SPORTS WAGERS
SACRAMENTO +2.11/+6 over L.A. Lakers
The Lakers really aren’t playing so great these days despite winning three in a row. They beat a sinking Raps squad by a bucket when everyone else has been pounding the Raps. Last night they beat the Warriors by three and needed a big rally to pull that one out. They also beat the Blazers by six and prior to that trifecta they dropped three in a row. In reality, the Lakers could just as easily be on a six game losing streak right now. Meanwhile, the Kings have once again stepped it up and they’re playing some strong basketball at the moment. They recently came close to beating the Thunder twice and the Mav’s once. Sac has won two of its last three and they remain a very difficult team to beat in its own barn. For sure the place will be electric and when the Lakers were playing great and came in here on Dec 26, the Kings took them to OT. The last time they played in L.A. on Jan 1, the Kings lost by a single point. So, in regulation time over the last two meeting the Lakers have outscored the Kings by a single point. The Kings will be ready again and could very well pull off this upset. Play: Sacramento +2.11 (Risking 1 unit) Play Sacramento +6 (Risking 1.1 units to win 1).
Washington +14 over DENVER
We all know the Nuggets usually play down to weaker opponents and this is really not a great spot for them. First, they return home from a four-game trip in which they took three of four. Secondly, the played in Houston last night and they used up a lot of energy in an attempt to come back from a large deficit, only to fall short by a bucket. Lastly, the Nuggets will play its fourth game in five nights and fifth game in a week and they’re under no urgency whatsoever. So, yeah, they’ll probably win and under normal circumstances they could name the score against this guest. However, this is a tough spot and one in which the Wizards can keep it close because the Nuggets have shown a huge propensity for taking bad teams lightly. Nuggets show up in body only and the Wizards stay well within this range. Play: Washington +14 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
NY Islanders +2.71 over VANCOUVER
It just does not seem likely or possible that the Islanders could go into Vancouver and beat this contender but as Chris Berman says, “That’s why they play the games”. If the Canucks were ever in a vulnerable and un-motivating spot, this is it and here’s why. First, they’ve been back for two games after that exhausting 14-game road trip that included six straight on the road after the break. The fans were completely juiced up for the first game back and so were the players, as the crowd got to acknowledge Roberto Luongo again, not to mention the whole team. In its second game back they played perhaps its biggest rival, the Flames and proceeded to squash them. This is the Canucks third game back and they’ll play a team that hasn’t been in this building since 2008. They’ll also host a game against the Sharks on Thursday and again if there were ever a game the Canucks will show up in body only, this is it. The Islanders are playing decent again with two wins in a row and five out of a possible six points over its last three. They beat the Devils and Maple Leafs and they beat the Blackhawks 5-3 the first game back after the break. They lost by a goal to both Boston and Philly and took the Blue Notes to OT before its last two wins. So, this is about as good a situational play as you’ll find and at this price the Islanders are worth a look, as they could absolutely catch the Canucks very uninterested. Play: NY Islanders +2.71 (Risking 2 units).