NBA Odds and Predictions: Thursday, February 19 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews
With the week off for the NBA All-Star Break, the various sportsbooks have released a few updated season odds. For example, on Bovada’s NBA MVP odds, Golden State’s Stephen Curry is the -200 favorite. I can’t really argue with the best player on the league’s best team, but I would say that Houston’s James Harden (+350) is a bit more deserving as he has had to carry Houston a lot more this season than Curry had to the Warriors. Dwight Howard has played in only 32 games and is going to miss at least probably 10 more. The only other guy in the race is LeBron James (+350), but he didn’t play all that great for about half a season.
The favored NBA Finals matchup is Cavaliers vs. Warriors at +400, and I get that too. I am surprised, however, that the first Bulls option is way down at +1300, also against the Warriors. Chicago just impressively beat Cleveland in the final game before the break. Cavs-Spurs (+1000), Hawks-Warriors (+1000) and Cavs-Grizzlies (+1200) are all ahead of Bulls-Warriors, which I think is dead wrong. I still don’t buy the Hawks.
There are only two division races that are close, and Sportsbook.ag has odds on those. The Bulls lead the Cavaliers by 1.5 games in the Central, but Cleveland is the -180 favorite and Chicago +140. I like the Bulls there. In the Southwest, Memphis leads Houston by three games, Dallas by four and San Antonio by five. I do expect the Grizzlies (-220 favorites) to hang on.
The second half kicks off with a Western Conference doubleheader on TNT. Here’s a look at each game. Also be aware that Thursday is the NBA trade deadline. Bovada has some trade props currently active.
Mavericks at Thunder (-5, 212)
Will this be the Dallas debut of Amare Stoudemire? The Knicks bought him out this week, and he’s heading to the Mavericks after clearing waivers Wednesday. I like the move for the Mavs, who were short on big men after including Brandan Wright to Boston on the Rajon Rondo trade. Stoudemire, who is averaging 12 points and 6.8 rebounds, can spell Tyson Chandler at center and occasionally Dirk Nowitzki at power forward. Stoudemire isn’t close to a star these days but can give 20-25 good minutes. He’s a big upgrade over journeyman Greg Smith, rookie Dwight Powell and 10-day rental Bernard James, the three centers who were on the roster entering the break. Stoudemire chose the Mavs over the Clippers and Suns because he thinks the Dallas pick-and-roll offense is perfectly suited for him. In other news, the Mavs also were looking at free-agent big man Jermaine O’Neal, but he said he’s not ready to play in the NBA again.
Dallas enters the second half at No. 5 in the West and has won six of its past eight games. Rondo had missed the previous six games with facial injuries, but he is expected to return for this one. I think it’s fair to say that Rondo has been pretty disappointing with the Mavs thus far. He’s averaging 9.2 points (shooting just 40.4 percent), 6.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 21 games. Chandler, who missed the final game before the break with a sprained ankle, also will play.
Oklahoma City is ninth in the West but just a half-game behind No. 8 Phoenix and tied with the Suns in the loss column. You hear the Thunder could be very active before the deadline, perhaps looking to trade Reggie Jackson, who has lost minutes with the acquisition of Dion Waiters, for a center. The Brook Lopez-from-Brooklyn rumors continue. The Thunder entered the break having won three straight and five of six. They are 23-13 since Kevin Durant made his season debut Dec. 2, a record tied for third-best in the West in that stretch. Durant didn’t play much in the All-Star Game because of a sore foot but says it’s feeling much better. Of course, teammate Russell Westbrook took over the ASG with 41 points, the second-most in the game’s history, to win MVP honors.
The Thunder and Mavs have played once, a 112-107 Dallas home win on Dec. 28. Nowitzki tied a season high with 30 points while Chandler Parsons had 26. Chandler missed the game as did Durant. Serge Ibaka led Oklahoma City with a season-high 26 points. Westbrook was just 6-for-23 from the floor for 18 points.
Key trends: Dallas is 1-6 against the spread in its past seven vs. teams with a winning record. The Thunder have covered four straight at home vs. teams with a winning road record. The “over/under” has gone under in four of Dallas’ past five on the road. The over is 4-1 in OKC’s past five.
Early lean: Thunder are starting to get into rhythm. Take them and the over.
Spurs at Clippers (-1, 203)
San Antonio sits in seventh in the West, but I don’t expect the Spurs to stay there long. They are only two games out of the third seed. San Antonio is healthy now and entered the break with two straight wins and four of five. The team is on a season-high nine-game road trip, so the All-Star Break came at a great time as it split that up into two pieces. There are six to go.
