Monday 1/18/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Orange (12-7) at Blue Devils (14-4)

Date: January 18, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

How a particular team chooses to define a losing streak depends almost entirely on its expectations. At Duke, dropping back-to-back games is considered a major slump.

The ninth-ranked Blue Devils haven't lost three straight in nearly eight years, but they're on the verge of doing just that heading into Monday night's visit from Syracuse.

Duke (14-4, 3-2) won its first three ACC games by average of 19 points as part of a five-game winning streak, then ran into a surging Clemson team that pulled off a 68-63 home upset Wednesday. It was solid offensively against visiting Notre Dame on Saturday but fell 95-91, losing for the first time when scoring at least that many points since 2008.

The Blue Devils haven't lost to three consecutive unranked foes since Feb. 1-11, 2007, part of a four-game skid that also marks the last time they dropped back-to-back home games. They lost four straight, including their first NCAA Tournament game, to end that same season, which also is the last time they lost three in a row overall.

Luke Kennard had a season-high 30 points against the Fighting Irish, and fellow freshman Brandon Ingram finished with 25. Duke ranks second nationally in scoring at 86.9 points per game but is giving up an average of 70.7, which would be its worst since allowing 71.3 per game in 1999-2000.

'We executed on offense, but defensively, we just didn't execute,' Kennard said. 'We didn't keep the ball out of the paint. We didn't rebound very well. Defensively, we've just got to pick it up a little bit.'

Hiccups to start conference play are nothing new for the Blue Devils, who have lost two of their first five ACC games in each of the last four seasons. They lost back-to-back games around this time in 2014-15 before going on to win the national championship.

That doesn't mean much to coach Mike Krzyzewski, who has plenty of newcomers. Also, senior big man Amile Jefferson remains out with a fractured right foot suffered in practice Dec. 12.

'There's nothing from last year,' Krzyzewski said. 'Unless you have a lot of guys (back), whatever you did last year translates a little bit better. ... It's a different year, and we just have to fight and keep getting better and not pay attention to anything else.'

Syracuse (12-7, 2-4) has fought through plenty of distractions, including a nine-game suspension for coach Jim Boeheim stemming from NCAA violations against the program.

Boeheim returned for an 84-73 loss to then-No. 6 North Carolina on Jan. 9, the Orange's fourth straight defeat to open ACC play. They bounced back for a 62-40 rout of Boston College on Wednesday before beginning a stretch of three consecutive road games with Saturday's 83-55 win over Wake Forest.

Trevor Cooney had a season-high 27 points against the Tar Heels before matching his season low with five Wednesday. His 27 points against the Demon Deacons led the way for Syracuse, which has held the opposition to 32.2 percent from the field over the last two.

The Orange face another tough challenge Saturday at Virginia after this contest.

"If we have the mentality we had (at Wake Forest), it's going to do a lot for us," Cooney said. "We know we've lost some games and dug ourselves into a hole, but we also have great opportunities to beat some teams and get some wins."

Cooney scored 13 points but the Orange shot 30.6 percent from the field in a 73-54 loss to Duke on Feb. 28, the Blue Devils' third straight victory in the series.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Boilermakers (15-3) at Scarlet Knights (6-12)

Date: January 18, 2016 7:00 PM EDT

If Big Ten play has leveled Purdue's season, the effect it's had on Rutgers' second campaign in the conference has been a flatlining.

The 24th-ranked Boilermakers head to New Jersey on Monday night to begin a span of three of four on the road, but there's been no such thing as home-court advantage with the Scarlet Knights for more than a year in the league.

Purdue (15-3, 3-2) has thus far traded wins and losses in the conference and is 4-3 overall dating to a loss against Butler on Dec. 19. It's coming off Wednesday's 74-57 home win over Penn State behind Vince Edwards' season-high 19 points on 6-of-8 shooting.

"When the ball goes in it looks better, but he (Edwards) was efficient, a little more aggressive," coach Matt Painter said. "I thought Vince was really good. I thought (reserve center) Isaac (Haas) was really good."

