SPORTS ADVISORS
Green Bay (5-5, 7-3 ATS) at New Orleans (5-5, 6-4 ATS)
Drew Brees and the explosive Saints welcome the Packers to the Superdome in New Orleans for a crucial NFC showdown between teams in the midst of the playoff hunt.
Brees has thrown for 3,251 yards, 18 TDs and 11 INTs this season, but New Orleans has alternated wins and losses in its last eight games (5-3 ATS). The Saints went to Kansas City last week and rolled 30-20 as six-point road favorites as Brees threw for 266 yards, one TD and an INT, with Lance Moore doing the bulk of the damage with eight catches for 102 yards and a TD.
Green Bay has cashed in five straight games, including last week when the Packers crushed the Bears 37-3 as a 3½-point home favorite. The defense got yet another touchdown, its NFL-leading seventh this season, as the Packers held Chicago to 234 total yards and a season-low in points. QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 227 yards and two TDs against the Bears, and he’s averaging 235.1 yards per contest in his first season as a starter.
Green Bay is in a three-way tie atop the NFC North with the Bears and Vikings.
The Packers and Saints have only met three times this decade, with New Orleans holding a 2-1 SU and ATS advantage. In 2006, the Saints went to Green Bay and won 34-27 win as a one-point road chalk.
The Packers are 26-25-1 SU (28-23-1 ATS) on Mondays, including 1-0 SU and ATS this year, while the Saints are 9-16 SU and ATS under the Monday night spotlight (0-1 SU and ATS this season).
Underdogs are on a 6-2 ATS run on Monday nights, with the pup winning four of those six outright.
Green Bay is riding ATS streaks of 21-7-1 overall, 13-3-1 on the road, 7-1 in November, 19-8-2 against NFC competition, 6-2-1 in Week 12 games, 14-5 after a straight-up win and 14-6-1 on Mondays. New Orleans is on ATS slides of 1-4 against the NFC, 2-5 on Mondays, 1-5 after a spread-cover and 0-5 after a straight-up win, but the Saints are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games and 4-0 ATS in their last four Week 12 outings.
The Packers carry a bunch of “over” trends, including 20-6-1 overall, 8-1-1 on the road, 16-5-1 against NFC competition, 16-5 after an ATS win and 9-2 coming off a straight-up victory. The Saints have been an over machine, too, including 11-3-1 overall, 20-8-1 against NFC teams, 8-1-1 at home, 8-1-1 after a spread-cover and 9-1 after a straight-up win. Also, the over is 4-0 in the last four meetings between these teams.
Finally, the over is 10-2 on Monday nights this season.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
NBA
Chicago (6-8, 8-6 ATS) at Utah (9-5, 7-7 ATS)
The Jazz will try to stay perfect at home when they welcome the Bulls to EnergySolutions Arena in Salt Lake City.
Utah is 6-0 (4-2 ATS) in front of the home fans, outscoring visitors by an average of 10 points per contest (103-93) and outshooting them by five percentage points (49.4 to 44.4). The Jazz come into this contest having won and covered three of their last four, including Saturday’s 103-94 victory in Memphis, cashing as 3½-point favorites.
Chicago comes in on the second night of back-to-back games after falling in Denver on Sunday 114-101, failing to cash as an 8½-point underdog. The Bulls have lost three of four (2-2 ATS) on their current seven-game road trip that will make stops in San Antonio and Philadelphia after tonight. Chicago is 1-5 (3-3 ATS) on the road this season, as defense has gotten torched for 106.8 ppg and 46.3 percent shooting.
The SU winner has cashed in each of Utah’s last nine contests, and the winner is 12-2 ATS in Chicago’s 14 games this year.
The home team has won six of the last seven meetings between these two (3-4 ATS) including both games last season. The Bulls cashed in both outings, though, including as 12-point ‘dogs in last February’s 97-87 setback in Salt Lake City. The Bulls are 6-3 ATS in the last nine meetings and the road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10.
Chicago is 5-2 ATS in its last seven against the Western Conference and 4-1 ATS in its last five Monday games, but they are on ATS slides of 2-5 on the second night of a back-to-back and 1-5 on the road against teams with a winning home record. The Jazz are on ATS runs of 43-18-2 at home and 16-5-1 on Mondays.
For the Bulls, the over is on stretches of 16-8-2 on the road, 7-3-1 on the second night of a back-to-back and 6-2-2 on Mondays. Utah is on over streaks of 6-0 overall, 4-0 at home, 4-1 against the Central Division and 4-0 when the Jazz get a day of rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and OVER
Wild Bill
Packers +3 (5 units)
Packers-Saints Over 53 (5 units)
Rocco Spacamuro
100* N.Orleans -2.5
Norm Hitzges
Triple Play--Green Bay +2.5 vs New Orleans
Single Play--Green Bay/New Orleans Over 51.5
BIG AL
Philadelphia 76ers at Charlotte Bobcats
Charlotte checks into tonight's game off a straight-up 5-point home loss to Milwaukee, while the Sixers won their previous game -- 89-81 at home over Golden State. But this is Charlotte's best pointspread role: at home off a straight-up loss vs. an opponent off a straight-up win. In this situation, the Bobcats are a solid 35-20 ATS (64%) since entering the league. Look for Larry Brown's men to pull the minor upset tonight. Take the home dog Bobcats.
