1-30-14

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Thursday's NBA betting news and notes
Brian Covert

We dug up these vital betting tidbits for both of Thursday’s NBA games that will help you make the right call before tipoff.

Phoenix Suns at Indiana Pacers (-10, 199)

Suns forward Markieff Morris may be the key for their supporters. The Suns are 12-3 ATS when their sixth man scores 15 or more points with the team 17-11-1 ATS when he doesn’t. Morris is averaging 16.8 points over his last five.

The Suns are 6-1 ATS on zero days rest and an impressive 8-2 ATS against teams with a .600 or better record. The last time these two trends crossed, the Suns beat the Rockets in Houston 97-88 as 9.5-point dogs.

The Indiana Pacers, 16-6 ATS at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, are coming off a road trip where they went just 3-2 SU and 2-3 ATS. "We're all real tired,” said center Roy Hibbert. “There were some games we dropped that we should have won on this trip. We'll get better."

The Pacers have given up 100-points only eight times all season. One of those was a 124-100 loss to the Phoenix Suns last Wednesday night on a 196.5-point total. All eight of those games have been on the road.

Cleveland Cavaliers at New York Knicks (-5.5, 196.5)

* Cavs coach Mike Brown was not impressed with his team’s fighting spirit following Tuesday’s 100-89 loss as a 2.5-point favorite in Cleveland. "Our competitive spirit is non-existent," said Brown. "Maybe I need to shake some things up."

* Cavs center Anderson Varejao is questionable for Thursday's game after missing Tuesday’s loss to New Orleans, his first missed game of the year. Cleveland went 29-27-2 ATS in 58 games the Brazilian missed last year.

* The Knicks got some payback Tuesday versus Boston. “It was kind of personal, the way they beat us the last time,'' forward Kenyon Martin said referring to the team’s 114-77 loss to the Celtics at MSG in December. ''So we wanted a little get-back.'' The Knicks lost 109-94 to the Cavs the last time they met in mid-December.

* The Knicks are 7-1 ATS after both a SU win and scoring 100 points in their previous game both of which happened Tuesday in their 109-94 win over the Celtics.

Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors (-5.5, 212)

* The Clippers are showing their elite potential, scoring and winning without All-Star Chris Paul. The Clips are 9-3 SU and 8-4 ATS without their leader and the Over has hit in nine of the 12 games with L.A. scoring less than 109 points only three times.

* The Over has hit in the last seven meetings between these two clubs including a 105-103 Warrior win on a 207.5-point total on Christmas Day.

* The Golden State Warriors have scored less than 100 points, 15 times this season. Nine of those 15 have come back-to-back (and one three-game streak). The Warriors only scored 85 points in an 88-85 loss to Washington Tuesday night.

* The Warriors are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 against teams with a .600 record or better but did beat Portland 103-88 as 5.5-point home favorites this past Sunday.

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Mickelson favored to win again at Phoenix Open
by Freddy Wander

Waste Management Phoenix Open

Tees Off: Thursday, January 30
TPC Scottsdale Golf Course – Scottsdale, AZ

Odds to Win Tournament

Golfer Odds
Phil Mickelson 12-to-1
Webb Simpson 15-to-1
Keegan Bradley 20-to-1
Graham DeLaet 20-to-1
Bubba Watson 25-to-1
Bill Haas 25-to-1
Brandt Snedeker 25-to-1
Harris English 25-to-1
Gary Woodland 30-to-1
Ryan Palmer 30-to-1
Billy Horschel 30-to-1
Chris Kirk 30-to-1
Ryan Moore 30-to-1
Hunter Mahan 30-to-1
Hideki Matsuyama 35-to-1
Rickie Fowler 40-to-1
K.J. Choi 40-to-1
Charley Hoffman 40-to-1
Marc Leishman 40-to-1
Matt Every 40-to-1
Charles Howell III 50-to-1
Ian Poulter 50-to-1
Pat Perez 50-to-1
Brian Stuard 50-to-1
Scott Piercy 50-to-1
Lee Westwood 50-to-1
Nick Watney 50-to-1
Martin Kaymer 50-to-1
Robert Garrigus 60-to-1
Brendan Steele 60-to-1
Patrick Reed 60-to-1
Kevin Na 60-to-1
Brendon de Jonge 60-to-1
Scott Stallings 60-to-1
Kevin Streelman 60-to-1
13 golfers 80-to-1
Chris Stroud 100-to-1
FIELD (Any other golfer) 3-to-1

