SPORTS ADVISORS
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
LAS VEGAS BOWL
(at Las Vegas)
(15) BYU (10-2, 6-6 ATS) vs. (16) Oregon State (8-4, 7-4 ATS)
Three weeks after coming up short in their bid to win the Pac-10 title and a trip to the Rose Bowl, the Beavers make their way to Sam Boyd Stadium to take on red-hot Brigham Young, which won eight of its final nine regular-season games.
Oregon State put itself in position for a conference title and Rose Bowl bid by winning four straight Pac-10 games (3-1 ATS) heading into its rivalry matchup with Oregon on Dec. 3. The Beavers led that contest into the second half but couldn’t fend off a Ducks rally and fell 37-33 on the road. Oregon State did cash as 9½-point underdogs for their fourth straight ATS win and seventh in the past eight contests.
The Cougars edged rival Utah 26-23 in overtime in their finale, but came up short as 7½-point favorites. BYU’s only loss of the Mountain West Conference season came to BCS-bowl-bound TCU, which pounded the Cougars in Provo, Utah, 38-7 as a 2½-point road favorite. Prior to that loss, BYU had won four in a row (2-2 ATS), and it followed the TCU defeat with a season-ending four-game winning streak (2-2 ATS).
The Beavers, who have won five straight bowl games since 2003 (4-1 ATS), scored a 3-0 win over Pittsburgh in last year’s Sun Bowl in El Paso, Texas, cashing as a one-point favorite. Oregon State’s last appearance in the Las Vegas Bowl came in 2003 when it crushed New Mexico 55-14 as 2½-point underdogs. This is BYU’s fifth straight trip to the Las Vegas Bowl, and it has split its last four contests both SU and ATS, including last year’s 31-21 loss to Arizona as a three-point underdog.
Oregon State has won five of the eight lifetime matchups with the Cougars, with the last coming in 1986 when the Beavers scored a 10-7 home win.
Both teams are playing at Sam Boyd Stadium for the second time this year. Oregon State barely edged UNLV 23-21 as a 6½-point road chalk on Sept. 12, while the Cougars visited Las Vegas a month later and crushed the Rebels 59-21, easily covering as a 16½-point road favorite.
First-team all-Pac-10 quarterback Sean Canfield led the conference with 3,103 passing yards, finishing with 21 touchdowns and six interceptions. Behind Canfield and electrifying sophomore RB Jacquizz Rodgers (1,377 rushing yards, 20 TDs), the Beavers put up 32.4 points and 419.4 yards per game, including scoring 32 points or more in each of the last four contests (38.5 ppg) and seven of the past nine games.
QB Max Hall, who has a school-record 31 wins in his career, paces a BYU offense that averages 34.8 points and 436.9 yards per game. Hall is completing 67.5 percent of his throws this season for 3,368 yards, 30 TDs and 14 INTs. Behind Hall is the school’s all-time leading rusher, Harvey Unga, who has 3,384 rushing yards in his career, including 1,031 and 10 TDs this year.
BYU has covered in five of six when coming off a non-cover, but the Cougars are on ATS slides of 5-11 on grass, 3-7 in non-conference action, 1-4 after a straight-up win and 1-4 as an underdog. Meanwhile, Oregon State is on a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 23-8 overall, 6-1 in bowl games, 4-1 as a bowl favorite, 49-19 after a spread-cover, 12-5 as a favorite and 5-2 against Mountain West teams.
The Cougars have stayed below the total in four of five bowl games, five of seven against Pac-10 teams and four of five as an underdog. The Beavers are on “over” runs of 7-3 in December games and 5-2 after a spread-cover, but the “under” has been the play in four of their last five non-conference games.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OREGON STATE
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(9) Michigan State (9-2, 3-7 ATS) at (2) Texas (10-0, 6-2 ATS)
The unbeaten Longhorns look to topple their second Top 10 opponent in 72 hours when they welcome ninth-ranked Michigan State to the Erwin Events Center.
The Spartans have ripped off four straight victories, all against weak competition (Wofford, The Citadel, Oakland and Indiana-Purdue/Fort Wayne). Even though all four were double-digit routs by an average of 19.5 points per game, Michigan State went just 1-3 ATS, and it has now failed to cover in four of five overall and seven of 10 lined outings this season.
Michigan State has faced three teams currently ranked in the Top 25, beating Gonzaga 75-71 as an 11½-point home favorite, then losing to Florida 77-74 as a 3½-point neutral-site chalk and falling to North Carolina 89-82 as a 1½-point road underdog.
Texas faced its stiffest test of the season Saturday and passed with ease, crushing North Carolina 103-90 as a seven-point chalk in a game played at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium. Four players scored 20 points or more in the victory – with Damion James (25 points, 15 rebounds) and Dexter Pittman (23 points, 15 rebounds) registering double-doubles. Also, the Longhorns actually got outshot 48 percent to 41.4 percent, but they had a huge 56-36 rebounding edge and they made 24 of 34 free throws, while the defending champs went 11-for-19 from the charity stripe.
