Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Utah Jazz +1.5
Expect the Jazz to respond in a big way following last night's embarrassing loss at New Orleans. The Jazz have dominated Eastern Conference opponents this season. In fact, they are 9-1 ATS against the East, defeating their non-conference foes by an average score of 106.3 to 97.7. Looking back, the Jazz are a terrific 33-16-2 ATS in their last 51 vs. the Eastern Conference. This quality Utah team doesn't catch points all that often, but it has been a strong investment when it does. The Jazz are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as an underdog and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a road underdog. They are also 13-5 ATS in their last 18 games as an underdog of 4.5 or fewer points. Meanwhile, Milwaukee has been lousy in the small chalk. The Bucks are just 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite of 4.5 or less. Utah has dominated this series, going 14-3 ATS in the last 17 meetings. Look for the Jazz to continue their dominance Saturday.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Memphis Grizzlies +9.5
Motivated by an embarrassing loss to Houston, look for the Grizzlies to bounce back strong Saturday. The Grizzlies are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 5.0-10.5 points. Also, plays against any team (SAN ANTONIO) in a game involving two good shooting teams (45.5-47.5%), good ball handling team (=16.5 TO's), are 78-39 ATS since 1996. This system is already 3-0 ATS this season. Take the points.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Grizzlies/Spurs UNDER 199.5
San Antonio is 14-2 UNDER in its last 16 home games after a combined score of 225 or more points. We are only seeing an average of 179.7 total points scored in these games. After a poor defensive performance at Denver, I expect the Spurs to tighten the screws on the defensive end tonight. This one should find its way under as a result. Bet the Under.
Joel Tyson
UTEP (+11') vs. BYU - at Albuquerque
On the surface, the UTEP-BYU bowl game would appear to be a mismatch, as the Cougars have lost only twice in their last 7 games straight up, while the Miners come to Albuquerque having lost their last pair of games, and 5 of their last 6 straight up.
Still, I believe taking the points is the way to go, as UTEP's defense is allowing only 25 points per game, so asking the Cougars to cover double-digits away from home may be too tall of a task to ask this afternoon.
El Paso QB Vittatoe should be close to 100% for this affair, something he was not due to an ankle injury that hampered him down the stretch and was largely responsible for the Miners dismal finish.
When you consider that since the year 2000, college football bowl underdogs of 7-points or more are 67-37, I would say the chances of the Miners staying inside of this number seem very reasonable.
Take the points!
4♦ UTEP
Craig Davis
Northern Illinois vs. Fresno State (+1'), at Boise, ID
Today's free play is on Fresno State over Northern Illinois.
I don't care how Northern Illinois ran through the MAC, blowing teams out week after week. Those teams were terrible!! The equivalent of some high school teams I've seen. I wouldn't be too proud.
When Northern Illinois stepped out of conference they were beaten by Iowa State and Illinois early in the season. Yes, the same Illinois team Fresno State just beat two weeks ago.
The Huskies got too full of themselves in the regular season and ended up getting a dose of reality when lowly Miami of Ohio slapped them in the face in the MAC Championship game, 26-21, with a backup QB.
Fresno State finished the season strong by beating Illinois, giving them a little swagger heading into today's bowl game. Neither team is overly impressive, but I absolutely have no faith in Northern Illinois after the way they finished their regular season. They're disappointed and they expected to be in a different bowl game than this one.
It was so bad, in fact, that HC Jerry Kill jumped ship to Minnesota and now the Huskies have been searching for a replacement. Good move for Minnesota, bad move for Northern Illinois.
The Bulldogs are now 6-1 ATS in their last seven bowl games as the listed dog and they've won and covered the last four. I'll take my chances with Pat Hill and his Bulldogs over Northern Illinois.
3♦ FRESNO STATE
Bobby Maxwell
Ohio vs. Troy (-2'), at New Orleans
For my comp winner, one thing about Troy is that the Trojans can certainly score points as evidenced by its last five games where they scored at least 24 points in every game. That solid offensive foundation will serve them well today in New Orleans as they wipe out Ohio by at least a touchdown.
Troy finished the season with decisive victories over Florida International (44-7) and Western Kentucky (28-14). Trojans QB Corey Robinson has thrown for 3,339 yards this season and 24 TD passes. They’ve got guys who can score from anywhere in the field and they also have a kick-return specialist on the team in WR Jerrel Jernigan who has over 900 yards in return yards on kicks and punts.
