JOHNNY GUILD
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 7:30 PM EST.
Miami Heat (26-21) at Detroit Pistons (25-21)
The Miami Heat have won four of their last six games, while the struggling Detroit Pistons have dropped nine of its last 12, including their last four at home. Detroit however has been successful versus the Heat. They have beaten Miami in the last five clashes at the Palace of Auburn Hills and 10 of the last 12, but are just 1-5 ATS in its last 6 clashes versus Miami in Detroit. Detroit is struggling on offense, averaging just 92.9 points per game. Take the Heat and hot Dwyane Wade to outscore the dragging Pistons.
Miami Heat +4
JOHNNY GUILD CBB
7:30 PM EST. No. 6 Wake Forest (17-2) at Miami-Florida (14-7) Wake Forest Demon Deacons -3
9:00 PM EST. Memphis (18-3) at Southern Methodist (6-13) Memphis Tigers -17
Wednesday, February 4, 2009 7:30 PM EST.
Miami Heat (26-21) at Detroit Pistons (25-21)
The Miami Heat have won four of their last six games, while the struggling Detroit Pistons have dropped nine of its last 12, including their last four at home. Detroit however has been successful versus the Heat. They have beaten Miami in the last five clashes at the Palace of Auburn Hills and 10 of the last 12, but are just 1-5 ATS in its last 6 clashes versus Miami in Detroit. Detroit is struggling on offense, averaging just 92.9 points per game. Take the Heat and hot Dwyane Wade to outscore the dragging Pistons.
Miami Heat +4
JOHNNY GUILD CBB
7:30 PM EST. No. 6 Wake Forest (17-2) at Miami-Florida (14-7) Wake Forest Demon Deacons -3
9:00 PM EST. Memphis (18-3) at Southern Methodist (6-13) Memphis Tigers -17
GINA
Wednesday, February 4th, 8:00 p.m. est.
Atlanta Hawks (27-20) at Minnesota Timberwolves (17-30)
Atlanta Hawks have struggle on the road, dropping their last three and are a ghastly 9-15 away from home thus far this season. They have won the last two at the Target Center and covered the spread in six of the last seven clashes versus Minnesota, but haven't met with the Timberwolves this season. Take the Wolves on their home court to grab back to back victories. Atlanta is playing below par and has lost four of their last five games. The Hawks did win the last two battles in Minnesota, but did suffer defeat in the prior eight.
Minnesota Timberwolves -2½
Wednesday, February 4th, 8:00 p.m. est.
Atlanta Hawks (27-20) at Minnesota Timberwolves (17-30)
Atlanta Hawks have struggle on the road, dropping their last three and are a ghastly 9-15 away from home thus far this season. They have won the last two at the Target Center and covered the spread in six of the last seven clashes versus Minnesota, but haven't met with the Timberwolves this season. Take the Wolves on their home court to grab back to back victories. Atlanta is playing below par and has lost four of their last five games. The Hawks did win the last two battles in Minnesota, but did suffer defeat in the prior eight.
Minnesota Timberwolves -2½
Info Plays
3 on Boston College -2
Reasons why Boston College covers the spread Wednesday:
1.) Virginia is the worst team in the ACC. The Cavaliers are just 1-5 in ACC play, losing 5 straight games. Virginia is now 7-10 on the season, and this is clearly a rebuilding year. The Cavaliers’ last two games weren’t even competitive, losing at home to Florida State by 11 and losing at Duke by 25. Virginia can’t seem to get anything going, and now they run into a red hot Boston College squad Wednesday which won’t make matters any easier.
2.) Boston College is on fire. The Eagles beat the North Carolina Tar Heels on the road back in early January. After that win, it was expected this team would have a letdown and boy did they ever. The Eagles went on to lose their next 4 games following that win over the Tar Heels. But BC has finally come back to reality and re-focused over the last 2 weeks. Boston College is 4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games, earning big wins over Georgia Tech, NC State, Maryland and Virginia Tech. Those are 4 teams that are all better than Virginia. This is a streaky Eagles’ team this season and you certainly want to back them when they are as hot as they are right now.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play Against – Home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (VIRGINIA) – off 2 straight losses against conference rivals against opponent off 3 straight wins against conference rivals. This is a 153-95 ATS System hitting 61.7% since 1997. Virginia is 0-8 ATS after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half since 1997. BC is 10-2 ATS in road games versus poor 3 point shooting teams – making <=31% of their attempts since 1997. The Cavaliers are shooting a horrendous 27.7% from 3-point range at home, and the Eagles allow teams to shoot just 29.8% from distance on the season. Virginia’s bread and butter has always been their 3-point shooting, but it’s simply not there this season. Bet Boston College on the road.
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3 on Boston College -2
Reasons why Boston College covers the spread Wednesday:
1.) Virginia is the worst team in the ACC. The Cavaliers are just 1-5 in ACC play, losing 5 straight games. Virginia is now 7-10 on the season, and this is clearly a rebuilding year. The Cavaliers’ last two games weren’t even competitive, losing at home to Florida State by 11 and losing at Duke by 25. Virginia can’t seem to get anything going, and now they run into a red hot Boston College squad Wednesday which won’t make matters any easier.
2.) Boston College is on fire. The Eagles beat the North Carolina Tar Heels on the road back in early January. After that win, it was expected this team would have a letdown and boy did they ever. The Eagles went on to lose their next 4 games following that win over the Tar Heels. But BC has finally come back to reality and re-focused over the last 2 weeks. Boston College is 4-0 SU & 3-1 ATS in their last 4 games, earning big wins over Georgia Tech, NC State, Maryland and Virginia Tech. Those are 4 teams that are all better than Virginia. This is a streaky Eagles’ team this season and you certainly want to back them when they are as hot as they are right now.
