Craig Trapp
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
Play: Los Angeles Clippers -4.5
Can't stay away from playing against worst team in league OKL City!! Clippers have been playing much better since trade and actually are showing signs that they might be competitive night in night out. Baron Davis is getting used to his team mates and not playing the run and gun style he had been playing last couple years. Think Clippers win by 7-10 pts here. SCORE LAC 99 - OKC 91
Tom Freese
New York at La Lakers
New York is 4-0 OVER their last four meetings at the Lakers and they are 10-3 OVER when playing with no rest. The Knicks are 6-2 OVER when their starters combined to play over 160 minutes yesterday. Los Angeles is 10-3 OVER their last 13 home games and they are 7-1 OVER vs. a team that scored 100 or more points in their last game. The Lakers are 9-4 OVER when playing with one day of rest and they are 8-2 OVER their last 10 games as home favorites off 11 or more points. PLAY ON 'OVER'
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on Lakers -13
After a run-and-gun game in Phoenix last night, the Lakers will take advantage of New York 's tired legs. LA will have a big advantage on the boards tonight and that bodes well for us as LA is 15-2 ATS vs. poor rebounding teams outrebounded by opponents by 3+ per game over the last 2 seasons. LA is also 24-9 ATS versus uptempo teams averaging 83 or more shots/game over the last 2 seasons and 19-6 ATS in home games off 3 or more consecutive home wins since 1996. LA's defense had been getting away from them but they made a stand by holding the Wolves to just 86 points last time out. LA big tonight!
John Ryan
Colorado Avalanche vs. Philadelphia Flyers
Play: Colorado Avalanche +165
Here is simply a tremendous opportunity to get SEVEN big time proven money making systems on 1 card featuring THREE NHL 5* Monster plays. 1 of the plays is reinforced by a system that has made 81 units since 1996 and angles sporting a 22-1 money line record. The systems alone will make you thousands so get the winning info Ryan has utilized for more than 15 years and you will be very glad you did. Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Colorado (NHL) – I had Colorado last night in a huge +285 upset over Detroit and there is no reason not to believe that that big win will carry over to Philadelphia tonight. Philadelphia has been playing quite well, but as the following system shows they are not in a good position to get a win tonight. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 200-204, but has made 63.4 units since 1996. The average play has been a dog of +133.7. Play against home favorites of -200 or less against the money line that is a good team outscoring their opponents by 0.3+ goals/game and after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Here is another system that has gone 114-83 making 35.4 units since 2002 with the average play a +103.9 dog. Play against any team against the money line revenging a loss where opponent scored 4 or more goals and winning between 51% and 60% of their games on the season in the first half of the season. Flyers are also 0-5 against the money line (-7.4 Units) in home games revenging a road blowout loss versus opponent by 3 goals or more over the last 2 seasons. Flyers are off a 4 straight wins and have scored 6 goals in the last 2 wins. NHL teams just can’t maintain that level of excellence for extended periods of time, but many times the public believes that they are hot and will stay hot for the foreseeable future. The same can be said about winning teams that have gone through a brief scoring drought as it only sets up the “rebound effect” back to their normal level or even higher level of team performance. In this game Colorado is feeling quite good after last night’s big upset win and the Flyers are vulnerable to a below average game. Take Colorado.
New York Knicks vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Play: Los Angeles Lakers -13
Ryan’s top rated 10* graded plays have done very well again in 2008 and he is already off to a 3-1 ATS start in the NBA. His CFB 10* plays have hit 80% (8-2 ATS mark) and Ryan fully expects similar results in all of the winter sports. This is a DOG that Ryan believes will win the game. Pay when the 10* wins ATS. Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the Lakers – Lakers have been coasting along winning games, but not playing the full 48 minutes. AiS, however projects a 72% probability that the LAL will win this game by 15 or more points. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 68-38 for 64% since 2002. Play on favorites being called for 2+ less fouls/game than their opponents on the season and after 2 straight games being called for 5+ less fouls than opponent. Knicks not a good rebounding team and this weakness plays into the strengths of the Lakers. Note that the Lakers are a solid 15-2 ATS (+12.8 Units) versus poor rebounding teams outrebounded by opponents by 3+ per game over the last 2 seasons. Lakers are also 19-6 ATS (+12.4 Units) in home games off 3 or more consecutive home wins since 1996. Two streaks will stop tonight – the Knicks 6 game ATS win streak and the Lakers 6 game ATS losing streak. Take the Lakers.
