Thursday 2/5/15 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

PGA Tour heads to Torrey Pines

Tournament: Farmers Insurance Open
Date: Feb. 5 - Feb. 8
Venue: Torrey Pines GC
Location: San Diego, CA

The PGA continues its west coast swing when they head to historic Torrey Pines Golf Course for the Farmers Insurance Open this week. They’ve been playing this tourney at Torrey Pines for the past 46 years and the duo of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson have combined for 10 victories in this event since 1993. Woods has owned this course, winning five times in the past 11 years as he also took down the 2008 U.S. Open when it was held here.

His recent struggles should open the door for plenty of other top golfers to fight for the top spot come Sunday as 13 players from the top-25 head to San Diego, with Justin Rose (5th in OWGR) being the top ranked. Last season, Scott Stallings won with a score of nine-under, just ousting five other golfers by a single stroke; including Aussies Jason Day and Marc Leishman. Stallings’ score was the worst for a winner here since the 1979 event as each of the previous four victors before Stallings had a score of 13-under or better.

Let’s take a look through the field and highlight a few players who have a great chance at hoisting a trophy come the end of the weekend.

Golfers to Watch

Jason Day (12/1): Day doesn’t always play a ton of events in the states, but is almost a guarantee to make the cut when he does, getting to the weekend in 34-of-35 tournaments since the start of the 2013 campaign as he’s earned seven top-three finishes over that period. With Torrey Pines being one of the longer courses on tour (7,659 yards), Day’s ability to crush the ball (300.3 yards per, 28th on tour) will get him into position to stick some greens, which he has done so with efficiency (77.1%, best on tour) over two U.S. events this year. Day should be near the top of the leaderboard once again and go for his third straight top-10 finish in this tourney.

Brandt Snedeker (23/1): Snedeker has had no issues navigating this course in the past, and besides a missed cut in last year’s installment, he has placed in the top-10 in each of the last four tries; including being the winner or runner-up three times. He also seems to be getting his stroke back after a down year, by his standards, in 2014 after placing 10th in three of the past four events behind his tremendous putting (.532 strokes-gained putting, 37th on tour) which has allowed him to one-putt 46.5% of the time (3rd on tour).

Shane Lowry (130/1): Lowry does not get across the pond much with just 13 events played in the U.S. since the beginning of the 2013 season. He has two top-10 finishes in those tourneys and has been tearing up the European tour in the meantime with a top-16 placing in eight of his last 11 outings as he’s jumped to 45th in the World Golf Rankings. Look for the Irishmen to really start turning heads on the PGA tour this week.

Pat Perez (110/1): Perez is a risky pick as he can go off any week, but also can string together poor performances and miss plenty of cuts. He’s been on his game of late, though, with five straight made cuts and placed 30th or better in his last three tourneys. His love of this course is evident as he has done no worse than 22nd since 2011 and was one of the five players to come in with an eight-under, second-place finish last year.

