Brandon Lang
20 Dime Rutgers - At home in Jersey, nothing more we could ask for with the Scarlet Knights against an injury-riddled secondary that features a true freshman and a walk-on to tighten the reins on opposing passing games, and that won?t cut it against quarterback Mike Teel. Look for the strong-armed senior to have a banner night ? along with 17 other seniors who will play their final regular season game in front of the home crowd. Quite honestly, I wouldn?t be surprised if Teel has a career night with the help of receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood and tight end Shamar Graves.
Louisville?s defense ranks 80th nationally against the pass, giving up more than 220 yards per game, so anything?s possible tonight and a blowout win would be ever-so sweet for the Knights. See, even though Rutgers holds a 5-2 edge in the series, Louisville has won two of the three meetings since joining the Big East in 2005.
This is a big game for the Knights, who could enhance their chances for a better bowl invite by winning their seventh game of the season. A blowout win on national television makes them look more exciting, and enticing, as a bowl participant. Lay the chalk with Rutgers tonight.
5 Dime Teaser Raiders and Over - No need to get long-winded on a crap game like this, but the fact is when you find value in a teaser, you take advantage of it. We?re catching a ton of points with this tease in an old-school rivalry that fell on 10 in the first meeting, and since then the Raiders have pulled off wins over the AFC East-leading Jets and the AFC West-leading Broncos. And something about these two getting together brings the best out of the offense, as the last three totals have landed on 46, 47 and 42. By teasing the line up to about 15 points at some places and the total down to somewhere around 35 or 36, we should be just fine in this AFC West-rivalry.
FREE - Over Louisville/Rutgers <!-- / message -->
20 Dime Rutgers - At home in Jersey, nothing more we could ask for with the Scarlet Knights against an injury-riddled secondary that features a true freshman and a walk-on to tighten the reins on opposing passing games, and that won?t cut it against quarterback Mike Teel. Look for the strong-armed senior to have a banner night ? along with 17 other seniors who will play their final regular season game in front of the home crowd. Quite honestly, I wouldn?t be surprised if Teel has a career night with the help of receivers Kenny Britt and Tiquan Underwood and tight end Shamar Graves.
Louisville?s defense ranks 80th nationally against the pass, giving up more than 220 yards per game, so anything?s possible tonight and a blowout win would be ever-so sweet for the Knights. See, even though Rutgers holds a 5-2 edge in the series, Louisville has won two of the three meetings since joining the Big East in 2005.
This is a big game for the Knights, who could enhance their chances for a better bowl invite by winning their seventh game of the season. A blowout win on national television makes them look more exciting, and enticing, as a bowl participant. Lay the chalk with Rutgers tonight.
5 Dime Teaser Raiders and Over - No need to get long-winded on a crap game like this, but the fact is when you find value in a teaser, you take advantage of it. We?re catching a ton of points with this tease in an old-school rivalry that fell on 10 in the first meeting, and since then the Raiders have pulled off wins over the AFC East-leading Jets and the AFC West-leading Broncos. And something about these two getting together brings the best out of the offense, as the last three totals have landed on 46, 47 and 42. By teasing the line up to about 15 points at some places and the total down to somewhere around 35 or 36, we should be just fine in this AFC West-rivalry.