The PGA heads to the desert for the biggest party of the season as 43-year-old Arizona State alum Phil Mickelson looks to shake off nagging injuries and defend his title. He finished four shots better than any other golfer in the field in last year, as he held the lead for the entire four days to capture his third Phoenix Open title. This tournament always gets a lot of press because of its party atmosphere and now famous par-three 16th hole, which features grandstands, booing, drinking and betting on caddies. Let’s take a look at a few golfers who could shine brightest in Scottsdale.

Golfers to Watch

Phil Mickelson (12/1): Mickelson withdrew from the Farmers Insurance Open last week due to nagging pain in his lower back but is expected to make his way to Arizona in an attempt to win this tournament for the fourth time in his storied career. Last year, he tied this tournament’s record for lowest four-round score (28-under) and lowest single round (60). “Lefty” has placed in the top-20 in both tournaments that he finished this season, but his back is something of a concern here and should be watched carefully.

Brandt Snedeker (25/1): Snedeker is off to a slow start by his standards this season with only one top-15 finish (11th in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions) to go along with two finishes in the 50’s and a missed cut last week. To say that the six-time PGA Tour victor is due would be an understatement, and this is certainly a course he has had success at in the past. Last year, he shot four rounds of 66 or better, eventually placing second behind Mickelson while also placing in the top-9 two other times since 2008.

Marc Leishman (40/1): Leishman is coming off two straight top-5 finishes and nearly holed an eagle last week at 18 which would have forced a playoff against Scott Stallings at Torrey Pines. The Aussie has placed in the top-20 only once over three tries at this tournament, but seems poised to earn his second PGA Tour win with his consistent play as of late.

Pat Perez (50/1): Perez knows this course well as a former member of the Arizona State Sun Devils golf team and is coming off two top-8 finishes over his past three tournaments; including tying for second in last week’s Farmers Insurance Open. He currently resides in the hosting city, Scottsdale, and this would be a fitting place for him to win his first PGA tournament since the Bob Hope Classic in 2009. Perez should be a fan favorite and create quite an uproar on the 16th hole when he gets into the tee box.

J.B. Holmes (80/1): Holmes has only two PGA Tour victories since turning pro back in 2005, and they were both in Scottsdale, Arizona in 2006 and 2008. In 2008, he edged out the favorite, Phil Mickelson, in the first hole of a playoff after a four-round total of 270 (14-under par). Holmes is coming off an ankle injury that caused him to miss nearly the entire 2013 season, but played well last weekend in placing 23rd in the Farmers Insurance Open, marking his first tournament back.

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Steve's golf picks

Steve's Pick's WM - Phoenix Open

BRENDAN STEELE 66 TO 1
BILLY HORSCHEL 28 TO 1
SCOTT PIERCY 85 TO 1
NICOLAS COLSAERTS 85 TO 1
RYAN MOORE 28 TO 1
GRAHAM DELAET 34 TO 1

72 Hole Head to Head

2 UNITS - Brendan Steele (-105) over Patrick Reed

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NBA

Hot teams
-- Suns won five of their last six games. Indiana won seven of last nine.
-- New York won its last three games, scoring 116.3 ppg.
-- Clippers won nine of their last eleven games.

Cold Teams
-- Cavaliers lost four of their last five games.
-- Warriors lost five of their last seven games.

Series records
-- Suns won five of last seven games with Indiana.
-- Cavaliers lost five of last seven games with New York.
-- Clippers lost six of last nine games with Golden State.

Totals
-- Four of last five Indiana-Phoenix games went over.
-- Seven of last eight New York games went over the total; last five Cleveland games stayed under.
-- Seven of last nine Clipper games went over the total. Under is 3-1-1 in last five Golden State games.

