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Hockey Crusher
Play of the Day:
Nashville Predators -137 over Calgary Flames
Play of the Day:
Nashville Predators -137 over Calgary Flames
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Sports Wagers
Portland +3½ over L.A. CLIPPERS SportsInteraction
Much like the Knicks, the Clippers came into the season with a lot of hype and higher expectations than ever. They’ve gotten off to a slow 1-2 start with only win coming over the Warriors. The Clippers have been whacked twice, once by San Antonio and once in their home opener against the Bulls. With Chris Paul and Blake Griffin getting more comfortable and used to one another, the Clip Joint will win a lot of games but they’re still out of sync, they still have a weak frontcourt and they haven’t proved they’re worthy of laying points against good teams. The Trail Blazers are off to a quick 3-0 start. The Blazers seem prepared for the compressed schedule, as a rebuilt guard rotation has kept up the energy. Raymond Felton, Jamal Crawford and Nolan Smith are newbies and Elliot Williams might as well be after missing his entire rookie season. They'll join Wes Matthews, Nic Batum and Gerald Wallace to give the Blazers a deep perimeter contingent. Marcus Camby is a rebounding machine but until he gets inevitably hurt he makes a difference out there. The Blazers can't match up for seven games against elite frontcourts or A-list perimeter stars but in one game against this flawed team that is struggling, they certainly have a great shot. Play: Portland +3½ (Risking 2.2 units).
Toronto +11½ over ORLANDO Pinnacle
Expect to see the Raptors in this section quite a bit because they’re usually receiving an inflated number and that’s the case again here. Most project the Raps to win between 14-18 games but after three games, the signs are all positive that they’ll be in most games and win more than that. Dwayne Casey has them playing excellent defense and that was his first goal to gaining respectability. The team has bought into his system and although they’re 1-2, they could easily be 3-0. The Raps two losses came at home to Indiana by five points and in Dallas in a game they led by eight late in the third. This is exactly the type of game that should worry Magic backers. They play in Detroit tomorrow and that will be their fourth game in five nights. Chances are they’ll take the Raps lightly and want to save some energy for tomorrow’s road tilt. The Raps could come in sharper and actually steal a win here. We’ll take the points and risk a small amount on the money line too. Play: Toronto +11½ (Risking 2.16 units to win 2) Play: Toronto +688 (Risking 0.25 units to win 1.72 units).
WASHINGTON +7 over Boston Pinnacle
The Celtics were in here twice last year and they split them with both games being decided by less than three points. That was a great Celtic team while this year squad is not. In both those games last year, Boston was a –7-point favorite, the exact same price they are today. That strongly confirms that we’re on the “right side” of this game. The Celtics were thin even before they got the awful news about Jeff Green. Their big four, Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, are going to log heavy minutes. This isn't the season to do that. Brandon Bass can help as a midrange shooter but the lack of offensive punch on the second unit has been evident in the C’s first four games. Boston's experience and toughness ensure that the Celtics will be a tough out in the postseason, but they might have to overcome a mediocre seed because of games like this. Washington comes in 0-3 with two blowout losses, thus creating the overlay. The two blowout losses were both on the road. The Wizards have a lot of young and talented players. We’re treated to amazing feats by the likes of JaVale McGee and John Wall. Plays nobody else in basketball can make. Mixed in, however, will be all kinds of unexpected knucklehead moves that you'd rarely see from another pro team and it costs them games. In spite of themselves, the Wizards are slowly getting better. No way should the Celtics be the same price as they were twice last season when they failed to cover both games. Play: Washington +7 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).Comment
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Dom Chambers Today's winners ...
My 80 Dime play is on the New York Giants as a home favorate to cover against the Dallas Cowboys. Checking the sports books in Las Vegas at 1 a.m. and the Giannts are a 3-point favorite. My 30 Dime play is on the over between the Giants and Cowboys. The line for the over is 47. Always shop around to get the best numbir.
ANALYSIS
Cowboys at Giants: The Giants are in a better position here than the Cowboys.
Giants quarterback has won four of his last five games against the Cowboys. He has set a franchise record with 4,587 yards passing and his 14 fourth-quarter touchdoans are tied for the most in league history.
