I have to head out to work which should take sometime to get there since we are having the winter storm of a lifetime so please be paitaint and I will get this updated when I get at work.If you see plays please feel free to post if you like.
Who Is Jim Kruger? Are his selections ever posted? Thanks.
By: LT Profits Sports Group
Illinois has won eight straight times vs, Missouri, but this may be the best team Missouri has had in that time. The Tigers offense should key a revenge win.
The Illinois Fighting Illini have dominated this annual series with the Missouri Tigers winning each of the last eight meetings, but the Tigers are in a nice position for some sweet revenge here.
Missouri is off to 9-1 start with their only loss being by four points to Xavier on a neutral floor, which is certainly no disgrace. They are clicking on both sides of the floor, averaging 86.3 points per game on an excellent 48.2 percent shooting offensively while their defense is limiting opponents to 64.4 points on 39.0 points shooting.
Now Illinois has also been stingy defensively, so the key to this contest will be which offense can go off on what may be the best defense each team has seen all year. Well, the Illini have been respectable offensively, but they are still averaging about 15 points less per game than the Tigers are, at 71.9 points per contest.
When you add in the eight years of defeat, we simply feel that Missouri will be playing with a greater sense of urgency tonight, and the fact that they have had some nice non-conference wins already over USC and California should certainly benefit them.
Free Pick: Missouri -3 (-110)
By: Jimmy the Moose
Toronto's young skaters are on an offensive tear with 18 goals in their last three games. Look for another Maple Leafs win tonight at home against the Dallas Stars.
The Dallas Stars come into this game having lost their last three road games. The Stars are 5-15 in their last 20 games vs. a team with a losing record. Dallas has lost their last four games vs. Eastern Conference opponents.
The Toronto Maple Leafs played and beat up on the Atlanta Thrashers last night 6-2, and come into this one having won five of their last six. The Leafs have scored 18 goals over their last three games and expect this young team to keep the winning going tonight. Play on Toronto.
Free Pick: Maple Leafs -110
Pick 'n' roll: Tuesday's best NBA bets
By COVERS.com STAFF | December 23, 2008
Content provided by Associated Press. Picks by Covers.com Staff.
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Bobcats (-6.5, 191)
The East's leaders in losses meet for the first time this season Tuesday in Charlotte, with Washington looking to avoid a seventh straight defeat.
Charlotte (9-19) finished at least 16 games under .500 in each of its first four seasons, and in its first season under coach Larry Brown, any progress has been slow.
The Bobcats traded away leading scorer Jason Richardson earlier this month, and they had lost seven in a row before earning back-to-back wins over Chicago and Memphis last week. They lost again Saturday, 110-103 at home to Golden State.
Gerald Wallace had 26 points and Raja Bell - acquired from Phoenix in the Richardson trade - added 21. The NBA's lowest-scoring team at 91.3 points per game, the Bobcats have topped 100 points in three straight contests.
A playoff team last spring, the Wizards (4-21) have lost their last six games by an average of more than 16 points. Washington has shot 41.1 percent from the field over that span while allowing opponents to hit 49.5 percent.
Washington matched a franchise record for the worst 25-game start with Sunday's 97-86 loss to Dallas, equaling a mark set by the 1966-67 Baltimore Bullets. Antawn Jamison scored 22 points, but none were in the fourth quarter when Washington was outscored 27-18.
Coach Ed Tapscott is hoping a lineup change could help turn things around. DeShawn Stevenson, who has started 189 straight games since joining the Wizards for the 2006-07 season, will come off the bench Tuesday. Stevenson is shooting 31.7 percent from the field this season.
Pick: Under
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics (-13, 193)
The reigning champions try to set a league record for the best 29-game start in NBA history and establish a franchise record with a 19th consecutive victory as they host the short-handed Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday.
Boston became just the third team to start 26-2 after running past the New York Knicks 124-105 on Sunday for its 18th straight win. Rajon Rondo scored 18 of his career-high 26 points in the third quarter, helping the Celtics join the 1966-67 Sixers and 1969-70 Knicks - who both eventually won NBA titles - as the only teams to have just two losses through their first 28 games.
In the past two games, Rondo has dominated in different ways. The point guard had 15 assists with only one turnover in Friday's victory over Chicago and shot 12-of-15 with five assists on Sunday. Boston is 17-0 when he scores in double figures, something he's done 13 times since its last loss on Nov. 14.