The sophomore had been limited to 7.8 points per game on 34.1 percent shooting over the preceding 3-3 span.

"You've just got to take your shots in rhythm, take them when they're there and just be ready to shoot," Edwards said. "That's what I did."

While much of the offense came from the frontcourt with Edwards being followed by fellow forward Caleb Swanigan's 13, center A.J. Hammons' 13 and Haas' 14, the Boilermakers' outside shooting is showing signs of gradual improvement.

They made 8 of 21 from long range against the Nittany Lions and are at 39.3 percent in the last three games after entering that span with a 27.8 mark over the prior four.

Purdue has won four straight in the series and both meetings last season with Hammons averaging 15.0 points. Those defeats for Rutgers are part of a 0-20 span in the league since a home win over then-No. 4 Wisconsin on Jan. 11, 2015 - a drought that includes eight home losses by an average of 16.8 points.

The losing streak is the longest in Big Ten play since Northwestern dropped 20 straight from Feb. 15, 2007-Feb. 23, 2008. The most recent to go beyond 20 was the Wildcats' 28-game skid from March 5, 1999-Feb. 6, 2001.

This season's league start has come with Rutgers losing by an average of 22.8 points while its opponents have scored 86.0 per game after Wednesday's 94-68 loss at Ohio State. A 55-27 second half followed a two-point halftime lead for the Scarlet Knights.

"We did a great job in the first half. We were fighting," coach Eddie Jordan said. "We showed some physicality. We were organized. Corey (Sanders) had a nice first half for us."

Sanders had a game-high 20 points on 7-of-14 shooting after a three-game span in which the freshman leading scorer had been limited to 9.0 on 25.7 percent.

The Scarlet Knights (6-12, 0-5), however, shot 38.6 percent and have been held to a 37.7 mark overall and 29.9 from 3-point range in the last four. That's made for an average losing margin of 26.8 points with opponents shooting 51.3 percent.

To close the gap, they could use more consistent play from No. 2 scorer Mike Williams. The sophomore had six points and shot 2 of 13 from the field against the Buckeyes after scoring 22 in a loss to Nebraska on Jan. 9.

In conference play, he's alternated single-digit scoring efforts of 30.0 percent or lower with two games of at least 20 points on 58.3 percent.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Sooners (15-1) at Cyclones (13-4)

Date: January 18, 2016 9:00 PM EDT

When Oklahoma beat Iowa State in the Big 12 opener, it was thought to be a preview of two of the conference's top contenders. The Sooners have held up their end of the bargain, but the Cyclones desperately seek a revenge win to remain in the hunt.

That chance will come when second-ranked Oklahoma visits No. 17 Iowa State on Monday night for a pivotal conference game for each side.

The last five matchups in this series have come while both teams were ranked, and Iowa State won three of the first four. Oklahoma, though, used an 87-83 victory on Jan. 2 as the launching pad for a hot conference start.

The Sooners (15-1, 4-1) followed with a 109-106 triple-overtime loss at No. 1 Kansas two days later, but they have won three straight and will likely claim that top ranking this week - what would be their first in the AP Top 25 since March 1990.

Oklahoma is in that position after Saturday's 70-68 win over No. 11 West Virginia, which beat Kansas earlier in the week to set up a four-way tie between those three teams and No. 22 Baylor at the top of the Big 12.

Khadeem Lattin, who missed a free throw that could have helped Oklahoma beat Kansas, tipped in a shot with one second left in the win over the Mountaineers.

"The leadership of this group, the senior group, Jordan (Woodard) and those guys know that whatever is today is OK," coach Lon Kruger said. "... but it's nothing in terms of what we have to keep doing in Big 12 play in terms of getting better to keep challenging the opposition that lies ahead.'

Iowa State (13-4, 2-3) was thought to be a challenger entering the conference season but lost three of its first four games before Saturday's 76-63 win at Kansas State.

The Cyclones held the Wildcats to 37.7 percent shooting, a good sign for a team allowing 74.3 points per game while opponents shoot 43 percent - both the worst marks in the Big 12.

