12-13-12

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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Point Spread - Pick

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6 SU, 5-7-1 ATS) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (4-9 SU, 3-9-1 ATS)
NFL Week 15
Date/Time: Thursday, December 13th, 2012, 8:20 p.m. EST
Where: Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pa.
TV: NFL Network/DirecTV 212
by Badger, Football Handicapper.

Point Spread: Cin -3/PHI +3
Over/Under Total: 46

The Cincinnati Bengals are letting an AFC playoff spot slip right through their fingers, but if they want to stay in position for a chance at the second season they'll need to find a way to win on the road this week when they travel to Lincoln Financial Field to take on the Philadelphia Eagles in the season finale of Thursday Night Football on the NFL Network.

The Bengals were sitting in a good position for an AFC wild card spot and on the verge of a tough victory over the emotional Dallas Cowboys at home last Sunday, only to watch Tony Romo and the Cowboys put together a 13-play, 50-yard drive in the final minutes to set up a game-winning 40-yard field goal by Dan Bailey as time expired and hand the Bengals a 20-19 loss. The loss dropped Cincinnati into a tie for the final AFC spot, and with three weeks to play and games remaining against AFC North rivals Pittsburgh and Baltimore, the Bengals face almost a must-win situation in Philly this week in order to stay ahead of the chase pack.

Philadelphia finished on the opposite end of the last-second win or lose spectrum last week in Tampa, beating the Buccaneers, 23-21, when rookie QB Nick Foles hit Jeremy Maclin with a 1-yard score as time expired. The win snapped the Eagles eight-game losing streak and took some of the heat off of head coach Andy Reid for a week, at least until Thursday when the Bengals come calling with their backs starting to approach the wall.

With the Bengals likely to be playing with a sense of urgency, and Philly already in full-blown rebuilding mode, oddsmakers set the opening point spread for the TNF finale with Cincinnati as 3-point favorites on the road at the Linc. With the public already fading the Eagles no matter who or where they play, some sportsbooks have adjusted the number up to Cincy minus -3.5, but that's about as far as it's gone after the first few days of being up on the board.

The over/under total opened at 46 and it has held firm at a majority of sportsbooks both on the Web and in and around Las Vegas, but there are a few books starting to drop the game down the hook to 45.5 as the early money has been coming in on the under.

The Eagles have gone young on offense for a few weeks now, with Foles and fellow rookie Bryce Brown taking over the quarterback and running back roles for the rest of the year while Reid and Eagles management try and find new homes for Michael Vick and LeSean McCoy. Foles had his best game yet last week in Tampa, throwing for a rookie record 381 yards and two scores, but Brown was held in check for the first time since his ascension to the starting role.

Issues and injuries along the Eagles offensive line have seemed to taper off lately, but now Philly might have to play without TE Brent Celek (concussion) against a Bengals defense that is ranked 7th overall (328 ypg) and leads the NFL with 42 sacks. I'll let you draw your own conclusions, but on paper it doesn't look like a matchup Foles and Reid can expect to win consistently, especially if he calls upwards to 50 passes.

Cincinnati's offense under second-year QB Andy Dalton is pretty much middle of the pack, ranked 15th overall (355 ypg) and 11th in scoring with an average of 24.7 points per game. The Bengals have had a surge in the run game with BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who had a three-game 100-yard plus streak snapped last week, but you have to imagine the Bengals will like their chances with young stud A.J. Green going up against an Eagles secondary that has looked lost and been gutted in recent weeks and is also missing starting safety Kurt Coleman.

The last time these two played back in 2008 was the now famous game that ended with a 13-13 tie, when former Eagles QB Donovan McNabb told reporters afterwards he didn't know games could end in ties. Historically the AFC-NFC series between the Bengals and Eagles is dead even on the field (3-3-1 SU), but Philly is 3-2 SU in the games played in Philadelphia.

More importantly, the Bengals have OWNED the series at the betting window, going a perfect 6-0 ATS in the series going all the way back to the 1988 game (no line on the 1994 meeting? … hence only 6-0 ATS). The last time these two met in Philly (in 2005) the Bengals won 38-10 and covered as (ironically) 3.5-point favorites at the Linc.

Cincy is 4-1 ATS on the road the last five trips, but Philly does seem to play well on Thursdays, going 4-1 ATS in their last five mid-week games. The Eagles are however just 7-19-1 in their last 27 home games, so bet the Eagles as home dogs if you dare.

