SPORTS ADVISORS
West Virginia (13-4, 5-9 ATS) at (12) Georgetown (12-4, 6-5-1 ATS)
Georgetown looks to bounce back from a setback to Duke when it resumes Big East play against West Virginia at the Verizon Center.
The Hoyas lost to then No. 3 Duke 76-67 Saturday, getting the push as a nine-point road underdog, though Georgetown is now just 1-3-1 ATS in its last five starts (2-3 SU). In those five games, the Hoyas have allowed an average of 73.6 ppg, nearly 12 points higher than their season average (61.7), and they averaged just 62.7 ppg in the three losses, nearly a dozen points lower than their season average (74.5).
The Mountaineers edged South Florida 62-59 Saturday but fell a mile short of cashing as a 17½-point home chalk, winning their second straight game but failing to cash for the fourth consecutive contest. West Virginia, shooting 43.3 percent from the floor for the season, has been well under 40 percent in its last three Big East contests, hitting only 38.5 percent against South Florida and faring worse than that in a home loss to Connecticut (30.3 percent) and a road loss to Marquette (35.0 percent).
Georgetown is on a 3-0 SU and ATS run in this rivalry, including a 72-55 rout laying three points at Madison Square Garden in last year’s Big East tournament. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the last eight clashes.
The Hoyas are on ATS upticks of 5-1 in Thursday games, 12-4 following a SU loss and 9-4 at home against teams with a winning road record. On the flip side, along with their current 0-4 ATS slide, the Mountaineers are on pointspread declines of 1-7 after a non-cover, 1-4 in conference play and 3-8 against winning teams.
The under for Georgetown is on rolls of 39-19 in the Big East, 4-1 against winning teams, 14-5 on Thursday and 50-24 at home, and the under for West Virginia is on streaks of 7-3 overall, 4-1 against winning teams and 4-1 on the road. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has gone low in four of the last five meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGETOWN and UNDER
(18) Purdue (14-4, 6-8 ATS) at (21) Minnesota (16-2, 8-4-1 ATS)
Surprising Minnesota, coming off just its second setback of the year, returns home to Williams Arena for a Big Ten battle against surging Purdue.
The Golden Gophers got bounced at Northwestern 74-65 Sunday as a 1½-point road pup, halting a four-game SU and ATS run, all in conference play. Minnesota has been solid at home this year, averaging 73.7 ppg while allowing nearly a dozen less at 61.8 ppg, and the Gophers are shooting at a nearly 50 percent clip on their home floor (49.6), including 40.1 percent from 3-point range.
The Boilermakers routed Iowa 75-53 Sunday as a 12½-point favorite for their third straight victory (2-1 ATS), all in conference play, after opening the Big Ten season with losses from the favorite’s role against Illinois and at Penn State. Purdue has been tough on the defensive end in its last three starts, allowing only 36.4 percent shooting, while the Boilermakers have hit 46 percent on the offensive end.
Purdue has won and cashed in the last two meetings in this rivalry, including a 65-53 home win last year as a 7½-point favorite. However, the home team is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five meetings, and Minnesota is 4-1-1 ATS in the last six clashes on its home court.
The Gophers are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 home games versus teams with a winning road mark, but they are otherwise on positive pointspread streaks of 8-2 overall, 4-0 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 6-1 at home, 4-1 on Thursday and 4-1 in the Big Ten. The Boilermakers are on ATS rolls of 6-1-1 after a SU win of more than 20 points, 24-9-1 in Big Ten play and 11-5-1 on the highway, but they are on an 0-4 ATS slide following a spread-cover.
The over for Purdue is on tears of 4-1 overall, 4-0 on Thursday, 5-1 in the Big Ten and 5-2 on the road. But the under for the Boilermakers is on a 5-0 streak against winning teams, and the under for Minnesota is on runs of 15-5 overall, 5-0 against winning teams, 8-2 on Thursday, 10-3 against the Big Ten and 37-18 at home. Furthermore, in this rivalry, the under is on a 9-0 spree.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(13) UCLA (14-3, 8-8 ATS) at Washington State (11-6, 4-10 ATS)
UCLA, coming off an upset loss in its last outing, aims to get back on track when it makes the trek to Pullman to face Washington State, which has won three in a row.
