DCI
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->BOSTON 3, N.Y. Rangers 2
New Jersey vs. BUFFALO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
TORONTO 4, Montreal 3
Philadelphia vs. OTTAWA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Tampa Bay vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Pittsburgh vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
NASHVILLE 3, Columbus 2
St. Louis vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Vancouver vs. EDMONTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Anaheim vs. SAN JOSE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
LOS ANGELES 3, Phoenix 2
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->BOSTON 3, N.Y. Rangers 2
New Jersey vs. BUFFALO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
TORONTO 4, Montreal 3
Philadelphia vs. OTTAWA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Tampa Bay vs. N.Y. ISLANDERS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Pittsburgh vs. CAROLINA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
NASHVILLE 3, Columbus 2
St. Louis vs. DALLAS: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Vancouver vs. EDMONTON: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Anaheim vs. SAN JOSE: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
LOS ANGELES 3, Phoenix 2
Saturday April 4th 2009
-- College Basketball --
6:05p
The Prez NA
Connecticut r816
-4.0 (-110) / 10 units
8:45p
The Prez NA
Villanova r817
North Carolina r818
o159.5 (-110) / 6 units
6* BIG DANCE TOTAL OF THE MONTH
(817) VILLANOVA vs. (818) N CAROLINA 8:45 PM
NCAA Tournament - Final Four - Ford Field - Detroit, MI
6 UNIT Play on the OVER
<!-- / message -->
-- College Basketball --
6:05p
The Prez NA
Connecticut r816
-4.0 (-110) / 10 units
8:45p
The Prez NA
Villanova r817
North Carolina r818
o159.5 (-110) / 6 units
6* BIG DANCE TOTAL OF THE MONTH
(817) VILLANOVA vs. (818) N CAROLINA 8:45 PM
NCAA Tournament - Final Four - Ford Field - Detroit, MI
6 UNIT Play on the OVER
<!-- / message -->
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
(2) Michigan State (30-6, 20-12-1 ATS) vs. (1) Connecticut (31-4, 16-15 ATS)
Michigan State stifled top-seeded Louisville 64-52 last Sunday as a 6½-point underdog in the Elite Eight, earning a trip to the Final Four at Ford Field, just 90 miles from its East Lansing campus. The Spartans are on a 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS spree, rolling through the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark on the strength of their defense, holding three of four opponents to 62 points or less while averaging 70.5 ppg. In fact, in the last 11 games, Michigan State has held eight opponents under 63 points, including six in the 50s.
Connecticut also heads into the semifinals with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark in the Tournament, capped by an 82-75 victory over third-seeded Missouri as a six-point chalk last Saturday. The Huskies have averaged 87.3 ppg in the Big Dance, while yielding just 62 ppg. UConn’s current four-game pointspread run comes on the heels of a 1-6 ATS slide, though that was all in Big East play and included two SU and ATS setbacks to Pittsburgh – another NCAA top seed that also reached the Elite Eight before bowing out to Villanova, also from the Big East.
This will be Michigan State’s second trip to Ford Field this season, though the last time, they got steamrolled by fellow Final Four qualifier North Carolina, losing 98-63 as a 10-point pup on Dec. 3. The Spartans are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, while UConn returns to college basketball’s biggest stage for the first time since winning it all in 2004.
Despite these two squads having a great deal of Tournament success the past decade, they have not met in the Big Dance. They did square off in December 1998, during UConn’s run to its first national championship, with the Huskies rolling 82-68 giving 9½ points at home. Michigan State returned the favor the following season with an 85-66 regular-season home rout as a 7½-point chalk, and the Spartans went on to win the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
UConn is 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS on neutral courts this season, with the lone SU loss an exhilarating six-overtime, 127-117 setback to Syracuse in the Big East tourney laying 5½ points. In those nine contests, the Huskies have averaged 88.3 ppg, more than 15 points higher than their opponents (73.2). Michigan State, meanwhile, is 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS on neutral floors, playing much tighter games as it has averaged 70.8 ppg and allowed 66.6.
Guard Kalin Lucas leads a balanced Michigan State scoring attack at 14.6 ppg, but center Goran Suton has been key to the Final Four run, putting up 20 points and nine rebounds against Kansas in the Sweet 16, followed by a 19-point, 10-rebound effort against the Cardinals in the round of eight.
