Scott Spreitzer
Atlanta Hawks at Cleveland Cavs
Yes, Cleveland has dominated this series of late winning seven in a row over Atlanta. And the Cavs can make it eight in a row for all I care, as long as the Hawks win, Vegas-style. I actually believe Atlanta is going to win this game outright. The two teams were in a nip-and-tuck battle last night through three quarters. The Cavs led the Hawks, 75-74 entering the final period. But Atlanta went ice-cold, going more than nine minutes before scoring their next point. They finished on the wrong end of a 20-10 fourth quarter, losing the game by 11 points. The Hawks average 105 ppg this season and I expect an immediate bounce-back tonight. Atlanta has covered five straight following an outright loss, and they're on a money-making 19-7 ATS run as a dog of 5 to 10 1/2 points. And despite last night's loss, they're 9-4 ATS in December. Atlanta has won 5 of 8 outright playing in the second of back-to-back nights, and they're a red-hot, 7-1 SU/ATS following a SU loss. Look for Atlanta to hang the number, at the very least.
Play on: Atlanta
VEGAS EXPERTS
Bowling Green at Idaho
December bowl games with a total of 63.5 to 70 have gone Over on 34 of 48 occasions since 1992. When both teams have a winning record, it's 32-12. Idaho went Over in each of its last five road games and a pourous secondary should allow Bowling Green's potent passing attack to post big numbers here. The Vandals are 16-7 Over in their last 23 overall games and giving up an average of 35.5 PPG this season.
Play on: Over
LT Profits
Washington Capitals @ San Jose Sharks
The scoreboard operator should be kept busy tonight when the San Jose Sharks host the Washington Capitals in what should turn out to be one of the more entertaining games of the season, not to mention a potential Stanly Cup Finals preview.
The Sharks have played phenomenally well at home as usual, going 11-2-5 at HP Pavillion. They are averaging a hefty 3.22 goals per game at The Tank, and although they do not face Alexander Ovechkin and the Capitals very often, they did light the lamp all night in a 7-2 triumph the only time Washington visited here last season.
Furthermore, this Sharks team is scoring more goals than recent years, as Patrick Marleau (25) and Danny Heatley (23) are both in the 20s already in goals scored and Joe Thornton leads the entire NHL in both points (54) and assists (44).
Meanwhile, the Capitals lead the league in goals at 3.60 goals per game overall, and they do not lose much potency on the road, where they average 3.38 goals. They will also be motivated by this chance to strut their stuff vs. one of the Western elite teams. While the Sharks usually play good defense, we do not think there is a team in the league that can contain a motivated Caps team, an Washibgton has scored at least three goals in seven of their last eight games.
Do not be surprised if both teams score at least three goals here, ensuring a safe Over.
Pick: Capitals/Sharks Over 6
Hollywood Sports
Miami Heat at New Orleans Hornets
Prediction: New Orleans Hornets
The Miami Heat (16-12) have been playing better basketball as of late as they have won five of their last six games after their 114-80 drubbing of the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. But the Heat have had the luxury of playing seven of their last eight games at home. Now they will have to travel to New Orleans (13-16) to play a Hornets team that enjoys an 11-3 record at home. The Hornets have lost three out of four after last night's 108-100 loss at Houston. But all of those recent losses were on the road and New Orleans have won three straight games at home. Miami does bring a 6-4 road record to New Orleans -- but, in the Bee Hive, the Hornets have covered in twenty of their last twenty-six games against a team with a winning road record. And overall, New Orleans have covered seven of their last eight games against teams with a winning record. Expect a letdown game for the Heat on the road against a Hornets' team that is starting to reclaim their typical home court advantage. Lay the points with the Hornets.
Jeff Alexander
1 Unit on New Orleans Hornets -2
Bottom Line: Off back-to-back defeats, expect the Hornets to bounce back at home tonight where they are 11-3 on the season. Plus, this is a revenge spot for New Orleans after falling to Miami by 1 point on the road last month. New Orleans has had Miami's number as it is on a 19-5 SU & ATS run at home versus the Heat. It is 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in all meetings over the last 3 seasons. The Hornets are 20-6 ATS in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games vs. a team with a winning record period. Take New Orleans for 1 unit tonight.
EZWINNERS
Minnesota Timberwolves +8
The Jazz are very good at home, but on Utah is only 5-9 on the road this season and this is their sixth road game in their last eight games. The T-Wolves beat the Jazz in Utah a couple of weeks ago thanks to a dominating rebounding performance that saw Minnesota out rebound Utah 48-36. I expect the Jazz to get some revenge and pull off the win, but I don't expect it to be easy. Take the points.
