Larry Ness
Auburn -4.5 vs Virginia
Virginia's 10-18 mark last season was the worst for this proud program in 42 years. Tony Bennett has his work cut out for him in his first year at Charlottesville and the Cavs have opened 4-3. The team split two games in Cancun and lost its only true road game 66-49 at South Florida, shooting 32.7 percent from the floor, including 2-of-12 on threes. Virginia was just 1-9 SU on the road last year, although Cavs were 6-4 ATS. However, the 6-8 Scott (13.1-9.3) is listed as doubtful for this game and he's one of just two double digit scorers for Virginia . The 6-6 Landesberg (16.4-4.7) is the other. Jeff Lebo suffered through four tough years at Auburn (averaged 14.3 wins per season) but last year's team made it all the way to the NIT semis, winning 24 games. Gone are the 6-7 Barber (12.8-9.6), plus guards Barrett (9.9-3.50 and Robertson (6.0-3.9-3.2). However, Lebo's got talent on this team plus recruited two 6-5 freshman guards in Ross (7.1-4.4) and Malone (4.5-2.8). The backcourt was already deep with Reed (15.4-3.5-4.1), Sullivan (14.1-3.8-2.4) and Waller (12.5). Sullivan was the team's 6th-man-of-the-year last season and after missing TY's first six games, Waller is back averaging 12.5 PPG. The 6-6 Hargrove (13.4-7.9) is taking over for Barber, while the 6-10 Knox is getting almost 20 MPG and upping his numbers from 2.5-1.7 LY to 6.5-3.3 TY. Auburn is a disappointing 4-4 to open the year but after this game the Tigers will visit Florida State, then return home for six straight contests. Come early January, the Tigers should be fine. Lebo's team should have little trouble here, especially if Scott doesn't play for the undermanned Cavs.
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
363 - 255 run 59 %
Free Play Mon Utah Jazz -2
8)
Wunderdog
Calgary at Los Angeles Kings
Pick: Los Angeles Kings -110
The Kings have just a shootout loss to the Blues to show on the bad side of their last four games, taking the other three. The Flames have come up big on the road with just two defeats all season, but that won't last forever. One of the losses occurred two games ago and the offense has suddenly had difficulties, posting just three goals in the last two games. It may be signs of fatigue as this will be the sixth straight on the road for the Flames. Unique situation here as the Flames are 0-4 in their last four vs. an opponent who allowed five or more goals in their last game, while the Kings have rebounded nicely off of allowing five or more goals in their last game, following up by going 7-1. I like this spot for the Kings and will back them in this one.
John Ryan
Denver Nuggets vs. Philadelphia 76ers
Play: Philadelphia 76ers +6.5
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the 76ers as they take on Denver set to start at 7:00 EST. AiS shows a 78% probability that Philadelphia will lose this game by 6 or fewer points. First, this play has nothing to do with the return of Alan Iverson. This play is graded on 16+ years of games and data and the AiS neural network essentially learns from this past knowledge and applies that accumulated knowledge to the current card. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 50-21 ATS for 70% winners since 1996. Play against road favorites that are excellent free throw shooting teams hitting >=79% facing a good free throw shooting team hitting 76-79% and in a game involving two average rebounding teams posting a differential of +/-3 reb/game. Take the 76ers.