GOLDSHEET
NEW ORLEANS 31 - Arizona 30—Can New Orleans regain the quick-striking,
dominating form that paced the Saints to a 6-0 pointspread start and then a 13-
0 SU mark that had their fans thinking the formerly unthinkable—a perfect season
and Super Bowl championship?
History has shown that regaining such lost momentum can be difficult. And
such a recovery might be even more difficult for a New Orleans’ team that
dropped its last three games (full effort or not) and hasn’t won since two weeks
before Christmas! And let’s not forget that at least two N.O. victories (46-34 at
Miami & 33-30 in OT at Washington) came about in quite improbable fashion.
QB Drew Brees ended with an NFL-record 70.6 completion percentage, and
Sean Payton’s diverse offense led the league in scoring and yards. But, partly
due to an accumulation of injuries, the Saints ended the season 2-8 vs. the
spread their last 10 games. New Orleans covered only 2 of its last 9 games when
favored, and only 1 of its last 5 games at home.
There is good news, however, with formerly wounded players such as S Darren
Sharper, DT Sedrick Ellis, LBs Jonathan Vilma & Scott Shanle, and TE Jeremy
Shockey all ready to return after being held out of the regular-season finale.
Starting CB Jabari Greer’s groin survived a test in that Game 16 at Carolina.
Thus, with Arizona traveling and on a short turnaround after a home game last
Sunday, Payton & Brees have a chance to re-start the Saints’ engine.
Whether they can distance themselves from the tested and proven Cardinals
(6-2 SU away TY) is another matter. Arizona has covered all five of its
postseason games the last two years, going 4-1 SU, with its only loss by a matter
of one inch and 35 seconds in LY’s Super Bowl in Tampa vs. the Steelers. Kurt
Warner has stayed healthy, hitting an uncanny 29 of 33 for 5 TDs in last week’s
OT victory vs. Green Bay and a combined 72% for 1526 yards with 16 TDs vs.
only 3 ints. in the playoffs the L2Ys. Rookie Beanie Wells (91 YR vs. the Packers)
has boosted the Cards’ ground game. WRs Steve Breaston & Early Doucet (LSU
product) filled in well for injured Anquan Boldin last week with 13 recs. for
202 yards. Both teams have been vulnerable to the pass TY, with Arizona
finishing 23rd and New Orleans 26th. If Arizona “brings it” for this game, as
it has for its last five postseason contests for the underrated Ken
Whisenhunt, it’s a shooting match.
(07-NEW ORLEANS -3' 31-24...SR: Arizona 13-12)
*INDIANAPOLIS 25 - Baltimore 24—Just curious, but we wonder if any fans of
the “old Colts” from Baltimore might be a little torn in their allegiance this week.
Regardless, they’ve certainly had a chance to test their loyalties in recent years,
when the Indy version of their formerly beloved Colts and their Inner Harbor
replacements, the Ravens, have gotten together. In fact, these two teams have
met every season since 2004, with all six encounters won and covered by Peyton
Manning’s Indy. Although the Colts cut it pretty close this season when
squeezing out a 17-15 win at M&T Bank Stadium back on November 22, barely
covering as a 1-point favorite. Though kept out of the end zone by the Indy
defense, Baltimore stayed close that cloudy afternoon, thanks to five Billy Cundiff
FGs, and was in position to win with another Cundiff kick late in 4th Q when QB
Joe Flacco was picked off by Colt LB Gary Brackett deep in Indy territory.
Given that Manning and the Colts’ attack are no mystery to the Ravens, we see
no reason why Baltimore can’t make the rematch just as compelling and
competitive as the regular-season meeting. After all, Baltimore is certainly
playoff-tested lately, having won 3 of 4 postseason road games the last two
seasons after last week’s romp at New England. Although that game at
Foxborough became distorted in the early going, Flacco (at QB for all of
Baltimore’s playoff successes the past two seasons) is certainly capable of
producing more than the 4 completions he managed while protecting the lead
against the Patriots. The recent revival of RB Willis McGahee provides a lethal
1-2 punch with backfield mate Ray Rice, who rambled for 159 YR at Gillette
Stadium; indeed, both McGahee and Rice have busted long TD runs the past two
weeks. While Indy’s defense has navigated through a series of key injuries this
season, it was hardly dominating vs. the run, ranking a modest 24th and allowing
4.3 ypc. And a credible ground diversion importantly takes pressure off Flacco.
