Frank Jordan
New York Knicks vs. Chicago Bulls
Play: New York Knicks +7.5
Both the Knicks and Bulls are 9-11 and fighting to get back to the .500 mark and above. For the Knicks they started 6-4 but have gone 3-7 in their last 10 to drop to 9-11. Chicago was at 5-5 before going 4-6 to dip down to 9-11. With someone getting their 10th win of the year in this game look for it to be the Knicks pulling off the road upset in the windy city. Play New York Knicks
LT Profits
Drake +3.0
The Drake Bulldogs routed the Iowa State Cyclones out of the Big 12 79-44 at home last season, and while the Cyclones will have revenge in mind, we feel that will be offset by the fact that Drake is out to prove their Cinderella season a year ago was not a fluke.
The Bulldogs did not get off on the right foot under new coach Mark Phelps this season, losing their season opener at home to Butler. However, they have proceeded to win six of their last seven games, albeit vs. weak competition.
Keep in mind however that Drake had similar scheduling last year, yet their performance did not slip once they hit the tougher spot of their schedule. They also played very well on the road last year, so we look for them to embrace this challenge of playing their first true road game of the year vs. a decent opponent.
Now Iowa State is 6-1 straight up, and yes they have played a tougher schedule than Drake has in the sense that the Cyclones have had just one non-lined game so far. That said, we feel that Drake is still the best team that ISU will have faced to this point, and we simply cannot lay points with them vs. a team that destroyed them by 35 points last year.
It may have been a different story if Drake was favored here, as we then would have put more stock in the revenge angle. But with this line, we feel compelled to take the points with what we think is the better team.
Pick: Drake +3
Mike Anthony
San Francisco vs. Pacific
Play:San Francisco +7
Former player Rex Walters seems to be turning around the mindset of the SF Dons, and while they've got miles to go before they can compete with the upper echelon in the WCC, there's now some light at the end of the tunnel.
Pacific looked like they'd be the team to beat in the Big West, but they took a pair of pre-season hits and just haven't been sharp. The Tigers are well coached and I expect them to put it together once league play gets rolling, but they're really scuffling around right now and just lost on the offensive end of the court. I'll take the points with San Francisco tonight.
Matt Fargo
Game: San Antonio Spurs at Dallas Mavericks
Prediction: Dallas Mavericks
After a very slow start, the Mavericks are heating up as they trail the Rockets by just a game in the Southwest Division. After starting the year 2-7 (2-7 ATS), Dallas has gone 9-1 (7-3 ATS) in its last 10 games including five straight home wins after beginning the season with four straight home losses. To put that into perspective, Dallas lost seven home games all of last season and had only five total setbacks is 2006-07. The Mavericks are picking up steam at the right time as this is the third of seven straight home games.
San Antonio won in Denver on Thursday and then rolled past Golden St. on Saturday to win its ninth game in its last 12 contests. The Spurs got off to a slow start as well, going 2-5 (1-6 ATS) and are improving as well but this is the start of a tough stretch of six games in 10 days including four on the road. San Antonio is 5-3 on the road this year but the Spurs have struggled in these spots, going 7-16 ATS in their last 23 road games against a team with a winning home record.
Dirk Nowitzki has been the trigger to this recent run as he is back to his usual solid shooting. He is averaging 27.4 ppg over those last 10 games after putting up 22.3 ppg through the first nine games. This compliments the tough defense as the Mavericks are allowing opponents to shoot 42.7 percent from the floor including 29.9 percent from long range, 4th and 1st respectively in the NBA. San Antonio is not close to those numbers this season after being a perennially solid team on that side of the floor.
The Mavericks won the first meeting this season by 17 points but that was against a Spurs team without Manu Ginobili. That should not matter however as Dallas has been very successful lately in this series even with a full San Antonio team. The Mavericks have won six of the last 10 meetings and have covered six of the last eight. 3* Dallas Mavericks
Brian Hansen
Game: Milwaukee Bucks at Phoenix Suns
Prediction: Phoenix Suns
Coming off a big victory over the Jazz in their last outing, I look for the Suns to take advantage of a Bucks team that hasn't won in Phoenix in over 20 games! In fact this is a great spot for PHOENIX as I look for them to improve to a great 5-3 ATS in non-conference games!