The Bruins stumbled against Arizona State in a 61-58 overtime loss as a six-point home chalk Saturday, ending a 10-0 SU surge (5-4 ATS in lined games). It marked just the second time all season that UCLA, averaging 75.5 ppg, was held under 60 points – with the first coming in a 55-52 loss to Michigan on a neutral court in the third game of the year. Despite the setback, the Bruins are still averaging 71.4 ppg and 48.6 percent shooting (40.7 percent from 3-point range) in their last five outings, while allowing 60.2 ppg.
The Cougars swept their road trip to Oregon last week, edging the Ducks 61-57 laying six points last Thursday, then dropping Oregon State 74-62 as a 1½-point favorite Saturday to snap a five-game pointspread slide. Washington State is generally playing low-scoring games this season, averaging 59.4 ppg while allowing 52.4, and over the last five games, the Cougars have been outscored by a bucket per game (59.6-57.6) while shooting 40.5 percent.
UCLA has won and covered in the last three meetings in this Pac-10 rivalry and is on an 8-0 SU streak overall (5-3 ATS). The Bruins are 6-0 ATS on their last six trips to Pullman, the favorite has cashed in four of the last five contests, and the road team is on an 8-1 ATS tear.
The Bruins are on ATS upticks of 6-1 against winning teams, 10-3 on Thursday, 36-15-1 on the highway and 38-17 after a pointspread setback. Conversely, along with their current 1-5 ATS slide, the Cougars are on ATS purges of 0-4 against winning teams, 1-6 at home, 1-5 in the Pac-10 and 2-6 after a spread-cover.
The over for UCLA is on stretches of 9-4 on Thursday and 4-1 after a SU loss, but the under is 6-2 in the Bruins’ last eight roadies, and the under for Washington State is on runs of 5-2 overall, 14-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 6-2 at home and 5-2 on Thursday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCLA
NBA
Boston (35-9, 24-20 ATS) at Orlando (33-8, 28-12-1 ATS)
Two of the NBA’s best teams square off inside Amway Arena in Orlando when the Magic host the Celtics in an Eastern Conference showdown.
Boston comes into this one having won six straight (5-1 ATS), including a 98-83 road win in Miami on Wednesday, covering as a 5 ½-point favorite. The Celtics have been getting the job done on the defensive end, limiting each of their last four opponents to 87 points or less.
Orlando carries a seven-game winning streak (6-1 ATS) into tonight, including a four-game Western Conference road trip that saw the Magic go 4-0 SU and ATS. They have been doing it with offense, scoring at least 105 points in each of their last six games and winning their last five games by an average of 20 points (116-96.6).
In this series, the host has won seven straight (6-1 ATS) and eight of 10 (8-2 ATS), including the only matchup this year when Boston got a 107-88 home win on Dec. 1 as an 8 ½-point favorite. In fact, the home team is on a 21-6 ATS run in this series and the chalk has gotten the cash in 19 of the last 26.
The Celtics are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight games against teams with a winning record and 1-4 ATS in their last five games when playing on no rest. On a positive note, they are on ATS runs of 37-17 as an underdog, 4-1 on Thursdays and 10-1 as an underdog of five to 10 ½ points. For the Magic, they are on a plethora of positive ATS streaks, including 36-17-1 overall, 10-3 as a favorite, 5-1 as a home favorite, 4-1 on Thursdays and 5-2 against the Atlantic Division.
For Boston, the under is on runs of 22-7 on the road, 11-4 overall, 10-3 as a ‘dog, 10-2 as a road ‘dog and 5-1 on the second night of a back-to-back. Orlando is on “under” streaks of 7-1 as a home favorite, 7-0 on Thursday, 4-1 at home and 41-19-1 as a home favorite of five to 10 ½-points. In this rivalry, the under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Orlando.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Washington (9-32, 17-24 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (33-8, 19-22 ATS)
The Wizards continue their West Coast road trip tonight, making a stop in Hollywood as they visit the Lakers inside the Staples Center.
