Service Plays Thursday 12/10/09

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

TheRX.com Policy on Posting Handicapper Plays:
In the poster agreement that all posters agree to when signing up, posters have agreed to NOT post copyrighted information.
Some handicappers do not mind having their plays posted, If we are asked by any company to not let their information be posted here, we will comply with the request and remove the information if we see it.
For The Record.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To all services and professional handicappers. I am only going to be editing posts where your copyrighted write-ups are involved. Please do not email me if someone simply posts so and so likes xyz team plus or minus so many points only.
Thank you, wilheim..

We have received requests from the following companies:
PlusLineSports- Do not post
PowerPlay Wins
The Real Animal
THELOCKOFTHEDAY
Right Angle Sports (RAS)
Tony Karpinski and 3G-Sports
Discreat Cat (do not post at all)
Dr. Bob Sports
Dr. guru sports
madduxsports
Red Zone Sports
Dennis Hill
Peter Gold at VI
Strike Point Sports
Vegas Sports Informer
Winning Points/Sports Reporter
ASA, ASA Inc’s or American Sports Analysts
Sal Bansa/sportspicks1019
Mikelineback
Larry Ness
Al McMordie
zen_gambler
Tom Stryker
Lenny Delgenio
Scott Spreitzer
Matt Fargo
@ntonwins
Doc's Sports Services
Robert Ferringo
Pacific (Pac Star) Sports
The Prez
Mike Rose
LT Profits
Pregame.- which include (shaker,law,o'shea,jwip,creole,nover,rocketman,d'angelo,vrunner)
Alex Smart
JB Sports
ATS Consultants
Ken Jenkins
AJ Apollo
Jim Avery
Jim Kruger
Paul Stone
Ross Benjamin
Dave Cokin
Tony George
Fred Wallin
Rocky Atkinson
Jorge Gonzalez
Greg DiPalma
Vernon Croy
Ron Raymond
Dennis Macklin
Ben Lewis
Lucky Lester
Bruce Marshall
Ted Sevransky (Teddy Covers)
Ben Burns
Fairway Jay
EZ Winners
Pointwise Sports
Pro Sports Info
Steve Merril SportsAlatex Sports
Tennessee Valley Sports
Trushel Sports Consulting
Sports Memo Crew which include:
Rob Veno,Brent Crow,Erin Rynning,Donnie Black,Marty Otto,Jared Klein,David Jones,Ed Cash
Sixth Sense Sports
Marc Lawrence, and/or
Playbook, and/or
Preferred Picks

****Please note we can post Picks ONLY for the services above - NO WRITE - UPS. All other services not on this list can be posted in any fashion. GL!<!-- / message --> <!-- / message -->
<!-- / message -->

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL WRITE-UP


Week 14 NFL games

Thursday, December 10

Steelers (6-6) @ Browns (1-11)-- Pittsburgh lost last four games, last three all by three points; they're 2-4 on road, winning 28-10 at Denver (-1), 28-20 at Detroit (-10.5). Steelers are 3-8 vs spread as favorite, 1-4 on road. Cleveland (+14) lost 27-14 at Heinz back in Week 6; Cribbs ran kick back for Brown TD; Steelers averaged 10.6 ypa, Browns 3.8 (completed just 9-26 passes). Browns lost last seven games but covered last three, losing by 1-9-7 points. In twelve games this year, Cleveland scored less than 10 points seven times. AFC North underdogs are 7-2 vs spread in divisional games, 3-1 at home.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL LONG SHEET

Week 14

Thursday, December 10

PITTSBURGH (6 - 6) at CLEVELAND (1 - 11) - 12/10/2009, 8:20 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PITTSBURGH is 1-7 ATS (-6.7 Units) in all games where the total is between 35.5 and 42 points this season.
PITTSBURGH is 80-51 ATS (+23.9 Units) as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points since 1992.

Head-to-Head Series History
CLEVELAND is 3-2 against the spread versus PITTSBURGH over the last 3 seasons
PITTSBURGH is 5-0 straight up against CLEVELAND over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL SHORT SHEET

Week 14

Thursday, 12/10/2009

PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND, 8:20 PM ET NFL
PITTSBURGH: 80-51 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points
CLEVELAND: 6-1 Under last 4wks of the regular season

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NFL ADDITIONAL

Week 14

Trend Report

Thursday, December 10

8:20 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. CLEVELAND
Pittsburgh is 8-3-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Cleveland
Pittsburgh is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Cleveland
Cleveland is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
Cleveland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets

Detroit Pistons at Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets realized just how fragile their interior is with a 107-95 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats Tuesday night. The Nuggets took the floor without veteran power forward Kenyon Martin, who is nursing a dislocated finger.

