Free Picks: Service Plays for Wednesday, January 4

Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
The Red Raiders look to take advantage of an Oklahoma State team that is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games against Big 12 opponents. Texas Tech is the pick (+12) according to Dunkel, which has Oklahoma State favored by only 10 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Texas Tech (+12)

Game 741-742: Xavier at LaSalle (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Xavier 64.720; LaSalle 60.732
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 4; 135 1/2
Vegas Line: Xavier by 2; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-2); Under

Game 743-744: Duke at Temple (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Duke 74.419; Temple 69.136
Dunkel Line: Duke by 5 1/2; 156
Vegas Line: Duke by 7 1/2; 151
Dunkel Pick Temple (+7 1/2); Over

Game 745-746: George Washington at St. Bonaventure (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: George Washington 52.003; St. Bonaventure 63.508
Dunkel Line: St. Bonaventure by 11 1/2; 121
Vegas Line: St. Bonaventure by 9; 127
Dunkel Pick: St. Bonaventure (-9); Under

Game 747-748: St. Joseph's at Duquesne (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Joseph's 65.198; Duquesne 63.114
Dunkel Line: St. Joseph's by 2; 154
Vegas Line: Duquesne by 1; 148
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph's (+1); Over

Game 749-750: Notre Dame at Cincinnati (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Notre Dame 61.110; Cincinnati 69.999
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 9; 138
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 8; 131
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-8); Over

Game 751-752: West Virginia at Rutgers (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 65.068; Rutgers 62.878
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 2; 128
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 3 1/2; 132 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+3 1/2); Under

Game 753-754: Illinois at Northwestern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 64.201; Northwestern 64.788
Dunkel Line: Northwestern by 1; 130
Vegas Line: Northwestern by 3; 133
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (+3); Under

Game 755-756: NC-Wilmington at Northeastern (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Wilmington 50.372; Northeastern 55.262
Dunkel Line: Northeastern by 5; 138
Vegas Line: Northeastern by 4; 132
Dunkel Pick: Northeastern (-4); Over

Game 757-758: Tulane at Central Florida (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulane 55.745; Central Florida 59.545
Dunkel Line: Central Florida by 4; 114
Vegas Line: Central Florida by 6; 119
Dunkel Pick: Tulane (+6); Under

Game 759-760: Marquette at Georgetown (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marquette 66.350; Georgetown 74.218
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 8; 139
Vegas Line: Georgetown by 4 1/2; 134 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (-4 1/2); Over

Game 761-762: Hofstra at Delaware (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hofstra 55.795; Delaware 56.146
Dunkel Line: Even; 132
Vegas Line: Delaware by 4; 134
Dunkel Pick: Hofstra (+4); Under

Game 763-764: James Madison at William & Mary (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: James Madison 51.148; William & Mary 44.282
Dunkel Line: James Madison by 7; 137
Vegas Line: James Madison by 5 1/2; 132
Dunkel Pick: James Madison (-5 1/2); Over

Game 765-766: Towson at Drexel (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Towson 39.720; Drexel 61.776
Dunkel Line: Drexel by 22; 111
Vegas Line: Drexel by 20 1/2; 117 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Drexel (-20 1/2); Under

Game 767-768: Auburn at Florida State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Auburn 55.351; Florida State 66.075
Dunkel Line: Florida State by 10 1/2; 131
Vegas Line: Florida State by 13; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Auburn (+13); Over

Game 769-770: Georgia State at VCU (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Georgia State 62.100; VCU 70.951
Dunkel Line: VCU by 9; 127
Vegas Line: VCU by 7 1/2; 130
Dunkel Pick: VCU (-7 1/2); Under

Game 771-772: Richmond at Charlotte (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Richmond 58.502; Charlotte 59.409
Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 1; 140
Vegas Line: Charlotte by 3 1/2; 131
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (+3 1/2); Over

Game 773-774: Tennessee at Memphis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee 59.525; Memphis 70.084
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 10 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Memphis by 8 1/2; 147
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-8 1/2); Under

Game 775-776: Texas Tech at Oklahoma State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas Tech 53.423; Oklahoma State 64.087
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 10 1/2; 138
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 12; 133 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas Tech (+12); Over

Game 777-778: Kansas State at Kansas (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Kansas State 70.835; Kansas 77.689
Dunkel Line: Kansas by 7; 142
Vegas Line: Kansas by 8 1/2; 139 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (+8 1/2); Over