Whatever one’s opinion of the Colts’ decision to rest key performers in their last
two games and effectively self-sabotage their chances of a 16-0 regular season,
rest assured that Indy and Manning haven’t forgotten how to win. But Manning did
not have an easy time when throwing two picks in that narrow regular-season
escape at Baltimore, and the Raven “D” is near full strength with big-play S Ed
Reed back in the lineup. Expect playoff-tested and always-competitive Baltimore
to stay in character this week.
(09-Indy 17-BALT. 15...20-20 B.31/98 I.25/76 I.22/31/2/299 B.23/35/1/256 I.1 B.1)
(08-INDY 31-Balt. 3...I.17-16 I.30/76 B.19/51 I.19/28/0/258 B.28/38/3/209 I.0 B.2)
(09-Indianapolis -1 17-15; 08-INDIANAPOLIS -4 31-3...SR: Indianapolis 8-2)
BDougSports
Ravens +6.5 @ Colts
The Ravens were dominant last week, running all over the Patriots and created 4 turnovers from Tom Brady with 3 picks (2 tipped) and a strip sack by our boy Terrell Suggs. Ray Lewis might actually kill somebody on the field...and get away with it. ZING! The Ravens have been in playoff mode for a solid month now, while the Colts lost the last two games of the regular season and then had a bye. They haven't played competitive football in almost a month. The two teams played earlier in the year and Nick took them +1 and they lost by 2, and blew countless opportunities to score more points. Indy has struggled this year against teams that controlled the clock and grind out the game (see Miami). Defense shows up in road games and that is what the Ravens showed last week and in previous playoffs. Last year the Ravens went into Wild Card weekend to play the hot AFC East champion Miami and won by 18. They then went to Tennessee in a place no one thought they had a chance of winning and won 13-10. They then lost to the Steelers, but this team is hungry and learned from last year's run to the AFC Championship game. This year they go to New England and win by 19. Can they pull the upset in Indy?
Cardinals +7 @ Saints
Here we go again. The Cardinals did this to us last year. This exact thing. They came in as NFC West champs but weren't playing their best ball going into the playoffs. They hosted Atlanta in the Wild Card game and the line opened around AZ -2, but closed with ATL -1.5. Hmmm...sounds like last week. They then went to Carolina and Jake Delhomme gift wrapped a trip to the NFC Championship game. Bottom line is the Cardinals are a team that can just turn it on with a click of a switch. They can get on a roll and beat any team in the league. Kurt Warner threw more touchdown passes than had incomplete passes last week. That's ridiculous. New Orleans has lost 3 in a row and doesn't have the same feel as the team that started the season 13-0. Drew Brees is still a great quarterback and I certainly would not want to be on Arizona's defense. I also would not want to be facing Kurt Warner, God, Larry Fitzgerald, Jesus Christ and the rest of the Cardinals offense. If this is the year that Warner retires, we wouldn't want to bet against him. Especially if he's grabbing a touchdown.
Tony Moss
Arizona (11-6) at New Orleans (13-3)
Storylines: Defending NFC Champion Cardinals trying to get back to the NFC Championship for the second straight season, while Saints are attempting to reach the game for the second time in their history, and first since 2006...Saints lost their final three games of the regular season after starting the year 13-0, falling to the Cowboys (24-17), Buccaneers (20-17 in overtime), and Panthers (23-10)...Cardinals played the highest-scoring playoff game in NFL history last week, beating the Packers 51-45 in overtime...Arizona wide receiver Anquan Boldin (ankle) a question mark after missing last week's contest...Saints running back Pierre Thomas (ribs), wide receiver Lance Moore (ankle) and cornerback Malcolm ******* (hamstring) all question marks for Saturday...Saints defensive end Charles Grant (torn triceps) was placed on season-ending injured reserve last week...Saints led the NFL in total offense (403.8 yards per game), scoring offense (31.9 points per game), touchdowns (64), completion percentage (69.5), defensive touchdowns (8), and was tied for first in touchdown passes (34) during the regular season...Saints quarterback Drew Brees led the NFL in passer rating (109.6) and touchdown passes (34).
Fast Fact: In his last meeting against the Cardinals (Dec. 16, 2007), Saints quarterback Drew Brees completed 26-of-30 passes for 315 yards with two touchdowns and no turnovers in a 31-24 New Orleans victory.
Prediction: Cardinals play best when no one believes in them, but it's hard to envision the Saints finishing the year with four straight losses.
