Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
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10-23-19 | Kings -1.5 v. Suns | Top | 95-124 | Loss | -107 | 22 h 12 m | Show |
LATE NIGHT KINGS @ SUNS *TOP PLAY* The Phoenix Suns have finished dead last in the West in three consecutive seasons and accumulated just 19 wins last season. Not much suggests that 2019/2020 will be much better, and I think they'll come up well short here in the season opener against the Sacramento Kings. The Kings slumped at the worst time last season and ended up missing the playoffs by nine games. Still, they won 48% of their games which was a big step forward and they return a talented team that might be able to make another run for the postseason in the stacked Western Conference. They have a new head coach in former Golden State Warriors assistant and Los Angeles Lakers head coach Luke Walton, and I think he can do good work with this young, talented roster. 10* play on Sacramento Kings. |
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10-23-19 | Bulls -2.5 v. Hornets | 125-126 | Loss | -109 | 20 h 50 m | Show | |
BULLS @ HORNETS HARDWOOD HAMMER The Chicago Bulls have been a punching bag in recent seasons, but they enter this season with a lot of talent on the roster and might exceed expectations early on. The spirit in the locker room seems to be high as well. "Anxious, ready to go; confident," Zach LaVine (who posted 23.7 points per game last season) told reporters. "That's my mood for the team, my mood in general. Anxious to get this started, get this thing rolling." ... "You see how much the guys care for each other, " LaVine further said. "The coaches have been doing a good job of putting us in the best positions." As for the Charlotte Hornets, they'll have to adjust to life without star PG Kemba Walker and Jeremy Lamb. They've brought in guard Terry Rozier from the Celtics, but center Cody Zeller (10.1 points per game) is their top returning scorer and I don't think they'll be able to keep up with the Bulls in this one. 8* play on Chicago Bulls. |
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10-22-19 | Lakers -2 v. Clippers | 102-112 | Loss | -119 | 37 h 15 m | Show | |
LAKERS VS. CLIPPERS OPENING NIGHT BANKROLL BUILDER The LA Lakers have been the little brother in the Hallway Series over the last seven season, but they hope that will change this year with superstars LeBron James and Anthony Davis on the team. Additionally they have a new head coach in Frank Vogel who'll want to start his tenure with the team with a win. The LA Clippers have of course brought in a couple of big hitters of their own in NBA Finals MVP Kawhi Leonard and Paul George, but the latter is likely to miss at least the first 10 games of the season. The Lakers have covered the number in seven of the last 10 meetings and I think they'll get the better of their rival here. 8* play on LA Lakers. |
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06-05-19 | Raptors v. Warriors -4.5 | Top | 123-109 | Loss | -103 | 15 h 31 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA FINALS GAME 3 BOOKIE BREAKER The Toronto Raptors got a lot of production from their role players as they opened the series with a 118-109 triumph. Forward Pascal Siakam shot 14-for-17 en route to a team-high 32 points in that contest but managed just 12 points on 5-for-18 as Golden State showed what's what in Game 2 of the series when it stole homecourt advantage with a 109-104 triumph. The Warriors trailed at half time, but managed to come back and pulled away in the second period, despite losing Klay Thompson and Kevin Looney on top of already missing Kevin Durant. Looney has been ruled out for the rest of the series while Thompson might be a go tonight. "... it will be a game-time decision. But I really want to be out there." Thompson told the media on Tuesday. The Warriors might be banged up, but they're still the two-time defending champions and have plenty of star power with Steph Curry, Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins. Count on Warriors to get the job done in a high-scoring affair. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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06-02-19 | Warriors +2 v. Raptors | Top | 109-104 | Win | 100 | 18 h 23 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* WARRIORS @ RAPTORS GAME 2 SIDE The Toronto Raptors claimed the opener of this series 118-109. The Warriors did a decent job containing Kawhi Leonard (23 points on 5-of-14 shooting), but instead, role players like Pascal Siakam (32 points) stepped up big time for the Raptors. I don't see that happen two games in a row though with Warriors Draymond Green on a mission. "I have to be more aggressive on the defensive side of the ball," Green said Friday. "I think aggressiveness starts with me and everybody else will follow that. If I'm on my heels, everyone else is on their heels. I think that was kind of the story of (Game 1). I started the game not as aggressive as I could be on that side of the ball and it showed in our team defense." The Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 2 days rest and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss. The Raptors are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 2 days rest. The underdog is 4-1 ATS in the last 5 head-to-head meetings. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-30-19 | Warriors +1 v. Raptors | Top | 109-118 | Loss | -103 | 35 h 30 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): WARRIORS @ RAPTORS BEST BET I absolutely love the Golden State Warriors as an underdog here in the opener of the NBA Finals. Kevin Durant has been ruled out for this contest, but that doesn't bother me one bit as the rest of the Warriors have stepped up their game since his injury. They'll also be well rested after sweeping Portland in the Western Conference Finals while Toronto had to battle hard to get past Milwaukee in the East. The Raptors have played elite defense throughout the postseason, but let's face it: the East is not as good as the West and they have not seen the likes of the Warriors firepower. We can also note that it's a team with very little experience of big games like this while the Warriors have won three of the last four championships. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-25-19 | Bucks +2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 94-100 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 3 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S BUCKS @ RAPTORS BEST BET The Milwaukee Bucks were well on their way to the NBA Finals but are now in do-or-die mode instead following three straight losses to the Raptors. Despite recent results, I still think they're the superior team and will come through with a win here to take the series to a deciding Game 7 home at Fiserv Forum. "We're not going to fold," Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo said afterward the most recent setback. "Come on, man. Best team in the league, man. We're not going to fold. We're going to go in and give it everything we've got. We can't fold. We're going to come back to Milwaukee." Bucks are 21-6 ATS in their last 27 games following a straight up loss and 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 road games. The underdog is 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-21-19 | Bucks -2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 102-120 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 48 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BUCKS @ RAPTORS GAME 4 BOOKIE BREAKER The Toronto Raptors were not able to put up much of a fight through the first two games of this series. Surely now they're back in business following a 118-112 double-overtime victory in Sunday's Game 3, right? Not so fast ... I'm confident the Milwaukee Bucks will bounce back with a win here to set themselves up to close out the series home at Fiserv Forum next time out. "We don't like losing. We know we are two games away from the NBA Finals," Giannis Antetokounmpo told reporters following the loss. "We cannot jump steps. We have to do it a game at a time, a play at a time, a day at a time." Note that the Bucks are 21-5 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up loss and 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings with the Raptors. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-19-19 | Bucks +2.5 v. Raptors | Top | 112-118 | Loss | -109 | 17 h 23 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S BUCKS @ RAPTORS BEST ATS BET The Toronto Raptors have been completely outmatched in the first two games of this series, and I don't think a change of venue to Scotiabank Arena will make that much of a difference. Note that the Bucks are 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in Toronto and own all the momentum and confidence. If they're to drop a game in this series, it might be Game 4 before heading back to Milwaukee to close out the series in front of the home town crowd. The Bucks are 4-0 SU on the road in the postseason, 20-6-1 ATS in their last 27 road games overall and 6-2-1 ATS as road underdogs this season. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-18-19 | Warriors +2.5 v. Blazers | Top | 110-99 | Win | 100 | 20 h 2 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* WARRIORS @ BLAZERS BOOKIE BREAKER The Portland Trail Blazers could easily have won one of the first two games of this series but missed out on a pair golden opportunities to steal homecourt advantage at Oracle Arena. "They earned it down the stretch," Trail Blazers guard CJ McCollum said of Golden State's 14-3 finish Thursday after the Warriors trailed by eight. "They made more plays than us in the last two minutes, last three minutes, but I like our chances going forward. I like the way we came out and competed." The Blazers might be saying the right things, but it must've taken its toll both mentally and physically and think they will find it very difficult to muster up enough energy to beat the Warriors here in Game 3 at Moda Center Saturday night. Warriors coach Steve Kerr is confident his team will get the job done, and so am I. "We've been in this situation many times, so we know how we have to play. We've got to play with great discipline and some desperation like we did for only parts of (Game 2). We've got to play that way the whole game, and that's what it will take up in Portland." Kerr said. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-17-19 | Raptors v. Bucks -6.5 | Top | 103-125 | Win | 100 | 18 h 54 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* RAPTORS @ BUCKS BOOKIE BREAKER The Milwaukee Bucks opened Game 1 of this series slow but earned a 108-100 victory by outscoring the Toronto Raptors by 15 points in the fourth quarter. A devastating result for the visitors as they missed out on a golden opportunity to steal homecourt advantage. "Any coach that goes into a game without playing a game for six days is very worried how are you going to play," Bucks coach Mike Budenholzer said. "It's just how are you going to play, how are you going to execute. ... It's impossible to replicate in practice, and you're also incredibly conscientious of staying healthy during those six days. I think we're just all glad to have played, and certainly to get the win. I'm sure they'll be better (Friday)." I'm also confident the Bucks will be on their toes from tip-off and put away their opponent early tonight. The Bucks are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games and 5-0 ATS in their last five Friday games. The Raptors are 1-6 ATS in their last seven Friday games and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-16-19 | Blazers v. Warriors -7 | 111-114 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 44 m | Show | |
BLAZERS @ WARRIORS GAME 2 I backed the Portland Trail Blazers in Game 1 of this series based on how scrappy the Warriors had looked so far in the postseason. Well, Golden State showed just how good it can be in the series opener, and in particular it impressed defensively. Portland's backcourt duo of CJ McCollum and Damien Lillard shot a combined 11-of-31 from the field for 36 points in the 116-94 loss. That can be compared to Warriors Steph Curry who went 9-of-15 from downtown and scored a total of 36 points by himself. I think we'll see a blowout win for the Warriors who'll want to make the most of their homecourt advantage before the series shifts to Moda Center in Portland. 8* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-15-19 | Raptors v. Bucks -6 | Top | 100-108 | Win | 100 | 9 h 29 m | Show |