Iowa State, though, still has to play Kansas and West Virginia twice each and could desperately use a win over the Sooners.

'I have learned a lot in my short time in this league, and we just have to continue to get better each day,' coach Steve Prohm said. 'But to come here and win like this in double figures, it shows that we are not going to let people push us out and say that Iowa State is done this year.'

Remaining relevant starts with slowing down the conference's top scoring team. Oklahoma averages 86.3 points - slightly more than Iowa State's 85.2 - on 47.1 percent shooting. The Sooners lead the nation with a 45 percent clip from 3-point range, while Iowa State is last in the Big 12 by allowing opponents to shoot 34.7 percent from deep.

That number drops to 32.6 percent in Ames, where the Cyclones are 72-6 since Feb. 26, 2011, and had won nine straight before falling 94-89 to Baylor on Jan. 9.

Oklahoma made 11 3s on 29 attempts in the first matchup as Buddy Hield and Jordan Woodard = two of the nation's top two 3-point shooters - combined to make just 4 of 12.

Iowa State led for most of the second half thanks in large part to Georges Niang's 29 points. That's his high in league play, during which the senior forward is averaging 21.4 points and 6.6 rebounds.

Hield and Niang are the Big 12's top two scorers at 26 and 19.6 points per game, respectively.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Big Monday Tip Sheet
By David Schwab

College hoops action continues to heat up in the dead of winter with a pair of key conference matchups on ESPN’s Big Monday slate. First in the ACC, the Syracuse Orange will head down Tobacco Road to face the No. 9 Duke Blue Devils in a 7 p.m. (ET) tip. Over in the Big 12, two nationally ranked teams square-off against one another with the No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners going on the road to face the No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones in a 9 p.m. start.

Syracuse Orange at No. 9 Duke Blue Devils (7 p.m. ESPN)

Betting Point-spread: Duke -12

Betting Matchup

After stumbling out of the gate to a 0-4 start both straight-up and against the spread in ACC play, Syracuse has now won its last two conference games both SU and ATS. This past Saturday, the Orange crushed Wake Forest 83-55 as two-point road underdogs after hammering Boston College 62-40 in their previous outing as 11-point favorites at home. The total has now stayed UNDER in four of their last six games.

The win against BC was head coach Jim Boeheim’s second game back at the helm after serving a NCAA-imposed nine-game suspension and the Orange put forth a solid effort with four players scoring in double figures. Against Wake Forest, senior guard Trevor Cooney led the way with a game-high 25 points while hitting 6-of-11 shots from three-point range. Syracuse is averaging 71.1 points a game and allowing an average of 64.4 points on defense.

The Blue Devils are 14-4 SU on the year with a pedestrian 3-2 record in conference play following a stunning 95-91 loss to Notre Dame this past Saturday as 8 ½-point home favorites. This followed a 68-63 loss to Clemson as 7 ½-point favorites on the road that is sure to knock them out of the AP’s Top 10 this week. The total went OVER 153 ½ points in the loss to the Fighting Irish and it has now gone OVER in eight of their last 11 games.

Duke has gotten a big effort from sophomore guard Grayson Allen this season with a team-high 20.2 points per game, but he has failed to meet that average in four of his last five games. He went 5-for-11 from the field in the loss to Notre Dame including a 2-for-6 shooting performance from three-point range. The Blue Devils remain the second-highest scoring team in the nation with 86.9 PPG, but defensively they have allowed 75 points or more in four of their last eight games.

Betting Trends

The Orange are just 7-23-2 ATS in their last 32 conference games and they have failed to cover in four of their last five road games. The total has stayed UNDER in seven of their last 10 games played on the road.

The Blue Devils are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games following an ATS loss, but they have gone 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17 Monday games. The total has gone OVER in five of their last six home games.

Duke has won the last four meetings SU and it has a 3-0-1 edge ATS. The total has been evenly split at 2-2 in those four games.

