Randall the Handle
NFL
BUFFALO +3 +1.04 over NY Jets Pinnacle
You can treat this one like a home game for the Bills, as it will be played in Toronto and busloads of people from Toronto have been going to see the Bills play in Buffalo for decades. They have a huge fan base north of the border because it’s only about 100 miles away. With that said, I can’t think of too many more things less unappealing than laying road points with the Jets on a short week. The Jets had dropped six of seven before last week’s unimpressive 17-6 win over Carolina. The Jets didn’t win that game, the Panthers lost it and that’s all there is to it. You can count on the Jets to make plenty of miscues and mistakes because that’s who they are. Mark Sanchez has been exposed as a very ordinary QB that will be forced into errors and allowing any team to stay in it. Despite some key injuries the Bills have looked a whole lot better under new coach Perry Fewell. In two weeks since taking over the head coaching reigns, the Bills lost in Jacksonville 18-15 and last week they crushed the Dolphins 31-14. The Bills are now 3-3 over its last six and that includes a win in New York, 16-13 and a win in Carolina by a score of 20-6, which incidentally makes the Jets win last week look even less impressive. The Bills defense (still coordinated by Fewell) is tough and in fact kept the Dolphins in check last week when they did not allow a run of more than 13 yards. The Jets play a similar style to that of the Dolphins in that they run first and pass when they need to. Rex Ryan is asking Sanchez to pass less and less these days because the rookie cannot be trusted. The Bills seem to have a renewed spirit about them playing for Fewell and frankly, there’s not a single team in the NFL that the Jets are worthy of laying road points against. Play: Buffalo +3 +1.04 (Risking 2 units).
NHL
Anaheim +1.30 over DALLAS (REG) Pinnacle
The Ducks have played just nine road games (the lowest in the league) this season and they’re coming off a long, seven-game home stand. It would be safe to assume that they’re thrilled to get back on the road for a couple of games and even though they’ve lost two straight they’re looking a whole lot more dangerous these days. The Ducks are good; make no mistake about that. They can play the cycle and fore-check game as good as anyone. The problem is they sometimes do not show up but after seven home games and a two-game losing streak, one would expect a solid effort tonight. When the Ducks are right, they can beat anyone and come playoff time and if they make it, there are seven teams in the west that wouldn’t want to draw them in the first round. The Ducks have recent wins over both Calgary and Chicago, arguably two of the best and hottest teams in the league. The Stars have dropped three of four with only victory over that stretch being a 4-3 OT win over Tampa Bay. The Stars are a decent team but in no way are they worthy of this price over a Ducks team that is every bit as good as this host and very likely better. Nice spot and a great price on the Ducks. Play: Anaheim +1.30 (Risking 2 units).
NBA
Boston +1.05 over SAN ANTONIO Pinnacle
The best part about this is that the Spurs have reeled off five in a row to push its record to 9-6. That modest win streak has increased their stock, thus creating an absolutely beautiful opportunity here. A close look reveals that the Spurs last five victims has been Washington, Milwaukee, Golden State, Houston and Philly and all five of those teams are going to be somewhere in the neighborhood of .500 or less when the season is over. The Spurs have had the luxury of an easy schedule that has seen them just three games against a top-10 team. They’ve played Dallas twice and the Blzers once and in those games they’re 1-2. The rest of the games they’ve played were all winnable, yet the Spurs are just 9-6 and now they’ll face the only team in the NBA that has a legit shot of beating the Lakers for the championship. The Celtics are wickedly good in every aspect of the game. They’re 7-1 on the road and they’re 14-4 overall. They, too, have reeled off five straight against some not-so-tough opposition but the difference is that the C’s are the class of the East and one of the top three teams in the league. The Spurs will take a huge step up in class tonight and play its toughest game of the year and frankly, they just have not proven a damn thing this season except that they can be beat. Play: Boston +1.05 (Risking 2 units).