Farmers Insurance Open Betting Odds

Jordan Spieth 11/1
Jason Day 12/1
Jimmy Walker 13/1
Hideki Matsuyama 18/1
Justin Rose 22/1
Brandt Snedeker 23/1
Rickie Fowler 23/1
Brooks Koepka 24/1
Phil Mickelson 28/1
Bill Haas 30/1
Dustin Johnson 30/1
Justin Thomas 30/1
Gary Woodland 35/1
Marc Leishman 35/1
Chris Kirk 40/1
Billy Horschel 45/1
Keegan Bradley 45/1
Tiger Woods 45/1
Charley Hoffman 50/1
Harris English 50/1
Martin Laird 60/1
Brendan Steele 65/1
K.J. Choi 65/1
Nick Watney 70/1
Paul Casey 75/1
Seung-Yul Noh 75/1
Jamie Donaldson 80/1
Kevin Chappell 80/1
Luke Donald 80/1
Russell Knox 80/1
Scott Piercy 80/1
Charles Howell III 100/1
Aaron Baddeley 110/1
Ian Poulter 110/1
Pat Perez 110/1
Rory Sabbatini 110/1
Tony Finau 110/1
Erik Compton 120/1
Freddie Jacobson 120/1
Shane Lowry 120/1
Ben Martin 130/1
John Peterson 130/1
Morgan Hoffmann 130/1
Sang-Moon Bae 130/1
Scott Stallings 140/1
Angel Cabrera 150/1
Brendon de Jonge 150/1
Andrew Svoboda 160/1
John Senden 160/1
Ryo Ishikawa 160/1
Jonas Blixt 190/1
Cameron Tringale 210/1
Camilo Villegas 210/1
J.B. Holmes 210/1
Bill Lunde 220/1
Brian Harman 220/1
Brian Stuard 220/1
Michael Putnam 230/1
Daniel Berger 240/1
Adam Hadwin 250/1
Alex Cejka 250/1
Alex Prugh 250/1
Andres Gonzales 250/1
Andres Romero 250/1
Andrew Putnam 250/1
Ben Crane 250/1
Blayne Barber 250/1
Brian Davis 250/1
Brice Garnett 250/1
Bryce Molder 250/1
Cameron Percy 250/1
Carl Pettersson 250/1
Carlos Ortiz 250/1
Carlos Sainz Jr. 250/1
Chad Campbell 250/1
Chad Collins 250/1
Charlie Beljan 250/1
Chris Williams 250/1
Colt Knost 250/1
D.A. Points 250/1
Danny Lee 250/1
David Lingmerth 250/1
David Toms 250/1
Fabian Gomez 250/1
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano 250/1
Greg Owen 250/1
Heath Slocum 250/1
Hudson Swafford 250/1
J.J. Henry 250/1
James Hahn 250/1
Jason Gore 250/1
Jeff Overton 250/1
Jhonattan Vegas 250/1
Jim Herman 250/1
John Huh 250/1
John Merrick 250/1
Justin Leonard 250/1
Ken Duke 250/1
Kyle Reifers 250/1
Kyle Stanley 250/1
Lucas Glover 250/1
Luke Guthrie 250/1
Mark Hubbard 250/1
Martin Flores 250/1
Matt Every 250/1
Max Homa 250/1
Michael Thompson 250/1
Nicholas Thompson 250/1
Padraig Harrington 250/1
Retief Goosen 250/1
Richard Sterne 250/1
Robert Allenby 250/1
Robert Garrigus 250/1
Scott Brown 250/1
Scott Pinckney 250/1
Sean O'Hair 250/1
Spencer Levin 250/1
Steve Wheatcroft 250/1
Steven Bowditch 250/1
Stewart Cink 250/1
Stuart Appleby 250/1
Sung Joon Park 250/1
Troy Merritt 250/1
Zac Blair 250/1

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Betting the 2015 Oscars

87th Academy Awards (2/22/14)

Odds to win Best Picture

Boyhood 2/3
Birdman 5/6
The Grand Budapest Hotel 20/1
American Sniper 30/1
The Imitation Game 40/1
Whiplash 50/1
Theory of Everything 60/1
Selma 75/1

How to Read the Odds:
Ex. Bet $100 on Boyhood (2/3) to win $66
Ex. Bet $100 on Amercian Sniper (30/1) to win $3,000

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB Thursday's Top Action

IOWA HAWKEYES (13-8) at MICHIGAN WOLVERINES (13-9)

Crisler Center – Ann Arbor, MI
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. ET
Line N/A

Two Big Ten teams that started off the season with so much promise (both preseason top-25) look for a win with Michigan hosting Iowa Thursday.

This long-standing, Big Ten rivalry features one team that seems to be finding its identity -- oddly enough after losing arguably their two best players (Michigan) versus a team that’s completely lost their identity (Iowa). Due to injuries to arguably their two best players, G Caris LeVert and G Derrick Walton, Michigan has banded together to play some of their best basketball of late. They’re 3-2 SU in their past five and only overtime losses (at home to No.5 Wisconsin, and at Michigan State on Sunday) in which the Wolverines have easily covered have kept them from being a surprising 4-0 without LeVert.

Michigan – at full strength – went 2-7-1 ATS in November and December. Flip the calendar and Michigan, with mix-and-match lineups, has gone 6-3 ATS (7-3 ATS in conference; Dec 30 vs Illinois). Iowa, on the other hand, is simply an absolute mess right now, dropping (and not covering) their last three contests – two of them at the hands of Wisconsin. At least the Hawkeyes have consistency going for them in conference play: 4-4 SU, 4-4 ATS; all wins are covers. They actually have not covered when dealt with a SU loss once all season, and only failed to cover in two of their 12 Division 1 wins.

