SPORTS ADVISORS
(3) Duke (14-1, 8-6 ATS) at Georgia Tech (9-6, 4-7 ATS)
Duke guns for its seventh consecutive victory, including its second on the road to start the ACC season, when it heads to Atlanta for a matchup with the Yellow Jackets.
The Blue Devils overcame a sluggish first half at Florida State on Saturday – they led just 19-15 at the half – then turned it on over the final 20 minutes, rolling to a 66-58 victory. However, despite a 41-11 spurt to start the second half, Duke let off the gas down the stretch and failed to cover as a 10-point road chalk, its second consecutive non-cover after a 5-1 ATS run.
Georgia Tech has alternated wins and losses in its last five games, including its first three ACC contests. On Saturday, the Yellow Jackets went to Maryland and blew a first-half lead, falling 68-61. However, they got the cash as an eight-point road underdog to halt a five-game ATS slide.
Duke has won three straight meetings in this rivalry (2-1 ATS), with the contests decided by 9, 13 and 12 points. The two double-digit wins came last year, with the Blue Devils prevailing 71-58 at home, but falling short as a 15½-point favorite, and 82-70 as an 11½-point chalk in the ACC tournament. The home team is 3-0 SU (2-1 ATS) in the last three regular-season battles, including Georgia Tech’s 74-63 win as a 3½-point favorite in the most recent clash in Atlanta two years ago.
Additionally, Duke is 14-5 ATS in the last 19 meetings in this rivarly and 6-2 ATS in its last eight trips to Atlanta. Lastly, the favorite has cashed in 14 of the last 18 head-to-head matchups.
Duke ranks 15th in the nation in scoring (81.5 ppg) and 39th in field-goal shooting (47.4 percent), and it is allowing just 60.5 ppg on 38.7 percent shooting. Of the team’s 14 wins, 12 have been by double digits. Meanwhile, although the Yellow Jackets are averaging 74.1 points per game for the season (45.3 percent), they’ve scored 67 or fewer in six of their last 10 games, including four of their last six at home.
In addition to failing to cash in its last two outings, the Blue Devils are mired in ATS funks of 3-8-1 in league play and 5-12-1 on Wednesday. Georgia Tech is 5-1 ATS in its last six on Wednesday, but 1-4 ATS in its last five at home. Also, Saturday’s spread-cover at Maryland ended the Yellow Jackets’ 0-3 ATS funk as an underdog.
The under is 8-0 in the last eight Duke-Georgia Tech showdowns and 5-1 in the last six meetings in Atlanta. Also, for Duke, the under is on runs of 17-5 overall (4-0 last four), 6-0 in ACC play and 4-0 on Wednesday, while the Yellow Jackets have stayed under the total in five of their last seven overall and eight straight against teams with a winning record. Conversely, the over is 13-6 in Georgia Tech’s last 19 ACC games and 6-1 in its last seven on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE and UNDER
(8) Syracuse (16-1, 7-6 ATS) at (13) Georgetown (11-3, 5-5 ATS)
The loaded Big East features yet another matchup of Top 15 schools, this time with Syracuse going south to the nation’s capital for a clash with Georgetown at the Verizon Center.
The Orange ran their winning streak to eight in a row with Saturday’s 82-66 rout of Rutgers as a seven-point road favorite. Syracuse is off to a 3-0 start in Big East action (2-1 ATS), with two of the wins coming on the road (1-1 ATS). In fact, Jim Boeheim’s squad is a perfect 5-0 (4-1 ATS) away from the Carrier Dome, with wins over Florida, Kansas, Memphis and South Florida, in addition to the victory at Rutgers.
The Hoyas halted a two-game slide with Saturday’s hard-fought 82-75 win over Providence, but they came up short as an 11½-point home favorite for their third consecutive ATS setback, all in Big East play. The last time Georgetown covered a spread was on Dec. 29, when it opened the Big East season with an impressive 74-63 upset at then-No. 2 UConn as a 6½-point underdog.
