StraightUPWinners Sharp - Xavier Singleton
Sports Picks, January 21, 2015
Game of the Day
Massachuettes vs St Josephs 7pm
10-Unit UMass PK @ 5dimes
UMass and St Joes both lost a lot of talent from their respective March Madness squads from a year ago. St Joes lost more talent and hasn't been able to produce since. Though UMass lost it's top scorer, St Joes lost 3 of its top 4 scorers and rebounders! All 3 St Joe's players that are now gone scored more than 1000 points in its St Joes career. St Joes was a 3 point shooting team. They finished 3rd in the country shooting 37% for the year in the 2013-2014 season. This year they are shooting 28.4%, a mind blowing 332nd in the country. St Joes points per game are down from 71.6 to 62.6, 9 points a game. They severely lack offensive production ranking 295th in the country in points scored. They have no identity and little talent. UMass on the other hand point production has barely fallen. They still can shoot and rebounds. They feed the ball inside to their big guys Esho and Lalanne who combine for 25 points and 16 rebounds a game. Here's the difference in the game though. UMass plays at a fast pace and They disturb the ball well. St Joes simply doesn't have the athletes to that. They rank 270th in assists, 287th in FG%, they foul a bunch and just don't have it together. UMass is clearly the more talented, more put together team and if we get a pick em on UMass vs St Joes, we will take UMass 100 times out of 100, it's simple and St Joes is not close in talent or scheme.
Sports Picks, January 21, 2015
Game of the Day
Massachuettes vs St Josephs 7pm
10-Unit UMass PK @ 5dimes
UMass and St Joes both lost a lot of talent from their respective March Madness squads from a year ago. St Joes lost more talent and hasn't been able to produce since. Though UMass lost it's top scorer, St Joes lost 3 of its top 4 scorers and rebounders! All 3 St Joe's players that are now gone scored more than 1000 points in its St Joes career. St Joes was a 3 point shooting team. They finished 3rd in the country shooting 37% for the year in the 2013-2014 season. This year they are shooting 28.4%, a mind blowing 332nd in the country. St Joes points per game are down from 71.6 to 62.6, 9 points a game. They severely lack offensive production ranking 295th in the country in points scored. They have no identity and little talent. UMass on the other hand point production has barely fallen. They still can shoot and rebounds. They feed the ball inside to their big guys Esho and Lalanne who combine for 25 points and 16 rebounds a game. Here's the difference in the game though. UMass plays at a fast pace and They disturb the ball well. St Joes simply doesn't have the athletes to that. They rank 270th in assists, 287th in FG%, they foul a bunch and just don't have it together. UMass is clearly the more talented, more put together team and if we get a pick em on UMass vs St Joes, we will take UMass 100 times out of 100, it's simple and St Joes is not close in talent or scheme.
StraightUPWinners Sharp - Ivan LaFlare
Sports Picks, Wednesday January 21st, 2015
Game of the Day
NBA
Toronto vs Memphis 8:00 pm
3 units Memphis -5.5 @ 5dimes
The Raptors are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference but I say that with a smirk on my face. Toronto beats up on all the eastern teams but they struggle against western opponents. The Raptors have lost 3 of their last 6 games and they are 0-4 SU against their last 4 Western Conference opponents. Toronto believe they can out score everyone but they struggle in games when they face balanced teams. The Memphis Grizzles are the definition of balanced. They are ranked top 10 in points allow and 12th in the league in scoring. They have 5 players averaging double digit points. Randolph and Marc Gasol will control they paint and Mike Conley and Jeff Green will defend the perimeter. Memphis does not lost back to back home games, nor do they lost to team from the week east at home. The Bulls are the only Eastern Confernce team in win in Memphis this season.
Sports Picks, Wednesday January 21st, 2015
Game of the Day
NBA
Toronto vs Memphis 8:00 pm
3 units Memphis -5.5 @ 5dimes
The Raptors are one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference but I say that with a smirk on my face. Toronto beats up on all the eastern teams but they struggle against western opponents. The Raptors have lost 3 of their last 6 games and they are 0-4 SU against their last 4 Western Conference opponents. Toronto believe they can out score everyone but they struggle in games when they face balanced teams. The Memphis Grizzles are the definition of balanced. They are ranked top 10 in points allow and 12th in the league in scoring. They have 5 players averaging double digit points. Randolph and Marc Gasol will control they paint and Mike Conley and Jeff Green will defend the perimeter. Memphis does not lost back to back home games, nor do they lost to team from the week east at home. The Bulls are the only Eastern Confernce team in win in Memphis this season.
