1-21-13

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Bank Shots: NBA betting news and notes

Each week, we look back on the NBA betting scene and give you the best –and worst – basketball bets, as well as some spots to keep an eye on with the upcoming schedule.

For the week of Jan. 13-19

Hottest ATS team

Washington Wizards (2-2 SU, 4-0 ATS)

The Wizards have covered in six straigh gamest and eight of their last nine. The return of PG John Wall (knee) from injury has helped bolster the offense and Washington hasn’t been getting much respect from oddsmakers lately. The Wizards covered as double-digit dogs in their last two games at Denver and Los Angeles. Despite their horrendous SU record of 8-30, Washington has been a good bet with a 22-14-2 ATS mark.

Coldest ATS team

Houston Rockets (0-4 SU, 0-4 ATS)

The Rockets have dropped seven straight overall, failing to cover in each of those contests. Houston hasn’t had any issues scoring, but its matador team defense (30th allowing 103.5 ppg) is a major cause for concern. The Rockets were the hottest over bet in the Association out of the gates but oddsmakers are catching on, setting most of their totals well above 200 the past few weeks. Houston has a good chance to stop the bleeding Monday in Charlotte.

Best over team

Toronto Raptors (0-4 SU, 4-0 over/under)

The Raptors finished 2012 on an absolute tear, but they’re settling back into reality in January. Toronto has dropped four straight overall, smashing the totals in those contests. The Raptors have allowed an average of 108.7 points per game during the skid, but keep in mind two of those contests went to overtime. Toronto has a tough start to this week. The Raps host the Lakers Sunday afternoon before heading to Miami for a showdown with the Heat on Wednesday.

Best under team

San Antonio Spurs (4-0 SU, 0-4 over/under)

The Spurs’ roster may be aging, but the grizzled vets sure aren’t slacking on the defensive end. San Antonio allowed opponents to score an average of 87.7 points this past week, 8.4 points less than its season average of 96.1. The Spurs have a chance to really pull away from the pack in the West in the next couple weeks as their next eight opponents are all currently sub-.500 teams.

Scouting the schedule:

-The Philadelphia 76ers play 10 of their next 11 games at the friendly confines of the Wells ***** Center. The Sixers begin a season-long eight-game homestand when they host the Knicks Saturday. Philadelphia boasts a 16-4 over mark at home this season.

- The Detroit Pistons are back on American soil after their much-anticipated date with the Knicks across the pond in England last week. The Pistons had a few days to rest after Thursday’s loss but now play five games in seven nights, including tough stops in Chicago and Miami.

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Nets at Knicks: What bettors need to know

Brooklyn Nets at New York Knicks (-3.5, 193.5)

Carmelo Anthony has torched the Brooklyn Nets this season and looks to do so again on Monday when the New York Knicks play on Martin Luther King Day for the 14th consecutive year. Anthony is averaging 37 points in three games against Brooklyn this season, including a 45-point effort on Dec. 11. The All-Star forward has scored 20 or more points in 25 consecutive games. Brooklyn is two games behind New York in the Atlanta Division.

The Nets have won eight of their last nine games and have played solidly under interim coach P.J. Carlesimo. Brooklyn has a splendid 10-2 mark since Carlesimo replaced fired Avery Johnson. The Nets need a victory for a season split with the Knicks. New York is back on the mainland after beating the Toronto Raptors in London. The Knicks have won back-to-back contests following a stretch in which they lost five of seven games. New York is 14-5 at home.

