Mr. Vegas
Mr. Vegas Free Monday NBA pick 12/01:
Timberwolves getting lots of points here at the Clippers. Wolves are just 4-10 S/U and 6-8 ATS, but they are going against a Clipper team that covered just one time in seven tries at home. The Clips have been playing better of late, winning four straight and covering five of their last seven. However, that has been on a long seven game road swing. Now they return home tonight where they have had issues covering spreads. The Wolves really didn't have to travel for this one as they played at the Lakers on Saturday and just stayed in town for this one. The Wolves beat the Lakers, 120-119 as six point road dogs. Clippers coming off that long road trip may not be totally focused for this one as they get back to their home rhythms.
I'm taking the points here with the Wolves.
Mr. Vegas Free Monday NBA pick 12/01:
Timberwolves getting lots of points here at the Clippers. Wolves are just 4-10 S/U and 6-8 ATS, but they are going against a Clipper team that covered just one time in seven tries at home. The Clips have been playing better of late, winning four straight and covering five of their last seven. However, that has been on a long seven game road swing. Now they return home tonight where they have had issues covering spreads. The Wolves really didn't have to travel for this one as they played at the Lakers on Saturday and just stayed in town for this one. The Wolves beat the Lakers, 120-119 as six point road dogs. Clippers coming off that long road trip may not be totally focused for this one as they get back to their home rhythms.
I'm taking the points here with the Wolves.
Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Monday 7:00 PM NCAAB
(709) NEBRASKA at (710) FLORIDA STATE
Take: (709) NEBRASKA -2
When Tim Miles decided to depart Colorado State to take over the coaching reigns at Nebraska, I was more than a little skeptical as to whether or not he could succeed in Lincoln. Feel free to put a bold print “X” next to that assertion. Miles has transformed the Cornhuskers from a nonentity to a legit NCAA Tournament caliber program in spectacularly short order. Those of us in MWC country knew Miles was a brilliant and energetic young coach on the rise, but I think it’s fair to offer that he’s exceeded even the most optimistic projections and there’s now no limit as to how far this Nebraska program can rise.
The Cornhuskers are off a 19-13 campaign that saw them earn a NCAA Tournament invite. Based on the early returns, this team is a good bet to be dancing again come March Madness. Nebraska is 4-1 out of the gate, with the only blemish an OT loss on the road to Rhode Island. They appear to be a good bet to be at least 8-2 heading into league play, and with a win tonight 9-1 is a reasonable possibility.
The one thing Nebraska still needs to prove is that it can win on the road against a tough non-conference opponent. Florida State is by no means elite, but the Seminoles are a good challenge and I believe the Cornhuskers know how important this game is from a legitimacy vantage point.
Florida State is huge. The height on this team will pose problems for any opponent. Yet the Seminoles have been less dominant on the defensive end than I envisioned, and that bodes well for the visitors this evening.
I would think the main task for Nebraska is preventing the Seminoles from getting good looks in the paint. Florida State’s outside shooting has been abysmal. But they’re knocking down a high percentage of their deuces and I’ll be stunned if the game plan is anything other than a consistent pound it in the paint mentality tonight.
Nebraska is fairly efficient offensively in terms of shot selection. The one liability this far has been ball security and the Huskers need to avoid giveaways here. But at the same time, the Florida State assist to turnover ratio is not very good, and off what I’ve seen of the Seminoles, they’re looking as though they might be a team that proves that bigger isn’t necessarily better.
Florida State is also battling some health issues. Devon Bookert broke his foot back in May and is now out indefinitely following surgery to remove an implanted screw. Aaron Thomas has been out recently following a bout with dehydration and his return is presently unknown. These are big injuries and while freshman Xavier Rathan-Mayes looks like a keeper, the FSU guard play is a real question mark right now.
Nebraska is the better team, they’re in better shape with Terran Petteway’s ankle now apparently fine, and I like the approach Miles has for this game. He’s well aware of the immense size inside for Florida State and the expectation is for a Cornhuskers offense that shows loads of movement in an effort to exploit the lack of quickness that the Seminoles appear to presently have. I think that’s the key to the game and given the team’s ability to implement its coach’s game plans, I expect them to succeed tonight. I’ll go Nebraska minus the small number.
Bonus Play Monday 7:00 PM NCAAB
(709) NEBRASKA at (710) FLORIDA STATE
Take: (709) NEBRASKA -2
When Tim Miles decided to depart Colorado State to take over the coaching reigns at Nebraska, I was more than a little skeptical as to whether or not he could succeed in Lincoln. Feel free to put a bold print “X” next to that assertion. Miles has transformed the Cornhuskers from a nonentity to a legit NCAA Tournament caliber program in spectacularly short order. Those of us in MWC country knew Miles was a brilliant and energetic young coach on the rise, but I think it’s fair to offer that he’s exceeded even the most optimistic projections and there’s now no limit as to how far this Nebraska program can rise.
