Jim Feist's Pro Football Oddsmaker Error
NFL (101) PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS (102) CLEVELAND BROWNS
Take: 5-Star (102) CLEVELAND BROWNS
Reason: We don't know what all these changes are going to do for the stumbling Steelers' (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS), but we do know they have been money burners all year. We also know the weather conditions for the game are not going to help either offense: 22 degrees, 25 MPH wins, 80% chance of snow. After Sunday's stunning 27-24 loss at home to the Raiders as 14-point chalk, coach Mike Tomlin is making some sweeping changes, looking to go with new cornerbacks on a secondary that has blown too many fourth quarter leads. Rookie cornerbacks Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis will play and veteran cornerback Ike Taylor possibly could lose his starting job. WR Hines Ward will not play because of a late-game hamstring injury, so WR Limas Sweed will move up on the depth chart. They also allowed a TD on the final play in a loss to the Bengals, lost 20-17 in OT at Baltimore, and gave up an 11-yard TD pass to Oakland with nine seconds left. Losing star safety Troy Polamalu has clearly hurt. He might be gone for the season and it was the fifth time in six losses that the Steelers couldn't hold a lead in the fourth quarter. Cleveland has been moving the ball and scoring some the last two games under QB Brady Quinn (8 TD, 5 picks). Quinn threw for 4 TDs, 304 yards and no picks, in a 38-37 loss at Detroit, then had 3 TDs, no picks and 271 yards in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to San Diego. On national TV, this will be the Browns Super Bowl, so the home dog has great value. Play the Browns.
Jim Feist's 15-Star NBA TNT Game of the Month - Thursday!
NBA (505) ORLANDO MAGIC VS (506) UTAH JAZZ
Take: (505) ORLANDO MAGIC
Reason: 15-Star NBA TNT Game of the Month: Magic.
Like last year, the Orlando Magic are terrific on the road, a sizzling 10-2. They are also red-hot winning 11 of 12 games. Dwight Howard scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished five assists and blocked seven shots on his 24th birthday to lead the Magic to a 97-86 victory against the Clippers on Tuesday night. The Magic improved to 17-4, tying their best-ever start after 21 games. The Magic play a back-to-back to close the road trip, taking on the Utah Jazz on Thursday and the Phoenix Suns on Friday. They catch a break here as Utah is no rested, having to play at the uptempo Lakers last night. This is a difficult week, playing the Spurs, Lakers and now the Magic, three games in four days against powerhouse teams. The Magic are 12-2-1 ATS the last 15 games against Utah and 6-0-1 ATS the last 7 at Utah. An excellent situational spot for the visitors. Play the Magic!
NFL (101) PITTSBURGH STEELERS VS (102) CLEVELAND BROWNS
Take: 5-Star (102) CLEVELAND BROWNS
Reason: We don't know what all these changes are going to do for the stumbling Steelers' (6-6 SU, 3-9 ATS), but we do know they have been money burners all year. We also know the weather conditions for the game are not going to help either offense: 22 degrees, 25 MPH wins, 80% chance of snow. After Sunday's stunning 27-24 loss at home to the Raiders as 14-point chalk, coach Mike Tomlin is making some sweeping changes, looking to go with new cornerbacks on a secondary that has blown too many fourth quarter leads. Rookie cornerbacks Joe Burnett and Keenan Lewis will play and veteran cornerback Ike Taylor possibly could lose his starting job. WR Hines Ward will not play because of a late-game hamstring injury, so WR Limas Sweed will move up on the depth chart. They also allowed a TD on the final play in a loss to the Bengals, lost 20-17 in OT at Baltimore, and gave up an 11-yard TD pass to Oakland with nine seconds left. Losing star safety Troy Polamalu has clearly hurt. He might be gone for the season and it was the fifth time in six losses that the Steelers couldn't hold a lead in the fourth quarter. Cleveland has been moving the ball and scoring some the last two games under QB Brady Quinn (8 TD, 5 picks). Quinn threw for 4 TDs, 304 yards and no picks, in a 38-37 loss at Detroit, then had 3 TDs, no picks and 271 yards in Sunday’s 30-23 loss to San Diego. On national TV, this will be the Browns Super Bowl, so the home dog has great value. Play the Browns.
