Jeffrey James
#530 Arkansas Razorbacks +1 (9:00 est) ESPN
Arkansas is very strong at home covering 12 of their last 16 at home and they have covered their last 2 home games against the Wildcats. Arkansas will be very ready for a big effort here after losing their last 2 games SU and they get to take on the Wildcats who only have 1 cover on the road this season.
#530 Arkansas Razorbacks +1 (9:00 est) ESPN
Arkansas is very strong at home covering 12 of their last 16 at home and they have covered their last 2 home games against the Wildcats. Arkansas will be very ready for a big effort here after losing their last 2 games SU and they get to take on the Wildcats who only have 1 cover on the road this season.
Jimmy Moore
4* Philadelphia ML -130 (7:35 est) NBC Sports Network
Have to love the Flyers here at a very small favorite price. Philly will be extra focused here off of 2 consecutive SU losses and they love beating the Sabres since they have beaten them in 6 of the last 8 games against them. Buffalo is off of a big shootout win against the Capitals on Sunday and they just can't seem to put 2 wins together not to mention they have been bad at home. Take the Flyers here. Thank you and good luck.
4* Philadelphia ML -130 (7:35 est) NBC Sports Network
Have to love the Flyers here at a very small favorite price. Philly will be extra focused here off of 2 consecutive SU losses and they love beating the Sabres since they have beaten them in 6 of the last 8 games against them. Buffalo is off of a big shootout win against the Capitals on Sunday and they just can't seem to put 2 wins together not to mention they have been bad at home. Take the Flyers here. Thank you and good luck.
GC: NCAAB Play
Tuesday card has the 5* SEC Game of the Month on ESPN With 8 Powerful angles, last nights top play cashed in NCAAB With La. Lafayette. In NBA its a 92% Totals system. NBA Remains top ranked at several leader boards. Free Big East NCAAB Play below.
On Tuesday in Big East NCAAB Play the Bonus Play is on St. Johns. Game 519 at 7:00 Eastern St. Johns has a better RPI Ranking at 60 then Depaul does at 103. The Red Storm have dismantled teams that are ranked worse than 50 in the RPI Scale winning 9 of 10. The Blue Demons are just 1-3 vs teams ranked between 50 and 100 in the RPI Scale. The Demons are 0-5 off a conference win, 3-22 in the second half of the season the last few years vs winning teams and have dropped 15 of the last 2 straight up and to the spread as a home dog of 3 or less. Even Tuesday has been a problem as they have lost 12 of 14. St. Johns has won and covered 10 of 14 as a road favorite of 3 or less and has won 18 of 22 when favored. Here at Depaul they have covered 5 of the last 6 in the series. Look for them to take down Depaul here tonight. On Tuesday we have a Big 5* SEC Game of the Month with 8 Power angles. last nights top play cashed easily with LA. Lafayette. In the NBA its another solid totals system that has cashed 92% since 1995. Jump on now and squash your book like a California grape. For the Bonus Play take St. Johns. GC
Tuesday card has the 5* SEC Game of the Month on ESPN With 8 Powerful angles, last nights top play cashed in NCAAB With La. Lafayette. In NBA its a 92% Totals system. NBA Remains top ranked at several leader boards. Free Big East NCAAB Play below.
On Tuesday in Big East NCAAB Play the Bonus Play is on St. Johns. Game 519 at 7:00 Eastern St. Johns has a better RPI Ranking at 60 then Depaul does at 103. The Red Storm have dismantled teams that are ranked worse than 50 in the RPI Scale winning 9 of 10. The Blue Demons are just 1-3 vs teams ranked between 50 and 100 in the RPI Scale. The Demons are 0-5 off a conference win, 3-22 in the second half of the season the last few years vs winning teams and have dropped 15 of the last 2 straight up and to the spread as a home dog of 3 or less. Even Tuesday has been a problem as they have lost 12 of 14. St. Johns has won and covered 10 of 14 as a road favorite of 3 or less and has won 18 of 22 when favored. Here at Depaul they have covered 5 of the last 6 in the series. Look for them to take down Depaul here tonight. On Tuesday we have a Big 5* SEC Game of the Month with 8 Power angles. last nights top play cashed easily with LA. Lafayette. In the NBA its another solid totals system that has cashed 92% since 1995. Jump on now and squash your book like a California grape. For the Bonus Play take St. Johns. GC
Kings at Pacers What bettors need to know
Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers (-10.5, 194)
The Indiana Pacers look for their eighth straight home win and another standout defensive effort when they host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Indiana has held its opponents to a measly 79.1 points during the run at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which has boosted the team's home record to a league-best 18-1. The defense was at its finest Friday in a 93-66 victory over Washington, which was limited to 32.1 percent shooting and outrebounded 61-41.