The Clippers enter the break sixth in the West and off double-digit wins against Dallas and Houston but will remain without Blake Griffin for at least a few more weeks following surgery to remove a staph infection from his right elbow. The Clippers could make a smaller trade by Thursday’s deadline for some wing help. They would love to get Kevin Garnett if the Nets buy him out.
The Spurs won the first two meetings with Los Angeles but lost the most recent one, 105-85 at home on Jan. 31. Griffin had 31 points and 13 boards. DeAndre Jordan had 19 rebounds. San Antonio’s Big Three of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili combined for only 18 points.
Key trends: The Spurs have covered only two of their past 10 overall. They are 1-5 ATS in their past six road games vs. teams with a winning home record. The Clippers are 3-8 ATS in their past 11 at home vs. teams with a winning road record. The Spurs are 4-1 ATS in the past five meetings. The over is 6-2 in the past eight.
Early lean: Spurs and over.
POINTWISE
NBA BASKETBALL
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 SCORE
(8:05) OKLAHOMA CITY 113 – Dallas Mavs 112 (TNT) _____ _____
(10:35) L.A. CLIPPERS 105 – San Antonio Spurs 99 (TNT) _____ _____
BEST BETS: DALLAS (3)
NBA
Hot Teams
— Dallas won six of its last eight games (1-6 last seven AU); Thunder won five of last six (3-0 last three HF).
— Spurs won 15 of their last 20 games (4-6 last ten AF). Clippers won their last four home games (0-0 HU).
Cold Teams
— None
Series Records
— Thunder lost their last three games with Dallas.
— Clippers lost six of last eight games with San Antonio.
Totals
— Seven of last ten Dallas games stayed under the total; four of last five Thunder games went over.
— Six of Spurs’ last seven games stayed under the total.
Back-to-Backs
— None
Today’s NBA Picks
Dallas at Oklahoma City
The Mavericks travel to Oklahoma City tonight to face the Thunder (28-25 SU) and come into the contest with a 1-6 ATS record in their last 7 games versus a team with a winning SU record. Oklahoma City is the pick (-5) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 9 1/2.
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-5)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Game 501-502: Dallas at Oklahoma City (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 119.122; Oklahoma City 128.583
Dunkel Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 9 1/2; 217
Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 5; 212
Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-5); Over
Game 503-504: San Antonio at LA Clippers (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 125.218; LA Clippers 120.332
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 5; 196
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 2; 203
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-2); Under
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
NBA | SAN ANTONIO at LA CLIPPERS
Play On – Road teams where the line is +3 to -3 (SAN ANTONIO) revenging a home loss vs opponent, extremely well rested team – playing 3 or less games in 10 days
39-14 since 1997. ( 73.6% | 23.6 units )
0-1 this year. ( 0.0% | -1.1 units )
NBA | DALLAS at OKLAHOMA CITY
Play On – Underdogs vs the money line (DALLAS) after a game where both teams scored 90 points or less against opponent after scoring 100 points or more 3 straight games
111-162 since 1997. ( 40.7% | 75.7 units )
3-9 this year. ( 25.0% | -2.6 units )
NBA | SAN ANTONIO at LA CLIPPERS
Play Under – Home teams where the first half total is 100.5 to 105.5 an excellent offensive team (>=76 PPG) against an average defensive team (92-98 PPG) after 42+ games, after scoring 110 points or more
73-35 since 1997. ( 67.6% | 34.5 units )
3-1 this year. ( 75.0% | 1.9 units )
POINTWISE
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
KEY RELEASES
GEORGIA SOUTHERN over Troy (Thurs) RATING: 5
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19 SCORE
(5:30) OLD DOMINION 64 – Southern Mississippi 56 _____ _____
(6:00) DAYTON 67 – St Josephs 60 (ESPNU) _____ _____
7:00) TULANE 81 – Central Florida 71 (ESPNN) _____ _____
(7:00) MARYLAND 74 – Nebraska 62 (BIG10) _____ _____
(7:00) Purdue 72 – INDIANA 67 (ESPN) _____ _____
(7:00) DELAWARE 63 – UNC-Wilmington 62 _____ _____