Tom Freese
Game: Los Angeles Lakers at Sacramento Kings
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Los Angeles is 8-1 ATS their last 9 road games vs. a team with a losing home record and they are 20-7-1 ATS vs. Western Conference foes. The Lakers are 35-16 ATS their last 51 games vs. Pacific Division foes. Sacramento is 0-6 ATS their last 6 home games and they are 0-5 ATS off a straight up loss. The Kings are 0-4 ATS on Tuesday and they are 0-5 ATS their last 5 games overall. PLAY ON LA LAKERS
Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Orlando Magic
Orlando is 37-15-1 ATS off an ATS loss and they are 8-2 ATS vs. a team with a home winning percentage. The Magic are 7-3 ATS vs. the Pacific Division and they are 4-1-1 ATS with two days of rest. Los Angeles is 6-20 ATS their last 26 home games and they are 8-24 ATS off an ATS win. The Clippers are 7-17 ATS when playing with one day of rest and they are 7-19 ATS on Monday. PLAY ON ORLANDO -
Vegas Experts
Detroit Pistons at Washington Wizards
When the Pistons are off back-to-back losses, that's exactly the time you want to jump on them. This is the third time this month they've lost two straight games. The previous two times they came back to win and cover the next time out. Looking back even further, they are 17-5 ATS off BB SU losses and 18-4 ATS off BB ATS losses. Washington is just terrible and since 1996, we find them at 59-89 ATS as a home underdog of six points or less.
Play on: Detroit
Info Plays
3* on Atlanta Hawks +4.5
Reasons why the Atlanta Hawks cover the spread Tuesday
1.) No Tracy McGrady for Houston. The Rockets should not even be the favorite tonight without McGrady on the floor. This team has been terrible throughout the years when McGrady goes down to injury. Houston just lost by double-digits last night to the Memphis Grizzlies of all teams. It’s clear that they are not the same team without McGrady running the show.
2.) Atlanta has Josh Smith back in the lineup and now they are finally at full strength. This team was dangerous without Smith with a hot start to the season, but now their true potential will show with Smith back on the floor. Atlanta is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall. In their last 6 games, the Hawks have not lost one time by more than 5 points. They have a 2-point loss to Dallas and a 5-point loss to Toronto during this span. Atlanta is not going to get blown out tonight by a depleted Houston team that is playing their second game in two nights after getting humiliated by the Grizzlies Monday.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play On - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (ATLANTA) - after going under the total by 42 or more points total in their last five games, in December games. This is an 82-44 ATS System hitting 65.1% since 1996. Atlanta is playing great defense right now, and Smith is their best shot blocker who will help stop Yao Ming and the inside game of the Rockets tonight. The Hawks are 7-3 ATS in all road games this season. Bet Atlanta on the road.
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on NY Knicks +7.5
The Knicks and Bulls both come into this game at 9-11. For as even as these teams are, the Knicks should not be catching this many points. Chicago has really struggled with the NBA Atlantic division going just 5-16 ATS against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons. Chicago is also just 6-18 ATS off a home win over the last 2 seasons. The Knicks have covered the number in 4 of their last 5 games and bring in plenty of momentum off a 12-point win over the Pistons. Chicago has dropped three straight against the number. Neither team has played very good defensively this season so we should see these teams trading buckets all night. Take the points as this one goes down to the nitty gritty.
Sports Gambling Hotline
NY Knicks +7' at CHICAGO
Monday night winner on the Charlotte Bobcats plus the points, and tonight we have another NBA dog play on the New York Knicks plus the points.
New York has been playing competitive hoops under new coach Mike D'Antoni, and they do come into Chicago having covered their last pair of games, and 4 of their last 5 overall.
Chicago has dropped 2 of their last 3 games, and have failed in ALL 3 against the spread, so the Bulls will be happy with any win they can get in this one.
Season series numbers show a 3-3 split the last 6 times these teams have tangled, with the Knicks holding the 4-2 edge against the spread.
New York's quick tempo will keep them in this game all the way tonight.
Play on the Knicks plus the points.
2♦ NY KNICKS
Karl Garrett
Texas vs. VILLANOVA +3 - at New York
G-Man on a 9-2-1 comp play run the last 12 days.
Tonight I will grab a few points with the Wildcats as they take on the Longhorns at Madison Square Garden.
Villanova is quite familiar with the court, and the rims at the Garden, as they play their conference tournament on this floor each March. Not only are they familiar with the rims, but the site is not that far for their faithful to make the trek, and lend support.
