Marc Lawrence's Playbook
NBA
Saturday, December 13
UTAH over Orlando by 13
Aah… our old stand-by. We’ve fallen so in love with this play we’re thinking of
applying for a patent on it. In fact, knowing the vultures in this business that
prey on other people’s hard work and pass it off as their own, it’s something
we should seriously look into. Simply put, Utah uses its locale to its advantage
like no other team in professional sports. When visiting teams arrive in Salt
Lake City after playing the night before they simply run out of gas. That’s
documented by the Jazz’ 95-50-2 ATS mark in these games since 1990 when
they’re not forced to lay double-digits. With Orlando a not-so-magical 5-12
SU and ATS as road dogs after visiting Phoenix, we’ll once again call on our
old reliable theory here tonight. We can hear the music!
Sunday, December 14
New Orleans over TORONTO by 14
Here’s a matchup of two teams driving down different roads this season.
After dominating during the NBA pre-season, the Hornets have picked up
right where they ended. Meanwhile, the Raptors spoiled a 3-0 start and have
already made a coaching change. At press time they are a measly 3-6 SU and
2-7 ATS at home this season and appear to be a team in disarray. To make
matters worse, the Dinosaurs are 0-5 ATS at home on Sundays while the
Hornets have bagged the cash in 7 of their last 8 visits north of the border.
Back the better team here tonight.
Monday, December 15
Charlotte over ATLANTA by 7
The Bobcats are back on the road – right where we like ‘em – in a neat
revenge situation here tonight. Charlotte lost on this fl oor, 88-83, earlier
this year as 8-point dogs and they now stand 11-6 SU and 12-5 ATS all-time
against the Hawks. Catching Atlanta off a revenger here Saturday night
against Cleveland and having a revenger on deck with Boston makes this
game the perfect revenge sandwich setup. Hawks’ pitiful 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS
mark in games after the Cavaliers clinches it. Go Bobbie!
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Saturday, December 13
KENTUCKY over Indiana by 28
How far have the Hoosiers plummeted, you ask? How about dressing up as
home dog to an IVY LEAGUE team this year! New head coach Tom Crean
knew he was inheriting a bare cupboard when he stepped in to help salve
the after effects of the Kelvin Sampson fi asco. With all 5 starters gone
from last year’s team and Crean implementing a new playbook, those in
the know are aware it’s going to be a long, cold winter in Bloomington.
To make matters worse, they must pay amends for a 70-51 loss they laid on
the Wildcats last season. With one season under their belt behind 2nd year
coach Billy Gillispie, look for the favorite in this series to ratchet up to 10-0-1
ATS. Yes, life is good today at the old Kentucky home.
WISCONSIN over Wisc-Green Bay by 3
The Phoenix look to make a statement that they are to be taken seriously
this season when they invade the Kohl Center in Madison Saturday evening.
Last year’s 15-15 effort was a good one by Tod Kowalczyk’s squad; were it
not for a 70-52 loss on this court they would have ended the season with a
winning record. They return all 5 starters knowing they are 13-5-2 ATS when
seeking revenge in non-division frays, including 7-0 ATS when taking 15 or
more points. In a game that is much bigger to the little brother, look for the
Badgers to dip to 1-7 ATS when hosting avenging non-division foes here
tonight. GB – from ashes to cashes.
CINCINNATI over Xavier by 7
This inner-city rivalry has been like a ping-pong match, going back and forth
the last fi ve years. Last season the Musketeers edged the Bearcats, 64-59,
as 18.5-point favorites. Hence, it’s no surprise to learn the underdog in this
series has barked 6 years in a row. Cincinnati’s success at the Shoemaker
Center is well documented. They are especially accomplished here when
taking points, going 12-6-1 ATS since 1990, including 7-1 ATS when seeking
revenge. While UC is down a notch or two from past editions (read: Bob
Huggins’ squads), they are led by Deonta Vaughn, the Big East’s 6th leading
scorer last season. In Xavier’s fi rst true road game this season and with Duke
waiting on deck, we’ll gladly grab any points the linesmaker tosses our way.
If Cincy’s takin’, so are we.
