12-16-13

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Brady Kannon

NFL
Detroit Lions-6

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NorthCoast

4* Detroit Lions

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VEGAS SPORTS INFORMER

3 Unit Play. #333 Take Over 48 - Baltimore at Detroit (8:40p.m., Monday, Dec 16 ESPN)
The Ravens offense has finally been clicking and the Detroit Lions defense is coming off a butt kicking from the Philadelphia Eagles. It's no secret that the Lions offense is much better at home and in their last 5 home games the Lions are averaging 31.2ppg. Both QB's will be throwing and both QB's will have big nights on Monday Night. Baltimore is 5-2 O/U in their last 7 road games and the Lions are 13-2-2 O/U in Week 15 and the Lions are 6-2 O/U in their last 8 games.

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Jimmy Moore (Youwinnow)

#334 4* Detroit Lions -5.5 (8:35 est) ESPN

The Lions have been their own worst enemy over their past few games with penalties and turnovers. They will have an easier time tonight at the comfort of their own indoor stadium and with a very fired up home crowd. Detroit knows they control their destiny in that they win the division if they win their last 3 games and with 2 of those at home and the road game being Minnesota they have a realistic shot if they don't beat themselves. Look for a big time effort from Detroit and the Ford Field crowd here. Thank you and good luck.

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Sports Nostradamus

NFL
Over Lions

CBB
Western Carolina
Duke

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Chicago Syndicate

NFL
Over Ravens

NBA
Over Pacers
Over Celtics
Under Bulls

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LA Syndicate

NFL
Lions

NBA
Over Clippers
Under Jazz
Over Pacers

CBB
Oakland U.,
North Dakota State

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H&H Sports

NBA
Double Dime Over Celtics

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NBA

Hot teams
-- Indiana is 20-3 SU, 7-3 in last ten tries as a home favorite.
-- Minnesota won three of its last four games. Celtics won four of their last five home games.
-- Nets won three of their last four games.
-- Utah covered six of last eight games as a road underdog.
-- Knicks covered three of last four games as a home favorite.
-- Spurs won last four games, covered last four on road. Clippers won three of their last four games.

Cold Teams
-- Pistons lost four of their last five games, are 5-4 as road dogs.
-- Hawks covered once in their last five games as a home favorite. Lakers lost three of their last four games.
-- 76ers covered once in last five games as a road dog.
-- Miami covered once in its last five games as a home favorite.
-- Wizards lost last four games, are 2-4 in last six games as road dog.
-- Bulls lost six of their last eight games. Orlando lost nine of its last ten.

Totals
-- Nine of last ten Detroit games went over the total.
-- Six of last seven Atlanta games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Over is 6-4 Brooklyn home games this season.
-- Last three Miami home games went over the total.
-- Over is 8-3 in New York's last eleven home games.
-- Four of last five Chicago games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last eight San Antonio games went over total; five of Clippers' last six games stayed under.

Series records
-- Pacers won last six games vs Detroit, covered last five.
-- Lakers won five of their last six games with Atlanta.
-- Celtics lost last two games with Minnesota, by 8-10 points.
-- 76ers lost three of last four games with Brooklyn.
-- Jazz won four of last six games against Miami.
-- Knicks won six of last eight games with Washington.
-- Magic lost last five games vs Chicago, but covered three of last four.
-- Clippers lost six of their last eight games with San Antonio.

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NHL

Hot teams
-- Penguins won eight of their last nine games.
-- Blue Jackets won four of their last five home games.
-- Blues won four of their last five games.

Cold teams
-- Maple Leafs lost eight of their last eleven games.
-- Jets lost four of their last five games.
-- Senators lost six of their last nine games.
-- Colorado lost three of its last four games; Dallas lost five of last eight.

Totals
-- Over is 7-2-1 in last ten Toronto games.
-- Last three Columbus games went over the total.
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven St Louis games.
-- Four of last five Colorado games stayed under; three of last four Dallas tilts went over.

Series records
-- Penguins won three of last four games with Toronto.
-- Columbus won last five games with Jets, allowing five goals.
-- Blues won last two games with Ottawa, 3-1/5-2.
-- Avalanche won three of last four games with Dallas.