Rondo has averaged 13.4 points and 8.0 assists in the 18 wins, shooting 57.6 percent while compiling a 3.5-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
The Celtics will not have backup forward Glen Davis, who was released from the hospital Sunday after suffering a concussion and whiplash in an automobile accident earlier that day.
Philadelphia, which starts a six-game road trip with this contest, fell 95-94 to Indiana on Saturday, its first loss in four games since interim coach Tony DiLeo took over for the fired Maurice Cheeks. Andre Miller had 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for his eighth career triple-double, but Andre Iguodala missed a potential game-winning shot as time expired.
Guard Willie Green is questionable for this game after spraining his ankle in Saturday's loss.
Pick: 76ers
By: Nelly's Sportsline
The Times Union Center in Albany is the site for this contest with Siena better prepared for the win and cover. Side with the Saints as home favorites vs. the Buffalo Bulls.
The Buffalo Bulls are 5-3 on the season but the wins have not been impressive. Meanwhile Siena's losses have all come against high quality teams like Pittsburgh (79-66), Tennessee (78-64) and Oklahoma State (77-68).
The Saints have won by double-digits in three of four home games this season and Siena should be fired up coming off a competitive game against Pittsburgh. Siena is a dramatically superior offensive team with a nearly 46 percent shooting percentage and incredibly strong numbers at home.
Defensively the Saints are allowing just 58 points per game at home and could deliver a dominating performance tonight.
Free Pick: Siena -9 (-110
Alex Smart
Toronto Maple Leafs (-115)
Tue Dec 23 '08 7:35p
The Toronto Maple Leafs enter into this game against the visiting Dallas Stars playing their best hockey of the season, and are off a convincing 6-2 win against the Atlanta Thrashers last night.
Dallas (13-14-5) despite of playing a little better of late, has been at or near the bottom of the Pacific Division all season long, and are off a disappointing OT loss last time out, losing 5-4 decision to another inconsistent team the Ottawa Senators. Stars goalie Marty Turco allowed five goals for the second straight tilt to sink his GAA to a career-worst 3.33%, and considering his current form could fall flat on his face again, here tonight against a Buds side, that has scored 26 goals in their L/6 games for a 5-1 record.
Final notes & Current Trends: The Stars in their L/19 games against a below .500 team have been out scored by an average of 1.3 GPG and have lost 5 straight on the road against the moneyline vs a team with a losing record like the Leafs.
Play on Toronto on the moneyline
From vegasexperts.com
Memphis Grizzlies at Dallas Mavericks
Tuesday, December 23rd, 8:35 PM ET
Memphis (9-17) heads to Dallas (15-11) on Tuesday night looking for revenge from a 91-76 loss in Dallas back in November. With Dallas 5-0 SU during the last 5 as host in this series, Memphis finds themselves as high as 12 point Dogs at some sportsbooks for this rematch, but willing to take those points knowing that Memphis is 3-2 ATS in those 5 games. In fact, we find Double-Digit NBA Road Dogs with a losing record that are seeking revenge from a road loss at a very profitable 83-40 ATS! Backing Memphis as these Mavs are struggling to put opponents away, owning just a 3-7 ATS record during their last ten games. Good luck - Carlo Campanella
Play on: Memphis
The Fall Miracle Pick: CBB : Butler +8
BUTLER (+8) over XAVIER
Many experts thought Butler might take a step back after four starters moved on from last year's great team. How about opening the season with a win at Drake, followed by more true road wins at Cleveland State and Bradley- a tough place to play. They almost knocked off a tough Ohio State team also on the road, yet oddsmakers have kept the spread at the same number it was for the Buckeyes game. Had they lowered it to 4 or 5 like I expected, this would be a no-play. Xavier is playing well with the only loss a blowout to Duke, which might have their morale in the tank. They'll be a force in the A-10 but like Butler, they lost 3 big time players from last year's Elite Eight team. They only beat Auburn and Miami-OH by 7 points on their home court recently, and almost lost to Virginia Tech and Missouri.
Xavier, like most A-10 teams, are tough to beat on their home floor but the youngsters from Butler have enough experience by now to not be intimidated. Actually Butler hasn't lost a game by more than 8 points since Feb of 2007- a span of 54 games.
