Jimmy Boyd
3* 28-0 ATS NBA SMASH on Nets +11.5
I stayed away from the Nets as much as possible this season, but now there is starting to be some value in playing them. This is a team that does not want to go down in the history books as the worst ever so they are playing hard right now. As a result, they have covered the spread in 3 straight games. The Mavs are extremely banged up. Terry is out for sure and Barea, Haywood and Dampier all could miss as well. Health is the most important thing this time of year so don't expect the Mavs to play a bunch of banged up guys big minutes just to blowout the worst team in the NBA. Dallas will be content with just squeaking by with a "W" in this spot. With Dallas lacking guard depth due to injuries, look for Harris, the former Mav, to have a big game tonight. Jason Kidd just doesn't have the foot speed to stay with him, especially if he has to play big minutes. The numbers are in our favor as well. The Nets are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 road games, 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 5-0 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. The Mavericks are 3-22-1 ATS in their last 26 games as a home favorite, 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games following a SU win of more than 10 points and 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games as a home favorite of 11.0 or greater. We'll take the points.
Top Play
5* NEC Game of the Year (ESPN 2) on Robert Morris +4.5
With revenge on the mind for an earlier season loss, and with an NCAA Tournament berth on the line, I'll take Robert Morris and the points this evening. Robert Morris appeared to have the league title in the bag until it dropped 2 of its last 3 conference games to Quinnipiac and Mount St. Mary's. Last game, Robert Morris avenged its loss to Mount St. Mary's with an 80-62 blowout win, and I expect the Colonials to win this one outright tonight. Mount St. Mary's had come into the conference tourney as the hottest team in the league, but Robert Morris dominated. You know how the old saying goes, "defense wins championships", and Robert Morris is the more capable defensive team. The Colonials have won 4 of the last 5 and 8 of the last 10 in this series. Quinnipiac may have the home court advantage here, but I don't think it will be enough. Plays against home teams as a favorite or pick, a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after allowing 75 points or more 2 straight games, are 52-25 ATS the last 5 seasons. We'll take Robert Morris and the points.
3* Conference Tourney Line Mistake on Rice +14.5
Rice finished the season with 7 straight defeats so it will be extremely motivated as it looks to play spoiler tonight. Plus, the Owls will not be lacking any confidence after playing Tulsa to a 4-point game earlier this season. With these things in mind, I feel odds makers are asking too much of Tulsa tonight, especially when you consider that they have not won by more than 14 points since January 16th. The Golden Hurricane are just 2-11-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall, 1-11 ATS in their last 12 vs. Conference USA, 1-7-1 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite and 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games as a favorite of 13.0 or greater. Meanwhile, the Owls are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games as an underdog of 13.0 or greater. We'll take the points.
Good luck today everyone!!
Does anyone know if Vic Monte is any good??