Without Martin cleaning up the boards, Denver was out-rebounded 43-35 and allowed 14 offensive boards to the Bobcats. Martin is averaging just under eight rebounds per game and is the Nuggets top defensive forward, averaging 1.4 steals and blocks per game.

Charlotte power forward Gerald Wallace had five of those boards on the offensive glass and led the way with 25 points. Martin would have made a much better matchup on the athletic leaper, leaving flat-footed Joey Graham and Renaldo Balkman to share the defensive duties.

Detroit may be scrambling to replace its injured stars, but the one constant has been the work on the glass. The Pistons are the fourth-best offensive rebounding team in the NBA, pulling in over 12 boards on the offensive glass a night. Forward Ben Wallace is still an elite rebounder while the big bodies of Jason Maxiell, Charlie Villanueva and Jonas Jerebko can cause chaos under the rim.

Pick: Detroit


Boston Celtics at Washington Wizards (+7.5, 193)

While Boston boasts its Big Three, Washington also has an all-star trio in Gilbert Arenas, Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison. That three-pronged attack has combined for more than 57 points a game – 59 percent of the Wizards’ nightly offense.

But that offensive output isn’t enough for point-producing head coach Flip Saunders, who is trying to get Washington to improve its tempo. During practice this week, the Wizards worked on quick transition from defensive rebounding to pushing the ball.

“We haven't had as much of a thrust with the ball,” Saunders told reporters. “We want [Arenas] to be aggressive with the ball, whether it's scoring or distributing, but we cannot walk the ball up the court. That's something we've really been trying to work on, from the beginning of training camp. If there is a miss, we shouldn't be in any sort of set play. We haven't done as a good a job as we need to.”

Washington has scored 22 fastbreak points in each of their last two games – both losses. On the year, the Wizards average just under 12 points on the fastbreak and Saunders believes that with the team’s firepower and rebounding, they should be able to beat opponents down the floor before the defense can set up.

They have averaged over 93 possessions per game which is 13th in the NBA. The coaching staff wants to limit the long jumpers and three-point attempts after Washington shot under 44 percent from the field and 31 percent from beyond the arc.

“When you don't score and you fall behind, you take the path of least resistance, which is usually three-point shots,” Saunders said. “That's the easiest one to get off, because that's the one they don't guard as much. There is a reason they don't guard that. You just have to do more things to almost exert our will and where we want to get the ball at the spots we want to get it to.”

Saunders didn’t mention the team’s porous defense, which is allowing more than 100 points per game. Washington faces one of the deepest and explosive offenses in the NBA, in Boston, which is riding an eight-game winning streak.

Pick: Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets

Ottawa Senators at Philadelphia Flyers (-170, 5.5)

It took three attempts, but the fading Flyers finally got their new coach a victory.

Philadelphia, under Peter Laviolette since last Friday, snapped a five-game losing streak with a 6-2 win over the Islanders on Tuesday.

The six goals were the most the Flyers have posted since Nov. 2, but Philadelphia still remains skates deep in a 2-8-0 skid after starting the season with a 12-5-1 mark.

Another chance to ease Philly’s pain may come at the expense of the Senators who have lost five of their last six games.

Ottawa is allowing opponents to net goals at an alarming rate, surrendering an average of 4.2 goals over its last five games.

Brian Boucher is expected to get his second straight start under the net for the Flyers after Ray Emery had surgery on his lower stomach to repair a torn muscle on Wednesday. Emery will be out at least six weeks.

"[Boucher] has been playing pretty good for us,” said Laviolette, who dismissed the notion of backup Johan Backlund playing in the near future. “Before I got here, he was on a pretty good roll. Right now, he’s going to be the guy that runs with it.”

Boucher is 3-5-0-0 this season with a 2.53 goals against average, but is 1-4-0 with a 3.57 average in seven career games against the Senators.

The last four meetings in this series have gone over the posted total with the teams scoring an average of 7.5 goals per game.

