JASON JOHNSON
Bulls at Suns
Pick: Suns -6
This is the time of year that you want to be putting your money on teams that play well at home when they're facing an opponent with a dismal road record. Such is the case tonight. The Suns are 16-4 in Phoenix while the Bulls are 4-15 outside of Chicago.This play is simply on the fact that Chicago does not travel well.
Bulls at Suns
Pick: Suns -6
This is the time of year that you want to be putting your money on teams that play well at home when they're facing an opponent with a dismal road record. Such is the case tonight. The Suns are 16-4 in Phoenix while the Bulls are 4-15 outside of Chicago.This play is simply on the fact that Chicago does not travel well.
Anyone have KILLER SPORTS LIVE?
KILLER SPORTS LIVE??
FantasySportsGametime.com
Friday Basketball
NBA Basketball
100* Play Philadelphia (+2.5) over Dallas (TOP NBA PLAY)
Dallas has lost 4 of the last 5 games against the spread and they have also lost 7 of the last 10 games against the spread when playing in the month of January. Dallas has lost 48 of the last 76 games against the spread coming off two or more wins and they are allowing an average of 51 points a game in the 1st half of games this season.
100* Oklahoma City (+3.5) over Memphis (TOP NBA PLAY)
Oklahoma City has won 11 of the last 15 games and they have also won and covered the spread in 6 of the last 7 games when the total posted is greater than 200 points. Oklahoma City has covered the spread in 14 of the last 16 games after failing to cover the spread in their last game and they have also won 38 of the last 50 games vs. Memphis.
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BONUS PLAYS
NCAA Basketball
50* Play Wisconsin-Green Bay (+5) over Cleveland State (BONUS NCAA PLAY)
Wisconsin-Green bay has won 4 of the last 5 games and they have also covered the spread in 16 of the last 19 games after having won three of the last four games. Wisconsin-Green Bay has covered the spread in 4 consecutive games coming off a road win by 10 points or more and they have also won 19 of the last 27 games vs. Cleveland State.
KILLER SPORTS LIVE??
FantasySportsGametime.com
Friday Basketball
NBA Basketball
100* Play Philadelphia (+2.5) over Dallas (TOP NBA PLAY)
Dallas has lost 4 of the last 5 games against the spread and they have also lost 7 of the last 10 games against the spread when playing in the month of January. Dallas has lost 48 of the last 76 games against the spread coming off two or more wins and they are allowing an average of 51 points a game in the 1st half of games this season.
100* Oklahoma City (+3.5) over Memphis (TOP NBA PLAY)
Oklahoma City has won 11 of the last 15 games and they have also won and covered the spread in 6 of the last 7 games when the total posted is greater than 200 points. Oklahoma City has covered the spread in 14 of the last 16 games after failing to cover the spread in their last game and they have also won 38 of the last 50 games vs. Memphis.
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BONUS PLAYS
NCAA Basketball
50* Play Wisconsin-Green Bay (+5) over Cleveland State (BONUS NCAA PLAY)
Wisconsin-Green bay has won 4 of the last 5 games and they have also covered the spread in 16 of the last 19 games after having won three of the last four games. Wisconsin-Green Bay has covered the spread in 4 consecutive games coming off a road win by 10 points or more and they have also won 19 of the last 27 games vs. Cleveland State.
SPORTS WAGERS
NEW YORK +5½ over L.A. Lakers
No doubt this one will attract a lot of attention both in terms of interest and wagering. Not that the Knicks are so interesting but a game between New York and L.A. at the Garden is always exciting and when the Lakers are involved in any game they attract a lot of betting interest indeed. Which now brings us to the line that the oddsmakers have set, which opened at –5 and now stands at Lakers –5½. Everyone and their brother is going to lay it and that already started as soon as the number came out. These teams need no introductions, as the Lakers are the Lakers, a perennial powerhouse, while the Knicks expectations coming into the year were low and they haven’t got much higher. The Lakers are also coming off another loss to the Cav’s and one has to figure them to take out its frustrations on this seemingly easy target. That may be true and they may just do exactly that, however, wagering on the NBA is very much 2.12 units to win 2). like wagering on the NFL, in that the books are extremely sharp and they know heavy action was forthcoming on the Lakers at this price. Believe what you want but we’ve seen it over and over and over, whereas a game looks too easy and it turns out the exact opposite. With that in mind, the play is the Knicks for no other reason than the oddsmakers are enticing us to lay the road points. No thanks. You might want to wait til very late to play this, as this line can only go one way and I’ll update this about 7:00 PM to post the line that we played it at. Play: New York +5½ (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
Chicago +6½ over PHOENIX