Ohio suffered a season-ending loss to Kent State, falling 28-6 as 4 ½-point favorites. The Bobcats put a lot of pressure Boo Jackson who has thrown for 15 TDs and 16 INTs this season. He has accounted for 22 TDs this season. Ohio is on ATS slides of 2-5 in non-conference games and 4-10-1 on turf.
Troy is 21-10-1 ATS after a straight-up win and 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 after a spread-cover. The Trojans have already won one New Orleans Bowl, so there’s nothing strange for them here today. Ohio is 0-4 in bowl appearances, including a loss to Marshall in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl last year.
Lay the small points and go with Troy as the Trojans will win this one with ease. Play Troy.
5♦ TROY
Bobby Maxwell
Philadelphia at ORLANDO (-10)
NBA FREE winner for you tonight from Orlando where I will go ahead and lay the points with the Magic as they host the Sixers.
For my comp winner, Orlando went out to the West coast and lost three of four games. They have lost five of their last six games and they admittedly haven’t played any defense lately. But even with all of that, I’m willing to lay the points with the Magic tonight at home against the Sixers because they have dominated Philadelphia over the last few years.
The Magic have won eight straight against Philly and averaged 120 points per game and 56.6 percent shooting in the four regular-season wins over the Sixers last season. Six Orlando players averaged double-digits against the Sixers last season, including star center Dwight Howard who managed 18.3 points per game. Orlando has cashed in six straight against the Sixers.
The Sixers are coming off an ugly home loss to the Lakers and they are just 3-8 in their last 11 against a team with a winning percentage of .600.
Orlando is on an 8-3 ATS run when they get three or more days off, and the Magic are 18-7-1 at home against teams with a losing road record. The Sixers are just 2-6 ATS in the last eight clashes in Orlando and the chalk has cashed in four straight. I’ll lay the points and play Orlando to continue its mastery of Philadelphia.
3♦ ORLANDO
Scott Delaney
L.A. Clippers at CHICAGO (-10)
Yes, the Bulls are dinged up and took another hit when Joakim Noah went down the other night; but the Clippers come in with one of the worst records in the NBA.
Los Angeles might have shot its wad last night, in a 109-88 win at Detroit. I don't think it'll be able to match the intensity it played with last night in Motown, especially against a defense that has been stringent most recently.
Chicago has reeled off seven straight wins, and has liimited foes to 88.7 points during this streak.
And make note, the Bulls will be in double revenge from last season, when the Clippers won both meetings. I don't see that happening this year.
Los Angeles is in on ATS slides of 4-9 on the second of back-to-back nights, 6-14 after an ATS cover and 1-9 when taking on Eastern Conference foes.
Chicago, on the other hand, is on ATS runs of 5-0 versus the Pacific Division, 7-2 after covering the spread, 4-1 on two day's rest, 6-2 versus losing teams and 4-0 overall.
I'll lay the number with the Bulls.
1♦ CHICAGO
Joel Tyson
L.A. Clippers at CHICAGO (-10)
Last season the Los Angeles Clippers swept the season series with the Chicago Bulls, but I can tell you that a sweep this season seems very remote.
For one thing the Clippers were in action on the road last night in Detroit, winning away from home for the first time in a dozen road games. For another, Chicago had the night off last night and come into this game red-hot.
The Bulls have won 7 straight, and they have covered 4 straight and 5 of their last 6 overall.
Chicago is also 10-2 straight up at home, and 7-4-1 against the spread on their home hardwood this year.
Bulls have something going right now, and the Clippers are one tired road team.
Lay it with Chicago.
1♦ CHICAGO
Chuck O'Brien
USC at KANSAS (-17')
As for Saturday’s first of two complimentary college basketball selections, take Kansas minus the big points at home against USC.
Don’t think they can set this line high enough, to be honest with you. For starters, the Jayhawks haven’t lost at Allen Fieldhouse in ages, ripping off 64 consecutive home wins (the longest such streak in Division I hoops and the longest in school history). And while the Jayhawks come into this one at 9-0 and ranked third in the nation, USC sits at just 6-4, including an embarrassing 22-point home loss to Rider along with road/neutral-site setbacks to Bradley, Nebraska and TCU.
Those four losses make it difficult to explain USC’s 73-56 rout of then-No. 19 Texas as a five-point home favorite back on Dec. 5, but the Trojans followed that up six days later with a lackluster 60-52 home win over Northern Arizona (which tells me the Texas win was a complete fluke).
