SERVICE PLAYS FOR FRIDAY 2/22
- Thread starter GIANTS007
- Start date
Dunkel Index
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Game 527-528: Pennsylvania at Dartmouth
Dunkel Ratings: Pennsylvania 42.586; Dartmouth 45.966
Dunkel Line: Dartmouth by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Pennsylvania by 1
Dunkel Pick: Dartmouth (+1)
Game 529-530: Princeton at Harvard
Dunkel Ratings: Princeton 44.472; Harvard 46.603
Dunkel Line: Harvard by 2
Vegas Line: Harvard by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Princeton (+4 1/2)
Game 531-532: Brown at Columbia
Dunkel Ratings: Brown 53.608; Columbia 54.264
Dunkel Line: Columbia by 1
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Columbia
Game 533-534: Yale at Cornell
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 47.672; Cornell 58.072
Dunkel Line: Cornell by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cornell by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cornell (-8 1/2)
Game 535-536: Davidson at Winthrop
Dunkel Ratings: Davidson 64.537; Winthrop 62.856
Dunkel Line: Davidson by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Davidson by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Winthrop (+3 1/2)
Game 537-538: UC-Santa Barbara at Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 55.660; Utah State 61.196
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-5)
NBA
Game 501-502: Sacramento at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 119.030; Charlotte 111.570
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 7 1/2; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 1; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-1); Under
Game 503-504: New Jersey at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.765; Indiana 115.786
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 1; 200 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+5); Over
Game 505-506: Philadelphia at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 119.264; Orlando 123.797
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 4 1/2; 202 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 7; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+7); Under
Game 507-508: Washington at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.837; Cleveland 120.994
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 7; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Toronto at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 124.479; New York 116.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 8; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 5 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-5 1/2); Under
Game 511-512: Denver at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 119.571; Chicago 119.077
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 2 1/2; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2 1/2); Under
Game 513-514: Houston at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.334; New Orleans 127.072
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 5; 190
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 4; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-4); Over
Game 515-516: Milwaukee at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 110.060; Detroit 127.835
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 18; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 12; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-12); Under
Game 517-518: Dallas at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 117.514; Memphis 115.349
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2; 194 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 519-520: Utah at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 125.581; LA Clippers 118.548
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 7; 196
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 521-522: Portland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 113.194; Seattle 115.756
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 2 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 523-524: Boston at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.213; Phoenix 125.344
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 4; 225
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 218
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-1); Over
Game 525-526: Atlanta at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 111.739; Golden State 124.889
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 13; 234
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Game 527-528: Pennsylvania at Dartmouth
Dunkel Ratings: Pennsylvania 42.586; Dartmouth 45.966
Dunkel Line: Dartmouth by 3 1/2
Vegas Line: Pennsylvania by 1
Dunkel Pick: Dartmouth (+1)
Game 529-530: Princeton at Harvard
Dunkel Ratings: Princeton 44.472; Harvard 46.603
Dunkel Line: Harvard by 2
Vegas Line: Harvard by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Princeton (+4 1/2)
Game 531-532: Brown at Columbia
Dunkel Ratings: Brown 53.608; Columbia 54.264
Dunkel Line: Columbia by 1
Vegas Line: Pick
Dunkel Pick: Columbia
Game 533-534: Yale at Cornell
Dunkel Ratings: Yale 47.672; Cornell 58.072
Dunkel Line: Cornell by 10 1/2
Vegas Line: Cornell by 8 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cornell (-8 1/2)
Game 535-536: Davidson at Winthrop
Dunkel Ratings: Davidson 64.537; Winthrop 62.856
Dunkel Line: Davidson by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: Davidson by 3 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Winthrop (+3 1/2)
Game 537-538: UC-Santa Barbara at Utah State
Dunkel Ratings: UC-Santa Barbara 55.660; Utah State 61.196
Dunkel Line: Utah State by 5 1/2
Vegas Line: Utah State by 5
Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-5)
NBA
Game 501-502: Sacramento at Charlotte
Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 119.030; Charlotte 111.570
Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 7 1/2; 195 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Sacramento by 1; 204 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (-1); Under
Game 503-504: New Jersey at Indiana
Dunkel Ratings: New Jersey 114.765; Indiana 115.786
Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 1; 200 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 5; 199 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Jersey (+5); Over
Game 505-506: Philadelphia at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: Philadelphia 119.264; Orlando 123.797
