Comps
Charlotte at CLEVELAND (-7') Chuck Franklin
Three of the last four NBA Freebies in the bank, part of a 28-19 NBA Free Pick run... Huge Profits from the Inside Edge on the Odds!
The Cavs have lost the last two games they've played because of turnovers. Head coach Mike Brown says they must take care of the ball in order to get back on the winning track. Cleveland will win this home game as they have done six straight times against visiting Charlotte. The Cavs are on an 8-2 ATS run the game after a loss and they have covered five of the last seven games played.
Despite some recent success, the Bobcats are only 5-12 ATS the last 17 road games when listed as an underdog of less than 11 points. They have only covered the spread three times the last 12 situations when on the road versus a team that has a winning record at home.
This will be an absolute blowout!
3♦ CLEVELAND
L.A. Lakers (+4') at HOUSTON Bobby Maxwell
Headed to Houston for a FREE play today on the NBA hardwood as we go with the Lakers and grab the points against streaking Rockets.
Yes, the Rockets have won 21 straight games and they are on an 18-3 ATS roll but we're backing the Lakers in this one as we all know Kobe loves the spotlight and wants to stick it to Houston and put an end to this incredible streak. Now he might not lead the Lakers to the outright win, but we'll grab these points as this one will likely come down to the buzzer.
Los Angeles and Houston are tied for the top spot in the Western Conference which comes with home-court advantage. The Lakers have dropped two of three and got beat by the Hornets on Friday in New Orleans, 108-98 as a two-point road favorite.
The Lakers are 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 and they are 4-0 ATS in their last four as an underdog.
These two have split the first two meetings this season with the visitor winning each time. Houston won the season opener in Los Angeles on Oct. 30 95-93 but failed to cover as a 5 1/2-point road favorite. The Lakers then went to Houston on Nov. 14 and got a 93-90 win as a 6 1/2-point 'dog.
Los Angeles is 6-2 ATS in the last eight against Houston and 6-1 ATS in its last seven trips to the Toyota Center.
Kobe loves the big stage and he'll go off tonight and carry Los Angeles to the wire. Now they might now win and end the streak but grab the points as this one comes down to the buzzer.
3♦ LAKERS
Kansas vs. TEXAS (+5') - at Kansas City Sports Gambling Hotline
4-1 comp play run the last 5 days, and today we grab the points with the dangerous Longhorns.
Texas has already bested Kansas once this season, as the Longhorns came through with the home outright, 72-69 as the 5 1/2-point underdog back in the middle of February for their third straight series cover, and their 7th cover in the last 9 meetings with the mighty Jayhawks.
Look for Texas to be there once again, as the 'Horns guard play keeps them in this one from start to finish.
Kansas has been asked to cover inflated numbers all year long, and a 3-10 spread mark their last 13, along with a 5-9 spread mark this season away from Lawrence is all we need to see to place our money on the 'Horns to stay close in this Big 12 finale.
Possible #1 seed on the line today, and we like the Longhorns to "Hook 'Em"!
Play on Texas.
2♦ TEXAS
Illinois vs. WISCONSIN (-7) - at Indianapolis Karl Garrett
The G-Man is on a 60-48-2 comp play run coming into Sunday.
Today I will lay the wood with Wisconsin, as I think the Badgers got their scare yesterday in their come back win, and non-cover over Michigan State.
Wisconsin was down 12-points before rallying for the outright win, but thanks to a couple of missed free throws with 7 seconds to go, the Badgers failed to cover.
That blown cover was their first in their last in their last 6 games. Look for Wisconsin to handle the upstart Illini with relative ease in this spot, as Illinois has no business being in this tournament this late!
The Illini have put together a 4-game winning streak at the right time, but the fact they have lost the last 4 meetings with their Big 10 rival straight up, and 3 of the 4 against the spread does not bode well this afternoon at Conseco Fieldhouse.
The G-Man has to lay the lumber in this spot and look for a double-digit win and cover by Wisconsin.
3♦ WISCONSIN
Illinois vs WISCONSIN(-7) at Indianapolis Joel Tyson
Wisconsin has beaten Illinois twice this year, both by double digits. The two wins this year made it four in a row over this Illini team they face today in this Big Ten Championship showdown.
Taking nothing away from Illinois, they have been good as of late winning four straight to earn their spot today. Wisconsin on the other hand has won nine straight and have done so recently by clamping down on defense. I remember the old golf saying "drive for show, and putt for dough" as this applies here today even though we are talking basketball.
Wisconsin has allowed a mere 46.4 ppg to be scored against them over the last five. One thing for sure you will win most of the time when allowing this few number of points. Going back to our golf statement above let me ask you this. How many times lately have you seen this Wisconsin team make an ESPN top 10 highlight show? Can't remember one? Well that's because they show all the offensive highlights of dunks wild shots, etc...
Defense wins championships offense makes offensive highlights. I will take the wins anytime.
If you need proof check out ESPN and see how many teams that made the top 10 highlight reel are playing today. You will be surprised.
3♦ WISCONSIN
Georgia vs ARKANSAS (-8) Joel Tyson
First off, congradulations to the Georgia Bulldogs on their great feat yesterday as the Dawgs pulled off two wins to advance to this championship game, and continue their quest to the Big Dance.
