IndianCowboy
Green Bay Packers @ Chicago Bears
Pick: Over 40
For your comp selection today as we are on a 7-1 NFL Run since Last Sunday, and coming off an NFL 3-0 Week Sweep, go ahead and take the over in tonight's contest between the Packers Bears. Look, there is a lot of features working in this game. For one, you have a Green Bay Packer team that is reeling with frustration after four straight losses. This team comes off a dissappointing 16-20 loss at Jacksonville, 21-24 loss to Houston before that, 31-35 loss to Carolina at home prior to that and 29-51 loss to New Orleans. The reason why the Packers are losing ballgames is not because of their offense, but rather their defense. Remember, this team has put up 29, 31, 21 and 16 points in their four losses of late. Also, note that the Bears only scored 3 points on this team last time and you better believe they come out fired up to avenge their 37-3 loss. But, the Packers would like nothing more than to make sure their arch rivals do not go to the playoffs if they cannot go to the playoffs themselves. Thus, ride the over here for an active dog in the Packers as I look for them to get down early but to make a game of it and consequently push this total over. I expect at least 20 points from both teams and similar to the Sunday Night Football Game from last night, active dogs = Overs as that is my principle and always has been as I have written extensively on it. Look for the Packers to make this a game and this total to go over as well.
Andre Gomes
ORL / GSW Over 218
This game promises to be an high affair scoring game, with both teams ready to score a lot of points. Orlando continues to play very well, they have won their last four games, with the first two being without Howard and the last two already with Howard against San Antonio and the Lakers. And I'll start my analysis in here. The Magic after two tough games at home will play a game at home against a team who isn't dangerous or at least isn't at the same level of the Spurs or the Lakers. So, I expect Orlando to be more relaxed today especially on the defensive end of the court, as they don't need to do nothing special on the offense, as the Warriors don't care about their defense anyway. Against a run and gun team, you need to have a solid PG and Orlando has Jameer Nelson, who is on fire right now, having scored 32, 24 and 27 points in the last three games.
It's curious to see that these two teams have already faced each other last week, with the Magic winning by 109-98. In a game where Howard didn't play due to injury, the Magic scored 109 points, in a good offensive game: 45-94 (47.9%) FG, 10-20 3pts, but just 9-13 FT. With Howard back on the court, not only the number of easy layups and dunks will be bigger, as also the number of FT will suffer a boost from the previous game between these two teams.
This game is similar to the games Boston has played against Chicago and the Knicks, where a top team is coming from a series of games against tough teams and then doesn't care about their defense in games against lowly teams. On the other side, the Warriors are coming from a 110-103 win at Charlotte, where Jamal Crawford scored 50 points. If we look to the last games of the Warriors, we see that they have allowed 116.0 ppg and they didn't score 100 points or more in just two games, where they scored 98 and 99 points. I expect a game with more than 220 points and we have the conditions for that, as we are in front of two of the teams with most FT attempts this season (Golden State is 1st with 29.8 FT/game and Orlando is 6th with 27.2 FT/game). Golden State has regained some of their confidence with a win in their last game and they are 5-2 Over after a win this season. On the other side, the Magic after two big wins in their last two games won't approach this game with a lot of defensive concerns. Take the over in here.
Ron Raymond
ATL (-115) vs TOR
The Leafs are coming off a huge 7-3 win over Crosby and the Penguins and are prime for a letdown vs. the lowly Thrashers tonight. Furthermore, it looks like the Leafs will be giving Pogge the start tonight, which gives the home team more value. When ATLANTA team Played as Home team as a Favorite - Coming off vs Eastern Conference opponent - After a conference game - Allowed 3 goals AGAINST in their last game; The Thrashers are 14-5-1 SU in this spot.
Prediction: Atlanta 4 Toronto 2
SportsKingz
GREEN BAY / CHICAGO OVER 40
Pro Picks Online
Toronto Maple Leafs Vs. Atlanta Thrashers
Justin Pogge makes his NHL debut tonight for the blue and white as Vesa Toskola is out with a bad groin. The Leafs have already been lit up an average 3.5 times per game this season and throwing a nervous lamb into the lions den, won't help this stat. Pogge has posted an .890 save percentage with the Marlies junior team this year and we shouldn't expect things to get any better for him tonight.
The Leafs, even without Sundin, have been one of the most offensive clubs in the league, hitting the back of the net 101 times in 32 outings. The Thrashers goaltending has also been atrocious, as they have been scored upon 117 times in 32 games. These two clubs combine for 39 overs and 22 unders so far this year. Good for 64%.
Should be a good old-fashioned shootout!
Pick - Over 6
Gina
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears need this win against their division rival Green Bay Packers to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. Go with the Bears at Soldier Field. The struggling Packers have lost four straight, going 0-4 ATS. The home team in this series has won and covered the spread in the last two meetings.
Chicago Bears -4
Portland Trail Blazers at Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have dropped three straight games, but the rested Trail Blazers have had problems at the Pepsi Center. Portland has dropped nine of their last 10 games against the Nuggets in Denver. Should be a close battle, but Portland is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games, 0-5 ATS on the road. Take the Nuggets at home.
