12-17-13

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[Can'tPickAWinner]

See spot. See spot bet: This week's best spot bet opportunities
By JASON LOGAN

Spot bets are classic handicapping practices that have proven profitable no matter what sport you’re betting. Whether it’s a team looking past this week’s opponent, one coming off a hard-fought victory, or a rough patch of schedule, bettors can find value picking their spots.

Letdown spot

The Miami Dolphins did what the Cleveland Browns couldn’t Sunday, and that was keep Tom Brady and the Patriots from snatching victory from the clutches of defeat. The Dolphins hung tough in the final seconds with Brady & Co. knocking at the door, winning their third straight game and making a serious push at an AFC Wild Card spot.

The red-hot Fins could have the freeze put on that winning streak at Ralph Wilson Stadium Sunday, where they face the Buffalo Bills. The forecast for Sunday is calling for snow, wind and temperatures dipping into the 20’s. The Bills are 5-1 ATS in Buffalo and already have a win over Miami – 23-21 in Week 7.

Lookahead spot

The Montreal Canadiens have let their share of the Atlantic Division lead slip away with three losses in their last four games and hit the highway for six straight games, starting with a massive non-conference showdown in St. Louis Thursday night. This stretch spans the holidays, so players are trying to get their Christmas affairs in order before leaving this week.

However, in the hustle and bustle of those plans hide the Phoenix Coyotes. The Habs, who are coming off a stunning 2-1 defeat at the hands of the lowly Florida Panthers Sunday, run the risk of looking past Phoenix Tuesday night. The Coyotes have picked up points in four of their last five road games and open a four-game away stretch in Montreal before coming home after the finale on Dec. 23.

Schedule spot

The Toronto Raptors have a pretty light week after the heavy drama of the past seven days. The Raptors, fresh of shedding Rudy Gay’s contract from their books, have a lone home game against Charlotte Wednesday before kicking off a four-game road trip in Dallas Saturday. Toronto then plays Oklahoma City and San Antonio – three games in four nights – before the Xmas break.

After dealing Gay to the Sacramento Kings for scraps, many north of the border are pushing for the Raptors to give up on the season and tank, in hopes of landing the No. 1 overall pick. That’s projected to be Toronto’s own Andrew Wiggins – perhaps the only superstar who would actually like to play for the Raptors. No one would blame Toronto for going 0-3 on this Western run, especially not die-hard Raptors fans.

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Florida vs. Memphis: What bettors need to know

Florida Gators vs. Memphis Tigers (+2.5, OFF)

Florida looks to build on its impressive win over Kansas when the 17th-ranked Gators face No. 14 Memphis on Tuesday in the Jimmy V Classic at Madison Square Garden. Memphis is averaging 84.8 points and has won six straight since losing at Oklahoma State, while Florida is holding opponents to 60.9 points per game and forced 24 turnovers in last Tuesday’s 67-61 win over Kansas. Both teams were projected as top-four seeds of the NCAA Tournament’s West Region in Joe Lunardi's latest edition of Bracketology at espn.com.

Florida has been dealing with a number of injuries and suspensions all season, but the Gators are slowly reaching full strength. Guards Scottie Wilbekin and Kasey Hill played together for the first time this season against Kansas, and Wilbekin was named SEC Player of the Week after scoring a career-high 18 points in the victory. Memphis boasts a quartet of talented guards, but Florida can’t overlook sophomore forward Shaq Goodwin, averaging 13.6 points and a team-high 6.5 rebounds.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE: The line opened with Memphis as 2.5-point dogs. The total is currently off the board.

ABOUT FLORIDA (7-2, 4-2 ATS): Center Patric Young is averaging 10.4 and 5.6 rebounds, and the Gators’ frontcourt should be even stronger later this month when highly touted freshman forward Chris Walker (academics) joins the team. Virginia Tech transfer Dorian Finney-Smith continues to impress while leading the Gators in rebounding (8.2 rebounds per game), and senior forward Casey Prather averages a team-high 18.3 points. Prather has improved his offensive game this season by consistently getting to the foul line, where he’s made 50 of his 68 attempts.

ABOUT MEMPHIS (7-1, 4-2 ATS): Coach Josh Pastner is looking for more from his four senior guards – Joe Jackson, Geron Johnson, Chris Crawford and Michael Dixon – after they struggled in a lackluster 73-59 win over Arkansas-Little Rock last Friday. “When they don't play well, our team is not going to be as good,” Pastner said. “We need those guys to be really good every single time on the floor. We're counting on those guys to be elite - not individually, but collectively.” Freshman forward Austin Nichols has started every game and averages 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds.

TRENDS:

* Florida is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
* Memphis is 5-1 ATS in its last six neutral site games.
* Under is 5-1 in Florida's last six non-conference games.
* Under is 4-0 in Memphis' last four games overall.


