CBB PA Dominator Tuesday 9* Top Play Temple Owls +4.5 vs Cincinnati Bearcats @ 7 ET - I know the Owls have been off for nearly two weeks and they may be a bit sluggish/off in the first half of this game. But eventually Temple will put it together in this match-up and I love the Owls now getting 4.5 points after this line opened up closer to just a bucket on this one. The last 3 meetings between these teams have all been decided by 3 or less points. Temple is a tough team at home and Cincinnati has been a mediocre team on the road this season. Also, the Bearcats have some injury issues at forward with Newman and Lahkin. Even if those two guys play they are unlikely to be 100% and I look for the Owls to take advantage. Two of last three Cats road games were losses and the only win was by just 4 points. Temple is 4-1 SU and ATS last 5 games and I look for the Owls to get the home dog cover in this one. 9* TEMPLE +4.5 

CBB Early Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play Boston College Eagles +11 @ Wake Forest Demon Deacons @ 6 ET - Wake Forest just demolished North Carolina 98-76 Saturday. Must of been pure and complete dominance, right? Hardly, you would be hard pressed to find another box score like this one! The Tar Heels had 81 shots from the field and the Demon Deacons had just 59 field goal attempts yet won by 20+ points! Highly unlikely and it was just one of those nights where UNC "couldn't throw it in the ocean" as they were just off with their shooting all night! Though WF has been hot this is the perfect letdown spot. I am not saying Boston College will get the upset but I am saying they should stay within single digits for sure and we are getting extra line value here after the Wake Forest result on Saturday. Note that the Eagles have won 2 of last 3 games and though this was preceded by a stretch of losses, note that Boston College has had only 2 losses by more than 11 points this entire season. Very comfortable with the big points here given the situation and the Eagles playing with a little more confidence after winning 2 of 3 games. 10* BOSTON COLLEGE +11

CBB Earliest Dominator Friday 10* Top Play Toledo Rockets +4.5 @ Ohio University Bobcats @ 6 ET - This is a great match-up featuring two teams off to great starts this season. I feel the value lies with the revenge-seeking underdog on the road. Though Toledo had won the past two regular season meetings, they fell short in March in the MAC Tourney Semi-Finals. As a result, the Rockets ended up going to the NIT while the Bobcats got the one more win they needed in the MAC Championship and ended up going to the Big Dance. Ohio University certainly still has a fantastic program as evidenced by their strong start this season but Toledo is highly motivated here and has a fantastic team. The Rockets have only 4 losses this season and the two most recent ones were by a margin of only 3 points. Toledo is on a 5-game winning streak and keeps it going here! If you look at the stats so far this season, the Rockets are the better shooting team and also have the better statistics on the defensive side of the ball too. I am grabbing the points here in a game where an upset would certainly not be a surprise! Take the points for added insurance. 10* TOLEDO +4.5

NBA Game of the Week Thursday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -2.5 @ Dallas Mavericks @ 7:30 ET - Huge scheduling edge for the Suns here. The Mavericks are in the 2nd game of a back to back while Phoenix has been off since Monday. Phoenix has beaten Dallas in 8 of last 9 meetings SU and we have a small number to cover here with this one in the -2.5 range. I know the Mavericks are hot but so too are the Suns and they are the better overall team. Phoenix has the better shooting stats on offense and defense and given the scheduling edge and match-up edges here, look for the Suns to continue their series dominance in meetings between these teams. By the way, Phoenix is also 8-1 last 9 road games and the Suns have won 6 straight away from home! 10* PHOENIX -2.5

NBA Earliest Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets +1.5 @ Washington Wizards @ 7:10 ET - Teams tend to step up big in the first game after a superstar goes down. With Durant getting hurt in Brooklyn's last game, the Nets will have guys upping their game for this one and lets not forget they have two guys on the floor (Harden and Irving) that are superstars that can carry this team too. I like the fact that Brooklyn is 4-0 SU last 4 times when off a loss. I like the fact that Wizards are off a big win over Philly and could be flat here. Yes, Washington has been stacking some wins recently but these were against a lot of weaker competition - until the upset of the Sixers. The upset of Philly had a lot do with the 76ers being in a bad situation and we actually used Washington right here in that game and got the win. Now we come right back and fade a Wizards team that was on an 0-6 ATS run before that win and cover versus Philadelphia. The Nets are hungry and they get the win here! 10* BROOKLYN +1.5

NBA Early Contrarian Tuesday 10* Top Play New York Knicks +3.5 vs Minnesota Timberwolves @ 7:40 ET - The Wolves are attracting attention here as a small road favorite but, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side. I like the Knicks as a home dog off an embarrassingly low-scoring home loss to Charlotte. Keep in mind, New York had won 5 of 6 (both SU and ATS) before that loss. Also, the Knicks now catch the Timberwolves off a huge win over Golden State. Could Minnesota be a little flat after the Warriors? I absolutely believe so. Also, the Knicks have won 2 of the last 3 meetings and the only loss was by a single point! Value with the home dog getting solid points here! 10* NEW YORK KNICKS +3.5

CBB ESPN2 Dominator Monday 10* Top Play Baylor Bears -5.5 @ West Virginia Mountaineers @ 5 ET - Buy low, sell high. It works in the stock market and it works long-term in the sports betting market as well. Does not mean you win every single time but when opportunities like this come around I don't hesitate to get involved. The Bears have lost back to back games so there is an anti-Baylor sentiment right now. This line has dropped already from 6.5 to 5.5 but I look at this situation differently than the markets and hence the value here. The Bears are a very good basketball team off back to back losses and now they are on the road so we get some line value with a manageable spread since they are travelers for this one! Keep in mind, the host Mountaineers are on a 1-3 ATS run which included 2 SU losses. Those 2 SU losses for West Virginia were each by 15 or more points! Look for another double digit margin here as the Bears pull away as this one goes one. 10* BAYLOR -5.5

NBA PA Dominator Monday 8* Washington Wizards +3.5 or +4 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 2:10 ET - This is a tricky spot for a hot Sixers team. Philly just got a big win over a Miami team they do not like. They could be a little flat here and I do not expect the Wizards to be flat all. Washington has revenge for a 21 point beating they suffered, also at home, versus the Sixers a few weeks back. The Wizards Kuzma shot poorly, as did the team, in that game. Kuzma is now hot! Plus Bradley Beal did not play in that game and though there is a chance he could miss this one too, the Wizards star performer might be back as he was upgraded to questionable for this game. He has been in covid protocols and the fact he was upgraded to questionable here I have a strong feeling he will play. Either way I like the revenge-minded home dog here as they catch Philadelphia off back to back big wins over the long-time rival Celtics and a more recent rival, Jimmy Butler and the Heat. Wizards hungry for a home win and get the job done here. 8* WASHINGTON +3.5 or +4

CBB Earliest Dominator Saturday 8* Northwestern Wildcats +8 @ Michigan State Spartans @ Noon ET - The Wildcats biggest loss this season has been by a margin of only 8 points and that was at Ohio State and then followed by a loss by 7 points in the double-OT game they just played on Saturday. Northwestern is now only 8-6 on the season but their 6 losses all by single digit margins and the average margin of defeat only 5.7 points per loss. The point is that we have excellent line value with the points here in my opinion. As strong as Michigan State has been this season they barely snuck by the Wildcats in their meeting 2 weeks ago and this is a tough scheduling spot for them here. They are off a last second home win over Minnesota and have big road games at deck at Wisconsin and Illinois. The big points offering big value here in my opinion. 8* NORTHWESTERN

NBA PA Dominator Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3 vs Boston Celtics @ 7 ET - Yes the Sixers off a loss but they clearly got caught looking ahead to this showdown with the rival Celtics. Philadelphia had won 7 straight games before that loss. Also, the 76ers have won 4 of last 5 versus Boston. The Celtics are off a win and cover but this was preceded by ATS losses in 6 of last 8 games. The better team at home and laying a manageable price and they had been the hotter team. I'll take it as the Sixers bounce back off a loss. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3

CBB Earliest Cash Thursday 10* Top Play Stanford Cardinal +7.5 @ Washington State Cougars @ 5 ET - There has been a line move toward the Cougars here and it is likely due to the fact that the Cardinal are in a perceived flat spot coming off their big upset win versus USC Tuesday. So I get it. I understand it. But I feel we have value here as the line is just too much. Stanford is 9-4 SU this season and their last two losses were by 7 or less points. They won't be too tired from Tuesday's game because it was their first game since prior to Christmas. Keep in mind too that Washington State is off a bit of a big win too as Saturday they got their first win at Utah in 75 years. The Cougars have not won back to back games since November. Also, the Cardinal had won 3 straight in this series before a loss in the most recent meeting between these teams so some payback is on order here. Even if they fall short SU look for the points to be enough for the ATS cover for the road dog in this one. 10* STANFORD +7.5

NBA PA Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Charlotte Hornets +5.5 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - Not only does Charlotte have revenge here from the Sixers having dominated recent meetings in this series, the Hornets also catch Philly with a big game against rival Boston on deck. I love this game for the situational aspects and Charlotte comes into this one hot with wins in 6 of last 8 games and 1 of those 2 losses was by just 3 points. The Hornets are on a 7-2 ATS run last 9 games and I am fully expecting at least another cover here and an outright win would truly not be a shock by any stretch of the imagination! There is a reason the 76ers, even though at home and on a 7-game winning streak, are priced so low here. In other words, don't let the line fool you! Grab the points with the underdog. 10* CHARLOTTE +5.5 

NBA Situational Slaughter Monday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs +6.5 @ New York Knicks @ 7:40 ET - Yes the Knicks might get Kemba Walker back tonight but that is a question mark and he has played only 6 games since around Thanksgiving. He has quite a ways to get in getting back in to top form if he even plays tonight. I love the Spurs in this revenge spot. They lost at home to New York earlier this season by a double digit margin. They are hungry from a win after coming up just short in overtime at Brooklyn yesterday. Even though this is a back to back spot the game yesterday was an ultra early one and San Antonio is actually in pretty good shape for this one. New York has only 3 wins by more than a 3 point margin in their last 9 home games! The Spurs last two road trips ended with tough match-ups at Phoenix and at LA (versus Lakers) but they got the job done ATS in both games and actually blew out the Lakers in a SU win there. Another upset here would not surprise me in the least but we should get a least the ATS cover at a minimum. 10* SAN ANTONIO +6.5

