NBA 100 DIME GAME

NETS -3

Charlotte is only holding a playoff spot thanks to the weak Eastern Conference as a whole and the Southeast Division in particular. The Hornets have their work cut out for them as they continue to struggle closing out games. Brooklyn is still in the playoff picture and they have taken two of three this season against Charlotte, including the win on the road six days ago. The Nets are at home and we’ve seen the Hornets struggle to an 8-21 road mark this season. Give the edge to Brooklyn in this one.

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DAYTON -7.5

Rhode Island is trying to get back to the .500 mark on the season as they slumped badly of late. The Rams are on the road here, where they are 3-7 on the season, which is going to make it a tough challenge. Dayton has three straight wins and they are tied for second in the Atlantic 10 coming into this contest. The Flyers, even with a rather short rotation, has had success this year and they are 12-3 at home. You have to give the edge the Dayton in this contest as they maintain at least a share of second in the Atlantic 10.

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HARVARD -5

The Crimson responded well to Amaker calling them out for selfish play after a 67-61 home loss to Cornell that preceded their four-game road swing and totaled 31 assists in the last two games. Aiken has averaged 21.8 points in 10 games since recovering from a knee injury, and he gives them a swagger that Harvard will need to win the Ivy League tournament.

This is the type of Ivy League game where star scoring power matters, and where Penn will again miss Ryan Betley, who suffered a season-ending knee injury five minutes into the first game. The Quakers have been a team struggling to get over the hump, and with Harvard clicking offensively and at home, the Crimson are the pick.

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XAVIER +4.5

Xavier has a strong front five, and play a fast tempo kind of ball. I have them for the upset.

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KANSAS ST +5

This technically qualifies as a revenge game for Kansas, which lost on the road vs. the Wildcats 74-67 on Feb. 5. However, Kansas comes into this game banged up and they just don’t have the depth or experience on the wings to survive without Vick in the lineup. A sweep of perennial Big 12-favorite Kansas would likely help the Wildcats usurp them in the national rankings, which would also boost their NCAA Tournament resume as well. Take Kansas State to come out and cover the spread in Allen Fieldhouse on Monday night.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

LAKERS -5

LeBron is clearly trying to get the young Lakers to focus on making the postseason and you have to think that they are going to respond with a solid performance after James’ most recent comments. The Lakers are fresh off of an ugly blowout loss to the Pelicans, so this is a chance to buy low here. The Grizzlies have struggled to remain competitive without Marc Gasol and their last three losses came versus the Bulls, Clippers and Cavs. Take LeBron and the Lakers to cover the number on the road in this spot on Monday night.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

76ERS

Philadelphia has played well on offense, averaging 115.7 points per game. The team is shooting 47.5 percent from the field and 36 percent from three-point range.

Joel Embiid leads the way for the 76ers with 27.3 points and 13.5 rebounds per game. He has missed the last two games with a knee injury and has been ruled out for this game as well.

The 76ers have the better talent, and they are the play here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

HEAT -8.5

Miami has struggled out of the All-Star break with back to back losses. The Heat has work to do if they want to climb back into a playoff spot at this point and that starts with beating teams below you in the standings. There is no better opportunity to get a win than facing a Phoenix team that has lost 17 straight games. The Suns are struggling and they suffered back to back road defeats to Cleveland and Atlanta. Phoenix is just 4-28 on the road this season: while the Heat stands six games under .500 at home, they’re still better than the Suns. Look for Miami to get a win here.

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MICHIGAN -3.5

The road team has dominated this series, covering the spread in six of the last eight meetings between these two teams. However, Michigan State will have its hands full in this spot. Zavier Simpson is one of the best on-ball defenders in the country and he will be matched up with Spartans star point guard Cassius Winston, which could slow down Michigan’s offensive attack. Roll with the Wolverines to cover the spread at home in this Big 10 battle at the Crisler Center on Sunday afternoon.

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Texas Tech -5

Kansas got the upper hand at Allen Fieldhouse earlier this month but the Jayhawks were in better shape at that point in time. With Vick missing in action, it takes a proven perimeter threat out of the mix for the Jayhawks. Bill Self offered no update for a timetable for Vick’s return, so that’s something to take into consideration. Texas Tech has won four straight since that point and they are 14-1 at home on the year while Kansas is just 2-6 on the road this year. The Red Raiders get the upper hand in this one to avenge their loss earlier this month.

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SYRACUSE +5

For a sense of perspective when comparing the betting lines for the two games, consider Duke was a 17.5-point favorite in Durham with Williamson for the first meeting.

If Duke was playing any other opponent, it would be easy to consider the Blue Devils’ resiliency and still-formidable offense loaded with quality scorers who can rally together to win one without their most influential and best player.

The problem, however, is the opponent.

Syracuse is the worst possible opponent to play at this possible time for Duke. The Orange made the Blue Devils miserable on the perimeter in the first meeting. Yes, a lot of that can be chalked up to Reddish missing the game and Jones missing all but six minutes of it. But now consider Williamson’s absence as it pertains to Duke’s spacing on offense and how far Syracuse can extend its zone on defense.

