1-8-12

[Mr. IWS]

Rich Sports

Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: San Antonio Spurs @ Oklahoma City Thunder - Sunday January 8, 2012 7:05 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Oklahoma City Thunder -5.5 (-110)

[Mr. IWS]

GREAT LAKES SPORTS

NFL Selection:

4* (108) Denver Broncos 4:30est

College Basketball Selections:

4* (844) Michigan Wolverines 1:30est
3* (850) Wright State Raiders 3:00est

NBA Selections:

4* (802) Washington Wizards 1:05est
3* (811) Memphis Grizzlies 9:35est

[Mr. IWS]

BETONE ALL STARS
Philly-Connection
4* Atlanta Falcons+3
3* Phoenix Suns-7
3* NC.State-10

[Mr. IWS]

Paul Leiner

500* NFL Over 33.5 Steelers/Broncos
100* CBB Over 112.5 Wisconsin/Michigan
100* CFB Arkansas St. -1.5
50* NFL Falcons +3

[Mr. IWS]

Andy Iskoe

Falcons +3 at Giants (49): After not having back to back winning season for the first 40+ seasons of franchise history, Atlanta has posted a winning record for a fourth straight season, making the playoffs for the third time in this period and for the first time ever in back to back seasons.

By defeating Dallas last Sunday night the Giants return to the playoffs after a 2 season absence which followed 4 straight seasons of postseason play. These teams last met in 2009 with the Giants prevailing at home, 34-31, but failed to cover as 7 point chalk. The Giants played a pair of solid games to make the Playoffs but it must be noted that the teams they defeated, Dallas and the Jets, did not make the playoffs.

The Giants finished 9-7 and were outscored on the season. Their best win came in mid season at New England. But they only faced four teams that made the playoffs, losing to San Francisco, Green Bay and New Orleans. Atlanta also lost at home to Green Bay and twice to New Orleans and their best win was at Detroit.

The Falcons do have the better rushing stats on both sides of the football led by Michael Turner. The Giants have the better passing game and both pass defenses are below average. Despite the statistics the Giants have an effective pass rush. The Giants’ last postseason win was their upset of New England in Super Bowl XLII. The Falcons’ last came in the 2004 playoffs

Both teams struggled when facing the league’s elite teams this season. The price is fair and suggests that these teams are fairly even and the game would be pick’em on a neutral field. Road teams have fared well in the Wild Card round in recent season, winning 3 of 4 last season and 9 of 16 since 2007 and the vast majority of these games have been priced at a FG or less. FALCONS.

Steelers -8 at Broncos (35): After gaining momentum from a 6 game winning streak, Denver lost its final 3 games of the regular season but won the AFC West via tie breakers when Oakland lost to San Diego. Denver has one of the weakest statistical profiles for a playoff team, being outscored by 5.1 points per game and outgained by 41 yards per game.

Contrast that to the Steelers – defending AFC Champions – who outgained their opponents by an average of 100 ypg and led the league in both allowing just 272 ypg and 14.2 ppg. Denver is in the playoffs for the first time in 6 seasons whereas the Steelers are seeking their third trip to the Super Bowl in the past 5 seasons and are in the playoffs for the eighth time in 11 seasons.

This is just the third time in more than 20 years that a road team is favored by a touchdown or more in a playoff game. Interestingly, New Orleans was involved in both games. The Saints upset the Rams in the 2000 Playoffs, 31-28, as 7 point home underdogs. Last season New Orleans lost 41-36 at Seattle as 10 point road favorites.

Seattle made the playoffs with a 7-9 record which was good enough to win the weak NFC West. Those Seahawks were every bit as ugly as these Broncos. It’s easy to make a case for the experienced Steelers to totally frustrate the anemic passing attack of QB Tim Tebow and his Broncos. But Denver’s defense has fared well for much of the season and Pittsburgh QB Ben Roethlisberger is less than 100 percent healthy.

In last week’s win at Cleveland RB Rashard Mendenhall was injured and lost for the season. The Broncos figure to use a very heavy dose of the running game to keep this a game of as few possessions as possible and limit risk taking by the offense. As such the points loom large and may well come into play as Pittsburgh could struggle for a narrow win.

The playoffs are a whole new season and home teams enjoy an edge, even when they are not the better of the two teams. Let’s pay some homage to history. BRONCOS.