Back to backs
-- Suns are 6-4 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Clippers are 6-5 vs spread if they played night before

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NHL

Hot teams
-- Bruins won their last four games, scoring 21 goals.
-- Toronto won seven of last nine games. Panthers won three of their last four road games.
-- Washington won last two games, scoring 10 goals, after losing previous seven games.
-- Lightning won three of their last four games.
-- Minnesota won nine of its last thirteen games. Colorado won six of last eight.
-- Sharks won six of their last seven games. Flames won last three games, all by one goal.
-- Coyotes won three of their last four home games.
-- Anaheim won 20 of its last 24 games.
-- Penguins won five of their last seven games.

Cold teams
-- Canadiens lost four of their last five games.
-- Columbus lost its last three games, outscored 11-6.
-- Senators lost four of their last six games.
-- Devils lost last three road games, scoring three goals. Dallas lost four of last six games.
-- Sabres lost seven of their last eight games.
-- Flyers lost four of their last five games.
-- Los Angeles lost six of its last seven games.

Totals
-- Over is 5-1-1 in last seven Boston games.
-- Four of last five Florida games went over total.
-- Four of last five Washington games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Tampa Bay games went over.
-- Three of last four New Jersey-Dallas games stayed under.
-- Under is 5-1-2 in last eight Minnesota games.
-- Under is 8-1-1 in last ten San Jose games.
-- Seven of last eight Buffalo games went over the total.
-- Six of last eight Philly games went over the total; four of last five Duck games stayed under the total.
-- Last four Los Angeles games stayed under total.

Series records
-- Canadiens won their last four games with Boston.
-- Toronto won three of its last four games with Florida.
-- Blue Jackets lost five of last six games with Washington.
-- Lightning won four of last five games with Ottawa.
-- Devils won three of last four games with New Jersey.
-- Avalanche won three of last four games with Minnesota.
-- Sharks won four in row, 10 of last 13 games with Calgary.
-- Sabres won six of their last seven games with Phoenix.
-- Ducks won four of last five games with Philly.
-- Kings lost five of last six games with Pittsburgh.

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Today's NBA Picks

LA Clippers at Golden State

The Clippers travel to Golden State tonight to face a Warriors team that 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games as a home favorite of 3 1/2 to 6 points. LA is the pick (+5 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Warriors favored by only 2. Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+5 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 501-502: Phoenix at Indiana (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Phoenix 119.752; Indiana 133.119 Dunkel Line & Total: Indiana by 13 1/2; 204 Vegas Line & Total: Indiana by 10; 199 Dunkel Pick: Indiana (-10); Over

Game 503-504: Cleveland at New York (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cleveland 112.621; New York 120.583 Dunkel Line & Total: New York by 8; 192 Vegas Line & Total: New York by 5 1/2; 196 1/2 Dunkel Pick: New York (-5 1/2); Under

Game 505-506: LA Clippers at Golden State (10:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: LA Clippers 124.139; Golden State 125.922 Dunkel Line & Total: Golden State by 2; 218 Vegas Line & Total: Golden State by 5 1/2; 212 Dunkel Pick: LA Clippers (+5 1/2); Over

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NCAA Basketball Picks

UCLA at Oregon

The Bruins travel to Oregon to face a Duck team that is returning home after an extended road trip and is 4-0 ATS in its last 4 home games following 3 or more consecutive road games. Oregon is the pick (-2 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Ducks favored by 4 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-2 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 30 Time Posted: 8:00 a.m. EST

Game 507-508: Florida Atlantic at Charlotte (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida Atlantic 55.438; Charlotte 56.282 Dunkel Line: Charlotte by 1 Vegas Line: Charlotte by 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Florida Atlantic (+6 1/2)

Game 509-510: Providence at Marquette (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Providence 62.731; Marquette 69.432 Dunkel Line: Marquette by 6 1/2 Vegas Line: Marquette by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Marquette (-4 1/2)