Already long, the Orange will be able to push out on the wings of the 3-point line, which is one of the universal places to shoot 3s against a zone. Additionally, they have a solid rim protector in Chukwu should Duke choose to attack the basket. The Blue Devils finished with 43 treys without Jones and Reddish; without Williamson to create an inside-out game, that number may happen again. And Duke is not a good enough team to win shooting that many treys.

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MISSOURI ST -6.5

Indiana State came up with a win in their last game but that was on their home floor. The Sycamores are next to last in the Missouri Valley Conference standings and this is going to be a tough matchup. Missouri State struggled to put points on the board in their loss to Northern Iowa and they need to pick up some momentum heading into the conference tournament. That loss knocked the Bears out of a share of the top spot in the standings. Missouri State makes up for that defeat by taking down the Sycamores in this one.

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AUBURN +7.5

Auburn is a solid team with a strong from five. They average 81 pig, and hold opponents to just 67 ppg. Today they will face a top completive team that matches very well. Kentucky averages 78 ppg, and holds opponents to just 65 ppg. I like this game within 4 points, and a possible upset.

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IOWA -7

Though the Hoosiers played better in their last game, one gets the sense that late bucket by Purdue’s Matt Haarms may have been the knockout blow to their NCAA Tournament hopes. Playing an up-tempo team like Iowa is dangerous because the Hawkeyes have the firepower to run teams out of the gym.

Iowa is eager to bounce back from a tough loss itself and is playing at a level Indiana cannot equal at this moment.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

NUGGETS -4

Dallas stumbled into the All-Star break and they’re facing one of the elite teams in the league here. Denver got a shot in the arm with the return of Thomas, who made his debut against the Kings. Getting Millsap back was a boost and the team hopes to have Harris back for this one as well. The Nuggets have a deep rotation and they are capable of hanging with any team in the league. Dallas is good at home but they don’t have the talent to keep up with Denver. Give the points and take the Nuggets in this one.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

WOLVES -5

It’s tough seeing an organization with so much history as the Knicks continue to struggle every season. Basketball enthusiasts aren’t getting pleasure out of watching any NBA team lose 18 consecutive games. So it was a bit of a relief to see the Knicks finally get a win and put that painfully long losing streak in the rearview.

However, it won’t remain there for long.

The Timberwolves have shown more fight than expected after trading away Jimmy Butler this season, and they are coming off a pair of quality wins over the Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Clippers. Karl-Anthony Towns is also on a hot streak right now, netting 24-plus points in his last six consecutive games. He has also registered a double-double in nine of his last 12 outings.

The daunting task of slowing down Jeff Teague, Derrick Rose and Andrew Wiggins will be too big of a challenge for the Knicks’ backcourt. They are finally putting the right pieces together, but they are still a long ways off from being a good basketball team. I’ll take the Timberwolves in this game.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

LAKERS +2.5

The final stretch of the season will be critical for the Lakers if they have any shot of climbing back into the playoff picture. There is a real possibility that even a James-led team could be left out in the cold this year in the deep and talented Western Conference. These aren’t the good, old days when he could simply drag a bad team to playoff contention.

That isn’t to say his talent is diminishing. He is still considered the best basketball player on the planet for good reason, but if the Lakers are going to make a late run in the season, he’s going to need help from some of the other young stars on the roster like Ingram, Kuzma, Josh Hart and Lonzo Ball.

The return of Ball and Hart, who have both been sidelined with injuries, will be a huge boost for the Lakers on Thursday against the Rockets. That will ultimately aid in their offensive firepower, which the team will desperately need facing reigning MVP James Harden. There is simply too much on the line for the Lakers at this point to expect James and company to drop a third consecutive loss. This is their first game back from the All-Star break at home, and for the first time in a while, they’ll have all of their pieces available.

Another monstrous scoring effort by Harden will lead to a thrilling game, but it will be no match for the must-win hunger from the Lakers. Give me Los Angeles in this game.

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OREGON +2.5

The fact the Ducks are still in the running for a top four-finish is impressive considering they lost their best player–7’2” freshman center and likely lottery pick Bol Bol–to a left-foot injury before conference play even started. Bol was leading the team in scoring (21.0 ppg), rebounding (9.6 rpg), and blocks (2.7 bpg) while also shooting an amazing 52 percent from three-point range. Louis King, a 6’9” freshman forward, has helped pick up some of the slack to the tune of averaging 16.0 ppg in Pac-12 action–tops for any freshman in the conference. Junior point guard Payton Pritchard is averaging 11.8 ppg and 4.4 apg, while White is chipping in 10.5 ppg and 3.8 rpg. Oregon is 25-4 after Feb. 14 in Pac-12 play over the last five seasons.

Oregon gave USC a beaten last month with no problem. Great Play

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GEORGIA TECH

Pittsburgh might be sitting at the bottom of the ACC conference, but they don’t have to finish their season in that spot. There are at least four other teams, including Georgia Tech, that are one game out from being in their situation. The Yellow Jackets don’t want to be the team looking up at the rest of the conference after dropping a game to Pittsburgh, especially when the game is on their home court.