3.) System Play. We’ll Play Against – Home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (VIRGINIA) – off 2 straight losses against conference rivals against opponent off 3 straight wins against conference rivals. This is a 153-95 ATS System hitting 61.7% since 1997. Virginia is 0-8 ATS after trailing in their previous game by 20 or more points at the half since 1997. BC is 10-2 ATS in road games versus poor 3 point shooting teams – making <=31% of their attempts since 1997. The Cavaliers are shooting a horrendous 27.7% from 3-point range at home, and the Eagles allow teams to shoot just 29.8% from distance on the season. Virginia’s bread and butter has always been their 3-point shooting, but it’s simply not there this season. Bet Boston College on the road.
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THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NCAA
West Virginia (15-6, 8-10 ATS) at (20) Syracuse (17-5, 8-10 ATS)
Syracuse looks to snap a season-high three-game slide when it returns to the Carrier Dome for a Big East battle with West Virginia.
The Orange have been idle since last Wednesday’s 100-94 loss at Providence as a three-point road underdog, the team’s third consecutive defeat and its fourth in the last five games, both SU and ATS. Syracuse set season highs for both points scored and points allowed, and they lost despite shooting 50.8 percent overall, including hitting 12 of 25 from three-point range, but they let the Friars shoot 53.7 percent and they committed 21 turnovers. The SU winner is 7-0 ATS in the Orange’s last seven games (4-0 ATS at home).
West Virginia has split its last eight contests (3-5 ATS) and is coming off Saturday’s 69-63 loss at Louisville, though it rallied late to cash as a 6½-point road underdog. It was the fifth time in the last eight games that the Mountaineers scored 67 points or less, and they lost four of those five contests. Bob Huggins’ team is just 2-5 against ranked foes this season (4-3 ATS).
Syracuse is 5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS in Big East play, including 3-1 SU and ATS at home. The Mountaineers are 4-4 SU and ATS in league action, including 2-2 (3-1 ATS) on the highway.
West Virginia snapped an eight-game losing skid to Syracuse with an 81-61 rout as a 9½-point home favorite in last year’s lone meeting. The Orange are still 5-2 ATS in the last seven matchups, and the favorite is 5-2 ATS during this stretch.
The Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS in their last five on the highway and 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season, but they’re 2-6 ATS in their last eight on Wednesday, 1-4 ATS in their last five after an outright defeat and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 after a spread-cover. Syracuse carries ATS slumps of 1-4 overall, 1-5 on Wednesday, 1-4 after a SU loss and 2-10 after scoring more than 90 points in their pervious game.
The over is 11-5 in West Virginia’s last 16 roadies, 5-2 in Syracuse’s last seven overall, 11-5 in Syracuse’s last 11 at home and 5-1 in Syracuse’s last five on Wednesday. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
(19) Minnesota (18-3, 9-6-1 ATS) at (13) Michigan State (17-4, 9-8-1 ATS)
Having suffered back-to-back stunning losses at the Breslin Center, Michigan State will attempt to reestablish its home-court swagger when it hosts Big Ten rival Minnesota.
The Spartans had an 11-game overall and a 28-game home winning streak snapped on Jan. 21 when they fell 70-63 to Northwestern as a 12-point favorite. They rebounded with a pair of double-digit road wins at Ohio State (78-67) and Iowa (71-56) before coming home Sunday and getting clipped 72-68 by Penn State as a 12½-point chalk. It’s the first time since December 1997 that Michigan State has suffered consecutive home losses.
Minnesota has followed up two straight losses to Northwestern (74-65 on the road) and Purdue (70-62 at home) with a pair of victories over Indiana (67-63) and Illinois (59-36). With Thursday’s 23-point rout of the then-19th-ranked Illini, the Gophers snapped a 20-game losing skid to Illinois, and in cashing as a one-point home favorite they halted a three-game ATS slide. The 36 points easily the fewest Minnesota has allowed this season, as the Gophers gave up just 15 field goals in 51 attempts (29.4 percent).
The Spartans still sit atop the Big Ten standings at 7-2 (4-4-1 ATS), one game ahead of Minnesota (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS).
Michigan State ran its winning streak over the Gophers to four in a row (3-1 ATS) with a 70-58 rout as a one-point road underdog on New Year’s Eve. The Spartans are 9-1 (6-4 ATS) in the last 10 meetings in this rivalry, including 5-0 (3-2 ATS) in East Lansing. Four of those five home wins were by double digits, the lone exception being last year’s 65-59 triumph as an 11-point favorite.
Minnesota is on ATS runs of 9-4 overall, 8-3 against winning teams, 3-1 as an underdog this season, 8-2 after a SU win and 4-1 after a non-cover. Michigan State is 1-5 ATS in its last six at the Breslin Center and 2-7 ATS in its nine as a favorite of more than seven points, but otherwise the Spartans are on ATS streaks of 7-0 after a defeat and 4-1 after a non-cover.
The over is on stretches of 5-1 for the Gophers overall (all in the Big Ten), 4-1 for the Gophers on the road, 4-0 for the Spartans overall (all in the Big Ten) and 6-2 for the Spartans after a SU loss. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings between these schools and 6-1 in the last seven battles at Michigan State.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MINNESOTA
(4) Duke (19-2, 11-8-1 ATS) at (10) Clemson (18-2, 7-7-1 ATS)
Clemson faces its third Top 5 ACC opponent in the last five games when it hosts No. 4 Duke at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson started the season with 16 straight victories than ran up against its two toughest opponents – Wake Forest and North Carolina – and got steamrolled in both contests, losing 78-68 to the Demon Deacons as a 2½-point home chalk and 94-70 at Carolina as a 13-point road ‘dog. However, the Tigers have rebounded with a pair of wins and covers over Georgia Tech (73-59) and Virginia Tech (86-82). In Thursday’s victory at the Hokies, Clemson rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit and won despite getting outshot 50.8 percent to 43.3 percent, but the Tigers did hit on 14 of 25 attempts from three-point range.