Jim Feist's 15-Star NBA TNT Game of the Month - Thursday!
NBA (505) ORLANDO MAGIC VS (506) UTAH JAZZ
Take: (505) ORLANDO MAGIC
Reason: 15-Star NBA TNT Game of the Month: Magic.
Like last year, the Orlando Magic are terrific on the road, a sizzling 10-2. They are also red-hot winning 11 of 12 games. Dwight Howard scored 25 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, dished five assists and blocked seven shots on his 24th birthday to lead the Magic to a 97-86 victory against the Clippers on Tuesday night. The Magic improved to 17-4, tying their best-ever start after 21 games. The Magic play a back-to-back to close the road trip, taking on the Utah Jazz on Thursday and the Phoenix Suns on Friday. They catch a break here as Utah is no rested, having to play at the uptempo Lakers last night. This is a difficult week, playing the Spurs, Lakers and now the Magic, three games in four days against powerhouse teams. The Magic are 12-2-1 ATS the last 15 games against Utah and 6-0-1 ATS the last 7 at Utah. An excellent situational spot for the visitors. Play the Magic!
Randall the Handle
BOSTON –½ -1.05 over Toronto Pinnacle
It’s almost not fair. The Leafs will play its third game since facing the Bruins last Saturday while the Bruins have been sitting at home, not having played since then. They buried the Leafs 7-2 under less favorable circumstances in that game and while another five-goal win is unlikely, an outright win is not. The Bruins are heating up with seven wins in its last nine games and they’ll catch the Leafs playing three games in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Play: Boston -½ -1.05 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
NASHVILLE -½ +1.05 over Columbus Pinnacle
With just a single win in nine games prior to last night the Jackets were in urgency mode and while they did pick up the win, the were he second best team on the ice. They got some outstanding goaltending from Steve Mason and were fortunate to fend off the Panthers. That’s alarming and now they’ll travel to Tennessee to play a very difficult Preds squad. Mathieu Garon gets the call in net for the Blue Jackets and he’s hit and miss. The Jackets defense leaves plenty to be desired and when pressured they cough it up with ease and that plays right into the Predators strength. Nashville is a relentless fore-checking squad that executes the cycle as well as anyone. They’ve been playing solid and winning hockey for the past six weeks and they’re also getting rock solid goaltending. The Preds last two last wins have come against Vancouver and Chicago, they always come to play and this match-up is a good one for them. Play: Nashville -½ +1.05 (Risking 2 units).
BOSTON –½ -1.05 over Toronto Pinnacle
It’s almost not fair. The Leafs will play its third game since facing the Bruins last Saturday while the Bruins have been sitting at home, not having played since then. They buried the Leafs 7-2 under less favorable circumstances in that game and while another five-goal win is unlikely, an outright win is not. The Bruins are heating up with seven wins in its last nine games and they’ll catch the Leafs playing three games in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Play: Boston -½ -1.05 (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
NASHVILLE -½ +1.05 over Columbus Pinnacle
With just a single win in nine games prior to last night the Jackets were in urgency mode and while they did pick up the win, the were he second best team on the ice. They got some outstanding goaltending from Steve Mason and were fortunate to fend off the Panthers. That’s alarming and now they’ll travel to Tennessee to play a very difficult Preds squad. Mathieu Garon gets the call in net for the Blue Jackets and he’s hit and miss. The Jackets defense leaves plenty to be desired and when pressured they cough it up with ease and that plays right into the Predators strength. Nashville is a relentless fore-checking squad that executes the cycle as well as anyone. They’ve been playing solid and winning hockey for the past six weeks and they’re also getting rock solid goaltending. The Preds last two last wins have come against Vancouver and Chicago, they always come to play and this match-up is a good one for them. Play: Nashville -½ +1.05 (Risking 2 units).
