Gina
Saturday, January 22nd 7:00 p.m. est.
Dallas Mavericks (27-15) at New Jersey Nets (12-31)
The Nets have awakened and will try to win their third straight tonight when they host the struggling Mavericks. Dallas is 1-7 both straight-up and against the spread in their last eight games. Go with the Nets in a close battle and a chance to finally grab a win against Dirk Nowitzki and crew playing below par. The Mavericks are 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road.
New Jersey Nets +5
Saturday, January 22nd 7:00 p.m. est.
Dallas Mavericks (27-15) at New Jersey Nets (12-31)
The Nets have awakened and will try to win their third straight tonight when they host the struggling Mavericks. Dallas is 1-7 both straight-up and against the spread in their last eight games. Go with the Nets in a close battle and a chance to finally grab a win against Dirk Nowitzki and crew playing below par. The Mavericks are 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games on the road.
New Jersey Nets +5
Mr A
Saturday, January 22nd 7:00 p.m. est.
Dallas Mavericks (27-15) at New Jersey Nets (12-31)
Dallas Mavericks -5
Oddsmakers line:
Dallas as a -5 point road favorite over New Jersey with the total listed at 187½'over'
Saturday, January 22nd 10:00 p.m. est.
Indiana Pacers (16-23) at Portland Trail Blazers (24-20)
Portland Trail Blazers -5½
Saturday, January 22nd 7:00 p.m. est.
Dallas Mavericks (27-15) at New Jersey Nets (12-31)
Dallas Mavericks -5
Oddsmakers line:
Dallas as a -5 point road favorite over New Jersey with the total listed at 187½'over'
Saturday, January 22nd 10:00 p.m. est.
Indiana Pacers (16-23) at Portland Trail Blazers (24-20)
Portland Trail Blazers -5½
jeff benton
Saturday's College Hoops Action
30 Dime college basketball selection on BYU minus the points at Colorado State. The Cougars are a 6- to 6½-point road chalk in this coatest, and I fully expect this number to go up before it comes down. But if you want to wait to place your wager just in case the odds drop, make sure that you track the line moves and don’t helsitate to get your action in if you see the number start to go up.
15 Dime college basketball selection on Illinois as a slight home underdog aglinst Ohio State. The Illini are catching between 2 and 3 points in this contest, so be sure to shop around and get the best number available.
BYU
Before we get to the reasons why I like the Cougars, let’s first focus on their opponent’s results to date.
Now, does Colorado State deserve credit for Wednesday’s 78-63 beat-down of UNLV in Las Vegas – winning outright as a 13-point road underdog? Of course (even though the Rebels were minus their senior leader/top scorer, who sat out with an injury).
Does Colorado State deserve credit for A) winning nine of its last 11 games, and B) covering the number in all four of its Mountain West games so far, not to mention 10 of its last 12 contests? Of course (even though the Rams were favored in five of their last seven outings and have faced the likes of TCU, Wyoming, Hampton, Dominican, San Francisco, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Appalachian State and Northern Colorado since Dec. 20 – not one of which could hold BYU’s jock!).
If we agree on all that, then we must all agree on this, too: Colorado has faced three truly decent oppoaents so far: Kansas, UNLV and New Mexico. We already noted that the Rams knocked off UNLV. The other two games? 76-55 loss at Kansas (barely covering as a 21½-point road underdog) and 68-61 loss at New Mexico (barely covering as an 8½-point road underdog).
So, yes, Colorado State is 3-0 ATS (including two narrow coves) against its three toughest opponents of the season. Well, don’t you think that fact – along with the Rams’ ongoing 7-2 ATS run – has registered with the geniuses in Vegas? I would answer “definitely.”
At the same time, wouldn’t you agree that BYU has had Colorado State’s number recently? Seriously, check out these results (from the most recent – last year’s final meeting – going backward):
BYU 92, CSU 70
BYU 91, CSU 47
BYU 94, CUS 60
BYU 86, CUS 60
BYU 89, CSU 62
BYU 79, CSU 67
BYU 76, CSU 67
That’s not just seven wins in a row; that’s seven “you don’t belong on the same court as us” wins by margins of 22, 44, 34, 26, 27, 14, 19 and 11 points! And that includes three wins in Fort Collins of 22, 26 and 14.