Play on: Charlotte
Jim Feist
CHICAGO BULLS / UTAH JAZZ
Take CHICAGO BULLS
Reason: It's been a positive road trip for the young Bulls, covering 4 of 5 games (2 on the road). They take on a Utah team that is thin: The Jazz likely will have to play at least two more games without Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer, who left Wednesday's game with a strained left quadriceps tendon. Williams said he is targeting Wednesday's game against Memphis to return from a sprained left ankle. Without them they gave up 119 points to the Spurs. It was no surprise that the Jazz struggled without their two injured stars, losing for a 22nd consecutive time in San Antonio and taking a 119-94 beating from the Spurs, who hit 15 of 25 three-pointers. They followed that by giving up 94 points to a Memphis that is fifth worst in scoring. The improving visitors match up well against the banged up Jazz. Play the Bulls.
Dave Cokin
CS Northridge @ New Mexico
Play: New Mexico -14
The visiting Matadors are in some trouble tonight. New Mexico figures to be very focused following a rare home loss and Northridge has been terrible so far. The road team is turning it over at an alarming rate, including a disturbing 28 turnovers in their last game against Cal State Bakersfield. The Lobos have the talent edge, a big home court advantage and they're off the home loss. Bad combo for Northridge, big win for the Lobos. Give the points.
James Patrick Sports
Syracuse vs. Florida
Our Monday Night complimentary selection takes place on the hardwood in NCAA Basketball action and is on Syracuse Orangemen as they take on the Florida Gators in the CBE Classic at the Sprint Center in Kansas City. Syracuse Head Coach Jim Boeheim has amassed over 770 career wins and he returns 4 starters this season. The Cuse put up 79.9 ppg last season and any time we can grab a Big East underdog in non-conference action you'll usually find us in the buy line.
Jimmy The Moose
Colorado Avalanche at Anaheim Ducks
Prediction: Under
Colorado has played under the total in 6 of their last 7 games. The under is 6-1 in their last 7 vs. Western Conference opponents. In their last 6 games following a win the under is 6-0. The Ducks have played under the total in 3 of their last 4 games. In their last 6 games played with 1-day rest between action the under is 5-1. The under is 4-1 in their last 5 games vs. a team with a losing record. The under is a profitable 7-1-1 in the last 9 meetings between the clubs. The under is 4-1-1 in Colorado's last 6 trips to Anaheim. Play the under.
Frank Jordan
San Antonio Spurs vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Play:San Antonio Spurs -2
San Antonio is holding their own with two of their big three as the big fella Tim Duncan is the glue holding the team together as the Spurs are just 2 games out of first place. Memphis is only 4.5 games out of first place in the same division but are just 4-9 as they have dropped their last two games. Look for the Spurs to win the division game on the road. Play San Antonio
Matt Rivers
For Monday take the Spurs in Elvis' home land.
OJ Mayo is a budding superstar, Marc Gasol and Rudy Gay are quality and the Grizzlies are no longer a team totally dead in the water with their young talent. But the way the Spurs have come alive of late I'll back the visitors here for sure and expect a win.
Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker are still injured which has made this season extremely challenging early on but things of late have come a lot better for Tim Duncan and company. Greg Popovich' squad has now won four of their last five games and just beat the living Bejesus out of the Jazz. Yes Utah was beyond banged up but a 119-94 victory against anybody is fairly impressive. Plus those same Jazz just beat these same Grizzlies on Saturday 103-94. Now with three days rest why shouldn't Duncan, Roger Mason, Michael Finley and these visitors win this game!?!?!
I am not at all calling this the lock of my life as this is the NBA which usually comes down to late Free Throws and three's but with the Spurs starting to pick up the pace, shorthanded or not, they are cheaper than cheap today.
Drew Gordon
Indiana vs NOTRE DAME -13' at Maui, HI
This is a bad spot for a overrated Indiana team, who comes into this contest after struggling against sorry-ass Indiana-Purdue in their last one. In that contest, they got pushed around by a Jaguars team that features no starter bigger than 6'7 and yet, they struggled to score and barely won the rebounding battle (35-31). That does not bode well against a big and experienced Irish team in this one.
Speaking of big and experienced, its no secret this is Luke Harangody's team, averaging 28.5 ppg and 15.5 rpg, he's one of the top players in the country, bar none. Problem for Indiana is two-fold: Not only will they be unable to stop Harangody, but the emergence of 6'11 senior Luke Zeller, makes for an even tougher match up. Also, the fact IU's best player, Tom Pritchard, is just a freshman, makes the Hoosiers even more vulnerable against an well-seasoned Irish frontline.
