Sports Gambling Hotline
Indiana +16 at KENTUCKY
Knee-jerk line reflected today based on last year's result when a loaded Indiana team trounced a rebuilding Kentucky edition, 70-51 as the 6-point favorite.
Seems the tables are turned this year, as Indiana is certainly a work in progress, but let's be real...Kentucky is not a polished product yet, and the Wildcats have no business laying this kind of number against anyone.
Indiana has played the likes of Wake Forest, and Gonzaga, and while they were romped in those affairs, Tom Crean's team did build a little confidence with a 10-point win over TCU on Wednesday night.
Kentucky is a decent 6-3 this year, but only 3 of their games thus far have had a line on them, and Billy Gillispie's team is just 1-2 in those lines games.
Kentucky will get their revenge, but it won't be by the required impost.
Take the Hoosiers plus the points.
2♦ INDIANA
Bobby Maxwell
Cleveland -5' at ATLANTA
There's no way we go against the Cavaliers right now. They are rolling, having won 11 straight games and doing so in easy fashion. Go ahead and lay the small number with Cleveland as they visit Atlanta tonight.
The Cavs have overpowered their last 11 opponents, winning by an average margin of 19.8 points and they have led every minute of every second half during the streak. They got an 88-72 win over Philadelphia on Friday and they have tied their longest winning streak since 1994.
The Cleveland winning streak started with a 110-96 win over Atlanta on Nov. 22 and superstar LeBron James has dominated the Hawks, averaging 30.9 points and eight rebounds in his last 10 against Atlanta.
Atlanta has won five straight home games and they are in Atlanta until Dec. 30. They ended a four-game road trip on Friday with an 87-73 win over Miami. The key to this is containing Joe Johnson and his outside shot. Cleveland has the talent to do this and control the tempo in this one.
Look for the Cavaliers to run right through the Hawks. Play Cleveland.
3♦ CLEVELAND
Karl Garrett
Orlando at UTAH -4'
Lay it in the NBA tonight with the rested, and ready Utah Jazz who were idle last night, and have won their last pair of games, and 3 of their last 4 both straight up, and against the spread.
Jerry Sloan's team is now 10-3 straight up at home, and 8-5 against the spread in those 13 home dates. Tonight they take on a tired Orlando team that expended a lot of energy last night in their last second loss at Phoenix that snapped a 4-game winning streak.
Orlando is now playing in a back-to-back spot, and also playing their 3rd straight on the road, and the G-Man thinks they will be still thinking about last night's loss when they take the court tonight.
Utah swept last year's season series against Orlando, and the G-Man like the Jazz to play that sweet music tonight with the win, and cover.
3♦ UTAH
Jeff Benton
Hard to argue with what the Buckeyes have done this year, as they’re off to a 5-0 start, including consecutive upsets in their last two games over Top 25 teams Miami (Fla.) (73-58 as an eight-point road underdog) and Notre Dame (67-62 last Saturday as a five-point underdog in Indianapolis). Going back to last year’s NIT, which they won, the Buckeyes are riding an 11-game winning steak, and like last season, they’re doing it with defense this year, giving up just 50.2 points per game. The most impressive defensive effort came a week ago against Notre Dame, which is one of the most prolific scoring teams in the country.
Now, Butler is also undefeated through its first eight games. But unlike in year’s past when they faced teams like North Carolina, Duke and Tennessee in the preseason, the Bulldogs haven’t really played a strong schedule (unless you count Drake and Bradley as strong, which I don’t, not this year). Also, Butler has only one starter returning from last year’s NCAA Tournament team, making me even more skeptical about its 8-0 start.
Ohio State has a legitimate revenge edge today, too, as the young, inexperienced Buckeyes went to Butler last year and got walloped 65-46 as a 6½-point road underdog. Both teams have strong ATS trends in their favor, but it’s hard to argue with the fact that Ohio State is 8-1 ATS in its last nine overall, 11-1 ATS in its last 12 non-conference games and 7-1 ATS in its last eight at home. Having played – and beaten – back-to-back Top 25 opponents, Ohio State should be more than prepared for whatever the youthful Bulldogs send at them. Lay the price.
3♦ OHIO STATE
Matt Rivers
For Saturday take UCLA at the Honda Center in Anaheim.
UCLA lost Kevin Love and some other talent making me believe they are not the team we have seen over the past few seasons but in this spot we are looking at a total total mismatch and I will therefore lay the number witht he Bruins.
DePaul is awful and I mean awful. Jerry Wainwright's squad has shown pretty much nothing all season long and come into this thing on a three game skid including just losing to Morgan State. Morgan State?????? Before that they were drilled at Northwestern, 63-36 and were also outclassed by double digits against Cal.
The Blue Demons wins are against dreadful schools like Indiana State and Detroit and right now it appears that this is the worst DePaul team we have seen in a long long time.