These national powers have faced off each of the last three years, with Michigan State going 3-0 SU and ATS. That includes last year’s 67-63 victory as a 5½-point underdog in a game played at the Toyota Center in Houston. The SU winner has covered in all five meetings between these schools dating to 1999.
The Spartans have scored at least 72 points in 10 of 11 games this year and are averaging 82.5 ppg on 50.6 percent shooting. They’ve also held seven opponents to 62 points or fewer and are yielding 65.1 ppg (38.3 percent).
The Longhorns have won every game by double digits, with Saturday’s 13-point win over UNC being their narrowest victory of the season. Texas is are putting up 87.2 ppg on 50.5 percent shooting – scoring 103, 104 and 107 in three of the last four – while surrendering just 57.4 ppg (33.3 percent). The Tar Heels became just the second team to score more than 62 points against the ‘Horns, who have held five opponents to 54 points or less.
In addition to its current 1-4 ATS slump, Michigan State has failed to cover in five straight games against opponents with a winning record and it is 5-16-2 ATS in its last 23 Tuesday outings. However, Tom Izzo’s squad is 15-5 ATS in its last 20 after a non-cover, and including its recent success against Texas, the Spartans are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 against Big 12 opponents.
The Longhorns are on positive pointspread runs of 8-2 overall (all in non-conference play), 6-1 at home, 7-1 against winning teams, 6-2 after a SU win, 4-1 after an ATS triumph and 20-8-1 on Tuesday.
Michigan State has topped the total in four of five road games, and Texas is on “over” surges of 4-1 overall, 4-1 on Tuesday and 7-1 after a spread-cover.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS and OVER
Cal (6-3, 4-4 ATS) at (1) Kansas (10-0, 4-3 ATS)
Cal faces its toughest task of the season when it travels to Allen Fieldhouse for a battle with the undefeated and top-ranked Jayhawks.
The Golden Bears are coming off consecutive blowout victories over Iowa State (82-63 as an eight-point home favorite on Dec. 5) and Pacific (79-54 as a six-point road chalk on Dec. 9). Cal has tallied at least 70 points in every game this season, and its last five victories have come by margins of 34, 32, 21, 19 and 25 points. However, all three of the Bears’ defeats have come against teams currently ranked in the Top 25: 95-73 loss to Syracuse in a pick-em game in New York; 76-70 to Ohio State as a 3 ½-point underdog in New York; 86-78 at New Mexico as a 5½-point road underdog.
Kansas fended off pesky Michigan on Saturday, winning 75-64 but falling way short of covering as a 20-point home favorite. Marcus Morris (23 points, 10 rebounds) was one of four Jayhawks to score in double figures, and Kansas shot 52.1 percent, held Michigan to 35.8 percent and had a 37-29 rebounding edge, but it missed on 13 of 19 three-point tries.
The Jayhawks have annihilated nine of their first 10 opponents, the only close contest being a 57-55 victory over Memphis as a 10½-point favorite on a neutral court in St. Louis, Mo. The Jayhawks’ other nine victories have been by margins of 36, 50, 30, 37, 67, 12, 35, 25 and 11 points. Also, Kansas has the nation’s longest home winning streak at 48 games.
These teams last met in 2005 on a neutral court in Kansas City, Mo., with the Jayhawks winning 69-56 as a 3½-point favorite. Kansas also beat the Bears 80-67 as a 7½-point chalk in 2002.
Cal is putting up 79.1 ppg while shooting 46.6 percent from the field, figures that are actually dwarfed by Kansas’ 88.8 ppg and 51.2 percent field-goal average. The Jayhawks also rate a huge edge defensively, yielding just 58.3 ppg (34.5 percent), while the Bears surrender 68 ppg (41.2 percent).
The Bears carry nothing but negative ATS trends, including 3-7 on the road, 3-7 against the Big 12, 2-6 against winning teams and 1-4 after a spread-cover. On the flip side, despite failing to cash against Michigan on Saturday, Kansas is on positive pointspread stretches of 19-7-1 overall, 35-16-1 at home, 39-17-1 against winning teams and 5-0 after a non-cover. However, the Jayhawks have come up short in six of their last seven on Tuesday and eight of 11 against Pac-10 opponents.
For Cal, the over is on runs of 38-17 overall in lined contests, 6-2 in non-conference play, 4-1 on the road, 41-15-1 after a SU win and 35-15-1 after an ATS win. The over is also 5-1 in Kansas’ last six on Tuesday, but the under is 16-5 in its last 21 against Pac-10 foes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS
(19) Texas A&M (9-2, 5-3 ATS) at (22) Washington (7-2, 2-6 ATS)
Texas A&M plays just its second true road game of the season when it treks to the Pacific Northwest for an non-conference showdown with the 22nd-ranked Huskies at Bank of America Arena in Seattle.