Texas comes into this one at 6-1 straight up, and they are off a nice win over UCLA 5 days ago. Look for the Longhorns to suffer a lit bit of a letdown in this one, as the 8-0 Wildcats keep their perfection in tact with the upset win.
Take the small points, and go with Nova to come through at Madison Square Garden tonight.
2♦ VILLANOVA
Gina
Toronto Raptors at Cleveland Cavaliers
The hot Cleveland Cavaliers have won 17 of its last 20 games and are 11-0 at home this season. Meanwhile the struggling Toronto Raptors have lost four straight and 11 of its last 16. Go with surging LeBron James and crew to be in total control at Quicken Loans Arena. Cleveland has won the last seven contests against the sorry and unlucky Raptors at home, going 5-2 ATS.
Cleveland Cavaliers -11½
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on San Antonio Spurs pk
These rivals are both 11-8 on the season and playing well right now after slow starts, but the Spurs are the better team and will win this game with their superior defense. San Antonio is allowing only 94.1 ppg on the road this season while the Mavs are giving up 99.4. This is also a huge revenge game for the Spurs which were crushed 98-81 on their home floor back on November 4th. Plays on any team revenging a loss vs. an opponent of 10 points or more against opponent off a close home win by 3 points or less are 61-29 ATS the last 5 seasons. The Mavs are also just 2-7 ATS in home games this season. Take the Spurs.
Bob Harvey
Idaho State vs. Wisconsin
Play: Wisconsin -19
My power ratings have Wisconsin winning this by 24-30 points, easily covering the large lumber tonight. Bo Ryan has created a solid program and like the other elite schools in the country he doesnt rebuild, he reloads. After losing two key starters (Brian Butch and Michael Flowers) and an important seventh man in defensive backstop Greg Stiemsma, the smart money says theres no way Wisconsin can improve on last years 31-win season and NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. Then again, last years smart money said there was no way the Badgers could improve on their 30-win season after graduating Alando Tucker and Kammron Taylor. Lets just say the Badgers are in a holding pattern at or near the top of the Big Ten and should spend plenty of time in the Top 25 this year and for years to come.
While Wisconsin graduated two valuable starters, the Badgers retain four of their top six regulars from their 31-win squad. While each veteran is well-rounded, each also has a primary skill that dovetails with the others. Junior PG Trevon Hughes is the jet who can dominate games at times. Junior SG Jason Bohannon is a superb shooter who turns cold-blooded when theres a big basket to make. Senior F Joe Krabbenhoft made the Big Tens all-defensive team for his gritty play that includes a knack for rebounding. And senior F/C Marcus Landry? The second-team all-Big Ten pick is a consistent scorer and rebounder who adds range to his game every year.
Purdue vs. Ball State
Play: Purdue -11½
The previous two meetings, both Purdue victories, were decided by 12 and 20 points respectively. Purdue is 7-2-1 ATS in its last ten games and its only two losses this season came against top ten powers Duke and Oklahoma. Ball States three losses have come against Butler, Arkansas State and Evansville.
The Boilermakers got what they needed following consecutive losses to teams. now ranked in the Top 10 a game that was lopsided in Purdues favor from the opening tip. Purdue defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff by 48, handing the Golden Lions their seventh consecutive loss of the year, 90-42. Nemanja Calasan recorded his fi rst double-double as a Boilermaker, scoring 12 points while pulling down a career-best 13 boards. JaJuan Johnson scored a career-high 20 points, joining Calasan in the five-person attack of 10+ point scorers (also ETwaun Moore, 15, Marcus Green, 12, and Keaton Grant, 10). The Purdue defense limited teh Golden Lions to 19 points in the second half on just 4-of-25 shooting from the fi eld while forcing 35 turnovers for the game. However, the game wasnt as pretty as the fi nal score might indicate.The Boilermakers were sloppy with the basketball, committing 22 turnovers.The Cardinals are 0-4 ATS in their last four games a straight up loss. Most by a Purdue team since committing 25 turnovers against No. 4 Memphis on Dec, 30, 2005 (a 90-70 Purdue loss).
R&R Handicapping
BUCKS at SUNS
Pick: SUNS -7
It appears as though the Suns got that winless monkey off its back and now they may go on a little run.The Bucks have been on this road trip since last week and they do not have the bench dept to keep playing at this level.We see the Suns tonight with the cover.