Badger's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: The Eagles appear to be back on track after pulling off a huge road win at TB. Nick Foles will continue to mature and the Eagles will win this game straight up which will appear to be an upset to many, and a payday for sharp handicappers.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tale of the tape: Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles
By SEAN MURPHY

The Philadelphia Eagles will aim to play spoiler when they host the Cincinnati Bengals on Thursday Night Football. Find out which side has the edge with our tale of the tape.

Offense

After scoring at least 28 points in three consecutive games the Bengals offense has sputtered over the last couple of weeks, putting up only 39 points combined in splitting two games against the Chargers and Cowboys. Quarterback Andy Dalton has already thrown more interceptions this season (14) than he did in his entire rookie campaign last year (13). Of course, he's also thrown five more touchdown passes. Cincinnati has made a concerted effort to get its ground game rolling and RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis has responded by running for 437 yards over the last four games.

The Eagles offense has shown steady improvement since rookie QB Nick Foles took over for an injured Michael Vick. Last Sunday, Foles threw for a career-high 381 yards and two touchdowns in a come-from-behind win over the Bucs. While RB Bryce Brown had been a force in the previous two weeks, he was held to only six yards on 12 carries in Tampa Bay. They'll need to get him going again with LeSean McCoy expected to miss at least one more game.

Edge: Bengals

Defense

When healthy, the Bengals own one of the more underrated defenses in the entire league. It looks like LB Rey Maualuga will be able to play Thursday after suffering an ankle injury against Dallas. You would have to go all the way back to November 4 to find the last time the Bengals allowed more than 20 points in a game. They've held four of their last five opponents to 13 points or less, paving the way for a five-game under streak.

The Eagles finally stopped the bleeding this past Sunday, holding the Bucs to 21 points after allowing at least 30 in four consecutive games. They limited Bucs QB Josh Freeman to only 14-of-34 passing, but didn't record a single turnover in the win. In fact, they haven't forced a turnover since November 5 in New Orleans. That's a streak that will need to come to an end if they're going to string together a second straight win this week. Corner Nnamdi Asomugha is questionable to play due to a quad injury.

Edge: Bengals

Special teams

Cincinnati has been terrific defending punt returns, holding the opposition to just north of eight yards per return. It has also been effective on the flip side, averaging 11.6 yards per punt return and 22.9 yards per kickoff return. Bengals kicker Mike Nugent is 19 for 23 on field goal attempts this season, but he was forced to miss last week's game due to a calf injury. Josh Brown made good on all four field goal attempts in Nugent's absence last Sunday.

The Eagles fall right around the league average in terms of punt and kick returning, but have struggled defending them, giving up 13.7 yards per punt return and 26 yards per kickoff return. Kicker Alex Henery has been a bright spot, connecting on 23 of 26 field goal attempts.

Edge: Bengals

Word on the street

“We have the opportunity to still control our own end, from now until the end. We still have an opportunity to win the division. We still have an opportunity to qualify for the playoffs in a couple of ways. That’s all we can ask for." -- Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis on his team's playoff prospects following last Sunday's loss to Dallas.

"More important than (playing the spoiler is to) play for yourself. Play for this organization. Those are the things we’re going to try to do right now and we have another good opportunity to do that Thursday." -- Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin on what's left to play for as the season winds down.

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Today's NFL Picks

Cincinnati at Philadelphia

The Bengals look to build on their 4-1 ATS record in their last 5 road games. Cincinnati is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Bengals favored by 5 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-3 1/2). Here are all of this week's picks.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
Time Posted: 9:00 a.m. EST (12/12)


Game 301-302: Cincinnati at Philadelphia (8:20 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 134.088; Philadelphia 128.476
Dunkel Line: Cincinnati by 5 1/2; 42
Vegas Line: Cincinnati by 3 1/2; 46
Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (-3 1/2); Under

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DCI Pro Football
The Daniel Curry Index

Week 15 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 120-77 (.609)
ATS: 89-113 (.441)
ATS Vary Units: 385-608 (.388)
Over/Under: 98-106 (.480)
Over/Under Vary Units: 378-350 (.519)