The Aggies climbed a couple of spots in this week’s poll after knocking off The Citadel on Saturday 71-50 as a 16-point home favorite. Texas A&M, which rebounded from an 84-81 loss to New Mexico in Houston the previous Saturday, snapped an 0-3 ATS slide with the spread-cover. The Aggies have scored at least 66 points in every game this year, and they’re averaging 77 ppg on 47.9 percent shooting over the past five contests, while giving up 64 ppg (39.6 percent).
Washington has alternated SU wins and losses in its last five games, most recently blowing out Portland 89-54 on Saturday. The Huskies cashed as an 11-point favorite in that contest, ending an 0-5 ATS slump. Washington has tallied at least 66 points in eight of nine contests this year, averaging 84.3 ppg overall on 45.5 percent shooting. However, six of the team’s nine opponents have scored 69 points or more.
Texas A&M is 2-2 SU and 3-1 ATS against opponents currently ranked in the Top 25 or ranked when the Aggies faced them, while Washington’s two losses came against current Top 25 foes (99-92 overtime loss at Texas Tech in a pick-em game; 74-66 loss to Georgetown as a two-point ‘dog on a neutral court in Anaheim, Calif.).
The only recent battle between these schools came in November 2007, with the Aggies winning 77-63 as a 4½-point favorite at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Texas A&M is on ATS upticks of 16-7 overall, 37-16 on the road, 13-5 against winning teams and 9-4 when coming off a spread-cover. Washington is on ATS slides of 1-5 overall, 1-4 at home 1-4 against the Big 12, 1-6 against winning teams and 0-4 after both a SU and ATS victory. However, the Huskies have cashed in four straight Tuesday contests.
The Aggies carry “under” trends of 5-2 overall and 9-2-1 on Tuesday, and Washington has stayed low in four of five on Tuesday and 16 of 23 against non-league competition. However, the Huskies are on “over” runs of 20-6 overall, 13-4 at home, 19-7 after a SU win and 11-1 after a spread-cover.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS A&M
NBA
Portland (17-12, 14-14-1 ATS) at Dallas (20-8, 15-13 ATS)
The Blazers continue a tough four-game road trip against playoff-caliber opponents when they visit American Airlines Center for a battle with the red-hot Mavericks.
Portland followed up Saturday’s 92-83 loss at Orlando as an 8½-point underdog with Sunday’s 102-95 upset victory at Miami as a five-point pup. The Blazers have won three of their last four (2-1-1 ATS), but since starting out 8-3 SU, they’ve played inconsistent basketball, splitting their last 18 contests while going 6-11-1 ATS. During this 18-game stretch, Nate McMillan’s team is just 2-7 on the highway (3-6 ATS).
With leading scorer Dirk Nowitzki out because of an elbow injury, Dallas still got past LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Sunday, winning 102-95 as a 3½-point home underdog. The Mavericks have won six of their last seven games, and they’re on a 14-5 SU roll going back to mid-November. On the down side, since cashing in nine of their first 12 contests, Dallas is in a 6-10 ATS freefall. Also, Sunday’s upset win over Cleveland snapped the team’s 0-8 ATS drought at home.
The underdog has covered in eight of Dallas’ last 12 games overall and each of its last nine at home. Also, the Mavericks have had back-to-back spread-covers just once in their last 16 games (and none in the last 12), while the Blazers have cashed in consecutive contests just twice in their last 18 contests.
The Mavericks swept the season series from Portland last year, going 3-0 ATS, though all three games were decided by a total of 17 points. The home team has won seven of the last nine in this rivalry, the underdog is 6-2 ATS in the last eight head-to-head clashes. The SU winner has covered in each of the last five meetings.
In addition to their ATS ruts of 6-11-1 overall and 3-6 on the road, the Trail Blazers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five against Western Conference opponents. Dallas’ ATS funks include 1-8 at home, 1-4 against the Western Conference and 1-4 when coming off a spread-cover, but the Mavericks are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 versus opponents with a winning record.
This has been a low-scoring rivalry of late, with 13 of the last 18 meetings overall and eight of the last nine in Dallas staying under the total. Additionally, the under is on runs of 4-1 for the Mavs against Western Conference opponents, 4-1 for the Mavericks on Tuesday, 13-4 for Portland against winning teams, 9-2 for Portland versus Southwest Division opponents and 5-1 for Portland on Tuesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Oklahoma City (13-13, 15-11 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (22-4, 12-14 ATS)
The Lakers look to extend an 11-game winning streak against the Thunder franchise when they return home to the Staples Center after a successful five-game road trip.
Oklahoma City has been idle since Saturday, when it fell 95-90 at Houston as a 3½-point underdog. The Thunder have lost four of their last five (2-3 ATS) – averaging just 93.4 points per game in the process – and the slump follows a 5-2 SU and ATS run. Now 26 games into the 2009-10 campaign, Oklahoma City hasn’t had consecutive non-covers all season, nor has it cashed in more than two games in a row all season. Also, the SU winner is 24-2 ATS in Thunder games this year.