Saints 30, Cardinals 20.
Baltimore (10-7) at Indianapolis (14-2)
Storylines: Rematch of a Week 11 game in Baltimore, won by the Colts, 17-15... Including playoffs, the Ravens are 0-7 against the Colts since last beating them in 2001, including 0-3 in Indianapolis...Baltimore trying to get back to the AFC Championship for the second straight season, while Indianapolis trying to get back to the game for the first time since winning it after the 2006 campaign...Colts lost their final two games of the regular season following a 14-0 start, resting starters for portions of defeats to the Jets (29-15) and Bills (30-7)...Colts are 1-3 in their last four playoff openers, including home losses to the Steelers (21-18 in 2005) and Chargers (28-24 in 2007), and are 0-3 during the Peyton Manning era when they have a first-round bye... Ravens tight end Todd Heap (back) a question mark after being injured late in last week's win over the Patriots...Manning won his NFL-record fourth league MVP award last week...Colts led the league in third-down percentage (49.2) and fewest sacks allowed (13) during the regular season, and were tied for first in touchdown passes (34) and fewest fumbles lost (5), but were last in rushing offense (80.9 yards per game).
Fast Fact: Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco's 34 passing yards last week were tied for the fewest in a win during the Super Bowl era, equaling the 34 thrown by the Dolphins' Bob Griese in a 27-10 win over the Raiders in the AFC Championship on Dec. 30, 1973.
Prediction: Ravens defense isn't nearly as good as it looked last week, though Colts tend to let opponents hang around.
Colts 23, Ravens 19.
Vinnie Iyer
Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints.
Even if Romo vs. Favre is the main course on the NFC menu, it's still unfair to call this Saturday game an appetizer. Let's call it an extended happy hour, because Kurt Warner and Drew Brees will provide plenty of pleasing moments in the Superdome.
Many expect a repeat of the Cards-Packers' high-scoring wackiness. They should: The quarterbacks are too good and the supporting casts are too deep and versatile to keep each team's final score below the 30s.
Defensively, these teams measure themselves by big plays, not by points or yardage. Neither defense has anything to lose by coming out aggressively, because the ability to get just one or two turnovers can be the difference in the game -- just ask Arizona how it helped the team survive against Green Bay.
Look for defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to have the rested Saints flying off the ball to go after and force a rushed throw or two by Warner, putting Darren Sharper and the rest of the hosts' ballhawks in position to get interceptions.
To close the game, the Saints will turn to their sneaky strength -- pounding the ball with Pierre Thomas, Mike Bell and Reggie Bush. New Orleans will play keep away with the run at the ideal time in the fourth quarter. Saints 44, Cardinals 34.
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts.
There's no secret the Ravens would love to execute the same game plan that worked so well in New England. Rattle an elite quarterback with varied looks, and dominate the line of scrimmage with a physical running game.
You can bet league MVP Peyton Manning has studied every aspect of how the Ravens went after Tom Brady, and has an answer for it. He's got a more reliable receiving corps, with Reggie Wayne working outside and Dallas Clark creating mismatches inside. The Colts will also position young wideouts Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie to make plays.
Indianapolis will come out spreading the ball around looking to build a lead, and then rely on its defense to tackle well, bend and don't break. The Ravens won't just be able to run, run, run this week, and even though Joe Flacco doesn't mind throwing often, dueling with Manning is too much of an obstacle. Colts 23, Ravens 20.
Gina
Arizona Cardinals (11-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3)
New Orleans has covered the spread in four of the last five against the Cards, including the last two at the Superdome. However, Arizona is a good road team, 6-2 this season and went 7-0 ATS this season as an underdog. Another shootout is in all likelihood will happen with Brees and Warner at the helm. Take the hot Cardinals and the points. Arizona is 5-0 ATS in the last five playoff games.
Arizona Cardinals +7
Baltimore Ravens (10-7) at Indianapolis Colts (14-2)
Indianapolis has won the last seven meetings against the Ravens, including the last four in Indianapolis. Look for the Ravens to have difficulty stopping Peyton and troops passing attack. Indianapolis is 5-0 both straight-up and against the spread in its last 5 games versus Baltimore.