Connecticut has four players averaging double-figure scoring, paced by A.J. Price’s 14.7 ppg. Star center Hasheem Thabeet (13.5 ppg, 10.7 rpg) and forward Jeff Adrien (13.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg) both average a double-double, with the 7-foot-3 Thabeet adding 4.2 blocks per game (second in the nation).
The Spartans are on a bundle of ATS runs, including 6-0 in non-conference action, 5-1 after a SU win, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 4-1 as an underdog, 4-1 as a neutral-site pup, 6-2 on Saturday and a lengthy 21-8-1 in their last 30 NCAA Tournament starts. The Huskies are 41-20-1 ATS in their last 62 starts as a chalk of less than seven points, and their 4-0 ATS run through the Tournament has all come from the favorite’s role and follows an 0-7 ATS drought in the Big Dance. Also, UConn is on a 2-5 ATS skid in its last seven Saturday outings.
The under for Michigan State is on tears of 11-4 overall (including the last two in the Tournament), 9-3 after a SU win, 8-2 after an ATS victory, 5-2 on Saturday, 7-3 outside the Big Ten, 39-18-1 with the Spartans as an underdog and 10-4 when the Spartans are a neutral-court ‘dog.
On the flip side, the over for Connecticut is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 7-1 in the Tournament (all with the Huskies a chalk), 22-8 on neutral floors and 14-3 when the Huskies are favored at a neutral site.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MICHIGAN STATE
(3) Villanova (30-7, 19-14 ATS) vs. (1) North Carolina (32-4, 15-19 ATS)
Villanova, pursuing its first national title since the stunning run as a No. 8 seed in 1985, held off fellow Big East heavyweight and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh for a 78-76 Elite Eight victory last Saturday as a two-point underdog, moving to 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the Big Dance. The Wildcats have ripped off wins in 16 of their last 19 starts en route to the Final Four, going 12-7 ATS in that stretch. Villanova has scored at least 77 points in each of its four Tournament contests, averaging 81 ppg while allowing just 66.5 ppg.
North Carolina, back in the Final Four for a second straight year, has breezed through this year’s Tourney with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark, easily handling second-seeded Oklahoma 72-60 last Sunday as a seven-point chalk to advance. The Tar Heels, who entered the Big Dance on a 2-9 ATS nosedive (9-2 SU), have won all four of their Tournament starts by double digits, averaging a whopping 88.7 ppg while allowing just 66.3 ppg.
The Tar Heels have also gained a little experience at Ford Field this season, having pounded fellow Final Four qualifier Michigan State 98-63 as a 10-point chalk on Dec. 3.
These teams last squared off during Carolina’s run to the 2005 NCAA Tournament title, with the Tar Heels hanging on for a 67-66 Sweet 16 victory but falling far short of covering as a heavy 11-point favorite.
North Carolina is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in eight neutral-court starts this season, putting up 88 ppg and yielding 71.2 ppg while outshooting opponents by more than eight percentage points (48.9-40.4) and outrebounding them by almost nine per game (40.5-31.9). Villanova is 7-2 SU but just 4-5 ATS at neutral sites this season, though it has cashed in its last three starts in this event, including blowout wins of sixth-seeded UCLA and second-seeded Duke prior to beating Pittsburgh.
Forward Dante Cunningham averages 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to lead a balanced Villanova squad, with five Wildcats averaging at least 9.1 ppg. Guard Scottie Reynolds puts up 15.2 points and 3.7 assists per contests, and fellow guard Corey Fisher averages 10.7 ppg.
All-American forward Tyler Hansbrough paces Carolina with 20.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, but he gets plenty of help from four more Tar Heels who average double figures in scoring, including guards Ty Lawson (16.3 ppg) and Wayne Ellington (15.6 ppg). Lawson also averages 6.5 assists.
The Wildcats are on several spread-covering streaks, including 5-2 in the Tournament, 5-1 as a Big Dance ‘dog, 8-2 on Saturday, 4-1 in non-conference action, 10-3 after an ATS win, 11-5 after a SU win, 6-2 against the ACC and 16-7 as a neutral-site pup.