Syracuse is on a 3-1 SU and 4-0 ATS run in this rivalry – all as an underdog – and it has won eight of the last 10 meetings since 2003, both SU and ATS. Last year, the Orange took the Hoyas to overtime in Washington, D.C., losing 64-62 as a 12-point ‘dog, then rolled to a 77-70 home win as a three-point pup a month later. Syracuse is 4-1 ATS in its last four visits to Georgetown.
The Orange average 81.1 ppg on 50.3 percent shooting, they’ve scored more than 70 in all but two contests and they’ve put up 82 or more 10 times. Tonight, they run up against a Georgetown defense that’s giving up just 59.8 ppg overall (36.7 percent) and 57 ppg at home (35 percent). However, that Hoyas’ D has been shaky lately, allowing 70, 73 and 75 points in the last three after holding nine of their first 11 foes to less than 70 points.
In addition to cashing in four of its five roadies this season, Syracuse is riding ATS hot streaks of 4-1 overall, 5-2 in Big East play and 4-1 against winning teams, but the Orange are 2-5 ATS in their last seven on Wednesday. The Hoyas are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 on Wednesday, but they’ve failed to cash in four of their last five Big East contests going back to last season.
The under is on runs of 4-1 for Georgetown overall, 50-23 for Georgetown at home, 39-18 for Georgetown in Big East play, 38-18-1 for Georgetown after a non-cover, 5-0 for Georgetown on Wednesday, 9-3 for Syracuse on Wednesday and 11-5 for Syracuse following an ATS triumph. Lastly, the under is 4-1 in the last four battles in this rivalry and 4-0 in the last four at the Verizon Center.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE and UNDER
(25) Michigan (13-3, 8-3-1 ATS) at Illinois (14-2, 8-5 ATS)
Michigan shoots for its fourth straight win, including its second this month against Illinois, when it heads to Champaign, Ill., for a rematch with the Illini at Assembly Hall.
The Wolverines dropped their conference opener to Wisconsin, losing 73-61 as a 3½-point home favorite on New Year’s Eve. But they rebounded with a 74-64 thumping of Illinois as a two-point home favorite, then followed that with a 72-66 overtime win at Indiana a week ago (failing to cover as a 7½-point favorite) and a 64-49 rout of Iowa on Sunday (cashing as a 7½-point chalk).
Sandwiched around their loss at Michigan, the Illini beat Purdue 71-67 in overtime as a 7½-point road underdog, then blasted Indiana 76-45 as a 17½-point home favorite Saturday. Illinois has won eight of its last nine overall – the only blemish being the loss at Michigan – and Bruce Weber’s squad is 11-1 at home (5-4 ATS).
In addition to the 10-point home win over Illinois on Jan. 4, the Wolverines also knocked off the Illini 49-43 as a two-point home underdog in last year’s second meeting. However, in its last two trips to Assembly Hall, Michigan got blown out, losing 54-42 as an eight-point underdog in 2007 and 75-57 as an 11-point pup a year ago – the Wolverines’ only non-covers against the Illini in the last eight meetings. The host is on a 7-0 SU roll in this rivalry and is 15-2 ATS in the last 17 clashes, with Illinois going 4-1 ATS in the last five at Assembly Hall.
Both squads sport similar offensive numbers – the Wolverines average 72.7 ppg on 43.7 percent shooting; Illinois nets 71.2 ppg on 48.3 percent shooting. The biggest discrepancy: Michigan yields 70.5 ppg (42.6 percent) on the road, while the Illini hold their visitors to 55.6 ppg (40 percent).
Although it is 8-3-1 ATS on the season, Michigan is still stuck in ATS ruts of 2-5-1 on the highway, 9-24-2 in road games against teams with a winning home mark, 1-9-1 on Wednesday and 0-5 in the game after holding an opponent to less than 50 points. Illinois is on positive ATS streaks of 7-2 overall, 9-3 against winning teams and 27-12-2 on Wednesday.