NBA Game of the Week Sunday 10* Top Play San Antonio Spurs +11 @ Brooklyn Nets @ 12:10 ET - Home game for Brooklyn means no Kyrie Irving. Nets struggling too as they are 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS last 5 games. I know San Antonio also struggling but they are not the ones laying double digits here! The point is that Brooklyn has been struggling to win games let alone cover big double digit spreads like this. I know the Spurs are down some guys but they hung around against the 76ers for much of that game Thursday until Philadelphia pulled away late. The way the Nets are going, I just don't see them as being capable of pulling away like that in this game. 10* SAN ANTONIO

CBB Daytime Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play Minnesota Golden Gophers +12 @ Indiana Hoosiers @ Noon ET - Indiana is off a big win over Ohio State. Keep in mind though, that 16-point victory was a 4-point game with about 6 minutes left in the game. The Hoosiers, coming off a big win over ranked Big Ten foe, could absolutely be a little flat here. At the very least, their a little over-valued in this spot as a result in my opinion. Note that Indiana was only 4-3 SU last 7 games heading into that win over the Buckeyes. Minnesota just got blasted by Illinois by 23 points so the set up here in terms of line value is perfect. The Golden Gophers had entered that game against the Illini with an overall 10-1 record this season and the lone loss was by 8 points to a ranked Michigan State team. I feel the Gophers better than they are being given credit for here and we have big value with the big line. 10* MINNNESOTA +12

CBB ESPN Smash Pass Saturday 10* Top Play St Mary's Gaels +3.5 @ Brigham Young Cougars @ 10 PM ET - In a game projected to be a tight low-scoring game there is extra value with having the points on your side. Both teams are strong defensively but what I like about St Mary's is their big trouble last season was poor shooting but they have better in that regard so far this season. The Gaels getting 3.5 points here because they are on the road but also I like the double revenge angle here as St Mary's returned most everybody from last season's team and they lost both games to BYU last season. Look for the Gaels to get some measure of revenge here against the Cougars and the best kind of revenge is payback for a home loss by handing that team a home loss. I expect an outright road win for the revenge-minded Gaels here at Brigham Young but will grab the point in case they fall just short. 10* ST MARY'S +3.5

NBA Hoops Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play Utah Jazz -3.5 @ Indiana Pacers @ 7:10 ET - I am aware of the injury issues / covid issues (at least as of 9 AM ET game day) but the fact is I just love the situational edges here. Yes I know that Utah is in a back to back but the fact they are off a loss and it was a game in which they led by double digits at the half has me liking the Jazz a ton here. They will clean things up after a defeat in which they turned it over 21 times in comparison to an opponent that turned it over only 7 times. Also, the Pacers are struggling badly. Indiana has lost 6 straight games and 9 of its last 11. Adding to the value here is Indiana won at Utah earlier this season in November. The Jazz want payback and they'll get it here! 10* UTAH -3.5

NBA PA Dominator Friday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) vs San Antonio Spurs @ 7:10 ET - Spurs are on the road again and playing for 3rd time in 4 nights. Also, San Antonio off a huge upset win at Boston. The 76ers crushed SA by 35 points the last time they hosted them. After tonight, the Sixers next game not until Monday and that one is back on the road and Philly enters this game off a road win at Orlando. In other words, the 76ers will be fully focused and want to make the most of this opportunity at home. As for the Spurs, they have two more tough games while on this long road trip as they have the Nets and Knicks up next for Sunday and Monday. Look for this one to be all Philly as the home team is the healthier team too plus will be up for this one and this looks like a flat spot for the travelers in this match-up. 10* PHILADELPHIA -7.5

CBB Big East Game of the Month Friday 10* Top Play Marquette Golden Eagles -2 @ Georgetown Hoyas @ 6:30 ET - The Golden Eagles will take advantage of a rusty Hoyas team here. Georgetown has not played in 3 weeks and they certainly are not invincible on their home floor either. Not only have the lost a couple at home already this season they also have lost to Marquette in each of the last two times they have hosted them. However, the Hoyas did beat the Golden Eagles in the Big East tourney last season and it is payback time here. Marquette did not just lose that game, they got embarrassed as they scored just 14 first-half points on their way to a 19 points loss. The Golden Eagles are a young team but have already grown as the season has gone on and have covered each of their last two road games plus enter this game off a big home win over Providence. 10* MARQUETTE -2

CBB Early Dominator Thursday 10* Top Play Maryland Terrapins +11 @ Illinois Illini @ 7 ET - The Illini just are not the same team without point guard Andre Curbelo and his return is unlikely for tonight's game yet this line is priced as if he would be playing. Maryland is a talented team that has been bolstered this season with solid play from newcomers (transfers) Qudus Wahab and Fatts Russell. They have joined Eric Ayala to give this team a solid trio at the top and the Terrapins have not lost a game by more than 8 points this season. They are getting double digits here and, the point is, Maryland getting double digits as a dog would equate to a 13-0 record this season! I know Illinois, even with Curbelo hurting, is still a high-quality team but only 4 of their last 11 games have been victories by more than 10 points! I look for this game to be decided by a single digit margin given all of the above. 10* MARYLAND +11

SEC Game of the Month Wednesday CBB 10* Top Play Alabama Crimson Tide +2 @ Florida Gators @ 7 ET - We are getting line value here because the Crimson Tide are on the road. Alabama is ranked and is the better team in this match-up and Florida is not as strong as Gators teams we have seen in recent seasons. So long-term approach here is bettors see Florida as a small home favorite and are induced to jump all over it but Bama is really the stronger team this season and could contend for the SEC Title. Also, the Gators game at Ole Miss for last week was cancelled so this will be Florida's first game in two weeks. They are likely to be rusty here as a result. The Tide, on the other hand, are off a win versus Tennessee last week and that gives them an edge here as at least they have seen some recent action. I know the Crimson Tide have slipped up lately in terms of ATS results but that is merely serving to give us line value in this spot. Keep in mind Florida's last game was a big win but over an out-classed Stony Brook foe. Prior to that the Gators were on a 1-4 ATS run. The Tide has played the tougher schedule so far this season too. 10* ALABAMA +2

CBB Earliest Dominator Tuesday 10* Top Play Ohio University Bobcats +1.5 @ Akron Zips @ 6 ET - Akron is off a huge win over Buffalo. That was big for the Zips because the Bulls had knocked them out of the MAC Tournament last season. As for the Bobcats, they lost by 20 points in their visit to Akron last season so they will be looking to make up for that Tuesday. I expect Ohio University to do just that as they are a fantastic 10-2 this season and their only two losses were to LSU (12-1 this season) and Kentucky (a ranked team) and both those teams are solid SEC programs. The fact Bobcats are on the road here is the only reason they are a small dog and I won't hesitate to grab them given the above factors. They catch the Zips a little flat off their revenging win. 10* OHIO UNIVERSITY +1.5

CBB Daytime Dominator Monday 10* Top Play Rotation #306051 Alabama State Hornets -8 @ Mississippi Valley State Delta Devils @ 5 ET - The Hornets are only 2-11 this season and yet opened up as 10 point favorites here on the road at Mississippi Valley State. Big mistake, right? After all the line already dropped to a -8 because the sharps must be lining up on the Delta Devils here. Long-time followers know how I feel about supposed mistakes by the odds makers. The fact is that Alabama State at least has a couple wins on the season and also the Hornets are coming off back to back ATS covers against Texas Tech and Texas! They have certainly been a lot more competitive than a Mississippi Valley State team that is 0-10 this season and losing by an average margin of 29.5 points per game! The Delta Devils have one loss by a 4-point margin but all the other 9 defeats hae been by 14 or more points and I feel strongly this one will too! The Hornets are the better shooting team and the much better team on the defensive end also and one of just two wins that Mississippi State had season was on the road against this team. Now payback will be delivered on the road in their first meeting since then! 10* Alabama State -8

CBB Game of the Week Saturday 10* Top Play DePaul Blue Demons +1.5 vs Providence Friars @ 3 ET - The Friars are off a big win versus Seton Hall but the Pirates were down 5 players, including 1 starter, and this resulted in a limited rotation as the bench was much shorter than usual. Now Providence faces a tough DePaul team and this is a rare road game for the Friars. Look for home court and health to be big difference makers here. Keep in mind Providence had just one player shoot well from 3-point land in the win over Seton Hall as the rest of the team made just 1 of 11 three pointers! Look for the Friars to struggle on the road here and the Blue Demons take advantage with a big home court win as they get revenge for a pair of tight losses last season versus Providence including one in double OT! 10* DEPAUL +1.5

NBA Earliest Cash Friday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 1:10 ET - The Celtics are without leading scorer Jayson Tatum. The Suns have struggled recently and that has led to line value in this spot as it has kept the line lower than it should be. Boston has struggled and lost 3 straight games SU and now has lost 8 of last 11 games. Phoenix has won 11 of 14 road games SU this season and they get the win and cover in this one as home team struggles without Tatum and plus without Dennis Schroder and also Marcus Smart still dealing with a hand injury. 10* PHOENIX -4.5

CBB Contrarian Crusher Wednesday 10* Top Play Mississippi State Bulldogs -2.5 vs Arkansas Razorbacks @ 5 ET - Bulldogs got blasted at Arkansas by double digits last season. That takes the run to 32-12 SU for the home team in match-ups between these foes. Mississippi State should keep that home trend going here and they are 15-4-1 ATS in the last 20 meetings as a host against the Razorbacks. I look for a big key here to be that home court edge and also how it impacts the shooting of these two teams. Arkansas has been horrible both inside and outside the 3-point line in terms of shooting percentages away from home this season. The Bulldogs have been rock solid in terms of the shooting percentages at home this season with 50.2% and 40.6% overall and outside the arc, respectively. Lay the short number here. 10* MISSISSIPPI STATE -2.5

