Gus Augustine
Friday night comp play will be to take the double-digits with the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M as they face the Explorers of La Salle.
Here is the deal....All these teams want for Christmas is a WIN!
Any win will do mind you, as A&M is 0-10 straight, and La Salle is also 0-10 straight up.
This begs the question, is one 0-10 team 12 points better than the other?
My reply would be NO!
The Explorers will get back their "big gun" Pookie Powell who has missed a few games with a back injury, but Ashley Howard's team has not played in any live action since way back on December 8th, and they bring in an 0-11 against the spread mark their last 11 games played at neutral sites. They are also a money-burning 2-7-1 against the spread in their 10 losses this year.
As for the Bulldogs, they may be 0-10, but with the points they have actually covered in 3 of their last 4 games, and 6 of their last 8 overall.
Again, any win will do here, so let's look for La Salle to at least break their maiden, but for this battle between a pair of winless teams to be close and entertaining.
Take A&M plus the points.
2* ALABAMA A&M
Friday night comp play will be to take the double-digits with the Bulldogs of Alabama A&M as they face the Explorers of La Salle.
Here is the deal....All these teams want for Christmas is a WIN!
Any win will do mind you, as A&M is 0-10 straight, and La Salle is also 0-10 straight up.
This begs the question, is one 0-10 team 12 points better than the other?
My reply would be NO!
The Explorers will get back their "big gun" Pookie Powell who has missed a few games with a back injury, but Ashley Howard's team has not played in any live action since way back on December 8th, and they bring in an 0-11 against the spread mark their last 11 games played at neutral sites. They are also a money-burning 2-7-1 against the spread in their 10 losses this year.
As for the Bulldogs, they may be 0-10, but with the points they have actually covered in 3 of their last 4 games, and 6 of their last 8 overall.
Again, any win will do here, so let's look for La Salle to at least break their maiden, but for this battle between a pair of winless teams to be close and entertaining.
Take A&M plus the points.
2* ALABAMA A&M
Tommy Brunson
Friday Bonus Play winner on the Hawks and Knicks to light the scoreboard up at Madison Square Garden in a game that plays Over the total.
This is the third showdown of the season between the teams, their last meeting in November at Atlanta holding Under the total, but the first meeting in New York in October played well Over the posted price - N.Y. winning 126-107.
That Over made it 5 of the past 7 series meetings in the Big Apple between the teams landing Over the total, and put the overall Over run at 13-5 the last 18 times these teams have jumped ball.
Neither team is a big proponent of defense, as the Hawks are 30th in the NBA in scoring defense - allowing 119 points per game, while the Knicks are not far behind at 27th in the league in the same category - allowing almost 116 points per game.
The Hawks did play an Under their last time out, but 2 of their last 3, and 5 of their last 8 games this season have played Over. On the road, Atlanta is on a 4-2 Over run.
As for the Knicks, they have been Over the total in their last pair of contests, and 6 of their last 8 overall.
Sit back and watch as this game features very little defense, and plenty of easy baskets being made.
Over the total we go at the Garden tonight!
4* ATLANTA-NEW YORK OVER
Friday Bonus Play winner on the Hawks and Knicks to light the scoreboard up at Madison Square Garden in a game that plays Over the total.
This is the third showdown of the season between the teams, their last meeting in November at Atlanta holding Under the total, but the first meeting in New York in October played well Over the posted price - N.Y. winning 126-107.
That Over made it 5 of the past 7 series meetings in the Big Apple between the teams landing Over the total, and put the overall Over run at 13-5 the last 18 times these teams have jumped ball.
Neither team is a big proponent of defense, as the Hawks are 30th in the NBA in scoring defense - allowing 119 points per game, while the Knicks are not far behind at 27th in the league in the same category - allowing almost 116 points per game.
The Hawks did play an Under their last time out, but 2 of their last 3, and 5 of their last 8 games this season have played Over. On the road, Atlanta is on a 4-2 Over run.
As for the Knicks, they have been Over the total in their last pair of contests, and 6 of their last 8 overall.
Sit back and watch as this game features very little defense, and plenty of easy baskets being made.
Over the total we go at the Garden tonight!
4* ATLANTA-NEW YORK OVER
Ray Chadwick
Good home spot for the hot Blazers as they host a Jazz team that is feeling pretty good about themselves after a Wednesday night 108-103 home win over the NBA champion Warriors in Salt Lake City.
Things have not been "smooth-jazz" for Utah when they pack their bags lately though, as they head to Rip City saddled with road losses both straight up and against the spread in 5 straight - well, actually it is an 0-4-1 spread slide on the road. Not only that, but Coach Quin's team has dropped 5 of their last 6 games played at the Moda Center both straight up and against the spread.
Portland meanwhile, comes into this home game with wins in each of their last 3, and 5 of their last 7 overall both straight up and against the spread. Damian Lilliard continues to be the conduit for the Blazers offense, as he is averaging over 27 points per game on the year.
The Utah defense continues to be their calling card, but their offense has been inconsistent to say the least, as they have been held to no more than 97 points in half of their last 6 games. Yes, they were able to get to 108 in their win over Golden State, but they will need to do better than that against a Trail Blazers team that is averaging close to 112 points per game on the year.
The Blazers have defended home court very well this year, 12-4 straight up and 11-5 against the spread thus far on their home floor, so with Utah's recent road struggles, have I will look for Portland to enjoy the spoils of a Friday night home game just before Christmas over the Jazz.
Lay the small wood with Portland.
3* PORTLAND
Good home spot for the hot Blazers as they host a Jazz team that is feeling pretty good about themselves after a Wednesday night 108-103 home win over the NBA champion Warriors in Salt Lake City.
Things have not been "smooth-jazz" for Utah when they pack their bags lately though, as they head to Rip City saddled with road losses both straight up and against the spread in 5 straight - well, actually it is an 0-4-1 spread slide on the road. Not only that, but Coach Quin's team has dropped 5 of their last 6 games played at the Moda Center both straight up and against the spread.
Portland meanwhile, comes into this home game with wins in each of their last 3, and 5 of their last 7 overall both straight up and against the spread. Damian Lilliard continues to be the conduit for the Blazers offense, as he is averaging over 27 points per game on the year.
The Utah defense continues to be their calling card, but their offense has been inconsistent to say the least, as they have been held to no more than 97 points in half of their last 6 games. Yes, they were able to get to 108 in their win over Golden State, but they will need to do better than that against a Trail Blazers team that is averaging close to 112 points per game on the year.
The Blazers have defended home court very well this year, 12-4 straight up and 11-5 against the spread thus far on their home floor, so with Utah's recent road struggles, have I will look for Portland to enjoy the spoils of a Friday night home game just before Christmas over the Jazz.
Lay the small wood with Portland.
3* PORTLAND
