Cajun Sports
Ohio at Buffalo
Play:Over 55.5
The Buffalo Bulls and Ohio Bobcats average more than 35 points per game in this situation and our TPR Index projects a total of 61 points for this contest. The Over has cashed in five consecutive meetings between these teams and seven of the last eight. Play this one to sail Over the posted total.
Sam Martin
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs
Denver not adjusting well to new head coach Shaw's offensive style, as they transition from a fast-paced tempo to a more conservative half-court offense, and that has led to the Nuggets starting the year 0-2 while scoring 88 and 98 points in those two losses. They shot just 36% their last time out - an outright home loss by 15 points as a 4.5-point home favorite against Portland. Now a big test comes to town with the visiting Spurs, and Denver is in no shape to match up with one of the Conference's best teams. Spurs are coming off a bad loss against Portland too, but are 20-8 ATS off a loss as a favorite, and 17-6 ATS playing with at least two days of rest.
Hollywood Sports
Buffalo at San Jose
Prediction: Under
San Jose (10-1-1-2) has lost two games in a row after their 3-2 loss in a shootout to Phoenix on Saturday. The Sharks have played 6 of their last 7 games Under the Total after failing to score more than two goals in their last game. Additionally, the Under is 6-2-1 in San Jose's last 9 games on their home ice. Buffalo (2-13-1-0) enters this game coming off a 6-3 loss to Anaheim -- and they have then lost 5 of their last 6 games after a loss at home by at least three goals. Additionally, the Sabres have played 4 straight games Under the Total after allowing at least five goals. Furthermore, the Sharks seen the Under go 16-5-1 in their last 22 games against an opponent that allowed at leas five goals in their last contest. Lastly, Buffalo has played 6 of their last 7 games Under the Total on the road. Take the Under in this one.
Doug Upstone
Montreal Canadiens +113
Montreal returns home where they have won their last three. The brief road trip wasn't too kind to the Canadiens in Minnesota and Colorado, giving up four goals in each, losing both. These two teams have had great success on the power play, and that figures to be key to the victor tonight. Play the small home dog.
Chris Jordan
My free play for tonight is on the Los Angeles Lakers catching points in Dallas, in fact, catching way too many points from the Mavericks.
I like the way point guard Steve Nash played in Sunday’s win over the Atlanta Hawks, scoring 13 points, dishing six assists and turning nothing over. He might be the key ingredient, as Los Angeles begins a stretch of three road games in four nights.
Though Dallas has won two of its first three games, I don't think the Mavs expected to be playing a Lakers team that would be 2-2 coming into this contest. They're getting surprise efforts from different people on the roster, including 22-year-old Xavier Henry, who makes his second straight start at small forward tonight, and is averaging 14.3 points after four games.
Take the Lakers, as they keep things closer than expected.
4♦ LAKERS
Jeff Benton
Series losing skid versus the Jazz stands at 4 in a row both straight up and against the spread, but tonight is the night the Nets halt that skid, and halt it in a loud way!
Take Brooklyn as your free play winner here for Tuesday, as the Nets are playing their second home game of the season. The first? Outright win as the dog over the Heat.
On the surface this price seems a bit steep, but with the Jazz off to an 0-3 start and in danger of opening the year with their first 4 game losing streak since 1979-80, one would think Utah would be the play.
I don't think so. I think that each passing game the "new-look" Nets get under their belts, the stronger they are going to become.
I am going to lay the double-digits and look for the Nets to put their foot on Utah's throat.
Take the Nets.
2♦ BROOKLYN
Scott Delaney
I'll play the Denver Nuggets tonight as my free winner, as they welcome defending Western Conference champion San Antonio to town, and I think the Spurs will struggle tonight in the Mile High City. Though it's just the start of the campaign, and every team should be physically prepared, the fact the Spurs having to make this trip could cause them some issues tonight.
Besides, the Nuggets have a lot to prove this season, after they registered a franchise-record 57 wins last season. And when it comes to conference rivals, they'll be at their best - especially to start the season.
Coach Brian Shaw takes over George Karl with the Nuggets, a coaching move that many are watching. I like the Nuggets to cash in with ease here, as they'll be out to prove a point against the Spurs.
5♦ DENVER
Brad Wilton
Going to back the underdog Raptors tonight as my free play winner.
Maybe Miami is not as good as everyone thought entering this season, and maybe Toronto is not as bad as everyone thought entering this season.
The Heat definitely look a year older and a step slower early on this season, as Miami is 0-2 both straight up and against the spread on the road this year, while the Raptors have been able to win 2 of their first 3 games this young season.
The Raptors have a nice one-two scoring punch with Gay and DeRozan filling it up, and I am sure Toronto is primed to end a the long 11 game losing streak they are in the midst of at the hands of the Heat.
Maybe not an outright tonight, but a cover is certainly a possibility.
Take the points and Toronto.
2♦ TORONTO
Jeff Scott Sports
3 UNIT PLAY
Buffalo/ Ohio Under 55.5: The Bulls gave up 40 and 70 points to Ohio State and Baylor on the road, but since their their defense has been awesome as they have allowed just 12.1 ppg in their last 6 games. This is a team built for defense and they have shown it. I see them being able to slow down this Ohio team that isn't really explosive and that runs the ball more than they throw it, which should also eat clock. On offense the Bulls do average 31 ppg, but this is a conservative offense that runs the ball 14 times more than they throw it per game. The Bulls average 172.6 ypg on the ground but just 3.9 ypc. They are a slow methodical offense that will eat up clock as well. They will also be facing a good Ohio defense that has allowed just 375 ypg and 21.8 ppg on the year. This game will be about the defenses and two methodical offense and that will really keep the scoring down here.