SPORTS ADVISORS
(4) Duke (7-0, 4-3 ATS) at (9) Purdue (5-1, 3-2 ATS)
The marquee matchup in this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge comes from Mackey Arena, where ninth-ranked Purdue hosts fourth-ranked and unbeaten Duke.
The Boilermakers are coming off their first defeat, losing 87-82 in overtime as a two-point favorite in Friday’s Preseason NIT championship game. Purdue has followed up an 18-4-1 ATS run with consecutive non-covers, the first time that’s happened since a five-game ATS slump from last December to early January.
Duke is coming off Saturday’s 95-72 home rout of Duquesne as a 22-point home chalk, and the Blue Devils have won six of their seven contests by 15 points or more, including five wins by 20-plus points. In their only two games away from Cameron Indoor Stadium, the Devils crushed Southern Illinois (83-58) and Michigan (71-56), cashing in both contests at the Coaches vs. Cancer classic at Madison Square Garden.
Purdue shocked Duke 78-68 as a nine-point road underdog in 2003, the most recent meeting between the schools. The Boilermakers lost to Clemson 61-58 in last year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge, but cashed easily as a 10-point road underdog. In 2006, they hosted Virginia and won 61-59, but came up short as a 3½-point chalk.
The Blue Devils hammered Wisconsin 82-58 as a 9½-point home favorite last November to improve to 9-0 SU all-time in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, the only school with a perfect record in the event. Including this year’s win over Michigan, Duke is 4-0 SU and ATS against Big Ten teams since the start of last year, with all three victories coming by 13 points or more.
In addition to its overall 18-6-1 ATS run, Purdue is on pointspread rolls of 11-4 at home, 7-1-1 on Tuesdays and 4-0 after a SU defeat, but the Boilers are 5-10 ATS in their last 15 non-conference games and 1-4 ATS in their last five versus the ACC. Meanwhile, Duke is 4-0 ATS in its last four on Tuesdays, but it is 1-6 ATS in its last seven after a spread-cover.
The under is 10-3 in Duke’s last 13 games overall and 10-3 in its last 13 in non-conference action, but the over is 6-1 in its last seven on the road and 4-1 in its last five on Tuesdays. Purdue has stayed low in four straight games against the ACC, but the over is 5-2 in its last seven overall and 7-3 in its last 10 outside the Big Ten.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE
Ohio State (3-0, 1-1 ATS) at (21) Miami, Fla. (4-1, 2-1 ATS)
Ohio State puts an eight-game winning streak on the line when it hits the road for the first time this season, visiting 21st-ranked Miami (Fla.) in an ACC/Big Ten Challenge contest.
The Buckeyes, who won last year’s NIT championship by going 5-0 SU and ATS, have started off this season with three straight victories, all at home. Most recently, Thad Matta’s team clobbered Samford 59-22 as a 21½-point home favorite, holding an opponent to its lowest point total in 69 years and allowing just nine made baskets. During its winning streak, Ohio State is 6-1 ATS in lined contests.
The Hurricanes followed up their first loss – a 76-63 setback to No. 2 UConn in the Paradise Jam semifinals in the Virgin Islands – with consecutive double-digit wins over San Diego (80-45 as a six-point favorite) and Setson (79-65 in a non-lined game). Against lined opponents this season, Miami is averaging 73 points per game (42.4 field-goal percentage) and allowing 61.5 ppg (38.3 percent).
These schools last met on a basketball court in the second round of the 2000 NCAA Tournament, with the ‘Canes rolling to a 75-62 victory as a five-point underdog. In the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Miami is 0-2 SU all-time and the Buckeyes are 1-5 SU.
In addition to its overall 6-1 ATS streak, Ohio State is on positive pointspread runs of 9-1 in non-conference games, 4-0 after a spread-cover, 6-1 against winning teams and 4-1-1 on Tuesdays. On the downside, the Buckeyes are 1-5 ATS in their last six against the ACC, and they’ve lost seven straight road games against ranked opponents.
Miami, which is 16-2 SU at home since the start of last season, is on ATS runs of 20-8-3 overall, 11-1 in non-conference action and 4-0 at home, but the Hurricanes have failed to cash in four straight Tuesday outings.