Fortunately for the Yellow Jackets, the Panthers have lost 21 consecutive games on the road. That spells doom for them on Wednesday playing away from their home building against a team that is equally as determined to end a long losing streak.

Georgia Tech is also a dangerous team on the defensive end of the floor. They can make up for their lackluster offense with their suffocating defense, which ranks 15th in the country in efficiency. That stout defense coupled with playing at home will ultimately lead to Pittsburgh’s undoing for their 10th consecutive conference outing. Take the Yellow Jackets in this game.

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ARKANSAS +12

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FLORIDA +7.5

Florida is a great team with solid defense. LSU is a high octane team, but the matchup doesn't go well with LSU. Florida's defense is strong, and they force opponents  to shoot from the arc. I like Florida to pull the upset here.

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EVANSVILLE +11

Evansville averages 70 points per game. Today they play a slower pace team, that is not as aggressive. Loyola Chicago averages just 66 ppg. The points are the key here.

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MISS ST -6

I am siding with Mississippi State in this contest. Mississippi State has fared well against teams below them in the standings. They have notched two straight double-digit wins against Alabama and Arkansas in their last two games, and they are averaging a solid 78.8 points in their last five games.

Furthermore, Georgia is having trouble defensively, and they have lost six consecutive games, plus five of those were also ATS losses. Georgia has surrendered at least 80 points in four out of their last five games, and Mississippi State should have no problem scoring in this one.

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IOWA ST -9.5

The Cyclones have played well against the spread, winning four of their last five games following an ATS win and 11 of their last 18 home games against teams with losing road records. The Bears have struggled against the spread, losing three of their last four games and three of their last four games against teams with winning records.

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INDIANA +6.5

Indiana's defense can hold opponents to 67 ppg, while Purdue holds opponents to just 68 ppg. The 6.5 points at home is a great call here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

Team LeBron -6.5

This line doesn't make sense when you look at the talent. Lebron has the money team, plus the bench is strong. Team Giannis has a good team with some stars, but they are not a powerhouse team like Team LeBron! I have Team LeBron by 15 points or more.

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ARIZONA +6

Arizona beat Colorado earlier this year. The game was low scoring, even though Colorado has to top scorers in the League. Take the points here.

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OHIO ST +12.5

Both teams have great defense, and I don't understand how the books can favor Michigan St 12.5 points. Ohio St has held opponents to just 64 ppg, while Michigan St has held opponents to just 66 ppg. Ohio St is a great team, but hasn't done well ATS! Michigan St. known for moving the ball a lot, and they are #1 in assist. This line doesn't make sense since Ohio St is very aggressive on defense. Take the points.

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WICHITA ST +12

The Bearcats have the better defense, but the offense averages just 74 ppg. Wichita is a great team, and on a 4 game winning streak. They play smart, and like to move the ball. They average around 69 ppg. Take the points here.

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TENN +4

This one is going to be a highly entertaining affair between two of the top three teams in the SEC. Tennessee has the advantage as far as scoring depth goes and they will push the pace on Kentucky in this one. Both teams are excellent on the glass and they are solid on the defensive end of the floor. Tennessee has experience as they brought back the nucleus of last season’s team, which owned a share of the SEC regular season crown. Calipari had to start over with a bunch of freshmen: Washington and Travis can’t make up for the inexperience of the rest of the rotation. Tennessee gets the upper hand in this one to overcome a very hostile environment.

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MURRAY ST -8

Eastern Kentucky is surrendering 82 points per game. Murray St has a strong 5 can hold opponents to just 62 points per game. This is a 20 point gap, and I like the 8 points from the book

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IOWA -3

Their win over Northwestern allowed the Hawkeyes to double their conference victory total from last season–and, of course, there are plenty of games remaining. This is a deep, impressive team that has a lot more than a win over Rutgers on its mind. Still, messing around with Northwestern for 40 minutes (despite winning) will keep the Hawkeyes on full alert against another opponent that it should beat handily. Iowa has won five of the six all-time meetings with Rutgers.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

BUFFALO -2.5

Buffalo is a Cinderella Team that will cause noise in March Madness. Buffalo is a great team with some depth. They blew out Toledo 110-80 at home this year. They took out Syracuse, and West Virginia. They are not good in covering spreads, but sometimes you have to read between the lines.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

UTAH -3

The Utes have played well against the spread, winning six of their last eight games and five of their last six games following a straight up win. The Wildcats have struggled against the spread, losing their last five games and their last four games against teams with winning records.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

HOUSTON -9

Adams’ MCL injury is expected to keep him sidelined four weeks at a minimum, which means he’ll be watching from the bench when his team faces one of the best teams in the country. Not that his presence in this particular matchup would have made much of a difference anyway. The Cougars rank sixth in the country in defensive efficiency and fifth in points allowed.