Game 779-780: Illinois State at Missouri State (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois State 55.493; Missouri State 68.833
Dunkel Line: Missouri State by 13 1/2; 122
Vegas Line: Missouri State by 8; 128
Dunkel Pick: Missouri State (-8); Under

Game 781-782: East Carolina at Southern Mississippi (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 56.364; Southern Mississippi 64.852
Dunkel Line: Southern Mississippi by 8 1/2; 133
Vegas Line: Southern Mississippi by 10; 130
Dunkel Pick: East Carolina (+10); Over

Game 783-784: St. Louis at Dayton (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 68.529; Dayton 63.565
Dunkel Line: St. Louis by 5; 117
Vegas Line: St. Louis by 3; 119 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-3); Under

Game 785-786: Southern Illinois at Bradley (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 51.297; Bradley 53.816
Dunkel Line: Bradley by 2 1/2; 139
Vegas Line: Bradley by 4; 135 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Southern Illinois (+4); Over

Game 787-788: Indiana State at Northern Iowa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 57.691; Northern Iowa 66.802
Dunkel Line: Northern Iowa by 9; 119
Vegas Line: Northern Iowa by 6 1/2; 124 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Iowa (-6 1/2); Under

Game 789-790: Wichita State at Evansville (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 70.078; Evansville 56.056
Dunkel Line: Wichita State by 14; 144
Vegas Line: Wichita State by 10 1/2; 142 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (-10 1/2); Over

Game 791-792: Rice at TCU (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 56.849; TCU 56.196
Dunkel Line: Rice by 1; 140
Vegas Line: TCU by 1; 144
Dunkel Pick: Rice (+1); Under

Game 793-794: UTEP at Marshall (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UTEP 58.495; Marshall 64.525
Dunkel Line: Marshall by 6; 129
Vegas Line: Marshall by 10 1/2; 130 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UTEP (+10 1/2); Under

Game 795-796: Tulsa at Houston (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 58.134; Houston 59.616
Dunkel Line: Houston by 1 1/2; 148
Vegas Line: Houston by 1; 141 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-1); Over

Game 797-798: Texas at Iowa State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas 67.135; Iowa State 67.935
Dunkel Line: Iowa State by 1; 138
Vegas Line: Texas by 1; 142
Dunkel Pick: Iowa State (+1); Under

Game 799-800: Syracuse at Providence (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Syracuse 77.407; Providence 59.083
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 18 1/2; 144
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 13; 139
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-13); Over

Game 801-802: Iowa at Minnesota (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 65.192; Minnesota 67.324
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 2; 144
Vegas Line: Minnesota by 8 1/2; 140
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (+8 1/2); Over

Game 803-804: Eastern Kentucky at Murray State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 49.386; Murray State 71.026
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 21 1/2; 123
Vegas Line: Murray State by 16 1/2; 126 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Murray State (-16 1/2); Under

Game 805-806: Eastern Illinois at SIU-Edwardsville (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 43.559; SIU-Edwardsville 44.940
Dunkel Line: SIU-Edwardsville by 1 1/2; 138
Vegas Line: Eastern Illinois by 2; 136 1/2
Dunkel Pick: SIU-Edwardsville (+2); Over

Marc Lawrence

St. Louis at Dayton
Prediction: Dayton

The Flyers host the Billikens in an A10 clash at Dayton Arena knowing they are 3-0 ATS as a dog in this series when playing off a win. On the flip side, St. Louis enters off a loss at New Mexico on Saturday knowing they are 0-6 SU and 0-5 ATS in this series when playing of a defeat. With that look for the Flyers to improve to 47-7 SU in their last 54 games on this court here tonight. We recommend a 1-unit play on Dayton.

BEN BURNS

Boston Bruins @ New Jersey Devils
PICK: New Jersey Devils

The champs have certainly been playing well. They can be beaten though (lost 12/31 vs. Dallas, which was their most recent game) and they've had a long layoff here. Even with a loss last time out, the Devils are still also playing well, going 7-3 their last 10. I feel they've got a solid shot at the "upset" here.

These teams played a close one at Boston back in mid-November. The Bruins won 4-3. The Devils won the most recent meeting here at New Jersey though. The Devils are also typically very strong when playing in the 'revenge' role.

