NCAA Basketball Betting 3-Point Play: Three Interesting Opening Lines Sunday
by Alan Matthews
If you are like me, this Sunday is the most painful Sunday as a sports bettor and fan since early August. Why? No NFL football, not even an exhibition game or the stinking Pro Bowl! (Seriously, I’m going to start wagering on Madden simulations.). I guess I may have to do whatever my significant other wants to (no, dear, I didn’t know Pottery Barn was having a sale. Yay). Ugh. How many days until MLB teams report to training camp? So basketball takes the Sunday focus at least until baseball gets going. Not a great NCAA schedule this Sunday but here are three games that caught my eye.
No. 20 Ohio State at Rutgers (+9)
It’s a 5:30 p..m. tip as Ohio State makes its first-ever visit to Rutgers in Big Ten action. The Buckeyes (17-6, 6-4) are going to fall out of the Top 25 if they lose here because they come off a 60-58 defeat at Purdue on Wednesday. You could almost see that defeat coming as a letdown game because OSU was coming off back-to-back blowouts of ranked teams Indiana and Maryland. And you really could see it coming if you waited until right before the tipoff to bet on it as earlier Wednesday the team announced that sophomore Marc Loving was suspended indefinitely for reasons not given. Just a statement that said: “He has temporarily lost his privilege to wear the Scarlet and Gray.” That’s a big loss because Loving is the team’s second-leading scorer at 11.7 points per game. Presumably he won’t play here either, and that just puts more pressure on freshman star D’Angelo Russell. He played well against Purdue with 20 points, seven rebounds and five assists but didn’t get much help. Russell missed a 40-foot desperation heave at the buzzer.
Rutgers (10-14, 2-9) has lost seven straight and only Northwestern is keeping the Scarlet Knights out of the Big Ten basement. If you think the Big Ten lured the school because of basketball, then I have some beachfront property in Kansas to sell you. Rutgers comes off a 66-54 loss at Illinois on Tuesday. Kadeem Jack had 17 points and Myles Mack 16 in the loss. Mack now has 1,577 points for his career, passing Ricky Shields for ninth place on Rutgers’ all-time scoring list. He will make his 100th career start Sunday.
Ohio State and Rutgers haven’t played since 1978. The Scarlet Knights are 1-3 vs. ranked teams this year, upsetting Wisconsin in Piscataway.
Key trends: OSU has covered one of its past 11 road games. It is 5-11 ATS in its past 16 Big Ten games. Rutgers is 8-3 ATS in its past 11 following at ATS loss.
Why take the underdog: Did you not see that OSU road trend?
San Diego State at Boise State (pick’em)
This important Mountain West Conference game tips at 6 p.m. ET on the CBS Sports Network. San Diego State hasn’t missed the NCAA Tournament since 2009, and the Aztecs would be in the Big Dance right now — currently projected as a No. 8 seed — but they don’t have a ton of wiggle room after starting the season in the Top 25.
SDSU (18-5, 8-2) has won three straight games but had to fight for it on Wednesday in a 65-63 win at Nevada. JJ O’Brien’s 3-point play with 51 seconds left was the difference. He had a season-high 18 points. San Diego State has won its last 137 games when leading with five minutes to play; SDSU led Nevada 59-53 with five minutes to go. Also, the Aztecs have won their last 16 games when leading at halftime, which they did 30-28 in that game. Boise State (16-6, 6-3) has won six straight after a four-game losing streak. Even if the Broncos win out in the regular season they probably don’t get a bid because they don’t really have a quality victory. They come off a 68-63 win at Utah State on Tuesday, ending Boise’s 18-game losing streak there (it had never won in Logan). Senior guard Derrick Marks led Boise with 23 points, including 17 in the second half. Marks had the go-ahead 3-poitner with 2:56 left. During the winning streak, Marks is scoring 26.2 points per game. Boise State’s record for a single-season conference winning streak is seven games.
San Diego State was 2-0 vs. Boise State last year but won by only three and two points. The Aztecs won in Boise by rallying from 14 down and on a 3-pointer by Dwayne Polee II with four seconds left.
Key trends: SDSU is 2-5 ATS in its past seven on the road. Boise State has covered four straight against teams with a winning record. The road team has covered six of the past eight meetings.