Los Angeles’ longest road swing to date this season began with a 102-94 loss at Utah as a two-point underdog – a defeat that snapped the team’s 11-game winning streak. But the Lakers closed the journey by ripping off four straight wins in Chicago, Milwaukee, New Jersey and Detroit. The latter two results were Saturday’s 103-84 victory over the lowly Nets as a 12½-point favorite and Sunday’s 93-81 win over the Pistons as a 7½-point chalk. Those spread-covers ended an 0-4 ATS slide for Phil Jackson’s club.
Going back to their days as the Seattle SuperSonics, the Thunder franchise has lost 11 in a row to Los Angeles, including two defeats last month. On Nov. 3, L.A. went to Oklahoma City and pulled out a 101-98 overtime victory, failing as a seven-point road chalk, then scored a 101-85 win on Nov. 22, easily covering as a 10½-point favorite.
The Lakers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings (all as favorite) with Oklahoma City after failing to cover in the previous four clashes (all as a favorite). Conversely, despite coming up short in their first trip to Hollywood this year, the Thunder are still 11-5-2 ATS in their last 18 visits to the Staples Center.
Oklahoma City is on pointspread surges of 35-16 after a SU defeat, 26-9 after a non-cover (including 10-0 this year), 16-5 on Tuesday and 4-0 after two days of rest. The Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six on Tuesday, but they’ve cashed in nine of 13 after a spread-cover and four of five following a road trip of seven or more days.
These teams have stayed under the total in four of their last five meetings overall and four of their last five tussles in Los Angeles. Furthermore, the Lakers are on “under” runs of 7-1 overall, 5-2-1 at home, 6-1 after a SU win, 4-0 against Western Conference opponents and 5-0 against the Northwest Division, and the under is 5-1-1 in Oklahoma City’s last seven overall, 4-1 in its last five on the highway, 6-0 in its last six Western Conference contests and 3-1-1 in its last five against the Pacific Division.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA CITY and UNDER
BIG AL
Portland Trail Blazers at Dallas Mavericks
Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers
This past Friday, Dallas All-Star Dirk Nowitzki collided with Houston's Carl Landry, and was forced to sit out Sunday's game vs. Cleveland. Without their superstar available, the Mavericks were installed as a 3.5-point home underdog, yet upset the Cavaliers 102-95. This is a phenomenon that often happens in sport: A team loses its best player, yet rises to the occasion, and pulls an upset. But it generally doesn't have equal success in its very next game if it continues to have to play shorthanded, and tonight, Dallas will once again be without Nowitzki. The Mavericks have been in a steady ATS decline over the past month, with a 6-10 ATS streak, while Portland is currently on a 5-2 ATS streak. Take the points.
Jim Feist
Indiana Pacers vs. Boston Celtics
Play: Boston Celtics -13
The Celtics were made the last game, after blowing one at home to the terrible 76ers. They came out and smoked Minnesota. This is the third straight home game and they are rested while taking on a team that embarrassed them last month, a 9 point loss at Indiana giving up 113 points. Since then the Boston defense has been outstanding. Indiana has been stumbling badly since that upset with injuries, and this is a terrible situational spot, playing their 4th game in 5 nights. Three of them are on the road, including at Memphis, San Antonio, and now Boston. Play the Celtics.
Bobby Maxwell
L.A. Clippers at HOUSTON -9
The amazing FREE play streak moved to 10-1 over the last 11 days on Monday when the Spurs blew out the Clippers. I'm now 33-14 with my last 47 comp selections and and coming right back to the NBA hardwood tonight with a freebie on the Rockets as they take their turn at destroying the Clippers.
The Clippers two-day tour of Texas continues tonight in Houston after they got bombed in San Antonio on Monday night. It’s not going to be any better tonight as the Rockets score a 15-point win.
Los Angeles has fared well against the sub-par teams in the NBA, but when they play decent squads, they just get destroyed.
Meanwhile, Houston has won two straight and five of seven (SU and ATS). They beat Dallas in OT on Friday and then came right back and beat Oklahoma City on Saturday, 95-90, as 3 ½-opint favorites. This is a very athletic team and the play of guards Aaron Brooks and Trevor Ariza has been magnificent this season. And now they’ve got Tracy McGrady coming off the bench for an added scorer in the rotation.
Houston blew out the Clippers on December 2 in Los Angeles, winning 102-85 as a 2 ½-point home favorite. They’ve won nine of the last 10 (7-3 ATS) against the Clippers and the favorite is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings between these two.
The Clippers are just 11-25 ATS on the road, 1-3-1 ATS on the second night of a back-to-back and 10-28 against Western Conference teams. Houston is on ATS runs of 9-4 at home, 6-2 overall and 8-2-1 when they get two days off.
Look for a Houston blowout in this one. Play the Rockets.
4♦ HOUSTON
Karl Garrett
Michigan State +7 at TEXAS
G-Man on a 6-2 comp play run the last 8 days.
Tonight I will grab the Spartans plus the points, as they take on the 10-0 Texas Longhorns.
Texas just had their way with North Carolina over the weekend, as the Longhorns put up 103 points in the win, but Texas has not been able to match up with the Spartans in their recent get togethers.
