NBA
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Hot Teams
-- Miami won 10 of its last 11 games; covering four of last six on road. Bulls won/covered four of their last five games.
-- Celtics won/covered their last three games, by 3-14-22 points.
Cold Teams
-- Nuggets are 5-7 in last 12 games, traded their best player, but did win their last two games, by 7-13 points.
Totals
-- Last four Chicago games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Boston games stayed under the total. Over is 4-1-1 in last six Denver games.
Back-to-Back
-- Bulls are 8-6 if they played night before, 4-2 if they lost; road teams are 2-8 vs spread the night after playing Toronto.
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Hot Teams
-- Miami won 10 of its last 11 games; covering four of last six on road. Bulls won/covered four of their last five games.
-- Celtics won/covered their last three games, by 3-14-22 points.
Cold Teams
-- Nuggets are 5-7 in last 12 games, traded their best player, but did win their last two games, by 7-13 points.
Totals
-- Last four Chicago games went over the total.
-- Five of last six Boston games stayed under the total. Over is 4-1-1 in last six Denver games.
Back-to-Back
-- Bulls are 8-6 if they played night before, 4-2 if they lost; road teams are 2-8 vs spread the night after playing Toronto.
NCAAB
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Cleveland State (-3.5) won 82-59 at Milwaukee Dec 4, shooting 64% in game they led by 25 at half; Vikings are 2-3 in last five games, 5-2 as a Horizon home favorite, winning at home by 18-24-12-19-11-10 points. Panthers won their last seven league games- they've won three of last four on road. Horizon home favorites of 9+ points are 9-11 vs spread.
Florida (+2.5) won 104-91 in double OT in Athens Jan 25; Gators won their last five games, allowing 62 ppg- they're 1-4 as SEC home favorite, winning at home by 6-32-4-1-2 points, with loss to South Carolina. SEC home favorites of less than 7 points are 7-12 vs spread. Georgia is 4-1 in last five SEC games; they're 5-0-1 against spread on SEC road.
Calhoun had death in family, won't coach here; UConn (+5) won 76-68 at Marquette Jan 25- their bench outscored Eagles' subs 21-4. Huskies are 3-4 in last seven games, 4-3 as home favorite, winning at home in Big East by 5-14-2-18-8 points, with two losses. Big East home favorites of less than 6 points are 20-16. Marquette is 3-2 as a Big East road dog.
James Madison (+8) were outscored 22-5 on foul line, lost 64-58 at Old Dominion Jan 19; Dukes won three of their last four games overall, but lost three of last four CAA home games. ODU won/covered its last four games, allowing average of only 54.5 ppg. Home teams are 8-21-1 vs spread in CAA games where pointspread is less than 4 points.
Kent State (+3.5) got waxed 79-54 at Buffalo Jan 19, shooting 33% from floor; Flashes are 3-2 as MAC home favorite, winning by 17-21-17-13-10 points at home. Bulls lost three of last four MAC games; they're 2-3 on MAC road, losing by 3-1-13 points- they're 5-2 as an underdog this year. MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 6-14-1 vs spread.
UL-Lafayette won last its nine games after 3-14 start; Cajuns (+6) lost at Denver 65-52 Dec 30, shooting 36% with 19 turnovers. ULL won five in row at home, are 9-1 vs spread in last 10 overall. Denver lost its last four on road by 10-3-25-9 points- they're 1-3 as a Sun Belt underdog. Sun Belt home favorites of less than 4 points are 7-5 vs spread.
Oregon State (+8) lost 70-56 at Stanford Jan 29, shooting 31% for night; Beavers lost four in row, seven of last eight games- they're 4-3 at home in Pac-10. Stanford lost its last three games by 11-4-16 points; they are 4-2 as Pac-10 road dog, losing its away games by 10-23-11-11 points. Pac-10 home favorites of 3 or less points are 3-7 vs spread.
Cal was 30-41 from foul line, Oregon 17-26 as Ducks (+9) lost 85-77 in Berkeley Jan 29. Oregon won four of last five games, covered seven of last eight; they won last three at home by 26-10-19 points. Cal is 1-4 in last five games, but 5-2 vs spread as a Pac-10 dog. Pac-10 underdogs are 11-4-1 in games where spread is 3 or less points, 7-3 on road.
