Comps
Villanova (+13') at GEORGETOWN By Karl Garrett, Featured Handicapper
G-Man sports a 22-11 free play run my last 33.
Big East tonight, and I will bite at the rather large impost the Wildcats are getting against the Hoyas.
Villanova was able to snap an ugly 5-game losing streak with the win - but no cover - against Seton Hall, while Georgetown couldn't buy a basket in their second half collapse at Louisville over the weekend.
Sure the Hoyas are back at home, but against 'Nova that has not been an advantage, as the 'Cats are a perfect 6-0 straight up the last 5 meetings at the Verizon Center!
The underdog in the series is on an 8-3 spread run, and you also need to consider that the Hoyas have struggled with the big number all year long at home, as they are just 3-6 against the spread on their home hardwood this season.
This is just too many points, even with Villanova playing as poorly as they have been of late.
Live dog tonight in this Big East battle
3♦ VILLANOVA
Villanova (+13) at GEORGETOWN By Michael Cannon Featured Handicapper
A tough loss on Clemson last night as it looked like they were going to pull off the outright win, then lose by 10 in double overtime. Despite that setback, I'm still on a 9-4 run with my last 13 overall free plays.
Take Villanova as the big road dog tonight over Georgetown.
The Wildcats needed a 3-pointer in the final minute to get by Seton Hall and avert a six-game losing streak.
But they've been money in the bank against Georgetown at the Verizon Center.
The Wildcats have never lost to the Hoyas at the Verizon Center, going 6-0 and holding Georgetown under 70 points in each game. In fact, Villanova's last road loss to Georgetown came way back in 1997, when the Hoyas were playing at US Air Arena.
Given the fact that Georgetown hasn't really blown anybody out this year, coupled with Villanova's success against them on the road, this should be an easy cover for the Wildcats.
Take the points with Villanova as they stay within the number.
4♦ VILLANOVA
Kansas at TEXAS (+4') By Sports Gambling Hotline, Featured Handicapper
Our free play run stands at 102-79-4!
We like the points tonight in this Big 12 battle, as Texas comes into this home game with a little mojo working after their come-from-behind win and cover in overtime at Iowa State on Saturday.
The Longhorns have won 3 in a row, and find themselves in a rare triple-revenge spot tonight as they host a Kansas team that is just 4-4 against the spread on the road this year, failing their last 3 on the conference road.
A win tonight would give Texas 20 wins on the season, and the Longhorns have been able to give the Jayhawks problems despite the 3-game slide, as Texas is on a 6-2 spread run in this series, and they are a decent 3-4 straight up the last 7 times they have faced KU.
This is a prime spot for the Longhorns to step up big, as this will be the first time this year Texas has been installed as a home dog. For the year, Texas has covered 2 of 3 when catching points, and we will take them plus the impost tonight.
Play on the 'Horns!
1♦ TEXAS
San Antonio at TORONTO (+1) By Bobby Maxwell, Featured Handicapper
It's an NBA FREE play coming tonight from Toronto as we go with the Raptors hosting San Antonio.
The Raptors are coming back to Toronto after a 105-82 beatdown of Minnesota as six-point road favorites, and granted they have a much stiffer test coming than the T'Wolves, they got a little rest witih the blowout and will score a big win tonight against the Spurs.
The Spurs are playing the eighth game of a nine-game East Coast road trip and played Sunday in Boston, losing 98-90 as two-point favorites. The Spurs expended a lot of energy in the game, as it was a back-and-forth contest that saw Boston pull it out in the fourth quarter.
Now the old-legged Spurs have to play 24 hours later and they are just 2-8 ATS on the second night of back-to-back games. They are just 12-12 SU on the road this season and 9-15 ATS. You konw these guys are staggering to the finish line with five days off coming starting Thursday.
Meanwhile the Raptors are looking good lately, going 6-2 ATS in its last eight home games and 7-1 ATS against the Southwest Division.
These two teams met in December when Toronto went to San Antonio and scored an 83-73 victory as seven-point underdogs. Today they're still small 'dogs and while we'll take the points just to play it safe, look for the Raptors to win this one outright. I'll take young legs over old ones every time on the second night of back-to-backs.
4♦ TORONTO
L.A. Clippers at MILAWAUKEE (-4') By Drew Gordon, Featured Handicapper
Rock-solid Free Play winner on Indiana outright over Ohio State 59-53 Sunday! That win brings me to 293-263-5 over my L561 Free Play releases! Tonight we stay on the Hardwood, but switch gears to the pros...
While there's no doubt both of these teams are terrible, situational trends, the Clippers recent road play, and certain match ups edges, have me loving the Bucks at home in this spot.
First, this is the final game of a long and tough road trip for the Clippers. It will be their 7th road game in 11 nights, and Basketball 101 tells us they'll not only be tired, but lack focus, as the Clips just want to get back home in what is already a relatively meaningless season.
Second, did you see their last road game? They didn't even show up for 76ers Saturday, losing 101-80, down by 19 at halftime. You could argue that they'll try harder tonight, but I doubt it, Sam Cassell already has one foot out the door, and if he's their "veteran floor leader"... What does that say?
Finally, the injury to Yi Jianlian has opened the door for Charlie Villanueva, who always had the talent, but is just now starting to deliver in some real minutes. He gives the Bucks a much tougher option than Jianlian, and his 21-point, 13-rebound, 2-block effort against the Knicks in 35 minutes action Saturday is hard to ignore. Also, obviously, the return of Michael Redd to the lineup is huge, especially coupled with the emergence of Villanueva. Also, on a side note, Kaman looked tired at Philly Saturday (2 of 10 for just 4 points), not a good sign against solid Andrew Bogut in this one.
Bottom line, the Bucks and Redd were not happy about losing his first game back against the Knicks Saturday. They thought with their star back, it would be a cake walk, but I believe they learned their lesson. Look for a focused Bucks team to come out firing against a Clippers squad just aching to get back to the comforts of home. Bucks roll!
Take Milwaukee comfortably over the L.A. Clippers in this NBA match up.
3♦ MILWAUKEE