TV: 3:30 p.m. ET, YES (Brooklyn), MSG (New York), NBATV

ABOUT THE NETS (24-16): With the rivalry heating up now that the franchise is in Brooklyn, the Nets highly covet a victory over the Knicks to prevent losing the season series. “We’ve got to go in there with the mind-frame that we understand it’s going to be a hostile environment and some way, somehow we’ve got to come out of there on top,” guard Joe Johnson said. “They beat us the last two times and we owe them.” Point guard Deron Williams has made 47 consecutive free throws and forward Reggie Evans grabbed 20 rebounds in Friday’s 94-89 win over the Atlanta Hawks. Evans’ season-best is 23 rebounds.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (25-13): Explosive reserve J.R. Smith has been in a three-game funk since a splendid stretch in which he averaged 24 points over a 10-game stretch. Smith is just 13-of-43 shooting and averaging 12.3 points during the slump and scored just eight points in one of the games for his first single-digit outing since Dec. 2. Smith has been one of the top backups in the NBA all season with a 16.7 average. He is averaging 13.3 points in the three games against Brooklyn.

TRENDS:

* Under is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in New York.
* Nets are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Atlantic foes.
* Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days of rest.
* Knicks are 4-1 ATS in their last five after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Anthony scored 31 points when the Knicks beat the Nets at Madison Square Garden on Dec. 19.

2. New York is 12-5 when C Tyson Chandler records a double-double.

3. Brooklyn is averaging 101.5 points in Carlesimo’s 12 games after averaging 94.5 in 28 games under Johnson.

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Clippers at Warriors: What bettors need to know

Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors (+3, 202)

The Golden State Warriors seemed to snap out of their funk, at least offensively, in a win over the New Orleans Hornets on Saturday. They will find out how far they still have to go by hosting the Los Angeles Clippers on Monday. The Warriors had dropped five of six before beating the Hornets - a stretch that began with a 26-point loss at the Clippers. Los Angeles has won four straight and got Chris Paul back on Saturday.

Golden State allowed the Hornets to shoot 57 percent - the highest shooting percentage for any losing team this season - in the 116-112 triumph on Saturday. The Warriors will need to come up with a better defensive effort against the Clippers, who average better than 100 points and are in the top five in the NBA in scoring defense. That combination has helped Los Angeles win 24 of its last 27 games and placed pressure on the Oklahoma City Thunder for the top spot in the Western Conference. The Clippers have struggled against the Warriors, however, dropping two of the first three meetings.

TV: 4 p.m. ET, Prime Ticket (Los Angeles), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (Golden State)

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (32-9): Paul missed three straight games with a bruised right kneecap but returned to the lineup on Saturday and collected 22 points and 11 assists in a 94-87 win over the Washington Wizards. Los Angeles suffered a 115-94 loss at Golden State on Jan. 2 but got some revenge three days later with a 115-89 home win over the Warriors. Paul went for 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting and added nine assists in the win as the Clippers shot 52.2 percent. Los Angeles has won three straight road games since falling at Golden State and will have to work to not look ahead with a showdown against the Thunder looming on Tuesday.

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (24-15): Golden State was missing guard Stephen Curry for two games with an ankle injury but got him back on Saturday at New Orleans. The All-Star hopeful scored 20 points but struggled to 5-of-17 from the field in his return. Klay Thompson picked up the slack with a season-high 29 points and Jarrett Jack came through down the stretch and finished with 25 points and 12 assists. Just when the Warriors got Curry back, they lost their other All-Star hopeful David Lee to an ankle injury. Lee rolled the ankle at San Antonio on Friday and is day-to-day. Golden State had averaged 91.6 points while dropping five of six before breaking out against the Hornets. The defense still has plenty of holes. The front line was especially susceptible without Lee on Saturday, when the Hornets’ frontcourt combined to shoot 67 percent.

TRENDS:

* Clippers are 5-1 ATS in their last six vs. Western Conference opponents.
* Warriors are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six vs. NBA Pacific opposition.
* Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Over is 4-0 in Warriors’ last 4 vs. NBA Pacific foes.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Paul has averaged 25.7 points and 8.3 assists in the three games against the Warriors this season.

