Saturday Service plays 3/15/08

[the duke]

THE SPORTS REPORTER

NBA

SATURDAY, MARCH 15

*WASHINGTON over L.A. CLIPPERS by 9
L.A.?s ugly stepchild finishes a road back-to-back in our nation?s capital ? despite it all, the
Wizards have persevered and done fairly well at home. It won?t be difficult for them to take
down a tired and under-motivated Clippers squad, with or without Gilbert Arenas and Caron
Butler. WASHINGTON 96-87


BEST BET TOTAL
UNDER
SAN ANTONIO over *PHILADELPHIA by 6
The Sixers have been doing a great job of winning games lately and if they weren?t themselves
finishing a back-to-back, they?d be in great position to steal a game from the
Spurs. Unfortunately for them, both these teams are finishing five-game weeks nullifying
any potential advantage they would have on each other. This should ensure that San
Antonio pulls out the road win, but don?t expect too many points in the process from two
very weary teams. SAN ANTONIO 87-81
*ORLANDO over INDIANA by 14


RECOMMENDED
*NEW JERSEY over UTAH by 8
Sure, the Nets are basically falling apart. The spent the first week of March getting plastered
by the competition and were called by their former franchise player for not knowing
what direction the team is going ? something about lacking an identity.Well, it?s nice
of Jason Kidd to deflect the responsibility for establishing a team?s identity, but he does
kind of have a point. After all, Vince Carter isn?t capable of much in the leadership department.
That being said, the Nets have had two full days of practice and a sparse schedule
this week to try and get their act together while the Jazz are concluding a four-game
/ five day Eastern Conference road trip, finishing a back-to-back in the swamplands of
New Jersey after dealing with the Celtics last night. Can you say letdown game? NEW
JERSEY 96-88


BOSTON over *MILWAUKEE by 1
The Celtics embark on a four-game road trip against Western Conference contenders ? once
they dispatch of the Bucks. Milwaukee doesn?t do much winning nowadays, but there?s reason
to believe they?ll keep it close tonight. Boston is playing their fourth game of the week,
and hosted Utah in a tough game last night. In contrast, the Bucks haven?t played since
Wednesday and should be geeked about the opportunity to compete against the best team
in the East. The Celtics have four tough games coming up and are liable to mail it in tonight
? as bad as the Bucks have been, it?s definitely within their ability to cover the spread.
BOSTON 96-95


*PORTLAND over MINNESOTA by 10
*PHOENIX over SACRAMENTO by 12


*GOLDEN STATE over MEMPHIS by 9
As our intrepid editor pointed out, the Warriors haven?t done very well as a home favorite.
Well, that should be obvious ? the Warriors don?t exactly play the type of basketball that is
conducive towards covering big spreads, making them a much better road play than home.
After all, how do are you supposed to step on the throats of your opponents if you never play
defense? GOLDEN STATE 117-108

 

[the duke]

WINNING POINTS

NBA

Saturday, March 15

*Washington over Los Angeles Clippers by 7
If there?s anything worse than a bad Clippers team, it?s a Clippers squad playing their
fourth road game in six days. Chris Kaman has been the Clippers? best player and he?s
wearing down. WASHINGTON 98-91.



***BEST BET
*Philadelphia over San Antonio by 4
Overlook the 76ers and you?ll be in trouble. Philadelphia had covered its last 10 home
contests through March 9. Despite this, San Antonio very well could overlook the
76ers. The Spurs might even be excused for this since they are off consecutive road
contests against New Orleans and Detroit and have a marquee home matchup on
Monday against Boston. PHILADELPHIA 100-96.



*Orlando over Indiana by 9
The Pacers entered the second week of this month having allowed at least 102 points
in nine straight games. The Magic are the top scoring team in the Eastern Conference,
averaging more than 104 points per contest. ORLANDO 113-104.



***BEST BET
*New Jersey over Utah by 7
Chemistry is better with the Nets these days. There?s more defensive intensity. Richard
Jefferson and Vince Carter remain capable of explosive performances. The Jazz are
going to be one tired team, playing for the fourth time in five days and off a road game
last night against the Celtics. Andrei Kirilenko (check status) missed time last week
dealing with a sore hip. NEW JERSEY 101-94.


Boston over *Milwaukee by 8
The Celtics handled the Bucks easily in mid-December, winning by 22 at home
despite not having Ray Allen. Milwaukee remains very inconsistent, while the Celtics
have fortified their bench with the additions of veterans Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown.
Bucks rookie Yi Jianlian has hit the first-year wall. BOSTON 104-96.



*Portland over Minnesota by 4
This could be a good ?under? spot. Minnesota ranked last in offense, while the Trail
Blazers have gone below the total in 19 of their first 31 home games. Portland may be
distracted, returning home following a five-game road swing. PORTLAND 89-85.