The Blue Devils bounced back from a last Wednesday’s last-second 70-68 loss at Wake Forest as a two-point road favorite with Sunday’s 79-54 home rout of Virginia. Duke cashed as a 22½-point chalk, but it is just 3-4-1 ATS in its last five games, including 1-2 ATS in ACC roadies.
Duke is 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in conference, while Clemson is 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS) in the ACC.
The Tigers dumped Duke 78-74 in the semifinals of last year’s ACC tournament as a 4½-point road underdog, snapping a 22-game losing skid in this rivalry. Clemson is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings, all as an underdog, and its last two losses to the Blue Devils at Littlejohn Coliseum were by a total of nine points. The visitor has cashed in six of the last nine regular-season clashes in this rivalry.
The Blue Devils are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games on Wednesday and 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 after a spread-cover. Clemson is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine ACC contests since last year and 2-0 ATS this year as a single-digit underdog, but the Tigers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight at home.
Duke sports nothing but “under” streaks, including 22-6 overall (4-0 last four), 13-3 against ACC foes, 5-1 on the road, 6-0 on Wednesday, 16-5 after a SU win, 6-0 after a victory of more than 20 points and 11-2 after a non-cover. The under is also 5-2 in Clemson’s last seven overall and 6-0 in its last six at home. On the flip side, the over is 4-1 both in the last five overall meetings between these schools and 4-1 in the last five tussles at Littlejohn.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Missouri (18-4, 8-7 ATS) at (16) Texas (15-5, 8-9 ATS)
Texas will try to rebound from a shocking overtime home loss to Kansas State when it entertains surprising Missouri in Austin.
The Longhorns trailed most of the way against K-State on Saturday and despite a furious rally to force overtime, they came up short 85-81 as a 10½-point home chalk. The defeat ended Texas’ three-game overall winning streak and a 19-game run at home, the latter being the fourth-longest home-court streak in the nation. Rick Barnes’ team, which committed 20 turnovers in Saturday’s loss, has been a disaster at the betting window of late, going 2-5 ATS in the last seven.
Missouri had a four-game winning streak snapped at Kansas State a week ago tonight, but the Tigers rebounded with Saturday’s 89-72 rout of Baylor, covering as a 6½-point home favorite. Mizzou’s offense has been clicking, putting up 86.4 ppg (46.3 percent shooting) in its last five games, all against Big 12 foes.
While the Tigers are 5-2 in the Big 12 (4-3 ATS), they’re 1-2 SU and ATS on the road. Texas is 4-2 SU and 2-4 ATS in league play, including 0-3 ATS at home.
The Tigers ended a 10-game SU and ATS losing skid to Texas with last year’s 97-84 victory as a one-point home underdog. However, going back to 2001, Missouri has made four trips to Austin, going 0-4 SU and ATS and losing by an average of 17 ppg (all double-digit defeats). Finally, the favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six series clashes.
Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last five after a SU defeat and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 following a non-cover. However, the ‘Horns are on pointspread slides of 2-5 overall, 1-6 at home, 3-8-1 in Big 12 action and 2-5 against winning teams. The Tigers are also on a bevy of ATS slides, including 20-41-2 on the road, 16-37-1 in conference, 8-22-1 on Wednesday, 2-6 after a SU win and 3-9 after an ATS setback.
For Missouri, the over is on runs of 4-0 overall (all in the Big 12), 4-1 on the road, 5-0 on Wednesday and 11-4 after a spread-cover. The over is also 5-2 in Texas’ last seven Big 12 contests. However, the under is on a 4-1-1 tear in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS and OVER
USC (15-6, 10-9 ATS) at (15) UCLA (17-4, 10-10 ATS)
UCLA goes for the season sweep of crosstown rival USC in this clash of streaking Pac-10 foes at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins are coming off their most impressive weekend of the season, pounding both Cal (81-66) and Stanford (97-63), easily covering as a 10-point home chalk in both contests. UCLA, which is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games, used a 19-0 run early in the second half to put away Stanford on Saturday and finished shooting a blistering 63.3 percent from the field, including 73.3 percent from three-point land (11-for-15). Defensively, the Bruins held the Cardinal to 38.5 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers.
Like the Bruins, USC is coming off a weekend sweep at home of the northern California schools, the first being a 70-69 win over Stanford as a 5½-point chalk followed by Saturday’s 73-62 rout of Cal as a five-point favorite. Since falling 64-60 to UCLA at home on Jan. 11, the Trojans have won five of their last six games (4-2 ATS), including the last three in a row (2-1 ATS).
UCLA is tied with Washington for first place in the Pac-10 at 7-2 (5-4 ATS), including 3-1 SU and ATS at home. USC is one game back at 6-3 (5-4 ATS), including 2-2 (3-1 ATS) on the highway.
With last month’s victory on the Trojans’ home court, the Bruins have taken three straight, five of the last six and eight of the last 10 in this rivalry. However, USC is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings overall and 6-2 ATS in its last eight trips to Pauley Pavilion, including last year’s shocking 72-63 road win as a 12-point underdog. The pup has cashed in 11 of the last 15 head-to-head battles, and the visitor is 4-0 ATS in the last four.
USC is on pointspread runs of 3-1 overall, 24-9 on the road and 4-1 as an underdog this season, but it is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 after a spread-cover. In fact, the Trojans have covered in consecutive games just once this season. The Bruins are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against inning teams, but 4-11 ATS in their last 15 after a spread-cover and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after a victory of more than 20 points.
