1-3-13

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5Lines

Total Line for 01/03/2013
(Won last 2 games)
Today's Winning Team is:
NBA - Denver Nuggets : u205
Cost: -110

Run Line for 01/03/2013
(Won last 4 games)
Today's Winning Team is:
NBA - Denver Nuggets : -6.5
Cost: -110

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Gold Medal Club
Selection 03/01/2013
CBB:
#521 Middle Tennessee State -4.5

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Handicapping Kings

GOODFELLAS

FIESTA BOWL (BOWL #31)

8:30PM Kansas State vs Oregon
[261] Kansas State +8 -107

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Johnny Detroit

3* GOY Oregon -9

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Football Crusher
Kansas St +8.5 over Oregon
(System Record: 46-5, won last 2 games)
Overall Record: 46-53-4



Basketball Crusher
Stanford -1 over USC
(System Record: 34-3, won last 3 games)
Overall Record: 34-26-0

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Matt Fargo


Oregon at Kansas St. *** *** Jan 3 2013 8:30PM
Play on: Kansas St.
This was pegged to be the BCS Championship with just a couple weeks remaining in the regular season but both Kansas St. and Oregon lost on the same Saturday and there was not enough time to recover. This isn't the most glamorous matchup but it is an intriguing one where two different styles of football will collide in Arizona. The Oregon offense is one of the best in the nation as it is fourth overall and second in scoring so stopping the Ducks will be impossible right? Wrong. Kansas St. is a type of team that Oregon has struggled against in the last few years in its system as Auburn in 2011, LSU in 2011 and Stanford in 2012 all bring a similar physical defense that the Wildcats possess. Kansas St. is not going to back down and will have no problem going up and hitting Oregon in the mouth. For the season, the Wildcats scored an astounding 143 points off turnovers, forging a plus-21 margin to lead the nation. That trait, coupled with their uncanny knack for protecting the football, often enabled Kansas St. to win some games when they were outgained. As for that offense, Kansas St. plans to control the clock with a solid running game and it will obviously want to keep Oregon off the field as much as possible. The Ducks defense is average as they are 47th overall and 26th in scoring and while the Wildcats are not flashy, they still average 40.7 ppg which is 10th most in the country. Kansas St. also has a significant edge in special teams, notable the kickoff and punt returns as it leads the nation in both categories. Two other big factors will be in play as Kansas St,. quarterback is 100 percent healthy once again and the other factor is coaching. Wildcats Bill Snyder is one of the best in the business while all of the Chip Kelly talk to the NFL is a huge distraction and one that should have waited until after this game had passed. Kansas St. is 6-0 ATS against teams averaging 200 rushing ypg while going 12-3 ATS against teams averaging 31 or more ppg over the last two seasons. 10* (261) Kansas St. Wildcats

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Oregon Ducks vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Point Spread - Pick

No. 5 Oregon Ducks (11-1 SU, 7-5 ATS) vs. No. 6 Kansas State Wildcats (11-1 SU, 9-2-1 ATS)
Tostitos Fiesta Bowl
Date/Time: Thursday, January 3rd, 2012, 8:30 p.m. EST
Where: University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Ariz.
TV: ESPN/DirecTV 206
by Badger, Football Handicapper.

Point Spread: OR -9/KSU +9
Over/Under Total: 76

It's not the game that either the 5th-ranked Oregon Ducks or the 7th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats wanted to be in, but at least the two will play in a highly anticipated BCS Bowl when both one-loss teams meet in the Fiesta Bowl on January 3rd at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale.

As late as mid-November these two schools were being predicted to meet in the BCS Championship, but then both lost in the same weekend (Nov. 17th) to dash their hopes of a national title and drop them into the consolation prize of an appearance in the 2013 Fiesta Bowl.

Oregon's misstep came at home in overtime against Stanford, 17-14, when kicker Alejandro Maldonado's field goal kick on the opening possession of overtime hit off the left upright. Stanford's Jordan Williamson hit his 37-yard attempt three plays later and the Cardinal stunned the Ducks in Autzen Stadium and knock the Ducks from the ranks of the unbeaten.