Why take the Broncos: Love those pick’ems and I’ll almost always lean the home team in those situations.
Clemson at Miami Fla. (-7)
ESPNU shows this ACC game at 6:30 pm. This is potentially a huge bubble game for the NCAA Tournament. In ESPN’s most recent projection, Miami is among the “last four in” and facing Temple in a play-in game, while Clemson is in the “first four out.”
Clemson (14-8, 6-4) is going in the right direction as it won at Florida State 62-56 on Wednesday for its fourth straight victory; the Noles had won in Clemson about two weeks prior. This time the Tigers scored 16 points off FSU turnovers while the Seminoles had only two off Clemson giveaways. Jaron Blossomgame (great name!) led Clemson scoring with 14 points, while Donte Grantham and Jordan Roper both had in 13. It was the fourth straight opponent that Clemson held a foe under 40 percent shooting, and this is Clemson’s longest conference winning streak since the 1996-97 team coached by Rick Barnes won the first five games. Miami (14-8, 4-5) is going the wrong way, losing its third straight Tuesday, 63-55 at home to No. 9 Louisville. The Hurricane bench outscored the Cardinals’ 30-0, but Miami shot only 34 percent overall. Sheldon McClellan and Angel Rodriguez, the Hurricanes’ leading scorers, combined for just 12 points on 4-for-14 shooting.
This is the only meeting of the season. The teams met once last year and Clemson won 58-54 at home.
Key trends: Clemson is 4-1 ATS in its past five on the road. The Canes have failed to cover their past five at home. Clemson is 5-0-1 ATS in the past six meetings.
Why take the underdog: Canes are the better team but not that much better.
POINTWISE
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
KEY RELEASES
RICHMOND over Rhode Island (Sun) RATING: 1
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 SCORE
(1:00) INDIANA 70 – Michigan 68 (CBS) _____ _____
(2:00) DETROIT 69 – Illinois-Chicago 54 _____ _____
(2:30) RICHMOND 76 – Rhode Island 57 (NBCS) _____ _____
(3:15) IOWA 75 – Maryland 64 (BIG10) _____ _____
(3:30) VALPARAISO 71 – Oakland 70 _____ _____
(4:00) MASSACHUSETTS 73 – LaSalle 62 (CBSC) _____ _____
(4:30) OREGON STATE 65 – Washington 59 (FOX 1) _____ _____
(5:30) Ohio State 68 – RUTGERS 57 (BIG10) _____ _____
(6:00) BOISE STATE 74 – San Diego State 66 (CBSC) _____ _____
(6:30) MIAMI-FLORIDA 77 – Clemson 65 (ESPNU) _____ _____
(7:00) OREGON 86 – Washington State 72 (PAC12) _____ _____
(8:30) STANFORD 79 – Southern California 61 (ESPNU) _____ _____
BEST BETS: RICHMOND (1), OAKLAND, OREGON STATE, BOISE STATE.
College basketball
Indiana won three of last four games with Michigan, winning last five at home by 6-19-2-8-11 points. Hoosiers lost three of last four games, but those losses were all on road; they’re 4-0 at home in Big 14, winning by 3-3-19-8 points. Michigan also lost three of last four, with two losses in OT; they’re 2-3 on road in conference, losing by 13-19-10 points. Big 14 home favorites of 6+ points are 8-19 vs spread.
Richmond is 4-0 at home in conference, winning all four by 10+ points; home side won eight of their nine A-14 games. Spiders won five of last seven games with Rhode Island, losing four of last five visits here. Rams haven’t played in eight days; they’ve won four games in row, last three by 5 or less points. URI is 3-1 on A-14 road; their only two A-14 losses are by 5-4 points. A-14 home favorites of 5 or less points are 9-4 vs spread.
Iowa lost three of its last four games, winning last one by 18 at Michigan; Hawkeyes are 2-2 at home in Big 14, beating Nebraska/Ohio State, losing to Wisconsin/Michigan State. Maryland is 2-3 on Big 14 road, losing last two away games by 19-24 points. Terps are playing fastest tempo in Big 14, but are shooting just 41% inside arc, last in conference. Big 14 home favorites of less than 6 points are 16-13 vs spread.