NBA PA Dominator Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -6.5 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - The Raptors roster is severely depleted by covid right now. Even though Pascal Siakam and Gary Trent Jr should return tonight they could be on minutes restrictions and this is still a team expected to be without its top two scorers. Both Fred VanVleet and OG Anunoby are expected to still be out for this one. Keep in mind the #3 and #4 scorers are Siakam and Trent so this team is far from 100 percent right now. Also, the road team has won and covered each of the last two meetings between these teams and that includes a road win for the Raptors at Philly last month which makes this a revenge game for the Sixers. With revenge on their side, including the playoff loss a few years ago in a season that ended in Toronto for Embiid and Philly, I am expecting the 76ers to come up big here and take advantage of a short-handed Raptors team. Lay it! 10* PHILADELPHIA -6.5

NBA Earliest Cash Monday 10* Top Play Houston Rockets +6.5 @ Charlotte Hornets @ 7:10 ET - The Hornets are missing a few key players. The Rockets are getting a little healthier and could have a few key guys back on the floor for this one. That said, I like the value with the under-valued underdog in this one. Charlotte is off a win but has not won back to back games since before Thanksgiving. Don't be surprised if the road dogs get the outright upset here but, of course, I am grabbing the points as added insurance. Charlotte was only 3-9 last 12 before most recent win and 2 of those 3 wins were by a margin of just 3 or less points! Tremendous underdog value here especially considering the current covid/injury issues for each club. 10* HOUSTON +6.5

CBB ACC Network Blowout Monday 10* Top Play Brown Bears +10 @ Syracuse Orange @ 6 ET - With all the time off between games for these teams I feel it strongly favors a double-digit dog. That's because it could be a bit of a sloppy game with a tough flow to it. That equates to a game in which it is hard to establish a big lead and maintain it. Yes Syracuse is the better team from the bigger conference. However, the Orange playing for the first time since over two weeks ago. Also, that was a loss that wrapped up a 2-5 stretch for Syracuse and one of those two wins was by just two points in double overtime. The Bears off a loss versus Vermont but it was by only a 5-point margin and Brown entered that game having won 4 straight. Two Bears losses that immediately preceded the 4-game winning streak were by 6 or less points. Tremendous value with the points here as I look for it to be tough for Syracuse to pull away as both teams show some rust in this game after the long layoff. 10* BROWN +10

NBA PA Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -3 or -3.5 @ Washington Wizards @ 6:10 ET - The Wizards are expected to be without one of their top scorers as Bradley Beal likely to miss due to covid protocols. The Sixers will take advantage with fresh legs for both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris and I expect each of them to play in this game. Either way, I like Philly in this match-up as the Sixers have won 9 of last 11 meetings between these teams and this is a small number to lay so a SU win should equate to an ATS win as well. I know the Sixers have been struggling but this looks like an ideal bounce back spot as Washington will be short-handed and is also just 1-3 SU and ATS last 3 home games. That trend continues here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3 or -3.5

CBB Game of the Week Saturday 10* Top Play Wyoming Cowboys -7.5 vs South Florida @ 1:30 PM ET @ Stan Sheriff Center in Honolulu, Hawaii - This game is the battle for 5th place in this tournament and it has a local start time of 8:30 AM ET on Christmas Day. That is very tough on teams even though the players have been in Hawaii for some time already. It is just tough to play early morning basketball and to shoot well that early in the day. That said, I feel this situation strongly favors the much better team on offense. Wyoming shoots about 10 percentage points higher both inside and outside the arc and also averages about 20 points more per game on the season! With that said, a South Florida team that often struggles to score points is likely in trouble in this early morning start! Also, the Bulls are off a rare win where they did score well. Keep in mind, this is a USF team that is 0-4 SU this season when off a win. Yes, South Florida has yet to win back to back games this season. The Cowboys have 10 SU wins this season and 9 of those in lined games and they have had only 1 ATS loss in those 9 victories! Lay it! 10* WYOMING -7.5

NBA Earliest Blowout Saturday 10* Top Play New York Knicks -6 vs Atlanta Hawks @ 12:10 ET - Trae Young has been ruled out for this game so that explains the Hawks being an underdog of about a half dozen points in this one. New York is at home and the Knicks, very short-handed Thursday, actually impressed me with their efforts. I had Washington in that one and we got the well-deserved win but I did like what I saw from the Knicks. That said, they will be in a little better shape health-wise for this one and they catch the Hawks missing a very key player, Young, among others who could miss as well due to covid. This is the first time the Knicks have hosted the Hawks since Atlanta knocked them out of the post-season here at Madison Square Garden back in early June. That said, we have plenty of motivational factors working in our favor here as well. Yes the Knicks won at Atlanta last month but they have waited a long time for this chance to exact some revenge at home as well. I look for them to get it and for it to be a solid win by 9 or more points just like their 9-point win last month. 10* NEW YORK -6 

NBA Earliest Blowout Thursday 10* Top Play Washington Wizards -1 @ New York Knicks @ 7:40 ET - The Knicks have been greatly impacted by covid. That is why the Wizards are a small favorite here and is also why I will gladly take them in this spot! Washington has triple revenge from losing all 3 meetings with New York last season. The Wizards are off a big road win at Utah and have picked up 4 road wins since Thanksgiving so it is not as if Washington does not win on the road. Also, the Knicks are just so depleted in terms of their roster right now and this is a New York team which is off a win versus Detroit but this followed losses in 8 of last 10 games. 10* WASHINGTON

NBA Earliest Dominator Wednesday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers +6.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:40 ET - The Cavaliers have won and covered 6 straight games and overall are on an incredible 13-1 ATS run. The Celtics are off a home loss to Philly and have lost 5 of last 7 games SU. The Cavaliers have revenge from loss in most recent meeting between these teams and, keep in mind, before that defeat Cleveland had won 3 straight meetings with Boston. The Cavs have an incredible overall ATS record on the season plus are 10-5 SU in road games this season. Look for those trends to continue here. 10* CLEVELAND +6.5

CBB Contrarian Crusher Wednesday 10* Top Play Tennessee Volunteers -1.5 vs Arizona Wildcats @ 7 ET - The Wildcats are 11-0 this season and the Volunteers already have 2 losses. Must be something wrong with this line, right? After all, how can Arizona be an underdog when they have not lost a game all season? Precisely! The point is that Tennessee is the favorite for a reason! Don't let the line fool you. The fact is that the Volunteers have played a bit of a tougher schedule and their two losses were to Villanova and Texas Tech, the latter of which was in overtime. The Vols have the rest edge here too since their most recent game, versus Memphis, was cancelled. Home court edge, rest edge, and in my opinion a slight strength of schedule edge so far this season. Two high-quality programs but watch the hosts surprise a lot of people when the knock off an undefeated team that is ranked among the top teams in the country. 10* TENNESSEE -1.5

NBA Divisional Annihilation Saturday 10* Top Play New York Knicks +4.5 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:10 ET - The covid protocol situation suddenly impacting all sports in a heavy way is going to make things even tougher on teams in back to back situations. That is the situation tonight for Boston and the Celtics expended a lot of energy in battling back against the Warriors last night only to ultimately fall short anyway. This back to back spot will be very tough on Boston while New York comes in rested and off a win at Houston Thursday. That said, value with the underdog in this one. I know that neither team has been playing very well but the situation makes the underdog very attractive in this one. 10* NEW YORK +4.5

NBA Southeast Division Game of the Year Friday 10* Top Play Orlando Magic +7.5 vs Miami Heat @ 7:10 ET - Still have football fever? Look at this game in this way then - the Heat opened up favored by a field goal and now are favored by a touchdown :) - but in all seriousness, I love fading the line move here. Miami was favored by 3 and now is favored by 7 in this one and they are still without Butler and Adebayo. I know Orlando has had a very rough season but, keep in mind, 4 of their last 8 games were either an outright win (Denver) or a loss by 5 or less points (3 of the defeats). The Magic also beat Utah here in Orlando earlier this season and they are catching the wounded Heat off a hard-fought win over the 76ers in Philly. This looks like the ideal flat spot for Miami. The Magic failed to cover at Miami earlier this season but had gone 3-0 ATS in the 3 meetings preceding that one. The Magic get up for facing the in-state rival Heat and I look for them to get the job done here and an upset would not surprise me as Miami has struggled on the road this season and are battling injuries. 10* ORLANDO +7.5

CBB Earliest Blowout Friday 8* Liberty Flames -3 @ East Carolina Pirates @ 1:30 ET - The Flames are very well coached and returned most of their key guys from last season. Liberty enters this game off a confidence-boosting dominating win. Yes, the Flames come from the Atlantic Sun Conference and that is certainly weaker than the American Athletic where East Carolina resides. However, the Pirates have not been on the same level that Liberty has in recent seasons and being a top team in the Atlantic Sun trumps being one of the bottom teams in the American Athletic. This line is small enough that I am comfortable laying this number with a well-coached Flames team in this tournament setting. 8* LIBERTY -3

CBB Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Incarnate Word Cardinals +17.5 @ Rice Owls @ 12:15 ET - I know Rice is the better team from the bigger conference but don't be surprised if the Cardinals hang around in this game. Incarnate Word lost some key guys from last season but have received bigger contributions than expected from some newcomers and this is a well-coached team too. That said, even though they have a tough 2-8 SU record note that they have won 2 of last 3 games and also 3 of their last 6 losses have been by a single digit margin. Rice, looking at their last 7 games, have won 4 of 7 but 3 of the 4 wins by 15 points or less including two by just 5 points and one of those was in triple OT. The Owls get the win here but look for it to be by single digits. 10* INCARNATE WORD +17.5