Game 511-512: Florida International at Marshall (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida International 51.663; Marshall 51.140 Dunkel Line: Florida International by 1 Vegas Line: Marshall by 4 Dunkel Pick: Florida International (+4)

Game 513-514: South Alabama at Georgia State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Alabama 49.142; Georgia State 64.817 Dunkel Line: Georgia State by 15 1/2 Vegas Line: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 515-516: Florida at Mississippi State (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Florida 71.954; Mississippi State 61.546 Dunkel Line: Florida by 10 1/2 Vegas Line: Florida by 14 Dunkel Pick: Mississippi State (+14)

Game 517-518: Cincinnati at Louisville (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Cincinnati 69.264; Louisville 82.225 Dunkel Line: Louisville by 13 Vegas Line: Louisville by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Louisville (-9 1/2)

Game 519-520: East Carolina at Middle Tennessee State (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: East Carolina 49.558; Middle Tennessee State 63.175 Dunkel Line: Middle Tennessee State by 13 1/2 Vegas Line: Middle Tennessee State by 11 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Middle Tennessee State (-11 1/2)

Game 521-522: Wright State at WI-Milwaukee (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Wright State 58.149; WI-Milwaukee 50.671 Dunkel Line: Wright State by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Wright State by 2 Dunkel Pick: Wright State (-2)

Game 523-524: TX-Arlington at Western Kentucky (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: TX-Arlington 50.809; Western Kentucky 56.103 Dunkel Line: Western Kentucky by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Western Kentucky by 7 Dunkel Pick: TX-Arlington (+7)

Game 525-526: UL-Lafayette at AR-Little Rock (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UL-Lafayette 55.601; AR-Little Rock 50.581 Dunkel Line: UL-Lafayette by 5 Vegas Line: UL-Lafayette by 2 Dunkel Pick: UL-Lafayette (-2)

Game 527-528: Arkansas State at UL-Monroe (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Arkansas State 54.336; UL-Monroe 48.150 Dunkel Line: Arkansas State by 6 Vegas Line: Arkansas State by 3 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Arkansas State (-3 1/2)

Game 529-530: Old Dominion at UAB (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Old Dominion 55.548; UAB 58.114 Dunkel Line: UAB by 2 1/2 Vegas Line: UAB by 6 Dunkel Pick: Old Dominion (+6)

Game 531-532: Indiana at Nebraska (8:15 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Indiana 63.249; Nebraska 66.667 Dunkel Line: Nebraska by 3 1/2 Vegas Line: Nebraska by 1 Dunkel Pick: Nebraska (-1)

Game 533-534: Pacific at BYU (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Pacific 55.529; BYU 66.443 Dunkel Line: BYU by 11 Vegas Line: BYU by 13 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Pacific (+13 1/2)

Game 535-536: Louisiana Tech at UTEP (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Louisiana Tech 68.118; UTEP 63.050 Dunkel Line: Louisiana Tech by 5 Vegas Line: Louisiana Tech by 3 Dunkel Pick: Louisiana Tech (-3)

Game 537-538: Rice at TX-San Antonio (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Rice 45.271; TX-San Antonio 47.323 Dunkel Line: TX-San Antonio by 2 Vegas Line: TX-San Antonio by 3 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Rice (+3 1/2)

Game 539-540: USC at Oregon State (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: USC 58.039; Oregon State 65.482 Dunkel Line: Oregon State by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Oregon State by 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: USC (+8 1/2)

Game 541-542: UCLA at Oregon (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UCLA 67.130; Oregon 71.636 Dunkel Line: Oregon by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: Oregon by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Oregon (-2 1/2)

Game 543-544: Houston at Connecticut (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Houston 58.894; Connecticut 71.375 Dunkel Line: Connecticut by 12 1/2 Vegas Line: Connecticut by 14 Dunkel Pick: Houston (+14)

Game 545-546: Purdue at Michigan (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Purdue 61.892; Michigan 79.492 Dunkel Line: Michigan by 17 1/2 Vegas Line: Michigan by 12 Dunkel Pick: Michigan (-12)