Pick: Over


Pittsburgh Penguins at Montreal Canadiens (+135, 5.5)

The Canadiens will try to improve upon their three-game win streak at home against the Penguins on Thursday. Montreal has given up a total of three goals during its victory foray.

Pittsburgh has had Montreal’s number recently, however, winning the last four meetings in the series. In two matchups this season in Pittsburgh, the Canadiens were outscored by the Pens 9-2. Winger Sidney Crosby totaled four goals and one assist in those two outings.

Crosby appears to be back at full strength after missing a game last Saturday with a groin injury. He scored his 20th goal of the season in his return on Monday, a 3-2 loss to Carolina.

"I felt pretty good," Crosby said. "Hopefully [the injury] won't give me any more trouble."

Marc-Andre Fleury has been stonewalling opponents for the Pens during his last five games, giving up an average of 2.2 goals per outing. Habs goalie Carey Price is surrendering 2.4 goals per game over his last five starts, including a pair of one-goal performances.

These two teams have combined to cash 36 unders this season.

Pick: Under

 

[LLXC13]

Jeff Benton Thursday's NFL Hoops winner ... 15 Dime: BROWNS (plus the points vs. Steelers)


Browns

No, this isn’t a kneejerk response to losing Sunday’s 20 Dime Best Bet on the Steelers. It’s simply me coming to the realization – a little late in the game, perhaps – that the Steelers just are not a very good football team this year (or at least right now, they’re not). Good teams just don’t give up 27 points to both the god-awful Chiefs and Raiders and lose those games outright as a double-digit favorite. Good teams don’t lose at home to the Bengals as a touchdown favorite. And good teams just don’t blow fourth-quarter leads, which Pittsburgh has done in all six of its losses.

Clearly, after that last-second loss to Oakland on Sunday (at home, no less), the Steelers are in a big-time crisis mode for the first time in a few years and the first time under coach Mike Tomlin. And given they’ve lost four straight games (including three in a row by a field goal), I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the Steelers’ collective mental approach right now is “this just isn’t our year.” One thing is for certain: Pittsburgh misses defensive star and leader Troy Polamalu. Polamalu has missed the last 3½ games, and not-so-coincidentally, the Steelers lost those contests while giving up 27, 20 and 27 points in the last three. Polamalu will be on the sidelines again tonight (and possibly for the rest of the season), and without their heart and soul, you simply cannot trust the Steelers defense – no, not even against the Browns.

After all, Cleveland has shown some fight the last three weeks. It lost to the Lions (38-37 on the road), Bengals (16-7 on the road) and Chargers (30-23 at home), but covered the spread in all three games. Going back to Week 4, the Browns are 6-3 ATS, including a 27-14 loss in Pittsburgh as a 14-point road ‘dog in the first meeting between these squads. That game was played in perfect weather; this one will not be, as temperatures are expected to be in the teens with blizzard-like conditions. When you get this kind of nasty weather, the value on the underdog rises exponentially – and it rises even higher when that underdog is at home and catching double digits, as the Browns are.

Cleveland not only cashed at Pittsburgh back in October, but it is 3-1 ATS in the last four meetings in this heated Rivalry, including a 10-6 home loss last year as a six-point ‘dog. Besides that and their ongoing 6-3 ATS streak over the past nine weeks, the Browns have covered in five of six against AFC opponents and eight of 11 when catching between 3½ and 10 points. On the other hand, the Steelers – who have cult following across the country – have been sending their supporters to the poorhouse recently, sporting negative ATS trends of 4-9 overall, 2-6 on the road, 3-9 as a favorite and 1-6 as a road chalk. Most tellingly, Pittsburgh has failed to cover in five straight games against a team with a losing record. That last one tells me two things: 1) The Steelers have a habit of playing down to their level of competition; and 2) As I said at the outset, the Steelers just aren’t that good; they’re simply living on reputation.

