Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
Chargers/Titans UNDER 47
The Chargers haven't had too many more exciting wins lately than Sunday's. Not only did Nate Kaeding kick a 52-yard field goal with three seconds left for the margin of victory, but the Chargers clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West title.
However, San Diego has to hop on a plane on Thursday and play the Titans on a short week on X-mas day.
Suffice to say, the Chargers are doing everything they can to snag the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, and that means a committed effort in Nashville.
But, the Chargers still can't run the ball, plain and simple. LaDainian Tomlinson did average 3.7 yards a carry and did have a long of 13, but it's obvious the Chargers no longer look to their running game as a strength.
That said, Philip Rivers wasn't as sharp as he has been through most of this nine-game winning streak—he threw two picks Sunday; look for the Chargers to put an emphasis on protecting the ball in this game.
Keep in mind that San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in two of three contests this year when playing the roll of underdog.
On the other side of the field: For the Titans, the game plan will be simple. Give the ball to Chris Johnson and get out of the way; the Chargers' defensive weak spot is stopping the running game.
The Titans were sharp on the defensive side as well, playing a diverse team that utilizes the "wild-cat" and an ever improving young QB; Chad Henne threw 349 yards against the Titans, but Tennessee picked him off three times to help atone for such a substantial yardage total.
Remember; Tennessee has seen the total go "under" the posted number in four of six contests this season when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Bottom line: Here is another powerful "under" trend that the Chargers exhibit; San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in five of six games where the total is between 42 1/2 and 49 points and over the last two years its seen it go "under" the number in nine of eleven games under the same circumstances.
Both teams are coming off emotional victories. Both teams are playing on a short week. This game is big for both teams.
Expect the defenses to be the main story-line in this one as the offenses look to limit their mistakes; when you take into account all of the above factors, the sharp money in this one is on the UNDER!
*10* UNDER.
Chargers/Titans UNDER 47
The Chargers haven't had too many more exciting wins lately than Sunday's. Not only did Nate Kaeding kick a 52-yard field goal with three seconds left for the margin of victory, but the Chargers clinched their fourth consecutive AFC West title.
However, San Diego has to hop on a plane on Thursday and play the Titans on a short week on X-mas day.
Suffice to say, the Chargers are doing everything they can to snag the No. 2 playoff seed in the AFC, and that means a committed effort in Nashville.
But, the Chargers still can't run the ball, plain and simple. LaDainian Tomlinson did average 3.7 yards a carry and did have a long of 13, but it's obvious the Chargers no longer look to their running game as a strength.
That said, Philip Rivers wasn't as sharp as he has been through most of this nine-game winning streak—he threw two picks Sunday; look for the Chargers to put an emphasis on protecting the ball in this game.
Keep in mind that San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in two of three contests this year when playing the roll of underdog.
On the other side of the field: For the Titans, the game plan will be simple. Give the ball to Chris Johnson and get out of the way; the Chargers' defensive weak spot is stopping the running game.
The Titans were sharp on the defensive side as well, playing a diverse team that utilizes the "wild-cat" and an ever improving young QB; Chad Henne threw 349 yards against the Titans, but Tennessee picked him off three times to help atone for such a substantial yardage total.
Remember; Tennessee has seen the total go "under" the posted number in four of six contests this season when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
Bottom line: Here is another powerful "under" trend that the Chargers exhibit; San Diego has seen the total go "under" the posted number in five of six games where the total is between 42 1/2 and 49 points and over the last two years its seen it go "under" the number in nine of eleven games under the same circumstances.
Both teams are coming off emotional victories. Both teams are playing on a short week. This game is big for both teams.
Expect the defenses to be the main story-line in this one as the offenses look to limit their mistakes; when you take into account all of the above factors, the sharp money in this one is on the UNDER!
*10* UNDER.
Tony George
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4
Cleveland struggles against teams with an inside post and large frontcourt, giving up 52 in the paint the other night to Sacramento.. That is the difference in this game and Ron Artest will contain James on defense. Better team in a traditional game they play in at home.