Today however I feel the tank will run empty as in these situations it's normally not the day of the back-to-back events or such, but the day after. Yesterday was pure adreline and this can do a lot for the human body. Last night however Georgia laid down and realized just how tired they really were and will wake up today feeling it as well, as they must face this rested Arkansas team that will be looking to get revenge from their earlier loss in the season to this Georgia team.
Arkansas will be riding high as they have played extremely well to get here today. The Razorbacks have defeated both nationally ranked Vanderbilt first then knocked of Tennessee to advance to this championship match up.
Lay the points and back Arkansas as they end Georgia's dream run.
1♦ ARKANSAS
Toronto at SACRAMENTO (-3') Drew Gordon
Split my Freebies Saturday, with the Nets winning outright against the Jazz 117-115, while New Mexico State fell to Boise State 107-102. That brings me to 310-291-6 over my L607 Free Play releases!
If you've seen the Raptors play on the road in March, then you know the only play here is on the Kings, plain and simple. Toronto is just 1-5 SU & 2-4 ATS on the highway this month, with their only SU win coming agains the sorry-ass Heat. Its not just that they're losing, they're not even competing, losing by an average of almost 16 points in those 5 losses! Now play in Sacramento, a place they haven't won in their last 9 tries... Needless to say, more of the same tonight!
At the heart of the Raptors troubles is the injury to Chris Bosh. Clearly Toronto is lost without their talented All-Star forward, but no one could predict the depth of their collapse without him. They've not only been terrible, but terribly soft with Bargnani and Nesterovic "anchoring" the middle! Nesterovic is nothing more than a 7-foot journeyman, while Bargnani can score, but is softer than tissue paper.
The Raptors issues in the frontcourt get further exposed tonight against a tough, talented, and hard-nosed Sacramento frontline, featuring three high-energy players in Artest, Miller and Moore. Artest has been playing especially well since the surviving the trade deadline, now that he knows his address won't change, he's settled down nicely.
Finally, we all know the Kings can score, but the one thing they've been doing at home of late is play defense. Take for example their last home game, a 96-85 win over Portland, where they held the Blazers to just 38% shooting, while forcing 20 turnovers, including 5 from Brandon Roy. With the Raptors allowing a mind-boggling 117 ppg over their last 5 games, there's no question the Kings defense is the difference here. Sacto rolls in this one!
Take Sacramento at home over Toronto in this NBA match up.
3♦ SACRAMENTO
Clemson (+6) vs. North Carolina at Charlotte, N.C. Drew Gordon
Split my Freebies Saturday, with the Nets winning outright against the Jazz 117-115, while New Mexico State fell to Boise State 107-102. That brings me to 310-291-6 over my L607 Free Play releases!
You've got to love the way Clemson is playing right now, coming off an impressive outright win over Duke 78-74 yesterday. They had more than enough offense to run with the Blue Devils, but it was their defense that made the difference, and that'll be true once again in this afternoon's ACC Title Game.
Tigers were able to hold the high-powered Duke offense to just 43% shooting, including just 23% from beyond the arc, which is the key to beating the Blue Devils. The Tarheels are a different kind of team, one that features an inside presence that the Blue Devils simply do not have. However, with both meetings this season going into overtime, its clear the Tigers also match up well with North Carolina.
Speaking of their previous meetings this season, North Carolina won both SU, which gives Clemson a strong revenge angle in this one. Granted, North Carolina has actually won 7 straight going back to 2004, but with Clemson coming off a huge win over Duke and Carolina struggling a bit in the Semis against Virginia Tech, things couldn't be more perfect for the Tigers.
Finally, the biggest issue I have with North Carolina is the health of Ty Lawson's ankle. Anyone who's watched him play knows he's not 100%, and without his speed in the backcourt, the Tarheels offense tends to bog down. He scored 5 points on 1 for 7 shooting with just 1 assist over 24 minutes against the Hokies yesterday... Not exactly what you'd expect from your star point guard! When you consider how well K.C. Rivers (19 ppg in 2 games vs. Tarheels) and Cliff Hammonds (22 ppg in 2 game vs. Tarheels) have played against North Carolina this season, Lawson's ankle becomes a serious liability.
Bottom line, North Carolina is vulnerable in this match up. Clemson has proven they can run with anyone in the ACC, and if Lawson cannot get this Carolina offense going, Clemson could very well win this game outright. In the end, expect a competitive contest, and while the Tarheels likely win this game, Clemson won't go down without a fight, grabbing the cash in the process!
Take Clemson plus the points over North Carolina in today's ACC Title Game.
2♦ CLEMSON
Georgia (8') vs. Arkansas, at Atlanta Chris Jordan
Should have went with first inclination yesterday, and stuck with Texas.
Today, I have the right side in the Big 12, and will cash that Big 12 Line Mistake. Do not miss that play!!!
Your comp winner is on the darlings of the past few days, the Bulldogs of Georgia, who pulled off two wins on Saturday, and gave hope to the little town of Athens that their beloved canine will get to the Big Dance.
I'll take the points here, as Arkansas will have its hands full with a team that was tenacious against Kentucky, and balanced against Mississippi State.
While Arkansas has played itself into contention for a shot at the NIT, if it were to lose, and by my standards is still a bubble-like team, I don't know how it will get away from the defensive tenacity the Dawgs can bring.
We saw in the first meeting between these two, that Georgia matches up well against the Hogs, as it won by 13 in Athens. Now, 80 miles from home, the Dawgs are the de facto home team and should be able to ignite the crowd by stepping out immediately on this team.
3♦ GEORGIA