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 4 1/2; 202 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 7; 203 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (+7); Under
Game 507-508: Washington at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 113.837; Cleveland 120.994
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 7; 204 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 509-510: Toronto at New York
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 124.479; New York 116.420
Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 8; 195
Vegas Line & Total: Toronto by 5 1/2; 198 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-5 1/2); Under
Game 511-512: Denver at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Denver 119.571; Chicago 119.077
Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 2 1/2; 208 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (+2 1/2); Under
Game 513-514: Houston at New Orleans
Dunkel Ratings: Houston 122.334; New Orleans 127.072
Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 5; 190
Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 4; 186 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-4); Over
Game 515-516: Milwaukee at Detroit
Dunkel Ratings: Milwaukee 110.060; Detroit 127.835
Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 18; 182
Vegas Line & Total: Detroit by 12; 187 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Detroit (-12); Under
Game 517-518: Dallas at Memphis
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 117.514; Memphis 115.349
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 2; 194 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 519-520: Utah at LA Clippers
Dunkel Ratings: Utah 125.581; LA Clippers 118.548
Dunkel Line & Total: Utah by 7; 196
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 521-522: Portland at Seattle
Dunkel Ratings: Portland 113.194; Seattle 115.756
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 2 1/2; 191
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
Game 523-524: Boston at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 121.213; Phoenix 125.344
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 4; 225
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 218
Dunkel Pick: Phoenix (-1); Over
Game 525-526: Atlanta at Golden State
Dunkel Ratings: Atlanta 111.739; Golden State 124.889
Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 13; 234
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A
BEN BURNS
NBA BASKETBALL
3-Game ULTIMATE Report
ATLANTA,CHARLOTTE,INDIANA
ATLANTA
Game: Atlanta Hawks vs. Golden State Warriors Game Time: 2/22/2008 10:35:00 PM Prediction: Atlanta Hawks Reason: I'm taking the points with ATLANTA. These teams played an extremely close game here at this time last year, with the Hawks eventually scoring a 106-105 upset victory. I'm expecting another closely contested game tonight. The Warriors won and covered last time out. However, that win came by only two points and they're still a poor 1-5 ATS their last six games and a money-burning 5-13 ATS their last 18. They managed to win without Stephen Jackson (questionable) on Wednesday but aren't nearly as strong without him in the lineup. Even if Jackson plays, he can't be expected to be at 100%. Regardless, we know that Hawks will be without Andris Biedrins, who will be out indefinitely after undergoing an appendectomy yesterday. That's significant as Biedrins, who had 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Celtics, is averaging 10.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and is Golden State?s leader with 64 blocked shots. Look for the Hawks, who are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, to give their hosts all they can handle here, improving to 4-0 ATS the last four series meetings.
CHARLOTTE
Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Bobcats Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Charlotte Bobcats Reason: I'm playing on CHARLOTTE. The Bobcats have been terrible on the road and they tipped off the second half with a 85-65 blowout loss at San Antonio. They've been MUCH better at home though and they're 36-18-1 ATS all-time after scoring 85 points or less in their previous game. They've also had success against the Kings here in Charlotte. Playing with "revenge" from a January loss at Sacramento, I expect them to bounce back and score the minor upset here. The Kings are tough at Arco Arena, where they've gone a healthy 17-10 for the season. They're awful on the road though, going 8-18. The Kings have been favored for all three of their trips to Charlotte. They were laying -3.5 points in 2005 and lost by seven. In 2006, they were laying three points and lost by three. Last season, listed as -1.5 point favorites, they again lost by three points. Including that defeat, the Kings are a terrible 2-10-1 ATS the past three seasons when listed as road favorites of three points or less. Look for their struggles here to continue this evening.
INDIANA
Game: New Jersey Nets vs. Indiana Pacers Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Indiana Pacers Reason: I'm laying the points with INDIANA. The Nets proved that they could win in the post-Kidd era by beating the Bulls in overtime on Wednesday. That doesn't mean that all is well in New Jersey though. There is still likely to be a bit of an adjustment period to the new players and they still haven't got the main player from the deal yet, as Devin Harris is injured. Additionally, although he's expected to play, it's probably worth noting that Carter left Wednesday's game early due to a hamstring pull. Regardless, the Nets haven't fared well when coming off a high-scoring game like that, going just 3-6 SU/ATS for the season after scoring 105 or more points in their previous game. They've also had trouble keeping up against high-scoring teams, like Indiana. The Pacers average 102.4 points per game (102.7 at home) and the Nets are just 6-14-1 ATS (6-15 SU) in 21 games against teams which average 99 or more points per game. Fighting for their playoff lives, the Pacers desperately need a win. They also know that they'll be playing at New Jersey tomorrow night, making it even more important to "hold serve" at home tonight. The Pacers are 16-9 ATS (17-8 SU) the last 25 times that they were listed as home favorites in the -3.5 to -6 range. Look for a huge effort as they improve on those stats this evening.