The Kings are one of eight Western Conference opponents the Pacers will play in their next nine games, and enters Tuesday as one of the hottest. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points in Sacramento's 124-80 rout of Cleveland on Sunday night, the Kings' third straight win and the largest margin of victory in the NBA this season. Sacramento, which is beginning a six-game road trip, is a respectable 9-9 after opening the season 4-13.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, CSN California (Sacramento), FSN Indiana (Indiana)
LINE: The Pacers opened as 11-point home faves but now sit -10.5.
ABOUT THE KINGS (13-22): Sacramento has been a solid, if not outstanding, offensive club all season but has managed to step it up a notch of late, reaching the 100-point mark in 12 straight games and averaging 116.7 points during the three-game winning streak. While Thomas was the catalyst Sunday, center DeMarcus Cousins has been the constant, recording double-doubles in 10 straight games, the longest run by a King since Chris Webber had 10 in a row during the 2002-03 season. Cousins is averaging 24.5 points and 13.5 rebounds during the surge.
ABOUT THE PACERS (29-7): The rout of the Wizards came on a night when leading scorer Paul George was limited to a season-low eight points on 2-of-14 shooting, which exhibits Indiana's ability to overcome in-game issues. George grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds to spearhead the dominant effort on the glass, while six others had at least six. Forward Luis Scola was one of them and has been on a rebounding binge of late, averaging 7.3 boards in only 17.8 minutes off the bench in his last nine games.
TRENDS:
* Kings are 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Indiana.
* Pacers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
* Kings are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.
* Under is 10-1 in Pacers last 11 overall.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Sacramento has not won four in a row since March 23-29, 2011, a run that included a victory at Indiana.
2. George's career high for rebounds is 17, accomplished vs. the Kings on Nov. 3, 2012.
3. Pacers F David West averaged 24.5 points and 14.5 rebounds as Indiana swept the two-game series last season.
Sacramento Kings at Indiana Pacers (-10.5, 194)
The Indiana Pacers look for their eighth straight home win and another standout defensive effort when they host the Sacramento Kings on Tuesday. Indiana has held its opponents to a measly 79.1 points during the run at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, which has boosted the team's home record to a league-best 18-1. The defense was at its finest Friday in a 93-66 victory over Washington, which was limited to 32.1 percent shooting and outrebounded 61-41.
The Kings are one of eight Western Conference opponents the Pacers will play in their next nine games, and enters Tuesday as one of the hottest. Isaiah Thomas scored 26 points in Sacramento's 124-80 rout of Cleveland on Sunday night, the Kings' third straight win and the largest margin of victory in the NBA this season. Sacramento, which is beginning a six-game road trip, is a respectable 9-9 after opening the season 4-13.
TV: 7 p.m. ET, NBATV, CSN California (Sacramento), FSN Indiana (Indiana)
LINE: The Pacers opened as 11-point home faves but now sit -10.5.
ABOUT THE KINGS (13-22): Sacramento has been a solid, if not outstanding, offensive club all season but has managed to step it up a notch of late, reaching the 100-point mark in 12 straight games and averaging 116.7 points during the three-game winning streak. While Thomas was the catalyst Sunday, center DeMarcus Cousins has been the constant, recording double-doubles in 10 straight games, the longest run by a King since Chris Webber had 10 in a row during the 2002-03 season. Cousins is averaging 24.5 points and 13.5 rebounds during the surge.
ABOUT THE PACERS (29-7): The rout of the Wizards came on a night when leading scorer Paul George was limited to a season-low eight points on 2-of-14 shooting, which exhibits Indiana's ability to overcome in-game issues. George grabbed a season-high 14 rebounds to spearhead the dominant effort on the glass, while six others had at least six. Forward Luis Scola was one of them and has been on a rebounding binge of late, averaging 7.3 boards in only 17.8 minutes off the bench in his last nine games.
TRENDS:
* Kings are 4-1-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Indiana.
* Pacers are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. Western Conference.
* Kings are 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall.
* Under is 10-1 in Pacers last 11 overall.
BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Sacramento has not won four in a row since March 23-29, 2011, a run that included a victory at Indiana.
2. George's career high for rebounds is 17, accomplished vs. the Kings on Nov. 3, 2012.
3. Pacers F David West averaged 24.5 points and 14.5 rebounds as Indiana swept the two-game series last season.
Islanders at Panthers What bettors need to know
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers (-104, 5.5)
The red-hot New York Islanders look to extend their road winning streak to eight games when they visit the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Islanders are 3-0-0 midway through their six-game trip and 8-2-0 in their last 10 overall contests as they try to climb out of the Metropolitan Division basement. Florida has earned points in five of its last six contests (3-1-2), with two of those victories coming in a shootout.
