Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
With Richard Hamilton sidelined with a sprained ankle, Rodney Stuckey made his first start on Wednesday since collapsing on the bench two weeks ago and scored 18 points.
With the Pistons well out of the playoff picture, coach Jon Kuester has hinted that he would like to experiment with the lineup and rotations.
"We are looking at some things differently at times," Kuester said. "But having Rip (Hamilton) out does open up more minutes for Ben Gordon at that position where we can play a three-guard rotation with Will Bynum and also Rodney Stuckey."
With three younger, smaller guards in the starting lineup, expect the Pistons’ pace to be faster in the closing weeks of the regular season.
The Hawks average 105.0 ppg at home while surrendering 97.4 ppg to opponents.
Pick: Over
Charlotte Bobcats at Chicago Bulls (-2, 188)
Going into Friday, the Bulls were trailing Toronto by two games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Chicago returned two key players to the starting lineup for Friday’s matchup versus Washington. Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich were on the floor to start the game and Luol Deng, who has missed the last 11 games, saw limited action.
Hinrich and Deng weren’t supposed to return until Saturday so you can sense the urgency to win.
"We're still trying to make a push for the playoffs, and we need these guys,” point guard Derrick Rose said.
The Bulls cannot afford a loss down the stretch. That pressure should push Chicago to prevail at home where it has won the last two against the Bobcats.
Pick: Bulls
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks
With Richard Hamilton sidelined with a sprained ankle, Rodney Stuckey made his first start on Wednesday since collapsing on the bench two weeks ago and scored 18 points.
With the Pistons well out of the playoff picture, coach Jon Kuester has hinted that he would like to experiment with the lineup and rotations.
"We are looking at some things differently at times," Kuester said. "But having Rip (Hamilton) out does open up more minutes for Ben Gordon at that position where we can play a three-guard rotation with Will Bynum and also Rodney Stuckey."
With three younger, smaller guards in the starting lineup, expect the Pistons’ pace to be faster in the closing weeks of the regular season.
The Hawks average 105.0 ppg at home while surrendering 97.4 ppg to opponents.
Pick: Over
Charlotte Bobcats at Chicago Bulls (-2, 188)
Going into Friday, the Bulls were trailing Toronto by two games for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Chicago returned two key players to the starting lineup for Friday’s matchup versus Washington. Joakim Noah and Kirk Hinrich were on the floor to start the game and Luol Deng, who has missed the last 11 games, saw limited action.
Hinrich and Deng weren’t supposed to return until Saturday so you can sense the urgency to win.
"We're still trying to make a push for the playoffs, and we need these guys,” point guard Derrick Rose said.
The Bulls cannot afford a loss down the stretch. That pressure should push Chicago to prevail at home where it has won the last two against the Bobcats.
Pick: Bulls
Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings (-200, 5.5)
The Red Wings are riding a seven-game winning streak and unless cats and dogs start falling from the sky, Detroit will make its 19th consecutive postseason appearance.
"We just control our own destiny here," right wing Todd Bertuzzi said. "The dressing room's pretty confident, we're playing well and we're doing the right things. We're winning those games that are close, we're grinding them out.”
The Wings could move into a better playoff position with a victory against the Predators on Saturday. The team sits one point behind Nashville in the standings and would leapfrog them and take over fifth place with a win.
“That's a big game for us," coach Mike Babcock said. "We'd like to be in a position to go past them if we could."
Detroit has won three straight versus the Preds and could get the services of veteran Danny Cleary back on Saturday.
Pick: Red Wings
Atlanta Thrashers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta has tightened up its defense over the last two weeks while trying to squeeze into the playoff picture.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma anticipates an all-out effort from the Thrashers on Saturday.
"They're a desperate team," Bylsma said. "They're approaching this like a playoff game, and they have tough opponents going down the stretch. We're expecting that from that team a tenacious, high work ethic for 60 minutes."
Evgeni Malkin could return to the Pittsburgh lineup for the matchup but his minutes should be limited after missing the last five games. The Pens have averaged 3.0 goals per game without him on the ice.
The Thrashers have played to seven straight unders and none of those games eclipsed the 5-goal mark.
Pick: Under
Nashville Predators at Detroit Red Wings (-200, 5.5)
The Red Wings are riding a seven-game winning streak and unless cats and dogs start falling from the sky, Detroit will make its 19th consecutive postseason appearance.
"We just control our own destiny here," right wing Todd Bertuzzi said. "The dressing room's pretty confident, we're playing well and we're doing the right things. We're winning those games that are close, we're grinding them out.”