Home side won all three Oakland-Valparaiso games; Grizzlies lost by 3 here LY, beat Crusaders 89-75 at home in OT Jan 2, after being down 7 with 3:54 left. Oakland won its last seven games, scoring 93.5 ppg in its last two games, both on road; Grizzlies had lost previous road games by 4-20 points. Valpo won eight of last nine games; they’ve won all five at home in Horizon, with four wins by 8+ points. Horizon League home favorites of 7+ points are 6-9 vs spread.
UMass won last three games with LaSalle by 1-12-6 points, but LaSalle won three of last five visits here. Minutemen won 71-65 at LaSalle Jan 7; they won last three games, but are just 2-2 at home, winning by 4-2 after losing to Bonnies/Davidson in first two home tilts. A-14 home favorites of 5 or less points are 9-4 vs spread. Explorers are 1-3 on road, losing all three by 8+ points, but winning last road game at St Bonaventure.
Washington won its last four games with Oregon State, beating Beavers 56-43 in Seattle Jan 15, holding OSU to 31.9% from floor. Beavers won all five Pac-12 home games, allowing 52.6 ppg; they’re 5-0 allowing less than 56 points, 0-3 if they allow more. Huskies are 0-3 since they tossed big mann Upshaw off team, losing last two games by total of six points. Pac-12 home favorites of less than 5 points are 7-4 vs spread.
Ohio State won three of last four games but lost three of last four on road with only win by hoop at Northwestern- four of their five road games were decided by 3 or less points. Rutgers lost its last seven games, three of last four by 12+ points; Scarlet Knights beat Penn State/Wisconsin at home, lost other three home games by 4-4-20 points. Rutgers turns ball over 20.9% of time in conference play, worst in conference. Big 14 home underdogs are 11-3 against spread.
San Diego State won seven of last eight games, with loss at Colorado St; Aztecs are 3-2 on MW road, also losing by hoop at Fresno State- they’ve won seven of last eight games with Boise St., winning two of three here; their last five series wins were all by six or less points. Broncos won six in a row, last two by total of nine points– they’re 9th in country, making 40.7% of their 3’s. Mountain West home teams are 6-9 in games with spread of 4 or less points.
Miami won by 16 at Duke Jan 13, but is 2-4 since, losing last three games by 20-1-8 points, scoring 53 ppg; Hurricanes lost last two home games, but won three of last four with Clemson, winning last two at home by 3-13 points. Clemson won its last four games; they’ve allowed 57 or less points in last five games. Tigers won three of last four on road, losing at Virginia by 23. ACC home favorites of 5 or less points are 7-5 vs spread.
Washington State beat Oregon 108-99 in OT Jan 15, ending 7-game series skid; Coogs led 57-52 at half, made 14-24 from arc. Ernie Kent is Oregon alum and its former coach; Coogs lost last five visits to Eugene, three by 9 or less points. Ducks won four of last five games, winning last four at home after losing home opener to Arizona- they won last two games by total of five points. Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 7-3-2.
USC lost 78-76 at home to Stanford Jan 11, starting current seven game losing streak; Cardinal won last three series games by 8-21-2 points, but teams split last four games played here. SC lost seven in row, but three of last four were decided by 4 or less points, including a triple OT loss at home to Colorado. Trojans’ last three road losses were by total of only 13 points. Pac-12 double digit home favorites are 7-3-2 against spread.
Rider won 11 of its last 14 games; they scored 59 or less points in four of last five wins, so they’re winning with defense. Broncs won first meeting with Manhattam 82-79 in OT on road Jan 18, despite being outscored on foul line 21-8; Broncs snapped 3-game series skid. Jaspers won last three visits to Rider by 16-11-17 points. Manhattan won four in row, eight of last ten games, scoring 83 ppg in last three. MAAC home favorites of 3 or less points are 4-8 vs spread.
Monmouth lost three of its last four games after starting 7-2 in MAAC; Hawks are 4-6 in games decided by 5 or less points or in OT- they won 73-68 at Canisius Jan 2 after trailing by 13 late in first half; Griffins had 19 offensive boards, took more 3’s than 2’s. Canisius lost three of its last four games, losing last two road games by 13 at Rider, 9 at Manhattan. MAAC home favorites of 3 or less points are 4-8 against the spread.