The over is on streaks of 4-1 for USC overall (all in Pac-10 action), 4-0 for USC after a victory, 4-0 for the Bruins overall (all in Pac-10 action), 5-1 for the Bruins on Wednesday and 7-3 for the Bruins after an ATS triumph. However, the last three series meetings between these squads have stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC
NCAA
West Virginia (15-6, 8-10 ATS) at (20) Syracuse (17-5, 8-10 ATS)
Syracuse looks to snap a season-high three-game slide when it returns to the Carrier Dome for a Big East battle with West Virginia.
The Orange have been idle since last Wednesday’s 100-94 loss at Providence as a three-point road underdog, the team’s third consecutive defeat and its fourth in the last five games, both SU and ATS. Syracuse set season highs for both points scored and points allowed, and they lost despite shooting 50.8 percent overall, including hitting 12 of 25 from three-point range, but they let the Friars shoot 53.7 percent and they committed 21 turnovers. The SU winner is 7-0 ATS in the Orange’s last seven games (4-0 ATS at home).
West Virginia has split its last eight contests (3-5 ATS) and is coming off Saturday’s 69-63 loss at Louisville, though it rallied late to cash as a 6½-point road underdog. It was the fifth time in the last eight games that the Mountaineers scored 67 points or less, and they lost four of those five contests. Bob Huggins’ team is just 2-5 against ranked foes this season (4-3 ATS).
Syracuse is 5-4 SU and 4-5 ATS in Big East play, including 3-1 SU and ATS at home. The Mountaineers are 4-4 SU and ATS in league action, including 2-2 (3-1 ATS) on the highway.
West Virginia snapped an eight-game losing skid to Syracuse with an 81-61 rout as a 9½-point home favorite in last year’s lone meeting. The Orange are still 5-2 ATS in the last seven matchups, and the favorite is 5-2 ATS during this stretch.
The Mountaineers are 4-1 ATS in their last five on the highway and 3-1 ATS as an underdog this season, but they’re 2-6 ATS in their last eight on Wednesday, 1-4 ATS in their last five after an outright defeat and 3-7 ATS in their last 10 after a spread-cover. Syracuse carries ATS slumps of 1-4 overall, 1-5 on Wednesday, 1-4 after a SU loss and 2-10 after scoring more than 90 points in their pervious game.
The over is 11-5 in West Virginia’s last 16 roadies, 5-2 in Syracuse’s last seven overall, 11-5 in Syracuse’s last 11 at home and 5-1 in Syracuse’s last five on Wednesday. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
(19) Minnesota (18-3, 9-6-1 ATS) at (13) Michigan State (17-4, 9-8-1 ATS)
Having suffered back-to-back stunning losses at the Breslin Center, Michigan State will attempt to reestablish its home-court swagger when it hosts Big Ten rival Minnesota.
The Spartans had an 11-game overall and a 28-game home winning streak snapped on Jan. 21 when they fell 70-63 to Northwestern as a 12-point favorite. They rebounded with a pair of double-digit road wins at Ohio State (78-67) and Iowa (71-56) before coming home Sunday and getting clipped 72-68 by Penn State as a 12½-point chalk. It’s the first time since December 1997 that Michigan State has suffered consecutive home losses.
Minnesota has followed up two straight losses to Northwestern (74-65 on the road) and Purdue (70-62 at home) with a pair of victories over Indiana (67-63) and Illinois (59-36). With Thursday’s 23-point rout of the then-19th-ranked Illini, the Gophers snapped a 20-game losing skid to Illinois, and in cashing as a one-point home favorite they halted a three-game ATS slide. The 36 points easily the fewest Minnesota has allowed this season, as the Gophers gave up just 15 field goals in 51 attempts (29.4 percent).
The Spartans still sit atop the Big Ten standings at 7-2 (4-4-1 ATS), one game ahead of Minnesota (6-3 SU, 5-4 ATS).
Michigan State ran its winning streak over the Gophers to four in a row (3-1 ATS) with a 70-58 rout as a one-point road underdog on New Year’s Eve. The Spartans are 9-1 (6-4 ATS) in the last 10 meetings in this rivalry, including 5-0 (3-2 ATS) in East Lansing. Four of those five home wins were by double digits, the lone exception being last year’s 65-59 triumph as an 11-point favorite.
Minnesota is on ATS runs of 9-4 overall, 8-3 against winning teams, 3-1 as an underdog this season, 8-2 after a SU win and 4-1 after a non-cover. Michigan State is 1-5 ATS in its last six at the Breslin Center and 2-7 ATS in its nine as a favorite of more than seven points, but otherwise the Spartans are on ATS streaks of 7-0 after a defeat and 4-1 after a non-cover.
The over is on stretches of 5-1 for the Gophers overall (all in the Big Ten), 4-1 for the Gophers on the road, 4-0 for the Spartans overall (all in the Big Ten) and 6-2 for the Spartans after a SU loss. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five series meetings between these schools and 6-1 in the last seven battles at Michigan State.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MINNESOTA
(4) Duke (19-2, 11-8-1 ATS) at (10) Clemson (18-2, 7-7-1 ATS)
Clemson faces its third Top 5 ACC opponent in the last five games when it hosts No. 4 Duke at Littlejohn Coliseum.
Clemson started the season with 16 straight victories than ran up against its two toughest opponents – Wake Forest and North Carolina – and got steamrolled in both contests, losing 78-68 to the Demon Deacons as a 2½-point home chalk and 94-70 at Carolina as a 13-point road ‘dog. However, the Tigers have rebounded with a pair of wins and covers over Georgia Tech (73-59) and Virginia Tech (86-82). In Thursday’s victory at the Hokies, Clemson rallied from a 15-point second-half deficit and won despite getting outshot 50.8 percent to 43.3 percent, but the Tigers did hit on 14 of 25 attempts from three-point range.
The Blue Devils bounced back from a last Wednesday’s last-second 70-68 loss at Wake Forest as a two-point road favorite with Sunday’s 79-54 home rout of Virginia. Duke cashed as a 22½-point chalk, but it is just 3-4-1 ATS in its last five games, including 1-2 ATS in ACC roadies.