The Wings could move into a better playoff position with a victory against the Predators on Saturday. The team sits one point behind Nashville in the standings and would leapfrog them and take over fifth place with a win.
“That's a big game for us," coach Mike Babcock said. "We'd like to be in a position to go past them if we could."
Detroit has won three straight versus the Preds and could get the services of veteran Danny Cleary back on Saturday.
Pick: Red Wings
Atlanta Thrashers at Pittsburgh Penguins
Atlanta has tightened up its defense over the last two weeks while trying to squeeze into the playoff picture.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma anticipates an all-out effort from the Thrashers on Saturday.
"They're a desperate team," Bylsma said. "They're approaching this like a playoff game, and they have tough opponents going down the stretch. We're expecting that from that team a tenacious, high work ethic for 60 minutes."
Evgeni Malkin could return to the Pittsburgh lineup for the matchup but his minutes should be limited after missing the last five games. The Pens have averaged 3.0 goals per game without him on the ice.
The Thrashers have played to seven straight unders and none of those games eclipsed the 5-goal mark.
Pick: Under
SPORTS ADVISORS
SATURIDAY, APRIL 3
FINAL FOUR
(at Indianapolis)
(5) Michigan State (28-8, 15-20 ATS) vs. (5) Butler (32-4, 16-20 ATS)
Butler, which has rolled off 24 consecutive SU victories, will play what amounts to a home game at Lucas Oil Stadium when it makes its first Final Four appearance against the Spartans, who are in the Final Four for the second straight year and sixth time in the last 12 years. Butler bagged a pair of upsets last week, taking down top-seeded Syracuse 63-59 as a six-point underdog in the Sweet 16, then bouncing No. 2 seed Kansas State 63-56 as a 3½-point pup to win the West Regional in Salt Lake City. Over the past five games, the Bulldogs have averaged a modest 65.4 ppg, but they’ve given up just 54.2 ppg. In fact, Butler has held 11 of its last 12 opponents to 59 points or less, including the last six in a row. For the season, the Bulldogs rank 10th nationally in scoring defense (59.6 ppg).
Michigan State also made a bit of an unexpected run to the national semifinals, with its four wins in the Big Dance coming by a total of 13 points. That includes a three-point win over New Mexico State in the first round, a two-point win on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Maryland in the second round, and Sunday’s 70-69 Elite Eight squeaker over sixth-seeded Tennessee as a two-point pup in the Midwest Regional final in St. Louis. Butler, in its fourth straight Tournament and 10th overall, will be playing in its first Final Four just a scant seven miles from its Indianapolis campus. Meanwhile, this is familiar territory for Michigan State, which reached this stage just last year, beating UConn 82-73 as a 4½-point pup before losing the title game 89-72 to North Carolina as a 7½-point ‘dog. The Spartans are in their 24th Big Dance and eighth Final Four, reaching the national semis for the third time since 2005.
Butler is 5-3 SU (4-4 ATS) at neutral venues this year, outscoring teams by a bucket per game on average (66.6-64.6) while getting outshot 44.4 percent to 40.5 percent. Michigan State has played seven neutral-site contests, going 5-2 SU (4-3 ATS) while pouring in 75.9 ppg and surrendering 69.7 ppg.
The Bulldogs struggled against the number throughout the regular season, but they’ve now cashed in four of their last five overall and are on further ATS rolls of 5-1-1 against the Big Ten, 4-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 7-3 in the Tourney, 43-21-1 outside the Horizon League and 6-2 on Saturday. The only knocks: a 3-10 ATS mark in their last 13 following a spread-cover, and a 1-4 ATS record in their last five as a neutral-floor favorite. The Spartans own a handful of positive ATS streaks, including 25-10-1 in the Tournament (8-2 last 10 and 3-0 in the last three), 4-1 as an underdog, 9-4 on neutral courts, 7-2-1 as a neutral-site pup, 4-1 as a Tourney ‘dog and 9-4 against the Horizon League. Still, they are 4-8 ATS in their last dozen starts against winning teams. The under is 30-12-1 in Michigan State’s last 43 starts as an underdog, but the Spartans are on “over” surges of 8-0 against the Horizon League, 6-2 at neutral sites, 4-0 as a neutral-site pup, 4-0 as a Tourney ‘dog, 4-1 after a spread-cover and 5-2 after a SU win. Butler is on an 11-5 “over” tear at neutral sites, and the over is on a 7-2 run with the Bulldogs as a neutral-site chalk. However, Butler also carries a host of “under” trends, including 8-1 overall (3-0 in the Tourney), 4-0 on Saturday, 6-1 as a favorite, 6-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600 and 5-1 in non-conference contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MICHIGAN STATE
(2) West Virginia (31-6, 17-19 ATS) vs. (1) Duke (33-5, 22-13-2 ATS)
The Blue Devils, the sole-surviving No. 1 seed in a Big Dance rife with upsets, look for their ninth consecutive victory when they take on the equally red-hot Mountaineers, winners of 10 in a row. The last seven victories in Duke’s eight-game tear have come on neutral courts (the ACC tournament and the Big Dance). The Blue Devils have cashed in all four of their Tourney wins, including a trio of double-digit victories in the first three rounds before holding off Baylor 78-71 laying 4½ points in Sunday’s South Regional final in Houston. In its last five starts, Duke has outscored the opposition by nearly 14 ppg (70.8-57.2) and grabbed nearly nine rebounds more per contest (37.2-28.4).
