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DAVID BANKS
March 11, 2013
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. San Antonio Spurs There is a great matchup on NBA TV Monday night as the top seeds in the Western Conference, the San Antonio Spurs (48-15, 35-26-2 ATS), host the second seeded Oklahoma City Thunder (47-16, 38-23-2 ATS) at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, TX at 8:35 ET. This is a rematch of last season's Western Conference Finals won by the Thunder in six games, a series victory keyed by stealing one game here in this arena. The Spurs do appear to hold both a physical and a motivational edge here though.On the physical front, it sure looks like the schedule-makers did the Spurs a couple of huge favors here, as they have had two days off since last playing on Friday while this is Oklahoma City's fourth game in five days! As for the motivational aspect, the Spurs are coming off of their worst game of the season as they were blown out 136-106 by the sub-.500 Portland Trail Blazers here in their own building on Friday. Perhaps San Antonio got caught looking ahead to this game but whatever the reason, the defense just took the night off, allowing an inconsistent shooting team like Portland to shoot 53-for-86, 61.6 percent from the field for the game including 12-for 21, 57.1 percent for three-point land and also allowing 46 points in the fourth quarter! Keep in mind that was only the Spurs' fourth loss in the last 24 games and they are still 25-4 at home while winning by an average of +12.8 points, so it is probably safe to expect a strong bounce-back effort. San Antonio is ranked fourth in the league in scoring, second in field goal percentage and fourth in three-point shooting, but just as important to its success is a defense that is still ninth in points allowed, sixth in field goal percentage and second in three-point defense. You can bet that the Spurs received an earful from Coach Gregg Popovich after Friday's game, so look for more intensity on the defensive end here. Not only is this the Thunder's fourth game in five nights, but they had to travel after ever game as they were on the road at New York and Charlotte on Thursday and Friday and went home to Oklahoma City for an early 12:00 Noon local time tip on Sunday that actually felt like an 11:00 AM tip-off with it being the first day of Daylight Savings Time. The Thunder beat the Celtics 91-79, but they only led by three points entering the fourth quarter before pulling away late, so they were not able to sit their regulars down early. Busy playing and travel schedules aside, the Thunder have not really been that dominant on the road as of late, going just 8-7 straight up and 5-10 ATS in their last 15 road affairs. Furthermore, like most teams, they have not had much success here in San Antonio losing their last five regular season visits here. They also lost the first two games of the Western Finals in the Lone Star State although they did win the one game that meant the most in Game 5. While this is a big game by regular season standards, it does not nearly compare to the post season and as mentioned, there are a couple of other things working against the Thunder here besides the difficult venue.The Spurs are 39-17-3 ATS in their last 59 home games and 12-3 ATS in their last 15 games when playing on at least two days rest.
Pick: OVER 207Comment
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Fantasy sports game time
Buffalo-7.5
BGreen-7
StMarys+6
FIU+2Comment
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Sports Cash System Play of the Day:
Northeastern -2 over James Madison
(System Record: 48-1, Lost last game)
Overall Record: 48-36-6Comment
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Wunderdog NHL
2* over 5 cal/la -140Comment
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CAL sports
3* Buffalo
3* SC St.
Free play is from FIVE STAR Sports... a 4* on Eastern MichComment
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Chris Justice
Over 128 Davidson
Iona -4
Eastern Michigan -8.5
Over 138 gonzaga
Golden state -2.5
sav stateComment
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Stephen Nover | NBA ML - Monday, Mar 11 2013 8:35PM
ML 504 SAN (-130) Hilton vs 503 OKL triple-dime bet
Bonus Free Pick
Pistons plus 9 1/2 at Jazz
The Jazz aren't playing well enough to lay this many points even to a weak foe such as the Pistons. Utah is 1-7 in its last eight games. The Jazz just finished an 0-4 road trip that ended at New York this past Saturday. This is their first home game in 10 days so their minds might be distracted.
This marks Utah's third game in four days and fourth in six days. The Jazz have been a strong home team, but are just 3-3 during their past six at EnergySolutions Arena. Utah also might be missing underrated Paul Millsap, who missed the Knicks' game this past Saturday with a sore knee. He's a game-time decision.
The Pistons shouldn't lack for motivation. They were embarrassed, 129-97, by the Clippers last night in Los Angeles. Both Greg Monroe and Jose Calderon expressed frustration with the loss with Monroe saying his team played with no effort. That's a strong criticism that should light a fire. The Pistons also have revenge for blowing a 15-point lead in a 90-87 home loss to Utah.
Detroit is 3-3 in its last six road matchups defeating Milwaukee, Charlotte and much-improved Washington. The Pistons, when motivated and catching a less-than-elite foe in a slump and in an unfavorable situational spot, can hold its own. Note, too, that the Jazz are just 1-6 ATS the past seven times when facing an opponent with a winning percentage below .400.Comment
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SB Professor Late NHL Picks 3/11
Here are the picks for NHL with their current Money Lines:
53. Calgary Flames +171Comment
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Doc's NBA - 3/11
#506 Take Utah -9.5 over Detroit (9 p.m. EST, Monday)Comment
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Sports Cash System Free Picks for 3/11
St. Mary's +6 over Gonzaga (NCAA College Basketball)
Eastern Michigan -8 over Northern Illinois (NCAA College Basketball)Comment
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LEGIT PICKS
Monday 3/11/13 Plays...
HIGHEST RATED 6* JAMES MADISON +2.5 (4PM PST)
3* SPURS -2 (5:35PM PST)
---LEGIT PICK'S WARNING: Practicing Money Management & Shopping Lines Can Lead to Long Term Success--Comment
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Paul Stone Vegas Sports Authority
#532 Iona UNDER 134.5 (1 unit)
#527 North Dakota State -6.5 (1 unit)Comment
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Alan Boston
St. Marys +6 big
FIU +3 big
sav st -11' small
JM +2 smallComment
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CHRIS JORDAN 300*
Florida International +2.5Comment
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