MREAST NCAAB THURSDAY THRILLER
#511 MIAMI,O. REDHAWKS @ #512 CINCINNATI REDHAWKS 8:30PM EST
PLAY ON #511 MIAMI,O. REDHAWKS +15 -110 FOR 3 UNITS
This is an in-state rivalry game, that obviously means more to Miami,O. than it does to the Bearcats, so expect the Bearcats to have to survive the Redhawks "A" game in this one. Redhawks familiar with good teams this year, playing Kentucky to the buzzer, and falling to a potent Dayton team bu just 7. Miami,O. getting it done as large sized dog, wearing out books at a 9-3 ATS mark in their last 12 posted as a dog of 12.5 or more, and Bearcats not wearing the favorite hat well at 1-4 ATS in their last 5. Miami,O. gets the call here.
#511 MIAMI,O. REDHAWKS @ #512 CINCINNATI REDHAWKS 8:30PM EST
PLAY ON #511 MIAMI,O. REDHAWKS +15 -110 FOR 3 UNITS
This is an in-state rivalry game, that obviously means more to Miami,O. than it does to the Bearcats, so expect the Bearcats to have to survive the Redhawks "A" game in this one. Redhawks familiar with good teams this year, playing Kentucky to the buzzer, and falling to a potent Dayton team bu just 7. Miami,O. getting it done as large sized dog, wearing out books at a 9-3 ATS mark in their last 12 posted as a dog of 12.5 or more, and Bearcats not wearing the favorite hat well at 1-4 ATS in their last 5. Miami,O. gets the call here.
NHL DUNKEL
Phoenix at Los Angeles
The Coyotes are coming off a 2-0 win over Minnesota and look to build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Phoenix is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+120). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
Game 1-2: Ottawa at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.703; Philadelphia 10.669
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+160); Under
Game 3-4: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.438; Boston 11.904
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-175); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-175); Under
Game 5-6: Pittsburgh at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.376; Montreal 11.681
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+145); Over
Game 7-8: Columbus at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.153; Nashville 11.658
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-160); Under
Game 9-10: Atlanta at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 11.430; Vancouver 11.366
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-210); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+180); Under
Game 11-12: Phoenix at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.336; Los Angeles 12.173
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+120); Under
Phoenix at Los Angeles
The Coyotes are coming off a 2-0 win over Minnesota and look to build on their 5-0 record in their last 5 games after allowing 2 goals or less in their previous game. Phoenix is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Coyotes favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+120). Here are all of today's picks.
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10
Game 1-2: Ottawa at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Ottawa 10.703; Philadelphia 10.669
Dunkel Line & Total: Ottawa by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-170); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Ottawa (+160); Under
Game 3-4: Toronto at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.438; Boston 11.904
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-175); 6
Dunkel Pick: Boston (-175); Under
Game 5-6: Pittsburgh at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Pittsburgh 11.376; Montreal 11.681
Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: Pittsburgh (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Montreal (+145); Over
Game 7-8: Columbus at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Columbus 11.153; Nashville 11.658
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-160); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-160); Under
Game 9-10: Atlanta at Vancouver
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 11.430; Vancouver 11.366
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Vancouver (-210); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (+180); Under
Game 11-12: Phoenix at Los Angeles
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 12.336; Los Angeles 12.173
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-130); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (+120); Under
BRANDON LANG
Thursday's Selection...
25 DIME - ORLANDO MAGIC - All is not well with the Utah Jazz
When you face your arch-rival on the road the night before, and score a total of 6 points in the 4th quarter and get routed by 24, I don't care who you are, it is going to leave a mark both mental and emotional.
Now you have to get right back after it and face a surging Magic squad that not only won 6 in a row, and 11 of their last 12, but how about 7 straight road wins.
They took care of the Warriors and Clippers on this road trip so far, and what makes this even a tougher spot for the Jazz is the Magic are well rested.
They played the Knicks on the 2nd, the Warriors on the 5th and the Clippers on the 8th. Talk about a cake walk of a road trip. Most people roll into Utah on back- to-back nights but not Orlando.
It is very rare that an East Coast team gets this much time off between games on a west coast road trip, and because of this and Orlando being red hot, I have to make them my biggest NBA play of the entire year.
In a game that sees the Magic being the small favorite, I just can't see the Jazz getting over what happened last night in LA.
15 DIME - PITTSBURGH STEELERS - The Browns are just what the doctored ordered for an ailing Pittsburgh Steelers team.
When you have beaten a team 12 in a row and covered 10 of those, I've learned over the years that when these two meet, you lose with the Steelers simple as that.