(7:00) Louisiana Tech 77 – CHARLOTTE 71 (CBSC) _____ _____
(7:00) FLORIDA ATLANTIC 73 – North Texas 72 _____ _____
(7:00) GEORGIA STATE 70 – South Alabama 60 _____ _____
(7:00) SMU 73 – Temple 64 (ESPN2) _____ _____
(7:30) GEORGIA SOUTHERN 79 – Troy 53 _____ _____
(8:00) IOWA 77 – Rutgers 58 (ESPNU) _____ _____
(8:00) FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL 72 – Rice 65 _____ _____
(8:00) UAB 80 – Western Kentucky 67 _____ _____
(8:00) MIDDLE TENNESSEE STATE 79 – Marshall 67 _____ _____
(8:00) ILLINOIS-CHICAGO 71 – Milwaukee 65 _____ _____
(8:15) LA-LAFAYETTE 74 – Texas State 62 _____ _____
(8:15) TEXAS-ARLINGTON 67 – Appalachian State 61 _____ _____
(8:30) ARK-LITTLE ROCK 72 – Arkansas State 60 _____ _____
(9:00) MISSISSIPPI STATE 80 – Mississippi 76 (ESPN2) _____ _____
(9:00) PEPPERDINE 73 – Santa Clara 65 _____ _____
(9:00) ARIZONA 82 – Southern California 52 (PAC12) _____ _____
(9:00) MEMPHIS 76 – Connecticut 72 (ESPN) _____ _____
(10:00) BYU 80 – San Diego 61 _____ _____
(10:00) CAL-RIVERSIDE 79 – Cal-Santa Barbara 73 _____ _____
(10:00) Cal-Poly Slo 62 – CAL-FULLERTON 54 _____ _____
(10:00) LONG BEACH STATE 75 – Cal-Davis 72 _____ _____
(10:00) CAL-IRVINE 84 – Hawaii 73 _____ _____
(11:00) SAINT MARYS 78 – Portland 74 _____ _____
(11:00) San Francisco 72 – LOYOLA-MARYMOUNT 71 _____ _____
(11:00) Gonzaga 87 – PACIFIC 57 _____ _____
(11:00) Utah 76 – OREGON STATE 60 (PAC12) _____ _____
BEST BETS: MARYLAND, PURDUE, GA SOUTHERN, ARK-LITTLE ROCK,
BYU, CAL-DAVIS, PORTLAND, UTAH.
College Basketball
Nebraska lost five of last six games, losing last three by 13-10-12 points, scoring 50.7 ppg; Huskers are 0-4-2 as road underdogs, losing all six Big 14 road games by 11+ points. Maryland’s last four wins were by six or less points; they’re 2-4 as home favorites, 1-6 vs spread in last seven games overall. Underdogs are 9-4 vs spread in Maryland’s conference games. Big 14 home favorites of 8+ points are 6-17 against the spread.
Purdue shot 72% inside arc in 83-67 home win over Hoosiers in a game they never trailed, led by 11 at half. Boilers won six of last seven games (7-0 vs spread); they’re 4-1 as road underdogs, losing away games by 7-9-4 points, with three SU wins. Indiana won all six Big 14 home games, but is 1-3 as homne favorite, with three wins by three points. Underdogs are 5-1 vs spread in their conference home games. Big 14 home favorites of less than 5 points are 18-13 vs spread.
NC-Wilmington forced 20 turnovers (+9), nipped Delaware 74-73 Jan 8 at home, in game they trailed by 7 at half, shooting 6-22 from arc, 12-21 on foul line. Seahawks won seven of last nine games, are 4-2 on road in CAA, with three of four road wins by 7 or less points. Delaware is 3-2 in last five games, with all three wins by 5 or less points; they’re 3-4 in their conference home games. CAA home teams are 9-12 in games with spread of 3 or less points.
Temple won its last seven games, six by 13+ points; they’re 5-1 on AAC road, with only loss by 31 at Cincinnati. SMU won 60-55 at Temple Jan 14, game they trailed by 15 with 18:07 left. Owls are 2-2 as underdogs in AAC. SMU won 11 of last 12 games, is 6-1 as home favorite, with all six wins by 14+ points and only loss to Cincy; they’re 7-2-1 vs spread in last ten games. AAC home favorites of 6+ points are 13-11-1 vs spread.
UAB won all six of its conference home games, with five of six wins by 9+ points; they’re 3-1 as home favorites but failed to cover last three in C-USA, after covering first ten league games. Western Kentucky lost last two games, by 4-5 points; they’re 2-3 in last five games, 1-5 vs spread in last six, winning three of five C-USA road games, with losses by 13-5. Hilltoppers are holding teams to 28.4% from arc, best in league. C-USA home favorites of 5 or less points are 13-8 vs spread.
Ole Miss (-13) beat Mississippi State 79-73 Jan 28, outscoring Bulldogs 29-6 on foul line in game they trailed by 13 with 16:29 left; State was -10 in turnovers (16-6) but shot 64% inside arc. Rebels won six of last seven games, are 4-2 on SEC road, 2-0 as road favorites, winning away games by 14-20-1-7 points. State is 2-3 at home in SEC, 2-3 as home underdogs, losing home games by 14-6-4, with wins over Vandy/LSU. SEC home underdogs of 6 or less points are 7-10 vs spread.