The under is 9-3 in Miami’s last 12 non-league games, but the over is on runs of 5-2 for Miami on Tuesdays, 5-2 for the Buckeyes overall and 4-0 for the Buckeyes on Tuesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Clemson (7-0, 2-3 ATS) at Illinois (6-0, 3-1 ATS)
Somebody’s perfect season will go by the wayside tonight as Clemson visits Illinois in this ACC/Big Ten Challenge battle of unbeatens.
Five of the Tigers’ seven wins have come by double digits, including Friday’s 79-58 rout of Presbyterian in a non-lined game. Clemson is putting up 81.1 ppg (49.3 percent shooting) and allowing 59.4 ppg (37.7 percent) against Division I competition.
The Illini barely kept their perfect season alive last week in the South Padre Invitational in southern Texas, knocking off Kent State 69-63 in overtime Friday, then edging Tulsa 48-44 on Saturday, cashing both times as a 2½-point favorite. Three of Illinois’ last four victories have come by margins of 6, 6 and 4 points, and the Illini are putting up 67 ppg (45.2 percent) and giving up 56.2 ppg (37.4 percent) against their four Division I opponents.
The schools played a home-and-home series in 1997 and 1998, with Illinois pulling off upsets on both occasions. Last year in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, Clemson beat Purdue 61-58, but failed to cover as a 10-point home favorite, while Illinois lost 69-61 at Maryland as a one-point road ‘dog.
Clemson is 2-5 ATS in its last seven non-conference contests, but 4-1 ATS in its last five against the Big Ten. Meanwhile, the Illini are on ATS tears of 5-2 overall, 5-2 in non-conference play and 4-1 on Tuesdays, but they’re 2-5 ATS in their last seven at home.
The over is 13-6-1 in Clemson’s last 20 non-conference outings and 5-1 in its last six against the Big Ten, but the under is 5-2 in its last seven on the road and 4-1 in its last five on Tuesdays. Meanwhile, Illinois is riding “under” streaks of 5-2 in non-league play, 5-1 versus the ACC and 4-0 at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ILLINIOS and UNDER
NBA
Detroit (10-6, 8-8 ATS) at San Antonio (9-7, 8-7-1 ATS)
The Spurs look to get back on the winning track when they host the Pistons inside the AT&T Center in a rematch of the 2005 NBA Finals.
San Antonio had its five-game winning streak snapped in Saturday’s 103-84 loss at Houston as a 2½-point road underdog. It marked the first time since an overtime game at Minnesota on Nov. 5 – a stretch of 12 contests – that San Antonio had surrendered more than 98 points. Gregg Popovich’s club is still 7-2 SU (6-2-1 ATS) in its last nine games. Also, the Spurs are 5-1 (4-1-1 ATS) in their last six at home.
Detroit is coming off Sunday’s 96-85 loss to Portland as a four-point home favorite, as the Pistons completed a disappointing 2-2 SU and ATS homestand. Detroit has followed up a 7-2 start to the season by losing four of its last seven games, both SU and ATS. Also, the SU winner is 14-0 ATS in the team’s last 14 games.
The Pistons are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings with the Spurs, covering in the last three in a row overall, and they’re 3-0 ATS in their last three visits to San Antonio. Detroit swept the two-game season series’ in 2005-06 and 2007-08 (4-0 ATS), while the Spurs pulled off the sweep in 2006-07 (1-1 ATS). The SU winner has cashed in nine of the last 10 clashes going back to the 2005 NBA Finals.
Also, in this rivalry, the underdog and the road team are both 4-1 ATS in the last five battles.
Detroit carries positive ATS marks of 7-3 on the road, 9-3 after a loss, 10-4 after a non-cover, 4-0 against the Southwest Division, 7-1 after a double-digit loss and 37-18 when playing on one day of rest. Meanwhile, in addition to their ATS streaks of 4-1-1 overall and 5-1 at home, the Spurs are 5-0 ATS in their last five when playing on two days’ rest and 4-1 ATS in their last five after a double-digit defeat.
The over is 7-3 in Detroit’s last 10 games on the highway. Otherwise, the under for Detroit is on streaks of 6-1 overall, 14-3 against the Southwest Division, 7-0 following a defeat and 5-2 on Tuesdays. Additionally, San Antonio sports “under” runs of 19-7 overall, 10-3 at the AT&T Center, 4-0 against the Eastern Conference, 4-0 versus the Central Division, 5-0 on Tuesdays and 6-1 against winning teams.
Finally, the under is 6-1 in the last seven meetings in this rivalry (3-1 in San Antonio).