The Devils are a lucrative 56-44 (+10.1) the last 100 times they faced an opponent which defeated them in the previous meeting. That includes a profitable 11-6 (+7.4) their last 17 in that situation.

With the Bruins a surprisingly poor 11-17 (-9.9) in January the past couple of years, if in the market for an underdog with a great rate of return, consider backing the revenge-minded Devils.

SEAN MURPHY

Golden State @ San Antonio
PICK: Golden State + 8

I'll take a shot with the struggling Warriors on Wednesday night.

Golden State has suffered back-to-back double-digit losses at the hands of the 76ers and Suns. However, it's worth noting that the Warriors have had a tough time finding consistency with Monta Ellis and Steph Curry in and out of the lineup.

Both are expected to be on the floor for the second straight game on Wednesday.

Note that Curry was limited to only 23 minutes as a result of foul trouble on Monday in Phoenix. I expect a solid bounce-back effort from the sharp-shooter tonight.

The Spurs have looked really good on some nights, and really bad on others so far this season. They've yet to drop a decision here at home, going a perfect 3-0 with a trio of blowout victories. Of course, Manu Ginobili has starred in all three of those wins, pouring in 20+ points each time out. He won't play tonight after suffering a hand injury on Monday in Minnesota.

It would be easy for the Spurs to overlook the Warriors in this spot. After all, they haven't lost a game in this series in what seems like an eternity, and as I mentioned, on the surface, Golden State is struggling right now.

The fact is, the Warriors have already defeated the Bulls and Knicks this season, and are certainly capable of rising to the occasion against another top-level opponent tonight. I'll grab the points, and won't be surprised if San Antonio is caught peeking ahead to three consecutive games against the Mavs, Nuggets, and Thunder.

Jim Feist

Phoenix Suns vs. Dallas Mavericks
Play: Dallas Mavericks -8

A pair of games against New Orleans has given the Phoenix Suns some pretty good overall defensive numbers, but don't be fooled. They gave up 107 points at Oklahoma City and 103 at Philly, both losses. Now they head to the defending champs, who have recovered from that 0-3 start by winning 2 of the next 3. In fact, they are on a 3-1 ATS run. The Suns are 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Dallas and 0-5 ATS in the last 5 meetings overall. Play the Mavericks!

Rob Vinciletti

NC Wilmington vs. Northeastern
Play: Over 132

On Wednesday the free NCAAB Totals Play is on the Over in the UNC Wilmimgton at Northeastern game. Rotation numbers 755/756 at 7:00 eastern. Their are a bevy of totals angles that apply in this one. UNC Wilmington has gone over in 8 of 10 this season and all 8 over the last few seasons in road games where the total is 130 to 135. Their road games this season are averaging 140 points. Northeastern has gone over in 15 of 18 after scoring 60 r less last out and 19 of 25 the last 3 seasons. In fact when the posted total is 130 to 135 they have gone over all 6 times at home and all 5 times when they are a home favorite of -3 to -6. With 3 of the last 4 here going over the total we will back the over here tonight.

SPORTS WAGERS

West Virginia +3 over Clemson

This one is very likely going to come down to which team makes the least amount of mistakes. What we're going to witnesss is two reckless offenses that will let it all hang out. There's likely to be a lot of big plays, momentum swings and turnovers. What we do know is that money has been coming in on Clemson all day yesterday and today. All we've been hearing is how West Virginia's schedule has been a weak one with no real signature wins. However, they closed the season with three straight wins over Cinci, Pitt and South Florida. They won those three by a combined seven points, meaning they learned how to finish. Each game rested on its defense in the final minutes. WVU quarterback Geno Smith is poised, talented, illusive and experienced. Clemson's QB Tajh Boyd is similar but he's less experienced. The Tigers lost three of their last five games with all three to Georgia Tech, NC State and South Carolina being blowout losses. Clemson's last five wins came against Va Tech, Wake, North Carolina, Maryland and Boston College so it's not like they were beating up on quality other than a unprepared Hokies club. Clemson is really a wild card here. The time off is likely to benefit the Mountaineers. The Tigers are just too erratic to trust with a month off and a more green QB running the show. If Clemson falls behind early they could really implode while there will be no panic in the Mountaineers. Play: West Virginia +3 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).

