Ross Benjamin
Minnesota @ LA Lakers
Play: Minnesota +17.0
-3 SU&ATS in their last three games all as an underdog, they lost their previous game by 26 points or less, they have a winning percentage of .142 or better, versus an opponent coming off of a SU&ATS win is 37-8 ATS since 1991. Play on Minnesota plus the points as a free selection.
Dave Price
1 Unit on Denver Nuggets -1
The Nuggets are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings and 5-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings at Indiana. Plus, the Pacers are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games as a home underdog of 4.5 or fewer points. I know Denver just played last night, but it should have enough left in the tank to get past an Indiana squad giving up a lot of talent. Lay the number.
Info Plays
3* on Indiana Pacers +1.5
Reasons the Pacers cover:
1.) System Play. We'll Play On - Home teams (INDIANA) - off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 3 or less games in 10 days. This is a 49-16 ATS System hitting 75.4% over the last 5 seasons. Indiana is by far the more rested team, with Denver playing their 3rd game in 4 days after losing in Chicago last night. Bet the Pacers at home.
Jack Jones
Jazz/Heat UNDER 194
The Miami Heat have been the best defensive team in the league this season. Most would expect them to be the best offensive team with the 3 superstars they have, but that simply hasn't been the case. This team is winning with defense, and they'll continue that trend with Utah coming to town Tuesday. The Heat are allowing 86.4 PPG this season and opponents are shooting just 40.4% from the floor. In 3 home games, Miami is yielding 85.3 PPG and 36.6% shooting.
Utah is allowing just 42.6% shooting this season and 40.3% shooting on the road. The Jazz boast some very good defensive players in Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson and Raja Bell. The UNDER is 39-18-1 in Heat last 58 games following a S.U. win. The UNDER is 9-3 in Heat last 12 games playing on 2 days rest. Utah is 33-14 to the UNDER off a close home win by 3 points or less since 1996. The Jazz are 15-4 to the UNDER in road games vs. top caliber teams - outscoring their opponents by 9+ points/game since 1996.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on New Jersey Nets -2
Off 4 straight defeats, I expect the Nets to bounce back strong against a Cleveland team that is struggling without LeBron James. It's easy to see that New Jersey is an improved team. The Nets are still working some kinks out on the offensive end, but I expect them to post their highest output of the season against a Cleveland team allowing 106.3 ppg on the road this year. The Cavaliers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games following a S.U. win, 2-5 ATS in their last 7 games as a road underdog of 4.5 or less points and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings with New Jersey. Bet the Nets.
SPORTS WAGERS
Denver -1 over INDIANA
The Nuggets had a six-point fourth quarter lead last night that evaporated when they simply missed shots down the stretch. It was a game they absolutely should have won and much like the Grizzlies awful loss to Suns on Friday night the best thing for Denver is to play again today. The Nuggets also have a showdown with the Lakers on Thursday and that just adds motivation to leave Indiana with a win, as a loss tonight would most likely lead to a three game slide. The players and coaches are aware of that possibility and it’s a real factor to consider when making this wager. The Pacers are going to be terrible again this season and the reasons for it are quite simple. They are one of the few teams in the Association without a genuine star and haven’t defended since coach Jim O’Brien took the job three seasons ago. The no defense culture is a really hard culture to break without a coaching or management change and it’s the main reason why the Pacers will be in the lottery again this year. Indiana ranks dead last in the NBA in 3-point percentage against at a staggering 41%. They don’t have a single player on their roster that can be considered an above average defender and are surely cringing at the thought of seeing Mike Dunleavy attempt to “guard” Carmelo Anthony tonight. The Nuggets should have won last night and they should win tonight. They wont have any problem scoring, they are motivated to win, and are more talented than the Pacers. Look for them to bury this opponent early. Play: Denver –1 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
JR O'Donnell
NYK +5 vs MIL
New York Knicks baby short and sweet tonight as they stay within the 5 in Milwaukee! These Milwaukee Bucks dont sneak up on teams like last year & even with A. Bogut back in the line up "imo opinion" are not good enough to lay 5 to anyone as they are dead last in offensive efficiency. The New York Knicks have 2 young studs in the paint as Mozgov and Fields that will play some much needed defense. The Knicks are hungry and with PG Felton at the top of the "Key" they will be the right side here boys. The #'s check in here @ Knicks "4-1 ATS" in their last 5 games as a road underdog of 0.5-5. Let's take the Knicks to win by 3!!!
Lenny Del Genio
LAC +8.5 vs NOH
The Hornets can't win every game. Certainly they won't be covering every game either. They come into Tuesday's tilt with the Clippers at 6-0 SU and ATS and are a perfect 7-0 ATS vs. LA in the last seven meetings. However, all we can say is that this will be only the third time they've been favored all season (and neither of the previous two have been by more than three points) and that eventually the worm has to turn. Take LA Clippers.
Derek Mancini
Toledo at NORTHERN ILLINOIS (-11)
Keeping this play small, but there's no question this line is fishy, even for a mid-week game. A lot on the line, as both teams come in 5-0 in conference play, and the winner will have an inside track to the MAC West Title and Championship game. It may seem like a lot of points to lay with the Huskies, but they're well worth the price, as oddsmakers are doing everything they can to get you to make a play on Toledo.