This will be the 4th straight season these schools are meeting, and Michigan State is a perfect 3-0 both straight up, and against the spread the past 3 years.
Michigan State brings a 9-2 mark into this contest, and while revenge may be the order of the night in Austin this evening, I don't expect the Longhorns to blow out the Spartans.
G-Man grabbing the points, and playing Tom Izzo's troups to once again prove to be a difficult match up for the 'Horns.
2♦ MICHIGAN STATE
Scott Spreitzer
Oklahoma City Thunder at LA Lakers
15-1 in their last 16 games. 22-4 this season, overall. Yet Kobe Bryant says the NBA's defending champs have room for improvement. Not sure how much this team can improve, myself, but I expect their run to improve to 16-1 without much trouble on Tuesday night. The Lake-Show have beaten this franchise (OKC/SEA) in 11 straight meetings, including 15 of the last 18. And Kobe has been the catalyst, averaging 33 ppg during the current 11-game run. The Thunder have dropped four of their last five games, with the losses coming by more than 10 ppg. It's been a tough slate, losing to the Cavs, Nuggets, Mavericks, and Rocktes, with the only win coming against a mediocre Pistons' team. The Lakers take care of business anywhere and at anytime. But they're perfect in their last five as a home fave in a line range that includes tonight's number. They're also a healthy, 25-14 ATS off a road win. The Lakers just finished a 4-1 road slate, winning the final four games after an opening road loss at Utah. Look for Kobe to punish OKC again and for the Lakers to cover the number.
Play on: LA Lakers
Terron Chapman
Texas A&M vs. Washington U
Play: Texas A&M +7.5
The Washington Huskies (7-2) will play host to the Texas A&M Aggies (9-2) this evening at Bank of America Arena in a match-up of teams with NCAA tournament aspirations. These two last met in 2007 with the Aggies getting the best of the Huskies, 77-63. The Aggies enter a proven bunch, as one of only six schools to have won a game in the NCAA's in each of the past four seasons.
Texas A&M's two losses this season have come to teams that have yet to taste defeat (New Mexico and West Virginia) yet they find themselves listed as 7.5-point underdog for this match-up. Both teams are led by talented backcourts but in what should be a close game, it will be the team that can get stops down the stretch that will have the best chance to win. The Aggies appear to be the better defensive club of the two, holding opponents to 41% from the field while the Huskies are allowing opponents to shoot around 44%. The last five games the Aggies have stepped it up on that end of the floor, holding opponents to around 40% from the field.
The Aggies can score with anyone, but if they want a chance at the upset, they'll have to get stops and compete on the boards. Head coach Mark Turgeon and his team has flourished in the underdog role, going 17-7 ATS the last three seasons, including 3-0 ATS this season as a pup. The Huskies have had trouble against top tier teams going 1-6 ATS vs. teams with a winning record this season. Look for the visitor to keep this one closer than the marketplace suggests, take the points. Play on the Texas A&M Aggies for 1 unit.
Jr Tips
CLIPPERS at ROCKETS
The Houston Rockets won three games in a four-game, five night stretch and tonight they face the Clippers who they have beaten nine out of 10 games in convincing fashion. Houston has Tracy McGrady back and forward Chuck Hayes and their new primary scoring threat Trevor Ariza has played well. Ariza carried Houston on Saturday against Oklahoma City one night after Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry combined for 51 points in an overtime win at Dallas as he scored a game high 31 points in the 95-90 home win over the Thunder. Point guard Aaron Brooks was averaging 22.8 points over his past six games before scoring a season low on 2 of 15 shooting Saturday as the Rockets nearly blew a 17-point lead but got the win down the stretch coming away with their third win in four nights. Brooks scored 22 points on 9 of 11 shooting in a 102-85 victory over the Clippers in their last matchup in Los Angeles as Houston beat Los Angeles by at least 15 points for the fifth time in eight meetings. Carl Landry should return tonight after sitting out against the Thunder following a collision with Dirk Nowitzki that knocked out five of Landry's teeth. The Clippers will be looking for a split of their four-game, five-night stretch after Chris Kaman had 23 points and 15 boards last night against San Antonio which was his fifth-straight 20-point game although the Clippers lost 103-87. The Clippers are playing a back to back and four games in five nights which puts them in a very bad position going against a Houston Rocket team that is well rested, plays hard nose defense and who has just dominated the Clippers every time they have faced them over the past 3 years. The Clippers wore down last night in the second half against the Spurs as they only scored 87 points and there point total will be even lower tonight.
