Mr. Vegas
Mr. Vegas Free MONDAY pick 12/15: 7:05 PM ET
(705) LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS (706) INDIANA PACERS
Take: (705) LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers showing some life of late, especially after Kobe Bryant called out his teammates as soft. The Lakers beat the Kings at home, 98-95 and then shocked everyone with a 112-110 OT win at San Antonio. The Pacers have just as many wins as the Lakers (7), but they are riding a eight game losing streak tonight and are 0-4 ATS in their last four games. Difficult for me to believe the Lakers are getting six points here against a team that hasn't won straight up in a while. Take the Lakers as your Bonus Play here on Monday.
Mr. Vegas Free MONDAY pick 12/15: 7:05 PM ET
(705) LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS (706) INDIANA PACERS
Take: (705) LOS ANGELES LAKERS
The Lakers showing some life of late, especially after Kobe Bryant called out his teammates as soft. The Lakers beat the Kings at home, 98-95 and then shocked everyone with a 112-110 OT win at San Antonio. The Pacers have just as many wins as the Lakers (7), but they are riding a eight game losing streak tonight and are 0-4 ATS in their last four games. Difficult for me to believe the Lakers are getting six points here against a team that hasn't won straight up in a while. Take the Lakers as your Bonus Play here on Monday.
Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Monday 10:05 PM NBA
(713) SAN ANTONIO SPURS at (714) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Take: (714) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
There’s no line on this game as of now, with the injury status of Spurs point guard Tony Parker currently up in the air. Parker did not play on Sunday as the Spurs got the win at Denver and he’s listed as questionable for tonight’s game with the Blazers.
Regardless of whether or not Parker plays, I will be looking to play Portland here. Two games in two nights is no big deal for San Antonio. But they are coming out of that thin air in Denver, and having a next night game that’s also on the road isn’t easy, not even for the Spurs.
Portland is playing very well at home, and they are at least off a win in their final road game after dropping a pair to Minnesota and Chicago. Actually, it was a solid trip for the Blazers as they managed to go 4-2, so no problem at all with the current form for this team.
I’ll go ahead and assume this is one the Blazers will want about as much as any game they’ve played this season. It was certainly not a surprise, but this is still playoff revenge for Portland as the Spurs eliminated them in five games last spring.
There is no such thing as a cinch spot to fade San Antonio. Even when Greg Popovich decides to rest regulars, there’s always apprehension involved when trying to beat this outfit. Let’s face it, the Spurs have the most fundamentally sound roster in the NBA and what that means is that they’re dangerous even if most of the minutes are going to the backups.
But even the Spurs can be played against in certain spots and this looks like a pretty good one. It’s got to be a big circle game for the Blazers, their fans should, be thoroughly fired up and the potential absence of Parker is of some importance. I will be looking to take my chances with Blazers tonight once the number for this game goes up in the morning.
Bonus Play Monday 10:05 PM NBA
(713) SAN ANTONIO SPURS at (714) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Take: (714) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
There’s no line on this game as of now, with the injury status of Spurs point guard Tony Parker currently up in the air. Parker did not play on Sunday as the Spurs got the win at Denver and he’s listed as questionable for tonight’s game with the Blazers.
Regardless of whether or not Parker plays, I will be looking to play Portland here. Two games in two nights is no big deal for San Antonio. But they are coming out of that thin air in Denver, and having a next night game that’s also on the road isn’t easy, not even for the Spurs.
Portland is playing very well at home, and they are at least off a win in their final road game after dropping a pair to Minnesota and Chicago. Actually, it was a solid trip for the Blazers as they managed to go 4-2, so no problem at all with the current form for this team.
I’ll go ahead and assume this is one the Blazers will want about as much as any game they’ve played this season. It was certainly not a surprise, but this is still playoff revenge for Portland as the Spurs eliminated them in five games last spring.
There is no such thing as a cinch spot to fade San Antonio. Even when Greg Popovich decides to rest regulars, there’s always apprehension involved when trying to beat this outfit. Let’s face it, the Spurs have the most fundamentally sound roster in the NBA and what that means is that they’re dangerous even if most of the minutes are going to the backups.
But even the Spurs can be played against in certain spots and this looks like a pretty good one. It’s got to be a big circle game for the Blazers, their fans should, be thoroughly fired up and the potential absence of Parker is of some importance. I will be looking to take my chances with Blazers tonight once the number for this game goes up in the morning.
Jim Feist
Comp Pick for Monday, December 15, 2014: 7:05 PM ET
NBA (703) BOSTON CELTICS VS (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take: (703) BOSTON CELTICS
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, December 15, 2014 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Is today the day that Philly finally gets its first home win? The Sixers are 0-12 S/U at home this season, though they have done well ATS, posting a 8-3-1 mark. However, most of those home covers were as big dogs and the oddsmaker has started adjusting that number down as we see the Celtics just a 4 1/2 point chalk. Boston has lost three straight after having won three in a row. They are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. The road team has done pretty well in this series, covering five of the last six meetings. This matchup doesn't hold the luster it once did, but the Celtics are still the better team and I look for them to cover here on Monday. Your Bonus Play is on Boston.
Comp Pick for Monday, December 15, 2014: 7:05 PM ET
NBA (703) BOSTON CELTICS VS (704) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS
Take: (703) BOSTON CELTICS
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, December 15, 2014 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers. Is today the day that Philly finally gets its first home win? The Sixers are 0-12 S/U at home this season, though they have done well ATS, posting a 8-3-1 mark. However, most of those home covers were as big dogs and the oddsmaker has started adjusting that number down as we see the Celtics just a 4 1/2 point chalk. Boston has lost three straight after having won three in a row. They are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games. The road team has done pretty well in this series, covering five of the last six meetings. This matchup doesn't hold the luster it once did, but the Celtics are still the better team and I look for them to cover here on Monday. Your Bonus Play is on Boston.