DUNKEL INDEX
Nebraska vs. Arizona
The Wildcats look to build on their 4-0 ATS record in their last 4 December games. Arizona is the pick (Pick) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona
Game 227-228: Bowling Green vs. Idaho
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 77.958; Idaho 77.738
Dunkel Line: Even; 62
Vegas Line: Bowling Green by 2; 68
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+2); Under
Game 231-232: Nebraska vs. Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 100.004; Arizona 102.051
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 2; 37
Vegas Line: Pick; 40
Dunkel Pick: Arizona; Under
NBA
Charlotte at Toronto
The Bobcats look to build on their 7-3 ATS record in their last 10 games as an underdog between 5 and 10 1/2 points. Charlotte is the pick (+6) according to Dunkel, which has the Raptors favored by only 1. Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+6)
Game 701-702: Milwaukee at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 112.605; Orlando 125.990
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 13 1/2; 194
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 10 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-10 1/2); Over
Game 703-704: Memphis at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: Memphis 120.548; Indiana 114.049
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 6 1/2; 198
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 705-706: Charlotte at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 116.877; Toronto 117.534
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 6; 195
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+6); Under
Game 707-708: Atlanta at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 121.929; Cleveland 130.164
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 8 1/2; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 6; 192 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-6); Over
Game 709-710: New York at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: New York 117.527; New Jersey 109.078
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 8 1/2; 187
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 711-712: Miami at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 119.229; New Orleans 119.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 186
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 2; 191
Dunkel Pick: Miami (+2); Under
Game 713-714: Utah at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 119.740; Minnesota 114.103
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 5 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Utah by 7 1/2; 200
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+7 1/2); Under
Game 715-716: Boston at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 124.614; Phoenix 122.241
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2 1/2; 216
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 207 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+2 1/2); Over
Game 717-718: Philadelphia at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 112.060; Sacramento 118.699
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 6 1/2; 206
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 719-720: LA Clippers at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 114.680; Portland 122.564
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 8; 189
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 6 1/2; 190
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-6 1/2); Under
NCAAB
Connecticut at Cincinnati
The Huskies look to take advantage of a Cincinnati team that is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games as a favorite. Connecticut is the pick (+1) according to Dunkel, which has the Huskies favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+1)
Game 721-722: George Washington at Harvard
Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 54.562; Harvard 64.552
Dunkel Line: Harvard by 10
Vegas Line: Harvard by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Harvard (-4 1/2)
Game 723-724: Duquesne at Old Dominion
Dunkel Ratings: Duquesne 56.716; Old Dominion 67.214
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Old Dominion by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Duquesne (+12 1/2)
Game 725-726: South Florida at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: South Florida 60.298; Louisville 71.831
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Louisville by 11
Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-11)
Game 727-728: Connecticut at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 70.520; Cincinnati 66.275
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 4
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 1
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+1)
Game 729-730: UAB at Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: UAB 69.136; Virginia 64.680
Dunkel Line: UAB by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Virginia by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UAB (+2 1/2)
Game 731-732: Bowling Green at Towson
Dunkel Ratings: Bowling Green 51.508; Towson 51.189
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Towson by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Bowling Green (+2 1/2)
Game 733-734: Pepperdine at Georgia
Dunkel Ratings: Pepperdine 45.148; Georgia 61.911
Dunkel Line: Georgia by 17
Vegas Line: Georgia by 13 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia (-13 1/2)
Game 735-736: William & Mary at Maryland
Dunkel Ratings: William & Mary 57.921; Maryland 71.032
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 13
Vegas Line: Maryland by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (-11 1/2)
Game 737-738: Temple at Northern Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 64.974; Northern Illinois 51.753
Dunkel Line: Temple by 13
Vegas Line: Temple by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Illinois (+14 1/2)
Game 739-740: Baylor at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: Baylor 67.580; Arkansas 58.177
Dunkel Line: Baylor by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Baylor by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Baylor (-3 1/2)
Game 741-742: Northwestern at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Northwestern 66.087; Illinois 73.734
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Illinois by 7
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (-7)
Game 743-744: Providence at Notre Dame
Dunkel Ratings: Providence 63.077; Notre Dame 65.562
Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Providence (+7 1/2)
Game 745-746: Akron at Wyoming
Dunkel Ratings: Akron 60.543; Wyoming 53.545
Dunkel Line: Akron by 7
