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3/25 Service Plays
nickmoney08 almost 2 years ago

Pick ‘n’ Roll: Today’s best NBA bet

L.A. Clippers at Houston Rockets (-6.5, 208)

Injuries are contagious this time of the year. Just ask the Rockets. Shane Battier is out of the lineup with a sprained MCL and Kevin Martin is nursing a sore left shoulder.

“I ran into a brick wall (Celtics’ center Kendrick Perkins),” Martin told the Houston Chronicle. “It’s sore. It’s pretty damn sore. If it was my right (shoulder), I wouldn’t be able to play. No way.”

It doesn’t end there for Houston’s walking wounded. Backup point guard Kyle Lowry is playing through pain in his ankle, Jordan Hill is sidelined with a bad wheel, David Andersen back is acting up and Jared Jeffries is out with a banged up left Achilles.

The Clippers have their own problems. Like players who don’t care about playing defense.

“Collectively, our starting bigs didn’t run back on defense and what compromised that our backup bigs ran back even less,” Clips coach Kim Hughes told the Los Angeles Times after Tuesday’s loss to the Mavs.

Sounds like there’s not going to be much effort on the defensive side of the floor tonight.

Pick: Over
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NCAAB DUNKEL

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

Game 807-808: Cornell vs. Kentucky
Dunkel Ratings: Cornell 67.998; Kentucky 74.452
Dunkel Line: Kentucky by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kentucky by 9 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cornell (+9 1/2)

Game 809-810: Washington vs. West Virginia
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 71.491; West Virginia 73.237
Dunkel Line: West Virginia by 1 1/2
Vegas Line: West Virginia by 5
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+5)

Game 811-812: Butler vs. Syracuse
Dunkel Ratings: Butler 66.868; Syracuse 73.639
Dunkel Line: Syracuse by 7
Vegas Line: Syracuse by 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Syracuse (-6 1/2)

Game 813-814: Xavier vs. Kansas State
Dunkel Ratings: Xavier 68.021; Kansas State 74.719
Dunkel Line: Kansas State by 6 1/2
Vegas Line: Kansas State by 4 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Kansas State (-4 1/2)
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Ice picks: Today’s best NHL bets

Chicago Blackhawks at Columbus Blue Jackets (+135, 5.5)

Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville apparently is familiar with the notion of “riding the hot hand”.

He will start Cristobal Huet between the pipes for Thursday’s matchup against Columbus despite Chicago’s other goalie, Antti Niemi, pitching a shutout Tuesday versus Phoenix.

“Huet hasn’t played since that Philly game, and he played very well, and we want to get him going, too,” Quenneville said. "We want both guys confident in the net. We want them to be playing well (going into the playoffs).”

Huet is 26-13-0-4 this season with a 2.40 goals-against average while Niemi has better numbers at 20-5-1-2 and a 2.19 GAA.

Quenneville said he will make a decision on which guy will be the team’s goalie in the playoffs within the next five games.

Expect an inspired effort from Huet in this one as he tries to snatch the postseason starting spot away from Neimi.

Pick: Blackhawks

Toronto Maple Leafs at Atlanta Thrashers (-125, 6)

The Maple Leafs seem to be relishing their role of playoff spoilers having won seven of their last 10 games.

And that type of “nothing to play for” attitude can spell disaster for a team desperate for a win while sitting outside of the playoff picture.

The Thrashers lost a pivotal game on Tuesday against the Bruins where they had a chance to leapfrog Boston in the standings for the eighth and final postseason spot. The team was timid in its biggest game of the season.

“We looked very nervous with the puck,” coach John Anderson said. “We weren’t doing things like we normally do, like we have in the past four or five games.”

Jonas Gustavsson is in line to start under the net for Toronto and the rookie has been lights out lately, posting a 5-0-0 record with a 2.10 goals-against average in his last five starts.

Pick: Maple Leafs
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SPORTS ADVISORS

THURSDAY, MARCH 25

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NCAA TOURNAMENT

WEST REGIONAL

(at Salt Lake City, Utah)

(5) Butler (30-4, 14-20 ATS) vs. (1) Syracuse (30-4, 21-9 ATS)