West Virginia swept through three games to win the Big East tourney (0-3 ATS), then went 4-0 SU and ATS in the first two weekends of the Big Dance. That was capped by last Saturday’s 73-66 upset of top-seeded Kentucky as a four-point underdog in the East Regional final in Syracuse, N.Y. During the seven-game stretch, Kentucky was the only team to reach 60 points, as the Mountaineers allowed an average of just 55.9 ppg, while scoring 64.9. Duke has made 34 Tournament appearances, including 14 in a row, and it is a No. 1 seed for the 11th time overall and the sixth time this decade. However, this is the Blue Devils’ first Final Four appearance since 2004, when it lost to UConn 79-78 in the semifinals as a 1½-point underdog. West Virginia, which received its highest seed in school history this year and is in its 23rd Tourney, has reached the Final Four for the first time since 1959. These two schools squared off two years ago in the second round of the Tournament, with West Virginia nabbing a 73-67 victory as a four-point underdog. They also met in the second round in 1989, with Duke notching a 70-63 win. Duke and West Virginia are both 11-0 SU on neutral courts this year, with the Blue Devils going 8-3 ATS and the Mountaineers going 6-5 ATS. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad has outscored opponents by more than 14 ppg (71.1-56.7) on neutral floors, and Bob Huggins’ troops have won by an average of 10.9 ppg (69.5-58.6). Along with their 4-0 surge in the Tourney, the Blue Devils are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games at neutral sites (all as a chalk), but they also shoulder Big Dance ATS skids of 6-11 a chalk and 2-6 when laying less than seven points. The Mountaineers are on ATS rolls of 12-2-1 in the Big Dance, 5-0-1 as a Tourney pup, 7-1 as a neutral-site pup, 7-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 5-0 outside the Big East and 5-1 against the ACC. The over is 11-5 in West Virginia’s last 16 tilts as a neutral-site pup, but the under carries the day for both teams from there. Duke is on “under” tears of 4-1 overall, 4-1 in non-conference play, 19-7 at neutral sites, 4-1 in the Tournament, 4-1 as a Tourney chalk and 9-4 against Big East opposition. The Mountaineers are on “under” streaks of 7-1 overall, 7-1 on neutral courts, 6-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 19-7 following a spread-cover.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NBA
Oklahoma City (46-28, 44-30 ATS) at Dallas (50-26, 32-43-1 ATS)
The Thunder will attempt to complete a sweep of their three-game road trip when they travel to American Airlines Center to face the Mavericks. Oklahoma City went to the East Coast for the first two games of this trip, hammering Philadelphia 111-93 as a 6½-point favorite Tuesday, then coming back on no rest Wednesday to beat Boston 109-104 as a three-point underdog. The Thunder have won four of their last five SU and ATS, outscoring foes by more than 10 ppg on average, scoring 104.0 ppg on stout 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 93.6 ppg on 46.2 percent shooting. Dallas saw its three-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped Thursday night, getting blasted at home by Orlando 97-82 as a 2½-point pup. The Mavericks, who are 26-12 SU at home this year but just 9-28-1 ATS, average 101.4 ppg and give up 99.7 at American Airlines Center, getting outshot in those games by a slim 46.1 percent-45.8 percent margin. Oklahoma City has cashed in seven of the last eight meetings in this rivalry (3-5 SU), including a 99-86 home victory laying 4½ points in the most recent contest, on Feb. 16. The Thunder are 4-0-1 ATS on their last five trips to the Big D, the road team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings and the underdog is on a 6-2-1 ATS push. The Thunder have the NBA’s third-best spread-covering record and are on ATS rolls of 4-1 overall, 9-2 after a two-day break, 9-3 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 6-2 in the Western Conference and 5-2 on the road. The Mavericks have cashed in four of their last five against the West and are on an 11-3 ATS run following a double-digit home loss, but they also shoulder ATS dives of 2-9 against the Northwest Division, 3-9 on Saturday, 8-17-1 after a day off and 16-34-1 at home. Oklahoma City is on “over” stretches of 7-3-1 overall, 5-1 on the road, 12-3 following a SU win and 8-3 after a spread-cover, though the under is 6-2 in its last eight against winning teams. Dallas is on “over” runs of 5-1 overall, 4-0 at home, 6-1 after a double-digit home loss, 5-1 against winning teams and 4-1 in the West, but the total has gone high in 16 of the Mavs’ last 22 Saturday starts. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in six of the last eight meetings overall, but the over is 5-2 in the last seven contests in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Phoenix (50-26, 44-31-1 ATS) at Milwaukee (41-34, 48-26-1 ATS)
The surging Suns go for a sweep of their five-game road swing when they visit the Bradley Center to take on the Bucks.