Michigan is 4-1 SU (4-1 ATS) at home in conference, while Iowa is 2-2 SU (2-2 ATS) on the road in conference, as their SU results usually yield the same ATS result. Iowa hasn’t covered once this season with a SU loss. Michigan is 5-0 SU (4-1 ATS) in their past five home contests versus Iowa dating back to 2010. As mentioned earlier, Michigan will be without leading scorer Caris LeVert (14.9 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 3.7 APG) as they have been for the past four games, as he’s out for the season (foot). Derrick Walton (10.7 PPG, 4.7 RPG, 3.0 APG) has missed the last three contests for the Wolverines with an ankle injury and is out indefinitely.

In early December, things were looking up for the Iowa Hawkeyes. They’d just went on the road to Chapel Hill and stunned then No. 12 North Carolina in the ACC-Big Ten challenge. Their best asset, piling up points from the line (24.4 FTDist%, 22nd NCAA; 74.1 FT%, 24th NCAA) was in full display as F’s Aaron White (15 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 52% FG, 80% FT) and Jarrod Uthoff (11.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG, 1.5 BPG) had typical White and Uthoff games (White went 0-6 from the field but 10-10 from the line, getting all of North Carolina’s big men in foul trouble. Uthoff went 2-13 from the field, but grabbed 11 rebounds and blocked 5 shots). After what seemed to be a demoralizing home loss to in-state rival Iowa State, Iowa got off the mat again and rose to the occasion, beating then No. 20 Ohio State on the road. It’s fair to ask, though, after three straight conference losses (two to Wisconsin by a combined 33 points) can the Hawkeyes get off the mat again one last time, or is postseason play in jeopardy?

In White, Uthoff, Gabriel Olaseni (8.6 PPG, 1.8 BPG) and Adam Woodbury (6.9 PPG, 5.4 RPG), the Hawkeyes have a pair of versatile 6-foot-9 forwards, one 6-foot-10 sixth man, and a 7-foot-1 center, respectfully. This could be a blessing and a curse versus the smaller Michigan, as John Beilein’s patient, guard oriented offense featuring back-cuts and perimeter shooting can be a nightmare for bigger teams to match up with. However, being #2 in the Big Ten in rebounding – first in the conference on the offensive glass (37.5 RPG, 48th NCAA; 13 ORPG, 33rd NCAA) versus Michigan’s Big Ten-worst 31.8 RPG average could be an area to exploit. Michigan State grabbed 13 offensive boards on their way to a +14 rebounding margin in their OT win over the Wolverines on Sunday, and you can be sure that Coach Fran McCaffery is analyzing that tape and licking his chops.

As good as they are at crashing the glass, Iowa is not going to beat Michigan from deep (31.8% threes, 262nd NCAA). Iowa boasts just one player (Uthoff) who hits more than one three per game, and he’s been a bit trigger-shy lately (just 8.5 PPG in his last four games). Iowa also doesn’t get much production out of its backcourt (G Mike Gesell, Peter Jok, Anthony Clemmons and Josh Oglesby barely combine to score more PPG than Big Ten scoring leader, D.J. Newbill from Penn State).

Speaking of early December victories, the then-top-25 Michigan Wolverines wouldn’t know where to begin. You’ll remember that Wolverine team which featured future NBA first-round draft pick, G Caris LeVert and up-and-coming sophomore G Derrick Walton. That John Beilein-led squad managed to drop home tilts to NJIT (Dec. 3) and Eastern Michigan four days later. Fast forward to Big Ten conference play, where no pundit expected a team decimated by injuries, relying on G Muhammad-Ali Abdur-Rahkman (3.1 PPG, 3 DNP-CD, non-conference season high minutes – 12 versus Nicholls State) to compete with the likes of Wisconsin and Michigan State. Compete they did, taking the Badgers and Spartans to overtime while beating Rutgers and Nebraska (Abdur-Rahkman being the star on Sunday versus the Spartans with 18 points). Toss out everything we think or assume to know about the Wolverines at this point besides the style.

