Stephen Nover
Memphis Grizzlies @ Oklahoma City Thunder
PICK: Under 201.5
two offenses involved in this matchup are not good enough to score above this high of a total right now, especially when considering current form and the situation.
Memphis is averaging 83.2 poins in its last four games. The Grizzlies have gone 'under' in each of their past four contests. This is a huge grudge match for them after they blew a big lead in the team's first meeting.
Oklahoma City put great emphasis on defense during its Tuesday practice. The Thunder must play solid defense to be competitive since they rank last in field goal percentage and 29th in scoring, averaging 92.5 points per game.
Expect a much lower-scoring matchup than their first game.
LARRY NESS
Colorado State @ Colorado
PICK: Colorado -2.5
Last season was Tim Miles' 13th year as a head coach but his first year at Fort Collins with Colorado State. He'd rather forget it. The Rams went 7-25 overall, including a winless season (0-16) in MWC play. They did upset Wyoming in the first round of the MWC tourney but bowed out the next game vs BYU (89-62). While the Rams will be better this year (off to a 3-5 start), they are 0-2 on the road and meet in-state rival Colorado tonight. The perimeter game is sound, with leading scorer Walker (18.0) off to a good start. The senior is joined by Simmons (7.8), Carr (7.4) and Gardner (6.0) as backcourt partners. The 6-8 Ogide (13.8-8.8) and the 6-6 McFarland 913.1-5.4) are good frontcourt players but both are hobbled. Ogide has a toe problem and is listed as questionable, while McFarland should play with a sore back. The 6-10 Vandervieren (6.3-4.8) should not be counted on for another 15 points and 12 rebounds, his totals from the team's last game, an 85-76 loss at Boise State. Colorado went just 12-20 last year but no one doubts the ability of head coach Jeff Bzdelik, as he enters his second year at Boulder. This man knows the game and has been successful in both the college and pro ranks, while earning a reputation as one of the top NBA talent evaluators. The Buffs own a solid backcourt, with the 6-5 Higgins (16.0-6.0) leading the team in scoring and rebounding. He's joined in the starting lineup by Thorne (13.0-4.2) and hopefully, Tomlinson (9.6-3.4-3.6). Tomlinson had a foot injury but the team has been off for a week and he's listed as probable. If not, the 6-7 Jackson-Wilson (4.7-4.5) will start in his place, along with 6-8 freshman Dufault (110.7-3.3). The 6-9 Crawford (6.5) is expected to miss but I'm still sticking with Colorado. The Buffs were able to win 73-70 last year in Fort Collins and revenge will NOT rear its ugly head here in Boulder. Take the home team.
Drew Gordon
Charlotte +13 at NEW ORLEANS
The Hornets are the better team, but let's not get carried away! Besides a bad loss to red-hot Cleveland, the Bobcats have been playing relatively well. Also, let's not forget, they proves they could run with the Hornets by beating them earlier this season 92-89 November 7th. True, you could argue for a revenge spot, but there's other things to consider...
Like what? Well, fact is, the Hornets have a big road game on deck at Boston, and it wouldn't surprise me in the least if they get caught looking ahead to that game. Boston crushed this New Orleans team the last time out (112-92) and I think Chris Paul and company are A LOT more worried about that contest that this one!
Also, in case you haven't noticed, the Bobcats have been gelling nicely behind the solid play of Jason Richardson, who like his team played poorly against Cleveland, but otherwise has been their go-to guy. In the frontcourt, there's no doubt you give the edge to the Hornets with West and company, BUT, Okafor is a talented defender who can and will cause problems in the paint, especially if Chandler remains as inconsistent as he has been of late.
Finally, did you know the Bobcats are a solid 5-2 ATS on the road?! While on the other hand, the Hornets are just 3-5-1 ATS at home. The public loves the Hornets and Vegas is going to make you pay a price to back them... But this price is WAY too steep for my liking, as the only play here is on the Bobcats. Charlotte will lose this game, but not by nearly as much as Vegas wants you to believe.
Take Charlotte plus the points over New Orleans in this NBA match up.
3♦ CHARLOTTE
Ohio +15' at XAVIER
Its not that I think Ohio has a chance in hell of winning this game, I simply believe the Musketeers are coming into this contest a bit overrated for my liking. True, they've won 7 in a row, but they've lost 3 of their last 4 ATS, and are playing an in-state opponent coming off a solid effort in their last one. But let's dig a little deeper...
