COMPS
BIG AL
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles is starting to right itself from its poor start in Las Vegas. The World Champs dropped their first five games against the spread, but have won three straight ATS since last Friday. However, those three spread victories came at home at Staples Center, and it will be a lot more difficult getting the cover tonight at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets will have revenge from last season's playoff loss to Los Angeles, and they also come into the game tonight off an upset loss at the hands of Milwaukee. That game was Denver's fourth ATS loss in a row, and they lost three of those four games outright (with a 1-point win at Chicago on Tuesday being the only triumph). But off these string of ATS losses, Denver falls into a super 63% ATS system of mine that plays on certain teams off three or more ATS losses vs. unrested foes off 3 ATS wins. The Nuggets have had this game circled on their calendar since the schedule was announced, and they'll get the cover tonight. Lay the points.
Matt Fargo
NC Willmington at Appalachian St.
Prediction: NC Willmington
This line is pretty much based off of last year?s teams and results. UNC-Wilmington had an absolutely miserable season last year as it went 7-25 and just 3-15 in the CAA. The Seahawks were hit hard with injuries, personnel issues and overall bad luck after winning 20 games the previous season. Things will be different this season however even though almost every preseason hoops magazine is predicting them to finished last in the conference once again. They were hit hard mostly on the inside as the Seahawks had no size and were actually using guards at the power forward position. That changes this season as UNC-Wilmington actually has size and depth down low. East Carolina transfer John Fields made the C-USA All-Freshman team in 2006-07 as he led the entire conference in shooting at 62.4 percent. With bodies down low, point guard Chad Tomko can only get better after averaging 15.6 ppg last season and he also finished fourth in the CAA in assists while leading the conference in steals. Appalachian St. is a team on the rise following a disappointing 2008-09 season. The Mountaineers bring almost every player back from last seasons 13-18 team and they also brought back former head coach Buzz Peterson who last coach them in 2000. The problem last year was turnovers as Appalachian St. averaged 17.5 tpg which was near the bottom of the nation. A year of experience together should help that and cause that to decrease but it certainly is not a good sign that during the 94-81exhibition victory over Mars Hill, the Mountaineers committed 26 turnovers. They were similar to the Seahawks in many ways including the fact that they could score as they averaged 76 ppg but couldn't stop the opposition as they allowed 76.8 ppg. During the fall workouts, the Mountaineers have been slowed by injuries and illness. Forward Josh Hunter returned from knee surgery just two weeks ago, and 6-10 center Isaac Butts has practiced just three times since his return from surgery on November 5th. The flue also hit the locker room and while no players will miss the game, time was lost on the practice floor as well as conditioning. This is a ton of points in a matchup of two teams that are fairly equal and the underdog prevails in this one. 3* UNC-Wilmington Seahawks
EZWINNERS
West Virginia Mountaineers @ Cincinnati Bearcats
Play: West Virginia Mountaineers +9.5
The Mountaineers 3-3-5 defense is equipped to slow down the high powered Cincinnati offense. Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike should play, but not start this game, so we will have to see how sharp he is after the missed time. Connecticut's performance against Cincinnati revealed the crack in Cincinnati's armor. On offense the Mountaineers are 33rd in the nation in rushing offense at over 180 yards per game. West Virginia running backs Noel Devine (should play) and Jock Sanders should be able to run the ball with success and keep the Cincinnati offense off of the field. The road team is 4-1-1 against the spread in the last six meetings. Take the points.
BIG AL
Los Angeles Lakers at Denver Nuggets
Prediction: Denver Nuggets
Los Angeles is starting to right itself from its poor start in Las Vegas. The World Champs dropped their first five games against the spread, but have won three straight ATS since last Friday. However, those three spread victories came at home at Staples Center, and it will be a lot more difficult getting the cover tonight at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets will have revenge from last season's playoff loss to Los Angeles, and they also come into the game tonight off an upset loss at the hands of Milwaukee. That game was Denver's fourth ATS loss in a row, and they lost three of those four games outright (with a 1-point win at Chicago on Tuesday being the only triumph). But off these string of ATS losses, Denver falls into a super 63% ATS system of mine that plays on certain teams off three or more ATS losses vs. unrested foes off 3 ATS wins. The Nuggets have had this game circled on their calendar since the schedule was announced, and they'll get the cover tonight. Lay the points.
Matt Fargo
NC Willmington at Appalachian St.