The Cornhuskers are off a 19-13 campaign that saw them earn a NCAA Tournament invite. Based on the early returns, this team is a good bet to be dancing again come March Madness. Nebraska is 4-1 out of the gate, with the only blemish an OT loss on the road to Rhode Island. They appear to be a good bet to be at least 8-2 heading into league play, and with a win tonight 9-1 is a reasonable possibility.
The one thing Nebraska still needs to prove is that it can win on the road against a tough non-conference opponent. Florida State is by no means elite, but the Seminoles are a good challenge and I believe the Cornhuskers know how important this game is from a legitimacy vantage point.
Florida State is huge. The height on this team will pose problems for any opponent. Yet the Seminoles have been less dominant on the defensive end than I envisioned, and that bodes well for the visitors this evening.
I would think the main task for Nebraska is preventing the Seminoles from getting good looks in the paint. Florida State’s outside shooting has been abysmal. But they’re knocking down a high percentage of their deuces and I’ll be stunned if the game plan is anything other than a consistent pound it in the paint mentality tonight.
Nebraska is fairly efficient offensively in terms of shot selection. The one liability this far has been ball security and the Huskers need to avoid giveaways here. But at the same time, the Florida State assist to turnover ratio is not very good, and off what I’ve seen of the Seminoles, they’re looking as though they might be a team that proves that bigger isn’t necessarily better.
Florida State is also battling some health issues. Devon Bookert broke his foot back in May and is now out indefinitely following surgery to remove an implanted screw. Aaron Thomas has been out recently following a bout with dehydration and his return is presently unknown. These are big injuries and while freshman Xavier Rathan-Mayes looks like a keeper, the FSU guard play is a real question mark right now.
Nebraska is the better team, they’re in better shape with Terran Petteway’s ankle now apparently fine, and I like the approach Miles has for this game. He’s well aware of the immense size inside for Florida State and the expectation is for a Cornhuskers offense that shows loads of movement in an effort to exploit the lack of quickness that the Seminoles appear to presently have. I think that’s the key to the game and given the team’s ability to implement its coach’s game plans, I expect them to succeed tonight. I’ll go Nebraska minus the small number.
Jim Feist
Comp NBA Pick for Monday, December 1, 2014: 7:05 PM ET
(703) SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take: (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, December 1, 2014 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. The poor Sixers, still in search of that first win of the year after a 0-19 S/U start. The Sixers are also 0-9 S/U at home. Don't really expect that first win tonight against the Spurs either. Spurs are laying big number on the road though. Spurs have won six straight and nine of their last 10 games. However, they have failed to cover their last two games, both as double digit favorites. The Sixers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games and in the last three getting double digits, they are 3-0 ATS. Have to also wonder how much the Spurs will rest their aging stars in this one as they played last night at Boston. Popovich has been known to sit some of his players and with Philly on tap here, he really won't need them much, if at all. I'm sticking with the big home dog here as Philly likely won't win, but they should stay close enough to cover, especially if the Spurs are resting players. Your Bonus Play is on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Comp NBA Pick for Monday, December 1, 2014: 7:05 PM ET
(703) SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take: (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, December 1, 2014 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. The poor Sixers, still in search of that first win of the year after a 0-19 S/U start. The Sixers are also 0-9 S/U at home. Don't really expect that first win tonight against the Spurs either. Spurs are laying big number on the road though. Spurs have won six straight and nine of their last 10 games. However, they have failed to cover their last two games, both as double digit favorites. The Sixers are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games and in the last three getting double digits, they are 3-0 ATS. Have to also wonder how much the Spurs will rest their aging stars in this one as they played last night at Boston. Popovich has been known to sit some of his players and with Philly on tap here, he really won't need them much, if at all. I'm sticking with the big home dog here as Philly likely won't win, but they should stay close enough to cover, especially if the Spurs are resting players. Your Bonus Play is on the Philadelphia 76ers.
Red Dog Sports
Marist vs. Boston College
Bonus Play on Marist +14
I think Boston College wins by 10 to 12 and Marist gets the cover at +14. The Red Foxes are without Hart, who had been averaging 24.5 ppg. He has an injured foot and out for awhile. Lewis is at 19.5 ppg and Lawrence 10.8 ppg and Thomas can score as well.
