Tom Freese
Denver Nuggets at San Antonio Spurs
Prediction: Denver Nuggets
Denver is 6-1 ATS when playing with no rest and they are 7-3-1 ATS their last 11 games. The Nuggets are 8-1 ATS vs. the Southwest Division and they are 4-1 ATS after allowing 100 or more points in their last game. San Antonio appears to be a team on the decline with age and injuries taking a toll on what had been considered the best team in the NBA. These Spurs are 8-19 ATS when the line is +3 to -3 and they are 3-9 ATS vs. the Northwest Division. PLAY ON DENVER -
Marc Lawrence
Toronto Raptors at Miami Heat
Prediction: Miami Heat
Miami returns home off last night's road win at Washington with 11-points same season revenge on their minds when they host Toronto tonight. WIth the Raptors off a disappointing playoff revenge loss at Orlando last night look for the Heat to improve to 5-2 at home against an unrested Raptors' squad here this evening.
Brian Hansen
Game: Vancouver Canucks at New York Rangers
Prediction: Vancouver Canucks
My friends, the public money is all over the Rangers here, and I can tell you right now that they are way off base! Roberto Luongo has been playing great, in fact the Canucks are an awesome 3-1 (+2.8 units) this season in road games where the total is 5 or less! Look for VANCOUVER to improve to 5-0 (+5.9 units after scoring 1 goal or less in their previous game!
Sports Gambling Hotline
Ball State -7 at CENTRAL MICHIGAN
It's hard for us to make a case for backing the UNDER in tonight's MAC game, as we did just that last night, and you saw Northern Illinois and Kent squeeze by the impost, and make it OVER the total.
We feel tonight's MAC game will also head OVER the posted price, as Ball State can light up the scoreboard with the best of them, posting an average of nearly 38-points per game this year in compiling their perfect 10-0 ledger.
The Cards should be able to get close to that average, as Central Michigan's defense has allowed 64-points over their last pair of games, and has allowed 23-points or more in 7 of their 10 games this season.
Last year, these schools combined for a bloated 96-points, and with the Chippewas averaging nearly 29-points per game, we think an offensive shootout is the call of the night in Mt. Pleasant this evening.
Cold night in store, but look for the scoreboard to be lit up!
Play on the OVER.
4♦ OVER
Karl Garrett
Philadelphia -3' at MINNESOTA
Tonight another NBA winner for you, as Philadelphia will continue their strong play with a win, and cover at Minnesota.
The Sixers come into this game having won, and covered their last 3 games to even their season mark to 5-5. Maurice Cheeks' team finally seems to be ready to win some games, and with the Timberwolves owning just 1 straight up win for the young season, it looks to the G-Man that the 76ers will roll to their 4th win, and cover in a row.
Minny is just 1-3 both straight up, and against the spread at home this year, so don't expect too much resistence from the Wolves in this spot.
Philadelphia has their act together right now, and even though they are on the road, own the horses to take care of business in tonight's meeting.
The G-Man is going to lay the small wood on the road tonight with Philly.
2♦ PHILADELPHIA
Matt Rivers
For Wednesday take the 76ers at the Target Center.
There were high hopes this season for Mo Cheeks' 76ers but the boys from the City of Brotherly Love got out of the gate very slowly in that 2-5 start. Then all of a sudden on a rough back-to-back Andre Iguodala and the fellas upset Toronto up North and now at 5-5 Philadelphia looks to be a quality team once again.
Minnesota is building something for the future with Al Jefferson and a few other pieces but this team is far from being good right now and even at home do not have the talent or firepower to have a legitimate chance to take care of business in this spot.
If you look at the next few games we very well may see the 6ers making a move in the East as the schedule is extremely soft with the Clippers, Warriors and Bobcats to come. This is moving time for Iguodala, Elton Brand, Samuel Dalembert and today's visitors and after seeing how miserable 2-5 can make you these guys should be more than focused so history does not repeat itself.
The road is never an easy place to play but the 76ers are a talented squad with Brand in the mix and are ready to continue to streak today with a solid victory!
LT Profits
Cleveland Cavaliers @ Detroit Pistons Under 191.5
The Under is a remarkable 25-6 in the last 31 meetings between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons, and the fact that both teams have good Over records this season has inflated this total to the point where the Under looks to have great value.