For Michigan, the over is on runs of 6-1 overall and 5-0 on Wednesday, but the under is 8-2 in its last 10 road games and 11-4 in its last 15 Big Ten contests. The under is also 6-1 in Illinois’ last seven at home and 6-2 in its last eight on Wednesday. However, the over is 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head matchups between these schools, with the meeting earlier this month eclipsing the posted number.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS and UNDER
(2) Wake Forest (14-0, 6-4 ATS) at Boston College (13-4, 7-5 ATS)
Two ACC rivals with impressive wins over North Carolina on their ledger hook up at the Conte Forum in Chestnut Hill, Mass., where Boston College looks to hand the second-ranked Demon Deacons their first loss of the season.
Wake Forest matched its best start in school history with Sunday’s 92-89 ACC-opening win over then-No. 3 North Carolina, cashing as a 6½-point home underdog, its third consecutive spread-cover. The teams were tied at 44 at the half, but the Demon Deacons took the lead with 14 minutes to go and never gave it up, thanks mostly to the play of Jeff Teague (career-high 34 points) and Chris McFarland (20 points, tying a season high). Wake Forest, which is 14-0 for the first time since 1980-81, shot 47.5 percent from the field and held the Tar Heels to just 35 percent shooting overall and 6-for-23 from 3-point land.
Exactly one week before Wake Forest toppled the Tar Heels, Boston College went into Chapel Hill and handed North Carolina its first defeat, winning 85-78 as a massive 23-point underdog. However, the Eagles have been unable to build off that monumental victory, suffering a stunning 82-70 loss to Harvard as a 16½-point home favorite a week ago tonight, then falling 77-71 to Miami, Fla., as a 2½-point home favorite. B.C.’s defense has been nonexistent lately, allowing an average of 78.3 ppg in the last four games.
In last year’s lone meeting – which occurred 367 days ago – Boston College dismantled the Demon Deacons 112-73 as a 3½-point home chalk. The Eagles are 4-0 SU and ATS against the Deacons since joining the ACC – all as a favorite – including two blowout wins at home by margins of 39 and 15 points.
Wake Forest now ranks fourth in the nation in both scoring offense (85.7 ppg) and field-goal shooting (51 percent). Defensively, the Demon Deacons give up 66 ppg, but they hold the opposition to 36.3 percent shooting overall, 28 percent shooting from 3-point range and 30 rebounds per game, figures that rank sixth, 10th and first in the nation, respectively. Away from home, Wake is even more impressive offensively, scoring 91.7 ppg on 52.4 percent shooting.
Meanwhile, Boston College puts up 77.5 ppg on 45.3 percent shooting, scoring 70 or more in all but four of its 17 games. In fact, the Eagles have tallied at least 80 points 11 times, but they’ve allowed 70 or more in eight of their last 13 outings.
Wake Forest is 5-2 ATS in its last seven overall, but 2-5 ATS in its last seven on the road and 2-5 ATS in its last seven ACC contests. B.C. has failed to cover in four of its last five on Wednesday, but is 19-7-1 ATS in its last 27 home games against teams with a winning road mark.
For the Demon Deacons, the over is on stretches of 6-2 on the road and 4-1 in ACC play, and the over for Boston College is on runs of 4-1 overall and 40-19-1 at home. Also, the last three head-to-head meetings between these schools have topped the posted total, including the two at Boston College.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON COLLEGE and OVER
NBA
New Orleans (22-12, 15-18-1 ATS) at Dallas (22-16, 16-22 ATS)
The Hornets will try to rebound from Monday’s shocking home loss to the Knicks when they make the short trek west to Dallas for in the season’s first meeting between these Southwest Division rivals.
New Orleans went off as an 11½-point home favorite against New York on Monday, but never grabbed control of the contest and lost 101-95, dropping to 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games. Since a four-game winning streak, the Hornets are just 2-3 SU and ATS, alternating SU and ATS wins and losses along the way. New Orleans has also split its last six road games, going 2-4 ATS.