ATS ADVANTAGE: DETROIT and UNDER
Toronto (8-8, 6-10 ATS) at Denver (12-6 SU and ATS)
The Raptors resume their three-game Western Conference road swing when they invade the Pepsi Center for a battle with the Nuggets.
Toronto had a modest two-game wining streak halted in Sunday’s 112-99 loss to the Lakers, coming up just short as a 12-point underdog for the team’s fifth consecutive non-cover. Since starting the season 3-0 (2-1 ATS), the Raptors are just 5-8 SU and 4-9 ATS, including 2-4 SU and 3-3 ATS on the highway. Also, Sam Mitchell’s squad has reached triple digits just five times this year, but has allowed 100 or more on eight occasions.
Denver easily dispatched of the Rockets on Sunday, cruising to a 104-94 win as a four-point home favorite. The Nuggets have eclipsed the century mark in five consecutive games, and since starting the season 1-3, they’ve won 11 of their last 14 contests (9-5 ATS).
The Nuggets have owned this inter-conference rivalry, winning seven of the last eight clashes (5-3 ATS). Last year, George Karl’s squad swept the Raptors in the two-game season series, winning 137-105 as an 8½-point home chalk and 109-100 as a 2½-point road ‘dog. The visitor has gotten the money in five of the last seven head-to-head matchups.
Toronto is 5-2 ATS in its last seven outside of Canada, but beyond that, the Raptors are in the midst of ATS slumps of 0-8 versus the Western Conference, 0-4 against the Northwest Division, 2-5 on Tuesdays and 6-24 when playing after a day off. On the flip side, Denver is riding ATS hot streaks of 5-2-1 at home, 6-1-1 against the Eastern Conference, 9-0 against the Atlantic Division, 4-1-1 on Tuesdays and 7-2 when coming off a 100-point scoring effort.
For the Raptors, the over is on stretches of 7-2 overall, 5-1 on Tuesdays and 4-1 when playing on one day of rest, while Denver’s “over” runs include 5-0 overall, 4-0 at home, 8-3 on Tuesdays, 10-4 against the Eastern Conference and 14-6-1 versus Atlantic Division opponents. Also, three of the last four series meetings between these teams have hurdled the total, with the last six featuring at least 205 combined points.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DENVER and OVER
JIM FEIST
WASHINGTON WIZARDS / NEW JERSEY NETS
Take NEW JERSEY NETS
Don't read too much into the Wizards losing by 4 at home to Atlanta the last game. They were outshot 50%-to-42% and allowed the Hawks to shoot 44% (11-of-25) from long range. Injuries have badly hurt this Washington offense, 22nd in FG shooting, while the defense allows over 103 ppg, 5th most in the league. Washington is on a 1-8 SU, 3-6 ATS run. New Jersey is on a 3-0 SU/ATS win streak -- winning all three on the road, at the Kings, at Utah (105-88) and at Phoenix (117-109). Offense is not a problem for this young, uptempo club, 5th in scoring (102 ppg). Devin Harris was on the attack with a career-high 47 points, including 21 in the fourth quarter, and the New Jersey Nets rallyed to beat the Suns 117-109 Sunday. They will carve up this soft Washington 'D'. Play the Nets.
DAVE COKIN
CS FULLERTON / LSU
Take LSU
Cal State Fullerton just played three games in four days in a holiday tournament. Now the Titans must travel cross country for a quick stop at LSU. Not exactly an ideal spot for the road team and the Bayou Bengals have been sharp in the early going. I look for LSU to win big.
Jimmy The Moose
Dallas Stars at Calgary Flames
Prediction: Calgary Flames
The Dallas Stars are having a horrible season so far and tonight it won't get any better tonight. The Stars come into this one having lost 7 of their last 10 games. In their last 11 games following a win the Satrs are 1-10. Dallas is 3-7 in their last 10 games following 1 day rest between action. Calgary has won 5 of their last 6 games overall. In their last 6 home games they are 5-1. In their last 9 games played with 2 days rest between action the Flames are 8-1. Calgary is playing a lot better in all aspects of the game and will take this one. Play on the Calgary Flames -.