It’s going to be a tremendous uphill climb for the Huskies after shooting 40.3 percent against a Memphis team that ranks among the worst defenses in the country.  This game is a total mismatch on paper, especially without Adams on the floor.

Davis had 24-plus point performances in back-to-back games before dropping 16 points in Houston’s marquee game with Cincinnati. He’ll be the difference on Thursday night against a UConn defense that hasn’t shown any consistency all season. Houston wins this game handily and stays one game ahead of Cincinnati at the top of the American Athletic Conference standings.

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XAVIER +1.5

Creighton is not that good this year. Xavier has better defense, holding opponents to 72 ppg. I like Xavier to pull the victory here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

CELTICS +7.5

The 76ers are on a 3 day run, and today they face a tough defense. The Celtics can hold opponents to 106 points, while the 76ers hold opponents to 112 ppg. Take the Celtics here.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

KANSAS +2.5

Kansas beat TCU earlier this year, putting up some major points in the last game. TCU is a great team, but they struggled on defense. Kansas is extremely fast, and they are in a different style of play. The Bookmakers are holding the line since TCU is 11-1 at home. Kansas is a champions style of team. I like them for the upset.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

North Carolina +1

North Carolina has three traits in common with Duke that translate to success against Virginia. The first is size in the backcourt, which the Tar Heels have in the 6-foot-5 White and 6-9 Johnson. This puts pressure on Virginia’s pack-line defense because its smaller guards can be backed down into the paint before opponents kick the ball out to the perimeter for less-contested 3-point looks.

The second is quality perimeter shooting. White and Johnson have combined for 110 3-pointers, and both Maye and Kenny Williams are not bashful about taking treys either. The third is scoring in transition, and with the Tar Heels, there is their secondary transition in which they are constantly able to find quality looks early in the shot clock.

North Carolina lost twice to Virginia last season but played far better in its 71-63 ACC Tournament loss than it did in the 61-49 road loss. This Tar Heels team, though, is far more dynamic offensively. They will not score 90 points in this game, but they should score enough to win.

This line has flipped to the Tar Heels giving a point, so again, the hope is you got in early on this one to ride with Rameses and North Carolina.

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CREIGHTON +4

The Pirates have struggled against the spread, losing their last six home games and four of their last five games. The Bluejays have played well against the spread, winning four of their last five games and four of their last five games against Big East opponents

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME 

ELON +17

The Phoenix put up an average of 69.2 points per game so far this season. Elon collects 33.5 rebounds per contest while dishing out 13.9 assists per game. The Phoenix struggles on the defensive end of the floor as they are 292nd in scoring defense as they allow 76.4 points per contest. 

The Huskies average 76 points per game, and the defense is light, surrendering 71 points per game. 

I will take the 17 points here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

MAVS +8

The bookmakers have this game all wrong. The MAVS can put 108 points on the board today. The Bucks Defense is the issue since it can hold opponents to just 109 ppg. This line is over priced, and I like this game within 4 points.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

MARYLAND +2.5

Here’s a team that needs a win against a squad that is spiralling towards the bottom. Is it football season yet? Nebraska is well-coached but you can’t make up for the loss of Copeland, who was a former Georgetown product. Fernando had 18 points and 17 rebounds in that first game with Copeland playing 31 minutes. He and his fellow Terps will dominate the boards and the paint in this game. Take the ranked team on the road to cover with ease.

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NORTE DAME +3.5

For Notre Dame, Mooney is the only player in the nation averaging 10-plus points, 10-plus rebounds, and shooting better than 45 percent from three-point range. His team should finally be playing with some much-needed confidence following another stellar performance against Boston College. The Hurricanes are 1-4 ATS in their last five against winning opponents, 2-7 ATS in their last nine at home against opponents with losing road records, 1-6 ATS in their last seven at home against opponents with road winning percentages under .400, and 16-34-1 ATS in their last 51 following a loss.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

BLAZERS -7

Heat shooting guard Dion Waiters went 7-of-32 from the floor over the last four games. Other than center Hassan, the rest of the starters were a combined 7-of-22 against Indiana. Miami is 1-4 ATS in its last five against winning opponents, 0-4 ATS in its last four following a loss, and 0-4 ATS in its last four trips to Portland. The Trail Blazers are 4-0 ATS in their last four against losing opponents, 9-0 ATS in their last nine playing on at least three days of rest, and 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between the two teams. It is also worth noting that the home team is 7-2 ATS in the last nine head-to-head matchups and the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

RAPTORS +3

The Raptors have great defense and can hold opponents to just 108 points. The Sixers have been stunning at home, but they are going against great talent with a strong bench. The Raptors for the upset here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

TIMBERWOLVES -1

The Grizzlies have struggled against the spread, losing eight of their last nine home games against teams with losing road records and eight of their last 10 games against teams with losing records. The Timberwolves have played well against the spread, winning four of their last five road games and six of their last seven road games against teams with losing home records.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

ROCKETS -8

There is legitimate concern with the Rockets putting so much of the weight on Harden’s shoulders. His ability to average 30-plus point performances is a spectacular feat, and it might even win him a second consecutive league MVP nod. However, that kind of strategy isn’t conducive for a championship run. Fortunately for the Rockets, Paul is expected to be back in the lineup on Monday, and they are playing against a Suns team that has the second-worst record in the league.