2. Thompson had shot 31.8 percent in the three games prior to going 11-of-16 at New Orleans.

3. The winning team has scored at least 112 points in each of the last four meetings.

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Today's NBA Picks

Indiana at Memphis

The Pacers look to build on their 11-5 ATS record in their last 16 Monday games. Indiana is the pick (+6 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Grizzlies favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+6 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 701-702: Indiana at Memphis (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 119.247; Memphis 121.272 Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 2; 177 Vegas Line & Total: Memphis by 6 1/2; 172 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Indiana (+6 1/2); Over

Game 703-704: Sacramento at New Orleans (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 110.304; New Orleans 122.943 Dunkel Line & Total: New Orleans by 12 1/2; 187 Vegas Line & Total: New Orleans by 6 1/2; 191 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (-6 1/2); Under

Game 705-706: Houston at Charlotte (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston 117.609; Charlotte 108.423 Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 9; 202 Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 206 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Houston (-6 1/2); Under

Game 707-708: Minnesota at Atlanta (2:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 114.608; Atlanta 118.327 Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 3 1/2; 189 Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta by 8; 185 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Minnesota (+8); Over

Game 709-710: Brooklyn at New York (3:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Brooklyn 118.910; New York 120.135 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 1; 197 Vegas Line & Total: New York by 4; 193 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Brooklyn (+4); Over

Game 711-712: LA Clippers at Golden State (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 125.027; Golden State 116.860 Dunkel Line & Total: LA Clippers by 8; 188 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 713-714: San Antonio at Philadelphia (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 124.413; Philadelphia 116.009 Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 8 1/2; 190 Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 6 1/2; 194 1/2 Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (-6 1/2); Under

Game 715-716: LA Lakers at Chicago (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 119.887; Chicago 116.570 Dunkel Line & Total: LA Lakers by 3 1/2; 199 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 717-718: Washington at Portland (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 111.981; Portland 121.717 Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 9 1/2; 192 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

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NCAA Basketball Picks

Wright State at Detroit

The Raiders look to take advantage of a Detroit team that is 3-12 ATS in its last 15 home games. Wright State is the pick (+10 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Titans favored by only 7 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Wright State (+10 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 Time Posted: 7:00 a.m. EST

Game 719-720: Cincinnati at Syracuse (3:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 68.208; Syracuse 74.457 Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 6 1/2; 136 Vegas Line: Syracuse by 9; 130 Dunkel Pick: Cincinnati (+9); Over

Game 721-722: Oklahoma State at Baylor (5:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma State 66.264; Baylor 73.253 Dunkel Line: Baylor by 7; 127 Vegas Line: Baylor by 3 1/2; 132 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Baylor (-3 1/2); Under

Game 723-724: Georgia State at Towson (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Georgia State 50.916; Towson 59.658 Dunkel Line: Towson by 8 1/2 Vegas Line: Towson by 6 Dunkel Pick: Towson (-6)

Game 725-726: Wright State at Detroit (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Wright State 56.336; Detroit 64.074 Dunkel Line: Detroit by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Detroit by 10 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Wright State (+10 1/2)

Game 727-728: Georgetown at Notre Dame (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Georgetown 63.247; Notre Dame 65.456 Dunkel Line: Notre Dame by 2; 124 Vegas Line: Notre Dame by 6; 121 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Georgetown (+6); Over

Game 729-730: Texas at Oklahoma (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Texas 59.739; Oklahoma 69.485 Dunkel Line: Oklahoma by 9 1/2; 120 Vegas Line: Oklahoma by 7; 123 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma (-7); Under

Game 731-732: Loyola-MD at Fairfield (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Loyola-MD 54.609; Fairfield 61.447 Dunkel Line: Fairfield by 7 Vegas Line: Fairfield by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Fairfield (-4 1/2)

Game 733-734: Southern Utah at Montana State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern Utah 45.399; Montana State 47.388 Dunkel Line: Montana State by 2 Vegas Line: Montana State by 5 Dunkel Pick: Southern Utah (+5)

Game 741-742: Bethune-Cookman at Savannah State (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Bethune-Cookman 46.559; Savannah State 53.969 Dunkel Line: Savannah State by 7 1/2; 111 Vegas Line: Savannah State by 6; 115 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Savannah State (-6); Under

Game 743-744: Southern at Alabama A&M (9:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Southern 55.509; Alabama A&M 43.190 Dunkel Line: Southern by 12 1/2; 134 Vegas Line: Southern by 14 1/2; 129 Dunkel Pick: Alabama A&M (+14 1/2); Over

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Today's NHL Picks

Florida at Ottawa

The Panthers look to build on their 7-0 record in their last 7 games versus Northeast Division opponents. Florida is the pick (+125) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored by 1/2 a goal. Dunkel Pick: Florida (+125). Here are all of today's picks.

