HARRY BONDI
NBA FREE PICK
DALLAS (-7) over Chicago
8:00 p.m. ET
We are not buying that the Bulls are back. Sure, Chicago had a nice win against the non-caring wake us up when the playoffs get here Spurs last night but Chicago had dropped six of their last eight games and have been lousy defensively before putting together a strong effort last night. But we don’t think they will have enough to keep this game close, playing on back to back nights against a Dallas squad that has won three straight games and has been one of the better teams in the tough Western Conference all season long. Take the Mavs.
NBA FREE PICK
DALLAS (-7) over Chicago
8:00 p.m. ET
We are not buying that the Bulls are back. Sure, Chicago had a nice win against the non-caring wake us up when the playoffs get here Spurs last night but Chicago had dropped six of their last eight games and have been lousy defensively before putting together a strong effort last night. But we don’t think they will have enough to keep this game close, playing on back to back nights against a Dallas squad that has won three straight games and has been one of the better teams in the tough Western Conference all season long. Take the Mavs.
SpOrTs-JuNkiE
1/23/15: NBA: Bulls vs Dallas (8:05 pm est.)
$500 NBA Play: Bulls/Dallas UNDER 204 <—— (PENDING)
Key TRENDS for this game:
Under is 9-1 in Bulls last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 7-1 in Bulls last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 road games.
Under is 5-0 in Mavericks last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-1 in Mavericks last 8 home games.
Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2 in Mavericks last 7 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
1/23/15: NBA: Bulls vs Dallas (8:05 pm est.)
$500 NBA Play: Bulls/Dallas UNDER 204 <—— (PENDING)
Key TRENDS for this game:
Under is 9-1 in Bulls last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Under is 7-1 in Bulls last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-1 in Bulls last 6 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Under is 4-1 in Bulls last 5 road games.
Under is 5-0 in Mavericks last 5 games playing on 1 days rest.
Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
Under is 4-0 in Mavericks last 4 games following a ATS win.
Under is 7-1 in Mavericks last 8 home games.
Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 games following a S.U. win.
Under is 5-1 in Mavericks last 6 vs. Eastern Conference.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 overall.
Under is 4-1 in Mavericks last 5 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 5-2 in Mavericks last 7 vs. a team with a winning S.U. record.
Under is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings.
JOE GAVAZZI
Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers (-9.5-) 7:35 ET
2* Cleveland (-9.5-)
The Charlotte Hornets visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 7:35 pm ET in a matchup of Eastern Conference rivals. These teams have met twice this year with Cleveland prevailing 91-87 in Charlotte and winning 97-88 as 10 point home chalk on this floor. Those results were before Cleveland found their groove.
Charlotte was a 43-39 SU team last year, who finished 7th in the Eastern Conference playoff queue. Even more was expected of them this season. But, they have languished at 18-25 SU, as they have suffered from multiple injuries to key contributors, including big man, Al Jefferson and PG Kemba Walker. Each of those key cogs has returned to the lineup. Charlotte enters tonight following 3 consecutive home victories, albeit against the likes of losing teams, Indiana, Minnesota and Miami. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the average score in those games was 88-76. Though that streak lifted Charlotte to winners of 8/9, it is unlikely that streak continues tonight. James’ teams have won the last 19 games against Charlotte, including playoff victories. Must respect the fact that Charlotte is allowing just 97.3 PPG, among the league leaders in points allowed. Simply do not believe they are going to hold down a Cleveland team, who is starting to gel.
Since the return of James and a 2-10 SU slide, Cleveland has gone 4-0 SU ATS, beating the Lakers 109-102, the Clippers 126-121, Chicago 108-94 and Utah 106-92. That’s an average score of 112-102. NBA chemistry is a fragile thing. At last, Cleveland seems to have gotten it right! The loss of Varejao for the season was clearly a negative. As was the LeBron injury. Some key trades seem to have righted the ship. JR Smith is filling the role of the traded Waiters. The acquired Mozgov is filling in nicely for Varejao. In addition, tonight is the expected first game of Shumpert, another key piece to the puzzle received in the Knicks trade. Those three will team with PG Irving, James and Love for a powerful and explosive offense.
I give respect to the fact that Charlotte has played better in the role of road dog, where they are 11-5 ATS. But, that is just 5-4 ATS when getting 6 or more points. In addition, among the 4 consecutive Charlotte road wins have been victims such as New York, Boston and Orlando (the bottom feeders of the East). Let’s ride Cleveland for at least one game before the prices begin to catch up with them.
Charlotte Hornets at Cleveland Cavaliers (-9.5-) 7:35 ET
2* Cleveland (-9.5-)
The Charlotte Hornets visit the Cleveland Cavaliers tonight at 7:35 pm ET in a matchup of Eastern Conference rivals. These teams have met twice this year with Cleveland prevailing 91-87 in Charlotte and winning 97-88 as 10 point home chalk on this floor. Those results were before Cleveland found their groove.