NBA PA Dominator - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -6 vs Miami Heat @ 7:10 ET - Joel Embiid (ribs) did participate in the morning shootaround. That is no guarantee he will play but it is a good sign for the 76ers. Either way we do the Heat will not have Bam Adebayo or Jimmy Butler and I look for Philly to roll in this one. Philadelphia is 5-1 SU last 6 times when off a loss and the Sixers lost at Memphis in an embarrassing ugly blowout loss to the Grizzlies by 35 points. Bounce back time here at home. Miami is off a road loss and is now on a 1-5 ATS run in road games. 10* PHILADELPHIA -6

NBA Contrarian Dominator Sunday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks -4 @ Oklahoma City Thunder @ 7:10 ET - Luka Doncic is out for this game. Of course that is factored into this line however and I am going to lay the small number with Dallas on the road. The Mavericks fell apart in the 4th quarter at Indiana Friday after Doncic got hurt. Also, he made just 1 of 8 three pointers and the team made just 4 of 29! No wonder the Mavs lost by 13 with ridiculous numbers like that. In fact, Dallas actually outscored the Pacers by 14 not including 3-pointers. In other words, the horrible 3-point shooting of the Mavs was the difference in the game and that won't be repeated here against a bad Thunder team. Yes, OKC had B2B wins before losing to the Lakers Friday but, prior to those two wins Oklahoma City had lost 10 of 11 games. Only 1 of their last 11 losses by less than 4 points. Each of the Mavs last 6 wins by 8 or more points. Each of last 3 games between these teams decided by 8 or more points and the Mavs took 2 of the 3 and I look for guys to step up with Doncic out and help lead the Mavericks to a big road win in this one. 10* DALLAS -4

NBA Dominator Saturday 10* Top Play Denver Nuggets Pick @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - In games played since Thanksgiving, Denver is 3-0 SU/ATS when they enter a game off a loss. After losing at San Antonio Thursday (Nuggets were in a B2B by the way), Denver should respond here. They get a chance at immediate revenge against the Spurs and note that in each of the past 6 meetings between these teams there has never been a case where there the Nuggets did not get either the SU or ATS win or both in back to back games. Throughout calendar year 2021 that trend has held true and with Denver failing to cover or win outright in the loss Thursday at San Antonio, look for them to get payback Saturday. Of course with this line a pick'em, any SU win also an ATS win for the Nuggets and I look for them to get it done in a big way here! 10* DENVER Pick'em

CBB Non-Conf Game of the Month Saturday 10* Top Play Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets +8 vs LSU Tigers @ 6 ET - The Yellow Jackets are a scrappy underdog with a strong backcourt. The backcourt depth they have is going to give LSU some trouble here in this one. Georgia Tech going to be tough for the Tigers to put away especially with this game being played at Atlanta. We get line value here too because LSU is undefeated on the season. The Tigers are 8-0 SU this season but barely snuck into the top 25 and that is because their strength of schedule thus far is absolutely a concern. We take advantage here with a Yellow Jackets team that is off B2B losses but actually led North Carolina in the 2nd half of the eventual loss by a double digit margin. Just too many points here in a game that should be ultra competitive all the way through and I look for better shooting down the stretch for the Jackets here after that tough performance against the Tar Heels as the 2nd half wore on. Battle tested and a hungry home dog combine for strong odds of the host getting the money in this one. 10* GEORGIA TECH 

CBB TV Rout Saturday 8* Illinois Illini +3 vs Arizona Wildcats @ 5 ET - This line has jumped from Illinois being the favorite at home to now being a 3-point dog as of Saturday about 6 hours before tipoff. I like the home dog Illini to surprise in this one. Yes, Arizona is undefeated SU on the season but this game was originally priced this way for a reason and lets not forget the hosts in this match-up have won 5 straight games and will be very tough to beat in this game. With the confidence boost of the recent win over a solid Iowa team as well, look for the Illini to surprise a lot of people with an upset win in this one. 8* ILLINOIS

Perfection Play Friday NBA 10* Dallas Mavericks +2 vs Indiana Pacers @ 7:10 ET - The road team is on a perfect 4-0 SU and ATS run in meetings between these teams the past two seasons. Home court just has not mattered in their recent match-ups and I do not expect it to matter here either. The Mavericks are off a win and very hungry to build a win streak again like they did in early to mid November when they won 5 of 6 games. Consistency key for this Dallas team right now and they circled this 3-game road trip (began with win at Memphis Wednesday) as a chance to get things rolling again as they wrap up at Oklahoma City Sunday. I like the fact that, in addition to the 4-0 trend above, we also have a situation that is 3-0 this season going against Indiana. The Pacers enter this game off B2B wins and they have yet to win 3 straight this season. Indiana is 0-3 this season when they enter a game off B2B wins. Look for all these trends to continue Friday. 10* DALLAS +2

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (+) vs Utah Jazz @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers seek revenge for a 35 point blowout at Utah last month. The home team is now a perfect 5-0 SU and ATS in last 5 meetings between these teams and that trend should continue here. Philly has been playing better as they have gotten healthier and now have won 3 straight games. The Jazz off a win and cover last night but were on a 2-5 ATS run in the 7 games prior to last night's contest. So Utah is off a win and cover but they have not won and covered both games of a back to back yet this season and that is another trend I don't expect to change tonight either. This is their 4th back to back this season and I look for them to continue to struggle to put together back to back wins in these spots. 10* PHILADELPHIA +3.5

CBB Earliest Rout - 10* Top Play Texas Longhorns +1 @ Seton Hall Pirates @ 6:30 ET - Historically line flips like this don't seem to go well for those who follow the money. The point is when a line flips and a team that was the underdog becomes the favorite if you play that team that becomes the favorite and has been steamed by the betting markets it just does not work out well. I expect that long-term trending to continue here as Seton Hall was a 2.5 point dog and is now favored and I like UT considering that situation. The Longhorns want to atone for their lone loss this season which was an embarrassing one against Gonzaga. Now here is their first chance against a quality team since that ugly loss to the Bulldogs. The Pirates have won 7 of 8 games this season and that is why we're getting line value here with a ranked among the top ten teams in the nation. I'll take it! 10* TEXAS +1

NBA Non-Conf Game of the Month - 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks +4 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:35 ET - I am grabbing the home dog in a great situation here. Dallas is off back to back ATS losses and they have performed very well ATS when in that situation this season. Also, Kristaps Porzingis is upgraded to probable for this one and Luka Doncic was at practice yesterday and is simply dealing with a sore ankle. I don't see him missing this game even though he is listed as questionable. Mavericks are 3-0 SU and ATS last 3 meetings with Brooklyn. The Nets enter this game on a stretch that has seen them cover just 1 time in their last 9 games! 10* DALLAS +4

CBB Game of the Week - 10* Top Play Virginia Cavaliers -4.5 @ James Madison @ 6:30 ET - This line was as high as a 6.5 and then dropped to as low as a 4. Long-time followers know I like to fade line moves. I feel we are getting excellent line value here with the Cavaliers. Yes the Dukes have the better record early this season but consider the competition they have faced. This is no disrespect to James Madison but they play in the Colonial Athletic Association. Virginia, on the other hand, plays in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Cavs projected by many to finish in the top 3 or 4 in the ACC while the Dukes also expected to be top 3 or 4 in their conference but again that is the CAA. Yes James Madison is at home for this game but I just think Virginia's defense is going to be too much for this Dukes team. Two years ago when these teams met the Cavaliers won 65 to 34. I am not saying this game but will be like that but I am just saying I do not think the gap has closed so much between these teams. Tony Bennett one of the best coaches in college hoops and I do expect a victory by about a 10 point margin in this one as they dial up the defense again in this one. 10* VIRGINIA -4.5

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -7 @ Charlotte @ 7:10 ET - I expect Tobias Harris to be back tonight as his illness was non-covid related and the Sixers have had two off days since knocking off the Hawks on Friday. Philly showed great resilience in that game and, even if Harris does not play, I like them here. The 76ers have allowed an average of 93 points per game last 3 while the Hornets, NOT even including OT points, have allowed 131 points per game last 4 games. This is also the front end of a 2-game set as these teams meet again in Charlotte Wednesday. That said, the road team should be fully focused on the task at hand here and I look for the team that is much better defensively to prevail by double digits. 10* PHILADELPHIA -7

CBB Earliest Rout - 10* Top Play Texas Southern Tigers +23 @ Florida Gators @ 6 ET - Texas Southern comes from a weak conference and they are 0-7 to start this season but the Tigers have played a brutal non-conference schedule. Keep in mind, we are not asking them to win this game but, rather, just to cover. This line is inflated because Texas Southern just had their worst loss of the season and because the Gators are off their first loss of the season. I feel the result here is solid line value as this Tigers team won their First Four game in NCAA Tourney last season and then lost to Michigan but by much less than the spread on this game. Also, the first 6 losses for Texas Southern this season came by an average margin of 10 points and this included some tough competition. Florida started the season 6-0 SU but 4 of the 6 wins were by less than the spread on this game. Just too many points here as the Tigers are hungry to be much more competitive in this game than their most recent and should shoot the ball much better in this one after a horrible shooting effort in prior game. Florida gets back on track and gets a big win here but I expect that big win to fall in a range of 12 to 18 points. 10* TEXAS SOUTHERN +23

NBA Game of the Week - 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -5.5 vs Miami Heat @ 8:10 ET - Giannis is likely to be out for this game for the Bucks. However, Butler and Adebayo both likely to miss for the Heat. That said, I love the situational aspect of this game as Milwaukee is seeking revenge for a 137 to 95 loss at Miami early this season. Also, the Bucks are off a loss but this was preceded by 9 straight wins SU and a 4-1 ATS run. Heat are off a win but this was preceded by a 2-4 SU run and 1-5 ATS run. 10* MILWAUKEE -5.5

CBB Rivalry Rout  - 10* Top Play Rhode Island Rams +6 @ Providence Friars @ 2 ET - I really like the scrappy Rams getting points in this rivalry match-up. Rhode Island has shot the ball very well early this season and also defended very well. The Rams are more talented than many realize and they seem to have jelled well early this season which is always important. Rhode Island is catching the Friars off a tight, hard-fought win over Texas Tech so the set-up is perfect here. 3 of Providence's last 5 wins by 5 or less points. The average margin of the Rams two losses just 3.5 points. In a game that should go to the wire and does have potential for an outright upset, I love having the sizable points here. Strong shooting early this season, hitting the boards hard, and playing solid defense. Like what the Rams are doing and they are catching rival Providence at the right time to spring the upset. Grab the points as added insurance. 10* RHODE ISLAND +6