Islanders captain John Tavares received NHL First Star of the Week honors after posting 10 points in New York’s four victories, raising his total to 18 in his last nine contests. Panthers netminder Tim Thomas has looked solid in five starts since returning from injury, stopping 158-of-168 shots in that span. Kevin Poulin has started the last three games for the Islanders in place of the injured Evgeni Nabokov and has not lost since Dec. 12.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (New York), FSN (Florida)
LINE: The Panthers opened -117 but currently sit -104.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (18-22-7): Tavares’ linemates Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo are enjoying strong stretches as well, with points in 11 of 12 games for Vanek and eight goals in nine contests for Okposo. Nabokov skated on Sunday but is still on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. Andrew MacDonald leads the team’s defensemen with a surprising 22 points in 47 games after recording just 65 in parts of four previous seasons.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (17-21-7): Defenseman Dylan Olsen has missed four games with a lower-body injury and is likely out again Tuesday. Tomas Fleischmann has just two assists in nine games but is only one point behind team leader Aleksander Barkov. Jonathan Huberdeau has not scored since Dec. 7, registering only three assists since.
TRENDS:
* Over is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings in Florida.
* Islanders are 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Panthers are 1-4 in their last five vs. Metropolitan.
* Under is 4-1-1 in Panthers last six overall.
OVERTIME:
1. Florida is 0-for-17 on the power play in its last six games.
2. New York has a 6-3-3 record against Atlantic Division opponents, while Florida owns a 9-9-4 mark at home.
3. The Islanders have won each of their last four meetings with Florida.
New York Islanders at Florida Panthers (-104, 5.5)
The red-hot New York Islanders look to extend their road winning streak to eight games when they visit the Florida Panthers on Tuesday. The Islanders are 3-0-0 midway through their six-game trip and 8-2-0 in their last 10 overall contests as they try to climb out of the Metropolitan Division basement. Florida has earned points in five of its last six contests (3-1-2), with two of those victories coming in a shootout.
Islanders captain John Tavares received NHL First Star of the Week honors after posting 10 points in New York’s four victories, raising his total to 18 in his last nine contests. Panthers netminder Tim Thomas has looked solid in five starts since returning from injury, stopping 158-of-168 shots in that span. Kevin Poulin has started the last three games for the Islanders in place of the injured Evgeni Nabokov and has not lost since Dec. 12.
TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, MSG Plus 2 (New York), FSN (Florida)
LINE: The Panthers opened -117 but currently sit -104.
ABOUT THE ISLANDERS (18-22-7): Tavares’ linemates Thomas Vanek and Kyle Okposo are enjoying strong stretches as well, with points in 11 of 12 games for Vanek and eight goals in nine contests for Okposo. Nabokov skated on Sunday but is still on injured reserve with a quadriceps injury. Andrew MacDonald leads the team’s defensemen with a surprising 22 points in 47 games after recording just 65 in parts of four previous seasons.
ABOUT THE PANTHERS (17-21-7): Defenseman Dylan Olsen has missed four games with a lower-body injury and is likely out again Tuesday. Tomas Fleischmann has just two assists in nine games but is only one point behind team leader Aleksander Barkov. Jonathan Huberdeau has not scored since Dec. 7, registering only three assists since.
TRENDS:
* Over is 4-0-1 in the last five meetings in Florida.
* Islanders are 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Panthers are 1-4 in their last five vs. Metropolitan.
* Under is 4-1-1 in Panthers last six overall.
OVERTIME:
1. Florida is 0-for-17 on the power play in its last six games.
2. New York has a 6-3-3 record against Atlantic Division opponents, while Florida owns a 9-9-4 mark at home.
3. The Islanders have won each of their last four meetings with Florida.
SPORTS WAGERS NHL
Tampa Bay +139 over N.Y. RANGERS
OT included. No question the Rangers are going good right now and they deserve credit for it. New York has won three straight and eight of its past 11 games. However, two of those wins came against the Maple Leafs while other victories came against a reeling Dallas team, Florida, a slumping Wild and Philadelphia. Over that span, the Rangers lost to Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington and prior to that they had dropped eight of 11 games. When these two met on December 29, the Rangers defeated the Bolts, 4-3. Anders Lindback was in net for Tampa but the Rangers do not get that same luxury tonight.
Ben Bishop returns from a brief stint on the rack with a record of 22-5-3 to go along with a 1.86 GAA and .935 SV%. When you get great goaltending you always have a great chance to win and Bishop gives the Bolts a great chance every time he plays. Bishop has recorded shutouts in each of his last two meetings with the Rangers and is 4-0-0 with a .970 save percentage in four career appearances against them. The Lightning just keep coming on. They play a swarming style with a relentless forecheck that cause havoc in the offensive end. They have won seven of their past nine road games and they offer up tremendous value when being offered up a price like this one. (To read more on the Bolts, see our future bet on them to win the East, posted today).