Even if Paul couldn’t play, the Rockets should still be able to take care of business in this game. The Suns nearly have more consecutive losses than they have total wins.

Despite all of the defensive issues with the Rockets, the Suns won’t be the team to take advantage considering they rank in the bottom-half of the league in total scoring offense. They are actually averaging less points scoring under their own roof than they are on the road. That average of 105.7 points per game isn’t going to cut it with Harden on the floor. Paul should also continue trending upwards after his improved performance against the Nuggets.

Rockets by 12 points or more

NBA 100 DIME GAME

WIZARDS -7

Washington has been hanging in despite missing three starters but they’ve stumbled a bit of late with three losses in their last four games. The Wizards do catch a bit of a break here facing a division rival below them in the standings. Atlanta is at the tail end of a seven-game road trip and they’re logging their third game in four nights here after playing in Utah Friday and Phoenix Saturday. 

Wizards by 9 points or more.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

WIZARDS +1

The Wizards have played well against the spread, winning five of their last six games and seven of their last eight home games. The Pacers have struggled against the spread, losing five of their last six road games and seven of their last nine games against Eastern Conference teams.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

PELICANS +9

The Pelicans have played well against the spread, winning three of their last four games against teams with winning records. The Nuggets have struggled against the spread, losing five of their last six games against Western Conference opponents and nine of their last 11 road games.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

BULLS +10.5

The Bulls Defense can hold opponents to just 110 ppg, while The Heat's offense is averaging 111 ppg. Taking the points is key here.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

KNICKS +7

This line doesn't make any sense when you read between the numbers. The Knicks are averaging 106 ppg while the Mavericks are averaging 109 ppg. Take the Knicks and the 7 points.

The over looks good here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

PELICANS +11.5

The New Orleans Pelicans will carry their baggage of drama on the road with them on Tuesday when they face the Houston Rockets. Since losing to the Philadelphia 76ers, the Rockets have won their last three consecutive games against the Orlando Magic, Toronto Raptors and New York Knicks. The Pelicans, on the other hand, have lost five of their last six games, including Saturday’s home game against the San Antonio Spurs.

I like the Pelicans to get back on board again. This game will be close.

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WIZARDS -7.5

Cleveland cracked the double-digit mark for wins on the year by beating Chicago on Sunday afternoon. You can’t expect the Cavaliers to put together sustained success though given their struggles all season long. Washington is trying to claw back into the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference and that means that they need to beat the teams below them in the standings right now. The Wizards, despite their road struggles this season, get the nod in this contest.

Wizards by 9 and the over here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

PISTONS +8

The Piston defense is pretty good. They are holding opponents to just 108 ppg. The Bucks will struggle, and you have to take the points here, since the Bucks Hold opponents to just 107 points per game.

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LA TECH -4

 La Tech is the money play here. They are a perfect 10-0 at home, have a massive edge on defense and the Herd has gone just 4-6 on the road. Marshall has averaged over 80 ppg on the year, but just 75.9 ppg in their true road games and La Tech has averaged 77.5 pg at home. The bigger difference is on defense as Marshall has allowed 86.0 ppg on the road, while the Bulldogs have allowed just 66.0 ppg. Look for La Tech to continue their strong play at home by winning this one by at least eight points.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

JAZZ -3.5

Utah center Rudy Gobert has recorded eight straight double-doubles and has 39 on the season. The Jazz simply seem to have the Nuggets’ number these days–especially inside Vivint Smart. Denver is 2-6 ATS in its last eight against winning opponents, 2-5 ATS in its last seven playing on at least three days of rest, and 0-4 ATS in its last four trips to Utah. The Jazz are 5-0 ATS in their last five on Wednesdays. It is also worth noting that the home team is 9-0 ATS in the last nine head-to-head matchups.

Jazz by 6

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

UC RIVERSIDE +2.5

The Mustangs have struggled against the spread, losing 22 of their last 28 home games against teams with losing road records and 37 of their last 51 games against Big West opponents. The Highlanders have played well against the spread, winning four of their last five games and their last five games against Big West opponents.

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NORTHERN IOWA +7.5

Northern Iowa has struggled in this series, covering the spread just once in their last eight trips to Southern Illinois, but the Salukis enter this game struggling in a big way. The Salukis have lost seven of their past nine games and they’ve squandered leads in each of their last three losses. Meanwhile, the Panthers have shown some improvement on the offensive end during conference play and they do most of their damage from beyond the arc, where the Salukis’ defense has been most vulnerable this season. Take Northern Iowa to cover the spread on the road in this MVC matchup on Wednesday night.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

ROCKETS -7.5

Houston is struggling with injuries but with Harden on the floor, it’s hard to go against the Rockets on any given night. The Knicks have dropped six straight games coming into this contest. New York is dealing with a ton of trade rumors surrounding their veterans and it will interesting to see who might be gone by the time the trade deadline rolls around on February 7. The Rockets have Gordon back and they’ll hope Faried can be a contributor. In this one, Harden continues his torrid stretch and Houston gets the win.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

CAVS +15.5

The Cavs are averaging 102 ppg while the Celtics are averaging 112 ppg. This line doesn't make any sense. This game will be within 10 points.