In the end, because they have more talent and because they’re so desperate, I would expect the defending champs to find a way to win tonight. Then again, I expected them to beat the Raiders and Chiefs, too, so I certainly wouldn’t be blown away if Cleveland won this outright. Either way, given the state of both franchises right now; given the fact this is, essentially, the Browns’ Super Bowl; given the fact the Steelers will be without out their most important leader (Polamalu) and possibly their second most important leader (Hines Ward is doubtful); and given the extreme weather that’s going to play a factor tonight, the only option is to take the generous points with the home team.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Pittsburgh 23, CLEVELAND 13

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

safestwagers

Take The Cleveland Browns + 10.
AND
THE OVER at 32.5

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Nick " BOOKIE KILLER" Parsons 12/10

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Dec 10 2009 8:20PM

PICK: Cleveland Browns Your pick will be graded at: 10 Belmont EXPERT: Nick Parsons TITLE: *10* "BOOKIEKILLER"! 4-0/100% RUN! REASON FOR PICK: For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this game is on the large home dog:

Pittsburgh has lost four in a row and I believe this team is on the ropes.

The Steelers' once-vaunted defense has blown fourth-quarter leads lately, with its worst collapse Sunday against Oakland. Pittsburgh coughed up three separate leads in the final 8:21, allowing the Raiders' 31st-ranked offense to score 21 points and leave Heinz Field with a 27-24 win.

Receiver Hines Ward, who has six TD's in his last eight games against Cleveland, likely won't play after suffering a hamstring injury late in the loss to Oakland.

Roethlisberger looked better last week, but should be under duress once again on the road and in adverse weather conditions.

So it comes as no surprise to learn that Pittsburgh is a horrible 4-9 ATS its last 13 overall, 1-4 SU its last five overall and a brutal 2-6 ATS its last eight on the road!

On the other side of the field: We were on the Browns last weekend, and I believe they will once again do just enough in this one to come sneak away with an ATS victory.

Brady Quinn has had solid numbers in two of his last three outings; Quinn threw for 304 yards and four TD's in Cleveland's last-second 38-37 loss at Detroit on Nov. 22, then had 271 yards and 3 TDs Sunday in a 30-23 defeat to San Diego.

Remember, Cleveland is 6-3 ATS its last nine overall.

Bottom line: On a cold and blustery night, I believe this is simply too many points to be giving up to a home team anxious to prove itself.

Pittsburgh is dealing with too many injuries on both sides of the ball right now; look for CLEVELAND to move to 4-2 ATS vs. division opponents this year and for Pittsburgh to fall to 3-7 ATS vs. conference opponents this season!

*10*

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Ben Burns 12/10

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns Dec 10 2009 8:20PM

PICK: under Your pick will be graded at: 36.5
SPORTSBETTING EXPERT: Ben Burns TITLE: *78% YTD* Burns MAIN EVENT (HUGE 20-7 RUN!) REASON FOR PICK: I'm playing on Pittsburgh and Cleveland to finish UNDER the total. Thursday NFL games have been very profitable for 'under' bettors this season. In what figures to be a cold and stormy December night at Cleveland, I'm expecting another low-scoring affair this week. Note that even with last week's game finishing above the total, the UNDER is still 4-1 the last five times that the Browns played a home game in the month of December and a profitable 9-1-2 their last dozen December games overall.

These teams faced each other at Pittsburgh back in mid-October. That game finished 'over' the total with the Steelers winning by a 27-14 margin. However, it easily could have been lower-scoring. For starters, the Browns were extremely fortunate to even score 14 points, as they only gained 109 total yards of offense for the game. Seven of their points came on a 98-yard Cribbs kick return. While Pittsburgh did put up very big yards, the Steelers scored three of their points thanks to a very questionable call, where the referee awarded them a first down, on a 4th and short, which should have given the Browns the ball. Cleveland players were furious and even Pittsburgh players acknowledged that they got a break. Additionally, note that Hines Ward scored a touchdown and had eight receptions for a whopping 159 yards. That's worth mentioning as Ward has a strained hamstring and is currently "very questionable," according to Coach Mike Tomlin. Even if he does play, its unlikely that he'll come close to matching what he did in the Week 6 meeting.

Yes, the earlier game did find its way above the total. However, both last season's meetings between these teams finished below the number, each producing 31 points or less. The most recent game here at Cleveland finished with a mere 16 combined points, a 10-6 Pittsburgh victory last season.

I played on the Browns vs. San Diego last week, so was happy to see them score enough points to cover the spread. However, it should be noted that they scored their final touchdown right at the end of the game and that they only had seven points through three quarters. Prior to that, they'd scored seven points or less in four of their previous five games. Their 12.1 points per game ranks second worst in the AFC And third worst in the NFL. Only Oakland and St. Louis are worse and the Browns are barely ahead of either of them. In terms of total yards, they're dead last. They're also dead last in terms of yards per play and they rank second worst, in terms of first downs. In other words, this offense is really bad.

