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4-STAR Portland over TORONTO - This recent surge from the Raptors is a brief spell of strong play as opposed to the breaking out of a quality basketball team. We think that run crescendoed in that blowout win over Orlando and with the time off that they were come crashing back to Earth here.
Meanwhile, the Portland team has always been a tough matchup for Toronto. The Trailblazers are 7-0 ATS (6.5 ppg) since December 27, 2008 versus the Raptors.
Toronto is coming off a 123-88 win over Orlando on Saturday. They were 3.5 dogs in that game. Teams which covered by at least 32.5 points last game are 62-90-5 ATS.
The 123 points scored alone were 30.75 more than expected. The Raptors are 0-9 ATS (-8.2 ppg) since December 14, 2010 with at least one day of rest when their DPS was at least plus 15 points in their previous game.
They shot 56% in that game while allowing 44% shooting from Orlando. The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-13.1 ppg) since January 14, 2011 at home after a game in which they outshot their opponent by at least 10 percent.
That included going 15-of-27 on threes. The Raptors are 0-6 ATS (-11.2 ppg) since December 05, 2003 as a favorite with at least one day of rest after a double digit win in which they scored more than 30% of their points from the three-point line.
They also committed just eight turnovers in the win. The Raptors are 0-10 ATS (-6.3 ppg) since February 15, 2001 at home with at least one day of rest after a road win in which their field goal attempt per turnover ratio was at least eight.
That win was their second straight on the tail end of a road trip. The Raptors are 0-7 ATS (-7.7 ppg) since November 14, 2007 when they won their last two games and both were on the road.
SPORTSBOOK BREAKERS PREDICTION: Portland 99, TORONTO 92
4-STAR Chicago and Orlando Over - Chicago has hit a bit of a rough patch of late and the issue has been primarily scoring related. Orlando is a team they can fix that against and we look for them to be aggressive offensively here, changing the tempo of this game.
Chicago enters off an embarrassing 91-81 home loss to Charlotte. They never led in the game. The Bulls are 8-0 OU (13.2 ppg) since November 05, 2003 on the road with at least one day of rest off a home loss in which they never led.
As an 11.5-point favorite, they scored 18.8 points less than expected in the game. The Bulls are 7-0-1 OU (21.8 ppg) since May 07, 2007 on the road with at most one day of rest after a double digit loss in which their DPS was minus 15 points or less.
Of the 33 buckets they did manage Monday, 24 were assisted. The Bulls are 9-0 OU (7.7 ppg) since January 11, 2002 with at least one day of rest after a double digit home loss in which more than 70% of their baskets were assisted.
They also committed 31 fouls in the game. The Bulls are 8-0 OU (10.1 ppg) since November 06, 2004 after a home loss in which they were whistled for at least 30 personal fouls.
Orlando enters off a narrow 112-110 loss to the Heat in overtime Monday. The Bulls are 9-0 OU (10.3 ppg) since March 01, 2003 on the road with at most one day of rest after playing at home when their opponent is off an overtime game.
Orlando has been on a recent surge of overs here. The Magic are 5-0 OU (16.1 ppg) since December 23, 2012 after a loss.
In the one Monday they got 23 points from JJ Redick as he went 5-of-9 on threes. The Magic are 6-0 OU (12.8 ppg) since March 09, 2011 with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Jj Redick shot better than 50% from the arc.
SPORTSBOOK BREAKERS PREDICTION: Chicago 103, ORLANDO 97
4-STAR PHOENIX over Philadelphia - Philadelphia's big win came yesterday at LA. Unrested here, we don't think they get up for the same effort in this game and that Phoenix is able to take advantage with rested legs.
Phoenix is coming off a 114-96 loss to OKC Monday. They were led by Luis Scola with 24 points in defeat. The Suns are 6-0 ATS (11.9 ppg) since January 28, 2011 at home with at least a day of rest after a loss in which Goran Dragic was not the Suns' high scorer.
The Thunder shot 51% from the field in that game. The Suns are 11-0 ATS (9.7 ppg) since February 23, 2011 as a favorite with at least one day of rest after a game in which they allowed at least 50% from the field.
Phoenix also allowed 111 points to Minnesota the game prior. The Suns are 7-0-1 ATS (5.9 ppg) since February 24, 2009 when they allowed at least ten points more than their season-to-date average for two straight games.
Philadelphia won last night 103-99 in LA. They allowed just 39% shooting from the Lakers. The Seventysixers are 0-6 ATS (-5.2 ppg) since February 24, 2010 as a dog with no rest after a game in which they allowed less than 40% from the field.
These teams also met in November with Philly winning 104-101 at home. The Seventysixers are 0-8 ATS (-9.1 ppg) since February 15, 2012 on the road as a dog after winning the previous matchup.
Evan Turner went just 4-of-13 in that win. The Seventysixers are 0-7 ATS (-9.4 ppg) since March 19, 2011 after winning the previous matchup at home in which Evan Turner shot worse than 33% from the field.
SPORTSBOOK BREAKERS PREDICTION: PHOENIX 109, Philadelphia 97
3* Play. #740. Take Old Dominion -4 over James Madison (Wednesday @ 7pm est).
3* Play. #754. Take Tulsa -3 over Buffalo (Wednesday @ 8pm est).
3* Play. Take San Francisco +8.5 over Santa Clara (Wednesday @ 10pm est
NBA
3* 706. Take Toronto -4 over Portland Trailblazers (Wednesday @ 7:05pm est).
3* 720. Take Phoenix Suns -4 over Philadelphia 76ers (Wednesday @ 9pm est).
Game: Youngstown State at Illinois Chicago (8:00 PM Eastern)
Pick: Illinois Chicago -155 (moneyline)
The Youngstown State Penguins have risen from the ashes of being a longtime Horizon Conference doormat, opening the season with promise at 8-5. They have, however, padded the win column with three wins vs. non-Div-1 schools, but nonetheless they are a step up from where this program has been. Illinois-Chicago is several years from the limelight of their Big Dance upsets, but have turned the corner. At 9-4 this season they have yet to be up-staged at home where they are 5-0. The Flames own an impressive win here vs. 11-2 Colorado State, and remain a step ahead of the Penguins - especially at home. Play Illinois-Chicago on the moneyline.
NCAA Football Play of the Day January 02, 2013 6:41 AM by GT Staff
COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL GAME
SUGAR BOWL
Louisville +14 vs. Florida at 5:30 p.m. PT ESPN
Schedules will make the difference in this game as the Florida Gators played the much tougher schedule as they beat Texas A&M who will be in the Cotton Bowl, they beat LSU and crushed South Carolina and beat a real good Vanderbilt team who just won the Music City Bowl.
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