Vegas Line: Akron by 1
Dunkel Pick: Akron (-1)
Game 747-748: South Carolina at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: South Carolina 65.282; Boston College 65.018
Dunkel Line: Even
Vegas Line: Boston College by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: South Carolina (+4 1/2)
Game 765-766: Canisius at St. Bonaventure
Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 45.717; St. Bonaventure 62.002
Dunkel Line: St. Bonaventure by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: St. Bonaventure by 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Bonaventure (-9)
Game 767-768: Massachusetts at Davidson
Dunkel Ratings: Massachusetts 53.582; Davidson 61.961
Dunkel Line: Davidson by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Davidson by 8
Dunkel Pick: Davidson (-8)
Game 769-770: Manhattan at Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Manhattan 52.280; Vanderbilt 67.069
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 15
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Manhattan (+16 1/2)
Game 771-772: Northern Colorado at TCU
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 53.695; TCU 61.256
Dunkel Line: TCU by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: TCU by 3
Dunkel Pick: TCU (-3)
Game 773-774: Tennessee State at Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 44.548; Alabama 67.219
Dunkel Line: Alabama by 22 1/2
Vegas Line: Alabama by 20 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Alabama (-20 1/2)
Game 775-776: Albany at North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Albany 47.936; North Carolina 76.436
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 28 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 26
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-26)
Game 777-778: TX-Arlington at Michigan State
Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 47.997; Michigan State 75.291
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 27 1/2
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 33
Dunkel Pick: TX-Arlington (+33)
NHL
Los Angeles at Calgary
The Kings look to take advantage of a Calgary team that is 1-4 in its last 5 home games. Los Angeles is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Kings favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+140)
Game 1-2: Pittsburgh at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.706; New Jersey 12.212
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 3-4: Colorado at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.283; Ottawa 11.530
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (-135); Under
Game 5-6: Philadelphia at NY Rangers
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 11.205; NY Rangers 12.153
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-130); Under
Game 7-8: Montreal at Tampa Bay
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 11.109; Tampa Bay 10.844
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+110); Under
Game 9-10: Atlanta at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 10.407; Boston 11.697
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-160); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-160); Under
Game 11-12: Toronto at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.300; Edmonton 10.063
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Edmonton (-110); 6
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-110); Over
Game 13-14: Los Angeles at Calgary
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.545; Calgary 11.496
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-160); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+140); Over
Game 15-16: Washington at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 13.151; San Jose 12.424
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-140); 6
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+120); Over
Tom Freese
Akron at Wyoming
Akron is 21-8-1 ATS their last 30 road games and they are 8-2 ATS off a straight up win. The Zips are 5-1 ATS their last 6 road games vs. a team with home win percentage of over 60% and they are 4-1 ATS their 5 Non-Conference games. Wyoming is in 41-21 ATS Play Against System that says to go against home teams who lost their last game by more than 15 points if they are playing a team who has won 5 or more straight games. PLAY ON AKRON -
Dave Price
1 Unit on Sacramento Kings -2
I'll take the Kings, who are 11-2 at home, laying a small number tonight against a 76ers team that is just 4-12 on the road. Sacramento is playing its best basketball of the season right now, having taken Cleveland and the LA Lakers to overtime and then defeating Denver. Playing the NBA's elite teams right down to the wire has done a ton for the confidence of the young Kings. The 76ers are off a good win at Portland and that likely spells disaster tonight as they are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games following a S.U. win. Plus, the Kings are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games as a home favorite. Side with Sacramento.
Brett Atkins
I'm 12-9 with my last 21 free selections and tonight I'm coming with a comp winner on UConn as the Huskies open Big East hoops action at Cincinnati.
It gets all too real in a hurry for these two teams as they open the rugged Big East season with a meeting in Cincinnati tonight. It might be a home game for the Bearcats, but they don’t have the same type of crowd they normally would with all the students there. The Huskies are catching a break with the timing of this one and I expect them to walk out of Fifth Third Arena in Cincinnati with a victory.
UConn won its tuneup game on Monday, destroying Iona 93-74 as a 14 ½-point favorite and these guys seem to have the offense in gear, scoring more than 70 points in eight of their 11 games. The Huskies have dominated this rivalry since the Bearcats joined the Big East in 2006. They are 4-0 in the four games (3-1 ATS). Last year they went to Cincinnati and scored an 81-72 win as 8 ½-point road favorites.
Cincinnati lost to Xavier and UAB in a couple of rivalry games and didn’t look good in either. The 64-47 loss at UAB should be concerning because UConn is going to play just as good a defense in this one.
The Huskies have cashed in four of five Wednesday games while the Bearcats are on ATS slides of 0-4 overall, 0-4 in Big East play and 2-5 against winning teams.
Love the way the Huskies dominate the glass. Look for them to get a lot of second-chance points in this one. Play UConn.
2♦ UCONN
Jay McNeil
Wisconsin rolled over Miami as an underdog Tuesday, giving me another victory with my free play, which pushed my record over the past seven days to 6-1. And you better believe I've got another winner going today!