Kansas has been tested twice this year, both by Pac-10 teams (77-76 home win vs. UCLA; 87-79 neutral-site win over Arizona), but the Bruins and Wildcats are much further along than USC. And while the Jayhawks are averaging 86.7 points and shooting 55.7% from the field (including 40% on three-pointers) at home, USC is netting just 63.5 points on 43.7% shooting (27.8% on three-pointers) on the highway.
If you take out the UCLA and Arizona contests, Kansas’ average margin of victory has been 32.6 points per game. They probably don’t meet that average today, but a 20-plus-point win over an overmatched West Coast opponent that figures to come out sluggish because of the early start time is well within reason.
3♦ KANSAS
Karl Garrett
USC at KANSAS (-17)
Big number here for sure, but with good reason. The 9-0 Jayhawks figure to get a whole lot better with the addition of highly-touted freshman Josh Selby who is eligible for the first time this season on Saturday!
Kansas has the nation's longest active home court winning streak, and it is no likely to be snapped by a USC team that has lost both of their road games this season, while splitting them against the spread. True, UCLA nearly upended the Jayhawks at home, and true the Trojans just upset Texas, but those facts will only have the home team on "upset alert" and will have them firmly focused on the mission at hand.
KU has been up for the challenge this season when laying the points, as Bill Self's team is 4-1-1 against the spread this year in lined contests.
Figure on an early feeling out process as Kansas works Selby in for his first action of the season, then expect the flood gates to open as the Jayhawks roll to a very lopsided victory in this one.
Lay the chalk, the Rock Chalk that is!
4♦ KANSAS
Chuck O'Brien
Stanford at BUTLER (-9')
As for Saturday’s second of two complimentary college basketball selections, take Butler at home against Stanford.
Obviously, the Bulldogs haven’t exactly picked up where they left off last season when they made a Cinderella run to the national championship game and came within a whisker of shocking Duke. Without star player Gordon Hayward, Butler has stumbled out of the gate with just a 5-4 record, losing convincingly to the three best teams it has faced (Louisville, Duke and Xavier) and getting stunned at home by Evansville (71-68 in overtime as an 18-point favorite).
That said, Butler still has the personnel capable of winning the Horizon League and getting a return trip to the Big Dance (as the Bulldogs proved two weeks ago when they gave top-ranked Duke a battle in an 82-70 loss, the only team this year to hang with the Blue Devils). And I expect Butler’s turnaround to begin today at home against overrated Stanford.
The Cardinal’s 6-2 record is highly deceiving because five of the wins came at home against crappy competition (the best opponent was Virginia, which stinks, while the others were San Diego, Arkansas Pine-Bluff, U.C. Riverside and North Carolina A&T). Stanford hasn’t played a true road game yet, and its two losses came on a neutral court to Murray State and Tulsa, with the Cardinal scoring 52 and 53 points in those two contests.
Not surprisingly, Murray State and Tulsa are easily the two best teams on Stanford’s schedule so far, and the Cardinal failed to cover as a small favorite in both games, part of an 0-4 ATS slump. They’re also just 6-15 ATS in their last 21 games against winning teams. Meanwhile, despite its early-season struggles, Butler (which covered in the loss to Duke) is on ATS runs of 7-3-1 overall dating to last year’s Tournament, 6-1-1 versus winning teams and 48-23-2 in non-conference contests.
Hinkle Fieldhouse in Indiana is a very tough venue for visitors, and with this being Stanford’s first road game, I have to believe the atmosphere (along with a rested Butler squad that’s been idle for a week) will prove to be the Cardinal’s undoing.
4♦ BUTLER
Scott Delaney
Arkansas vs. Texas A&M (-6), at Dallas
The Aggies have scored some key wins early on, have moved into the Top 25 and have plenty of confidence for this rivalry clash with their former Southwest Conference neighbor.
I was pretty impressed with how A&M got it done against Washington last Saturday, as I've been keeping my eye on the Huskies and their explosive nature. But the Aggies' defensive ways stymied U-Dub in a 63-62 win, a victory that told me coach Mark Turgeon has his troops firing on all cylinders.
Thus, the fact Arkansas hasn't faced a tough schedule yet, with only one of its first eight games taking place outside its own state, the Aggies might have this thing wrapped up midway through the second half.