GAME OF THE MONTH (NBA): RAPTORS @ BUCKS GAME 1 BEST BET ATS The Toronto Raptors are just 6-13 ATS in their last 19 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600, and I think they'll find it very hard to keep up with the Milwaukee Bucks here in the opener of the Eastern Conference Finals series. The Bucks dropped Game 1 of their semi-finals series with Boston but won the next four. They closed out the series with a dominant 116-91 triumph and are 23-7-1 ATS in their last 31 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. They've had a week to rest and recover from that contest while the visitors have had just three days off since Kawhi Leonard buzzer beater to beat Philadelphia in seven games. The Bucks have outscored their opponents by an average of 15.3 points in the postseason, and I'm happy to lay the points on the No. 1 seed tonight. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-14-19 | Blazers +8 v. Warriors | Top | 94-116 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 42 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BLAZERS @ WARRIORS GAME 1 BOOKIE BREAKER The Golden State Warriors and the Portland Trail Blazers will clash Tuesday night for the opener of their NBA Western Conference Finals series. I'm happy to take the visitors here as I think they are spotted way too many points to pass up on. The Blazers must feel pretty confident hitting the road again as they're coming off a huge 100-96 road win as an underdog at Denver in Game 7 of their Western Conference semifinals series on Sunday. We can also note that they were spotted 8.5 points at Golden State on Dec 27, a game they lost by just one point. Golden State disposed Houston in six games in its semifinals series, but it was far from easy as the Warriors struggled with their depth all series and covered the spread in only two of those six contests. Now the Warriors will have to do without injured superstar forward Kevin Durant for at least the series opener (calf injury), and we can note that they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following a straight up win. The Trail Blazers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven head-to-head meetings and should keep this relatively close. 10* play on Portland Trail Blazers. |
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05-12-19 | 76ers v. Raptors -6 | 90-92 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 49 m | Show | |
76ERS @ RAPTORS GAME 7 The 76ers are coming off a dominant 112-101 Game 6 win, but I like the Raptors experience and homecourt advantage to be too much to overcome here in the deciding game of the series. "We had a lot of open looks early and we missed them," Toronto All-Star point guard Kyle Lowry told reporters. "They played really well but we have to continue to look at the film and see what we can do to get better and see what we messed up." This will be the first Game 7 for players like Joel Embid and Ben Simmons and Philly has been rather mediocre on the road all season. We can also note that the Raptors are 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points while the 76ers are 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. 8* play on Toronto Raptors. |
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05-09-19 | Nuggets +4 v. Blazers | Top | 108-119 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 15 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NUGGETS @ BLAZERS BOOKIE BREAKER The Denver Nuggets can close out this series and move on to the Western Conference Finals with a win here at Portland Thursday night. While the Nuggets are far stronger home at Pepsi Center than on the road, note that they won Game 4 here at Moda Center outright after losing a heartbreaking multiple OT Game 3 (still covered the spread). The Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in this playoffs series and have the momentum after a 124-98 home romp on Tuesday. "They just played harder than us," Enes Kanter admitted to reporters after the game. "Even the coach said, probably this was our worst basketball the last six weeks," Kanter continued. "On defense, we weren't really communicating with each other; we didn't really trust each other." Portland might be able to win outright to force a Game 7, but I'm well happy to take the visitors to cover the spread. Nuggets are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 Conference Semifinals games. Trail Blazers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 Conference Semifinals games. Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Portland. 10* play on Denver Nuggets. |
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05-07-19 | Blazers v. Nuggets -4.5 | 98-124 | Win | 100 | 18 h 34 m | Show | |
BLAZERS @ NUGGETS GAME 5 BOOKIE BLASTER The Denver Nuggets lost homecourt advantage with a Game 2 loss here Pepsi Center but stole it back with a 116-112 win in Portland on Sunday. I don't see them slipping up again in front of the home town crowd where they went an NBA-best 34-7 during the regular season. The Nuggets have covered the spread in five of the last six head-to-head meetings and they have the momentum following Sunday's win. "You think about how young we are and what we are doing, going on the road and winning a tough game in a hostile environment, and for Jamal (Murray) to be the centerpiece of that has been phenomenal," Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Sunday. Additionally; Nuggets are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 Conference Semifinals games. Trail Blazers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Conference Semifinals games. 8* play on Denver Nuggets. |
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05-06-19 | Warriors +1.5 v. Rockets | 108-112 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 30 m | Show | |
WARRIORS @ ROCKETS GAME 4 BASKET BRAWLER The Houston Rockets came through with a 126-121 overtime win on Saturday to avoid falling into the dreaded 3-0 hole after opening the series with a pair of losses at Oracle Arena. This looks like a great spot to back the Warriors to bounce back with a win as they surely want to close out this series in five games next time out in front of the home town crowd. Warriors star Steph Curry had a poor Game 3, but that's unlikely to happen twice in a row. "He just had a tough night," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. "No matter how good you are, you're going to have some bad games, and just a tough night for him. It just didn't happen." "We still had a couple of chances to win down the stretch. Obviously, I'm thinking of what I can do better and elevate my game, and I'm looking forward to Monday." Curry himself said. 8* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-05-19 | Nuggets v. Blazers -3 | 116-112 | Loss | -105 | 9 h 49 m | Show | |
NUGGETS @ BLAZERS GAME 4 NO-BRAINER The Portland Trail Blazers are in control of this Western Conference Semifinals series after first stealing homecourt advantage at Denver and then defending it with a 140-137 quadruple-overtime victory Friday night. They still need to win again home at Moda Center Sunday to completely consolidate their homecourt advantage, and I think the home team has a big advantage in this contest. Both teams will most likely be drained after Friday's marathon matchup, but the Blazers have had the advantage of being able to rest and recover in their own homes. We can also note that the Trail Blazers are 25-12-1 ATS in their last 38 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Trail Blazers are 22-10 ATS in their last 32 games playing on 1 days rest. Nuggets are 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games playing on 1 days rest. Look for the home team to run away with this one. 8* play on Portland Trail Blazers. |
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05-04-19 | Warriors +4 v. Rockets | Top | 121-126 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 10 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): WARRIORS @ ROCKETS BEST BET The Golden State Warriors got the job done in two games home at Oracle without even playing at top level and will head to Houston with a commanding 2-0 lead in this Western Conference semifinals series. The teams have had three days off since the last matchup, something that could favor the visitors with the Warriors 6-2 ATS in their last eight games playing on three or more days rest while the Rockets are 2-6 ATS in their last eight games playing on three or more days rest. The Warriors are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and they've covered the spread in each of their last three games as underdogs, the two most recent at Houston on March 13 and at OKC three days later. While Houston no doubt will be desperate to win this game, Golden State is just too good when motivated. Well happy to take the points on the reigning champs here. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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05-03-19 | Bucks +2.5 v. Celtics | Top | 123-116 | Win | 100 | 12 h 48 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BUCKS @ CELTICS BOOKIE BREAKER The Milwaukee Bucks are the No. 1 seed, but the Boston Celtics stole homecourt advantage by winning Game 1 of this Eastern Conference Semifinals series. The Bucks did, however, make sure not to lose two in a row as they turned it up a notch to put a 123-102 on Boston last time out. I think the Bucks will reclaim homecourt with a win here as the series shift to TD Garden. While they may have started this series on the wrong foot, the Bucks sure showed what they're capable of in round 2. They have the momentum coming off a blowout win and plenty of motivation to reclaim homecourt advantage with a win on the road. We can note that while Bucks are a solid 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 road games, the Celtics are just 1-8-1 ATS in their last 10 home games. Happy to take the points on the visitors as I think they have a very good chance of winning this one outright. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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05-01-19 | Blazers v. Nuggets -4 | Top | 97-90 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 26 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BLAZERS @ NUGGETS NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The Denver Nuggets won the first matchup of this Western Conference semifinals series 121-113. Denver big man Nikola Jokic took full advantage of the fact that the Blazers are banged down low with Jusuf Nurkic out for the season and Enes Kanter not 100%. "I cannot play the way I want to play," Kanter told reporters after Game 1. "Just keep playing through it". I think the Nuggets will be well motivated to make the most of their homecourt advantage again here in Game 2 before the series shift to Portland. On the season, the Nuggets are 38-8 SU and 28-18 ATS home at Pepsi Center. They're 6-0 ATS in their last six Conference Semifinals games while the Portland Trail Blazers are just 3-8 ATS in their last 11 Conference Semifinals games. We can also note that Portland has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five on the road. 10* play on Denver Nuggets. |
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04-29-19 | 76ers v. Raptors -6.5 | 94-89 | Loss | -105 | 20 h 6 m | Show | |
MONDAY NIGHT 76ERS @ RAPTORS GAME 2 ATS ANNIHILATOR The Toronto Raptors put a 108-95 beating on the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of this Eastern Conference semifinals, and I expect a similar result here in the second game. The Raptors have won five straight since losing their postseason opener to Orlando and are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. Furthermore, they're 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and the home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings with Philadelphia. The 76ers have not won in Toronto since Nov. 10, 2012 ... They were completely unable to stop Kawhi Leonard in the first matchup up this series with the Toronto star putting up a career playoff-best 45 points on 16-of-23 shooting with 11 rebounds. "That was again, a big time performance at both ends," Raptors coach Nick Nurse said. "And I just like the force that he is playing with at both ends, but especially when he is getting the ball. He is pushing it up the floor, he is punching gaps with force, and he is determined to get to spaces." Toronto has held opponents to 92.5 points and 38.9% shooting from the field through its first six playoff games here in 2019. I expect another dominant defensive performance from the home team tonight. 8* play on Toronto Raptors. |
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04-28-19 | Rockets v. Warriors -5 | 100-104 | Loss | -109 | 5 h 15 m | Show | |
ROCKETS @ WARRIORS GAME 1 BANKROLL BUILDER The Golden State Warriors needed six games to get past the LA Clippers in the first round while the Houston Rockets got past Utah Jazz in five games. It however easy to see that the Warriors were guilty of looking past the Clippers, and were extremely dominant when turning it up a notch. I don't think they'll take the Rockets lightly, especially after almost losing to them in the Western Conference finals last season. If they decide to throw their weight around the Warriors are still the superior team IMO. Sure, the Warriors are a bit banged up with backcourt duo Steph Curry and Klay Thompson questionable with ankle injuries, I don't see them risking giving up their homecourt advantage the crucial series opener. "We'll see how they're doing (before the game)," Warriors coach Steve Kerr told the media. "I'm not going to make a definitive statement on whether they'll both play. Let's just call it questionable. And there's nothing implied there. They both came in today and got some work, and we'll see how they're doing." Thompson himself said that he expects to play "fully" in today's contest. 8* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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04-27-19 | Spurs +6 v. Nuggets | 86-90 | Win | 100 | 20 h 11 m | Show | |
