Andre Gomes
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toronto vs. Memphis
The Toronto Raptors showed in their first game of the season against the Cavaliers that they will make some damage this year and definitely the disastrous last season won’t be repeated this year. I watched some games of the Raptors in the preseason and I was cautious about their team chemistry because Hedo Turkoglu arrived late in the training camp (because he was playing overseas in the Eurobasket Championship) and naturally that they would need some time to start playing at their potential.
However against the Cavaliers, the Raptors showed some good signs. They took care of the ball, as they dished 23 assists and committed only 13 turnovers – Jose Calderon had 11 assists and 3 turnovers. Hedo Turkoglu had a complete game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and….defended “the King” Lebron James. Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh were sublime, as they combined 17-32 from the field and scored 49 points, while grabbing 21 rebounds. The Raptors are a complete and deep team and they are set for a good season.
They will face the Grizzlies tonight, who were humiliated by the Pistons in their home season debut and although I expected them to be more aggressive in both ends of the floor, this isn’t enough and granted their weaknesses won’t disappear by magic. They simply don’t have a good ball movement, as they dished only 10 assists and the majority of their plays ended with contested jump shots by their opponents. The Grizzlies have in Marc Gasol a good center who rebounds and protects the paint very well, but they have also Zack Randolph and the Raptors with Chris Bosh will take advantage of this matchup. Bosh is just too quick and versatile against a poor defensive player like Randolph.
There is a huge lack of continuity between the Grizzlies first unit and their second unit. Against the Pistons, the Grizzlies second unit combined a dismal 4-22 from the field and the Raptors bench is way better than them. The line opened with the Raptors being favored by 4 points, while my fair line is them to be favored by 2 full possessions (6 points), so having the chance to grab them by just one possession (2 points), makes the Raptors a valuable play for tonight.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 715 Toronto Raptors (-2) [/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toronto vs. Memphis
The Toronto Raptors showed in their first game of the season against the Cavaliers that they will make some damage this year and definitely the disastrous last season won’t be repeated this year. I watched some games of the Raptors in the preseason and I was cautious about their team chemistry because Hedo Turkoglu arrived late in the training camp (because he was playing overseas in the Eurobasket Championship) and naturally that they would need some time to start playing at their potential.
However against the Cavaliers, the Raptors showed some good signs. They took care of the ball, as they dished 23 assists and committed only 13 turnovers – Jose Calderon had 11 assists and 3 turnovers. Hedo Turkoglu had a complete game with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 blocks and….defended “the King” Lebron James. Andrea Bargnani and Chris Bosh were sublime, as they combined 17-32 from the field and scored 49 points, while grabbing 21 rebounds. The Raptors are a complete and deep team and they are set for a good season.
They will face the Grizzlies tonight, who were humiliated by the Pistons in their home season debut and although I expected them to be more aggressive in both ends of the floor, this isn’t enough and granted their weaknesses won’t disappear by magic. They simply don’t have a good ball movement, as they dished only 10 assists and the majority of their plays ended with contested jump shots by their opponents. The Grizzlies have in Marc Gasol a good center who rebounds and protects the paint very well, but they have also Zack Randolph and the Raptors with Chris Bosh will take advantage of this matchup. Bosh is just too quick and versatile against a poor defensive player like Randolph.