Phoenix has won 10 in a row SU, going 7-2-1 ATS in that stretch while moving into a tie for second in the Western Conference playoff chase. On Friday, the Suns rolled past Detroit 109-94 as a nine-point road favorite. Phoenix has been scoring at a prodigious rate throughout the 10-game run, clearing 100 points nine times, including eight starts of 110 ppg or more and four of 120 or more, though the Suns have also allowed 104.3 ppg. Milwaukee has lost two in a row and four of its last six, but has also beat the spread in each of its last four starts, following a three-game ATS skid. The Bucks were dealt an 87-86 overtime loss at Charlotte last night, but got the cover as a 3½-point pup. Milwaukee is averaging a modest 97.7 ppg (22nd), but has the league’s seventh-best scoring defense, allowing 96.2 ppg. Phoenix has claimed the last seven meetings in this rivalry (3-4 ATS, all as a chalk), including both contests this season. Most recently, the Suns won 105-101 at home on Jan. 11, but fell short as a 9½-point favorite. Phoenix is 6-2-1 ATS on its last seven trips to Milwaukee, the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes, and the ‘dog is on an 11-4-1 ATS run. The Suns have failed to cover in five straight Saturday games and are in a 2-6 ATS rut against the Central Division, but they sport several positive ATS streaks, including 21-7-1 overall, 4-0 against the East, 11-3 in roadies, 15-5-1 after a spread-cover, 4-1 after a SU win and 10-4-1 against winning teams. The Bucks are on nothing but positive pointspread sprees, including 38-17-1 overall, 7-0 on Saturday, 4-0 against the West, 9-2-1 against winning teams, 16-5 going on no rest and 18-6 after a SU loss. The over is on stretches of 6-2 in Phoenix’s last eight road games, 10-2 in Milwaukee’s last 12 against winning teams and 38-18 in the Bucks’ last 56 outings against the Western Conference. Also, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in 10 of the last 12 meetings overall and four of the last five in Milwaukee. However, the Suns are on “under” streaks of 9-3 on Saturday and 16-7-1 against the Eastern Conference, and the Bucks are on “under” surges of 6-0 on Saturday, 12-5 at home and 7-3 going on no rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MILWAUKEE
SATURIDAY, APRIL 3
FINAL FOUR
(at Indianapolis)
(5) Michigan State (28-8, 15-20 ATS) vs. (5) Butler (32-4, 16-20 ATS)
Butler, which has rolled off 24 consecutive SU victories, will play what amounts to a home game at Lucas Oil Stadium when it makes its first Final Four appearance against the Spartans, who are in the Final Four for the second straight year and sixth time in the last 12 years. Butler bagged a pair of upsets last week, taking down top-seeded Syracuse 63-59 as a six-point underdog in the Sweet 16, then bouncing No. 2 seed Kansas State 63-56 as a 3½-point pup to win the West Regional in Salt Lake City. Over the past five games, the Bulldogs have averaged a modest 65.4 ppg, but they’ve given up just 54.2 ppg. In fact, Butler has held 11 of its last 12 opponents to 59 points or less, including the last six in a row. For the season, the Bulldogs rank 10th nationally in scoring defense (59.6 ppg).
