Bobby Maxwell
Miami +3' at GEORGIA TECH
The Hurricanes have won five in a row and tonight they are definitely the right play in this matchup and if the Man wants to give us points, we'll gladly take them.
Miami beat Virginia Tech 16-14 last week but came up just short as a four-point home favorite. The ATS loss snapped a three-game spread-covering streak for the 'Canes. Their defense was the key to the victory and it is ranked in the top 15 in the country in yards allowed (279.8 per game) and rushing yards allowed (103.2) per game.
They will need that rushing defense tonight as the Yellow Jackets are eighth in the country, averaging 250.7 yards rushing per game and 5.1 yards per carry. Georgia Tech has dropped two of its last three games, falling at home to Virginia 24-17 on Oct. 25 as a 14-point home favorite and then going to North Carolina a couple weeks ago and losing 28-7 as a 5 1/2-point 'dog.
The 'Jackets have trouble holding on to the ball and turned it over three crucial times against North Carolina in that loss.
In this rivalry, the road team is on a 4-1 ATS streak and the Hurricanes are 5-0 ATS in their last five on the road and 4-0 ATS in their last four on the road against teams with a winning home record. Georgia Tech is on ATS slides of 2-5-1 at home, 1-7 when coming off a bye week, 1-4 in Thursday games and 2-5-1 against winning teams.
The Hurricanes have all the momentum for this game. We'll play Miami in this one.
2♦ MIAMI
Karl Garrett
Detroit +7 at BOSTON
Tonight I will take the points with the Pistons in Beantown.
Detroit is off a "gut check" win, and cover at home last night against Cleveland, and now they get their "gut check" against the defending NBA champion Celtics, only this time around Detroit has "The Answer" in their rotation.
Allen Iverson brings a different energry to the Pistons, and he has dealt with Boston before in his playing career.
Detroit did lose an 88-76 decision ealrier this month at home to the Celts, but the Pistons have been able to go both 5-2 straight up, and against the spread on the road this season.
The Celtics meanwhile are 6-1 straight up at home, but just 2-5 against the spread on their home hardwood.
G-Man fully expects the Pistons to be there tonight in this TNT spotlight contest.
Take the points!
3♦ DEROIT
Jeff Benton
Detroit impressed the hell out of me with last night’s 96-89 home win over Cleveland, not only rallying from a 49-38 halftime deficit, but outscoring the previously red-hot Cavaliers 58-40 over the final 24 minutes to win 96-89 as a three-point home favorite. By the game’s end, the Pistons shot 50.7 percent from the field (5-for-12 from three-point land) while holding Cleveland, which was on a 9-2 run, to 42.5 percent shooting (8-for-22 from long range).
The Pistons are now 8-3 on the season, and even though one of those defeats came against the Celtics back on Nov. 9 – an 88-76 home setback – you need to look at the circumstances surrounding that defeat. Going into that contest, Detroit had played three straight road games at Charlotte, Toronto and New Jersey, and right after that one home game against Boston, the Pistons boarded a flight to Sacramento for a four-game, six-day West Coast road trip. In other words, hardly surprising that Detroit wasn’t focused for that game against the Celtics.
This time, though, I expect an entirely different effort from the Pistons. They’re 5-2 SU and ATS on the road this season – including outright wins over the Lakers, Raptors and Warriors – and they’ve scored at least 96 points in four of those five games, the lone exception being in Sunday’s 104-86 loss at Phoenix as the Pistons were completing their grueling West Coast journey.
Also, even though the C’s beat the Knicks 110-101 as an eight-point home chalk Tuesday without the suspended Kevin Garnett, the fact remains that Boston is 1-4 ATS in its last five overall and 2-5 ATS in its seven home games this year. Grab the generous points with Detroit, which has the added edge of revenge after getting eliminated in last year’s Eastern Conference finals against Boston.
7♦ DETROIT PISTONS
Matt Rivers
For Thursday take the points with the Pistons.
There are definitely factors going the way of the Celtics here but I still can't pass up the points with the talent and upside of the Pistons.
Boston is the home team and the more rested team after Detroit just took care of business against Lebron and the Cavs on Wednesday. Also the Celtics have a certain matter of revenge after falling in MoTown 88-76 on the 9th. Doc Rivers' squad is awesome no doubt and deserved to win the title last season. They also have a great shot to repeat as KG, Allen and Pierce are playing as if they are still extremely motivated.