In the first meeting the Steelers dominated this Browns team to the tune of 543 yards of total offense in a 27-14 win but didn't cover the 14 point number courtesy of a Joshua Cribbs kickoff return for a TD.
Big Ben threw for over 400 yards on this Browns defense and he had guys open all night long and I don't see the Browns doing anything to stop him again tonight.
Cleveland got the miracle cover last Sunday putting up 2 fourth quarter TD's on the Chargers after trailing 30-7 and even in that game Rivers threw for almost 400 yards on them.
Don't be fooled by anything Brady Quinn and this Browns offense has done the last few weeks. Yes, he was good against the Lions but remember folks, we are still talking about the Detroit Lions.
How soon we forget 2 weeks ago at Cincinnati the Browns had 169 yards total offense, 58 on the ground and 111 in the air.
I fully expect the Steelers to get their swagger back against a team they flat out own, and if you think the defending Super Bowl champs are going to lay an egg here then you don't know their head coach very well.
Tonight the Steelers do what they always do against the Browns and that is beat them by 2 touchdowns or more and keep their playoff hopes alive.
FREE SELECTION - SYRACUSE ORANGEMEN
Thursday's Selection...
25 DIME - ORLANDO MAGIC - All is not well with the Utah Jazz
When you face your arch-rival on the road the night before, and score a total of 6 points in the 4th quarter and get routed by 24, I don't care who you are, it is going to leave a mark both mental and emotional.
Now you have to get right back after it and face a surging Magic squad that not only won 6 in a row, and 11 of their last 12, but how about 7 straight road wins.
They took care of the Warriors and Clippers on this road trip so far, and what makes this even a tougher spot for the Jazz is the Magic are well rested.
They played the Knicks on the 2nd, the Warriors on the 5th and the Clippers on the 8th. Talk about a cake walk of a road trip. Most people roll into Utah on back- to-back nights but not Orlando.
It is very rare that an East Coast team gets this much time off between games on a west coast road trip, and because of this and Orlando being red hot, I have to make them my biggest NBA play of the entire year.
In a game that sees the Magic being the small favorite, I just can't see the Jazz getting over what happened last night in LA.
15 DIME - PITTSBURGH STEELERS - The Browns are just what the doctored ordered for an ailing Pittsburgh Steelers team.
When you have beaten a team 12 in a row and covered 10 of those, I've learned over the years that when these two meet, you lose with the Steelers simple as that.
In the first meeting the Steelers dominated this Browns team to the tune of 543 yards of total offense in a 27-14 win but didn't cover the 14 point number courtesy of a Joshua Cribbs kickoff return for a TD.
Big Ben threw for over 400 yards on this Browns defense and he had guys open all night long and I don't see the Browns doing anything to stop him again tonight.
Cleveland got the miracle cover last Sunday putting up 2 fourth quarter TD's on the Chargers after trailing 30-7 and even in that game Rivers threw for almost 400 yards on them.
Don't be fooled by anything Brady Quinn and this Browns offense has done the last few weeks. Yes, he was good against the Lions but remember folks, we are still talking about the Detroit Lions.
How soon we forget 2 weeks ago at Cincinnati the Browns had 169 yards total offense, 58 on the ground and 111 in the air.
I fully expect the Steelers to get their swagger back against a team they flat out own, and if you think the defending Super Bowl champs are going to lay an egg here then you don't know their head coach very well.
Tonight the Steelers do what they always do against the Browns and that is beat them by 2 touchdowns or more and keep their playoff hopes alive.
