JEFF BENTON
Your Sunday freebie comes in the NBA will be the Boston Celtics in revenge mode against the Los Angeles Clippers.
Boston dropped a 106-77 no-contest two days after Christmas in the City of Angles, and while they are now playing without Rajon Rondo, the Celtics have actually won and covered three in a row since last Sunday when Rondo went down.
As for the Clippers, they are most definitely missing Chris Paul, as they come to Beantown with a 2-5 straight up mark their last seven games, and just a 2-6 spread mark their last eight times on the hardwood.
The guard mix of Bradley, Lee, Terry, and Barbosa has gotten the job done in the short term for Doc Rivers, and with revenge on the menu this Sunday on the parquet floor, going to look for the Celts to extend their winning ways to four in a row both straight up and against the spread.
Take Boston.
2* BOSTON
SCOTT DELANEY
My free play for Sunday will be with one of the better rivalries in college basketball, as I take the Minnesota Godlen Gophers over the Iowa Hawkeyes. If there has been one team I've been impressed with all season, it's been the Gophers. Coach Tubby Smith has done a fantastic job in getting this team on track this season.
The Gophers hit a snag recently, losing four straight, but got back on track with an 84-65 win at home against Nebraska. They've had four days off and now get their rivals at home, where it's always tough for teams to play. Minnesota is now 77-24 at Williams Arena with Smith on the bench.
No. 23 Minnesota (16-5, 4-4 Big Ten) was led by Rodney Williams - who had struggled through much of the Big Ten schedule - as he set a personal Big Ten scoring high with 23 points. The Gophers fired an impressive 54.2 percent from the floor and rebounded well.
And I also saw the Gophers' bench pick up its game, scoring 23 points in the 19-point win, after scoring a total of just 17 in the last two games.
Look for the Gophers to put together another complete game and top Iowa.
3* MINNESOTA
BRAD WILTON
Sunday comp play coming in college hoops on underdog Providence as they play at Villanova against a Wildcats team that is laying an inflated number.
The Wildcats pulled back-to-back Top Five upset wins over Louisville and Syracuse last week, but were unable to make it three straight upset wins as they lost at Notre Dame, but did manage to cover in the underdog role in that contest.
Don't like them to cover today, even though Providence comes to Philly with losses in each of their last 3 in Big East action.
Last year, both series meetings went right down to the wire as the teams split a pair of meetings straight up. The Friars have won 3 of the last 4 series meetings straight up, and they have covered in all 4 of those meetings.
The underdog in the rivalry is 9-4 the last 13 meetings, and I am looking for the underdog - Providence - to make it a 10-4 run with the cover this Sunday.
Take the points and the Friars.
2* PROVIDENCE
CRAIG DAVIS
As for today's free play, I'm on the Baltimore/San Francisco game to go under the total.
Everyone is falling for the offensive hype we've seen in these playoffs, and while I can't disagree with what we've seen, I can say that these two brothers (and coaching staffs) are very familiar with each other... and it's kind of going to be a game of cat-and-mouse.
The last time these two hooked up was in the regular season last year... a 17-9 win for the Ravens at home... and a one-game advantage for brother John.
No, that game doesn't have anything to do with this one, but you can see how these two teams tensed up and basically played NOT to make a mistake rather than playing to score.
I also realize we're dealing with different offenses and slightly different defenses than from a year ago, but the schemes are similar and the mindsets of these two head coaches remains the same.
Both teams will run the ball... both teams will stop the run, and I believe we're going to see a lot of ball control and long, time-consuming drives.
Forget what you saw in the playoffs... this is the game for all the marbles and neither team wants to make a mistake. Call me crazy, but I'm taking this game UNDER the total as your free play of the day.
Enjoy my Super Bowl winner #5 in a row simply by logging in. Good luck.
2* BALTIMORE-SAN FRANCISCO UNDER
Jim Feist
Lakers at Pistons
Pick: Under
This series has historically been an UNDER play, and that didn't change the first meeting between these clubs this year. These teams met back on Nov 4 and the Lakers won 108-79, just getting under the 189.5 total. That makes five straight and 10 of the last 12 times these teams have met that the total has gone UNDER. Moreover, the last seven meetings in Detroit has resulted in six unders and one push. Add to that the Lakers are 4-9 Over/Under in their last 13 games and that makes for some great under trends in today's contest. We don't always play trends, but sometimes you just can't ignore them. Take the UNDER again here on Sunday.
Dave Cokin
Wisconsin at Illinois
Pick: Wisconsin
This has been a tale of two seasons for Illinois. Part one was a dream for the Illini. Part two has been a nightmare. Illinois came storming out of the gate at the outset of the campaign and looked sensational is storming through the field out at Maui, and stayed red hot with a great win at Gonzaga. Illinois was 12-0 heading into the rivalry showdown with Missouri. But they lost to the Tigers and have not been the same since. Illinois is just 3-7 over the last ten, and they've looked absolutely lost since Big 10 play got underway. I don't see things changing here. Wisconsin plays a style that Illinois clearly has trouble with, and Bo Ryan once again has gotten his Badgers into a good rhythm. The Illinois miseries figure to continue here, and even as short road chalk, I have to back the Wisconsin side.