SPURS @ NUGGETS TNT *DO OR DIE* The San Antonio Spurs stepped up with a huge 120-103 win when they faced elimination Thursday night. We now get to enjoy a deciding Game 7 of this Western Conference first-round series with the Denver Nuggets. The teams are not only 3-3 SU in the series but also ATS with the team winning outright also covering the spread in each game. It's however also worth noting that the teams have won as underdogs one time each, and I'm happy to take the points on the underdog in what should be a close affair. Sure, it'll be a hostile environment at Pepsi Center, but I don't think it'll faze this veteran Spurs team one bit. 8* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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04-25-19 | Nuggets v. Spurs -2.5 | Top | 103-120 | Win | 100 | 18 h 56 m | Show |
TOP RATED SPURS @ NUGGETS NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The San Antonio Spurs are in a do-or-die situation here, entering this contest at a 3-2 hole in the series following an 18-point loss in Game 5 of the series on Tuesday. They're a solid 33-10 SU (25-18) ATS at home on the season while the Denver Nuggets are 21-22 SU (18-25 ATS) on the road and I expect the home team to force an all decisive Game 7. The Nuggets had lost 14 straight matchups at San Antonio before coming through with a Game 4 triumph at AT&T Center. To repeat that will be incridibly difficult against this well-coached San Antonio, team, and I expect Spurs coach Gregg Popovich to have his team better prepared for this than last time out. "They just outplayed us in every facet," Popovich said. "We missed a lot at the rim early, or it could have been a much more competitive first half. We've got to have more guys playing well for sure." Spurs will be ready and fired up, and I don't see them getting knocked out in front of the home town crowd. 10* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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04-24-19 | Jazz v. Rockets -8 | 93-100 | Loss | -111 | 8 h 35 m | Show | |
WEDNESDAY NIGHT NBA NO-BRAINER The Houston Rockets own a 3-1 lead in this Western Conference playoffs series and had won and covered the spread in each of the first three games before taking a 107-91 loss at Salt Lake City Monday night. It's actually not all that the Rockets had a letdown game after three strong performances, and while the Jazz may have been allowed to extend the series for another game, I'm very confident this series ends tonight. Utah has been completely outmatched in both games at Houston, losing by 32 and 20 points. Rockets are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight home games and 4-1-1 in the last six meetings with the Jazz. 8* play on Houston Rockets. |
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04-23-19 | Thunder v. Blazers -3 | Top | 115-118 | Push | 0 | 18 h 43 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): TUESDAY NIGHT MAJOR WAGER ATS ALERT The Oklahoma City Thunder are on the brink of elimination here with Portland Trail Blazers heading into Tuesday night's matchup with a 3-1 lead in the series. The Blazers picked up a 111-98 triumph at Oklahoma City last time out and I don't see them losing here in front of the home town crowd. OKC's Russell Westbrook shot a weak 5-of-21 from the floor in the last game while the Thunder simply have no answer to Portland's dominant backcourt duo of CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard who combined for 51 points and 11 assists last time out. Blazers are 34-9 SU (26-16-1 ATS) home at Moda Center on the season and 34-15-3 ATS in their last 52 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. Thunder are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a double-digit loss at home and 1-4 ATS in their last five road games. 10* play on Portland Trail Blazers. |
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04-21-19 | Warriors -8.5 v. Clippers | Top | 113-105 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The LA Clippers had the audacity to upset the reigning NBA champions with a come from behind win at Oakland in Game 2 of this Western Conference playoff series. The Warriors did however manage to bounce back and reclaimed the momentum with a 132-105 rout of the Clip Show here in LA last time out. The Warriors have had their letdown game / wake up call already and now have a chance to take a 3-1 lead and and close out the series home at Oracle Arena in Game 5. With rest a hot commodity here in the playoffs, I don't think Golden State coach Steve Kerr will allow any more slip ups as he surely must value maximum preparation time for the next round. Warriors are 28-10 ATS in their last 38 Conference Quarterfinals games. Clippers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 Conference Quarterfinals games. Warriors are 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in LA. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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04-20-19 | Rockets +2.5 v. Jazz | Top | 104-101 | Win | 100 | 21 h 6 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The Houston Rockets made light work of the Utah Jazz home at Toyota Center in both of the first two games of this Western Conference first-round matchup. The Jazz are now a favorite for Game 3 home in Salt Lake City, and that's a line I strongly disagree with. The Rockets are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games overall and are playing at an unbelievably high level at the moment. Star guard James Harden has made great use of his teammates in this series and is averaging 30.5 points, 10.5 rebounds, and 10 assists. "Our swag and our confidence is where it needs to be," Rockets guard James Harden said after a blowout win in Game 2. "We just need to bring that to the road. We all know how tough it is to win at Utah, but we did it last year. We're focused and we're on a level defensively to where we're engaged." The Jazz are indeed very hard to beat home at Vivint Smart Home Arena, but they're just 1-4 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Houston beat Utah twice on the road in the Western Conference semifinals a year ago and it is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Salt Lake City. 10* play on Houston Rockets. |
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04-20-19 | Nuggets v. Spurs -3.5 | 117-103 | Loss | -107 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
NUGGETS @ SPURS GAME 4 BASKET BRAWLER The San Antonio Spurs have taken a 2-1 lead in this series after splitting a couple of games at Denver before picking up a 118-108 home victory on Thursday. They've been rock solid home at AT&T Center all season (33-9 SU, 25-17 ATS) while the Denver Nuggets have been rather mediocre on the road (20-22 SU, 17-25 ATS). The Nuggets have lost 14 straight games in San Antonio and Spurs have covered the spread in six of the last eight of those games. Spurs have a considerable edge in recent playoff experience, and I think they'll take 3-1 lead in the series with another win here. 8* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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04-18-19 | Warriors -8.5 v. Clippers | Top | 132-105 | Win | 100 | 25 h 12 m | Show |
GAME OF THE YEAR (NBA): MIKE'S BEST NBA PLAYOFFS SIDE FOR 2019! The Golden State Warriors were cruising to an easy 2-0 lead in this Western Conference Quarterfinals series as they owned a 31-point lead halfway through the third quarter. Then complacency kicked in, and they ended up losing 135-131 ... The Warriors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight up loss, and oh boy, will they be fired up for this contest as the series move to LA all tied at 1-1. "We have a lot of experience," Warriors guard Klay Thompson said of the two-time defending champions. "This is the first time we've been tied in a series (since Game 7 of last year's Western finals against Houston, which Golden State won). I know we'll bounce back. We're too prideful not to." Warriors are 27-10 ATS in their last 37 Conference Quarterfinals games. Clippers are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 Conference Quarterfinals games. 10* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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04-17-19 | Jazz v. Rockets -6.5 | Top | 98-118 | Win | 100 | 24 h 7 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): WEDNESDAY NIGHT MAJOR WAGER ALERT The fourth-seeded Houston Rockets put a 122-90 beating on the fifth-seeded Utah Jazz in Game 1 of this Western Conference first-round series on Tuesday. They're now 9-4-1 ATS in the last 14 head-to-head meetings and I expect that dominance to continue here in Game 2. Utah's defensive scheme to contain James Harden failed miserable in the series opener as he had 29 points with 10 assists helping seven Rockets players to reach double digits in scoring. Houston shot 15-of-41 (36.6%) from behind the arc, and while the Jazz are expected to make some adjustments for this contest, I just don't see them keeping up with this Rockets side. These sides clashed in the Western Conference semifinals last season, a series the Rockets opened with a win only to drop Game 2. They should have learned their lesson this time around. "It's only one game," Harden said. "They're going to make adjustments, we have to make adjustments and play that much harder and smarter. We'll let it sink in and get ready to go." 10* play on Houston Rockets. |
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04-16-19 | Magic +10 v. Raptors | 82-111 | Loss | -104 | 22 h 25 m | Show | |
MAGIC @ RAPTORS GAME 2 BOOKIE BLASTER The Orlando Magic opened this Eastern Conference Quarterfinals series with a 104-101 win as a 9.5-point underdog. While I don't think the visitors will be able to win both of the first two games in Toronto outright, I do like them to cover the spread again. While Toronto relaxed down the stretch of the regular season, the Magic were in must-win mode pretty much since the All Star break and that mindset carried over to Game 1 of this series. "These last few months, especially since after All-Star break, I think we have one of the best records in the NBA," said D.J Augustin, who scored 25 points Saturday. "It's just a mindset that we came in with. Our goal was to make the playoffs, and just not make it, we want to make noise and win a series or two. We feel like we can, we believe in ourselves, coach believes in us and I feel like that's all we need to get some good wins and build momentum." The Raptors may have finished the regular season with the 2nd best record in the East, but they've struggled to cover the spread all season long. That was particularly true when closing as a favorite (29-37 ATS) while the Magic finished 30-22 ATS as an underdog. 8* play on Orlando Magic. |
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04-13-19 | Spurs +6 v. Nuggets | Top | 101-96 | Win | 100 | 21 h 58 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* SPURS @ NUGGETS BOOKIE BREAKER The San Antonio Spurs closed out the regular season strong to earn the No. 7 seed and avoid avoid a matchup with the Golden State Warriors in the first round of the playoffs. "We ended off strong," DeRozan told The San Antonio Express-News. "Our confidence is high. ... I think we've got our mindset where it's supposed to be heading into the playoffs." They have an experienced roster and a top notch head coach in Gregg Popovich who has won five titles and made six trips to the NBA Finals. The No. 2 Denver Nuggets on the other hand struggled down the stretch, splitting their last 10 games. While they have plenty of talent, they lack the experience of the Spurs team they'll face here. Only three of the Nuggets' main rotation players have been to the playoffs before ... Spurs are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 road games. Spurs are 21-8 ATS in the last 29 meetings in Denver. Nuggets are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 home games. Nuggets are 0-7 ATS in their last 7 Conference Quarterfinals games. 10* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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04-13-19 | Magic +8.5 v. Raptors | 104-101 | Win | 100 | 42 h 25 m | Show | |
MAGIC @ RAPTORS HARDWOOD HAMMER I like the Orlando Magic to keep it relatively close here in the opener of their NBA playoffs first round matchup with the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors covered the spread in 121-109 win over Orlando on April 1, but the Magic had gone 4-0-1 ATS in the past five meetings heading into that contest. The Magic have won four straight since that setback, all in impressive fashion, and getting two days off since clinching a playoff spot looks just perfect. They have been in playoff mode for quite some time while Toronto could relax down the stretch with the second seed in the conference locked up rather early. Toronto closed out the regular season on a 7-1 ATS run but is 1-4 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. The Raptors are 0-7 ATS in their last seven games playing on three or more days rest, and I can the the home team coming out slow here while Orlando should come flying out of the gate. 8* play on Orlando Magic. |
