Indian Cowboy
Miami Heat -8.5 (POD). Really, can the Heat be really this good? The youngest coach in the league who also happens to be of Flipino decent has the young Heat playing well. What's nice about this game is the fact they come off a 11 point loss (push) at New Orleans and will be fired up to return home. The Heat have played well after losses as they return home including losing 115-120 at New York only to return home and win 103-77 over Sacramento. Or, losing 87-100 to Charlotte on the road only to come back home and beat the Sixers 106-83. Then, in the most recent loss at New Orleans losing 89-100, they are returning home to the Nets who also come off a spanking. I just don't know if the Nets are ready for this game as with no Harris this team has no true point guard and I think they will find it tough today to compete. The Heat have covered every game they come off a straight up loss this year as the new coach gets them fired up and consistently ready for a bounce-back. Let's ride the Heat as they return home after a double-digit loss. I usually don't lay this many points on a game, but I think it calls for it here.
Memphis Grizzlies +11. People are losing faith in the Grizzlies quick despite the fact they went toe to toe with the Nuggets for half of the ballgame. Heck, they only lost that game by 10 points and now see an 11.5 spread here coming off a loss. Remember, Memphis can play some ball as they beat the Warriors twice, they beat the Magic at home and have been competitive for the most part on the road. This is a game that I can see Memphis playing very well and likely covering as they come off a loss and the Suns come off a big win at the Bucks. In fact, if I'm not mistaken, the Grizzlies have yet to lose back to back ballgames ATS and I think they bounce-back well here. This is a spread that I think Memphis can cover and hang tough in frankly. Remember, Vegas keeps a close eye on the Suns and they have been covering well of late especially on the road so the chances of them covering at home are slimmer. Grizzlies are 4-0 ATS following a straight up loss.
Comp Play: Niners/Cardinals Under 47.5
San Fran now has Singletary calling the shots. Hill is expected to start at quarterback. The Cardinals are favored by about -9.5 and why not? This team is 5-3 and could be hosting a playoff game if they continue winning. The last time this team hosted a playoff game was more than 50 years ago. The Birds are alo 6-2 ATS and Warner has thrown for 16 touchdowns and 6 interceptions this year as he has thrown for more than 2400 yards. Arizona beat this team 23-13 on the road earlier in the year as the 49ers do have revenge from that game. The Niners got spanked in their first game with their new coach losing 13-34 to the Seahawks. This team has lost 5 straight covers while the Cardinals have won 4 straight covers. But, I have a standard rule that on a weekday football game, in particular the NFL, to shy away from such a favorite that is backed by the public at 63%. I lean on the Niners here with the points, but how do you against the Cardinals with their offense that just beat the Rams 34-13, and beat Buffalo at home 41-17 and beat the Dolphins by 3 touchdowns. No thanks, although a small lean on the under. In fact, that will likely be my free pick for today. This is just a big fade on the public today as they favor the over by 67% and I can see this game going either way, but I can see a defensive battle here for the most part as the Cards pull away. Thus, this is just m comp pick today on the under 47.5.