Washington has split the first two games of this four-game swing, losing to Golden State 119-98 on Monday as a 4 ½-point ‘dog and then edging Sacramento 110-107 Wednesday and cashing as a 2 ½-point underdog. The Wizards are just 2-7 SU (3-6 ATS) since Jan. 7 and Wednesday’s win was just their third (3-17 SU) on the highway this season (9-11 ATS).
Los Angeles comes into this one off a 108-97 win over the Clippers Wednesday, but failing to cash as a 16-point favorite. Last time the Staples Center court was decorated in Lakers’ colors they were blowing out the Cavaliers on Monday 105-88, covering as five-point favorites.
The Lakers have won the last four matchups in this series, including a 106-104 victory in Washington back on Dec. 5, but failing to cash as 12-point favorites. Last year in Los Angeles these two played a thriller with the Lakers getting a 126-120 overtime win but coming up just short as a seven-point chalk. Los Angeles is 12-5 ATS in the last 17 series clashes and the road team is 5-1 ATS in the last six.
Washington is on ATS slides of 2-6 overall and 1-4 as an underdog, but the Wizards are on positive ATS runs of 5-1 against the Pacific Division, 7-2 against the Western Conference and 8-2 in their last 10 games as a road ‘dog of 11 points or more. The Lakers are 16-7 in their last 23 on the second night of back-to-backs, but otherwise it’s all negative ATS trends that include 6-16 as a favorite, 6-20 against the Eastern Conference, 1-4 at home, 1-10 against teams with a losing record and 0-7 against the Southeast Division.
The Wizards have topped the total in 22 of their last 29 games against Pacific Division teams, but the under is on runs of 9-3 on the road, 10-3 as a ‘dog, 25-11 as a road ‘dog and 6-2 agaisnt Western Conference teams. Los Angeles is on “over” streaks of 16-7 at home, 13-5 as a favorite of 11 points or more and 5-1 at home against teams with a losing road mark. In this series, the over has been the play in six of the last seven inside the Staples Center.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
JIM FEIST
WASHINGTON WIZARDS / LOS ANGELES LAKERS
Take: OVER
A brutal, long road stretch for a Washington team going nowhere except the NBA draft lottery. This team is playing no defense allowing 47.5% shooting -- 4th worst in the NBA. They are in the second of a back to back, plus allowed 119 at Golden State. Not a good way defensively to start a trip, a 21-point loss! The Lakers can play tough defense when they are challenged, but this will be one of those run, gun and fun games. After playing the Rockets, Spurs, Magic and Cavs, this is a good spot for LA to focus on scoring, which they do best. LA is on a 7-4 run over the total. Play the Wizards/Lakers over the total.
Cajun Sports
USC Trojans vs. Washington Huskies -6
PLAY: 2* Washington Huskies -6
The Bank of America Arena will be the site of tonights PAC 10 clash between the host Washington Huskies and the visiting Southern California Trojans. USC enters tonights contest off a home win over Arizona on Saturday 65 to 64 but failed to cover as a 7 point home favorite. Washington was on the PAC 10 road on Saturday playing at Oregon State they also won 85 to 59 but they were successful as a 10.5 point road favorite.
USC has managed a 12-5 SU record this season but they are only 7-8 against the number. The Trojans have struggled on the road posting a record of 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS. USC has had a little success in PAC 10 play with a record of 3-2 SU but only 2-3 ATS averaging 65.4 points per game and allowing 60.2 points per game.
Washington is 13-4 SU on the season and a very solid 10-5 against the number. When the Huskies are defending their home floor they are 10-1 SU on the year and 6-3 ATS. PAC 10 play has also been successful for the Huskies to this point in the season they are 4-1 SU and 3-2 against the number averaging 81.2 points per game and allowing 69.4 points per game.
When looking at common opponents for the Trojans and Huskies we see that USC is 1-1 both SU and ATS averaging 70.5 points per game and allowing 62.0 points per game while the Huskies are 2-0 both SU and ATS averaging 84.5 points per game and only allowing 63.0 points per game.
