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Game: (577) Boston Celtics at (578) Sacramento Kings Date/Time: Feb 3 2021 10:05 PM EST Betting Line Provider: Consensus Line Play Rating: 3% Play: Boston Celtics -1.5 (-110)
3% Take Boston (#577)
The Sacramento Kings are starting to gain some respect in the betting markets following a highly successful road trip: 3-1 SU, 4-0 ATS, closing out the swing with a furious fourth quarter rally to win at New Orleans. One thing the Kings have not done well in the Luke Walton era is returning home from a successful road trip — it’s been one poor showing after the next in this classic NBA flat spot. It’s certainly not like Sacramento has a strong homecourt edge — they’re 2-5 SU and ATS in their last seven tries on this floor.
While both meetings last year were tight games, the Celtics have had little trouble winning in Sacramento; 8-2 SU in their last ten meetings against the Kings. And while the betting markets knee-jerk against the Celtics on the second night of back-2-backs, let’s not forget that Boston is 7-0 ATS in their last seven tries in this role. In fact, the Celtics have played three sets of back-2-backs so far this season. They’ve won the second game by a dozen points or more all three times. It’s surely worth noting that only two Celtics played more than 30 minutes last night.
The betting markets have supported the Kings in early action today, with concerns about Celtics point guard Kemba Walker potentially sitting out on the 2nd night of back-2-backs. Head coach Brad Stevens didn’t seem too concerned: “Jayson Tatum can play point, and so we’ll put him in that role some and play big in that way if we need to. We’ll see how the game is going, see who is productive — especially in that first half seeing how that feels. But I have no problem putting Tatum at the 1 as well.” I’m not too concerned about Walker’s potential absence either. The Celtics are just 2-5 SU in the seven games he’s played this year while going 9-3 SU in the games he’s sat out. Take the Celtics. Line Parameter: 3% at -2.5 or lower, 2% at -3 or higher
Game: (697) Central Florida at (698) Memphis Date/Time: Feb 3 2021 8:00 PM EST Betting Line Provider: Consensus Line Play Rating: 3% Play: Memphis -11.0 (-110)
3% Take Memphis (#698)
I’ve used this same basic write-up for Memphis three times in the last two weeks. I’m using it again today, because it’s holding up: “Penny Hardaway’s squad is as ‘bet-on’ as it gets in college hoops, RIGHT NOW! This is a team with top 25 talent, but they were forced to deal with all kinds of COVID issues; missing several weeks of playing time. Now, for the first time all season, this team is healthy and clicking on all cylinders, but their early season struggles – 3 SU losses as favorites and an 0-7 ATS run from early December to mid-January -- has the betting markets reluctant to price the Tigers as an elite team. They showed what they are capable of with a 20 point blowout over Wichita in their last game, primed for similar success today. ‘Buy low’ on the Tigers!” Memphis now has three blowout wins in their last five games after a 96-69 win over UCF on Monday. UCF had 12 assists compared to 26 turnovers in that game, a matchup problem that isn’t going away in the short turnaround rematch. And with three 20+ point blowouts in their last five games (5-0 ATS), I’m not expecting fragile UCF (1-7 SU since Christmas) to hang tough here. Take Memphis Line Parameter: 3% at -12 or lower, 2% at -12.5 or higher
Game: (705) Villanova at (706) St. Johns Date/Time: Feb 3 2021 9:00 PM EST Betting Line Provider: Consensus Line Play Rating: 4% Play: St. Johns +10.0 (-110)
4% Take St Johns (#706)
The Johnnies are playing their best basketball of the season right now; 5-1 SU, 6-0 ATS in their last six ballgames including three blowout wins and their first two road victories of the campaign. And it’s surely worth noting that in 18 previous games this season, the only team to beat St John’s by double digits was Creighton. And it’s not like St John’s has a long history of getting eviscerated by Villanova. The Red Storm beat Nova SU here two years ago, and four of the last six meetings have been decided by seven points or less; competitive contests.
Jay Wright does not have a deep bench this year. That’s bad news against the uptempo Johnnies, who play ‘ball pressure’ defense for 40 minutes under Mike Anderson. Foul trouble is a problem for the Wildcats, and if the Johnnies speed them up, endurance could well be an issue as well. The betting markets certainly aren’t sleeping on ‘Nova, a legit national title contender and the elite team in the Big East. With a chance for a signature win on their home floor, I expect the Johnnies to hang tough, with a shot at the outright upset. Take St Johns.
Line Parameter: 4% at +9.5 or higher, 3% at +9 or lower
VILLANOVA @ ST. JOHN'S | 02/03 | 9:00 PM EST
ST. JOHN'S +10
ANALYSIS: Villanova has won nine straight but has been letting lesser teams hang around. The Red Storm have won five of six, the lone defeat coming by two points to Marquette, and covered each of those games. Posh Alexander has an incredible 23 steals in that span. Look for the underdog to improve to 6-1 in the past seven meetings.
Insider Sports Report 4* Tulsa +1 over S.M.U. (NCAAB)
Range: +2.5 to -2 3* Houston -16 over East Carolina (NCAAB)
Range: -4 to -8 3* New Orleans +2 over Phoenix (NBA)
Range: +4 to PK
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