FREE SELECTION - SYRACUSE ORANGEMEN
JOHN MORRISON
Daily Basketball picks 12/10
John Morrison's pick(s) for December 10 2009
Orlando -2.5 This game is against Utah at 10:30 PM ET
Syracuse -2.5 This game is against Florida at 9:00 PM ET
Daily Football picks 12/10
John Morrison's pick(s) for December 10 2009
Pittsburgh -10 This game is against Cleveland at 8:20 PM ET
Daily Basketball picks 12/10
John Morrison's pick(s) for December 10 2009
Orlando -2.5 This game is against Utah at 10:30 PM ET
Syracuse -2.5 This game is against Florida at 9:00 PM ET
Daily Football picks 12/10
John Morrison's pick(s) for December 10 2009
Pittsburgh -10 This game is against Cleveland at 8:20 PM ET
The Hammer from You Win Now
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Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
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NBA THURSDAY NIGHT TNT SIX POINT TEASER SMASHER
504 Washington +13.5 8:05 EST
506 Utah +8.5 10:35 EST
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Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
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NBA THURSDAY NIGHT TNT SIX POINT TEASER SMASHER
504 Washington +13.5 8:05 EST
506 Utah +8.5 10:35 EST
The Consensus Group You Win Now
The Consensus Group Guaranteed Selections
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
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NHL PURE MONEY LINE CONSENSUS WINNER
8 Nashville -160 8:05 EST
The Consensus Group Guaranteed Selections
Date: Thursday, December 10, 2009
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NHL PURE MONEY LINE CONSENSUS WINNER
8 Nashville -160 8:05 EST
Chris Jordan Thursday winners ...
400♦ ORLANDO - This is a tough spot for the Utah Jazz, as they not only come in after a 101-77 pasting at the hands of the defending champion Lakers, but they're going to be playing for the fifth time in seven days. And, Utah has alternated being home and away during this time. Can you say weary?
And even worse for the Jazz, tonight is a sandwich game between a home-and-home series with the Lakers. Yup, Kobe and company will be in Salt Lake on Saturday for another showdown.
Again, simply a bad spot to be taking on a red-hot Magic team that has won six straight (4-2 ATS) by an average final score of 108-97. And five of those wins came on the road by the way. With a win tonight, Orlando will have produced a better start than any other Magic team: 18-4 after 22 games.
I'm looking for big things from Dwight Howard, who comes in after pouring in 25 points, yanking down 11 rebounds and swatting seven shots on his 24th birthday, Tuesday night against the Clippers. Last season Superman averaged 28 points in two wins against the Jazz. And since the Jazz played last night, look for Orlando to get the tempo off an running early on, taking Utah's wind from it immediately.
The Magic have won their past two meetings in Utah, so I don't think a raucous Jazz crowd not be a factor. Besides, the Magic are on ATS streaks of 6-2 on the road and against the Northwest Division, 5-1 playing on one day's rest and 12-5-1 when laying points on the road in this range and 7-3 overall.
On the other hand, the Jazz are mired in ATS slides of 10-25-2 against Southeast Division teams and 8-20 when playing on the second of back-to-back nights.
And in this series, it's all Orlando, which is on ATS runs of 13-3-1 in this series overall and 6-0-1 in Utah.
Lay the road chalk.
100♦ RHODE ISLAND - This is a mighty defensive Rams team that is going to be too much little ol' Northeastern, which comes into this contest with a 2-4 mark on the season. Rhody has been pressing extensively - both full and half court - and has won six of its first seven games. So while teams try to establish their identity early on in ball games, the Rams won't allow much it, living and dying by the pressure-cooking D.
They really don't have much choice, as there are no pure offensive weapons any longer in uniform; but the speed, agility and athleticism on defense helps dictate the flow of games. You combine those factors with that pressure, and you find teams forced into making hasty decisions, which ultimately cause mistakes and turnovers.
Coming into tonight, Rhode Island is averaging 10.4 steals, which ranks 19th-best in the nation, while it is forcing 18.6 turnovers, (29th in the country). Their steals-to-turnover ratio is 73-89, 0.82, 11th-best in the nation. And thanks to the transition game, the Rams average 81.3 points, 25th in the country.
All Rams tonight.
50♦ OVER Steelers/Browns - Crunching the numbers, I have this game soaring past the number. And since most of the injuries taking place have been on defense with both of these teams, I don't see how either will be able to contain the other. Pittsburgh's secondary has been atrocious lately, so Brady Quinn and company might find themselves achieving things they haven't been able to do normally against the Black and Gold. That doesn't mean the Browns cover though, as they're still the Browns. Pittsburgh will be able to move the ball effectively as well. This one goes over.
400♦ ORLANDO - This is a tough spot for the Utah Jazz, as they not only come in after a 101-77 pasting at the hands of the defending champion Lakers, but they're going to be playing for the fifth time in seven days. And, Utah has alternated being home and away during this time. Can you say weary?