The Huskies lost both meetings against the Trojans last season but the USC firepower that led to those wins has now left for the NBA. The Huskies backcourt should be able to dictate the tempo of tonights game and the Huskies also lead the nation in rebound differential, two important keys to the Huskies success tonight.
We also have a CBB System that tells us to Play On CBB favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points after a cover as a double digit favorite, in a game involving teams with a winning percentage of 60% to 80% on the season, 59-25 ATS the last five seasons.
With last seasons losses certainly fresh on the minds of this Huskies team we will lay the chalk with them tonight as they get the SU and ATS win over the USC Trojans.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: (2*) Washington Huskies 77 USC Trojans 66
Marc Lawrence
Play On: Washington
The Huskies are another of our famed One Game Under wonders (teams who finished the previous season one-game under .500) and we like their chances here. Washington took it on the chin twice against last season and certainly have a score to settle. Fortunately for them they horses have the to get it done. They are 10-1 SU at home this season and will be playing off a previous off home loss. And they've owned the Trojans when they've been favored in this series, going 14-1 SU and 12-2-1 ATS. USC checks in off a home battle with Arizona with a 1-5 ATS mark in games after the Wildcats but, more importantly, they have a double-revenger with Washington State up next. It's no wonder were on the Trail Dogs.
Dave Cokin
North Texas @ Florida International
Play: North Texas +1
Free opinion for Thursday is in the Sun Belt, where North Texas is visiting Florida International. The Mean Green seem to have things back together following a nasty five-game skid and they're back to 4-3 in league play. But as they're two games out of first place in their division, there's no room for a slip up by North Texas against teams they ought to be able to handle. Florida International has shown itself to be fairly capable at home, and this should be a tight contest, but with the road team now trending in the right direction, that's the side I prefer here. I'll take North Texas.
Sports Gambling Hotline
Boston +5 at ORLANDO
You are not going to find many times during the regular season where you will get the defending NBA champion Celtics plus points, but tonight is one of those occasions, and are recommending a play on the Beantowners plus the points at Orlando.
Boston is rolling again, as they bring a 6-game winning streak into Orlando, fresh off last night's rout at Miami.
Orlando is also rolling, as they come back from a 4-game west coast trek that saw them win, and cover all 4, as they ran their overall win streak to 7 straight!
We feel as "up" as Orlando will be to play host to the Celtics, they will not be able to disguise the fact that they just spent the last 10 days at San Antonio, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Denver, and will be dragging come the end of this slugfest.
Boston was a 107-88 winner in the season's first meeting back in early December at home, and while we don't see the C's duplicating that result tonight on the road, we have to believe this game won't be decided until right at the buzzer.
Play on the Celtics plus the points.
3♦ BOSTON
Bobby Maxwell
Washington +15' at L.A. LAKERS
While the Lakers have on four straight in this series, the last two games have been thrillers that have come right down to the final buzzer. That's why we'll grab all these points and play the Wizards in this one.
Back on December 5, the Lakers went to Washington and escaped with a 106-104 win but came nowhere near covering the 12-point line. And last year when these two teams met in Los Angeles, the Wizards lost 126-120 in OT but covered as a seven-point pup. And even back in 2006 when the Wizards went to Los Angeles they scored an incredible 147-141 overtime win as 5 1/2-point 'dogs when Gilbert Arenas went for 60 to outduel Kobe's 45 points.
Washington lost in Oakland on Monday 119-98 and failed as a 4 1/2-point underdog. But this team has the ability to play teams tough as evidenced in Sacramento on Wednesday. Look for the Wizards' Caron Butler to have a big game in this one as he always steps it up against the Lakers after being traded by them a few years ago.
The Wizards are on ATS streaks of 6-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Pacific Division, 8-2 as an underdog of 11 points or more and 5-1 against teams wtih a winning record. The Lakers are 6-20 ATS against the Eastern Conference, 6-15 as a favorite, 17-36 as a favorite of 11 points or more, 1-4 at home and 0-7 against the Southeast Division.