*Phoenix over Sacramento by 7
It?s hard to trust any team that relies so much on Ron Artest as the Kings do. But in
their first 13 games since Shaquille O?Neal joined the lineup, the Suns were 6-7 and
surrendering an average of 111.4 points per game. Grant Hill hasn?t looked good since
returning from an appendectomy. PHOENIX 118-111.



*Golden State over Memphis by 10
The Grizzlies? scoring should pick up with Mike Miller back from injury. Miller?s
return makes the Grizzlies? defense even more of a liability, but the Warriors had failed
to cover 20 of their first 31 home contests. GOLDEN STATE 120-110.

 

[the duke]

Chip Chirimbes

Jazz at Nets

5* Megabucks

Nets +3.5 over Jazz

The Nets began their annual Thanksgiving road trip losing a 102-75 clunker to the Jazz in Utah where Deron Williams scored 20 points and handed out six assists while Carlos Boozer scored 17. Richard Jefferson scored 22 for the Nets which was nowhere near enough. That game came on the heels of Jason Kidd's pointed "glass jaw" speech about the Nets. Kidd is gone, but the glass jaw theory survives.
The Nets have had success at home against the Jazz over the years -- they are 17-16 all time in New Jersey against Utah, compared to 7-27 on the road.

 

[the duke]

ATS Basketball Lock Club

10 units fullerton state
5 units illinois
4 units stanford
4 units oklahoma
4 units akron

Hockey Lock Club

4 units dallas
4 units phoenix
3 units over nyi-mon

From scott tissue

 

[the duke]

SPORTS MEMO NEWSLETTER

ROB VENO

Minnesota at Portland
Recommendation: Blazers

Quick turnaround game here finds the Blazers with a day?s rest against Minnesota in the second of back-to-backs. The back-to-back situation hasn?t suited Minnesota well lately as in three of their last four tries they?ve been annihilated. The common thread has been, T-Wolves in back to back games versus winning teams where their three losses have been by 29, 22 and 25. While you have to respect Minnesota?s extreme increase in competitive play the past six weeks, must also note the sudden resurgence of the Blazers who are on a 6-1 ATS run heading into Monday night?s game at Cleveland. The return of three-point specialist James Jones to the lineup has proven to be significant. Also noteworthy during Portland?s current streak has been the sparkling point guard play of Steve Blake who has had 35 assists and just six turnovers. In the pair of meetings prior to this Tuesday?s game, Portland has dominated Minnesota winning by 11 points and covering each time. Difference at this point between these teams is the defense where Minnesota still lingers among the NBA?s worst as they allow 46.7% field goal shooting. Meanwhile, Portland ranks fifth in the league yielding just 44.5%. Erratic Timberwolves shooting plays into the hands of Portland?s tight defense and any containment at all of T-Wolves interior force Al Jefferson should make this another easy victory for the Blazers.

TIM TRUSHEL

Utah at New Jersey
Recommendation: Nets

While the Utah Jazz have won their last two road games, they are hardly a relied upon commodity away from home. With a league best 28-3 mark at home, their 14-19 mark on the road has been overlooked by the masses in the marketplace. We get tremendous value in playing against this team away from Salt Lake City. On the season the Jazz are just 7-10 against the spread as a road favorite. They have played five games in which they were a road favorite with no rest. Having already lost outright to the likes of the New York, Indiana and Sacramento in that situation there is little reason to expect a peak performance off a projected tough Friday night game against Boston. On the other side of the equation there is little reason to get excited about much of anything the Nets are doing either. At press time New Jersey is wrapping up a five game road trip and in the midst of a five-game losing streak. However it should be noted that they have won outright five of their last seven games at home. They?ll will play Cleveland on Wednesday upon returning home from a long grueling Western conference swing. With three days of rest this game again Utah will be the Nets only game over a period of five days. I expect that we will get the best effort the Nets have to offer and with so many factors stacked up against Utah, the result is projected to be a spread cover

TEDDY COVERS

San Antonio at Philadelphia
Recommendation: Sixers

Philadelphia is as hot as any team in the NBA right now, with their current pointspread run up to 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The majority of that success has come at the Wachovia Center, including a 9-1 SU, 10-0 ATS run in their last ten home games. That streak includes outright upset victories over the Magic, Mavericks and Wizards. The 76ers hung tough with San Antonio when these two teams met back in January, covering the spread with relative ease in a seven point loss, a game they led through the end of three. This time around, the Sixers will get the Spurs on the second night of back-to-backs for San Antonio. The Spurs are just 4-9 ATS in that role this season. That includes an ugly loss at Denver this past weekend, a game where the Nuggets clearly had more energy than the oldest team in the NBA, hitting at a 54% clip from the floor against the Spurs vaunted defense. San Antonio has been consistently overvalued of late, winning five out of six in straight up fashion but only covering a single pointspread in those six ballgames. On the road, the Spurs have been a 40 percent ATS proposition all year long, cashing only a dozen tickets in thirty tries. Expect San Antonio to have their hands full with this surging Sixers squad, with Philadelphia more than capable of pulling off the outright upset win.