Prediction: NC Willmington
This line is pretty much based off of last year?s teams and results. UNC-Wilmington had an absolutely miserable season last year as it went 7-25 and just 3-15 in the CAA. The Seahawks were hit hard with injuries, personnel issues and overall bad luck after winning 20 games the previous season. Things will be different this season however even though almost every preseason hoops magazine is predicting them to finished last in the conference once again. They were hit hard mostly on the inside as the Seahawks had no size and were actually using guards at the power forward position. That changes this season as UNC-Wilmington actually has size and depth down low. East Carolina transfer John Fields made the C-USA All-Freshman team in 2006-07 as he led the entire conference in shooting at 62.4 percent. With bodies down low, point guard Chad Tomko can only get better after averaging 15.6 ppg last season and he also finished fourth in the CAA in assists while leading the conference in steals. Appalachian St. is a team on the rise following a disappointing 2008-09 season. The Mountaineers bring almost every player back from last seasons 13-18 team and they also brought back former head coach Buzz Peterson who last coach them in 2000. The problem last year was turnovers as Appalachian St. averaged 17.5 tpg which was near the bottom of the nation. A year of experience together should help that and cause that to decrease but it certainly is not a good sign that during the 94-81exhibition victory over Mars Hill, the Mountaineers committed 26 turnovers. They were similar to the Seahawks in many ways including the fact that they could score as they averaged 76 ppg but couldn't stop the opposition as they allowed 76.8 ppg. During the fall workouts, the Mountaineers have been slowed by injuries and illness. Forward Josh Hunter returned from knee surgery just two weeks ago, and 6-10 center Isaac Butts has practiced just three times since his return from surgery on November 5th. The flue also hit the locker room and while no players will miss the game, time was lost on the practice floor as well as conditioning. This is a ton of points in a matchup of two teams that are fairly equal and the underdog prevails in this one. 3* UNC-Wilmington Seahawks
EZWINNERS
West Virginia Mountaineers @ Cincinnati Bearcats
Play: West Virginia Mountaineers +9.5
The Mountaineers 3-3-5 defense is equipped to slow down the high powered Cincinnati offense. Cincinnati quarterback Tony Pike should play, but not start this game, so we will have to see how sharp he is after the missed time. Connecticut's performance against Cincinnati revealed the crack in Cincinnati's armor. On offense the Mountaineers are 33rd in the nation in rushing offense at over 180 yards per game. West Virginia running backs Noel Devine (should play) and Jock Sanders should be able to run the ball with success and keep the Cincinnati offense off of the field. The road team is 4-1-1 against the spread in the last six meetings. Take the points.
RedZone Sports free internet plays: New Mexico State (NCAAB) and NY Islanders.
Vegas Hotsheet - Comp Pick - CFB
Temple -4.5
Marc Lawrence NBA Bonus Play! - Friday
Play On: Utah Jazz
Note: The Jazz journey into Philadelphia to face the Sixers knowing they are 8-2 ATS as dogs on this court. They are also 10-3 SU and ATS in this series when playing off a loss. Look for Philly to drop to 3-9 ATS at home off one win exact against a Western Conference opponent off one loss exact here tonight.
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
353 - 241 run 58 %
Free winner Cleveland St -1
Bobby Maxwell Bonus Play
Rutgers pitches a shutout for another FREE winner on Thursday, making me 7-1 with my last eight comp plays. You want another one tonight and I've got it on the Blazers as they visit New Orleans for a matchup with the Hornets.
It can’t be a good thing that the Hornets fired head coach Byron Scott and replaced him with the general manager Jeff Bower. Sounds like the guy who put the roster together thinks he can do better than a proven coach. It’s going to end ugly, we all see it coming. So tonight, let’s go ahead and lay the chalk with a very good, young Portland team in New Orleans.
The Hornets are giving up 105 points a game and just got smoked by Phoenix 124-104 on Wednesday. They just don’t seem to have any motivation and gave up 40 points in the first quarter on Wednesday.
Portland has won four in a row (SU and ATS) including easy wins in Memphis and Minnesota on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Blazers took two of the last three against New Orleans last season, cashing in four of the five series matchups last year. Back on Feb. 2, Portland went to the Big Easy and scored a 97-89 win as a three-point ‘dog.
In fact, the Blazers have won four of the last seven and cashed in five of those seven.
Portland has been built the right way, with smart trades and good draft picks. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are two guys that can flat out score the ball. Throw in the headiness of guards Andre Miller and Steve Blake and you’ve got a fine NBA squad.
New Orleans just doesn’t have enough punch. Chris Paul is outstanding, but the other starters struggle if everything isn’t going just perfectly.