NBA ESPN Rout - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - The first thought here might be revenge on the part of the Hawks since they got blasted at Philly earlier this season. However, two key points relating to that. One is that the Sixers, despite that win, still have much to atone for here as they lost in the post-season to the Hawks last season and they are very hungry for a win at Atlanta. Also, the 76ers - in comparison with Atlanta - are now the much healthier team. In the only meeting between these teams this season nearly 40% of Atlanta's points came from Reddish, Bogdanovich, and Hunter. The latter two of those guys are out for tonight and Reddish has been downgraded to doubtful. The Hawks, simply put, are short-handed for this one in a big way while Philly - despite some recent struggles still - is much healthier now than they have been in a long time. That said, a lot of line value here with the road dog. 10* PHILADELPHIA +2.5

CBB Early Blowout - 10* Top Play Boston College Eagles +5 vs Notre Dame Fighting Irish @ 6 ET - This Eagles team has new energy in the program based on some new faces on the team as well as a new head coach and he came in with a solid track record too. I like the hard-nosed gritty attitude that Boston College has. They are one of the lesser talented teams in the ACC but they battle so hard and they are known for battling the Irish particularly tough when they face them at Chestnut Hill. This one should go down to the wire as the Eagles are 5-0 SU at home this season and Notre Dame has a 3-3 SU record but the 3 wins were against weaker foes and the Fighting Irish have struggled some when stepping up in terms of level of competition. This will be a fierce battle as a result and is also just the 2nd true road game for Notre Dame this season. An outright upset will not be a total shock but certainly the points provide valuable added insurance I will not pass up on in this one. 10* BOSTON COLLEGE +5

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -3.5 @ Toronto Raptors @ 7:40 ET - I know this is a back to back for the Bucks but they are 2-0 SU L2 times in the 2nd game of a B2B and each win by 9 or more points. Also, the road team 3-0 SU and ATS in last 3 meetings between these teams. Additionally, Milwaukee has won 8 straight games while the Raptors have lost 10 of last 13 games. Toronto has been held to 97 points or less in 3 straight games and the last two of those were at home. Bucks averaging 111.5 points per game on the road this season and they have been hot. 10* MILWAUKEE -3.5

CBB Early Crusher - 10* Top Play Northern Kentucky Norse +4 @ Cleveland State Vikings @ 7 ET - Double revenge spot from last season as the Vikings took B2B meeting in January. The Norse are 1-3 SU this season and 0-4 ATS but have played the tougher competition overall in comparison with Cleveland State so far this season. Yes, the Vikings are 4-2 SU this season and, statistically, look like the better team on paper. But, as the saying goes, the teams do not play the games on paper! Two quality Horizon League programs but I like the value of the revenge-minded underdog that has played the tougher schedule thus far this season. 10* NORTHERN KENTUCKY +4

NBA TV Rivalry Rout - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers +3 @ Boston Celtics @ 7:40 ET - The Sixers are finally getting healthy and after a double-OT loss and a narrow win have been how the first two games have played out, look for the third time to be the charm! Yes, barring something unforeseen, this should be the 3rd game with both Joel Embiid and Tobias Harris on the floor together. The 76ers won all 3 games against the Celtics last season after Boston knocked them out of the post-season in 2020. There is a special disdain that Philly has for Boston in the sports world and it certainly carries over to this long-time NBA rivalry. Philadelphia will be hungry for a big win over their rivals as they make up for lost time when they have been without key players like Harris for Embiid for extended stretches this season. It has made them a bit disjointed but they can start to turn the corner now. At the same time, Celtics might rest Jaylen Brown tonight and, either way, he could be somewhat limited with his ongoing hamstring injury. Also, Boston is off a big win and cover at Toronto but they are 0-4 ATS the last 4 times they entered a game off an ATS win. The Sixers won the 3 games last season by average of 10 points and each victory was by 8 or more points. I look for that trend to continue here! 10* PHILADELPHIA +3

CBB Game of the Month - 10* Top Play Pittsburgh Panthers +3 vs Minnesota Golden Gophers @ 7 ET - Part of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. I know that Pittsburgh has disappointed early this season but there were some foul trouble factors in their most recent loss to UMBC and the Retrievers also were insanely hot from 3-point land in that game. The Panthers will bounce back here and as I mentioned in my November 14th write-up about Minnesota: "The Golden Gophers are in rebuild mode. Yes Minnesota is a Big Ten school and is commanding more respect from the betting markets than an Ivy League school does but this is merely serving to give us some extra line value here with a solid Princeton team." Ultimately I lost that pick with the underdog Tigers in double OT but my feelings are the same and this Minny team now facing its first true road game tough test. Pitt is normally a tough place to play and I know that has not been the case early this season but this Panthers team can turn the tables in a hurry and I know they will come out highly motivated in this one and I expecting a massive effort. Love the fact that the betting markets saw this line open up at 2.5 with an undefeated Minnesota team taking on a 2-4 Panthers team. You know the world is going to be lining up on the Gophers here. In typical contrarian fashion, give me the home dog no one will want in this one. 10* PITTSBURGH 

NBA Early Annihilation - 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 vs Minnesota Timberwolves @ 6:10 ET - The Sixers have a huge rest edge here as they were off Thursday and Friday. Not only did the Timberwolves play yesterday on Friday, they also were in action on Wednesday which makes this a back to back and 3rd game in 4 days scenario. The Sixers could get Embiid and Harris both back for this one. Either way, the 76ers get it done in this one! Philly is off an ugly loss at Golden State but had won 2 of 3 before that and is ready to turn the tide back east after a rough trip out west. Getting healthier and back on the east coast will get the Sixers going again. Minnesota is 2-4 last 6 road games and has allowed 123 points or more in all 4 of those defeats away from home. More of the same expected here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5

Early Dominator - NBA 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns -3 @ New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - The Suns have won 14 straight games but are on the road and facing a Knicks team that just beat the Lakers and so they are getting a little extra respect from the betting markets here. I feel New York is getting a little too much respect though! The Knicks are off a win but have not won back to back games since October! In fact, prior to beating LA, New York had lost 7 of 11 games. Now they host a Phoenix team whose 14 straight wins feature only one by less than 4 points and that was a 3 point win. The Suns are 3-0 against the East and 7-1 on the road this season. Knicks are only 5-5 at home this season and were on an overall 3-9 ATS run before getting the cover versus Lakers. Lay the points with short road favorite. 10* PHOENIX -3

NBA Game of the Month - 10* Top Play Boston Celtics +1 vs Brooklyn Nets @ 7:40 ET - The Celtics are seeking revenge for the playoff exit (in 5 games) to the Nets that ended their season last year. Brown and Richardson both listed as questionable for this game. I expect both will end up playing but even if the they did not (Brown being the bigger key), note that Celtics have been playing well even in games he has recently missed. Brown just came back from injury on Monday so he had a day off heading into this game and has a day off after this game too so, in terms of minutes management, I do expect him to be a go in this big game tonight. The key about big games is also the key to this play by the way. So often this season the Nets have struggled in the biggest of games while Boston has been much better in the big games against tough competition. I look for that trend to continue on Wednesday night. The Celtics enter this game having won 3 straight and 8 of 11 games and the Nets have been piling up wins lately too but against bad teams. Keep in mind they lost games against the Warriors, Bucks, and Heat and those were all double digit losses this season. Look for the hungry Celtics to get their revenge here. 10* BOSTON +1

Situational Slaughter - 10* Top Play St Mary's Gaels +1.5 vs Wisconsin Badgers @ 5 ET - The Badgers off huge upset win over Oregon. Johnny Davis scored 30 points in that game but the rest of the team scored only 35 points. Also, the Ducks did a great job on him in the 2nd half and held Wisconsin to only 25 points total in the 2nd half of the near comeback win. That said, you can bet the Gaels will have some defensive focus centered around slowing Davis down. St Mary's has a veteran team and the Badgers are the much younger team in this match-up and the Gaels just knocked off Oregon by double digits yesterday. Keep in mind the Gaels are the #2 team in their conference but that #1 team is Gonzaga and, of course, the Bulldogs are the best team in the nation as they continue to prove on a game by game basis. That said, this Gaels team is flying a bit under the radar but they are really good and, after a poor shooting season last year, the shots have been falling much better for them this season and they keep that going here! 10* ST MARY'S +1.5

Daytime Dominator - 8* Houston Cougars -6 vs Oregon Ducks @ 2:30 ET - Yesterday I faded the Cougars with Wisconsin and the Badgers got the outright upset win. However, Houston was down by 20 at the half and very nearly came all the way back for the win. This is a very good Cougars team and they will bounce back off that loss. I like the fact that they are facing a Ducks team today that is off a double digit loss to St Mary's and also got crushed by 32 by BYU this season too. Houston had been undefeated before yesterday's loss and all the Cougars wins had been by 8 or more points with 3 of the 4 victories by 18 or more points. 8* HOUSTON -6

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons +10 vs Miami Heat @ 7 ET - The Pistons have covered 6 of last 8 games (compared to opening number). They continue to fight hard and, as a result, have only 2 losses by more than 5 points out of their last 8 games. With Miami laying double digits on the road here in the front end of a back to back, we have excellent line value with a motivated home dog still a bit steamed from blowing game versus Lakers Sunday and with the whole LeBron James - Isaiah Stewart incident. Stewart is out for this game as a result but these Pistons continue to battle hard and this game is decided by single digits. 10* DETROIT +10