The BC Eagles are led by Olivier Hanlon and Dennis Clifford but are used to playing close games. I think we see a 70-60 final so take Marist +14.
Marist vs. Boston College
Bonus Play on Marist +14
I think Boston College wins by 10 to 12 and Marist gets the cover at +14. The Red Foxes are without Hart, who had been averaging 24.5 ppg. He has an injured foot and out for awhile. Lewis is at 19.5 ppg and Lawrence 10.8 ppg and Thomas can score as well.
The BC Eagles are led by Olivier Hanlon and Dennis Clifford but are used to playing close games. I think we see a 70-60 final so take Marist +14.
Art Aronson
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
1* Bonus Play Philadelphia 76ers.
I’m not going to try and convince you that Philadelphia is a good team and can hang with San Antonio, but I do definitely feel this is a good spot to take advantage of and think that the home side has a legitimate shot at sneaking in through the backdoor down the stretch. The 76ers are 0-16. The Spurs are 12-4. Philadelphia has shown flashes of decency at times this year, like in its 110-103 loss to Dallas on Saturday, Michael-Carter Williams had a triple-double with 18 points, a career-high 16 assists and 10 boards, while rookie KJ McDaniels posted 21 points and 13 boards. This is also a revenge spot for the home side after it fell 100-75 in San Antonio on November 17th. I think the visitors come in a bit complacent here, they’ve won seven straight after yesterday’s 111-89 beatdown win over the Celtics. Note that the Spurs are in fact just 4-6 ATS this year as a favorite, while the 76ers are 2-0 ATS this season as a home dog in the 12.5 to 15 points range. I think a few too many points to be giving up here, consider a second look at PHILADELPHIA.
AAA Sports
San Antonio Spurs vs. Philadelphia 76ers
1* Bonus Play Philadelphia 76ers.
I’m not going to try and convince you that Philadelphia is a good team and can hang with San Antonio, but I do definitely feel this is a good spot to take advantage of and think that the home side has a legitimate shot at sneaking in through the backdoor down the stretch. The 76ers are 0-16. The Spurs are 12-4. Philadelphia has shown flashes of decency at times this year, like in its 110-103 loss to Dallas on Saturday, Michael-Carter Williams had a triple-double with 18 points, a career-high 16 assists and 10 boards, while rookie KJ McDaniels posted 21 points and 13 boards. This is also a revenge spot for the home side after it fell 100-75 in San Antonio on November 17th. I think the visitors come in a bit complacent here, they’ve won seven straight after yesterday’s 111-89 beatdown win over the Celtics. Note that the Spurs are in fact just 4-6 ATS this year as a favorite, while the 76ers are 2-0 ATS this season as a home dog in the 12.5 to 15 points range. I think a few too many points to be giving up here, consider a second look at PHILADELPHIA.
AAA Sports
Ari Atari
Miami Dolphins vs. NY Jets
Bonus Play Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are getting a TD spread over the Jets and I'm recommending you grab it now as your FREE PICK for Monday Night. It's time to shake off the extra long weekend and get back to work. Miami has no room for error here after splitting their last 4 games. The Win here is crucial for the Dolphins to stay in post-season talks.
This is a tough team to get around. The Jets don't have an offense that can test the wall of Miami that allows only 19.9 pts per game. The Jets allow 27.5 and have only 1 win in their last 10 games. The team needs a change from the top and there's nothing else they can do tonight to stop the bleeding. Miami is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and 5-1-1 ATS against the Jets in their home.
The fight for the playoff spot and resorting back to a simply approach to owning a game through defense should keep the Dolphins comfortably ahead and able to cover by 7 or more.
Take the Dolphins and don't bother paying anyone else for the exact same pick.
Miami Dolphins vs. NY Jets
Bonus Play Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins are getting a TD spread over the Jets and I'm recommending you grab it now as your FREE PICK for Monday Night. It's time to shake off the extra long weekend and get back to work. Miami has no room for error here after splitting their last 4 games. The Win here is crucial for the Dolphins to stay in post-season talks.
This is a tough team to get around. The Jets don't have an offense that can test the wall of Miami that allows only 19.9 pts per game. The Jets allow 27.5 and have only 1 win in their last 10 games. The team needs a change from the top and there's nothing else they can do tonight to stop the bleeding. Miami is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games and 5-1-1 ATS against the Jets in their home.
The fight for the playoff spot and resorting back to a simply approach to owning a game through defense should keep the Dolphins comfortably ahead and able to cover by 7 or more.
Take the Dolphins and don't bother paying anyone else for the exact same pick.