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Spurs at Clippers: What bettors need to know

San Antonio Spurs at Los Angeles Clippers (+2, 202)

The Los Angeles Clippers play at home on Monday for the first time in 15 days - but the sight of the San Antonio Spurs isn’t exactly the best welcome-home gift. San Antonio swept the Clippers out of last season’s playoffs in the second round and has won four consecutive games as it enters this season’s first meeting between the clubs. Los Angeles went 4-3 on a seven-game road trip and has won eight of 10 at home.

The Spurs have been one of the best teams in the NBA over the first quarter of the season and the Clippers are anxious to see where they rank. “It’s a test, a good test,” forward Blake Griffin said after the final game of the road trip. “To be away for a long period of time and come home and play a top-notch team – a team that always executes and plays the right way – so that’s why I think it will be a good test for us.” Future Hall of Famer Tim Duncan has been sensational for San Antonio, which is 10-2 on the road.

LINE: Los Angeles opened +2 and has moved as high as +2.5. The total opened at 201 and has moved to 202.5 at some markets.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, KENS (San Antonio), Prime Ticket (Los Angeles)

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Spurs (-13.5) - Clippers (-12.0) + Home Court (-3.0) = Clippers -1.5

ABOUT THE SPURS (19-4, 12-11 ATS): Duncan has recorded three consecutive double-doubles and four in a six-game span after starting the season slowly. He is averaging 17 points and 12.7 rebounds during the stretch, which began with an epic 23-point, 21-rebound outing against Atlanta on Dec. 2. “The first 20 games, it’s not really that hard to do much better,” Duncan said after producing 22 points and 12 boards in Saturday’s victory over the Utah Jazz. “I’m still not shooting the ball well but I’m trying to play hard and find ways to contribute.”

ABOUT THE CLIPPERS (16-9, 14-11 ATS): Point guard Chris Paul is coming off a 38-point, 12-assist explosion in Saturday’s victory over the Washington Wizards and will attempt to carry over the success against the Spurs. Paul struggled against San Antonio last season, averaging just 11.8 points on 43.2 percent shooting. Los Angeles is also hoping Griffin - who averaged 18.3 points and 9.3 rebounds against the Spurs last season - can shake a funk that has seen him reach 20 points just once over the last six games.

TRENDS:

* Under is 20-5-1 in the last 26 meetings in Los Angeles.
* Spurs are 11-4 ATS in the last 15 meetings in Los Angeles.
* Spurs are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Underdog is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. The teams split four regular-season meetings last season before the Spurs swept the playoff series.

2. Clippers G Jamal Crawford had 17 points against Washington in his first start since the 2011-12 season.

3. San Antonio C Tiago Splitter (calf) may return after a four-game absence.

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Maple Leafs at Penguins: What bettors need to know

Toronto Maple Leafs at Pittsburgh Penguins (-191, 5.5)

The Toronto Maple Leafs proved, at least for one night, that they can hang with the best the NHL has to offer. They'll look to duplicate that feat Monday night as they visit Sidney Crosby and the surging Pittsburgh Penguins. The Maple Leafs put it altogether on Saturday as they walloped the defending-champion Chicago Blackhawks 7-3, and now have the benefit of facing a Penguins team that could be without superstar forward Evgeni Malkin.

Pittsburgh comes in riding a three-game winning streak, but could be in tough to extend that run if Malkin misses the contest. The NHL assists leader suffered a leg injury in the third period of Saturday night's 4-1 triumph over the Detroit Red Wings - a game in which he finished with a goal and two assists. Fortunately for the Penguins, they still have Crosby to lean on; he scored twice against Detroit and is on a six-game point streak.

LINE: Pittsburgh opened at -185 and has been bet up as high as -200. The total opened 5.5.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, NHLN, RDS, SNET-O (Toronto), ROOT (Pittsburgh)

ABOUT THE MAPLE LEAFS (17-14-3, 17-16 O/U): Toronto made waves in the offseason - and not necessarily good ones - by signing former New Jersey Devils tough guy David Clarkson to a seven-year deal worth a whopping $36.5 million. While the Maple Leafs aren't even halfway through the first year of that contract, it looks like an albatross. The undrafted 29-year-old has been an offensive black hole - recording just two goals and four assists through the first 23 games - and is presently serving a two-game ban, bringing his number of games suspended on the season to 12.