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04-10-19 | Pistons -9.5 v. Knicks | Top | 115-89 | Win | 100 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The Detroit Pistons sleepwalked through three quarters of yesterday's matchup with the Memphis Grizzlies and as a result trailed by 22 points at halftime and by 15 points as they entered the fourth quarter. The Pistons did however come through when it really mattered and outscored their opponent 36-14 in the final period to earn a crucial victory. The job is not done yet, but at least they do control their own destiny heading into the regular season finale. A win and Detroit is in. A loss to the lowly Knicks combined with a Charlotte win over Orlando would see the Hornets overtake them for the No. 8 seed in the Eastern Conference. The banged up Knicks are coming off a 96-86 triumph at Chicago last night, but can they really muster up that kind of energy and motivation two nights in a row? My money is on NO, and we can note that the Pistons have won the first three meetings with the Knicks this season by an average of 12.3 points. 10* play on Detroit Pistons. |
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04-09-19 | Rockets -2 v. Thunder | Top | 111-112 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 21 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S TOP RATED 10* SIDE The Houston Rockets are winners of six straight and 20 of their last 23 to move just 1/2 game behind Denver for the No. 2 seed in the conference. Here they'll visit an OKC Thunder team that was heading in the opposite direction but has managed to get on track somewhat with three consecutive wins. Still, OKC is just 7-17 ATS in its last 24 games overall and 3-13 ATS in its last 16 vs. Western Conference foes. The Rockets meanwhile are 6-0 ATS in their last six overall and 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings at Chesapeake Energy Arena. I expect Houston to come fired up here in its regular season finale, particularly as a loss could see it drop to fourth place in the conference. 10* play on Houston Rockets. |
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04-08-19 | Texas Tech +1.5 v. Virginia | Top | 77-85 | Loss | -103 | 19 h 30 m | Show |
TOP RATED NCAA TOURNEY CHAMPIONSHIP GAME ATS ANNIHILATOR The Texas Tech Red Raiders' elite defense has shut down some of the most explosive offenses in the nation on their way to the NCAA Tournament Championship Game. They held Michigan State to 15-of-47 (31.9%) shooting from the field in their 61-51 triumph in the semifinals, and I like Texas Tech to come through with another upset win here in the final against Virginia. The Cavaliers have not impressed on their way to the final and needed three last-second free throws to beat Auburn 63-62 in the last round. They've covered the spread in only two of their last six games. 10* play on Texas Tech Red Raiders. |
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04-07-19 | Hornets v. Pistons -6.5 | Top | 104-91 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 9 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA ATS PLAY OF THE DAY The Charlotte Hornets have been in "must-win" mode for quite some time and have managed to stay in playoff contention with back-to-back wins over New Orleans and Toronto. They still find themselves on the outside looking in at 10th place in the conference, two games back of No. 8 seed Detroit Detroit with three games to play. The Pistons have won just two of their last eight and enter Sunday desperate to end a three-game slide. To be fair, they closed all but three of those eight games as underdogs and have delivered the goods more often than not when favored all season. The Pistons are 21-13 ATS as a favorite on the season and 11-1 ATS in their last 12 home games. The Hornets are 6-15 ATS in their last 21 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. This looks like a great spot to trust the home favorite. 10* play on Detroit Pistons. |
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04-07-19 | Heat +6 v. Raptors | 109-117 | Loss | -115 | 1 h 54 m | Show | |
SUPER EARLY HEAT @ RAPTORS BANKROLL BUILDER The Miami Heat will come into this contest hyper motivated, as they're currently outside the playoff spots in the East, one game behind eighth-place Detroit. "You want to win in the playoffs, you have to learn how to win pressure games and games with expectation and consequences during the regular season," Miami coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters after Friday’s 111-109 setback at Minnesota on Friday. Here they'll face a Raptors team already locked into second place in the East and just looking to stay healthy for the postseason. The underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings in the series and the Heat are a solid 26-13 ATS on the road this season. 8* play on Miami Heat. |
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04-06-19 | Texas Tech +3 v. Michigan State | Top | 61-51 | Win | 100 | 105 h 43 m | Show |
GAME OF THE YEAR (CBB): MIKE'S TOP RATED NCAA TOURNEY SIDE The Texas Tech Red Raiders have defeated both Michigan and Gonzaga straight up as underdogs on their way to the Final Four in the NCAA Tournament. I think they look good to at the very least cover the spread here against the Michigan State Spartans. The Red Raiders own an elite defense and rarely turn over the ball which should lead to a slow game, bad news for a Spartans team that is at its best in fast-paced contests. This will be Michigan State's first time against the Red Raiders D, and I don't think they have the key to unlock it. Texas Tech shut down the nation’s top scoring offense (Gonzaga) in the Elite Eight round while shooting 39.1% (9-for-23) from behind the arc in its 75-69 win. 10* play on Texas Tech Red Raiders. |
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04-05-19 | Heat -2 v. Wolves | Top | 109-111 | Loss | -115 | 13 h 41 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER The Miami Heat are in desperate need of Ws as they enter Friday half a game on the wrong side of the playoff bubble following back-to-back losses to the Boston Celtics. Tonight's opponent looks way easier with the Minnesota Timberwolves already eliminated from playoff contention and 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games overall. The Wolves have admittedly played their best basketball home at Target Center (24-14 SU), but Miami is a very capable road team and 26-12 ATS away from home on the season. The Heat are 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings in Minnesota and I'm well happy to back them as a small favorite here. 10* play on Miami Heat. |
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04-04-19 | Bucks -4.5 v. 76ers | Top | 128-122 | Win | 100 | 9 h 10 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S TOP RATED SIDE This looks like a very tough spot for the Philadelphia 76ers who will be playing on no rest after closing out a three-game road trip with a 130-122 loss at Atlanta Wednesday night. They'll host a well rested Milwaukee Bucks team that has been off since posting a 131-121 win at the Brooklyn Nets Monday night. The Bucks sit top of the Eastern Conference and could look in the No. 1 seed with a win against Philly. The Bucks are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and 5-1-2 ATS in their last eight games playing on two days rest. The 76ers are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games playing on zero days rest. 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. |
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04-03-19 | Hornets -3.5 v. Pelicans | 115-109 | Win | 100 | 7 h 34 m | Show | |
HORNETS @ PELICANS HARDWOOD HAMMER The Charlotte Hornets travel to New Orleans desperate to end a three-game slide. To be fair, they've closed the last two games as double-digit underdogs, but that doesn't change the fact that they've now fallen three games behind eighth-place Miami Heat for the final playoff spot in the East with only five games to play. While highly unlikely to make the playoffs at this point, I expect them to battle as long as they have a shot. The banged up New Orlaens Pelicans on the other hand have long since been eliminated from playoff contention. They've lost eight of their last 10 and are likely to be without All-Star forward Anthony Davis, E'Twaun Moore and Jrue Holiday for the rest of the season. We can also note that Julius Randle was left Sunday's game with a finger injury ... The road team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings in the series and I expect a motivated Hornets team to get the job done tonight. 8* play on Charlotte Hornets. |
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04-01-19 | Blazers -3.5 v. Wolves | Top | 132-122 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The Portland Trail Blazers have been one of the hottest teams in the NBA in recent weeks. They've won nine of its last 11 contests but will be looking to bounce back from a loss here following a 99-90 setback to Detroit Saturday night. The Blazers are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss and still have plenty to play for as they battle Houston for 3rd place in the conference. "Especially on the road, we can't relax," said Portland center Enes Kanter. "We need to finish the job." The Minnesota Timberwolves' season has been all but over for a while already. They've dropped seven of their last nine outings and failed to cover the spread in all those losses. The Timberwolves are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and I expect Portland to run away with this game. 10* play on Portland Trail Blazers. |
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04-01-19 | Magic +7 v. Raptors | 109-121 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 28 m | Show | |
MAGIC @ RAPTORS BOOKIE BLASTER The Toronto Raptors are coming off back-to-back blowout wins at New York and Chicago. They have however struggled to cover spreads home at Scotiabank Arena all season long and are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games. With the second place in the Eastern Conference all but locked up already the Raptors can relax and put focus on staying healthy, a luxury the visiting Orlando Magic could only dream about. They enter Monday 1/2 game behind the Miami Heat in the battle for the No. 8 spot in the East, but are also just 1 1/2 games behind the sixth-place Detroit Pistons. Plenty to play for ... The Magic are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and I think they have a good chance stealing this game outright, but let's take the points as insurance. 8* play on Orlando Magic. |
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03-31-19 | Grizzlies v. Clippers -9.5 | 96-113 | Win | 100 | 3 h 26 m | Show | |
NBA BOOKIE BLASTER The Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough spot playing on no rest. They're 3-13 ATS in their last 16 games playing on 0 days rest and will be face a Clippers team looking to move up the Western conference standings. Clippers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. 8* play on LA Clippers. |
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03-30-19 | Texas Tech v. Gonzaga -4.5 | Top | 75-69 | Loss | -110 | 8 h 13 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* ELITE EIGHT PLAY OF THE DAY This will no doubt be an interesting contest with the Gonzaga Bulldogs, who own the nation's No. 1 offense, taking on Texas Tech Red Raiders and their top rated defense. The Zags have won their two recent games by double-digits to advance to the Elite Eight. They average 88.2 points per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field, but can also play D as shown in their 72-58 victory over Florida State in the Sweet 16. They forced 14 turnovers while holding the Seminoles to 39.3 percent shooting from the field, including 3-of-20 from 3-point range. The Bulldogs have already faced several tough teams like Duke, North Carolina and Tennessee in the non-conference play, which might've served as important lessons. "We saw early on, Tennessee and North Carolina were physical and athletic in both the offensive and defensive end, and I think it prepared us a lot," said guard Zach Norvell Jr. "And also us taking those losses, we understood what it took to come out with a game like that -- you want to bring the fight to them and be more physical for 40 minutes." Texas Tech completely shut down Michigan in a 63-44 rout last time out but will find it tough to slow down Gonzaga's explosive offense. 10* play on Gonzaga Bulldogs. |
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03-30-19 | Cavs v. Clippers -10 | Top | 108-132 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA PLAY OF THE DAY The LA Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss and look good to bounce back with a big performance here following a 128-118 loss at Milwaukee last time out. The Clippers should be fired up here, returning home from a trip out East to play in front of their home fans for the first time since March 19. They'll host a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings with the Clippers and 4-11-1 ATS in its last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. The Clippers have a playoff berth locked in but are still battling to try and earn the best possible seed. They are 27-12 ATS as a favorite this season, and with motivation and class favoring the home team this an easy play on the Clippers. 10* play on LA Clippers. |