Pitt (-1) outrebounded West Virginia 39-25, won 71-66 in Morgantown Feb 7; Panthers are 4-3 as Big East home favorite, winning by 15-8-21-8-12-12 points, with loss to Notre Dame. WVU is 2-3 in last five games, losing last two on road, by 16 at Villanova, by 11 at Syracuse. Big East home favorites of less than 9 points are 30-25 vs spread.
Long Beach State (-3.5) shot 53.1% from floor, won 69-53 at Cal Poly Dec 30; 49ers won last six games (5-1 vs spread)- they're 2-4 as a home favorite, winning by 14-8-4-1-15-13 points. Big West home favorites of 7+ points are 6-14 vs spread. Mustangs won last five conference games, are 4-1 as Big West road dog, with only loss by 15 at Northridge.
USC (+6.5) lost 82-73 in Tucson Jan 29; Arizona shot 61% from floor, made 10-19 from arc; Trojans won three of last four games, are 4-3 at home in Pac-10. Pac-10 underdogs are 11-4-1 in games where spread is 3 or less points, 7-3 on road. Arizona won its last eight games (6-2 against spread), winning last four road games, by 2-9-2-15 points.
St Mary's (+4) won 73-71 at Gonzaga Jan 27; MacConnell had 27 with six assists, but Gaels lost last two games to San Diego/Utah State- they are 1-4 as WCC home favorite, winning all five by 14-30-11-8-9 points. Single digit home favorites are 6-6 vs spread in WCC games. Zags won all six WCC games since 1/27 loss, with last four wins all by 9+ points.
Morehead State shot 59% from floor, forced 19 Murray State turnovers in 75-65 home win (-3.5) Dec 4; Eagles won last eight games, Murray is 8-1 in its last nine. Racers are 1-6 as OVC home favorite, 5-2 SU, with wins by 11-38-17-1-11 points. OVC home favorites of 6 or less points are 9-13 vs spread. Morehead covered five of six as an underdog.
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Cleveland State (-3.5) won 82-59 at Milwaukee Dec 4, shooting 64% in game they led by 25 at half; Vikings are 2-3 in last five games, 5-2 as a Horizon home favorite, winning at home by 18-24-12-19-11-10 points. Panthers won their last seven league games- they've won three of last four on road. Horizon home favorites of 9+ points are 9-11 vs spread.
Florida (+2.5) won 104-91 in double OT in Athens Jan 25; Gators won their last five games, allowing 62 ppg- they're 1-4 as SEC home favorite, winning at home by 6-32-4-1-2 points, with loss to South Carolina. SEC home favorites of less than 7 points are 7-12 vs spread. Georgia is 4-1 in last five SEC games; they're 5-0-1 against spread on SEC road.
Calhoun had death in family, won't coach here; UConn (+5) won 76-68 at Marquette Jan 25- their bench outscored Eagles' subs 21-4. Huskies are 3-4 in last seven games, 4-3 as home favorite, winning at home in Big East by 5-14-2-18-8 points, with two losses. Big East home favorites of less than 6 points are 20-16. Marquette is 3-2 as a Big East road dog.
James Madison (+8) were outscored 22-5 on foul line, lost 64-58 at Old Dominion Jan 19; Dukes won three of their last four games overall, but lost three of last four CAA home games. ODU won/covered its last four games, allowing average of only 54.5 ppg. Home teams are 8-21-1 vs spread in CAA games where pointspread is less than 4 points.
Kent State (+3.5) got waxed 79-54 at Buffalo Jan 19, shooting 33% from floor; Flashes are 3-2 as MAC home favorite, winning by 17-21-17-13-10 points at home. Bulls lost three of last four MAC games; they're 2-3 on MAC road, losing by 3-1-13 points- they're 5-2 as an underdog this year. MAC home favorites of 5 or less points are 6-14-1 vs spread.
UL-Lafayette won last its nine games after 3-14 start; Cajuns (+6) lost at Denver 65-52 Dec 30, shooting 36% with 19 turnovers. ULL won five in row at home, are 9-1 vs spread in last 10 overall. Denver lost its last four on road by 10-3-25-9 points- they're 1-3 as a Sun Belt underdog. Sun Belt home favorites of less than 4 points are 7-5 vs spread.
Oregon State (+8) lost 70-56 at Stanford Jan 29, shooting 31% for night; Beavers lost four in row, seven of last eight games- they're 4-3 at home in Pac-10. Stanford lost its last three games by 11-4-16 points; they are 4-2 as Pac-10 road dog, losing its away games by 10-23-11-11 points. Pac-10 home favorites of 3 or less points are 3-7 vs spread.