No. 2 Oklahoma Sooners at No. 17 Iowa State Cyclones (9 p.m. ESPN)

Betting Point-spread: Iowa State -2 ½

Betting Matchup

Oklahoma could find itself holding down the top spot in Monday’s new AP Top 25 following a tight 70-68 victory against West Virginia this past Saturday given that the Mountaineers were coming off a huge upset of current No. 1 Kansas early last week. However, after failing to cover as 4 ½-point home favorites in that win, the Sooners are now a costly 1-6 against the spread in their last seven games. The total has stayed UNDER in their last two outings after it went OVER in their previous five games.

Senior guard Buddy Hield led the way in the win over West Virginia with team-high 17 points, but that was well below his 26 PPG scoring average that is the second-highest in the nation. It was just the second time in Oklahoma’s last 10 games that it failed to score at least 83 points and on the year the Sooners are fourth in the nation in scoring with 86.3 points a game. They are also one of the best rebounding teams in the nation with 43.6 a game.

Iowa State was able to bounce-back from losses to Baylor at home and Texas on the road as a favorite in each with a solid 76-63 victory against Kansas State this past Saturday as a slight 1 ½-point road favorite. It was the first time the Cyclones covered in their last four games and the total stayed UNDER the 152 ½-point closing line after going OVER in six of their previous seven games with a closing total line.

This is another team that knows how to light-up a scoreboard with an average of 85.2 PPG. Junior guard Monte Morris led the way in Saturday’s win with 19 points and on the year he is averaging 14.7 PPG. Senior forward Georges Niang has been Iowa State’s leading scorer all season long with 19.6 PPG and he added another 15 points in the win over the Wildcats.

Betting Trends

The Sooners have failed to cover in 11 of their last 13 conference games, but they have gone 7-2 ATS in their last nine games played on Monday. The total has stayed UNDER in nine of their last 13 road games.

The Cyclones are 0-4-1 ATS in their last five home games, but they are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 home games against a team with a SU winning record on the road. The total has gone OVER in their last four games following a SU win.

Head-to-head in this Big 12 tilt, the favorite is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in five of the last seven games. Oklahoma has failed cover in four of its last five road games against Iowa State.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'College Hoops'

Oklahoma at Iowa St. January 18, 9:00 EST

Sooners (15-1, 7-7 ATS) behind leading contender for player of the year Buddy Hield (26.0 PPG, 5.6 RBG) are one of the best teams in the country on offense (86.2) dropping 47.1% from the filed, 45.0% from outside. However, keeping the ball out of their own basket is a work in progress as Sooners allow opponents 70.9 per/contest. Cyclones no slouches on offense drop 85.2 per/game with five in double digits lead by Georges Niang contributing 19.6 per/contest. Like Sooners, the Cyclones struggle defensively allowing opponents 74.3 per/contest.

When the two schools met earlier in Norman the Sooners escaped with a 87-83 victory but failed at the betting window as -7.5 point home chalk. The non-cover was the third consecutive suffered by Sooners in this series. Sooners ridding a 1-6 ATS skid, 2-11 ATS slide facing conference rivals, a cash burning 1-4 ATS record last five trips into Ames the lean is Cyclones who are 12-5-1 ATS vs teams with a .600 or better winning record.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Streaks, Tips, Notes

Syracuse Orange at Duke Blue Devils January 18, 7:00 EST

Tonight in the ACC the Duke Blue Devils (14-4, 8-8-1 ATS) hitting a rough patch losing back-2-back games look to right the ship when they host Syracuse Orange (12-7, 8-10 ATS) at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Coach K's troops 11-5-1 ATS after a loss, 7-3 ATS L10 vs the conference, 8-2 as DD chalk, 3-0-1 ATS vs Orange get the job done. Keep in mind, Orange aren't a peg to hang your hat on away from the Carrier Dome going 2-6 ATS L8, 4-10-1 ATS L15 and enter 1-3-1 ATS as double digit underdogs.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

College basketball betting TV guide: Must-watch, must-wager games
By STEVE MERRIL

College basketball is in full swing with conference play shaping the field for the NCAA tournament. Steve Merril has scoured the schedule for the must-watch, must-wager games for each day on the college hoops calendar so that you don’t miss any of the action.