Charlotte was a 43-39 SU team last year, who finished 7th in the Eastern Conference playoff queue. Even more was expected of them this season. But, they have languished at 18-25 SU, as they have suffered from multiple injuries to key contributors, including big man, Al Jefferson and PG Kemba Walker. Each of those key cogs has returned to the lineup. Charlotte enters tonight following 3 consecutive home victories, albeit against the likes of losing teams, Indiana, Minnesota and Miami. Nonetheless, it is worth noting that the average score in those games was 88-76. Though that streak lifted Charlotte to winners of 8/9, it is unlikely that streak continues tonight. James’ teams have won the last 19 games against Charlotte, including playoff victories. Must respect the fact that Charlotte is allowing just 97.3 PPG, among the league leaders in points allowed. Simply do not believe they are going to hold down a Cleveland team, who is starting to gel.
Since the return of James and a 2-10 SU slide, Cleveland has gone 4-0 SU ATS, beating the Lakers 109-102, the Clippers 126-121, Chicago 108-94 and Utah 106-92. That’s an average score of 112-102. NBA chemistry is a fragile thing. At last, Cleveland seems to have gotten it right! The loss of Varejao for the season was clearly a negative. As was the LeBron injury. Some key trades seem to have righted the ship. JR Smith is filling the role of the traded Waiters. The acquired Mozgov is filling in nicely for Varejao. In addition, tonight is the expected first game of Shumpert, another key piece to the puzzle received in the Knicks trade. Those three will team with PG Irving, James and Love for a powerful and explosive offense.
I give respect to the fact that Charlotte has played better in the role of road dog, where they are 11-5 ATS. But, that is just 5-4 ATS when getting 6 or more points. In addition, among the 4 consecutive Charlotte road wins have been victims such as New York, Boston and Orlando (the bottom feeders of the East). Let’s ride Cleveland for at least one game before the prices begin to catch up with them.
Wunderdog Sports Free Pick
NBA Orlando @ New York
Pick: Orlando -2
Phil Jackson must be questioning his move to oversee the New York Knicks. He has a troubled team with a superstar that just doesn’t seem to know what “team” means, and also has an ailing knee. His presence on or of the court has mattered little as the Knicks’ complimentary players are ordinary at best. New York has won just four times here in 21 tries, so a tiny line that means very little, certainly shows an advantage against them in this spot. Orlando is 15-30 on the season, but their best work has been done outside of Orlando as they have managed 10 of their 16 wins on the road. Knicks fans continue to be starved as New York is 5-16 ATS in their last 21 at home, and they seem to play to the level of competition, which won’t be an asset here. Play on Orlando.
NBA Orlando @ New York
Pick: Orlando -2
Phil Jackson must be questioning his move to oversee the New York Knicks. He has a troubled team with a superstar that just doesn’t seem to know what “team” means, and also has an ailing knee. His presence on or of the court has mattered little as the Knicks’ complimentary players are ordinary at best. New York has won just four times here in 21 tries, so a tiny line that means very little, certainly shows an advantage against them in this spot. Orlando is 15-30 on the season, but their best work has been done outside of Orlando as they have managed 10 of their 16 wins on the road. Knicks fans continue to be starved as New York is 5-16 ATS in their last 21 at home, and they seem to play to the level of competition, which won’t be an asset here. Play on Orlando.
Rocketman
Manhattan vs. Quinnipiac
Play: 2*Manhattan +4
The Manhattan Jaspers travel to Qunnipiac to take on the Bobcats on Friday night. Manhattan comes in with an 8-9 SU overall record this year while Quinnipiac is 10-8 SU overall this season. Manhattan is 17-6 ATS last 3 years when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Quinnipiac is 1-5 ATS this year when playing against a team with a losing record. Manhattan is 5-0-1 ATS last 6 games after an ATS loss. Manhattan is 4-1-1 ATS last 6 games after a SU loss. Manhattan is 38-16-2 ATS last 56 road games against a team with a winning home record. Quinnipiac is 2-8 ATS last 10 games after a SU win. Quinnipiac is 1-5 ATS last 6 home games. Manhattan is 15-1 ATS last 16 games on the road after a game as a home favorite. We’ll recommend a small play on Manhattan tonight!
Manhattan vs. Quinnipiac
Play: 2*Manhattan +4
The Manhattan Jaspers travel to Qunnipiac to take on the Bobcats on Friday night. Manhattan comes in with an 8-9 SU overall record this year while Quinnipiac is 10-8 SU overall this season. Manhattan is 17-6 ATS last 3 years when playing against a team with a winning record in the 2nd half of the season. Quinnipiac is 1-5 ATS this year when playing against a team with a losing record. Manhattan is 5-0-1 ATS last 6 games after an ATS loss. Manhattan is 4-1-1 ATS last 6 games after a SU loss. Manhattan is 38-16-2 ATS last 56 road games against a team with a winning home record. Quinnipiac is 2-8 ATS last 10 games after a SU win. Quinnipiac is 1-5 ATS last 6 home games. Manhattan is 15-1 ATS last 16 games on the road after a game as a home favorite. We’ll recommend a small play on Manhattan tonight!