CBB Tourney Dominator - 10* Top Play Wisconsin Badgers +8 vs Houston Cougars @ 5 ET - The Cougars are highly ranked and off a dominating win over Butler yesterday. However, Wisconsin is a solid team that is 4-1 this season and off a solid win over Texas A & M yesterday. The Badgers only loss this season was to Providence. Not only are the Friars a very deep and veteran team, Wisconsin was without Johnny Davis in that game. He is currently the Badgers leading scorer and combines in the backcourt with Brad Davison to give Wisconsin a solid 1-2 punch. Those guys are the top two scorers for the Badgers and they combined for 40 points in yesterday's win over the Aggies in the Maui Invitational being held here in Vegas where I live. I am following the tournament action and feel we have strong value here in a game projected to be very low-scoring and yet where were are getting significant points with a solid underdog. I'll take it! Yes the Cougars have been playing very well but this is a challenging match-up for them. 10* WISCONSIN +8

NBA Contrarian Crusher - 10* Top Play Detroit Pistons +7.5 - There is a chance LeBron James won't play for LA tonight and, even if he does, he is not 100% just yet as he recovers from oblique injury. The Lakers have lost 3 straight and the Pistons showed a lot of heart at home against Golden State on Friday when they battled to what ultimately ended up being a 3-point defeat. That said, I like the home dog value with a scrappy Detroit team that certainly has been showing they will not quit on games. Prior to the 3 point loss to the Warriors, the Pistons had covered 4 of 6 games and I feel strongly they will bring a highly motivated effort hosting the Lakers tonight. 10* DETROIT +7.5

NBA Earliest Cash - 10* Top Play HOUSTON +11.5 - The Rockets are having a very rough season and have lost 13 straight games. You know they are hungry to end that streak and they catch a Knicks team that is in the front end of a B2B as they are at Chicago tomorrow night. That said, I feel we have great line value here with with big points. New York is only 3-6 SU last 9 games. The Knicks last five wins have featured only one by a margin of more than 8 points. Right or not the Rockets view this as a winnable game and they are desperate to stop their streak. That said, even if they do fall short, you can see why the loss is likely to be a margin in the single digits. 10* HOUSTON +11.5

Early Punisher - NBA 10* DETROIT +7 - The Warriors might rest Stephen Curry here. 2nd game of a back to back and 3rd game in 4 days. Even if he plays this Golden State team has to be running out of gas here. It actually will be their 8th game in 12 days during what has been a brutal scheduling stretch. I know the Warriors found a way last night but what a miracle cover it was. They outscored the Cavaliers 36 to 8 in the 4th quarter. Suffice to say they used a lot of energy in coming back for that win and unreal cover as a big favorite. They will struggle to put away a rested Detroit team. The Pistons are playing just their 6th game in 15 days. Also, Detroit is off a home win versus Indiana and are now on a 4-2 ATS run. They have been playing much more competitive and will be up for this game at home and a chance to knock off Curry and Company - whether he plays or not. 10* DETROIT +7

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #504 Thursday 10* Top Play Cleveland Cavaliers +8.5 vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:40 ET - Yes, this is the 2nd game of B2B for Cavaliers but at least they are at home and they did put up a good fight at Brooklyn. This Cleveland team is not showing any quit. That is why the Cavs entered last night's game on a 10-2-1 ATS run. As for the Warriors, everyone knows they have been red hot. But now this is the 1st game of a B2B and it is after the big marquee game win at Brooklyn Tuesday and Steph Curry is dealing with a sore hip. That means even if Curry plays he could be limited and also it means the red Warriors will need to hold a little something back for Friday's game at Detroit. That said, Golden State has played a home heavy schedule and though they are now 4-1 SU in road game this season, the Warriors had only 1 road win by more than 8 points prior to Tuesday's big win at Brooklyn. Considering the full situation here, I see GS in a battle just to win this game let alone cover the big road number. The value is with the home team that has been quite hot ATS for multiple weeks now. 10* CLEVELAND +8.5

Philly Special - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #758 Thursday 10* Top Play Temple Owls +5.5 vs Clemson Tigers @ 4:30 ET - The Tigers have yet to play a strong team. Also, this Clemson team is going to really be hurting after the loss of some key players from last season and, in particular, that includes Aamir Simms. As for Temple, they already became battle-tested by having to battle USC in their most recent game. The Owls lost but it was good they had to battle with a solid Pac-12 team like the Trojans. Temple returns most of their key players from last season and they were heavily impacted by Covid last season so don't judge them too quickly on those results. This Owls team is highly talented and has experience and I look for them to surprise here. Yes the location of this game favors the Tigers but there is a reason this game for the Owls against an ACC school was priced this way. I look for them to surprise here and if they do fall short of the upset look for it only to be by a bucket or two. 10* TEMPLE +5.5

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #566 Wednesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -9 vs Cleveland Cavaliers @ 7:40 ET - The Nets off embarrassing home loss to Warriors last night. They will respond here. Brooklyn is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season when off a loss. Also, this is their 3rd back to back this season. So far each one featured a double digit win and a double digit loss. That pattern continues here. After getting blown out last night, the Nets are on the right end of the blowout tonight. I know Cleveland has been a pleasant surprise this season thus far but the Cavaliers, between injury and illness, are missing too many guys right now. 10* BROOKLYN -9

TNT Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #552 Tuesday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -2.5 vs Golden State Warriors @ 7:35 ET - Two strong teams matched up here but I feel the home team is offering excellent value. Brooklyn will make the most of this opportunity as it is their first home game since nearly two weeks ago. The edge the Nets have here is catching the Warriors playing the 2nd road game of a 4-game trip and Golden State will be playing those 4 games in just a 6 day span. Yes GS has a great record early this season but they also were helped by the fact that 10 of their first 13 games were at home to start this season. In fact, their loss at Charlotte Sunday was the Warriors first road game since the 26th of October. The Nets blew out the Warriors in both meetings last season and, while I do expect this one to be a much closer game, I still expect the hosts to prevail and easily cover this low number along the way to the victory circle in this one. 10* BROOKLYN -2.5

Early Dominator - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #688 Tuesday 10* Top Play Villanova Wildcats -25.5 vs Howard Bison @ 6:30 ET - It is not often that I lay big points but this spot is too good to pass up! The Wildcats are off a loss at UCLA Friday night and need a big bounce back. The Cats already proved in their season opener they will show no mercy on a team as they blew out Mount St. Mary's by 40 points. By the way, that team is in the Northeast Conference and expected to contend for the league title in a conference that certainly is a little tougher than the Mid-Eastern Conference that Howard resides in. Also, the Bison are expected to finish in the lower half of the conference and the Mid-Eastern is arguably the weakest in Division 1 basketball. Keep in mind, Howard is off the upset win at Bradley Saturday but the Braves missed half of their 26 free throws and shot horribly from 3-point land while the Bison lit it up from outside. Bradley outrebounded Howard by a big margin too. So the fact Howard, first two games were non-lined, is 3-0 this season is merely helping to give us line value here because the Wildcats are vastly superior and at home and are angry off a loss. Considering all these factors, another win in the 40-point range would not surprise me in the least. Either way big blowout by 30+ is likely. 10* VILLANOVA -25.5

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #803 Monday 10* Top Play Bowling Green Falcons +16.5 @ Ohio State Buckeyes @ 6:30 ET - You might remember I faded the Buckeyes with another MAC team, Akron, last week in their season opener and the Zips very nearly upset Ohio State. This Falcons team is just as good as Akron. Also, Bowling Green already had their "wake up call" early this season as they lost their opener to Western Carolina. The Falcons responded by winning their most recent game by 41 points. Granted it was an over-matched team they faced but BG did return 4 starters from last season's team plus they added a bevy of Division 1 transfers and I expect this Falcons team to give OSU plenty of trouble here. Keep in mind, Ohio State was fortunate to even beat Akron and they were a huge favorite in that game and won by a point on a late bucket. The Buckeyes then "responded" by beating MAAC school Niagara by only 10 even though they were a 20-point favorite. That said, a lot of value with the big MAC dog again in this one. 10* BOWLING GREEN +16.5

ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #696 Sunday 10* Top Play Princeton Tigers +2.5 vs Minnesota Golden Gophers @ 7:30 ET - The Golden Gophers are in rebuild mode. Yes Minnesota is a Big Ten school and is commanding more respect from the betting markets than an Ivy League school does but this is merely serving to give us some extra line value here with a solid Princeton team. The Tigers have outside shooters, have a solid system in place, and are the more cohesive team in comparison with Minny early this season. Yes the Gophers just upset Western Kentucky but the Tigers got an upset win of their own over South Carolina. Give me the points here as I look for the more veteran team to make the key decisions down the stretch that turn this game for them and so with them pulling away for the win we should not need the points. But I will grab them for extra value should they lose on a late bucket. 10* PRINCETON +2.5

ESPN2 Smash Pass - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #663 Saturday 10* Top Play Texas Longhorns +7.5 @ Gonzaga Bulldogs @ 10:30 ET - Gonzaga lost their top assistant coach as he went to Arizona. The Bulldogs also lost a couple key players from last year's amazing team. Make no mistake, and it goes without saying as the #1 ranked team in the nation, of course this is fantastic team in Spokane, WA. However, this UT team is for real. Texas hired away head coach Beard from rival Texas Tech and he has a bevy of fantastic assistant coaches with him and this team has added tremendous talent. Now when you add in all these factor plus the Longhorns hitting 13 of 23 three pointers in their opener while the Bulldogs shot 6 of 21 three pointers, you can see where I am going with this one. The Horns come in with the underdog mentality and an playing the disrespect card as if most give them no chance to win this game. I am here to tell you this Longhorns team is very good and extremely well-coached and they could get the upset win here! At the very least, this road dog should surely get the cover as I see this game absolutely going down to the wire. 10* TEXAS +7.5

CBB Contrarian Crusher - 10* Top Play Tarleton State Texans +27 - I know the Texans are only in their 2nd year since the jump to Division I basketball but this program is led by Billy Gillispie who has big school experience as a head coach. Tarleton State returned all 5 starters from last season's team and has other solid key reserves back as well. The Texans will do better to hang around in this game then most people are expecting. Kansas is off that big opening game win versus Michigan State so this is the perfect spot to fade them. I look for the Jayhawks to win by 15 to 20 and so we have some wiggle room with this huge line. I don't think Kansas is going to run up the score too much in this one and Gillispie is a good enough coach to get the most out of his players in a spot like this and their compete level will not stop. Just too many points! We'll take it. 10* TARLETON STATE +27

