2-19-12

[Mr. IWS]

Note:

ALL PLAYS POSTED ARE UNCONFIRMED UNLESS YOU BUY THEM YOURSELF. THERE IS BAD INFO PASSED AROUND FROM TIME TO TIME, SO PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK

[Mr. IWS]

Jimmy Boyd

5* Pittsburgh -6.5
4* Iowa +4
4* Phoenix Suns +3

[Mr. IWS]

SPORTS WAGERS NHL

Anaheim +105 over

In its most important game of the year hosting Washington on Friday night, the Panthers were outshot 41-23 and lost 2-1. In its last three wins, Florida managed 23, 20 and 19 shots on net. The Panthers are creating less scoring chances than just about anyone over the past month and things don't figure to get better until they get a whole slew of healthy bodies back. Three of Florida's top d-men remain out and it shows, as their makeshift defense is not moving out of the zone in an efficient manner. This offensively challenged team will now have to face one of the hottest goaltenders in the game in Jonas Hiller and the hottest team in the league too. The Ducks come in on a 14-2-3 run. They were robbed in New Jersey on Friday night when a goal in OT was overturned, not to mention two goalposts in OT and one in the shootout. That's not sitting well with them and they'll be ready to take it out on the Panthers. Despite that loss, the Ducks are playing outstanding hockey under Bruce Boudreau and have picked up points in eight straight. As a result of their hot streak, suddenly a playoff birth is a reachable goal and it's doubtful the Panthers get in the way. Play: Anaheim +105 (Risking 2 units).

Boston -½ -108 over MINNESOTA

You've heard of dead man walking. Well, this is dead team skating here, as the NHL has not seen futility like this Wild bunch in a long, long time. Minnesota lost to St. Louis yesterday 4-0. They've scored one goal or less in six of its last eight games. Its only win over that span was a 1-0 victory over Colorado. In 16 of its last 27 games, Minnesota has scored one goal or less. A Junior-A team could produce more than that. They managed 13 shots on net yesterday. Now the Wild will play their third game in four days and tail end of back-to-backs. They also picked the wrong time to face the Bruins. Boston has just three wins in its last eight games and as a result, its stock is low. It's for that reason we get such a favorable line. However, the score doesn't always tell the story. Despite going 3-3 in its last six, Boston has not been outplayed in any of them. They completely dominated the Rangers in that 3-0 loss. Against Montreal and Winnipeg, both on the road, they played two strong games and deserved more than the two points. The best news is that the Bruins are not feeling complacent. They're taking some heat from the press and that's a good thing, as they'll come in here determined not to lose to this sick host. This is a mismatch of mammoth proportions and frankly, we can't see how the Bruins don't dominate from start to finish against a tired, demoralized and talentless group. Play: Boston -½ -108 (Risking 2.16 units to win 2).

SPORTS WAGERS Hoops

Sacramento +114 over CLEVELAND

Usually we don't put a lot of emphasis on key players being out because it's figured into the line. However, Anderson Varejao out for the Cavaliers is a huge blow because he's the heart and soul of the team and the defense. Minus Varejao, the Cavs' defense goes from decent to lousy in a heartbeat. Antawn Jamieson and Omri Casspi play no defense and this high scoring act from Sacramento should be able to come in here and get terrific looks all day. The Kings have lost four straight but they played in New York and Chicago and lost by just six to the Bulls. Prior to that they had won four of five and that includes a win over the Thunder. All five starters for the Kings can put up double digits. If two guys are cold, three others are not. This is as good an offense as any in the league right now and we just don't see how the Cavs are going to defend them without Varejao or keep pace with them. What makes this dog so appealing is that if Varejao were in, the Cavs would be about the same price. Oddsmakers have this one incorrect. Play: Sacramento +114 (Risking 2 units).