Michigan State also made a bit of an unexpected run to the national semifinals, with its four wins in the Big Dance coming by a total of 13 points. That includes a three-point win over New Mexico State in the first round, a two-point win on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against Maryland in the second round, and Sunday’s 70-69 Elite Eight squeaker over sixth-seeded Tennessee as a two-point pup in the Midwest Regional final in St. Louis. Butler, in its fourth straight Tournament and 10th overall, will be playing in its first Final Four just a scant seven miles from its Indianapolis campus. Meanwhile, this is familiar territory for Michigan State, which reached this stage just last year, beating UConn 82-73 as a 4½-point pup before losing the title game 89-72 to North Carolina as a 7½-point ‘dog. The Spartans are in their 24th Big Dance and eighth Final Four, reaching the national semis for the third time since 2005.
Butler is 5-3 SU (4-4 ATS) at neutral venues this year, outscoring teams by a bucket per game on average (66.6-64.6) while getting outshot 44.4 percent to 40.5 percent. Michigan State has played seven neutral-site contests, going 5-2 SU (4-3 ATS) while pouring in 75.9 ppg and surrendering 69.7 ppg.
The Bulldogs struggled against the number throughout the regular season, but they’ve now cashed in four of their last five overall and are on further ATS rolls of 5-1-1 against the Big Ten, 4-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 7-3 in the Tourney, 43-21-1 outside the Horizon League and 6-2 on Saturday. The only knocks: a 3-10 ATS mark in their last 13 following a spread-cover, and a 1-4 ATS record in their last five as a neutral-floor favorite. The Spartans own a handful of positive ATS streaks, including 25-10-1 in the Tournament (8-2 last 10 and 3-0 in the last three), 4-1 as an underdog, 9-4 on neutral courts, 7-2-1 as a neutral-site pup, 4-1 as a Tourney ‘dog and 9-4 against the Horizon League. Still, they are 4-8 ATS in their last dozen starts against winning teams. The under is 30-12-1 in Michigan State’s last 43 starts as an underdog, but the Spartans are on “over” surges of 8-0 against the Horizon League, 6-2 at neutral sites, 4-0 as a neutral-site pup, 4-0 as a Tourney ‘dog, 4-1 after a spread-cover and 5-2 after a SU win. Butler is on an 11-5 “over” tear at neutral sites, and the over is on a 7-2 run with the Bulldogs as a neutral-site chalk. However, Butler also carries a host of “under” trends, including 8-1 overall (3-0 in the Tourney), 4-0 on Saturday, 6-1 as a favorite, 6-1 against teams with a winning percentage above .600 and 5-1 in non-conference contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MICHIGAN STATE
(2) West Virginia (31-6, 17-19 ATS) vs. (1) Duke (33-5, 22-13-2 ATS)
The Blue Devils, the sole-surviving No. 1 seed in a Big Dance rife with upsets, look for their ninth consecutive victory when they take on the equally red-hot Mountaineers, winners of 10 in a row. The last seven victories in Duke’s eight-game tear have come on neutral courts (the ACC tournament and the Big Dance). The Blue Devils have cashed in all four of their Tourney wins, including a trio of double-digit victories in the first three rounds before holding off Baylor 78-71 laying 4½ points in Sunday’s South Regional final in Houston. In its last five starts, Duke has outscored the opposition by nearly 14 ppg (70.8-57.2) and grabbed nearly nine rebounds more per contest (37.2-28.4).
West Virginia swept through three games to win the Big East tourney (0-3 ATS), then went 4-0 SU and ATS in the first two weekends of the Big Dance. That was capped by last Saturday’s 73-66 upset of top-seeded Kentucky as a four-point underdog in the East Regional final in Syracuse, N.Y. During the seven-game stretch, Kentucky was the only team to reach 60 points, as the Mountaineers allowed an average of just 55.9 ppg, while scoring 64.9. Duke has made 34 Tournament appearances, including 14 in a row, and it is a No. 1 seed for the 11th time overall and the sixth time this decade. However, this is the Blue Devils’ first Final Four appearance since 2004, when it lost to UConn 79-78 in the semifinals as a 1½-point underdog. West Virginia, which received its highest seed in school history this year and is in its 23rd Tourney, has reached the Final Four for the first time since 1959. These two schools squared off two years ago in the second round of the Tournament, with West Virginia nabbing a 73-67 victory as a four-point underdog. They also met in the second round in 1989, with Duke notching a 70-63 win. Duke and West Virginia are both 11-0 SU on neutral courts this year, with the Blue Devils going 8-3 ATS and the Mountaineers going 6-5 ATS. Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski’s squad has outscored opponents by more than 14 ppg (71.1-56.7) on neutral floors, and Bob Huggins’ troops have won by an average of 10.9 ppg (69.5-58.6). Along with their 4-0 surge in the Tourney, the Blue Devils are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games at neutral sites (all as a chalk), but they also shoulder Big Dance ATS skids of 6-11 a chalk and 2-6 when laying less than seven points. The Mountaineers are on ATS rolls of 12-2-1 in the Big Dance, 5-0-1 as a Tourney pup, 7-1 as a neutral-site pup, 7-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 5-0 outside the Big East and 5-1 against the ACC. The over is 11-5 in West Virginia’s last 16 tilts as a neutral-site pup, but the under carries the day for both teams from there. Duke is on “under” tears of 4-1 overall, 4-1 in non-conference play, 19-7 at neutral sites, 4-1 in the Tournament, 4-1 as a Tourney chalk and 9-4 against Big East opposition. The Mountaineers are on “under” streaks of 7-1 overall, 7-1 on neutral courts, 6-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 19-7 following a spread-cover.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NBA
Oklahoma City (46-28, 44-30 ATS) at Dallas (50-26, 32-43-1 ATS)
The Thunder will attempt to complete a sweep of their three-game road trip when they travel to American Airlines Center to face the Mavericks. Oklahoma City went to the East Coast for the first two games of this trip, hammering Philadelphia 111-93 as a 6½-point favorite Tuesday, then coming back on no rest Wednesday to beat Boston 109-104 as a three-point underdog. The Thunder have won four of their last five SU and ATS, outscoring foes by more than 10 ppg on average, scoring 104.0 ppg on stout 50.5 percent shooting and allowing 93.6 ppg on 46.2 percent shooting. Dallas saw its three-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped Thursday night, getting blasted at home by Orlando 97-82 as a 2½-point pup. The Mavericks, who are 26-12 SU at home this year but just 9-28-1 ATS, average 101.4 ppg and give up 99.7 at American Airlines Center, getting outshot in those games by a slim 46.1 percent-45.8 percent margin. Oklahoma City has cashed in seven of the last eight meetings in this rivalry (3-5 SU), including a 99-86 home victory laying 4½ points in the most recent contest, on Feb. 16. The Thunder are 4-0-1 ATS on their last five trips to the Big D, the road team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings and the underdog is on a 6-2-1 ATS push. The Thunder have the NBA’s third-best spread-covering record and are on ATS rolls of 4-1 overall, 9-2 after a two-day break, 9-3 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 6-2 in the Western Conference and 5-2 on the road. The Mavericks have cashed in four of their last five against the West and are on an 11-3 ATS run following a double-digit home loss, but they also shoulder ATS dives of 2-9 against the Northwest Division, 3-9 on Saturday, 8-17-1 after a day off and 16-34-1 at home. Oklahoma City is on “over” stretches of 7-3-1 overall, 5-1 on the road, 12-3 following a SU win and 8-3 after a spread-cover, though the under is 6-2 in its last eight against winning teams. Dallas is on “over” runs of 5-1 overall, 4-0 at home, 6-1 after a double-digit home loss, 5-1 against winning teams and 4-1 in the West, but the total has gone high in 16 of the Mavs’ last 22 Saturday starts. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in six of the last eight meetings overall, but the over is 5-2 in the last seven contests in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Phoenix (50-26, 44-31-1 ATS) at Milwaukee (41-34, 48-26-1 ATS)
The surging Suns go for a sweep of their five-game road swing when they visit the Bradley Center to take on the Bucks.