ABOUT THE PENGUINS (23-10-1, 12-18 O/U): With Pittsburgh already among the league leaders with 146 man-games lost to injury this season, having Malkin on the shelf for any length of time will be a problem. Add in the fact that the league is playing a condensed schedule due to the Olympics in February, and the Penguins have found it difficult to strike the proper balance between practice and recovery time. "I don't know if it's (only) our team, but I feel like injuries and maintenance (days) are at a high level," coach Dan Bylsma told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

TRENDS:

* Over is 8-1 in the last nine meetings in Pittsburgh.
* Over is 20-7-1 in the last 28 meetings.
* Home team is 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.
* Maple Leafs are 1-4 in the last five meetings in Pittsburgh.

OVERTIME:

1. Toronto has won just one of its last five trips to Pittsburgh.

2. Crosby has 19 goals and 23 assists in 27 career games versus the Maple Leafs.

3. Clarkson won't play against the Penguins but is eligible to return Tuesday night versus Florida.

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Tale of the Tape: Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions

The Baltimore Ravens look to continue their improbable run at an AFC playoff berth as they visit the Detroit Lions in the NFL Monday nighter.

The defending-champion Ravens look to be all but out of the postseason picture, but have reeled off three-straight wins to remain in the hunt. The Lions are in the same position, but are coming off a subpar effort in a 34-20 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles.

Here's the breakdown in our betting tale of the tape:

Offense

Baltimore's offensive attack has been the team's weak spot for most of the season, but has steadily improved over the course of the team's winning streak. The Joe Flacco-led pass assault averages a modest 227.9 yards per game - ranking it in the lower half in the NFL - but tossed three touchdowns in last week's 29-26 triumph over the Minnesota Vikings. The run game remains a black hole, averaging a paltry 82.3 yards per game while compiling just six scores.

The Detroit passing game is among the most potent in the league, coming into the game with an average of 297 yards per contest. Matthew Stafford has thrown 27 touchdown passes on the season, with All-Pro wide receiver Calvin Johnson the biggest beneficiary (1,351 yards, 12 TDs). Detroit has scuffled when it comes to rushing yards - averaging just 112.5 per game - but has racked up 12 touchdowns on the ground, led by Joique Bell's seven scores.

Edge: Detroit

Defense

The days of the Ravens owning one of the league's most imposing defenses are long gone, but Baltimore remains at least respectable on the defensive side of the football. They've surrendered an average of 232 passing yards per contest, having allowed 21 touchdowns while forcing just nine interceptions. The Ravens have piled up 37 sacks, and have been particularly stingy against the run - surrendering just 3.8 yards per carry and three scores this season.

Detroit has followed the same recipe as Baltimore on the defensive end through the first 13 games. The Lions have struggled against the pass for the most part, allowing opposing quarterbacks to average 256 yards while giving up 22 touchdowns and snagging 13 interceptions. Teams have had a difficult time running against Detroit, however, averaging just 4.1 yards per attempt while scoring nine TDs.

Edge: Baltimore

Special Teams

Baltimore boasts one of the more impressive return games in the league entering Monday night, averaging 25.7 yards per kickoff return and 14.8 yards per punt return - and having scored a touchdown on both. Opponents are averaging just 22.8 yards per kickoff-return try and 9.6 yards per punt-return attempt. Veteran kicker Justin Tucker has been close to automatic all season long, connecting on 29-of-31 field-goal attempts - including 13-of-15 from 40-plus yards.

Like the Ravens, Detroit has recorded a kick-return and a punt-return touchdown, averaging 26 yards per kickoff return and 9.9 yards per punt return. The Lions are allowing a whopping 26.1 yards per kickoff return, but have limited opponents to 126 yards on 25 total punt returns - and a long run of just 17 yards. Kicker David Akers hasn't been as sharp as he has in recent years, missing five of his 20 field-goal chances and he's just 3-of-6 from between 40 and 49 yards.

Notable Quotable

"Their reputation, they definitely live up to it. I don't know if you want to call it physical or dirty. Whatever the refs see, that's what they see. But needless to say, I'm not going to spark any fire." - Ravens RB Ray Rice on the Lions defense

"Sometimes you just need to know when to keep your mouth shut, but you know, he's a rookie, he'll learn." - Lions WR Calvin Johnson in response to Ravens FS Matt Elam, who referred to Johnson as "old"

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1139-872 (57%) over the last 5 1/2 years College FB 65-38 this yr,NFL 41-31:

Free winner MON No. Dakota St -6

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Monday

St. Louis Blues -140

Penguins -185