There is a huge lack of continuity between the Grizzlies first unit and their second unit. Against the Pistons, the Grizzlies second unit combined a dismal 4-22 from the field and the Raptors bench is way better than them. The line opened with the Raptors being favored by 4 points, while my fair line is them to be favored by 2 full possessions (6 points), so having the chance to grab them by just one possession (2 points), makes the Raptors a valuable play for tonight.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) on 715 Toronto Raptors (-2) [/FONT]
Mike Lineback
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toronto vs. Memphis
Very suprised this line moved in our favor. Toronto have much better team, with addition of Turkoglu & emergence of Bargnani. Memphis have big matchup problems with Bargnani & Bosh. Gasol is too slow. Zach Randolph has never played a lick of defense in his life. Plus, Raptors have more depth 1-8, and key, will be Turkoglu late in games. The Grizzlies, are young, lack chemistry & have problems shooting the ball. Grizz had problems in pre-season and continued this ineptness in their season opener vs. Detroit (74-96; 36.1% from field; 2-12 from three; poor free-throw shooting). Meanwhile, Toronto coming off confidence boosting win vs. Cavaliers. And win was no fluke. Toronto look for real. Memphis still don't know how to win. Take the Raptors.[/FONT]
[FONT=Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Toronto vs. Memphis
Very suprised this line moved in our favor. Toronto have much better team, with addition of Turkoglu & emergence of Bargnani. Memphis have big matchup problems with Bargnani & Bosh. Gasol is too slow. Zach Randolph has never played a lick of defense in his life. Plus, Raptors have more depth 1-8, and key, will be Turkoglu late in games. The Grizzlies, are young, lack chemistry & have problems shooting the ball. Grizz had problems in pre-season and continued this ineptness in their season opener vs. Detroit (74-96; 36.1% from field; 2-12 from three; poor free-throw shooting). Meanwhile, Toronto coming off confidence boosting win vs. Cavaliers. And win was no fluke. Toronto look for real. Memphis still don't know how to win. Take the Raptors.[/FONT]
B l a c K W i d o W / B i l L Y o u n G
5* W is eguy NBA F ri day N ig ht B LO OD B AT H on Cleveland Cavaliers -12(-110 at Bodog)
Cleveland has opened the season 0-2, and you can bet the farm they aren't going to start the year 0-3 after tonight's game in Minnesota. Instead, the Cavs will win in a blowout as they get back on track following their tough start. The Cavs are 14-2 ATS (+11.8 Units) off a road loss over the last 2 seasons. Cleveland is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after 1 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons. The T'Wolves are 1-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) in home games after 1 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons. Minnesota is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons. Need we say more? Take Cleveland and lay the points.
5* W is eguy NBA F ri day N ig ht B LO OD B AT H on Cleveland Cavaliers -12(-110 at Bodog)
Cleveland has opened the season 0-2, and you can bet the farm they aren't going to start the year 0-3 after tonight's game in Minnesota. Instead, the Cavs will win in a blowout as they get back on track following their tough start. The Cavs are 14-2 ATS (+11.8 Units) off a road loss over the last 2 seasons. Cleveland is 15-5 ATS (+9.5 Units) after 1 or more consecutive losses over the last 2 seasons. The T'Wolves are 1-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) in home games after 1 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons. Minnesota is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in home games off an upset win as an underdog over the last 2 seasons. Need we say more? Take Cleveland and lay the points.
B l a c K W i d o W / B i l L Y o u n G
4* on K nic ks/Bo bc ats O VE R 194.5(-110 at bookm)
Whenever you see a Knicks' total of less than 200 points, it's time to take notice. New York gave up 115 points to the Heat in their road opener, and once again they will be near the bottom of the league in all defensive categories this year. But they do have an explosive offense under head coach Mike D'Antoni, and that will be on display tonight against the Bobcats. The OVER is 7-3 in Knicks last 10 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5. The OVER is 3-0-1 in Bobcats last 4 games after scoring less than 75 points in their previous game. The Bobcats struggled to score in their opener against a good Boston defense, but they'll top the 100-point mark against this poor Knicks' defense tonight and we expect New York to follow suit as both team surpass 100 points. Take the OVER 194.5 points here.
4* on K nic ks/Bo bc ats O VE R 194.5(-110 at bookm)
Whenever you see a Knicks' total of less than 200 points, it's time to take notice. New York gave up 115 points to the Heat in their road opener, and once again they will be near the bottom of the league in all defensive categories this year. But they do have an explosive offense under head coach Mike D'Antoni, and that will be on display tonight against the Bobcats. The OVER is 7-3 in Knicks last 10 games as an underdog of 0.5-4.5. The OVER is 3-0-1 in Bobcats last 4 games after scoring less than 75 points in their previous game. The Bobcats struggled to score in their opener against a good Boston defense, but they'll top the 100-point mark against this poor Knicks' defense tonight and we expect New York to follow suit as both team surpass 100 points. Take the OVER 194.5 points here.