KNICKS
Game: Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:35:00 PM Prediction: New York Knicks Reason: I'm taking the points with NEW YORK. I respect the Raptors and I played on them in their recent win over Orlando. However, while they are an explosive team, I feel that this is too many points for them to be laying on the road vs. what I expect to be a highly motivated New York club. Yes, the Knicks got absolutely blown out in their last game. The Raptor blowout win and the Knicks blowout loss have given us excellent value here though. Additionally, let's cut the Knicks some slack. For starters, they were a highly profitable 12-5-1 ATS their previous 18 games before the Philadelphia loss. They were also coming off a hard fought overtime road win the previous night. Additionally, as Isiah Thomas pointed out: "my guy?s minds were elsewhere," referring to the fact that the players were distracted by yesterday's trade deadline. Note that the Knicks have now had a day off and that the trade deadline has now passed without any moves. While they still haven't been winning that many games, its been a long time since the Knicks were blown out like they were on Wednesday. In fact, we have to look all the way back to mid-December, when they lost 119-92 vs. Indiana, to find the last time that they were defeated by more than 20 points. The Knicks had a day off following that 12/17 loss to the Pacers, before hosting the Cavaliers in their next game. Listed as underdogs, they bounced back from the blowout loss and crushed the Cavs by 18 points. The only other time that the Knicks lost by 40 or more points was at Boston back in late November. The Knicks returned home from that embarrassment and promptly beat Milwaukee in their next game. Overall, the Knicks are 12-8 ATS when coming off a double-digit loss while the Raptors are just 8-10 SU/ATS when coming off a double-digit win. Knowing that it will be tough to win at Toronto in Sunday's rematch, look for the Knicks to give a huge effort tonight, improving to 7-1-1 ATS the last nine times they were getting points.
*Eastern Conf. GOM
KNICKS
NBA BASKETBALL
3-Game ULTIMATE Report
ATLANTA,CHARLOTTE,INDIANA
ATLANTA
Game: Atlanta Hawks vs. Golden State Warriors Game Time: 2/22/2008 10:35:00 PM Prediction: Atlanta Hawks Reason: I'm taking the points with ATLANTA. These teams played an extremely close game here at this time last year, with the Hawks eventually scoring a 106-105 upset victory. I'm expecting another closely contested game tonight. The Warriors won and covered last time out. However, that win came by only two points and they're still a poor 1-5 ATS their last six games and a money-burning 5-13 ATS their last 18. They managed to win without Stephen Jackson (questionable) on Wednesday but aren't nearly as strong without him in the lineup. Even if Jackson plays, he can't be expected to be at 100%. Regardless, we know that Hawks will be without Andris Biedrins, who will be out indefinitely after undergoing an appendectomy yesterday. That's significant as Biedrins, who had 21 points and 13 rebounds against the Celtics, is averaging 10.3 points, 9.7 rebounds and is Golden State?s leader with 64 blocked shots. Look for the Hawks, who are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, to give their hosts all they can handle here, improving to 4-0 ATS the last four series meetings.
CHARLOTTE
Game: Sacramento Kings vs. Charlotte Bobcats Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Charlotte Bobcats Reason: I'm playing on CHARLOTTE. The Bobcats have been terrible on the road and they tipped off the second half with a 85-65 blowout loss at San Antonio. They've been MUCH better at home though and they're 36-18-1 ATS all-time after scoring 85 points or less in their previous game. They've also had success against the Kings here in Charlotte. Playing with "revenge" from a January loss at Sacramento, I expect them to bounce back and score the minor upset here. The Kings are tough at Arco Arena, where they've gone a healthy 17-10 for the season. They're awful on the road though, going 8-18. The Kings have been favored for all three of their trips to Charlotte. They were laying -3.5 points in 2005 and lost by seven. In 2006, they were laying three points and lost by three. Last season, listed as -1.5 point favorites, they again lost by three points. Including that defeat, the Kings are a terrible 2-10-1 ATS the past three seasons when listed as road favorites of three points or less. Look for their struggles here to continue this evening.
