ‘dog, 11 of 16 overall, seven of nine at home and four of five as a home ‘dog. In this rivalry, the under is 7-2 in the last nine meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Dallas (0-1 SU and ATS) at L.A. Lakers (1-0 SU, 0-1 ATS)
The Lakers will try to extend their winning streak over the Mavericks to seven when they host Dallas inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
It’s been almost two years since Dallas beat the Lakers, with the last time coming in January 2008. Los Angeles is 6-0 (2-4 ATS) in the six games since, winning all three matchups last year by seven points (1-2 ATS), including home wins of 114-107 and 107-100, failing to cover in either meeting. Despite struggling to beat L.A. on the scoreboard, the Mavericks are 5-0 ATS in their last five on the Lakers’ home court and 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine overall, and the road team is 7-0-1 ATS in the last eight clashes.
Dallas opened the season with Tuesday’s 102-91 home loss to the Wizards, falling as an eight-point favorite. The Mavs shot just 39.5 percent from the floor but did get a game-high 34 points from Dirk Nowitzki. Dating back to last year’s playoffs, Dallas is now 1-5 SU (0-6 ATS) in its last six contests.
The Lakers received their championship rings on Tuesday night then followed up the ceremony with a 99-92 win over the Clippers, coming up short as 11½-point favorites. Kobe Bryant led the way with 33 points while Andrew Bynum added 26 points and 13 rebounds. Dating back to last season’s run to the NBA championship, Los Angeles has now won seven of its last eight (6-2 ATS).
The Mavericks are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games after getting two days of rest and 7-1 in their last eight against Pacific Division teams, but they are on pointspread slides of 1-4 on the road, 0-4 after a non-cover and 0-5 against the Western Conference. The Lakers are on positive ATS streaks of 5-1 on Fridays, 6-1 after a non-cover and 9-3 when getting two days off.
Dallas is on several “over” runs, including 4-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 4-1 against the Pacific Division and 5-1 as an underdog. Conversely, the Lakers are on a plethora of “under” streaks, including 35-15-1 overall, 20-7 at home, 9-2 against the Western Conference, 20-5-1 after a non-cover and 5-0 when getting two days off.
Lastly, the over is 5-2 in the last seven series matchups in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
DUNKEL INDEX
West Virginia at South Florida
The Bulls look to take advantage of a West Virginia team that is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games as a favorite. South Florida is the pick (+3) according to Dunkel, which has the game even. Dunkel Pick: South Florida (+3)
Game 105-106: West Virginia at South Florida
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 95.230; South Florida 94.900
Dunkel Line: Even; 52
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 3; 49
Dunkel Pick: South Florida (+3); Over
NBA
Washington at Atlanta
The Wizards look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 meetings in Atlanta. Washington is the pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Hawks favored by only 5. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+7)
Game 701-702: Milwaukee at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 114.405; Philadelphia 118.951
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 4 1/2; 198 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia by 7 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Milwaukee (+7 1/2); Over
Game 703-704: New York at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: New York 116.930; Charlotte 113.112
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 4; 189 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 2 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: New York (+2 1/2); Under
Game 705-706: Washington at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 115.477; Atlanta 120.396
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 5; 199 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 7; 203
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+7); Under
Game 707-708: Chicago at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 116.654; Boston 126.596
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 10; 180
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 12; 187
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+12); Under
Game 709-710: Oklahoma City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 112.671; Detroit 118.631
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 6; 187
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 5 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-5 1/2); Under
Game 711-712: Miami at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 120.489; Indiana 122.664
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 2; 218
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 1; 210
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-1); Over
Game 713-714: Sacramento at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 105.614; New Orleans 115.009
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 9 1/2; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 11 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+11 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: Toronto at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 118.957; Memphis 117.501
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 4; 195
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (+4); Under
Game 717-718: Cleveland at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 125.676; Minnesota 114.574
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 11; 193 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 11 1/2; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+11 1/2); Over
