Ben Burns
Golden State @ Minnesota
PICK: Minnesota -2
I won with the T-Wolves in their last game. They covered vs. the Spurs, very nearly beating them outright. While that game went to OT, it was on 11/24, meaning that they've had the past two nights off. That should give them an advantage against their potentially "road-weary" guests.
The Warriors are off a hard-fought loss at Memphis last night. To their credit, they covered the spread. However, they're still an ugly 1-5 ATS their last six games.
In addition to playing the second of back to back games, the Warriors are now playing their third game in the past four days and fifth game in the last seven.
While the Warriors may well be looking ahead to the return trip home, the T-Wolves know they've got tough road games at Dallas and San Antonio on deck. That makes taking advantage of this "winnable" game important. They're 3-2 SU/ATS against losing teams this season and have a solid shot at improving on those stats here. Consider Minnesota
SPORTS WAGERS
Washington +7 over CALIFORNIA
The Huskies and Bears have both had disappointing seasons that will most likely end without bowl game appearances. It’s especially disappointing for California because they came extremely close to shocking Oregon on November 13th when they were 4-3. Had they pulled off the upset, the Golden Bears would be looking at a winning season but instead they got blown out last week by Stanford and that leaves us with no other conclusion but that Cal has quit on the season. This is actually its final game of the year and with very little on the line the odds-makers have lined this one at -7 based on talent disparity and home field. That’s not how it works in College Football and those who watch it year in and year out can attest to that. Motivation is perhaps the greatest factor when betting this game and if you look at final weekend results over the last ten years it’s littered with scores that make no sense based on talent and home field. Washington could become bowl eligible with a win today and one next week against Washington State. They still have a Quarterback who at one point was considered the best prospect in the college game in Jake Locker. Locker’s stock has a taken a hit but he’s still awesome. This season he’s thrown for 1746 yards with a 14-7 touchdown to interception ratio. He’s completed 55.4% of his passes and also run for four touchdowns. The Huskies are coming of a win at home against UCLA and with the chance to be bowl eligible still alive they should play their hearts out today. California has the edge in talent but that’s about the only thing they have going for them at this point. Take the points and Washington in a contest that should prove morale and momentum play huge roles in College Football. Play: #186 Washington +7 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
USC –4½ over Notre Dame
The Irish have had a resurgence of sorts with two straight wins over #14 Utah and last week by a 27-3 score over Army. That win over Utah and subsequent win over Army has pushed the Irish’s stock higher than it’s been all year but no way are we buying into it. Fact is, the Irish have had an easy schedule and they come in just 6-5 and became Bowl eligible after last week’s win. That was their goal and they achieved it. Both Navy and Stanford have smoked them and they also have losses against Tulsa, Michigan St. and Michigan. The Notre Dame offense is also racked with injuries, as quarterback Dayne Crist, tailback Armando Allen, tight end Kyle Rudolph and wideout Theo Riddick are all out of action. Now they’ll travel cross-country after clinching a bowl birth and they’ll play against a team that is ineligible for post-season play. Furthermore, the Trojans have played the likes of Oregon, Washington, Oregon St, Stanford and Arizona to name a few and still come in with a 7-4 record and one of the most potent offenses in the land. It’s not known at this time whether Matt Barkley will suit up but it’s not going to matter. If he does suit up, and it’s a 50-50 shot, it’ll be just an added bonus. After playing some of the most potent offenses in the land, this one should appear in slow motion for the Trojans. USC is loaded with talent on both sides of the ball and might end up producing more NFL players than any team in college football. Trojans are way undervalued here or the Irish are way overvalued. Take your pick. Play: #198 USC –4½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
SPORTS WAGERS
PHOENIX -½ -1.04 over ANAHEIM
There is a quote from long forgotten hockey guru Howie Meeker and what he said is that offense is inspiration and defense is perspiration. That holds true for the Anaheim Ducks, a team that is completely lost at the moment, especially in their own zone, where they never work up a sweat and continually give the puck away. They Ducks have not only lost six in a row but they’ve lost three straight at home and have just 17 lousy wins in its last 55 road games. It gets worse. There is not a worse team in the NHL in terms of the defense moving the puck out and you can double that when the Ducks aren’t at home. Furthermore, Anaheim will play its third game in four days and the tail end of back-to-backs after another uninspiring performance yesterday. In addition, they chose to fly out of Anaheim this morning at 6:30 AM, which means they had to wake up at about 4:00 AM. The Ducks plane was delayed and once they get to Phoenix it’ll be right on the ice for practice. This is a team in complete turmoil, no confidence and an extremely fragile defense that is playing a well-rested and red-hot Coyotes team. Phoenix has reeled off seven in a row and its forecheck is relentless. That’s a huge problem for the Ducks. The Coyotes have scored three goals or more in six straight and they’re playing as good or better than they did a year ago. They can’t wait to get back on the ice. This is a team made of guys with character, confidence, grit and a determination that’s second to nobody. The Ducks have none of that. Play: Phoenix -½ -1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).
SPORTS WAGERS
Memphis –1.04 over Cleveland
Both teams will play its third game in four days but the difference is that the Grizzlies have been home for all week while the Cav’s have been traveling for eight days. That’s tough on good teams and the Cav’s surely don’t qualify as such. The Cav’s played three games on the road last week before returning home for one game against Milwaukee and subsequently hit the road again for a tilt yesterday in Orlando. To play this game, the Cav’s flew home for its sixth plane ride in eight days while the Grizz has had one. Furthermore, after a win over the Heat a week ago, Memphis subsequently won its next two and are now riding a three-game winning streak. The Grizz have to start cashing in on these road games against weak East opponents have no excuses here against a squad that is reeling and has no go-to-guy. In fact, the Cav’s have relied mainly on its bench to keep them in games because the starting five has not done a thing. The Grizzlies are the far superior team in a far better spot and they have a great opportunity to dominate the boards and keep this run alive. Play: Memphis –1.04 (Risking 2.08 units to win 2).