These teams went Under in all four meetings last season, with the average combined total score in those games being an extremely low 164.8 points! In fact, only one of the last 11 meetings has exceeded 183 points, and even that game went into overtime and was at only 182 points at the end of regulation time.
Sur the Cavaliers are scoring more points this season, but their defense is still allowing only 92.5 points per game on 42.3 percent shooting, and that figure even drops slightly to 90.8 points on the road. Cleveland has allowed 100 points just once during their current eight-game winning streak, allowing only 91.1 points per game in the other seven contests.
The Pistons are playing their first home game after a four-game Western road trip, a situation where the home team often comes up flat. Looking specifically at Detroit, their games have averaged just 187.6 points when returning home after a road trip of four or more games since the 2000-01 season.
Despite the fact that both clubs are playing more up-tempo this year, we feel compelled to play the Under here with the posted total set nearly 30 points higher than the average total score in all their meetings last season.
Pick: Cavaliers, Pistons Under 191.5
Bryan Leonard
Chicago Bulls @ Portland Trail Blazers
PICK: Chicago Bulls +7
Don't look now but the Bulls are starting to play much better. They ended their home stand with a 98-91 win over the suddenly improving Dallas Mavericks followed by a 104-91 victory over Indiana. They controlled both games from start to finish. Last night they stayed in contention with the Lakers on the road for most of the night before falling short in a spread covering 116-109 loss.Portland returns home from a five game road trip through the southeast, then to Minnesota, only to stop in Oakland last night to face the Warriors. After taking on Chicago tonight they head back out for road games at Sacramento and Phoenix. Portland hasn't won a home game this season by more than four points and based on their hectic travel schedule we can't see them distancing themselves from the improving Bulls. Playing in the second game of a back to back situation here with another back to back starting on Friday the Blazers won't have the ability or the energy to extend. PLAY CHICAGO
Info Plays
3* on Minnesota Timberwolves +3.5
Reasons why Minnesota covers the spread Wednesday:
1.) The Timberwolves’ 1-8 record does not show how well they have been playing. Minnesota has been losing by very small margins, and they are ready to break through and win this home game against the 76ers tonight. The Timberwolves have lost 6 of their last 7 games by 6 points or less. Two of those losses came in overtime. So Minnesota has been very competitive, but they just haven’t been able to finish the deal. This team has to be sick and tired of these close losses, and we feel they will respond with a win tonight.
2.) Letdown spot for the 76ers. Philadelphia has won 3 straight games and now they will be a big overconfident heading into this game with the 1-8 Timberwolves. There is no doubt they will letdown tonight. The home team has won 5 of the last 7 meetings in this series. The Timberwolves have won 4 of their last 5 home games when facing Philly.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play On - Any team (MINNESOTA) - after 6 or more consecutive losses, first half of the season. This is a 61-31 ATS System hitting 66.3% over the last 5 seasons. After a team goes on a long losing streak, the odds makers are forced to adjust their lines accordingly. This is when the team that is on the losing streak starts to show unbelievable value. That’s the case for Minnesota tonight, as they should not be a home underdog to the 76ers. Bet Minnesota at home.
Black Magic Sports
1 Unit on San Antonio Spurs +2
The San Antonio Spurs just keep finding a way to win despite their injuries. San Antonio has won 3 in a row, led by Tim Duncan, Michael Finley and Roger Mason. The shorthanded Spurs aim for a fourth straight victory on Wednesday against Chauncey Billups and the Denver Nuggets. Roger Mason scored 21 points and hit a go-ahead 3-pointer, leading San Antonio to a 86-83 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. It was the second straight game someone other than Parker or Tim Duncan led the Spurs in scoring. Michael Finley scored 21 points in a 90-88 win over Sacramento on Sunday. San Antonio hopes the super subs can help it continue its domination of the Nuggets here. The Spurs have won 30 of 36 home meetings with Denver since the start of the 1991-92 season. San Antonio is proving they have plenty of depth this season to make due. The Spurs are 20-4 ATS in home games against Northwest division opponents over the last 3 seasons. San Antonio is 17-4 ATS after scoring 90 points or less 4 straight games since 1996. The Spurs continue to play solid defense, allowing just 91.0 points/game at home this year. Defense will be the key to victory at home Wednesday. Cash in with the Spurs as the underdog.
