Ben Burns
Oklahoma City vs. Detroit
Pick: Detroit
He's also a PERFECT 3-0 his L3 Steeler selections, taking them vs. Wash, going against vs. Tenn AND nailing the total at Cincy.
Going back further finds him at 13-2 his L15 Pitt. picks, dating back to the SB two years ago!
While it wasn't "easy," I won with the Pistons when they recently played at Oklahoma City. The Pistons were 11.5 point underdogs in that one and they lost by 11. With the schedule and venue in their favor and catching nearly a touchdown at the betting window, I believe they're again providing us with solid value.
While the Pistons had last night off, the Thunder are playing the second of back to back games. They were a mediocre 21-19 ATS in that situation the past few seasons. This is worse than a "typical" back to back spot though, as they're also playing their fourth game in the past five nights. That's a tough scheduling situation, even for an athletic team like the Thunder.
The Pistons lost their home opener and then proceeded to play their next six on the road. They're back home now and will be anxious to provide the home fans with a good show. The recent loss at OKC should provide further motivation. Even with the loss in the home opener, they're 42-33 ATS (39-36 SU) here the past few seasons. Consider grabbing the points.
Stephen Nover
Boston +2.5
Boston has been a real money-burner this season going 1-5 ATS as new players learn their roles.
But the Celtics still have tremendous talent and veteran leadership. The marketplace has overcompensated for Boston's slow start.
There is good value here taking Boston especially with the Bulls down to third-string point guard Nate Robinson, a player the Celtics know well from having been on their team.
Derrick Rose, of course, is out. Kirk Hinrich isn't likely to play either after suffering a hip injury. Hinrich didn't participate in the Bulls' team shootaround today.
Look for a big game again from Rajon Rondo, who will take advantage of Chicago's cluster injury problem at point guard.
The Bulls are 4-2 but each of their wins have been against weak, lottery bound opponents. The Celtics are more battle tested.
Joe Gavazzi
Pittsburgh -21.5
Not very often that you find a 22 game tourney winner (CBI) as focused or as pissed off as these Panthers are to start the season. This team is on a mission after failing to make the NCAA tourney following 10 consecutive visits. Watch new boys Adams (interior), Zeigler(perimeter) and a now healthy PG, Woodhall, combine with slashing wings and up front power to duplicate their 80-48 trashing of Mount Saint Mary's on Friday. Well-meaning Fordham, again the bottom of the A 10 has 6 froshs, 6 sophs, and just allowed 86 points at Texas State. They have no chance. Every year a group of CBKB teams are on a mission as a result of their inferior performance from the previous season. Take advantage before the prices catch up!
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Pittsburgh/ Kansas City Over 40: I know bad temps and some rain are in the offing, but I feel that these two will still put some points on the board. Pittsburgh has been really consistent on offense of late, scoring at least 23 points in each of their last 4 games. At home the Steelers have averaged 23.3 ppg, but they should get a bunch more in this one. The KC defense allows just 347 ypg, but thanks to all their TO's they have allowed 30 ppg, which is 29th in the league. The Chiefs have really been bad in their last 3 games, allowing 382 ypg and 31.7 ppg, while on the road they allow 32.3 ppg. This defense is getting worse and will struggle vs this Pittsburgh offense that is finding it's stride. The KC Offense hasn't been great, but they do average 370 ypg on the road. KC Only averages 16.8 ppg on the road and while Pittsburgh only allows 12 ppg at home, they still have allowed 16 ppg in their last 3 games overall and I feel that 16 points from KC will be more than enough to get the Over here here, cause Pittsburgh will put up at least 28 points.
Scott Delaney
Tonight's play is on St. Joseph's (-15) in its season opener against visiting Yale (0-1) in the 2012 Coaches vs. Cancer Classic at Hagan Arena in Philadelphia. This could get out of hand early, as we have a complete mismatch in this game, with the preseason favorite in the Atlantic 10 laying a feasible number to a team that comes in after a tough, overtime loss on Saturday in its season-opener.
Yale lost to Sacred Heart, 85-82, as the Pioneers erased a 24-point deficit to pull even, and then overcame a five-point deficit in overtime to come back again for the outright.
That is a crushing defeat for Yale, and it's difficult to imagine them rebounding from it in less than 48 hours, especially against a team that returns all five starters, and its entire squad, from last season's 20-14 team which earned a bid to the NIT.
Saint Joseph's was one of nine teams in the nation to win at least 20 or more games in 2011-12 after losing 20 or more the previous season. That turnaround let to the NIT. This season the Hawks want to go to the dance. And I think starting the season with a blowout-type win is exactly what this team needs. Yes, starting point guard and leading scorer Carl Jones is suspended for the season's first three games, but the Hawks are deep and talented enough to still get the win and cover against an opponent coming off a devastating loss.
5♦ ST. JOSEPHS
Chuck O'Brien
On the heels of winning the Denver Broncos as my free play over the Carolina Panthers, I'm releasing the Minnesota Golden Gophers laying a relatively big number in college hoops tonight, as they host the Toledo Rockets at Williams Arena. Besides the fact the Gophers are 20-2 all-time against teams currently in the Mid-American Conference, make note Minnesota coach Tubby Smith is a perfect 13-0 all-time against MAC teams.