Finally, if you believe in trends, hone in on these two:
1) BYU, which began the week with an 83-67 win over Air Force but failed to cash as a 20½-point home favorite, has now alternated spread-covers in its first four conference games, its last seven overall and 10 of its last 11. Therefore, the Cougars are due to colver a number … and a cheap number at that!
2) BYU is an astounding 17-5 ATS as a road favorite over the last two seasons!
Make it 18-5 ATS, as Jimmer Fredette (the leading scorer in the nation) and BYU put Colorado State in its place with a dominating 15-point win!
ILLINOIS
Ohio State – one three remaining undefeated teams in the nation – has been playing with fire for a couple of weeks now. And today, the 19-0 Buckeyes go down and go down hard, courtesy of 23rd-ranked (and ultra-talented) Illinois.
The Illini showed me a lot in Tuesday’s 71-62 victory over No. 17 Michigan State, not just the win itself or the fact they shot 53.2 percent from the field, but the way they completely stifled the Spartans’ offense down the stretch (Michigan State scored just 25 second-half points and didn’t get a point in the final 2½ minutes of the game).
Illinois now owns comfortable home wins over three quality Big Ten foes: Wisconsin (69-61), Northwestern (88-63) and Michigan State, cashing in all three contests. True, top-ranked Ohio State will provide the Illini with their stiffest test of the season. And true, Ohio State swept Illinois in three games last year (including a 7-point overtime win in the Big Ten tournament) and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings. That said – and despite their perfect record – the Buckeyes have had their molents of vulnerability this season – and recently, too.
Prior to Wednesday’s 70-48 rout of Iowa as a 20-point home favorite – and Iowa is awful – Ohio State barely survived five straight tightly contested games against the aforementioned awful Hawkeyes (73-68 road win), Minnesota (67-64 home win), Michigan (68-64 road win) and Penn State (69-66 home win). I’ll do the math for you: That’s four conference wins by a total of 15 points, all against mediocre teams.
Illinois will have some issues with Ohio State’s front-court size, but the Illini (10-0 at home, shooting 53 percent) will be able to overcome that deficiency with their speedy backcourt and a strong perimeter game on both ends of the court (Illinois ranks third in the nation in three-point shooting at 42.7 percent and 23rd in three-point defense at 29.4 percent).
Throw in a raucous crowd at Assembly Hall in Champaign – plus Ohio State’s free-throw struggles on the road (67 percent) – and I’m looking for a Illinois to get this one by at least six points.
Saturday's College Hoops Action
30 Dime college basketball selection on BYU minus the points at Colorado State. The Cougars are a 6- to 6½-point road chalk in this coatest, and I fully expect this number to go up before it comes down. But if you want to wait to place your wager just in case the odds drop, make sure that you track the line moves and don’t helsitate to get your action in if you see the number start to go up.
15 Dime college basketball selection on Illinois as a slight home underdog aglinst Ohio State. The Illini are catching between 2 and 3 points in this contest, so be sure to shop around and get the best number available.
BYU
Before we get to the reasons why I like the Cougars, let’s first focus on their opponent’s results to date.
Now, does Colorado State deserve credit for Wednesday’s 78-63 beat-down of UNLV in Las Vegas – winning outright as a 13-point road underdog? Of course (even though the Rebels were minus their senior leader/top scorer, who sat out with an injury).
Does Colorado State deserve credit for A) winning nine of its last 11 games, and B) covering the number in all four of its Mountain West games so far, not to mention 10 of its last 12 contests? Of course (even though the Rams were favored in five of their last seven outings and have faced the likes of TCU, Wyoming, Hampton, Dominican, San Francisco, Southern Miss, Ole Miss, Appalachian State and Northern Colorado since Dec. 20 – not one of which could hold BYU’s jock!).
If we agree on all that, then we must all agree on this, too: Colorado has faced three truly decent oppoaents so far: Kansas, UNLV and New Mexico. We already noted that the Rams knocked off UNLV. The other two games? 76-55 loss at Kansas (barely covering as a 21½-point road underdog) and 68-61 loss at New Mexico (barely covering as an 8½-point road underdog).
So, yes, Colorado State is 3-0 ATS (including two narrow coves) against its three toughest opponents of the season. Well, don’t you think that fact – along with the Rams’ ongoing 7-2 ATS run – has registered with the geniuses in Vegas? I would answer “definitely.”