TIP-INS:

1. Florida has held six of its past eight opponents to 61 points or fewer.

2. The teams have a common opponent in Arkansas-Little Rock, with Memphis winning by 14 and Florida cruising to an 86-56 win on Nov. 16.

3. The Gators and Tigers have met just once before, with Florida claiming an 84-83 victory on Dec. 18, 1976.

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Thunder at Nuggets: What bettors need to know

Oklahoma City Thunder at Denver Nuggets (+2.5, 207)

The Oklahoma City Thunder are streaking and look for their seventh consecutive victory when they visit the Denver Nuggets on Tuesday. Oklahoma City has won 14 of its past 15 games and the 19-4 start ties for second-best in franchise history, topped only by the 1993-94 Seattle SuperSonics’ 20-3 run. Denver has won 10 of its last 13 games and has also been victorious in seven of its last eight home games.

Oklahoma City posted a 115-113 home victory over the Nuggets on Nov. 18 in a contest that still frustrated Denver coach Brian Shaw. The Nuggets missed 18 free throws and allowed the Thunder to collect 19 rebounds. “To a team of that caliber, there’s no way you can do that and expect to come close to winning a game,” Shaw told reporters after Monday’s practice. “We made that evident to our guys.” Thunder forward Kevin Durant scored 38 points in that contest and running mate Russell Westbrook added 30.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, NBATV, FSN Oklahoma (Oklahoma City), Altitude (Denver)

LINE: The Thunder opened as 2-point faves and have been bet to -2.5. The total currently sits at 207.

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Oklahoma City (-13) - Denver (-8.8) + home court (-3) = Oklahoma City -1.2

ABOUT THE THUNDER (19-4, 13-10 ATS): Durant was 11-of-18 shooting for 28 points in Sunday’s victory over Orlando but his high standards – and even loftier expectations – didn’t allow him to feel satisfied. “I’m one of those guys who wants to make every shot,” Durant said afterward. “I feel I can go back and watch and see the shots I missed and try to correct and look at my footwork and see how I can make those shots.” Durant has made over 60 percent of his shots in four of the last six games – shooting a torrid 58.7 during the stretch – and has scored below 20 points just three times in 23 games.

ABOUT THE NUGGETS (14-9, 12-11 ATS): Denver is five games above. 500 in the tough Western Conference but there are still a lot of people unsure how to measure the club. A four-game stretch that starts with the Thunder might provide some answers as the Nuggets follow by hosting the Phoenix Suns on Friday, visiting the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday and returning to host the Golden State Warriors on Monday. “It’s going to be a tough week,” power forward Kenneth Faried told reporters on Monday. “It should test us, test our team.”

TRENDS:

* Under is 5-1-1 in the last seven meetings in Denver.
* Thunder are 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Underdog is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings.
* Road team is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:

1. Denver has won nine of the last 11 home games in the series.

2. Nuggets PG Ty Lawson had 29 points and eight assists in last month’s loss to the Nuggets.

3. Thunder PF Serge Ibaka had just four points and two rebounds against Orlando after posting double-doubles in seven of the previous 11 games.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jimmy Moore (YouWinNow)

Kinda Like This Play - Pittsburgh a Much Better Team...I have this Game Line at Pittsburgh -10...We shall see I guess

#511 4* Pittsburgh -5.5 (7:00 est) ESPN

Pitt is crushing everyone they are playing but they are not necessarily covering due to the high lines. This line is nice and low so they will be able to get this cover more easily. Cincy is only 3-10 ATS their last 13 games overall and with the teams they have been playing this is a big step up in class. Look for Pitt to pull away in the second half for the win and cover here. Thank you and good luck.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chicago Syndicate

CBB
Wake Forest
Wichita State (ML)
Memphis U.
Murray State
Michigan State

NBA
Over Cavs
Under Grizzlies

[Can'tPickAWinner]

LA Syndicate

NBA
Over Trailblazers
Under Lakers
Over Nuggets

CBB
Oregon
Murray State
New Mexico State

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sports Nostradamus

CBB
Wichita State (ML)
Georgetown
Murray State

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J Clifton Sports

CBB
Florida Gulf Coast
Manhattan
Wichita St
Cal-Irvine
Washington
Georgetown

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Tuesday

Tampa Bay Lightning -120

Blackhawks -145

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mighty Quinn

Mighty hit with the Nets (-10 1/2) on Monday and likes Pittsburgh on Tuesday.