Likewise, the Tar Heels are on ATS upswings of 38-15 outside the ACC and 7-0 as a neutral-site chalk of seven to 12½-points, and over their last nine NCAA Tournament games, they’ve gone 8-1 SU and ATS, with all eight SU and ATS wins coming by double digits from the favorite’s role. North Carolina’s lone SU and ATS loss in its last nine Tournament contests was in last year’s Final Four, it got drilled by eventual champion Kansas 84-66 as a 2½-point favorite.
On the downside for the Tar Heels, they still carry negative ATS streaks of 3-8 in Saturday starts, 3-8 after a spread-cover and 7-17 after a SU win.
The over for Villanova is on rolls of 5-2 overall, 10-2 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 4-1 on Saturday, 5-2 at neutral sites and 9-4 following a SU win, and the over for North Carolina is on a 5-0 run against Big East foes. But the under for Villanova is on streaks of 9-2 in non-conference play, 4-1-1 against the ACC, 24-9-1 with the Wildcats getting points and 8-2-1 with the ‘Cats as a neutral-site ‘dog.
Furthermore, the under for Carolina is on stretches of 4-1 overall (all on neutral courts), 4-1 in the Tournament (all from the favorite’s role) and 5-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA
NBA
Orlando (56-19, 47-27-1 ATS) at Atlanta (43-33, 41-34-1 ATS)
The Magic bring a three-game road winning streak into Atlanta for a matchup with the Hawks in a Southeast Division battle between playoff-bound teams.
Orlando is coming off Friday’s 116-87 blowout of the Cavaliers, easily cashing as a 3½-point home favorite. The Magic have won seven of eight (4-4 ATS) overall and they haven’t allowed a team to score 100 points since March 23 (five straight games). They also haven’t lost on the road since March 17, going 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS.
The Hawks were also in action Friday night, losing 104-92 in Boston, failing to cash as 4½-point ‘dogs. Atlanta has dropped four of its last five overall (SU and ATS), as well as two of its last three (SU and ATS) in front of the home fans. The Hawks have managed to reach triple figures just once in their last eight games and haven’t scored more than 93 in any of their last five.
Orlando has won two of three meetings with Atlanta this season both SU and ATS, including a 106-102 win in Atlanta on Jan. 7 as a two-point road ‘dog. The Magic are 4-2 ATS in the last six series clashes, and the SU winner has cashed in each of the last 10 meetings.
Orlando is riding a host of ATS streaks, including 8-3 on the second night of a back-to-back, 41-19-1 on Saturdays, 58-28-3 on the road, 21-8 against teams with winning records and 4-0 against Southeast Division rivals. The Hawks are on positive ATS runs of 9-4-1 overall, 11-2-1 at home, 9-5 against the Eastern Conference, 8-1 as a home pup and 12-5 at home against teams with winning road records.
For the Magic, the under is 7-3 in their last 10 overall and 7-2 in their last nine as a favorite, but otherwise the team is on “over” runs of 4-1 when they don’t get a day off and 6-2 when they are a road favorite. Atlanta is on “under” stretches of 9-4 at home, 4-1 as a home ‘dog and 5-2 at home against teams with a winning road mark.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Detroit (36-39, 32-43 ATS) at Philadelphia (39-35, 34-38-2 ATS)
The Sixers try to make it three in a row when they welcome the Pistons into the Wachovia Center.
Philadelphia has rattled off two straight at home, beating the Hawks 98-85 as a two-point chalk on Tuesday and then scoring a 105-95 win over the Bucks as a 7½-point favorite Thursday. The Sixers have won five of their last seven (4-3 ATS) and they’ve averaged 98.2 points per game over their last five while giving up just 93.8 ppg.
Detroit has lost two straight (1-1 ATS), five of seven (SU and ATS) and eight of 11 (5-6 ATS). The Pistons have had trouble scoring putting the ball in the hoop lately, reaching triple figures just once in their last seven games, ironically a 101-97 home win against these Sixers on Sunday, cashing as 2½-point home favorites.
Including Sunday’s victory, the Pistons have won four of the last five in this rivalry (SU and ATS) going back to the final two games of their opening-round best-of-5 playoff series last year. Detroit is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings in Philly, but the favorite is on a 4-1 ATS run in this series.
Detroit is on ATS slides of 11-23 after a non-cover, 0-4 after a straight-up loss, 1-4 on Saturdays and 2-5 overall, but the Pistons are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 against teams with a winning record and 6-2 ATS on the road against teams with a winning home mark. Philadelphia is just 1-5 ATS in its last six Saturday games and 2-5 ATS in its last seven against teams with a losing record.