[Mr. IWS]

4-STAR Pittsburgh and Denver Under 35 - The key to this game for both teams is going to be field position and limiting mistakes. Pittsburgh would have the weapon of the long ball if not for Big Ben's injuries, which limit the time he can hold the ball, particularly against Denver's strong pass rush. Look for the plays to stay short and field goals to be key here.
Pittsburgh won a similar game last week, 13-9, in Cleveland as a TD favorite. Penalties were even in that game as the Steelers were flagged to the tune of 37 yards while the Browns were hit with 40. Teams are 0-23 OU (-11.3 ppg) since 2004 after a game where they scored by between 6 and 17 points, allowed no more than nine points, failed to cover by no more than 2 TDS, while committing less than 65 yards worth of penalties and their opponent committed more than 25 yards of penalties (po:points<=9 and season>=2004 and 17>=p:points>=6 and -14<=p:ats margin<0 and p:PENY<65 and po:PENY>25).
Denver meanwhile is coming off a 7-3 game against Kansas City at home. The Broncos are 0-7-1 OU (-8.2 ppg) since 2002 following a home game vs. the Chiefs (team=Broncos and p:H and po:team=Chiefs and season>=2002).
Neither team went anywhere quickly. Denver controlled the ball with 32:58 time of possession. The Broncos are 0-21-2 OU (-8.8 ppg) since October 27, 2002 with a total under 50 following a divisional game where they controlled the ball for between 30:30 and 37:00 (p:DIV and team=Broncos and 20021027<=date and 2220>=p:TOP>=1830 and total<50).
Kansas City's seven points were 10.2 less than expected. The Broncos are 0-8 OU (-11.8 ppg) since December 31, 2005 after an AFC game where they allowed at least 10 points less than expected and under 320 yards (p:DPA<=-10 and p:conference=po:conference and team=Broncos and 20051231<=date and po:TY<320).
They held the Chiefs passing game to just 175 yards passing. The Broncos are 0-14 OU (-8.3 ppg) in database history at home after a loss where they weren't TD+ dogs, after a game where they allowed fewer than 200 yards passing and it was at least 70 yards less than their current opponent averages through the air (team=Broncos and H and po:PY+70<=oA(p:PY) and p:L and po:PY<200 and p:line<7).
Pittsburgh averages 253 passing yards per game and 372 yard total offense. The Broncos are 0-6 OU (-10.8 ppg) since 2009 when facing a team which averages between 366 and 390.2 yards per game (team=Broncos and season>=2009 and 390.2>=oA(TY)>=366). SPORTSBOOK BREAKERS PREDICTION: 23 points

[Mr. IWS]

Dennis Ball @ Gaming Today

We all know Tim Tebow has a direct line to heaven. That’s already a proven fact.

First, Timmy Terrific put together a six-game winning streak while completing only a handful of passes. For his next miracle, he led the team on a three- game losing streak to end the season and, of course, clinched a division title and a four seed in the AFC playoffs!


Falcons +3 at Giants: I’m back on the G-men bandwagon. I’m not going to let one game influence my entire opinion, even though the Giants did completely destroy the Dallas Cowboys. They looked great, but also won three of their last four games.

More importantly, the Giants put the hot streak together at a crucial point in time. They did it in the last month of the season when the pressure was red hot. And when I say red hot I mean directly on the heels of a four game losing streak that could very easily have ended their playoff hopes.

But the Giants didn’t die. They finished like the champs they turned out to be. The defensive line got healthy and really got after the opposing QBs. Eli Manning stepped up to the plate. And maybe the most valuable player, Victor Cruz, went on a crazy tear that’s still ripping defenses apart.

I believe the rejuvenated Giants will continue to sizzle this Sunday at home. That’s right, the G-men will win at home, where they sometimes didn’t look so red hot this season. GIANTS.

Steelers -7½ at Broncos: I’m going to make a play on the dawg in this game and then make sure I attend an early church service. And I will pray early and often.

Tim Tebow was 6 of 22 for a total of 60 yards against the Chiefs. I know this might come as a complete shock, but his performance wasn’t good enough to win. But in typical Tebow fashion, it was good enough to propel Denver into the money games.

I know Tebow isn’t a great QB at this point in his career. He may never be an above average QB in the NFL. But I’m going to bet on his side in this game, the dawg side. And it really isn’t a bet on Tebow, it’s more of a wager against the Steelers offense.