Monday – Syracuse Orange at Duke Blue Devils (ESPN)

Syracuse was in an excellent spot for their home game against North Carolina last Saturday night. The Orange were catching the Tar Heels off a 109-point performance and Syracuse was getting head coach Jim Boeheim back from his nine-game suspension. That wasn’t enough as the Orange were non-competitive. Duke will have a pair of tough games before Syracuse, but the Blue Devils have cruised in their home games so far this season.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Woodbine Harness: Monday 1/18 Analysis
By Garnet Barnsdale

DRF HARNESS

Race 4 - $50,000 Guaranteed Pick Four Pool

20-CENT PICK 5: 4,7/3,5/5,7/3,6,7,8,9,10/1,2,3,6 = $38.40

EARLY PICK 4: 3,6,7,8,9,10/1,6/4,6/7,10 = $48

LATE PICK 4: 7,10/2,3,4,5/7/1,2,3,7,9 = $40

MEET STATS: 195 - 594 / $1044.90 BEST BETS: 31 - 54 / $105.80

SPOT PLAYS: 16 - 54 / $183.80

Best Bet: WILD AND CRAZY GUY (9th)

Spot Play: SILVER BULLET (4th)


Race 1

(4) ASPEN CALIFORNIA started up too late to threaten a loose leader but could turn the tables on that rival here if driven more aggressively. (7) DOMEDOMEDOME blew the race wide-open in the third 1/4 last week and is the obvious one to beat here. (1) PISCEAN was pushed hard in the third 1/4 last week and faltered late. She could do better here off a following trip.

Race 2

(3) LADY PING was patiently-driven last week but when shown racetrack in the lane she easily powered away from her rivals. Another short field plays right into her hand; call to repeat. (5) SHEGUINDAH pushed a quick third 1/4 and provided perfect cover for the winner. She races better on the lead or out of the pocket and could score an upset if forwardly-placed early. (2) LUAU HANOVER will likely be closing belatedly again for a share.

Race 3

(7) MARQUIS VOLO and (5) LOVE HUNTER both come off sharp scores and look like the main contenders here. Nod to the former based on his strong win record. (8) JAYPORT ALL MUSCLE was flying late last time and likely closes for another minor share here.

Race 4

(10) SILVER BULLET is a full-sister to two that won 16 races and more than $300K between them and took marks of 1:49 4/5 and 1:51 3/5, respectively; upset special. (9) DOUBLE DECKER drops out of the Snowshoe series and should show more here. (8) DURANGO SEELSTER made a pretty good middle move last week which could be a sign further immediate improvement is coming.

Race 5

(1) ROCKY DE VIE raced great first-time hoppled last week and was an unlucky loser. Top call despite the class rise. (6) OLE JACK MAGIC couldn't chase down a loose leader that stole a big breather last week but he continues to race well and could get a better setup here; using. (3) POWER MOVE lived up to his name in deep stretch last week and is another to consider for vertical wagers.

Race 6

(6) SLIP INTO GLIDE has the best closing power in a field where there figures to be a strong early pace; top call. (4) ZEUS LIGHTNING beat most of these two back and is clearly at the top of his form now; using. (8) FEARLESS MAN is the main speed threat but could get strung out too long trying to make the front here.

Race 7

(7) THE BIG YEAR got mired in some brutal traffic until it was too late last time. Expect Jamieson to work out a better trip here. (10) FOREVER JUST got fried early last time now gets to drop in class again. He is a big threat here. (4) HUNCH MAN disappointed last week as a big chalk but should be able to grab a share here.

Race 8

(4) VELOCITY HEADLIGHT went a huge trip last week hung out for a long way in quick splits yet rolled on to victory despite that park out. He should be tough here again. (5) ONE WARAWEE left hard, took a shuffle then tried another move in his first start off the claim. He can improve here with better racing luck. (2) JAC SPADE has returned from a long break in solid form but can be a bit of a hanger and needs a great setup to win. It's possible here that he could get just that.

