NBA 3-PACK

The Memphis Grizzles need a win after back-to-back losses against the Clippers and the Wizards. They're 4-1 ATS in their last five games and will enter this contest well rested, last playing on January 5. The Pelicans on the other hand will play on only one days rest following a 112-109 triumph over Detroit home in New Orleans. They're 1-4 ATS in their last five games and 2-5 ATS in the last seven meetings with Memphis. We can also note that Pelicans' star big man Anthony Davis left Monday's win over Detroit with an ankle injury and is considered doubtful, and Memphis center Marc Gasol should dominate the game with Davis out. 

Under is 14-6 in Grizzlies last 20 home games and 11-2 in their last 13 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game (they gave up 102 against Washington their last time out). Under is 4-0 in Pelicans last four road games and 6-2 in Pelicans last eight road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400. Under is 9-2 in the last 11 meetings in Memphis.

I expect Memphis to prevail in a low-scoring affair. 

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Oklahoma State Cowboys snapped a two-game losing streak with a 96-87 victory at Iowa State in overtime Saturday afternoon. They're still just 1-2 in conference play and I think they'll be determined to put up a good fight here at Kansas State Wednesday night. Note that Oklahoma State is 9-2 ATS in its last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record while the Wildcats are 0-6 ATS in their last six home games. Kansas State is coming off back-to-back losses to No. 2 West Virginia and at No. 8 Texas Tech and will be without starting point guard Kamau Stokes who left Saturday’s loss to the Red Raiders with a foot injury. 

My selection is an 8* play on Oklahoma State Cowboys. 

TOP RATED 10* CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Missouri State Bears lost their first conference game for the season when they fell 72-68 as a 4-point favorite at Illinois State on Sunday. Expect some angry and hungry Bears to bounce back here at Evansville Wednesday night. The Purple Aces had lost three straight conference games and four overall before pounding Bradley 68-44 on Saturday. They're still struggling to score points and Missouri State is playing excellent defense.  

Bears are 7-2 ATS in their last 9 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. Missouri Valley teams. 

My selection is an 10* play on Missouri State Bears.

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER 

The Washington Wizards took a 110-103 loss against Milwaukee in the opener of their five-game homestand on Saturday. That was the second night of a back-to-back, but they'll be well rested for this matchup with the struggling Jazz and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games following a straight up loss. We can also note that the Wizards will be seeking revenge for an embarrassing 116-69 loss at Utah last month. 

The Jazz have lost three straight, six of seven and 13 of their last 16. They're only 1-5 ATS in their last six road games and 0-5 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

The Wizards are averaging 110.2 ppg home at Capital One Arena and the Jazz are giving up 107.2 ppg on average away from home, way over their 101.7 ppg allowed overall. 

My selection is a 10* play on Washington Wizards. 

CBB HARDWOOD HAMMER

The Auburn Tigers have opened SEC play with a pair of wins over ranked opponents and they're 14-1 overall on the season, but the Mississippi Rebels are 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings with Auburn and they've not lost to the Tigers since 2012.

I expect Ole Miss to put up a good fight here at Auburn Arena Tuesday night. The Rebels are coming off a 64-58 triumph over the by then 13-1 Mississippi State and average 30.1 points per game from the bench on the season. Their depth will keep them in this game.

My selection is an 8* play on Ole Miss Rebels. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Oklahoma City Thunder are back home from a three-game road trip, but it's just a brief stop before hitting the road for another two games. They took a 114-100 beating at Phoenix their last time out and I think points will come fast and easy for both teams here when they host the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night. 

Portland is coming off a 111-110 triumph over San Antonio and three of its last four games have gone over the total. The Blazers will be without point guard Damian Lillard but OKC will be without defensive stopper Andre Roberson for the fourth consecutive game with left patellar tendinitis.

The Trail Blazers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games and 10-4 ATS as an underdog this season. The Thunder are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games and 11-24 ATS as a favorite on the season.

My selection is an 8* play on Portland Trail Blazers.  

NBA 3-PACK

The Oklahoma City Thunder are back home from a three-game road trip, but it's just a brief stop before hitting the road for another two games. They took a 114-100 beating at Phoenix their last time out and I think points will come fast and easy for both teams here when they host the Portland Trail Blazers Tuesday night. 

Portland is coming off a 111-110 triumph over San Antonio and three of its last four games have gone over the total. The Blazers will be without point guard Damian Lillard but OKC will be without defensive stopper Andre Roberson for the fourth consecutive game with left patellar tendinitis.

The Trail Blazers are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 road games and 10-4 ATS as an underdog this season. The Thunder are 3-9 ATS in their last 12 home games and 11-24 ATS as a favorite on the season.

My selection is an 8* play on Over.  

NBA 3-PACK

The Toronto Raptors just barely beat the Nets at Brooklyn last night, winning 114-113 in overtime. Do we need to worry about tired legs for Toronto tonight. Well, note that the Raptors are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games when their starting 5 players combine for more than 160 minutes of the previous day, so I would say no. The Miami Heat are overrated here coming off four straight victories, but they've failed to cover the spread in each of the last two. The home team is 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings and I expect the Raptors to get the job done. 

My selection is an 8* play on Toronto Raptors. 

TOP RATED 10* LATE NIGHT NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

The Atlanta Hawks took a 132-113 beating at LA Lakers Sunday night, and this looks like a very tough spot to take on the Clippers on no rest. The LA Clippers have had a day off since a 121-105 loss to Golden State, and they'll be hungry for win coming off a pair of setbacks following a four-game winning streak. Blake Griffin  has entered the NBA's concussion protocol after taking an elbow to the head in the loss to the Warriors. He is not expected to play Monday, but I think the rest of the team will come together (at least for this game) without the All-Star forward. 

