Sports Gambling Hotline
Charlotte +7 at MIAMI
Charlotte has dropped their last pair of games, and their last 3 against the spread, but we see value in Larry Brown's Bobcats tonight, as the 'Cats have presented problems for the Heat in recent meetings.
Charlotte has already won this year's first meeting, 100-87 as the 2 1/2-point favorite back on November 1st, as the Bobcats have now won the last pair of series meetings, and 6 of the last 7 straight up.
The Bobcats may only be 1-5 straight up away from home, but they have gone 4-2 against the spread in those 6 roadies.
Miami counters riding a 3-game winning streak, but the Heat have been burning their backers at home this year, as Miami is just 4-5 against the spread in their 9 home games to date.
Play on the Bobcats plus the points to cover another on the road.
1♦ CHARLOTTE
Jeff Benton
I’m absolutely scalding with the free plays right now, as Sunday’s easy winner on the Chiefs was my fourth in a row and my ninth in the last 11 days! We’ve got a limited card on Monday, but we’ll look to the NBA and play the Magic minus the points at the Clippers.
This one almost seems too easy. We’re only being asked to lay a handful of points with an Orlando squad that’s won 15 of 20 games this year (6-2 on the road) and hasn’t played since Friday facing a Clippers group that’s lost 16 of 20 (2-9 at home) and is playing its fifth game in its fifth difference city since Tuesday!
The Magic’s 15 wins have come in their last 18 games (they lost their first two), and only four of those victories have come by fewer than five points, with the last four being by margins of 15, 14, 11 and 9 points. Meanwhile, the Clippers have dropped seven of their last nine and come home after a 1-3 road trip that took them from Dallas to Houston to Memphis to Minnesota and back to L.A.
Orlando won both meetings against the Clips last year (113-106 on the road, 110-88 at home) and they’re 3-0 SU and 2-0-1 ATS in the last three meetings. Yes, the Magic have a tough road game tomorrow night at Portland so it’s possible that Stan Van Gundy may yank his starters early if he’s got a comfortable lead, but with such a short pointspread, I can’t imagine that such a tactic by the Orlando coach would hurt us.
The Clippers are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 home games dating to last year and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 against the Eastern Conference, while the Magic have cashed in seven of their last 10 against the Pacific Division. No-brainer here – lay the points.
4♦ ORLANDO MAGIC
Matt Rivers
For Monday take Dwight Howard and the Magic out West.
I will admit that I actually like the talent on this Clipper team and think they will improve in the near future but when all is said and done they are still an underachieving mess as always and more than likely will get drilled here today. Congrats to them for finally winning big in that last game in Minnesota but that was just one random time that means nothing at all to me.
Orlando is an up and coming team that seems to be getting better by the game. Howard is obviously a beast that will score and clean up the boards and with Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu the Magic are a team that can beat you in many different ways, whether it be from the inside or the outside.
Baron Davis eventually should get the Clippers going a bit as the guy is still super talented but the culture remains one of losing and even with Zach Randolph, Marcus Camby, Al Thornton and Chris Kaman this team right now is fairly dreadful at 4-16 on the young season.
LA comes back home after the four game road trip where not much worked well at all before Saturday. These guys were smacked around in Memphis by what was as struggling of a Grizzlies squad as there could ever be.
Now back home I expect nothing more than the Clips to show their normal weak side and get drubbed by the talented visitors from the Magic Kingdom!
DUNKEL
Hawaii at Illinois
The Warriors look to take advantage of an Illinois team that is just 2-6 ATS over the last three seasons as a home favorite between 18 1/2 and 24 points. Hawaii is the underdog pick (+23) according to Dunkel, which has the Illini favored by only 20. Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+23).
Game 709-710: Hawaii at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 47.941; Illinois 67.883
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 20
Vegas Line: Illinois by 23
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+23)
Game 711-712: Wichita State at TCU
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 58.438; TCU 59.145
Dunkel Line: TCU by 1
Vegas Line: TCU by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (+2 1/2)
Game 713-714: San Jose State at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose State 47.281; San Diego 63.094
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 16
Vegas Line: San Diego by 11
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-11)
Game 715-716: Indiana State vs. Ohio
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 50.905; Ohio 58.585
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 717-718: Lamar at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Lamar 50.296; Louisville 81.589
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 31
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Alex Smart
Charlotte Bobcats +8.0
The Charlotte Bobcats enter into this game against the Miami Heat in a bounce back mode after an embarrassing loss to the Cavaliers by a 94-74 count last time out. Their coach Larry Brown was steaming after his teams effort, and was quoted as saying "That's difficult for me. ... I thought almost every shot we took was just something they were hoping would go in the basket." Needless to say, he will have team ready to put forward a very competitive effort.