But with all of the above said I cannot pass up Iverson, Rip, Tayshaun, Stuckey and on and on plus this really solid number back. Sometimes you just have to keep things simple and say I am getting a borderline great team plus what is too many points and that is the scenario here today.
Detroit was the first team to beat the Lakers this season and that proved once again how they are no joke. Even with some negative factors in their corner I can't help but scoop up the points with a very very very very good team.
Tony Weston
Even after consecutive losses ATS, we’re taking the Los Angeles Lakers on the road tonight in the Valley of the Sun against the Phoenix Suns.
While the Lakers have failed to cover in each of their last two games, consider that the team did get a SU win against the Bulls and ended up losing outright to a Detroit Pistons team that might be the best team in the East.
Now Los Angeles faces a Suns team that has been even worse than 0-2 ATS their last two. After starting the season 5-2 ATS, Phoenix has gone 1-4 ATS its last five games, including a 1-2 mark ATS at home.
The Lakers, on the other hand, come into this game 6-3 ATS this season and 3-1 ATS on the road, where they’ve won each of their last two away from the Staples Center. On the road this season Los Angeles has outscored its opponents by an average score of 105-90.2.
Also, the Lakers are 4-1 ATS their last five games against the Suns and are 7-3 ATS their last 10 meetings, including a 5-1 mark ATS when playing in Phoenix.
The Lakers will do it again tonight and cover once again at the Suns. Take Los Angeles on the road in this one.
3♦ LAKERS
Mr A
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers are 8-2 SU and 7-3 ATS versus the Bengals in the last 10 games, but are 0-4 ATS in their last 4 home games and the road team in this series is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. Take the points! Pittsburgh potent defense will most likely shutdown the Bengals's offense, but the Steelers don’t score loads of points.
Cincinnati Bengals +11
Miami at Georgia Tech
The Yellow Jackets have won the last three meetings, but the Hurricanes are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games and the road team in this series is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings. Expect a close battle. Georgia Tech's defense will give the Hurricanes a difficult undertaking at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets -3½
Detroit Pistons +7
Los Angeles Lakers -5
The Miller Group
Cincinnati Bengals @ Pittsburgh Steelers
PICK: Over 34
This matches the lowest total that either team has seen this season. Pittsburgh played Baltimore with a total set at 34.5 back in late September, a game that sailed over the number with a 23-20 final score.
We've seen at least 34 points scored in each of the last eight meetings in this series, and more than 34 points in seven of those. Earlier in the season, the Steelers prevailed 38-10 in Cincinnati, eclipsing the 36.5 total.
We're dealing with a low number largely due to impending weather this evening. Snow flurries and wind are in the forecast, and Heinz Field has a history of bad field conditions. In most cases, snowy weather actually helps the offenses. Running routes is a lot easier than trying to defend those routes when your footing is less than ideal.
We expect the Bengals to open up their offensive playbook tonight. They're riding a two-game undefeated streak, and really have nothing to lose. The Steelers will be looking for a stronger offensive showing after that ugly 11-10 win over the Chargers on Sunday.
For whatever reason, these primetime games have had a tendency to play over the total, and that's a trend we're banking on continuing on Thursday night. Note that the over is 38-15-2 in the Steelers last 55 home games. Take the over.
DUNKEL
Detroit at Boston
The Pistons come into Boston with a 5-2 ATS record on the road and face a Celtic team that is 0-3 ATS at home when the total is between 180 and 184 1/2. Detroit is the underdog pick (+7) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by just 4. Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+7).
Game 701-702: Detroit at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 121.889; Boston 126.132
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 4; 180
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 7; 183 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+7); Under
Game 703-704: LA Lakers at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 127.865; Phoenix 122.337
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 5 1/2; 210
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 3 1/2; 207
Dunkel Pick: LA Lakers (-3 1/2); Over
NCAAB
Missouri vs. Xavier
Xavier is 2-0 ATS versus the Big 12 over the last three seasons and faces a Missouri team that is just 8-15 ATS as an underdog. The Musketeers are the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Xavier favored by 7. Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-3 1/2).