Clippers are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games overall and 6-1 ATS in their last seven when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.

We can also note that this is the second time this season the Clippers are a home favorite hosting an opponent playing on no rest, and they crushed Phoenix 130-88 in such a spot back in October. 

My selection is a 10* play on LA Clippers. 

SPURS @ BLAZERS BANKROLL BUILDER

Both the San Antonio Spurs and the Portland Trail Blazers have traded wins and losses through their last four games. I like the Blazers to be the team to string a couple of wins together when they host the Spurs Sunday night. 

Portland is coming off a 110-89 pounding of Atlanta, its second straight triumph at Moda Center after dropping their previous six home contests. The Blazers are 7-1-2 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and will be seeking revenge for a 93-91 loss to the Spurs here at Moda Center on Dec. 20. 

The Spurs will be without forward Rudy Gay (heel), who is expected to miss at least two weeks, while Danny Green (groin), who has been in and out of the lineup the past month, is questionable.

My selection is an 8* play on Portland Trail Blazers. 

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Arizona State Sun Devils look like a solid road favorite at Utah Sunday night. The Utes took a 94-82 beating by Arizona their last time out and allowed their opponent to shoot 50 percent from the field. Arizona State will be desperate to end a two-game losing streak (their only two losses for the season), the most recent a 90-81 OT setback as a 9-point favorite at Colorado. They're still 10-3-1 ATS on the season and  11-0-1 ATS in their last 12 games following a ATS loss.

My selection is an 8* play on Arizona State Sun Devils. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

The New York Knicks are just 3-14 SU on the road for the season. This will be their third straight away game and sixth of seven since Dec. 27.  Kristaps Porzingis complained how tired he was earlier this week and a 107-103 overtime loss in Miami on Friday won't have helped in that regard. Great spot to fade the Knickerbockers here as they're likely to look ahead to a pair of days rest before taking on Chicago. 

The Dallas Mavericks will be desperate for a win after opening a four-game homestand with losses against Golden State and Chicago. The Mavs are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games.

My selection is a 10* play on Dallas Mavericks. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (CBB)

The 13-3 Missouri State Bears have reeled off four straight victories, the most recent a 62-55 triumph over Northern Iowa. They're 3-0-1 ATS during their winning streak and 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Today they'll visit Illinois State Redbirds who are 4-2 SU but just 1-3 ATS at home at Redbird Arena. The Redbirds are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. 

My CBB Game of the Week is a 10* play on Missouri State Bears. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The Cleveland Cavaliers have dropped their last five road games and took a 102-88 loss at Boston on Wednesday. This looks like a good spot to get back on track and feast on a lowly Magic side though. 

Orlando has lost three in a row after taking a 116-98 beating by the Rockets here at Amway Center Wednesday night. The Magic have covered the spread only once through their last eight games and they're 2-10 ATS in their last 12 games playing on two days rest.

Cleveland is expected to have point guard Isaiah Thomas available for his second game of the season. He scored 17 points in 19 minutes off the bench in a 127-110 win over Portland on Tuesday. 

The Cavs are 15-5-1 ATS in the last 21 meetings and 8-1 ATS in the last nine meetings at Orlando.

My selection is a 10* play on Cleveland Cavaliers. 

SUPER EARLY BAMA @ GEORGIA CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Alabama Crimson Tide will be looking to bounce back from a 76-75 loss at Vanderbilt when they visit the Georgia Bulldogs Saturday afternoon. They're still 4-1 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a winning home record and I think they'll put up a good fight here against the Georgia Bulldogs. Home court has not been much of a factor in recent meetings with the road team going 6-2 ATS the last eight in this series.

My selection is an 8* play on Alabama Crimson Tide. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Oregon Ducks look like a solid favorite here in this late Friday night matchup with Oregon State Beavers. Oregon is 6-2 ATS in the last eight head-to-head meetings and coming off a 77-62 rout of Colorado. Oregon State meanwhile took a 66-64 loss against Utah its last time out and hit just 41.8 percent of its shots in the defeat. 

Oregon State is 7-2 SU but only 2-7 ATS home at Gill Coliseum on the season. Oregon is 4-1 ATS in its last five road games and 8-3 ATS in its last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

My selection is an 8* play on Oregon Ducks. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Home team is 7-0 ATS in the last seven meetings between the Utah Jazz and the Denver Nuggets, and that's a trend I expect to continue here Friday night. 

The Denver Nuggets closed out 2017 with a pair of losses, but they opened the new year with a convincing display in their 134-111 triumph over Phoenix on Wednesday. The Nuggets are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and 24-10 ATS in their last 34 games after scoring more than 125 points in their previous game.

The Utah Jazz meanwhile have gone a month without a winning streak as they've lost four of their last five games and 11 of their last 14. They're 0-4 ATS in their last four road games vs. a team with a winning home record and took a 107-83 beating here in the Mile High City the day after Christmas.  

My selection is a 10* play on Denver Nuggets. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Miami Heat have won five of seven and nine of their last 13 following a 111-104 triumph over Detroit on Wednesday. They'll be looking to avenge a 115-86 loss at New York back in November, and this looks like a great time to take on the road weary Knicks. 

The Knickerbockers took a 121-103 loss at Washington on Wednesday night to drop to 3-13 on the road for the season. They're relying heavy on star forward Kristaps Porzingis, but he managed only 16 points against the Wizards, including just two points after halftime. "I'm so tired right now," Porzingis told the New York Post after the game. "I have one day to rest my legs and play better (against the Heat).