Play 1 Unit on LA.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4
Cleveland struggles against teams with an inside post and large frontcourt, giving up 52 in the paint the other night to Sacramento.. That is the difference in this game and Ron Artest will contain James on defense. Better team in a traditional game they play in at home.
Play 1 Unit on LA.
Evan Altemus
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
The Cavaliers are being priced like they are one of the top two or three teams in the league, but I don’t agree with that assessment at all. Cleveland is a step below Boston, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, and probably Orlando right now. Other sharp bettors have agreed as well, betting this line up from -4 to -5 almost immediately after being released. Los Angeles has shown several times this season that they are arguably the best team in the NBA, especially at home. Quality teams such as Boston, Dallas, and Houston have all beaten the Cavaliers this season. There is added value to this play because of the recent success that Cleveland has had recently, as well as on their current road trip. Look for the Lakers to get a dominant home win and point spread cover.
4 UNIT SELECTION.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
The Cavaliers are being priced like they are one of the top two or three teams in the league, but I don’t agree with that assessment at all. Cleveland is a step below Boston, Los Angeles Lakers, Denver, and probably Orlando right now. Other sharp bettors have agreed as well, betting this line up from -4 to -5 almost immediately after being released. Los Angeles has shown several times this season that they are arguably the best team in the NBA, especially at home. Quality teams such as Boston, Dallas, and Houston have all beaten the Cavaliers this season. There is added value to this play because of the recent success that Cleveland has had recently, as well as on their current road trip. Look for the Lakers to get a dominant home win and point spread cover.
4 UNIT SELECTION.
GoodFella
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
Huge Marquee matchup for this ballgame on ABC Christmas Day. We have LeBron and his Cavs coming into Staples to take on Kobe and his Lakers. The Lakers come into this game having the last two days off- as they defeated the Thunder at home on Tuesday Night. So the Lakers have had two full days (being at home the whole time) to prepare for LeBron and his Cavs. Now for the Cavs, they are playing their 4th road game in 6 days and coming off a Overtime win at Sacramento on Wednesday night. This is clearly an advantage here for the Lakers, and they are the better team by quite a bit to begin with in my opinion. Another huge factor I see is the REBOUNDING edge I believe the Lakers will have in this matchup- as the Lakers size and length is a MAJOR edge here. The Lakers' frontline totally dominated the Cavs, 104-52, in points in the paint in the two games they faced each other last season- with the Lakers taking both games handily. Now with Artest on the team- this should even be more of an advantage for the Lakers. Yes the Cavs now have Shaq- but clearly his a SHELL of his former self- and I really dont see him having a huge impact in this game. The Lakers have such a huge edge vs anyone with that front-line they have and they are clearly the DEEPER team too. I really like this play to cash & I actually wouldn't be a bit surprised to see another double digit win from the Lakers in this spot guys. Lay the points with the Lakers guys.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
Huge Marquee matchup for this ballgame on ABC Christmas Day. We have LeBron and his Cavs coming into Staples to take on Kobe and his Lakers. The Lakers come into this game having the last two days off- as they defeated the Thunder at home on Tuesday Night. So the Lakers have had two full days (being at home the whole time) to prepare for LeBron and his Cavs. Now for the Cavs, they are playing their 4th road game in 6 days and coming off a Overtime win at Sacramento on Wednesday night. This is clearly an advantage here for the Lakers, and they are the better team by quite a bit to begin with in my opinion. Another huge factor I see is the REBOUNDING edge I believe the Lakers will have in this matchup- as the Lakers size and length is a MAJOR edge here. The Lakers' frontline totally dominated the Cavs, 104-52, in points in the paint in the two games they faced each other last season- with the Lakers taking both games handily. Now with Artest on the team- this should even be more of an advantage for the Lakers. Yes the Cavs now have Shaq- but clearly his a SHELL of his former self- and I really dont see him having a huge impact in this game. The Lakers have such a huge edge vs anyone with that front-line they have and they are clearly the DEEPER team too. I really like this play to cash & I actually wouldn't be a bit surprised to see another double digit win from the Lakers in this spot guys. Lay the points with the Lakers guys.