Indianapolis Colts -6½
SPORTS MEMO
Recommendation: New Orleans -7
Despite a seemingly comfortable lead at home, Arizona did everything in its
power to allow Green Bay back in the game last week. The Cardinals couldn’t stop
the pass as the Packers were well versed in what defensive players to attack and
when. New Orleans brings the same type of attack – tremendously efficient with
big play receivers surrounding Drew Brees. On the flip side, you can’t discredit
Arizona’s offense as last week’s 531 yards proved it is as good as anyone in the
league. The attention to the ground game has been the key however as the Cardinals
ripped off 6.8 ypc. While Arizona got accolades for being a solid bet on the
road (5-3 ATS), they have yet to be tested in an environment like New Orleans.
Folks will tell you that their defense is much improved but against their top two
offensive opponents (Indianapolis and Green Bay) they allowed 500+ yards – both
at home and both similar to the Saints in terms of explosiveness. We feel we get
some extra value after New Orleans’ poor play headed into the postseason – two
of the three losses were meaningless and Dallas has proved to be a pretty good
outfit. Too many things favor the Saints in this spot not to lay the moderate price.
Recommendation: Indianapolis -6.5
Baltimore jumped out to 24-0 first quarter lead and never looked back in an impressive
win at New England. The ground game produced 234 yards at 4.5 ypc while Joe
Flacco was held to 4-of-10 for 34 yards. Turnovers were the key as the Ravens picked
off three Tom Brady passes. In the week 11 matchup, in which the Colts won on a last
season field goal, Baltimore was once again able to disrupt the passing game with
two interceptions. Indianapolis’ defense will be tested by what has turned into the
focus point of the Baltimore offense -- Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. The Colts have
always displayed a bend-but-don’t-break philosophy and it worked well in the first
meeting as they held the Ravens to 98 yards on 3.2 ypc. From a trend perspective,
the Colts have won and covered six straight in the series with all but one of those
games going under the total. If you can hand New England a rare home playoff loss
then you can certainly win at Indianapolis but we feel the Colts are a much more
well rounded group when compared to the Patriots. And it is unlikely that Baltimore
will be handed as many “free” points as it was in the first round. We’ll call for a
well rested Colts team to come through at home with the spread covering victory.
BRENT CROW
BEST BET: Ole Miss
What Tennessee has done in its last two games is pretty impressive after
losing Tyler Smith and three other contributors to suspension. The
Vols were left with just six scholarship players and three walk-ons, but
they played their best basketball of the season in their first two games
without the suspended players. Tennessee cruised past Charlotte and
then upset top-ranked Kansas on Sunday. This week they host Auburn
on Tuesday before Ole Miss comes to town on Saturday. The Rebels
dropped their SEC opener at home to rival Mississippi State last Saturday
and play at Georgia before going to Knoxville. I look for the Rebels to
come up with a maximum effort against the Vols in this one. They consider
themselves a SEC contender, and after losing to Mississippi State,
they will be eager to beat a high profile team and a boost their overall
resume. On the other hand, while Tennessee has managed to persevere
through adversity, eventually the fact that they are shorthanded
will catch up to them. Take the points here with Ole Miss on the road.
DONNIE BLACK
BEST BET: Miami (OH)
Miami (OH) has endured arguably the toughest schedule in the nation
thus far playing the likes of Kentucky, Xavier, Cincinnati, New Mexico, Louisiana
Tech, Temple and Dayton. It was so difficult you wonder whether
or not the RedHawks can emotionally rebound from the 3-11 start. But
with MAC play now underway, this team should have value in the coming
weeks. After four straight road games, Miami plays host to a tough Kent
State squad on Tuesday and then rival Ohio comes to town on Saturday.
The Bobcats are a good team but have shown a strong home/road dichotomy.
Last year, Ohio lost only two games at home by a total of three
points but won only two true road games -- one of which was a four-point
triumph in Oxford. Miami’s offensive efficiency numbers are actually better
than a year ago and after ranking 60th in defensive efficiency last year,
we firmly expect those statistics to greatly improve in the coming weeks
now that the level of competition has lessened. We’ll jump in on the
home side -- with revenge -- as wins and success should be forthcoming.
MARTY OTTO
BEST BET: Cincinnati
The Bearcats have played a tough schedule in the early stages taking on Vanderbilt,
Maryland, Gonzaga and Xavier. It should start paying dividends as they head
into the meat of a brutal Big East conference season. I see some major advantages
on the defensive end of the court in this matchup which should provide enough of
an edge for Cincinnati to get the cash this weekend. The fact that they have played
the tougher schedule -- facing some impressive offensive teams along the way -
- and still sport better defensive numbers than Notre Dame is telling. Cinci ranks in
the top 30 nationally in defensive FG percentage, holding foes to just 38% from
the floor. The Irish rank outside the top 230 in defensive FG percentage. UC’s suffocating
man-to-man defense will face a Notre Dame offense that relies heavily on
three-point shots and Luke Harangody. Look for the Bearcats to really focus in on
stopping the perimeter game while forcing Harangody to work hard for his points.