That style, authored by master tactician, Coach John Beilein, stays constant. Michigan is going to be methodical (63.2 poss/gm, 310th NCAA), mistake-free (10 TO/G, 341st NCAA; 14.5 Fouls/game, 343rd NCAA) and work from the outside-in: First looking for open threes, and then catching the overplaying defense with back-cuts for layups. It doesn’t matter if it’s Burke, Stauskas, Hardaway Jr., LeVert or Albrecht, Dawkins, Abdur-Rahkman, Irvin; if Beilein is running the show, it’s going to be effective (36.9% from three, 18th NCAA; 8.0 threes-per-game, 41st NCAA). The fact that Michigan doesn’t beat its self with foul trouble is going to loom large in a matchup versus an Iowa team that depends on free throw production for sustained offense. Given what’s left in the cupboard for Michigan’s roster, it’s fair to ask: Who’s doing the damage for this team? If Walton is somehow healthy enough to play, he’d be the number one offensive option (12 and 17 points in games that LeVert missed). Given his “indefinite” absence, Zak Irvin (13.5 PPG, 2.4 threes-per-game) would seem to be the most logical option as lead dog. That said, Irvin has been solid but unspectacular in a starring role in a four-game sample; he’s scored double-figures in each game, but is struggling with efficiency as a marked man (18-50 FG over that span).

G Spike Albrecht has done a fantastic job filling in for Walton as a starter (seven assists versus Nebraska, 16 points versus Michigan State). The aforementioned Abdur-Rahkman (12 PPG in his last 3 games) and Aubrey Dawkins (8.7 PPG in last 3 games) have been revelations in expanded roles (both averaged single-digit minutes per game in non-conference play) as they’ve proven capable offensive options in the 30+ minutes per game they are forced to play. Steady F Max Bielfeldt, also not one of the headliners in the preseason team preview pages when reading up on the Wolverines, has almost doubled his non-conference averages over the past four games (9.0 PPG, 7.8 RPG). He shares time, often as the lone big man on the floor, in a rotation with fellow F Ricky Doyle (6.2 PPG) who’s seen Bielfeldt take the lion’s share of minutes at that position lately.

IUCLA BRUINS (13-9) at STANFORD CARDINAL (15-6)

Maples Pavilion - Stanford, CA
Tip-off: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. ET
Line N/A

The Bruins look to win their third straight game when they head to Stanford Thursday and take on the Cardinal.

UCLA has now won-and-covered in its last two games after a 72-59 victory over Colorado as 6.5-point home favorites on Saturday. The team is allowing 59.0 PPG over its past two contests and will need to continue that type of defense if it is going to claw its way back onto the NCAA tournament bubble. Stanford, meanwhile, lost 89-88 as nine-point road favorites against Washington State on Saturday. The Cardinal had won-and-covered in its previous two games though, and should be eager to get revenge for an 86-81 double-overtime loss on the road against the Bruins on Jan. 8.

UCLA has gotten the best of Stanford in this head-to-head series recently, winning-and-covering in six of the past seven games played between these teams. Over the past 20 games played in this series, the Bruins are 16-4 SU and 14-5-1 ATS. The Cardinal has, however, won two of the past three games played in Stanford SU in this series. Their most recent meeting was an 83-74 victory for the Cardinal as two-point home underdogs on Feb. 22, 2014. UCLA has, however, still covered in three of the last four games played in Maples Pavilion. Stanford is 10-0 SU this season when playing as a home favorite and 6-3-1 ATS in those contests as well. They have also responded well to ATS losses, as they are 7-1 SU and 5-3 ATS after failing to cover in their previous game. UCLA, meanwhile, is 2-8 SU and ATS when playing as an underdog and 0-4 SU and ATS when doing so on the road. Stanford continues to play without C Grant Verhoeven (Hip), who is out indefinitely. The Bruins have strung together some wins recently, with five victories in their past seven games. They are putting up points offensively with 71.8 PPG (83rd in NCAA), but they are not very efficient (42.3% FG, 242nd in NCAA) in doing so. UCLA also happens to be a mess on the defensive end, allowing 69.1 PPG (253rd in NCAA). One thing that should help them against Stanford is their impressive rebounding, as they are now grabbing 39.6 RPG (16th in NCAA). G Norman Powell (16.1 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 2.1 APG) is this team’s best offensive player. Powell takes it to the rack with the best of them and is an excellent defender as well (2.1 SPG). He was extremely banged up in the home victory over Stanford on Jan. 8, but still finished with 12 points in 30 minutes. He should be much better this time around, as he’s now healthy and has scored 20+ in three straight games.

