JR TIPS
Suns at Heat
The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have very different styles but they both have undefeated records in which one team won't have after tonight. The Suns rely on a high-scoring offense while the Heat have been using defense to shut down the opposition. Miami will try to contain the Suns after holding its last two opponents below 90 points, including a 95-87 home win over Chicago in their last game on Sunday.
Miami has held its first three opponents to 38.6 percent shooting, including 21.6 from 3-point range and have outrebounded all of their opponents. Dwyane Wade scored 25 points Sunday as the Miami Heat limited the Bulls to 17 points in the fourth quarter although Jermaine O'Neal broke his nose late in that quarter but he won't miss any playing time. Miami will need to score more than the 95.5 points like they have averaged in the last two games as Phoenix will be looking to force Miami to play an up-tempo game. The Suns have given up 100 points in each of their first three games, but they are averaging 117.3 of their own and have reached 120 in their last two games due to their success beyond the arc where the Suns are shooting 52.4 percent. Steve Nash had another solid effort with 25 points and 14 assists while Jason Richardson finished with 23 points. The Suns are looking for their first 4-0 start since 2004-05 although the Heat swept the Suna last season which included a 135-129 victory in Miami led by 35 points from Wade, who is averaging 36.3 in his last three games against Phoenix. Somethings gotta give with these two teams and most of the time it is the always as defense is always steady. The problem for the suns is that the Heat have the best player on the court along with good role players that can score points in an uptempo game as well as play lock down defense when they need too. Defense and home court advantage wins out here.
TAKE MIAMI -3.5
Rob Vinciletti
Bowling Green vs. Buffalo U
Play: Bowling Green +3.5
The Falcons are 6-1 ats on th eroad vs less than .500 teams and have home loss revenge from a 40-34 loss last year. They did win here two years ago as a small dog 31-17. Buffalo is not nearly as good as they were last year and have struggled on defense. Look for Bowling green to get the cover here tonight and maybe win outright. On the Late phone front we look to rebound from a subpar night.On Tuesday I have the NBA non-conference total of the month. This big play has a 13-2 system and a 10-1 Power Angle built into the writeup. Jump on tonight as we make amends for Monday and cash out on the hard wood.
Scott Spreitzer
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Phil Jackson is looking for a complete game by his troops and I believe he'll get it tonight. First of all, nothing like a chance to "bond" away from home. And it's especially nice when your team owns serious matchup advantages. OKC superstar Kevin Durant is likely going to draw specialist Ron Artest, who will take this as a serious challenge. But the Lakers truly own a huge advantage (more than normal) on the offensive end. The Thunder has no one to matchup with Kobe Bryant. Okay, so most teams don't, but OKC may have to defend Kobe with Thabo Sefolosha, according to local OKC reports. Bryant has had his way with the Thunder, and tonight should be no different. OKC started the season with a pair of soft matchups, beating the Pistons and Kings. They lost last time out when the opposing talent stepped up a notch. OKC lost at home to Portland on Sunday, scoring just 74-points on 24 of 70, 34% shooting. The loss dropped OKC to 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games going back to last season, including 1-5 ATS as a dog. The Lakers beat the Thunder by 18-points and 14-points the last two times on this floor. I expect more of the same on Tuesday. I'm laying the points with the Lakers.
__________________
Suns at Heat
The Phoenix Suns and Miami Heat have very different styles but they both have undefeated records in which one team won't have after tonight. The Suns rely on a high-scoring offense while the Heat have been using defense to shut down the opposition. Miami will try to contain the Suns after holding its last two opponents below 90 points, including a 95-87 home win over Chicago in their last game on Sunday.
Miami has held its first three opponents to 38.6 percent shooting, including 21.6 from 3-point range and have outrebounded all of their opponents. Dwyane Wade scored 25 points Sunday as the Miami Heat limited the Bulls to 17 points in the fourth quarter although Jermaine O'Neal broke his nose late in that quarter but he won't miss any playing time. Miami will need to score more than the 95.5 points like they have averaged in the last two games as Phoenix will be looking to force Miami to play an up-tempo game. The Suns have given up 100 points in each of their first three games, but they are averaging 117.3 of their own and have reached 120 in their last two games due to their success beyond the arc where the Suns are shooting 52.4 percent. Steve Nash had another solid effort with 25 points and 14 assists while Jason Richardson finished with 23 points. The Suns are looking for their first 4-0 start since 2004-05 although the Heat swept the Suna last season which included a 135-129 victory in Miami led by 35 points from Wade, who is averaging 36.3 in his last three games against Phoenix. Somethings gotta give with these two teams and most of the time it is the always as defense is always steady. The problem for the suns is that the Heat have the best player on the court along with good role players that can score points in an uptempo game as well as play lock down defense when they need too. Defense and home court advantage wins out here.
TAKE MIAMI -3.5
Rob Vinciletti
Bowling Green vs. Buffalo U
Play: Bowling Green +3.5
The Falcons are 6-1 ats on th eroad vs less than .500 teams and have home loss revenge from a 40-34 loss last year. They did win here two years ago as a small dog 31-17. Buffalo is not nearly as good as they were last year and have struggled on defense. Look for Bowling green to get the cover here tonight and maybe win outright. On the Late phone front we look to rebound from a subpar night.On Tuesday I have the NBA non-conference total of the month. This big play has a 13-2 system and a 10-1 Power Angle built into the writeup. Jump on tonight as we make amends for Monday and cash out on the hard wood.
Scott Spreitzer
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers
Phil Jackson is looking for a complete game by his troops and I believe he'll get it tonight. First of all, nothing like a chance to "bond" away from home. And it's especially nice when your team owns serious matchup advantages. OKC superstar Kevin Durant is likely going to draw specialist Ron Artest, who will take this as a serious challenge. But the Lakers truly own a huge advantage (more than normal) on the offensive end. The Thunder has no one to matchup with Kobe Bryant. Okay, so most teams don't, but OKC may have to defend Kobe with Thabo Sefolosha, according to local OKC reports. Bryant has had his way with the Thunder, and tonight should be no different. OKC started the season with a pair of soft matchups, beating the Pistons and Kings. They lost last time out when the opposing talent stepped up a notch. OKC lost at home to Portland on Sunday, scoring just 74-points on 24 of 70, 34% shooting. The loss dropped OKC to 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games going back to last season, including 1-5 ATS as a dog. The Lakers beat the Thunder by 18-points and 14-points the last two times on this floor. I expect more of the same on Tuesday. I'm laying the points with the Lakers.
__________________