Kansas State's lone loss this season happened on the same day, but it was much more disheartening as the Baylor Bears ran them off the field in a, 52-24, win in Waco. Heisman hopeful Collin Klein threw for 286 yards and two scores, but his three interceptions crushed the Wildcats hopes of winning and staying alive in the BCS title hunt.

Both teams rebounded and won in their regular season finales to set up the Fiesta Bowl matchup, but with them sitting at 4th and 5th in the BCS standings and in need of an improbable miracle to get any higher in the standings, you have to wonder if missing out on the big BCS prize will affect their motivation despite the fact they're still playing for a big BCS bowl payday.

Oddsmakers set the opening point spread for the Fiesta Bowl with Oregon as large 9-point favorites. The early action on the game has been mixed, since the number has gone up the hook at a few offshore sportsbooks to minus -9.5, while most of the properties in Las Vegas have moved the other direction to -8.5 after the early steam.

The over/under total opened at 77 and has since dropped to 76. 75.5 or even 75 depending a where you wager.

The folks associated with the Fiesta Bowl have to be pleased the Ducks and Wildcats fell into their laps, since the game will feature two of country's most high-powered offenses. Oregon plays at a pace that would make some basketball teams blush, and their 50.8 points per game (2nd in FBS) proves it just about every week. Kansas State is only a few scores behind the Ducks, averaging 40.7 per game for the 10th best mark in the land.

The key to slowing down these offenses is getting them into 3rd-and-long situations and making both Klein and Oregon QB Marcus Mariota throw the ball, something both are accomplished at (Klein 66%, 2,490 yards and 15 TD; Mariota 70%, 2,511 yards and 30 TD) but not nearly as skilled at as running the rock.

All of this translates into which team is better equipped at stopping the other one from imposing their own pace and will with better defense. Statistically the edge would appear to go to Kansas State (allow 375 ypg - 42nd; Ore. 382 ypg - 48th), but after watching Baylor run up 342 yards on the ground (7.0 ypc) you have to shutter when you imagine what Oregon with Kenjon Barner, De'Anthony Thomas and Mariota will do with over three weeks to prepare.

Ironically, these two teams were originally scheduled to meet on the field with a home-and-home series starting in 2011, but when the Ducks had a chance to open 2011 with a game against LSU they called the Wildcats and asked them to move the series back a year. Kansas State decide to just cancel the games, and Oregon agreed, setting the stage for the first meeting between these two programs in the Fiesta Bowl on January 3rd.

Oregon hasn't done very well covering in either non-conference games (2-5 ATS in L7) or neutral site games (1-5 ATS), but considering they've been forced to chase some ridiculous numbers (favored by an average of 41 points in three non-conf. games this year) you have to take those trends for what they're worth.

Kansas State hasn't played in a BCS bowl since 2008, and their history in bowls is pretty sketchy since they've gone 0-4 ATS in their last four bowl games (10-21 ATS in L31 non-conf. games too).

The under is 5-2 in Oregon's last seven bowl game appearances (four straight in BCS), and the under is also 6-2 when the Ducks play on Thursday, but those are the only betting trends that don't point to an over in this game.

Badger's Pick to Cover the Point Spread: I think Kansas St. has a shot of winning this game straight up so I'm excited to be getting 9 points here.
My Fiesta Bowl prediction is KSU plus the points.

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Bettors World

3* Kansas State +8.5 over Oregon

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ALLEN EASTMAN (ACE-ACE)
14-6 NCAAF RUN
Kansas st +8.5

CBB
544 Cal Poly Slo -1.5
524 Arkansas LR "PK"

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StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

CBB UC-RIVERSIDE at CS-NORTHRIDGE

Play Against - Favorites of 10 to 19.5 points (CS-NORTHRIDGE) after a close loss by 3 points or less against opponent after a combined score of 115 points or less.
109-58 since 1997. ( 65.3% 45.2 units )
3-2 this year. ( 60.0% 0.8 units )

CBB N DAKOTA at IDAHO ST.