MARTY OTTO

San Antonio at Philadelphia
Recommendation: Over

The Spurs come up in a definite ?play against? spot this weekend in the back-to-back situation. Popovich?s boys cruised through the first half despite losing the service of Tony Parker for long stretches. We didn?t hear much about the Spurs with the emergence of the Hornets, the stellar play of the Suns, big name trades that got the Lakers in contention and the Rockets winning 18 straight while also losing Yao Ming. Yet the ?aging? Spurs are proving once again to be, at least in my mind, the best team in the NBA, sitting quietly just a half game behind LAL for first in the West. San Antonio is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA and their seasonal numbers will back that up, ranking in the top five or six in nearly every major statistical category. But on the second night of back to back games (like Saturday?s matchup with Philly) we see a drop in those numbers,and a drop in the Spurs SU/ATS success. In fact, against teams I rank as ?run-n-gun? style offenses, we see a significant drop, one that lends itself to this play. Over the past three years San Antonio has given up an average of 106 ppg against these qualifying teams, while also scoring 104 ppg. Perhaps no team is as willing and able to get up and down than the Sixers right now, scoring at least 100 points in six of seven entering the new week, eclipsing 117 three times in that stretch

FAIRWAY JAY

Utah at New Jersey
Recommendation: Nets

Good spot for the Nets, who catch a hot Utah team traveling the entire week and playing their fourth road game in five nights. Especially helpful will be that the Jazz will have battled Boston the night before, the East?s top team. Utah enters the week with five-straight wins and is battling for the top spot in the Western Conference. And while New Jersey let us down last weekend to snap our own 9-0 run in NBA action, the Nets are showing signs of improvement and better team play with the acquisition of Devin Harris in the Jason Kidd trade. Harris is fitting in well with Vince Carter, Richard Jefferson and the young nucleus of the Nets. New Jersey enters the week just a half game out of the 8th and final playoff spot in the East, and they will be rested and motivated for this home game having not played since Wednesday versus Cleveland. Former Connecticut stars Marcus Williams and Josh Boone provide the Nets with some young talent to compliment Harris, and Williams? scoring production has taken off in March. Bostjan Nachbar returned to the lineup last Saturday following a hip flexor injury, and gives the Nets an inside presence to help 7-footer Nenad Krstic. Despite an NBA best 28-3 home record, Utah is sub .500 on the highway (14-19) as they start their Eastern road trip. This is a good spot and scheduling situation to support the Nets as a home underdog

JARED KLEIN

New Jersey at Colorado
Recommendation: Avalanche

The red hot Colorado Avalanche host the New Jersey Devils at the Pepsi Center this weekend. When I watch this Avalanche team play, I fell like I?m going back into 1999 and 2000 because with the acquisitions of Peter Forsberg and Adam Foote, it truly feels like they?ve gotten the band back together again when they won the Stanley Cup. Forsberg had his first multi-point game last weekend at home against the Dallas Stars and I expect him to be a point-per-game contributor for them from here on out. ?It?s very tough coming in here this late in a season, so it?s good to get a couple of points,? Forsberg was quoted as saying. Since bringing those two aboard, Colorado has won five straight games and have gone 7-3 in their last ten. This is also a team that plays really well at the Pepsi Center as they?ve gone 22-13, which is tied for the most wins on home ice in the NHL. The New Jersey Devils have the best record in the Eastern Conference with 86 points and are currently riding a three-game win streak, but this is going to be a very difficult trip for them due to the ?Mile High? element. It will also mark the end of a four-game road swing for New Jersey. I look for the Avalanche to continue their torrid pace and get a big win on their home ice this weekend at a decent price.

 

[the duke]

TEDDY COVERS

San Antonio at Philadelphia
Recommendation: Sixers

Philadelphia is as hot as any team in the NBA right now, with their current pointspread run up to 14-3-1 ATS in their last 18 games overall. The majority of that success has come at the Wachovia Center, including a 9-1 SU, 10-0 ATS run in their last ten home games. That streak includes outright upset victories
over the Magic, Mavericks and Wizards. The 76ers hung tough with San Antonio when these two teams met back in January, covering the spread with relative ease in a seven point loss, a game they led through the end of three. This time around, the Sixers will get the Spurs on the second night of back-to-backs for San Antonio. The Spurs are just 4-9 ATS in that role this season. That includes an ugly loss at Denver this past weekend, a game where the Nuggets clearly had more energy than the oldest team in the NBA, hitting at a 54% clip from the floor against the Spurs vaunted defense. San Antonio
has been consistently overvalued of late, winning five out of six in straight up fashion but only covering a single pointspread
in those six ballgames. On the road, the Spurs have been a 40 percent ATS proposition all year long, cashing only a dozen tickets in thirty tries. Expect San Antonio to have their hands full with this surging Sixers squad, with Philadelphia
more than capable of pulling off the outright upset win.