Andre Gomes
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
This is the most anticipated game of the day but in my opinion the Lakers are clearly one step above the Cavaliers and they should not have any problem to beat the Cavs today.
First of all, the Cavaliers have a bad spot coming to this game as they will play the final game of their road trip and last Wednesday they had a tough game against the Kings that ended in overtime. Meanwhile the Lakers had one more day to rest and naturally we must not forget that they are playing at home.
However the biggest edge for the Lakers in this game is related with some matchups advantages that I’ll explain. The Lakers have the best defender in the league at the Small Forward position: Ron Artest. Lebron James will have to work hard on this matchup, sure that he can still make a huge game however Artest is a tough matchup and the Lakers have the weapons to slow down Lebron James. The Cavaliers this season have Shaquille O'Neal and they look better on the front however they are far from the level that Lakers currently have with Gasol, Bynum and Odom. Plus the Cavaliers don’t have any player capable of stop Kobe Bryant. Delonte West is too small and Anthony Parker isn’t capable of guard Kobe. Last season when he was in Toronto, Kobe scored 60 points while shooting 52.3% from the field against the Raptors in two contests.
Last season the Lakers swept the Cavs by winning both contests by double digits points and this season with Ron Artest I expect a similar outcome in this contest. Take the Lakers today.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 506 LA Lakers (-5)
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
This is the most anticipated game of the day but in my opinion the Lakers are clearly one step above the Cavaliers and they should not have any problem to beat the Cavs today.
First of all, the Cavaliers have a bad spot coming to this game as they will play the final game of their road trip and last Wednesday they had a tough game against the Kings that ended in overtime. Meanwhile the Lakers had one more day to rest and naturally we must not forget that they are playing at home.
However the biggest edge for the Lakers in this game is related with some matchups advantages that I’ll explain. The Lakers have the best defender in the league at the Small Forward position: Ron Artest. Lebron James will have to work hard on this matchup, sure that he can still make a huge game however Artest is a tough matchup and the Lakers have the weapons to slow down Lebron James. The Cavaliers this season have Shaquille O'Neal and they look better on the front however they are far from the level that Lakers currently have with Gasol, Bynum and Odom. Plus the Cavaliers don’t have any player capable of stop Kobe Bryant. Delonte West is too small and Anthony Parker isn’t capable of guard Kobe. Last season when he was in Toronto, Kobe scored 60 points while shooting 52.3% from the field against the Raptors in two contests.
Last season the Lakers swept the Cavs by winning both contests by double digits points and this season with Ron Artest I expect a similar outcome in this contest. Take the Lakers today.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 506 LA Lakers (-5)
Dwayne Bryant
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
The Lakers have been off since Tuesday and I'm sure they're very much looking forward to this Christmas day matchup with LeBron and the Cavs. While the Lakers have had two days off to prepare, this will be Cleveland's fourth road game in six days. The Lakers won both meetings last season by double digits, including a 17-point win at Staples Center. The two double-digit wins are no fluke, as LA just has so many more scoring options than the Cavs. More scoring options plus more rest equals a solid victory for the home team. Lay the points with the Lakers.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS -5
The Lakers have been off since Tuesday and I'm sure they're very much looking forward to this Christmas day matchup with LeBron and the Cavs. While the Lakers have had two days off to prepare, this will be Cleveland's fourth road game in six days. The Lakers won both meetings last season by double digits, including a 17-point win at Staples Center. The two double-digit wins are no fluke, as LA just has so many more scoring options than the Cavs. More scoring options plus more rest equals a solid victory for the home team. Lay the points with the Lakers.