NBA TV Blowout - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #550 Thursday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Toronto Raptors @ 7:10 ET - The Sixers are off B2B home losses and have a huge 6-game road trip on deck that sees them not play again at home until after Thanksgiving Day! Suffice to say, this game carries extra importance as a result. Even though Philly is expected to still be without Joel Embiid, they could get Tobias Harris back from covid-19 protocols. Also, the Raptors are in a tough back to back spot after losing at Boston last night. Toronto has lost 3 straight games and, with this being a back to back, Pascal Siakam is expected to be rested. Look for the 76ers to get back on track with a much needed home win here. 10* PHILADELPHIA -2.5

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #747 Wednesday 10* Top Play Buffalo Bulls +13.5 @ Michigan Wolverines @ 6:30 ET - Michigan projected to be one of the best teams in the nation again this season but the Wolverines lost a ton of production from last season's team. That said, is going to take some time for this team to be firing on all cylinders. Buffalo, on the other hand, should hit the floor running - literally - as they enter this season with nearly their entire roster of starters and key returners back from last season's team. Yes the Bulls are "only" a MAC team but they are projected to be the #1 team in their conference and we are not asking them to win this game rather just to keep it respectable. That said, I love the value of the double digit points being offered in this one as I feel strongly that the Bulls are going to hang around in this one and lose by just a single digit margin. The Wolverines have the more talented players but the Bulls are the more cohesive group and that latter factor is particularly a key early in the season! 10* BUFFALO +13.5

Earliest Cash - Rickenbach CBB Rotation #605 Tuesday 10* Top Play Akron Zips +16.5 or +17 @ Ohio State Buckeyes @ 6 ET - Buckeyes are a ranked team and, as such, certainly are a high quality team. But Akron is relishing this shot against the big boys and I don't see them getting completely obliterated here. Maybe they lose by 10 or 12 but I really expect that the Zips could keep this one close in a game likely decided by a single digit margin. Ohio State actually ranked last in Big Ten defensive efficiency last season. Also, the Buckeyes lost their starting backcourt. The Zips lost their star guard but this is still a solid MAC program that brought back a lot of solid scoring talent on the wings too and has a solid interior defender. The Buckeyes are going to find out that the Zips came to play very hard in this one and I expect it to be quite the battle with Ohio State pulling away late but not by a big enough margin to cover this huge spread. 10* AKRON +16.5 or +17

Atlantic Div Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Monday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -4.5 vs New York Knicks @ 7:10 ET - The Knicks have now lost 3 of 4 and are in the 2nd game of a back to back. They rested Kemba Walker last night because it was a back to back but also it does appear he is dealing with an undisclosed injury too. Either way, I look for the Sixers to roll at home here. Philly has won 6 straight games. What preceded the 6-game win streak? A loss to the division rival Knicks. In other words, this is a payback game and the 76ers have an edge in that they were off yesterday too. That is important for big man Joel Embiid and he is coming off a strong game on Saturday as it was one of his best of the season. Putting the Ben Simmons situation out of their minds and even playing without Tobias Harris (covid), the 76ers have continued to find a way to get it done. I expect more of the same in this revenge game. Each of the Knicks losses have been by 6 or points the last 3 in the 1-3 run have all been by 9 or more points. Look for Philly to roll again and get the cover at home. Sixers on a 5-0 ATS run and Knicks on a 1-4 ATS run. 10* PHILADELPHIA -4.5

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Saturday 10* Top Play Chicago Bulls -3.5 vs Philadelphia 76ers @ 8:10 ET - Revenge game for Bulls. Yes they lost at Philly on Wednesday but it was because of sub-par shooting. It was absolutely a winnable game and I do not see them being denied in this game after they outrebounded the Sixers by a big margin but were outscored by 18 points from 3-point land. That was the difference in the game and the Bulls get some payback as the 76ers continue to deal with injury and quarantine issues and Embiid's knee is certainly nowhere near 100 percent right now either. 10* CHICAGO -3.5

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #535 Monday 10* Top Play Portland Trail Blazers +2.5 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:10 ET - I liked this situation a ton even before Joel Embiid was set to rest but now with the 76ers big man expected to miss this game I especially like the underdog in this one. The Trail Blazers have been much better with Norman Powell in the lineup and they had won 2 of his 3 games by big margins before losing at Charlotte on Saturday. However, in that defeat the Hornets simply shot a ridiculous 48% from three point land and that was the difference in the game. Now Portland bounces back off that loss and note the Blazers are 3-0 SU and ATS in their last 3 games against Philly. Also, the Trail Blazers had won 3 of 4 (all by 19 or more points) before the loss at Charlotte. They also are catching Philly off huge revenge win over the Hawks as Atlanta had knocked the 76ers out of the playoffs last season. Set ups just do not get much better than this and now, with Embiid set to rest, this easily gets my highest rating. 10* PORTLAND +2.5

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #510 Saturday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers -2.5 vs Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - Though Joel Embiid is listed as questionable again with knee soreness, the big man has yet to miss a game for the Sixers this season. I certainly do not see him missing this one either as it is a huge revenge game for Philly. While one definitely does not want to just blindly play revenge, the fact is that the favored 76ers will want this game badly after losing in the playoffs to the Hawks last season in June. Note that the home team is 5-0 ATS in Atlanta's games this season and I look for that trend to continue here as Philly is known for being tough on their home floor. 76ers off a non-covering win versus Detroit in most recent game and that is keeping this line lower than it should be. Lay the small number and look for a big home win in this one as the road teams drops to 0-6 ATS in Hawks games on the season! 10* PHILADELPHIA

Early Punisher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #529 Wednesday 10* Top Play Charlotte Hornets -5.5 @ Orlando Magic @ 7:10 ET - The Magic are still without a number of key players to begin this season. Not only is Orlando off to a tough 1-3 start to the season, the Magic have lost all 3 games by at least 17 points apiece and an average margin of defeat of 23 points! That said, it comes as no surprise that I like the Hornets to cover this rather short number that is in the range of a half-dozen points. Charlotte is off a home loss in OT versus Boston so they will be hungry to bounce back here as they had started the season 3-0 SU. I just don't see the short-handed Magic as being able to score enough to avoid a loss by a double-digit margin here. Keep in mind, Orlando is averaging only 98 points per game this season! The Hornets, not including OT, are averaging 120 points per game this season! Each of Charlotte's two road games this season resulted in wins by double digits. I fully expect this one will as well as the Hornets roll big on the road. 10* CHARLOTTE -5.5

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #525 Tuesday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Lakers -4.5 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Lakers should be fully focused here as they lost at home to the Spurs in most recent meeting. Los Angeles is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in last 4 meetings at San Antonio and the lone non-covering win was a win by 6 points which, as you can see from today's line, would get us the cash here. That said, I am laying the points here with the Lakers as LeBron James is on the injury report but I do expect him to play. Either way, I like LA here as the Spurs are not going to be a very good team this season. They lost too many key players and are rebuilding right now with young players. Also, the Spurs only SU win was over a Magic team missing a ton of their regulars. I know Lakers started slow this season and also are 0-3 ATS but I look for them to build off their first SU win of the season with another one here and I expect them to cover the small number here in the process. 10* LOS ANGELES LAKERS -4.5

Situational Slaughter - Rickenbach NBA 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks -6 @ San Antonio Spurs @ 8:40 ET - The Bucks just got absolutely destroyed at Miami. That means this is a bounce back spot for Milwaukee and they should have Jrue Holiday back for this one. Yes they are not 100% percent healthy yet for sure but that it is a big plus for them here to get Holiday back. While the Bucks also were off yesterday, the Spurs were at Denver. San Antonio coming off a game in high altitude where they expended a lot of energy. The Spurs in 2nd game of tough back to back and yes they did win their only home game so far but that was much better situation and they faced a bad Magic team missing a ton of starters. This situation is much different and features a very strong, and angry, Bucks team that is rested and in bounce back mode! 10* MILWAUKEE -6

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Friday 10* Top Play Brooklyn Nets -3 @ Philadelphia 76ers @ 7:40 ET - The Ben Simmons saga rolls on in Philly. A lot of pressure on Tobias Harris here as the Sixers are in the process of parting ways with Simmons plus Joel Embiid is now questionable for tonight's game with knee issues. That makes this a fantastic situation because Philadelphia is off a blowout win in their first game but it was against a bad Pelicans team while Brooklyn is off a blowout loss in their first game but they faced the defending champion Bucks. Not only off a loss at Milwaukee but also with an extra day of rest between games compared to Philly. The Nets also have double revenge here from losing their last two meetings with the Sixers last season. The road team is favored with good reason here! Lay it! 10* BROOKLYN -3

TNT Annihilation - Rickenbach NBA Thursday 10* Top Play Dallas Mavericks +2.5 @ Atlanta Hawks @ 7:40 ET - The Hawks are at home and had a decent record last season. That is leading to solid line value with the road dog in this one. Keep in mind, Atlanta was barely above .500 against Western Conference teams last season. Conversely, Dallas was 21-9 against Eastern Conference teams last season and that included 2-0 versus the Hawks. I still feel strongly that there exists an East-West dichotomy in the NBA and, until we see this dynamic change, there is always a bit of shading toward the West in my mind when it comes to East-West match-ups. That said, when I can get the team from the West on the road and getting points then I pay particularly close attention. Looking at this match-up, the Hawks also are a bit banged up while the Mavs appear healthy entering this one. I do expect an outright upset but will gladly grab the points as added insurance in this one. 10* DALLAS +2.5