Andre Gomes
ok c
Memphis
Sport: NBA
Road Team: New York Knicks
Home Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Rating:3* Single
Selection: New York Knicks -2
Line:-106 / 1.94
Write up:
The Knicks with their new experiments are now a slightly better team. This was why they were able to finally win a game against the Pelicans. With Amundson, Thomas, Wear and Galloway now getting some minutes, together with Melo and Amare, the Knicks are now a bit better, also thanks to their new very slow pace attitude.
This slow paced style should make the Sixers struggle a lot today, as their offence almost exclusively depends from their transition game. The “new” Knicks are now also more aggressive and with the help of Melo and Amare, I believe the NY team should get the upper hand of a Sixers team whose offence will heavily struggle in here in a slow paced game. I’m taking the Knicks tonight.
ok c
Memphis
Sport: NBA
Road Team: New York Knicks
Home Team: Philadelphia 76ers
Rating:3* Single
Selection: New York Knicks -2
Line:-106 / 1.94
Write up:
The Knicks with their new experiments are now a slightly better team. This was why they were able to finally win a game against the Pelicans. With Amundson, Thomas, Wear and Galloway now getting some minutes, together with Melo and Amare, the Knicks are now a bit better, also thanks to their new very slow pace attitude.
This slow paced style should make the Sixers struggle a lot today, as their offence almost exclusively depends from their transition game. The “new” Knicks are now also more aggressive and with the help of Melo and Amare, I believe the NY team should get the upper hand of a Sixers team whose offence will heavily struggle in here in a slow paced game. I’m taking the Knicks tonight.
JOE GAVAZZI
Houston Rockets at Golden St. Warriors (-8) 10:35 ET ESPN
2* Take: Golden State (-8)
At 10:35 ET, the Houston Rockets will lineup against the Golden St. Warriors as the nation watches on ESPN. Last year, Houston was in control of the series winning 2/3 games. But, this year the tables have turned. Already these teams have met each other on 3 occasions. Golden St. has been absolutely dominant all 3 times. The victories have come by counts of 98-87 at Houston, 105-93 at Golden St. then 131-106 this past Sunday at Houston. Houston could be excused for the earlier defeats, as Howard was injured for both those contests. On Sunday, he was back in the lineup, posting 23/10. But, the Warriors’ offense was too much as they shot 55% from the field, led by 27 apiece from Curry and Thompson. That sets the stage for the final meeting of the year between these two. Our question is whether Golden St. continues their dominance or if Houston gets a measure of revenge. Let’s take a look inside each of these teams for the answer.
Houston is tied with Dallas for the 4th spot in the West. That is exactly the position they were in at the close of last season. They have improved, however, on the defensive side of the ball where they allow just 98 PPG compared to 103 PPG LY. With better defense has come a better road record at 14-6 SU. But, they have struggled in this rare role, posting a 0-2 ATS record as road dog of 4 or more points. Howard and Harden are the name players but hard-working interior force Ariza and PG Beverly also deserve much of the credit. Houston enters off a bounce back win at home vs. Indiana on Monday night (110-98). But, that does not provide enough confidence.
Golden St. has been a solid playoff team each of the last 2 seasons with 47 wins two years ago and 51 wins last year in the regular season. That was good for 6th place in the West. This season, Golden St. has taken it to a whole new level under 1st year HC Kerr. Their offense is averaging 110 PPG, the best in the NBA. Their 11.7 PPG margin of victory is more than 5 points better than No. 2 Portland. The splash brothers, Curry and Thompson, get the ink for their Rainbow jumpers, but Bogut, Barnes and Lee are meaningful contributors on both ends of the floor. Along the way, Golden St. has amassed some solid numbers. Consider the following: they are 25-7 ATS as a favorite this year. Golden St. has won 10/11 recent games with their last 9 victories all coming by double digits. Their previous victory came Monday night on this floor by a count of 122-79 against Denver. That was their 16th consecutive home court victory.
All signs to point to a momentum victory by Golden St. They have the favorite/dog dichotomy, the momentum of their recent winning streak and a proven history of the ability to dominate this opponent this season. Must lay what is a reasonable number at home with the best team in the NBA.
