If this is your first visit, be sure to
check out the FAQ by clicking the
link above. You may have to register
before you can post: click the register link above to proceed. To start viewing messages,
select the forum that you want to visit from the selection below.
NFL
New York Jets/NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS over 44.5, 20 DIME
The Patriots are no longer the vaunted defense they once were. They are a middle-of-the-pack group at best, and in many defensive statistical categories they are ranked very close to or right at the bottom (i.e. Pass Completions Against, Passing Yards Against, 4th Quarter Scoring Against, Opponents' Yards per Play.) They win their games on the offensive side of the ball, where they rank 1st in the league in scoring. The Jets defensive unit is significantly stronger, but when they go on the road, that defense loses a lot of its luster. I expect a high scoring shootout to occur tonight in Foxboro, and a look at the recent trends backs up this prediction. Nine of the Patriots 11 games this season have soared OVER the posted total and five of their last 5 have exceeded the number. For the Jets, 8 of their 11 games this year have gone over and 5 out of their last 5 games as visitors have eclipsed the number. It should be quite the polar opposite of last night's gritty, defensive oriented matchup between Baltimore and Pittsburgh. Take the Over!
NBA
Miami Heat -5 over MILWAUKEE BUCKS, 20 DIME
The Heat appear to have finally found cohesion as they have won their last 4 SU and last 3 ATS. They outgun the Bucks in a significant way in nearly every meaningful statistical category. Five points seems like a small number in this spot. The Bucks do play outstanding defense at home, and they are coming off a win against Orlando, but I'll discard that W since the Magic were decimated by Influenza. Milwaukee is the lowest scoring team in the league, and their field goal percentage is an abysmal 40.9%. I doubt the Bucks are prepared for this thumping that is about be placed on them tonight. Lay the chalk!
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS -4 over Sacramento Kings, 20 DIME
Interesting matchup here between two horrible teams. The Clippers are starting to show bright spots however, the highest of which is the outstanding play of Blake Griffin, who's been averaging a double-double per game during his rookie season. Now with the return of veterans Baron Davis and Chris Kaman from injuries, I look for this team to be more complete and well rounded heading into the middle of the season. Before their surprising almost-upset of the Dallas Mavericks two nights ago, the Sacramento Kings had only won one of their last 13 games SU, and they hadn't covered the number in 5 consecutive games. Let's lay the wood with the Clips!
This is a good setup for the Jazz, with Memphis coming in off of a hard fought game with Denver last night and now playing their 3rd game in 4 days. Utah is off of a rare home loss which puts them in a 70% play-on situation here tonight in their next home game. Utah has dominated this series, with outright wins in 9 of the last 10 meetings, with covers, in all 10 of those matchups.
Comment