Play Against - Home teams with a money line of +135 to -155 (IDAHO ST) after having lost 5 or 6 of their last 7 games, terrible team, winning 20% or less of their games on the season.
36-13 over the last 5 seasons. ( 73.5% 22.4 units )
1-1 this year. ( 50.0% -0.1 units )

CBB SACRAMENTO ST at N ARIZONA

Play Under - All teams where the first half total is 65.5 to 70.5 after a blowout loss by 20 points or more against opponent after scoring 60 points or less.
164-95 since 1997. ( 63.3% 59.5 units )

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NCAA Football Game Picks

Oregon vs. Kansas State

The Ducks look to take advantage of a Kansas State team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 bowl games. Oregon is the pick (-9) according to Dunkel, which has the Ducks favored by 17. Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-9). Here are all of this year's bowl games.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 Time Posted: 9:00 p.m. EST (12/12)

Game 261-262: Oregon vs. Kansas State (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Oregon 120.231; Kansas State 103.251 Dunkel Line: Oregon by 17; 71 Vegas Line: Oregon by 9; 75 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-9); Under

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Today's NBA Picks

San Antonio at New York

The Knicks look to take advantage of a San Antonio team that is 1-8 ATS in its last 9 games against teams with a winning percentage above .600. New York is the pick (-1) according to Dunkel, which has the Knicks favored by 3. Dunkel Pick: New York (-1). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 501-502: San Antonio at New York (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 122.615; New York 125.542 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 3; 202 Vegas Line & Total: New York by 1; 206 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New York (-1); Under

Game 503-504: Minnesota at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 116.212; Denver 127.646 Dunkel Line & Total: Denver by 11 1/2; 209 Vegas Line & Total: Denver by 6 1/2; 203 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Denver (-6 1/2); Over

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NCAA Basketball Picks

Colorado at Arizona

The Wildcats look to build on their 11-1 ATS record in their last 12 Thursday games. Arizona is the pick (-11 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Wildcats favored by 14 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-11 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 3 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 505-506: Penn State at Wisconsin (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Penn State 53.834; Wisconsin 73.925 Dunkel Line: Wisconsin by 20; 120 Vegas Line: Wisconsin by 18; 124 Dunkel Pick: Wisconsin (-18); Under

Game 507-508: UL-Lafayette at Florida Atlantic (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UL-Lafayette 51.636; Florida Atlantic 50.336 Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 1 1/2 Vegas Line: Florida Atlantic by 2 Dunkel Pick: UL-Lafayette (+2)

Game 509-510: WI-Green Bay at Wright State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: WI-Green Bay 55.938; Wright State 56.143 Dunkel Line: Even Vegas Line: Wright State by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: WI-Green Bay (+2 1/2)

Game 511-512: Northeastern at George Mason (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Northeastern 52.359; George Mason 62.264 Dunkel Line: George Mason by 10; 125 Vegas Line: George Mason by 7; 129 1/2 Dunkel Pick: George Mason (-7); Under

Game 513-514: WI-Milwaukee at Detroit (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: WI-Milwaukee 43.793; Detroit 60.038 Dunkel Line: Detroit by 16 Vegas Line: Detroit by 17 Dunkel Pick: WI-Milwaukee (+17)

Game 515-516: Michigan at Northwestern (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Michigan 72.406; Northwestern 64.265 Dunkel Line: Michigan by 8; 133 Vegas Line: Michigan by 10 1/2; 129 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Northwestern (+10 1/2); Over

Game 517-518: Colorado at Arizona (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 61.907; Arizona 76.502 Dunkel Line: Arizona by 14 1/2; 136 Vegas Line: Arizona by 11 1/2; 139 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Arizona (-11 1/2); Under

Game 519-520: Troy at North Texas (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Troy 44.151; North Texas 53.684 Dunkel Line: North Texas by 9 1/2 Vegas Line: North Texas by 11 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Troy (+11 1/2)