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ILLINOIS ST MONEYLINE

Illinois State has won eight of the last nine meetings with Bradley. While their defense has improved during MVC play, the Braves seen their offensive performance dip in league action. After showcasing its offensive potential with its highest-scoring non-conference season in 11 years (71.2 points per game), Bradley has posted 55.0 points in six Valley contests so far. Overall, Bradley is averaging 66.1 points per game with a 41.6 shooting percentage. Those numbers won’t cut it against ISU. The Braves are 1-5 ATS in their last six against winning opponents, 0-6 ATS in their last six at home against opponents with losing road records, and 0-4 ATS in their last four following a win.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

SUNS +4.5

The Suns are 25th in the league in scoring with an average of 106.3 points per game. The Suns are 29th on the glass by collecting 40.2 boards per game. Phoenix stands 17thin the league in assists with 23.9 per contest. Phoenix is 25th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 115 points a night.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

ALABAMA

A murderer’s row of a stretch lies ahead for the Crimson Tide with Tuesday’s game against Ole Miss, along with upcoming games against Mississippi State and Auburn. However, being at home against Ole Miss will be the one distinct advantage that helps them bounce back from a heartbreaking loss to Tennessee.

The Crimson Tide have played bigger than their talent this season through great coaching and an ability to get hot from 3-point land. They weren’t the more talented team when they upset Kentucky in the SEC opener. That game had more to do with the 10 3-point shots the team sunk to steal a win at home.

The fiery shooting of the Crimson Tide will be sparked once again on Tuesday against the more talented team in Ole Miss.

Things could get interesting with Petty coming off his two best games of the season, and his confidence should be at an all-time high after dropping 30 points on Tennessee. I expect him to have another standout performance with the Crimson Tide coming out with the win this time around.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

THUNDER -4

There’s no rest benefit for either team as they’re both playing the second game of a back to back. Both teams have to fly in for this one as the Thunder was in New York Monday afternoon while the Trail Blazers were in Salt Lake City. Oklahoma City plays decent basketball at home, going 14-7, while Portland is 8-12 as the visiting team. With the Trail Blazers having a later start and then having to fly in, they may be a little weary come game time. The Thunder, playing at home and having their game early in the afternoon Monday, gets the upper hand here.

The over is a good play here as well

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KANSAS -5

This will not be an easy game for the Jayhawks, who have not lost back-to-back games since December 2017 and not lost consecutive Big 12 games since a three-game slide from Feb. 2-9, 2013. But there are few places as daunting as Allen Fieldhouse, and the hedge is Kansas will come out aggressive early to set the tone and get their perimeter shooting back in the groove.

This line has moved one point in Kansas’ favor to 5.5, which makes it slightly dicey, but the Jayhawks should still have enough to cover.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

ROCKETS +4.5

I am taking the points with the Rockets in this one. The Rockets have drilled a combined 48 three-pointers in their last two games, and James Harden has single-handedly won his teams games. Harden is averaging a remarkable 44.4 points on the month, and I am confident he can keep his team in the game.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

CLIPPERS +9.5

Clippers are better offensively, scoring 116.6 ppg to Spurs’ 107.7 ppg, while Spurs are better defensively, allowing 108.2 ppg to Clippers’ 112. Clippers have better percentages both in field goals (47.3% to 44.6%) and in 3-pointers (38.7% to 37.8%). Spurs on the other hand are better both in turnovers committed (12.6 to 14.6) and in dimes made (23.2 to 22.4), while Clippers are better in boards grabbed (46.8 to 45.3). Spurs are struggling, and taking the 9.5 points is good.

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SUNS +13

The Suns are 25th in the league in scoring with an average of 106 points per game. The Suns are 29th on the glass by collecting 40.6 boards per game. Phoenix stands 17th in the league in assists with 24 per contest. Phoenix is 24th in the league in scoring defense as they allow 114.5 points a night.

Minnesota dropped their second straight and third in their last four games as they were upended by the Spurs at home Friday night. The Timberwolves entered Saturday’s action 11th in the Western Conference, 3.5 games behind the Lakers for the final playoff spot. 

I like the Suns within 6 points.

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HORNETS +8

The Hornets are an above average team offensively, ranking 11th in the league with 112.1 points per game. Charlotte is tied for 19th in rebounding with 44.6 boards per game and 18th by dishing out 23.8 assists per contest. The Hornets come in ranked 17thin scoring defense by allowing 111.4 points per game. 

The Pacers are playing good ball, but they average just 108 points. Take the Hornets here.