UConn lost four of its last five road games, with lone win at Tulane by 9; Huskies won three of last four overall, are 0-2 as AAC underdogs, losing at SMU/Cincinnati. UConn swept Memphis LY by 10-5-19 points, with win in AAC tourney. Memphis split its last six games (1-5 vs spread); they’re 2-3 as home favorites, with all four home wins by 12+ points. AAC home teams are 13-5-1 in games with spread of five or less points.
Cal-Davis beat Long Beach State 73-67 in OT Jan 10, rallying back from 11 down in second half, six down with 2:31 left; Aggies won five games in row, three by 6 or less points; they’re 3-1 as an underdog this season. Long Beach lost its last three games, scoring 56 ppg; they covered once in last six games, are 3-5 as Big West favorites, 2-3 at home. Hawkins had 28 points in first meeting. Big West home faves are 17-13-2 vs spread.
Cal-Irvine (+1) won 78-72 at Hawai’i Jan 24, making 10-15 from arc in a game where they were -7 (17-10) in turnovers. Anteaters lost two of last three games, are 3-2 as home favorites, with only losses in Bren Center to Long Beach/Davis. Hawai’i won three of last four games, covering all four games; they’re 2-2 as road underdogs, losing away games by 4-1-15, with wins at Northridge, Cal Poly. Big West home teams are 10-7-1 in games where spread was 4 or less points.
Oregon State is 6-0 at home in Pac-12, allowing 52.2 ppg, winning twice as an underdog; home side won Beavers’ last eight games, with OSU 2-4 in last six games overall. Utah won its last four games, all by 16+ points, covering three of them; Utes are 3-1 as road favorites- their only losses on road were at UCLA/Arizona. Utah is 8-3-1 vs spread overall in their conference games. Pac-12 home underdogs are 11-12 against the spread.
Rider (+4) won 56-53 at Quinnipiac Jan 15, in brickfest where teams hit 6-26 from arc. Bobcats shot 29.1% for night, still led by 5 with 12:29 to play. Rider won four in row, eight of last ten games; they’re 3-2 as home favorites, winning last two home games in OT. Quinnipiac won three of last four games, is 3-2 as road underdog, losing away games by 21-8-6-5 points; three of their four road wins were by 4 or less points. MAAC home favorites of 3 or less points are 7-10 vs spread.
Mercer (-4.5) beat Chattanooga 75-72 in OT Jan 29, blowing its 15-point lead in second half, then rallying back from down 3 with 1:40 left. Bears won three of last four games, are 6-1 vs spread on SoCon road, covering both tries as an underdog. Mocs won four of last five games, are 2-3-1 as home favorites, winning home games by 12-6-17-9-5-7 points, with loss to Wofford. SoCon home faves of less than 5 points are 6-10 vs spread.
Fort Wayne won its last six games, three of which were on road; they’re 4-2 vs spread on Summit road, and beat Denver 69-53 (+1) first meeting Jan 8, which was their only win during 1-6 skid, Mastodons made 7-12 on arc in that game, Denver 12-26. Pioneers lost five of last six games, are 4-3 at home in Summit, all as favorites. Denver lost its last home games by total of five points. Summit League home favorites of less than five points are 6-10 vs spread.
NCAA Basketball Picks
Connecticut at Memphis
The Huskies (14-10 SU) head to Memphis tonight to take on a Tigers team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games versus a team with a winning SU record. Connecticut is the pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Huskies favored by 1 1/2.
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+2).
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Game 505-506: Southern Mississippi at Old Dominion (5:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Southern Mississippi 44.730; Old Dominion 62.101
Dunkel Line: Old Dominion by 17 1/2
Vegas Line: Old Dominion by 15 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (-15 1/2)
Game 507-508: St. Joseph’s at Dayton (6:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St Joseph’s 56.199; Dayton 65.830
Dunkel Line: Dayton by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: Dayton by 11
Dunkel Pick: St. Joseph’s (+11)
Game 509-510: Central Florida at Tulane (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Central Florida 52.748; Tulane 57.035
Dunkel Line: Tulane by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Tulane by 7
Dunkel Pick: Central Florida (+7)
Game 511-512: Nebraska at Maryland (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nebraska 60.080; Maryland 70.555
Dunkel Line: Maryland by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Maryland by 8
Dunkel Pick: Maryland (-8)
Game 513-514: Purdue at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 63.899; Indiana 72.047
Dunkel Line: Indiana by 8
Vegas Line: Indiana by 5
Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-5)
Game 515-516: NC-Wilmington at Delaware (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Wilmington 53.101; Delaware 54.234
Dunkel Line: Delaware by 1
Vegas Line: NC-Wilmington by 1
Dunkel Pick: Delaware (+1)
Game 517-518: Louisiana Tech at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 58.479; Charlotte 58.924
Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 1
Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+2)
Game 519-520: North Texas at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Texas 48.042; Floriida Atlantic 51.893
Dunkel Line: Florida Atlantic by 4
Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (-2 1/2)
Game 521-522: South Alabama at Georgia State (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 43.216; Georgia State 63.235
Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 20
Vegas Line: Georgia State by 16 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Georgia State (-16 1/2)
Game 523-524: Temple at SMU (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Temple 66.912; SMU 69.694
Dunkel Line: SMU by 3