For the Pistons, the over is on streaks of 7-2-1 overall, 5-1-1 on the road, 5-0 against Atlantic Division foes, 7-1-1 against the Eastern Conference and 5-1-1 after a non-cover. The Sixers are also riding several “over” streaks, including 7-2 overall, 5-2 after a day off, 6-2 against the Eastern Conference and 4-1 after a straight-up win. Conversely, though, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings in Philly.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(2) Michigan State (30-6, 20-12-1 ATS) vs. (1) Connecticut (31-4, 16-15 ATS)
Michigan State stifled top-seeded Louisville 64-52 last Sunday as a 6½-point underdog in the Elite Eight, earning a trip to the Final Four at Ford Field, just 90 miles from its East Lansing campus. The Spartans are on a 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS spree, rolling through the NCAA Tournament with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark on the strength of their defense, holding three of four opponents to 62 points or less while averaging 70.5 ppg. In fact, in the last 11 games, Michigan State has held eight opponents under 63 points, including six in the 50s.
Connecticut also heads into the semifinals with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark in the Tournament, capped by an 82-75 victory over third-seeded Missouri as a six-point chalk last Saturday. The Huskies have averaged 87.3 ppg in the Big Dance, while yielding just 62 ppg. UConn’s current four-game pointspread run comes on the heels of a 1-6 ATS slide, though that was all in Big East play and included two SU and ATS setbacks to Pittsburgh – another NCAA top seed that also reached the Elite Eight before bowing out to Villanova, also from the Big East.
This will be Michigan State’s second trip to Ford Field this season, though the last time, they got steamrolled by fellow Final Four qualifier North Carolina, losing 98-63 as a 10-point pup on Dec. 3. The Spartans are back in the Final Four for the first time since 2005, while UConn returns to college basketball’s biggest stage for the first time since winning it all in 2004.
Despite these two squads having a great deal of Tournament success the past decade, they have not met in the Big Dance. They did square off in December 1998, during UConn’s run to its first national championship, with the Huskies rolling 82-68 giving 9½ points at home. Michigan State returned the favor the following season with an 85-66 regular-season home rout as a 7½-point chalk, and the Spartans went on to win the 2000 NCAA Tournament.
UConn is 8-1 SU and 7-2 ATS on neutral courts this season, with the lone SU loss an exhilarating six-overtime, 127-117 setback to Syracuse in the Big East tourney laying 5½ points. In those nine contests, the Huskies have averaged 88.3 ppg, more than 15 points higher than their opponents (73.2). Michigan State, meanwhile, is 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS on neutral floors, playing much tighter games as it has averaged 70.8 ppg and allowed 66.6.
Guard Kalin Lucas leads a balanced Michigan State scoring attack at 14.6 ppg, but center Goran Suton has been key to the Final Four run, putting up 20 points and nine rebounds against Kansas in the Sweet 16, followed by a 19-point, 10-rebound effort against the Cardinals in the round of eight.
Connecticut has four players averaging double-figure scoring, paced by A.J. Price’s 14.7 ppg. Star center Hasheem Thabeet (13.5 ppg, 10.7 rpg) and forward Jeff Adrien (13.7 ppg, 10.0 rpg) both average a double-double, with the 7-foot-3 Thabeet adding 4.2 blocks per game (second in the nation).
The Spartans are on a bundle of ATS runs, including 6-0 in non-conference action, 5-1 after a SU win, 4-1 after a spread-cover, 4-1 as an underdog, 4-1 as a neutral-site pup, 6-2 on Saturday and a lengthy 21-8-1 in their last 30 NCAA Tournament starts. The Huskies are 41-20-1 ATS in their last 62 starts as a chalk of less than seven points, and their 4-0 ATS run through the Tournament has all come from the favorite’s role and follows an 0-7 ATS drought in the Big Dance. Also, UConn is on a 2-5 ATS skid in its last seven Saturday outings.
The under for Michigan State is on tears of 11-4 overall (including the last two in the Tournament), 9-3 after a SU win, 8-2 after an ATS victory, 5-2 on Saturday, 7-3 outside the Big Ten, 39-18-1 with the Spartans as an underdog and 10-4 when the Spartans are a neutral-court ‘dog.