GAME: Los Angeles Avengers @ Georgia Force Mar 15, 2008 7:00PM
SPORT: Arena Football Picks

PICK: Georgia Force

REASON FOR PICK: I don?t often use NFL analogies when handicapping Arena Football, but this is one instance where an NFL analogy makes perfect sense. Think back to the beginning of this past NFL season, when San Francisco was sitting at 2-0, after beating Arizona and St Louis. The talking heads on TV were starting to call the 49ers Super Bowl contenders in the NFC. That was reflected in their Week 3 pointspread as they traveled to Pittsburgh as very moderately priced underdogs. The Niners got waxed 37-16, facing significantly better competition than what they had faced in the first two weeks of the season, as Mike Nolan's squad overvalued by the betting marketplace for beating up on weak teams.


The Philadelphia Eagles are the other side of that story. Philly lost to Green Bay and Washington in the first two weeks of the season. At the time, neither team was highly regarded, both expected to finish with sub. 500 records. The Eagles came home in Week 3 to face the mighty 2-0 Detroit Lions (note my sarcasm), and were vastly undervalued by the betting marketplace because of their bad start. Philly dominated Detroit 56-21, a game that was over by halftime, for the easy win and cover.

The LA Avengers can be compared to the 49ers in this story, and the Georgia Force can be compared to the Eagles. Strength of schedule has an enormous impact on this pointspread, giving us significant value with the home underdog. The 2-0 Avengers have looked great, but they've been beating up on two of the weakest teams in the AFL, both playing with backup quarterbacks. The Force have struggled mightily in their 0-2 start, but they've faced a pair of elite level foes. The fact that Georgia is a home underdog in this game is a little bit ridiculous '' remember, this team went 14-2 last year, and even if they are down a notch or two in 2008, the Force are not a bottom tier ballclub. LA looked really good on national TV on Monday Night, but they were facing a bad team with their bad backup quarterback.

Again, I've got a pertinent analogy. Week 1 of this AFL season, Chicago took advantage of numerous San Jose miscues on national TV on Monday Night. In Week 2, the linesmakers overreacted , installing Chicago as a favorite against elite level Philadelphia. The Soul controlled the game, winning by double digits on the road. A single national TV win the previous week has an enormous impact on the pointspread in the AFL ' too much of an impact in this case.

So now, we've got an overvalued favorite, traveling 3000 miles across the country on a short week. We've got a 'circle the wagons' type of game for the home underdog that is a good notch or two better than they've looked in losses to a pair of top notch squads. This pointspread is, quite simply, wrong. Look for the Force to right the ship against the Avengers on Saturday Night in Atlanta. Take Georgia +3

 

[the duke]

John Fina

Saturday Night NBA Game of the Year!!!
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Price - $79.00



5* GOY Suns

 

[Scott Tissue]

ATS Basketball Lock Club

10 units fullerton state
5 units illinois
4 units stanford
4 units oklahoma
4 units akron

Hockey Lock Club

4 units dallas
4 units phoenix
3 units over nyi-mon

From scott tissue

thanks duke

 

[bases]

burns nhl anyone

burns nhl anyone

thanks

 

[GIANTS007]

Larry Ness legend play - Georgetown

REASON FOR PICK: (The Hoyas are a four-point favorite). Hats of to Pitt and its head coach Jamie Dixon, who has again done a brilliant job. In the team's 65-64 OT win over Duke (Dec 20), the Panthers lost senior swingman Mike Cook (10.4) to a season-ending injury and then the very next game, PG Fields (11.1-3.8-5.4) went down with what was thought to be a season-ending injury as well. However, Fields returned after missing 12 games. In his absence, senior guards Benjamin (9.4) and Ramon (8.4-3.8 APG) played well, while 6-6 junior forward Young (18.3-6.4) and bruising 6-7 freshman Blair (11.8-9.1) had terrific seasons. Adding depth all year have been 6-6 freshman Brown (6.3-3.1) and 6-8 junior Biggs (5.6-4.1). Fields took awhile to regain his form but over his last five games, has averaged 12.4 PPG. Through it all, Pitt finds itself in the Big East title game, at 25-9 on the season. That's the "feel good" part of this story. Now to the reality. Awaiting the Panthers in the championship game is Georgetown. The Hoyas were a Final 4 team last year and returned all starters save Jeff Green (Big East P-)-Y!). It's a very talented group, led by the 7-2 Hibbert (13.3-6.5). Joining him in the starting lineup are the 6-8 Summers (11.4-5.4) plus guards Wallace (10.6), Sapp (9.8-4.2-3.3) and Freeman (9.1-3.1). Freeman is a freshman, while the other four players are all returning starters. Also around from LY's team is the 6-8 Ewing, who added 6.1 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Wright (5.7-2.5-2.4) is a freshman guard who has made solid contributions, while the 6-9 Macklin (3.4-2.1) and guard Rivers (2.7-2.4), are two sophs who are getting a little more time this year, than they got on LY's Final 4 team. Now to the game. Pitt is playing its FOURTH game in four days and the last two days has had to get past No. 13 Louisville (in OT) and No. 25 Marquette. Meanwhile, Georgetown has taken on just disappointing Villanova (won 82-63) and still-learning West Va (won 72.55). I've said many times (as have others), that Georgetown is a devastating defensive team and one of the nations' most offensively efficient teams as well. The numbers in the Big East tourney bear that out. The Hoyas have held their first two opponents to just 37.0 percent from the floor, while making 54.1 percent of their shots. While Hibbert was held scoreless vs 'Nova, Summers had 19 points plus guards Wallace and Sapp combined for 43! Last night, Hibbert bounced back with 25 points and 13 rebounds. As for Pitt, Young (as he as all season) has led the way, averaging 21.3-7.3 in Pitt's three wins. However, Fields, while averaging 11.3 PPG, has made just 9-of-33 shots (27.3). Now how's this for some deja vu? These teams met in LY's Big East final also, with Pitt coming off wins over Marquette and Louisville (sound familiar?). The Hoyas routed the Panthers in that game, winning 65-42, shooting 52.3 percent and holding Pitt to 26.2 percent. The set-up is even tougher for Pitt TY (fourth game in four days) and the result figures to be the same.