Portland is on ATS runs of 7-2 on the road, 19-7 as a favorite, 7-0 on Fridays and 4-0 overall. Meanwhile, the Hornets are on ATS slides of 8-23 as an underdog, 3-11 overall, 1-4 at home, 2-9 against the Western Conference and 0-5 on Fridays.
Go ahead and lay the chalk with the Blazers.
3? PORTLAND
Dominic Fazzini Bonus Play
South Florida looked like crap Thursday, making me a loser with my complimentary selection and ending my three-game winning streak. But I'm coming back strong with an NBA winner tonight.
The Hornets already have given coach Byron Scott the boot, and general manager Jeff Bower, who has never been a head coach, is taking over on the bench. I don't see this as a solution to their problems.
New Orleans isn't getting much scoring from anyone other than Chris Paul, David West and Emeka Okafor, and Peja Stojakovic is shooting just 35.3 percent from the field.
The Trail Blazers put veteran point guard Andre Miller into the starting lineup four games ago and haven't lost since. They are holding opponents to 89.6 points per game, and only one has cracked 100 points.
Portland is also getting balanced scoring, led by Brandon Roy's 20.8 points per game, and should present a variety of problems for the Hornets, who are allowing 105 points per game.
The Blazers have covered in their past four games overall, are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 as a road favorite. Take Portland to cover tonight.
4? PORTLAND
Vegas Hotsheet - Comp Pick - CFB
Temple -4.5
Marc Lawrence NBA Bonus Play! - Friday
Play On: Utah Jazz
Note: The Jazz journey into Philadelphia to face the Sixers knowing they are 8-2 ATS as dogs on this court. They are also 10-3 SU and ATS in this series when playing off a loss. Look for Philly to drop to 3-9 ATS at home off one win exact against a Western Conference opponent off one loss exact here tonight.
Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
353 - 241 run 58 %
Free winner Cleveland St -1
Bobby Maxwell Bonus Play
Rutgers pitches a shutout for another FREE winner on Thursday, making me 7-1 with my last eight comp plays. You want another one tonight and I've got it on the Blazers as they visit New Orleans for a matchup with the Hornets.
It can’t be a good thing that the Hornets fired head coach Byron Scott and replaced him with the general manager Jeff Bower. Sounds like the guy who put the roster together thinks he can do better than a proven coach. It’s going to end ugly, we all see it coming. So tonight, let’s go ahead and lay the chalk with a very good, young Portland team in New Orleans.
The Hornets are giving up 105 points a game and just got smoked by Phoenix 124-104 on Wednesday. They just don’t seem to have any motivation and gave up 40 points in the first quarter on Wednesday.
Portland has won four in a row (SU and ATS) including easy wins in Memphis and Minnesota on Tuesday and Wednesday. The Blazers took two of the last three against New Orleans last season, cashing in four of the five series matchups last year. Back on Feb. 2, Portland went to the Big Easy and scored a 97-89 win as a three-point ‘dog.
In fact, the Blazers have won four of the last seven and cashed in five of those seven.
Portland has been built the right way, with smart trades and good draft picks. Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge are two guys that can flat out score the ball. Throw in the headiness of guards Andre Miller and Steve Blake and you’ve got a fine NBA squad.
New Orleans just doesn’t have enough punch. Chris Paul is outstanding, but the other starters struggle if everything isn’t going just perfectly.
Portland is on ATS runs of 7-2 on the road, 19-7 as a favorite, 7-0 on Fridays and 4-0 overall. Meanwhile, the Hornets are on ATS slides of 8-23 as an underdog, 3-11 overall, 1-4 at home, 2-9 against the Western Conference and 0-5 on Fridays.
Go ahead and lay the chalk with the Blazers.
3? PORTLAND
Dominic Fazzini Bonus Play
South Florida looked like crap Thursday, making me a loser with my complimentary selection and ending my three-game winning streak. But I'm coming back strong with an NBA winner tonight.
The Hornets already have given coach Byron Scott the boot, and general manager Jeff Bower, who has never been a head coach, is taking over on the bench. I don't see this as a solution to their problems.
New Orleans isn't getting much scoring from anyone other than Chris Paul, David West and Emeka Okafor, and Peja Stojakovic is shooting just 35.3 percent from the field.
The Trail Blazers put veteran point guard Andre Miller into the starting lineup four games ago and haven't lost since. They are holding opponents to 89.6 points per game, and only one has cracked 100 points.
Portland is also getting balanced scoring, led by Brandon Roy's 20.8 points per game, and should present a variety of problems for the Hornets, who are allowing 105 points per game.
The Blazers have covered in their past four games overall, are 7-2 ATS in their last nine road games and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 as a road favorite. Take Portland to cover tonight.
4? PORTLAND