Herein lies my biggest problem with the Rockets - the injury to starting QB Austin Dantin. Now, I'm well aware the redshirt freshman Terrance Owens had a monster game in his stead (234 yards and 4 TDs) at Eastern Michigan in their last one, but let's not get too carried away... There's a HUGE difference between Eastern Michigan (1-8 overall, 1-4 in conference) and Northern Illinois (7-2 overall, 5-0 in conference). I'm nowhere near as confident in Owens vs this Huskies defense (13.8 ppg at home on just 290 total yards), and you shouldn't be either.
Then there's the Huskies run game vs this Toledo D - another mismatch. Rockets are decent against the run (allowing 117 rushing yards/game away, on 3.5 yards per carry), but Chad Spann is a special player. The Huskies star RB is averaging 5.5 yards per carry, and already has a 1000 rushing yards on the season. Coupled with QB Chandler Harnish (65% completion, 12 TD to 4 INT ratio), this NIU offense is one of the best in the MAC, and especially at home where they average 33 ppg on 447 total yards of offense! It doesn't hurt that the Rockets are especially bad against the pass (allowing 240 passing yards/game)
I'll say this again, I'm keeping this play small, but given everything I've said and the added revenge factor from last season's tough 20-19 loss, the play here is squarely on Northern Illinois. Lay the points in this MAC showdown Tuesday.
1♦ NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Bobby Maxwell
Denver at INDIANAPOLIS (pk)
Denver comes into Indianapolis tonight fresh off a tough 94-92 loss in Chicago on Monday night, and now 24 hours later have to go up against a well-rested Pacers’ roster that can play some defense.
The Nuggets let Chicago rally back and steal a fourth quarter victory on Monday night and end this crazy four-day road trip that has seen them play in Dallas, Chicago and now Indianapolis. They return home for a big Thursday showdown with the Lakers. So you might say this is a look-ahead game for them as they are likely already thinking about Los Angeles.
Indiana hasn’t played since Friday night when they fell 94-90 to the Bucks at home. But look at what this team does defensively at home, allowing just 90 points a game and holding the opposition to 41 percent shooting. The Pacers fell twice to the Nuggets last season when they couldn’t keep up with Denver’s offense. Without some of those key players for Denver, this one is going to go Indiana’s way.
The Nuggets have been a disaster at the betting window lately, currently on ATS skids of 3-10-2 on the road, 4-19-3 against losing teams, 1-8-2 against the Eastern Conference, 1-5 on Tuesdays and when they have to go on a back-to-back, they are just 5-11-2 ATS in the last 18 tries.
On the opposite side, the Pacers are on some positive ATS streaks, including 5-1-1 against the Western Conference, 10-4-1 at home, 7-3 against winning teams and 3-0-1 on Tuesdays. Danny Granger is clearly their star, but there is some young talent on the court for the Pacers, including young Darren Collison at PG and center Roy Hibbert who turned in a double-double last time out with 14 points and 12 rebounds and has been averaging a double-double this season with 15.6 points and 10 boards.
Look for Indiana to lock up the tired Nuggets tonight. Play the Pacers to win this one.
4♦ INDIANAPOLIS
Chuck O'Brien
Cleveland (+2) at NEW JERSEY
Tuesday’s complimentary selection also comes in the NBA as I’ll take the points with the Cavaliers at New Jersey.
Have to give credit where it’s due. Cleveland is off to a shocking 3-3 start, and yes “shocking” is appropriate considering the Cavs lost an icon in LeBron James over the summer. But it’s not just the record, it’s the spunk the Cavs are showing. They opened the season with an upset home victory over the Celtics, then dropped three in a row (including a tough three-point home loss to the Kings), only to rebound with back-to-back road wins over the Sixers (123-116) and Wizards (107-102) on Friday and Saturday.
Going the opposite direction are the Nets, who started off with consecutive home wins over the Pistons and Kings (by a total of nine points) but have now dropped four in a row, three of them by double digits (albeit those three games were against the Heat and Magic).
Admittedly, Cleveland does have some work to do defensively, as it has surrendered 100-plus points in five straight games (average of 105.2). However, the Nets have produced just 78, 83, 90 and 89 points during their four-game losing streak after topping 100 in their first two contests.
Finally, although the Cavaliers lost LeBron and the Nets added some solid pieces in the offseason, when you compare these two rosters, it’s easy to see that Cleveland has the better squad. And tonight, the Cavs get Antawn Jamison back after the veteran forward missed the last three games with an injury.
3♦ CLEVELAND
Joel Tyson
Cleveland at NEW JERSEY (-2')
New Jersey comes back home saddled with a 4 game losing streak, but after battling Miami in Miami, and Orlando in Orlando the last 2 games, New Jersey should actually be glad to be back in North Jersey tonight.
The Nets are an improved team with Troy Murphy now back at full strength, and they should be able to snap an 8 game series losing streak to the Cavaliers.