Dallas went to Denver last night and suffered a tough 99-97 loss as a six-point road underdog. The game was tied at 95 when the Mavs’ Jason Terry was whistled for a foul with 2.2 seconds left, and Denver’s Chauncey Billups went to the foul line and sank the winning free throws to win it. The Mavericks have followed up an 8-2 SU run by losing their last three in a row, and although they ended an 0-5 ATS streak Tuesday, they’re still just 8-14 ATS in their last 22 contests, including 3-9 ATS at American Airlines Center.
The Hornets eliminated Dallas from the playoffs in the opening round last April, winning the seven-game series in five (3-2 ATS). The team’s split their four-game regular-season series SU and ATS, with the home team winning and covering in all four. In fact, including the postseason, the host went 8-1 in this rivalry last year (7-2 ATS). Also, New Orleans has cashed just twice in its last seven trips to Dallas
Since going through a 15-game stretch when they allowed more than 100 points just twice, the Mavs have surrendered 100 or more in two of their last three, four of their last six and five of their last eight. Meanwhile, New Orleans’ normally stout defense has been struggling, giving up an average of 101.4 ppg in the last five, with four of those foes topping triple digits.
New Orleans is 35-16-1 ATS in its last 52 Wednesday outings, but 1-5 ATS as an underdog of less than seven points and 9-20-1 ATS in its last 30 road games against teams with a winning home record. Dallas has cashed in five straight games on Wednesday and is 43-21-1 ATS in its last 65 divisional contests, but otherwise the Mavs are just 7-21 ATS at home going back to last season, including 4-14 ATS this year.
The under is 13-6-1 in the last 20 series meetings and 9-1 in the last 10 clashes at American Airlines Center. Also, the under for the Mavs is on runs of 13-5 overall, 6-2 at home, 5-1 against Southwest Division rivals and 6-2 when playing on the second night of a back-to-back. The under is also 8-1 in the Hornets’ last nine divisional contests and 17-5 in its last 22 when playing on one day of rest, but the over is 4-1 in New Orleans’ last five overall, last five on the road and last five on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
L.A. Lakers (31-6, 17-20 ATS) at San Antonio (24-12, 17-18-1 ATS)
The Lakers and Spurs resume their contentious rivalry for the first time since last year’s Western Conference Finals, as Los Angeles completes a two-game, two-day swing through Texas with a stop at the AT&T Center.
L.A. went to Houston last night and toppled the Rockets 105-100, barely cashing as a 4½-point road favorite to end an 0-5 ATS slide. The Lakers have won four in a row and 10 of their last 11. However, they’ve been on a roller-coaster ride at the betting window the last six weeks, following up an 0-10 ATS slide with five straight spread-covers before going 0-5 ATS prior to getting the cash at Houston on Tuesday.
San Antonio had a four-game winning streak (3-1 ATS) snapped in Sunday’s 105-98 loss to the Magic as a three-point home favorite. Despite that setback, the Spurs are still 22-7 since starting the season 2-5. However, they’ve followed up an 11-4 ATS stretch by going 5-8-1 ATS in the last 14.
The Lakers took down San Antonio in five games in last year’s best-of-7 Western Conference finals, going 3-2 ATS. The teams split their four regular-season meetings, with the Spurs going 3-1 ATS. The home team went 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS in the nine head-to-head clashes last year, with the favorite covering in five of the last seven.
The Lakers have scored at least 100 points in eight consecutive games and have been held under triple digits just six times through their first 37 contests. For the season, they’re averaging 107.8 points per game (47.3 percent shooting), including 105.1 ppg on the road (46.3 percent), where Phil Jackson’s team is 11-4 on the season (7-8 ATS).
Including Sunday’s loss to Orlando, San Antonio has surrendered 100 points just six times in its last 32 games, and the Spurs are holding opponents to an average of just 93.6 ppg (45.6 percent shooting).