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UTAH -3.5

Utah leads the Pac-12 in field-goal percentage (46.8) and three-point percentage (36.9). Colorado, on the other hand, is reeling right now and banged up. The Utes have won eight of the last nine meetings and have won six straight in Salt Lake City. Colorado is 17-43-1 ATS in its last 61 on the road against opponents with winning home records and 1-6 ATS in its last seven trips to Utah. The Utes are 11-3 ATS in the last 14 meetings between the two teams.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

VIRGINIA +4

 With Duke not having Jones, they now need Barrett to take control and that’s not always a good thing. Virginia has physical defenders in Jack Salt (6-10, 250), Mamadi Diakite (6-9, 230), Braxton Key (6-8, 225) and Jay Huff (7-1, 232) who can put a body on Williamson and 6-11 Marques Bolden all game.

I like the upset here.

COLLEGE HOOPS 75 DIME GAME

ARIZONA -5.5

Oregon has dominated this series as of late, covering the spread in five of the last six meetings between these two teams and five of their last five trips to the McKale Center. However, the Ducks find themselves in a tough spot after losing Bol Bol for the remainder of the season and his absence has hurt their efficiency on both ends of the floor. Arizona has largely exceeded expectations this season and they have establishing themselves as a contender for the conference championship once again this year. Take the Wildcats to cover the number in Tucson on Thursday night.

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BELMONT -1

Belmont is one of the best teams in the OVC. They can hold opponents to just 66 ppg. They have more depth than last year, and the last game was close. Belmont is 16-4 ATS. Smart Money Move.

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WESTERN ILLINOIS -2

The Omaha Mavericks head into this game playing their best ball of the season and have won seven of the last nine meetings against the Western Illinois Leathernecks. Western Illinois is falling apart during this losing stretch, which includes allowing 51.1 percent shooting and being outscored by an average of 13 points in its last five games. 

COLLEGE HOOPS 75 DIME GAME

NORTHEASTERN -3.5

College of Charleston in 7-2 ATS in their last 10 games, but NorthEastern can put up 85-90 points in this game. Northeastern has to much firepower when it comes to offense. This is a sleeper team, and the smart money is here.

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NIAGRA +4.5

I like Niagara for the upset here. They average 73 points per game while Sienna averages just 65 ppg. Sienna is a horrible team this year with a 4-11 record this year. Take the points here.

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SOUTHERN MISS -3.5

I usually don’t like picking road favorites but Charlotte is such a bad team. The Golden Eagles are 3-4 on the road but just couldn’t win those conference road games, where they were underdogs in two of those games. Charlotte hasn’t won a home game since Dec. 18. They can’t score and basically have a one-man team. The favorite is 7-0 ATS in this series.

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PELICANS +7

The Pelicans are 3rd in the league in scoring offense with 117 points per game. The Pelicans are 8th in rebounding with 46.9 boards per game while ranking 4th with 26.9 assists per contest. New Orleans is 26th in scoring defense as they give up 114.8 points per contest.

Today the face the Warriors who are a different team from last year. The Warriors average 120 points per game, but give up 117 ppg. The Pelicans are hot, and money here.

COLLEGE HOOPS 100 DIME GAME

KANSAS ST +6

The Wildcats are averaging 65.1 points a game so far this season as they rely on their defense. Kansas State is collecting 35.8 rebounds a night while dishing out an average of 13.5 assists per game. The Wildcats are terrific on the defensive end, ranking 5th in the nation by allowing 59.4 points per contest.

The Sooners have been sharp offensively in the early going, averaging 74.4 points per game on the year. Oklahoma hauls down 42.7 rebounds per contest while handing out 13 assists per game on the season. The Sooners are tied for 65th in the nation in scoring defense as they allow 66.7 points per game.

I like the way Kansas St switches up on Defense, and putting pressure on players.  I like Kansas St for the possible upset here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

ROCKETS -5.5

Orlando is playing the second game of a back to back situation here and they’re facing a Houston team that is a high-octane unit. The Rockets have reeled off 13 wins in their last 16 games coming into this one despite missing guys like Paul and Gordon. Harden has been electric of late and they should take advantage of the Magic being tired. Orlando has struggled of late and that’s going to hurt them here. The Rockets get the upper hand in this contest.

Rockets by 7 or more

NBA 100 DIME GAME

PELICANS -1

The Pelicans are 2nd in the league in scoring offense with 117.2 points per game. The Pelicans are 7th in rebounding with 46.8 boards per game while ranking 4th with 27 assists per contest. New Orleans is 26th in scoring defense as they give up 114.8 points per contest. Nikola Mirotic is fourth on the team with 17.3 points plus nine rebounds per contest this season.

The Pelicans have to much firepower. Pelicans by 4 points or more.

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Green Bay -1

After scoring at least 90 points in its first three HL games to start conference play, Wisconsin-Green Bay currently leads the conference in scoring at 93.7 ppg and 86.0 ppg overall. WGB is 11th in the NCAA in scoring and would rank second in the nation with its 93.7 ppg average in league play. Cohen poured in 30 points against Cleveland continues to be the only player in all of NCAA Division I to lead his team in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals, blocks, and minutes. 