Cleveland's 8 game series streak was largely predicated on the fact LeBron James was in a Cavaliers uniform. That is no longer the case, and while the Cavs have played well early on, this will be their third in a row on the road.
The Cavaliers have captured their first 2 on this road swing, tonight they take it on the chin.
Go with the Nets.
2♦ NEW JERSEY
Karl Garrett
New York (+4') at MILWAUKEE
As for your Tuesday comp play, go with the Knicks plus the points to cover tonight at Milwaukee.
The Bucks are just 2-5 straight up this season, so asking them to just get the straight up win seems like enough of a task for this Milwaukee club.
New York is looking for a little redemption, as they were swept in all 3 season series meetings a season ago, but that was of course before Amar'e Stoudemire was with the team.
The Knickerbockers have been quite competitive on the road early on, covering all 3 road games played, and the underdog in this series is a profitable 8-2 against the spread the last 10 meetings between the teams.
G-Man going to take the points and look for the Knicks to hang tough on the road once again.
3♦ NEW YORK
Scott Delaney
L.A. Clippers at NEW ORLEANS
The line wasn't out overnight, but I don't care - lay whatever number the oddsmakers come up with. This will be the most brutal blowout of the night! I don't care what anyone says, the Hornets are going to annihilate the injury-depleted and struggling Clippers.
New Orleans is off to its best start in franchise history and is still one of two remaining unbeaten teams in the NBA thanks to its stingy defense. Tonight it'll have no problem making it 14 in a row over the Clippers, as I suspect they'll display that incredible D that has held opponents to a mere 91.5 points per game and hasn't allowed one team to reach 100.
The Clippers, though they've averaged 90.9 points during their 13-game skid against New Orleans, will be lucky to score 80.
There are question marks on this team's lineup for tonight, as Eric Gordon is questionable and Baron Davis is doubtful.
It won't matter much, as the Hornets are too defensively sound for this team, especially in the Big Easy.
That's exactly what this game will be, a Big win and it'll come Easy!
3♦ NEW ORLEANS
Chris Jordan
Detroit at PORTLAND (-10')
On the heels of a Celtics cover last night, I'll take the Trail Blazers in the NBA tonight, laying points at home against Detroit.
I know the Pistons might look like a team that has rebounded from a rough patch, having won two straight after losing their first five, but make note those wins came against Charlotte and Golden State... not exactly earth-shattering victories.
They're now on the road, where they're 0-3 this season and finished 10-21 away from home last season, including a 3-12 mark against Western Conference teams.
One of the biggest road problems for the boys out of Motown has been their trip to Portland, where they've averaged 86.0 points while losing three in a row. Detroit has also lost four straight overall in the series while failing to score more than 93 points in any of those games.
I'm going to be watching the Pistons all season, knowing they're a veteran-laden team and can cause problems for some teams. But tonight is not the night.
The Blazers have lost three of five after starting 3-0, and that includes a 121-96 blowout loss to the Lakers on Sunday, thus, the Pacific Division contenders are on a mission to start their week with a big win.
Lay the chalk with the Trail Blazers.
3♦ PORTLAND
Hollywood Sports
Cleveland Cavaliers at New Jersey Nets
Prediction: New Jersey Nets
New Jersey (2-4) returns home after a tough Florida trip where they suffered double-digit losses to both the Heat and the Magic. But they should bounce-back here as a small favorite against a Cleveland team (3-3) that is playing their third straight game on the road. The Cavaliers have won their first two contests on the road in this trip with wins at Philadelphia and at Washington. But their defense away from home leaves much to be desired as they are allowing 106.3 PPG on 49% shooting. Cleveland has also failed to cover 5 of their last 7 road underdog in the 0.5-4.5 point range. Take the Nets minus the points Tuesday night.
O.C. Dooley
Toledo +11
The bottom line is that this is a battle between two rivals that are still UNDEFEATED in league play and have an inside track at participating in the Mid-American Conference championship game, so I will gladly “take” the generous amount of points supplied by the oddsmakers. The main reason why we have a “prohibitive” home favorite this evening is because Toledo just lost their starting quarterback Austin Danton to a possible season-ending shoulder separation, leaving the Rockets with a “redshirt” freshman now directing the attack. Despite his youth Terrance Owens gained confidence last week by tossing 4 touchdown passes in a game he did not even start. I will admit that Northern Illinois has their conferences’ top-rated offensive attack that features a 1,000-yard rusher along with duel-threat quarterback Chandler Harnish who is averaging 62 yards per game on the ground. But the fact of the matter is that Toledo is ranked #3 in conference “defense” against the rush. In addition Toledo’s defense has already recorded 21 sacks and 16 different interceptions. No you know why the Rockets are currently ranked very high nationally (#9) in the critical category of TURNOVER MARGIN. From the database Toledo is a money making 16-5 ATS long term when off a “blowout” victory of 28+ points in margin. Toledo had a much tougher “non” conference schedule that featured a pair of highly-ranked squads (Boise State, Arizona) which helped prepare them for this particular contest. It is worth noting that these two rivals a year ago played a nailbiter that was decided by a ONE point margin