On the flip side, the over for Connecticut is on streaks of 4-1 overall, 7-1 in the Tournament (all with the Huskies a chalk), 22-8 on neutral floors and 14-3 when the Huskies are favored at a neutral site.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MICHIGAN STATE
(3) Villanova (30-7, 19-14 ATS) vs. (1) North Carolina (32-4, 15-19 ATS)
Villanova, pursuing its first national title since the stunning run as a No. 8 seed in 1985, held off fellow Big East heavyweight and No. 1 seed Pittsburgh for a 78-76 Elite Eight victory last Saturday as a two-point underdog, moving to 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the Big Dance. The Wildcats have ripped off wins in 16 of their last 19 starts en route to the Final Four, going 12-7 ATS in that stretch. Villanova has scored at least 77 points in each of its four Tournament contests, averaging 81 ppg while allowing just 66.5 ppg.
North Carolina, back in the Final Four for a second straight year, has breezed through this year’s Tourney with a 4-0 SU and ATS mark, easily handling second-seeded Oklahoma 72-60 last Sunday as a seven-point chalk to advance. The Tar Heels, who entered the Big Dance on a 2-9 ATS nosedive (9-2 SU), have won all four of their Tournament starts by double digits, averaging a whopping 88.7 ppg while allowing just 66.3 ppg.
The Tar Heels have also gained a little experience at Ford Field this season, having pounded fellow Final Four qualifier Michigan State 98-63 as a 10-point chalk on Dec. 3.
These teams last squared off during Carolina’s run to the 2005 NCAA Tournament title, with the Tar Heels hanging on for a 67-66 Sweet 16 victory but falling far short of covering as a heavy 11-point favorite.
North Carolina is 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in eight neutral-court starts this season, putting up 88 ppg and yielding 71.2 ppg while outshooting opponents by more than eight percentage points (48.9-40.4) and outrebounding them by almost nine per game (40.5-31.9). Villanova is 7-2 SU but just 4-5 ATS at neutral sites this season, though it has cashed in its last three starts in this event, including blowout wins of sixth-seeded UCLA and second-seeded Duke prior to beating Pittsburgh.
Forward Dante Cunningham averages 16.2 points and 7.3 rebounds per game to lead a balanced Villanova squad, with five Wildcats averaging at least 9.1 ppg. Guard Scottie Reynolds puts up 15.2 points and 3.7 assists per contests, and fellow guard Corey Fisher averages 10.7 ppg.
All-American forward Tyler Hansbrough paces Carolina with 20.9 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, but he gets plenty of help from four more Tar Heels who average double figures in scoring, including guards Ty Lawson (16.3 ppg) and Wayne Ellington (15.6 ppg). Lawson also averages 6.5 assists.
The Wildcats are on several spread-covering streaks, including 5-2 in the Tournament, 5-1 as a Big Dance ‘dog, 8-2 on Saturday, 4-1 in non-conference action, 10-3 after an ATS win, 11-5 after a SU win, 6-2 against the ACC and 16-7 as a neutral-site pup.
Likewise, the Tar Heels are on ATS upswings of 38-15 outside the ACC and 7-0 as a neutral-site chalk of seven to 12½-points, and over their last nine NCAA Tournament games, they’ve gone 8-1 SU and ATS, with all eight SU and ATS wins coming by double digits from the favorite’s role. North Carolina’s lone SU and ATS loss in its last nine Tournament contests was in last year’s Final Four, it got drilled by eventual champion Kansas 84-66 as a 2½-point favorite.
On the downside for the Tar Heels, they still carry negative ATS streaks of 3-8 in Saturday starts, 3-8 after a spread-cover and 7-17 after a SU win.
The over for Villanova is on rolls of 5-2 overall, 10-2 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 4-1 on Saturday, 5-2 at neutral sites and 9-4 following a SU win, and the over for North Carolina is on a 5-0 run against Big East foes. But the under for Villanova is on streaks of 9-2 in non-conference play, 4-1-1 against the ACC, 24-9-1 with the Wildcats getting points and 8-2-1 with the ‘Cats as a neutral-site ‘dog.
Furthermore, the under for Carolina is on stretches of 4-1 overall (all on neutral courts), 4-1 in the Tournament (all from the favorite’s role) and 5-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA
NBA
Orlando (56-19, 47-27-1 ATS) at Atlanta (43-33, 41-34-1 ATS)
The Magic bring a three-game road winning streak into Atlanta for a matchup with the Hawks in a Southeast Division battle between playoff-bound teams.