The Suns are all offense and no defense and that’s not a good recipe for success when you’re playing one of the better defensive teams in the league. Besides, what have the Suns done lately to warrant being this price over the Bulls? The Suns have one win over its last five games and that win in its latest against the Nets. Incidentally, the Nets were hanging around until late in the third quarter. Now the Suns will play its second game back after that long trip and they sure won’t be playing with as much desperation as they showed during the unimpressive win over the Nets. The Bulls were heating up and playing well before they got hit by the flu bug just prior to its game against Golden State this past Monday. The Bulls offense was playing so much better and they even won in Boston as a 6½-point pooch, not to mention a 120-point effort in a win at the Palace. For the Suns to win and cover they have to have a great shooting night because they simply cannot defend anyone and against this strong defensive club it’s not worth the risk. I’m calling the Bulls outright but must accept these points. Play: Chicago +6½ (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
BOSTON –10½ over Portland
Wow, this sure looks like a lot of points to be a spotting a quality team like the Blazers, does it not? Well, that’s exactly what the oddsmakers want you to think but this line suggests a blowout. Boston has lost three in a row and it was capped by a loss in Detroit against “that” team. Detroit had been getting hammered almost every game and you can be damn sure the Celtics will respond tonight. KG back in the line-up may not help that much on the floor due to possible limited minutes but his presence in uniform will spark both the players and crowd. Furthermore, the Blazers have been playing undermanned for a while now yet they’ve won three of four so they’ll be no panic in their game. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise to see the Celtics put away this shorthanded team very early and cruise to an easy win. Play: Boston –10½ (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
Indiana +1.42 over DETROIT
It’s hard to understand why this Pacer team struggles so badly. Here’s a team that has a lot of talent, a great player in Danny Granger, a solid big man in the middle, some terrific shooters and at the very least they should be a .500 team in the East. Sure, they’ve had to endure some injuries early but a 30-point recent loss to the Heat is inexcusable. The Pacers followed that up with an 11-point loss in Orlando but that score is flattering to Indiana, as they were down 20 after the first quarter and the fourth quarter was garbage time for the Magic. After those two humiliations you can expect a strong effort tonight against one of the most beatable teams in the league. The Pistons are coming off a win over the Celtics and that makes this one a perfect letdown spot for the home side. Even at their best the Pistons are a bad team and at their very best they still might not be able to beat this guest. This one is all about playing on the Pacers after two horrible efforts. Play: Indiana +1.42 (Risking 2 units).
EDMONTON +1.04 over Dallas
Two things are certain here. First, the Oilers will win another game this year and secondly, this is its best chance to do that in a long, long time. The Stars have not won on the road since Dec 11, a span that covers 10 games. They played last night in Vancouver, lost again and will go right back at it tonight. The Stars goaltending situation is about as unstable as the Oilers. Marty Turco is having a brutal year and looks completely off when he plays and Alex Auld will never be anything more than a backup. Auld played last night so it’s likely Turco gets the call tonight. Meanwhile, the Oilers are finished for the year in terms of making the playoffs. That’s a forgone conclusion but they still want to win and they want to win badly. They’re coming off a pretty decent game against the Canucks that went into OT and they have to know they have a great chance to snap that ugly funk tonight. The Oilers last nine games (since they last won) have come against Vancouver, Colorado, San Jose, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Columbus, Phoenix, San Jose and Calgary. That’s a very tough stretch of games indeed and now they’re in a great spot to beat perhaps the ripest team to get beat on the road in the league. Play: Edmonton +1.04 (Risking 2 units).
NEW YORK +5½ over L.A. Lakers
No doubt this one will attract a lot of attention both in terms of interest and wagering. Not that the Knicks are so interesting but a game between New York and L.A. at the Garden is always exciting and when the Lakers are involved in any game they attract a lot of betting interest indeed. Which now brings us to the line that the oddsmakers have set, which opened at –5 and now stands at Lakers –5½. Everyone and their brother is going to lay it and that already started as soon as the number came out. These teams need no introductions, as the Lakers are the Lakers, a perennial powerhouse, while the Knicks expectations coming into the year were low and they haven’t got much higher. The Lakers are also coming off another loss to the Cav’s and one has to figure them to take out its frustrations on this seemingly easy target. That may be true and they may just do exactly that, however, wagering on the NBA is very much 2.12 units to win 2). like wagering on the NFL, in that the books are extremely sharp and they know heavy action was forthcoming on the Lakers at this price. Believe what you want but we’ve seen it over and over and over, whereas a game looks too easy and it turns out the exact opposite. With that in mind, the play is the Knicks for no other reason than the oddsmakers are enticing us to lay the road points. No thanks. You might want to wait til very late to play this, as this line can only go one way and I’ll update this about 7:00 PM to post the line that we played it at. Play: New York +5½ (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).