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Ottawa +120 over MONTREALFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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OT included. The Canadiens are certainly better than anticipated and it's no fluke. They play hard, they're gifted, they have one of the league's premier golatenders and they also have that intangible called chemistry working in their favor. This is a dangerous team with a great furture. However, when we look closely at the Habs, we see wins over a disinterested Buffalo team yesterday after defeating New Jersey, Washington, Florida, and Winnipeg. Nice wins, as they all are but not exactly the cream of the crop either. When they played Ottawa on January 30, Montreal lost 5-1.
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The Sens are 5-2-1. One if its losses was on Friday night in Carolina by a score of 1-0. They will miss Jason Spezza for sure but this is a team with depth that is going to be just as tough to beat without their scoring star. Ottawa's goaltending and defense is outstanding and they're simply a must play when taking back a tag against inferior opposition. That's not to knock the Canadiens, as we really like them this season but the value here lies in the visitor.
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Florida +130 over BUFFALOFOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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There's something just not right with the Sabres. Sure, they had a big win over Boston on Thursday but they were down 3-1 in that game late in the second before the refs called simultaneous two-minute minor penalties on Boston and the Sabres went to work on a two-minute 5 on 3. Before the end of the period, it was tied and Buffalo carried that momentum into a win. Instead of building on that, the Sabres showed up in body only yesterday in an embarrassing performance in Montreal. Buffalo was out-shot 15-1 in the first period and was down 4-0 after two. Buffalo has allowed three goals or more in six straight with its only win over the span coming against Boston in a game they were supposed to lose. They don't have a solid, 60-minute effort in any of their eight games and its 3-4-1 record could easily be 0-8. They now return home after games in Boston and Montreal and they have the Senators up next.
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Florida is so much better than its 2-5 record. The Panthers are coming off a much-needed win over the Jets in a game they broke out with five third period goals. A win does wonders to a teams' psyche and unlike Buffalo, we expect the Panthers to carry their momentum into this crucial four-game trip that begins here. Let's not forget that this team won the Southeast last season. They're loaded with young and speedy talent, they have a solid defense and they roll out three lines that can check with any. We have not seen a less spirited group than these Sabres and something is going to give sooner rather than later. As the favorite, Buffalo is instant fade material.
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Rider -3.5FOR FREE SERVICE PLAYS VISIT THESPREAD.COM
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Today's members play = Broncs on the road - 3.5... Through 23 games this season these Rider Broncs rank 3rd in the MAAC in field goal percentage defense, first in three-point field goal percentage defense & second in blocks and second in steals... The Power Rated Play here has Rider - 7...The Marist Red Foxes have lost 11 of their last 12 games, the lone win coming against Saint Peter's January 19... #'s are strong @ Rider is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
Charlie Scott
Ravens vs. 49ers
Play: Under
The more I analyze Todays Big Game, The more reasons I come up with for playing UNDER. Both Offense's have good running games and can play physical, while both Teams have above average defense's. This is the healthiest the Ravens defense has been all season.
Brother's factor - By Kickoff we will be sick & tired of the Harbaugh family ! However, the fact remains these guys are Brothers and it is unlikely 1 will run up the score on the other and embarass the other in the Super Bowl.
Kaepernick Factor- While talented and playing well, this guy is Young and has less playing experience than a Rookie. A Young guy from a small school (Nevada) it is hard to predict how he handles the Big Game jitters under All those lights & cameras. Remember Donovan McNabb getting sick in the 4th quarter ? Expect the Niners to Keep it Simple !
Bookie Factor- Vegas Books have said they are exposed if the Over cashes. Yet the Vegas Books knew they were going to get plenty of Over money for Today and their first reaction was to lower the total. Bookies drive Cadillacs and I don't mind needing the same side as them.
The Richard Dreyfuss "Let it Ride" Factor- "Play Against the Public" Every Square, Joe Public + Media idiots I've heard this over hyped week is predicting a high scoring game. 12 of 18 Super Bowl Games played on artificial turf have gone UNDER !
I know You Guys have Parties to attend Today, but if possible wait until an hour before kickoff for best Total #.
PLAY UNDER !
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Boston/ Clippers Under 184: The Celtics have been mostly a slow down team this year and they should be even slower the rest of the year without Rondo in there. The Celts have averaged 98.6 ppg in their last 5 games, but 2 of those games did go into OT. Looking at regulation and we see that Boston has averaged just 90.1 ppg in their last 9 games overall. Not sure they can hit that mark today vs a Clippers squad that has allowed just 90.3 ppg in their last 3 games and just 94.4 ppg on the road on the year. Now Like Boston, the Clippers have had their own scoring woes of late, averaging just 92.6 ppg in their last 9 games. Not good news for the Clipps, especially when taking on Boston on the road. Boston has allowed just 92.5 ppg at home overall, including just 87.3 ppg (regulation) in their last 7 games here. Both offenses are struggling and that gives two very good defenses the edge here. Should be a slow paced game with neither team hitting the 90 point mark.
