Randall the Handle
NHL
COLUMBUS -½ +1.02 over Florida Pinnacle
Both of these squads are in a serious funk but these Blue Jackets are just too talented and to well coached to allow this slide to continue much longer. Both teams have dropped eight of its last nine but it appears that the Jackets are much more ready to pop than the Panthers. C-Bus completely dominated the Av’s in its last start after allowing just 19 shots on net. The previous game they held the Leafs to just 25 shots. They lost them both but tonight they’ll be extremely well rested for the first time in a long time, having last played on Saturday. The Panthers, meanwhile, will play its fifth game in the span of a week. They’ve scored just five goals in its last three games, all losses and things will not get any easier tonight against what should be a intensely focused host. Play: Columbus -½ +1.02 (Risking 2 units).
SAN JOSE -½ -1.11 over Los Angeles Pinnacle
The Sharkies also have been off since Saturday and after back-to-back home losses you know this rested squad is going to come out blazing. Furthermore, the Kings, although very warm, will give the start to Erik Ersberg instead of Jonathan Quick and Ersberg has not played in a month and has started just three games this season. In two of those games he’s allowed four goals and in the last game he was pulled after allowing four goals on seven shots. In fact, if you go back to last year he’s allowed four goals against in five of his last six starts. So, what we have here is a rested Sharks squad coming off two losses, at home again facing a rusty goaltender whose confidence is completely shattered. Play: San Jose -½ -1.11 (Risking 2 units).
TAMPA BAY -½ +1.36 over Edmonton Pinnacle
Kudos to the Oilers for an unlikely three-game road winning streak. That’s nice and this Oiler team is one to watch once they get healthy cause they’re going to make life miserable for some playoff hopefuls. However, that’s still a few bodies away from happening and thus, what we have here is an extremely vulnerable visitor that’s breathed a sigh of relief playing a hungry Lightning team is desperate need of a win. Jeff Delauriers is a back-up goalie and likely always will be and that’s one of the reasons this Oiler team is not very capable of going on prolonged winning streaks at the moment. The Lightning have dropped five of six, however, those five losses came against Dallas, Colorado, Boston, New Jersey and the Caps. All five of those opponents have winning records and now the Bolts will take a step down in class, very much in need of a win. Play: Tampa Bay -½ +1.36 (Risking 2 units).
NBA
ATLANTA –10½ over Chicago Pinnacle
10½ points may seem like a lot when in fact it’s not at all when you consider the Bulls recent woes. This invader is playing with nothing right now. They can’t defend, they can’t shoot, its confidence is shot and to top it all off, morale is way down after losing at home last night to the Nets. Now the Bulls will play its fifth game in a week and they’ll play against a Hawks team that is rested and that owns a 14-6 record. The Bulls have dropped eight of its last nine and that includes six double-digit losses. To break it down even more, they have a 19-point loss in Denver, a 24-point loss in Portland, a 19-point loss in Utah, a 32-point home loss to Toronto and yesterday’s loss at home to the Nets. The Hawks have not been as sharp recently but they play great defense always and they’re coming off an impressive road win in Dallas. They’ve won just three of its last seven games so it’s very likely that they’ll come in focused. We already know the Hawks are well rested and if the Bulls keep this one within this range it’ll be rather surprising. Looks like another Bulls implosion. Play: Atlanta –10½ (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).
INDIANA/Portland under 193½ Pinnacle
The Blazers are most definitely in a little trouble right now with a shortened bench and a slew of injured players. Of course the oddmakers know that and it’s one of the reasons you’ll rarely hear the mention of an injury in this space. What’s more significant is that the Blazers are struggling miserably to score points. In fact, they’ve been held to under 100 in five of its last six games and that includes games against the defenseless Grizzlies and Knicks. The Pacers have lots of problems too, as they’ve dropped nine of ten and they’re without Danny Granger, its best player by far. They, too, have been struggling to score and that’s because they just don’t have anyone that can consistently do so. In its last game when Granger was knocked out early, the Pacers scored 72 points at the Clip Joint. Both coaches are very unlikely to want an up-tempo game because both teams don’t have the capabilities right now of making a comeback. An up temp style will result in big runs that neither team wants nor can afford. Play: Indiana/Portland under 193½ (Risking 2.1 units to win 2).