The Lakers are on ATS nosedives of 2-6 on the road, 5-9 against the Western Conference, 6-11 after a SU win and 7-18 after an ATS setback. However, they’re 11-4-1 ATS in their last 16 as an underdog, 15-5-2 in their last 22 as a road underdog and 15-7 in their last 22 when playing on back-to-back nights. Meanwhile, San Antonio has cashed in six straight games against the Pacific Division and 14 of 20 versus the Western Conference, but otherwise it is on pointspread declines of 1-5 at home (all as a favorite) and 1-6 on Wednesday.
These teams stayed under the total in all five playoff games last May, and the under is 9-1 in the last 10 battles at the AT&T Center. Furthermore, the under is on runs of 12-2 for the Spurs against Pacific Division foes, 5-0 for the Spurs on Wednesday, 4-2 for the Lakers on the road, 5-1 for the Lakers as an underdog and 5-1 for the Lakers against winning teams. Conversely, though, the over is 6-2 in the Lakers’ last eight overall, 5-2 in San Antonio’s last seven overall and 5-0 in San Antonio’s last five at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Jimmy The Moose
Ottawa Senators at Atlanta Thrashers
Prediction: Ottawa Senators
Two struggling teams face-off in Atlanta tonight. The Senators played and won last night putting an end to their 5-game losing streak. Ottawa has looked very horrible this season but they should get another win tonight vs. a bad Thrashers team. Atlanta hasn't played in 3 days so expect some rust to show and rust on a bad team isn't good. The Thrashers are 2-11 in their last 13 home games. Ottawa won with their rookie goaltender last night and he may get another shot tonight. Play on the Ottawa Senators +.
JIM FEIST
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS / DALLAS MAVERICKS
TAKE NEW ORLEANS HORNETS
It's a bounce back spot for talented New Orleans, after a surprising loss to the Knicks. They were simply cold, shooting 38%. David West had 25 points and 14 rebounds for the Hornets but was 6-of-20 from the field. Chris Paul added 23 points. New Orleans is rested, while Dallas plays its 3rd game in 4 nights, as well as the second of a back to back spot, at Denver Tuesday. Dallas hasn't been covering, on a miserable 2-7 ATS run (1-3 ATS the last four home games). Play the Hornets.
James Patrick Sports
Temple vs. Pennsylvania
In a Big Five match-up in the City of Brotherly Love the Owls travel to the Palestra to take on the Quakers and they have cashed in winning tickets in 4 of 5 in this series. Penn has dropped their past 4 games while the Owls are 5-0 on the road. The last thing Temple Head Coach Fran Dunphy wants is to drop a game to his former employer as his Owls have been on a nice run of late. Our Wednesday selection is Temple Owls.
Cajun Sports
South Carolina Gamecocks vs. LSU Tigers -3.5
PLAY: 2* South Carolina Gamecocks +3.5
South Carolina makes the trip to Baton Rouge to face the hometown LSU Tigers in an SEC clash on Wednesday night. South Carolina is 12-2 SU on the year with LSU coming in with a 12-3 SU record on the season.
The Gamecocks bounced back nicely after suffering a tough loss at the hands of their in-state rival Clemson to defeat a solid Baylor team on the road 85 to 84 as a ten point road underdog. They have won their last three games including a 68 to 56 win over SEC rival Auburn as a six-point home favorite.
South Carolina uses an up-tempo style and it has been successful to this point in the season with the Gamecocks averaging 83 points per game. They are shooting better than 52 percent from the field and behind the arc while holding opponents to 44.3 percent from the field and 31.8 percent from three-point land.
Carolina has also been successful on the road as an underdog posting a record of 8-2-1 ATS their last 11 times to post. The Gamecocks are also 19-6 ATS in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. The fact that the Tigers are not a pressure defensive unit plays into the hands of Carolina as they are a perfect 10-0 ATS on the road when facing teams that force 14 or less turnovers per game.