Game 521-522: Middle Tennessee State at Arkansas State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Middle Tennessee State 65.977; Arkansas State 59.592 Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 6 1/2 Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 5 Dunkel Pick: Middle Tennessee State (-5)

Game 523-524: Western Kentucky at Arkansas-Little Rock (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Western Kentucky 56.129; Arkansas-Little Rock 58.756 Dunkel Line: Arkansas-Little Rock by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: Pick Dunkel Pick: Arkansas-Little Rock

Game 525-526: South Alabama at UL-Monroe (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 52.170; UL-Monroe 46.803 Dunkel Line: South Alabama by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: South Alabama by 7 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UL-Monroe (+7 1/2)

Game 527-528: Loyola Marymount at BYU (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Loyola Marymount 51.820; BYU 68.911 Dunkel Line: BYU by 17 Vegas Line: BYU by 15 Dunkel Pick: BYU (-15)

Game 529-530: Texas State at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas State 43.096; Denver 65.824 Dunkel Line: Denver by 22 1/2 Vegas Line: Denver by 19 Dunkel Pick: Denver (-19)

Game 531-532: TX-San Antonio at New Mexico State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: TX-San Antonio 47.583; New Mexico State 57.992 Dunkel Line: New Mexico State by 10 1/2 Vegas Line: New Mexico State by 12 1/2 Dunkel Pick: TX-San Antonio (+12 1/2)

Game 533-534: Seattle at Utah State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Seattle 48.344; Utah State 63.956 Dunkel Line: Utah State by 15 1/2 Vegas Line: Utah State by 13 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Utah State (-13 1/2)

Game 535-536: Gonzaga at Pepperdine (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Gonzaga 70.663; Pepperdine 53.532 Dunkel Line: Gonzaga by 17 Vegas Line: Gonzaga by 15 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Gonzaga (-15 1/2)

Game 537-538: Stanford at USC (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Stanford 63.180; USC 62.825 Dunkel Line: Even; 130 Vegas Line: Stanford by 1 1/2; 125 Dunkel Pick: USC (+1 1/2); Over

Game 539-540: Idaho at San Jose State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Idaho 53.616; San Jose State 56.182 Dunkel Line: San Jose State by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: San Jose State by 3 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Idaho (+3 1/2)

Game 541-542: UC-Irvine at UC-Santa Barbara (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 55.544; UC-Santa Barbara 54.581 Dunkel Line: UC-Irvine by 1 Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UC-Irvine (+1 1/2)

Game 543-544: Long Beach State at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 53.646; Cal Poly 53.412 Dunkel Line: Even Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 2 Dunkel Pick: Long Beach State (+2)

Game 545-546: UC-Riverside at CS-Northridge (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 40.778; CS-Northridge 53.709 Dunkel Line: CS-Northridge by 13 Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 15 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+15 1/2)

Game 547-548: Portland at San Diego (11:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland 49.622; San Diego 57.630 Dunkel Line: San Diego by 8 Vegas Line: San Diego by 6 Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-6)

Game 549-550: California at UCLA (11:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: California 61.339; UCLA 70.869 Dunkel Line: UCLA by 9 1/2; 149 Vegas Line: UCLA by 7; 152 Dunkel Pick: UCLA (-7); Under

Game 551-552: CS-Fullerton at Hawaii (12:00 a.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: CS-Fullerton 55.523; Hawaii 54.598 Dunkel Line: CS-Fullerton by 1 Vegas Line: Hawaii by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: CS-Fullerton (+1 1/2)

Game 553-554: NE-Omaha at Oakland (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NE-Omaha 34.560; Oakland 57.743 Dunkel Line: Oakland by 23 Vegas Line: Oakland by 20 Dunkel Pick: Oakland (-20)

Game 555-556: SIU-Edwardsville at Morehead State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: SIU-Edwardsville 41.595; Morehead State 52.814 Dunkel Line: Morehead State by 11 Vegas Line: Morehead State by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Morehead State (-9 1/2)