Vegas Line: SMU by 7
Dunkel Pick: Temple (+7)
Game 525-526: Troy at Georgia Southern (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Troy 48.895; Georgia Southern 58.410
Dunkel Line: Georgia Southern by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: Georgia Southern by 12
Dunkel Pick: Troy (+12)
Game 527-528: Rutgers at Iowa (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rutgers 53.920; Iowa 72.006
Dunkel Line: Iowa by 18
Vegas Line: Iowa by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Iowa (-14 1/2)
Game 529-530: Rice at Florida International (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Rice 52.848; Florida International 51.176
Dunkel Line: Rice by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Florida International by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Rice (+4 1/2)
Game 531-532: Western Kentucky at UAB (8:00p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 57.789; UAB 56.431
Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: UAB by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Western Kentucky (+3 1/2)
Game 533-534: Marshall at Middle Tennessee State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Marshall 47.458; Middle Tennessee State 57.896
Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 8
Dunkel Pick: Middle Tennessee State (-8)
Game 535-536: WI-Milwaukee at Illinois-Chicago (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 49.247; Illinois-Chicago 52.973
Dunkel Line: Illinois-Chicago by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Illinois-Chicago by 1
Dunkel Pick: Illinois-Chicago (-1)
Game 537-538: Texas State at UL-Lafayette (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Texas State 51.063; UL-Lafayette 52.889
Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 2
Vegas Line: UL-Lafayette by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Texas State (+6 1/2)
Game 539-540: Appalachian State at TX-Arlington (8:15 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 46.039; TX-Arlington 53.011
Dunkel Line: TX-Arlington by 7
Vegas Line: TX-Arlington by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Appalachian State (+9 1/2)
Game 541-542: Arkansas State at AR-Little Rock (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 42.859; AR-Little Rock 53.540
Dunkel Line: AR-Little Rock by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: AR-Little Rock by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: AR-Little Rock (-5 1/2)
Game 543-544: Mississippi at Mississippi State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mississippi 66.299; Mississippi State 59.243
Dunkel Line: Mississippi by 7
Vegas Line: Mississippi by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi (-5 1/2)
Game 545-546: Santa Clara at Pepperdine (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Santa Clara 54.724; Pepperdine 58.946
Dunkel Line: Pepperdine by 4
Vegas Line: Pepperdine by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Santa Clara (+8 1/2)
Game 547-548: USC at Arizona (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: USC 55.291; Arizona 81.776
Dunkel Line: Arizona by 26 1/2
Vegas Line: Arizona by 23
Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-23)
Game 549-550: Connecticut at Memphis (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Connecticut 65.567; Memphis 64.273
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Memphis by 2
Dunkel Pick: Connecticut (+2)
Game 551-552: San Diego at BYU (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Diego 56.258; BYU 70.656
Dunkel Line: BYU by 14 1/2
Vegas Line: BYU by 11
Dunkel Pick: BYU (-11)
Game 553-554: UC-Santa Barbara at UC-Riverside (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 55.806; UC-Riverside 50.278
Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 3
Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (-3)
Game 555-556: Cal Poly at CS-Fullerton (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cal Poly 54.869; CS-Fullerton 53.779
Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 1
Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (+2 1/2)
Game 557-558: UC-Davis at Long Beach State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 55.713; Long Beach State 63.383
Dunkel Line: Long Beach State by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: Long Beach State by 6
Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (-6)
Game 559-560: Hawaii at UC-Irvine (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 58.290; UC-Irvine 59.191
Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 1
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 561-562: Portland at St. Mary’s (CA) (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 60.546; St. Mary’s (CA) 63.537
Dunkel Line: St. Mary’s (CA) by 3
Vegas Line: St. Mary’s (CA) by 6
Dunkel Pick: Portland (+6)
Game 563-564: San Francisco at Loyola Marymount (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Francisco 54.881; Loyola Marymount 57.413
Dunkel Line: Loyola Marymount by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Loyola Marymount
Game 565-566: Gonzaga at Pacific (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 74.563; Pacific 52.813
Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 22
Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 18 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-18 1/2)
Game 567-568: Utah at Oregon State (11:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 72.423; Oregon State 65.861
Dunkel Line: Utah by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Oregon State (+8 1/2)
Game 569-570: Monmouth at St. Peter’s (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Monmouth 51.814; St. Peter’s 50.722
Dunkel Line: Monmouth by 1
Vegas Line: St. Peter’s by 3
Dunkel Pick: Monmouth (+3)
Game 571-572: Quinnipiac at Rider (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Quinnipiac 53.912; Rider 58.727