The Miami Heat are playing well, and go for their 4th straight win. Despite of their current run the Heat had a less than desireable outing against the Bobcats earlier this season , losing a 100-87 road decision as 2.5 dogs, in a game that saw their hosts matchup very well against them. The Heat may want to lay down some pay back, for that above mentioned defeat, but you don't always get what you want. Look for and expect the Bobcats to keep it close for the cover.
Final notes & Key Trends: Miami 2-11 ATS off a home win dating back to last season.
Projected score: Charlotte 94 Miami 93
LT Profits
Houston Rockets @ Memphis Grizzlies Over 192.5
The Memphis Grizzlies have been a great Over team for a couple of years now, but the Houston Rockets are now also playing at a faster pace than recent years, so look for a rather high scoring affair here.
In fact, the Rockets are on current Over runs of 4-0 and 7-1. They have reached triple-digits offensively in six of their last eight games, and these eight contests have averaged a combined 200.3 points, safely above this posted total. This recent surge has push the record for the Over to 12-8, 60.0 percent in all Houston games this year.
The Over is also an identical 12-8 in all Memphis games, and defense is once again an afterthought for the Grizzlies. They have allowed 105 points or more in five of their last six games, allowing an average of 104.8 points during this period. The Over is 5-1 over these games.
Now these teams did go way Under in an 82-71 Rockets win at Houston the first time they met this season, but that came way back on opening night, and both clubs have developed fast=paced personalities since then.
Pick: Rockets, Grizzlies Over 192.5
Ben Burns
Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins
Prediction: Tampa Bay Lightning
I feel this price is too high and that we're getting solid value with the visitors. These teams just faced each other at Tampa on Thursday. The Bruins won the game 3-1. However, a closer look shows that the Lightning held an edge in shots on goal and that the game was tied 1-1 in the third. The Bruins' winning goal was a short-handed one in the third period and they added an empty-net goal with one second remaining. In other words, the Lightning played them tough. Despite taking the loss in that game, Tampa Bay goalie Mike Smith is now 1-1-0 with a 1.51 GAA in two career games vs. the Bruins. The Bruins, who followed up the win at Tampa by defeating Florida, have now won four in a row. Note that the last time that they had won four in a row, they were upset by Buffalo. Looking back further and we find them at 10-13 the last 23 times that they were coming off three or more consecutive victories and a money-burning 54-72 (-17.6) in that situation over the past 10+ seasons. The Bruins were -170 favorites the last time (3/13/08) that they were a host in this series but the Lightning scored a 4-1 upset. Desperate to snap their skid, I won't be surprised if the revenge-minded Lightning shock their hosts once again. Consider Tampa
Tony Karpinski
Houston Rockets vs. Memphis Grizzlies
Play: Houston -7.5
Playing without McGrady over the last 5 games, the extremely deep Rockets have found their niche without him, starting Shane Battier and moving Ron Artest into T-Mac's shooting guard position. It's worked well, dropping 131 points on Golden State Friday, including 28 from Artest and 33 from Yao. In other words, the loss of T-Mac is not as big as it may have been in years past; the Rockets are that deep, plain and simple.
Next, let's discuss the sorry Grizzlies, who've lost 8 of their last 9 games SU/ATS, and have looked like garbage doing it. Memphis is very young and doesn't play much defense allowing opposing teams to shoot 52 percent over its last 5 games,
Artest proves his worth, as he and Yao will lead the Rockets to a solid double digit road win tonight in Memphis.
Dunkel
Tampa Bay at Carolina
The Panthers were beaten up in Tampa (27-3) back in October, but look to build on a 3-year 6-2 ATS mark when revenging a loss, including 3-0 ATS this season. Carolina is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored by 4. Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-3).