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 Time Posted 9:00 a.m. EST

Game 1-2: Winnipeg at Boston (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 11.054; Boston 10.858 Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-200); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (+170); Under

Game 3-4: Tampa Bay at NY Islanders (1:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.527; NY Islanders 11.683 Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+100); Over

Game 5-6: St. Louis at Nashville (6:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Louis 12.821; Nashville 12.040 Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1; 5 1/2 Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-115); 5 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-115); Over

Game 7-8: Buffalo at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Buffalo 10.619; Toronto 11.853 Dunkel Line & Total: Toronto by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Toronto (-120); Under

Game 9-10: Florida at Ottawa (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.697; Ottawa 11.263 Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Ottawa (-145); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Florida (+125); Under

Game 11-12: Detroit at Columbus (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Detroit 10.313; Columbus 12.600 Dunkel Line & Total: Columbus by 2 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Detroit (-130); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Columbus (+110); Over

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NBA

Hot Teams
-- Pacers won six of last eight games (1-5 last six AU). Memphis won six of last nine games (11-7-1 HF).
-- Kings won three of last four games (8-10 AU). New Orleans won six of last eight games (2-3 HF).
-- Nets won eight of last nine games (6-7 AU, 2-2 with PJ).
-- Clippers won seven of last eight games (5-6 AF).
-- Spurs won five of their last six games (12-7 AF).
-- Chicago won seven of last ten games (4-14 HF).
-- Wizards are 4-2 in last six games (6-0 vs spread).

Cold Teams
-- Rockets lost last seven games (0-7 vs spread, 1-3 AF). Charlotte lost six of last seven games (6-9 HU).
-- Hawks lost eight of last ten games (4-2 last six HF). Minnesota lost five of last six games (7-11 AU).
-- Knicks are 2-3 in last five home games (2-7 last nine HF).
-- Warriors lost five of last seven games (2-4 HU).
-- 76ers lost six of last eight games (3-2 HU).
-- Lakers lost eight of last ten games (2-5 AU).
-- Portland lost last five games, with three of them at home (4-8-1 HF).

Totals
-- Eight of last ten Indiana games stayed under total.
-- Last three Sacramento games stayed under total.
-- Five of last six Charlotte games stayed under total.
-- Four of last five Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Seven of last nine Brooklyn games went over total.
-- Three of last four Clipper games stayed under total.
-- Last four San Antonio games stayed under the total; four of Philly's last five games went over.
-- Five of last six Laker games stayed under the total.
-- Nine of last ten Washington road games stayed under.

Back-to-backs
-- Lakers are 3-0-1 vs spread if playing second straight night on road.