We'll grab the points and play the Wizards in this one.
3♦ WASHINGTON
Jeff Benton
Providence -1' at SETON HALL
For Thursday, we’ll stay on the College Hardwood, where I’m on an 18-9 run with freebies, and take Providence in Big East action against Seton Hall.
Providence is an extremely underrated basketball team, and the small impost in this game just further proves that. The Friars are 12-6 on the season, including 4-2 in Big East play. The four league wins were by margins of 20, 8, 8 and 9 points, while the two losses were competitive defeats to ranked foes Georgetown (82-75 on the road) and Marquette (91-82 at home). Meanwhile, Seton Hall (9-8) is barely above .500 on the season and has dropped all five of its Big East games by an average of 16 ppg (89-73). That’s right: The Pirates have given up 89 ppg to Big East opponents, all while getting outshot 48.4% to 42%.
Granted, Seton Hall has faced the cream of the crop so far in the stacked Big East (UConn, Notre Dame, Villanova, West Virginia and Syracuse), but the Friars have scored at least 72 points in eight of their last nine games, including putting up 75 and 82 on Marquette and Georgetown, while shooting 48.7% against those two stout opponents. You’d think of Providence can average 78.5 points against two ranked opponents like the Eagles and Hoyas that they can crack 80 against a defensive deficient team like Seton Hall, which gave up 100 to Syracuse, 92 to West Virginia and 89 to Villanova.
Lastly, the road team has covered six times in the last eight Seton Hall-Providence matchups, and the Pirates have failed to cash in 13 of their last 19 home games. Also, Seton Hall has just one victory – over Fairleigh Dickinson in a non-lined home game – since Jan. 13! Visiting Providence takes this one, and it won’t even be close.
3♦ PROVIDENCE
Karl Garrett
Wisconsin Green Bay at BUTLER -9
Butler coach Brad Stevens wasn't supposed to have this year's Butler team at 16-1, as the Bulldogs lost all 5 starters from last year's 30-4 squad, yet they are well on their way to another monster season, and the G-Man will back them tonight minus the points at home.
Wisconsin Green Bay brings a solid 14-5 straight up mark into this one, and they have also gone 9-3 against the spread in their lined games, but all 3 of those spread setbacks have come on the road, which is where they happen to be tonight.
The Bulldogs are 8-0 at home, and they have been picking up some momentum at the ticket window, as the 'Dogs have covered their last pair of games, and 4 of their last 5 as they get set to hit the hardwood tonight.
Butler has swept all 4 of the last pair of season series meetings, and the G-Man likes them to get this year's season series off to a flying start with the win, and the cover.
Until the Bulldogs start to show some signs that they are not a "for real" 16-1 team, the G-Man will trust they are indeed for "real".
Lay the wood!
2♦ BUTLER
Big Al McMordie
Saint Louis vs. Temple
Play: Saint Louis +12
At 8 pm, our complimentary selection is on the St Louis Billikens plus the points over Temple. Rick Majerus' men won both games in its two-game home stand last week, with a 69-64 victory over UMass and a 63-59 win (though an ATS loss) against George Washington. Now, St. Louis will come out to Philly to take on the Temple Owls, which finished its four-game road trip with a 4-point loss at UMass. The Billikens like to slow down a game's tempo, and only two teams have scored more than 70 points against St. Louis this season (and none in the last 13 games). Last year, these two squads played a 54-53 game, and I foresee another low-scoring battle here, so the double-digits which St. Louis is getting should be quite valuable. St. Louis is also 15-1 ATS off back to back wins, if it failed to cover the spread in its prevous game. Take the Billikens.
Bob Harvey
Gonzaga -26.0
This one has got “blow-out” written all over it. Gonzaga has beaten the Waves 15 straight times. That’s a run that dates back to the early days of Bush administration. They’ve done it in the rebounding department where the Zags have outboarded the waves by an average 16 per game during the streak. Gonzaga has also dominated Pepperdine offensively averaging 88 points per game and stroking the ball from downtown hitting 44 % of their three-point opportunities.