My selection is an 8* play on Miami Heat. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off an impressive 122-101 triumph over Indiana, but they're just 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and here they'll run into a red hot Raptors team. Toronto has won three in row and defeated the Bucks 131-127 in overtime on New Year's Day. Raptors guard DeMar DeRozan set a Raptors franchise record in that contest, scoring 52 points on 17-of-29 shooting with five 3-pointers and he's averaged 48.5 points in Toronto's last two contests since the turn of the new year. 

Milwaukee will no doubt look for revenge, but note that the Raptors are 6-2 ATS in the last eight meetings at BMO Harris Bradley Center.

My selection is a 10* play on Toronto Raptors. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Elon Phoenix have reeled off three straight victories, including underdog wins against Indiana State and Towson. Here Elon will visit the Northeastern Huskies who took a 71-70 loss as 5-point favorite against Hofstra their last time out. They're 0-6 ATS in their last six games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and last season's two meetings with Elon were decided by a combined three points.

My selection is an 8* play on Elon Phoenix. 

CBB 3-PACK

The UNCW Seahawks will pay a visit to the Towson Tigers Friday night, and I think the visitors are getting way too many points to pass up on.

Towson is coming off four straight defeats, and while the Tigers will be desperate to put an end to the skid home at SECU Arena tonight, keep in mind that this is primarily a defensive team which rarely blows the socks off its opponents. UNC Wilmington will be filled with confidence and looking to build on a 20-point victory over Drexel its last time out. 

The underdog is 15-2 ATS in the last 17 meetings and UNCW won 83-78 straight up as a 9.5-point underdog last season.

My selection is an 8* play on UNC Wilmington Seahawks. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA)

The LA Clippers look like good value here when they host Oklahoma City Thursday night. The Thunder put a 133-96 beating on the Lakers here in LA last night while the Clippers have had a days rest since a 113-105 triumph over Memphis on Jan 2. The Clippers have won four in a row (4-0 ATS) and seven of their last eight and standout power forward Blake Griffin has averaged 23.3 points, 6.7 assists and 6.3 rebounds in his first three contests after missing 14 straight due to a knee injury.

Let down spot for the Thunder here after last night's dominant triumph, and we can note that they're just 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record (LA is still just 17-19 on the season) while the Clippers are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall.

My NBA Game of the Week is a 10* play on LA Clippers. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Phoenix Suns recorded a 104-103 home win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, but I think they'll struggle here playing on no rest in high altitude in Denver. The Nuggets will be looking to open the new year with a victory after closing out 2017 with back-to-back defeats to Philadelphia and Minnesota. The Nuggets will be well rested and they're 35-15-2 ATS in their last 52 games playing on three or more days rest. We can also note that they've covered the spread in six straight meetings with the Suns. Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings and I expect Denver to prevail in a high-scoring affair. 

My selection is an 8* play on Denver Nuggets. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Phoenix Suns recorded a 104-103 home win over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday, but I think they'll struggle here playing on no rest in high altitude in Denver. The Nuggets will be looking to open the new year with a victory after closing out 2017 with back-to-back defeats to Philadelphia and Minnesota. The Nuggets will be well rested and they're 35-15-2 ATS in their last 52 games playing on three or more days rest. We can also note that they've covered the spread in six straight meetings with the Suns. Over is 4-0 in the last four meetings and I expect Denver to prevail in a high-scoring affair. 

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Indiana Pacers have gone into a tailspin, losing four straight games and failing to cover the spread in each of their last five. They took a 107-90 beating by Minnesota on New Year's Eve, and might once again be playing without leading scorer Victor Oladipo (knee). I predict another blowout loss when they visit Central Division rival Milwaukee Bucks Wednesday night. 

The Bucks were coming off back-to-back triumphs over Minnesota and OKC before falling to Toronto in OT on New Year's Day. It was still an impressive performance from this Bucks team which has covered the spread in three straight games. Bucks are 6-0-1 ATS in their last seven games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss. 

My selection is a 10* play on Milwaukee Bucks. 

NBA HARDWOOD HAMMER

The Detroit Pistons have played three straight "unders" and held the Spurs to just 79 points on 36.9 percent shooting their last time out. I think the posted total for Wednesday's matchup with the Miami Heat looks a bit light though, and I think we'll see a relatively high-scoring contest. The Heat have won eight of 12 after a 117-111 win at Orlando on Saturday, and both teams will come into this contest well rested and ready to drive up the tempo. 

The Pistons on the last meeting 112-103 back in November and over is 4-1 in the last five encounters.

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Florida State Seminoles have been money against the spread all season (9-2 ATS), and I think they'll deliver the goods once again here as a small home favorite against the North Carolina Tar Heels Wednesday night. 

North Carolina shot just 39.7 percent from the field and needed a late rally to get past Wake Forest as a 14-point favorite its last time out. FSU meanwhile will be looking to get back to its winning ways after taking a 100-93 loss as an 11.5-point dog at Duke on Saturday, dropping 15 three-pointers in the process. Still an impressive result though as the Seminoles proved they can hang with one of the best teams in the Nation in that contest, and I trust them to get past NC here. 

My selection is an 8* play on FSU Seminoles. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Boston College Eagles had won five straight before coming up just one point short as 15.5-point underdog against ninth ranked Virginia on Saturday. They defeated Duke 89-84 in their ACC opener so there's no doubt that this Boston College team is a dangerous opponent. Here the Eagles will face a Clemson Tigers side that has won eight in a row and possibly due for a let down game. The Eagles are 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a winning road record and I expect them to keep this a close contest until the very end. 