Denver Nuggets -3½
Johnny Guild
Houston Rockets at New Jersey Nets
The Rockets have won five of their last six games overall. Meanwhile, the struggling Nets have dropped five of its last seven straight-up and against the spread. Go with the Rockets to continue their dominance over the Nets. Houston has won and covered the last four meetings, eight of the last 10 and has taken the last five clashes at New Jersey, 5-0 ATS.
Houston Rockets -5
Marquette Golden Eagles -2
Oklahoma Sooners -17.5
Indiana Hoosiers -2
Brian Edwards's Pick Pack
NFL Season Package
Member Plays
Matchup: Green Bay at Chicago
Time: 8:35 PM EDT (Mon)
Play: Chicago (-4.0 -110)
Posted on: December 22, 2008 @ 3:01:15 PM EST
I'm on my guaranteed play for the total a lot heavier (amount-wise) than this wager on the side. Nevertheless, I do recommend getting some action on the Bears, who have won five of their last six home games. Four of those wins have come by four points or more which is what we're laying here. Green Bay mailed it in weeks ago, so let's fade 'em in this spot.
Guaranteed Plays
Matchup: Green Bay at Chicago
Time: 8:35 PM EDT (Mon)
Play: Over (40.0 -110)
Posted on: December 22, 2008 @ 2:57:50 PM EST
The 'over' has hit at a money-making 5-2 clip for Chicago in its home games. The 'over' has also been a money maker for the Packers, posting an 8-5-1 overall record and a 4-2-1 mark in their road games. The 'over' is 2-1 in the last three head-to-head meetings between these long-time rivals as they have combined for at least 40 points in all three of those games. Both teams are accustomed to the cold-weather conditions. Give me the 'over.'
ATS Sports America
Steven Dane
Sharp plays Chicago -4
Under Chicago-GB 40
Wunderdog
Towson State at Bowling Green
Pick: Towson State +9
A first-ever matchup between Towson and Bowling Green will take place tonight at Anderson Arena in Bowling Green, KY. Bowling green got out strong to open the season winning three of their first four, but have since dropped four of their last five. Of the three wins to open the season, two were over Div-II teams and they had no trouble finding the scoreboard averaging 75 points per game. Things have gotten a bit more difficult since as Bowling Green has managed just 59.8 ppg since. This certainly makes it difficult to cover a number hovering around double-digits with an inconsistent offense and lots of empty trips. Towson has found trouble scoring when they play up against teams way over their head as they have already met St. Joe's, Penn State and Villanova where they managed just 55 ppg, but when playing against reasonably close competition they have fared much better at 74.7 ppg. I like the Tigers here that have shown the ability to score against a Bowling Green team that has shown a lack of offensive firepower to be favored in this range. Towson gets the nod.
Lenny Del Genio
Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Prediction: under
Bears are 6-0 Under when playing with same season revenge. Weather is going to be hideous, which means a lot of running and the clock will keep going. We don?t forsee a lot of possessions on either side. Trends favor the Over, but so much so that you feel that they have to reverse themselves. So too does the proliferation of Overs on Monday Night. Take Under.
Matt Fargo
Valparaiso at Central Florida
Prediction: Central Florida
This is a very nice number for Central Florida. The Knights dropped their first home game of the season two days ago against Florida after taking their first three of the year as well as a neutral court split. This is a revenge game for Central Florida who lost in Valparaiso in its second game of the season. They shot a mere 30.6 percent from the floor including 18.5 percent from long range. Shooting has been a struggle on the road but at home, the Knights are hitting 45.2 percent. The Crusaders have lost three straight and seven of their last eight games since that win over Central Florida. They are coming off a loss to North Carolina on Saturday and while you may think that got them battle tested, it didn?t. Valparaiso is 1-5 away from home and scoring has been a real issue as it is averaging only 58.5 ppg in those six games including 53.3 ppg in true road games. Valparaiso is just 3-8-1 ATS in its last 12 games following a cover while Central Florida is 21-8-1 ATS following a non-cover. The Knights get their revenge here. 3* Central Florida Knights
Ben Burns
Golden State Warriors at Orlando Magic
Prediction: Orlando Magic
Both these teams can score plenty of points. The Warriors average 106.4 while the Magic come in averaging 100.6. However, while the Magic are also capable of playing solid defense, the Warriors don't know the meaning of the word. Orlando comes in allowing a respectable average of 95.1 points per game, including 94 at home. The Warriors, on the other hand, are allowing 111.9 points per game and an awful 113.1 on the road.
Note that the Warriors are 1-6 ATS against teams which score 99 or more points per game. Conversely, Orlando is a perfect 8-0 ATS (7-1 SU) when matched up against a team that scores 99 or more.
These teams already met at Oakland this season and the Magic rolled to a 109-98 victory. With the Warriors dealing with a couple of key injuries and the Magic on a 7-0 ATS run, this could easily become another rout. Consider laying the big number.