Butler brings the nation’s longest active winning streak into the Sweet 16, having won 22 consecutive games (10-12 ATS). After blowout out UTEP 77-59 as a 2½-point favorite in last Thursday’s opening round of the Big Dance in San Jose, the Bulldogs barely held off 13th-seeded Murray State 54-52 on Saturday, coming up just short as a four-point chalk. Over the past five games, Butler has averaged 68.6 ppg on an even 45 percent shooting, while holding foes to just 56.8 ppg on 39.3 percent shooting. In fact, it has held nine of its last 10 opponents under 60 points. Syracuse had lost two in a row SU and ATS heading into the Big Dance – it’s only two-game slide of the season – but it had no trouble at all in its first two Tournament games in Buffalo. First, it ripped No. 16 seed Vermont 79-56 as a 15½-point favorite Friday, then drubbed eighth-seeded Gonzaga 87-65 laying 6½ points Sunday. The Orange have scored at least 75 points in seven of their last eight games, going 6-2 SU and ATS. These teams met in the second round of the NIT in 2002, with the ‘Cuse eking out a 66-65 overtime victory, and Butler cashing as a two-point road pup. Butler, in its fourth straight Tourney and ninth overall, has reached the third round for the third time since 2003, but the Bulldogs have never advanced beyond this point. In 2007, they lost to eventual champion Florida 65-57, cashing as a 10½-point underdog. Syracuse, in its 32nd Big Dance, is also in the regional semis for the third time in eight years. In 2003, the Orange went all the way to their first and only title; but in 2004 and 2009, they fell at this point, including last year’s 84-71 setback to Oklahoma as a one-point underdog. Butler is 3-3 at neutral venues, outscoring teams by less than one point per game (67.8-67.0) while getting outshot 45.6 percent to 39.8 percent. Meanwhile, the Orange are now 5-1 SU and ATS at neutral sites, averaging a whopping 86.2 ppg on 54.6 percent shooting, while allowing 71.5 ppg on 42.3 percent shooting.
The Bulldogs are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 neutral-site starts, 1-4 ATS in their last five as a neutral-site pup and 1-4 ATS in their last five Thursday outings, but they are also 21-7 ATS in their last 28 as a ‘dog regardless of venue. Syracuse, the No. 2 spread-covering unit in the country, is on a plethora of positive ATS runs, including 29-11 overall, 8-2 in non-conference action, 26-10 as a favorite, 9-3 at neutral sites and 5-1 as a neutral-site favorite. Butler is on a 6-1 “under” surge, though those were all as a chalk. The Bulldogs carry a handful of “over” streaks, as well, including 11-3 at neutral sites, 21-11 outside the Horizon League and 4-1 in the Tournament. Syracuse brings in “over” runs of 6-0-1 overall, 6-2 in non-conference action, 17-5 at neutral sites, 5-0-1 as a favorite and 5-1 as a neutral-site favorite.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE and OVER

(6) Xavier (26-8, 22-11 ATS) vs. (2) Kansas State (28-7, 20-9-1 ATS)

Xavier is on a 10-1 SU roll, going 8-3 ATS in that stretch, including a pair of SU and ATS wins in the first two rounds of this event in Milwaukee. On Friday, the Musketeers dropped No. 11 seed Minnesota 65-54 giving 1½ points, then came back Sunday and edged third-seeded Pittsburgh 71-68 as a 1½-point pup. Xavier is putting up an average of 78.4 ppg in its last five starts, while allowing 71.2 ppg. Kansas State is 4-1 SU and ATS in its last five outings, with the lone loss coming to top-ranked Kansas in the Big 12 tournament title game. The Wildcats cruised through last weekend in Oklahoma City, ripping No. 15 seed North Texas 82-62 as a 15-point chalk last Thursday and besting BYU 84-72 Saturday as a four-point favorite. K-State has eclipsed the 80-point mark offensively in five of its last six and eight of its last 11 contests. These teams have some recent and distant history. Xavier beat Kansas State 87-79 in the first round of the 1990 Big Dance. Much more recently, the Musketeers and Wildcats met in three straight seasons before taking a break this year. Xavier went 2-1 SU and ATS in those contests, winning 76-66 as a 7½-point home chalk in January 2007 and 103-77 giving nine points at home 11 months later. K-State took the most recent meeting 71-56 as a 6½-point home favorite in January 2009, meaning the favorite cashed in all three contests. Xavier, making its 21st all-time appearance and fifth in a row, is in the round of 16 for the third straight season. Two years ago at this stage, the Musketeers topped West Virginia 79-75 in overtime as a 1½-point underdog, but last year, they lost to Pitt 60-55, cashing as a 6½-point pup.
Kansas State, which is in the Tournament for the second time in three seasons after a 12-year drought, has reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 1988, when it beat Purdue before losing to Kansas in the regional final. The Musketeers are 4-3 SU and ATS at neutral venues this season, putting up 72 ppg (41.2 percent shooting) and allowing 70.1 ppg (40.9 percent). K-State is 7-2 (6-3 ATS) on neutral floors this season, averaging 79.9 ppg and giving up 72.2 ppg. The SU winner has cashed in each of Xavier’s seven neutral games this year and each of the Wildcats’ last eight. The Musketeers are on numerous spread-covering surges, including 37-17-2 overall, 37-15 on neutral courts, 4-1 in non-conference play, 15-4 as a neutral-site ‘dog, 15-5-1 in the Tournament and 9-1 as a tourney pup. Similarly, the Wildcats are on ATS tears of 19-7-1 overall, 8-0 outside the Big 12, 16-4-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 16-5-1 as a favorite, 6-1 at neutral sites and 6-0 as a neutral-site chalk. Xavier is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall, 5-1 getting points, 5-1 as a Tournament pup, 14-3 after a spread-cover, 16-5 after a SU win, 6-2 outside the Atlantic 10 and 5-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600. Also, the over is 5-2 in K-State’s last seven as a neutral-site chalk. However, the under is on runs of 11-4 for Xavier at neutral sites and 4-1 for the Musketeers in the Big Dance, and Kansas State is on “under” strings of 7-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600, 5-1-1 after a SU win and 5-1 after a spread cover.

ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS STATE

EAST REGION

(at Syracuse, N.Y.)

(11) Washington (26-9, 15-18 ATS) vs. (2) West Virginia (29-6, 15-19 ATS)

Washington, one of three double-digit seeds advancing into the Sweet 16, has won nine in a row SU, going a stout 8-1 ATS in that stretch. The Huskies squeaked by No. 6 seed Marquette 80-78 as a one-point underdog in the opening round last Thursday, then actually went off as a two-point chalk against third-seeded New Mexico on Saturday and pounded the Lobos 82-64. Washington shot a combined 51.2 percent in the two wins in San Jose, six percentage points better than its opponents (45.3 percent). The Mountaineers have won eight in a row (4-4 ATS), and they rolled through the first two rounds of the Big Dance in Buffalo with Friday’s 77-50 rout of 15th-seeded Morgan State as a 17-point chalk and Sunday’s 68-59 win over 10th-seeded Missouri as a six-point favorite. West Virginia is averaging a modest 62.4 ppg on 40.5 percent shooting in its last five outings, all on neutral floors, but its defense has been sterling, yielding just 53.8 ppg on stifling 34.0 percent shooting. West Virginia received bad news Tuesday when starting point guard Darryl Bryant broke his foot in practice. He’ll be out the rest of the tournament. However, Bryant played a total of just 38 minutes in last weekend’s action, scoring four points in each of the two wins.
Washington, in its 15th Big Dance, has reached the third round for the third time in the last six Tournament appearances. However, the Huskies bowed out at this point the last two times, losing to Louisville 93-79 as a 1½-point underdog in 2005 and to UConn 98-92 as a 6½-point underdog a year later. In fact, Washington has never won a third-round game, going 0-5.
West Virginia, which received its highest seed in school history this year, is in its third straight Tournament and fifth in the last six years. The Mountaineers lost their last two third-round contests, however, 74-71 to Texas in 2006 (cashing as a five-point underdog) and 79-75 to Xavier in 2008 (as a 1½-point favorite). Their only Elite Eight appearance since 1959 came in 2005. Washington is 5-1 at neutral venues (4-2 ATS) – winning the last five in a row – outscoring teams by an average of 6.4 ppg (74.2-67.8) and shooting 47.8 percent to 41.5 percent for the opposition. The Mountaineers have won all nine of their neutral-site contests, prevailing by an average of 11 ppg (69.1-58.1) and outshooting foes 43.4 percent to 37.6 percent. The Huskies have covered in four in a row at neutral sites during their 8-1 ATS tear, and they are on further spread-covering upturns of 7-1 after a SU win, 6-1 after a spread-cover and 6-1 in the Tournament. But they are also 5-9 ATS in their last 14 outside the Pac-10, 2-5 ATS in their last seven as a ‘dog and 2-5 ATS in their last seven Thursday starts.
The Mountaineers, meanwhile, are on ATS rolls of 10-2-1 in the Big Dance, 6-2 as a Tournament chalk and 5-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600, but they are on a 5-18 ATS freefall as a favorite of less than seven points. The under is 18-9 in Washington’s last 26 non-conference games, but the Huskies are on “over” surges of 18-8 after a spread-cover, 25-12 coming off a SU win, 16-5 on Thursday, 4-0 as a pup and 6-1 as a neutral-site ‘dog. The Mountaineers are on a stream of “under” streaks, including 8-2 overall (6-0 last six), 5-0 as a chalk, 6-0 on neutral floors and 5-0 against teams with a win percentage above .600.

