Wunderdog
Tampa Bay at Florida
Pick: Tampa Bay +130
The Lightning has not had a good season, but should have a buzz of confidence coming in here tonight. Tampa Bay enters this one off a stunning upset shutout win on the road over last year's Stanley Cup runner up Penguins. They dominated the entire game which saw them put up 29 shots on goal to the Penguins 15. This gives the Lightning some high hopes of coming in here and doing the same. The one place the Lightning have excelled is when they have had two day's rest as they have put together a 9-4 mark after two days off the ice in their last 13. The Panthers have been up-and-down the shutout scale at home as all three of their last home games have resulted in shutouts - two in their favor, one against. The Panthers have been horrible off of two day's rest as they are just a woeful 34-70-6 on their last 110 in this situation. The Lightning is a live dog here, and I'll back them in this one.
Houston at New Orleans
Pick: New Orleans -1
The New Orleans Hornets played perhaps their worst game of the season yesterday against the Orlando Magic, managing just 68 points. It certainly has affected this line considerably as they are just a slight favorite. Despite a 10-7 mark on the road, half of Houston's road wins are against teams that have yet to win more than eight games on the season. It has been a much different story on the road against teams with a winning record where they have been just 3-5 in their last eight. The Hornets are a young team that rebound quickly when having to play back-to-back games. They have gone 28-10-3 ATS in their last 41, and I like them in this one.
DUNKEL
Chicago at Miami
The Bulls are averaging over 100 points per game (100.4), but run into a Heat team that is 7-2 ATS against good offensive teams (99+ points per game). Miami is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Miami (-4 1/2).
Game 501-502: Chicago at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 112.730; Miami 120.095
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 7 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 4 1/2; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (-4 1/2); Under
Game 503-504: Minnesota at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 110.882; New York 115.652
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 5; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6 1/2; 213
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+5); Under
Game 505-506: Charlotte at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 114.528; New Jersey 121.627
Dunkel Line & Total: New Jersey by 7; 205
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey by 4 1/2; 192
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (-4 1/2); Over
Game 507-508: Indiana at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 114.797; Memphis 117.250
Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Houston at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 121.082; New Orleans 122.262
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 1; 193
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 2 1/2; 185
Dunkel Pick: Houston (+2 1/2); Over
Game 511-512: Oklahoma City at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 110.292; Detroit 120.261
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 10; 196
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 513-514: Dallas at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 116.995; Utah 123.179
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 6; 191 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A;
Game 515-516: Philadelphia at Denver
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 116.163; Denver 124.200
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 8; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 7; 197 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-7); Over
Game 517-518: Toronto at Sacramento
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 112.995; Sacramento 113.335
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 209
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 2 1/2; 198
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+2 1/2); Over
Game 519-520: Boston at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 129.789; Golden State 115.153
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 14 1/2; 192
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
NCAAB
Fairfield at UConn
The Stags look to build on their 4-1 ATS record against the Big East over the last three seasons. Fairfield is the underdog pick (+23) according to Dunkel, which has Connecticut favored by just 21 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+23).
Game 521-522: Fairfield at Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 53.869; Connecticut 75.498
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 23
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+23)
NHL
Anaheim at Calgary
After losing to Tampa Bay (2-0) on Tuesday, the Penguins look to bounce back and build on their 5-1 record after a loss by 2 goals or more in their previous game. Pittsburgh is the underdog pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has the Penguins favored straight up by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+125).
Game 51-52: Buffalo at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.248; Washington 12.337
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 53-54: Pittsburgh at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.537; New Jersey 11.069
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-145); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (+125); Over
Game 55-56: Toronto at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 10.069; NY Islanders 10.193
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-125); 6
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+105); Over
Game 57-58: Carolina at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 10.113; Atlanta 11.460
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Carolina (-130); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+110); Over
Game 59-60: Tampa Bay at Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.934; Florida 13.071
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Florida (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (-155); Under
Game 61-62: Detroit at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 12.637; Nashville 10.792
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-160); Under
Game 63-64: Philadelphia at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 12.053; Chicago 14.017
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-145); 6
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-145); Under
Game 65-66: Edmonton at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.562; Vancouver 12.238
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-165); Over
Game 67-68: Phoenix at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.102; Los Angeles 12.310
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-125); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-125); Under
Scott Rickenbach
Philadelphia Flyers @ Chicago Blackhawks
PICK: Philadelphia Flyers
As well as the Chicago Blackhawks have been playing, there is tremendous line value being offered here with an equally hot Flyers club! Although we use current information much more than historical trends, it certainly doesn't hurt that Philadelphia has lost just once to the Blackhawks in the last 11 years! Chicago has won 7 straight games but this is the first time they've accomplished that in 27 years. Also, the Blackhawks have scored just 9 goals in losing 6 straight games against the Flyers. Philadelphia only has four regulation losses in 15 road games this season. Also, the way they've been playing at home (six straight wins) they take a ton of confidence into this game at Chicago on Friday night. Consider a small play on Philadelphia on the money line on Friday night.