It is a lot of points to be laying for a UCLA team which is more of a defensive squad, I admit that, but Ben Howland still has some guys that can score like Darren Collison, Josh Shipp and others and in the end I will lay points against the mush all of a sudden knows as DePaul. After all we are backing what is still a top 10 or so team and pretty much at home. I can't explain losing to Michigan except to say that Duke fell to the Wolverines as well so maybe that defeat wasn't all that bad.
Until Ray Meyer gets the clipboard back we are looking at a DePaul program which is having a ton of issues and not ready to compete a lick today.
If the Demons score 50 points I will be surprised!
Jake Timlin
Your Saturday selection is the New Mexico Lobos.
Without a doubt the Lobos are struggling, but given they are at home today minus a favorable number I say take a shot on New Mexico against Ole Miss. I mean given that today’s game is in the PIT where New Mexico is an amazing 35-1 straight up in their past 36 non-conference home games and are 4-1 this season I am more then happy to lay the small number today even though Ole Miss might just be the better team. Plus, factoring in that New Mexico will be seeking revenge from a year ago I see nothing less then an inspired performance from the Lobos today. Flat out the PIT is a tough place for a visiting team and the Rebels will find out why today. Take the Lobos minus the points as the rudely welcome Ole Miss the Albuquerque.
Tony Weston
OK, so we missed last night as Drake couldn’t come through for us. We take the loss and we move on. That’s fine because I’m getting that W tonight as we’re headed back to The Association.
We’re coming at it tonight with a road dog as we’re taking the New York Knicks as about a 3-point underdog at the Sacramento Kings.
Despite losing 112-103 SU to the Los Angeles Lakers in the Staples Center last night, the Kings still covered as a 17-point underdog. Now they have to travel back home to battle a Knicks team that’s been resting the last two days.
While the Kings have covered in each of their last two games, each against the Los Angeles Lakers, they have been beneficiaries of very generous lines. Consider that of each of the Kings last five covers, each has come with Sacramento installed as a double-digit underdog.
But of the Kings’ last seven games where they were installed as a single-digit underdog or single-digit favorite, they are 0-7 ATS. Tonight they’re installed as about a 3-point favorite.
Now they take on a Knicks’ team that’s 7-3 ATS its last 10 games and is 6-1 ATS its last seven games, including 3-0 ATS its last three games on the road.
New York will keep this one close and even flirt with winning outright. Take the points and take the Knicks on the road.
3♦ KNICKS
Dave Price
1 Unit on Utah Jazz -4.5
After getting edged out in a thriller last night in Phoenix, the Magic will be too emotionally and physically drained to get up for a more rested Utah team that is strong on its home floor. The Jazz are 10-3 at home this season and have won 8 of their last 11 home games against the Magic. Utah is 16-6 ATS in home games versus good offensive teams - scoring 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons, winning these games by an average score of 109.8 to 98.6. Lay the number.
Matt Fargo
South Alabama at Mississippi State
Prediction: South Alabama
This is a good number for a very strong South Alabama team. The last time I toyed with the Jaguars was back on November 26th at home against Arkansas and they blew numerous chances to win that game in which they ended up losing by just a bucket. They bounced back with four straight victories and even though the competition was thin, it provided good momentum heading into this one. The Jaguars defeated Mississippi St. last season and it is more about another good matchup than revenge for the Bulldogs.
Mississippi St. started the season 5-0 with some cupcake competition and since then it has gone 1-3 as the opposition got a little stiffer. The Bulldogs are in a transition year as a lot of talent was lost and they are not expected to make much noise in the SEC. They are extremely young with only one senior on the entire roster and that is definitely showing in some of their numbers. As was the case last season, Mississippi St. is struggling in some very important key areas.
The Bulldogs have played the 303rd ranked schedule in the country and despite this, they are turning the ball over much too often. They have a 0.76 assist/turnover ratio as they are giving it up 16.6 times per game. They are also once again having problems at the free throw line as they are hitting just 66 percent on the season including 65.6 percent at home. It is a mix of good shooters and some really bad shooters and unfortunately for them, the latter is more prevalent.
Mississippi St.?s strength is in the frontcourt and the Jaguars can match that. The Bulldogs are led by Ravern Johnson and Jarvis Varnado who are averaging a combined 23.2 ppg and 15.1 rpg. The Jaguars counter with four big bodies down low with Brandon Davis (14.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg), DeAndre Coleman (10.9, 8.1), LaShun Watson (6.9, 4.7) and Ronald Douglas (6.2, 4.7). South Alabama is +10.1 percent in offensive rebounding percentage while the Bulldogs are at only +2.4 percent and that will make a big difference. 3* South Alabama Jaguars
Drew Gordon
Indiana at MILWAUKEE -4'
Looking over how these two teams have played of late, I can understand why bettors would be tempted to take the Pacers in this spot, but I say: Not so fast!