Look for A&M to pressure the rock, as it's already limited five of its opponents, during a six-game win streak, to less than 40 percent shooting while it has outrebounded each opponent this season.
Arkansas is on ATS slides of 7-16 versus Big 12 foes, 1-6 on neutral courts, 1-4 as an underdog and 3-8 overall. On the flipside, the Aggies are on spread streaks of 5-0 against SEC opponents, 12-3 versus winning teams, 23-10 on neutral courts and 4-0 overall.
1♦ TEXAS A&M
Chris Jordan
Delaware vs. VILLANOVA (-16') at Philadelphia
In college hoops I've got my Near Pick-em Line Mistake Lock of the Year on Texas-North Carolina. Can the Heels avenge last year's loss, or do the Longhorns upset them just like they stunned Illinois earlier this season?
My third and final 200♦ winner today is my Mismatch of the Month as I've found a 20-point winner on the early college card.
I'm the Winningest 'Capper at this site this year.
I'm the Winningest 'Capper at this site the past four years.
Numbers don't lie; neither do I. Time to make more money today.
Now onto your free pick....
Villanova got a wake-up call in last Sunday's 84-81 victory against Big 5 rival LaSalle, needing to rally from an eight-point deficit in the game's final five minutes to improve to 8-1 on the season. Don't expect a repeat performance from the 10th-ranked Wildcats today as they host Delaware at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia.
The Blue Hens, seeking their first six-game winning streak in 10 years, are a huge underdog for good reason: this is a huge step up in class for them as they've beaten the likes of Hampton, Delaware State, Howard and Lafayette during their current run. Remember, this is a team that opened the season with consecutive losses to Ohio by 19 and Cornell by 14.
Villanova, winners of 20 of its last 22 December outings straight-up, hammered the Hens in last year's meeting on their Main Line campus home. The Cats prevailed 97-63 as Delaware allowed season highs in points, field goals and three-pointers in that contest.
Looking at the stat sheet, the Wildcats have four players averaging double figures; Delaware just one. And the Cats should be able to dominate the boards as well.
Delaware has lost its last six games against nationally-ranked teams by an average of nearly 24 points. That makes this game a bargain for Villanova backers as their near-upset at the hands of Lasalle last week guarantees Jay Wright's squad will be focused on the Blue Hens today.
2♦ VILLANOVA
Stephen Nover
Loyola Maryland (+21') at GEORGETOWN
Fellow Jesuit schools Loyola, Maryland and Georgetown meet for the first time since 1974.
The game is far more prestigious for Loyola. Georgetown has much more important games on deck.
The 15th-ranked Hoyas are at 18th-ranked Memphis on Thursday followed by their Big East opener at 24th-ranked Notre Dame. Those are the matchups that interest Georgetown not meeting some foe from the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference.
Loyola is 4-5, but off a confidence-boosting victory in its last game, 65-42 over Mount St. Mary's. The Greyhounds are 54-24-1 ATS in their last 79 road contests.
The Greyhounds' Shane Walker is becoming one of the better frontcourt players in the Metro Atlantic. He's put together back-to-back double-doubles and ranks third in the conference in blocked shots.
Taking this many points, Loyola is worth a shot.
2♦ LOYOLA MARYLAND
Stephen Nover
Iona (+15) at SYRACUSE
Syracuse is 10-0, but the Orangemen are starting slow once again for pointspread purposes going 3-6 ATS in its nine lined contests.
The Orangemen have been idle for a week. They are well content having destroyed winless Colgate, 100-43, in their previous game. That was the Orangemen's largest margin of victory in Jim Boeheim's 35 years as coach.
Syracuse is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games following a victory.
Iona of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference has won seven in a row. Iona's junior forward Mike Glover is averaging 22.1 points and shooting 62.6 percent from the floor. This month Glover has been even better averaging 29.3 points a game on 71 percent shooting from the field.
The Gaels certainly should be the more motivated team. They are 17-8 ATS during their past 25 road matchups versus a foe with a winning home record.
Syracuse has failed to cover during its past six games versus Metro Atlantic Athletic teams. The Orangemen also are 2-6 ATS in their last eight non-conference matchups.
2♦ IONA
BEN BURNS
Ohio @ St. Bonaventure
Pick: St. Bonaventure -4.5
Which Ohio team has the better chance of winning today? The football team of the basketball team?