Race 9

(7) WILD AND CRAZY GUY faces much easier here and should prove tough to beat. (4) TOTALLY RIPPED can close with a big rush at times and is in with an upset chance here. (2) GRANA PADANNO's last couple of starts are better than they look on paper and he can grab a piece of this.

Race 10

(3) BROADIES SONG gets a much better post and a ton of early speed to chase here; predicting he rolls by late. (2) LIKEAVIRGIN is 2 for 2 racing for Cirasuola and will be winging it here trying to go coast-to-coast. (1) CLIFF DRUMMOND has been racing great in the Preferred 3's at the B tracks and isn't out of this. (7) INTENDED STYLE drops and is another that can close out the late Pick 4. (9) JUST HENRY had several claims in on him last week and debuts here for Menary who took him for himself. He is yet another contender.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Yonkers: Monday 1/18 Analysis
By Brewster Smith

DRF HARNESS

MEET STATS: 12 - 56 / $100.80

BEST BETS: 1 - 5 / $6.50

Best Bet: COSMICPEDIA (1st)

Spot Play: DAVITA (8th)


Race 1

(2) COSMICPEDIA was on the engine throughout but when turning for home, he could not close the deal in his latest. Good to see Brennan stays in the bike and will try to get this eight-year-old back into the winner's circle. (3) RED ROCK finally receives post relief and that should help his cause; we shall see. (8) YOURE MY HERO does have some speed. Post hurts, but is capable.

Race 2

(6) AFFECTIVE ACTION was on the rim down the backstretch, but could not keep going forward last time around. Trotter could put it all together with a favorable trip. (3) SPARTAN PRESENCE broke at the start as the favorite recently at Freehold; could be a threat with these. (5) ONE DIRECTION Jersey shipper does fit with this group; might have a say in the outcome.

Race 3

(1) SARAH COLA comes by way of Saratoga with a good record in 2015. Mare draws the fence, has early pace and Sears signs on for the drive; gets the call. (4) SHES A PANSATION was flat in the Niagara at Woodbine last out, but her return to Yonkers makes her a serious player. (2) BEAS IDEAL made first asking a winning one last week; dangerous.

Race 4

(1) BRETT MCFAVRELOUS Gelding was good enough last out to miss the victory by a neck. Now he moves to the rail slot and his speed, should carry him on to glory; the pick. (2) DAVID THE SAINT was heading in the wrong direction in his last try and he is much better than that effort. So maybe he will make a quick turnaround. (3) MOTOR SHARK last seen here on December 8th and he rallied strongly to nail down the show spot; watch out.

Race 5

(2) HARFO HANOVER did not get it going at The Meadows in his last two starts; makes his return to Yonkers where on December 12th he put in a nice effort against better. All systems go for him to boss these. (1) BUGGER BRUISER raced evenly in his latest; should fare well from the fence. (7) IM THE COWBOY gets a tough post to work with tonight but clearly he could contend.

Race 6

(5) MADHATTER BLUECHIP last out at The Meadowlands the gelding took the pocket route home to victory. Trotter is back at the Hilltop and two straight is not out of the question. (1) PARTY ON THE RIVER Mild rally for the fourth spot last time around. Receives the rail slot and could make some serious noise. (3) ARRAKIS Three sharp outings in a row makes this gelding a threat against these.

Race 7

(2) SAFE HARBOR was sent right from the start and held for 3/4's, but could not hold off the winner last week. So it's safe to say he will be on the muscle again and knock these off their feet. (1) POACHER N gets post relief after a mild rally from the 6-hole last out. (7) RANGERS SURESHOT has a tough post but could get involved with a much better trip.

Race 8

In her first attempt at Yonkers, (5) DAVITA did not race badly. Consistent mare has the tactical speed to pounce and score. (1) BULLVILLE BREN could not sustain her speed in her last try, but could turn things around with a better trip. (7) BIN N HEAVEN was second best last week and should not be overlooked in here despite the outside slot.