INDIANA
Game: New Jersey Nets vs. Indiana Pacers Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:05:00 PM Prediction: Indiana Pacers Reason: I'm laying the points with INDIANA. The Nets proved that they could win in the post-Kidd era by beating the Bulls in overtime on Wednesday. That doesn't mean that all is well in New Jersey though. There is still likely to be a bit of an adjustment period to the new players and they still haven't got the main player from the deal yet, as Devin Harris is injured. Additionally, although he's expected to play, it's probably worth noting that Carter left Wednesday's game early due to a hamstring pull. Regardless, the Nets haven't fared well when coming off a high-scoring game like that, going just 3-6 SU/ATS for the season after scoring 105 or more points in their previous game. They've also had trouble keeping up against high-scoring teams, like Indiana. The Pacers average 102.4 points per game (102.7 at home) and the Nets are just 6-14-1 ATS (6-15 SU) in 21 games against teams which average 99 or more points per game. Fighting for their playoff lives, the Pacers desperately need a win. They also know that they'll be playing at New Jersey tomorrow night, making it even more important to "hold serve" at home tonight. The Pacers are 16-9 ATS (17-8 SU) the last 25 times that they were listed as home favorites in the -3.5 to -6 range. Look for a huge effort as they improve on those stats this evening.
KNICKS
Game: Toronto Raptors vs. New York Knicks Game Time: 2/22/2008 7:35:00 PM Prediction: New York Knicks Reason: I'm taking the points with NEW YORK. I respect the Raptors and I played on them in their recent win over Orlando. However, while they are an explosive team, I feel that this is too many points for them to be laying on the road vs. what I expect to be a highly motivated New York club. Yes, the Knicks got absolutely blown out in their last game. The Raptor blowout win and the Knicks blowout loss have given us excellent value here though. Additionally, let's cut the Knicks some slack. For starters, they were a highly profitable 12-5-1 ATS their previous 18 games before the Philadelphia loss. They were also coming off a hard fought overtime road win the previous night. Additionally, as Isiah Thomas pointed out: "my guy?s minds were elsewhere," referring to the fact that the players were distracted by yesterday's trade deadline. Note that the Knicks have now had a day off and that the trade deadline has now passed without any moves. While they still haven't been winning that many games, its been a long time since the Knicks were blown out like they were on Wednesday. In fact, we have to look all the way back to mid-December, when they lost 119-92 vs. Indiana, to find the last time that they were defeated by more than 20 points. The Knicks had a day off following that 12/17 loss to the Pacers, before hosting the Cavaliers in their next game. Listed as underdogs, they bounced back from the blowout loss and crushed the Cavs by 18 points. The only other time that the Knicks lost by 40 or more points was at Boston back in late November. The Knicks returned home from that embarrassment and promptly beat Milwaukee in their next game. Overall, the Knicks are 12-8 ATS when coming off a double-digit loss while the Raptors are just 8-10 SU/ATS when coming off a double-digit win. Knowing that it will be tough to win at Toronto in Sunday's rematch, look for the Knicks to give a huge effort tonight, improving to 7-1-1 ATS the last nine times they were getting points.
*Eastern Conf. GOM
KNICKS
National Hockey League
Bob Akmens
Detroit Red Wings r53
Calgary Flames r54
u5.5 (-135) / 3 units
confirmed
Bob Akmens
Detroit Red Wings r53
Calgary Flames r54
u5.5 (-135) / 3 units
confirmed
Wolkosky Milan
476-369-16 last one hundred seventy days
146-100-3 last fifty one days!
32-18-1 last twelve days!
2-1 Yesterday
Today:
10* NEW JERSEY +5
10* PHILADELPHIA +7
10* CLEVELAND -2?
10* TOR/NYK UNDER 197?
10* DAL/MEM UNDER 197
10* HOU/NOH OVER 188
10* UTA/LAC UNDER 199?
476-369-16 last one hundred seventy days
146-100-3 last fifty one days!
32-18-1 last twelve days!
2-1 Yesterday
Today:
10* NEW JERSEY +5
10* PHILADELPHIA +7
10* CLEVELAND -2?
10* TOR/NYK UNDER 197?