FREE - Over Louisville/Rutgers <!-- / message -->
Game Breaker
Oakland / San Diego
Pick: Under Pick
I like the Under in this one. Both teams have gone Under in 7 of their last 8 games. Oakland has a hard time putting up points unless playing poor NFL defenses that also struggle vs the run. I don't see that being the problem for San Diego's D playing at home. They have trouble with passing teams and have been far more respectable vs the run. On the other side, Oakland's team strength is their pass D, rarely giving up more than 200 yards. I expect San Diego to run it down Oakland's throats and not be pushed by Oakland's offense to match scoring. The Charger run game has been off all season but given the matchup they should do fine but not totally overwhelming. This all comes down to the Chargers being smart enough to attack on the ground, the time coming off the clock faster as a result, and the Raiders not having enough offense on the road to respond. Also keep in mind 41 is a very important number when betting totals. Play Under 41.5 for a 3* play
Oakland / San Diego
Pick: Under Pick
I like the Under in this one. Both teams have gone Under in 7 of their last 8 games. Oakland has a hard time putting up points unless playing poor NFL defenses that also struggle vs the run. I don't see that being the problem for San Diego's D playing at home. They have trouble with passing teams and have been far more respectable vs the run. On the other side, Oakland's team strength is their pass D, rarely giving up more than 200 yards. I expect San Diego to run it down Oakland's throats and not be pushed by Oakland's offense to match scoring. The Charger run game has been off all season but given the matchup they should do fine but not totally overwhelming. This all comes down to the Chargers being smart enough to attack on the ground, the time coming off the clock faster as a result, and the Raiders not having enough offense on the road to respond. Also keep in mind 41 is a very important number when betting totals. Play Under 41.5 for a 3* play
JRTIPS
SAN ANTONIO vs. DENVER
The Denver Nuggets are on a roll with Chauncey Billups leading the way as they will look for their sixth victory in seven games tonight against the Spurs. Denver (13-6 overall is 12-3 with Billups and they are on a current three-game winning streak. Billups had a game-high 27 points in a 106-97 win at Minnesota on Saturday, then had 28 and 10 assists in a 104-94 victory over Houston on Sunday, a game Carmelo Anthony left due to a sprained elbow. Anthony returned Tuesday against Toronto but it was Billups led the way with 24 points and 14 assists in a 132-93 rout and is shooting 60.0 percent (12-of-20) from 3-point range in his last three games. The Spurs on the other hand are coming off their worst performance of the year in their last game as the (9-8) Spurs took a five-point lead into the break at home against Detroit on Tuesday but combined for only 32 points in the final two quarters and outscored 28-14 in an 89-77 loss. Manu Ginobili had 13 points in his first game back in the starting lineup and it was the first time all season that Ginoboli, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have been on the floor as starters. Neither Parker nor Ginobili was in the lineup during the Spurs' first game against Denver this season. Rookie George Hill had 20 points in that game for San Antonio but Duncan was held to just 12 in the Nuggets' 91-81 win on Nov. 19. Billups had 22 points and six assists in that meeting but he has historically struggled versus Parker and the Spurs. In 11 regular-season games against Parker since arriving in Detroit in 2002-03, Billups is averaging 13.5 points on just 35.6 percent shooting while Parker is averaging 16.5 points on 49.7 percent shooting in those matchups. San Antonio lost in both of its trips to Denver last season. After playing miserable in their last game, look for the Spurs that have the big 3 back to come out with intensity tonight on the road against the Nuggets on National TV. TAKE SPURS+4
SAN ANTONIO vs. DENVER
The Denver Nuggets are on a roll with Chauncey Billups leading the way as they will look for their sixth victory in seven games tonight against the Spurs. Denver (13-6 overall is 12-3 with Billups and they are on a current three-game winning streak. Billups had a game-high 27 points in a 106-97 win at Minnesota on Saturday, then had 28 and 10 assists in a 104-94 victory over Houston on Sunday, a game Carmelo Anthony left due to a sprained elbow. Anthony returned Tuesday against Toronto but it was Billups led the way with 24 points and 14 assists in a 132-93 rout and is shooting 60.0 percent (12-of-20) from 3-point range in his last three games. The Spurs on the other hand are coming off their worst performance of the year in their last game as the (9-8) Spurs took a five-point lead into the break at home against Detroit on Tuesday but combined for only 32 points in the final two quarters and outscored 28-14 in an 89-77 loss. Manu Ginobili had 13 points in his first game back in the starting lineup and it was the first time all season that Ginoboli, Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have been on the floor as starters. Neither Parker nor Ginobili was in the lineup during the Spurs' first game against Denver this season. Rookie George Hill had 20 points in that game for San Antonio but Duncan was held to just 12 in the Nuggets' 91-81 win on Nov. 19. Billups had 22 points and six assists in that meeting but he has historically struggled versus Parker and the Spurs. In 11 regular-season games against Parker since arriving in Detroit in 2002-03, Billups is averaging 13.5 points on just 35.6 percent shooting while Parker is averaging 16.5 points on 49.7 percent shooting in those matchups. San Antonio lost in both of its trips to Denver last season. After playing miserable in their last game, look for the Spurs that have the big 3 back to come out with intensity tonight on the road against the Nuggets on National TV. TAKE SPURS+4
THE WUNDERDOG PREMIUM NHL
Game: New Jersey at Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on New Jersey +135 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 6.8)
The Flyers have been a very streaky team this season. They opened winless in their first six, then went four without a loss, then dropped three, and are now cooled down off a six-game stretch without a loss. They have but an OT win to show for their last three. The Devils had a lengthy slide where they managed just two wins in 10 games, but have heated up and have now put five of six in the win column, scoring 25 goals in the process. Two streaky teams here with the Flyers cycling down while the Devils are cycling up. This makes for a live dog here, so I'll take the Devils in this one.