First and foremost, the home team in this series has consistently been the better side, going 12-5-2 ATS over their last 19 meetings! While that wasn't the case in their last two meetings, fact is, the Bucks are a better team this year, while the Pacers are stuck in neutral... It may not be evident by their similar losing records, but talent-wise, there's no question the Bucks have the edge.
Speaking of edges, let's talk match ups, specifically in the backcourt, where Michael Redd will own Marquis Daniels. Redd is the catalyst of this Bucks offense, and if he's allowed to get going, then it opens up space for his role players. Not only that, but Jefferson matches up well with the athletic Danny Granger, while there's no doubt Bogut will own Nesterovic.
Situationally, the Bucks return home after losing 3 straight road games, and have been off since Wednesday, which is always a good thing. The Pacers on the other hand, lost a tough, hard-fought game at Detroit last night, and have to regroup and refocus for another tough match up tonight (never an easy thing).
Finally, after the public has watched the Bucks lose 3 straight road games, I believe they come in slightly undervalued here. Remember guys, we're talking about a Milwaukee team that's not only 14-6-1 ATS over their last 21 games, but also 6-3 ATS at home this season! Look for the Bucks to bounce back strong tonight at home (off a fair amount of rest), against a tired Pacers team in this one.
Take Milwaukee over Indiana in this NBA match up.
2♦ MILWAUKEE
Xavier -2 at CINCINNATI
Got to live what you saw from this Musketeers offense now that frosh PG Terrell Holloway has returned to the lineup. He undoubtedly Xaviers best play maker, and the difference between Xavier with or without him is HUGE. Look for that offensive surge to continue tonight and here's why:
While there's been a lot of talk about the Bearcats defense, I'm not convinced. Who have they played? Who have they stopped? A nice upset win at UNLV is certainly of note, but c'mon, that's hardly a seal of approval! They opened the season with 4 straight non-lined contests (all wins of course), padding their stats and instilling a false sense of accomplishment that will come back to bite them in the ass tonight.
From a match up standpoint, Cincy has gotten bigger this season with the addition of freshman Gates and Toyloy, not to mention underclassmen C McClain. However, besides being a young team, the Bearcats are overmatched in the backcourt with Anderson, Jackson and Holloway leading the charge for the Musketeers. Xavier also has enough beef down-low to match up with the improved size of Cincy, so no real advantage for the home team there either.
Bottom line, don't be fooled by Cincinnati's 6-1 record, as they've played a bunch of cupcakes for the most part, and tonight they get thoroughly exposed by a damn good Xavier team that finally has its best playmakers back and healthy. Musketeers take care of business on the road Saturday night!
Take Xavier over Cincinnati in this college hoops match up.
2♦ XAVIER
Mr. A
Cleveland Cavaliers -6
Philadelphia 76ers -5
Utah Jazz -4½
Wild Bill
Bulls -4 1/2 (5 units)
Dallas -12 1/2 (5 units)
Over 198 1/2 Magic-Jazz (5 units)
Over 219 Knicks-Kings (5 units)
Tennessee -6 1/2 (5 units)
Memphis +5 (5 units)
Valpo +15 (5 units)
Florida St -6 (5 units)
Indiana +16 1/2 (5 units)
Oklahoma -13 (5 units)
San Diego St +3 1/2 (5 units)
Wisconsin -10 1/2 (5 units)
Cincy +2 (5 units)
Murray +18 (5 units)
Marist +7 1/2 (5 units)
Wash St -15 (5 units)
Hawaii -1 1/2 (5 units)
MTi Sports
New Jersey Nets at Chicago Bulls
The Nets lost 101-79 at home last night with Vince Carter shooting 0-13 from the field. He also had three turnovers and four personal fouls. It’s the first time in his entire career than he has had more personal fouls than points. The Nets are 5-0 OU after a loss in which Vince Carter shot worse than 33% from the field, going over by an average of 24.2 ppg.
Play: Over 205
Erik Scheponik
Iowa St. at Iowa
Play Iowa St. +8.5
Going to give the Cyclones a whirl based on their defense, strong backcourt, coaching, and matchup advantages in this one. Iowa, much like Todd Licklitter's Butler teams thrives on getting lots of steals and not putting opponents on the 3 pt. line, but ISU is very perimeter based and protects the ball very well, as they basically start two quality PG in Dionte Garrett and Bryan Peterson. They are defending very well, allowing opponents to shoot 38% from the floor, and that isn't a fluke as even during difficult season last year, they allowed only 41.6% FG. Their 28% 3FG defense is one of the nation's best numbers, and should come in handy here as the Hawkeyes also play a perimeter game, launching 23 3 pointers a game. ISU is weak on the boards, but Iowa is not exactly overpowering in that aspect either, and Cyclone HC Mcdermott has always been dangerous when taking points. Iowa by only 3
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Long Beach St @ Weber St
Pick: Weber ST -1
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Maddux free pick:
DuPaul +16 (CBB)