Game 719-720: Orlando at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 126.969; New Jersey 117.747
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 9; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 9 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+9 1/2); Under
Game 721-722: LA Clippers at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 108.708; Utah 119.065
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 10 1/2; 198 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 9 1/2; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah (-9 1/2); Under
Game 723-724: Golden State at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 111.923; Phoenix 121.993
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 10; 233
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 8; 227
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-8); Over
Game 725-726: Dallas at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 123.401; LA Lakers 134.681
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 11 1/2; 202
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 8 1/2; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-8 1/2); Under
NHL
Montreal at Chicago
The Canadiens look to build on their 5-1 record in their last 6 meetings with Chicago. Montreal is the pick (+175) according to Dunkel, which has the Canadiens favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+175)
Game 51-52: NY Islanders at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 10.655; Washington 12.105
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-250); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-250); Over
Game 53-54: Pittsburgh at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.443; Columbus 11.445
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-125); Under
Game 55-56: Toronto at Buffalo
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.472; Buffalo 13.439
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 3; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Buffalo (-185); 6
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (-185); Under
Game 57-58: NY Rangers at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 10.958; Minnesota 11.477
Dunkel Line & Total: Minnesota by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 59-60: Montreal at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.854; Chicago 11.098
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-185); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+175); Over
Game 61-62: Florida at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 10.399; Dallas 11.842
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (-200); Over
Game 63-64: Vancouver at Anaheim
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.048; Anaheim 10.447
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-175); 6
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (+165); Over
Game 65-66: Colorado at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 13.590; San Jose 12.633
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-180); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+170); Under
CFL
Toronto at Edmonton
The Argonauts look to build on their 9-2 ATS record in their last 11 meetings in Edmonton. Toronto is the pick (+7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Edmonton favored by only 4. Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+7 1/2)
Game 251-252: Toronto at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 102.657; Edmonton 106.435
Dunkel Line: Edmonton by 4; 53
Vegas Line: Edmonton by 7 1/2; 49 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+7 1/2); Over
DC Riley
West Virginia @ South Florida
Friday night NCAAF has the West Virginia Mountaineers playing against home underdogs the South Florida Bulls is a game pretty big for the Bulls. South Florida doesnt make National news too often so a major Primetime TV game will have this team super charged after prior disappointing efforts.
West Virginia has a very balanced offence netting 420 yards per game. With rushing accounting for almost half of those yards we look for the Mountaineers to pound the ball early and control the clock. On average they are scoring a very respectable 32 points as a visiting squad however has come up short against the Bulls 2 out of 4 times as South Florida has been able to control the run assault holding West Virginia to around 152 yards per game. When the Mountaineers are slowed down they become less effective and there overall scoring suffers. South Florida on the overhand is average at best moving the ball only averaging 5.3 yards in there last game against very solid defenders. The Bulls will have some luck in the air as the Mountaineers secondary and pass rush does struggle at times but this game will be won on the ground. With a conservative approach and tempo from both teams look for this team to be a battle and grind. The head to head in there only 4 meetings have all been under the total and the Bulls are 6-2 LT8 under against teams with winning records and 10-4 LT14 games as an underdog.
South Florida can beat this team but will need to do so by controlling there run and frustrating the QB. We feel that the match-ups are even and the situational points to an all out dirty, physical grind.
PICK UNDER 47.5
Marc Lawrence
Milwaukee Bucks at Philadelphia 76ers
Prediction: Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks battle the 76ers Friday night in the City of Brotherly Love in the season opener for Milwaukee and the home opener for Philadelphia. The Bucks shine in road openers, going 11-6 SU and 14-3 ATS the last seventeen seasons. On the flip side, the Sixers are just 5-12-2 ATS in their first home game of the season. Milwaukee stays under the number here tonight if, in fact, they don't win this game straight-up. Grab the points with the Bucks.