Orlando is coming off Friday’s 116-87 blowout of the Cavaliers, easily cashing as a 3½-point home favorite. The Magic have won seven of eight (4-4 ATS) overall and they haven’t allowed a team to score 100 points since March 23 (five straight games). They also haven’t lost on the road since March 17, going 3-0 SU and 2-1 ATS.
The Hawks were also in action Friday night, losing 104-92 in Boston, failing to cash as 4½-point ‘dogs. Atlanta has dropped four of its last five overall (SU and ATS), as well as two of its last three (SU and ATS) in front of the home fans. The Hawks have managed to reach triple figures just once in their last eight games and haven’t scored more than 93 in any of their last five.
Orlando has won two of three meetings with Atlanta this season both SU and ATS, including a 106-102 win in Atlanta on Jan. 7 as a two-point road ‘dog. The Magic are 4-2 ATS in the last six series clashes, and the SU winner has cashed in each of the last 10 meetings.
Orlando is riding a host of ATS streaks, including 8-3 on the second night of a back-to-back, 41-19-1 on Saturdays, 58-28-3 on the road, 21-8 against teams with winning records and 4-0 against Southeast Division rivals. The Hawks are on positive ATS runs of 9-4-1 overall, 11-2-1 at home, 9-5 against the Eastern Conference, 8-1 as a home pup and 12-5 at home against teams with winning road records.
For the Magic, the under is 7-3 in their last 10 overall and 7-2 in their last nine as a favorite, but otherwise the team is on “over” runs of 4-1 when they don’t get a day off and 6-2 when they are a road favorite. Atlanta is on “under” stretches of 9-4 at home, 4-1 as a home ‘dog and 5-2 at home against teams with a winning road mark.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO
Detroit (36-39, 32-43 ATS) at Philadelphia (39-35, 34-38-2 ATS)
The Sixers try to make it three in a row when they welcome the Pistons into the Wachovia Center.
Philadelphia has rattled off two straight at home, beating the Hawks 98-85 as a two-point chalk on Tuesday and then scoring a 105-95 win over the Bucks as a 7½-point favorite Thursday. The Sixers have won five of their last seven (4-3 ATS) and they’ve averaged 98.2 points per game over their last five while giving up just 93.8 ppg.
Detroit has lost two straight (1-1 ATS), five of seven (SU and ATS) and eight of 11 (5-6 ATS). The Pistons have had trouble scoring putting the ball in the hoop lately, reaching triple figures just once in their last seven games, ironically a 101-97 home win against these Sixers on Sunday, cashing as 2½-point home favorites.
Including Sunday’s victory, the Pistons have won four of the last five in this rivalry (SU and ATS) going back to the final two games of their opening-round best-of-5 playoff series last year. Detroit is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings in Philly, but the favorite is on a 4-1 ATS run in this series.
Detroit is on ATS slides of 11-23 after a non-cover, 0-4 after a straight-up loss, 1-4 on Saturdays and 2-5 overall, but the Pistons are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 against teams with a winning record and 6-2 ATS on the road against teams with a winning home mark. Philadelphia is just 1-5 ATS in its last six Saturday games and 2-5 ATS in its last seven against teams with a losing record.
For the Pistons, the over is on streaks of 7-2-1 overall, 5-1-1 on the road, 5-0 against Atlantic Division foes, 7-1-1 against the Eastern Conference and 5-1-1 after a non-cover. The Sixers are also riding several “over” streaks, including 7-2 overall, 5-2 after a day off, 6-2 against the Eastern Conference and 4-1 after a straight-up win. Conversely, though, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings in Philly.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
John Ryan
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks
Play: Orlando Magic -2
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Orlando as they travel to face Atlanta. At this time of the year I must be responsible for all player news and as a result i want to provide these plays with the BEST possible information supporting the AiS graded play. I had released the magic as a 3* Free Member play and they just humiliated the Cavs winning by 29 points in a real laugher. Such a blowout only adds more confidence to this team and a letdown is not likely. if anything another blowout win is in the cards. Supporting this graded play is a strong system that has posted a 68-31 ATS mark for 69% winners since 2003. Play on road teams that are good defensive teams allowing 41.5-43.5% shooting and facing an average defensive team allowing 43.5-45.5% in a game involving two average rebounding teams posting+/-3 reb/game differentials after 42+ games. Take Orlando.