Cal was 30-41 from foul line, Oregon 17-26 as Ducks (+9) lost 85-77 in Berkeley Jan 29. Oregon won four of last five games, covered seven of last eight; they won last three at home by 26-10-19 points. Cal is 1-4 in last five games, but 5-2 vs spread as a Pac-10 dog. Pac-10 underdogs are 11-4-1 in games where spread is 3 or less points, 7-3 on road.
Pitt (-1) outrebounded West Virginia 39-25, won 71-66 in Morgantown Feb 7; Panthers are 4-3 as Big East home favorite, winning by 15-8-21-8-12-12 points, with loss to Notre Dame. WVU is 2-3 in last five games, losing last two on road, by 16 at Villanova, by 11 at Syracuse. Big East home favorites of less than 9 points are 30-25 vs spread.
Long Beach State (-3.5) shot 53.1% from floor, won 69-53 at Cal Poly Dec 30; 49ers won last six games (5-1 vs spread)- they're 2-4 as a home favorite, winning by 14-8-4-1-15-13 points. Big West home favorites of 7+ points are 6-14 vs spread. Mustangs won last five conference games, are 4-1 as Big West road dog, with only loss by 15 at Northridge.
USC (+6.5) lost 82-73 in Tucson Jan 29; Arizona shot 61% from floor, made 10-19 from arc; Trojans won three of last four games, are 4-3 at home in Pac-10. Pac-10 underdogs are 11-4-1 in games where spread is 3 or less points, 7-3 on road. Arizona won its last eight games (6-2 against spread), winning last four road games, by 2-9-2-15 points.
St Mary's (+4) won 73-71 at Gonzaga Jan 27; MacConnell had 27 with six assists, but Gaels lost last two games to San Diego/Utah State- they are 1-4 as WCC home favorite, winning all five by 14-30-11-8-9 points. Single digit home favorites are 6-6 vs spread in WCC games. Zags won all six WCC games since 1/27 loss, with last four wins all by 9+ points.
Morehead State shot 59% from floor, forced 19 Murray State turnovers in 75-65 home win (-3.5) Dec 4; Eagles won last eight games, Murray is 8-1 in its last nine. Racers are 1-6 as OVC home favorite, 5-2 SU, with wins by 11-38-17-1-11 points. OVC home favorites of 6 or less points are 9-13 vs spread. Morehead covered five of six as an underdog.
NHL
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Hot Teams
-- Islanders won six of their last eight games. Flyers won eight of 12.
-- Toronto won three of its last four games.
-- Red Wings won five of their last six games.
-- Chicago won three of its last four games.
-- Canucks won six of their last eight home games.
-- Los Angeles won nine of its last thirteen games. Minnesota is 11-5 in its last sixteen games.
Cold Teams
-- Canadiens lost six of their last eight games.
-- Dallas Stars lost last five games, outscored 16-6.
-- Predators lost three of their last four games.
-- Blues lost five of their last seven road games.
Totals
-- Over is 8-2 in Islanders' last ten games.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five Montreal games.
-- Six of last eight Dallas road games went over the total.
-- Under is 10-1-2 in last thirteen Nashville games.
-- Four of last five Vancouver games stayed under. Last three St Louis games went over the total.
-- Under is 14-5 in Kings' last nineteen games.
Back-to-Back
-- Los Angeles is 2-3 if it won the night before.
Series records
-- Islanders lost 17 of last 19 games against Philadelphia.
-- Maple Leafs lost their last four visits to Montreal.
-- Dallas Stars won seven of last nine games against Detroit.
-- Chicago is 12-7 in last 19 games vs Nashville, but 2-3 this season, losing both visits here, 4-3/3-2so.
-- Canucks are 9-5 in their last 14 games against St Louis.
-- Kings lost three of last four games against Minnesota.
Write-Up
Thursday, February 24
Hot Teams
-- Islanders won six of their last eight games. Flyers won eight of 12.
-- Toronto won three of its last four games.
-- Red Wings won five of their last six games.
-- Chicago won three of its last four games.
-- Canucks won six of their last eight home games.
-- Los Angeles won nine of its last thirteen games. Minnesota is 11-5 in its last sixteen games.