NBA
Saturday, December 13
UTAH over Orlando by 13
Aah… our old stand-by. We’ve fallen so in love with this play we’re thinking of
applying for a patent on it. In fact, knowing the vultures in this business that
prey on other people’s hard work and pass it off as their own, it’s something
we should seriously look into. Simply put, Utah uses its locale to its advantage
like no other team in professional sports. When visiting teams arrive in Salt
Lake City after playing the night before they simply run out of gas. That’s
documented by the Jazz’ 95-50-2 ATS mark in these games since 1990 when
they’re not forced to lay double-digits. With Orlando a not-so-magical 5-12
SU and ATS as road dogs after visiting Phoenix, we’ll once again call on our
old reliable theory here tonight. We can hear the music!
Sunday, December 14
New Orleans over TORONTO by 14
Here’s a matchup of two teams driving down different roads this season.
After dominating during the NBA pre-season, the Hornets have picked up
right where they ended. Meanwhile, the Raptors spoiled a 3-0 start and have
already made a coaching change. At press time they are a measly 3-6 SU and
2-7 ATS at home this season and appear to be a team in disarray. To make
matters worse, the Dinosaurs are 0-5 ATS at home on Sundays while the
Hornets have bagged the cash in 7 of their last 8 visits north of the border.
Back the better team here tonight.
Monday, December 15
Charlotte over ATLANTA by 7
The Bobcats are back on the road – right where we like ‘em – in a neat
revenge situation here tonight. Charlotte lost on this fl oor, 88-83, earlier
this year as 8-point dogs and they now stand 11-6 SU and 12-5 ATS all-time
against the Hawks. Catching Atlanta off a revenger here Saturday night
against Cleveland and having a revenger on deck with Boston makes this
game the perfect revenge sandwich setup. Hawks’ pitiful 1-5 SU and 0-6 ATS
mark in games after the Cavaliers clinches it. Go Bobbie!
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Saturday, December 13
KENTUCKY over Indiana by 28
How far have the Hoosiers plummeted, you ask? How about dressing up as
home dog to an IVY LEAGUE team this year! New head coach Tom Crean
knew he was inheriting a bare cupboard when he stepped in to help salve
the after effects of the Kelvin Sampson fi asco. With all 5 starters gone
from last year’s team and Crean implementing a new playbook, those in
the know are aware it’s going to be a long, cold winter in Bloomington.
To make matters worse, they must pay amends for a 70-51 loss they laid on
the Wildcats last season. With one season under their belt behind 2nd year
coach Billy Gillispie, look for the favorite in this series to ratchet up to 10-0-1
ATS. Yes, life is good today at the old Kentucky home.
WISCONSIN over Wisc-Green Bay by 3
The Phoenix look to make a statement that they are to be taken seriously
this season when they invade the Kohl Center in Madison Saturday evening.
Last year’s 15-15 effort was a good one by Tod Kowalczyk’s squad; were it
not for a 70-52 loss on this court they would have ended the season with a
winning record. They return all 5 starters knowing they are 13-5-2 ATS when
seeking revenge in non-division frays, including 7-0 ATS when taking 15 or
more points. In a game that is much bigger to the little brother, look for the
Badgers to dip to 1-7 ATS when hosting avenging non-division foes here
tonight. GB – from ashes to cashes.
CINCINNATI over Xavier by 7
This inner-city rivalry has been like a ping-pong match, going back and forth
the last fi ve years. Last season the Musketeers edged the Bearcats, 64-59,
as 18.5-point favorites. Hence, it’s no surprise to learn the underdog in this
series has barked 6 years in a row. Cincinnati’s success at the Shoemaker
Center is well documented. They are especially accomplished here when
taking points, going 12-6-1 ATS since 1990, including 7-1 ATS when seeking
revenge. While UC is down a notch or two from past editions (read: Bob
Huggins’ squads), they are led by Deonta Vaughn, the Big East’s 6th leading
scorer last season. In Xavier’s fi rst true road game this season and with Duke
waiting on deck, we’ll gladly grab any points the linesmaker tosses our way.
If Cincy’s takin’, so are we.