Finally, while the public may still believe in the Hooisers, and therefore see's some value in them as a dog in this spot, I couldn't disagree more. Coach Crean is left to pick up the pieces of the Sampson debacle, and he's going to need a couple seasons to get it right. In other words, this is not the Indiana team you rememeber, so its important to bet them accordingly.
Bottom line, the Hoosiers get throughly exposed in this match up, as Brey and his Irish make a statement in this contest. Notre Dame's frontline is big and nasty, while its only a matter of time until McAlarney starts dialing it up from long distance (only averaging 5 ppg right now). In the end, its blowout city for the Hoosiers, as the Irish drop the hammer in the opening round of the Maui Invitational.
Take Notre Dame comfortably over Indiana in this college hoops match up.
3♦ NOTRE DAME
New Orleans -5' at LA CLIPPERS
I'll be the first to admit the Hornets have been burning their backers of late, going 1-7-1 ATS over their last 9 games. Not a huge surprise there, because you know Vegas was going to make you pay for backing a team that's so popular with the public. However, for the first time in a while, I'm seeing value with the Hornets tonight on the road and here's why:
First off, the Clippers are terrible, going 2-11 SU & 3-10 ATS thus far this season. I can't think of a single reason why they shouldn't be double-digit dogs in this spot! Sure, the Clippers are returning home after losing 2 of their last 3 on the road, but they've also lost 3 straight at home: to the struggling Spurs, Warriors (ho-hum), and Kings (just plain terrible). What makes you think today will be any different, against a far-superior Hornets club?
Second, while the Clippers have talent on their roster, the chemistry just isn't there yet, and the numbers prove it. LA averages just 90 ppg on 41% shooting at home, while allowing almost 102 ppg on 46% shooting - a huge disparity. I admit, New Orleans isn't firing on all cylinders just yet either, but fact is they've got the best PG in the league, and more than enough to talent to dispatch the sorry-ass Clips.
Finally, New Orleans has dominated this series, winning the last SIX meetings SUATS! The arrival of Baron Davis may make them more competitve down the line, but right now, the Clippers are still the Clippers until they prove otherwise. Look for the Hornets to take care of business on the road in this one!
Take New Orleans over the LA Clippers in this NBA match up.
2♦ NEW ORLEANS
Karl Garrett
Syracuse +3 vs. FLORIDA - at Kansas City, Mo.
Tonight from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, I like the Orangemen to post the mild upset win over a very young Florida team.
Both schools are off to 3-0 starts, and with 3 games under their belts, this game should be a pretty crisp early season test for both.
The difference here is Syracuse's experience, as they have 6 returning starters on this year's edition, including a healthy Eric Devendorf, and a healthy Andy Rautins.
To me, this game is pretty much a pick'em contest, especially on a neutral floor.
Bill Donovan has quickly reloaded his Gators, and the early buzz is Florida is ready to get back to the Final Four ranks come the end of the season. Still, the Gators are primarily a bunch of sophmores, and the loss of center Marreese Speights to the NBA is going to hurt Florida early on this year.
Have to roll with the Orange to spring the upset in this CBE Classic contest tonight.
Take the points.
1♦ SYRACUSE
Sports Gambling Hotline
Houston -2 at MIAMI
We like the Rockets on the road tonight at Miami.
Houston is enjoying a nice start on the road this year, as the Rockets are 6-3 both straight up, and against the spread, and they have started their current road trip with wins and covers in their first pair away from home.
Miami is coming off a nice home win over Indiana 109-100 as the 5 1/2-point chalk, but we don't see them extending their winning streak tonight, as the matchups have been all wrong for the Heat against the Rockets the last couple of years, as Houston owns wins and covers in 3 of the last 4 series tilts.
Houston has there way once again with Miami.
Play on the Rockets.
3♦ HOUSTON
Bobby Maxwell
New Orleans -5' at L.A. CLIPPERS
NBA hardwood is where you'll find us today as we give out a FREE play on the Hornets to take care of the Clippers with ease tonight in the Staples Center.
The Clippers are back to being cellar-dwellers, already in last place in the NBA's Pacific Division at 2-11 this season and now they've made a move to acquire Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins from the Knicks and sent Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas packing.
We love the Hornets and PG Chris Paul who leads the NBA in assists at 11.8 per game and is the leader in steals at 3.1. New Orleans is coming off a home-and-home with Oklahoma City, beating the Thunder 109-97 on Saturday.
The Hornets own six straight wins over the Clippers, even though Paul has averaged just 13.3 points against them. He is dishing out 11.5 assists against the Clippers and his mate David West has shot better than 50 percent from the floor in nine of his 14 career games against the Clippers. He poured in a season-high 33 on Saturday in the blowout of the Clippers.
New Orleans shoots the ball at a 46.5 percent rate and they'll have that accuracy working tonight as the Clippers have allowed their last three opponents to shoot better than 50 percent from the floor.
Play the Hornets to get this one with ease and the Clippers are still introducing themselves to one another after the trade.
4♦ NEW ORLEANS