Thursday, December 13, 2012
Cincinnati 26, PHILADELPHIA 19

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NFL
Write-Up

Week 15

Bengals (7-6) @ Eagles (4-9)—Tend to favor contending team in these short-week games, since injured guys more likely to suck it up and play, but Cincy gagged away game with Dallas last week, ending 4-game win streak; AJ Green caught three balls for 44 yards, dropped two passes in clutch spots that cost Bengals four points each in game they should’ve won. Bengals won last two road games, didn’t allow offensive TD on 21 drives; they are 3-3 as favorite this year, 1-1 on road. Since 2010, they’re 4-2-1 as road favorites. Iggles snapped 8-game skid with win at Tampa Sun day, scoring on last play of game; they’ve lost last four home games, allowing 31 ppg (13 TD’s/43 drives). Cincy leads this series 7-3-1, are 4-3 here; last time these teams met was 13-13 tie in ’08, last NFL tie until Rams-Niners last month. AFC North favorites are 9-11 vs spread, 4-4 on road; NFC East underdogs are 10-5, 1-2 at home. Last five Bengal games stayed under; five of six Philly home games went over.

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Thursday Night Football: Bengals at Eagles

Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles (+4, 45.5)

The Cincinnati Bengals let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers against one NFC East team this past weekend. The Bengals would like to prevent the same from happening again on Thursday when they visit the struggling Philadelphia Eagles. Cincinnati's bid to record its fifth straight victory and eighth overall was thwarted by Dallas on the final play. As a result, the Bengals remained two games shy of AFC North-leading Baltimore and a tiebreaker behind Pittsburgh for the final playoff berth in the conference.

Postseason discussion has long been tabled in Philadelphia, which snapped an eight-game losing skid with a 23-21 triumph over Tampa Bay this past weekend. Nick Foles gave the Eagles some confidence for the future by throwing for a rookie franchise-best 381 yards. The third-round pick also engineered the game-winning drive, which was capped by his 1-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Maclin.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network.

LINE: Cincinnati opened as a field-goal favorite in Philadelphia and has since been bet up as high as -4.5. The total opened at 46 and has dropped to 45.5.

WEATHER: The forecast is calling for clear skies and temperatures in the mid 30s. Winds will blow NW at 2 mph.

ABOUT THE BENGALS (7-6, 6-6-1 ATS): Cincinnati stud WR A.J. Green had a pair of inexplicable drops en route to being held out of the end zone for the third time in as many games on Sunday. Prior to this drought, Green had scored in nine straight contests. The Bengals can't afford to dwell on Sunday's loss or look beyond the Eagles, although a visit to Pittsburgh (Dec. 23) and a home game versus Baltimore (Dec. 30) could go a long way in deciding if they make the playoffs.

ABOUT THE EAGLES (4-9, 3-9-1 ATS): Maclin is clearly impressed with Foles, who has just four starts under his belt. "You guys are seeing Nick Foles grow into a phenomenal quarterback right in front of your eyes," Maclin said. "I think the sky is the limit for him." Foles hasn't thrown an interception in the last 14 quarters, although the aggressive Bengals defense could pressure him into mistakes. Cincinnati leads the league with 42 sacks.

TRENDS:

* Bengals are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings.
* Bengals are 1-7-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss.
* Eagles are 4-1 ATS in their last five Thursday games.
* Eagles are 7-19-1 ATS in their last 27 home games.

EXTRA POINTS:

1. Although Bengals RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis failed to notch his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, he sits just 26 shy of his second straight 1,000-yard season.

2. Philadelphia TE Clay Harbor, who reeled in the first of two touchdown passes by Foles, will likely start on Thursday in place of the concussed Brent Celek.

3. The teams played to a 13-13 tie in their last encounter on Nov. 16, 2008. The game is likely best remembered for then-Eagles QB Donovan McNabb admitting that he didn't know an NFL contest could end in a tie.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Gold Sheet

KEY RELEASE

CINCINNATI by 14 over Philadelphia (Thursday, Dec. 13)
*Cincinnati 27 - PHILADELPHIA 13—Andy Reid (who last week dismissed another assistant, DL coach Jim Washburn) is acting as if he thinks he’ll return as Philly HC next year. Which, as could be expected, has generated a pretty interesting response on 610 WIP. (Our thinking is that Andy is more likely to be in San Diego in 2013, but we digress.) Meanwhile, rookie QB Nick Foles has gained enough confidence to generate a last-second, game-winning drive at Tampa Bay to snap the Birds’ 8-game losing streak. But Cincy has a major pass rush (42 sacks) to attack the problematic Eagle OL and disrupt Foles, while Mike Zimmer’s Bengal stop unit has allowed just 12 ppg last five.
Even after its late loss to Dallas, Cincy still controls its wildcard prospects.
(08-CINCINNATI +9 13-13 (OT)...SR: Cincinnati 7-3-1)

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Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with Fairfield (-11 1/2) Wednesday.