Game 557-558: Eastern Illinois at Eastern Kentucky (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Illinois 42.035; Eastern Kentucky 56.907 Dunkel Line: Eastern Kentucky by 15 Vegas Line: Eastern Kentucky by 13 Dunkel Pick: Eastern Kentucky (-13)

Game 559-560: Fairfield at Canisius (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Fairfield 57.965; Canisius 60.466 Dunkel Line: Canisius by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: Canisius by 5 Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (+5)

Game 561-562: Marist at Niagara (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Marist 47.282; Niagara 56.569 Dunkel Line: Niagara by 9 1/2 Vegas Line: Niagara by 10 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Marist (+10 1/2)

Game 563-564: Tennessee State at Tennessee Tech (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 48.103; Tennessee Tech 50.205 Dunkel Line: Tennessee Tech by 2 Vegas Line: Tennessee Tech by 1 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tennessee Tech (-1 1/2)

Game 565-566: Murray State at Tennessee-Martin (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Murray State 57.909; Tennessee-Martin 44.843 Dunkel Line: Murray State by 13 Vegas Line: Murray State by 14 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tennessee-Martin (+14 1/2)

Game 567-568: Austin Peay at SE Missouri State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Austin Peay 43.855; SE Missouri State 51.203 Dunkel Line: SE Missouri State by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: SE Missouri State by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Austin Peay (+9 1/2)

Game 569-570: North Dakota State at South Dakota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota State 60.631; South Dakota 52.368 Dunkel Line: North Dakota State by 8 1/2 Vegas Line: North Dakota State by 10 Dunkel Pick: South Dakota (+10)

Game 571-572: South Dakota State at UMKC (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota State 56.754; UMKC 49.957 Dunkel Line: South Dakota State by 7 Vegas Line: South Dakota State by 9 Dunkel Pick: UMKC (+9)

Game 573-574: Belmont at Jacksonville State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Belmont 63.112; Jacksonville State 57.386 Dunkel Line: Belmont by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Belmont by 8 Dunkel Pick: Jacksonville State (+8)

Game 575-576: Sacramento State at Northern Arizona (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento State 45.855; Northern Arizona 45.393 Dunkel Line: Even; 148 Vegas Line: Northern Arizona by 1 1/2; 144 Dunkel Pick: Sacramento State (+1 1/2); Over

Game 577-578: Eastern Washington at Montana (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Eastern Washington 43.790; Montana 54.419 Dunkel Line: Montana by 10 1/2 Vegas Line: Montana by 13 Dunkel Pick: Eastern Washington (+13)

Game 579-580: Portland State at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland State 49.026; Montana State 47.680 Dunkel Line: Portland State by 1 1/2 Vegas Line: Montana State by 2 Dunkel Pick: Portland State (+2)

Game 581-582: Northern Colorado at Weber State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 45.823; Weber State 61.494 Dunkel Line: Weber State by 15 1/2 Vegas Line: Weber State by 13 Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-13)

Game 583-584: North Dakota at Idaho State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 42.032; Idaho State 44.687 Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: Idaho State by 1 Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (-1)

Game 591-592: Chicago State at UNLV (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago State 38.997; UNLV 71.647 Dunkel Line: UNLV by 32 1/2 Vegas Line: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Thursday, January 3

NBA TNT doubleheader: Spurs at Knicks, T-Wolves at Nuggets

San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks (-1, 206.5)

The New York Knicks' aura of invincibility at Madison Square Garden has been punctured in the past 2 1/2 weeks with three losses in the past five home games. Reversing that trend will not be easy with the red-hot San Antonio Spurs paying a visit on Thursday. The Spurs extended their winning streak to seven games with Wednesday's 117-110 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks and will be out to avenge a four-point home loss to the Knicks on Nov. 15.