TAKE HOUSTON ROCKETS -8.5
DUNKEL INDEX
BYU vs. Oregon State
The Beavers look to take advantage of a BYU team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games as an underdog between 1 and 3 points. Oregon State is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Beavers favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (-2 1/2)
Game 207-208: BYU vs. Oregon State
Dunkel Ratings: BYU 92.862; Oregon State 102.351
Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 9 1/2; 57
Vegas Line: Oregon State by 2 1/2; 60 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (-2 1/2); Under
NBA
Oklahoma City at LA Lakers
The Lakers look to build on their 5-0 ATS record in their last 5 games as a home favorite between 5 and 10 1/2 points. LA is the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has the Lakers favored by 12 1/2. Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-9)
Game 501-502: Philadelphia at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 116.053; Washington 115.877
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 208
Vegas Line & Total: Washington by 3; 204
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+3); Over
Game 503-504: Detroit at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 114.252; Charlotte 119.756
Dunkel Line & Total: Charlotte by 5 1/2; 176
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 505-506: Indiana at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 112.373; Boston 129.241
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 17; 204
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 13 1/2; 201 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-13 1/2); Over
Game 507-508: Chicago at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 110.607; New York 120.657
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 10; 199
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-6); Over
Game 509-510: Atlanta at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 125.726; Minnesota 113.717
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 12; 205
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 8 1/2; 202 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-8 1/2); Over
Game 511-512: Golden State at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 109.787; Memphis 124.299
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 14 1/2; 223
Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 7 1/2; 221
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-14 1/2); Over
Game 513-514: LA Clippers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 115.108; Houston 123.827
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 8 1/2; 184
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 9 194
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+9); Under
Game 515-516: Portland at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 116.826; Dallas 124.775
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 8; 196
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 517-518: Oklahoma City at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 116.131; LA Lakers 128.715
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 12 1/2; 200
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 9; 194 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-9); Under
NCAAB
Michigan State at Texas
The Longhorns look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 home games as a favorite between 7 and 12 1/2 points. Texas is the pick (-8) according to Dunkel, which has the Longhorns favored by 13. Dunkel Pick: Texas (-8)
Game 519-520: Michigan State at Texas
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 71.291; Texas 84.122
Dunkel Line: Texas by 13
Vegas Line: Texas by 8
Dunkel Pick: Texas (-8)
Game 521-522: Illinois-Chicago at Akron
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois-Chicago 49.549; Akron 62.789
Dunkel Line: Akron by 13
Vegas Line: Akron by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Akron (-11 1/2)
Game 523-524: George Washington at East Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 55.307; East Carolina 55.651
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: George Washington by 4
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+4)
Game 525-526: South Alabama at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 54.046; Florida 71.016
Dunkel Line: Florida by 17
Vegas Line: Florida by 20
Dunkel Pick: South Alabama (+20)
Game 527-528: Marshall at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Marshall 55.824; North Carolina 77.100
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 14
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-14)
Game 529-530: Central Michigan at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Central Michigan 54.875; Detroit 54.973
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Detroit by 8
Dunkel Pick: Central Michigan (+8)
Game 531-532: Ohio at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio 58.477; Pittsburgh 69.846
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-10 1/2)
Game 533-534: CS-Northridge at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Northridge 52.903; Colorado 61.829
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 9
Vegas Line: Colorado by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Northridge (+10 1/2)
Game 535-536: Butler at UAB
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 66.700; UAB 71.455
Dunkel Line: UAB by 5
Vegas Line: UAB by 2
Dunkel Pick: UAB (-2)
Game 537-538: Buffalo at WI-Green Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 54.910; WI-Green Bay 61.171
Dunkel Line: WI-Green Bay by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: WI-Green Bay by 7
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+7)
Game 539-540: Missouri State at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri State 63.119; Arkansas 57.826
Dunkel Line: Missouri State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State
Game 541-542: Stanford at Texas Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 62.224; Texas Tech 69.863
Dunkel Line: Texas Tech by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Texas Tech by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas Tech (-6 1/2)
Game 543-544: AR-Little Rock at Wright State
Dunkel Ratings: AR-Little Rock 50.401; Wright State 65.317
Dunkel Line: Wright State by 15
Vegas Line: Wright State by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wright State (-14 1/2)
Game 545-546: Cleveland State at Ohio State
Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland State 54.752; Ohio State 75.481
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 20 1/2
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 15
Dunkel Pick: Ohio State (-15)
Game 547-548: UC-Davis at Air Force
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 46.051; Air Force 55.620
Dunkel Line: Air Force by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Air Force by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Air Force (-1 1/2)
Game 549-550: California at Kansas
Dunkel Ratings: California 66.756; Kansas 84.302
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas by 13
Dunkel Pick: Kansas (-13)
Game 551-552: San Diego State at Drake
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 65.489; Drake 53.592
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 12
Vegas Line: San Diego State by 8
Dunkel Pick: San Diego State (-8)
Game 553-554: LSU at Washington State