Now, the Browns will face a Pittsburgh defense that still ranks in the top 5 in the league, in terms of yards allowed, and which is surely going to be upset, after giving up so many (27) points to Oakland last week. Note that Pittsburgh is allowing only 270 yards per game vs. division opponents. The Browns are averaging just 221 yards in their division games, managing a mere 8.8 points.

Yes, the number is low. However, I feel that it could (and should) be even lower. I expect the UNDER to improve to 7-2 the last nine times that the Browns were underdogs of greater than eight points. *9 Main Event

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

THE SPORTS ADVISORS

NFL

Pittsburgh (6-6, 4-8 ATS) at Cleveland (1-11, 6-6 ATS)

The freefalling Steelers, looking nothing like the defending Super Bowl champions, look to halt a four-game losing skid and get back in the playoff hunt when they make the quick trip to Cleveland on a short week to face the division rival Browns.
Pittsburgh is coming off Sunday’s shocking 27-24 loss to Oakland as an overwhelming 14½-point home favorite, giving up the game-winning TD pass with nine seconds remaining. The Steelers, who are now four spots out of even earning a wild-card playoff bid, allowed the pedestrian Raiders offense to roll up 396 total yards and score 21 points in the final 8½ minutes. Mike Tomlin’s troops have lost four in a row (1-3 ATS) by a total of 15 points, the last three defeats being three-point setbacks, and they had a fourth-quarter lead in all four games.
Cleveland rallied from a 27-7 fourth-quarter deficit to San Diego on Sunday but eventually fell short 30-23, though it managed to cover as a heavy 13½-point home underdog for its third straight ATS win. It was just the second time all season that the Browns scored more than 20 points, and they have now lost seven in a row (4-3 ATS).
Although Pittsburgh’s vaunted defense has surrendered 27, 20 and 27 points the last three weeks to sub-par offenses (Kansas City, Baltimore and Oakland), the Steelers are still allowing just 297.3 total ypg, which still ranks fifth in the NFL. Pittsburgh is also still in the top half of the league in offense, averaging 22.7 ppg (14th), 374.8 total yards per game (7th) and 258 passing ypg (10th).
Cleveland ranks dead last in total offense (242.4 ypg) and 30th in scoring (12.1 ppg), and the Browns are also last in total defense, allowing a whopping 400.2 ypg, and 27th in scoring defense (25.8 ppg).
Pittsburgh has won the last dozen meetings in this rivalry (8-3-1 ATS), including a 27-14 home victory Oct. 18, though the Browns narrowly cashed as a 14-point pup. The Steelers are 4-1-1 ATS on their last six trips to Cleveland, and Pittsburgh has been the favorite in the last 11 contests, going 7-3-1 ATS.
Along with their current 1-3 ATS purge, the Steelers are on pointspread skids of 4-9 overall, 2-6 on the road, 0-5 against losing teams, 3-9 as a favorite and 1-6 as a road chalk. The lone bright spot: a 4-1 ATS mark in their last five Thursday games.
The Browns have dropped 17 of their last 18 regular-season games (6-11-1 ATS) and are on pointspread slides of 2-7-1 at home, 1-4 in December and 3-7 when catching double digits, but they still sport positive ATS runs of 5-1 against AFC foes, 4-1 after a spread-cover and 8-2-1 as an underdog of 3½ to 10 points.
The over for Pittsburgh is on a bundle of tears, including 7-3 overall, 4-1 on the highway, 4-0 against losing teams, 5-0 after a SU loss, 5-1 after a non-cover and 19-7 against AFC foes. The over is also 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings in this rivalry. However, for Cleveland, the under is on streaks of 9-2-1 in December, 5-2 in the AFC North and 7-3 in AFC action.