In the teams’ last meeting, the Bulldogs outrebounded the Waves 60-26 and held them to 31.1 percent shooting in a 101-59. This will be Gonzaga’s first conference road game but don’t expect much of a drop-off in production against Pepperdine. The Bulldogs have won six straight in Malibu.
This young Pepperdine team, which starts four freshman and a sophomore, has struggled to score against any and all comers. The Waves average just under 63 points per game and shoot less than 40% per game.
There’s just too much of an experience issue here and the Waves just don’t have the weapons offensively or defensively to hang with the Zags.
Jimmy The Moose
Boston Celtics at Orlando Magic
Prediction: Orlando Magic
Boston is 4-7 ATS in their last 10 road games. In their last 5 games played with 0 days rest between action the Celtics are 1-4 ATS. In their last 8 games vs. a team with a SU winning record the Celtics are 2-6 ATS. Boston is 1-5 in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Orlando is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games. In their last 16 games vs. a team with a SU winning record the Magica re 13-3 ATS. Orlando is 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. In the last 27 meetings between the clubs the home team is 21-6 ATS. Boston is 1-5 ATS in their last 6 trips to Orlando. Play on the Orlando Magic -.
John Ryan
Washington Wizards vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Play: Under 207
Ai Simulator 3* graded play OVER Lakers/Washington as they host Washington slated to start at 10:35 EST. AiS projects that both teams will have between 13 and 17 turnovers in this game and with the turnovers being a non factor places Washington into a strong UNDER role. Washington is 17-2 UNDER (+14.8 Units) when they commit around the same number of turnovers as opponents this season. Washington is also 15-4 UNDER (+10.6 Units) versus teams who attempt 18 or more 3 point shots/game on the season this season; 17-5 UNDER (+11.5 Units) versus teams who make 6 or more 3 point shots/game on the season this season. 14-3 UNDER (+10.7 Units) versus good ball handling teams - committing <=14 turnovers/game this season. A week doesn't pass that I don't get an e-mail request for more info regarding the Ai Simulator. It is a multi layered neural network that is trained to essentially learn from previous game data spanning as many as 15 seasons. If you truly want to learn more about the industry of neural networks then try these key words on your favorite search engine. feed-forward neural networks, radial basis functions, probabilistic neural network, generalized regression neural networks, Bayesian belief networks, fusion, signal-to-noise ratio. That will certainly get you started. Take the UNDER.
DUNKEL
Washington at LA Lakers
The Wizards come in with a 4-1 ATS record as a road underdog between 12 1/2 and 18 points, while the Lakers are just 3-8 ATS as a home favorite by the same margin. Washington is the underdog pick (+16) according to Dunkel, which has the Lakers favored by only 13 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Washington (+16).
Game 701-702: Boston at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 127.228; Orlando 130.257
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 3; 184
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 5; 193
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+3); Under
Game 703-704: Washington at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 112.856; LA Lakers 126.333
Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 13 1/2; 214 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 16; 207 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+16); Ov
NCAAB
Weber State at Sacramento State
Weber State is 7-3 ATS at Sacramento State since 1997 and 5-2 ATS on the road this season. The Wildcats are the pick (-10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has Weber State favored by 14 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-10 1/2).