Dave Price
Grambling State vs. Oregon State
Bonus Play Grambling State +24
The Key: This is a sandwich game for Oregon State. Off a big win Saturday over Mississippi State and with a Thursday showdown against DePaul on deck, the Beavers will have a tough time focusing on the task at hand. The Beavers are on a 22-45 ATS slide in home games when playing a second game in three days, a 49-71 ATS skid in home games after playing a home game and a 17-35 ATS slide when checking into a matchup with wins in five or six of their last seven games. The Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games. Take the points.
Grambling State vs. Oregon State
Bonus Play Grambling State +24
The Key: This is a sandwich game for Oregon State. Off a big win Saturday over Mississippi State and with a Thursday showdown against DePaul on deck, the Beavers will have a tough time focusing on the task at hand. The Beavers are on a 22-45 ATS slide in home games when playing a second game in three days, a 49-71 ATS skid in home games after playing a home game and a 17-35 ATS slide when checking into a matchup with wins in five or six of their last seven games. The Tigers are 6-2 ATS in their last eight road games. Take the points.
Brad Diamond
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bonus Play: Cleveland (702) over Charlotte @ 7:00 EASTERN
The Cavs opened -11, -10-1/2 and the line has been steady Sunday night as we write this analysis. Based on current records before Sunday action we find Charlotte 6-17 on the season, while coming off back-to-back SU losses. Cleveland is 13-9 SU, but they have played a much tougher schedule than Charlotte. When you look inside the Hornets schedule, you see they have defeated just one winning team, Atlanta. At this writing Milwaukee and Phoenix are .500 teams. As a reminder the last time Charlotte played was on Saturday at home vs. Brooklyn (114-87). The Cavs too are coming off back-to-back losses. Cleveland does have a +7.7 point differential advantage, whereas the Hornets have a negative (8.5) overall point differential. We all know Lebron James is the catalyst of his home town team, but he missed a game last week which had much of the media whispering. No matter, this should be a no-brainer as the Hornets are 0-4 ATS on Monday’s and 6-13-1 ATS off double-digit loss at home. Cleveland shows 4-1 ATS with 2 days of rest, Charlotte 3-9-2 ATS L14 times out…CLEVELAND 104-90.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bonus Play: Cleveland (702) over Charlotte @ 7:00 EASTERN
The Cavs opened -11, -10-1/2 and the line has been steady Sunday night as we write this analysis. Based on current records before Sunday action we find Charlotte 6-17 on the season, while coming off back-to-back SU losses. Cleveland is 13-9 SU, but they have played a much tougher schedule than Charlotte. When you look inside the Hornets schedule, you see they have defeated just one winning team, Atlanta. At this writing Milwaukee and Phoenix are .500 teams. As a reminder the last time Charlotte played was on Saturday at home vs. Brooklyn (114-87). The Cavs too are coming off back-to-back losses. Cleveland does have a +7.7 point differential advantage, whereas the Hornets have a negative (8.5) overall point differential. We all know Lebron James is the catalyst of his home town team, but he missed a game last week which had much of the media whispering. No matter, this should be a no-brainer as the Hornets are 0-4 ATS on Monday’s and 6-13-1 ATS off double-digit loss at home. Cleveland shows 4-1 ATS with 2 days of rest, Charlotte 3-9-2 ATS L14 times out…CLEVELAND 104-90.
Bill Biles
New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Free Pick New Orleans Saints -3
The Saints got the kick in the teeth that I believe will turn their season around. I see them coming back strong in this one and beginning a streak of wins to end the season. Saints rebound in a big way and win on MNF.
New Orleans Saints vs. Chicago Bears
Free Pick New Orleans Saints -3
The Saints got the kick in the teeth that I believe will turn their season around. I see them coming back strong in this one and beginning a streak of wins to end the season. Saints rebound in a big way and win on MNF.
Scott Spreitzer
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bonus Play Cleveland Cavaliers
I'm recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers minus the points on Monday. The Cavs have had a couple of days to stew about their shoddy performance on the defensive end on Friday. Cleveland lost to New Orleans, allowing 119 points on 55.7% shooting. Tonight, LeBron and the gang get "just what the doctor ordered" when the offensively-challenged Charlotte Hornets roll into town. The Hornets rank 24th in scoring and 26th & 29th in FG percentage and 3-point accuracy. Charlotte is 1-9 SU on the road this season and will be exposed on the defensive end, also, where they rank 25th & 27th in FG percentage allowed and 3-point shooting. Cleveland had their eight-game winning streak snapped a few nights ago and have dropped two in a row, but I expect a wide-margin win and cover on Monday. I'm recommending a play on the Cavaliers minus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Charlotte Hornets vs. Cleveland Cavaliers
Bonus Play Cleveland Cavaliers
I'm recommending a play on the Cleveland Cavaliers minus the points on Monday. The Cavs have had a couple of days to stew about their shoddy performance on the defensive end on Friday. Cleveland lost to New Orleans, allowing 119 points on 55.7% shooting. Tonight, LeBron and the gang get "just what the doctor ordered" when the offensively-challenged Charlotte Hornets roll into town. The Hornets rank 24th in scoring and 26th & 29th in FG percentage and 3-point accuracy. Charlotte is 1-9 SU on the road this season and will be exposed on the defensive end, also, where they rank 25th & 27th in FG percentage allowed and 3-point shooting. Cleveland had their eight-game winning streak snapped a few nights ago and have dropped two in a row, but I expect a wide-margin win and cover on Monday. I'm recommending a play on the Cavaliers minus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