Matt Fargo
Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers
Prediction: Portland Trail Blazers
This is a very good bounce back spot for the Blazers. They have dumped three straight games but finally had some time to rest. Prior to their last loss against the Clippers, Portland was on the move for 12 consecutive days going from city to city and having six of the eight games coming on the road. The Blazers have has three days off since that home loss against the Clippers, which came in overtime no less, so they are well rested and that can do wonders for a team trying to get back to its winning ways.
The Kings fired head coach Reggie Theus prior to their last game and what did they do? They went out and tore apart Minnesota last night by 15 points and used all the energy they had to get it done. Now they must play again tonight and the effort will likely be not even close to the same. Sacramento is 2-9 on the road this season with those wins coming against the Clippers and Hornets. It is just 2-12 on the season against the top 16 in the NBA including two losses already against Portland.
Kevin Martin remains out for the Kings and it has now been 16 games they have been without their top player. John Salmons has picked up the slack as he is averaging a team-leading 19.3 ppg on the season, but he has never done well against the Blazers as he is averaging just 6.6 ppg in 17 career games against the Blazers. Look for Portland to buckles down on the defensive end. One of the NBA's better defensive teams allowing 95.2 ppg, they have given up an average of 108.7 ppg during their current losing streak.
That average is somewhat deceiving however because the recent Clippers game went into double overtime. Guard Brandon Roy has been dominant of late as he tries to reach the 30-point mark for a fourth consecutive game and he leads the team with 22 ppg on the year. Greg Oden is starting to come on strong and he is coming off his best game of the season against Los Angeles, as he tallied 15 points and 15 rebounds, both season highs. The Blazers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games. 3* Portland Trailblazers
Brett Maverick Sports
S Florida +8
You can listen daily to our free selection from our website. Currnetly on a 5-1 basketball winning run. Today we go to Memorial Gym in Nashville to find a nice set of numbers against the home team. Vandy lost its top scorers from last season, and have struggle vs the number going 1-3 ats at home. Vandy has always depended on the 3 point shot, and this is where S Florida previals holding opponents to only 27% from behind the line. S Florida is 2-0 as a dog, and 3-1 ats vs winning teams. Vandy is good at home, but the price seems to be too high for this edition. Take the points.
Rocketman
Denver @ Houston
Play:1* Houston -3
Houston is 5-1 ATS this year after an upset loss as a favorite. Houston is allowing only 89.6 points per game at home this year. Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Nuggets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Nuggets are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Rockets are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a ATS loss. Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning SU record. Rockets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU loss. Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600. Rockets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Rockets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Home team is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings. Nuggets are 3-7 ATS in the last 10 meetings. We'll recommend a small play on Houston tonight!
PRICELESS PICKS
1 unit on Rockets -3
We'll take a well rested Rockets team at home off one of its worst losses of the season here. Denver will have the tough task of playing back-to-back nights and that puts the Nuggets at a further disadvantage. Houston has won 7 of 10 home games this season and we have found a favorable system that fits tonight's spot to a tee. Plays on home teams off an upset loss by 10 points or more as a favorite, playing with 2 days rest are 45-12 ATS the last 5 seasons. Take the Rockets.
Gina
Los Angeles Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder
The struggling Los Angeles Clippers square off with the hopeless Oklahoma City Thunder in Oklahoma. Go with the Clippers. Los Angeles has won five of the last seven meetings, going 6-1 ATS and is 8-1 ATS in the last 9 in Oklahoma City.
Los Angeles Clippers -4½
Johnny Guild
Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets
The hot Nuggets have won their last four games and seven out of their eight, but will have a big task in Houston. The Rockets have won their last four home games and have beaten the Nuggets in the last five clashes at Toyota Center, going 4-1 ATS. Take the Rockets at home. Houston is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games versus Denver.
Houston Rockets -3
Vanderbilt Commodores -7.5
Marquette Golden Eagles +7
Sports Gambling Hotline
New Orleans -6 at MEMPHIS
Memphis is clearly playing their best basketball of the young season, as the Grizzlies come into this home date on a season-high 4 game win, and cover streak, as Memphis has upped their home season mark to 7-5 both straight up, and against the spread.
That will all come to a halt tonight when the Hornets come calling, as New Orleans has made Memphis their red-headed step child, winning 11 of the last 12 series meetings, covering in 8 of those 12 tilts. Included is a 106-87 home romp by the Bugs back on December 6th as the 14 1/2-point favorite.