G Bryce Alford (15.3 PPG, 5.6 APG, 1.1 SPG) struggled in a victory over Colorado on Saturday, finishing with just eight points (2-for-8 FG) in 34 minutes. The point guard had 15 points, four rebounds and four assists in the victory over Stanford at UCLA in their past meeting, and he’ll need to find a way to knock down some shots in this one as well. F Kevon Looney (12.7 PPG, 10.0 RPG) had his breakout performance against Stanford, finishing the game with 27 points (7-for-12 FG, 2-for-3 3PT) and 19 rebounds in 47 minutes of action. Since that game, Looney has scored 10+ points in five of the past six games. He is extremely versatile and his length really gave the Cardinal issues in the Bruins’ win on Jan. 8. F Tony Parker (10.2 PPG, 7.1 RPG) has really struggled for UCLA recently, averaging 4.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG in just 2.0 MPG over the past two games. He’ll need to stay out of foul trouble and provide his team with a post presence or they could lose this one pretty definitively.

Stanford is an extremely balanced team on both ends of the floor, averaging 75.5 PPG (28th in NCAA) on 45.2% shooting (92nd in NCAA). The Cardinal rebound the ball well with 36.4 RPG (84th in NCAA) and allow just 66.9 PPG (187th in NCAA) defensively. G Chasson Randle (20.8 PPG, 1.4 RPG) is an elite scorer for Stanford and can beat teams in a number of ways. He attacks the rim very well, but he is also a marksman from long-range (40% 3PT). Randle is coming off of a 33-point, nine-rebound performance against Washington State and had 32 points in a loss to UCLA earlier in the season. He’s scored 20+ points in six straight games and eight of the past nine for the Cardinal and he’ll be relied on to score in this one as well.

G Anthony Brown (15.9 PPG, 7.1 RPG) is one of the most versatile players in the country and he will give the Bruins a lot of trouble in this game. Brown is lethal from the outside (47% 3PT), but is also a fantastic rebounder for this team. He had 21 points (7-for-17 FG), eight rebounds and four assists against UCLA in their most recent meeting and will need to be a force in this game as well. He is also as consistent as they come, scoring 10+ points in 12 straight games for Stanford. Perhaps the most important player for this team, however, is C Stefan Nastic (14.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.1 BPG). Nastic is a legitimate big man and can score in a number of ways, but he is best around the basket and shooting midrange jumpers. He had 11 points and eight rebounds before fouling out against UCLA in their most recent meeting and the Cardinal needs him to stay out of foul trouble in this game. F Rosco Allen (8.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG) came off the bench to score 14 points and grab seven rebounds in the last meeting between these teams. He is inconsistent offensively, but he has a nice outside shot (40% 3PT) and can swing this game completely if he catches fire.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

College Basketball: Streaks, Tips, Notes -

Cincinnati at Southern Methodist February 5, 09:00 EST

Cincinnati Bearcats and Southern Methodist Mustangs two defensive minded teams buckets will be at a premium. Bearcats allowing a lowly 54.5 PPG on 38.1% shooting, the Mustangs giving up 58.8 PPG on 37.5 % from the field 'Under' is a good choice. These two playing 'Under' in the first meeting and in 2-of-3 encounters since MSU joined the AAC the 'Under' should keep trending as Bearcats are 20-8 'Under' last 28 road games, Mustangs are 11-5 'Under' at home facing a team with a losing road record, 11-4 'Under' last fifteen vs the American Athletic Conference.