Game 705-706: Illinois at Vanderbilt
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois 65.992; Vanderbilt 67.393
Dunkel Line: Vanderbilt by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Vanderbilt by 5
Dunkel Pick: Illinois (+5)
Game 707-708: UC Davis at Arkansas
Dunkel Ratings: UC Davis 54.871; Arkansas 64.734
Dunkel Line: Arkansas by 10
Vegas Line: Arkansas by 13
Dunkel Pick: UC Davis (+13)
Game 709-710: Tulsa at Oklahoma State
Dunkel Ratings: Tulsa 65.441; Oklahoma State 68.205
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 3
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tulsa (+7 1/2)
Game 711-712: Florida International at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 45.899; Washington 67.474
Dunkel Line: Washington by 21 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington by 18
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-18)
Game 713-714: Fairfield vs. Virginia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 54.227; Virginia Tech 61.341
Dunkel Line: Virginia Tech by 7
Vegas Line: Virginia Tech by 11
Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+11)
Game 715-716: Missouri vs. Xavier
Dunkel Ratings: Missouri 62.602; Xavier 69.568
Dunkel Line: Xavier by 7
Vegas Line: Xavier by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Xavier (-3 1/2)
Game 717-718: TN-Chattanooga vs. Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: TN-Chattanooga 46.181; Memphis 73.220
Dunkel Line: Memphis by 27
Vegas Line: Memphis by 21
Dunkel Pick: Memphis (-21)
Game 719-720: USC vs. Seton Hall
Dunkel Ratings: USC 70.212; Seton Hall 57.601
Dunkel Line: USC by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: USC by 9
Dunkel Pick: USC (-9)
Game 721-722: Cal Poly vs. Rice
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 43.140; Rice 47.623
Dunkel Line: Rice by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Rice by 3
Dunkel Pick: Rice (-3)
Game 723-724: North Florida at BYU
Dunkel Ratings: North Florida 34.291; BYU 69.977
Dunkel Line: BYU by 35 1/2
Vegas Line: BYU by 32 1/2
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-32 1/2)
Game 725-726: Southern Illinois vs. Duke
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Illinois 61.442; Duke 76.630
Dunkel Line: Duke by 15
Vegas Line: Duke by 13
Dunkel Pick: Duke (-13)
Game 727-728: Michigan vs. UCLA
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 64.552; UCLA 74.621
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 10
Vegas Line: UCLA by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+11 1/2)
Game 729-730: Iowa at The Citadel
Dunkel Ratings: Iowa 54.336; The Citadel 47.449
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 7
Vegas Line: Iowa by 9
Dunkel Pick: The Citadel (+9)
Game 731-732: Northern Arizona at UNLV
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Arizona 53.175; UNLV 72.917
Dunkel Line: UNLV by 20
Vegas Line: UNLV by 17
Dunkel Pick: UNLV (-17)
NFL
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
The Bengals look to take advantage of a Pittsburgh team that is just 5-15 ATS as a favorite of 10 or more points since 1993. Cincinnati is the underdog pick (+11) according to Dunkel, which has the Steelers favored by only 8. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+11).
Game 105-106: Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 126.772; Pittsburgh 134.644
Dunkel Line: Pittsburgh by 8; 31
Vegas Line: Pittsburgh by 11; 34 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+11); Under
NCAAF
Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech
The Hurricanes come in with a five-game winning streak and look to take advantage of a Georgia Tech team that is just 14-26 ATS after a bye week since 1993. Miami (FL) is the underdog pick (+3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Hurricanes favored straight up by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (+3 1/2).
Game 107-108: Miami (FL) at Georgia Tech
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (FL) 93.946; Georgia Tech 92.584
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 1 1/2; 43
Vegas Line: Georgia Tech by 3 1/2; 40 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (+3 1/2); Over
NHL
Florida at New Jersey
The Panthers have won three of their last four and look to take advantage of a New Jersey team that has dropped four of its last five. Florida is the underdog pick (+130) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored straight up by 1. Dunkel Pick: Florida (+130).