MATT FARGO

St. Joseph's @ Duquesne
PICK: Duquesne

St. Joseph's has covered seven straight games and that makes this the perfect time to sell as any value on the Hawks has been diminished. They are coming off a loss at Harvard but were able to cover the number by a pointy and a half. That defeat dropped them to 0-3 in their last three road games and now that the linesmakers have caught up, the underdog status is getting smaller and smaller. The Hawks do possess quality wins this season against Creighton and Villanova but that is where it ends.

Duquesne has won three straight games which sets up some good momentum heading into conference action. The Dukes are 9-5 on the season but this includes a 6-1 record at home and while the only loss came against Robert Morris, the Colonials are actually a very solid team with an 11-4 record. Duquesne will be looking for some payback as it lost in the second round of the Atlantic-10 Tournament a season ago to the Hawks in overtime so it has had this game circled.

The Dukes will be short-handed with the absence of B.J. Monteiro as he will missed the next two-to-four games because of stitches following an altercation. He is their second leading scorer and leading rebounder so while his absence will be missed, Duquesne is an extremely deep team that goes nine-deep and there is plenty to make up for it. The loss has been factored into this line as well which adds to the value of the home team on top of the cover streak from St. Joseph's.

The Dukes, who led the nation is assists (17.8 apg), steals (9.9 spg) and turnover margin (+6.7) last season are averaging 16.9 apg (15th) and 8.4 spg (42nd) and their +7.1 turnover margin is second in the country so they are right up there once again. Duquesne is 6-0 ATS in its last six home games coming off two or more consecutive wins while going 21-9 ATS in its last 30 games overall coming off a home win where it scored 85 or more points.

Scott Rickenbach

Winnipeg @ Montreal Canadiens
PICK: Montreal Canadiens

Certainly the Jets come into this match-up as the hotter team. Winnipeg went 10-3-1 in December. However, the Jets only played two road games the entire month and the home ice edge certainly played a role in the big month that Winnipeg had in December. Look for the road to prove to be not so kind. In fact, the Jets have won just 5 of their 17 road games this season. Though Montreal is mired in a 1-7 skid, note that their schedule has been very road-heavy. A return to home ice for the Canadiens should prove very beneficial. Also, the Habs are well aware of the fact that 6 of their next 7 games (and 11 of their next 15) are to be played on home ice and that they must make the most of this critical stretch in the schedule. Montreal can't afford to fall any further in the standings and they also play this game with revenge on their minds. The Canadiens were embarrassed in a 4-0 loss at Winnipeg two weeks ago. Note that the Habs had previously won three straight match-ups in this series. Also, Montreal has a long history of success against this franchise as when Winnipeg was in Atlanta as the Thrashers, the Canadiens compiled a 15-4-3 record in all meetings in Montreal. The Habs are so fired up about their recent rough stretch that there was even a fist fight in practice Monday! Montreal knows that the time is now to start to turn things around and this is the perfect time to do so as they play their first game of 2012. Look for Winnipeg to drop to 4-11 this season in road games with a posted total of 5.5 goals. As for the Canadiens, look for them to improve to 4-1 in their last 5 games against the Jets/Thrashers franchise as you will see a fired up Habs team "leaving it all on the ice" tonight.

Larry Ness

Dallas -8

Who even recognizes the Suns these days? A consistent top-scorer among NBA teams for years (as well as one of its best shooting teams), the Suns are averaging 91.8 PPG (ranks 23rd) on 41.5% shooting (also 23rd) entering this game tonight in Dallas. Nash is one of just three double digit scores on Phoenix at the moment, averaging a modest 10.8 PPG. The team's leading scorer, Hakim Warrick (13.8), comes off the bench and SG/SF Dudley checks in at 10.8 PPG, to round out the team's 'high-scoring' trio. About the only thing familiar regarding TY's Phoenix team is that it can still make its free throws (leads NBA at 82.5%). As for the defending champs, the shortened preseason and congested 66-game regular season caused by the lockout hasn't helped. Nowitzki (22.5-4.5) and Terry (14.5-4.0 APG) will again be the main scorers but Dallas will miss Barea coming off the bench plus Tyson Chandler's defensive presence inside. Key questions which must be answered are many. Can the center duo of Haywood (5.2-5.7) and Mahinmi (8.2-4.2) cut it? Does Carter (9.0) having anything left? The same goes for Kidd, who is averaging only 5.0 APG, far off his 9.1 career mark or even LY's 8.2 average. Then what about Odom? He was sixth-man-of-the-year for the Lakers last season (plus a key player in the team's back-to-back titles) but so far, he's been a non-factor (5.3-4.2). We did see some of the "Old Mavs" in their last game, when they handed the Thunder a 100-87 loss Monday night, ending the team's 5-0 start to the season. Will that win 'jump start' the Mavs' season? Nowitzki is off his best game of the young season vs Okla City (10-for-16 for 26 points) and he has been a big reason that the Mavs have beaten the Suns in seven straight visits to Dallas, averaging 28.0 PPG on 58.1 percent shooting. "We're gaining a little momentum," Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. "We've got to continue the right way and maintain the proper focus, and that's challenging." I'll 'bite' Rick. Let's make it a small play on the Mavs.

