Brian Hansen
Ottawa Senators at Edmonton Oilers
Play: Edmonton Oilers
The road has been unkind to the Ottawa Senators for nearly two months. It doesn't appear to get much better Tuesday when their eight-game trip continues at Edmonton, where the Oilers will try to match a season high with their fourth consecutive victory; expect Edmonton to bury their weaker opponent! Look for the OILERS to improve to 6-4 their last 10 after scoring 4 goals or more in their previous contest!
Big Al Mcmordie
Milwaukee Bucks at San Antonio Spurs
Prediction: San Antonio Spurs
At 8:35 pm, our selection is on the San Antonio Spurs minus the points over Milwaukee. Earlier this year, the Bucks defeated San Antone 82-78, but the Spurs were without Manu Ginobili that night. However, the Argentine swingman is healthy now, and the Spurs are once again one of the NBA's top clubs. Granted, San Antonio still needs another big man, if it is to compete for the NBA championship, but the Spurs still have enough to defeat the average teams in the league. And over the past 9 seasons, San Antonio is a terrific 23-9 ATS when playing with same-season revenge, if its foe is off a loss, and the Spurs are off a win, and San Antonio is not laying 13 or more points. Take the Spurs.
Bryan Leonard
Seton Hall @ Syracuse
PICK: Seton Hall
Taking a double digit underdog against a nationally ranked team is always a concern because simply put the better athletes are on the other bench. That said this could be a very good matchup for the Pirates. Seton Hall doesn't turn the ball over much as witnessed by their #39 ranking in turnover percentage. That's always a concern when you have a substantial underdog going on the road. The Pirates are also an excellent defense defending the three pointer allowing just 26.4% behind the arc which ranks #5 in the country. Those are two big areas of concern for an outmanned team on the road and Seton Hall comes out stellar in that regard.
Syracuse has not been impressive when playing in the Carrier Dome this year as witnessed by a 5 point win over Richmond, a 3 point victory over Virginia, a 10 point win over Cornell and an 11 point victory over Coppin State. Simply put they haven't lived up to expectations here and there is little reason to think they extend tonight. Despite being a very good defensive team the Orangemen don't force turnovers, ranking just 302nd in the country in that regard. They are also just an average rebounding team so extra possessions will not be in their favor. Syracuse has also been a bit lucky as opponents are shooting less than 62% from the free throw line. Add it all up and the double digit underdog makes a great amount of sense.
PLAY SETON HALL
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Boston Celtics -3.5
After back-to-back losses against LA and Golden State on the road, Boston said enough was enough and crushed the Kings 108-63. Don't expect any letdowns here ladies and gents as I fully expect the Celtics to finish out this road trip with a big "W" tonight. Boston is a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS in all games versus Portland over the last 3 seasons, including a 93-78 win earlier this month. Portland is a good team, but it is still young, and Boston matches up very well against the Blazers. Boston is 19-6 ATS when playing 8 or more games in 14 days over the last 2 seasons, 21-8 ATS in road games when playing 6 or more games in 10 days over the last 3 seasons, and 31-16 ATS in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons. Lay the number.
Nite Owl Sports
Los Angeles Clippers @ Sacramento Kings
Pick: 3 units Under 192
When I first looked at this match -up, I had to take a shower to get the "stink" off of me, because yes, both of these teams are THAT BAD right now -- clearly the two worst in the NBA. But while in the shower, I started to think about why these two teams have been so bad, and the primary reason is that due to injuries to their best offensive players (Kevin Martin for Sacto and Zach Randolph for Clippers), THEY CAN'T SCORE! Looking at their recent games, we see offensive outputs by both teams which were downright “offensive” to their coaches, fans and other “supporters” -- try an average of < 80 ppg by Clips in their last 3 (85,76 and 75), and in the UGLIEST OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR, a ridulous 63 points scored by the Sacto “Queens” in their last game, at home no less, in a 40+ point whipping by the angry Celtics coming off of an unusual upset loss at Golden State, with that Boston-Sacto mis-match being a big victory for us on Sunday. So I then checked the opening totals line, which I clearly expected to be somewhere in the mid 180s given both teams' recent offensive ineptitiude, but it wasn't -- there it was, with a 192 total hung on this Ugly Game of the Month.
With the NBA regular season being over six months long, teams are going to go through phases, both good and bad, which are in many cases affected by injuries to key players, which has been the case for Sacto for nearly a month, since their main “go to guy” K-Mart went down with a serious ankle injury. And while the Clippers appeared to be making a resurgence of some sorts after acquiring Zach Randolph by trade a few weeks ago (one of the few good front office moves in the history of the franchise), with a huge OT win in Portland just about ten days ago, they have recently reverted to the same old Clippers once Randolph sustained a knee injury and became unavailable. And things got even worse with another knee injury to a key player, rookie offensive sparkplug Ricky Davis, who is now also “on the shelf.” As NBA cappers, we need to be sensitive to these phases and take advantage of them, as we are doing here.