I'm staying on the gridiron for today's play and taking Nebraska to get the job done against Arizona in the Holiday Bowl.
Look, if the Cornhuskers can hold Texas to 202 total yards and 13 points, the Wildcats might not even score tonight. Texas Tech was the only team to crack 20 points this year on Nebraska, which is second in points allowed at 11.2 per game and ninth in total defense, giving up an average of 284.5 yards per game.
Cornhuskers star defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh is a one-man wrecking crew, and might be the best defensive player in college football in quite some time. His presence immediately makes everyone around him better.
Nebraska was one second away from beating Texas for the Big 12 title, but instead of being down after losing that heartbreaker, I think the Cornhuskers are determined to show that they are clearly the better team in this game.
Nebraska's offense is certainly nothing to brag about, averaging 24.5 points and 317.2 yards per game, but Roy Helu is a solid running back, totaling 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground this year, and QB Zac Lee can make plays when needed.
The Huskers are 8-3 ATS vs. teams with a winning record, 5-0 ATS in nonconference games and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games in December. The Wildcats are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 nonconference games. Take Nebraska to cover the points tonight.
3♦ NEBRASKA
Charley Sutton
Temple looked good for about a half then collapses and can’t stay close enough to UCLA costing us.
That’s fine because I’m cashing in tonight as I’m taking North Carolina at home against visiting Albany.
Albany comes into this game having lost 6 of its last 7 games overall, all on the road, including losses in three straight.
The Tar Heels enter this game having won 3 consecutive games SU at home. In that stretch North Carolina has beaten its opponents by an average of 30 points per game.
It’ll be another blow out victory for the Heels as they destroy Albany.
3 ♦ NORTH CAROLINA
Joel Tyson
NBA free play for Wednesday, as I will grab the points with the home underdog Timberwolves.
Minnesota has been a tricky matchup for Utah, as the T-Wolves have already beaten Utah twice this month, and have gone 5-2 against the spread the last 7 series meeting.
Utah is just 6-8 against the spread on the road this year, while Minny is on an 11-5 spread run their last 16.
Have to grab the points, as Minnesota is a live-dog tonight.
3♦ MINNESOTA
Pete Angelo
Utah at Minnesota
After a rugged game in San Antonio last night - a game they lost by 18 - the Timberwolves return home to host a team they can be thankful for.
While the Jazz might be 17-11 against the rest of the league, they've lost twice already to Minnesota this season, and their own players admit this is one team they simply cannot matchup with.
Said Utah guard Deron Williams: "You go around the league and there are teams that just play well against other teams. They're one of those teams for us."
Meaning, Minnesota always plays the Jazz tough, and catching seven or so points in this game is absolutely ludicrous. Thus, I'll take the points with the Wolves, who create serious matchup problems for the Jazz, starting with power-guys Al Jefferson and Kevin Love.
Against Utah, Jefferson averages 19 points and 11.5 rebounds. Love averages 14.5 points and 12 rebounds.
Dating back to last season, the Wolves have knocked off Utah in three of the last four meetings.
Something about this rivlary that brings out the best in the Wolves, so even though they were in a rough one last night, they'll be glad to come home to the Jazz.
Grab the points.
3♦ MINNESOTA T'WOLVES
Chuck O'Brien
Take the Celtics plus the couple of points in their NBA contest at Phoenix on Wednesday.
I know Boston is still without one of its “Big Three,” as Paul Pierce is out for a few weeks with a knee infection. And I know the Celtics are coming off consecutive upset losses to the Clippers and Warriors, blowing fourth-quarter leads in both games. I also know the Suns are coming off a 15-point rout of the Lakers and are 12-2 at home.
Here’s what else I know: The Celtics haven’t lost three straight games all year; the Celtics have been magnificent in recent years as an underdog (38-15-1 ATS last 54 as a pup and 48-19-1 ATS last 68 as a road ‘dog); the underdog has covered in four straight Celtics games and eight of the last 10; and the Celtics have enjoyed a ton of success in the desert in recent years, cashing in 10 of their last 13 trips to Phoenix, including last year’s 128-108 win as a two-point underdog.
And don’t forget that prior to falling to the Clippers and Warriors, Boston had been on a 14-1 SU run, including that 86-77 drubbing of the first-place Magic in Orlando on Christmas Day (and, no, Pierce didn’t play in that one).
While the Suns did manhandle the Ron Artest-less Lakers Monday, they haven’t won consecutive games all month (15 total games); they’ve failed to cover in five of their last six games after a SU win; they’re 0-4 ATS in their last four after a double-digit rout; and they’ve split their last four home games (after starting out 10-0 at home).
3♦ BOSTON CELTICS