Duke is 6-1 SU and 4-3 ATS in conference, while Clemson is 4-2 (3-2-1 ATS) in the ACC.
The Tigers dumped Duke 78-74 in the semifinals of last year’s ACC tournament as a 4½-point road underdog, snapping a 22-game losing skid in this rivalry. Clemson is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings, all as an underdog, and its last two losses to the Blue Devils at Littlejohn Coliseum were by a total of nine points. The visitor has cashed in six of the last nine regular-season clashes in this rivalry.
The Blue Devils are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games on Wednesday and 4-9-1 ATS in their last 14 after a spread-cover. Clemson is 6-2-1 ATS in its last nine ACC contests since last year and 2-0 ATS this year as a single-digit underdog, but the Tigers are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight at home.
Duke sports nothing but “under” streaks, including 22-6 overall (4-0 last four), 13-3 against ACC foes, 5-1 on the road, 6-0 on Wednesday, 16-5 after a SU win, 6-0 after a victory of more than 20 points and 11-2 after a non-cover. The under is also 5-2 in Clemson’s last seven overall and 6-0 in its last six at home. On the flip side, the over is 4-1 both in the last five overall meetings between these schools and 4-1 in the last five tussles at Littlejohn.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
Missouri (18-4, 8-7 ATS) at (16) Texas (15-5, 8-9 ATS)
Texas will try to rebound from a shocking overtime home loss to Kansas State when it entertains surprising Missouri in Austin.
The Longhorns trailed most of the way against K-State on Saturday and despite a furious rally to force overtime, they came up short 85-81 as a 10½-point home chalk. The defeat ended Texas’ three-game overall winning streak and a 19-game run at home, the latter being the fourth-longest home-court streak in the nation. Rick Barnes’ team, which committed 20 turnovers in Saturday’s loss, has been a disaster at the betting window of late, going 2-5 ATS in the last seven.
Missouri had a four-game winning streak snapped at Kansas State a week ago tonight, but the Tigers rebounded with Saturday’s 89-72 rout of Baylor, covering as a 6½-point home favorite. Mizzou’s offense has been clicking, putting up 86.4 ppg (46.3 percent shooting) in its last five games, all against Big 12 foes.
While the Tigers are 5-2 in the Big 12 (4-3 ATS), they’re 1-2 SU and ATS on the road. Texas is 4-2 SU and 2-4 ATS in league play, including 0-3 ATS at home.
The Tigers ended a 10-game SU and ATS losing skid to Texas with last year’s 97-84 victory as a one-point home underdog. However, going back to 2001, Missouri has made four trips to Austin, going 0-4 SU and ATS and losing by an average of 17 ppg (all double-digit defeats). Finally, the favorite is 5-1 ATS in the last six series clashes.
Texas is 4-1 ATS in its last five after a SU defeat and 7-3 ATS in its last 10 following a non-cover. However, the ‘Horns are on pointspread slides of 2-5 overall, 1-6 at home, 3-8-1 in Big 12 action and 2-5 against winning teams. The Tigers are also on a bevy of ATS slides, including 20-41-2 on the road, 16-37-1 in conference, 8-22-1 on Wednesday, 2-6 after a SU win and 3-9 after an ATS setback.
For Missouri, the over is on runs of 4-0 overall (all in the Big 12), 4-1 on the road, 5-0 on Wednesday and 11-4 after a spread-cover. The over is also 5-2 in Texas’ last seven Big 12 contests. However, the under is on a 4-1-1 tear in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS and OVER
USC (15-6, 10-9 ATS) at (15) UCLA (17-4, 10-10 ATS)
UCLA goes for the season sweep of crosstown rival USC in this clash of streaking Pac-10 foes at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins are coming off their most impressive weekend of the season, pounding both Cal (81-66) and Stanford (97-63), easily covering as a 10-point home chalk in both contests. UCLA, which is 13-2 SU in its last 15 games, used a 19-0 run early in the second half to put away Stanford on Saturday and finished shooting a blistering 63.3 percent from the field, including 73.3 percent from three-point land (11-for-15). Defensively, the Bruins held the Cardinal to 38.5 percent shooting and forced 19 turnovers.
Like the Bruins, USC is coming off a weekend sweep at home of the northern California schools, the first being a 70-69 win over Stanford as a 5½-point chalk followed by Saturday’s 73-62 rout of Cal as a five-point favorite. Since falling 64-60 to UCLA at home on Jan. 11, the Trojans have won five of their last six games (4-2 ATS), including the last three in a row (2-1 ATS).
UCLA is tied with Washington for first place in the Pac-10 at 7-2 (5-4 ATS), including 3-1 SU and ATS at home. USC is one game back at 6-3 (5-4 ATS), including 2-2 (3-1 ATS) on the highway.
With last month’s victory on the Trojans’ home court, the Bruins have taken three straight, five of the last six and eight of the last 10 in this rivalry. However, USC is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings overall and 6-2 ATS in its last eight trips to Pauley Pavilion, including last year’s shocking 72-63 road win as a 12-point underdog. The pup has cashed in 11 of the last 15 head-to-head battles, and the visitor is 4-0 ATS in the last four.
USC is on pointspread runs of 3-1 overall, 24-9 on the road and 4-1 as an underdog this season, but it is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 after a spread-cover. In fact, the Trojans have covered in consecutive games just once this season. The Bruins are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games against inning teams, but 4-11 ATS in their last 15 after a spread-cover and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 after a victory of more than 20 points.
