Andre Gomes
PHI / PHO Over 212.5
For this game, I like the spot of the Sixers, as I expect them to be extremely competitive tonight, however my key number to make them a single dime play is +3, so I'm sticking only with the total play.
The Suns are one of the best teams in the league right now, just like their 6-1 record says so. Their offense is peaking right now and despite not receiving the same hype as in the past, Steve Nash is having an amazing start of the season. Yesterday he dished 17 assists against just 3 turnovers and the Suns dismantled the Wizards. Although the low scoring game may suggest (102-90 = 192 points) the game was a fast paced one as just every typical Suns game! The problem was that the Wizards couldn't keep the pace, as their biggest star players heavily struggled: Gilbert Arenas shot 7-22 from the field and Caron Butler shot 7-20 FG - they combined to shot 14-42 FG and the Wizards shot only 4-16 behind the arc. Meanwhile like usual the Suns made a great offensive performance by shooting 47.7 % from the field and 12-27 from 3pts line. They scored "just" 102 points because they weren't aggressive, as they went just 14 times to the charity stripe.
The Sixers also played yesterday against the Pistons and they are coming from a bad loss, as they lost by 81-88. They were outrebounded by 39-51 and 14-21 in offensive boards. They scored just 26 points in the paint and their big men had terrible games: Thaddeus Young shot 4-13 FG; Elton Brand 3-10 FG and Samuel Dalembert was non existent. I intentionally said such numbers because scoring points in the paint and grabbing offensive boards are the bread and the butter of this team and they were shut down yesterday by the Pistons. The good news is that the Suns aren't the Pistons as they are significantly "softer" down the post and the Sixers will be able to score easy points like they want to do. The Suns has allowed 40 or more points in the paint in all their games so far in the season and I expect the Sixers to pound them inside the post tonight.
These two teams love to score in fast transitions and it isn't surprisingly that they are already in the top in this department in the league averaging 15.0 and 15.8 fast break points per game respectively. The Sixers are a terrible team in defending the perimeter and already in this season, they were torched by the Magic who shot 16-29 3pts, the Knicks also connected 14 treys against them and the Celtics went 14-20 behind the arc. Well, the Suns are by far the best team in the league averaging 46.5% from the 3pts line and I expect them to have some nice numbers once again today.
In the preseason these two teams faced each other and I tracked the pace of both games: they were two extremely fast paced games with pace factors of 107 and 105. By the way, the games ended with 228 and 210 points despite their starters being on the bench most of the games. For tonight's contest I expect such similar pace and both teams will trade points from the start. My fair line for this game is 217 points and we are getting a nice edge on the Over. The Sixers offense was dismal in their last 3 games and this created the false perception that can't score against the Suns, but they will. Take the Over in here.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) Over 212.5
PHI / PHO Over 212.5
For this game, I like the spot of the Sixers, as I expect them to be extremely competitive tonight, however my key number to make them a single dime play is +3, so I'm sticking only with the total play.
The Suns are one of the best teams in the league right now, just like their 6-1 record says so. Their offense is peaking right now and despite not receiving the same hype as in the past, Steve Nash is having an amazing start of the season. Yesterday he dished 17 assists against just 3 turnovers and the Suns dismantled the Wizards. Although the low scoring game may suggest (102-90 = 192 points) the game was a fast paced one as just every typical Suns game! The problem was that the Wizards couldn't keep the pace, as their biggest star players heavily struggled: Gilbert Arenas shot 7-22 from the field and Caron Butler shot 7-20 FG - they combined to shot 14-42 FG and the Wizards shot only 4-16 behind the arc. Meanwhile like usual the Suns made a great offensive performance by shooting 47.7 % from the field and 12-27 from 3pts line. They scored "just" 102 points because they weren't aggressive, as they went just 14 times to the charity stripe.
The Sixers also played yesterday against the Pistons and they are coming from a bad loss, as they lost by 81-88. They were outrebounded by 39-51 and 14-21 in offensive boards. They scored just 26 points in the paint and their big men had terrible games: Thaddeus Young shot 4-13 FG; Elton Brand 3-10 FG and Samuel Dalembert was non existent. I intentionally said such numbers because scoring points in the paint and grabbing offensive boards are the bread and the butter of this team and they were shut down yesterday by the Pistons. The good news is that the Suns aren't the Pistons as they are significantly "softer" down the post and the Sixers will be able to score easy points like they want to do. The Suns has allowed 40 or more points in the paint in all their games so far in the season and I expect the Sixers to pound them inside the post tonight.
These two teams love to score in fast transitions and it isn't surprisingly that they are already in the top in this department in the league averaging 15.0 and 15.8 fast break points per game respectively. The Sixers are a terrible team in defending the perimeter and already in this season, they were torched by the Magic who shot 16-29 3pts, the Knicks also connected 14 treys against them and the Celtics went 14-20 behind the arc. Well, the Suns are by far the best team in the league averaging 46.5% from the 3pts line and I expect them to have some nice numbers once again today.
In the preseason these two teams faced each other and I tracked the pace of both games: they were two extremely fast paced games with pace factors of 107 and 105. By the way, the games ended with 228 and 210 points despite their starters being on the bench most of the games. For tonight's contest I expect such similar pace and both teams will trade points from the start. My fair line for this game is 217 points and we are getting a nice edge on the Over. The Sixers offense was dismal in their last 3 games and this created the false perception that can't score against the Suns, but they will. Take the Over in here.
Pick: 3 units (Single Dime Play) Over 212.5
James Patrick
5* Pot of Gold Selection
Steelers vs. Broncos
Play: Under
The Broncos are Under the Total at a (6-1) ATS mark this season and have posted Under the Total winning tickets in 8 of 9 overall. Pittsburgh usually struggles when they head west and we expect an old school smash mouth football game in the Mile High City on Monday Night Football.
5* Pot of Gold Selection
Steelers vs. Broncos
Play: Under
The Broncos are Under the Total at a (6-1) ATS mark this season and have posted Under the Total winning tickets in 8 of 9 overall. Pittsburgh usually struggles when they head west and we expect an old school smash mouth football game in the Mile High City on Monday Night Football.
The Duke's Sports
Phoenix (pick) for 1.5 Units
The Suns have established a nice offensive rhythm as Jason Richardson and Channing Frye look to be good additions. And the bench is productive with Barbosa and Dudley leading the way. Phoenix sports a 10-4 ATS mark in this series and should deliver after all, the 76ers are still in a transition mode trying to establish an identity under HC Eddie Jordan. Phil is just 2-8 ATS unrested, and 4-10 ATS vs a team with a road winning % above .600. And the 76ers have not exhibited any better defense than the Suns at this point in the season. Suns the call.
Phoenix (pick) for 1.5 Units
The Suns have established a nice offensive rhythm as Jason Richardson and Channing Frye look to be good additions. And the bench is productive with Barbosa and Dudley leading the way. Phoenix sports a 10-4 ATS mark in this series and should deliver after all, the 76ers are still in a transition mode trying to establish an identity under HC Eddie Jordan. Phil is just 2-8 ATS unrested, and 4-10 ATS vs a team with a road winning % above .600. And the 76ers have not exhibited any better defense than the Suns at this point in the season. Suns the call.