Dunkel Line: Rider by 5
Vegas Line: Rider by 3
Dunkel Pick: Rider (-3)
Game 573-574: NC-Greensboro at Wofford (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NC-Greensboro 45.682; Wofford 59.519
Dunkel Line: Wofford by 14
Vegas Line: Wofford by 12
Dunkel Pick: Wofford (-12)
Game 575-576: The Citadel at Furman (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: The Citadel 41.248; Furman 43.617
Dunkel Line: Furman by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Furman by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: The Citadel (+5 1/2)
Game 577-578: Niagara at Fairfield (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 45.260; Fairfield 48.122
Dunkel Line: Fairfield by 3
Vegas Line: Fairfield by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Niagara (+5 1/2)
Game 579-580: Canisius at Siena (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 50.222; Siena 51.821
Dunkel Line: Siena by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Canisius by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Siena (+1 1/2)
Game 581-582: Mercer at Chattanooga (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Mercer 51.007; Chattanooga 57.130
Dunkel Line: Chattanooga by 6
Vegas Line: Chattanooga by 4
Dunkel Pick: Chattanooga (-4)
Game 583-584: Oral Roberts at NE-Omaha (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Oral Roberts 53.299; NE-Omaha 49.188
Dunkel Line: Oral Roberts by 4
Vegas Line: Oral Roberts by 1
Dunkel Pick: Oral Roberts (-1)
Game 585-586: IUPUI at North Dakota State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IUPUI 48.670; North Dakota State 56.562
Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 8
Vegas Line: North Dakota State by 10
Dunkel Pick: IUPUI (+10)
Game 587-588: Tennessee-Martin at Eastern Illinois (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 55.798; Eastern Illinois 49.176
Dunkel Line: Tennessee-Martin by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Tennessee-Martin
Game 589-590: Eastern Kentucky at Belmont (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Kentucky 53.214; Belmont 56.700
Dunkel Line: Belmont by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Belmont by 2
Dunkel Pick: Belmont (-2)
Game 591-592: SE-Missouri State at SIU-Edwardsville (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: SE Missouri State 52.170; SIU-Edwardsville 50.301
Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: SE Missouri State
Game 593-594: Morehead State at Tennessee State (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Morehead State 52.820; Tennessee State 43.122
Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 9 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 595-596: Idaho at Northern Arizona (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 49.906; Northern Arizona 52.032
Dunkel Line: Northern Arizona by 2
Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 5
Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+5)
Game 597-598: Idaho State at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 45.107; Montana 54.203
Dunkel Line: Montana by 9
Vegas Line: Montana by 11
Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (+11)
Game 599-600: Weber State at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 47.529; Montana State 44 210
Dunkel Line: Weber State by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Weber State by 1 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-1 1/2)
Game 601-602: Eastern Washington at Southern Utah (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 51.668; Southern Utah 40.288
Dunkel Line: Eastern Washington by 11 1/2
Vegas Line: Eastern Washington by 8
Dunkel Pick: Eastern Washington (-8)
Game 603-604: IPFW at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: IPFW 51.272; Denver 55.667
Dunkel Line: Denver by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Denver by 3
Dunkel Pick: Denver (-3)
Game 605-606: North Dakota at Portland State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 44.298; Portland State 49.304
Dunkel Line: Portland State by 5
Vegas Line: Portland State by 7
Dunkel Pick: North Dakota (+7)
Game 607-608: Northern Colorado at Sacramento State (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 48/156; Sacramento State 50.947
Dunkel Line: Sacramento State by 3
Vegas Line: Sacramento State by 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (+5 1/2)
Game 611-612: St. Francis (PA) at Central Connecticut (9:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: St. Francis (PA) 46.158; Central Connecticut 42.290
Dunkel Line: St. Francis (PA) by 4
Vegas Line: St. Francis (PA) by 6
Dunkel Pick: Central Connecticut (+6)
StatFox Super Situations™ – FoxSheets
CBB | ST FRANCIS-PA at C CONN ST
Play Over – All teams where the total is 129.5 or less a good defensive team (63-67 PPG) against an average defensive team (67-74 PPG), after a loss by 6 points or less
87-44 over the last 5 seasons. ( 66.4% | 38.6 units )
9-7 this year. ( 56.3% | 1.3 units )
CBB | PURDUE at INDIANA
Play On – Favorites of -165 to -500 vs. the money line (INDIANA) revenging a same season loss vs opponent, a good team (60% to 80%) playing a team with a winning record
808-254 since 1997. ( 76.1% | 198.7 units )
21-12 this year. ( 63.6% | -7.9 units )
CBB | USC at ARIZONA
Play Under – Road teams against the total off an upset win as a home underdog, a bad team (20% to 40%) playing a team with a winning record
41-15 over the last 5 seasons. ( 73.2% | 24.5 units )
2-4 this year. ( 33.3% | -2.4 units )
Today’s NHL Picks
Nashville at NY Islanders
The Predators head to New York tonight to face the Islanders and come into the contest with an 8-1 record in their last 9 February games. Nashville is the pick (+100) according to Dunkel, which has the Predators favored by 1 1/2.
