Karl Garrett
Chicago +7 at CLEVELAND
Tonight I like the points, and the Bulls as they take on Cleveland.
Chicago has split 4 games this season, but the Bulls have been able to cover in 3 of those 4 outings, as Vinny Del Negro's team has been playing some competive round-ball early this year.
Cleveland is back home after a blowout win at Dallas on Monday night, but they have struggled in this matchup with the Windy City 5 in recent meetings, as the Bulls have been able to win the last 3 meetings, and 5 of the last 7 series showdowns both straight up, and against the spread.
With a 20-27 spread mark in their home dating back to last year, the linesmakers have certainly made it tough for Cleveland to cover the big imposts they lay on their home hardwood. Tonight is another one of those big imposts that they will not cover.
Take the Bulls plus the points tonight.
1♦ CHICAGO
Sports Gambling Hotline
San Antonio -4' at MINNESOTA
The Spurs lost their third in a row to open the new season last night versus Dallas, as San Antonio lost 98-81 at home to the Mavs!
Enough is enough, as we fully expect the Spurs to go on the road tonight and handle the Timberwolves who have lost their last pair of games both straight up, and against the spread after garnering an opening night win over Sacramento.
San Antonio has won the last 5 series meetings against Minny, and they have covered in 4 of those 5.
We find it very unlikely the Spurs will start the season at 0-4, so we say go ahead, and lay the points with the visiting Spurs.
Play on San Antone.
2♦ SAN ANTONIO
Drew Gordon
San Antonio at MINNESOTA +4'
No, I'm not crazy. All I hear is there's no way the Spurs will start 0-4, which is the same EXACT thing people said when they played at Portland (sitting at 0-1) and then against Dallas the very next game... Look guys, its time to face the facts, this Spurs team is struggling, and laying this many on the road is simply not a good idea, but let me explain further...
First of all, the public is ALL OVER the Spurs in this contest, and while I still believe they could win this contest, I just don't see them covering, even if they do. I see this game being highly competitive, with a young Timberwolves team trying to make a name for itself, beating a western conference powehouse when they're most vulnerable. Remember guys, Vegas isn't stupid.
Second, you cannot underscore the importance of Manu Ginobili's absence. His injury has thrown this usually cohesive San Antonio team for a loop, averaging just 92 ppg and playing decent, but not great defense. We say this every year, but this year its becomes painfully obvious... The Spurs look mighty old without their talented Argentinian shooting guard.
Finally, the 'Wolves had had two days off, coming a tough road loss, and you know damn well they'll be amped for this contest. The Spurs on the other hand, lost last night in a hard fought battle against the Mavericks... Clearly Minny will have the higher energy level. In the end, the home team is 12-4 ATS in their last 16 meetings, and with the Spurs struggling (and without Ginobili), there's no doubt the play here is against the public and for the Wolves!
Take Minnesota plus the points over San Antonio in this NBA match up.
2♦ MINNESOTA
Chicago at CLEVELAND -8
Love what I saw from this Cavs team Monday, as we finally saw what they look like when they put all the pieces together - an impressive 100-81 blowout of the Mavericks in their own building! Look for the Cavs to build off that effort tonight, as they return to the friendly confines of home Wednesday night!
As far as Chicago concerned, we've seen up and down efforts from this team in the early going, but one game stands out for comparisons sake. The Bulls lost badly at Boston in their only road game against an elite opponent 96-80 Friday(and no, Orlando isn't elite just yet). They shot a terrible 29% from the floor, got out-rebounded, and allowed 50 points in the paint... All BAD signs when matching up against a Cleveland team that does many of the same things Boston does well.
Critics of this play are saying the Bulls have won and covered 3 straight in this series, which is true, but that's a misleading number. First of all, this is a new-look Bulls team with a rookie running the show. What does that mean? Rooks tend to struggle on the road (like at the Celtics, where Rose did lead team in scoring, but it was hardly an efficient effort) And second, the home team is an excellent 13-5 ATS in their last 18 meetings!
Bottom line, it took them a couple games, but if King James, Williams, and Iligauskas can play like they did Monday, they'll blow the doors off this Bulls team tonight at home. Rose will have his work cut out for him against a rock-solid Cavs defense that will key on him, and that's almost never a good thing for a rookie on the road. Cavs roll!
Take Cleveland comfortably over Chicago in this NBA match up.
1♦ CLEVELAND
Chris Jordan
L.A. Clippers at L.A. LAKERS -15
The first meeting was ugly, so there’s no reason to believe this one will be any different. And since losing 117-79 to the Lakers on Oct. 29, the Clippers have dropped three straight to record their first 0-4 start since a 0-17 beginning season-opening skid 10 years ago.