Thursday it’s the Knicks. The deficit is 1418 sirignanos.

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NBA

Hot Teams
-- Hawks won 10 of their last 12 games (1-6-1 as HF).
-- Knicks won seven of their last eight games (6-1 as HF).
-- Spurs won five of last six games (9-2 in last 11 as an AF). Portland won four of its last five home games (2-1 as HU).

Cold Teams
-- Bobcats lost their last nine games (3-4 as AU).
-- Lakers lost five of last six games (2-7 on road, 1-2 as AU).

Totals
-- Five of last six Atlanta home games went over the total.
-- Last four New York home games went over the total.
-- Over is 10-4-1 in last fifteen San Antonio games.

Back-to-backs
-- Bobcats are 3-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Spurs are 4-0-1 vs spread if they played night before.

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CBB

-- Tennessee scored 36-38 points in losing its last two games; they're a shaky 4-3, 0-3 vs top 100 teams, scoring 39.9 ppg in those games, but those three games were away from home. 9-0 Wichita State won its two road games, by 2 at VCU, 3 at Air Force. Shockers are 2-0 vs top 100 teams, beating Iowa by 12 on a neutral court.
-- 4-4 Washington already has three home losses; technically, this game is on road, but its crosstown rivalry, so crowd will be mixed. Huskies are 4-0 vs Seattle as Redhawks step back into D-I, winning by 8-21-47-27 points. Seattle is 2-3 vs D-I teams, losing its three top 100 games, by 40-11-23 points. WAC single digit underdogs are 14-16.

-- 7-2 Middle Tennessee is 3-2 on road, losing in OT at Akron, by 21 at Florida; home team won seven of last eight MT-Belmont games- Middle lost last four visits here, last two both in double OT. Belmont split pair of top 100 games, winning at Stanford, losing by 10 at VCU. OVC home favorites are 2-6. Sun Belt simgle digit road underdogs are 6-8.
-- Fullerton is 2-5 vs D-I teams despite making 41.7% of 3's; they've lost two games to teams not in top 200, losing last three games overall under an interim coach. Titans lost 84-79 at Idaho State in Bracket Buster game two years ago; Bengals are 0-6 vs D-I teams, scoring more than 48 once in six games- they lost last game 87-35 at Oregon.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

LA Lakers at New York

The Knicks look to build on their 17-4 ATS record in their last 21 home games against teams with a losing road record. New York is the pick (-6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Knicks favored by 9 1/2. Dunkel Pick: New York (-6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.


THURSDAY, DECEMBER 13
Time Posted: 6:30 a.m. EST


Game 501-502: Charlotte at Atlanta (7:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Charlotte 111.458; Atlanta 119.053
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 7 1/2; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 10 1/2; 193 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Charlotte (+10 1/2); Over


Game 503-504: LA Lakers at New York (8:00 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 117.446; New York 126.792
Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 9 1/2; 204
Vegas Line & Total: New York by 6 1/2; 209 1/2
Dunkel Pick: New York (-6 1/2); Under


Game 505-506: San Antonio at Portland (10:30 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 126.984; Portland 115.706
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 9 1/2; 195
Vegas Line & Total: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

[Can'tPickAWinner]

DCI Pro Basketball
The Daniel Curry Index

12/13/12 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 207-103 (.668)
ATS: 156-158 (.497)
ATS Vary Units: 527-469 (.529)
Over/Under: 167-148 (.530)
Over/Under Vary Units: 309-249 (.554)

ATLANTA 103, Charlotte 85
NEW YORK 105, L.A. Lakers 95
San Antonio 108, PORTLAND 98

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DCI College Basketball
The Daniel Curry Index

12/13/12 Predictions

Season
Straight Up: 1039-322 (.763)
ATS: 416-430 (.492)
ATS Vary Units: 1567-1748 (.473)
Over/Under: 123-108 (.532)
Over/Under Vary Units: 173-178 (.493)