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+100)
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19
Game 1-2: Buffalo at Philadelphia (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 10.865; Philadelphia 9.290
Dunkel Line & Total: Buffalo by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-260); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Buffalo (+220); Under
Game 3-4: Vancouver at NY Rangers (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.056; NY Rangers 13.332
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: NY Rangers (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (-150); Over
Game 5-6: Winnipeg at Washington (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 12.407; Washington 11.037
Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+140); Over
Game 7-8: Columbus at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 10.617; Pittsburgh 12.062
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-225); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-225); Under
Game 9-10: Nashville at NY Islanders (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Nashville 13.089; NY Islanders 11.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: NY Islanders (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (+100); Over
Game 11-12: Florida at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.191; Montreal 10.038
Dunkel Line & Total: Floirda by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-160); 5
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+140); Under
Game 13-14: San Jose at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 11.941; Dallas 10.332
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-120); Over
2014-15 NHL
Hot teams
— Blue Jackets won four of their last six games.
— Winnipeg won four of its last five games. Washington won six of last eight.
— Nashville won its last six games, allowing nine goals. Islanders won six of last eight games.
— Rangers won seven of their last nine games. Vancouver won three of its last four.
— Canadiens won five of their last seven games.
— Dallas Stars won four of their last five games.
Cold teams
— Penguins are 3-4 in last seven games, scoring two goals in the four losses.
— Florida lost three of its last four games.
— Buffalo lost its last four games, last three all by 2-1 scores. Flyers lost three of last four games.
— San Jose lost seven of its last nine games.
Series records
— Penguins won seven of last eight games with Columbus.
— Caps won their last six games with Winnipeg.
— Islanders lost three of last four games with Nashville.
— Rangers won their last five games with Vancouver.
— Canadiens won their last three games with Florida.
— Flyers won 11 of their last 13 games with Buffalo.
— Sharks won four of their last five games with Dallas.
Totals
— Five of last six Columbus games went over the total.
— Seven of last eight Washington home games stayed under.
— Seven of last ten Islander home games went over total.
— Seven of last ten Vancouver road games stayed under; last four Ranger games went over.
— Six of last eight Montreal home games stayed under.
— Eight of last eleven Philly home games stayed under.
— Three of last four Dallas home games stayed under.
Back-to-back
— Montreal is 7-4 when it played the night before.
Hockey Crusher
Washington Capitals -156 over Winnipeg Jets
(System Record: 71-2, lost last game)
Overall Record: 71-49-1
Basketball Crusher
Troy +12 over Georgia Southern
(System Record: 53-0, won last game)
Overall Record: 53-54-2
Soccer Crusher
Bonsucesso + Macae UNDER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil
(System Record: 705-25, lost last 3 games)
Overall Record: 705-594-107
Here are the rest of his hockey and basketball plays for today…
Hockey
New York Islanders + Nashville Predators UNDER 5.5
Vancouver Canucks + New York Rangers UNDER 5.5
Florida Panthers + Montreal Canadiens OVER 5
Basketball
Charlotte +2.5 over Louisiana Tech
Delaware +1 over North Carolina-Wilmington
Purdue +5 over Indiana
ALLEN EASTMAN (CBB)
8-Unit. Play Take #517 Louisiana Tech -2 vs Charlotte
INDIAN COWBOY (CBB)
3* 573 NC Greensboro +12
STRIKE POINT SPORTS (CBB)
4* 517 LT -3
4* 590 Belmont -2
4* 553 U C Santa Barbara -4
MIKE DAVIS (CBB)
7-Unit Play. Take #562 St. Mary’s -6
NEWSLETTER NBA Basketball Prediction From Strike Point Sports
Take #503 San Antonio (-2) over L.A. Clippers (10:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 19)
This is the time that San Antonio turns it on. Yes, Pop will manipulate his lineup just enough to get his elder statesmen through the regular season, but he also knows that he needs to position the Spurs correctly to push through the playoffs. If they falter a bit they could grab a first-round matchup with a team like Memphis, and they don’t want that. We know the playoffs are a long way out, but in the West each game is crucial. San Antonio is a bad matchup for this Clippers team, and they will prove it by grabbing a big road win to kick off the NBA’s second half. Look for the Spurs to control the tempo on both ends of the floor and find success on the backboard both offensively and defensively. Take the road team here as they get the W.