Cold Teams
-- Canadiens lost six of their last eight games.
-- Dallas Stars lost last five games, outscored 16-6.
-- Predators lost three of their last four games.
-- Blues lost five of their last seven road games.
Totals
-- Over is 8-2 in Islanders' last ten games.
-- Under is 4-0-1 in last five Montreal games.
-- Six of last eight Dallas road games went over the total.
-- Under is 10-1-2 in last thirteen Nashville games.
-- Four of last five Vancouver games stayed under. Last three St Louis games went over the total.
-- Under is 14-5 in Kings' last nineteen games.
Back-to-Back
-- Los Angeles is 2-3 if it won the night before.
Series records
-- Islanders lost 17 of last 19 games against Philadelphia.
-- Maple Leafs lost their last four visits to Montreal.
-- Dallas Stars won seven of last nine games against Detroit.
-- Chicago is 12-7 in last 19 games vs Nashville, but 2-3 this season, losing both visits here, 4-3/3-2so.
-- Canucks are 9-5 in their last 14 games against St Louis.
-- Kings lost three of last four games against Minnesota.
SPORTS WAGERS
DETROIT –1½ +146 over Dallas
The Stars have gone from contender to bum quicker than any team in recent history. Aside from losing 11 of its last 13 games, it appears as though the Stars have quit. They traded away James Neal, a character guy with grit and talent and although they received a quality player in return it hurts more than helps at this point. Brad Richards is another key injury and both Kari Lehtonen and Andrew Raycroft are playing scared. The Stars aren’t scoring goals either. They’ve been held to two or less in five straight and seven of their last eight games. The Red Wings have it all. They can score, they get great goaltending from Jimmy Howard and they’re determined to win. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this game is that the Stars have beaten the Red Wings in seven of the past nine meetings including three of the last four at the Joe. The Red Wings are sick of losing to this team and there’s just no way they come out flat or unprepared. Dallas is extremely ripe, as they have shown absolutely nothing over the past month and there’s no end in sight. Play: Detroit –1½ +146 (Risking 2 units).
Toronto +158 over MONTREAL
The Leafs really found a hidden gem in goaltender James Reimer and the kid is no fluke. He’s in strong position all the time and the Leafs play with a lot more confidence with him in net. Toronto is very warm at the moment with three wins in its last four with only loss over that stretch coming against Ottawa in a game the Leafs absolutely dominated and probably should’ve won 5-1 or 6-1. They also have recent wins over Boston, Buffalo and a warm Islanders squad. The Leafs catch the Habs at a great time, as Montreal will play its third game in four days and tail end of back-to-backs after playing in Vancouver last night. Montreal is also coming off the dreaded three-game trip to Western Canada. The Habs have dropped six of eight and had it not been for the goaltending of Carey Price last night that count would be seven of eight because the Canadiens were the second best team on the ice yesterday. Anyway, the Leafs have life and are now just six points out of that final playoff spot. They can leapfrog over the Thrashers here and with a game in hand they can move within four points of that reachable goal. Win or lose, we’re going with the best of it in that we get a tag on the team that’s playing better and that’s in a more favorable situational spot too. Play: Toronto +158 (Risking 2 units).
Chicago –½ +147 over NASHVILLE
Nashville is a tough team to bet against or bet with because they’re about as unpredictable as any team in the league. They’re streaky and they can beat anyone or lose to anyone. Having said that, the Preds are in the midst of a mini funk with three losses in its last four games. They have only beaten the Blackhawks once in the past eight meetings in regulation and it’s for that reason we’ll exclude extra time here. Chicago usually beats this team and it’s one of those matchups problems the Preds have with Chicago. It also becomes a psychological disadvantage when you keep losing to the same team. Chicago is in ninth place in the West but they’re just two points out of fifth, as four teams are tied for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. The Blackhawks are healthy and they’re heating up. They’ve picked up points in six of their last seven games and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon. The puck line opened with the Blackhawks taking back a half puck and laying 70 cents, which is another strong indication of what will transpire here, as the books were looking to keep folks off the visitor. That didn't happen and as a result, the Blackhawks are now favored but we'll lay the half puck and take back 47 cents. Play: Chicago –½ +147 (Risking 2 units).