Orlando Magic vs. Atlanta Hawks
Play: Orlando Magic -2
Ai Simulator 3* graded play on Orlando as they travel to face Atlanta. At this time of the year I must be responsible for all player news and as a result i want to provide these plays with the BEST possible information supporting the AiS graded play. I had released the magic as a 3* Free Member play and they just humiliated the Cavs winning by 29 points in a real laugher. Such a blowout only adds more confidence to this team and a letdown is not likely. if anything another blowout win is in the cards. Supporting this graded play is a strong system that has posted a 68-31 ATS mark for 69% winners since 2003. Play on road teams that are good defensive teams allowing 41.5-43.5% shooting and facing an average defensive team allowing 43.5-45.5% in a game involving two average rebounding teams posting+/-3 reb/game differentials after 42+ games. Take Orlando.
Dunkel
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST (3/30)
Game 815-816: Michigan State vs. Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 74.557; Connecticut 77.078
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 4
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+4)
Game 817-818: Villanova vs. North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 71.273; North Carolina 79.821
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-7 1/2)
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<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->SATURDAY, APRIL 4
Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST (3/30)
Game 815-816: Michigan State vs. Connecticut
Dunkel Ratings: Michigan State 74.557; Connecticut 77.078
Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Connecticut by 4
Dunkel Pick: Michigan State (+4)
Game 817-818: Villanova vs. North Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Villanova 71.273; North Carolina 79.821
Dunkel Line: North Carolina by 8 1/2
Vegas Line: North Carolina by 7 1/2
Dunkel Pick: North Carolina (-7 1/2)
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CappersJungle
Clients; well if you have been with us the start of the tournament you’d be up right now $2,390 right now. ($10 = 1 dime). And this is documented at our site. We gave $60 of it back yesterday with the timberpuppies and bobcats spoiling our undefeated April run. Sitting at 5-2 on the month up $340 still isn’t anything to be disappointed in yet.
Remember to sign up your friends at our forums and you and they have a chance at $25 in our contest.
Now onto the games.
20 Dimes Villanova +7.5 vs. Unc
$220 to win $200
10 Dime Uconn -4 vs. Michigan State
$110 to win $100
5 Dimes San Jose -1.5 in NHL vs. Anaheim
$50 to win $58.50
20 Dimes Villanova
• We should have released this pick when the line came out. It opened at +8 for us and we should have released it to our clients at that time. We are now sitting on a 7.5 number but anticipate it to drop even more This is going to come down to the team that has the ball last. Everyone is talking about the big upset in 1985 and how this team could do much of the same. I 100% agree here kids that it very well could happen. The world is on UNC to win this whole thing, and rightfully so. However today they will be on the court with two NBA prospects in Swayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham…. Oh ya we are also forgetting Mr. Reynolds who single handily ousted Pitt and their fans hopes from the tournament last week. Unc kids are going to be in a fight with this one this weekend, and while Mr. Lawson and company have had their minds and money at greektown I seem them unfocused and that my friends is going to cost them here. Two other big stats stick out for us on this one as well. The under is 9-2 in VILLA last 11 non-conference games, and that plays into our favor. An under will keep the score much more closer for us giving us the winning Saturday that everyone wants. Speaking of Saturday, Villanova just so happens to be 8 and 2 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games. Take Villanova to the bank at +7.5 for you 20 dime play from CappersJungle. Com. Sit back and enjoy the game.
10 Dime Uconn.
It’s a bit scary that we are betting on the same side as the public on Uconn on this one. We did the same last night with the Utah Jazz and got burned. History is however on our side in the one. Take a look at the trends that are going in our favor in this one. Uconn is 4-0 in, their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games, in their last 4 neutral site games. Ok we won’t quite stop there yet, they are also 4 and 0, in their last 4 games when they are a favorite, when it’s a non conference game, and in their last 4 game overall. If there is one thing that Michigan State will struggle with its going to be the size of Uconn. Goran Suton has had a wonderful run in the ncaa tournament however I expect Uconn to attack him a bit more, this could lead to some foul trouble early and really ruin the game plan of Michigan State. I do also expect this to be a fast pace game and that 134 number to get passed with 2 to 3 min on the clock. We will be looking for a upper 140s game when this one is done. Cappersjungle.com is all over Aj Price and Hasheem Thabeet to advance to Mondays final game, 10 Dime Winner Uconn.