Craig Trapp
Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks (NBA) - 7:35 PM EDT Premium Pick
Pick: Total: 203/100 Over Play Title: NBA Friday POD
Click Here to View Pick Analysis
over 203: WASH and ATL both are really great scoring teams but neither team will be confused with defensive powerhouses. Both are coming off a days rest so they will have plenty in the tank to easily both score over 100. WASH is coming off a 102 scoring performance against a decent DAL team. On the other side ATL is coming off a 120 pt performance. This one will be a shootout and this one is a lock for the over.
Washington Wizards vs. Atlanta Hawks (NBA) - 7:35 PM EDT Premium Pick
Pick: Total: 203/100 Over Play Title: NBA Friday POD
Click Here to View Pick Analysis
over 203: WASH and ATL both are really great scoring teams but neither team will be confused with defensive powerhouses. Both are coming off a days rest so they will have plenty in the tank to easily both score over 100. WASH is coming off a 102 scoring performance against a decent DAL team. On the other side ATL is coming off a 120 pt performance. This one will be a shootout and this one is a lock for the over.
Tony George
Chicago vs. Boston
Play: Chicago +12
Pretty loft number for 2 teams that play great defense, and for a team who just took down the Spurs last night in their home opener. Boston has been stellar on defense and are the better team, but the Bulls always provide matchup issues for the Celtics and I like the Bulls frontcourt here to contest the rim and keep this one close.
Play 1 Unit on the Bulls
Chicago vs. Boston
Play: Chicago +12
Pretty loft number for 2 teams that play great defense, and for a team who just took down the Spurs last night in their home opener. Boston has been stellar on defense and are the better team, but the Bulls always provide matchup issues for the Celtics and I like the Bulls frontcourt here to contest the rim and keep this one close.
Play 1 Unit on the Bulls
Ron Raymond
Rangers vs. Minnesota
Play: Minnesota -105
Angle When MINNESOTA played as any home/road team - During Last 2 Years - With 1 Over or More - Lost Last Game by 1 Goals or More - With SU Record of 1 Win 2 Lost in L3G; the Wild are 9-5 SU in this situation the last 2 years.
Rangers vs. Minnesota
Play: Minnesota -105
Angle When MINNESOTA played as any home/road team - During Last 2 Years - With 1 Over or More - Lost Last Game by 1 Goals or More - With SU Record of 1 Win 2 Lost in L3G; the Wild are 9-5 SU in this situation the last 2 years.
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Evan Altemus
Toronto vs. Memphis
Play: Toronto -4
Toronto is another team that is undervalued right now. Their front court will be very tough for teams to contend with. The addition of Hedo Turkoglu looks to help the game. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani will score at will against the Grizzlies, as they simply have no one to match-up with them. Meanwhile, Memphis has little to no home court advantage. Detroit dominated them in the first game of the year, and I look for Toronto to do the same. This team is going to be a force in the Eastern Conference this season. I look for them to dominate weaker teams and do well as an underdog against the better teams in the league. Toronto essentially just has to win this game to cover the point spread, but I expect them to win by double digits.
3 UNIT SELECTION TORONTO
Toronto vs. Memphis
Play: Toronto -4
Toronto is another team that is undervalued right now. Their front court will be very tough for teams to contend with. The addition of Hedo Turkoglu looks to help the game. Chris Bosh and Andrea Bargnani will score at will against the Grizzlies, as they simply have no one to match-up with them. Meanwhile, Memphis has little to no home court advantage. Detroit dominated them in the first game of the year, and I look for Toronto to do the same. This team is going to be a force in the Eastern Conference this season. I look for them to dominate weaker teams and do well as an underdog against the better teams in the league. Toronto essentially just has to win this game to cover the point spread, but I expect them to win by double digits.
3 UNIT SELECTION TORONTO