Dunkel Ratings: LSU 58.606; Washington State 70.632
Dunkel Line: Washington State by 12
Vegas Line: Washington State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Washington State (-5)
Game 555-556: Idaho at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 56.421; Portland 64.198
Dunkel Line: Portland by 8
Vegas Line: Portland by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-6 1/2)
Game 557-558: Colorado State at UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado State 56.098; UCLA 62.360
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: UCLA by 9
Dunkel Pick: Colorado State (+9)
Game 559-560: Texas A&M at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Texas A&M 68.957; Washington 71.659
Dunkel Line: Washington by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas A&M (+7 1/2)
Game 561-562: Northeastern vs. St. Mary's (CA)
Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 56.632; St. Mary's (CA) 68.599
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 12
Vegas Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (CA) (-5 1/2)
Game 563-564: Western Michigan vs. USC
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 52.989; USC 59.129
Dunkel Line: USC by 6
Vegas Line: USC by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (+7 1/2)
Game 565-566: SMU vs. UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: SMU 50.668; UNLV 63.868
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 13
Vegas Line: UNLV by 10
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (-10)
Game 567-568: College of Charleston at Hawaii
Dunkel Ratings: College of Charleston 53.871; Hawaii 54.433
Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 1
Vegas Line: Hawaii by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: College of Charleston (+3 1/2)
Game 569-570: North Florida vs. New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: North Florida 42.850; New Orleans 44.925
Dunkel Line: New Orleans by 2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 571-572: Canisius at Southern Mississippi
Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 45.717; Southern Mississippi 64.466
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 19
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 573-574: Morehead State vs. Weber State
Dunkel Ratings: Morehead State 51.142; Weber State 56.088
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 5
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 575-576: CS-Fullerton at Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 50.391; Utah State 71.440
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 21
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 577-578: Tulsa vs. Nebraska
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 66.235; Nebraska 64.020
Dunkel Line: Tulsa by 2
Vegas Line: Tulsa by 5
Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (+5)
Game 579-580: BYU vs. Nevada
Dunkel Ratings: BYU 67.759; Nevada 60.255
Dunkel Line: BYU by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: BYU by 8
Dunkel Pick: Nevada (+8)
Game 581-582: NC Greensboro at Richmond
Dunkel Ratings: NC Greensboro 46.127; Richmond 68.909
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 23
Vegas Line: Richmond by 20 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (-20 1/2)
Game 583-584: SE Missouri State at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 43.249; Memphis 74.822
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 31 1/2
Vegas Line: Memphis by 30
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-30)
Game 585-586: Loyola-MD at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-MD 51.917; Indiana 57.959
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 6
Vegas Line: Indiana by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Loyola-MD (+7 1/2)
Game 587-588: Tennessee Martin at Florida State
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Martin 43.319; Florida State 71.893
Dunkel Line: Florida State by 28 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida State by 26 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida State (-26 1/2)
Game 589-590: Georgia Southern at Georgia State
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia Southern 40.433; Georgia State 53.856
Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 9
Dunkel Pick: Georgia State (-9)
Game 591-592: Samford at Eastern Michigan
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 52.251; Eastern Michigan 53.057
Dunkel Line: Eastern Michigan by 1
Vegas Line: Eastern Michigan by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+4 1/2)
Game 593-594: St. Bonaventure at Niagara
Dunkel Ratings: St. Bonaventure 55.341; Niagara 64.352
Dunkel Line: Niagara by 9
Vegas Line: Niagara by 7
Dunkel Pick: Niagara (-7)
Game 595-596: Western Carolina at Clemson
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 60.477; Clemson 73.706
Dunkel Line: Clemson by 13
Vegas Line: Clemson by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Carolina (+15 1/2)
Game 597-598: St. Peter's at Rutgers
Dunkel Ratings: St. Peter's 45.813; Rutgers 60.451
Dunkel Line: Rutgers by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Rutgers by 12
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (-12)
Game 599-600: Evansville at Austin Peay
Dunkel Ratings: Evansville 53.341; Austin Peay 54.915
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 4
Dunkel Pick: Evansville (+4)
Game 601-602: Murray State at Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 57.445; Western Kentucky 65.977
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (-2 1/2)
Game 603-604: Idaho State at Oregon
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 45.730; Oregon 62.154
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Oregon by 13
Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-13)
Game 605-606: SIU-Edwardsville at Purdue
Dunkel Ratings: SIU-Edwardsville 44.680; Purdue 78.025
Dunkel Line: Purdue by 33 1/2
Vegas Line: Purdue by 39
Dunkel Pick: SIU-Edwardsville (+39)
NHL
Nashville at Vancouver
The Canucks look to bounce back from a 3-1 loss to St. Louis and build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games after scoring 2 goals or less in the previous game. Vancouver is the pick (-155) according to Dunkel, which has the Canucks favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-155)
Game 1-2: San Jose at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 12.110; Chicago 11.884
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (+130); Over
Game 3-4: Anaheim at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.201; Colorado 12.183
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-120); Under
Game 5-6: Nashville at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 11.475; Vancouver 12.307
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-155); Under
LT Profits
St Peter's vs Rutgers
While we realize that the Rutgers Scarlet Knights come out of the Big East while the St. Peters Peacocks come out of the MAAC, Rutgers has not been blowing people away despite their rather soft schedule, so we look for the Peacocks to compete here.
Yes, Rutgers has won five games in a row to improve to 8-2 on the year, but keep in mind they have done that vs. a ridiculously easy schedule that is ranked 345 out of 347 teams according to the Pomeroy Ratings. Furthermore, even playing a bunch of cream puffs, they only have an average winning margin of +5.2 points, and they even managed to lose at home to Vermont.