Game 705-706: North Texas at Florida International
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 51.649; Florida International 53.224
Dunkel Line: Florida International by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Florida International
Game 707-708: West Virginia at Georgetown
Dunkel Ratings: West Virginia 69.949; Georgetown 77.282
Dunkel Line: Georgetown by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgetown by 5
Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (-5)
Game 709-710: Providence at Seton Hall
Dunkel Ratings: Providence 64.804; Seton Hall 60.803
Dunkel Line: Providence by 4
Vegas Line: Providence by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Providence (-1 1/2)
Game 711-712: WI-Green Bay at Butler
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Green Bay 63.021; Butler 71.170
Dunkel Line: Butler by 8
Vegas Line: Butler by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: WI-Green Bay (+9 1/2)
Game 713-714: Illinois-Chicago at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois-Chicago 55.413; Detroit 52.910
Dunkel Line: Illinois-Chicago by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Illinois-Chicago by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+5 1/2)
Game 715-716: Purdue at Minnesota
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 69.480; Minnesota 72.423
Dunkel Line: Minnesota by 3
Vegas Line: Purdue by 1
Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+1)
Game 717-718: UL Monroe at Florida Atlantic
Dunkel Ratings: UL Monroe 42.983; Florida Atlantic 49.582
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 8
Dunkel Pick: UL Monroe (+8)
Game 719-720: Dayton at George Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Dayton 60.584; George Washington 51.505
Dunkel Line: Dayton by 9
Vegas Line: Dayton by 5
Dunkel Pick: Dayton (-5)
Game 721-722: St. Louis at Temple
Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 56.226; Temple 66.104
Dunkel Line: Temple by 10
Vegas Line: Temple by 12
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (+12)
Game 723-724: Arkansas Little Rock at South Alabama
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas Little Rock 53.282; South Alabama 57.228
Dunkel Line: South Alabama by 4
Vegas Line: South Alabama by 6
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas Little Rock (+6)
Game 725-726: WI-Milwaukee at Valparaiso
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 58.957; Valparaiso 51.430
Dunkel Line: WI-Milwaukee by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: WI-Milwaukee by 3
Dunkel Pick: WI-Milwaukee (-3)
Game 727-728: Arkansas State at Middle Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 53.183; Middle Tennessee State 59.965
Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 7
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Arkansas State (+10)
Game 729-730: Loyola-Chicago at Wright State
Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-Chicago 54.068; Wright State 64.743
Dunkel Line: Wright State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Wright State by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wright State (-8 1/2)
Game 731-732: UL Lafayette at Western Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: UL Lafayette 48.947; Western Kentucky 60.053
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 11
Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 12
Dunkel Pick: UL Lafayette (+12)
Game 733-734: New Orleans at Troy
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 47.046; Troy 57.954
Dunkel Line: Troy by 11
Vegas Line: Troy by 7
Dunkel Pick: Troy (-7)
Game 735-736: UCLA at Washington State
Dunkel Ratings: UCLA 75.102; Washington State 67.307
Dunkel Line: UCLA by 8
Vegas Line: UCLA by 5
Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-5)
Game 737-738: St. Mary's (CA) at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: St. Mary's (CA) 63.909; San Diego 63.028
Dunkel Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 1
Vegas Line: St. Mary's (CA) by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (+3 1/2)
Game 739-740: New Mexico State at Boise State
Dunkel Ratings: New Mexico State 57.130; Boise State 58.743
Dunkel Line: Boise State by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 1
Dunkel Pick: Boise State (+1)
Game 741-742: Cincinnati at St. John's
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 60.061; St. John's 64.594
Dunkel Line: St. John's by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: St. John's by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. John's (-1 1/2)
Game 743-744: Gonzaga at Pepperdine
Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 71.348; Pepperdine 45.847
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 25 1/2
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 26 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pepperdine (+26 1/2)
Game 745-746: Hawaii at Nevada
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 50.213; Nevada 62.595
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 12 1/2
Vegas Line: Nevada by 14
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+14)
Game 747-748: Utah State at San Jose State
Dunkel Ratings: Utah State 62.115; San Jose State 55.535
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-2 1/2)
Game 749-750: Cal Poly at Pacific
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 43.155; Pacific 60.815
Dunkel Line: Pacific by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Pacific by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pacific (-14 1/2)
Game 751-752: Louisiana Tech at Fresno State
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 52.237; Fresno State 54.460
Dunkel Line: Fresno State by 2