My selection is an 8* play on Boston College Eagles. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Georgia Bulldogs lost by just five points as a 9.5-point underdog at Kentucky their last time out. They're 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a straight up loss and looking good to win and cover the spread here against the Ole Miss Rebels who grinded out a 74-69 victory over the Gamecocks at home in their SEC opener. They're however just 2-6 ATS in their last eight games following a straight up win and 2-7 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

My selection is an 8* play on Georgia Bulldogs. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

The New York Knicks took a 119-107 loss at San Antonio on December 28 but bounced back with a triumph at New Orleans two days later to end a four-game skid. They're looking to exact revenge on the Spurs here at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night, and I'm well happy to take the points on the home team in this contest.

The Knicks have a .500 record overall on the season, but they're 15-6 SU and ATS in front of the home fans and we can note that the Spurs have a losing SU record away from home while going 6-12 ATS.

My selection is a 10* play on NY Knicks. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA NEW YEAR'S DAY DESTROYER

The Toronto Raptors had won 12 of 13 before taking back-to-back losses at Dallas and Oklahoma City last week. They came back by putting a 111-98 beating on Atlanta on Friday, and I think they'll bring down the hammer on Milwaukee Bucks here on New Year's Day. Note that the Raptors are a solid 6-2 ATS in their last eight games overall and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.

The Milwaukee Bucks are coming off back-to-back victories against Minnesota and Oklahoma City, but this is a tough spot on the road following the New Year celebrations. Note that the Bucks are just 1-8-3 ATS in their last 12 against Eastern Conference foes and 3-7-2 ATS in their last 12 games following a straight up win.

My selection is a 10* play on Toronto Raptors. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (CBB)

The Georgia Bulldogs have already recorded three victories against 2017 NCAA tournament qualifiers, and I think they'll give the Kentucky Wildcats all they can handle on New Years Eve. Kentucky has a lot of talent and aims for its fourth consecutive regular-season SEC title, but the Wildcats are in a let down spot after mauling in-state rival Louisville 90-61 on Friday. Georgia meanwhile will be well rested with plenty of time off since its 84-66 rout of Temple on Dec. 22. 

My CBB Game of the Week is a 10* play on Georgia Bulldogs. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Washington Wizards took down the Boston Celtics on Christmas Day, only to lose at the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday. They're in a similar spot here coming off an impressive 121-103 triumph over Houston. The Wizards are only 1-5 ATS in its last six games following a straight up win and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a losing straight up record. 

Chicago has proven extremely hard to beat lately both straight up and against the spread. The Bulls enter this contest riding a three-game winning streak and they'll be looking to close out the year as winners of 11 of their last 13 games. They're 13-2-1 ATS in their last 16 games overall and the road team is 14-6 ATS in the last 20 meetings with the Wizards.

My selection is a 10* play on Chicago Bulls. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Cleveland Cavaliers are coming off back-to-back losses, first a 99-92 setback at Golden State on Christmas Day followed by a 109-95 loss to Sacramento on Wednesday. They'll no doubt head into this contest angry and hungry for a win. 

"Sometimes, when you're winning as much as you're winning, you have slippage," Cleveland guard Dwyane Wade told reporters. "We've had some slippage, and we've got to figure out a way to nip it in the bud before it becomes: 'We in a rut, and we've got to get ourselves back out of it.'" As a bonus we can note that today is LeBron James' 33rd birthday, and you better believe the team wants to celebrate him with a victory. 

I think the Cavs will bounce back against a Utah side that took a 126-101 loss at Golden State on Wednesday. The Jazz have now lost three in a row and 10 of their last 12. 

My selection is an 8* play on Cleveland Cavaliers. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Miami Heat will be looking to bounce back from an embarrassing 111-87 home home defeat against Brooklyn last night. They shot just 33.7 percent from the field and I think they'll struggle with their shooting again here in this rivalry matchup with the Orlando Magic.

Orlando is coming off a 102-89 victory over Detroit but had scored 100+ points in only two of its last seven games prior to that. Under is 5-0 in Magic's last five home games and we can note that Miami has a winning road record despite scoring only 99.6 ppg away from home.

Under is 5-0 in Magic's last five home games, 7-0 in Heat's last seven games playing on no rest and 9-3 in their last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

NBA 3-PACK

Both teams are coming off high-scoring contests, with the Knicks taking a 119-107 loss at San Antonio on Thursday and the Pels taking a 128-120 beating by Dallas Friday night. 

Over is 10-1 in Pelicans last 11 home games and 12-2 in their last 14 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Over is 7-2 in Knicks last nine road games and 6-2 in their last eight after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

TOP RATED 10* CBB ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Wichita State Shockers (10-2) look like a solid road favorite at Connecticut Huskies (7-5) Saturday night. This will be their first American Athletic Conference game, and there's no doubt they'll be pumped up for it. "Obviously you want to make a good first impression," Shockers sophomore guard Landry Shamet told the Wichita Eagle about their nationally televised AAC debut. "But we’re approaching this like we would with any other good teams we’ve played. We just look at it like we have another good team we have to go try and beat."

The Huskies are 1-3 SU in their last four contests, 2-7 ATS overall on the season and 0-3 ATS home at XL Center. They're averaging 70.0 ppg and there's just no way they'll keep up with this Shockers team that averages 85.8 ppg.

My selection is a 10* play on Wichita State Shockers.

CBB 3-PACK

The Colorado Buffaloes and the Oregon State Beavers will open their Pac 12 action Friday night with an identical 8-4 record. 

The Colorado Buffaloes have dropped four of their last six following a 6-0 start to the season. They have however won four of the last five meetings with the Oregon State Beavers and I expect them to put up a good fight here at Gill Coliseum Friday night. Colorado has yet to win a true road game, but the Beavers are just 1-6 ATS at home on the season. 

My selection is an 8* play on Colorado Buffaloes. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Washington Huskies and the USC Trojans will clash in the Pac 12 opener for both teams Friday night. The Huskies have won eight of their last nine games and I think they'll give the Trojans all they can handle here. They're great at hustling their opponent and lead the Pac-12 and rank 15th nationally with 9.3 steals per game, which can be compared to the Trojans' 4.8 steals per game. 