The Clippers have lost its four games by an average of 21.5 points and even though off-season acquisitions Baron Davis and Marcus Camby finally got to play alongside one another on Monday it’s still going to take some time to find that groove teams need with new faces.
The Lakers have won the last five meetings with the Clippers by an average of 28.4 points, so I see no reason as to why we don’t lay the chalk tonight with the much-better team from Los Angeles.
2♦ LAKERS
Mr A
Toledo at Akron
Toledo's defeats were against Ball State, Northern Illinois, and Central Michigan, a much tougher schedule then Akron. Take the points. The Rockets have covered the spread in the last six meetings versus the Zips.
Toledo Rockets +6½
Northern Ill at Ball State
Northern Illinois has won seven of the last nine meetings and four of the last five in Indiana. Look for the Huskies potent defense to keep this battle close. Northern Illinois is 4-1 ATS in the last four meetings at Ball State
Northern Illinois Huskies +10
NBA
Cleveland Cavaliers -8
Utah Jazz -7
Los Angeles Lakers -14½
Memphis Grizzlies +3½
Lenny Del Genio
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Prediction: Over
Scott Rickenbach
Denver Nuggets @ Golden State Warriors
PICK: Golden State Warriors -3
The key to this play on Golden State is the “muddled” situation that Denver finds itself in. After the big trade of Allen Iverson to Detroit for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess, the Nuggets situation entering this game is a little tenuous to say the least. No Allen Iverson, no Marcus Camby (traded away), Carmelo Anthony still trying to get “adjusted in” after an early season adjustment. Also, the Nuggets aren’t even sure what they’re going to do with McDyess and then Billups didn’t even make the trip to California for this game! He won’t make his debut with the Nuggets until the next game ! As for the Warriors, they are coming off of an embarrassing road loss at Memphis Monday when they just couldn’t put anything together on the offensive end. They will certainly welcome being back on their home floor and taking on a short-handed Nuggets team tonight. Golden State does have some veteran players who score the ball very well and the Nuggets, with a diminished scoring punch, will struggle to keep up in this one! Making matters worse in that department for Denver is that Kenyon Martin, Denver’s leading scorer and leading rebounder, is currently being bothered by a hamstring injury. Things simply can’t much more taxing for this Nuggets team than they will be in Golden State tonight and that spells a comfortable home win for the Warriors. Play Golden State minus the points on Wednesday Night!
Larry Ness
Phoenix Suns @ Indiana Pacers
PICK: Indiana Pacers
I won with the Suns last night, as they had little trouble with the pathetic Nets, winning 114-86. Terry Porter is trying to make some changes in the way the Suns play and he's got plenty to work with. Eight players average between 7.8-20.0 PPG, with Stoudemire (20.0-9.5) and Nash (17.2-10.0 APG) leading the way. Seven Suns scored in double figures last night, as they shot 63.2 percent from the floor as a team, including 12-of-18 from three-point range. Now Phoenix was an NBA-best 24-6 SU last season against Eastern Conference teams, so I hesitate to make too big of a play against the Suns here, but this is not a good spot for them. The Pacers are much better than people give them credit for and if Dunleavy and Nestorovic (will miss with an ankle injury) were available, I'd be "all over" the Pacers. As is, I'll make a small play on the team which was very competitive in losing at Detroit 110-94 in its season opener and routed the Celtics 95-79 on Saturday. Ask the Rockets, who lost 103-99 last night to Boston in Houston, if beating the Celtics is easy. However, the Pacers just didn't beat the defending champs, they dominated them. Boston was held to just 34.6 percent from the floor and was forced into 24 turnovers. Granger (26.5) is developing into a bonafide star plus a backcourt of TJ Ford, Marquis Daniels and Jarrett Jack is pretty solid. I really like Murphy (11.5-11.5) and the Nesterovic/Foster combo at center is solid. Hibbert, the rookie from Georgetown, will get Nesterovic's minutes tonight. Take the home dog.
Stephen Nover
Boston Celtics @ Oklahoma City Thunder
PICK: Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder is one of the weakest teams in the NBA, but they have two strong factors in their favor for this matchup.
They are home. The Ford Center has a college atmosphere to it. The Thunder will get excellent crowd support for this matchup.
The second key factor is the situation. The Thunder is off a confidence-building 88-85 home win on Sunday versus the Timberwolves. They've had a couple of days to rest.
Not so for Boston. The Celtics had a huge, intense road victory last night against Houston. There was plenty of trash-talking and the Celtics went all out playing Paul Pierce more than 44 minutes, Kevin Garnett more than 36 minutes and Ray Allen more than 35 minutes.