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03-29-19 | Hornets -2 v. Lakers | Top | 115-129 | Loss | -109 | 17 h 24 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S TOP RATED 10* SIDE The Charlotte Hornets are just 11-24 SU (15-20 ATS) on the road this season. They do however travel to LA desperate for Ws and must feel pretty confidence following four straight victories, including a win at Toronto The recent surge has kept the Hornets in postseason contention but they still have a lot of ground to make up with five teams battling for the final three Eastern Conference playoff berths. Here they'll face a Lakers team that saw a two-game winning streak come to an end with a 115-100 rod loss at Utah Wednesday night. LeBron James was rested but figures to be back in action tonight. Still, the Lakers are just 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games overall and 7-25-1 ATS in their last 33 vs. Eastern Conference. The Hornets are a superb 19-6-1 ATS in their last 26 Friday night games and will be looking to avenge a 128-100 home loss to the Lakers on Dec. 15. 10* play on Charlotte Hornets. |
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03-29-19 | Virginia Tech v. Duke -7 | Top | 73-75 | Loss | -105 | 13 h 59 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (CBB): MIKE'S TOP RATED SIDE The Virginia Tech Hokis beat the Duke Blue Devils 77-72 home in Blacksburg back in February. Duke freshman Zion Williamson missed that contest, but he's back here and has together with RJ Barrett combined for 99 points through the first two rounds of the Big Dance. Now, I can see why the public like VT here as Duke has looked sluggish lately, and the line has dropped since the opener, but I don't think the undersized Hokies will have any chance of stopping a fired up and physically superior Duke team with revenge on its mind. 10* play on Duke Blue Devils. |
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03-28-19 | Florida State v. Gonzaga -7 | Top | 58-72 | Win | 100 | 11 h 27 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* SWEET 16 BOOKIE BREAKER The Gonzaga Bulldogs handled their first two opponents in the NCAA Tournament with ease, first brushing off Fairleigh Dickinson by almost 40 points followed by a 12-point win over Baylor. They failed to cover the spread against the Bears but are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games following a ATS loss. We can also note that Gonzaga is 20-12 ATS as a favorite this season. Here the Bulldogs will face a Florida State Seminoles side that also is coming off a pair of dominant displays, but this is a big step up in competition compared to beating up on Vermont and Murray State. These teams met in the Sweet 16 a season ago, with the Seminoles besting the Bulldogs 75-60. This is payback time for the Zags as their offensive firepower will prove too much for FSU to handle. 10* play on Gonzaga Bulldogs. |
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03-27-19 | Warriors v. Grizzlies +11.5 | 118-103 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 23 m | Show | |
WARRIORS @ GRIZZLIES ATS ANNIHILATOR The Golden State Warriors closed out three-game homestand with a 121-114 triumph over Detroit on Saturday. They did however fail to cover the spread and are just 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games. Here the Warriors will face a Memphis Grizzlies team that has been putting up a good fight home at FedExForum all season long and is 5-1 ATS in their last six home games. The Grizzlies put a 115-103 beating on Oklahoma City on Monday and are a perfect 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win of more than 10 points. The home team is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in this series and I think Memphis will keep this relatively close. 8* play on Memphis Grizzlies. |
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03-26-19 | Creighton +3.5 v. TCU | 58-71 | Loss | -108 | 9 h 0 m | Show | |
TUESDAY NIGHT NIT NO-BRAINER Neither the TCU Horned Frogs or the Creighton Bluejays had any problems to dismiss their first two opponents in the NIT. We can however note that the Horned Frogs are just 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games overall while the Bluejays are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games overall. It's also worth mentioning that Creighton will be playing on three days rest while TCU only has had one day off since its 88-72 rout of Nebraska on Sunday. This late in the season, only two days can make a world of difference. Look for a cresh Creighton team to cover the spread. 8* play on Creighton Bluejays. |
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03-26-19 | Magic v. Heat -5.5 | Top | 104-99 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 19 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER The Orlando Magic are coming off five straight wins and recorded their third 20-point victory during that stretch with a 119-98 rout of Philadelphia on Monday. All those five games took place at Amway Center though, and I don't think the Magic will have as much success when visiting the Miami Heat Tuesday night. While the visitors will be playing on no rest, Miami has had two days off since defeating Washington 113-108 on Saturday. The Heat closed that contest as a 1-point dog and are 12-4 ATS off an upset win as an underdog this season. There will be plenty at stake here as last night's victory moved Orlando within 1/2 game of the Heat who currently own the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. I think Miami's rest advantage will be a huge factor here though, and we can also note that the Magic are 0-4 ATS in their last four road games. 10* play on Miami Heat. |
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03-24-19 | Nebraska +4.5 v. TCU | Top | 72-88 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 48 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* SUNDAY NIGHT NIT ATS ANNIHILATOR The Nebraska Cornhuskers have been money against the spread lately and had covered in four straight games prior to coming up just short in their 80-76 win over Butler in the first round of the NIT. The No. 4 seed is 8-2 ATS in non-conference games on the season and pumped up for the NIT tournament. "Last year, we felt like it was a letdown to be in the NIT because of the season we had, winning 23 games, fourth in the Big Ten," Isaiah Roby told reporters. I'm not going to lie the locker room was down about playing in the NIT. This year, we went to Chicago (Big Ten Tournament) and we feel like we earned our spot in the NIT. This year we are definitely playing to win it all." The top-seeded TCU Horned Frogs meanwhile probably felt they should be competing in the Big Dance and didn't look particularly sharp in their win over Sam Houston State last time out. The Horned Frogs are 3-7 ATS through their last 10 games and I wouldn't be surprised to see them lose this one outright. 10* play on Nebraska Cornhuskers. |
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03-24-19 | Liberty v. Virginia Tech -8.5 | 58-67 | Win | 100 | 7 h 20 m | Show | |
SUNDAY NIGHT NCAAB BANKROLL BUILDER The 12th-seeded Liberty Flames managed to defeat No. 5 seed Mississippi State despite closing as a 7-point dog in the first round. I think their Big Dance adventure will come to an end here against the fourth-seeded Virginia Tech. I'm not sure if even Liberty believes it can win this game. "The stuff they run offensively is nightmares to prepare for," Flames coach Ritchie McKay said of the Hokies. "I was back at the hotel … and started watching film, and I finally gave up." The Hokies biggest asset is their defense though. They have held opponents to 61.8 ppg on the season and limited Saint Louis to 36.5% shooting from the field and 4-for-23 from three-point range in a 66-52 victory in their first round matchup. "It’s a known precedent that if you play Virginia Tech, you’re going to make shots and have your best shooting night," Tech point guard Justin Robinson cracked after the game. VT is 6-1 ATS in its last seven neutral site games while the Flames are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 neutral site games. 8* play on Virginia Tech Hokies. |
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03-23-19 | Villanova +3.5 v. Purdue | 61-87 | Loss | -109 | 9 h 50 m | Show | |
LATE NIGHT NCAA TOURNEY ATS ANNIHILATOR The Villanova Wildcats are 5-0 ATS as underdogs this season, and I'm very happy to take the points on the the defending national champion against Purdue Boilermakers in the second round of the NCAA Tournament Saturday night. Purdue may have put a 61-48 beating on Old Dominion in the first round, but it had dropped two of three games prior to that. Villanova on the other hand is peaking at the right time. It has won six of its last seven games overall and is 14-3 ATS in its last 17 NCAA Tournament games. Wildcats are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 vs. Big Ten. Boilermakers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 vs. Big East. 8* play on Villanova Wildcats. |
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03-23-19 | Baylor v. Gonzaga -13 | Top | 71-83 | Loss | -115 | 16 h 24 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (CBB): MIKE'S TOP RATED NCAA TOURNEY SIDE A late run allowed the Baylor Bears to get past Syracuse in their first-round matchup. They are thrown a much bigger punch here in the top-seeded Gonzaga Bulldogs who made light work of their first round opponent. The Zags took a 60-47 loss as a 15-point favorite against St. Mary’s in the WCC Tournament title game but bounced back with an 87-49 rout of Fairleigh Dickinson Thursday night. Gonzaga has been asked to cover big spreads all season long and has rarely disappointed, going 22-12 ATS in games as a 14-point favorite or more. The Bears are just 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games overall while the Bulldogs are 14-5 ATS in their last 19 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points and 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 vs. teams from the Big 12. Baylor is a decent team defensively, but has nowhere near the offensive firepower to compete with Gonzaga. 10* play on Gonzaga Bulldogs. |
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03-23-19 | Heat +2 v. Wizards | Top | 113-108 | Win | 100 | 20 h 43 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER Write up posted shortly. 10* play on Miami Heat. |
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03-23-19 | Wofford +6 v. Kentucky | 56-62 | Push | 0 | 13 h 60 m | Show | |
WOFFORD VS. KENTUCKY BANKROLL BUILDER The Kentucky Wildcats opened the NCAA Tournament with a 79-44 rout of 15th-seeded Abilene Christian, despite missing their leading scorer and rebounder PJ Washington. He's expected to miss Saturday's matchup as well with UK coach John Calipari quoted saying "I just can't (imagine him playing)". Here Kentucky will face a tougher test in a Wofford Terriers team that has won 21 games straight up and been money against the spread lately covering in 12 of their last 13 contests. The Terriers are a perfect 7-0 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 6-0 ATS in their last six Saturday games. We can also note that the Terriers will feel pretty confident coming off an 84-68 triumph over Seton Hall for their first NCAA Tournament win ever. Senior guard Fletcher Magee finished with 24 points on 7-of-14 shooting and is averaging 20.6 points per game while hitting 42.8% from deep on the season. All in all, Kentucky is no doubt a better team even without Washington, but I think Wofford will be able to keep this close. 8* play on Wofford Terriers. |
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03-22-19 | Oregon v. Wisconsin -2 | 72-54 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 0 m | Show | |
OREGON VS. WISCONSIN BOOKIE BLASTER The Wisconsin Badgers look like a bad matchup for the Oregon Ducks here in this first round of the South Region contest in San Jose, California Sunday afternoon. The Oregon Ducks are coming off eight straight victories after winning their final four games of the regular season followed by a perfect 4-0 run in four days, including a 68-48 rout of top-seeded Washington to claim the PAC-12 Conference Tournament. They did however close as favorites in all but one of those games, but here they're an underdog against a Wisconsin side that had won four on the bounce before coming up short in a 67-55 loss to Michigan State in the semifinal round of the Big 10 Tournament on Saturday. I think that setback will make the Badgers even more motivated for this contest while Oregon is coming in overrated by the bookies and the public and "due" for a bad game. Wisconsin is far from an offensive juggernaut, but it is one of the stingiest defensive teams in the nation which is a great asset for tournament basketball. 8* play on Wisconsin Badgers. |
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03-22-19 | Colgate +18 v. Tennessee | 70-77 | Win | 100 | 4 h 4 m | Show | |
COLGATE VS. TENNESSEE ATS ANNIHILATOR The Tennessee Volunteers are a well deserved favorite here in this NCAA Tournament first round matchup with the Colgate Raiders, but I think the underdog is spotted too many points to pass up on. Colgate will enter Nationwide Arena steaming hot and high on confidence following 11 straight wins, including a 94-80 triumph over Bucknell in the Patriot League title game last Wednesday. Tennessee is without a doubt a Final Four contender, but it will also know the road there is quite long and there's no reason to waste more energy than needed to just get past its first round opponent. The Raiders on the other hand will have nothing to lose and will without a doubt give maximum effort throughout the whole game, opening for a backdoor cover. 8* play on Colgate Raiders. |
