Wunderdog
Game: Minnesota at Washington (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Washington -5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Game: Utah at New Orleans (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on New Orleans +4 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Game: Atlanta at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 196.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Game: Minnesota at Washington (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Washington -5 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Game: Utah at New Orleans (7:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on New Orleans +4 (-110) (risk 3 to win 2.7)
Game: Atlanta at Los Angeles Clippers (10:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: 3 units on Game Total OVER 196.5 -110 (risk 3 to win 2.7)
DON BEST STEAM
10:15:54am 2010-02-17 793 Wyoming +21
9:44:35am 2010-02-17 750 Western Michigan Over 145
9:34:50am 2010-02-17 818 Elon -3
9:00:20am 2010-02-17 729 Florida State +1½
8:51:35am 2010-02-17 718 Dallas Under 218
8:41:54am 2010-02-17 704 Washington -4
8:41:27am 2010-02-17 726 Louisville Under 152
8:22:33am 2010-02-17 704 Washington Over 204
8:14:14am 2010-02-17 702 Toronto Over 216
8:08:14am 2010-02-17 720 Golden State -4
10:15:54am 2010-02-17 793 Wyoming +21
9:44:35am 2010-02-17 750 Western Michigan Over 145
9:34:50am 2010-02-17 818 Elon -3
9:00:20am 2010-02-17 729 Florida State +1½
8:51:35am 2010-02-17 718 Dallas Under 218
8:41:54am 2010-02-17 704 Washington -4
8:41:27am 2010-02-17 726 Louisville Under 152
8:22:33am 2010-02-17 704 Washington Over 204
8:14:14am 2010-02-17 702 Toronto Over 216
8:08:14am 2010-02-17 720 Golden State -4
ROBERT FERRINGO
1.5-Unit Play. Take #783 Maryland (-4) over N.C. State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #757 Akron (+1) over Miami, OH (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #788 Colorado (-4) over Oklahoma (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #766 Iowa State (+2) over Oklahoma State (8 p.m., Wednesday,
1-Unit Play. Take #792 Arkansas (-3.5) over South Carolina (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.
0.5-Unit Play. Take #786 Missouri (-2.5) over Texas (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #754 Ball State (+1) over Central Michigan (7 p.m., Wednesday,
0.5-Unit Play. Take #730 Virginia (-1) over Florida State (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.
0.5-Unit Play. Take #775 UAB (Pk) over Southern Miss (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #781 Penn State (+7) over Northwestern (8:30 p.m., Wednesday,
0.5-Unit Play. Take #821 Jacksonville State (Pk) over Tennessee State (8 p.m.,
2 TEAM 5 POINT TEASERS
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #795 Missouri State (+10) over Illinois State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #804 Nevada (-3.5) over Fresno State (10 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #768 Wichita State (-13) over Evansville (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #736 Kansas State (9.5) over Nebraska (7 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #783 Maryland (+1) over N.C. State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #809 Louisiana Tech (+16) over Utah State (11 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #752 Buffalo (-3.5) over Bowling Green (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #804 Nevada (-3.5) over Fresno State (10 p.m.,
1.5-Unit Play. Take #783 Maryland (-4) over N.C. State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #757 Akron (+1) over Miami, OH (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #788 Colorado (-4) over Oklahoma (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
1-Unit Play. Take #766 Iowa State (+2) over Oklahoma State (8 p.m., Wednesday,
1-Unit Play. Take #792 Arkansas (-3.5) over South Carolina (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.
0.5-Unit Play. Take #786 Missouri (-2.5) over Texas (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #754 Ball State (+1) over Central Michigan (7 p.m., Wednesday,
0.5-Unit Play. Take #730 Virginia (-1) over Florida State (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb.