USC is coming off three consecutive triumphs, but the last two haven’t been very impressive, just barely beating Middle Tennessee St. and a come-from-behind victory against New Mexico State on Christmas Day. 

This looks like too many points to cover for the home team.

My selection is an 8* play on Washington Huskies. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BUCKET BREAKER

The Chicago Bulls are without a doubt one of the league's hottest teams as they into this Central Division matchup with the Indiana Pacers home at United Center Friday night. The Pacers have won each of the last three meetings, including a 98-96 victory at Indiana on Dec. 6, but Chicago is 9-2 since forward Nikola Mirotic returned from facial fractures one game after the loss in Indiana. 

The Pacers are coming off back-to-back losses, most recently a 98-94 home loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. Leading scorer Victor Oladipo missed the contest due to a knee injury and he has already been ruled out for this one.

Bullsare 13-3-1 ATS in their last 17 games overall and the home team is 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings in this series. 

My selection is a 10* play on Chicago Bulls. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Baylor Bears (10-2) and the Texas Red Raiders (11-1) are both entering Big 12 play with impressive records. The Bears are 13-5 ATS in their last 18 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and I think taking the points on the visitors is the right play here. Texas Tech lost just once during non-conference play to a veteran Seton Hall team, but I'm still not convinced its defense will hold up here against the Bears. Note that Baylor has scored 99 points or more in three of its last five games. 

My selection is an 8* play on Baylor Bears. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA ATS ANNIHILATOR

The New York Knicks can compete with just about anyone home at Madison Square Garden, but it's a completely different story on the road where the Knickerbockers are just 2-11 SU (4-9 ATS). They'll play on no rest here after falling 92-87 at Chicago last night, and the Knicks will be facing one of the absolute strongest home teams in the NBA with the San Antonio Spurs going 16-2 SU (12-5-1 ATS) home at AT&T Center. 

The Spurs have had a days rest since beating Brooklyn 109-97 on Dec. 26 when Kawhi Leonard delivered 21 points in a season-high 26 minutes. He has played in just five games after suffering a quadriceps injury prior to the campaign and his return is a massive boost for San Antonio. 

The Spurs are 7-0-1 ATS in their last eight games playing on one days rest and 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

My selection is a 10* play on San Antonio Spurs. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA GAME OF THE WEEK

The Memphis Grizzlies are in a tough spot here, playing on no rest after a tight loss at Phoenix last night.

The LA Lakers have lost six of their last seven, but they've had a days rest since losing to Minnesota here at Staples Center on Christmas Day, and they're 7-1 ATS in their last eight playing on one days rest. The Grizzlies have failed to cover the spread in each of their last five games and they're 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

Home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings and I'm confident this is a supreme situation to back the Lakers. 

My selection is a 10* play on LA Lakers. 

NBA 3-PACK

The LA Clippers had won two in a row before taking a 115-112 loss at Memphis their last time out. Clippers guard Austin Rivers is red hot and has set a career high in scoring in consecutive games with 36 in an upset win at Houston on Friday and then 38 in the loss to the Grizzlies. I think they'll get back in the winners circle when they host the Sacramento Kings Tuesday night.

Sacramento had also won two straight before recently falling 108-99 to San Antonio on Saturday. This will be tough mentally to play on the road the day after Christmas, and we can note that the Clippers are 7-1-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.

My selection is an 8* play on LA Clippers

3-PACK OF NBA TOTALS

Both teams have been involved in several low-scoring contests lately, but the Phoenix Suns are coming off a 115-106 loss to Minnesota while the Memphis Grizzlies took a 115-112 loss to the Clippers their last time out. Note that Phoenix expects to have its star guard Devin Booker back in the lineup after missing the last nine games due to a groin injury which should give its offense a further boost.

The Suns are just 5-13 home at Talking Stick Resort Arena while conceding 113.0 ppg. Over is 9-2-1 in Grizzlies last 12 road games vs. a team with a losing home record and over is 10-4 in Suns last 14 vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

3-PACK OF NBA TOTALS

The Denver Nuggets will host the Utah Jazz Tuesday night. Under is 10-1 in the last 11 meetings at Pepsi Center, and I think we'll see another low-scoring encounter. 

Denver is coming off an impressive 96-81 triumph over the Warriors and held their opponent to 3-of-27 from the 3-point line. Utah meanwhile made just 6-of-26 long-range attempts in Saturday's 103-89 loss to Oklahoma City.

We can also note that the Jazz are a pathetic 3-13 on the road this season and under is 8-1 in Nuggets last nine home games vs. a team with a losing road record. The Jazz have lost four of their last five and scored 100 points or fewer in each defeat. 

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

3-PACK OF NBA TOTALS

The San Antonio Spurs are one of the top defensive teams in the league, and they usually have little trouble with the Nets offense home at AT&T Center. They've won 14 straight encounters as the home team with under going 7-2-1 in the last 10.

Spurs have played most of the season without star small forward Kawhi Leonard, one of the best defensive players in the league. This will be his fifth game since coming back from a quadriceps injury while Brooklyn will have to do without D'Angelo Russell for at least three more weeks due to November knee surgery. 

Under is 9-2 in Nets last 11 overall and I think the bookmakers have set the total way too low once again. 

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Toronto Raptors will try to extend their winning streak to seven straight victories when they visit the Dallas Mavericks Tuesday night. The Mavs have lost two straight five of their last six, but I think they'll make a stand here. The motivation will be low for the visitors, on the road just after the Christmas celebrations facing a non-conference opponent that owns the worst record in the West. The Mavericks are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games playing on two days rest. 