Scott Spreitzer
Sacramento Kings at New Orleans Hornets
Prediction: New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans gets a quick chance at a bounce-back, after falling apart against the Spurs in losing their opener. New Orleans collapsed on the offensive end, missing no less than 16 consecutive shots at one point in the game. But the Hornets are in a strong "play-on" spot on Friday. They're on a healthy, 18-7 ATS run when they're off a loss of 10 points or more. And Byron Scott has coached his team to a 23-8 ATS mark as a favorite in a line range that includes tonight's number. Chris Paul has lit-up the Kings, scoring an average of 24-points and dishing out 13-assists per game in their last four meetings. Sacto is off to a rough start getting thumped by OKC in a 102-89 loss. New Coach Paul Westphal has his work cut-out for him this season. Taking on an embarrassed New Orleans' team won't help. Westphal is bringing in a new scheme to a team short on talent. In fact, their brightest hope is rookie shooting guard Tyreke Evans and veteran Kevin Martin. Martin scored 27-points in the Kings' opener, but received little help from Evans and anyone else, for that matter. The Kings were whipped on the glass and hit just 40.5% from the floor, including 3-16 from behind the arc. They were just as bad on the defensive end, allowing OKC to connect on 51% of their shots, including an 8-14 (57%) night from area code three. If they thought OKC was tough, wait 'til they get a load of the fired-up Hornets. I'm laying the points with New Orleans on Friday night.
JIM FEIST
MIAMI HEAT / INDIANA PACERS
TAKE: OVER
Indiana emphasized playing better defense in the offseason. Not much sunk in, as the Hawks shot 53 percent from the field and scored at least 29 points in 3 or 4 quarters in the opener, a 120-109 win over Indiana. Miami comes to town, a young team that prefers to run, off a 115-93 win. Dwyane Wade began defense of his NBA scoring title with 26 points, Jermaine O'Neal finished with 22 points and 12 rebounds. New starting power forward Michael Beasley scored 21 for Miami, which made 26 of 31 shots in a staggering 20-minute stretch. O'neal return to his old stomping ground here. Look for an offensive show, play the Heat/Pacers Over the total.
JR TIPS
MAVERICKS at LAKERS
Kobe Bryant along with an impressive supporting effort from Andrew Bynum helped the lakers win their 1st game at home this season after their championship ring ceremony while Dallas lost to the Wizards in their season opener. The Lakers may get Pau Gasol back as they look to extend their winning streak over the Mavericks to seven tonight at Staples Center. The Los Angeles overcame a 41.2 percent shooting effort to beat the Los Angeles Clippers 99-92 on Tuesday as they got 33 points from Bryant and 26 and 13 rebounds from Bynum. The Lakers made only made 4 of 17 Three-pointers and missed 12 of 37 free throws and still won the game fairly easy while Dallas shot 39.5 percent against Washington on Tuesday with Nowitzki scoring a game-high 34 points shooting 10 of 25 in a 102-91 loss. New Dallas teammate Shawn Marion scored 16 points in his Mavericks debut, but no one else had more than 13. Forward Josh Howard who averaged 18.0 points last season is expected to miss at least 10 days as he recovers from offseason ankle and wrist surgery. Bynum's strong effort against the Clippers helped make up for the absence of Gasol but the Lakers expect he will return tonight.The Laker forward averaged 21.5 points on 63.3 percent shooting in his last four contests against Dallas. Nowitzki will spend much of tonight's game shadowed by new Laker Ron Artest, who had 10 points on 3-of-10 shooting in his debut with Los Angeles but also committed four turnovers. Although the last 7 straight wins over Dallas by the Lakers were by 7 points or less, tonight will be different as Ron Artest, the defensive stopper, will demonstrate why the lakers traded for him in the offseason and slow the Mavericks only consistent offense in Dirk Nowitzki. The Mavericks defense was terrible in their first game and it will get worst tonight against this Laker team that will have another threat back tonight with Pau Gasol. The Lakers were out of sink in their first game because of the ring ceremony, but look for them to show off their new team and various offensive options on Friday night in the Staple Center against a bad Dallas Maverick defense who were dominated by the Wizards on their home court giving up 102 points.