Xavier 65, Butler 61
Play on: BUTLER
Made it ;D only took 3.5 hours but I made it
Thanks Guys
Lonestar Sports Picks
15* TCU -2.5
Larry Ness
Eastern Conf GOW (4-1 NBA run)
The Bulls went from 49 wins two years ago to 49 losses last year and have opened 13-14 this year. In comparison, the Pistons have been one of the Eastern Conference's top teams this entire decade but must be questioning themselves (and the team's future), after a disappointing 14-11 start. The Pistons lost three consecutive games just once last season and followed it with 10 consecutive wins. What a difference a year makes. With a loss to the Bulls tonight, the Pistons will have dropped three straight for the second time this month! However, that's IF they lose to the Bulls? The good news is that the Bulls may be 10-3 at home but they are a loss away from losing five straight road games for the second time this year. Chicago is 3-11 SU on the road this year, allowing 105.8 PPG. The team's backcourt depth has been hurt by the injury to Hinrich and while No.1 pick Rose (17.7-3.7-6.2) is having a pretty impressive rookie season, he's coming off a tough week. Deng, the team's most consistent player the last few years, is down about five PPG this year from the last two years, shooting just 44 percent (shot 50 percent the L2!). Gooden (12.7-8.8) has always been a solid player (first with Cleveland and now with Chicago), but sprained an ankle at Boston on Friday and will miss 7-10 days. Gooden will be missed even more if Thomas (7.1-5.1) sits out with a concussion (listed as questionable). I'm not sure even the Bulls think second-year players Gray (3.8-4.9) and Noah (4.0-5.8) are ever going to be anything special. As I already mentioned, the Pistons have to be concerned about their team. After losing the first two games of Allen Iverson's tenure, Detroit did win FOUR of its next five (including wins over the Lakers and Cavs), but the Pistons are 6-8 since then. Iverson (18.6-5.8 APG) has been inconsistent and so has almost everyone else. Hamilton (17.7) doesn't seem comfortable and first-year head coach Curry has recently gone with a three-guard lineup, using second-year player Stuckey (10.7-5.1 APG), who everyone seems to think is pretty darned good (I agree). Prince and Wallace are fixtures in the lineup but Kwame Brown, Maxiell and Amir Johnson have all lost favor with Curry. Detroit has some issues but the team still has enough talent and going against a terrible road team like the Bulls, who must travel to Detroit to play a road game (with the next two days off), is too good of a situation to pass up.
Eastern Conf GOW 15* Det Pistons
Las Vegas Insider- NBA
What happened to that dominant team the Lakers were supposed to have? The team raced to a 14-1 start by the end of November but is only 8-4 SU and 1-11 ATS since, which includes a run of 10 consecutive ATS losses. Meanwhile, the Hornets have recovered from a so-so start to win 11 of their last 13 games, including all six home games during that stretch. The Hornets have been winning with defense lately, having not allowed more than 94 points in any of their last eight games. New Orleans is now allowing 91.5 PPG, which is third-best in the NBA. However, the Lakers are scoring a league-best 107.3 PPG. Kobe (26.1-5.3-4.2), Gasol (17.4-9.2), Bynum (12.4-8.4) and Fisher (11.1) are the everyday starters, with Radmanovic (6.8) getting most of the starts at the SF position, with Odom (8.6-6.3) coming off the bench. Ariza (9.3-5.1) is having an excellent year (he's a superb defender) but LA will now be without Farmar (7.9), who tore his lateral meniscus in last Friday's 89-87 loss to Miami (he may need surgery). That Dec 19 game at Miami was the first of LA's four-game road trip (it ends here), as the Lakers return home to host the Celtics on Christmas. LA has not played well on the trip, losing at Miami and Orlando, before using a late comeback last night in Memphis, to 'escape' with a 105-96 win over the Grizzlies. The Hornets have seen Peja (13.1-3.4) miss the last two games with back spasms but he may return tonight, as he did practice some on Monday. Paul's (20.3-5.3-11.8) 'star' just keeps getting brighter and West (20.0-7.2) is one of the league's steadiest power forwards. Chandler's (8.6-8.1) back in the lineup at center after missing a few games with minor injuries, as his SG Peterson (7.4), who joins Butler (8.0) and Brown (5.1) on the Hornets' perimeter. Posey (9.9-4.8), who was signed away from the Celtics, has been everything and more for New Orleans. I also like the addition of Antonio Daniels (from Washington), to back up Paul at the PG spot. These teams met back on Nov 12 and the Lakers won 93-86, to move to 7-0 on the year. However, as I mentioned at the start, the Lakers are in a huge ATS slump. It should be mentioned that LA has been favored in every one of their 10 straight ATS losses and tonight, will be a small 'dog, for just the second time all season. The first was that Nov 12 win here at New Orleans. Still, the Lakers just don't "look right" these days and are playing their fourth game in five days with the Celtics LOOMING on Christmas Day. This has got to be a HUGE game for the Hornets, as if they can't beat LA in this situation, when will they be able to do so? The Hornets "came up big" last Wednesday vs the Spurs (who had beaten them LY in a Game 7) and do they same thing here vs the Lakers.
