PickLogic
San Antonio Spurs at Minnesota Timberwolves
Selection: UNDER 190.5 1 unit
Steve Liebman
Iowa -8
Computer Crushers Guaranteed Selections
8000* COLLEGE HOOPS CRUSHER PLAY OF THE MONTH
Miami Florida -24
Tom Stryker
NBA Conference Game of the Month - 44-14 ATS Angle!
SAN ANTONIO (-) over Minnesota
Larry Ness
20* Eastern Conf 20 GOM
Maimi Heat
Weekend Wipeout -NCAA
Ark LR
Accupicks
4* Bulls
Triple Crown Sports
4* Hornets / Celtics Over
Adam Meyer
3* Raptors +3
3* Pacers +7
2* NJ Devils
Jeff Benton
10 Dime: HORNETS (plus the points vs. Celtics)
5 Dime: MAGIC (over the Suns)
Hornets
How can I go against the Celtics again after they killed me last night by routing the Wizards by 34 points? How can I go against the Celtics, who have now won 13 straight games, covering in nine of the last 12? Easily: They’re an older team playing on back-to-back nights (with travel involved) going up against a young, quality Hornets team that’s rested (they’ve had just one game since Saturday) and that’s playing great basketball, too. New Orleans has won three in a row and seven of its last eight. During this 7-1 run, the Hornets have posted six double-digit victories, including the last three over the Suns, Grizzlies and Bobcats by margins of 13, 19 and 16 points, respectively.
Granted, none of those three opponents are the Celtics, no doubt about that. But it’s not like Boston has slayed a slew of top-flight foes during its 13-game winning streak. In fact, only three of the Celtics’ last 13 victims (Orlando, Portland and Detroit) have winning records.
New Orleans has won three of the last four against the Celtics, cashing in the three victories. Also, the Hornets haven’t been this big of an underdog all season long; in fact, they’ve been a ‘dog just three times. Meanwhile, the Celtics have been the very definition of mediocre as a favorite, going 10-10 ATS, including 6-6 ATS at home. They’re also just 2-4 ATS on back-to-back situations this year.
In the end, I view this as an even game between two high-quality teams, and to get this kind of take-back with Chris Paul, Tyson Chandler, Peja and the youthful Hornets is too much value to pass up. Take the points.
Magic
I give the Suns a lot of credit for hanging with the Lakers the other night despite a depleted roster. However, with Shaq expected to miss another game tonight and with newcomer Jason Richardson’s status in doubt, I don’t see Phoenix, which has dropped five of its last seven games, hanging with the streaking Magic.
Orlando has won four in a row and eight of its last nine, going 6-2 ATS in the last eight (2-1 SU and ATS as an underdog). And unlike the Suns, who have given up between 102 and 117 points in each of their last eight games, the Magic actually play defense. Prior to Tuesday’s last-second 109-108 victory at Portland, Orlando had held three straight teams under 90 points. For the season, the Magic give up just 94.7 ppg overall, including 94.8 ppg on the road.
Speaking of the road, Orlando has been as good as any team in the NBA on the highway, going 8-2, including 4-1 SU and ATS in the last five (the only loss being at Boston). Meanwhile, the Suns, who are clearly a team on the decline, are just 6-5 SU and 4-7 ATS on their home court. They’re also just 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall.
Bottom line: These are two teams going in completely opposite directions, and even though the Magic are in the middle of a tough five-game Western Conference road trip, they should be plenty rested tonight having not played since Tuesday at Portland. The oddsmakers have made the Magic a slight favorite for a reason, as they’re a better team.
BEN BURNS
NBA BEST BET
ATLANTA
Lenny Del Genio
NBA Trifecta of the Week
Boston
Indiana
Miami
Bob Balfe
NBA Basketball
Timberwolves +8 over Spurs
NCAA Basketball
Iowa -8 over Iowa State
Lenny Del Genio
15* College Hoops Game of the Week
Arkansas Little Rock
Pro Sports Plays
10* Take Drake (-12) over Georgia Southern (NCAA Top Play)
Georgia Southern has lost 8 of the last 9 games against the spread as a road underdog and they have also lost 3 consecutive games against the spread when playing with five or six days of rest.
5* Play Indiana (+7) over Detroit (NBA Bonus Play)
5* Take Iowa (-8.5) over Iowa State (NCAA Bonus Play)
BeatYourBookie
NBA Basketball
100* Play LA Lakers (-16.5) over Sacramento (NBA)
LA Lakers are 23-9 vs. Sacramento at home since 1996
LA Lakers are 21-1 as a home favorite of 15.5 to 18 points
LA Lakers are averaging over 109 ppg at home this season
NCAA Basketball
100* Play Wright State (+8.5) over Arkansas-LR (NCAA)
Arkansas-Little Rock is 1-4 ATS over the last 5 games
Arkansas-Little Rock is 1-9 ATS off a win by 3 points or less
Bonus Hoops & Hockey Plays
50* Play Calgary (-200) over Florida (NHL)
50* Play Iowa (-8.5) over Iowa State (NCAA)