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*TENNESSEE over SAN DIEGO by 3
Both sides left it on the field Sunday in three-point victories accomplished on the final play. But
the Chargers’ win against Cincinnati clinched the AFC West, and now they fly eastward off a
short week and that big win. The Chargers have now won 17 straight games in December and
nine straight games overall, but at 11-3 SU, they haven’t sewn up a first-round bye yet. They
could lose out to currently 9-5 SU New England for that right (and the San Diego ownership
probably wouldn’t mind the Wild Card revenue). Although there is the bye for San Diego to play
for, rallying around a bye rings kind of hollow when the opponent is home, has won seven of
its last eight, and at 7-7 SU is battling for a Wild Card berth along with 8-6 SU Denver and
Baltimore, and five other 7-7 SU AFC teams. The Titans are in poor position with the tiebreakers,
but a win here at least puts pressure to win on all those other contending teams come
Sunday. Off a short week, give the nod to the side with the physical approach and sturdier
offensive line, a QB who can make plays with his legs, and a running game to stay on the field
and make Chargers’ QB Philip Rivers a fidgety observer on the sidelines. San Diego might be
down to its third-string center. TENNESSEE, 23-20.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 25
*NEW YORK over MIAMI by 7
Last week, after a string of lackluster performances that dropped Miami to 11-10 after a 7-2
SU & 6-3 ATS start to the season, Pat Riley publicly called out Dwyane Wade for playing “inefficient
basketball.” Regardless of the front office’s motivational tactics, these Heat lack the
team talent to sustain a high winning percentage – especially with Wade dinged up by numerous
minor injuries. NEW YORK 104-97
*ORLANDO over BOSTON by 3
The Magic have been one of the few teams to experience regular success against the Celtics,
going 6-3 SU over their last nine meetings – but that record has been accompanied by a
mediocre 4-5 ATS record. The Celtics will come out motivated for this game, having dropped
a game to Orlando at home earlier in the season and playing the Christmas day game – expect
a closely contested game decided by a bucket or two. ORLANDO 97-94
BEST BET
*L.A. LAKERS over CLEVELAND by 15
Fourth and final game of Cleveland’s West Coast road trip and they have spent most of the
month on the road while playing a healthy schedule of games. This will be third week in
a row they’ve played four games, traversing the majority of the country in the process. In
contrast, the Lakers have been hanging out in Los Angeles for most of the month, dominating
a cake slate of opponents and having two full days to prepare for this game. Even
without the peripheral advantages enjoyed by the Lakers, they would probably dominate
the Cavaliers – that’s how good this year’s Lakers team is – but with the benefits of
schedule and preparation, look for Kobe and his teammates to have their way with
Cleveland for the whole country to see. L.A. LAKERS 118-103
RECOMMENDED
*PHOENIX over L.A. CLIPPERS by 18
It’s been a long road trip for the Clippers, who have played well after a poor start to the
season. However, the last game of the road trip is always the most dangerous – especially
on the heels of back-to-backs in New York and Philly, then San Antonio and Houston. This
is one ragged Clippers squad that is ready to be home! Phoenix has been playing a pretty
easy schedule after a difficult road-heavy start to the season, and their performance
should bump again after lagging a bit these past three weeks. Rumor has it that there’s
something in the water in Phoenix, one more reason why the Suns training staff is able to
keep their players so healthy despite expectations. PHOENIX 116-102
DENVER over *PORTLAND by 3
The Trail Blazers are struggling to find their identity after a crush of injuries wreaked havoc on
their rotation and style of play. The loss of Greg Oden should theoretically open up scoring
opportunities for LaMarcus Aldridge and Brandon Roy, but the addition of Andre Miller has created
more issues than solutions in the backcourt. For a point guard, Miller certainly seems
cause more angst among his teammates than you’d expect. Look for the veteran Nuggets to
take advantage tonight against a Blazers team that will be tempted to run against Denver’s
style of play, before ultimately falling short. DENVER 108-105
*Tennessee over San Diego by 1 (Friday)
Two of the hottest teams go at it in this Christmas Day matchup.The Titans
are 7-1 since Vince Young took over.The Chargers can trump that.They’ve
won nine in a row. San Diego has been at its best during December going
17-0, including a 12-0 December mark in the Norv Turner era.The Chargers
have covered nine of their past 12 December matchups. San Diego also is
9-2 ATS when facing AFC South Division squads. Chris Johnson is averaging
a mind-boggling 140 yards rushing per game during his last nine games.