And even worse for the Jazz, tonight is a sandwich game between a home-and-home series with the Lakers. Yup, Kobe and company will be in Salt Lake on Saturday for another showdown.
Again, simply a bad spot to be taking on a red-hot Magic team that has won six straight (4-2 ATS) by an average final score of 108-97. And five of those wins came on the road by the way. With a win tonight, Orlando will have produced a better start than any other Magic team: 18-4 after 22 games.
I'm looking for big things from Dwight Howard, who comes in after pouring in 25 points, yanking down 11 rebounds and swatting seven shots on his 24th birthday, Tuesday night against the Clippers. Last season Superman averaged 28 points in two wins against the Jazz. And since the Jazz played last night, look for Orlando to get the tempo off an running early on, taking Utah's wind from it immediately.
The Magic have won their past two meetings in Utah, so I don't think a raucous Jazz crowd not be a factor. Besides, the Magic are on ATS streaks of 6-2 on the road and against the Northwest Division, 5-1 playing on one day's rest and 12-5-1 when laying points on the road in this range and 7-3 overall.
On the other hand, the Jazz are mired in ATS slides of 10-25-2 against Southeast Division teams and 8-20 when playing on the second of back-to-back nights.
And in this series, it's all Orlando, which is on ATS runs of 13-3-1 in this series overall and 6-0-1 in Utah.
Lay the road chalk.
100♦ RHODE ISLAND - This is a mighty defensive Rams team that is going to be too much little ol' Northeastern, which comes into this contest with a 2-4 mark on the season. Rhody has been pressing extensively - both full and half court - and has won six of its first seven games. So while teams try to establish their identity early on in ball games, the Rams won't allow much it, living and dying by the pressure-cooking D.
They really don't have much choice, as there are no pure offensive weapons any longer in uniform; but the speed, agility and athleticism on defense helps dictate the flow of games. You combine those factors with that pressure, and you find teams forced into making hasty decisions, which ultimately cause mistakes and turnovers.
Coming into tonight, Rhode Island is averaging 10.4 steals, which ranks 19th-best in the nation, while it is forcing 18.6 turnovers, (29th in the country). Their steals-to-turnover ratio is 73-89, 0.82, 11th-best in the nation. And thanks to the transition game, the Rams average 81.3 points, 25th in the country.
All Rams tonight.
50♦ OVER Steelers/Browns - Crunching the numbers, I have this game soaring past the number. And since most of the injuries taking place have been on defense with both of these teams, I don't see how either will be able to contain the other. Pittsburgh's secondary has been atrocious lately, so Brady Quinn and company might find themselves achieving things they haven't been able to do normally against the Black and Gold. That doesn't mean the Browns cover though, as they're still the Browns. Pittsburgh will be able to move the ball effectively as well. This one goes over.
GamblersWorld
Tip of the Day - Dec. 10, 2009
BetJamaica
Never a complaint on the "Player's Paradise" they simply handle even the slightest problem with the utmost concern. Without a doubt one of the most pleasant groups in the industry to deal with!
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: NHL
Game: 7:00PM Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
Prediction: Toronto +155
Current Line: Boston -175
Over/Under: 6
Reason: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bruins listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Maple Leafs, while the game's total is sitting at 6.
Jason Blake scored at 15:55 of overtime to lift the Maple Leafs over the Islanders 3-2 on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs won that game as -160 favorites, while the five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Francois Beauchemin and Ian White added the other markers, while Vesa Toskala made 30 saves in the victory.
The Bruins lit up the red light with a 7-2 win over the Maple Leafs at TD Garden on Saturday.
Boston won as a -151 home favorite while the final score played OVER the 6-goal total.
Tip of the Day - Dec. 10, 2009
BetJamaica
Never a complaint on the "Player's Paradise" they simply handle even the slightest problem with the utmost concern. Without a doubt one of the most pleasant groups in the industry to deal with!
Today's TIP OF THE DAY:
Sport: NHL
Game: 7:00PM Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Boston Bruins
Prediction: Toronto +155
Current Line: Boston -175
Over/Under: 6
Reason: If familiarity breeds contempt, there should be animosity aplenty on Thursday when the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins meet at TD Garden.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bruins listed as 175-moneyline favorites versus the Maple Leafs, while the game's total is sitting at 6.