The over is on streaks of 4-1 for USC overall (all in Pac-10 action), 4-0 for USC after a victory, 4-0 for the Bruins overall (all in Pac-10 action), 5-1 for the Bruins on Wednesday and 7-3 for the Bruins after an ATS triumph. However, the last three series meetings between these squads have stayed under the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC
THE SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
Miami (26-21, 22-23-2 ATS) at Detroit (25-21, 19-27 ATS)
The freefalling Pistons go back to work after two days off when they welcome the Heat to the Palace of Auburn Hills for an Eastern Conference battle.
Detroit fell apart in the fourth quarter against LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Sunday, getting outscored 32-14 en route to a 90-80 loss as a 4½-point home underdog. Overall, the Pistons have dropped two in a row, four of their last five and nine of their last 12, with the SU winner covering the spread in each game. During this 12-game rut, Detroit is 1-6 SU and ATS at home, including 0-4 SU and ATS in the last four at the Palace.
Miami put an end to a two-game SU and ATS mini slump with Monday’s 119-95 rout of the dreadful Clippers, covering as a 9½-point home favorite. The Heat are 8-5 SU and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games, including 4-3 (5-2 ATS) on the highway. The SU winner is 10-0 ATS in the team’s last 10 contests and 14-1 ATS in the last 15, and the winner is 19-3-1 ATS in Miami’s 22 roadies.
This is the first meeting this season between these longtime rivals. Last year, Detroit swept the four-game series (2-2 ATS) and it has won the last five against the Heat (2-2-1 ATS). However, Miami is still 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 head-to-head battles, including 4-1-1 ATS in its last six trips to Motown. The visitor has cashed in each of the last four meetings.
In addition to their 9-4 ATS run overall, the Heat are on positive pointspread streaks of 4-1 against the Central Division, 5-2 on the road and 6-1 after one day of rest, but they’re also on ATS nosedives of 9-19-1 on Wednesday, 5-14 as a road underdog of less than five points, 13-32-3 after a SU win and 3-8-2 after a double-digit win. Although the Pistons are in ATS funks of 8-20 at home, 6-14 as a chalk, 1-4 against the Eastern Conference, 0-6 against winning teams and 3-11 after a SU loss, they’re 8-1 ATS in their last nine Wednesday contests and 4-1 ATS in their last five after a double-digit home defeat.
For Miami, the over is on streaks of 10-4 overall, 7-1 on the road and 6-2 when playing on one day of rest. Conversely, the Pistons are on a bevy of “under” runs, including 26-10-1 overall, 7-3-1 at home, 38-18 against the Eastern Conference, 5-0 against the Southeast Division, 7-1 on Wednesday, 16-5-1 versus winning teams and 20-7-1 when going on two days’ rest. Also, the under is 9-4 in Miami’s last 13 against the Central Division, 20-8-1 in the Heat’s last 29 against winning teams, 20-6-1 in the last 27 meetings in this rivalry and 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head battles in Motown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MIAMI and UNDER
Portland (30-17, 24-22 ATS) at Dallas (28-19, 22-25 ATS)
The Mavericks return home from a successful two-game swing through Florida as they put a three-game SU and ATS winning streak on the line against the red-hot Blazers.
Since suffering an ugly 124-100 loss at Boston back on Jan. 25, Dallas has ripped off three straight double-digit wins over the Warriors (117-93 as a seven-point home chalk), Heat (111-96 as a two-point road favorite) and Magic (105-95 as a 7½-point road underdog). In Monday’s victory in Orlando, Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points as the Mavs shot 53.4 percent from the field and held the sharp-shooting Magic 42.7 percent, including a woeful 3-for-20 effort from three-point range.
Portland overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit at New Orleans on Monday, outscoring the Hornets 38-15 in the final stanza to win 97-89 as a three-point road underdog. The Blazers are on a 5-0 SU and ATS run, including consecutive wins and covers on the road after going 2-5 SU in their previous seven on the highway and 2-9 ATS in their previous 11 as a visitor.
Dallas has scored at least 100 points in five straight games (4-1 SU and ATS), averaging 109 ppg on 52 percent shooting while giving up 99.8 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting. Meanwhile, the Blazers are putting up 104 ppg (50.1 percent) and allowing just 89.2 ppg (46 percent) during their five-game winning streak.
The SU winner is 9-0 ATS in Dallas’ last nine games (3-0 at home) and 24-1 ATS in Portland’s last 25, including 12-0 ATS in the last 12 and 9-0 ATS on the road.
The Mavericks took the first meeting this season 102-94 in Portland as a 4½-point road underdog. That snapped a six-game winning streak by the home team in this rivalry (4-2 ATS). Dallas has won eight of the last 10 head-to-head battles, but the Blazers are 4-2 ATS in the last six, including 2-1 ATS in their last three trips to Dallas. Also, the underdog has covered in five of the last six in this rivalry.
The Blazers have cashed in four straight games against Western Conference foes and they’re 8-2 ATS in their last 10 against the Southwest Division and 4-1 ATS in their last five after one day of rest, but they’re 1-4 ATS in their last five on Wednesday and 2-5 ATS in their last seven as a pup. Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last eight on Wednesday, but 6-16 ATS in its last 22 at home, 7-19-1 ATS in its last 27 as a favorite of less than five points and 4-11 ATS in its last 15 against the Northwest Division.
The under is on streaks of 55-26 for Dallas against Northwest Division opponents, 16-7 for Portland against the Southwest Division, 44-19-1 for Portland on Wednesday, 21-7 for Portland as an underdog and 12-3 for Portland against winning teams. Additionally, 12 of the last 16 meetings in this rivalry have stayed low, with the under going 8-0 in the last eight clashes in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PORTLAND and UNDER
NBA
Miami (26-21, 22-23-2 ATS) at Detroit (25-21, 19-27 ATS)
The freefalling Pistons go back to work after two days off when they welcome the Heat to the Palace of Auburn Hills for an Eastern Conference battle.