Chicago +6½ over PHOENIX
The Suns are all offense and no defense and that’s not a good recipe for success when you’re playing one of the better defensive teams in the league. Besides, what have the Suns done lately to warrant being this price over the Bulls? The Suns have one win over its last five games and that win in its latest against the Nets. Incidentally, the Nets were hanging around until late in the third quarter. Now the Suns will play its second game back after that long trip and they sure won’t be playing with as much desperation as they showed during the unimpressive win over the Nets. The Bulls were heating up and playing well before they got hit by the flu bug just prior to its game against Golden State this past Monday. The Bulls offense was playing so much better and they even won in Boston as a 6½-point pooch, not to mention a 120-point effort in a win at the Palace. For the Suns to win and cover they have to have a great shooting night because they simply cannot defend anyone and against this strong defensive club it’s not worth the risk. I’m calling the Bulls outright but must accept these points. Play: Chicago +6½ (Risking 2.04 units to win 2).
BOSTON –10½ over Portland
Wow, this sure looks like a lot of points to be a spotting a quality team like the Blazers, does it not? Well, that’s exactly what the oddsmakers want you to think but this line suggests a blowout. Boston has lost three in a row and it was capped by a loss in Detroit against “that” team. Detroit had been getting hammered almost every game and you can be damn sure the Celtics will respond tonight. KG back in the line-up may not help that much on the floor due to possible limited minutes but his presence in uniform will spark both the players and crowd. Furthermore, the Blazers have been playing undermanned for a while now yet they’ve won three of four so they’ll be no panic in their game. In fact, it wouldn’t surprise to see the Celtics put away this shorthanded team very early and cruise to an easy win. Play: Boston –10½ (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
Indiana +1.42 over DETROIT
It’s hard to understand why this Pacer team struggles so badly. Here’s a team that has a lot of talent, a great player in Danny Granger, a solid big man in the middle, some terrific shooters and at the very least they should be a .500 team in the East. Sure, they’ve had to endure some injuries early but a 30-point recent loss to the Heat is inexcusable. The Pacers followed that up with an 11-point loss in Orlando but that score is flattering to Indiana, as they were down 20 after the first quarter and the fourth quarter was garbage time for the Magic. After those two humiliations you can expect a strong effort tonight against one of the most beatable teams in the league. The Pistons are coming off a win over the Celtics and that makes this one a perfect letdown spot for the home side. Even at their best the Pistons are a bad team and at their very best they still might not be able to beat this guest. This one is all about playing on the Pacers after two horrible efforts. Play: Indiana +1.42 (Risking 2 units).
EDMONTON +1.04 over Dallas
Two things are certain here. First, the Oilers will win another game this year and secondly, this is its best chance to do that in a long, long time. The Stars have not won on the road since Dec 11, a span that covers 10 games. They played last night in Vancouver, lost again and will go right back at it tonight. The Stars goaltending situation is about as unstable as the Oilers. Marty Turco is having a brutal year and looks completely off when he plays and Alex Auld will never be anything more than a backup. Auld played last night so it’s likely Turco gets the call tonight. Meanwhile, the Oilers are finished for the year in terms of making the playoffs. That’s a forgone conclusion but they still want to win and they want to win badly. They’re coming off a pretty decent game against the Canucks that went into OT and they have to know they have a great chance to snap that ugly funk tonight. The Oilers last nine games (since they last won) have come against Vancouver, Colorado, San Jose, Pittsburgh, Nashville, Columbus, Phoenix, San Jose and Calgary. That’s a very tough stretch of games indeed and now they’re in a great spot to beat perhaps the ripest team to get beat on the road in the league. Play: Edmonton +1.04 (Risking 2 units).
The Duke's Sports
Charleston (-1') for 1.5 Units
Good value with the Cougars on a strong home floor. Charleston, which is 7-0 SU on its home floor, has beaten Wofford five straight times SU at home. Both teams are coming off a victory last night but Wofford has to travel to Charleston while Charleston stays at home, therein lies the advantage. Furthermore, the Cougars have a more balanced offensive attack with three double-digit scorers to Wofford's one. Charleston, which clamps down defensively at home (allow 37.9% floor / 25.7 % 3 pt.) can use their depth to double Wofford's most dangerous scorer - Dahlman. With the Cougars on a sweet 7-0 ATS run and 8-0 ATS on Friday, good spot for Charleston to cover.
Charleston (-1') for 1.5 Units
Good value with the Cougars on a strong home floor. Charleston, which is 7-0 SU on its home floor, has beaten Wofford five straight times SU at home. Both teams are coming off a victory last night but Wofford has to travel to Charleston while Charleston stays at home, therein lies the advantage. Furthermore, the Cougars have a more balanced offensive attack with three double-digit scorers to Wofford's one. Charleston, which clamps down defensively at home (allow 37.9% floor / 25.7 % 3 pt.) can use their depth to double Wofford's most dangerous scorer - Dahlman. With the Cougars on a sweet 7-0 ATS run and 8-0 ATS on Friday, good spot for Charleston to cover.