Detroit comes in this game with a 6-10 record and nothing to offer. Our smart money is on the 

NBA 100 DIME GAME

KINGS -4.5

I am taking the Kings in this contest. The Magic have lost five out of their last six road games, and they also did not cover in five of those six games. Also, Orlando has not been nearly as productive on the road where they are only averaging 101.3 points on the season.

Furthermore, while the Kings haven’t been winning recently, they have endured a challenging schedule. They are still producing offensively, averaging 116.4 points in their last seven games. The Magic are a low-scoring team, so I am not concerned with the Kings shaky defense.

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EASTERN WASHINGTON +8.5

This game will be decided within 4 points. I don't understand the bookmakers here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

ROCKETS -1

The Rockets beat the Nuggets this past Nov. I like the Rockets at home again.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

SUNS +1

This is a Syndicate Move, and we are making a big move here.

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PACERS -1

This is a Syndicate Move, and we are big on this game.

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WARRIORS -7.5

Playing the Golden State Warriors any given night is a daunting proposition. Playing them when you’re lacking confidence on a three-game losing streak and the Warriors are angry at themselves for losing makes it all the more difficult.

Golden State is 8-5 this season when coming off a loss, and one of those wins was its 130-125 victory at Sacramento on Dec. 14. The Warriors have also scored 110 or more points in eight of those games. They are averaging 121.1 points against division rivals and reached 130 or more in their last two road games.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

BUCKS -5

The Bucks are playing the second game of a back to back here but both games came at home. Milwaukee has handled Toronto twice already this season and they have the depth to make life tough for any team. With Lowry doubtful at best and Valanciunas still out for the Raptors, that’s going to make life a little tougher for Toronto here. After seeing the Raptors get blitzed by the Spurs on the road Thursday night, you have to give Milwaukee the upper hand in this contest.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

KNICKS +7.5

This game should be will be in range. I like the Knicks for the upset here.

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MINN +9.5

Wisconsin is the ranked team in this matchup but this one is going to be a challenge. The Badgers are coming off an upset loss on the road to a mid-major program and now have to regroup at home against a conference foe. Minnesota has some momentum going for them in this contest. The Golden Gophers are looking for their first road win of the season in this contest. Wisconsin may come up with the win straight up but with a double digit line, you’re better suited to taking the points and the visitors in this one.

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MIAMI FL +2.5

I am siding with Miami Florida in this matchup. The Hurricanes are a strong defensive team, and they have only conceded an average of 63.3 points in their last three games, while averaging a solid 76 points in that span.

Furthermore, while N.C. State is enjoying a strong start to the season, they have benefited from a very easy schedule which has inflated their stats, plus they have only played in one true road game on the season which resulted in a 79-75 loss to Wisconsin.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

THUNDER -5.James not practicing in full likely means he isn’t quite ready to return for the Lakers. So there won’t be any king around to fend off Westbrook and George.

The young Lakers were fortunate enough to pull out a tough win over the Kings, but they’ll be biting off more than they can chew when they step onto the floor against the Thunder.

You can throw the majority of the stats out the window for the Lakers given how much is swayed by the mere presence of James. His absence cripples the team offensively and defensively. Granted, the Lakers are still an improved team with some of the other offseason acquisitions they’ve made, but there isn’t nearly enough firepower to stop Westbrook and company.

Defense was already an issue for the Lakers with James on the court. Opponents are averaging 111.4 points per game against them, which currently ranks 20th in the NBA. They’re also still missing veteran guard Rajon Rondo at the point.

Look for the Thunder to take advantage of the young Lakers and roll to another victory.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

NETS +1

This one mainly comes down to the fact that the Pelicans have been awful on the road this season. New Orleans is just 4-15 on the year away from the Smoothie King Center and gives up 116.5 points per game in those contests. That is a major reason that the Pelicans have a -3.4 point per game differential on the road. Brooklyn has lost two straight games coming into this one but with Mirotic likely sidelined and Davis a question mark, you have to lean toward the Nets here.

NBA 100 DIME GAME

HORNETS -1.5

Charlotte is trying to climb above the .500 mark and they couldn’t have picked a better scenario to pull that off. The Hornets are at home in this contest, where they are 14-7 this season. Dallas has been atrocious on the road this season, losing 16 of their 18 contests away from the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks are logging their third game in four nights here and combined with their road struggles, you have to back Charlotte in this contest.

NBA 75 DIME GAME

BUCKS -10

This is a Syndicate Move

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RAPTORS -2.5

This is a Syndicare Move. 

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MAVS +7.5

Dallas won Sunday’s contest at home, where they are now 15-3 on the season The Mavericks have actually dominated this series as of late, covering the spread in each of the last four meetings and 22 of the last 33 meetings in Oklahoma City. With the way Westbrook is shooting the ball right now, you have to like your chances of the Mavericks covering the number on the road in this spot. Take Dallas to cover despite their ugly 2-15 record on the road this year.