Big Al McMordie
Spurs v Pistons
Pick: Spurs
At 8:35 pm, our complimentary selection is on the San Antonio Spurs minus the points over Detroit. Both the Pistons and the Spurs are trying to adjust while integrating new players into their lineups. Detroit traded for Allen Iverson, and has been treading water since, going 6-6 in its 12 games following Iverson's acquisition. And the Spurs are trying to adjust to getting Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili back into the fold after each was sidelined for weeks with ankle injuries. While Parker and Ginobili were out, Roger Mason and rookie George Hill filled in admirably, so coach Gregg Popovich is trying to figure out the Spurs' rotations. Coach Pop is the best in the business, so I'm certain he'll work it out. San Antonio was drilled 103-84 by the Rockets in its last game, but San Antone played that game without rest, while tonight's game will be played with two days' of rest. And the Spurs, historically, have underperformed when playing without rest, and overperformed when playing with at least two days' of rest. Look for the Spurs to win and cover tonight. Lay the points.
Frank Jordan
Philadelphia 76ers vs. Chicago Bulls
Play: Philadelphia 76ers +3
Philadelphia was 7-6, but since then have lost 4 straight dropping to 7-10 and dropped into last place. Chicago is 8-9 and are 5-2 at home as they host the Sixers. Look for Philadelphia to break out of their funk and end their losing streak. Play Philadelphia
Bobby Maxwell
Portland at N.Y. KNICKS +7
Tonight we're on the NBA hardwood for a FREE winner on the Knicks as they host the Blazers at Madison Square Garden.
The Knicks have been piling up points lately and tonight we're getting a bundle to take them at home against the Blazers? OK, we'll gladly play the home team in this one.
Under coach Mike D'Antoni and his up-tempo style, New York is averaging 106.4 points per game, and sit atop the Eastern Conference in points per game. However, the Knicks are also the conference's worst defensive team, giving up 108.8 per contest. But don't worry about the Blazers, they aren't going to win any shootouts.
The Knicks scored a record 82 first half points on Saturday and beat Golden State 138-125 at Madison Square Garden. They got 37 points from David Lee and 36 points from Al Harrington and a franchise-record 22 assists from Chris Duhon. They get a boost tonight with the return of Nate Robinson to the lineup, who scored a career-high 45 points against these Blazers last March.
New York is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings with the Blazers in Madison Square Garden and they'll improve on that today. We're not saying the Knicks will pull off the outright upset, but this one is coming right down to the wire. Grab the points and play New York.
4♦ NY KNICKS
Nostradamus
Illinois -2
Iowa +8
Duke +2
Nevada +3.5
Virginia +7
Lakers -8.5
Chicago -3
Det/San Ant Under 183.5
Alex Smart
New Jersey Nets -5.5
The Washington Wizards at 2-12 on the season are obviously experiencing some major problems and look like their adding to their negative momentum with each successive outing. The Wizards upper management are in total denial, as to why the team is failing, blaming their talent inadequacies and work ethic on bad coaching. After their early season swoon, the big boys at the top subsequently panicked and changed coaches a few games back, replacing Ed Jordan with Ed Tapscott , which resulted in a temporary solution to their real problems, as the team came out with a spirited effort against the Golden State Warriors notching a much needed win. The Wizards than reverted back to their usual lackluster performances with two straight losses. This DC crew fortunes do not look to change against a NJ Nets team that has beaten them 10 of the L/12 times, including 4 straight as hosts and currently playing at a high level.
The Nets are off three straight road wins against Sacramento, Utah and Phoenix respectively and very much look like the right side against a reeling Wizards group that has lost all 6 of their early season road contests.
Final notes & Key Trends: The Wizards have failed to cover 8 of their L/9 against Eastern Conference teams.
Projected score: New Jersey 110 Washington 98
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on San Antonio Spurs -4
The Spurs rebounded from a slow start to win 7 of 8 SU and ATS prior to a blowout loss at Houston a few days back. I like San Antonio to avenge that loss tonight against a Pistons team that has struggled to score the rock over its last 7 games. During that stretch, the Pistons have scored in the 80's four times, losing all four of those games, and tonight they face one of the better defensive teams in the NBA year in and year out. The Spurs are 16-5 ATS in home games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 70%) over the last 2 seasons, winning these games by 9.7 points on average. They are also 9-1 ATS in home games after a loss by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons. Take San Antonio in this bounce back spot
Matt Fargo
Game: Houston at Middle Tennessee
Prediction: Houston
Middle Tennessee is picked by many to win the Sun Belt East Division but it does not come into this game in good shape. Give credit to Middle Tennessee to playing both Tennessee and Vanderbilt rather tough in its two losses this season. However, it is hard to be sold on a favorite that has won its two games against Houston Baptist and Trevecca Nazarene. In that former game, the Blue Raiders committed 20 turnovers which is pretty unsatisfactory against a supposed weak opponent.