ATS ADVANTAGE: WEST VIRGINIA

(12) Cornell (29-4, 18-10 ATS) vs. (1) Kentucky (34-2, 19-15 ATS)

Cornell, the Ivy League champion and another double-digit seed still dancing, pulled off a pair of upsets last weekend in Jacksonville, Fla. First, the Big Red tamed fifth-seeded Temple 78-65 as a three-point ‘dog Friday, then blistered No. 4 seed Wisconsin 87-69 getting 4½ points Sunday. Cornell has now win nine in a row (5-4 ATS) and 17 of its last 18 since losing by just five points at then-No. 1 Kansas on Jan. 6. Kentucky, the SEC regular-season and tourney champ, has won seven in a row (4-3 ATS), including five straight on neutral floors (3-2 ATS). The Wildcats easily won and covered in their first two Tournament tilts, pounding East Tennessee State 100-71 laying 18½ points Thursday, then drubbing No. 8 seed Wake Forest 90-60 giving 9½ points Saturday. John Calipari’s troops average 80.1 ppg overall (ninth nationally) on 48.4 percent shooting, while allowing 65.3 ppg with the nation’s fourth-stingiest field-goal defense (37.9 percent). Cornell has won three straight Ivy League titles to get the automatic Big Dance bid, but prior to last weekend’s two upsets, the Big Red had been 0-5 all-time in this event. Kentucky, meanwhile, has a huge Big Dance resume, playing in this event for the 51st time, advancing to 13 Final Fours and winning seven national championships. The Wildcats are 102-45 SU in the Tournament, but have reached the Sweet 16 for the first time since 2005, when they beat Utah 62-52 as a 4½-point favorite. Both teams have dominated at neutral venues, with Cornell going 6-0 (5-1 ATS) and Kentucky posting an 8-0 mark (5-3 ATS). The Big Red outscored opponents by 10.9 ppg in those six wins (78.7-67.8) and shot 50.5 percent from the field, while the Wildcats won by an average of 16.3 ppg (77.8-61.5) and outshot opponents by a 49.3 percent to 35.5 percent margin. The Big Red are on pointspread tears of 4-0 overall, 36-15 in non-conference play, 5-1 at neutral sites, 38-17-1 as an underdog, 4-1 as a neutral-site pup, 7-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 7-2 after a spread-cover. The Wildcats are in ATS ruts of 1-4 following a SU win of more than 20 points and 8-17 following a spread-cover, but are also on ATS upticks of 5-2 in the Tournament, 5-0 as a favorite in the tourney and 5-1 in non-conference action (4-0 last four). The Big Red are on “under” runs of 18-10 overall and 12-6-2 as an underdog, but they went over the total in both games last week and also sport “over” trends of 4-1 after a spread-cover, 5-2 outside the Ivy League and 5-2-1 on neutral courts. Kentucky is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall, 7-1 in non-conference action, 5-1 in the Tournament (4-0 last four) and 13-5 as a tourney chalk.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER

NBA

Dallas (47-24, 29-41-1) at Portland (42-29, 37-32-2 ATS)

The surging Trail Blazers shoot for their ninth win in their last 11 games when they welcome the Mavericks to the Rose Garden.
Dallas had followed up a 13-game winning streak by dropping two straight and three of four before beating the Clippers 106-96 at home Tuesday, narrowly cashing as a 9½-point favorite. Jason Kid led the charge with 26 points 12 assists and six rebounds. The spread-cover snapped a five-game ATS skid and was just the second time in their last six games the Mavericks reached triple digits on the scoreboard. Portland hasn’t played since Sunday, went it fell in Phoenix 93-87, pushing as a six-point pup. Guards Brandon Roy and Andre Miller combined for 55 points, 11 rebound and 11 assists, but neither had a great game from the field, shooting a combined 15-for-45. The Blazers had won eight of nine (5-4 ATS) prior to Sunday, and they enter tonight riding a four-game winning streak at home (2-2 ATS). The road team has won three straight in this series and four of the last five, cashing in all four victories. Portland went into Dallas twice this season and came out with close wins, an 85-81 triumph back in December as a 5½-point ‘dog and a 114-112 overtime victory on Jan. 30 as an 8½-point underdog. Still, the Mavericks have had recent success in the Rose Garden, going 7-3 ATS in their last 10 trips to Portland. Dallas is on ATS runs of 4-0 as an underdog and 5-1 on the road, but otherwise is on pointspread skids of 1-5 overall, 5-22 on Thursdays, 5-15-1 after a spread-cover, 5-13-1 against Western Conference teams and 7-18-1 after getting a day off. The Blazers have cashed in four straight against Southwest Division teams and 10 of 14 after a straight-up loss, but they are on ATS slides of 0-4 at home against teams with a winning road record and 1-4 as a chalk of less than five points. For the Mavericks, the over has been the play lately, including 10-4 overall, 7-1 after a day off, 6-1 against Western Conference teams and 14-6 against teams with a winning record. Portland has topped the total in five of seven against Western Conference foes and six of seven against Southwest Division teams, but it is on “under” runs of 5-1 at home, 14-5 against teams with a winning record and 27-11-1 after getting three or more days off. Finally, the under has cashed in 14 of the last 20 Blazers-Mavericks meetings.