Game 547-548: UC-Davis at Cal Poly (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Davis 40.922; Cal Poly 57.859 Dunkel Line: Cal Poly by 17 Vegas Line: Cal Poly by 13 Dunkel Pick: Cal Poly (-13)

Game 549-550: St. Mary's at San Diego (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: St. Mary's 63.846; San Diego 57.701 Dunkel Line: St. Mary's by 6 Vegas Line: St. Mary's by 4 Dunkel Pick: St. Mary's (-4)

Game 551-552: UC-Irvine at UC-Santa Barbara (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Irvine 58.132; UC-Santa Barbara 62.579 Dunkel Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: UC-Santa Barbara by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: UC-Santa Barbara (-2 1/2)

Game 553-554: UC-Riverside at CS-Northridge (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: UC-Riverside 46.553; CS-Northridge 51.171 Dunkel Line: CS-Northridge by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: CS-Northridge by 7 Dunkel Pick: UC-Riverside (+7)

Game 555-556: Long Beach State at Hawaii (12:00 a.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Long Beach State 53.728; Hawaii 62.793 Dunkel Line: Hawaii by 9 Vegas Line: Hawaii by 7 Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (-7)

Game 557-558: Samford at Furman (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Samford 45.564; Furman 42.725 Dunkel Line: Samford by 3 Vegas Line: No Line Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 559-560: NE-Omaha at IPFW (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: NE-Omaha 51.429; IPFW 59.872 Dunkel Line: IPFW by 8 1/2 Vegas Line: IPFW by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: IPFW (-4 1/2)

Game 561-562: The Citadel at Georgia Southern (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: The Citadel 38.951; Georgia Southern 44.793 Dunkel Line: Georgia Southern by 6 Vegas Line: Georgia Southern by 9 1/2 Dunkel Pick: The Citadel (+9 1/2)

Game 563-564: Chattanooga at Davidson (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Chattanooga 48.598; Davidson 62.484 Dunkel Line: Davidson by 14 Vegas Line: Davidson by 11 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Davidson (-11 1/2)

Game 565-566: Appalachian State at NC-Greensboro (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Appalachian State 45.410; NC-Greensboro 44.253 Dunkel Line: Appalachian State by 1 Vegas Line: NC-Greensboro by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Appalachian State (+2 1/2)

Game 567-568: Western Carolina at Elon (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Western Carolina 50.163; Elon 51.408 Dunkel Line: Elon by 1 Vegas Line: Elon by 4 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Western Carolina (+4 1/2)

Game 569-570: Monmouth at Marist (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Monmouth 47.663; Marist 54.956 Dunkel Line: Marist by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Marist by 5 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Marist (-5 1/2)

Game 571-572: Tennessee-Martin at Eastern Kentucky (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee-Martin 44.751; Eastern Kentucky 58.314 Dunkel Line: Eastern Kentucky by 13 1/2 Vegas Line: Eastern Kentucky by 15 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tennessee-Martin (+15 1/2)

Game 573-574: Western Illinois at IUPUI (7:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Western Illinois 50.874; IUPUI 43.467 Dunkel Line: Western Illinois by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Western Illinois by 3 Dunkel Pick: Western Illinois (-3)

Game 575-576: Canisius at Quinnipiac (7:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Canisius 54.252; Quinnipiac 58.702 Dunkel Line: Quinnipiac by 4 1/2 Vegas Line: Quinnipiac by 2 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Quinnipiac (-2 1/2)

Game 577-578: Tennessee State at Tennessee Tech (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Tennessee State 40.021; Tennessee Tech 44.163 Dunkel Line: Tennessee Tech by 4 Vegas Line: Tennessee Tech by 6 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Tennessee State (+6 1/2)

Game 579-580: North Dakota State at South Dakota (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota State 60.096; South Dakota 47.827 Dunkel Line: North Dakota State 12 Vegas Line: North Dakota State by 9 Dunkel Pick: North Dakota State (-9)

Game 581-582: Niagara at Siena (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Niagara 47.166; Siena 56.542 Dunkel Line: Siena by 9 1/2 Vegas Line: Siena by 7 Dunkel Pick: Siena (-7)