My selection is an 8* play on Dallas Mavericks. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Detroit Pistons won for the fourth time in five games when they held off the Knicks 104-101 at home Thursday. They're 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days rest and I think they'll get the better of the Indiana Pacers here at Little Caesars Arena Tuesday night. 

The Pacers are coming off a 123-119 overtime win over Brooklyn Saturday night as they had to dig themselves out of a big hole. That's been a common theme for the Pacers this season, and I'm not quite sure they have the grit and commitment necessary to do it again here after the Christmas festivities if they were to fall behind early.

The Pistons have failed to cover the spread in each of their last three games, and that's one of the reasons why they're not a bigger favorite here. My money is on the home team. 

My selection is an 8* play on Detroit Pistons 

XMAS DAY NBA 3-PACK 

The Oklahoma City Thunder have finally found some kind of consistency, coming off four straight victories. I think they're about to run into trouble here though when they host a Houston Rockets team looking to bounce back from back-to-back losses to first the Lakers, and most recently a 128-118 loss as a 10-point favorite against the Clippers. Note that the Rockets are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a double-digit loss at home and 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games.

The Thunder meanwhile are 1-7 ATS in their last eight home games and 4-12 ATS in their last 16 games overall. OKC is overrated because of the trio of Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Russell Westbrook. They do not have the depth to compete with a squad like the Rockets. 

My selection is an 8* play on Houston Rockets.  

XMAS DAY NBA 3-PACK 

The Boston Celtics have been inconsistent lately, but they're coming off a 117-92 triumph against the Bulls and I think they'll make it two in a row when hosting the Washington Wizards on Christmas Day. 

The Wizards took a 119-84 beating at Brooklyn on Friday before bouncing back at home against the injury-ravaged Orlando Magic. The Wizards are however 4-10 ATS in their last 14 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.

These two teams really don't like each other so motivation won't be an issue for either side, but the home cookin' is strong in this series and the Wizards are 0-9 ATS in the last nine meetings in Boston.

My selection is an 8* play on Boston Celtics.  

XMAS DAY NBA 3-PACK 

The Golden State Warriors were held to a season-low 81 points and 3-for-27 3-point shooting by Denver in a home loss Saturday night. They had won 11 straight prior to that setback, and I think they'll show up here for this marquee matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

This will be the third consecutive year those teams battle it out on Christmas Day, with the home team winning both times. Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in the series overall. 

The Cavs failed to cover the spread in a 115-112 home win against Chicago their last time out and only 1-5 ATS in their last six games.

I really like the fact that we get the Warriors off a loss here. They'll be looking to make things right in front of the home fans.

My selection is an 8* play on Golden State Warriors. 

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Golden State Warriors were held to a season-low 81 points and 3-for-27 3-point shooting by Denver in a home loss Saturday night. They had won 11 straight prior to that setback, and I think they'll show up here for this marquee matchup with the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

This will be the third consecutive year those teams battle it out on Christmas Day, with the home team winning both times. Home team is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in the series overall. 

The Cavs failed to cover the spread in a 115-112 home win against Chicago their last time out and only 1-5 ATS in their last six games.

I really like the fact that we get the Warriors off a loss here. They'll be looking to make things right in front of the home fans.

Under is 5-2 in Cavaliers last seven road games. Under is 4-1 in Warriors last five home games. Under is 7-2-2 in the last 11 meetings in at Oracle Arena, and I don't expect a ton of points today either.

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Minnesota Timberwolves are coming off back-to-back triumphs against Portland and Denver, but I think they're about to run into trouble at Phoenix Saturday night. The Sun are coming off a 97-95 win against Memphis and they've covered the spread in four of their last five games. 

The Wolves are two games clear at the top of the Southeast Division and probably just looking forward to get home for Christmas Eve before taking on the Lakers at LA the next day. The Suns are just 5-12 SU at home on the season but 19-7-1 ATS in their last 27 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Timberwolves are 3-13 ATS in their last 16 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of less than .400.

My selection is an 8* play on Phoenix Suns. 

NBA 3-PACK

The LA Clippers defeated the Rockets 128-118 as a 12-point dog at Houston Friday night. They'll visit the Memphis Grizzlies here on no rest, and I like the home team as the shorthanded Clippers surely will struggle with their lack of depth. Both teams are banged up, but the Clippers are in an obvious let down spot while Memphis is in dire need of a win after losing three straight and eight of its last nine. 

The Grizzlies won 113-104 at LA back in November, and it will be tough for the Clippers to get revenge tonight. 

My selection is an 8* play on Memphis Grizzlies. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Chicago Bulls had literally been unbeatable since getting Nikola Mirotic back in the lineup prior to a setback at Cleveland their last time out. Losing 115-112 at Cleveland is absolutely nothing to be ashamed of though, and they're still a perfect 9-0 ATS through their last nine games. The Boston Celtics have completely fallen apart lately and coming off back-to-back losses to the Heat and the Knicks. They're 1-5-1 ATS in their last seven games and in a look ahead spot with a date with the Wizards coming up on Christmas Day. Let's roll with the Bulls. 

My selection is an 8* play on Chicago Bulls. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Brooklyn Nets upset the Wizards at Washington Friday night, winning 119-84 at home. I think they'll struggle on the road at Indiana here though, as they'll be playing on no rest against a Pacers team that has had two full days off since beating the Hawks at Atlanta by double digits on Wednesday. Pacers are 24-9 ATS in their last 33 games playing on two days rest and 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Nets are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings and 0-4 ATS in the last four meetings in Indiana.

My selection is an 8* play on Indiana Pacers.

TOP RATED 10* SUPER EARLY CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have won six in a row following a 1-4 start to the season. I think they'll give the visiting Tennessee Volunteers more than they can handle here Saturday afternoon. 