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
CBB | USC at STANFORD
Play On – Home favorites of 10 to 19.5 points (STANFORD) off 2 or more consecutive losses as a favorite, in February games
44-17 since 1997. ( 72.1% | 25.3 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )
CBB | WASHINGTON at OREGON ST
Play Against – Underdogs of +145 to +350 vs. the money line (WASHINGTON) after going under the total by 54 or more points total in their last ten games, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 80%)
118-26 since 1997. ( 81.9% | 54.0 units )
6-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 6.0 units )
CBB | CANISIUS at MONMOUTH
Play On – An underdog vs. the 1rst half line (CANISIUS) a poor offensive team (63-67 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG) after 15+ games, after allowing 75 points or more 2 straight games
135-76 since 1997. ( 64.0% | 51.4 units )
3-2 this year. ( 60.0% | 0.8 units )
STRIKE POINT SPORTS (SOCCER)
8-Unit Play. Take Sampdoria (-120) over Sassuolo (9 a.m., Sunday, February 8) (Italy Serie A)
Note: This play is two-way betting. A ‘Draw’ is graded as a loss.
It’s been a surprise season for the Genoa-based club in Italy’s top flight. So far this Serie A campaign Sampdoria have impressed to the tune of a fifth place standing in the current table. Having finished the 2013-14 season in 12th place, this is an impressive leap up thus far, and momentum is riding high for the club looking to clinch a place in Europe for next season. But what makes us especially keen on this match-up is i Blucerchiati in need of a bounce back performance after undoubtedly their worst loss of the league campaign this past weekend away to Torino. But home cooking should have Sampdoria right back to their winning ways, so far undefeated in ten home matches in Serie A play. This week also allows for new transfer Samuel Eto’o further training sessions to better get adjusted following his move from English side Everton during the January transfer window. The Cameroon striker made his debut as a substitute last week, and I think it sets up nicely to earn the start in front of his new home supporters today. Sassoulo have allowed the second most goals of any club this season away with 21 conceeded goals from their eleven away matches. Eto’o will get his chances to open his Sampdoria account throughout this match. Sampdoria have netted 15 times at home compared to just eight allowed, and I think a solid performances awaits in this fixture. The home team respond with a quality victory and three points toward their European ambitions, 2-0 to Sampdoria.
Best of Luck – Strike Point Sports
NCAA Basketball Picks
Ohio State at Rutgers
The Buckeyes head to Rutgers today and come into the contest with a 1-9-1 ATS record in their last 11 road games. Rutgers is the pick (+10) according to Dunkel, which has the Buckeyes favored by only 7.
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+10).
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8
Game 819-820: Michigan at Indiana (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 64.467; Indiana 68.154
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Indiana by 7
Dunkel Pick: Michigan (+7)
Game 821-822: Illinois-Chicago at Detroit (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Illinois-Chicago 44.158; Detroit 51.113
Dunkel Line: Detroit by 7
Vegas Line: Detroit by 10
Dunkel Pick: Illinois-Chicago (+10)
Game 823-824: Rhode Island at Richmond (2:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rhode Island 61.779; Richmond 69.172
Dunkel Line: Richmond by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Richmond by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Richmond (-4 1/2)
Game 825-826: Maryland at Iowa (3:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Maryland 62.867; Iowa 71.477
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Iowa by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (-5 1/2)
Game 827-828: Oakland at Valparaiso (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 53.723; Valparaiso 64.684
Dunkel Line: Valparaiso by 11
Vegas Line: Valparaiso by 8
Dunkel Pick: Valparaiso (-8)
Game 829-830: LaSalle at Massachusetts (4:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LaSalle 60.710; Massachusetts 59.140
Dunkel Line: LaSalle by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Massachusetts by 3
Dunkel Pick: LaSalle (+3)
Game 831-832: Washington at Oregon State (4:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 61.677; Oregon State 60.548;
Dunkel Line: Washington by 1
Vegas Line: Oregon State by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+3 1/2)
Game 833-834: Ohio State at Rutgers (5:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Ohio State 67.203; Rutgers 60.149
Dunkel Line: Ohio State by 7
Vegas Line: Ohio State by 10
Dunkel Pick: Rutgers (+10)