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03-22-19 | Oklahoma v. Ole Miss -1 | 95-72 | Loss | -105 | 8 h 33 m | Show | |
SUPER EARLY NCAA TOURNEY BANKROLL BUILDER The Ole Miss Rebels enter this NCAA Tourney matchup with the Oklahoma Sooners as losers of four of their last five games, but that straight up record is a bit deceiving. The Rebels played a tough schedule and were 4-1 ATS in those five games and a solid 13-6 ATS as favorites on the season. Here they'll face an Oklahoma team that is 2-4 ATS through its last six games and lost straight up as a 6.5-point favorite against WVU in the first round of the Big 12 Tournament on Wednesday. The Sooners are just 3-9 ATS in their last 12 NCAA Tournament games. The Rebels will have a clear advantage on the charity stripe in this matchup, entering Friday ranked fifth nationally at 78.3%, while the Sooners are 235th at 69.1%. With this expected to a close game free throws could easily play a huge part down the stretch. 8* play on Ole Miss Rebels. |
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03-21-19 | Baylor v. Syracuse -1.5 | Top | 78-69 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 25 m | Show |
TOP RATED THURSDAY NIGHT NCAA TOURNEY BOOKIE BREAKER Neither of these two teams played particularly well down the stretch with Baylor Bears losing each of their last four and Syracuse going 4-6 in its last 10 games, but note that two of those losses came against Duke ... The Orange have performed alright against the spread lately and are 8-1 ATS in their last nine games following a straight up loss and 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 Thursday games. They'll be without PG Frank Howard, who has been suspended indefinitely for "a violation of athletic department policy." The Bears meanwhile have really struggled since losing Tristan Clark, a 6-foot-9 forward, to an ACL injury and are 1-8-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Baylor ranks 264th in the nation in offensive turnover percentage and I think it'll struggle to put points on the board against a Syracuse team that ranks 10th nationally in defensive turnovers forced. 10* play on Syracuse Orange. |
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03-21-19 | Nuggets -6.5 v. Wizards | 113-108 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 19 m | Show | |
NUGGETS @ WIZARDS THURSDAY NIGHT HARDWOOD HAMMER The Denver Nuggets have won four on the bounce and clinched a playoff spot with a 114-105 win as a 4-point underdog at Boston Celtics Monday night. Risk for a hangover? I don't think so as the Nuggets are 6-1 ATS off an upset win as an underdog this season and they have had two days to zone in on their new task; defending the top record in the Western Conference. "We said what we wanted to do at the beginning of the season and that's what we did," Nikola Jokic told the Denver Post. "Now we want to do something more." The Washington Wizards on the other hand took an overtime loss to the Chicago Bulls Wednesday night, their third loss in four games, to fall 5 1/2 games behind eighth-place Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference. The Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games playing on two days rest and I don't see a fatigued Washington side keeping this close enough to cover the spread. 8* play on Denver Nuggets. |
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03-20-19 | Arizona State -1.5 v. St. John's | Top | 74-65 | Win | 100 | 9 h 60 m | Show |
TOP RATED WEDNESDAY NIGHT NCAA TOURNEY NO-BRAINER The Arizona State Sun Devils look like a solid favorite here in their First Four matchup with the St. John’s Red Storm in Dayton, Ohio Wednesday night. Arizona State has won six of its last eight, only losing to a surging Oregon team twice including an OT loss in the Pac-12 Tournament semifinals. The Sun Devils are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a straight up loss and 5-2 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. They recorded some big wins during the regular season, including victories over Kansas, Utah State, Washington, Mississippi State and Utah State. Here they'll face a St. John's team that shot just 32.8% from the floor as it fell to Marquette in the second round of its conference tournament and has lost four of its last five games. We can also note that St. John owns the 12th worst offensive rebounding percentage in the nation and is one of the worst defensive squads in this year's Tournament. Arizona State is out-rebounding opponents by 4.8 a game and should be able to out-muscle this Red Storm team to advance to the next round and face Buffalo in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Friday. 10* play on Arizona State Sun Devils. |
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03-20-19 | Heat v. Spurs -6.5 | Top | 110-105 | Loss | -100 | 13 h 60 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER The San Antonio Spurs are the hottest team in the NBA and undefeated through nine games since taking an 85-101 loss at Brooklyn on Feb 25. They're 8-1 ATS during that stretch and coming off a solid won over defending NBA-champion Golden State at home on Monday. Here the Spurs will face a Miami team that has played its best basketball on the road (17-16) and is coming off an upset win at Oklahoma City. Miami is desperate for wins, sitting in the No. 8 spot in the East 1 1/2 games ahead of the Orlando Magic with 12 regular-season games to play, but I think it'll come up short here. Note that Spurs are one of the best home teams in the league and 18-4 ATS in their last 22 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and 26-5 ATS in revenge spots this season, which this certainly is with the Heat winning the last meeting in the series 95-88 back in November. 10* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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03-19-19 | Dayton v. Colorado -4 | 73-78 | Win | 100 | 11 h 55 m | Show | |
COLLEGE BASKETBALL MIDNIGHT MASSACRE The fourth-seeded Colorado Buffaloes are a perfect 3-0 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points this season and 11-4 ATS in all home games. The Buffs took a loss to top-seeded Washington in the Pac-12 Tournament final but look good to bounce back with a win here as they take on the fifth-seeded Dayton Flyers in the first round of the NIT Tuesday night. Dayton took a 64-55 loss to St. Louis in the Atlantic 10 quarterfinals its last time out. It is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 0-4 ATS in its last four non-conference games. Colorado usually makes its homecourt advantage count, and I can easily see the Flyers struggling with the altitude at CU Events Center in Boulder. 8* play on Colorado Buffaloes. |
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03-19-19 | Nets v. Kings -4 | Top | 123-121 | Loss | -106 | 15 h 13 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA) Both the Sacramento Kings and the Brooklyn Nets are in desperate need of wins, the former more than the latter though as they enter Tuesday six games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. They snapped a three-game losing streak (all on the road) with a 129-102 rout of Chicago on Sunday in improve to 15-4 ATS as a favorite on the season. "Whether we talk about it or not, it feels like every game is a must-win coming out of the (All-Star) break," Sacramento coach Dave Joerger told reporters after the victory. "Just to have a little bit of mental relief is good for us at this point in the season." The Nets have some margin for error as they are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference. They have however dropped the first three contests of a seven-game road trip and will be facing a Kings team that is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 home games. We can also note that the Kings will be looking to avenge a 123-94 loss at Brooklyn back in January and that they're 23-14 ATS in revenge spots this season. 10* play on Sacramento Kings. |
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03-18-19 | Pacers v. Blazers -3.5 | 98-106 | Win | 100 | 14 h 50 m | Show | |
LATE NBA MIDNIGHT MASSACRE The Portland Trail Blazers had won three straight prior to a 108-103 loss at San Antonio on Saturday. "I thought it was a really good basketball game," Portland coach Terry Stotts told reporters. "Both teams really defended hard, played hard, had good performances. I thought it was good effort on our part. ... It was disappointing to lose, though." They are a solid 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss. Here Portland will face a Pacers side that covered the spread in a 102-100 loss at Denver on Saturday, but it is still only 2-8 ATS in its last 10 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. The Blazers will be without starting shooting guard CJ McCollum (knee), but note that they're 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings with the Pacers who haven't won in Portland since 2007. 8* play on Portland Trail Blazers. |
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03-17-19 | Bulls v. Kings -6.5 | Top | 102-129 | Win | 100 | 18 h 45 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA SUNDAY NIGHT BOOKIE BREAKER The Sacramento Kings are in desperate need of wins and will be looking to make the most of a soft patch in the schedule, starting with a matchup with the Chicago Bulls Sunday night. The Kings are six games out of a playoff spot following a 123-114 loss in Philadelphia on Friday, but note that they're 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up loss and 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. "We're playing hard, we're playing the right way, we're playing together," Kings coach Dave Joerger assured reporters after the most recent setback. "The wins are going to come." Here they'll face a Chicago Bulls team that is just 19-51 SU on the season and 1-4-1 ATS in the last six meetings with Sacramento. With nothing to play for I don't see the Bulls keeping up with the home team here in Sac Town. 10* play on Sacramento Kings. |
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03-17-19 | Cincinnati v. Houston -4 | 69-57 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 49 m | Show | |
TOP RATED 10* BEARS VS. COUGARS MAJOR WAGER The Houston Cougars have a chance to claim their first AAC tournament title in school history when they take on the Cincinnat Bearcats at FedExForum Sunday afternoon. The Cougars were cruising to an easy win over Memphis in their semifinals matchup on Saturday before completely shutting off down the stretch. They scored just seven points in the final 10 minutes to allow the Tigers back in the game, winning just 61-58, closing as an 8-point favorite. I doubt they'll make the same mistake two games in a row though, and we can note that the Cougars are 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games following a ATS loss. Houston has already beaten the Bearcats twice this season and routed them 85-69 at Cincinnati just a week ago. Cincinnati is 1-9 ATS in its last 10 games and 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings with Houston. The Cougars defense has been excellent in recent weeks and held Memphis to 23.5% shooting from the field yesterday. Cincy can no doubt play defense as well, but it doesn't shoot the ball nearly as well as the Cougars who had scored 84+ points in three straight games heading into Saturday. 10* play on Houston Cougars. |
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03-16-19 | Blazers v. Spurs -2 | Top | 103-108 | Win | 100 | 19 h 60 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* SATURDAY NIGHT NBA BOOKIE BREAKER This looks like a tough spot for the Portland Trail Blazers who will be playing their second road game in two nights following a 12-point triumph at New Orleans team without Anthony Davis Friday night. They're 2-5 ATS in their last seven games playing on zero days rest and 3-9 ATS in the last 12 meetings with the Spurs at AT&T Center. San Antonio will also be playing on no rest but do not have to travel anywhere after putting a 109-83 beating on the Knicks at home Friday night. The Spurs are playing their best basketball of the season and own the league's longest active winning streak with seven straight victories. "It just feels good," San Antonio forward Rudy Gay said. "Things are clicking. Playing defense. Even when the ball is not going in like we want it to, we're still getting wins, and that's how you know we're getting better as a team." The Spurs are a solid 26-7 SU (21-12 ATS) in front of the home town crowd on the season and should be fired up for this one as they try to avenge a nine-point loss at Portland on Feb 7. They're 23-5 ATS in revenge spots this season, and I fully expect Spurs to run away with this game. 10* play on San Antonio Spurs. |
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03-16-19 | Memphis v. Houston -7.5 | Top | 58-61 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 44 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (CBB): MIKE'S TOP RATED 10* SIDE The Houston Cougars have averaged a scorching hot 86.3 ppg through a three-game winning streak. They're however not all about offense, as they also boast one of the best defenses in the nation entering this contest 10th in scoring defense and 2nd in defensive FG%. The Cougars limited the UConn Huskies to 26-percent shooting from the field in a 84-45 rout Friday afternoon, and I think they'll come through with another complete effort here against the Memphis Tigers Saturday afternoon. They'll face a Memphis team that is playing its best basketball of the season and advanced to the semifinals of the AAC tournament with an upset win over UCF on Friday, but keep in mind that the Tigers lost by 13 at Houston in early January. Memphis has improved since and will have homecourt advantage with this contest taking place at FedExForum, but it simply won't be enough to overcome this Houston team. The Cougars are 7-1 ATS in their last eight neutral site games, 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 games vs. AAC opponents and 13-3 ATS in their last 16 Saturday games. Back Houston to get the job done. 10* play on Houston Cougars. |