Game 583-584: Weber State at Northern Arizona (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Weber State 54.765; Northern Arizona 49.192 Dunkel Line: Weber State by 5 1/2 Vegas Line: Weber State by 2 Dunkel Pick: Weber State (-2)

Game 585-586: Montana at Southern Utah (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Montana 47.868; Southern Utah 38.854 Dunkel Line: Montana by 9 Vegas Line: Montana by 11 Dunkel Pick: Southern Utah (+11)

Game 587-588: South Dakota State at Denver (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: South Dakota State 51.485; Denver 61.700 Dunkel Line: Denver by 10 Vegas Line: Denver by 8 1/2 Dunkel Pick: Denver (-8 1/2)

Game 589-590: North Dakota at Eastern Washington (9:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: North Dakota 50.737; Eastern Washington 46.921 Dunkel Line: North Dakota by 4 Vegas Line: Pick Dunkel Pick: North Dakota

Game 591-592: Northern Colorado at Portland State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Northern Colorado 56.027; Portland State 48.770 Dunkel Line: Northern Colorado by 7 1/2 Vegas Line: Northern Colorado by 4 Dunkel Pick: Northern Colorado (-4)

Game 593-594: Idaho State at Sacramento State (10:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Idaho State 48.319; Sacramento State 47.497 Dunkel Line: Idaho State by 1 Vegas Line: Sacramento State by 1 Dunkel Pick: Idaho State (+1)

Game 595-596: Alabama at Auburn (8:30 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Alabama 61.259; Auburn 62.797 Dunkel Line: Alabama by 1 1/2 Vegas Line: Auburn by 1 Dunkel Pick: Alabama (+1)

Game 601-602: Bryant at Robert Morris (8:00 p.m. EST) Dunkel Ratings: Bryant 51.039; Robert Morris 58.066 Dunkel Line: Robert Morris by 7 Vegas Line: Robert Morris by 5 Dunkel Pick: Robert Morris (-5)

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Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Free winner THURS: East Carolina + 12

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Cappers Access

Miss St +14
Michigan -12.5

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Gamblers Data

Free Plays Thursday

Bruins -1.5 +177

Suns +10.5

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Scott Spreitzer Thursday NBA SHOCKER

I'm taking the points with the Suns on Thursday night. Indiana is in revenge of a 124-100 loss in Phoenix on January 22. But while they may get their revenge, the line is too high, in my opinion. The Suns still aren't getting their "just due" from the public, which means you're truly "paying for it" if you back the Pacers in this one. The Suns played last night, beating Milwaukee 126-117. Phoenix is on a 5-1 ATS run when playing in their second of back-to-back nights and I don't believe the average fan or bettor realizes just how deep this team is even with Eric Bledsoe sidelined. Last night, no less than 10 Suns' players saw action. All 10 played more than 21 minutes, but not a single player topped 30 minutes. So, despite playing last night, there's no reason to believe the team will be "gassed." Phoenix is getting double-digits at the time of this post and we should note that not a single one of their seven losses in 2014 came by double-digits. In fact, the average margin of defeat is less than 4.5 ppg. Phoenix is 27-18 SU on the season and only three of the 18 losses came by more than Thursday's point-spread. They're tough on the road, currently 12-11 SU & 17-6 ATS. And Phoenix has represented themselves well on the road against the league's top teams, going 5-2 ATS at the Clippers, Golden State, Houston, Mi„ami, Portland, San Antonio, and Oklahoma City, beating the Clippers and Rockets outright. Yes, Indiana will be fired-up early after the 24-point loss eight days ago. But I'm betting the point-spread will be the "great equalizer" tonight. Besides the 5-1 ATS run mentioned above, the Suns are on a 4-0 ATS run on the road. They're on a 6-0 ATS overall run against the Pacers and 4-1 in their last five in Indianapolis. I'm grabbing the points with the Suns, my Thursday night Shocker. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Brady Kannon Phoenix Open Match up plays