The Vols took a 78-73 loss against UNC on Dec 17 and won by only five points as a 16-point favorite against Furman three days later. They shot just 37.1 percent against Furman while Wake Forest is coming off a terrific 51% shooting performance against Coastal Carolina its last time out. The Demon Deacons have shot above 50 percent in each outing during the winning streak.

The Demon Deacons are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 home games and 10-1 ATS in their last 11 Saturday games. Wake Forest officials have made efforts to try to draw a big pre-holiday crowd, and I think the home court advantage will prove to be worth a lot here in this afternoon game. 

My selection is a 10* play on Wake Forest Demon Deacons. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (NBA)

The Houston Rockets had won 14 straight, more often than not in blowout fashion, prior to taking a 122-116 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday. I have no doubt they'll get back to their winning ways with a big outing when they host the LA Clippers Friday night. 

The Clippers put an end to a three-game skid with a 108-95 home triumph against Phoenix on Wednesday, but they had averaged only 89 ppg through three consecutive losses on the road prior to that. The Clip Show are averaging only 99.5 ppg on the road for the season (compared to 103.5 ppg overall) while the Rockets are averaging an amazing 116 ppg home at Toyota Center. 

Houston's Chris Paul will this game against his former team due to injury, but the Clippers will be even worse for wear playing without three starters (Beverley, Gallinari, Griffin).  

My NBA Game of the Month is a 10* play on Houston Rockets. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (CBB)

The Gonzaga Bulldogs are coming off a 101-71 triumph against IUPUI, the third time this season they've scored 100 points in a game. Over is 7-0 in Gonzaga's last seven overall and I expect another high-scoring contest when it visits the San Diego State Aztecs Thursday night.

The Bulldogs are no doubt looking forward to the stay in San Diego with the temperatures getting down into the single-digits this weekend in Spokane; "I'm excited to get out of the cold for a little while and see the sun," forward Johnathan Williams told the Spokane Spokesman-Review. I think there's a chance they'll take this trip too much as a vacation translating into a lack of intensity on defense. 

Offensively you never have to worry about the Bulldogs, and San Diego State has allowed 65.6 ppg home at Viejas Arena while Gonzaga is averaging 97.0 ppg on the road. 

My CBB Game of the Month is a 10* play on Over. 

THURSDAY NIGHT NBA TOTAL

The Memphis Grizzlies took a 97-84 beating at Golden State while the Phoenix Suns lost 108-95 at LA Clippers last night. Both teams are coming off a woeful night of shooting (Phoenix 36.1 percent, Memphis a season-low 33.3 percent) but we should see a correction tonight. 

Phoenix has lost five straight in the desert and it is just 4-12 at home on the season, and the biggest reason is a subpar defense allowing 114.0 ppg on average. Over is 9-1-1 in Grizzlies last 11 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.

Memphis won the last meeting 130-112, and this total looks more than a couple of points off to me. 

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The Boston Celtics coughed up a big lead for a second straight game when they fell 90-89 to Miami Wednesday night. They'll play on no rest here at New York the following night and are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on back-to-back nights. 

The New York Knicks are 14-5 SU and ATS home at Madison Square Garden on the season and they expect to have star forward Kristaps Porzingis back in the lineup after missing the last two games due to knee soreness. The Knicks will be well rested and looking to bounce back from a dreadful performance in Monday's 109-91 loss at Charlotte. They had won four straight prior to that setback and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss.

My selection is a 10* play on NY Knicks. 

TOP RATED 10* LATE NIGHTCRAWLER - KSU @ WSU

The Kansas State Wildcats have done just enough to win pretty much the whole season and they're 1-6 ATS through their last seven games. I think they're asked to cover way too many points again when they visit the Washington St. Cougars Wednesday night. 

The Cougars were coming off three ugly losses but defeated IUPUI their last time out. Washington State was 8-for-20 from behind the arc in that contest and ranks fifth nationally in made 3-pointers at 11.7 per game. The Cougars are never truly out of a game with shooting like that and Kansas State just gave up 11 3-pointers against SEMO.

The Wildcats are coming off three straight games home at Friel Court and they're just 6-14-2 ATS in their last 22 road games following three or more consecutive home games.

My selection is a 10* play on Washington State Cougars. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Golden State Warriors have lost only six games all season, and one of those setbacks came at Memphis on Oct. 21 when the Grizzlies defeated the Warriors 111-101.

I expect the Warriors to show up to avenge that defeat with a blowout victory here against the banged up Grizzlies who have lost 17 of their last 19 games. Golden State has some injuries as well and Steph Curry is expected to miss this game, but it has plenty of depth and Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson have been able to carry the team of late. 

Grizzlies are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record. Warriors are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.

My selection is an 8* play on Golden State Warriors. 

CBB BANKROLL BUILDER - TOTAL

The North Carolina Tar Heels recorded a 78-73 win at 20th ranked Tennessee on Sunday after closing the game on an 11-3 run. I would not be surprised to see them come out sluggish and not do more than necessary to win here against Wofford which has won four in a row.The Tar Heels can however always rely on their solid D which has held opponents to 39.8 percent shooting from the floor on the season, so points will surely not come easy for the Terriers.

"(We’re) getting our guys to realize that the game might not be pretty, you might not hit shots but the one thing you can do is defend, get offensive rebounds, get defensive rebounds," Joel Berry II told reporters after the win against the Vols. 

My selection is an 8* play on Under. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Boston Celtics almost blew a 19-point lead at Indiana on Monday but managed to score the winner in the dying seconds of the game. I don't think they'll make the same mistake again and instead roll from start to finish here when they host the Miami Heat Wednesday night.