Detroit fell apart in the fourth quarter against LeBron James and the Cavaliers on Sunday, getting outscored 32-14 en route to a 90-80 loss as a 4½-point home underdog. Overall, the Pistons have dropped two in a row, four of their last five and nine of their last 12, with the SU winner covering the spread in each game. During this 12-game rut, Detroit is 1-6 SU and ATS at home, including 0-4 SU and ATS in the last four at the Palace.
Miami put an end to a two-game SU and ATS mini slump with Monday’s 119-95 rout of the dreadful Clippers, covering as a 9½-point home favorite. The Heat are 8-5 SU and 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games, including 4-3 (5-2 ATS) on the highway. The SU winner is 10-0 ATS in the team’s last 10 contests and 14-1 ATS in the last 15, and the winner is 19-3-1 ATS in Miami’s 22 roadies.
This is the first meeting this season between these longtime rivals. Last year, Detroit swept the four-game series (2-2 ATS) and it has won the last five against the Heat (2-2-1 ATS). However, Miami is still 9-3-1 ATS in the last 13 head-to-head battles, including 4-1-1 ATS in its last six trips to Motown. The visitor has cashed in each of the last four meetings.
In addition to their 9-4 ATS run overall, the Heat are on positive pointspread streaks of 4-1 against the Central Division, 5-2 on the road and 6-1 after one day of rest, but they’re also on ATS nosedives of 9-19-1 on Wednesday, 5-14 as a road underdog of less than five points, 13-32-3 after a SU win and 3-8-2 after a double-digit win. Although the Pistons are in ATS funks of 8-20 at home, 6-14 as a chalk, 1-4 against the Eastern Conference, 0-6 against winning teams and 3-11 after a SU loss, they’re 8-1 ATS in their last nine Wednesday contests and 4-1 ATS in their last five after a double-digit home defeat.
For Miami, the over is on streaks of 10-4 overall, 7-1 on the road and 6-2 when playing on one day of rest. Conversely, the Pistons are on a bevy of “under” runs, including 26-10-1 overall, 7-3-1 at home, 38-18 against the Eastern Conference, 5-0 against the Southeast Division, 7-1 on Wednesday, 16-5-1 versus winning teams and 20-7-1 when going on two days’ rest. Also, the under is 9-4 in Miami’s last 13 against the Central Division, 20-8-1 in the Heat’s last 29 against winning teams, 20-6-1 in the last 27 meetings in this rivalry and 5-2 in the last seven head-to-head battles in Motown.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MIAMI and UNDER
Portland (30-17, 24-22 ATS) at Dallas (28-19, 22-25 ATS)
The Mavericks return home from a successful two-game swing through Florida as they put a three-game SU and ATS winning streak on the line against the red-hot Blazers.
Since suffering an ugly 124-100 loss at Boston back on Jan. 25, Dallas has ripped off three straight double-digit wins over the Warriors (117-93 as a seven-point home chalk), Heat (111-96 as a two-point road favorite) and Magic (105-95 as a 7½-point road underdog). In Monday’s victory in Orlando, Dirk Nowitzki scored 29 points as the Mavs shot 53.4 percent from the field and held the sharp-shooting Magic 42.7 percent, including a woeful 3-for-20 effort from three-point range.
Portland overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit at New Orleans on Monday, outscoring the Hornets 38-15 in the final stanza to win 97-89 as a three-point road underdog. The Blazers are on a 5-0 SU and ATS run, including consecutive wins and covers on the road after going 2-5 SU in their previous seven on the highway and 2-9 ATS in their previous 11 as a visitor.
Dallas has scored at least 100 points in five straight games (4-1 SU and ATS), averaging 109 ppg on 52 percent shooting while giving up 99.8 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting. Meanwhile, the Blazers are putting up 104 ppg (50.1 percent) and allowing just 89.2 ppg (46 percent) during their five-game winning streak.
The SU winner is 9-0 ATS in Dallas’ last nine games (3-0 at home) and 24-1 ATS in Portland’s last 25, including 12-0 ATS in the last 12 and 9-0 ATS on the road.
The Mavericks took the first meeting this season 102-94 in Portland as a 4½-point road underdog. That snapped a six-game winning streak by the home team in this rivalry (4-2 ATS). Dallas has won eight of the last 10 head-to-head battles, but the Blazers are 4-2 ATS in the last six, including 2-1 ATS in their last three trips to Dallas. Also, the underdog has covered in five of the last six in this rivalry.
The Blazers have cashed in four straight games against Western Conference foes and they’re 8-2 ATS in their last 10 against the Southwest Division and 4-1 ATS in their last five after one day of rest, but they’re 1-4 ATS in their last five on Wednesday and 2-5 ATS in their last seven as a pup. Dallas is 6-2 ATS in its last eight on Wednesday, but 6-16 ATS in its last 22 at home, 7-19-1 ATS in its last 27 as a favorite of less than five points and 4-11 ATS in its last 15 against the Northwest Division.
The under is on streaks of 55-26 for Dallas against Northwest Division opponents, 16-7 for Portland against the Southwest Division, 44-19-1 for Portland on Wednesday, 21-7 for Portland as an underdog and 12-3 for Portland against winning teams. Additionally, 12 of the last 16 meetings in this rivalry have stayed low, with the under going 8-0 in the last eight clashes in Dallas.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PORTLAND and UNDER
WUNDERDOG
Game: Miami at Detroit (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Miami +4 (-110)
The Pistons’ defense can never be questioned, but this year, the offense is just as weak as the defense is good. They rank just 29th in points scored offensively, their lowest ranking in memory. It has made life difficult against the better teams. The Pistons sport just a 1-6 ATS record at home when listed as a favorite against a team with a winning record on the season, and are just 8-20 ATS in their last 28 at home. The Heat have been producing winners as they are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14, and in a game that is typically ugly and low scoring, the points look good here and I'll back the Heat.