Contain at least one of those two aspects and Notre Dame is a very beatable team on
the highway. In the end this looks like a difficult spot for the Irish who will likely have
lost all momentum after beating West Virginia at home last week. Take the Bearcats.
HELMUT SPORTS
BEST BET: Gonzaga
As always, Gonzaga played the toughest non-conference schedule of any
WCC team. They dropped a close game on the road to Michigan State and let
a close home game against Wake Forest slip away after Elias Harris was ejected.
I think due to its youth the oddsmaker has been undervaluing this team
all year long. Last season they were at least a nine-point favorite in all their
conference road games except at St. Mary’s. This season it appears we will be
getting lines well under 10 on a lot of these conference road tilts. Surprisingly
this young Zag’s team has shot the ball better than last year’s veteran group
despite the difficult schedule. Through the first 15 games they are shooting
an impressive 49% from the field, 37% from three and averaging 79 ppg.
San Diego lost eight of its last 12 games, removing much of the optimism that
had accompanied the Toreros’ early season success. Much of their problem
during this stretch has been their inability to score and they should have issues
against a Zag’s defense that has held opponents to 41% shooting. Tricky
travel spot doesn’t keep me from taking advantage of a big difference in class
POINTWISE
Simply amazing! Cards needed OT for epic 51-45 win over the Packers, with the
96 combined pts the most ever in a playoff game. Just 1 punt each, with Warner
continuing his spectacular post-season play. A brilliant 29-of-33 for 379 yds & 5
TDs (2nd time he has thrown for 5 TDs in playoff game, & his sixth 300-yd postseason
effort). And check Fitzgerald with 9 TDs catches in 5 playoff affairs. The
Saints' perfect season has fizzled. Still at 32.4 ppg in their last 18 games, but just
14.7 ppg in their last 3. Five straight ATS losses, & on a 2-8 ATS slide. Brees (34
TD passes) & Co still a major force, but obviously cannot buck Cards in playoffs.
PROPHECY: ARIZONA 34 - New Orleans 31 RATING: 4
Well, the Colts eschewed their chance at immortality, by playing a batch of backup
performers in their final 2 games, thereby missing a shot at the only 19-0 record in
the history of the NFL. Previous early clinching of playoff spots have resulted in
some dismal post-seasons, with their only title coming via the WildCard route. But
Manning (4,500 yds, 33 TDs) & Co 10-3 ATS in meaningful games of late, scoring
at a 29.2 ppg clip. A 23-0 SU regular season run, but note the visitor covering 17
of those 23. Balt has 6 playoff road wins in the last decade, has held 9-of-11 foes
under 18 pts, & posted 234 RYs at NwEngland. Rice & McGahee keep this tight.
PROPHECY: Indianapolis 23 - BALTIMORE 20 RATING: 6
VEGAS EXPERTS
Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts
When these teams meet, they have a habit of going Under, doing so in six of the last seven meetings. Baltimore has been held to 15 points or less in five of those games, including just six in a home playoff loss three years ago and 15 (on five field goals) in a two-point loss this regular season. The Colts could have rust issues coming off a bye. They are 8-0 Under all-time in Saturday games.
Play on: Under
Charlie Scott
New Mexico vs. Wyoming
Play: Under 153
We won last Saturday on UNLV/New Mexico Under and will come back and play the Under with New Mexico again today. NM Coach Steve Alford has his team playing good defense, while the Lobos have been struggling on offense. Todays total is inflated due to New Mexico playing a fast pace vs bad teams early in the season. In Mountain West Conference play, the Lobos are playing at a much slower pace. Under Thunder !
Rob Vinciletti
USC vs. UCLA
Play:UCLA
The Bruins have won 9 of the last 12 here at home in this series vs USC. Tonight they come in with some solid statistical numbers on their side. UCLA is 11-1 vs teams who score less than 65 points per game and 7-1 after they scored 60 or less in their last game. When they enter off a conference loss they have won 8 of the last 9 times and have a solid 39-7 home record. Since 1997 they have won every home game when the total was 120 or less. Usc is just 2-5 as a short road dog and has lost 3 of the last 4 times on the road when the total was 119 or less. In fact they are 0-4 this year in lined road games overall.