Non-Conference
BELMONT 75, Middle Tennessee 70
CAL STATE FULLERTON 83, Idaho State 64
FLORIDA GULF COAST 79, Fairleigh Dickinson 66
NEW JERSEY TECH 69, North Carolina A&T 66
Southern 62, ULM 61
Troy 68, ALABAMA STATE 62
UT ARLINGTON 80, Houston Baptist 59
Washington 81, SEATTLE 74
WASHINGTON STATE 75, Jackson State 47
Wichita State 64, TENNESSEE 62

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 950-706 (57 + %) over the last 4 1/2 years !

Free Thurs: Atl Hawks -10

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Gamblers Data

Free Play Thursday

Knicks -7

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CAPPERS ACCESS

Bengals
Knicks

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JOE WIZ FREE PLAY

Seattle U +9 over Washington

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NFL Week 15 Preview: Bengals at Eagles
by Steve Bennett

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. EDT
Line: Cincinnati -4, Total: 45

After a last-second loss last Sunday, the Bengals try to keep their playoff hopes alive on Thursday night when they visit Philadelphia.

The new-look Eagles have a chance to play spoiler again. They knocked off Tampa Bay on the final play last week, as rookie QB Nick Foles played by far his best game of the year (32-of-51, 381 yards, 2 TD, rush TD, no turnovers). RB Bryce Brown (12 carries for six yards) was bottled up against the Bucs' excellent run defense, but he should be relatively fresh on the short week after just 14 touches. The Bengals had taken advantage of a soft spot in the schedule, but couldn’t get off the field against the Cowboys last week, allowing Dallas to go 11-for-19 on third down and overcoming a late nine-point deficit to win at Cincinnati on a last-second field goal. The Bengals have played well on the road this year at 4-2 (SU and ATS), while the Eagles are winless ATS at home (0-5-1).

Bengals QB Andy Dalton has been underwhelming in his past two games, throwing for just 417 yards on 71 attempts (5.9 YPA) with 2 TD and 3 INT. He was also sacked five times versus Dallas last week. However, Dalton is facing an Eagles pass rush tallying 22 sacks this year (tied for third-fewest in the NFL) and Philly's pass defense has not intercepted a pass in seven straight games, allowing 18 TD over this span. Dalton also has one of the top wideouts in the game in A.J. Green, who is eager to put last week's poor outing behind him when he had a couple of key dropped passes and just 44 receiving yards, his second lowest output of the season. Green has had no trouble getting open on the road this year, compiling 681 yards and 5 TD in six games. Cincinnati also has a workhorse running back that has gotten stronger down the stretch in BenJarvus Green-Ellis, who has 437 rushing yards (5.4 YPC) over the past four games. The Eagles run defense isn't horrible (119 YPG, 17th in NFL), but they have surrendered more than 100 rushing yards in nine straight games. A big reason for the Bengals recent success (4-1 SU and ATS in past five games), has been their ability to hold onto the football with 0-to-1 giveaways in six of their past seven contests.

Foles is coming off a great game in Tampa Bay, but he was sacked six times, something that could be problematic against a Bengals defense that leads the NFL this year with 42 sacks. Cincinnati's defense in general has played extremely well in the past five games, allowing just 12.4 PPG on 281 total YPG. Foles will not have the services of three injured starters in RB LeSean McCoy (concussion), WR DeSean Jackson (ribs) and TE Brent Celek (concussion), but he will likely rely heavily on WR Jeremy Maclin again after the receiver posted nine catches (on 13 targets) for 104 yards and the 1-yard TD reception on the final play of the game last Sunday. WR Jason Avant has also come up big in his starting role replacing Jackson, catching 11 passes for 212 yards over the past two games. The Eagles boast the league's ninth-best rushing offense (126 YPG), but 65 percent of those yards came from McCoy and injured QB Michael Vick. Brown has been impressive with 5.7 yards per carry, but his four fumbles (three lost) in just 87 attempts are also worrisome. Philly's offensive line has been gashed with injuries all season, and the Bengals have absolutely stuffed the run in the past three weeks, allowing just 194 yards on 58 carries (3.3 YPC). Turnovers have been a big issue for the Eagles all season, as they lead the NFC with 29 giveaways.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA TNT doubleheader: Lakers at Knicks, Spurs at Blazers

Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks (-7, 208.5)

Watching a team struggle badly under coach Mike D'Antoni is not an unfamiliar site for New York fans. When the Los Angeles Lakers stumble into Madison Square Garden on Thursday to face the Knicks, it will be exactly nine months since D'Antoni was fired by New York. The Lakers and D'Antoni are riding a three-game losing streak as they prepare for the matchup against the league's only unbeaten team at home. Los Angeles has lost eight of its last 11. ''It doesn't make any sense," Lakers superstar Kobe Bryant said. "We're still finding ways to lose games.''