Game: Miami at Detroit (7:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Miami +4 (-110)
The Pistons’ defense can never be questioned, but this year, the offense is just as weak as the defense is good. They rank just 29th in points scored offensively, their lowest ranking in memory. It has made life difficult against the better teams. The Pistons sport just a 1-6 ATS record at home when listed as a favorite against a team with a winning record on the season, and are just 8-20 ATS in their last 28 at home. The Heat have been producing winners as they are 9-4-1 ATS in their last 14, and in a game that is typically ugly and low scoring, the points look good here and I'll back the Heat.
Jake Timlin
Wednesday's Action
1000♦ Cleveland Cavaliers
In my highest rated NBA selection this season I look for the Cavaliers to blast the Knicks tonight at MSG as LeBron James looks to trump what Kobe did just days ago in New York. Well while I don’t expect James to go off for 60 plus points I do expect LeBron and the Cavaliers to dominate the Knicks for the third straight time this year. You see in the first two meetings this year it was Cleveland who won by 18 points at New York in late November and then a 36 point win at home in early December giving the Cavaliers their third straight win and cover in the series. Well given that Cleveland is still one of the best teams in the league as they have won 7 of their last 8 games while covering their last 3 games overall I just don’t see the Cavaliers slipping up against a New York team that they have dominated twice this season. Meanwhile, for the Knicks while if they were unable to stay inside the number against the Lakers just days ago they don’t stand much of a chance as tonight against a Cleveland team that has just lost 9 games on the season. Plus, once this one becomes a blowout for Cleveland don’t expect any late rallies from the Knicks as they will start to prepare for the Celtics on Friday. Flat out, tonight is a bad spot of the Knicks and it will show as Cleveland wins in a blowout. All Cleveland minus the points!
200♦ Utah Utes
In bonus action I like the Utes on the road by double digits as they keep pace with the upper teams in the Mountain West Conference. I mean given that TCU has hit a major wall as they have lost their last two games while failing to cover in their last three games the Horned Frogs will find league play tough once again tonight against a good Utah team. The same Utah team that has covered two of the last three games against TCU. Meanwhile, for Utah fresh off a pair of wins over New Mexico and BYU the Utes roll into tonight having won four of their last five and eight of their last 10 games over all. Well due to the Utes major advantage down low with Nevill I look for Utah to pound the much small TCU into submission. With that take the Utes minus the points as they coast to an easy win.
Wednesday's Action
1000♦ Cleveland Cavaliers
In my highest rated NBA selection this season I look for the Cavaliers to blast the Knicks tonight at MSG as LeBron James looks to trump what Kobe did just days ago in New York. Well while I don’t expect James to go off for 60 plus points I do expect LeBron and the Cavaliers to dominate the Knicks for the third straight time this year. You see in the first two meetings this year it was Cleveland who won by 18 points at New York in late November and then a 36 point win at home in early December giving the Cavaliers their third straight win and cover in the series. Well given that Cleveland is still one of the best teams in the league as they have won 7 of their last 8 games while covering their last 3 games overall I just don’t see the Cavaliers slipping up against a New York team that they have dominated twice this season. Meanwhile, for the Knicks while if they were unable to stay inside the number against the Lakers just days ago they don’t stand much of a chance as tonight against a Cleveland team that has just lost 9 games on the season. Plus, once this one becomes a blowout for Cleveland don’t expect any late rallies from the Knicks as they will start to prepare for the Celtics on Friday. Flat out, tonight is a bad spot of the Knicks and it will show as Cleveland wins in a blowout. All Cleveland minus the points!
200♦ Utah Utes
In bonus action I like the Utes on the road by double digits as they keep pace with the upper teams in the Mountain West Conference. I mean given that TCU has hit a major wall as they have lost their last two games while failing to cover in their last three games the Horned Frogs will find league play tough once again tonight against a good Utah team. The same Utah team that has covered two of the last three games against TCU. Meanwhile, for Utah fresh off a pair of wins over New Mexico and BYU the Utes roll into tonight having won four of their last five and eight of their last 10 games over all. Well due to the Utes major advantage down low with Nevill I look for Utah to pound the much small TCU into submission. With that take the Utes minus the points as they coast to an easy win.
ChicagoSportsConnection
Shoulda won the BRADLEY play yesterday.
Up 8 with 3 minutes and change left in the game....N IOWA hit 5 striaght 3 pointers.
Damn it.
But, can't complain....
.....we've had our fair share of good covers lately.
********************************************************
One play I like alot in the NBA........
NYK +5.5 vs Cleveland......7:35 EDT
We've done pretty good picking our spots playing against CLEV on the road.
Here, we have CLEV playing their 5th game in 7 nights with alot of travel involved.
The KNICKS are fairly rested....they've only played one B2B in the last 2 weeks.
...and watched the CAVS on TV last night in the comforts of their own homes (or their girlfriends home).
...they are 6-2 SU in their L8.
...and 7-0 ATS until loss to LAK on Monday when K.Bryant poured in 61.
The KNICKS had won 5 straight @ home before the Laker loss.
Shoulda won the BRADLEY play yesterday.
Up 8 with 3 minutes and change left in the game....N IOWA hit 5 striaght 3 pointers.
Damn it.
But, can't complain....
.....we've had our fair share of good covers lately.
********************************************************
One play I like alot in the NBA........
NYK +5.5 vs Cleveland......7:35 EDT
We've done pretty good picking our spots playing against CLEV on the road.
Here, we have CLEV playing their 5th game in 7 nights with alot of travel involved.
The KNICKS are fairly rested....they've only played one B2B in the last 2 weeks.
...and watched the CAVS on TV last night in the comforts of their own homes (or their girlfriends home).
...they are 6-2 SU in their L8.
...and 7-0 ATS until loss to LAK on Monday when K.Bryant poured in 61.
The KNICKS had won 5 straight @ home before the Laker loss.