Gonzaga Bulldogs at Santa Clara Broncos February 5, 11:00 EST

Playing against Zags netting 80.8 points/game on a nation best 52.7% shooting is a risky proposition, though in this case the amount of supporting betting data in favor of Santa Clara makes it much less risky. Bulldogs have had little bite against the betting line in this series dropping the loot as 24.0 point favorites in the first meeting moving the mark to 0-4 ATS last four encounters. Another flashing red light for Zag backers, the Bulldogs have failed to cash in 6-of-7 trips into Broncos' back yard.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Iowa lost last three games by 32-4-11 points, scoring 58.7 ppg; they've lost last five visits here, by 15-14-14-28-8 points, are 2-8 overall in last ten series games. Hawkeyes are 1-2 as road underdogs, losing on road by 32-4 points after winning at Ohio State/Minnesota. Michigan State won its last four games, but last three were by six or less points ot in OT. Big 14 home favorites of 3 or less points are 11-8 against the spread.

Tulsa (-9) outscored Houston 26-8 on foul line, beat Cougars 72-54 at home Jan 4, despite going 0-10 from arc- they shot 62.2% inside the arc. Hurricane is 2-2 as road favorite, with four of five road wins in league play by 7 or less points. Houston beat UConn for first AAC win; they're 2-7 vs spread in AAC, 1-2 as home underdogs, losing home games by 1-18-3 points. AAC home underdogs of 6 or less points are 4-2 vs spread.

Home side won last five Georgia State-Georgia Southern games; Panthers lost last two visits here, both in OT, but those were non-league contests. Both sides won/covered their last four games; State is 2-2 on road in Sun Belt, with losses by 4-5 points. Southern is 2-1-1 as home favorite, with wins at home by 4-8-37-15 points. Eagles covered seven of last eight. Home teams are 7-17-2 in Sun Belt games with spread of 4 or less points.

SMU is 16-1 in its last 17 games; only loss was 56-50 (-1) at Cincinnati Jan 3; Bearcats shot 59% inside arc that game. Mustangs are 5-0 as home favorites, winning home games by 14+ points; they've won eight games in row since loss in Cincy. Bearcats won four of last five games, but are 1-3 in last four road games, losing by 6-13 points at UConn/Memphis last month, in addition to losing last game at East Carolina. AAC home faves of 6 or less points are 7-3 vs spread.

UCLA is 15-3 in its last 18 games with Stanford; they beat Cardinal by 5 in double OT Jan 8, win that ended Bruins' 5-game skid, started them on current 5-2 streak. Stanford lost that game despite making 15-31 from arc and leading by 14 with 9:57 left. Cardinal is 3-1 at home in Pac-12, with only loss by 7 to Arizona; they're 2-1 as home favorites, with wins by 15-8-19 points. Pac-12 home favorites of 7 or less points are 13-7.

Louisiana Tech won eight of its last nine games, winning last three, all by 13+ points; Bulldogs are 4-1 on C-USA road with four wins by 12+ and only loss at North Texas. Tech (-14) beat UAB 74-71 at home Jan 15; Bulldogs forced 20 turnovers (+9) surviving Blazers making 6-11 on arc, shooting 59% inside arc. UAB won four of last five games, covering all nine league games- they're 5-0 as underdogs, 1-0 at home. C-USA home underdogs of 5 or less points are 5-2 vs spread.

Cal-Irvine won its last six games since losing Big West opener to Long Beach; they've won covered three in row at home since then, winning by 14-10-22 points. Anteaters won their last seven games with Cal-Davis, winning last five in Bren Center by 2-9-7-11-28 points. Davis is 6-1 in conference, with only loss by 8 at Hawai'i- they've won games by 13-11 at Riverside/Fullerton. Big West home favorites of 7+ points are 8-2.

Pepperdine (+15) upset BYU 67-61 in Provo Jan 8, holding Cougars to 26.6% from arc; Waves won two of last three series games after losing first four with BYU, three by 13+. Waves split first four WCC home games, losing to St Mary's/Gonzaga. BYU lost last two road games by 5-3 points at St Mary's/San Diego after winning first three games on road. WCC teams are 6-10 vs spread in games with spread of 5 or less points.

Oregon State is 4-0 at home in Pac-12, winning by 8-2-11-4 points; they allowed average of 53.3 ppg in those games. Beavers won last four games with Washington State, beating Coogs 62-47 in Pullman Jan 17, holding Wazzu 29.2% from floor. Wazzu lost four of last five games, is 2-1-2 as road underdog, losing away games by 15-22-32 points, with wins at Cal, Washington. Pac-12 home favorites of 8+ points are 10-5-2 vs spread.