LEGEND Play on Georgetown

 

[GIANTS007]

thanks

BEN BURNS - NHL

Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars

Mar 15 2008 7:05PM Prediction: Dallas Stars

Reason: I played on the Canucks a little over a week ago. At the time, they had lost four straight games and we're 'desperate' for a victory. They responded with one of their better efforts in recent memory, en route to a 6-2 victory over Nashville. That was followed by back to back wins over St. Louis and Los Angeles. Next, the Canucks stepped up in class and promptly suffered a 4-1 loss at Anaheim before getting blanked 2-0 at Phoenix. That gives them just three goals in their last three games and makes it seven of nine games in which they've scored two goals or less. That type of offensive production doesn't win many games. The one advantage that they usually have is that star goalie Roberto Luongo gives them an edge over most opposing netminders. That won't necessarily be the case tonight though, as Marty Turco has owned the Canucks over his career. Indeed, he's gone 15-3-1 with a 1.75 goals-against-average vs. Vancouver for his career. That includes a 9-1 mark with a 1.34 GAA in 11 'home' games. Not surprisingly, the Canucks have lost seven straight trips here, most recently a 3-2 loss here last month. While they'd love to avenge that loss, its worth noting that they're just 42-58 (-29) the last 100 times they faced a team which had beaten them in the previous meeting.
So, we know that the Canucks have had trouble scoring recently. We also know that they'll be facing a team and goalie which they always tend to struggle against. Making matters worse, their defensive corps is severely banged-up. Already without defensemen Aaron Miller and Lukas Krajicek, they're now also without Mattias Ohlund, who is out for the season. Not only does that hurt the defense but it hurts the offense, as Ohlund is their top offensive defenseman and has nine goals (24 points) on the season.
After blowing a lead and losing 5-3 to Detroit last time out, the Stars figure to be in a foul mood. They're a highly profitable 115-64 (+39.6) over the past decade when coming off a loss by two goals or more and they should continue their home ice series dominance this evening.

 

[GIANTS007]

BEN BURNS
COLLEGE BASKETBALL


ARKANSAS
Game: Arkansas vs. Tennessee Game Time: 3/15/2008 1:00:00 PM Prediction: Arkansas Reason: I'm taking the points with ARKANSAS. The Razorbacks will have payback on their minds as they got blown out at Knoxville last month. A closer look shows that game was close at halftime, as the Razorbacks trailed by only four points. They're coming off a dominating win over Vanderbilt yesterday, which saw them outscore the Commodores by a 50-20 margin in the paint while outrebounding them by a whopping 45-24 count. Vanderbilt coach Kevin Stallings had the following to say: "We gave them way too many second chances, third chances and fourth chances. That was the difference. They pounded us on the boards. It was a total breakdown on our part." I expect the Hogs to display that type of toughness today, giving the Vols a battle the entire way, rather than just for a half. With complete NCAA security (they know they're going "dancing") and not really expected to win today, the Hogs can come in loose. After failing to cover yesterday, the Vols are now just 6-12 ATS in neutral court games the past three seasons. Looking back further and we find them at an ugly 14-32 ATS in neutral court games over the past decade. I expect them to have their hands-full as the revenge-minded Razorbacks take this game down to the wire with an excellent shot at the upset. *Main Event