Phoenix has won 10 in a row SU, going 7-2-1 ATS in that stretch while moving into a tie for second in the Western Conference playoff chase. On Friday, the Suns rolled past Detroit 109-94 as a nine-point road favorite. Phoenix has been scoring at a prodigious rate throughout the 10-game run, clearing 100 points nine times, including eight starts of 110 ppg or more and four of 120 or more, though the Suns have also allowed 104.3 ppg. Milwaukee has lost two in a row and four of its last six, but has also beat the spread in each of its last four starts, following a three-game ATS skid. The Bucks were dealt an 87-86 overtime loss at Charlotte last night, but got the cover as a 3½-point pup. Milwaukee is averaging a modest 97.7 ppg (22nd), but has the league’s seventh-best scoring defense, allowing 96.2 ppg. Phoenix has claimed the last seven meetings in this rivalry (3-4 ATS, all as a chalk), including both contests this season. Most recently, the Suns won 105-101 at home on Jan. 11, but fell short as a 9½-point favorite. Phoenix is 6-2-1 ATS on its last seven trips to Milwaukee, the road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five clashes, and the ‘dog is on an 11-4-1 ATS run. The Suns have failed to cover in five straight Saturday games and are in a 2-6 ATS rut against the Central Division, but they sport several positive ATS streaks, including 21-7-1 overall, 4-0 against the East, 11-3 in roadies, 15-5-1 after a spread-cover, 4-1 after a SU win and 10-4-1 against winning teams. The Bucks are on nothing but positive pointspread sprees, including 38-17-1 overall, 7-0 on Saturday, 4-0 against the West, 9-2-1 against winning teams, 16-5 going on no rest and 18-6 after a SU loss. The over is on stretches of 6-2 in Phoenix’s last eight road games, 10-2 in Milwaukee’s last 12 against winning teams and 38-18 in the Bucks’ last 56 outings against the Western Conference. Also, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in 10 of the last 12 meetings overall and four of the last five in Milwaukee. However, the Suns are on “under” streaks of 9-3 on Saturday and 16-7-1 against the Eastern Conference, and the Bucks are on “under” surges of 6-0 on Saturday, 12-5 at home and 7-3 going on no rest.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MILWAUKEE
DCI NCAA
Season
Straight Up: 3903-1286 (.752)
ATS: 1752-1729 (.503)
ATS Vary Units: 4702-4750 (.497)
Over/Under: 1559-1604 (.493)
Over/Under Vary Units: 2418-2419 (.500)
NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Butler 64, Michigan State 59
Duke 66, West Virginia 65
Season
Straight Up: 3903-1286 (.752)
ATS: 1752-1729 (.503)
ATS Vary Units: 4702-4750 (.497)
Over/Under: 1559-1604 (.493)
Over/Under Vary Units: 2418-2419 (.500)
NCAA Tournament
National Semifinals at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Butler 64, Michigan State 59
Duke 66, West Virginia 65
DCI NBA
Season
Straight Up: 758-316 (.706)
ATS: 582-525 (.526)
ATS Vary Units: 1347-1230 (.523)
Over/Under: 549-567 (.492)
Over/Under Vary Units: 731-737 (.498)
PHILADELPHIA 102, Toronto 101
ATLANTA 104, Detroit 88
New Orleans 99, NEW JERSEY 98
CHICAGO 96, Charlotte 94
Miami 102, MINNESOTA 94
DALLAS 102, Oklahoma City 100
MILWAUKEE 106, Phoenix 105
DENVER 112, L.A. Clippers 96
Portland 102, SACRAMENTO 95
Season
Straight Up: 758-316 (.706)
ATS: 582-525 (.526)
ATS Vary Units: 1347-1230 (.523)
Over/Under: 549-567 (.492)
Over/Under Vary Units: 731-737 (.498)
PHILADELPHIA 102, Toronto 101
ATLANTA 104, Detroit 88
New Orleans 99, NEW JERSEY 98
CHICAGO 96, Charlotte 94
Miami 102, MINNESOTA 94
DALLAS 102, Oklahoma City 100
MILWAUKEE 106, Phoenix 105
DENVER 112, L.A. Clippers 96
Portland 102, SACRAMENTO 95
DCI NHL
Season: 392-267 (.595)
PITTSBURGH 3, Atlanta 2
Ottawa vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
DETROIT 3, Nashville 2
Boston vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
MONTREAL 3, Buffalo 2
CAROLINA 3, New Jersey 2
N.Y. Rangers vs. FLORIDA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Washington 4, COLUMBUS 3
ST. LOUIS 3, Dallas 2
PHOENIX 4, Edmonton 2
LOS ANGELES 3, Anaheim 2
Season: 392-267 (.595)
PITTSBURGH 3, Atlanta 2
Ottawa vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
DETROIT 3, Nashville 2
Boston vs. TORONTO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
MONTREAL 3, Buffalo 2
CAROLINA 3, New Jersey 2
N.Y. Rangers vs. FLORIDA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Washington 4, COLUMBUS 3
ST. LOUIS 3, Dallas 2
PHOENIX 4, Edmonton 2
LOS ANGELES 3, Anaheim 2
RatedPicks NCAAB 4/3
CBB 04/03 Michigan State at Butler pick: Michigan State pts: +1.0 3units
CBB 04/03 West Virginia at Duke pick: West Virginia pts: +2.5 3units
NBA 04/03 Portland Trailblazers at Sacramento Kings pick: Portland Trailblazers pts: -6.5 3 units
NHL 04/03 Dallas Stars at St Louis Blues pick: Dallas Stars pts: +125 3 units
CBB 04/03 Michigan State at Butler pick: Michigan State pts: +1.0 3units