10* DAL/MEM UNDER 197
10* HOU/NOH OVER 188
10* UTA/LAC UNDER 199?
maddux sports
maddux sports
these guys ARE pretty darn good NBA,
3 UNITS SACRAMENTO -1
3 NEW JERSEY +5
3 DALLAS -8
good luck!:00hour
maddux sports
these guys ARE pretty darn good NBA,
3 UNITS SACRAMENTO -1
3 NEW JERSEY +5
3 DALLAS -8
good luck!:00hour
Carlo Campanella
IRON HORSE 10* LATE ACTION PLAY (10-0 KEY ANGLE!)
THIS JUST IN!!! Carlo Campanella just released Friday's "Late Action Play," backed by a Key Angle that's 10-0 ATS this season! Campanella is on an 11-4 Winning Run in Baskets & his "Late Action" picks are served up on GAME DAY because they "play against" the public's money & put you on the same side as the sportsbooks.
Orlando Magic
IRON HORSE 10* LATE ACTION PLAY (10-0 KEY ANGLE!)
THIS JUST IN!!! Carlo Campanella just released Friday's "Late Action Play," backed by a Key Angle that's 10-0 ATS this season! Campanella is on an 11-4 Winning Run in Baskets & his "Late Action" picks are served up on GAME DAY because they "play against" the public's money & put you on the same side as the sportsbooks.
Orlando Magic
VEGAS SPORTS PICS
Yale Bulldogs + 8.5 over (at) Cornell Big Red
Cornell (16-5, 8-0) vs. Yale (10-12, 4-4) is 3-1 last four games shooting 50.7 percent allowing 42 percent shooting. Bulldogs lost at Cornell 60-59 last season, 68-64 the previous season.
Yale Bulldogs + 8.5 over (at) Cornell Big Red
Cornell (16-5, 8-0) vs. Yale (10-12, 4-4) is 3-1 last four games shooting 50.7 percent allowing 42 percent shooting. Bulldogs lost at Cornell 60-59 last season, 68-64 the previous season.
VEGASEXPERTS TIP OF THE DAY
FEB: (8-11)
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets
Friday, February 22nd, 8:05 PM ET
Houston in a tough spot off National TV home win and cover over Miami last night. It travels to New Orleans which is well-rested, having played just once since the break. That was a 104-93 Wednesday night home win over Dallas. New Orleans beat the Rockets once already this year in Houston. HOUSTON is 20-33 ATS after 2 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons. NEW ORLEANS is 40-27 ATS in home games over the last 2 seasons and 16-6 ATS after a win by 10 points or more this season.
Play on: New Orleans
FEB: (8-11)
Houston Rockets at New Orleans Hornets
Friday, February 22nd, 8:05 PM ET
Houston in a tough spot off National TV home win and cover over Miami last night. It travels to New Orleans which is well-rested, having played just once since the break. That was a 104-93 Wednesday night home win over Dallas. New Orleans beat the Rockets once already this year in Houston. HOUSTON is 20-33 ATS after 2 or more consecutive wins over the last 2 seasons. NEW ORLEANS is 40-27 ATS in home games over the last 2 seasons and 16-6 ATS after a win by 10 points or more this season.
Play on: New Orleans
Dave Malinsky comp 4* play
GAME: Boston Celtics @ Phoenix Suns Feb 22, 2008 10:30PM
SPORT: National Basketball Assoc.
PICK: under
Offered at: 217.5
REASON FOR PICK: 4* BOSTON/PHOENIX Under
We cashed an easy 4* ticket with the Lakers against Phoenix Wednesday night in the first game of the ?SunShaq? era, and now can step in again while the betting markets struggle to adjust the categories. This time it is the Total that is in the wrong place. That explosive offensive showcase on Wednesday (both teams shot over 50 percent) helps to set us up with a very high line for a game that will be played mostly in the half-court, and also feature some actual defense.
After playing the best defense in the NBA through the All Star break, the Celtics got caught up in a pair of track meets at Denver and Golden State this week, and paid the price accordingly. That wounded the ego of a team that brings a lot of pride to the defensive end of the court, and we are reading the kind of comments that mean a lot in that regard. First, from Kevin Garnett - ?If you look at how we've won games, we've stopped the easy buckets, we've stopped all the nonsense on the backdoor cuts. There was none of that [the past two games]. Now, we're in situations where teams are not only getting a lot of fast-break points but a lot of free throws. We have to continue to be aggressive and minimize those things."
From Ray Allen - "Out West they are going to score points, they are going to get the ball up and down the floor. We knew it in both games. We have to recognize it and we have to get back. Right now, these two games are a slap in the face.?