The Knicks, on the other hand, keep finding ways to win games. New York erased an early 17-point deficit to eke out a 100-97 win at Brooklyn on Tuesday night in a budding rivalry becoming known as the Battle of the Boroughs. Carmelo Anthony erupted for a season-high 45 points to carry the Knicks to their seventh win in eight games. New York has registered 11 of its 16 wins by double digits, including a pair of 20-point demolitions of the defending world champion Miami Heat.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE LAKERS (9-13, 9-13 ATS): Los Angeles is searching for answers after tumbling to 4-8 since D'Antoni took the coaching reins. Bryant termed the recent struggles as the most "challenging" and "baffling" stretch of his storied career. With forward Pau Gasol missing his fifth straight game, the Lakers fell behind by 15 points at halftime against a Cleveland squad that entered the game with four wins. Bryant scored a season-high 42 points against the Cavaliers and has averaged 35.5 points in his last six games - a stretch in which the Lakers have gone 1-5.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (16-5, 13-8 ATS): Anthony is having an MVP campaign, pouring in 79 points in his last two games after sitting out the previous two due to a cut on his finger. Yet New York is also getting timely production from veteran guard Jason Kidd since he returned from a four-game injury absence. Kidd buried the winning 3-point shot against the Nets and finished with 18 points on 6-of-8 from behind the arc. That followed a 17-point performance against Denver in which Kidd connected on 3 of 4 from long range to go along with seven assists.

TRENDS:

* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Lakers are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Favorite is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Anthony sat out last February's 92-85 win over the Lakers that snapped a string of nine straight losses in the series.

2. Los Angeles is 1-10 when Bryant scores at least 30 points.

3. D'Antoni compiled a 121-167 record in three-plus seasons with the Knicks.

San Antonio Spurs at Portland Trail Blazers (+5.5, 201)

The San Antonio Spurs will look to rebound from a rare loss when they wrap up a four-game road trip Thursday against the Portland Trail Blazers. The Spurs had their five-game winning streak snapped in Utah on Wednesday on a 3-point buzzer beater by Mo Williams. It was an uncharacteristic defeat for San Antonio, which blew an eight-point lead in the final four minutes to drop one game behind the Oklahoma City Thunder for the league's best record. The Spurs still own the league's best mark away from home at 11-3.

While San Antonio will be playing for the fifth time in seven nights, the Trail Blazers have had a couple of much-needed days off since walloping the Toronto Raptors on Monday. Nicolas Batum, who has been battling a back injury that caused him to miss Monday's game, said his condition has improved and he is hopeful of facing the Spurs. Wesley Matthews also sat out Monday's game with a left hip flexor strain, ending a streak of 250 consecutive games played.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

ABOUT THE SPURS (18-5, 15-7-1 ATS): Veteran Tim Duncan had his worst shooting performance of the season in Monday's shootout victory at Houston, connecting on only 1 of 9 shots, but he still managed to pull down 13 rebounds and block three shots. Duncan bounced back from that game with a vengeance, scoring 22 points and hauling down a season-high 21 rebounds against the Jazz. It was the 21st 20-20 game of the future Hall of Famer's career. The perennial All-Star also blocked six shots - another season high.

ABOUT THE TRAIL BLAZERS (9-12, 8-12-1 ATS): The return of Batum and/or Matthews would go a long way to preventing a repeat from Monday's dreadful shooting display that set an NBA record for futility. Portland misfired on all 20 3-point attempts, breaking the record set by the New York Knicks (0 for 18) in 2010. Batum has made a team-high 49 3-pointers and has connected on at least one in all but one game. Seldom-used Sasha Pavlovic did a solid job as an emergency starter against Toronto with 10 points, seven boards and five assists in 42 minutes.