New York will be looking to avoid a season-high third straight loss. Despite 45 points from Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks absorbed a 105-100 loss to Portland on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden. It was the second 45-point eruption of the season for Anthony, who had missed the previous two games with a knee injury. The loss also marked the long-awaited season debut of forward Amar'e Stoudemire, who had six points and one rebound in 17 minutes off the bench.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Southwest (San Antonio), MSG (New York)

ABOUT THE SPURS (26-8): Ageless Tim Duncan had a monster game against Milwaukee with 28 points, 13 rebounds and three blocked shots. Point guard Tony Parker added 23 points and 11 assists, although his six-game streak of shooting at least 50 percent from the floor came to an end. Parker is averaging 23.8 points and nine rebounds over his last four games and has scored at least 20 points in 12 of his last 17. Guard Gary Neal returned to the lineup after missing four games with a calf injury.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (21-10): Easing Stoudemire into the regular rotation is the biggest issue facing New York. The Knicks have no such worries with sixth man J.R. Smith, who is in the midst of his hottest streak of the season. Smith has averaged 25.5 points and recorded a pair of double-doubles in his last six games. Since guard Raymond Felton suffered a fractured right finger, Smith raised his offense another notch, producing games of 27, 28 and 28 points.

TRENDS:

*Over is 5-1 in the last six meetings in New York.
* Knicks are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six games overall.
* Spurs are 8-2-2 ATS in their last 12 vs. NBA Atlantic foes.
* Knicks are 0-5-1 ATS in their last six vs. Western Conference opponents.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The Spurs are averaging 111.7 points during their winning streak, which includes four victories of at least 20 points.

2. Despite a season-worst nine points from Anthony, New York erased a 12-point deficit in the final seven minutes in the win over the Spurs in November - New York's first victory in San Antonio since 2003.

3. Duncan has blocked a shot in 20 straight games, the longest active streak in the league.



Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets (-7, 203.5)

Two days after ending the Los Angeles Clippers' franchise-record 17-game winning streak, the Denver Nuggets continue their three-game homestand Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver handed Los Angeles its first loss since Nov. 26 on Tuesday as six players scored in double figures. The Nuggets have won three of four overall and eight in a row at home, where they are 10-1 on the season.

Minnesota is coming off its third loss in four games, a 106-84 setback to the Jazz in Utah on Wednesday. Kevin Love and Alexey Shved scored 13 points apiece as the Timberwolves shot a season-worst 34.5 percent from the floor. Minnesota has lost four straight on the road and is just 5-10 away from home this campaign.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, Fox Sports North (Minnesota), Altitude (Denver)

ABOUT THE TIMBERWOLVES (14-14): Minnesota matched its season low from 3-point range Wednesday as it was just 2-of-17. Shved made both successful shots on seven attempts while Love was 0-for-4 from beyond the arc. Andrei Kirilenko scored 12 points and pulled down his 4,000th career rebound in the second quarter. Love, who entered shooting 31.8 percent on the road, was 4-of-14 against the Jazz and couldn't explain his inaccuracy. "I had great shots. Even before the game, my shot felt great," he said.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (18-15): After holding the Clippers to 78 points, Denver improved to 14-3 when allowing less than 100 and 7-2 when holding its opponent under 90. The Nuggets rank second in the league with a plus-136 rebound advantage over their opponents. Los Angeles' winning streak is the second-longest one Denver has snapped. The Nuggets defeated Chicago on Feb. 4, 1996 to halt the Bulls' 18-game run. Guard Andre Miller recorded 12 points and 12 assists Tuesday for his 204th career double-double and 18th as a member of the Nuggets. Denver is 16-2 when Miller notches a double-double.

TRENDS:

* Timberwolves are 1-5 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Northwest foes.
* Nuggets are 5-0 ATS in their last five home games.
* Over is 5-0 in the last five meetings.
* Under is 5-1 in Timberwolves’ last six overall.

BUZZER BEATERS

1. The teams split the first two encounters this season, both of which were played in Minnesota.

2. The Timberwolves have lost 20 of its last 23 meetings with the Nuggets, including five straight in Denver.

3. The Nuggets are 6-1 when two or more players record a double-double in the same game.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

RickJ's Handicapping Picks Thursday College Hoops

1/2 Unit
577 Eastern Wash +12