James Patrick Sports
Marquette vs. Louisville
Play: Marquette
The Golden Eagles lost the highest-scoring tandem in the Big East in Jae Crowder and Darius Johnson-Odom after last season but have enough left over to make another run at the NCAA tournament. The Louisville Cardinals knocked Marquette from last seasons Big East Tournament and you can bet that HC Buzz Williams has had this game circled. Big Game James Patricks Sunday complimentary selection is Marquette Golden Eagles.
Charlie Sports
Iowa at Minnesota
Play: Minnesota
The (14-7) Iowa Hawkeyes of the Big 10 Conference will take on the (16-5) Minnesota Golden Gophers also on the Big 10 in 2013 NCAA Basketball action. Iowa is only 2-8their last 10 Against The Spread on sunday's. Iowa has also covered 3 of the last 4 vs. Minnesota. Minnesota is 10-2 ATS their last 12 vs. The Big 10 and are 6-4 ATS their last 10 overall. Minnesota gets the home cover.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAYS
Louisville/ Marquette Under 132.5: Been burned on some of these Big East totals by taking the overs, especially in games involving Pitt/ Louisville and Syracuse. I even had an Over in the Marquette/ South Florida game the other night and that came up short. Now you can almost expect this one to go over since I am taking the Under. LOL Stlll a big part of the reason that Louisville games have gone under is their defense. The Cardinals come in allowing just 57.9 ppg on 40.1% shooting overall, while also allowing just 56.4 ppg on 39.3% shooting at home. They have an excellent shot at keeping the Golden Eagles under 60 points, considering the fact that they score just 59.8 ppg on 39.5% shooting. 34 of Marquette's last 6 BE games have put up 140 points or more, but a closer look shows that 2 of those games would have never made it to the 130's had they not gone into OT. Those 6 games have averaged just 122 ppg in regulation. Marquette's defense is not all that bad, having allowed just 58.5 ppg (regulation) in their last 6 BE games and Louisville comes in struggling on the offensive end, scoring just 64 ppg in their last 5 games. Should be a pretty good low scoring game. that should stay under 125 points.
Virginia/ Georgia Tech Over 112: I know how slow Virginia plays, but at home I have to feel that Tech can sped them up enough to get the over here. Tech home games have averaged 123.4 ppg, while their last 5 overall have put up 134.8 ppg. Tech has allowed 54.6 ppg at home, but overall they have allowed 69.4 ppg in their last 5 games. Maybe tiring a bit at that end of the floor. Offensively the Yellow Jackets average 68.8 ppg at home and Virginia allows 57.8 ppg on the road, so getting close to 60 points is very reachable by Tech. Hitting the 50's should also be reached by Virginia s they do average 57.8 ppg on the road and in their last 5 games they have averaged 59.4 ppg on 46.3% shooting. This game could flirt with 120 points.
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
San Fran/ Baltimore Under 48: The Raven's defense has struggled at times this year, but down the stretch when they needed to they played really well, allowing 14 points or less in 3 of their last 5 games and that includes allowing the powerful Patriots just 13 points in the AFC Championship game. The Niners defense has had some struggles in the post season, but make no mistake this is still a staunch group and with extra time to prepare you can bet they will be ready for a big showing tonight. Both teams will also look to establish the run here, which will eat clock and neither defense really gives up too many big plays, which means if teams score the will have to use time consuming drives. I also expect a pretty conservative game plan buy both coaches, knowing that they won’t have to take too many unnecessary chances knowing they have solid defenses n the other side of the ball. Running, defense and conservative ball control offense will keep this game in the 30’s.
Ray Monohan
Boston Celtics +1½
The teams have split their last eight meetings, but so much for that Super Bowl Sunday matchup of the best point guard in the Western Conference vs. the best PG in the East. Neither side will have their All Star in the lineup on Sunday, leaving both offenses in disarray. Boston is coming off a 97-84 win over Orlando, while Los Angeles dropped their last game to Toronto, 98-73.The Clippers have been 2-4 cover team since Paul went down. Eric Bledsoe has been OK, but was Just Another Guy on Saturday night when LA suffered its worst defeat (98-73) of the season vs. Toronto.
The Celtics have had six players score in double figures in each of the past two games. Veteran Paul Pierce has put together 3 straight double-doubles. Pierce had notched double-digit rebounds only 3 times in the first 43 games before pulling down 34 during his three-game streak. The Clippers’ backcourt troubles play into the Celtics’ strength, and Bledsoe will be hounded all day by Avery Bradley.
The Clippers are 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 games following a SU loss of more than 10 points, and are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. The Celtics are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a ATS win. On Super Bowl Sunday we're riding BOSTON in this one as the Celtics keep it going for one more game.