ATS ADVANTAGE: PORTLAND
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Bobby Maxwell
400-Unit tourney Sweet Slam Dunk – KENTUCKY WILDCATS

100-Unit Tourney E-Z Call – XAVIER MUSKETEERS
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DUNKEL NBA

Miami at Chicago
The Bulls look to take advantage of a Miami team that is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games as an underdog from 1 to 4 1/2 points. Chicago is the pick (-1) according to Dunkel, which has the Bulls favored by 2 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-1)

Game 801-802: Miami at Chicago
Dunkel Ratings: Miami 118.138; Chicago 120.800
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 2 1/2; 193
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago by 1; 190
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-1); Over

Game 803-804: LA Clippers at Houston
Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 109.461; Houston 1114.248
Dunkel Line & Total: Houston by 5; 210
Vegas Line & Total: Houston by 6 1/2; 207 1/2
Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+6 1/2); Over

Game 805-806: Dallas at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 120.415; Portland 121.179
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 1; 197
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 3; 192
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+3); Over
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DUNKEL
NHL

Los Angeles at St. Louis
The Blues look to build on their 10-4 record in the last 14 meeting between the two teams in St. Louis. St. Louis is the pick (-110) according to Dunkel, which has the Blues favored by 1 1/2. Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110)

Game 51-52: Calgary at NY Islanders
Dunkel Ratings: Calgary 11.151; NY Islanders 10.562
Dunkel Line & Total: Calgary by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Calgary (-140); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Calgary (-140); Under

Game 53-54: Minnesota at Philadelphia
Dunkel Ratings: Minnesota 9.990; Philadelphia 11.035
Dunkel Line & Total: Philadelphia by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Philadelphia (-165); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Philadelphia (-165); Under

Game 55-56: Chicago at Columbus
Dunkel Ratings: Chicago 12.049; Columbus 11.849
Dunkel Line & Total: Chicago by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Chicago (-155); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Chicago (-155); Under

Game 57-58: Toronto at Atlanta
Dunkel Ratings: Toronto 11.046; Atlanta 11.368
Dunkel Line & Total: Atlanta by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Atlanta (-125); 6
Dunkel Pick: Atlanta (-125); Under

Game 59-60: Washington at Carolina
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 12.146; Carolina 12.050
Dunkel Line & Total: Washington by 1/2; 7
Vegas Line & Total: Washington (-170); 6 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Washington (-170); Over

Game 61-62: Tampa Bay at Boston
Dunkel Ratings: Tampa Bay 10.308; Boston 10.184
Dunkel Line & Total: Tampa Bay by 1/2; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Boston (-200); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Tampa Bay (+170); Under

Game 63-64: NY Rangers at New Jersey
Dunkel Ratings: NY Rangers 11.823; New Jersey 11.736
Dunkel Line & Total: NY Rangers by 1/2; 5 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: New Jersey (-200); 5
Dunkel Pick: NY Rangers (+170); Over

Game 65-66: Florida at Montreal
Dunkel Ratings: Florida 11.928; Montreal 11.016
Dunkel Line & Total: Florida by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: Montreal (-175); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Florida (+155); Under

Game 67-68: Los Angeles at St. Louis
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 11.029; St. Louis 12.627
Dunkel Line & Total: St. Louis by 1 1/2; 6
Vegas Line & Total: St. Louis (-110); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: St. Louis (-110); Over

Game 69-70: Phoenix at Nashville
Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 11.886; Nashville 12.448
Dunkel Line & Total: Nashville by 1/2; 4 1/2
Vegas Line & Total: Nashville (-135); 5
Dunkel Pick: Nashville (-135); Under

Game 71-72: Dallas at San Jose
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 11.752; San Jose 10.949
Dunkel Line & Total: Dallas by 1; 5
Vegas Line & Total: San Jose (-240); 5 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Dallas (+200); Under
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