Game 835-836: San Diego State at Boise State (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego State 65.509; Boise State 63.102
Dunkel Line: San Diego State by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: San Diego State
Game 837-838: Clemson at Miami (FL) (6:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Clemson 61.146; Miami (FL) 70.743
Dunkel Line: Miami (FL) by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Miami (FL) by 5
Dunkel Pick: Miami (FL) (-5)
Game 839-840: Washington State at Oregon (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington State 54.797; Oregon 62.989
Dunkel Line: Oregon by 8
Vegas Line: Oregon by 11 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington State (+11 1/2)
Game 841-842: USC at Stanford (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 55.291; Stanford 65.863
Dunkel Line: Stanford by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Stanford by 14
Dunkel Pick: USC (+14)
Game 843-844: Niagara at Quinnipiac (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 45.260; Quinnipiac 54.912
Dunkel Line: Quinnipiac by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Quinnipiac by 12 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Niagara (+12 1/2)
Game 845-846: Marist at Iona (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marist 43.581; Iona 63.170
Dunkel Line: Iona by 19 1/2
Vegas Line: Iona by 14
Dunkel Pick: Iona (-14)
Game 847-848: Manhattan at Rider (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Manhattan 54.945; Rider 53.357
Dunkel Line: Manhattan by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Rider by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Manhattan (+2 1/2)
Game 849-850: Canisius at Monmouth (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 51.062; Monmouth 49.182
Dunkel Line: Canisius by 2
Vegas Line: Monmouth by 2
Dunkel Pick: Canisius (+2)
Game 861-862: Holy Cross at Bucknell (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Holy Cross 47.031; Bucknell 50.187
Dunkel Line: Bucknell by 3
Vegas Line: Bucknell by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Holy Cross (+5 1/2)
NBA Sunday’s Early Tips
By Kevin Rogers
Clippers at Thunder – 1:00 PM EST
One week ago, Los Angeles ran out San Antonio as five-point underdogs in a 105-85 rout. The Clippers have fallen apart since that victory, dropping three straight games, including back-to-back double-digit losses on national television to the Cavaliers and Raptors. Following a 105-94 setback at Cleveland on Thursday in which the Clippers trailed by as many 32 points, Los Angeles jumped out to a 20-point first half lead at Toronto. However, the Raptors stormed back to beat the Clippers, 123-107 to pull off the season sweep of Los Angeles.
The Thunder fell at the buzzer to the Pelicans on Friday night, 116-113, as Oklahoma City has split its past 10 games. Russell Westbrook put up a season-high 48 points in the loss, one game after scoring 45 points at New Orleans in Wednesday’s victory. Kevin Durant returned from a toe injury that kept him out four of the previous five games, as the scoring champion shot just 9-of-26 from the floor for 27 points. OKC dropped to 1-7 ATS in the past eight games, while posting an 0-4 ATS mark in the last four opportunities as a favorite.
Doc Rivers’ squad has been a disaster away from Staples Center recently, covering three of their previous 14 road games since mid-December. The Clippers are 2-5 ATS this season as a road underdog, but the two covers have come in the past month in victories at Portland and San Antonio. L.A. didn’t lose three straight games last season, as the Clips have won 12 of 16 times off a defeat this season.
Oklahoma City has put together an incredible 7-2 SU mark after allowing at least 110 points in its previous game, but has covered just three times in this situation. The Thunder has struggled as a home favorite since mid-December, compiling a 1-7-1 ATS record in the past nine tries.
The Thunder knocked out the Clippers in six games of the second round of last season’s playoffs, as the underdog cashed five times in that series. Los Angeles exacted revenge in the season opener at Staples Center, holding off OKC, 93-90, but Westbrook left the game with a broken right hand and Durant was sidelined with a foot injury. The short-handed Thunder managed a cover as 12 ½-point underdogs, but the Clippers have cashed in three of the past four visits to Chesapeake Energy Arena.
Lakers at Cavaliers – 3:30 PM EST
There have been several lengthy winning streaks in the NBA this season (Atlanta – 19, Golden State – 16), as the latest hot stretch came to a halt on Friday. Cleveland compiled a 12-game winning streak to get back on track following a six-game skid with LeBron James on the sidelines. The Cavaliers blew a 13-point lead in Friday’s 103-99 setback at Indiana as six-point favorites, failing to capitalize off Thursday’s home victory over the Clippers.