Quinnipac won nine of last ten games with Monmouth winning 66-61 in first meeting on road Jan 9, after they were down 6 with 10:57 left; they . won three of last four visits to this gym, with two wins by 17+ points. Bobcats are 1-4 as home favorites, losing three of five games SU, and one win over Manhattan by 14. Monmouth won three of last four games, is 1-3 as road underdog. MAAC home favorites of 5 or less are 7-14.

Wofford (-7) beat East Tennessee State 72-64 at home Jan 24, grabbing 13 offensive boards in game they led 30-23 at half. Terriers are 3-1 away from home, with only loss by 3 at Citadel; their road wins are by 3-4-16 points. Buccaneers lost three of last four games, are 4-2 at home, losing to Greensboro/Chattanooga- they're 1-1 as SoCon dogs. East Tennessee is just 1-9-1 vs spread in league. SoCon home underdogs are 8-5 vs spread.

Belmont is 3-2 in OVC games with Eastern Kentucky but got upset by Colonels in OVC tourney last year; teams split two games played here. Bruins won last five games but are 2-2 on OVC road, losing by 11-15 at Eastern Illinois/Murray, winning at Austin Peay/Tenn State. OVC home favorites of less than 5 points are 6-5-1 vs spread. Colonels lost three of last four games; they've split only two OVC home games this season.

Montana fell out of first place tie last week, when they blew 69-61 lead in last 3:08 at Sacramento; Griz won six of last seven games with Eastern Washington- they've beaten Eagles here 10 years in row. Eastern won last three games, is 7-1 in league despite allowing 80+ points in each of last six games- they allowed 87 ppg in winning two of three on Big Sky road. Big Sky home favorites of 4 or less points are 8-6 against the spread.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Newsletter NBA Basketball Prediction From Jason Sharpe

Take #508 Portland -6 over Phoenix (10:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 5)
The Portland Trail Blazers are a much better team when at home than on the road as they look for revenge here in this one. The Blazers came from 25 points down in their last game versus Phoenix just a few weeks ago and almost pulled off the miracle come-from-behind win. Even more impressive was the fact they did it without their best player, LaMarcus Aldridge, who was out of the lineup. That won’t be the case here in this one as they not only have Aldridge back but also have seen the return of big man Robin Lopez here. The Blazers are a much better team with Lopez on the court as evidenced by their 20-6 record with him playing while going just 13-10 without him. Play Portland here.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

BIG AL

Our complimentary selection for Thursday, Feb. 5 is:

Vancouver Canucks over San Jose Sharks.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA Odds and Predictions: Thursday, February 5 Opening Line Report and Handicapping
by Alan Matthews

Before this season began, my NBA Finals predicted matchups was L.A. Clippers against Cleveland Cavaliers. That still may happen, and is priced at +2100 on Sportsbook.ag, but I’m much more confident about the red-hot Cavaliers making it there than the Clippers. It’s not that L.A. isn’t a good team, but that the West is so tough. The Clips could win 55 games and not even get home-court advantage in a series. Thursday is the final meeting between the teams during the regular season. Here’s a look at the four games on the schedule.

Wizards at Hornets (+2.5, 186.5)

Second of a back-to-back for Washington as it played in Atlanta on Wednesday night so it could well enter this on a season-high four-game losing streak. The Wizards hosted the Hornets on Monday and lost 92-88 in the first meeting of the season. Al Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebound and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist 13 points and 13 rebounds. Charlotte forward Marvin Williams returned after missing two games with an injury and was scoreless but had seven rebounds. That win improved Charlotte, which hasn’t played since Monday, to 5-1 since Kemba Walker was lost to knee surgery, and that very much surprises me. His replacement, Brian Roberts, has done a solid job.

Key trends: Washington is 0-4 ATS in the past five meetings. The “over/under” has gone under in the past five.

Early lean: Wizards likely going to be spent after dealing with the high-flying Hawks, win or lose. Take the points and under.