The Tigers have played a soft non-conference schedule to this point with twelve of their first thirteen games coming at home. Their last two games have exposed their weakness and both Utah and Alabama took advantage of this soft Tigers team.
We expect the Gamecocks to continue with their up-tempo style of play which will cause problems for the Tigers on both ends of the floor which translates into a Carolina win. Take the points with the visitor here as Carolina notches a 2-0 record in conference play to begin the New Year.
PROJECTED FINAL SCORE: (2*) South Carolina 79 LSU 78
Alex Smart
New York Knicks -5.0
The Washington Wizards enter into this road game against the NY Knicks looking like they are complete disarray, as is evident by their overall 7-30 record and current 5 game losing streak that has seen them lose 4 of those tilts against losing teams.
The New Yorks Knicks via HC D'Antonis run and gun attack are starting to show flashes of brilliance , as was the case last time out, in a impressive 101-95 victory over a very good New Orleans Hornets team . I expect the Knickerbockers to ride the momentum of their recent success into this contest versus a Wizards team they have dominated in both meetings this season , scoring an average of 118 PPG in those tilts behind 42.6% shooting from beyond the arc.
Considering both these teams current form, and the Knicks recent success when these foes have met, it will be an easy decision to recommend laying the points with the host side.
Final notes & Key Trends: Wizards are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 vs. NBA Atlantic. Knicks are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southeast. Wizards are 1-6 ATS in the last 7 meetings., and have failed to cover in 4 of their L/5 at MSG.
Projected score: NY Knicks 105 Washington 97 (lay the points)
Marc Lawrence
Play On: San Antonio
The Spurs return home off Sunday's 7-point home loss to Orlando when they host the Lakers at the Alamodome this evening. Aside from a revenge motive from being knocked out of last year's playoffs, San Antonio is 15-8 ATS as a host in this series when Los Angeles checks in off a SU and ATS win. Stay at home with the Spurs as they improve to 7-0 SU and ATS in home games off an immediate home loss here tonight.
Big Al McMordie
Los Angeles Lakers vs. San Antonio Spurs
Play: San Antonio Spurs -3
At 9:05 pm, our complimentary selection is on the Spurs. San Antonio comes into Wednesday night's game with two days' of rest and, as the league's oldest team, plays much better in that situation than with one or two days' of rest. Dating back to 2003, the Spurs are 83-48 ATS with at least two days' of rest, compared to 222-213 ATS without. Also, the Lakers played on Tuesday night in Houston, and will have tired legs for this contest. With San Antonio off a home loss to Orlando, look for the Spurs to come out with lots of energy, as they will not want to lose back-to-back marquee games. Gregg Popovich's crew is 75-50 ATS off a SU loss as a favorite since March 2002, including 41-25 ATS at home. Take San Antonio.
Stephen Nover
Washington Wizards @ New York Knicks
PICK: Over 197.5
For the first time in 30 games we find a total on the New York Knicks that is under 200.
Oddsmakers tend to react when a team goes 'under' the total seven straight times like the Knicks have.
Oddsmakers have been slow to catch on to what opponents of the Knicks now realize - that New York's offense is just one-dimensional. The Knicks can only play a run-and-gun style. Talented defenses can stop an offense that lacks options.
In this matchup, though, the oddsmaker has overcompensated too much setting up an 'over' the total play.
New York is going to gets its points. The Knicks are averaging 102.8 points, sixth-highest in the NBA. Washington ranks 27th in defensive field goal percentage, allowing foes to connect on 47.5 percent of their shots.
The Knicks have averaged 118 points in their two games this season versus Washington. The last five games in the series have gone 'over.'
The Wizards are going to get their share of points, too. They are averaging 112.5 points against the Knicks this season. New York ranks 28th in scoring defense, yielding 106.3 points per game. The Knicks' defensive field goal percentage is even more generous than Washington's. The Knicks rank 29th in the category, allowing foes to make 47.7 percent of their shots from the floor.