CBB 04/03 West Virginia at Duke pick: West Virginia pts: +2.5 3units
NBA 04/03 Portland Trailblazers at Sacramento Kings pick: Portland Trailblazers pts: -6.5 3 units
NHL 04/03 Dallas Stars at St Louis Blues pick: Dallas Stars pts: +125 3 units
-= TOP PLAY =- Sport Date Matchup Book Starts
NCAA-B Apr 03 '10
8:45p West Virginia vs Duke
Take: Duke -2-110 in 1d
5* Final Four *BEST BET* on Duke -2
If West Virginia, a team that normally shoots only 33.6% from three-point range, doesn't go off from deep against Kentucky, finishing 10 of 23 from beyond the arc, and if Kentucky doesn't shoot just 4 of 32 from deep, there's a good chance the Mountaineers aren't in the Final Four. The thing to note is that Kentucky had a lot of wide open looks it just missed. What was even more unlikely was that Joe Mazzula was the best player on the floor for much of that game. Duke beat Baylor by 7 points despite only shooting 36.1% from the field so it has proven that it can win without shooting the ball well, something that couldn't be said about last year's Blue Devils. I'm willing to bet WVU won't shoot the lights out from 3 again, that Duke won't go 4 of 32 like Kentucky did and that Mazzula won't have the kind of game he did in the Elite 8. WVU also benefited from 16 Kentucky turnovers. Duke just doesn't turn the ball over. That means bad news for the Mountaineers as they are just 1-7 ATS versus excellent ball handling teams committing 12 or fewer turnovers per game this season. Plus, Coach K has been here and done this 11 times now. Huggins only 1 other time. I'll go large with Duke Saturday. Best of Luck.
Sport Date Matchup Book Starts
NCAA-B Apr 03 '10
6:05p Michigan State vs Butler
Take: Butler -1-110 in 21h
3* Final Four SMASH on Butler -1
If Butler can beat Syracuse and Kansas State, it can certainly take care of a Michigan State team playing without its best player. Butler is very experienced and very disciplined on both ends of the floor. Defensively, the Bulldogs have held each of their 4 NCAA tourney opponents under 60 points. Offensively, the Bulldogs take good care of the basketball and they rarely take a bad shot. Playing smart, disciplined basketball has gotten the Bulldogs here, and I believe it will take them into the championship game. With this game taking place so close to Butler's campus, the Bulldogs will have the crowd on their side, and that can be huge in a game like this, which figures to be a low-scoring, grind-it-out affair. Butler has won 24 straight games, proving how successful its brand of basketball can be. Izzo is a great motivator, but I just can't see him sneaking past yet another opponent without Kalin Lucas. He's going to miss his most clutch performer in this game. Brad Stevens has made his boys believe. The Bulldogs are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 vs. the Big Ten and I look for this trend to continue.<!-- / message -->
Aredd
Anthony Redd
Saturday's Top Play A 60 Dime releese today on Butler laying between 1 and 1 1/2 points againost Michigan State here in Las Vegas and offshore as this site goos live at 7:30 A.M. Eastern.
40 Dime release not posted yet, will post as soon as I get it
Bought, Paid & Confirmed by me
Good Luck To All:toast:
Anthony Redd
Saturday's Top Play A 60 Dime releese today on Butler laying between 1 and 1 1/2 points againost Michigan State here in Las Vegas and offshore as this site goos live at 7:30 A.M. Eastern.
40 Dime release not posted yet, will post as soon as I get it
Bought, Paid & Confirmed by me
Good Luck To All:toast:
Brandon Lang
Bonus Play
For your early Final Four game, take Michigan State over Butler.
Been a great run for the Bulldogs, but part of me feels they caught a few breaks along the way, as they got to face Syracuse without their big man Onuaku, and then took full advantage of a Kansas State team that went through a double-overtime war against Xavier 48 hours before.
Tom Izzo is as good as they come, and Michigan State has been finding ways to win these close games. I expect this one will be close as well, but with State being the more-experienced of the 2 teams, and with State getting a solid 23 points from their bench in last weekend's win over Tennessee, I will go to the well one more time with the Spartans.
Bonus Play
For your early Final Four game, take Michigan State over Butler.
Been a great run for the Bulldogs, but part of me feels they caught a few breaks along the way, as they got to face Syracuse without their big man Onuaku, and then took full advantage of a Kansas State team that went through a double-overtime war against Xavier 48 hours before.
Tom Izzo is as good as they come, and Michigan State has been finding ways to win these close games. I expect this one will be close as well, but with State being the more-experienced of the 2 teams, and with State getting a solid 23 points from their bench in last weekend's win over Tennessee, I will go to the well one more time with the Spartans.