The Bonnies host the Ohio Bobcats in the Reilly Center in Head Coach Mark Schmidt’s 100th game. Note that the Bonnies are 33-22 SU against current MAC teams and are 4-1 SU all-time vs. Ohio playing at home.
St. Bonaventure is a balanced offensive team with solid defending skills. Five players on the team average double-digit scoring with Andrew Nicholson leading the way. Nicholson averages 18.6 points and 10 rebounds per game, while shooting 55% from the field. The team is allowing an impressively low 65 points per game and has given up over 70 points just twice this season. The Bonnies also average 38.8 rebounds per game, ranked 69th in the country. The Bonnies pride themselves on consistent defense and rebounding, two key ingredients to "pointspread success" on the hard-court.
St. Bonaventure is coming off a tough loss to Niagara last Saturday by a score of 69-61. In the game following each of the Bonnies' losses this season, the team has responded with a victory. After a loss at Canisius in the opener, the Bonnies responded two days later with a 77-64 win over Arkansas-Little Rock. After the team’s loss to Cleveland State, the Bonnies responded with a 76-74 victory over Buffalo. The point totals for St. Bonaventure in these ‘rebound’ games were the team’s highest of the season. Including those results, the Bonnies are 4-1 ATS the last five times that they were coming off an ATS loss in their last five games.
Ohio is a fairly talented team but has struggled with consistency this season. The Bobcats beat up on St Francis-PA (a 2-8 team from the Northeastern Conf. which is now on a 0-6 SU/ATS run) last time out, winning by a score of 87-58. The Bobcats haven't won twice in a row in weeks though and they're just . Coming off a win this season, Ohio averages just 59.6 PPG. They are ranked 280th in the country in field goal percentage, shooting just 40.7% from the field and currently have just one player who averages double-digit scoring. With the line having dropped slightly from its opener, consider laying the points with the home team.
John Ryan
Delaware vs. Villanova
Play: Delaware +16
5* graded play on Delaware as they take on Villanova set to start at 7:30 PM ET. Delaware is trying to win their sixth straight game for the first time in 10 seasons, but will have to defeat No.10 Villanova do to so. Our proprietary sports handicapping model and simulator shows a high probability that Delaware will lose this game by fewer than 16 points. The Blue Hens have a tremendous player in Jawan Carter, who is play ing very well. After scoring just seven points in each of the first two games of the season, he has taken this on his back averaging 21 points per game and hitting 23 of 48 shots from 3-point range during the six game winning streak. Moreover, it is not just his scoring, but the ball movement has been excellent and all five players are involved in the offensive sets. Villanova is in a set of poor situations noting they are just 12-26 ATS after playing two consecutive road games since 1997. Villanova head coach Wright is just 14-24 ATS after two straight games making 78% of their free throws or better; 17-28 ATS after playing four consecutive games installed as a favorite. Supporting this graded play is a system that has produced a record of 34-10 ATS for 77% winners since 2005. Play against home favorites of 10 to 19.5 points after a win by six points or less facing an opponent after two straight games where both teams scored fewer than 66 points. Take Delaware.
Ross Benjamin
Indiana St. @ Purdue
Play: Indiana St. +16.5
Any underdog of 10.0 or more that shoots between 42.5-45.0% from the field on the season, in their last 2 games they shot 50% or better, versus an opponent that shoots between 45-47.5% from the field on the season is 29-7 ATS since the start of the 2000-2001 season.
Info Plays
3* Bulls -10
Reasons why the Bulls will cover:
1) Even though the Bulls lose Noah, they are still far more talented than the Clippers, and the combo of Rose and Boozer looks amazing so far. The Clippers are just coming off their first road win of the season last night, and will likely struggle to bring that same intensity at Chicago, where the Bulls are 10-2.
2) Chicago has covered the spread in five of their last six games, including their last four at home. The Bulls are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a losing S.U. record, and are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
3) The Clippers are just 4-14 ATS in road games after scoring 105 points or more over the last 3 seasons, and are just 25-40 ATS versus good shooting teams - making >=46% of their shots over the last 3 seasons.