The Wizards have two top scoring threats, Caron Butler and Antwan Jamison. Injuries have opened the door for a pair of young guards, Nick Young and Javaris Crittenton. They've been playing well lately with Young shooting close to 70 percent from the field in his last three games. Both could have strong games against the Knicks' loose defense.
If the total doesn't go higher than the opening number, it would be the lowest 'over/under' the Knicks have had all season.
The oddsmaker has overreacted setting this total too low and making me involved for a one-unit play.
Jeff Benton
The free-play streaks improved to 17-7 in College Hoops and 40-19 overall with Tuesday’s easy winner with Tulsa plus the points vs. Memphis. For Wednesday, we flip to the NBA – where I’m on an 8-2 run with freebies – and we’ll take the points with the Lakers at San Antonio.
No doubt the Spurs will have plenty of motivation tonight, as this is their first game against Los Angeles since getting ousted in five games in last year’s Western Conference finals. As prideful a franchise as it is, San Antonio would love nothing more than to exact a little revenge tonight in front of the home fans. Problem is, the Spurs just don’t have what it takes to keep up with the NBA’s best team.
The Lakers have won four in a row and 10 of their last 11, and that includes quality wins over the Rockets last night, as well as the Heat, Hornets, Blazers, Jazz and Celtics. Meanwhile, San Antonio has won four of its last five and nine of its last 11. However, only two of those wins (Miami and Phoenix) came against teams with a winning record. On Sunday, the Spurs stepped up in class, hosting the Magic … and got run out of their gym in a 105-98 home loss as a three-point underdog.
What do the Magic and Lakers have in common? A ton of talent and young, fresh legs – the exact formula that has caused the veteran Spurs trouble for much of this season. In fact, look at many of the teams that have defeated San Antonio this season: the Bucks (twice), Magic (twice), Hornets, Blazers, Rockets and Nuggets. Need I say more?
OK, I will. L.A. has scored at least 100 points in eight straight games and 31 of its 37 this season; San Antonio has hit the century mark just six times in its last 16 games and just nine times in regulation all season. Also, the Lakers have been an underdog twice this season and won both games outright. They’re also 15-5-2 ATS in their last 22 as a road underdog and 15-7 ATS the last 22 times they’ve had to go back-to-back.
Easy call here, guys. Look for the Lakers to weather an early storm, then open up a healthy lead going into the fourth quarter. Take the points with Kobe and the boys, though I doubt we’ll need them.
5♦ L.A. LAKERS
Bobby Maxwell
Portland -1 at PHILADELPHIA
The Sixers have won four straight, but the streak stops here when Portland comes to town. The Blazers are a real factor in the Western Conference and they'll deliver a 10-point win tonight.
Portland is on a four-game road trip and took the first game on Monday with a 109-95 win in Chicago, covering as a two-point favorite. They got 33 points from Travis Outlaw and Greg Oden showed up with 17 points and 13 boards. If the Blazers start getting big contributions from Oden and Outlaw, this team is going places. They know LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy are stars, but when the other players come along, this team is very good.
The Blazers had a 25-point lead in this matchup last year in Philadelphia and blew it, losing 92-88. They certainly remember that and will be out to correct that tonight.
Philadelphia is still without Elton Brand and while they've won four straight, remember they did lose six of their first eight without him.
We'll play the Blazers tonight to make it two in a row on this road trip.
3♦ PORTLAND
Sports Gambling Hotline
Richmond +8' at VIRGINIA TECH
Tonight another dog play as we like Richmond to stay close to Virginia Tech tonight in Blacksburg.
Richmond has split the last pair of meetings with the Hokies the last 2 years, covering both in the underdog role. The Spiders have also been able to cover in 3 of their first 5 lined road games this season.
Virginia Tech is in a tough spot, as they have played their last pair in conference play, and have a conference show down with Boston College on-deck this weekend.