Game: Buffalo at Florida (7:35 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Florida +105 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 3.2)
Buffalo opened the season strong, but there has been nothing strong about their recent play. The Sabres are just 3-9 in their last 12 games, and that includes four straight road losses. On the road, they have been outscored 18-9, or a 2-1 ratio - huge in hockey. The Panthers are arguably playing their best hockey of the season right now as they have tied their season long winning streak at two games and have taken three out of their last five games, with the other two decided by OT and a shootout. The difference has been Craig Anderson behind the net. The Panthers have five wins with him between the pipes in nine starts, while they have been just 5-10 behind Vokoun. I like the Panthers as a live home dog here.
Game: Toronto at Phoenix (9:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Toronto +120 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 6)
The Coyotes have produced winning results on home ice, but most of that winning occurred early in the season. They were out of the gate 5-2 on home ice, but have since been just able to log two wins in their last five and have managed just a 12-12 split in goals during this stretch. Toronto took what appears to be an obligatory loss in their last outing at San Jose (unbeaten at home), but won handily in their previous road tilt in LA 3-1. The Coyotes have struggled to a 0-4 mark against the Northeast in their last four, and have been horrible following a win at 5-13. They are also just 3-12 when they are on one day rest in their last 15. Not a lot to like about the home side here, so I'm backing the Maple Leafs.
Game: New Jersey at Philadelphia (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on New Jersey +135 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 6.8)
The Flyers have been a very streaky team this season. They opened winless in their first six, then went four without a loss, then dropped three, and are now cooled down off a six-game stretch without a loss. They have but an OT win to show for their last three. The Devils had a lengthy slide where they managed just two wins in 10 games, but have heated up and have now put five of six in the win column, scoring 25 goals in the process. Two streaky teams here with the Flyers cycling down while the Devils are cycling up. This makes for a live dog here, so I'll take the Devils in this one.
Game: Buffalo at Florida (7:35 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Florida +105 (moneyline) (risk 3 to win 3.2)
Buffalo opened the season strong, but there has been nothing strong about their recent play. The Sabres are just 3-9 in their last 12 games, and that includes four straight road losses. On the road, they have been outscored 18-9, or a 2-1 ratio - huge in hockey. The Panthers are arguably playing their best hockey of the season right now as they have tied their season long winning streak at two games and have taken three out of their last five games, with the other two decided by OT and a shootout. The difference has been Craig Anderson behind the net. The Panthers have five wins with him between the pipes in nine starts, while they have been just 5-10 behind Vokoun. I like the Panthers as a live home dog here.
Game: Toronto at Phoenix (9:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 5 units on Toronto +120 (moneyline) (risk 5 to win 6)
The Coyotes have produced winning results on home ice, but most of that winning occurred early in the season. They were out of the gate 5-2 on home ice, but have since been just able to log two wins in their last five and have managed just a 12-12 split in goals during this stretch. Toronto took what appears to be an obligatory loss in their last outing at San Jose (unbeaten at home), but won handily in their previous road tilt in LA 3-1. The Coyotes have struggled to a 0-4 mark against the Northeast in their last four, and have been horrible following a win at 5-13. They are also just 3-12 when they are on one day rest in their last 15. Not a lot to like about the home side here, so I'm backing the Maple Leafs.