RUTGERS +10½ over Syracuse

The Orange has lost one game this season. That one loss occurred about a month ago in Notre Dame. Syracuse comes in ranked #2 in the country, on a six game winning streak and having beaten Rutgers 10 straight. Overall, Rutgers has dropped four straight and six of seven. Three of its last four losses have been by double digits. All this doesn't make for an easy case of pulling the trigger on the home team. However, you're going to pay a premium for wagering on the Orangemen today and that seldom comes recommended. We've seen this situation far too often. That being a ranked team laying significant road points in a conference matchup and not covering. Syracuse is coming off that very fortunate win over Louisville. They were also fortunate to beat both Georgetown and West Virginia. They're good, but they've also had every bounce go their way. The Scarlett Knights have underacheived. They were supposed to be better than this. They're loaded with bigs and they've played tremendous defense from time to time. The problem is too many minutes of unfocused basketball. This is a game they should have no problem getting up for and staying focused for 48 minutes. The Scarlett Knights have had a lot of good games this year that include a 2-point loss at Georgetown, a double OT loss to Florida, and wins over Cinci and UConn. This is the perfect spot for another strong showing. Play: Rutgers +10½ (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).

Penn State +15 over WISCONSIN

The Badgers are ranked #17 in the country but we're not convinced that's accurate. They're ranked 17th because of their defense only. In terms of their offense, Wisconsin is one of the worst in the country among major programs. The Badgers rarely blow out anyone. Of their last seven wins, six have been by seven points or less. They've lost every big game they've played this season (North Carolina, Marquette, Michigan State (twice), Michigan, Ohio State and they even lost to Iowa. Penn State is not going to come in here and win. The Nittany Lions offense is actually worse than the Badgers. Penn State has recently lost eight of nine but they're feeling a whole lot better after consecutive wins over Nebraska and Iowa. PSU is certainly out of this thing. With no pressure on them whatsoever and confidence higher than its been in a while, expect the Nittany Lions to hang around for most of the game. With a total of just 112 and with Wisconsin having lost two of three, grabbing the points here makes sense. Play: Penn State +15 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).

[Mr. IWS]

JEFF BENTON

20 DIME* CBB* ROAD WARRIOR LOCK* Syracuse Orange -10

[Mr. IWS]

David Banks

Denver Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder
The Northwest Divisions top two teams are set to go at one another Sunday Night in the OKC where the Thunder (23-7, 17-13 ATS) will host the slumping Denver Nuggets (17-14, 18-13 ATS); tip-off from the Chesapeake Energy Arena is set to go live on ESPN at 8:00 ET.

Times have been very tough for Head Coach George Karls squad who has been a shell of its former self having dropped nine of its L/12 overall games (4-8 ATS). Denver at one point led the division by a couple games, but now finds itself 6.5-games back after dropping a tough 103-102 decision in Memphis on Friday night. Injuries have played a major role in the Nuggs downfall, as stud Danilo Gallinari has been sidelined with a severe ankle injury and missed each of the teams last six games; his return to the line-up is yet to be determined. If thats not enough, the squads big man Nene Hilario has also been sidelined in the teams last 3+ games after straining a calf muscle. Those two absences have forced Denver to go at its opposition minus an average of 30+ points per game. The Nuggets have dropped four of their L/6 road games and enter with 9-7 SU & 11-5 ATS overall records away from the Pepsi Center.

Owners of the best overall record in the Western Conference, the Thunder are firing on all cylinders entering tonights game having just scored a blowout 110-87 victory over the Golden State Warriors. The home win improved the Thunders record in front of the hometown faithful to 11-1 SU & 7-5 ATS for the year. Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook form one of the most explosive duos in the league with the former scoring an average of 26.8 PPG and the latter right behind him with 22.6 PPG. Sixth Man of the Year candidate James Harden is the only other player to average double-digits (17.0 PPG), but the Thunder is a very deep team with seven other players averaging at least 4.0 PPG. Along with possessing the leagues third highest scoring offense (101.6 PPG), OKC has only allowed its opposition to shoot 42.2 percent from the field. If the team could limit its league worst 17.1 turnover average and not send their opponent to the free throw line with insane regularity, the Thunder would be even better than they already are.