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CBB

-- Quick turnaround for Syracuse team after emotional win Saturday at Louisville, its 7th straight win; Orange won four of last five games vs Cincinnati, but lost LY to Bearcats in Big East tourney. Cincy is 3-0 on Big East road, with win at Pitt; they blew 16-point halftime lead in last game, but won in OT. Syracuse won its two Big East home games by 25-11 points. Big East single digit home favorites are 4-16 vs spread.
-- Baylor is 2-0 at home in Big X, winning by 7-11 points; they're 2-2 vs top 100 teams. Oklahoma State is 2-3 in last five games, losing Big X road games by 6-9 points. Home side won 11 of last 12 OSU-Baylor games; State is 0-6 in last six visits to Waco, losing by 4-8-6-13-19-41 points. Big X home favorites of 5 or less points are 1-3 vs the spread.
-- Towson State is 10-9 after being 1-31 LY; they're 5-1 in CAA, four of five wins are by 5 or less points, or in OT. Georgia State won last three games vs Towson by 8-3-15 points; Panthers are 3-2 in last five games, with losses by total of five points- they lost five of last six visits here, losing by 27-4-1-10-5 points, with last two losses here in OT. CAA home favorites of 6 or less points are 5-7 vs spread.
-- Detroit won its last four games with Wright State, winning last two in this gym by 9-16 points; Titans are 2-2 in last four games, winning by 41-51 points, losing two games in between (blew 18-point lead at half to Valpo). Raiders are 4-1 in league, allowing 57.4 ppg; three of their last four losses are by 10+ points. Horizon single digit home faves are 7-6 against the spread.

-- Georgetown is 2-3 in Big East, 1-2 on road, with losses by total of 4 points; Hoyas miss ineligible soph Whittingham- his replacement is big stiff. Home teams won eight of last ten Georgetown-Notre Dame games, as Hoyas lost last two visits here, by 6-14 points- they beat ND 59-41 LY, ending 3-game series skid. Irish lost two of last three games, with 3-point win over Rutgers ending 2-game skid. Big East home favorites of 6 or less points are 0-11 vs spread.
-- Texas is 0-4 in Big X after playing heart out (led by 11 with 14:00 to go) in 64-59 home loss to Kansas Saturday; they'vs lost two OT games as well, so they'll be fine once they get Kabongo back. Longhorns won last six games vs Oklahoma, winning last two in Norman by 16-11 points. Sooners are 3-1 in league, winning home games by 9-18 points. Big X home favorites are 4-6 vs spread.
-- Loyola beat Fairfield 63-58 in OT at home 10 days ago, outscoring Stags 25-8 on foul line, 4th win in last five series games for Greyhounds, who split two MAAC road games, losing by 7 at Rider, winning at St Peter's by 6. Stags lost last four in a row, with three of four losses by 5 or less points; they were 8-17 on line in first game vs Loyola. MAAC road gamehome favorites of 6 or less points are 4-6 vs spread.
-- First home game in 16 days for Montana State squad that won first two Big Sky home games by total of five points; four of last five Bobcat games were decided by 5 or less points, or in OT. Southern Utah lost its last four games, all by 7 or less points; they're putitng opponents on the foul line more than any other team in country. Big Sky home favorites of 7 or less points are 10-2 vs spread.

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Intpicks
2* Timberwolves
1* Nets

More to come after 4pm

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POINTWISE

COLLEGIATE BASKETBALL

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 SCORE

(3:30) SYRACUSE 77 - Cincinnati 67 (ESPN)

(5:30) BAYLOR 93 - Oklahoma State 66 (ESPN)

(7:00) TOWSON 72 - Georgia State 61
(7:00) DETROIT 68 - Wright State 62
(7:30) NOTRE DAME 69 - Georgetown 65

(9:30) OKLAHOMA 80 - Texas 67 (ESPN)

BEST BETS: BAYLOR, GEORGETOWN, OKLAHOMA

NBA BASKETBALL

MONDAY, JANUARY 21 SCORE

(1:05) MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES 101 - Indiana 95 (ESPN)
(1:05) Sacramento Kings 98 - NEW ORLEANS 91

(2:05) Houston Rockets 107 - CHARLOTTE 'CATS 94
(2:05) ATLANTA HAWKS 99 - Minnesota T'wolves 98

(3:35) NEW YORK KNICKS 105 - Brooklyn Nets 103
(4:05) GOLDEN STATE 107 - Los Angeles Clippers 98

(7:05) San Antonio Spurs 104 - PHILADELPHIA 91 (TNT)

(9:35) CHICAGO BULLS 98 - LA Lakers 97 (TNT)

(10:05) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS 103 - Washington 92