Game 51-52: Florida at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.351; New Jersey 10.576
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+130); Under
Game 53-54: Pittsburgh at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 12.131; Atlanta 11.675
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1/2; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-130); Over
Game 55-56: Montreal at Ottawa
Dunkel Ratings: Montreal 10.955; Ottawa 11.341
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+100); Over
Game 57-58: Vancouver at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.593; Minnesota 12.415
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1/2; 4
Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-185); 5
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (+165); Under
Game 59-60: Chicago at Dallas
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.683; Dallas 11.565
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+110); Over
Game 61-62: Calgary at Colorado
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.130; Colorado 11.731
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-135); Over
Game 63-64: Detroit at Edmonton
Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 13.211; Edmonton 11.937
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-140); Over
Game 65-66: Washington at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.748; Los Angeles 10.552
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-135); Under
Wild Bill
Detroit +7 (5 units)
Suns +4 1/2 (5 units)
Suns-Lakers Over 207 (5 units)
Illinois +4 1/2 (5 units)
Missouri +4 (5 units)
UTC-Chatt +21 (5 units)
Michigan +12 (5 units)
Iowa -9 (5 units)
UNLV -17 (5 units)
Ga Tech -3 1/2 (5 units)
Larry Ness
Los Angeles Lakers @ Phoenix Suns
PICK: Over 205
Kobe is averaging 24.3 PPG on 19.3 FG attempts per game, both representing lows since the 2003-04 season, which was Shaq's final year with the Lakers. The good news for LA fans though, is that the Lakers are 8-1 and at 4-0 away from home, remain the NBA's only unbeaten road team. Kobe (24.3-5.1-4.0) likes what he sees this year, as Gasol (17.6-10.1), Bynum (10.8-8.9) and Fisher (10.6) are all averaging in double figures. Odom (9.3-5.9-2.2) is coming off the bench this year and reserves Ariza (8.9-4.9) and Farmar (8.6-3.4-2.9) have played extremely well. The Suns are now led by Terry Porter, who is trying to emphasize more defense and a more patterned offense. Phoenix is off to an 8-4 start, led by the usual suspects. Stoudemire (23.2-8.3) is the team's "top gun," followed by Shaq (15.1-7.8) and Nash (13.7-7.5 APG), who does seem to be showing his age. The Suns are an older team these days (Hill, Nash and Shaq) and it doesn't help that Barbosa (10.9) is out indefinitely due to personal reasons. Even with some changes (and age creeping up), the Suns own the NBA's top FG percentage at 49.9 percent, while the Lakers are the NBA's third-highest scoring team (104.9 PPG). These teams haven't met since Shaq made his Phoenix debut on Feb 20, 2008. The Lakers won that game (in Phoenix), 130-124. I don't expect anyone to reach 130 points this time around but I do expect both teams to hit triple digits. Go over.
WUNDERDOG
Missouri vs. Xavier
Pick: Missouri +4
Missouri and Xavier will open the Puerto Rico Tip-off in San Juan. The Tigers seem primed to contend in the competitive Big-12. They have a trio of scorers in Carroll, Lyons, and Lawrence that are playing unselfish basketball accumulating 24 assists in their last game. More important, they took care of the basketball with just nine turnovers. Xavier has an inexperienced backcourt and it showed. They played a completely under-manned Toledo team, but committed 20 turnovers in the process which won't get it done against Missouri. The strength of the Musketeers is rebounding, but inexperience against a ball-hawking defensive team that takes care of the ball will be their demise here.
Scott Rickenbach
Vancouver Canucks @ Minnesota Wild
PICK: Minnesota Wild
This play did not make my “pay play” list as I don’t like to play big favorites but the fact is that there is still value with the Wild in this spot! I’d recommend taking a look at a small play on the Wild in this one! Vancouver is in a very tough scheduling spot here. This is a big game matching up the top teams in the Northwest Division and, as such, it’s almost a shame that the Canucks got put into such a tough scheduling spot for this one. While the Wild have been home waiting for this one the Canucks were battling it out with the Rangers in New York last night. It appears that Vancouver’s back-up goalie, Curtis Sanford is likely to get the start for the Canucks. This is offering another big edge to the Wild because they’ll have Backstrom between the pipes. He’s been phenomenal for Minnesota this season and he’s been especially tough at home throughout his career. The Wild netminder is certainly helped by the defensive-minded system that Minnesota plays and it will be this system that also serves to frustrate the Canucks in this match-up. After last night’s big road win at New York, Vancouver won’t have enough left in the tank to take care of Minnesota tonight and the Wild will win this key divisional battle. In addition to the scheduling edge and home ice edge, the Wild special teams have been phenomenal this season. Even at this price, consider a small play on Minnesota on Thursday night.