Vegas Line: Fresno State by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Louisiana Tech (+6 1/2)
Game 753-754: UC-Santa Barbara at UC Davis
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 50.383; UC Davis 56.209
Dunkel Line: UC Davis by 6
Vegas Line: UC Davis by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: UC Davis (-2 1/2)
Game 755-756: Oregon State at California
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon State 54.126; California 74.689
Dunkel Line: California by 20 1/2
Vegas Line: California by 18
Dunkel Pick: California (-18)
Game 757-758: Oregon at Stanford
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 57.143; Stanford 73.557
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 16 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 13
Dunkel Pick: Stanford (-13)
Game 759-760: Portland at Loyola Marymount
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 53.227; Loyola Marymount 41.224
Dunkel Line: Portland by 12
Vegas Line: Portland by 9
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-9)
Game 761-762: USC at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: USC 69.048; Washington 73.640
Dunkel Line: Washington by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Washington by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: USC (+7 1/2)
Game 763-764: Western Carolina at The Citadel
Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 50.875; The Citadel 46.619
Dunkel Line: Western Carolina by 4
Vegas Line: Western Carolina by 2
Dunkel Pick: Western Carolina (-2)
Game 765-766: St. Peter's at Loyola-MD
Dunkel Ratings: St. Peter's 45.307; Loyola-MD 52.147
Dunkel Line: Loyola-MD by 7
Vegas Line: Loyola-MD by 9
Dunkel Pick: St. Peter's (+9)
Game 767-768: Samford at Elon
Dunkel Ratings: Samford 46.998; Elon 48.089
Dunkel Line: Elon by 1
Vegas Line: Elon by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Samford (+2 1/2)
Game 769-770: TN-Chattanooga at NC Greensboro
Dunkel Ratings: TN-Chattanooga 51.732; NC Greensboro 48.711
Dunkel Line: TN-Chattanooga by 3
Vegas Line: TN-Chattanooga by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NC Greensboro (+4 1/2)
Game 771-772: Wofford at Georgia Southern
Dunkel Ratings: Wofford 51.121; Georgia Southern 52.217
Dunkel Line: Georgia Southern by 1
Vegas Line: Georgia Southern by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (+2 1/2)
Game 773-774: SE Missouri State at Tennessee Martin
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 36.949; Tennessee Martin 57.318
Dunkel Line: Tennessee Martin by 20 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee Martin by 18 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Martin (-18 1/2)
Game 775-776: Tennessee Tech at Austin Peay
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee Tech 49.075; Austin Peay 55.457
Dunkel Line: Austin Peay by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Austin Peay by 7
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (+7)
Game 777-778: Idaho State at Northern Arizona
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 46.921; Northern Arizona 55.847
Dunkel Line: Northern Arizona by 9
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Arizona (-7 1/2)
Game 779-780: Eastern Illinois at Murray State
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 49.537; Murray State 55.940
Dunkel Line: Murray State by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Murray State by 8
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Illinois (+8)
Game 781-782: Jacksonville State at Tennessee State
Dunkel Ratings: Jacksonville State 48.466; Tennessee State 52.817
Dunkel Line: Tennessee State by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Tennessee State by 3
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (-3)
Game 783-784: Northern Colorado at Montana State
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 47.778; Montana State 53.655
Dunkel Line: Montana State by 6
Vegas Line: Montana State by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montana State (-4 1/2)
Game 785-786: Weber State at Sacramento State
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 56.861; Sacramento State 42.264
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: Weber State by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-10 1/2)
Matt Rivers
For Thursday take the points with the Celtics.
This is certainly another one of those litmus tests for the young and talented Magic and I do expect them to be ready. Plus the Celtics are on a back-to-back after playing in Miami on Wednesday and Doc's squad has not had a great last month or so even with the recent improved play. But if I can grab a handful of points with the defending champs than I am all for it.
Pierce, KG and Allen still lead a team that can get it done against anybody. No doubt Dwight Howard is a total beast and a guy that can dominate the boards and throw in Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu, Jameer Nelson and others and we have a Magic team that is really really good right now. Obviously that is the understatement of the day as Orlando owns the best record in the entire NBA at 33-8.
Orlando is a full eight games up in the division and rolling but I still see them as a little brother to Boston and despite some issues against us tonight I can't help but back tonight's dog and especially when you see how the Magic are back home after the four game road trip out West. Yes they did go 4-0 and now own a seven game winning streak after scoring 100 plus in six straight games but the first game back home is always ultra difficult. Also the C's are still extremely formidable and to get such a number back like this with the defending champs is worth a small play, no matter how white hot the Magic are.
Just a total no-brainer, win or lose!