This will be the first meeting between these division rivals this season. They last met in the quarterfinal round of the 2011 Playoffs with the Thunder winning the series in a quick five games. The road team is 3-1-1 ATS the L/5 meetings, but the Thunders covered the closing number seven of the L/10 times they hosted the series. Denvers 22-7 ATS its L/29 on the road, but checks in just 1-5 ATS its L/6 versus +.500 opposition. OKCs covered five of its L/7 against the Western Conference, but has failed to cover each of its L/6 versus a +.500 road team. The under is 3-0-1 in the L/4 meetings and 5-2 the L/7 times these teams went at one another in Oklahoma City.
PICK: UNDER

[Mr. IWS]

benton 20 dime syracuse

[Mr. IWS]

STU FEINER

PRIVATE PLAY Phoenix Suns +2.5

HIGH ROLLER New York Knicks -2

100 DIMER Georgia +6

[Mr. IWS]

Jeff Scott Sports 3 UNIT PLAY

NY Knicks/ Dallas Under 186: Google News Play. The Knicks have been playing much better offensively of late, but for me i will be looking at their defense, which has played well all year long. The Knicks come in allowing just 93.9 ppg, including just 89.6 ppg in their last 8 games. They have allowed 95 pg at home but that's ok as the mavs come in averaging just 91.6 ppg on the road. Speaking of the Mavs, they have played great defense this year as they come in ranked 5th in points allowed (90.8) and 1st in defensive FG% (41.4%), while in their last 5 games they have allowed just 88.4 ppg on 38.1% shooting. This is a team that ois locked in defensively right now and should be able to keep Linsanity and the rest of the Knicks down, while New York's defense does the same vs a Mavs team that struggles to score on the road. I say go with the Under in this one.

[Mr. IWS]

ATS LOCK

4 Duke

Financial
4 Mich St.
4 Standford

[Mr. IWS]

Paul Leiner

100* Rutgers / Syracuse Over 130.5

50* Oregon +5.5

[Mr. IWS]

Rich Sports

Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: Utah Jazz @ Houston Rockets - Sunday February 19, 2012 7:05 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Utah Jazz +6 (-110)


Sport: NBA Basketball
Game: Boston Celtics @ Detroit Pistons - Sunday February 19, 2012 6:05 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) ATS: Boston Celtics -5 (-110)


Sport: College Basketball
Game: Michigan State Spartans @ Purdue Boilermakers - Sunday February 19, 2012 1:00 pm
Pick: 5 units (Normal) ATS: Purdue Boilermakers +5 (-110)


Sport: NHL Hockey
Game: Pittsburgh Penguins @ Buffalo Sabres - Sunday February 19, 2012 12:35 pm
Pick: 4 units (Normal) MONEYLINE: Pittsburgh Penguins -130

[Mr. IWS]

WUNDERDOG
NHL 142-104 Last 246 picks +$5760
Game: St. Louis at Chicago (12:30 PM Eastern)
Pick: Game Total UNDER 5.5 -110

The pace in this one will be slow, which is what St. Louis is able to do on the road. The UNDER is 31-10-12 in the Blues' last 53 game overall, including 16-6-4 UNDER the total in their last 26 road games. Chicago had to play yesterday and they are home after a brutal nine-game road trip, so they will be happy with a slow-paced game. The UNDER is 11-1 in the Blues' last 12 games as an underdog, 10-1 UNDER in their last 11 games as a road underdog and 20-5-7 UNDER in the Blues' last 32 games following a win. And for Chicago, the UNDER is 5-1 in the Blackhawks' last six games as a home favorite of -110 to -150. Play this one UNDER the total.

[Mr. IWS]

Hoopsgooroo

cbb

823 Michigan St. -5 @ 1p
826 Rutgers +10 @ 1p
827 Vandy -5.5 @ 1p
829 Penn St. +14 @ 4p
821 Indiana -4 @ 6p
831 Duke -15 @ 6p
833 S. Florida +7 @ 7p

nba

802 Knicks +2.5 @ 1p
803 Magic +9 @ 3:30p
806 Pistons +5 @ 6:05p
807 Kings +2 @ 6:05p
809 Bobcats +11 @ 6:05p
811 76ers -1 @ 7:05p
814 Rockets -6 @ 7:05p
818 Thunder -8.5 @ 8:05p
820 Suns +3 @ 8:05p

[Mr. IWS]

LT Profits

NCAAB
South Florida / Pittsburgh OVER 121 -110

NHL
Penguins / Sabres UNDER 5.5 -120