Las Vegas Insider on the NO Hornets.
LEGEND Play-CBB (1st TY!)
Everyone knows Kansas won LY's national title with that remarkable late comeback against Memphis (won in OT. The team's top-four scorers are gone in Rush Chalmers, Arthur and Jackson (combined 50 PPG), as well as guard Robinson (7.3-4.1 APG) and the 6-11 Kaun (7.1-3.9). Collins was a regular starter last year and returns, averaging 18.0 PPG and 4.9 APG. He teams with freshman Taylor (10.8-4.1 APG) in the starting backcourt with redshirt sophomore Morningstar (7.5) adding depth.The 6-11 Aldrich (2.8-3.0 LY) is off to an excellent start TY (14.0-10.5) and joining him in the frontcourt are two freshman, the 6-8 and 6-9 Morris twins, Marcus (8.3-5.9) and Markieff (5.5-5.1). Kansas is 8-2 to start the year but the team's had a very favorable schedule (more on that shortly). Arizona kept its NCAA streak alive last year (now 23 straight appearances) but for the first time in 20 seasons, failed to reach 20 wins (lost its first round game to finish 19-15). Lute Olson stepped away prior to the start of this season (health reasons) and considering that, Arizona's 7-3 start is fairly impressive. The 6-7 Budinger (19.1-6.0) and the 6-10 Hill (18.5-11.9) are quite a frontcourt duo, while guard Wise (13.6-5.2 APG) gives Arizona three quality players. Two freshman join them in the starting lineup, the 6-6 Horne (7.4-6.6) and guard Fogg (4.4). The Wildcats don't have a lot of depth but the team is efficient, shooting 50.4 percent from the floor and 46.0 percent from behind the three-point line. Arizona lost two one-point games to UAB (at home) and at Texas A&M, before beating then-No. 4 Gonzaga, 69-64 in Phoenix on Dec 14. The Wildcats lost 79-64 this past Saturday in Las Vegas to UNLV but beating the Rebels on their home court is no easy chore, especially in your first game after a major win. Kansas is in a terrible scheduling spot in this one. The Jayhawks have yet to leave the state of Kansas this year, playing seven games in Lawrence and three in Kansas City, where they've lost TWICE (to Syracuse in OT and to U Mass, 61-60). Kansas can't possibly be happy about this trip to the desert, a couple of days before Christmas as the team will "hurry back for the holidays," and then won't be leaving the state of Kansas again until a Jan 10 visit to East Lansing. The Jayhawks are "ripe for the picking" here and the Wildcats oblige.
LEGEND Play on Arizona.
Gina
Boise State vs TCU
TCU -2½
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Bobcats
Both Washington and Charlotte have been awful this season, but the (4-21)Washington Wizards have won just one game away from home this season. Go with the (9-19) Bobcats at Charlotte Bobcats Arena
Charlotte Bobcats -6
Mr. A
Boise State vs. TCU
Both have strong defenses, but TCU’s offense will have a big task against the Broncos, mainly in the air. Take Boise State in a close battle.
Boise State Broncos +3
NBA
Golden State Warriors +9
New Orleans Hornets -3
San Antonio Spurs -13
Steven Budin-CEO
25 DIME TCU
This price is -3 across the board.
If you have TCU -3, I suggest you buy down the 1/2 point to -2 1/2 so you get the win should TCU only win by three.
If for some reason you get Tcu at -3 1/2 - even after shopping around - buy down the 1/2 point to -3 so you get the push should Tcu only win by a field goal.
Take it from a former bookmaker and the guy who fathered the offshore sportsbook industry that too many gamblers and handicappers needlessly buy half points on all types of numbers. But the ONLY number that matters from a bookmaker's perspective is 3 because of overtime and that's why its the only number they (bookmakers) charge the extra juice for. Once again, we're using the power of money - our bulging bankroll - against the bookmaker in this case.
Why not buy a little extra insurance at a few cents on the dollar to protect your investment? As CEO of a multi-million dollar company I can tell you it's the right move, just like I knew it was the right move when as a bookmaker I saw smart players doing the same thing when the opportunity presented itself