Clippers at Cavaliers (-3.5, 208.5)

This is the TNT opener at 8 p.m. ET. L.A. comes off a puzzling 102-100 loss in Brooklyn on Monday. The Clippers blew a nine-point lead with 1:35 left in the game. The Nets’ Jarrett Jack won it with 1.3 seconds left. DeAndre Jordan had 22 points and 20 rebounds, his first career 20-20 game, but he was just 2-for-12 from the free-throw line. The Clippers finished 8 of 25 (32 percent) from the free-throw line. They and the Nets combined to go 16-for-43 from the charity stripe, the worst combined free-throw percentage in a game in NBA history. Cleveland brings in a season-high 11-game winning streak after falling a game under .500 before that run. The Cavs beat Philly 97-84 on Monday behind 24 points from Kyrie Irving and 18 points and 11 boards from LeBron James. James leads the Eastern Conference in scoring at 28.4 ppg during the winning streak while Irving is No. 3 at 25.8 ppg.

The Clippers hosted the Cavaliers on Jan. 16 and lost 126-121. Irving had 37 points, James 32 and Tristan Thompson 24 points and 12 rebounds. Thompson started because Kevin Love missed the game with a back injury. James became the youngest player in league history to reach 24,000 career points in that one. The Cavaliers shot 55 percent. Blake Griffin had 34 points and 19 rebounds for Los Angeles, while Chris Paul had 15 points and 14 assists. It was a great game to watch, up and down all night. The 126 points given up by the Clippers were a season-worst.

Key trends: The Clippers are 1-5 ATS in their past six vs. the East. The Cavs have covered seven straight vs. the West. The under is 5-1 in L.A.’s past six. It is 6-0 in Cleveland’s past six after a win.

Early lean: Must-see TV here. Cavs and over.



Mavericks at Kings (+3.5, 208.5)

Second of a back-to-back for Dallas as it was in Golden State on Wednesday. Sacramento was looking for its first two-game winning streak since late November but was routed 121-96 at home to Golden State on Tuesday. Here I thought the Kings would show heart there because they had been blown out three times already by the Warriors, but instead Sacramento was outscored 23-0 at one point in the first half. DeMarcus Cousins had 26 points and 11 rebounds. The Mavs are 2-0 vs. the Kings this season. The one in Sacramento finished 108-104 in overtime on Jan. 13. Rajon Rondo, who won’t play in this game because of facial injuries, erased a one-point deficit with a 3-pointer to give Dallas the lead for good at 104-102 with 1:19 remaining. He finished with 21 points. Monta Ellis had 28 points and 10 assists as Dallas rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit. Cousins, who fouled out late in the fourth quarter, had 32 points, 16 rebounds and nine assists. Sacramento lost Rudy Gay, its second-leading scorer, late in the first quarter with a left knee strain. Obviously not having those two in OT really hurt the Kings.

Key trends: The Mavericks are 1-5 ATS in the past six meetings. The under is 5-0 in the past five.

Early lean: Pretty much bet against any team the night after it has to play at Golden State. Thus take the points and go over.



Suns at Trail Blazers (-3.5, 211)

This is the TNT nightcap. Portland ended a three-game losing streak (but didn’t cover) with a 103-102 home win over Utah on Tuesday. Portland welcomed back starting center Robin Lopez, who had been out since fracturing his hand on Dec. 15. He started and had 11 points and six rebounds in 25 minutes. Phoenix has been off since a 102-101 home loss to Memphis on Monday. Markieff Morris tried to get off a game-winning shot, but it was blocked by Grizzlies center Marc Gasol. The Suns were up 101-94 with 1:49 left but obviously didn’t score again. The Suns’ three guards of Eric Bledsoe, Isaiah Thomas and Goran Dragic combined for 60 points. Fellow guard Gerald Green had two turnovers and a foul and took no shots in 3:26 on the floor in the first half and then didn’t see the court again.

Phoenix beat visiting Portland 118-113 on Jan. 21 in the only meeting so far. The Suns gagged away a 25-point second-quarter lead and trailed by five with 2:21 left, but Bledsoe scored seven points in the final 1:38. He finished with a career-high 33 points. Portland was without star big man LaMarcus Aldridge.

Key trends: The Suns are 8-1 in the past nine meetings. The under is 8-2 in the past 10.

Early lean: Blazers and over.