5 Dimes San Jose write up to come later today.<!-- / message -->
Clients; well if you have been with us the start of the tournament you’d be up right now $2,390 right now. ($10 = 1 dime). And this is documented at our site. We gave $60 of it back yesterday with the timberpuppies and bobcats spoiling our undefeated April run. Sitting at 5-2 on the month up $340 still isn’t anything to be disappointed in yet.
Remember to sign up your friends at our forums and you and they have a chance at $25 in our contest.
Now onto the games.
20 Dimes Villanova +7.5 vs. Unc
$220 to win $200
10 Dime Uconn -4 vs. Michigan State
$110 to win $100
5 Dimes San Jose -1.5 in NHL vs. Anaheim
$50 to win $58.50
20 Dimes Villanova
• We should have released this pick when the line came out. It opened at +8 for us and we should have released it to our clients at that time. We are now sitting on a 7.5 number but anticipate it to drop even more This is going to come down to the team that has the ball last. Everyone is talking about the big upset in 1985 and how this team could do much of the same. I 100% agree here kids that it very well could happen. The world is on UNC to win this whole thing, and rightfully so. However today they will be on the court with two NBA prospects in Swayne Anderson and Dante Cunningham…. Oh ya we are also forgetting Mr. Reynolds who single handily ousted Pitt and their fans hopes from the tournament last week. Unc kids are going to be in a fight with this one this weekend, and while Mr. Lawson and company have had their minds and money at greektown I seem them unfocused and that my friends is going to cost them here. Two other big stats stick out for us on this one as well. The under is 9-2 in VILLA last 11 non-conference games, and that plays into our favor. An under will keep the score much more closer for us giving us the winning Saturday that everyone wants. Speaking of Saturday, Villanova just so happens to be 8 and 2 ATS in their last 10 Saturday games. Take Villanova to the bank at +7.5 for you 20 dime play from CappersJungle. Com. Sit back and enjoy the game.
10 Dime Uconn.
It’s a bit scary that we are betting on the same side as the public on Uconn on this one. We did the same last night with the Utah Jazz and got burned. History is however on our side in the one. Take a look at the trends that are going in our favor in this one. Uconn is 4-0 in, their last 4 games vs. a team with a winning S.U. record, in their last 4 NCAA Tournament games, in their last 4 neutral site games. Ok we won’t quite stop there yet, they are also 4 and 0, in their last 4 games when they are a favorite, when it’s a non conference game, and in their last 4 game overall. If there is one thing that Michigan State will struggle with its going to be the size of Uconn. Goran Suton has had a wonderful run in the ncaa tournament however I expect Uconn to attack him a bit more, this could lead to some foul trouble early and really ruin the game plan of Michigan State. I do also expect this to be a fast pace game and that 134 number to get passed with 2 to 3 min on the clock. We will be looking for a upper 140s game when this one is done. Cappersjungle.com is all over Aj Price and Hasheem Thabeet to advance to Mondays final game, 10 Dime Winner Uconn.
5 Dimes San Jose write up to come later today.<!-- / message -->
Wunderdog
AQUEDUCT Race #3 at 2:00 PM Eastern
AQUEDUCT Race #3 at 2:00 PM Eastern
Top pick: #5 (DESPITE THE ODDS) - Colt by "Speightstown" cost $300,000 at auction and by the looks of his first effort, that could be money well spent. He won by 10 lengths in fast time and was heavily bet in his maiden win at Laurel. Working fast since and he's the top choice.
<!--p-->2nd pick: #3 (Gone Astray) - "Triple Crown" nominee did himself proud last year in a pair of important stakes after breaking his maiden. Nicely-bred and in a great barn ("Shug" McGaughey), he finished a strong second in his seasonal debut at Gulfstream. Win threat.
3rd pick: #8 (Stealth Missile) - In great shape at present, trainer Gary Contessa brings him back on short notice (six days) moves him up in class, and shortens him up in distance. Exotic's threat.
4th pick: #1 (No Questions) - Nice maiden win on Feb. 28, but he'll really need to step it up to challenge the top pair.