0.5-Unit Play. Take #775 UAB (Pk) over Southern Miss (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17)
0.5-Unit Play. Take #781 Penn State (+7) over Northwestern (8:30 p.m., Wednesday,
0.5-Unit Play. Take #821 Jacksonville State (Pk) over Tennessee State (8 p.m.,
2 TEAM 5 POINT TEASERS
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #795 Missouri State (+10) over Illinois State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #804 Nevada (-3.5) over Fresno State (10 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #768 Wichita State (-13) over Evansville (8 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #736 Kansas State (9.5) over Nebraska (7 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #783 Maryland (+1) over N.C. State (9 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #809 Louisiana Tech (+16) over Utah State (11 p.m.,
0.5-Unit Play. TEASER: Take #752 Buffalo (-3.5) over Bowling Green (7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17) AND Take #804 Nevada (-3.5) over Fresno State (10 p.m.,
SPORTS WAGERS
Utah –3 over NEW ORLEANS
Have to figure that these teams playing back-to-back after the break have a nice edge over those that have been off for 5-7 days. Case in point are these Jazz, who played in Houston last night and won by nine. It also doesn’t hurt that the Jazz were the hottest team going into the break with 14 wins in its past 16 games while the Hornets had lost four of six. New Orleans has been off for a full week and asking them to return to play the Jazz and stay within this range is a tall task and one that they’re unlikely to succeed at. Utah is hot as a firecracker and raring to go, as all teams are that are sizzling. Play: Utah –3 (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
Detroit +11½ over ORLANDO
In staying with the same theory that teams playing back-to-back have an edge over those that have been off for a week, the Pistons come in here off an easy win last night over the T-Wolves. Now, the T-Wolves aren’t much and the Pistons will take a giant step up in class, however, they always play these Magic tough no matter what the situation. In fact, you have to go way back to May of ‘08 to find the last time the Magic beat the Pistons by more than the points offered here. The Pistons have stayed within this margin eight straight games against the Magic, including three times already this year. The Pistons are completely healthy and could definitely make this one scary close. Play: Detroit+11½ (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
Minnesota +4½/+1.64 over WASHINGTON
Let’s split this one up and play the T-Wolves straight up for a unit and take the points straight up for the other unit. Without sounding redundant, the Wolves played last night while the Wiz did not and this number is low enough to suggest the oddsmakers give these guests a helluva shot. The T-Wolves were coming on a bit with four straight wins right before they lost its final three before the break. This is a team that could absolutely do some damage against teams that aren’t ready or that take them too lightly, as they have a slew of good shooters and are very capable of nailing those open J’s. The Wizards offer up very little as the chalk, as they’re capable of losing to anyone and with very little depth and with a bunch of guys that usually go cold during the game for prolonged stretches, they’re extremely ripe to get beat on any night. This is one of those nights. Play Minnesota +1.64 (Risking 1 unit). Play: Minnesota +4½ (Risking 1.07 units to win 1).
Utah –3 over NEW ORLEANS
Have to figure that these teams playing back-to-back after the break have a nice edge over those that have been off for 5-7 days. Case in point are these Jazz, who played in Houston last night and won by nine. It also doesn’t hurt that the Jazz were the hottest team going into the break with 14 wins in its past 16 games while the Hornets had lost four of six. New Orleans has been off for a full week and asking them to return to play the Jazz and stay within this range is a tall task and one that they’re unlikely to succeed at. Utah is hot as a firecracker and raring to go, as all teams are that are sizzling. Play: Utah –3 (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
Detroit +11½ over ORLANDO
In staying with the same theory that teams playing back-to-back have an edge over those that have been off for a week, the Pistons come in here off an easy win last night over the T-Wolves. Now, the T-Wolves aren’t much and the Pistons will take a giant step up in class, however, they always play these Magic tough no matter what the situation. In fact, you have to go way back to May of ‘08 to find the last time the Magic beat the Pistons by more than the points offered here. The Pistons have stayed within this margin eight straight games against the Magic, including three times already this year. The Pistons are completely healthy and could definitely make this one scary close. Play: Detroit+11½ (Risking 2.14 units to win 2).
Minnesota +4½/+1.64 over WASHINGTON
Let’s split this one up and play the T-Wolves straight up for a unit and take the points straight up for the other unit. Without sounding redundant, the Wolves played last night while the Wiz did not and this number is low enough to suggest the oddsmakers give these guests a helluva shot. The T-Wolves were coming on a bit with four straight wins right before they lost its final three before the break. This is a team that could absolutely do some damage against teams that aren’t ready or that take them too lightly, as they have a slew of good shooters and are very capable of nailing those open J’s. The Wizards offer up very little as the chalk, as they’re capable of losing to anyone and with very little depth and with a bunch of guys that usually go cold during the game for prolonged stretches, they’re extremely ripe to get beat on any night. This is one of those nights. Play Minnesota +1.64 (Risking 1 unit). Play: Minnesota +4½ (Risking 1.07 units to win 1).
KEVIN ROGERS
Rockets at Bucks
Pick: Bucks -5
The Rockets are coming off a tough home loss last night to the Jazz, as Houston hits the road to battle the Bucks. Milwaukee has done extremely well against teams coming off losses in each of their last two games, compiling a 10-3 SU/ATS mark against clubs in that losing funk. Also, the Bucks are 14-4 ATS and 13-5 SU against teams on no rest this season. The Rockets have struggled in many facets recently ATS, including a 2-7 ATS mark as a road underdog. The Bucks fell to the Rockets in overtime in Houston back on MLK day, and have their sights set on the playoffs. I'll lay the points in this spot with Milwaukee to beat Houston.
Rockets at Bucks
Pick: Bucks -5
The Rockets are coming off a tough home loss last night to the Jazz, as Houston hits the road to battle the Bucks. Milwaukee has done extremely well against teams coming off losses in each of their last two games, compiling a 10-3 SU/ATS mark against clubs in that losing funk. Also, the Bucks are 14-4 ATS and 13-5 SU against teams on no rest this season. The Rockets have struggled in many facets recently ATS, including a 2-7 ATS mark as a road underdog. The Bucks fell to the Rockets in overtime in Houston back on MLK day, and have their sights set on the playoffs. I'll lay the points in this spot with Milwaukee to beat Houston.