Houston Rockets at Golden St. Warriors (-8) 10:35 ET ESPN
2* Take: Golden State (-8)
At 10:35 ET, the Houston Rockets will lineup against the Golden St. Warriors as the nation watches on ESPN. Last year, Houston was in control of the series winning 2/3 games. But, this year the tables have turned. Already these teams have met each other on 3 occasions. Golden St. has been absolutely dominant all 3 times. The victories have come by counts of 98-87 at Houston, 105-93 at Golden St. then 131-106 this past Sunday at Houston. Houston could be excused for the earlier defeats, as Howard was injured for both those contests. On Sunday, he was back in the lineup, posting 23/10. But, the Warriors’ offense was too much as they shot 55% from the field, led by 27 apiece from Curry and Thompson. That sets the stage for the final meeting of the year between these two. Our question is whether Golden St. continues their dominance or if Houston gets a measure of revenge. Let’s take a look inside each of these teams for the answer.
Houston is tied with Dallas for the 4th spot in the West. That is exactly the position they were in at the close of last season. They have improved, however, on the defensive side of the ball where they allow just 98 PPG compared to 103 PPG LY. With better defense has come a better road record at 14-6 SU. But, they have struggled in this rare role, posting a 0-2 ATS record as road dog of 4 or more points. Howard and Harden are the name players but hard-working interior force Ariza and PG Beverly also deserve much of the credit. Houston enters off a bounce back win at home vs. Indiana on Monday night (110-98). But, that does not provide enough confidence.
Golden St. has been a solid playoff team each of the last 2 seasons with 47 wins two years ago and 51 wins last year in the regular season. That was good for 6th place in the West. This season, Golden St. has taken it to a whole new level under 1st year HC Kerr. Their offense is averaging 110 PPG, the best in the NBA. Their 11.7 PPG margin of victory is more than 5 points better than No. 2 Portland. The splash brothers, Curry and Thompson, get the ink for their Rainbow jumpers, but Bogut, Barnes and Lee are meaningful contributors on both ends of the floor. Along the way, Golden St. has amassed some solid numbers. Consider the following: they are 25-7 ATS as a favorite this year. Golden St. has won 10/11 recent games with their last 9 victories all coming by double digits. Their previous victory came Monday night on this floor by a count of 122-79 against Denver. That was their 16th consecutive home court victory.
All signs to point to a momentum victory by Golden St. They have the favorite/dog dichotomy, the momentum of their recent winning streak and a proven history of the ability to dominate this opponent this season. Must lay what is a reasonable number at home with the best team in the NBA.
HARRY BONDI
NBA FREE PICK
PHILADELPHIA (+2) over NY Knicks
7:05 p.m. ET
Let’s hold our noses and cash another NBA winner with Philadelphia! The Knicks finally got a win Monday beating New Orleans to snap a franchise record 16 game losing streak but it’s to much to ask this bunch of Knicks to win two in a row even if they opponent is the dreadful 76er’s. New York is 2-19 on the road this year and the underdog has covered the last four games in this series. Let’s make it 5 tonight take Philly!
NBA FREE PICK
PHILADELPHIA (+2) over NY Knicks
7:05 p.m. ET
Let’s hold our noses and cash another NBA winner with Philadelphia! The Knicks finally got a win Monday beating New Orleans to snap a franchise record 16 game losing streak but it’s to much to ask this bunch of Knicks to win two in a row even if they opponent is the dreadful 76er’s. New York is 2-19 on the road this year and the underdog has covered the last four games in this series. Let’s make it 5 tonight take Philly!
Wunderdog Sports Free Pick
NBA Game: Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks
Time: Wednesday 01/21 7:35 PM Eastern
Pick: Indiana +11.5 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks have been on fire, and have run their streak without a loss to 13 straight games. They may seem like an automatic choice, but teams on a 13-game winning streak in the NBA are less than .500 in their next game, as they become over-valued. The Pacers find themselves in a very healthy spot, as they have been the premeir team in the NBA when coming off a road loss. Indiana has been very special in this spot, as they have put together a 104-65 ATS mark in their last 169 games following a loss, and find themselves in strong overlay position because of the Hawks’ very impressive run, but the numbers show it is more of a negative than a positive at this stage. Take the points on Indiana.
NBA Game: Indiana Pacers @ Atlanta Hawks
Time: Wednesday 01/21 7:35 PM Eastern
Pick: Indiana +11.5 (-110)
The Atlanta Hawks have been on fire, and have run their streak without a loss to 13 straight games. They may seem like an automatic choice, but teams on a 13-game winning streak in the NBA are less than .500 in their next game, as they become over-valued. The Pacers find themselves in a very healthy spot, as they have been the premeir team in the NBA when coming off a road loss. Indiana has been very special in this spot, as they have put together a 104-65 ATS mark in their last 169 games following a loss, and find themselves in strong overlay position because of the Hawks’ very impressive run, but the numbers show it is more of a negative than a positive at this stage. Take the points on Indiana.