Finally, the total has stayed low in all six Thursday contests this season.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PITTSBURGH


NBA

Orlando (17-4, 13-8 ATS) at Utah (12-9, 11-10 ATS)
The red-hot Magic continue a four-game Western Conference road trip with their only visit of the season to EnergySolutions Arena for a battle with the Jazz.
Orlando dumped the Clippers 97-86 as a seven-point road favorite on Tuesday, its sixth consecutive victory (4-2 ATS). Going back to the middle of November, the Magic have won 11 of their last 12 games overall (8-4 ATS), and they’ve won eight straight road games (6-2 ATS). During its current six-game winning streak, Stan Van Gundy’s squad has posted five wins of nine points or more, with an average margin of victory of 10.3 ppg (108-97.3).
Utah is coming off Wednesday’s 101-77 loss to the Lakers as a 10½-point road underdog. The Jazz, who led 52-48 at halftime, managed just 25 points in the second half, including only six points on two field goals in the fourth quarter. Despite the ugly second half last night, Utah is still 9-4 SU and ATS in its last 13 contests, and it has won and covered five straight home games.
The Magic swept the season series from the Jazz last year, winning 103-94 in Salt Lake City as a 7½-point road underdog exactly one year ago, then rolling 105-87 as a 5½-point home chalk three months later. Orlando is 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS (3-0 ATS last three) in the past seven meetings, and going back further, the Magic are on a 13-3-1 ATS roll against the Jazz, including 6-0-1 ATS in the last seven trips to Utah. Finally, the underdog has covered in five of the last six series clashes.

For the season, the Magic are 10-2 SU and 8-4 ATS on the road, allowing an average of just 93.6 ppg (43.3 percent shooting), while Utah is 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS at home, scoring 104.2 ppg (51.2 percent shooting).
The Magic are riding positive ATS streaks of 7-3 overall, 6-2 on the highway, 5-1 when playing on one day of rest and 6-2 against the Northwest Division. The Jazz are on ATS runs of 5-2 overall, 5-0 at home, 4-0 on Thursday and 5-1 against the Eastern Conference, but Jerry Sloan’s squad is also just 10-25-2 ATS in its last 37 contests against Southeast Division opponents and 8-20 ATS in its last 28 when playing on back-to-back nights.
Orlando has gone over the total in four of its last five games, but otherwise the Magic are on “under” runs of 10-4 on the road, 10-4 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 14-3 on Thursday and 5-1 against winning teams. Utah has topped the total in four of its last six overall and five of its last seven at home, but the under is 4-1 in its last five against teams from the Southeast Division and 5-2 in its last seven in the marquee Thursday slot.
The under is 5-1 in the last six matchups between these teams and 5-2 in the last seven battles at EnergySolutions Arena.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER


COLLEGE BASKETBALL

(7) Syracuse (8-0, 5-1 ATS) vs. (10) Florida (8-0, 4-1 ATS)
(at Tampa, Fla.)
A matchup of unbeaten Top 10 opponents is slated for the St. Pete Times Forum, where Florida serves as the official host against Syracuse in an SEC/Big East Invitational contest.

Not only are the Orange off to a perfect 8-0 start, but they’ve won all eight games by at least 15 points. Six of the eight victories came against below-average competition at home (Robert Morris, Albany, Cornell, Columbia, Colgate and Maine). The other two wins were against Top 15 competition in the NIT Season Tip-Off at Madison Square Garden – a 95-73 triumph over then-No. 13 Cal in a pick-em game on Nov. 19, followed the next day by an 87-71 rout of then-No. 6 North Carolina as a 1½-point underdog.
Like Syracuse, the Gators have fattened up on a cupcake schedule, facing only three teams from quality conferences: instate rival Florida State (68-52 win as a 1½-point home favorite), Michigan State (77-74 win as a 3½-point neutral-site underdog) and Rutgers (73-58 as a 12½-point neutral-site ‘dog). With the exception of the Michigan State win, Florida – like the Orange – has posted nothing but double-digit blowout victories.
These teams met in a preseason tournament in Kansas City last November, with Syracuse winning 89-83 as a 3½-point underdog. The only other meeting this decade came in November 2005 at Madison Square Garden, with the Gators prevailing 75-70 as a three-point chalk.
The Orange are averaging 90.4 points per game (55.8 percent shooting) and giving up 61.6 ppg (35.7 percent), and since a season-opening 75-43 win over Albany, Jim Boeheim’s club has scored at least 85 points in every game.
Florida puts up 75.8 ppg (46.7 percent shooting) and yields just 57.9 ppg (38.7 percent). Six of the Gators’ eight foes have been held under 60 points, and Billy Donovan’s team has scored at least 68 points in every game.
Syracuse has failed to cover in eight of its last 10 games against SEC opponents, but otherwise is on positive ATS runs of 14-3 overall in lined games, 5-1 in non-conference action, 4-1 at neutral sites, 10-3 against winning teams and 6-0 when coming off a victory of more than 20 points. Florida is riding positive pointspread streaks of 4-0 overall, 7-1 against the Big East, 10-2 on Thursday and 4-0 against winning teams.
The Orange sport “over” trends of 8-2 overall, 10-2 at neutral sites, 4-1 against the SEC, 20-7 after a SU win and 4-0 on Thursday. Florida also has topped the total in seven of 10 against the Big East and eight of 11 on Thursday, but the Gators have also stayed under the total in seven straight lined games overall and 21 of 28 after a SU win.
Finally, both meetings between these schools this decade topped the posted total.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