When Manning is on, he can shred the Cowboys’ pass defense, which ranks 23rd in the league.
There are some pointing to the Giants 3-4 record at home as a reason to bet against them. But, when the chips are on the line, I think being at home is a big boost.
Another edge for the Giants is the return of Ahmad Bradshaw. He gives the Giants the running game it needs to keep the Cowboys’ defense honest.
As for the Cowboys, their fate is literally in the hands of quarterback Tony Romo. Actually, the swolnlen hands of Romo. His health is big concern.
He is expected to play, but the Cowboys have been coy about his status. The question is how many hits can he take before the hand starts to swell up again? If Romo is not 100 percent, the chances of the Cowboys winning goes down drastically.
Cowboys running back Felix Jones is also nursing a sore hamstring.
Having the Cowboys top skill players nicked up with injuries is not the way the Cowboys want to be heading into the game.
The Giants also beat the Cowboys on Dec. 11, 37-34 when the game-tying field goal was blocked. In that game, Manning threw for 400 yards a two touchdowns, while Brandon Jacobs had 101 yards rushing.
The Giants are going to score points here. The question is whether a banged up Cowboys team can keep pace.
The pass rush of the Giants will limit the Cowboys passing attack.
Take the Giants and lay the points.
Giants-Cowboys over: When these two teams play, the offense points fly. In the previous five meetings, all five have gone over the total.
The Cowboys have the 8th ranked passing offense, while the Giants have the fourth-ranked passing offense.
Both of those units will be going up against softer defenses. The Giants’s pass defense is ranked 27th, while the Cowboys’ defense is ranked 23rd.
Manning threw for more than 400 yards in their last meeting.
With the playoffs on the line, both clubs will let it all hang out.
As long as Romo’s hand is in good shape, he has Jason Witten and Dez Bryant are two potent receivirs.
On the Giants’ side, they have Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks to tear apart the Cowboys’ secondary.
Both of these teams knows the other very well, so there will be no surprises in attacking the defense.
The over is not extremely high. Take the over.Comment
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Jeff Benton Sunday's Action
100 Dime One-and-Only Road Warrior Game of the Year on the San Francisco 49ers as the road favarite aganinst the St. Louis Rams. At the time I release this play (9 PM Eastern Saturday night), the 49ers are are a 10 1/2 point visiting favorite both here in Vegas and offshore.
ANALYSIS
Janet Jackson once recordad a song called "Control", and that is exactly the game plan this Sunday for the San Francisco 49ers. Look for Jim Harbaugh's team to simply control the Rams, and if they have to kick seven field goals in this game, then so be it.
The Niners are playing for the second-seed in the NFC, and a win today would clinch that seed. Oh, they will win, and they will win by the required impost, as I simply don't see the limited Rams offense making much noise in this contest.
In all likelyhood this will be Steve Spagnuola's last game as head coach of St. Louis as he is rumored to be taking over the defensinve coordinator duties in Philadelphia. Either way, the Rams enter on a six-game losing streak, and they have been held to 13-points or less in four of those six losses. Included is a 26-0 shutout loss at San Francisco on December 4th.
It is possible the Niners could pitch another shutout here, as their defense is allowing just under 12-points per game over their last 11 games. For the season, San Francisco is 9-1 against the spread when laying points, and they are 2-for-2 covering double-digits, including their 26-0 win over the Rams a few weeks back.
With the #2 seed on the line, San Francisco comes up with a stiffling defensive effort and covers against the offensively-inept Rams. Go right ahead and lay the wood.Comment
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Just Cover, Baby
4* S.F. -10.5
4* N.Y. Giants -3
3* Tenn. -1.5
3* Cinc. +2.5
3* Oakland -3
2* New England -10.5
2* Minnesota -1.5
2* N.Y. Jets +3
2* K.C. +3
1* Atlanta -10.5
1* Green Bay +4.5
1* Seattle +3
1* Pittsburgh -6.5
1* Indy +3.5
1* Wash. +8.5
1* New Orleans -7.5Comment
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