The deficit is 1395 sirignanos.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NBA Picks

Portland at Cleveland

The Blazers travel to Cleveland tonight to face a Cavaliers team that is coming off a 114-107 loss to Miami on Saturday and is 2-8 ATS in its last 10 games after scoring 100 points or more in the previous game. Portland is the pick (-4 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Blazers favored by 10. Dunkel Pick: Portland (-4 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 501-502: Portland at Cleveland (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Portland 126.409; Cleveland 116.200 Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 10; 201 Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 4 1/2; 205 Dunkel Pick: Portland (-4 1/2); Under

Game 503-504: Sacramento at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Sacramento 118.660; Charlotte 117.810 Dunkel Line & Total: Sacramento by 1; 204 Vegas Line & Total: Charlotte by 2; 196 Dunkel Pick: Sacramento (+2); Over

Game 505-506: LA Lakers at Memphis (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Lakers 112.959; Memphis 118.077 Dunkel Line & Total: Memphis by 5; 179 Vegas Line & Total: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 507-508: Oklahoma City at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Oklahoma City 125.219; Denver 125.200 Dunkel Line & Total: Even; 215 Vegas Line & Total: Oklahoma City by 3; 207 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Denver (+3); Over

Game 509-510: New Orleans at Golden State (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 116.727; Golden State 122.007 Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 5 1/2; 212 Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 8; 206 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New Orleans (+8); Over

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Football Crusher
no play
(System Record: 45-4, won last game)
Overall Record: 45-44-1

Hockey Crusher
Philadelphia Flyers -122 over Washington Caps
(System Record: 42-0, won last game and a push)
Overall Record: 42-24-1

Basketball Crusher
Charlotte Bobcats + Sacramento Kings OVER 196
(System Record: 22-2, lost last 2 games)
Overall Record: 22-28-1

Soccer Crusher
SV Grodig + Admira Wacker Modling OVER 2.5
This match is happening in Austria
(System Record: 496-18, lost last game)
Overall Record: 496-427-73

Here are the rest of his hockey and basketball plays for today...


Hockey
St Louis Blues -118 over San Jose
Chicago Blackhawks -145 over Nashville
Los Angeles Kings -1.5 over Edmonton Oilers


Basketball
Denver Nuggets +2.5 over OKC
Golden State Warriors + New Orleans Pelicans OVER 207
Portland Trail Blazers -4.5 over Cleveland Cavs

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Free Plays are 1140-872 (57%) over the last 5 1/2 years College FB 65-38 this yr,NFL 41-31:

Free winner TUES Oregon -14

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Today's NHL Picks

Florida at Toronto

The Panthers travel to Toronto tonight to face a Maple Leafs team that is coming off 3-1 loss to Pittsburgh last night and is 1-6 in its last 7 games when scoring 2 goals or less in the previous game. Florida is the pick (+120) according to Dunkel, which has the Panthers favored by 1. Dunkel Pick: Florida (+120). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 17 Time Posted: 8:30 a.m. EST

Game 51-52: Winnipeg at Buffalo (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Winnipeg 11.292; Buffalo 9.608 Dunkel Line & Total: Winnipeg by 1 1/2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Winnipeg (-125); 5 Dunkel Pick: Winnipeg (-125); Under

Game 53-54: Tampa Bay at NY Islanders (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.705; NY Islanders 11.663 Dunkel Line & Total: NY Islanders by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Tampa Bay (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: NY Islanders (+105); Over

Game 55-56: Florida at Toronto (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.373; Toronto 10.203 Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Toronto (-140); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Florida (+120); Under

Game 57-58: Calgary at Boston (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 10.995; Boston 12.435 Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 1 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-220); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Boston (-220); Over

Game 59-60: Washington at Philadelphia (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Washington 11.409; Philadelphia 10.492 Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Washington (+105); Over

Game 61-62: Phoenix at Montreal (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.177; Montreal 12.692 Dunkel Line & Total: Montreal by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-130); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Montreal (-130); Under

Game 63-64: Anaheim at Detroit (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Anaheim 11.669; Detroit 12.512 Dunkel Line & Total: Detroit by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Anaheim (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Detroit (+105); Over

Game 65-66: San Jose at St. Louis (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: San Jose 10.400; St. Louis 11.993 Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-125); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-125); Under

Game 67-68: Vancouver at Minnesota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Vancouver 12.998; Minnesota 10.735 Dunkel Line & Total: Vancouver by 2; 4 Vegas Line & Total: Minnesota (-120); 5 Dunkel Pick: Vancouver (+100); Under

Game 69-70: Chicago at Nashville (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 13.280; Nashville 9.881 Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 3 1/2; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-150); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-150); Over

Game 71-72: Colorado at Dallas (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Colorado 11.680; Dallas 10.446 Dunkel Line & Total: Colorado by 1; 6 Vegas Line & Total: Dallas (-120); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Colorado (+100); Over

Game 73-74: Edmonton at Los Angeles (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Edmonton 10.935; Los Angeles 12.666 Dunkel Line & Total: Los Angeles by 1 1/2; 5 Vegas Line & Total: Los Angeles (-230); 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (-230); Under