So take the under 192 and watch something else more entertaining, but wait for a good result on this game.
DUNKEL
Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
The Cowboys come in with a 12-6 ATS record in bowl games, including 7-1-1 as a favorite. Oklahoma State is the pick (-3) according to Dunkel, which has the Cowboys favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-3).
Game 229-230: Nevada vs. Maryland
Dunkel Ratings: Nevada 90.032; Maryland 87.164
Dunkel Line: Nevada by 3; 52
Vegas Line: Nevada by 1; 58
Dunkel Pick: Nevada (-1); Under
Game 231-232: Western Michigan vs. Rice
Dunkel Ratings: Western Michigan 84.470; Rice 83.031
Dunkel Line: Western Michigan by 1 1/2; 77
Vegas Line: Rice by 3; 73
Dunkel Pick: Western Michigan (+3); Over
Game 233-234: Oregon vs. Oklahoma State
Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 100.205; Oklahoma State 106.039
Dunkel Line: Oklahoma State by 6; 82
Vegas Line: Oklahoma State by 3; 76 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma State (-3); Over
Vegas Experts
Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
Both teams got waxed last time out, so which is more likely to respond with a quality performance tonight? Since 1996, the Kings are 10-1 ATS off a loss by 30 or more points. The Clippers have already lost eight games by 15 or more points this season. They are 0-8 ATS at the betting window their next time out following those losses. Sacramento is a perfect 6-0 ATS in division play this year. Los Angeles is 0-4 vs. the number vs. fellow Pacific teams.
Play on: Sacramento
Mr A
Maryland Terrapins vs. Nevada Wolf Pack
Maryland Terrapins plummeted in their last four games, dropping three of their last four, going 1-3 ATS. Meanwhile, the Nevada Wolf Pack won three of their last four games, going 2-2 ATS. The Terrapins will have a laborious task slowing down the Wolf Pack’s offense. Nevada is fifth in the nation averaging 511 yards per game.
Nevada Wolf Pack -2½
Oklahoma State vs. Oregon
Two high power offenses will definitely produce a high scoring battle, but both will focus on boosting their okay defenses. Nuts as it may be, look for this contests to fall short of the total 74 points.
Under 74
Western Michigan vs. Rice Owls
The Broncos defense will have a tough chore against the Owls’ passing attack ranks fifth in the nation, led by senior quarterback Chase Clement. However, Rice defense is dreadful, one of the nation's worst. Take the points! Western Michigan makes this a close battle and possibly an outright win in the Owls backyard.
Western Michigan Broncos +3
NBA
Cleveland Cavaliers -5
San Antonio Spurs -8
Boston Celtics -4½
Gina
Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks
Dallas Mavericks have won nine straight meetings against the Timberwolves and the last five in Dallas. Go with the Mavericks and rested Dirk Nowitzki after serving a one-game suspension to whip the struggling Wolves at American Airlines Center. Dallas is playing outstanding defense and will make it tough for Minnesota to put up points.
Dallas Mavericks -12½
Jeff Alexander Sports
1 Unit on NY Knicks +5
The Knicks have been ice cold, losers of 6 straight, but they will see a good opportunity to end their snide against a poor Bobcats team tonight. While NY is just 4-11 SU on the road, it is a profitable 8-7 ATS in those games. The Knicks have won 5 of the last 8 in this series but now that NY is playing uptempo hoops I expect the Knicks to have Charlotte's number. The Knicks have already beaten the Bobcats this season and I expect its uptempo style to give Charlotte even more problems tonight. Plays on any team after 6 or more consecutive losses in the first half of the season are 81-45 ATS the last 5 seasons. Plays on any team off a home loss, extremely well rested team - playing 5 or less games in 14 days are 104-61 ATS the last 5 seasons. We'll play by the numbers tonight to pick up another winner.
Alex Smart
Milwaukee Bucks @ San Antonio Spurs
PICK: San Antonio Spurs
The San Antonio Spurs are currently in top form as is evident by their 5 game win straight streak, and will be well prepared to play this tilt against a Milwaukee Bucks team that has lost 14 of their L/15 games SU in the state of Texas.
The Spurs after playing 5 games in a week, have had two days rest, which will of great benefit to a team that gives a lot of floor time and minutes to the big three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili .
Heres a quote from Spurs star Tim Duncan:
"Two days is a very long break, especially with the type of schedule we have been holding lately, "We have a lot of guys who have played a lot of minutes, so a break will be great."
With that said, look for the Spurs to come out with all guns blazing tonight in a a game vs a smaller team that does not match up very well with them on the inside and under the glass. It must be noted Bucks, were out-rebounded 53-44 and outscored 36-28 in the paint in their last outing a loss to the Detroit Pistons.
Final notes & Key Trends: Spurs are 23-10-2 ATS in their last 35 games as a home favorite of 5-10.5 points .
Projected score: San Antonio 100 Milwaukee 89
David Malinsky
Oregon @ Oklahoma St.
PICK: Under
This matchup has a chance to be one of the most explosive of any bowl, with a pair of big-time offenses that put up huge numbers – they are both in the Top 8 nationally in scoring, total offense and rushing offense. But the expectations being set by the marketplace go far beyond that, and that means outstanding value at a most inflated number. They have stretched it to the point at which a frenetic 38-37 win by either team puts us in the money. Or to focus a different way, 10 touchdowns and two field goals will not beat us.
Let’s take those equations a bit further. Oklahoma State has topped 76 points in only four of 12 games. Oregon has also only topped that plateau just four times. The Cowboys closed at 76.5 vs. Missouri, with all other Totals lower than tonight’s line, while the highest closing Total all season on a Duck game was just 62. It shows how far they have been forced to stretch this projection based on perceptions, and yet it is not the line itself that has to carry all of this for us – there also defensive and venue elements that play well to our purposes.
Both of these teams run offenses that call for zone reads on running plays in which the QB will keep the ball himself a lot. That gave them major edges through most of their schedules, since each came from conferences in which running QB’s were rare. But now that means that we have a many mirror image plays being run, a big help to defenses that faced these tactics in practice every day for much of the season, and have had ample December time to study the idiosyncrasies of tonight’s particular opponent. That matters, because these defenses have the speed to make stops, with each showing weaker numbers than their true merit calls for because of the opponents that they have faced.
Both defenses get an additional edge. This will be the third major game on the grass field at Qualcomm Stadium over the past week (Boise State/TCU and Broncos/Chargers), which comes on top of a very wet December by San Diego standards. That will hamper the footing a bit for two teams that are accustomed to playing on their home FieldTurf, and for offenses that run vertical a lot to look for lanes to cut upfield, slowing the timing down becomes a significant factor over the course of the game.
It will take a “perfect ride” for this game to get to the summit that has been set, and we do not think tonight’s circumstances can produce that.
John Ryan
Los Angeles Clippers at Sacramento Kings
Prediction: Sacramento Kings
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Sacramento (NBA) AiS shows a 72% probability that the Kings will win this game by 3 or more points over the Clippers in a game slated to start at 10:05 EST. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 32-9 for 78% since 2002. Play on favorites that are terrible defensive teams allowing 103+ points/game on the season and after trailing in their previous game by 15 or more points at the half. Clippers are just 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) after a blowout loss by 15 points or more this season while Sacramento is 13-3 ATS (+9.7 Units) after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread over the last 2 seasons; 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) after a huge blowout loss by 30 or more since 1996. Take the Kings
Ben Burns
Chicago Blackhawks at Detroit Red Wings
Prediction: Detroit Red Wings
The Hawks have been red hot. However, they're just 2-7 their last nine visits to Detroit and they should find an angry team waiting for them tonight. The Wings are off back to back losses, including a 4-3 setback at Colorado last time out. The defending champs are a profitable 9-2 the last 11 times that they allowed four or more goals in their last game though. Knowing that they have to face the Hawks at Chicago on New Year's Day, look for the Wings to give a highly motivated effort tonight, continuing their recent dominance in this series. Consider Detroit
Tony Karpinski
Nevada vs. Maryland
Play: Maryland +3
I like MD's atleticism at WR and LB. They will win the speed battle. The tangible that I will pick is the Coaching. MD's coach "The Fridge" and thats an undetstatement. Big Ralph has an excellent track record in bowls and have played tougher competetion.
Today in college football we will take the points they are giving with Maryland over Nevada. All we have to say is, what kind of a slap in the face is it that an ACC rep is in the underdog role to a team from the WAC??
You don’t think Ralph Friedgen has been telling his charges the country thinks his Terps are going to lose this game? Maryland has 6 upset wins this year and for some reason played 5X better during the day. Guess what- This is a day game in Boise.
We trust the ACC pedigree to rise to the top in this spot, and we are also well aware of the fact the Wolf Pack of Nevada were shut out in their bowl loss last season to New Mexico. Look for Chris Turner to have a big game for the Maryland Terps. Play on the Terps to get the win.