Ottawa +102 over MINNESOTA
OT included. The Wild are warm with five wins in their past six games but it’s been all smoke and mirrors. Minnesota’s charmed life cannot last. The Wild have run into a slew of weak goaltending but don’t count on that here against Robin Lehner. Against the Predators in their last game, Minnesota scored four goals on 23 shots. In a recent 5-3 victory over Washington, Minnesota scored five times on 11 shots and was outshot in that one, 30-11. In a recent 2-1 victory over L.A., Minnesota was outshot 40-17. The Wild are averaging 20 shots on net per game over their past seven contents. Their 26.5 shots on net per game average this season is dead last in the West while the Senators shots on net average per game ranks third in the NHL behind San Jose and Chicago. Prior to this extremely fortunate streak of five wins in six games, Minnesota had lost 13 of 18 games and that’s the team we’re likely going to see a lot more of over the next while.
The Senators had been underachieving the entire season until recently. The Sens have picked up points in six straight with the last three all coming on the road. When they played the Wild back in Ottawa on November 20, they dominated that game despite losing 4-3. That’s when the Sens were going bad and the Wild were healthy. That’s not the case anymore. The Senators are finally getting good goaltending and they’re playing their best hockey of the season right now. Ottawa concludes its four-game trip here and has a chance to end it with seven out of a possible eight points with a victory. Expect nothing short of an inspired effort in an attempt to do exactly that against one of the most beatable teams in the game.
MONTREAL -½ +102 over New Jersey
Regulation only. We like the Devils. Despite a lack of talent up front, the Devils never seem to get frustrated and always play their hearts out. However, the Devils have scored two goals or less in nine of their past 10 games and that’s a huge problem when facing a top goaltender like Carey Price. The Devils have two wins in their past six games, a 1-0 victory over Dallas and a 2-1 OT victory over Florida. In both those games, Cory Schneider was in net. Martin Brodeur is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s French Canadian and this is New Jersey’s final trip to Montreal this season. As a courtesy, Lou Lamoriello and the Devils coaching staff will give Brodeur this start because it’s likely Brodeur’s final year and thus, his final start in his illustrious career in Montreal. In Brodeur’s last two starts, he posted save percentages of .893 and .792. Prior to that he had save percentages of .818, .783, .875 and .824 in four of seven starts. The Devils had used Schneider in three straight starts before this one and as we head down the stretch expect to see a lot less of Brodeur because the game has passed him by.
The Canadiens are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Blackhawks in a game they held Chicago to just 20 shots on net. The Habs remain consistent with 16 wins over their past 25 games but this has nothing to do with that. This game is Carey Price versus Martin Brodeur in one of the biggest goaltending mismatches of the season. Enough said.
Tampa Bay +139 over N.Y. RANGERS
OT included. No question the Rangers are going good right now and they deserve credit for it. New York has won three straight and eight of its past 11 games. However, two of those wins came against the Maple Leafs while other victories came against a reeling Dallas team, Florida, a slumping Wild and Philadelphia. Over that span, the Rangers lost to Pittsburgh, Columbus and Washington and prior to that they had dropped eight of 11 games. When these two met on December 29, the Rangers defeated the Bolts, 4-3. Anders Lindback was in net for Tampa but the Rangers do not get that same luxury tonight.
Ben Bishop returns from a brief stint on the rack with a record of 22-5-3 to go along with a 1.86 GAA and .935 SV%. When you get great goaltending you always have a great chance to win and Bishop gives the Bolts a great chance every time he plays. Bishop has recorded shutouts in each of his last two meetings with the Rangers and is 4-0-0 with a .970 save percentage in four career appearances against them. The Lightning just keep coming on. They play a swarming style with a relentless forecheck that cause havoc in the offensive end. They have won seven of their past nine road games and they offer up tremendous value when being offered up a price like this one. (To read more on the Bolts, see our future bet on them to win the East, posted today).
Ottawa +102 over MINNESOTA
OT included. The Wild are warm with five wins in their past six games but it’s been all smoke and mirrors. Minnesota’s charmed life cannot last. The Wild have run into a slew of weak goaltending but don’t count on that here against Robin Lehner. Against the Predators in their last game, Minnesota scored four goals on 23 shots. In a recent 5-3 victory over Washington, Minnesota scored five times on 11 shots and was outshot in that one, 30-11. In a recent 2-1 victory over L.A., Minnesota was outshot 40-17. The Wild are averaging 20 shots on net per game over their past seven contents. Their 26.5 shots on net per game average this season is dead last in the West while the Senators shots on net average per game ranks third in the NHL behind San Jose and Chicago. Prior to this extremely fortunate streak of five wins in six games, Minnesota had lost 13 of 18 games and that’s the team we’re likely going to see a lot more of over the next while.