We don't see much changing in tonight's meeting, as we play New Orleans to continue their series domination of the Grizzlies.
Lay the road wood with the Hornets in this one.
Play on New Orleans.
4♦ NEW ORLEANS
Karl Garrett
New Orleans at MEMPHIS
Tonight in the NBA, I am interested in a total, as I like New Orleans and Memphis to head OVER the posted total.
Both teams come into this game having played UNDER in their last pair of games, but in this series, the OVER has most definitely been the play, as their first meeting this season did clear the posted total to make it 9 straight OVERS in the series, and 10-0-1 OVER the total in the last 11 series get-togethers.
Plenty of offense being shown of late by the Grizzlies who have cracked the century mark in 4 straight games, all Memphis wins.
Look for the series trends to continue, and for this one to also slip OVER the posted total.
4♦ OVER
Drew Gordon
New Orleans at MEMPHIS +6
Say what you will about their last meeting - a 106-87 blowout home win by the Hornets just over a week ago - but since then the Grizzlies have been playing MUCH improved basketball, winners of 4 in a row SUATS! Sometimes it takes an ass-kicking like that to ignite a fire under a team, and I expect to see a much better effort from Memphis tonight at home.
Looking over their last 5 games, the numbers are errily similar between these two teams, with Memphis averaging more points (101 vs 99) and shooting the ball better (47% to 45%), but New Orleans playing better D (90 ppg allowed vs 97 ppg allowed). In other words, these two teams are not as far apart as you may believe (of course, the Hornets are the better team, but at this point with the Griz surging, they're competitive).
The last time these two teams played, it was OJ Mayo and Marc Gasol and that was it for the Griz. This time around, the rest of Memphis' players and in particular Rudy Gay, are playing better ball and will be looking for redemption. Gay is the team's second leading scorer, and his 6 points in their last meeting was a big reason this team lost so badly.
Finally, its no secret the entire world in on the Hornets tonight, as the public perceives value laying this many on the road at Memphis. But that's a little short-sighted, because the Griz are playing much better ball, are at home, and have a strong revenge factor having just lost to the Hornets. In the end, look for the Griz to grab the cash at home Tuesday night!
Take Memphis plus the points over New Orleans in this NBA match up.
2♦ MEMPHIS
Michael Cannon
Denver +3 at HOUSTON
I’m on a 10-3 run with my last 13 free plays after the Kings easily dispose of the Timberwolves last night!
Take the Nuggets as the small road dog over the Rockets tonight.
Denver is currently on a four-game winning streak and have won seven of eight. Since acquiring point guard Chauncey Billups from Detroit in exchange for Allen Iverson, the Nuggets have gone 16-4.
Houston is coming off an embarrassing 95-82 road loss to the Clippers on Saturday. Their offense has been inconsistent all season long, scoring 100 points or more in just nine out of 24 games.
Denver is on ATS runs of 11-3 versus the Southwest Division, 4-0-1 on Tuesdays and 5-1 when playing on consecutive nights. The Rockets are just 1-4 ATS in their last five against the Northwest Division.
Take the Nuggets as they grab the cash on the road over the Rockets.
1♦ DENVER
Chris Jordan
N.Y. Knicks +13' at L.A. LAKERS
If there’s one coach who knows about the Lakers, it’s former Phoenix skipper Mike D’Antoni, who brings his Knicks to tinsel town. And even though he lost in his return to Phoenix last night, his team hung around long enough to cover against the Suns. Tonight I believe his Knicks will want to rebound immediately against the Western Conference’s elite. I know there are many folks out there saying the Knicks are in rebuilding mode, but there’s no doubt the “seven seconds or less” offense has been embraced by this team, which ranks third in the NBA with 104.9 points per game.
I realize New York has lost four of its last five games against the Lakers at Staples Center, but they’ve played respectably in their last five games, winning three of them while scoring a minimum of 100 points each time.
We most certainly own the betting advantage with D’Antoni’s troops, who are on ATS runs of 5-0 as a road underdog, 6-0 as an underdog overall, 4-0 versus the Western Conference 8-3 when visiting teams with a winning home record and 5-0 off an ATS cover. On the other hand, the Lakers are on spread skids of 3-7 versus the Atlantic Division, 3-14 against the Eastern Conference, 0-6 after a straight-up win, 0-6 as the favorite, 0-4 at home and 0-6 overall.
2♦ KNICKS