Cleveland is rolling at home of late by winning eight consecutive contests at Quicken Loans Arena. David Blatt’s club has covered seven times during this stretch, while cashing the ‘under’ six times as not one opponent scored more than 98 points. The ‘under’ is 7-1 in the last eight games overall for Cleveland, while the Cavs have won eight of 10 games this season as a home favorite against Western Conference foes.
The Lakers have dropped 12 of their past 13 games, capped off by an overtime setback at Orlando on Friday, 103-97. This loss especially burned L.A. backers, as the Lakers failed to cover as 4 ½-point underdogs in spite of building a 14-point halftime lead. Byron Scott’s team lost its second straight game in overtime, as the Lakers squandered a 14-point edge in Wednesday’s defeat at Milwaukee as 9 ½-point ‘dogs. L.A. has struggled in the final contest of a road trip of least two games, putting together a 2-4-1 SU/ATS record in this situation.
The last time these teams met up at Staples Center last month, the Cavaliers snapped a six-game skid to hold off the Lakers, 109-102 as six-point favorites. James put up 36 points, while Cleveland overcame 9-of-30 shooting from three-point range. In spite of the loss, the Lakers converted 51% of their attempts from the floor, while Nick Young knocked down a three-pointer to get L.A. within four with 10 seconds remaining. James helped secure the cover for the Cavs by drilling two free throws and Tristan Thompson made one final free throw to clinch the ATS victory.
The Lakers have lost 13 of their previous 14 road contests, while going 2-6-1 ATS in the last nine games away from Staples Center. Los Angeles is riding a 6-2 stretch to the ‘under’ in the past eight games overall, as the Lakers are 2-7 SU and 3-6 ATS against Eastern Conference opponents on the road.
POINTWISE
NBA BASKETBALL
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 8 SCORE
(1:00) OKLAHOMA CITY 102 – LA Clippers 100 (ABC) _____ _____
(3:30) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS 111 – LA Lakers 90 _____ _____
(6:05) Atlanta Hawks 106 – MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 105 _____ _____
(6:05) Indiana Pacers 108 – CHARLOTTE HORNETS 90 _____ _____
(6:05) DETROIT PISTONS 112 – Minnesota T’Wolves 93 _____ _____
(6:05) Chicago Bulls 100 – ORLANDO MAGIC 95 _____ _____
(7:05) San Antonio Spurs 105 – TORONTO 103 (NBA) _____ _____
(7:05) HOUSTON ROCKETS 105 – Portland Blazers 102 _____ _____
(9:05) Phoenix Suns 106 – SACRAMENTO KINGS 98 _____ _____
BEST BETS: CLEVELAND (1), INDIANA, DETROIT.
NBA
Hot Teams
— Cavaliers won 12 of their last 13 games (7-1 last eight HF).
— Hawks won 21 of their last 22 games (10-3 AU). Memphis won eight of its last nine games (7-2 last nine HF).
— Pacers won three of their last four games (1-3 last four AU). Hornets won 11 of last 15 games (2-4 last six HF).
— Minnesota won last two games, both by point, after losing eight of its previous nine games (9-2 last 11 AU). Pistons won three of their last four games (4-0 last four HF).
— Rockets won six of their last seven games (6-0-1 last seven HF).
— Spurs won nine of their last 11 games (3-1 last four AF). Raptors won seven of last nine games (0-0 HU).
Cold Teams
— Thunder is 3-5 in last eight gams, 1-7 vs spread (0-5-1 last six HF). Clippers lost four of last five games, covered one of last seven.
— Lakers lost 12 of last 13 games (1-5-1 last seven AU).
— Orlando lost nine of its last ten games (1-7 last eight HU). Bulls lost three of their last four games (6-2 last eight AF).
— Portland lost nine of last 13 games; they blew 11-point lead in last 2:00 at Dallas last nite, losing in OT (3-5 last eight AU).
— Suns lost three of their last four games (7-1 last eight AF). Kings lost 11 of their last 12 games (3-6 last nine HU).
Series Records
— Oklahoma City won four of last six games against the Clippers.
— Lakers lost three of last four visits to Cleveland.
— Hawks won seven of last ten games with Memphis.
— Pacers won 15 of last 18 games with Charlotte; both games this year went to overtime.
— Pistons lost their last nine games with Minnesota.
— Bulls won 12 of their last 15 games with Orlando.