The Celtics haven't shot well from beyond the arch this season. They are just 12-for-54 (18 percent) from 3-point range. They'll be content to just grind out a win here with the Thunder staying close enough to get the cover.
Jimmy Boyd
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Sacramento Kings
Play: Memphis Grizzlies
The Kings were beat up on to start the season losing all four of their road contests. They'll play at home for the first time this year but nothing will change. After playing Minnesota tough in the season, opener they lost via blowout to their next three opponents. Memphis is 2-2 this season and has played everyone tough, running out of gas against Houston and Chicago. This is a much improved team and they will prove it again tonight against an undermanned Kings squad that no longer has Ron Artest or Mike Bibby in the lineup. Plus, Brad Miller still has one more game to serve on his suspension. So it's Kevin Martin against another team and that has not worked out too well yet. Memphis is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games with the Kings and 3-0 ATS in its last 3 in Sacramento. Plays against home teams (SACRAMENTO) - after 3 straight losses by 10 points or more against opponent after scoring 90 points or less 2 straight games are 29-8 ATS since 1996. Take the points.
Tony Karpinski
Phoenix Suns vs. Indiana Pacers
Play: Indiana Pacers
Tonight the Pacers get the Suns coming in on a back-to-back night and will take advantage of the older legs of Shaq and the Suns. Phoenix went to New Jersey and blew out the Nets on Tuesday and now travel over to Indianapolis to play the Pacers. Last year in Indiana the Suns got a 121-117 win but failed to cash as six-point favorites. Then in Phoenix a month later the Suns won a 129-122 OT win, failing as 11 1/2-point chalk at home. The Pacers have a lineup that can get up and down the court and cause some pain to the Suns with PG T.J. Ford and forward Danny Granger. These guys are stars and will show it against some tired legs in the Suns rotation. Indiana is tough at home and the Pacers are also 4-1 ATS in their last five against the Pacific Division.
Rocketman
Edmonton Oilers vs. Columbus Blue Jackets
Play: Edmonton Oilers
Columbus is 7-23 last 3 years when playing in November. Edmonton is 19-6 overall vs Columbus since 1996 including 8-3 SU at Columbus since 1996. Edmonton is 6-2 SU and ATS overall vs Columbus last 3 years. Oilers are 5-0 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a losing home record. Oilers are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win. Oilers are 7-2 in their last 9 after scoring 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 2-5 in their last 7 home games. Blue Jackets are 8-20 in their last 28 overall. Blue Jackets are 10-26 in their last 36 vs. Western Conference. Blue Jackets are 1-4 in their last 5 Wednesday games. Blue Jackets are 1-6 in their last 7 vs. a team with a winning record. Blue Jackets are 0-5 in their last 5 when their opponent scores 5 goals or more in their previous game. Blue Jackets are 0-6 in their last 6 games playing on 1 days rest. Oilers are 18-5-3 in the last 26 meetings. Oilers are 7-2-3 in the last 12 meetings in Columbus. We'll recomend a small play on Edmonton tonight!
Wunderdog
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers
Pick: OVER 193
It is the battle of LA, round two, as these teams met just a short week ago with the Lakers blowing out the Clippers 117-79. The Clippers put up a pathetic offensive performance connecting on just 38% from the field,and a dreadful 5-22 for 22.7% from beyond the arc, yet this game still would of surpassed the total set here. The Clippers have played over in 9 of their last 12 after scoring 75 or less in their previous game and 11-4 to the over after a double-digit loss. I like the Clippers to step it up here offensively and this one goes OVER.
Priceless Picks
1 Unit on Miami Heat +2.5
I like the Heat in this one as they look to bounce back from a double digit loss to Charlotte . Philly looked terrible against Atlanta in its only other road game this season and I expect another shaky performance from the 76ers here. The Home team is an impressive 10-3 ATS in the last 13 meetings and the Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU loss and 8-0 ATS in their last 8 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400. The 76ers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win. Take the home dog.
Black Widow Sports
1* on L.A. Lakers -13.5
The Lakers will keep beating up on the L.A. Clippers just as every other team in the league is doing right now. The Lakers started it all by beating the Clippers 96-76 in their season-opener. Then the Clippers lost Baron Davis to injury in their following game where they blew an 18-point lead to the Denver Nuggets after he went out in the second quarter. The Clippers went on to lose to the Utah Jazz by 22 points and by 16 points in back-to-back meetings. The Lakers will prove to be too much for this Clippers’ team again tonight. The Clippers have neither the starters, nor the bench that can match-up with what the Lakers put on the floor. The Lakers are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against the Clippers, covering 4 in a row as a double-digit favorite. The Lakers have won each of their last 5 meetings with the Clippers by 18 points or more. There is nothing that leads us to believe that will change tonight. Take the Lakers and lay the points.