The Blue Raiders are hitting below 60 percent from the free throw line which is a big problem to begin with. They have been bad on the boards as well especially on the offensive end where they have a 26.3 percent offensive rebound percentage which is 313th in the nation. Hurting them has been the absence of center Theryn Hudson as he has played in just one game. Also expected to miss tonight is guard Nigel Johnson, one of four Blue Raiders averaging double figures in scoring and their best free throw shooter.
The Cougars come into this game with wins in four straight games following an opening game loss by just a bucket against Georgia Southern. Although there is just one senior on the team, point guard Desmond Wade is the only freshman so there is some solid experience coming back even though only one starter returns. This team is deep and athletic and has five players averaging at least 4.4 rpg. Wade is averaging 6.4 apg while committing only 1.2 tpg which helps in many ways.
Houston is doing a great job in taking care of the ball and it is vital for teams to have success at this in order to win. The Cougars are turning the ball over on just 12.4 of their possessions which is the best in the country. The schedule has not been overly demanding but unlike a lot of teams, all of their games have not been at home as two have come on a neutral floor. One of those wins came against Western Kentucky, another Sun Belt Conference team and the same one that just destroyed Louisville. 3* Houston Cougars
Tom Freese
Game: Nevada at Colorado State
Prediction: Colorado State
Colorado St is 4-0 ATS their last 4 games vs. Western Athletic Conference foes and they are 5-1-2 ATS their last 8 Non Conference games. The Rams are 4-1-2 ATS their last 7 games overall. Nevada is 2-6 ATS off a straight up win and they are 2-8 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. The Wolf Pack are 2-6 ATS their last 8 games and they are 2-6 ATS their last 8 Non-Conference games. PLAY ON COLORADO ST -
Matt Rivers
For Tuesday take Troy on the hardwoods.
In terms of talent we are obviously severely outclassed as Dayton is a legitimate top 25 team and we are half a doormat but the situation is ripe for a closer than expected game today.
The Flyers are perenially tough in their own building and this season may have one of their more talented squads in years led by Chris Wright and his 14 pts and 9 boards a game. They just pounded a very quality Marquette team 89-75 on Saturday and improved to 6-0 after that final game of the Chicago Invitational Challenge.
Meanwhile Troy was just blown out in their last game falling to LSU by 35 but the Trojans were on a back-to-back and it showed in a dismal second half. This team is not good and I will not act as if they are but they did win three straight before falling to the Tigers and do catch Dayton in a complete letdown spot after the emotional high just a few short nights ago.
College athletics revolve a lot of the time around emotion and this is the epitome of just that. Sure Dayton is too powerful at home and will win this game but there is no way that Wright, Rob Lowery and the home boys can be too jacked up for this game against lowly Troy and in a fairly lethargic and pedestrian 40 minutes we are looking at a tighter than expected final.
Karl Garrett
Portland at NY KNICKS +6'
Tonight in the NBA grab the Knicks in the home dog role.
Portland comes into MSG on a roll, as the Blazers have won 4 straight, and have covered their last 3, but this price is a little rich on a team that is on the road off their upset win at Detroit.
New York is vastly improved this season under new coach Mike D'Antoni, as the Knickerbockers have gone 6-3 straight up at home, and 5-4 against the spread in those home games.
The Knicks just ran the Warriors out of their gym, scoring the 138-125 victory, and their up-tempo is likely to keep them close here tonight.
Take the points!
4♦ NY KNICKS
Sports Gambling Hotline
Washington at NEW JERSEY -5'
In the NBA tonight, have to lay the number with the rolling Nets against the Wizards.
New Jersey comes into this one riding a 3-game win, and cover streak, while Washington is still in search of their first road win of the season. The Wizards are now 0-6 straight up on the road, and a not much better 2-4 against the spread in those 6 road games.
Devin Harris is blossoming into a superstar in the league, and after playing their last 4 games away from home, expect tonight's homecoming to be a joyous one for the Nets, and their fans.
New Jersey does own a 10-point road outright win over the Wizards at the start of the season, and they have won 7 of the last 8 series meetings against Washington overall, going 4-4 against the math.
Lay the wood tonight.
Play on the Nets.
3♦ NEW JERSEY