Race 9

(1) ICAPELLA HANOVER gets the best of the draw. Two starts back, she missed the victory by only a nose; capable of getting the job done. (4) GIRLLOOKATTHATBODY Sharp in her two trips to the post and another favorable trip will make her a serious threat for win honors. (3) SEAFOOD MISSY was late on the scene to nail down the placing last out; can't be counted out of this.

Race 10

(2) SHADOW PLACE His return to Yonkers last week was quite good, when he closed well for show honors; best foot forward tonight. (1) SWING CITY led every step of the way but when turning for home he had no more gas in the tank; factor. (4) DREAMLANDS ART was dead last for most of the trip recently, closed very fast to grab the show spot; not out of this.

Race 11

(4) STORMONT PARK showed signs of life in his latest at 38-1. Gelding seems to be back in winning form so with a fine-timed drive, he could take this. (1) CASH LEEBROOK scored four straight victories at The Meadows and receives the rail slot tonight, makes this guy the one to fear. (3) BLUE MUSE was quite good at the Big M last time out. Trotter returns to Yonkers and could make some serious noise.

Race 12

(2) JUXTA ANTZ PANTZ was ten lengths back at the half, put in a nice run for fourth money last out. Gets the 2-hole tonight and that might be what she needs to get the job done; we shall see. (3) GALLEY WENCH Two sharp starts in a row is an indication this mare could move forward; watch out. (1) COZY BEACH is back on the rail where she went down the road for all the glory four starts ago; don't overlook.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Monday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (5th) Draxhall Woods, 5-1
(6th) L X Sunrise, 3-1

Fair Grounds (7th) Jove Jove Dive, 4-1
(8th) Storm Viper, 6-1


Golden Gate Fields (4th) Elegant Sky, 3-1
(7th) Picasso's Mandolin, 3-1


Gulfstream Park (1st) Cool Tears, 10-1
(4th) Leonides da Roma, 7-2

Laurel Park (2nd) Q's Jack, 7-2
(5th) Midnight Punk, 5-1


Mahoning Valley (4th) Evening Concerto, 3-1
(7th) Dorothy's Diamond, 3-1

Oaklawn Park (3rd) Pat's Shoes, 9-2
(6th) Sharm, 5-1


Sam Houston (5th) Eventhescore Rose, 6-1
(9th) Cass Lake Kitty, 3-1


Santa Anita (3rd) Silent Bird, 8-1
(9th) Star Express, 4-1


Turf Paradise (5th) Piper's Purse, 7-2
(7th) Citron Kid, 3-1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Game of the Day: Warriors at Cavaliers

Golden State Warriors at Cleveland Warriors (-3, 206.5)

The Golden State Warriors head into their toughest game yet playing anything but their best basketball as they prepare to visit the East-leading Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday. The Warriors opened the three-game road trip with a loss at Detroit on Saturday and have dropped two of three.

“Struggle” is a relative term for a team with four losses in its first 41 games, but Golden State is in the midst of its worst stretch so far this season. “I think it’s a wake-up call that we got punched, but there have been some signs the past several weeks,” Warriors center Andrew Bogut told reporters after Saturday’s loss. “It just hasn’t been addressed that much because we’ve been winning. We need to pick it up, pick up our intensity and get our defense better.” Golden State should not have any trouble finding intensity in the NBA Finals rematch on Monday, and the Cavaliers are at the top of their game at the moment. Cleveland has won nine of its last 10 games and is coming home after breezing through a 5-1 road trip that closed with a 91-77 domination of the Houston Rockets on Friday.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

LINE HISTORY: The Cavaliers opened as 3-point home favorites for their second Finals rematch of the season with the Warriors. The total opened at 208 and has been bet down a point-and-a-half to 206.5.

INJURY REPORT:

Warriors - SF J. McAdoo (doubtful Monday, toe).

Cavaliers - PG M. Williams (questionable Monday, personal).