PA Dominator - Rickenbach NBA Wednesday 10* Top Play Philadelphia 76ers (-) @ New Orleans Pelicans @ 8:10 ET - The Sixers are eager to prove that life will go on without Ben Simmons. They want to put that entire nonsense behind them and press ahead. Joel Embiid and company will dominate here as the Pelicans are without Zion Williamson to open up the season. I know Brandon Ingram is going to play for New Orleans here but he was bothered by his knee as the preseason went on. Of course Williamson and Ingram are two key players for New Orleans. As for the 76ers being without Simmons, he honestly had become more of a distraction than anything else and hurt them in the post-season with his reluctance to take shots. Look for Embiid and Tobias Harris to help lead the way to a dominating road win here as the 76ers get payback for a loss here the last time these teams met at New Orleans. 10* PHILADELPHIA -3

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #502 Tuesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 9:05 ET - Giannis Antetokounmpo is doubtful for this game. The line still may look a little steep to most considering the Bucks have been winning some games without him. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the other side of that thinking. I look for Phoenix to win this game by double digits. This is the toughest team the Bucks have faced in the post-season and they are on the road and they are not at full strength and likely without their best player. Blowout home win in the forecast here to get the finals underway. Suns on 10-3 ATS run. Milwaukee off a rare road win and cover and had been on 2-4 ATS run in road games. 10* PHOENIX

Game of the Month - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #562 Saturday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks (-) vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Giannis is more likely to miss this game than Trae Young. I just can't see Young missing a win or go home game while Giannis has the luxury of knowing there would still be a Game 7 at home in Milwaukee he can rest up for if the Bucks lose this game. Subconsciously, the Bucks could have a letdown here. They rallied the troops in the first game without Giannis on Thursday but I just don't see them again shooting 50 percent from the field without him like they did in Game 5. That said, regardless of who plays, I like the Hawks to get a big win here at home in Game 6. They did win Game 4 convincingly here without Young and even before Giannis got hurt in the 3rd quarter of that game, the Bucks were down by double digits for most of that game. Milwaukee has lost 4 of last 6 road games. The home team has won 4 of last 6 games between these teams and the Hawks held the Bucks to 39% from the field and 20% three pointers the last time these teams met in Atlanta. The home team, after being embarrassed at Milwaukee in Game 5, will respond big here in Game 6 regardless of who is on the floor. But, in that regard, the odds favor that it will be Young coming back for this one and not Giannis. Either way, the play here is the home team in a blowout. 10* ATLANTA

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #531 Wednesday 10* Top Play Phoenix Suns (+) @ Los Angeles Clippers @ 9 ET - As you know, I am not fond of laying big juice or big points and, that said, this the perfect spot to take Phoenix to finish this series off. Since the Suns are on the road, we get great line value here with this line right around a pick'em and even available at +1 for Phoenix in some spots this morning. The Suns had won 10 of 11 prior to Monday's loss and I look for them to improve to 3-0 the last 3 times they were on the road and coming off a loss. The Clippers made 54.8% of their shots from the field and I certainly do not expect that to be repeated. In fact, LA made just 32.5% of their shots in the last game here. Considering that as well as the Suns being fired up off a loss and Los Angeles still without Kawhi Leonard, look for this series to end tonight. 10* PHOENIX +1

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #522 Tuesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +230 vs Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:30 ET - Of course you can grab the Hawks at +7 if you prefer but I am grabbing the money line. I am glad we won with the Clippers last night as a plus points underdog but still kicking myself for not using their big plus money line like I did on Atlanta in Game 1 of this series when they won outright at nearly +300 odds. The fact is that the Hawks are off back to back losses now and they are 5-1 SU the last 6 times they have entered a game off consecutive losses. We are getting extra line value here because of the Trae Young injury situation but I would be shocked if he did not play and/or was not effective. Either way though I expect a huge response from the Hawks here and certainly do not expect the Bucks to shoot better than 50% from the field for a 3rd consecutive game either. Milwaukee has a solid home record but Atlanta's home record even better. Also, the Hawks were the better team for the first 3 quarters of Sunday's loss before blowing the game in the 4th quarter as they were flustered by the Young injury situation. That will not impact them here as it known he has a bone bruise and he and the Hawks rally the troops for this one. 10* ATLANTA Money Line +230

Western Conf Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #511 Monday 10* Top Play Los Angeles Clippers (+) @ Phoenix Suns @ 9:05 ET - This series has featured tight games and I am expecting another one here. The Clippers lone win was by 14 points but their 3 losses were by a total of only 11 points! That said, we have some value with the 5.5 points being offered here as the Suns, despite going against an LA team playing without Kawhi Leonard, has struggled to put them away in each game. Phoenix has made just 20 of 78 three pointers in the last 3 games in this series and that included one at home of course. The Clippers actually have shot better at Phoenix from downtown in this series as they have made 33 of 81 three pointers in the 2 games played here. That said, don't be surprised if Los Angeles finds away to stay alive in this series with an upset win here in Game 5. However, if LA does fall short, look for the points to be enough for the all-important cover in this one. 10* LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS

East Conf Finals Game of the Year - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #581 Friday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks (+) @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - Bad news for the Bucks here. The Hawks Bogdan Bogdanovic scored just 2 points on only 1 of 6 shooting in Game One as he was bothered by a sore knee and Atlanta still won the game outright. That said, I am grabbing the points here in Game Two for the same reasons I took the Hawks to win Wednesday's game outright as a +$300 money line dog. The only reason I am grabbing the points here is I would not be surprised to see the Bucks find a way to get a SU win here but I certainly don't see them getting that win by any kind of sizable margin. As mentioned in Wednesday's write-up, the Hawks are just feeling it right now and are playing with no playoff pressure on them. The Bucks, conversely, have a ton of pressure on them because of high expectations coupled with recent post-season disappointments. The loose and relaxed team is the Hawks and that makes for a very dangerous underdog. Atlanta is 6-2 SU on the road in the playoffs and they enter this game on an overall 4-1 SU run with the only loss in that stretch coming by just 5 points. The Bucks last 7 games have resulted in 3 SU losses and only 2 of the 4 SU wins for Milwaukee were by more than 4 points. You can see the value in having the points on your side with numbers like this and you know the Bucks will be geared up to not drop a 2nd consecutive home game. But again, this Hawks team is simply incredibly resilient and Trae Young right now is playing at another level that is simply phenomenal. 10* ATLANTA

Money Line Mauling - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #561 Wednesday 10* Top Play Atlanta Hawks Money Line +300 @ Milwaukee Bucks @ 8:35 ET - The Bucks beat a Nets team that was a giant mess. Kyrie Irving got hurt during series. James Harden was hurt for the key early part of the series and had no rhythm with his shooting when he came back. So basically Milwaukee beat a Brooklyn team that for much of the series was a shell of the team it should be. That does not mean the Bucks are not a rock solid team as they truly are one of the best teams in the league. But I feel strongly they are in for some "shock value" when they face Atlanta here. Yes I know the Hawks are a little banged up right now but they are not dealing with major injury issues like the Nets were. That said, Atlanta comes into this series having defeated a high-quality 76ers team that had their stars on the floor. The Hawks have plenty of momentum on their side and a confidence and a swagger that are both keys to winning on the road. Atlanta gets down double digits in a game that is still not a problem as they have shown throughout this post-season. But I actually expect the Hawks to get a great early jump on Milwaukee in this game and to play from ahead for much of the way. Trae Young is the Hawks superstar and he only played in ONE of the three games against Milwaukee in the regular season because of injuries during the year and he shot an uncharacteristic 3 of 17 in that one game. So Young essentially did nothing against the Bucks in the entire regular season series and yet Atlanta still went 1-2 in the 3 games. Also, the Hawks are on a 4-1 SU run in road games. The ATS winner has been the SU winner in 9 of Milwaukee's last 10 games. In other words, whoever you like ATS here you can certainly also feel confident about in terms of a SU win too and I am going for the big payback here. Grab the money line on the Hawks as they are rolling with confidence right now and are a cohesive group unlike the wounded and broken Nets team that the Bucks just played. 10* ATLANTA +300

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #552 Tuesday 10* Phoenix Suns (-) vs Los Angeles Clippers @ 9:05 ET - Per the zig zag theory, the Clippers are the play here since they lost Game 1. However, in typical contrarian fashion, I am on the Suns here but it certainly is not without reason. I know Phoenix is still without Paul but the Clippers still being without Leonard is an even bigger factor. Also, I love the fact that the Suns won and covered the first game despite LA having nearly twice as many free throw attempts PLUS the fact that the Clippers outscored the Suns by 21 points from the 3-point line! Yes Los Angeles hit 20 threes compared to 13 threes for Phoenix and yet they still lost the game by half a dozen points! Keep in mind, the Suns are allowing only 100 points per game last 6 home games. The Clippers have allowed 115 points last 4 road games and are missing a key defender with the aforementioned absence of Kawhi. The Suns have won 8 games in a row and all have been by 6 or more points. Look for this one to fall into that category as well! 10* PHOENIX

Contrarian Crusher - Rickenbach NBA Rotation #521 Saturday 10* Top Play Milwaukee Bucks (+) @ Brooklyn Nets @ 8:35 ET - Normally I would suggest playing the money line here but at the time of this write-up at 8 AM ET on gameday morning, the money is only +110 but the spread is +2 and that gives enough value to grab the point spread in my opinion. Why I am looking for a Milwaukee win here? As long-time followers know I am a contrarian. These teams have met 9 times this season. 3 times in the regular season and 6 times in this playoff series. The home team has won all 9 games. Then the oddsmakers opened up the Bucks as 1.5 point road favorites here. The betting markets of course are saying the oddsmakers do not know what they are doing and the line has moved 3.5 points to where it is now Brooklyn that is a 2-point favorite. Keep in mind, the Nets are without Kyrie Irving and to me the Bucks sure look like the hungrier team. They are playing with a lot of intensity and passion right now. I know Brooklyn will dig deeper at home in this Game 7 but the hungrier team and healthier team will not be denied in Game 7 no matter the venue. The Bucks did a great job in the rebounding department and in terms of getting to the free throw line in Game 6 and they will do the same here and get the road win. 10* MILWAUKEE