The Hokies are 5-1 straight up at home, but have yet to cover a lined home game at 0-3.
With A-10 rep Richmond looking for some respect against the "power" ACC, expect the Spiders to make things sticky for the Hokies in tonight's showdown.
Play on Richmond.
2♦ RICHMOND
Karl Garrett
Syracuse +6' at GEORGETOWN
Tonight I will grab the points with the Orangemen, as Syracuse visits Georgetown on a roll.
The Orangemen have picked up road wins at Rutgers, and South Florida to start the new year, and they are a perfect 5-0 on the highway this season, and a money-making 4-1 against the spread in those roadies.
Georgetown is still a solid 8-1 on their home hardwood, but the Hoyas have been playing some inconsistent ball of late, as they are just 1-2 straight up their last 3, and have failed the spread in all 3 of those outings.
The 'Cuse has taken 2 of the last 3 series meetings, and they have covered in ALL 3 of those series meetings.
Based on the numbers listed above, the points are just too tempting to pass with this underdog tonight.
Take Syracuse.
3♦ SYRACUSE
Black Widow Sports
1* on Boston Celtics -10
With the Boston Celtics' recent struggles, along comes some nice value in which we will take advantage of tonight. Boston is a mere 10-point home favorite tonight against New Jersey which is still double-digits, but it's a much more reasonable price than what we would find during their 19-game winning streak. Boston has gotten back on track with back-to-back wins over the Raptors heading into play tonight, and they will make easy work of the Nets who have played very easy competition of late. New Jersey has faced the Kings, Grizzlies, Bucks and Thunder in their last 4 games overall, and although they won 3 of the 4 contests, it's not saying much. New Jersey will not face a Boston team that has owned them in recent meetings. Boston has won 5 straight in this series, with 3 road wins and 2 home wins. Their two home wins came by 11 and 22 points, and their 3 road wins came by 9, 11 and 8 points. So these games really haven't even been close, especially when Boston is the host. New Jersey is 0-10 ATS (-11.0 Units) as an underdog of 10 or more points over the last 2 seasons. The Nets are still getting too much respect from the linesmakers tonight even as a 10-point dog. Take Boston and lay the points.
Info Plays
3* on Michigan State -4.5
Reasons why Michigan State covers the spread Wednesday:
1.) Michigan State is playing their best basketball of the season right now. The Spartans have won 9 games in a row, and have gone 5-2 ATS in their 7 lined games during that span. The Spartans have road wins over Texas, Northwestern and Minnesota during this stretch, which are 3 teams that are as good or better than Penn State. They are coming off a dominant 13-point home win over Kansas. The Spartans will not be tamed tonight when they travel to Penn State and face a team that has cooled off a bit.
2.) Penn State has lost 2 of their last 3 games to snap back into reality. The Nittany Lions battled tough in a 4-point road loss at Wisconsin, but their true colors really showed last time out in a 20-point loss at Minnesota. This was the same Golden Gophers team that Michigan State beat 70-58 on the road. So that's one common opponent these teams have faced, showing clearly that the Spartans are the better team. Not even home court will save the Nittany Lions tonight.
3.) Trends favoring Michigan State. The Spartans are 9-1 ATS in road games versus good 3 point shooting teams - making >=37% of their attempts over the last 2 seasons. Michigan State is 12-4 ATS in road games versus very good teams - outscoring their opponents by 8+ points/game over the last 2 seasons. The Spartans are 14-4 ATS in road games after 4 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers since 1997. Michigan State is taking care of the ball and that's the key in winning these big road games.
4.) Michigan State is 15-2 SU & 11-5 ATS in their last 17 meetings with Penn State overall. The Spartans are 7-1 SU & 6-2 ATS in their last 8 road meetings against the Nittany Lions as well. Michigan State has dominated this team recent history, and with a small spread to cover tonight the Spartans are well worth your money for a small bet. Bet Michigan State on the road.