At the same time, wouldn’t you agree that BYU has had Colorado State’s number recently? Seriously, check out these results (from the most recent – last year’s final meeting – going backward):
BYU 92, CSU 70
BYU 91, CSU 47
BYU 94, CUS 60
BYU 86, CUS 60
BYU 89, CSU 62
BYU 79, CSU 67
BYU 76, CSU 67
That’s not just seven wins in a row; that’s seven “you don’t belong on the same court as us” wins by margins of 22, 44, 34, 26, 27, 14, 19 and 11 points! And that includes three wins in Fort Collins of 22, 26 and 14.
Finally, if you believe in trends, hone in on these two:
1) BYU, which began the week with an 83-67 win over Air Force but failed to cash as a 20½-point home favorite, has now alternated spread-covers in its first four conference games, its last seven overall and 10 of its last 11. Therefore, the Cougars are due to colver a number … and a cheap number at that!
2) BYU is an astounding 17-5 ATS as a road favorite over the last two seasons!
Make it 18-5 ATS, as Jimmer Fredette (the leading scorer in the nation) and BYU put Colorado State in its place with a dominating 15-point win!
ILLINOIS
Ohio State – one three remaining undefeated teams in the nation – has been playing with fire for a couple of weeks now. And today, the 19-0 Buckeyes go down and go down hard, courtesy of 23rd-ranked (and ultra-talented) Illinois.
The Illini showed me a lot in Tuesday’s 71-62 victory over No. 17 Michigan State, not just the win itself or the fact they shot 53.2 percent from the field, but the way they completely stifled the Spartans’ offense down the stretch (Michigan State scored just 25 second-half points and didn’t get a point in the final 2½ minutes of the game).
Illinois now owns comfortable home wins over three quality Big Ten foes: Wisconsin (69-61), Northwestern (88-63) and Michigan State, cashing in all three contests. True, top-ranked Ohio State will provide the Illini with their stiffest test of the season. And true, Ohio State swept Illinois in three games last year (including a 7-point overtime win in the Big Ten tournament) and is 8-2 in the last 10 meetings. That said – and despite their perfect record – the Buckeyes have had their molents of vulnerability this season – and recently, too.
Prior to Wednesday’s 70-48 rout of Iowa as a 20-point home favorite – and Iowa is awful – Ohio State barely survived five straight tightly contested games against the aforementioned awful Hawkeyes (73-68 road win), Minnesota (67-64 home win), Michigan (68-64 road win) and Penn State (69-66 home win). I’ll do the math for you: That’s four conference wins by a total of 15 points, all against mediocre teams.
Illinois will have some issues with Ohio State’s front-court size, but the Illini (10-0 at home, shooting 53 percent) will be able to overcome that deficiency with their speedy backcourt and a strong perimeter game on both ends of the court (Illinois ranks third in the nation in three-point shooting at 42.7 percent and 23rd in three-point defense at 29.4 percent).
Throw in a raucous crowd at Assembly Hall in Champaign – plus Ohio State’s free-throw struggles on the road (67 percent) – and I’m looking for a Illinois to get this one by at least six points.
Today's NHL Picks
Columbus at St. Louis
The Blue Jackets look to take advantage of a St. Louis team that is 1-5 in its last 6 games as a favorite. Columbus is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jackets favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
Time Posted 11:00 a.m. EST
Game 1-2: New Jersey at Philadelphia (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.283; Philadelphia 12.467
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 6
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 5
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-230); Over
Game 3-4: Chicago at Detroit (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.730; Detroit 11.203
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+115); Under
Game 5-6: Boston at Colorado (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.654; Colorado 12.200
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-120); Over
Game 7-8: NY Rangers at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.197; Atlanta 10.535
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+100); Under
Game 9-10: Washington at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.031; Toronto 12.263
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+115); Under
Game 11-12: Carolina at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.704; Pittsburgh 12.691
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-150); Over
Game 13-14: Anaheim at Montreal (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 10.781; Montreal 11.551
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-135); Under
Game 15-16: Los Angeles at Phoenix (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.774; Phoenix 10.605
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+110); Over
Game 17-18: Columbus at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.728; St. Louis 10.878
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140); Over
Game 19-20: Calgary at Vancouver (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.819; Vancouver 11.960
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-230); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-230); Under
Game 21-22: Minnesota at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.269; San Jose 12.754
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-165); Under
Columbus at St. Louis
The Blue Jackets look to take advantage of a St. Louis team that is 1-5 in its last 6 games as a favorite. Columbus is the pick (+140) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Jackets favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140). Here are all of today's picks.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