DETROIT –1½ +146 over Dallas
The Stars have gone from contender to bum quicker than any team in recent history. Aside from losing 11 of its last 13 games, it appears as though the Stars have quit. They traded away James Neal, a character guy with grit and talent and although they received a quality player in return it hurts more than helps at this point. Brad Richards is another key injury and both Kari Lehtonen and Andrew Raycroft are playing scared. The Stars aren’t scoring goals either. They’ve been held to two or less in five straight and seven of their last eight games. The Red Wings have it all. They can score, they get great goaltending from Jimmy Howard and they’re determined to win. Perhaps the most interesting thing about this game is that the Stars have beaten the Red Wings in seven of the past nine meetings including three of the last four at the Joe. The Red Wings are sick of losing to this team and there’s just no way they come out flat or unprepared. Dallas is extremely ripe, as they have shown absolutely nothing over the past month and there’s no end in sight. Play: Detroit –1½ +146 (Risking 2 units).
Toronto +158 over MONTREAL
The Leafs really found a hidden gem in goaltender James Reimer and the kid is no fluke. He’s in strong position all the time and the Leafs play with a lot more confidence with him in net. Toronto is very warm at the moment with three wins in its last four with only loss over that stretch coming against Ottawa in a game the Leafs absolutely dominated and probably should’ve won 5-1 or 6-1. They also have recent wins over Boston, Buffalo and a warm Islanders squad. The Leafs catch the Habs at a great time, as Montreal will play its third game in four days and tail end of back-to-backs after playing in Vancouver last night. Montreal is also coming off the dreaded three-game trip to Western Canada. The Habs have dropped six of eight and had it not been for the goaltending of Carey Price last night that count would be seven of eight because the Canadiens were the second best team on the ice yesterday. Anyway, the Leafs have life and are now just six points out of that final playoff spot. They can leapfrog over the Thrashers here and with a game in hand they can move within four points of that reachable goal. Win or lose, we’re going with the best of it in that we get a tag on the team that’s playing better and that’s in a more favorable situational spot too. Play: Toronto +158 (Risking 2 units).
Chicago –½ +147 over NASHVILLE
Nashville is a tough team to bet against or bet with because they’re about as unpredictable as any team in the league. They’re streaky and they can beat anyone or lose to anyone. Having said that, the Preds are in the midst of a mini funk with three losses in its last four games. They have only beaten the Blackhawks once in the past eight meetings in regulation and it’s for that reason we’ll exclude extra time here. Chicago usually beats this team and it’s one of those matchups problems the Preds have with Chicago. It also becomes a psychological disadvantage when you keep losing to the same team. Chicago is in ninth place in the West but they’re just two points out of fifth, as four teams are tied for 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th. The Blackhawks are healthy and they’re heating up. They’ve picked up points in six of their last seven games and there’s no sign of them slowing down anytime soon. The puck line opened with the Blackhawks taking back a half puck and laying 70 cents, which is another strong indication of what will transpire here, as the books were looking to keep folks off the visitor. That didn't happen and as a result, the Blackhawks are now favored but we'll lay the half puck and take back 47 cents. Play: Chicago –½ +147 (Risking 2 units).
WUNDERDOG
1 OF 3
Game: Arizona at U S C (10:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Arizona +1 (-105)
Arizona has established that they are the best team in the Pac-10, suffering just four losses on the season. Two of those occurred vs. top rated teams in BYU and Kansas, and a third to a very good Washington team. The Trojans come in at 15-12 should not be the favorite in this one. They have already lost Pac-10 home games to Oregon, California and Washington, and Arizona is a cut above all of those. The Wildcats are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight league games, while the Trojans are just 5-11-1 ATS at home vs. a team with a winning record in their last 17. The Wildcats have had no problems playing here and have come away with a 7-3 ATS mark the last 10 played here.
Play on Arizona in this one.
1 OF 3
Game: Arizona at U S C (10:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Arizona +1 (-105)
Arizona has established that they are the best team in the Pac-10, suffering just four losses on the season. Two of those occurred vs. top rated teams in BYU and Kansas, and a third to a very good Washington team. The Trojans come in at 15-12 should not be the favorite in this one. They have already lost Pac-10 home games to Oregon, California and Washington, and Arizona is a cut above all of those. The Wildcats are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight league games, while the Trojans are just 5-11-1 ATS at home vs. a team with a winning record in their last 17. The Wildcats have had no problems playing here and have come away with a 7-3 ATS mark the last 10 played here.
Play on Arizona in this one.