— Houston/Portland split their last ten games; home side won last four.
— Spurs won their last seven games with Toronto.
— Suns won three of last four games with Sacramento.
Totals
— Five of last seven Clipper games stayed under total.
— Under is 13-1 in Cleveland’s last 14 home games.
— Six of last seven Atlanta games went over. Five of last six Memphis home games stayed under.
— Last eight Charlotte home games stayed under total.
— Under is 9-4 in last 13 Minnesota road games.
— Last three Chicago road games stayed under total.
— Eight of last eleven Portland road games went over.
— Eight of Spurs’ last nine road games stayed under.
— Last eight Phoenix games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Backs
— Hornets are 2-4 vs spread at home if they played night before.
— Chicago is 6-3 vs spread on road if it played night before.
— Portland is 6-5 vs spread if it played the night before.
— Kings are 0-3 vs spread at home if they played night before.
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
NBA | LA LAKERS at CLEVELAND
Play On – Road underdogs of 10 or more points (LA LAKERS) after going over the total by 42 or more points total in their last five games against opponent after going under the total by 36 or more points total in their last five games
41-15 since 1997. ( 73.2% | 24.5 units )
1-0 this year. ( 100.0% | 1.0 units )
NBA | CHICAGO at ORLANDO
Play Against – Road teams vs. the money line (CHICAGO) after allowing 80 points or less against opponent after a win by 6 points or less
40-17 over the last 5 seasons. ( 70.2% | 24.0 units )
6-2 this year. ( 75.0% | 4.0 units )
NBA | CHICAGO at ORLANDO
Play Against – Road favorites of 2 to 5.5 points vs. the first half line (CHICAGO) after going under the total by more than 6 points in three consecutive games, with a winning record on the season playing a losing team
78-38 since 1997. ( 67.2% | 36.2 units )
2-2 this year. ( 50.0% | -0.2 units )
Game of the day: Spurs at Raptors
San Antonio Spurs at Toronto Raptors (+1, 201)
San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich will try for career win No. 1,000 when the Spurs visit the Toronto Raptors in a key game Sunday night. The matchup is also monumental because the Spurs are opening a nine-game, three-week road trip that will cover just over 8,000 miles. They came into Saturday in seventh place in the jam-packed Western Conference, but just three games behind the third-place Houston Rockets.
The Raptors can’t seem to make up any ground on the East-leading Atlanta Hawks and sit eight games behind as of Saturday. They have managed to distance themselves from the Washington Wizards and Chicago Bulls, but now the fifth-place Cleveland Cavaliers are charging hard after winning 12 of their last 13 games. The Raptors are coming off an impressive 123-107 victory against the visiting Los Angeles Clippers, which came on the heels of two bad losses to the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Southwest (San Antonio), TSN1 (Toronto)
LINE HISTORY: The spread opened as TOR +1 with a total of 201.
INJURY REPORT: Spurs – N/A Raptors – N/A
WHAT CAPPERS SAY: “San Antonio just completed a 6-game homestand in which they went 5-1 SU, but just 1-4-1 ATS. The Spurs are a hard team to handicap since their personnel is always in flux based on head coach Gregg Popvich’s tendency of resting players. The Spurs are just 12-11 on the road this season, and with Toronto 19-9 at home, the Raptors hold a nice home court edge in this game. Toronto snapped their 2-game home losing streak with a solid 123-107 win over the leg weary Clippers on Friday night. But San Antonio will be a stiffer challenge, especially if the Spurs elect to play with their full compliment of players.” -Steve Merril
ABOUT THE SPURS (32-18 SU, 22-26-2 ATS, 23-27 O/U): San Antonio has won five of six and nine of its last 11 and, better yet, seems to be at its healthiest stage so far this season. They improved to 20-6 with Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, Kawhi Leonard and Manu Ginobili in the lineup with a win Friday against the Miami Heat, compared to 12-12 when one or more of their stars are missing. The Spurs also recently got Marco Belinelli back from an 11-game absence due to injury and he has further strengthened their bench.
ABOUT THE RAPTORS (34-17 SU, 25-25-1 ATS, 29-22 O/U): DeMar DeRozan did something against the Clippers he had never done in his career and that’s lead his team in scoring, rebounding and assists in the same game. He had 24 points, nine rebounds and eight helpers in the win and is averaging 17.6 points and 6.3 assists in the last six games. LeBron James and James Harden are the only other non-guards averaging better numbers over the same span.