Black Widow
1* on Denver Nuggets -11
Denver has been one of the best home teams in the league this year, while Minnesota has been absolutely atrocious on the road. The Nuggets are 11-2 at home while scoring 111.4 points/game, and the Timberwolves are 1-15 on the road getting outscored by 13.3 points/game and allowing 112.4 points/game. A double-digit blowout victory for the Nuggets is basically inevitable tonight. Minnesota is a very tired team right now. The Timberwolves will be playing their 4th game in 5 days and the second of a back-to-back after losing in Portland last night. Rarely will you find a team playing four games in five days, but when you do it's almost always a good idea to fade them. Minnesota is 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record. Take the Nuggets and lay the points.
Jack Jones
Chicago Bulls -10
The Chicago Bulls have a huge advantage in this game. First and foremost, Chicago is playing on 2 days' rest while the Clippers will be playing their second of a back-to-back and their 3rd game in four days. Chicago is 7-0 SU & 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall, beating teams like the Thunder and Lakers in the process. The Bulls have won their last three games by 31, 19 and 17 points, respectively. With a healthy Carlos Boozer in the line-up, this team is hitting on all cylinders.
The Clippers will take a collective breath after finally winning their first road game of the season last night against Detroit. Los Angeles will not recover in time to face this well-rested Bulls squad playing their best ball of the season. The Clippers are 1-11 on the road this season, getting outscored by 8.5 PPG even with their 21-point win at Detroit factored in. The Bulls are 10-2 at home this season, winning by 7.5 PPG. Chicago is 4-0 ATS in their last 4 home games. The Clippers are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 vs. Eastern Conference foes. The Bulls are 38-17-3 ATS in their last 58 vs. Western Conference opponents. Take Chicago Saturday.
Ray Monohan
Miami Heat vs. Washington Wizards
Play: Miami Heat -10½
The Miami Heat won their 11th straight game on Friday night and are currently among the hottest teams in the league. The difference during their current spell versus their sluggish start has been two-fold: LeBron James and great defense. The Heat are now the best defensive team in the NBA and are allowing a league-best 91.1 points per game. On Saturday, they'll face the Washington Wizards, who are clearly a team in transition. The Wizards will very likely be without point guard John Wall on Saturday as he is doubtful to play, and could be without forward Andray Blatche, who is more likely to play but has a knee problem that will keep him from going full speed. On top of that, the Wizards are rumored to have a trade for Gilbert Arenas in place, which means that he may be held out or he could be limited as the Wizards don't want anything to happen to their trade asset. It's a back-to-back for the Heat but when a team is this hot, it may not be a bad thing. Lay the points with the Heat.
JR O'Donnell
Central Mich. -1
Rolling with the small home chalk here Saturday as these Chippawa's have a very special player is Trey Ziegler, rated #8 guard in the nation coming out of HS. These 2-7 Chippawa's are FAVORED vs the Titans of Detroit. boys that tells you that Vegas & JR O have respect for Ernie Ziglers ball club here @ the McGurik Arena, Mount Pleasant, Mich., 7 p.m. EST. These Chips are playing 7 of their first 8 games on the road and recorded over 13,000 miles over the first month of the season, the pure fact that they open as a favorite puts us on this side . The Titans are soft 6-5 and check in here as 0-4 as a away dog. The Detroit Titans have a superstar in the making in Ray McCallum. The McGurik Arena is a super tough place to play!! The Favorite is 3-1-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings & these Cmu Chips are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a home favorite. Chips ugly as they win 66 61 over Detroit Titans
SPORTS WAGERS
ATLANTA -½ +1.08 over New Jersey
The Thrashers are in sixth place in the East just two back of the Rangers for fifth and just five back of the Pens for fourth. They can move into first place in their division tonight. They have a very legit shot at making the playoffs and making life miserable for somebody once they get there. This is the best Thrasher team in years and you know for sure they’ll be jacked up tonight to play Ilya Kovalchuk and the Devils. When New Jersey played here last season in Kovalchuk’s first visit back the Devils won 3-0 but this is not the same Thrasher squad, nor is it the same Devil squad. Atlanta is 10-2-2 over its last 14 games and even in its last game, a OT loss to the Canes, they outshout Carolina 47-29 and deserved to win. The Devils have dropped seven in a row on the road while being outscored 21-9 and overall they’ve been held to two goals or less in eight of their past 10. The Devils will also play their third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs after losing 3-1 to Nashville last night. They’ll have to deal with four strong lines (Atlanta’s fourth line would be a #2 or #3 on most teams) and it’s also worth noting that the Thrashers are expecting their biggest crowd of the season. Play: Atlanta -½ +1.08 (Risking 2 units).