Black Widow Sports
1* on Atlanta Hawks -7.5
The Atlanta Hawks have been up and down all season. They started brilliantly with six straight wins, but they have faltered as of late, losing 4 straight since. But we fully expect Atlanta will get back on the winning track tonight in blowout fashion. Atlanta hosts the Washington Wizards, who have really been killed by injuries this season. Starting C Brendan Haywood and starting G Gilbert Arenas have missed the entire season to this point. The result has been a 1-7 record for the Wizards where Washington is losing by an average of 9.5 points per game. And on the road, the Wizards haven’t even been competitive. Washington is 0-4 on the road this season, losing by an average of 15.3 points per game. It won’t get any easier for Washington tonight considering Atlanta will be playing hungry basketball after dropping four straight heading into this contest. Washington is 23-47 ATS (-28.7 Units) after 2 consecutive division games since 1996. The Hawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 home games. Washington is 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. Eastern Conference. Take Atlanta and lay the points.
Jack Jones
1* on Toronto +3
The Raptors took care of the Heat a few nights ago and I think they get the job done again tonight. Chris Bosh is playing better than anyone else in the league right now and is coming off a 40 points 18 rebound performance last night against Orlando. With Toronto winning five straight against Miami I see them taking care of business again tonight.
Dave Malinsky
Denver Nuggets @ San Antonio Spurs
PICK: 4* Denver Nuggets +1
We fully understand the line move in this one, which has now made the Spurs the favorite. We just do not agree with it, and it has opened the door for excellent value to the visitors.
Through the years Denver has had a poor ATS record in those rare occasions in which the Nuggets played a home game, and then had to go to the Central Time Zone the following night. It makes a great deal of sense – playing at the Denver altitude takes more out of a team than any other venue, and heading eastwards across a time zone actually means a loss of two hours of recovery and preparation, one for the time zone itself, and another because of the earlier tip-off time. We have followed this closely, and have taken advantage often, including some 6* plays in the past.
We do not believe that applies in any way tonight, however. The Nuggets were off on Monday, and Tuesday’s rout of Milwaukee was little more than a scrimmage – the stating lineup only played 134 of the 240 floor minutes, with no one going more than 28. In fact, reserves Linas Kleiza and J. R. Smith were on the court more than any starter. Instead of fatigue creating a negative it was the ideal way to prepare for this game, a nice comfortable scrimmage in which they built a 20-point lead, and continued the flow of confidence since Chauncey Billups came on board (they are 6-1 in his seven starts).
Yes, the Spurs enter this one on a three-game win streak, a remarkable achievement when four of your starters are Roger Mason, George Hill, Fabricio Oberto and Michael Finley (perhaps Bruce Bown here, instead of Finely, to try to check Carmelo Anthony a bit). But while that it a tribute to Pops, take it with a grain of salt. Three games back they did pull a stunner against Houston, out-scoring the Rockets 12-0 over the final 4:44 to gut out a 77-75 win. That was a major roll of the dice, but the last two wins were simply a case of out-smarting weak opponents in close games, as they escaped past the short-handed Kings and Clippers in struggles that went to the final possession. They have been buoyed by facing the 26th weakest schedule in the league so far this season, which helps to make them an over-rated item here, and we do not mind getting the far better team in this price range.
Ben Burns
Washington Capitals @ Anaheim Mighty Ducks
PICK: Anaheim Mighty Ducks -140
The Capitals saw their win streak snapped last time out, giving up six goals in the process. Tonight, they'll be taking on an Anaheim team which is coming off a shutout victory. The Ducks are 11-5 the last 16 series meetings, including a 6-2 mark here in Anaheim. Overall, the Ducks are a profitable 21-9 their last 30 games against teams from the Eastern Conference. With the Caps dealing with a couple of key injuries, the Ducks have an excellent shot at improving on those numbers here. Consider Anaheim (1*)
DOC
Charlotte @ Appalachian State
PICK: Charlotte -1
Take Charlotte over Appalachian State (7 pm - Wednesday) One of the more talented teams in the A-10 this season, I think the 49ers can make some noise in league play and beyond this year. This team has a lot of freakish athleticsm but skill to boot. Charley Coley and An'Juan Wilderness can run, jump and finish, while Lamont Mack and Dijaun Harris are both very capable scorers. I think the Mountaineers showed exactly the type of team they are, coughing up a big lead in the second half of their opener. Charlotte will have too much here.