Game 163-164: Tampa Bay at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 133.738; Carolina 137.604
Dunkel Line: Carolina by 4; 36
Vegas Line: Carolina by 3; 38 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Carolina (-3); Under
Scott Rickenbach
Pick: PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
This is a revenge game for Pittsburgh as they just recently suffered a tough loss at the hands of the Sabres. In that game at Buffalo, the Penguins allowed two third goals to end up in defeat after taking the lead to the final period. Pittsburgh comes into this game off of a loss and the Sabres are off a win. However, it was two very different situations as the Pens had to play the Senators in Ottawa on Saturday while the Sabres got an easier draw with the Lightning down in Tampa Bay. Now it toughens up for the Sabres as they face a hungry Penguins team in Pittsburgh and, while Buffalo's offense has been struggling in most games, look for the Penguins Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby to be putting on quite a show on the Versus Network tonight! Take a look at laying the price with Pittsburgh here!
Lenny Del Genio
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
Prediction: Under
Whomever loses this game will probably score in the single-digits. Look no further than Week 6?s 27-3 result in favor of Tampa Bay. Yes, we know about the proliferation of Overs this year on Monday Night Football, but that trend has to reverse itself eventually. Plus, it has more to do with offensive-minded teams being scheduled against one another. The only pairing of defensive minded teams on MNF this year was Pittsburgh vs. Washington and only 29 points were scored in that game. Seven of the last eight H2H meetings here in Carolina have gone Under. Take Under.
Jack Jones
San Diego -11.5
Early in the season I like playing teams that return a solid core and San Diego has seven players back from a squad that made the NCAA tournament last year. They have struggled with injuries in the early part of the season but should receive a big confidence boost in playing a San Jose State team that has just two wins, but none against a Division I opponent. This team has struggled on offense all year long and against San Diego's tough defense if the Spartans can get to 33% from the floor I would be surprised.
Nite Owl Sports
Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Clippers
Pick: 3 units ATS: Orlando Magic -4
Clips are getting better, but Magic is one of NBA'a elite teams, with a 15-5 overall record, incl 15-3 SU in L18 games, and 7-2 SU record on road, and we believe point spread a bit "thin" here at -4 (we think it should be about 6 or 6.5). Orlando s 2-2-1 so far as a road fave with average MOV of 7.5 points in those 5, and LY Magic won here in LA by 7 as 4 point faves, just like in this one, with basically the same team as they have TY. While Clips have done OK TY as "short" home dogs of 1-3 points (2-1 ATS, with a one point win, a one point loss and a 10 point OT loss in those 3), they have struggled at home vs A teams, going 1-3 ATS with an average MOL of 6.5 points, with an upset win over dallas the only bright spot in those four games (and that does not even count their opening night loss to Lakers, not a "true" home game, as they share the same home court with the Lake show). That is basical;ly a continuation of LY, when Clips were a miseranble combined 9-20 ATS at home vs A and b teams, with an average MOL of 9 points in those 29 home games.
DUNKEL
Charlotte at Miami
The Bobcats, who are 3-1 ATS as a road underdog between 6 1/2 and 9 points, face a Miami team that is 0-4 ATS at home when the total is between 185 and 189 1/2 points. Charlotte is the underdog pick (+8) according to Dunkel, which has the Heat favored by just 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+8).
Game 701-702: Charlotte at Miami
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 117.491; Miami 119.925
Dunkel Line & Total: Miami by 2 1/2; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Miami by 8; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+8); Over
Game 703-704: Golden State at Oklahoma City
Dunkel Ratings: Golden State 110.414; Oklahoma City 111.256
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 1; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 5 1/2; 214
Dunkel Pick: Golden State (+5 1/2); Under
Game 705-706: Houston at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.281; Memphis 111.232
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 11; 190
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 7; 192
Dunkel Pick: Houston (-7); Under
Game 707-708: Orlando at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 121.453; LA Clippers 115.028
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 6 1/2; 186
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 4; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-4); Under
DUNKEL
Nashville at St. Louis
The Blues look to build on their 4-1 record versus division opponents as they host the visiting Predators. St. Louis is the underdog pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Blues favored straight up by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+100).
Game 51-52: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.137; Boston 14.076
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 4; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-240); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-240); Over
Game 53-54: Florida at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 12.459; Ottawa 11.390
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+145); Under
Game 55-56: Buffalo at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 11.414; Pittsburgh 10.751
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+130); Over
Game 57-58: NY Islanders at Toronto
Dunkel Ratings: NY Islanders 10.609; Toronto 9.879
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-155); 6
Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+135); Over
Game 59-60: Nashville at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 10.486; St. Louis 12.108
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+100); Under