The Senators had been underachieving the entire season until recently. The Sens have picked up points in six straight with the last three all coming on the road. When they played the Wild back in Ottawa on November 20, they dominated that game despite losing 4-3. That’s when the Sens were going bad and the Wild were healthy. That’s not the case anymore. The Senators are finally getting good goaltending and they’re playing their best hockey of the season right now. Ottawa concludes its four-game trip here and has a chance to end it with seven out of a possible eight points with a victory. Expect nothing short of an inspired effort in an attempt to do exactly that against one of the most beatable teams in the game.
MONTREAL -½ +102 over New Jersey
Regulation only. We like the Devils. Despite a lack of talent up front, the Devils never seem to get frustrated and always play their hearts out. However, the Devils have scored two goals or less in nine of their past 10 games and that’s a huge problem when facing a top goaltender like Carey Price. The Devils have two wins in their past six games, a 1-0 victory over Dallas and a 2-1 OT victory over Florida. In both those games, Cory Schneider was in net. Martin Brodeur is a first-ballot Hall of Famer. He’s French Canadian and this is New Jersey’s final trip to Montreal this season. As a courtesy, Lou Lamoriello and the Devils coaching staff will give Brodeur this start because it’s likely Brodeur’s final year and thus, his final start in his illustrious career in Montreal. In Brodeur’s last two starts, he posted save percentages of .893 and .792. Prior to that he had save percentages of .818, .783, .875 and .824 in four of seven starts. The Devils had used Schneider in three straight starts before this one and as we head down the stretch expect to see a lot less of Brodeur because the game has passed him by.
The Canadiens are coming off a 2-1 victory over the Blackhawks in a game they held Chicago to just 20 shots on net. The Habs remain consistent with 16 wins over their past 25 games but this has nothing to do with that. This game is Carey Price versus Martin Brodeur in one of the biggest goaltending mismatches of the season. Enough said.
SPORTS WAGERS
NHL Future Bet
Tampa Bay to win East +800
Future Bet (posted January 14/14)
There is great value on the Lightning to win the East because their chances of doing so are closer to about 3-1 than the 8-1 that’s being offered. Tampa has very few flaws and they also have the NHL’s best kept secret in goaltender Ben Bishop. Bishop is 22-5-3 with a 1.86 GAA and .935 SV% this season. When healthy, Tampa rolls out the deepest group of talented forwards in the NHL. Ryan Malone is a 20-goal scoring power forward who’s healthy again. New addition Valtteri Filppula had 66 points in his last full season and at the time of the writing (January 14), he had 36 points in 46 games. Teddy Purcell is probably the most underrated offensive player in the NHL. In the past three seasons (one shortened), he’s racked up 152 points, which gives him a higher point-per-game average than guys like Paul Stastny, Mike Richards, Blake Wheeler, Jeff Skinner and other all-stars. The points is, the Bolts have the horses on offense.
Their D-corps is stacked. Victor Hedman and Matt Carle are studs. Radko Gudas is a stud in the making and guys like Sami Ohlund and Eric Brewer aren’t exactly duds. Rookie Andrej Palat is another player on this team that doesn’t get much recognition but he’s a Calder candidate that just keeps getting better. Regarding Palat: “He’s just one of those quiet guys, he’s zero maintenance, he works his tail off and he’ll probably kill me for saying this but he could make an instructional video for how to play the game the proper way,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. As of January 14, Palat ranks seventh in rookie scoring and is second among all rookies with a plus-14 rating. Since being put in a top-six role, playing alongside fellow rookie Tyler Johnson and Martin St. Louis, Palat has taken off, accumulating 15 of his 22 points in the 18 games since the new line was formed. At the time of Steven Stamkos’ injury, the Bolts had won 12 of 16 games and Stamkos is due back around the Olympic break. Without Stamkos, not to mention several other key injuries, the Lightning have been beasts to play every night. With a healthy roster, Tampa boasts the best defense in the East by a wide margin, a top 3 goaltender and the most balanced and productive forwards as well. The other powers in the East, Pittsburgh and Boston, both have serious flaws. The Pens always bow out in the playoffs because of a weak defense and Marc Andre Fleury going cold while the B’s are just a slightly above average team playing in a weak conference. When healthy, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the best team in Eastern Conference and are absolutely worthy of a wager at this price.