From Paul Pierce - ?We know we can score, but that kind of game really doesn?t play to our strength, because we?re a defensive team. We can run, but we prefer to keep the score down some and play in the lower 100s. We just have to clean some things up defensively and do a better job of keeping teams out of the fast break.?
And from Doc Rivers - ?That?s not the way we want to play. We are a better defensive team than we?ve played, but I was talking about that before the break, too. I thought our offense bailed us out (in) four or five games before the break, and we kind of fell into that fool?s gold that your offense is going to win. We?re never going to win a title, a conference or anything else just being an offensive team. We?re just not doing our jobs, and it?s a lot of little things. We?re better than that.?
Tonight anticipate the Celtics to put a premium on managing tempo and transition defense, especially after Rivers gave them yesterday off from practice to study film and focus on technique, which guarantees fresh legs. And what makes this one particularly interesting is that a lot of the defensive matchups are favorable. For Boston Kendrick Perkins has the muscle to not be pushed around by Shaq; Kevin Garnett has the experience and savvy to slow Amare Stoudemire down a bit; and Rajon Rondo has the tenacity to make Steve Nash work extra hard to create openings. Meanwhile for the Suns there is the confidence of knowing that O?Neal is taking up a lot of room in the paint, while Grant Hill can match up to Paul Pierce (quicker players have bothered Hill this season but Pierce does not play that way at this stage), and Raja Bell is not a bad match against Ray Allen. We are not talking about lock-downs here, but rather some individual matchups that can keep this from getting anywhere near the track meet that is being called for.
GAME: Boston Celtics @ Phoenix Suns Feb 22, 2008 10:30PM
SPORT: National Basketball Assoc.
PICK: under
Offered at: 217.5
REASON FOR PICK: 4* BOSTON/PHOENIX Under
We cashed an easy 4* ticket with the Lakers against Phoenix Wednesday night in the first game of the ?SunShaq? era, and now can step in again while the betting markets struggle to adjust the categories. This time it is the Total that is in the wrong place. That explosive offensive showcase on Wednesday (both teams shot over 50 percent) helps to set us up with a very high line for a game that will be played mostly in the half-court, and also feature some actual defense.
After playing the best defense in the NBA through the All Star break, the Celtics got caught up in a pair of track meets at Denver and Golden State this week, and paid the price accordingly. That wounded the ego of a team that brings a lot of pride to the defensive end of the court, and we are reading the kind of comments that mean a lot in that regard. First, from Kevin Garnett - ?If you look at how we've won games, we've stopped the easy buckets, we've stopped all the nonsense on the backdoor cuts. There was none of that [the past two games]. Now, we're in situations where teams are not only getting a lot of fast-break points but a lot of free throws. We have to continue to be aggressive and minimize those things."
From Ray Allen - "Out West they are going to score points, they are going to get the ball up and down the floor. We knew it in both games. We have to recognize it and we have to get back. Right now, these two games are a slap in the face.?
From Paul Pierce - ?We know we can score, but that kind of game really doesn?t play to our strength, because we?re a defensive team. We can run, but we prefer to keep the score down some and play in the lower 100s. We just have to clean some things up defensively and do a better job of keeping teams out of the fast break.?
And from Doc Rivers - ?That?s not the way we want to play. We are a better defensive team than we?ve played, but I was talking about that before the break, too. I thought our offense bailed us out (in) four or five games before the break, and we kind of fell into that fool?s gold that your offense is going to win. We?re never going to win a title, a conference or anything else just being an offensive team. We?re just not doing our jobs, and it?s a lot of little things. We?re better than that.?
Tonight anticipate the Celtics to put a premium on managing tempo and transition defense, especially after Rivers gave them yesterday off from practice to study film and focus on technique, which guarantees fresh legs. And what makes this one particularly interesting is that a lot of the defensive matchups are favorable. For Boston Kendrick Perkins has the muscle to not be pushed around by Shaq; Kevin Garnett has the experience and savvy to slow Amare Stoudemire down a bit; and Rajon Rondo has the tenacity to make Steve Nash work extra hard to create openings. Meanwhile for the Suns there is the confidence of knowing that O?Neal is taking up a lot of room in the paint, while Grant Hill can match up to Paul Pierce (quicker players have bothered Hill this season but Pierce does not play that way at this stage), and Raja Bell is not a bad match against Ray Allen. We are not talking about lock-downs here, but rather some individual matchups that can keep this from getting anywhere near the track meet that is being called for.