TAKE LAKERS -8.5
EZWINNERS
Miami Heat @ Indiana Pacers
PLAY: OVER 220
The Indiana Pacers ranked 26th in defense last year allowing their opponents to score 106.2 points per game. They were even worse in the preseason this year yielding an average of 110 points per game and in their opening loss at Atlanta they allowed the Hawks to score 120 points. The Heat scored 115 points in their opener against another team that doesn't like to play defense, the New York Knicks. This will be run and gun, play on the OVER.
BIG AL
Chicago at Boston
Both of these teams have looked great thus far. Boston opened with an upset win at Cleveland, and that was Boston's first win in Ohio after 11 straight losses. And then the Celtics followed up that win with a blowout of Charlotte, 92-59. Can the Celts make it three straight covers? Probably not, as Chicago falls into a 26-6 ATS system off its upset win over the Spurs last night. Chicago was a 3-point home underdog, yet easily defeated San Antone 92-85, as they continually beat the Spurs for loose balls, and had 22 second-chance points off 15 offensive rebounds. And teams off an upset win in their season opener are terrific if they are also an underdog in Game 2. Since 1990, these teams are 26-6 ATS vs. a foe off a straight-up win.
PLAY CHICAGO
Dominic Fazzini
West Virginia -3 at SOUTH FLORIDA
Virginia Tech gave a disappointing effort Thursday, shooting down my complimentary selection, but I'm still on a 13-7 run and I'll bounce back with a victory for sure today.
West Virginia comes into tonight's game on a roll. With last week's win over an emotional Connecticut team, the Mountaineers have won four straight games, though they are only 1-3 ATS.
South Florida is struggling right now, losing its last two games straight up and ATS. Defenses are starting to get a good read on redshirt freshman quarterback BJ Daniels, who has completed just 47 percent of his passes with one touchdown and four inteceptions in the two defeats.
Things aren't going to get any easy for Daniels tonight against West Virginia, which is ninth in the nation against the run, allowing just 86.3 yards on the ground per game.
The Bulls also have a tough defense, but Mountaineers running back Noel Devine is third in the country in rushing at 130.3 yards per game. And QB Jarrett Brown is an effective passer, completing 67 percent of his throws for 1,362 yards and eight touchdowns, though he has thrown six interceptions.
South Florida is 3-11 ATS in its last 14 games vs. teams with winning records, and I think its struggles are going to continue tonight. Take West Virginia to cover the points and gain a relatively easy 28-20 win on the road.
4♦ WEST VIRGINIA
Stephen Nover
Milwaukee at PHILADELPHIA
If Michael Redd is rusty, which very well could happen given that he's coming off a lower back injury and coming off knee surgery for an ACL/MCL tear, the Bucks are in trouble. At 30, Redd is not going to retain his All-Star shooting touch until well into the season.
The Bucks have no scorers outside of Redd. They are going to take their lumps this season - and they know it. That's why they're starting rookie Brandon Jennings at point guard even though he's not ready. This is the Bucks' first game of the season.
Milwaukee, though, will attempt to play tough defense under Scott Skiles. The Bucks' defense improved in Skiles' first year last season.
The 76ers hold a big talent edge, but are going through a transition. New coach Eddie Jordan has changed the offense. He favors a Princeton offense, which is a slow offense with plenty of passing and back-door cuts. This style kills a lot of clock.
Lou Williams is an inexperienced point guard. He was fighting with Andre Iguodala for control of running the offense during the 76ers' season-opening loss to Orlando. Elton Brand was having problems, too, getting incorporated into the offense.