POWER RANKINGS: Warriors (-17) - Cavaliers (-9.5) + home field (-3) = Cavaliers +4.5

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (37-4, 24-16-1 ATS, 24-17 O/U): Harrison Barnes made his return to the starting lineup in Detroit after easing his way back into the rotation off the bench, and the starting frontcourt seemed to struggle to find a rhythm. “Guys were playing hard and cutting and moving, but we weren’t on the same page and didn’t have the same timing,” interim coach Luke Walton told reporters. “The flow we like to play with was missing. It looked a little chaotic.” Barnes and Draymond Green each finished with five points and combined to shoot 3-of-18 from the field.

ABOUT THE CAVALIERS (28-10, 17-20-1 ATS, 17-21 O/U): Cleveland is having no trouble finding its timing with guard Kyrie Irving back in the lineup on a regular basis. “I think just being on the road, just together for 12 days just brought us together more,” center Tristan Thompson told ESPN.com. “And you can see it on the court. There’s more flow. Guys are understanding where guys are going to be at.” Irving was playing only his third game back from a fractured kneecap when the Cavaliers went into Golden State on Christmas Day and suffered an 89-83 loss.

TRENDS:

* Warriors are 0-8 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest.
* Cavaliers are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Over is 4-1 in Warriors last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The public is split down the middle for the second edition of the Finals rematch, with 52 percent of wagers on the Warriors. As for the total, 63 percent of wagers are on the over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Monday's six-pack

-- Nike/Ohio State signed a 15-year, $252M extension with Ohio State, clinching the fact that Brutus Buckeye will be wearing the swoosh for the next two decades.

-- Wisconsin 77, Michigan State 76-- Second loss in a row for the Spartans.

-- Bulls F Joakim Noah is out 4-6 months after shoulder surgery.

-- Florida State hooper Malik Beasley's mom Deena is an actress who was in one of the Hunger Games movies.

-- Former Michigan coach Brady Hoke is the new defensive coordinator at Oregon.

-- Conference title odds for next Sunday:
New England (-3, 44.5) @ Denver........ Arizona @ Carolina (-3, 47)

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Monday, Jan. 18, 2016 3:35 PM ET

(509) CHICAGO BULLS VS (510) DETROIT PISTONS

Take: (510) DETROIT PISTONS

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, January 18, 2016 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Chicago Bulls and Detroit Pistons. Not sure what is going on with the Bulls these days. After winning six straight games, the Bulls have now lost four of their last five. Furthermore, their one win was an OT win over the Sixers. The Bulls are now just 15-24 ATS on the season and 6-10 on the road. Detroit is 22-18 S/U on the season and 22-17 ATS. The Pistons shocked the Golden State Warriors on Saturday, 113-95. They held the Warriors to their lowest shooting percentage of the season (36.2%). The win was the Pistons fourth in the last six games both S/U and ATS. This will be the third meeting between these clubs this season, with Detroit holding a 2-0 S/U and ATS mark. The Pistons have now covered five straight in the series. I'm taking the Pistons here on Monday as the Bulls just not playing well of late. Take Detroit.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Mike Lundin

Blazers vs Wizards

5* NBA Free Pick Washington Wizards -4.5

This looks like a good spot to back the Washington Wizards home at Verizon Center on MLK Day. Both teams will be looking to bounce back from defeats as the Blazers fell 114-89 at Philly Saturday while the Wizards had a four-game winning streak come to an end in a 119-117 loss against the Celtics the same day. The Trail Blazers are just 7-15 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points though while the Wizards are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss. Portland had some backcourt issues Saturday as Damian Lillard managed only 14 points on 4-of-18 shooting while C.J. McCollum is shooting 33.3% from the field in the last five games. For a team that relies on its backcourt as much as Portland that's obviously extremely bad news. The Wizards meanwhile have a red hot John Wall who recorded 36 points, 13 assists, seven rebounds and seven steals in Saturday’s loss. We can also note that the Trail Blazers are 1-7 ATS in the last eight meetings in Washington, and I expect the Wizards to run away with this game fairly comfortably.

 

[ascott74]

I noticed Vic Monte's consensus football list posted yesterday. Does anyone know of a similar service for basketball? I looked on Vic's site but he seems to only do a consensus on football and baseball.