Waste Management Phoenix Open
For The Phoenix Open, I am going to take a look at a couple of head to head match ups. First, between a couple of relative unknowns.. Brian Stuard and Patrick Reed. Stuard is listed as the favorite at -120 at The LVH. Reed has played very sparingly since the end of the regular Tour season in 2013 but did win his last event, The Humana Challenge, just a couple of weeks ago. Stuard has been playing off and on during the wrap around season and has been playing quite well, earning a 2nd place finish in Cancun at Mayakoba, a 6th at The Sony in Hawaii, a 5th at The Humana, and a tie for 28th just last week at Torrey Pines. 7-of the last-14 Phoenix winners have earned top 10 finishes in the 3-weeks leading up to the event, of which Stuard has two. I also like the thought of fading Reed in his very next start after a win.. a formula that worked last year when he won at The Wyndham and missed the cut the very next week at The Barclays. Off of Reed's win at The Humana, he has moved to the top spot on tour in birdies made on Par 4's, a stat I feel will be very important in Phoenix as the net scoring on the 4's here is actually lower than on the five pars... however, Reed still ranks 111th in scoring and 24th in Greens in Regulation. He is 15th in putting but finished 2013 ranked 53rd. He also finished 2013 ranked 157th in driving accuracy. This is Reed's first time ever playing in The Phoenix Open. Stuard played here in 2010, finishing 70th. He was 32nd in driving accuracy in 2013, is 15th this season in Par 4 birdies, and is 9th in overall scoring. I am going with the hot hand here who has seen the course before, over a guy I want to fade off of a win, who ranks low in scoring, struggles off the tee, and hasn't seen the golf course before this week. The second head to head match up I am playing is our local Las Vegas golfer, Scott Piercy over Brendon de Jonge. Piercy is listed at +140 at Bookmaker.eu The reason for the long price, I feel, is that Piercy has struggled most recently.. in the last 3-months, he has 3-missed cuts and has a WD.. but let's take a look at his stats. Despite the struggles, Piercy ranks 12th in driving distance - yes, he's a bomber - 14th in Par 4 birdies, and 10th in putting. If I had to pick two stats to focus on this week it would be Par 4 birdies and putting. De Jonge meanwhile is 109th in Par 4 birdies, 69th in scoring, 24th in putting, and 122nd in Greens in Regulation. De Jonge has 1-top 10 here in Phoenix in 5-tries and that came last season - another reason I think we are getting some price here. Prior to that he has two missed cuts and two finishes outside the top 20. Scott Piercy on the other hand may be at just the right place to say goodbye to his struggles as he has 3-top 10 finishes in Phoenix in the last 5-years including a 3rd place last year. At a price like this, I've got to take a look at a guy who calls the Southwest home and has an excellent track record at the venue. Brian Stuard (-120) over Patrick Reed (LVH) Scott Piercy (+140) over Brendon de Jonge (Bookmaker.eu)

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Paul Leiner

100* Clippers / Warriors Over 212.5

50* Nebraska -1

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StatFox Super Situations™ - FoxSheets

CBB WRIGHT ST at WI-MILWAUKEE
Play On - All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (WI-MILWAUKEE) an average offensive team (67-74 PPG) against an excellent defensive team (<=63 PPG) after 15+ games, after 2 straight losses by 10 points or more
46-18 since 1997. ( 71.9% 26.2 units )

CBB UC-RIVERSIDE at CS-NORTHRIDGE
Play On - A road team vs. the money line (UC-RIVERSIDE) after going over the total by 18 or more points total in their last three games, a bad team (20% to 40%) playing a team with a losing record
141-159 since 1997. ( 47.0% 74.5 units )
9-3 this year. ( 75.0% 10.1 units )

CBB N COLORADO at PORTLAND ST
Play Against - Road favorites vs. the 1rst half line (N COLORADO) after 3 or more consecutive wins, a good team (60% to 80%) playing a team with a winning record
128-71 over the last 5 seasons. ( 64.3% 49.9 units )
14-9 this year. ( 60.9% 4.1 units )