Time Posted 11:00 a.m. EST
Game 1-2: New Jersey at Philadelphia (1:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 11.283; Philadelphia 12.467
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 6
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-230); 5
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-230); Over
Game 3-4: Chicago at Detroit (2:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.730; Detroit 11.203
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+115); Under
Game 5-6: Boston at Colorado (3:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 10.654; Colorado 12.200
Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Colorado (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-120); Over
Game 7-8: NY Rangers at Atlanta (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.197; Atlanta 10.535
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-120); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+100); Under
Game 9-10: Washington at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.031; Toronto 12.263
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (+115); Under
Game 11-12: Carolina at Pittsburgh (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Carolina 11.704; Pittsburgh 12.691
Dunkel Line & Total: Pittsburgh by 1; 6 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-150); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Pittsburgh (-150); Over
Game 13-14: Anaheim at Montreal (7:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 10.781; Montreal 11.551
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-135); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-135); Under
Game 15-16: Los Angeles at Phoenix (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.774; Phoenix 10.605
Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix (-130); 5
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+110); Over
Game 17-18: Columbus at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.728; St. Louis 10.878
Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 1; 6
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+140); Over
Game 19-20: Calgary at Vancouver (10:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.819; Vancouver 11.960
Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 1; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-230); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (-230); Under
Game 21-22: Minnesota at San Jose (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 11.269; San Jose 12.754
Dunkel Line & Total: San Jose by 1 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: San Jose (-165); Under
Sam Clayton
3* Illinois
Get ready for the most important basketball game Ohio State has played all season long. Outside of the contest at Purdue, this will be the toughest challenge for young phenom Jared Sullinger to date. I've been very clear on TiSB and the Betting Dork that Sullinger has the absolute best footwork in college basketball and he's a fantastic player, but I love what Illinois' bigs bring to the table on both sides of the floor. Aside from leading the NCAA in effective height (+5.7), Illinois has the longest frontcourt in college basketball according to KenPom.com. Their trees aren't the toughest --- Tisdale is such a flake --- but it's the SIZE that cannot be discounted.
Tiz (7-1, 250), Davis (6-9, 255) and freshman Meyers Leonard (7-0, 240 freshman who isn't afraid to get DIRTY) are three outstanding athletes that can not only alter offensive looks with their length and wingspans, but they can do what no bigs have done to Sullinger all year long: run him down the floor in transition. Bruce Weber has been preaching "attack, attack, attack #0" in practice all week long in order to throw various looks at JJ on defense. The young Buckeye grabs hella rebounds, yes, but he's far from a great on-ball defender. Combine a slap happy defender with home court calls and the most hostile environment he's seen all season long and may very well be on the right end of some foul trouble. Illinois isn't the toughest team in the paint, but their sheer athleticism and versatility will be something that Sullinger has yet to deal with all season long.
3* Illinois
Get ready for the most important basketball game Ohio State has played all season long. Outside of the contest at Purdue, this will be the toughest challenge for young phenom Jared Sullinger to date. I've been very clear on TiSB and the Betting Dork that Sullinger has the absolute best footwork in college basketball and he's a fantastic player, but I love what Illinois' bigs bring to the table on both sides of the floor. Aside from leading the NCAA in effective height (+5.7), Illinois has the longest frontcourt in college basketball according to KenPom.com. Their trees aren't the toughest --- Tisdale is such a flake --- but it's the SIZE that cannot be discounted.
Tiz (7-1, 250), Davis (6-9, 255) and freshman Meyers Leonard (7-0, 240 freshman who isn't afraid to get DIRTY) are three outstanding athletes that can not only alter offensive looks with their length and wingspans, but they can do what no bigs have done to Sullinger all year long: run him down the floor in transition. Bruce Weber has been preaching "attack, attack, attack #0" in practice all week long in order to throw various looks at JJ on defense. The young Buckeye grabs hella rebounds, yes, but he's far from a great on-ball defender. Combine a slap happy defender with home court calls and the most hostile environment he's seen all season long and may very well be on the right end of some foul trouble. Illinois isn't the toughest team in the paint, but their sheer athleticism and versatility will be something that Sullinger has yet to deal with all season long.