NHL Predictions

Winnipeg / Montreal Under 5.5

The Jets have won 3 straight games despite some key injuries, including their top offensive D man Dustin Byfuglien sitting out. Winnipeg is now a solid 19-14-5 on the season, but are just 5-8-4 on the road. The Jets are scoring just 2.59 goals per game on the road. Winnipeg has played solid defensive hockey lately, allowing just 1.40 goals against in their last 5 while scoring 2.60 goals for during that span. The Canadiens struggled continue, and things are heating up in the locker room (including a scrap between teammates in practice). Montreal has lost 7 of their last 8 games, moving them to just 14-18-7 on the season. Home ice hasn't done anything for Montreal, who are just 5-7-6 at home this year. The Canadiens are scoring just 2.5 goals per game this season, putting them near the bottom of the league in that category. Note that the Canadiens are 2nd in the NHL in penalty kill %, but last in powerplay %. The UNDER is 6-0 in the Jets last 6 games, and 5-0 in their last 5 vs a team with a losing record. Also note that the UNDER is 6-1-1 in the Canadiens last 8 games playing on 3+ days rest. Montreal has had 3 days off and are returning to play at home for their first time since December 17th (6 straight road games). Lay a bit of chalk to take the UNDER 5.5 tonight.

San Jose / Anaheim Under 5.5

San Jose has won 5 of their last 7 games, including a big 3-2 shootout win in Vancouver Monday night. The Sharks are now 20-11-4 on the season and 8-4-2 on the road. One downfall for the Sharks has been their play against the 10-21-6 Anaheim Ducks. The Ducks have beaten San Jose in all three of their meetings this season, including 2 games in San Jose. Note that the totals of all three meetings have fallen UNDER 5.5 at 1, 5 and 5. Anaheim's struggles start with scoring, as they average just 2.32 goals per game (27th in the NHL). The Sharks are averaging 2.43 goals per game on the road, with their powerplay converting at just 13.7% away from home. Note that the UNDER is 4-0 in the Sharks last 4, and 6-1 in their last 7 road games. The UNDER is also 13-3 in their last 16 vs Western Conference opponents, and 5-1 in their last 6 divisional games. The UNDER is 4-1 in the Ducks last 5 vs Pacific divisional opponents and 6-1-1 in their last 8 games when playing on 3+ days rest. The UNDER is also 14-5-2 in these two teams last 21 meetings in Anaheim. Almost everything is pointing to the UNDER here, and I agree that this game should stay under the 5.5 total. Take the UNDER at a generous price.

SPORTS WAGERS

Winnipeg +119 over MONTREAL

The Jets are coming off a tremendous December in which they won nine of 12 home games and picked up 21 out of a possible 28 points overall. They shot up in the standings and they're now sitting in the eighth and final playoff spot. The Jets are just 5-8-4 on the road and after a heavy home schedule, the players are all aware of how crucial this four-game trip is. After this game, Winnipeg will play in Toronto, Buffalo and Boston and nothing less than two wins will be acceptable. Defensively, the Jets have stepped it up big time. In December they allowed four goals in a game only twice and just seven goals in the last five games, four of them in one game, their only loss in the last five, to Pittsburgh. Andrej Pavelec has an outstanding .950 save percentage in his last 7 games. This is a good Jets hockey team on the first game of a crucial four-game trip. The Canadiens aren't so good. Montreal has one win in its last seven games. They've allowed four goals or more in five of those games. The Habs virtually have no shot of winning when they allow four goals and very little shot when they allow three. This is a fragile team in an explosive market and Montreal's good fortune over the past three years with poor teams seems to have finally run its course. Betting against Montreal and taking back a tag is a winning proposition over time. Play: Winnipeg +119 (Risking 2 units).