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03-15-19 | Bulls v. Clippers -8.5 | Top | 121-128 | Loss | -108 | 18 h 33 m | Show |
GAME OF THE YEAR (NBA): MIKE'S TOP RATED 10* SIDE The LA Clippers had won five in a row prior to taking a 21-point loss to Portland Tuesday night. The loss didn't come as a complete surprise though as they were in a letdown spot and playing on no rest after putting a 140-115 beating on the Boston Celtics the previous night. The Clippers have now had two days to rest and prepare for Friday night's matchup with the Chicago Bulls, and I think they'll get back to their winning ways with an easy victory. The Bulls will also be playing on two days rest, but they're trending in the opposite direction of the Clippers going 1-5 SU and ATS through their last six games. They'll face an angry Clippers side that is 6-0 ATS in its last six games following a straight up loss and a phenomenal 21-5 ATS in its last 26 Friday night games. 10* play on LA Clippers. |
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03-15-19 | George Mason v. St Bonaventure -4 | 57-68 | Win | 100 | 4 h 16 m | Show | |
FRIDAY AFTERNOON CBB BANKROLL BUILDER The favorite is 9-0 ATS in the last nine meetings between the St. Bonaventure Bonnies and the George Mason Patriots. That's a trend I think will continue here at Barclays Center Friday afternoon. The Bonnies will have a significant rest advantage as their 66-57 victory over Saint Louis last weekend earned them a bye into the quarterfinal round of the A10 Tournament. George Mason on the other hand was in action yesterday and spent a lot of energy in its victory over rival George Washington. Patriots are 6-22-1 ATS in their last 29 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 0-6 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win The Bonnies won the last meeting 79-56 on Feb 17 and should be able to take full advantage of a fatigued Patriots side. 8* play on St. Bonaventure Bonnies. |
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03-14-19 | Mavs v. Nuggets -10.5 | 99-100 | Loss | -115 | 16 h 55 m | Show | |
NBA MIDNIGHT MASSACRE The Denver Nuggets had lost four of five including a loss to Golden State on Friday before coming through with a complete effort in a 133-107 triumph over the short-handed Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. Here they'll get an opportunity to take advantage another weak opponent with injury woes. Dallas has lost six straight (11 of 12) and Mavericks rookie standout Luka Doncic is banged up and managed just 12 points on 5-of-18 shooting while missing six of his seven shots from beyond the arc in Tuesday's loss to the Spurs. "He had a rough night," Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle said after the game. "I probably played him too many minutes." "Honestly, I wasn’t 100 percent, but I want to play," Doncic said after the game. "I want to play always. Even if we’re not playing for that much right now, I want to play every game." The Mavs have struggled on the road all season long, and here they'll play in one of the most hostile environments in the league. Denver won by 10 at Dallas on Feb 22 and is 23-11 ATS home at Pepsi Center this season. I like the Nuggets to roll over the Mavs tonight. 8* play on Denver Nuggets. |
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03-14-19 | Creighton -2.5 v. Xavier | 61-63 | Loss | -109 | 4 h 28 m | Show | |
CREIGHTON VS. XAVIER ATS ANNIHILATOR Both the Creighton Bluejays and the Xavier Musketeers ended the regular season on impressive runs. The Bluejays won each of their last five games SU and ATS while Xavier won six of its last seven, covering the spread in all wins. The two teams split a couple of regular season meetings with both defending homecourt, but I like Creighton to claim this conference tournament quarterfinal matchup at Madison Square Garden Thursday night. Note that the Musketeers top scorer Naji Marshall was held out of Saturday's win over St. John's with an ankle injury and is expected to be a game-time decision for this contest. Points won't come easy for Xavier here against a Bluejays side that has held four of its last five opponents to 70 points or fewer, and note that Creighton has scored an average of 91.3 ppg on the road this season. 8* play on Creighton Bluejays. |
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03-14-19 | Indiana -2 v. Ohio State | Top | 75-79 | Loss | -110 | 3 h 12 m | Show |
SUPER EARLY BIG TEN DAYTIME DESTROYER The Indiana Hoosiers will clash with the Ohio State Buckeyes at United Center in the second round of the Big Ten Tournament Thursday afternoon. The Hoosiers put an 89-73 beating on Rutgers on Sunday to improve to 6-0 ATS through their last six games. They've won four in a row straight up, three of those as underdogs. The Buckeyes meanwhile took an OT loss to Wisconsin in their last game of the regular season to fall to 1-4 SU and ATS through their last five games. Ohio State's leading scorer and rebounder, sophomore center Kaleeb Wesson, has missed the last three games due to suspension but is expected to be back here. I still don't think that'll be enough for the Buckeyes though, facing a red hot Indiana team more or less forced to win to have any change of making the NCAA Tournament. 8* play on Indiana Hoosiers. |
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03-13-19 | Warriors +3 v. Rockets | 106-104 | Win | 100 | 12 h 16 m | Show | |
WARRIORS @ ROCKETS ATS ANNIHILATOR The Golden State Warriors took a 115-111 home loss to the West-worst Suns on Sunday. That can't sit right with the two-time defending champions who had impressed in a 17-point win over Denver just a couple days earlier. I expect a solid outing from the Warriors tonight. "Frustrated," Warriors coach Steve Kerr said describing his team. "Frustrated with our play, with ourselves, just our approach. So, we all feel it. I think the Denver game was a better indicator of what we're capable of, and then to so quickly get off track one game later, that's very frustrating and that's something we've got to correct. We've got to build some momentum; we've got to build better habits. We've got to stay connected emotionally, and it's the only way it can work." Here the Warriors will be playing on two days rest and facing a Houston Rockets team that will be playing its third game in four nights and is in a letdown spot after winning nine in a row. The run that started with a win in Oakland on Feb 23, but this is a good spot to back the Warriors to avenge that loss. 8* play on Golden State Warriors. |
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03-13-19 | Grizzlies +1 v. Hawks | Top | 111-132 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 36 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER The Memphis Grizzlies turned over a lot of their roster at the trade deadline, but that have only had a positive effect so far. They enter this contest as winners of four of their last five (5-0 ATS), with the lone SU loss as a 10-point underdog at Oklahoma City. Here the Grizzlies will be playing on two days rest since a 105-97 win over Orlando on Sunday and are 10-3 ATS in their last 13 games playing on two days rest. The Atlanta Hawks will also play on two days rest after snapping a three-game losing streak with a 128-116 win over New Orleans on Sunday. They're 6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points though, and note that the Hawks are playing with some minute restrictions for key players late in the season. With both teams well rested I expect to see aggressive defense from both sides, and that will fit Memphis and its superior defense just fine. Take Grizzlies. 10* play on Memphis Grizzlies. |
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03-13-19 | Bucknell +3.5 v. Colgate | 80-94 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 23 m | Show | |
PATRIOT LEAGUE TOURNAMENT TITLE GAME The Bucknell Bison look like a good value underdog here in the Patriot League Tournament title game. The Bison shot a red hot 53.4% from the field in a 97-75 rout of Lehigh last time out and are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points. The Colgate Raiders have failed to cover the spread in two of their last three games and struggled to pull away from Navy in their semifinals game. Bucknell and Colgate split a couple of games during the regular season with both winning at home. We can however note that Bison are the two-time defending Patriot League Tournament champions, so they know what this game is all about. I'm looking for the visitors to overcome Colgate's homecourt advantage and at the very least cover the spread. 8* play on Bucknell Bison. |
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03-13-19 | Miami-FL v. Virginia Tech -7.5 | 56-71 | Win | 100 | 6 h 52 m | Show | |
EARLY ACC TOURNAMENT DAYTIME DESTROYER The Miami (FL) Hurricanes are at a huge rest disadvantage in this early ACC Tournament matchup with the Virginia Tech Hokies Wednesday afternoon. Virginia Tech has had four days to rest and prepare since its 84-70 win over the Hurricanes last Friday. The Canes on the other hand were in action last night as they earned a spot in the second round by beating Wake Forest. The Hurricanes are still just 6-13 ATS in their last 19 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record while VT is 15-5-1 ATS in its last 21 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. The Hokies have managed to overcome an injury to senior point guard Justin Robinson and enter this contest as winners of five of their last seven games. sophomore guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has picked up the slack and put up 21 points against the Canes last time out. "In adversity, you kind of have to bring your best out. I think I've done that," Alexander-Walker explained. "Thanks to my teammates, because through this transition, they’ve been nothing but supportive." Additionally we can note that Miami is 1-3 ATS in neutral court games this season while Virginia Tech is a perfect 4-0 ATS in such spots. As the clincher; The Hokies are 7-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. 8* play on Virginia Tech Hokies. |
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03-12-19 | Spurs v. Mavs +5 | 112-105 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 52 m | Show | |
NBA SPURS @ MAVS BANKROLL BUILDER The San Antonio Spurs are on a roll, travelling to Dallas off five straight victories including a 121-114 triumph over the East-leading Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. We can however note that they're just 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games playing on one days rest and 1-8 ATS in their last nine vs. Western Conference foes. The Dallas Mavericks have lost five in a row and 10 of 11, but they usually step up their game against their in-state rivals. The Mavs gave Houston a scare on Sunday losing by just one point and they have covered the spread in eight of the last 10 meetings with the Spurs. We can also note that Dallas is 21-12 SU (21-11-1 ATS) home at American Airlines Center this season. The underdog is 23-4 ATS in the last 27 meetings in the series, and I expect a fired up Mavs side to keep this close against a Spurs team in a letdown spot. 8* play on Dallas Mavericks. |
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03-12-19 | Notre Dame v. Georgia Tech +1.5 | 78-71 | Loss | -104 | 9 h 50 m | Show | |
EARLY ACC ATS ANNIHILATOR The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have split a pair of games so far in 2019, but the Yellow Jackets are 11-1-1 ATS in the last 13 meetings. I like Georgia Tech to come through with a win here in this ACC Tournament first-round matchup Tuesday night. Note that Notre Dame is just 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record and 1-6 ATS in its last seven Tuesday games. Georgia Tech is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 Tuesday games and will be high on confidence following back-to-back wins, the most recent a 63-61 triumph as an 11-point underdog against NC State. The Fighting Irish on the other hand have dropped seven in a row since defeating Georgia Tech on Feb 10. 8* play on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. |