NHL Future Bet
Tampa Bay to win East +800
Future Bet (posted January 14/14)
There is great value on the Lightning to win the East because their chances of doing so are closer to about 3-1 than the 8-1 that’s being offered. Tampa has very few flaws and they also have the NHL’s best kept secret in goaltender Ben Bishop. Bishop is 22-5-3 with a 1.86 GAA and .935 SV% this season. When healthy, Tampa rolls out the deepest group of talented forwards in the NHL. Ryan Malone is a 20-goal scoring power forward who’s healthy again. New addition Valtteri Filppula had 66 points in his last full season and at the time of the writing (January 14), he had 36 points in 46 games. Teddy Purcell is probably the most underrated offensive player in the NHL. In the past three seasons (one shortened), he’s racked up 152 points, which gives him a higher point-per-game average than guys like Paul Stastny, Mike Richards, Blake Wheeler, Jeff Skinner and other all-stars. The points is, the Bolts have the horses on offense.
Their D-corps is stacked. Victor Hedman and Matt Carle are studs. Radko Gudas is a stud in the making and guys like Sami Ohlund and Eric Brewer aren’t exactly duds. Rookie Andrej Palat is another player on this team that doesn’t get much recognition but he’s a Calder candidate that just keeps getting better. Regarding Palat: “He’s just one of those quiet guys, he’s zero maintenance, he works his tail off and he’ll probably kill me for saying this but he could make an instructional video for how to play the game the proper way,’’ Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. As of January 14, Palat ranks seventh in rookie scoring and is second among all rookies with a plus-14 rating. Since being put in a top-six role, playing alongside fellow rookie Tyler Johnson and Martin St. Louis, Palat has taken off, accumulating 15 of his 22 points in the 18 games since the new line was formed. At the time of Steven Stamkos’ injury, the Bolts had won 12 of 16 games and Stamkos is due back around the Olympic break. Without Stamkos, not to mention several other key injuries, the Lightning have been beasts to play every night. With a healthy roster, Tampa boasts the best defense in the East by a wide margin, a top 3 goaltender and the most balanced and productive forwards as well. The other powers in the East, Pittsburgh and Boston, both have serious flaws. The Pens always bow out in the playoffs because of a weak defense and Marc Andre Fleury going cold while the B’s are just a slightly above average team playing in a weak conference. When healthy, the Tampa Bay Lightning are the best team in Eastern Conference and are absolutely worthy of a wager at this price.
NCAAB
Tuesday, January 14
Western Michigan lost its last two visits to Ypsilanti in OT; they beat Eastern Michigan by 15 n LY's MAC tourney- teams split last eight in series. Broncos won first two MAC games, winning in OT at Miami in last game- they're #7 in country at getting to foul line. MAC single digit home favorites are 1-5 vs spread. Eastern forces turnovers 20.7%, has blocked 16.3% of opponents' shots.
Towson swept Drexel by total of four points LY, after losing previous seven games with Dragons, who won nine of last ten series games played here. Towson is 1-5 on road, winning by hoop at #300 Coppin State for only road win- they're 4th-worst team in US at forcing turnovers. CAA home favorites are 3-5 vs spread. Drexel beat Northeastern in double OT last game, just its second win in last six games.
Florida will be without Prather here; they've won five of last six games vs Georgia, winning last ten here, with four of last five by 16+ points. Dawgs allowed 61 ppg in winning first two SEC games, including win at Missouri- they lost other two road games, at Colorado by 14, by 18 at GW. Florida won last seven games, with three of those vs top 50 teams; they survived OT game at Arkansas Saturday, going 25-34 on line.
16-0 Wisconsin allowed 51 ppg in winning its three true road games, by 3-10-27 at Green Bay/Virginia/NWern; Badgers won last 12 games with Indiana, winning last five here by 2-17-32-10-5 points- they also beat the Hoosiers in last two conference tourneys. Indiana won at Penn State by 3 after losing first two league games, losing to Michigan State here by 17, their only loss in ten home games this year.
VCU forced 25 turnovers in 84-57 rout of George Washington LY in the first A-13 series meeting; Rams won last five games, all by 14+ points- they lead country, forcing turnovers 28.5% of time. Colonials split last four games but led URI 37-13 at half last game. VCU split its two true road games, winning by by 3 at Virginia, losing at Northern Iowa. A-13 favorites are 6-0 vs spread in games with spread of 5 or less.
St John's won its last eight games vs DePaul, winning last four visits to Chicago by 21-6-8-9 points; Red Storm is 0-3 in Big East, scoring 60.0 ppg in games at Xavier/Georgetown, its only true road games this year. St John's is 8-0 vs teams ranked outside top 125; DePaul is #130. Big East home underdogs are 2-5 vs spread. Blue Demons are 1-3 in league, winning in double OT at Butler after losing by 7-10-19 points.