Jeff Benton
Wednesday's Action
30 Dime: PHOENIX SUNS
Suns
This play shouldn’t surprise you in the least, because for the last several weeks, I’ve been going against the Mavericks every time they play at home. And these numbers will tell you why: Dallas is 1-17 ATS in its last 18 home games. That one spread-cover? It came as a 3½-point home UNDERDOG against the Cavaliers. That means the Mavs have failed to cover in 17 straight games as a home favorite! Think about that for a second: A 17-game non-covering streak when laying points at home. That is almost impossible to believe.
You know the last time Dallas covered a pointspread as a home chalk? Nov. 18, and that was a 99-94 overtime victory over San Antonio as a three-point chalk.
Take away the seven-point upset win over the Cavaliers, and the Mavericks have just one home win by more than five points since Nov. 10 (that was a 9-point victory over Golden State as a 12-point favorite on Feb. 3). And it’s not like they’ve been hosting one playoff team after another. Sure, some of the teams that have visited Dallas recently have been the Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Blazers, Cavaliers, Thunder, Spurs and Hawks. But there also have been games against such NBA also-rans as Minnesota, Golden State, Milwaukee, Detroit, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Sacramento.
Phoenix is one of the teams that has walked out of Dallas with a spread-cover this year, as the Suns lost 102-101 as a 4½-point underdog back on Dec. 8. Then at the end of last month, these teams met in Phoenix, and the Suns rallied for a 112-106 win as a two-point home favorite.
That Jan. 28 home win over Dallas sparked a five-game SU and ATS winning streak for the Suns, and after last night’s impressive 14-point win in Memphis, they’re now on a 6-1 SU and ATS winning streak, including 5-0 SU and ATS on the road! Phoenix is also 4-1 ATS in its last five against Southwest Division teams and it has cashed in seven of its last 10 as a small underdog (less than five points). Compare that with the Mavericks, who suffered a 13-point loss at Oklahoma City last night, so in addition to their 1-17 ATS slump at home (0-17 ATS as a home favorite), they’re in pointspread slumps of 7-20 overall, 2-6 when playing on back-to-back nights and 0-5 against opponents that have a winning overall record.
Bottom line: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, until Dallas proves it can cover a pointspread as a home favorite, I’m going to keep going against them, regardless of the opponent. And in this case, when it’s a quality opponent like Phoenix, this is as big a no-brainer as it gets. Take the points – but don’t be surprised if the Suns win this thing outright (after all, Dallas is just 3-4 SU in its last seven home games).
:toast:~~:<<
Wednesday's Action
30 Dime: PHOENIX SUNS
Suns
This play shouldn’t surprise you in the least, because for the last several weeks, I’ve been going against the Mavericks every time they play at home. And these numbers will tell you why: Dallas is 1-17 ATS in its last 18 home games. That one spread-cover? It came as a 3½-point home UNDERDOG against the Cavaliers. That means the Mavs have failed to cover in 17 straight games as a home favorite! Think about that for a second: A 17-game non-covering streak when laying points at home. That is almost impossible to believe.
You know the last time Dallas covered a pointspread as a home chalk? Nov. 18, and that was a 99-94 overtime victory over San Antonio as a three-point chalk.
Take away the seven-point upset win over the Cavaliers, and the Mavericks have just one home win by more than five points since Nov. 10 (that was a 9-point victory over Golden State as a 12-point favorite on Feb. 3). And it’s not like they’ve been hosting one playoff team after another. Sure, some of the teams that have visited Dallas recently have been the Lakers, Jazz, Nuggets, Blazers, Cavaliers, Thunder, Spurs and Hawks. But there also have been games against such NBA also-rans as Minnesota, Golden State, Milwaukee, Detroit, Memphis, Houston, New Orleans, Charlotte, Philadelphia and Sacramento.
Phoenix is one of the teams that has walked out of Dallas with a spread-cover this year, as the Suns lost 102-101 as a 4½-point underdog back on Dec. 8. Then at the end of last month, these teams met in Phoenix, and the Suns rallied for a 112-106 win as a two-point home favorite.
That Jan. 28 home win over Dallas sparked a five-game SU and ATS winning streak for the Suns, and after last night’s impressive 14-point win in Memphis, they’re now on a 6-1 SU and ATS winning streak, including 5-0 SU and ATS on the road! Phoenix is also 4-1 ATS in its last five against Southwest Division teams and it has cashed in seven of its last 10 as a small underdog (less than five points). Compare that with the Mavericks, who suffered a 13-point loss at Oklahoma City last night, so in addition to their 1-17 ATS slump at home (0-17 ATS as a home favorite), they’re in pointspread slumps of 7-20 overall, 2-6 when playing on back-to-back nights and 0-5 against opponents that have a winning overall record.
Bottom line: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, until Dallas proves it can cover a pointspread as a home favorite, I’m going to keep going against them, regardless of the opponent. And in this case, when it’s a quality opponent like Phoenix, this is as big a no-brainer as it gets. Take the points – but don’t be surprised if the Suns win this thing outright (after all, Dallas is just 3-4 SU in its last seven home games).
:toast:~~:<<