Jason Blake scored at 15:55 of overtime to lift the Maple Leafs over the Islanders 3-2 on Wednesday. The Maple Leafs won that game as -160 favorites, while the five goals went UNDER the posted over/under (6).
Francois Beauchemin and Ian White added the other markers, while Vesa Toskala made 30 saves in the victory.
The Bruins lit up the red light with a 7-2 win over the Maple Leafs at TD Garden on Saturday.
Boston won as a -151 home favorite while the final score played OVER the 6-goal total.
BEN BURNS CBB
7* ESPN BEATDOWN!
FLORIDA GATORS (+3) over Syracuse Orangemen
***BEN BURNS*** Basketball (NCAA) for Thursday: FLORIDA Game: Syracuse vs. Florida Game Time: 12/10/2009 9:00:00 PM
Prediction: Florida Reason: I'm taking the points with FLORIDA. Both these teams lost their top scorer from last year. However, both are still a perfect 8-0 to start the season. With this game being played at Tampa, I expect it to be Florida which maintains its perfect record. Many haven't realized it yet but the Gators are much better than they were last year. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim knows it though. He was quoted as saying: "Florida is very good. I think they're really a much better team than they were last year..." Behind a big game from Jonny Flynn, now in the NBA, the Orange won last year's meeting (at Kansas) by six points. Syracuse shot 51.7% in that game. The main area where the Gators are improved this year is on the defensive side of the ball. Thus far, Florida opponents are shooting a mere 38.7 percent. While this is technically a "neutral court" game, naturally the crowd will favor the Gators. Note that they're 4-2 all-time at the St. Pete Times Forum. Also, the Gators are a profitable 7-1-1 ATS the last nine times that they were neutral court underdogs (or pick'em) of three points or less. Additionally, note that the Orange typically play most of their non-conference games fairly close to their own campus. Of their eight games this year, six have come at home and two have come at Madison Square Garden. While the Orange are certainly worthy of respect, this will be an entirely different atmosphere than they've seen so far this season. The Gators have already beaten some very tough teams. They also already knocked off a team (Rutgers) from the Big East. They're now 15-7 against teams from the Big East under coach Billy Donovan. A win against the Orange would do wonders for the Gators, come March. I expect them to rise to the occasion, continuing their terrific start, and avenging last year's loss. *7
7* ESPN BEATDOWN!
FLORIDA GATORS (+3) over Syracuse Orangemen
***BEN BURNS*** Basketball (NCAA) for Thursday: FLORIDA Game: Syracuse vs. Florida Game Time: 12/10/2009 9:00:00 PM
Prediction: Florida Reason: I'm taking the points with FLORIDA. Both these teams lost their top scorer from last year. However, both are still a perfect 8-0 to start the season. With this game being played at Tampa, I expect it to be Florida which maintains its perfect record. Many haven't realized it yet but the Gators are much better than they were last year. Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim knows it though. He was quoted as saying: "Florida is very good. I think they're really a much better team than they were last year..." Behind a big game from Jonny Flynn, now in the NBA, the Orange won last year's meeting (at Kansas) by six points. Syracuse shot 51.7% in that game. The main area where the Gators are improved this year is on the defensive side of the ball. Thus far, Florida opponents are shooting a mere 38.7 percent. While this is technically a "neutral court" game, naturally the crowd will favor the Gators. Note that they're 4-2 all-time at the St. Pete Times Forum. Also, the Gators are a profitable 7-1-1 ATS the last nine times that they were neutral court underdogs (or pick'em) of three points or less. Additionally, note that the Orange typically play most of their non-conference games fairly close to their own campus. Of their eight games this year, six have come at home and two have come at Madison Square Garden. While the Orange are certainly worthy of respect, this will be an entirely different atmosphere than they've seen so far this season. The Gators have already beaten some very tough teams. They also already knocked off a team (Rutgers) from the Big East. They're now 15-7 against teams from the Big East under coach Billy Donovan. A win against the Orange would do wonders for the Gators, come March. I expect them to rise to the occasion, continuing their terrific start, and avenging last year's loss. *7