Kansas State won six of last nine games with Oklahoma, sweeping LY's games by 9-2 points; Sooners split last six visits here, losing by 11-15-9 points. K-State upset Oklahoma State in Big X opener, then split pair of road games- they won last nine home games, are forcing turnovers 20.6% of time. Oklahoma won its only true road game by 3 at Texas, then gave Iowa State its first loss Saturday- they're making 38.6% on arc (#39).
Northern Iowa won nine of last 11 games with Southern Illinois- they're 3-2 in last five visits to SIU, winning by 8-12-4 points. Panthers are 4-1 in last five games, but 1-5 in true road games, winning at Evansville by 27 in last away game. Salukis lost four of last five games, losing by 15-6 in first two Valley home games- their best win is over #253 Loyola, IL. MVC home underdogs are 3-4-1 vs spread.
Home side won last four Kentucky-Arkansas games; Wildcats lost last two visits here, by 1-13 points- they're 1-1 in true road games, winning by 9 at Vandy, losing at UNC. Kentucky is #1 in US, rebounding 45.3% of its missed shots. Underdogs are 6-0-1 vs spread in SEC games where spread was 5 or less points. Hogs are 3-3 vs top 100 teams but lost first two SEC games, by 16-2 points.
Butler is 0-4 in Big East, with three OT losses; they're 0-5 vs teams in top 75- best team they beat is #87 Princeton. Bulldogs are shooting 28% from arc in league play, opponents are making 57% inside arc. Creighton leads country in both 3's tried and %age of 3's made, which is hard to do; Bluejays are 4-0 in Big East, with three wins by 13+. Big East favorites are 2-6 vs spread at home if they're giving more than six points.
Pitt won its first three ACC games by 12-20-15 points, winning by 12 at NC State, after trailing 17-2 early in only true road game of season so far. Panthers' eFG% defense is #28 in country- their last seven wins are all by 12+ points. ACC home favorites of 7+ points are 6-3 vs spread. Georgia Tech is 8-1 at home, losing by 10 to Dayton, Gregory's former team- they're 1-2 in ACC, losing road games by 16-22 points.
Temple is off to 0-4 start in first AAC season, with three losses by 7 or less points; they've lost six of last seven games overall, are 0-3 in its true road games outside Philly, losing by 6-5-2 points. Cincinnati won eight games in row, allowing 52.8 ppg in 4-0 AAC start; Bearcats are #7 in US, forcing turnovers 24.8% of time; they hold teams to 39.9% inside arc. AAC home favorites are 4-6 against the spread.
Boise State has whole team back from LY but is disappointing 1-2 in its league games, after losing Diamond Head final to Iowa State Christmas Day. Nevada is off to surprising 4-0 start in Mountain West, after 5-8 record in pre-conference games; Wolf Pack is 15-6 in its last 21 games vs Boise State, 8-2 in last 10 here (3-1 in last four, with wins by 14-8-16 points). Mountain West home underdogs are 7-3 against spread.
Tuesday, January 14
Western Michigan lost its last two visits to Ypsilanti in OT; they beat Eastern Michigan by 15 n LY's MAC tourney- teams split last eight in series. Broncos won first two MAC games, winning in OT at Miami in last game- they're #7 in country at getting to foul line. MAC single digit home favorites are 1-5 vs spread. Eastern forces turnovers 20.7%, has blocked 16.3% of opponents' shots.
Towson swept Drexel by total of four points LY, after losing previous seven games with Dragons, who won nine of last ten series games played here. Towson is 1-5 on road, winning by hoop at #300 Coppin State for only road win- they're 4th-worst team in US at forcing turnovers. CAA home favorites are 3-5 vs spread. Drexel beat Northeastern in double OT last game, just its second win in last six games.
Florida will be without Prather here; they've won five of last six games vs Georgia, winning last ten here, with four of last five by 16+ points. Dawgs allowed 61 ppg in winning first two SEC games, including win at Missouri- they lost other two road games, at Colorado by 14, by 18 at GW. Florida won last seven games, with three of those vs top 50 teams; they survived OT game at Arkansas Saturday, going 25-34 on line.
16-0 Wisconsin allowed 51 ppg in winning its three true road games, by 3-10-27 at Green Bay/Virginia/NWern; Badgers won last 12 games with Indiana, winning last five here by 2-17-32-10-5 points- they also beat the Hoosiers in last two conference tourneys. Indiana won at Penn State by 3 after losing first two league games, losing to Michigan State here by 17, their only loss in ten home games this year.
VCU forced 25 turnovers in 84-57 rout of George Washington LY in the first A-13 series meeting; Rams won last five games, all by 14+ points- they lead country, forcing turnovers 28.5% of time. Colonials split last four games but led URI 37-13 at half last game. VCU split its two true road games, winning by by 3 at Virginia, losing at Northern Iowa. A-13 favorites are 6-0 vs spread in games with spread of 5 or less.
