Karl Garrett
Phoenix at MIAMI -3'
Comp play winner on Atlanta-New Orleans OVER the total last night.
In a meeting of a pair of 3-0 teams, the G-Man prefers the host, as I expect Miami to handle matters against Phoenix on their home hardwood tonight.
Miami swept last year's two meetings, and have won and covered 3 in a row overall in this East-West rivalry.
The home team has gone 8-3 against the spread the last 11 meetings, and the Suns have struggled playing on Miami's floor in recent meetings, as Phoenix is on a 1-7 spread slide the last 8 games played in Florida.
Throw in the fact Miami is on a 21-8-1 spread run their last 30 games contested against the Pacific Division, and we have the makings of a Miami win and cover.
Take the Heat.
2♦ MIAMI
MTi Sports
Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers
Prediction: Over
The Wizards are 7-0 OU (+14.5 ppg) with at least a day of rest after a win in which Gilbert Arenas shot better than 66% from the field and 6-0 OU (+12.2 ppg) after a win at home in which Deshawn Stevenson shot better than 66% from the field. The Cavs are 11-0 OU (+12.1 ppg) with at least one day of rest after a double digit win in which they has more than 10 refereed turnovers. Consider these two OVER the total.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Indiana Pacers +6
I'll take the Pacers in the home dog role tonight considering they are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record while the Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite. The Pacers have not played since October 30th so they should be well rested and well prepared tonight. But here's the clincher: Plays on home teams off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, team that had a losing record last season, are 23-4 ATS since 1996. Take the points.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on Lakers/Thunder UNDER 193.5
Bottom Line: Oklahoma City is 28-15 UNDER in home games since the beginning of last season. The Lakers are 23-10 UNDER in road games after allowing 105 points or more over the last 2 seasons. I expect a much better defensive effort from the Lakers here after allowing an opponent over the century mark for the first time this season last game. Together, these two teams are 5-1 UNDER on the season, but the public is pounding the over here because of LA's perception as a high scoring team. The Lakers did put up a big number in their last game, but they failed to reach the century mark in their two prior. With this being the Lakers first road game of the season, I don't expect them to be hitting on all cylinders. Plus, LA will likely be more concerned about Houston tomorrow night. Over the last 2 seasons, 5 of 7 in this matchup have gone UNDER. Take UNDER 193.5 points for 1 unit tonight.
EZWINNERS'S FREE SELECTION
Utah Jazz @ Dallas Mavericks
(715) Dallas Mavericks -5.5
(Line from BetJamaica)
The Mavericks were 2-0 hosting the Jazz last season and Dallas is playing very well to start the 2009/2010 season. After losing their home opener to Washington, the Mavs sweep the LA teams in back to back nights. Utah is not playing very well to start this season. The Jazz are coming off of a home loss to the Rockets last night and are only 1-2 to start the season. Their defense, or lack of, has been a big problem. In their three games, Jazz opponents have scored 25 points or more in ten out of twelve quarters. I expect the Mavs to shoot well in this game too, especially with Utah in the second game of a back to back. The home team has won the last eight meetings between these two teams and is 7-1 against the spread in those games. Lay the points.
2009 Free Selections Record 160-131 (55% winning rate) 8)