The Rockets opened the season on Nov. 9 with a 62-50 loss to Loyola of Chicago in what I felt was a disappointing showing and a huge letdown in a game Toledo thought it should have won. On the other hand, Minnesota opened its season with a brutal 72-36 win over American, after two exhibition blowouts by a combined 52 points.
In limiting American to a total of 36 points in the opener, it is the least amount of points given up in a season-opener by Minnesota since it held South Dakota State to 27 points in a 71-27 victory on Dec. 1, 1945. Minnesota held the Eagles to just 14 points in the first half, the lowest since holding Purdue to 11 points in the second round of the 2010 Big Ten Tournament.
Minnesota has a combined record of 55-7 under Smith in regular-season non-conference games. The Gophers went 10-0 last season at Williams arena during the non-conference schedule. Under Smith, Minnesota is 42-1 in regular season non-conference games at the Barn.
Given Toledo's disappointing showing last week, and how well the Gophers looked, I'm laying the big number and will look for a 24-point win.
MINNESOTA
Craig Davis
11-7 free play run.
Portland over Atlanta is Monday's free play.
These two teams split their two meetings last season, with the home team winning each time. The Blazers' 97-77 win in Portland on Feb. 18 ended a six-game Atlanta winning streak against them and evened the overall series at 50-50. Portland, as expected, has a 33-17 edge at home over the Hawks and I look for them to extend it one more game tonight.
The Blazers are looking to end a three-game losing streak, albeit against three potential Western Conference playoff contenders (Dallas, the Clips and the Spurs). The biggest problem for Portland so far is the lack of perimeter defense.
They are currently allowing opposing shooters to hit over 50% of their shots... that's currently the worst in the NBA. Tonight they are going to focus on stopping Atlanta's outside shooters with a hybrid zone defense.
It should help, but it has to help in more than just stopping or altering shots. They must (and I think they will) get some transition buckets on the other end as a result of some of these stops.
Nicholas Batum and his 2.67 steals per game led all forwards before yesterday's games, and those turnovers must also result on points on the other end. If they can figure out a way to turn stops and turnovers into points on the other end, the Blazers should win this thing going away at home.
The Hawks most recently lost to the Clippers, 89-76, due in large part to what I'm talking about. Los Angeles made a concerted effort to stop the Hawks with a new half court defense which turned some of those stops and turnovers into points on the other end. They slowed the pace enough to frustrate Atlanta... and you can see the result. 76 points!!
Obviously it's early and this could go either way, but my money is on the Portland Trail Blazers, at home, as a small favorite for your free play of the day.
2♦ PORTLAND
Jeff Benton
33-20 freebie run, including the Lions-Vikings Over the total yesterday.
Your Monday freebie is on Maryland as they play at home against Morehead State.
Morehead State opened their season with a win over LIU Brooklyn, but tonight's game is a definite step-up in competition level, and I expect the Eagles to struggle tonight against a Maryland team that won a "moral" victory on Friday night when they nearly erased a 13-point halftime deficit to the mighty Kentucky Wildcats at the Barclays Arena.
Mark Turgeon's team lost by just three in the end, and that is with one of their leaders Pe'Shon Howard only netting two points in his 28 minutes on the court!
Home opener for a Terps team with plenty of size and returning talent from last year's team, and they should dominate a Morhead State team that returns just a pair of starters from last season's squad.
Go ahead and lay the points as Maryland take this one by 20 points..
2♦ MARYLAND
Chris Jordan
My free winner did win yesterday, as I delivered the goods on the Seattle Seahawks, who took care of business against the New York Jets. Tonight I'm on the college hardwood with the Youngstown State Penguins down in Athens, Georgia, against the Georgia Bulldogs.
I was impressed with how the Penguins opened the 2012-13 campaign with an 80-73 win over George Washington on Nov. 10 in Washington, D.C. Five players scored in double figures led by senior Blake Allen and freshman Bobby Hain who both scored 19 points. Hain also recorded the first double-double in his collegiate debut with a team-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore DJ Cole scored a career-high 12 points while senior Damian Eargle and sophomore Shawn Amiker added 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Now the pumped up and eager Penguins take aim at an SEC foe that opened its season with a tight win over Jacksonville. The Bulldogs won 68-62 on Nov. 9 right here at Stegeman Coliseum, in less-than impressive fashion against an opponent the Dawgs probably should've annihilated.
Youngstown State was picked to finish fourth in the Horizon League, the highest preseason ranking for the Penguins since joining the Horizon League in 2001-02. And this is one of those conferences where a team picked to finish anywhere from third through sixth ends up being a breakout team that sneaks into the Sweet 16.
Are the Penguins that team? That remains to be seen; check back in March.
For now, though, take the points.
3♦ YOUNGSTOWN STATE
Matt Rivers
Monday's free play comes in the NBA.
Going with the Philadelphia 76ers as the home favorite over the Milwaukee Bucks.
The Bucks got off to an early 2-0 start, but they come to Philly having dropped two of their last three straight up, and they are on a 1-3 spread slide their last four games overall.
Philly looks like they have found a bit of a rhythm, as the Sixers just wrapped up their three game road swing with a win and a cover at Toronto to make it three wins and three covers in as many games on the short trek.
Doug Collins' team has captured two of the last three meetings against Milwaukee both straight up and against the spread, and the Sixers are an overall 6-1-1 the last eight series meetings in Philadelphia against the Bucks.
Stick with the 76ers to up their win streak to four in a row with the home win and cover tonight against the visiting Bucks.
3♦ PHILADELPHIA