St John's won its last eight games vs DePaul, winning last four visits to Chicago by 21-6-8-9 points; Red Storm is 0-3 in Big East, scoring 60.0 ppg in games at Xavier/Georgetown, its only true road games this year. St John's is 8-0 vs teams ranked outside top 125; DePaul is #130. Big East home underdogs are 2-5 vs spread. Blue Demons are 1-3 in league, winning in double OT at Butler after losing by 7-10-19 points.
Kansas State won six of last nine games with Oklahoma, sweeping LY's games by 9-2 points; Sooners split last six visits here, losing by 11-15-9 points. K-State upset Oklahoma State in Big X opener, then split pair of road games- they won last nine home games, are forcing turnovers 20.6% of time. Oklahoma won its only true road game by 3 at Texas, then gave Iowa State its first loss Saturday- they're making 38.6% on arc (#39).
Northern Iowa won nine of last 11 games with Southern Illinois- they're 3-2 in last five visits to SIU, winning by 8-12-4 points. Panthers are 4-1 in last five games, but 1-5 in true road games, winning at Evansville by 27 in last away game. Salukis lost four of last five games, losing by 15-6 in first two Valley home games- their best win is over #253 Loyola, IL. MVC home underdogs are 3-4-1 vs spread.
Home side won last four Kentucky-Arkansas games; Wildcats lost last two visits here, by 1-13 points- they're 1-1 in true road games, winning by 9 at Vandy, losing at UNC. Kentucky is #1 in US, rebounding 45.3% of its missed shots. Underdogs are 6-0-1 vs spread in SEC games where spread was 5 or less points. Hogs are 3-3 vs top 100 teams but lost first two SEC games, by 16-2 points.
Butler is 0-4 in Big East, with three OT losses; they're 0-5 vs teams in top 75- best team they beat is #87 Princeton. Bulldogs are shooting 28% from arc in league play, opponents are making 57% inside arc. Creighton leads country in both 3's tried and %age of 3's made, which is hard to do; Bluejays are 4-0 in Big East, with three wins by 13+. Big East favorites are 2-6 vs spread at home if they're giving more than six points.
Pitt won its first three ACC games by 12-20-15 points, winning by 12 at NC State, after trailing 17-2 early in only true road game of season so far. Panthers' eFG% defense is #28 in country- their last seven wins are all by 12+ points. ACC home favorites of 7+ points are 6-3 vs spread. Georgia Tech is 8-1 at home, losing by 10 to Dayton, Gregory's former team- they're 1-2 in ACC, losing road games by 16-22 points.
Temple is off to 0-4 start in first AAC season, with three losses by 7 or less points; they've lost six of last seven games overall, are 0-3 in its true road games outside Philly, losing by 6-5-2 points. Cincinnati won eight games in row, allowing 52.8 ppg in 4-0 AAC start; Bearcats are #7 in US, forcing turnovers 24.8% of time; they hold teams to 39.9% inside arc. AAC home favorites are 4-6 against the spread.
Boise State has whole team back from LY but is disappointing 1-2 in its league games, after losing Diamond Head final to Iowa State Christmas Day. Nevada is off to surprising 4-0 start in Mountain West, after 5-8 record in pre-conference games; Wolf Pack is 15-6 in its last 21 games vs Boise State, 8-2 in last 10 here (3-1 in last four, with wins by 14-8-16 points). Mountain West home underdogs are 7-3 against spread.
Wunderdog Sports Free Pick
Game: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Tampa Bay +150 (moneyline) at 5Dimes
The Tampa Bay Lightning has been a charging and aggressive offensive team, and continue to put pressure on opposing defenses for 60 minutes. They are averaging just shy of 3 goals per contest on the season, but have been sharper in their last 14 games where they have pushed 47 through the net at 3.4 per contest. The Rangers have won three straight games, but the bigger picture shows a .500 team over their last 18 games. The Lightning have actually been better on the road than the Rangers have been on home ice. The Lightning have also been 7-2 on the road over their last nine, while the Rangers have been stalled against a winning team at just 7-16 in their last 23. Play on Tampa Bay.
Game: Tampa Bay at New York Rangers (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Tampa Bay +150 (moneyline) at 5Dimes
The Tampa Bay Lightning has been a charging and aggressive offensive team, and continue to put pressure on opposing defenses for 60 minutes. They are averaging just shy of 3 goals per contest on the season, but have been sharper in their last 14 games where they have pushed 47 through the net at 3.4 per contest. The Rangers have won three straight games, but the bigger picture shows a .500 team over their last 18 games. The Lightning have actually been better on the road than the Rangers have been on home ice. The Lightning have also been 7-2 on the road over their last nine, while the Rangers have been stalled against a winning team at just 7-16 in their last 23. Play on Tampa Bay.