OVER memphis/tulsa
Game: Tulsa vs. Memphis Game Time: 3/15/2008 11:30:00 AM Prediction: over Reason: I'm playing on Memphis and Tulsa to finish OVER the number. The Tigers have been terrific defensively lately and have held four straight opponents to less than 60 points. However, they'd previously allowed five straight opponents to score at least 66 points, with those opponents averaging 69.8. One of those teams was Tulsa - the Golden Hurricane managed 67 points in a 82-67 loss. That game had an over/under line of 136.5 but finished 'over' by double-digits. Despite that result, due to this being a tournament, due to recent results and due to the fact that both teams played yesterday, this afternoon's number is currently several points lower. I feel that gives us solid value with the OVER. The Tigers have scored 69 or more points in eight of their last nine games, averaging better than 78 during that stretch. That includes a 94-point outburst vs. UAB in their regular season finale. With this being the championship, they'll be looking to make a similar statement this afternoon. Catching Tulsa off back to back overtime games, I expect them to really push the pace here. Look for the Tigers to put up big offensive numbers and for the final combined score to be higher than expected. *Annihilator




BURNS NBA


NETS
Game: Utah Jazz vs. New Jersey Nets Game Time: 3/15/2008 7:35:00 PM Prediction: New Jersey Nets Reason: I'm taking the points with NEW JERSEY. I feel that the situation strongly favors the Nets here. New Jersey snapped a losing streak with a solid win over Cleveland on Wednesday. That win gave them renewed confidence that they can still beat the league's top teams, even without Kidd in the lineup. More importantly, it kept them in the thick of the playoff race. They're currently tied for the eighth spot, making every game critical. They haven't played since the win over the Cavs, meaning they'll be fresh tonight. Not that they should need any additional motivation but they'll also be playing with "revenge," as the Jazz beat up on them when the teams met at Utah earlier. Unlike their hosts, the Jazz are anything but fresh. They're in a "letdown" spot after upsetting the Celtics yesterday and they're now playing in their fourth different city in the past five days. Note that the Jazz are just 3-7 ATS the last 10 times that they played a road game after having played the previous day. The Jazz are also 3-8 SU/ATS the last 11 times that they played a road game with an over/under line ranging from 200 to 204.5. Additionally, they're in one of their worst roles here, as we find them at just 1-6 SU/ATS this season as road favorites in the -3.5 to -6 range. The Nets have won six of their last eight home games. They're also a perfect 4-0 SU/ATS the last four times that they were a host in this series. Look for them to be both the fresher and hungrier team, as they continue their plaoff push and homecourt success in this series. *Best Bet

 

[GIANTS007]

Larry Ness legend play - Georgetown

REASON FOR PICK: (The Hoyas are a four-point favorite). Hats of to Pitt and its head coach Jamie Dixon, who has again done a brilliant job. In the team's 65-64 OT win over Duke (Dec 20), the Panthers lost senior swingman Mike Cook (10.4) to a season-ending injury and then the very next game, PG Fields (11.1-3.8-5.4) went down with what was thought to be a season-ending injury as well. However, Fields returned after missing 12 games. In his absence, senior guards Benjamin (9.4) and Ramon (8.4-3.8 APG) played well, while 6-6 junior forward Young (18.3-6.4) and bruising 6-7 freshman Blair (11.8-9.1) had terrific seasons. Adding depth all year have been 6-6 freshman Brown (6.3-3.1) and 6-8 junior Biggs (5.6-4.1). Fields took awhile to regain his form but over his last five games, has averaged 12.4 PPG. Through it all, Pitt finds itself in the Big East title game, at 25-9 on the season. That's the "feel good" part of this story. Now to the reality. Awaiting the Panthers in the championship game is Georgetown. The Hoyas were a Final 4 team last year and returned all starters save Jeff Green (Big East P-)-Y!). It's a very talented group, led by the 7-2 Hibbert (13.3-6.5). Joining him in the starting lineup are the 6-8 Summers (11.4-5.4) plus guards Wallace (10.6), Sapp (9.8-4.2-3.3) and Freeman (9.1-3.1). Freeman is a freshman, while the other four players are all returning starters. Also around from LY's team is the 6-8 Ewing, who added 6.1 PPG and 4.3 RPG. Wright (5.7-2.5-2.4) is a freshman guard who has made solid contributions, while the 6-9 Macklin (3.4-2.1) and guard Rivers (2.7-2.4), are two sophs who are getting a little more time this year, than they got on LY's Final 4 team. Now to the game. Pitt is playing its FOURTH game in four days and the last two days has had to get past No. 13 Louisville (in OT) and No. 25 Marquette. Meanwhile, Georgetown has taken on just disappointing Villanova (won 82-63) and still-learning West Va (won 72.55). I've said many times (as have others), that Georgetown is a devastating defensive team and one of the nations' most offensively efficient teams as well. The numbers in the Big East tourney bear that out. The Hoyas have held their first two opponents to just 37.0 percent from the floor, while making 54.1 percent of their shots. While Hibbert was held scoreless vs 'Nova, Summers had 19 points plus guards Wallace and Sapp combined for 43! Last night, Hibbert bounced back with 25 points and 13 rebounds. As for Pitt, Young (as he as all season) has led the way, averaging 21.3-7.3 in Pitt's three wins. However, Fields, while averaging 11.3 PPG, has made just 9-of-33 shots (27.3). Now how's this for some deja vu? These teams met in LY's Big East final also, with Pitt coming off wins over Marquette and Louisville (sound familiar?). The Hoyas routed the Panthers in that game, winning 65-42, shooting 52.3 percent and holding Pitt to 26.2 percent. The set-up is even tougher for Pitt TY (fourth game in four days) and the result figures to be the same.