I don’t believe Pittsburgh will put up enough points to run away and hide. Big Ben has only 5 TDs in the last 5 games and he’s managed to toss 5 picks along the way as well. BRONCOS

[Mr. IWS]

Rich Sports


Sport: College Basketball
Game: Wisconsin Badgers @ Michigan Wolverines - Sunday January 8, 2012 1:30 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Michigan Wolverines +1.5 (-110)

[Mr. IWS]

Harry Bondi football

3* NY Giants -3

[Mr. IWS]

Mark Mayer @ Gaming Today

Falcons +3 at Giants (49): Atlanta has to prove it can beat Eli Manning in the fourth quarter outside the dome. Giants are in "Cruz control" and peaking at the right time. G-men after third straight win over a Ryan. GIANTS.

Steelers +8 at Broncos (35): The Steelers with subpar Big Ben and without Mendenhall are the masters of winning ugly games. And Tim Tebow sure brings out the ugly in QB play. UNDER.

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

Richard Saber


Steelers -8:

Falcons +3:
I like the visitors against the Giants in a game that could end in 3 one way or the other. Even though Pittsburgh is old and hurt, its defense will shut down Tebow and company.

GO DADDY, Sunday

Arkansas St. -1½ vs. NIU (63): After talking with Syl Friedman, GT’s good friend in New Orleans, the last two games will be on his shoulders. In this one at the Superdome where he will be, his advice is the MAC is the way to go. The Huskies will eke out the straight up win. NORTHERN ILLINOIS.

[Mr. IWS]

Northcoast

3* Giants
3* Over N Illinois
1* Denver
1* Ark St
Marq 1* Under Giants
Marq 1* Under Pitt

[Mr. IWS]

Norm Hitzges

DOUBLE PLAYS:

·******** Pittsburgh-Denver UNDER 34
·******** New Orleans -10 1/2 Detroit
*
SINGLE PLAYS:
·******** Pittsburgh -8 1/2 Denver

·******** NY Giants -3 Atlanta

BOWLS:************
·******** Arkansas St. -1 1/2 No. Ilinois
·******** LSU +1 Alabama
·******** LSU-Alabama UNDER 40

[Mr. IWS]

Sports Illuminati

Free Play: Minnesota/Washington OVER 193.5 -110

[Mr. IWS]

SPORTS WAGERS

Cleveland +10½ over PORTLAND

The power in the NBA used to be all West conference but there is a shift taking place and one could argue that the East is more powerful now. So when a team like the Trail Blazers are favored by double digits over an underrated East conference club, it's time to take a close look. Portland is coming off a 25-point loss at Phoenix and it really doesn't get much uglier than that. LaMarcus Aldridge had 14 points in that game and no other starter had more than nine. Aldridge should make his first All-Star team but he doesn't have much help. Marcus Camby was running on fumes last season and Kurt Thomas and Craig Smith are the only other frontcourt bodies. Though they should win more than they lose the Blazers are a one-and-done outfit that is not going to blow out many teams this year. The Blazers have the Clippers on deck Tuesday and that's a foe every team wannts a chance at this year with all the hype surrounding them. Meanwhile, the Cav's are quietly 4-3. They've won three of four and in a recent loss in Indiana they took the Pacers to OT. The Cav's play strong defense. Although, they're likely going to lose a lot of games, the Cavaliers they have enough players now to give themselves a chance on most nights and this looks like one of those nights. Play: Cleveland +10½ (Risking 2.12 units to win 2).

[Mr. IWS]

Easybaseballbetting

Denver +9 over Steelers (1.0 Units) - We admit the Steelers are a great team. The Broncos are coming off a horrible division and are not really that great being only 8-8 and what not. But a Steelers team that likes to play defense and run the ball isn't always going to blow you out of the water especialy not on the road. These Steelers are 2-6 on the road so we will give a slight edge to the Broncos getting so many points at home.

Denver-Pittsburgh UNDER 34.5 (1.0 Units) - This is a good play in and of itself. The Steelers have gone UNDER the total in 10 of 13 of their grass games. Being on the road, they'll play it safe by running the ball and playing good defense. The Broncos QB could falter completely under the pressure and making us lose our first bet but then easily win this one.