Iguodala and Brand shot a combined five-for-18 against the Magic. The 76ers haven't figured out how to get the best of Brand since signing him to an $80 million dollar contract.
Both teams have shot-blockers in the middle who are limited offensively with Andrew Bogut and Samuel Dalembert. The 76ers are 23-10-2 (69 percent) to the under the past 35 times they've been a home favorite.
2♦ BUCKS-SIXERS UNDER
Bobby Maxwell
Chicago +11' at BOSTON
I've now hit four straight FREE plays after handing out the Nuggets on Thursday as Denver went to Portland and got the outright upset as underdogs. Tonight I'm grabbing the points on the hardwood once again, only this time I'm playing the Bulls plus the points at Boston.
These teams played maybe the best playoff series in the last 20 years when they squared off in the Eastern Conference quarterfinals last year, with four games going into overtime. Now they renew that rivalry tonight and I’m going to grab the points with the Bulls as I see this one having a little more meaning to Chicago than Boston.
The Bulls knocked off San Antonio on Thursday night and the fact it’s a back-to-back won’t have any effect on their young legs. They’ve got a deep bench and young legs and they don’t rely on one player. The Bulls had six players reach double-digits on Thursday and got 17 points and nine rebounds from Luol Deng.
Derrick Rose didn’t even have a good game and the Bulls were so deep they were still able to beat the Spurs. This team can score when it wants and if you get in a quick-tempo game with them, you are going to be in trouble.
Boston opened the season with a surprising win in Cleveland and then followed it up with a blowout of Charlotte in their home opener on Wednesday.
Chicago is on ATS runs of 5-1 on the road and 5-1 when they play that second night of a back-to-back. The underdog is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings between these two teams and the road team was 5-1-1 ATS in that seven-game playoff series in April.
Look for the Bulls to have the extra motivation in this one and it to be much closer than the books anticipate. Play Chicago.
2♦ CHICAGO
Michael Cannon
Oklahoma City at DETROIT
I’m 14-6-1 with my last 21 overall free plays.
Take the under in tonight’s NBA game between Detroit and Oklahoma City.
The Pistons are going back to stressing defense and it makes sense since they lost Rasheed Wallace and signed former Piston defensive player of the year Ben Wallace. They still have the ability to score but instead of playing an up-tempo style, the Pistons will now play a patient, half-court game.
The Thunder don’t possess much offensive firepower, ranking 24th in scoring last year.
I like this game to stay well under the posted total.
Play the under.
3♦ UNDER
Sports Gambling Hotline
Miami at INDIANA +1
Our free play run stands at 49-41-4 the last 94 days.
Friday night, and we expect Indiana to defend their home court with the win over Miami.
The Pacers bowed at Atlanta by 11 on Wednesday, while the Heat won at home over the Knicks by 22 that same evening, prompting Miami to be installed as the small road favorite this evening.
We aren't buying it, as the home team has been the play in this series, winning the last 5 meetings, and 9 of the last 10 overall. The Pacers have also covered the last pair of showdowns, and 3 of the last 4 against the Heat.
It's easy to win at home in the NBA, but it is on the road where you make your bones, and with Miami still a young team, we will look for the road to give them problems this Friday night.
Take the Pacers as the small home dog on Friday.
1♦ INDIANA
Karl Garrett
Sacramento at NEW ORLEANS -10
Gotta tell you, it looks to me like it is going to be a very long season for the rebuilding Sacramento Kings, as they were clobbered 102-89 at Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, and now must visit the Hornets who will be in an ornery mood after getting beat in San Antonio on Wednesday.
True, the Kings have covered 6 straight in this series, but New Orleans has won the last 3, and 6 of the last 9 straight up, and the home team is on a solid 18-7-1 spread run the last 26 times these teams have met.
I expect New Orleans to be ready to go in their home opener, and the Kings road woes to continue.
No issue, lay the wood with the Hornets.
3♦ NEW ORLEANS