LEGEND Play on Georgetown

LARRY NESS
wipout winner Akron

REASON FOR PICK: I've ridden the Zips the in their first two games of the MAC Tourney (both wins and covers) and will go for the "hat trick" here. The 6-6 Wood (14.0-7.9) is the team's best player and has 29 points and 15 rebounds in the first two games but the bigger story has been Akron's three-point shooting, as the Zips are 17-of-32 (53.1) in the two games. That's unlikely to continue but as I've claimed the last two days, this team is "on a mission." Akron was left out of the entire postseason LY, failing to get an at-large NCAA bid (despite 26 wins) after losing to Miami-Ohio on a last-second shot in the MAC title game. The NIT even snubbed them! Akron's come back with another solid season, finishing second to Kent State in the MAC-East with a 11-5 league mark. With two wins in the tourney, the Zips are now 23-9 overall. However, they KNOW there will be no NCAA invite without a win tonight. Ss for Kent St, most believe the Golden Flashes (27-6) are deserving of an at-large bid win or lose, although with the committee's past history with the MAC (last at-large bid came in 1999), I can't believe Kent will take anything for granted. However, I still believe Akron is the more motivated team, after last year's snub and two losses to Kent this season. The first came at Kent when the Golden Flashes shot 57.5 percent and still won by just six points and the second loss came just this past Sunday, on the final day of the regular season. In that game, the Zips, who are 17-of-32 from behind the three-point arc in this tourney, made just 3-of-23 three-pointers and still lost by just THREE points. Kent State had an easy time Thursday with a bad Toledo team but against always-gritty Miami-O last night, needed a game-winner from guard Fisher with three seconds remaining, to win 49-47. Fisher (14.1-3.8-4.1) is paired in the backcourt with Singletary (10.1) and two seniors, the 6-7 Scott (13.1-6.0) and the 6-8 Quaintance (9.8-7.5), are the frontcourt stars. Although Kent has won 27 games, the team really doesn't have much depth. I'll point out that when Kent beat Akron the first time (Jan 23), the just-mentioned foursome combined for 64 of the team's 75 points (some balance!). Meanwhile, Wood gets tons of help in the frontcourt from the McKnight brothers (combined 10.3-4.2) plus Linhart and Milum (combined 12.9-7.8). In the backcourt, Dials (12.2-4.3 APG) and Middleton (9.8) start, with freshman McNees (5.6) coming off the bench. For both teams, this is their third game in three days, so depth matters! I called for Akron to win this thing right from the start and won't back off now. In fact, I expect a comfortable win, so while Akron just waits to see which team it will play next week, Kent will have to "sweat-out" Selection Sunday. Weekend Wipeout winner on Akron (7.5*).

 

[GIANTS007]

LARRY NESS

insider--UNLV

EXPERT: Larry Ness
REASON FOR PICK: The Rebels beat the Cougars 70-41 in Las Vegas on Jan 15 and then a month later (Feb 16, to be exact), the Cougars returned the favor in Provo, routing UNLV 74-48. The two schools square off tonight (at Las Vegas), in the MWC title game. It's doubtful that an NCAA bid is on the line in this one, as BYU won the regular season title at 14-2 and enters tonight's game 27-6 overall, while UNLV was second (12-4) and comes in 25-7. Considering the MWC has placed two teams in the NCAA tourney in each of the last six years, the winner AND loser of this game is almost guaranteed an invitation to the Big Dance. BYU cruised past pathetic Colorado St on Thursday but although the Cougars won and covered over SDSU last night (63-54 at minus-6 1/2), it was hardly an impressive effort. The team's three guards, Burgess (8.1), Fredette (6.6) and Murdock (4.1-3.8 APG) were a combined 0-for-8 from the floor, totaling just six points. BYU's strength is the 6-11 Plaisted (15.8-7.7) plus its pair of 6-6 dynamos, Cummard (16.0-6.5-3.5) and Tavernari (13.2-5.4). As for UNLV, the Rebels returned only PG Wink Adams (16.3-3.9-3.2) from LY's 30-win, Sweet 16 team but in the 6-6 Rougeau (9.0-5.8) and the 6-5 Terry (10.6-3.2-5.1), they have two athletes who can play with Cummard and Tavernari (unlike ANY of the other MWC schools!). In this tourney so far, the Rebels survived TCU's 17-of-23 three-point 'barrage' on Thursday (won 89-88) and then Utah's inspired effort last night, winning 61-55. Adams has been brilliant in the two games with 49 points, while Rougeau has 29 points and 20 rebounds and Terry 35 points! UNLV does not have a player the size of Plaisted but the 6-7 Darger (11.5-4.6) and the 6-8 Shaw (7.1-4.3) won't back down. The 6-5 Bailey (6.9-3.8) is an added player to combat the duo of Cummard and Tavernari. UNLV faced Utah's 7-1 Nevill last night, holding him in check, with 15 points and just five rebounds (good dress rehearsal for UNLV's big men). Playing this game on its homecourt is a tremendous edge for UNLV (18-2 SU this year) and the Rebels took advantage of the home surroundings to beat BYU in LY's title game, 78-70. BYU no longer has the terrific 6-6 Keena Young, who had 34 points and nine rebounds in that game, and it should not go unnoticed that Plaisted had just seven points in LY's title game. Let's also note that when the teams met here in January, Plaisted had just five points and six rebounds, Cummard and Tavernari combined for only 14 points plus the guard trio of Burgess, Fredette and Murdock made just 3-of-12 shots, scoring 11 points. This just in. The homecourt edge MATTERS! Las Vegas Insider on UNLV (8*)