TRENDS:

* Favorite is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Home team is 15-6 ATS in the last 21 meetings.
* Spurs are 2-8 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Portland.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The Spurs withstood 35 points from Batum to win at Portland 112-109 on Nov. 12.

2. Blazers F LaMarcus Aldridge has four straight double-doubles and is averaging 22.5 points and 11.3 rebounds in that span.

3. San Antonio leads the league in assists per game (25.9). Portland ranks 29th (19.1).

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Paul Leiner

100* Tennessee -1

50* Bobcats / Hawks Under 194

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Denny the Dog

THURSDAY

Bengals -3 at Eagles: Bengals really blew an opportunity to move within one game of the lead in the AFC North. But that chance went flying out the window when they blew a late nine point lead to the Cowboys. I’m looking for Cincinnati to regain its focus on the road and bring Nick Foles back to earth after a great performance at Tampa Bay to snap the Eagles eight game losing streak. BENGALS.

--------------------------------------------------------------

Andy Iskoe


PRO FOOTBALL – THURSDAY

Bengals -3 at Eagles (46): The Eagles are just playing out the string and there should be wholesale player and staff changes in the offseason. Both teams have played better defense in recent weeks and that is often an edge when playing on shortened preparation. UNDER.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

GamingToday’s Consensus Picks December 13, 2012 5:58 AM by GT Staff

NFL

Philadelphia Eagles +4½

NBA

Atlanta Hawks -10½

Los Angeles Lakers/New York Knicks UNDER 209½

College Basketball

Wichita State PK

Washington -8

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Pro Football Play of the Day December 13, 2012 6:03 AM by GT Staff

Cincinnati Bengals at Philadelphia Eagles +4½ at 5:20 p.m. PT NFL TV

The Eagles finally got the win last week with the up and coming QB Nick Foles leading the way. Although the Eagles have gone 0-8 ATS in their last eight matchups with the Bengals that big comeback last Sunday has put a spark under the birds who look to stop the Bengals from going to the playoffs.

EAGLES +4½

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Eagles play four NFL games in 18-day window December 12, 2012 8:31 PM by Bob Christ


PRO FOOTBALL – THURSDAY, DEC. 13

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-9)

Time: 5:20 p.m.

Line: Bengals -4 (45½)

Facts: Thursday road teams are 7-8 SU, 8-7 ATS this season, with away favorites going 4-2, 3-3 ATS. • The Eagles won at Tampa Bay 23-21 last week on a last-play TD pass from Nick Foles to Jeremy Maclin that kept their playoff hopes alive for 3 more hours. • Philadelphia won despite having only 29 rushing yards on 16 carries. In 48 previous games in which a team had fewer than 40 ground yards, they went a cumulative 1-47. • Cincinnati, meanwhile, held Dallas to 49 yards on 24 carries last week in a 20-19 Cowboys win. • The Bengals, who have a league-high 42 sacks, go against an Eagles line that yielded 6 to a Bucs team that totaled 18 in their previous 12 games. • Cincinnati controls its playoff destiny, but probably would get only the sixth seed barring a nose dive by Baltimore or Indianapolis (both 9-4). • The last time these teams met, in 2008, the game ended 13-13 and is remembered for how Eagles QB Donovan McNabb famously revealed he didn’t know overtimes could result in a tie.

Analysis: Last week’s Eagles victory is not an indication they have turned any corners. Sure, Foles is being heralded as a fast-improving passer, but let’s see how he does when he’s not facing one of the worst pass defenses in league history. On Cincinnati’s side, it’s unlikely its receivers will drop eight passes again as the Bengals did vs. Dallas. Also, star WR A.J. Green should find yawning gaps in the Philly secondary and the Bengals could do well in the punt return game with Adam Jones, who’s third best in the league at 14.3 yards a return. He’ll face a punter, Mat McBriar, who yields a league-worst 15.0 yards a return. Hurry on this, for the line has climbed steadily from an opening 3-point spread.

Forecast: Bengals 31, Eagles 13

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Info Plays

NCAAB FREE PICK ON WASHINGTON -8

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Bones Best Bet

Bengals first quarter -0.5 +115 *1 unit*

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Rocky's Winners Circle

DECEMBER 13 FREE PLAY (148-73-1)

KNICKS - LAKERS OVER 207