CAPPERS ACCESS

Steelers
Florida

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports
363 - 257 run 59 %

Bonus Play Thurs Over 193 Celtics total

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI
Season: 150-104 (.591)

BOSTON 4, Toronto 2
Ottawa vs. PHILADELPHIA: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
Pittsburgh 3, MONTREAL 2
NASHVILLE 4, Columbus 3
VANCOUVER 3, Atlanta 2
LOS ANGELES 3, Phoenix 2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI
Season
Straight Up: 220-80 (.733)
ATS: 176-136 (.564)

Denver 100, DETROIT 96
Boston 101, WASHINGTON 92
Orlando 100, UTAH 98

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

DCI
Las Vegas Classic
at Lincoln, NE
NEBRASKA 85, Chicago State 62
Non-Conference
CINCINNATI 70, Miami (Ohio) 54
COLORADO STATE 71, Colorado 70
Ipfw 66, TOLEDO 65
LIPSCOMB 83, SIU Edwardsville 72
MICHIGAN STATE 85, Oakland 65
Mississippi State 72, DePaul 61
Montana 67, LOYOLA MARYMOUNT 62
RHODE ISLAND 76, Northeastern 63
Syracuse 81, Florida 75
WESTERN CAROLINA 78, Campbell 65

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA DUNKEL


Boston at Washington
The Celtics look to take advantage of a Washington team that is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games as an underdog. Boston is the pick (-7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored by 11 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (-7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

Game 501-502: Denver at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 122.562; Detroit 113.023
Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 9 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 503-504: Boston at Washington
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 125.112; Washington 113.484
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 11 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: Boston by 7 1/2; 193
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-7 1/2); Under

Game 505-506: Orlando at Utah
Dunkel Ratings: Orlando 124.576; Utah 118.844
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 5 1/2; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 3; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-3); Over

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB DUNKEL


Syracuse vs. Florida
The Orange are coming off a 101-55 win over Maine and look to build on their 6-0 ATS record in their last 6 games following a SU win by more than 20 points. Syracuse is the pick (-2) according to Dunkel, which has the Orange favored by 6. Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10

Game 507-508: DePaul vs. Mississippi State
Dunkel Ratings: DePaul 56.966; Mississippi State 70.442
Dunkel Line: Mississippi State by 13 1/2
Vegas Line: Mississippi State by 10 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (-10 1/2)

Game 509-510: Northeastern at Rhode Island
Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 57.072; Rhode Island 62.758
Dunkel Line: Rhode Island by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Rhode Island by 7
Dunkel Pick: Northeastern (+7)

Game 511-512: Miami (OH) at Cincinnati
Dunkel Ratings: Miami (OH) 51.526; Cincinnati 69.842
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 18 1/2
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 14 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-14 1/2)

Game 513-514: Syracuse vs. Florida
Dunkel Ratings: Syracuse 78.722; Florida 72.770
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 6
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 2
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-2)

Game 515-516: Colorado at Colorado State
Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 57.829; Colorado State 55.329
Dunkel Line: Colorado by 2 1/2
Vegas Line: Colorado by 2
Dunkel Pick: Colorado (-2)

Game 517-518: Montana at Loyola Marymount
Dunkel Ratings: Montana 58.917; Loyola Marymount 54.500
Dunkel Line: Montana by 4 1/2
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Montana

Game 519-520: Oakland at Michigan State
Dunkel Ratings: Oakland 54.357; Michigan State 75.291
Dunkel Line: Michigan State by 21
Vegas Line: Michigan State by 22
Dunkel Pick: Oakland (+22)