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03-11-19 | Pistons +2 v. Nets | Top | 75-103 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 53 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* PISTONS @ NETS BOOKIE BREAKER The Detroit Pistons are one of the hottest teams in the NBA with 12 wins through their last 14 games. They'll be playing on no rest tonight but didn't have to burn all that much fuel in their 131-108 rout of the Chicago Bulls early Sunday afternoon. Coach Dwane Casey could afford to rest Blake Griffin, Andre Drummond and Reggie Jackson for the entire fourth quarter after finishing the third with a 23-point lead. "That was huge, because we're playing in Brooklyn tomorrow and then we go to Miami," Casey said. "We're not in a position to use what they are calling load management to give our players a night off, so being able to sit them in the fourth is a bonus." The Brooklyn Nets have followed a three-game skid with three straight wins, but they've mostly been taking advantage of lesser teams and are just 1-5 ATS through that six-game stretch. This is an important contest for both teams with 6th-placed Detroit just 1/2 game ahead of the 7th-placed Brooklyn in the Eastern Conference standings and both teams looking to distance themselves from the playoff bubble. The road team is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings, and I'm well happy to take the points on the white hot Pistons here. 10* play on Detroit Pistons. |
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03-11-19 | Ball State v. Eastern Michigan -3 | Top | 61-43 | Loss | -108 | 10 h 1 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* CBB BOOKIE BLASTER The Ball State Cardinals have been absolutely atrocious against the spread lately, failing to cover in each of their last seven games and going 3-14 ATS through their last 17. Here they'll face an Eastern Michigan team that won the last meeting in the series 68-61 on March 5 and have covered the spread in each of their last three games. The Eagles fell 64-58 at Toledo last time out (as a 10-point dog), but note that they're 6-1 ATS after scoring 60 points or fewer this season and 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss. Great spot to back Eastern Michigan to bounce back with a big performance against a reeling Ball State side. 10* play on Eastern Michigan Eagles. |
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03-10-19 | Magic v. Grizzlies +1.5 | 97-105 | Win | 100 | 11 h 44 m | Show | |
MAGIC @ GRIZZLIES HARDWOOD HAMMER The Orlando Magic are fighting for their playoff lives, but they're in a tough spot here at FedExForum. The Magic had lost back-to-back road games at Cleveland and Philadelphia before returning home to beat Dallas Friday night, and now they'll play another two games on the road. The Memphis Grizzlies meanwhile are coming off back-to-back home victories, the most recent an impressive 114-104 win over Utah Friday night. They're 8-2 ATS after a win by 10 points or more this season and I like the Grizzlies to come through with a big outing here as they close out a three-game homestand. 8* play on Memphis Grizzlies. |
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03-10-19 | Wisconsin -2.5 v. Ohio State | Top | 73-67 | Win | 100 | 14 h 56 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BIG TEN BOOKIE BREAKER The Wisconsin Badgers are coming off a dominant 65-45 win over Iowa. They're 6-2 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and I expect the Badgers to win and cover the spread here at Ohio State Sunday afternoon. The Buckeyes have lost five of their last seven and have averaged just 50.5 ppg in back-to-back blowout losses, by 35 points at Purdue and 18 at Northwestern. That two-game slide has coincided with the suspension of their leading scorer and rebounder in sophomore Kaleb Wesson who will be forced to sit this one out as well. Buckeyes are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 1-5 ATS in their last six home games vs. a team with a winning road record. OSU's woes without Wesson continues and Wisconsin runs away with this game. 10* play on Wisconsin Badgers. |
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03-09-19 | Kings -4.5 v. Knicks | Top | 102-94 | Win | 100 | 11 h 5 m | Show |
EARLY TOP RATED 10* NBA DAYTIME DESTROYER The Sacramento Kings are desperate for wins to stay in contention for a postseason berth. They have lost four of their last five but a tough schedule has been a factor. The Kings only win during that stretch 115-108 home triumph over the New York Knicks on March 4, and I think they'll pick up an easy win here at MSG Saturday afternoon. The Kings are just 12-18 SU on the road overall but 5-1 SU and ATS as road favorites. They're 8-2-1 in their last 11 road games overall and 9-3 last 12 games following a straight up loss, which they are here after taking a tight loss to Boston Wednesday night. The Knickerbockers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a losing road record. They took a 107-96 loss to Phoenix last time out and are 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games following a straight up loss. As an organization. the Knicks have very little incentive to win games as they rather look to improve their chances of getting the No. 1 pick in the NBA draft. 10* play on Sacramento Kings. |
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03-09-19 | TCU v. Texas -6 | Top | 69-56 | Loss | -107 | 11 h 20 m | Show |
GAME OF THE YEAR (CBB): MIKE'S TOP RATED EARLY BIG 12 BET I absolutely love the Texas Longhorns home at Frank Erwin Center Saturday afternoon. The visiting TCU Horned Frogs are a complete mess, entering this contest as losers of six of their last seven games (SU and ATS). The Longhorns will smell blood and not doubt look forward to the opportunity to revenge a 65-61 loss at TCU back in January. We can also note that a Longhorns win would put them at .500 in conference play for some additional motivation for the home team. Texas is 1-3 SU through its last four games but had covered the spread in four straight prior to a blowout loss at Texas Tech last time out. The Longhorns are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a straight up loss and put a 69-57 beating on Oklahoma State their last time out as a favorite to improve to 5-1 ATS L6 as favorites. 10* play on Texas Longhorns. |
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03-08-19 | Minnesota v. Maryland -7 | Top | 60-69 | Win | 100 | 17 h 2 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* BIG TEN BOOKIE BREAKER This looks like a great time to back the Maryland Terrapins as they seek to rebound from back-to-back losses to Penn State and Michigan. They're 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a ATS loss and have covered the spread in six of the last eight meetings with the Minnesota Golden Gophers (including a 82-67 win on Jan. 8). The Golden Gophers are in a letdown spot following a 73-69 upset victory over ninth-ranked Purdue on Tuesday. Minnesota is just 6-15 ATS in its last 21 games following a ATS win and I expect the home team to run up the score here at XFINITY Center Friday night. 10* play on Maryland Terrapins. |
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03-07-19 | Iowa v. Wisconsin -7 | 45-65 | Win | 100 | 15 h 3 m | Show | |
THURSDAY NIGHT BIG TEN ATS ANNIHILATOR Both the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Wisconsin Badgers have been atrocious against the spread lately with Iowa going 0-6 ATS through its last six games and Wisconsin 0-5-1 ATS through its last six. The Badgers might have performed poorly against the spread, but they're going for a fourth win in five games here and I expect the home team to come up with a big performance here. The Badgers defeated PSU 61-57 last time out and have plenty of motivation as they look to earn a double bye in the Big Ten tournament. "In this league you have to scratch and claw for everything you get," Wisconsin coach Greg Gard told reporters. "Our guys have figured out what our identity needs to be and how tough we need to play." The Badgers are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a winning road record and have covered the spread in five of the last seven meetings in this series. We can also note that this will be the final game of Iowa head coach Fran McCaffery’s two-game suspension. They lost the first one by 14 to Rutgers on Saturday. The Hawkeyes are a poor 6-14-1 ATS in their last 21 road games and I like the Badgers to run away with this game. 8* play on Wisconsin Badgers. |
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03-06-19 | Celtics v. Kings | 111-109 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 23 m | Show | |
CELTICS @ KINGS MIDNIGHT MASSACRE This looks like a great spot to fade the Boston Celtics who are in a major letdown spot following a blowout win over the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. Boston had lost five of six before that win and is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games playing on zero days rest. Here the Celtics will face a Sacramento team that is desperate for wins, entering Wednesday night three games out of the final playoff spot in the West after dropping five of its last six games. The Kings did defeat the Knicks last time out and are far from a pushover home at Golden 1 Center going 11-3 ATS in their last 14 home games (20-13 SU, 22-11 ATS at home on the season). The home team is 11-4 ATS in the last 15 meetings and I'm well happy to back the Kings here at a pick'em. 8* play on Sacramento Kings. |
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03-06-19 | Providence +6 v. Creighton | 70-76 | Push | 0 | 9 h 7 m | Show | |
SUBSCRIBERS ONLY The Creighton Bluejays host the Providence Friars at CHI Health Center Omaha Wednesday night. Under is 8-1 in the last nine meetings, and I think this will be another relatively low-scoring affair. Providence had played back-to-back unders (against St. John's and Marquette) before going over at Butler last time out, but only because the game went to OT. Under is 10-1 in Friars last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and here it'll face a Creighton team that held conference-leading Marquette to 60 points last time out. Under is 3-0 in Bluejays games where they held their previous opponent to 60 point or fewer this season and 9-1 in their last 10 overall. Additionally we can note that Providence is a perfect 4-0 ATS as a road underdog of 3.5 to 6 points on the season. Take the visitors to cover the spread in a low-scoring contest. 8* play on Providence Friars. |
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03-06-19 | Wolves v. Pistons -5 | Top | 114-131 | Win | 100 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA): MIKE'S TOP RATED NBA SIDE The Detroit Pistons are playing their best basketball of the season right and have won nine of their last 11 after defeating Toronto 112-107 on Sunday. They're 7-1 ATS in their last eight games playing on two days rest, and here they'll take on a reeling Minnesota team that had lost four of five prior to an 11-point triumph over OKC Tuesday night. Detroit has covered the spread in seven straight meetings in the series, and with momentum and rest favoring the Pistons I expect nothing less than a blowout win for the home team here at Little Caesars Arena Wednesday night. 10* play on Detroit Pistons. |
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03-05-19 | Kentucky -5 v. Ole Miss | Top | 80-76 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* SEC BASKET BRAWLER The Kentucky Wildcats took a 71-52 loss at No. 4 Tennessee on Saturday to fall to third place in the SEC standings. They're still 10-4 ATS through their last four games, and here the Wildcats will face an Ole Miss Rebels side they've owned in recent years, winning nine in a row straight up while going 6-1 ATS through the last seven meetings. Ole Miss lost a heart breaker 74-73 to Arkansas on Saturday for its third loss in four games. I think the Rebels find it extremely tough to reset mentally and bounce back against an angry Cats side that lost in a blowout last time out. Kentucky senior forward senior forward Reid Travis has missed the last three games after injuring his knee in a win over Missouri on Feb 16. "That’s all up to the medical staff," Wildcats assistant coach Tony Barbee said Monday when asked if Travis could return for this contest. I don't expect Travis to play tonight (if he plays it's just a bonus), but Kentucky has enough quality to win and cover the spread here either way. 10* play on Kentucky Wildcats. |
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03-05-19 | Bulls v. Pacers -7.5 | Top | 96-105 | Win | 100 | 13 h 1 m | Show |
TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER The Chicago Bulls have played slightly better lately than their 18-46 record would indicate in winning five of their last seven games. They have however still struggled against tough opposition and are 1-4 ATS in their last five games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Here the Bulls will face an Indiana Pacers team that sits 3rd in the East with 41-23 record, but will be desperate to get back on track after dropping three of their last four games. The Pacers took a 117-112 loss to the Orlando Magic last time out and Pacers coach Nate McMillan was not pleased with his players' mentality. "You can talk about a call, but after you talk about that call, you've got to get back to calm," McMillan said to the Indianapolis Star. "The officiating was a distraction. There's been a couple games since this (All-Star) break where we are looking at the officiating. We kind of get drunk on emotions out there. Everything is rushing. You're not clear about what you need to do." The Pacers are 7-0 ATS in their last seven home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400 and 22-9 ATS in their last 31 games following a straight up loss. I think McMillan will have his team ready to go for this one. 10* play on Indiana Pacers. |