ANAHEIM +138 over San Jose

The Ducks? Are we serious? Yes, we are very serious because the Sharks are coming off back-to-back games against the Canucks, a team they so desperately want to beat every time they play them. When Vancouver and San Jose get together it's pure hatred and nastiness out there. San Jose lost the first game of the back-to-backs but came back and won the second game in Vancouver this past Monday and it was the Sharks biggest celebration of the season. The Ducks always give them trouble and now Anaheim has caught the Sharks in another vulnerable spot. We're not going to write about the Ducks chances. This team is having an awful year and there's no getting around that. However, they come into this one after consecutive home losses to Colorado and Vancouver while being outscored 9-4. They've been off since New Year's Eve and thus, they've had some good practice time at home, they're well rested and they still have some of the NHL's best point producers. The situation and price dictates the wager. Play: Anaheim +138 (Risking 2 units).

NEW JERSEY +144 over Boston

The Devils continue to get overlooked by the public and/or books and that's evident in this number. New Jersey was well on their way to another victory in its last game with a 2-0 lead over Ottawa going to the third. However, a late shorthanded, soft goal and subsequent awful penalty call in OT did them in. They still picked up a point and it's been over a month since New Jersey lost two in a row. With better goaltending they would be a serious Cup contender. The Bruins need no introductions. On most nights they look almost unbeatable and one could certainly argue that they're better than last year's Stanley Cup team. That said, this has nothing to do with wagering against the B's but everything to do with taking back a sweet tag on the rock-solid Devils at home. Play value and let the chips fall where they may and that's precisely what we're doing here. Play: New Jersey +144 (Risking 2 units).

Jack Jones

Miami Heat -7½

The Miami Heat are showing solid value at home Wednesday as they look to bounce back from their first loss of the season. Indiana is way overvalued in the early going due to their fast start, which has come against weak competition.

The Pacers have played one of the softest schedules in the league thus far, which is the biggest reason they are 4-1. Indiana has played Detroit twice, Toronto, Cleveland and New Jersey. We will find out a lot about this team tonight when they travel to face Miami.

The Heat have managed a 5-1 start despite playing a pretty difficult schedule. This team will be up for the challenge of bouncing back from their first loss. The Heat are outscoring opponents 112.0 to 99.0 at home this season.

Indiana is 7-22 ATS in their last 29 games as a road underdog of 6.5 to 9 points. The Pacers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a S.U. win. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Central opponents. Miami is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Bet the Heat Wednesday.

SPORTS WAGERS

Cleveland +5½/+182 over TORONTO

After losing its opener to these same Raptors, the Cavaliers went on to win three of their next four games. Their only loss during that stretch came in OT in Indiana. The Cav's could easily be on a four-game winning streak and should in no way be offered this many points against an improved but still vulnerable Raptors team. Toronto has been one this years early surprises. They have just two wins in five games but they could just as easily be 5-0 after blowing a 17-point lead'in Orlando, an eight-point lead in Dallas and also losing at home to the Pacers by just five. Now Toronto returns home after a three-game trip and they don't have a single poor performance so far. They're certainly playing hard and playing well under the guidance of new boss Dwayne Casey but they're young, they still have plenty to learn and they're just not a team you want to be laying points with. This is a sell high opportunity on the Raps after they beat the Knicks in New York and probably should've won its other two road games. Play: Cleveland +5½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2) Play: Cleveland +182 (Risking 0.5 units).

Phoenix +8/+330 over DALLAS

The Mavericks got off to a really ugly start and as a result of that, their focus and desire were certainly in question. After getting blown out in its first two games, Dallas responded by nearly beating OKC on the road. They then beat the Raps by 13, lost in Minnesota and on Monday night they whacked the Thunder at home by 13. There is no urgency anymore and the Mav's are surely going to take plenty of nights off this season and this looks like one of those spots. Dallas will be playing its fifth game since last Thursday and seventh game of the season. They play in San Antonio tomorrow night and this is really about as vulnerable a spot for them as you'll see all year. The Suns are rested and coming off a nine-point win over Golden State. They've played just five games all season and they're a respectable 2-3 so far. The Suns have a pretty strong frontcourt and that makes this a favorable matchup under these conditions. Possible upset. Play: Phoenix +8 (Risking 2.04 units to win 2). Play: Phoenix +330 (Risking 0.5 units).