First off, the fact frosh PG Holloway will return "seems" like a good thing, but coach Miller has already stated he'll only play him sparingly, which leaves this Xavier team a little short in the backcourt (Jackson 20 assists, 20 turnovers).
Second, while the Bobcats have very little depth, they have two things working for them in this contest: A. F Jerome Tillman is playing great basketball right now, averaging 20 and 10, and getting the job done night out and night in. And B. Ohio has a tremendous advantage at the free throw line, shooting 75% to the Musketters 63% on the season, which can be a back-breaker as a double-digit favorite.
Bottom line, don't make the mistake of overestimating a good, but hardly great Xavier team, especially with Holloway still hobbled somewhat. In the end, they'll win this game, but grabbing the cash is an entirely different question.
Take Ohio plus the points over Xavier in this college hoops match up.
1♦ OHIO
Jimmy Boyd
1 Unit on Lakers/Suns UNDER 216
This is not the same Suns team which ran up the score each and every night and it certainly won't have the energy or the ability to put up 125 on the Lakers on the road like it did last night at home against the Bucks. The first meeting between these two teams this season totaled just 197 points and I expect a similar result tonight. Odds makers are well aware that the public is aware that the Lakers have gone over the number in 7 of their last 9 and that the Suns have gone over the number in 7 straight. That's why they have set a number they know will not easily be reached here. The Under is 4-1 in the Lakers last 5 games playing on 0 days rest and the Under is 5-2 in the Suns last 7 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. Take the Under tonight.
GamblersWorld
Today's TIP OF THE DAY
Tampa Bay Lightning vs. Buffalo Sabres
Prediction: Buffalo Sabres
Wunderdog
San Diego St at Arizona
Pick: San Diego St +6
The Aztecs are off and flying as they have gotten off to a 7-1 start. One of the big reasons has been the play of Kyle Spain who is averaging 18 ppg and 5.6 rpg. Another reason is the torrid shooting by the Aztecs from beyond the arc where four of the top five scorers are connecting at over 40%. Arizona has played an easy schedule outside of UAB and Texas A&M, but those are also the two games they have lost thus far on the season. I'll grab the Aztecs here.
Phoenix at Dallas
Pick: Phoenix +114
The Phoenix Coyotes will be coming to Dallas seeking their 1st road win on this soon to be three game old trip. The last seven games for the Coyotes shows them with a winning mark, having logged four wins and three losses. This coming on the heels of winning four of five, then dropping six straight. You have to pick your spots with this hot and cold Coyote team and now they are on one of their better stretches of seven games. The Stars just have not played consistent hockey on the season themselves and have currently dropped four of their last six on home ice. How inconsistent have the Stars been? They are a pitiful 1-9 after a win and after a good game behind the goal allowing two or less, they come back the next game going just 7-20!! Good spot for the Coyotes to grab one on the road.
Andre Gomes
SAN / ATL Under 190
The Spurs got their revenge last night at Dallas in a great fashion, but unfortunately for them, they will have to play tonight, so this isn't a good spot for them at all. The double overtime win by 133-126 at Dallas obligated them to use their players in an almost hardcore way: Duncan played 50 minutes, Parker 48min, Ginobili 42 min and Finley 37min, so for tonight's game they will be obviously a tired team.
The Hawks also played yesterday and lost by 84-92 at Houston, in a game where they started awfully with a 0-13 run, but then they rallied back and got the lead in the fourth quarter just to come up short down the stretch. This will be a b2b game also for the Hawks and for me it's important that the Spurs understand that the Hawks are a much younger team and they will need to slow down the pace in order to be able to compete today. I am pretty sure that Popovich knows that and we can expect a much different Spurs team that played yesterday with a run and gun offensive system.
Typically the Spurs don't allow their opponents to score more than 100 points in consecutive games, in fact they are 7-2 Under in their last 9 games after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. The fact that they play today at home gives them an edge to control the pace of the game. I remember that they are 8-0 Under after playing a road game this season.
The Hawks now with Josh Smith and Al Horford are a decent defensive team (their 6-0 start was a defensive minded team job) and they suffered 100 points or more only once in their last 7 games. They are 5-1 Under in last 6 games against teams with winning records. I expect an ugly game in here, with the Spurs trying to slow down the pace and the Hawks playing some defense too. Take the under in here.