Nostradamus
New York -6.5
Memphis -1.5
New Orleans -1
Utah -3.5
Tampa Bay +135
Nashville +145
Jack Jones
New York Knicks -6.5
It's been awhile since the Knicks played a game at Madison Square Garden and they should be ready to impress the home crowd. The Knicks have played only three home games so far in December, including only once in their last seven games. They have won seven of 12 at home this year and are getting a solid chance to win again tonight when they host the Timberwolves, who have lost 13 straight games and are yet to win under Kevin McHale. Minnesota is 1-8 ATS after 2 straight games giving up 10 or less offensive rebounds this season while New York is 11-3 ATS after playing a game as a road underdog this season.
Vancouver -148
Sure the Canucks were embarrassed by San Jose the other night, but goaltender Curtis Stanford was given the night off and rookie Cory Schneider was in net. Stanford will be the starter in this one which is bad news for Oilers fans since Edmonton is 14-42 ATS against good starting goalies - saving >= 91.5% of shots against over the last 3 seasons. Vancouver has taken it personally when they put a goose egg on the board as they are 6-0 ATS after getting shutout in their previous game over the last 2 seasons. Expect them to come out looking strong tonight.
Central Michigan -6.5
I really like quarterback Dan LeFevour and I think he should be poised to have a big game tonight against Florida Atlantic. He is one of the top dual threat quarterbacks in the country and the Chippewas are 25-12 ATS with him uner center. Both of these offenses can score, and both defenses have struggled at times. I think that Central Michigan played in the tougher conference and still came away with two more wins than the Owls so expect them to outplay their opponents tonight. Take the Chippewas.
Murray Hill Mike
Game: Florida Atlantic at Central Michigan
Prediction: Over
Both of these teams can score some points and going OVER the total looks very good! Last year, CMU was involved in the second highest scoring bowl game in history as they lost to Purdue 51-48 on a last second field goal. In FAU last game, they allowed 50 points, but still won by a touchdown. CMU lost 56-52 in their finale against Eastern Michigan. Central Michigan is 9-2 OVER after having won 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games, 7-0 OVER in road games after 1 or more consecutive straight up losses, 14-5 OVER after a game where they forced 1 or less turnovers, 9-2 OVER in road games after the first month of the season, 10-3 OVER in non-conference games and 8-2 OVER after a playing a game where 70 total points or more were scored. Florida Atlantic is 5-1 OVER when playing with 2 weeks or more of rest, 5-1 OVER after having won 3 out of their last 4 games and 9-4 OVER after playing 3 straight conference games. Take the OVER
Scott Spreitzer
Minnesota Timberwolves at New York Knicks
Prediction: New York Knicks
The T-Wolves were horrible before firing Randy Wittman. They're simply pathetic now, going 0-8 since Kevin McHale took over the coaching reigns. They have lost 13 straight overall, losing by an average of 13 ppg during the slide. Minnesota's problems are likely to continue tonight. They bring the league's fifth worst defense to MSG to face the high-scoring Knicks. That's good news for NY, who're 7-2 ATS against teams that allow triple-digits per game. NY has lost four in a row, but three of those losses came on the road against the Suns, Lakers, and Celtics. Overall this season, they're a decent 7-5 SU/ATS at home. They're also a perfect 3-0 ATS against the Northwest Division and a healthy 8-2, 80% ATS against the Western Conference. The T-Wolves are "just what the doctor ordered" for New York, and I believe they'll snap their four game skid, winning by double-digits. I'm laying the points with the Knicks.
MTi Sports
Boston Celtics at Golden State Warriors
Prediction: Over
The Celtics are 8-0 OU (18.6 ppg) on the road after a loss in which Paul Pierce had a double double and 4-0 OU (21.0 ppg) after a loss in which Kevin Garnett was the Celtics' high scorer. The Warriors are 5-0 OU (9.6
ppg) at home after two away games in which Andris Biedrins took fewer than 10 shots in each. Consider the Warriors and Celtics OVER.
Team Who2beton
The Denver Nuggets are slumping right now, and we would b every leery about laying this many points vs. the Philadelphia 76ers tonight.
The Nuggets are just 1-4 both straight up and against the spread in their last four games, and they are still without the services of Carmelo Anthony. Denver has failed to reach 100 points in the last two games without Anthony, and they even failed to reach the century mark in two of the last three games that he did play. Now the Nuggets are certainly not known for their defense, so they will have a tough time covering numbers like this without reaching triple-digits.
Meanwhile, the Sixers offense has been just fine of late, averaging 98.2 points per game over the last five games compared to 94.8 points for the Nuggets during this span. Philadelphia should have success again tonight vs. a Denver defense that is allowing 99.5 points per game at home this season, as well as surrendering a whopping 102.2 points per contest in the last five games overall.
We give the 76ers a decent chance at pulling off the outright upset here with Mello out, so these points are certainly worth taking.
Pick: 76ers +6.5