TRENDS:
*Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
*Raptors are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Southwest.
*Under is 5-1 in Spurs last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
*Over is 5-1 in Raptors last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
CONSENSUS: 56.82 percent are on SA -1.
Hockey Crusher
New York Rangers -150 over Dallas Stars
(System Record: 64-2, won last 2 games)
Overall Record: 64-45-1
Basketball Crusher
Boise State PK over San Diego State
(System Record: 47-0, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 47-49-2
Soccer Crusher
Barra Mansa + Friburguense UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil
(System Record: 703-25, won last 3 games)
Overall Record: 703-586-106
Here are the rest of his hockey and basketball plays for today…
Hockey
Chicago Blackhawks +114 over St. Louis Blues
Philadelphia Flyers + Washington Capitals OVER 5.5
New York Islanders + Buffalo Sabres UNDER 5.5
Basketball
Rhode Island +4.5 over Richmond
Toronto Raptors +1 over San Antonio Spurs
Minnesota Timberwolves + Detroit Pistons OVER 201
Betinvest99 (Soccer)
Barcelona -1 @ 1,58
Vip-Picks (Soccer)
West Ham – Manchester united
Tip: Manchester united -0.5
PAUL LEINER
100* NBA – Over 184 – Pacers/Hornets
100* NBA – Spurs -1.5
100* CBB – Richmond -4.5
DAVE ESSLER
Dime bet – 820 Indiana -7.5 (-110) Americasbookie.com vs 819 Michigan
Analysis: Hate laying points, but with Michigan not having either Walton or LeVert, Indiana should crush them. First off, if for no other reason than the fact that the Hoosiers will run, and Michigan is almost as inexperienced as Indiana and without those two, probably just too thin off the bench to keep up for 40 minutes. For as young as Indiana is, they don’t turn the ball over. Michigan, even with a full compliment of players, relies almost entirely on the three ball, which Indiana defends well. Yes, perhaps all this is built into the number, but it should matter. Albrecht and Irvin can’t win the game alone. Their only road wins even with a healthy team were at Penn State (who can’t score) and Rutgers (who can’t score). Indiana can, and will actually be favored in all the rest of their games except at Maryland. So, they could easily wind up the #2 or #3 seed in the Conference Tournament. They let Iowa shoot 70% last game, and before that were taken to OT by the Spartans. They’ve got to be tired and, well, thinking about next year, IMO. Not even a good coach can get past that, and I think Bellien is a better recruiter than a coach. Hoosiers haven’t lost at home since the Eastern Washington game in November. Spartans haven’t defended the perimeter well this season, and if they get in ANY sort of foul trouble, this is a boatrace. A much better Michigan team lost in Bloomington by 11 or so last year, and in the Big Ten teams tend to pour it on when they can. Michigan doesn’t rebound well at all, meaning every missed three is a potental fast break. I’d love to take the inflated line, but I can. Love to have had +7, but I don’t. I’d use them in a ML parlay for sure.
Dime-bet – 836 Boise St. 0.0 (-110) Americasbookie.com vs 835 San Diego St.
Analysis: You may be able to get +1 tomorrow. I hate the Aztecs on the road, at least not to shut people down with their defense like they might at home. The lost at Fresno and at Colorado State, two teams that aren’t Boise State. They just had a physical, two point win at Nevada. Boise’s only home loss was to Wyoming. Boise can shoot over SDSU’s defense, they’re very expereinced, and they shoot FT’s well. Tney don’t typically turn the ball over, and of course know what SDSU will do, having lost to them last year twice, by two and by three points. Aztecs don’t have Thames, who was a threat from anywhere. Shepard and O’Brien for SDSU have had to play a ton of minutes, and I like Boise’s upper-classmen backcourt against the pressure. The home team that knows they can win, played the better (#1) schedule in the Conference, and in what will be a low scoring/close game, has more ways to win, and they’re #2 in the Conference in steals. That also means a few extra possessions, so we’ve got every reason to assume the Broncos win the game.
EZWINNERS
NCAAB
1* (825) Maryland +5.5
1* (835) San Diego State PICK
NBA
1* (806) Memphis -2