Tennessee, however, has failed to cover eight of the last nine times when
meeting a team with a winning mark.TENNESSEE 24-23.
Friday, December 25
*New York over Miami by 3
After opening the season winning seven of its first nine, the Heat have gone just 6-9
through Dec. 19. Miami’s defense has fallen apart giving up at least 100 points in six
of their past eight games through Dec. 19. The Knicks have covered five of their last
seven through Dec. 19, while ranking among the top eight teams in scoring. NEW
YORK 106-103.
*Orlando over Boston by 2
The veteran Celtics own the best road record in the NBA by far. Boston also has had
two full days of rest and preparation. However, Orlando has covered 15 of its last 18
games versus Atlantic Division foes and is getting another monster year from Dwight
Howard in the middle. ORLANDO 97-95.
***BEST BET
*Los Angeles Lakers over Cleveland by 15
The Lakers have too many scoring options for the Cavaliers with Kobe Bryant, Pau
Gasol, Ron Artest, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum. Idle since Tuesday, the Lakers
will be pointing to this nationally televised Christmas Day matchup. This marks
Cleveland’s fourth road game in six days. The Cavaliers’ focus could be distracted, too,
with Shaquille O’Neal returning to Los Angeles. The big guy is sure to be weary following
the road trip. LA LAKERS 107-92.
*Phoenix over Los Angeles Clippers by 14
Death, taxes and Phoenix scoring 100 points at home are the only certainties these
days. The Suns have topped the century mark in their past 36 home contests through
Dec. 20. After just nipping the Clippers by two in their last meeting back in late
October, the Suns shouldn’t be overlooking Los Angeles. The Clippers hadn’t reached
triple-digits in nine of their past 12 games through Dec. 20. PHOENIX 112-98.
Denver over *Portland by 3
Injuries have wreaked havoc with Nate McMillan’s rotation. The Trail Blazers are without
Greg Oden, Nicolas Batum, Travis Outlaw and Rudy Fernandez. Portland hasn’t
been getting consistent production from its point guards, Andre Miller and Steve
Blake. DENVER 100-97
The Chargers and the Titans meet on Christmas in a game that will affect the playoff race. The Chargers all but locked up the #2 seed in the AFC and the Titans have to win out to get the wildcard. With Chris Johnson chasing 2,000 yards they have a lot to play for. Tennessee has won five straight at home and the Titans are an imposing 17-4 as favorites of three points or less at LP Field. The Chargers travel east and get beat on the road.
Are we missing something here? The 11-3 Chargers are taking points to the 7-7 Titans? The team that has scored 389 while allowing 283 is receiving points from the team that has permitted 347 points against them while only scoring 320? We are being offered points with the squad that has won nine straight, are 17-0 in December games and have covered 9 of past 11 when playing AFC South teams? Some think the Chargers may rest players but not sure where that is coming from as Bolts need this one to secure #2 seed. A win provides three weeks of rest. TAKING: San Diego +3 RISKING: 2.2 units to win 2
One & Only Lock 12-3 -Lost last week with the Texans not covering;
HO, HO, BOLTS: Blezow, 12-3 in his Locks (25-6-1 last 32), expects Philip Rivers and Chargers to be celebrating a victory over the Titans on Christmas night.
Chargers (+3)
Chargers (+3) over TITANS (Friday): How can the 11-3 Chargers be underdogs here? They have a short week and a long trip, off a last-seconds win over the Bengals, having clinched the AFC West thanks to Denver’s loss to Oakland. A trap line, sure, but let’s go for the better team, with points, and incentive (the No. 2 AFC seed and the bye).
TENNESSEE 23 - San Diego 17 - (7:30) -- A pair of red hot teams off identical
27-24 wins (in OT, & in final 0:03). Nine straight wins for the Chargers, clinching
AFC West, as they've ridden Rivers' arm (he's 17-0 SU in Dec), & Jackson's legs
to this spot. But note just +1 pt SU in their last 4 non-division RGs. Seemingly
impossible Titan quest is nearing fruition, as they've come from 0-6 start to 7-7, &
just a game back in Wild Card chase, while averaging 29.5 ppg in that 8-game
stretch. Johnson: 9 straight 100-RY games, & Young off career-first 3-TD effort.
Extremely difficult bucking either team. Chargers have covered last 5 vs Titans,
& are 13-5 ATS in their road finale. But Titans have come too far to let it get away
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