LT Profits
Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints
The whole country saw the Arizona Cardinals get involved in the highest scoring playoff game of all time last week, a 51-45 overtime win over the Green Bay Packers, but because of this, we are actually getting good line value on the Under this week when the Cardinals visit the New Orleans Saints.
Yes, the Cardinals looked terrible on defense last week, but they are much better than that and can be expected to make the necessary adjustments this week for a more normal performance. Besides, it was apparent even last week that Arizona does have a good pass rush, and they did record 43 sacks this season. The weakest link of the entire New Orleans offense may be left tackle Jermon Bushrod, so we see the Cards putting pressure on Drew Brees here.
Besides, as great as the Saints were offensively this season, they really have not had a good offensive performance in a month. Remember that they were on a bye last week and they sat their starters in Week 17. They also scored just 17 points in each of their previous two games, with the latter being at home vs. a weak Tampa Bay team.
We could easily see a rusty Saints team coming out sluggishly in the first half here, which would already put this Over in jeopardy given how enormously high this posted total is.
Also not to be overlooked here is the underrated New Orleans defense, which should do a much better job of keeping the Cardinal offense in check than the Packers did. Granted, the Saints did not play as well defensively down the stretch as they did earlier in the year, but that was because the defense was decimated by injuries. With cornerback Usama Young and linebacker Scott Shanie returning for this game, that defense is now virtually in tact and healthy again.
So the bottom line here is that nether team should score as much as many people expect here, and it is certainly encouraging to know that even if this game lands on 51 or 54, it would still be good enough to cash this Under ticket.
Pick: Cardinals/Saints Under 57
JR TIPS
Cavaliers at Clippers
LeBron James and the Cavaliers look to bounce back from a last second loss tonight when they conclude a five-game trip against the Los Angeles Clippers who try to avoid dropping four consecutive games. James scored 20 of his 36 points in the fourth quarter, including 18 during a 22-4 run for the Cavs that turned a 12-point deficit with 4 minutes remaining into a six-point lead with 32.5 seconds left until Sundiata Gaines who was just signed last week to a 10-day contract nailed a 3-pointer as time expired to hand the Cavs a 97-96 loss. Cleveland has split its first four games of this trip despite James averaging 37.3 points on 55.4 percent shooting with 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists. Cleveland beat the Clippers 87-83 at Los Angeles on March 10 as James finished with 32 points, 13 rebounds and 11 assists, his second triple-double in three games against the Clippers and the Cavs have won six straight over Los Angeles. The Clippers are coming off Friday's 126-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, their most lopsided defeat of the season as Chris Kaman has sat out each game of Los Angeles' losing streak with a sore back and without Kaman, the Clippers are allowing an average of 112.7 points and grabbing an average of 1.3 fewer boards than their opponents while averaging 89.5 points. The Cavs have dominated the Clippers and without Kaman, the Clippers will have not shot trying to stop the James and the Cavs. This one will get out of hand early.
TAKE CAVS
EZWINNERS
Baltimore Ravens +6.5
I'm not convinced that the Colts will be able to "turn it back on" for their first playoff game against the Ravens. Baltimore is a big, physical team and their defense is playing very well. Offensively, the Ravens ability to run the ball with Ray Rice and Willis McGhee will be the key to this game. The Colts have struggled stopping the run this year and Baltimore should be able to control the clock and take this game down to the wire. Take the points.
JIM FEIST
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS / LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS
TAKE: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
It's been a disappointing road trip for the Cavs, at 2-2 SU, 1-3 ATS. The Cavaliers are rested for this finale, but got sucker-punched in the gut Thursday night thanks to a rookie on a 10-day contract named Sundiata Gaines. He drilled a contested 3-pointer at the buzzer to lead the Utah Jazz to a 97-96 victory over the Cavs. They'e had a day to rest and stew about the tough loss. The Clippers are playing their 4th game in 5 nights, plus the second of a back to back spot playing the city rival Lakers last night. Play the Cavaliers.
Jimmy Moore
New Jersey @ Colorado
Pick: New Jersey
The Devils will be focused on getting back on the winning side after a rare road loss in Phoenix on Thursday night and they get to take on the Aves who will be playing thier first game since Monday. That much time off at this point of the season will have them sluggish at the start. Jersey will be flying and the Aves will be slow, a great combination for a Jersey win.