Looking at their current five game winning streak, the Scarlet Knights have beaten there non-lined teams (New Jersey Tech, Monmouth, Colgate), one Ivy League team (Princeton) and another MAAC team in Rider, where the final score of 80-70 was extremely deceptive as the Broncs led the Knights for virtually the whole game until Rutgers took the lead with about 3:00 left and then padded their lead with late free throws.
This bodes well for fellow MAAC member St. Peters here, who have a winning 3-2 record straight up on the road this season, with one of the losses being by just two points vs. another Big East school at Seton Hall. Granted, the Pirates are the most notable opponent the Peacocks have faced to this point, but they are still on par with the cupcakes that Rutgers have faced thus far and they do have a positive overall road AMOV of +2.2 points per game.
Look an inspired St. Peters team to stay in this game right to the finish.
Pick: St. Peters +12
Tom Freese
Oklahoma City Thunder at Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Oklahoma City Thunder
NBA Double Digit favorites are 31-51-2 ATS this year. The Lakers are in a 141-89 ATS Play Against System that says to go against home favorites of 10 or more points after going Under the Total by 54 points in their last 10 games. The Lakers are 1-5 ATS their last 6 Tuesday games. Oklahoma City is 35-16 ATS their last 51 games off a straight up los and they are 26-9 ATS off an ATS loss. The Thunder are 4-0 ATS when playing with two days of rest and they are their last 6 games as underdogs of 5.0 to 10.5 points and they are 11-5-2 their last 18 meetings at the Lakers. PLAY ON OKLAHOMA CITY +
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Warriors/Grizzlies OVER 219
Bottom Line: Golden State is rested and that has been a solid Overs situation. In fact, Golden State is 23-11 Over when playing 4 or less games in 10 days over the last 3 seasons. The average score in these spots has totaled 224 points. Golden State is also 18-4 Over after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games over the last 3 seasons. The average score in these spots has totaled 229.1 points. We'll take the Over for 1 Unit tonight.
EZWINNERS
Texas A&M Aggies +7.5
The Aggies are a much deeper and more athletic team than the Huskies and they have a team with many players that are capable of scoring double figures. Texas A&M is also a very good defensive team and I expect the Aggies to clamp down on Washington's two 20ppg scorers in Poindexter and Thomas. The Huskies are on a 1-8 slide against the spread at Bank of America Arena, while the Aggies have covered the spread in nine straight games as a regular season road dog. Take the points.
SPORTS WAGERS
Chicago +6½ over NEW YORK
One has to wonder how the Bulls are going to be feeling after blowing a 30-point lead last night at home to Sacramento. The Bulls were outscored 33-10 in the final frame and looked absolutely stunned when it was over. Thing is, they still built a 30-point lead, they had been playing really decent ball the past few games and they just let up and couldn’t get it back. Now, and as a result of that meltdown, the books made the Knicks a 6-point choice and that number has risen to 6½. Remember, the Bulls were coming off three strong games including a win over the very talented Hawks. They also beat the Knicks last week in Chicago and while they could be more shocked than Tiger Woods’ mother-in-law after last night, they’ll be back focused here to erase that bad memory. Basketball is all about match-ups and the Knicks had loads of trouble getting good shots in that game in Chicago and the Bulls have to be feeling pretty good about its chances here. The Knicks are much more appealing taking points as oppose to giving them. They can be counted on for long scoring droughts almost every game and have probably fallen behind by double-digits more than any team in the NBA with the exception of the Nets. That’s a recipe for disaster when laying points and the bottom line is that these Knicks are a big risk when asked to do so. Play: Chicago +6 (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
HOUSTON –8½ over L.A. Clippers
This line may seem a bit high when you consider that the Clip Joint was a 9-point dog last night in San Antonio. In fact, you have to go all the way back to the third game of the year to find the last time the Clippers were a 9-point road pooch and that was in Utah. However, the books don’t make bad lines and they’ll be looking for Clip Joint money. Thing is, the Clips played last night and this will be its seventh game in 10 days and its fourth game in five nights. It’s also their fifth consecutive on the road and they could be running strictly on fumes here. The Rockets are rested, healthy and it’s worth noting that Aaron Brooks is coming off a 2-15, five point performance in a win over the Thunder. Brooks will not duplicate that and should go off tonight against this exhausted guest. Play: Houston –8½ (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Bulls/Knicks UNDER 201
The Knicks have played to the Under in 4 straight and 6 of their last 7 as they have failed to break the century mark in their last 4 games. Odds makers have failed to adjust their lines to the slower pace that New York has been playing. We saw these two teams combine for just 187 points in Chicago last week and I expect them to stay under 200 total points tonight. The Under is 4-0 in the last 4 meetings in New York and 4-0 in the last 4 meetings period. It is also worth noting that Chicago is even 8-0 Under versus terrible defensive teams allowing a shooting percentage of 48% or better over the last 2 seasons. The average combined total score in these games is 195.3. Bet the Under.