MADDUX SPORTS
All 10*
#503 – NBA – 10 units on San Antonio -2
#507 – NCAAB – 10 units on St. Joes +11
#517 – NCAAB – 10 units on Louisiana Tech -2
#580 – NCAAB – 10 units on Siena +1
#516 – NCAAB – 10 units on Delaware +2
EZWINNERS
NCAAB
2* (591) SE Missouri St -1
ARLON SPORTS
W Kentucky +3.5
Mid Tenn St -8.5
Appalachian St +9.5
CS Fullerton +2.5
Oregon St +8.5
Season Total
104-81-1
+14.9 Units
Totals 4 You “Total Domination”
2015 NBA 2nd-Half Opener Super Total of the Year!!!!!
Dallas/Oklahoma City – Over 211 1/2
NBA Best Bets
San Antonio/Los Angeles – Over 203
February’s Big 10 Conference Super Total of the Month!!!!!
Purdue/Indiana – Over 145
NCAA Best Bets
Temple/SMU – Under 124 1/2
Mississippi/Mississippi State – Under 137 1/2
Connecticut/Memphis – Over 124
San Diego/BYU – Over 145 1/2
SPORTS LOCKSMITH
NHL
New York Rangers -160 2* (7:00 Eastern)
NCAAB:
Eastern Washington -8 -110 3* (9:00 Eastern)
Chairman’s Plays:
Dayton -10 -110 5* (6:00 Eastern)
Wofford -11.5 -110 5* (7:00 Eastern)
UC Davis +6.5 -110 6* (10;00 Eastern) (Game of The Week)
NBA:
Chairman’s Play:
Dallas +5.5 -110 5* (8:00 Eastern)
STEPHEN NOVER
Top Thursday play – SA Spurs -2
H&H Sports
3* Spurs/Clippers Under 204
2* Nebraska +9
2* UL Lafayette -6
5* NY Rangers
Sports Nostradamus
3* Mississippi State +6
3* Long Beach State -5
2* UConn +3
2* Utah -8
1* Nebraska +9
1* Wisconsin-Milwaukee +1
1* USC +23
5* Buffalo/Philadelphia Under 5.5
PAUL LEINER
100* NBA – Thunder/Mavericks Over 211.5
100* CBB- Indiana -5
50* CBB – Rutgers +14.5
BRUCE MARSHALL
Iowa -14.5
DOC SPORTS (CBB)
2-Unit Play.#558 Take Long Beach State -6
3-Unit Play. #562 Take Saint Mary’s -6
BEN BURNS
NHL BLUE MARLIN! —- Pittsburgh ML
NY SPORTS GENIUS
5 units
(NCAAB) Portland +6 (-110)
(NCAAB) IPFW +4 (-110)
4 units
(European Cup Soccer) Wolfsburg/Sporting LIsboa – Over 3 goals (+112)
(European Cup Soccer) Liverpool/Besiktas – Over 2.5 goals (-104)
3 units
(NBA) Mavericks +5.5 (-110)
(NBA) Mavericks/Thunder – Over 212 (-110)
(NHL) Jets moneyline (+145)
GOODFELLA
Thursday NBA on TNT 1st Half Play
GoodFella | NBA Side Thursday, 2/19/2015 8:00 PM
501 DAL Americasbookie.com vs 502 OKL
Analysis:
NBA 1st Half Play — DALLAS MAVS +2.5
VEGAS SPORTS INFORMER (NBA)
2-Unit Play. Take #504 Under 203 ½ – San Antonio at LA Clippers
SPORTS HANDICAPPER KING
Ross Raposo —- Nebraska
Michael Barazone —- San Antonio Spurs
PAUL LEINER
2000* CBB Over 121.5 – Maryland/Nebraska
100* NBA Over 211.5 – Thunder/Mavs
100* CBB Indiana -5
50* CBB Rutgers +14.5
Falcon Sports (40-26 run: NHL 24-12 and NBA 16-14)
2 units NY Islanders -115
2 units LA Clippers +3 -105
BILLY COLEMAN
4.5* Indiana
3* Santa Clara
3* Saint Marys
3* San Antonio Spurs
ATS LOCK CLUB
CBB
5* Temple +7.5
4* UC Riverside +4
4* UC Davis +7
NHL (0-9 last 9 times)
4* NYR/Under 5.5
POWER PLAY WINS
Power Play of the Day – San Antonio -3
BRANDON LANG
20 Dime Mississippi St +5.5
MARCO D’ANGELO / WagerTalk
4% Arkansas State +5.5*