 

[donlauer]

john ryan 2 nhl dogs ?????????????

 

[GIANTS007]

:mj23: :mj23: :mj23: :mj23:

 

[GIANTS007]

INDIAN COWBOY'S PLAY OF THE DAY: Sacramento Kings vs Phoenix Suns


Play: Sacramento Kings +9.5 (POD)
Comments: INDIAN COWBOY'S PLAY OF THE DAY: Sacramento Kings +9.5 (POD)

People fail to realize that if you take the Kings in the right spot, they can have a great deal of bite. I nearly took them yesterday against the Blazers but laid off. The Kings remember are one of the few teams to go the Staples Center and win outright, in fact, they did it as nearly double-digit dogs which shocked a great deal of people. This team then came back home and beat Portland despite Portland having revenge in that ballgame and they beat they look to avoid getting swept by the Suns after losing 102-117 at home and 127-111 on the road. This team looked to avoid the similar situation against the Lakers and won outright and they have double-revenge from this year. I'm not saying the Kings win this game outright, although they do have a shot at that as in fact, they have a better shot at beating the Suns outright than they did when they faced the Lakers and beat them outright, but the Suns are not necessarily dominating anyone unless of course it is the Grizzlies. The Suns lost to the Jazz outright at home, they beat the Spurs by single-digits and they beat the Warriors by single digits. I'll take the Kings on revenge looking to avoid getting swept in the 07-08' season, they are healthy and are 4-0-1 ATS when facing teams with a 60% winning percentage at home or better - meaning that they show up against the better teams in the league.
INDIAN COWBOY: Minnesota Timberwolve vs Portland Trailblazers


Play: Minnesota Timberwolves +9.5
Comments: INDIAN COWBOY SELECTION: Minnesota Timberwolves +9.5 ^^^ The Twolves are in a decent spot today and it seems 9 point dogs or higher have been hitting with success, so why not stop now. This is probably the weaker of the plays of the card that I have today, but it is still a strong play for a couple reasons. For one, I mentioned yesterday that the Twolves are likely to win outright at the Sonics due to revenge from an overtime loss at home and that is exactly what they did. The Twolves have actually won their last 3 of 4 ballgames - and those were all road wins at that - winning at Seattle, at the L.A. Clippers and at Sacrament - the same team that beat the Lakers outright on the road. The Twolves in short, have won 3 straight games outright on the road and are again catching near double-digits against the Blazers. The Blazers are a sound team and they come off a frustrating loss at Sacramento losing by 11 so they will look to rebound and likely win at home. Remember that these 2 teams just recently played in Minny back on March 11th and with over 70% of the public backing, Portland ended up winning and covering on the road 103-96. However, it took a 26-17 4th quarter for Portland to accomplish this as they were fortunate to beat the Twolves who are now looking for revenge and remember that game which was less than a week ago. Yes, Portland does come off a loss, but I like Minny here given that they have revenge, come off 3 outright road wins and they have a shot at winning this game outright - I'll take the points. The Blazers are 0-7 ATS against teams with a losing road record at home - meaning when they play the weaker teams in the league at home, they fail to blow them out and consequently cover.

 

[GIANTS007]

Winners Edge - 3/15/08

NBA:

NJ Nets+ 3.5 , 2 units

Suns / Kings 0ver 228 , 2 units



CBB:

Tennessee - 6 , 3 units ( Tournament Game of week )

Duke - 4.5 , 2 units

 

[YTownGambler]

Michael Cannon

(Last 4 days: 2-12 overall and 0-4 best bets)

Saturday's Plays...

30 Dime -
TEMPLE

10 Dime -
WISCONSIN

5 Dime -
UCLA

 

[Tramaine King]

ANY ROOT OR BIG AL