BEST BETS: HOUSTON, BROOKLYN, SAN ANTONIO (1)

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WINNING POINTS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Monday, January 21

Syracuse* over Cincinnati by 6
What’s the deal with Syracuse’s second-leading scorer James Southerland?
Still suspended, or what?
SYRACUSE, 70-64

Baylor* over Oklahoma State by 11
Towson* over Georgia State by 7

**PREFERRED
Detroit* over Wright State by 21
The home side has good length, not much bulk, but enough length to give Wright
State problems. Oh, and there’s the 79 ppg they pump into the net per game, powered
by five double-digit scorers. Wright State’s little guard, 5’9” Reggie Arcenaux, scored
29 out of nowhere at Loyola-Chicago last week (he is their leading scorer averaging
only 10.8 ppg). Wright State is a well-drilled bunch of skinny kids playing a bigger foe
on the road on pretty short rest.
DETROIT, 78-57.

Notre Dame* over Georgetown by 8
Oklahoma* over Texas by 1

NBA BASKETBALL

Monday, January 21

*Memphis over Indiana by 2
Points should be very hard to come by in this matchup, so the underdog Pacers would
be worth a strong look despite ranking second to last in average points per game.
MEMPHIS 88-86.

*New Orleans over Sacramento by 6
The Hornets are rejuvenated with Eric Gordon back in the lineup. Laying mid-sized
points, though, with the Hornets is something difficult to recommend even with
Sacramento playing its third road game in four days.
NEW ORLEANS 99-93

Houston over *Charlotte by 7
It’s scary to think how many points the Rockets can put up against a defense-less
Bobcats squad that was surrendering around 104 points per game. Kemba Walker is
one of many slumping Bobcats, who don’t have nearly the offense to make up for their
startling lack of defense.
HOUSTON 113-106

**PREFERRED
Minnesota over *Atlanta by 2
The Hawks are talented but soft with a distinct lack of leadership. Al Horford is too
nice of a guy and Josh Smith remains a head case. The Hawks often are overpriced at
home where they were 6-13-1 ATS through this past Tuesday and 4-10-1 ATS when
hosting a foe with a losing road mark.
MINNESOTA 101-99

*New York over Brooklyn by 3
The Knicks were hot early, but are now going through a transition phase. Raymond
Felton is out thus forcing over-the-hill Jason Kidd to log extra minutes. The Knicks
also are adjusting to Amare Stoudemire being back, especially Carmelo Anthony on
the offensive end and Tyson Chandler on the defensive end.
NEW YORK 102-99

Los Angeles Clippers over *Golden State by 3
After losing twice to the Warriors, the Clippers got revenge with a 115-89 home win
over Golden State on Jan. 5. The impressive thing about that victory was the Clippers
had just beaten the Lakers the night before.
LA CLIPPERS 106-103

**PREFERRED
*Philadelphia over San Antonio by 5
The 76ers are much better than they’ve shown and have a strong revenge motive after
the Spurs buried them, 109-86, in San Antonio on Jan. 5 when Philadelphia was concluding an eight-game road swing. The 76ers have been home since Jan. 10 while the
Spurs are playing for the third time in four days. The Spurs have hit a dry spell failing
to cover in four of their last five through Jan. 12.
PHILADELPHIA 102-97.

*Chicago over Los Angeles Lakers by 3
The Lakers have been the single most disappointing team in the NBA. Despite Kobe
Bryant leading the league in scoring the Lakers were 14-21-1 ATS during their first 36
games.
CHICAGO 103-100

*Portland over Washington by 10
Washington owned a winning road spread mark through their first 15 away matchups,
but this marks the Wizards’ fourth road game in six days. Washington doesn’t have the
depth to take advantage of the Trail Blazers’ lack of bench production.
PORTLAND 102-92

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CAPPERS ACCESS

Cincinnati
Notre Dame

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CHARLES COVERS

500* Knicks minus 3.

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JOE WIZ FREE PLAY

Alabama A&M +15 over Southern.