Miami is coming off a 110-104 loss at Atlanta and has covered the spread in only three of its last four games. Miami center Hassan Whiteside (knee) did not travel with the team to Boston and guard Goran Dragic missed Monday's loss due to an elbow injury. 

The teams have split the first two meetings of the season with the Heat winning the last encounter 104-98 home at Miami, putting an end to the Celtics 17-game winning streak.

Boston will no doubt be looking for revenge tonight, and I expect the Celtics to show up for this game. 

My selection is an 8* play on Boston Celtics. 

NBA 3-PACK

The Charlotte Hornets are coming off a 109-91 triumph against the Knicks, but they had lost three straight prior to that and six of their last eight. The Toronto Raptors meanwhile are coming off back-to-back blowout victories against Brooklyn and Sacramento and they've won nine of their last 10 contests. Toronto has averaged 114.3 ppg in its last three and has the ability to play lock down defense, further proved by the fact that it held Sacramento to just 30 points in the second half its last time out. Charlotte has struggled to put up points lately and is just 1-5 ATS in its last six home games home at Spectrum Center.

My selection is an 8* play on Toronto Raptors. 

EARLY CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Bradley Braves have been involved in relatively low-scoring contests this season, and the under is 8-1 in their 11 games (two games with no line). Their last contest, against Little Rock, had the total set at just 124 points and went over the total, with Bradly scoring 86 points. Bradley has now put up a total of 170 points in its last two games combined. 

I think the oddsmakers have set the total way too low here considering that the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks have averaged 80.5 ppg on offense home at Show Me Center while giving up 82.0 ppg. Over is 7-1 in Redhawks last eight home games.

Bradley won 84-78 in the last encounter, back in November last year.

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' guard Josh Okogie missed the first eight games of the season due to a suspension and a finger injury but scored 19 points in 28 minutes in a 79-54 home victory over Florida A&M on Sunday. The Yellow Jackets are averaging only 65.6 ppg, but they should do better from here on with Okogie back on the floor. The Georgia Bulldogs had scored 70+ points through four straight victories before taking a 72-62 loss at Massachusetts their last time out. Over is 7-1 in Bulldogs last eight home games. 

I think the total is set way too low here, and I expect the Yellow Jackets to put up plenty of points and hang in there until the end. 

My selection is an 8* play on Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets' guard Josh Okogie missed the first eight games of the season due to a suspension and a finger injury but scored 19 points in 28 minutes in a 79-54 home victory over Florida A&M on Sunday. The Yellow Jackets are averaging only 65.6 ppg, but they should do better from here on with Okogie back on the floor. The Georgia Bulldogs had scored 70+ points through four straight victories before taking a 72-62 loss at Massachusetts their last time out. Over is 7-1 in Bulldogs last eight home games. 

I think the total is set way too low here, and I expect the Yellow Jackets to put up plenty of points and hang in there until the end. 

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The Cleveland Cavaliers are on a roll, entering this game on a five-game winning streak and they've recorded an amazing 18 victories in the past 19 contests. They defeated the Wizards 106-99 at Washington behind 20 points, 15 assists and 12 rebounds from Lebron James on Sunday, and the Cavs should have little trouble with another Eastern Conference foe in the Bucks here Tuesday night. 

Milwaukee is coming off three straight losses and it is only 1-4-2 ATS in its last seven home games. The Cavs are 3-1-1 ATS in the last five meetings and already defeated the Bucks twice this season, winning 116-97 here at Bradley Center back in October. 

My selection is a 10* play on Cleveland Cavaliers. 

CBB 3-PACK

The Clemson Tigers beat the South Carolina Gamecocks 62-60 on the road last season, and they're coming off an impressive 71-69 win as a 6.5-point dog against Florida. They're averaging 78.9 ppg on 50.2 percent shooting from the field. Their 59 percent clip on 2-point field goals ranks ninth in the country. 

The Gamecocks just barely got by Coastal Carolina their last time out, winning 80-78 as a 15-point favorite and they allowed their opponent to shoot 46 percent from the field.

My selection is an 8* play on Clemson Tigers.

SUBSCRIBERS ONLY

The Creighton Bluejays are perfect 6-0 home at CenturyLink Center this season, and their only losses this campaign have come against Gonzaga and Baylor. I think they'll make light work of the UT Arlington Mavericks Monday night. 

Creighton beat UMES 87-36 as a 36.5-point favorite on Friday while UT Arlington recorded an 86-65 win at Texas Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. Starting point guard Erick Neal is questionable for the Mavs tonight, which would be a huge blow as their two seniors – Kevin Hervey and Neal are running the offense. Creighton has a terrific offense, ranked 9th in the nation for scoring offense and 10th in field goal percentage. 

My selection is an 8* play on Creighton Bluejays.

NBA ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Dallas Maverick have played competitive basketball lately despite winning only three of their last 10 games. They're 7-2-1 ATS during that span and just barely lost to the Spurs (98-96) on Saturday after coughing up an 11-point lead in the final four-plus minutes. Tonight they'll host a Phoenix Suns team that snapped a six-game losing skid with a come-from-behind 108-106 win as a 12-point dog at Minnesota on Saturday. Let down spot for the Suns here, and my money is on the Mavs. 

My selection is an 8* play on Dallas Mavericks. 

NBA HARDWOOD HAMMER

The Chicago Bulls have won five straight games since starting the season 3-20. The difference spells Nikola Mirotic, who missed the first 23 games recovering from facial fractures after a fight with teammate Bobby Portis during training camp. I think the Bulls are about to run into some serious trouble tonight though, hosting a Philadelphia 76ers team that desperately needs a win after losing five of its last six, the last two in overtime. The 76ers are in a good spot, playing on two days rest (8-2 ATS last 10) and they're 12-5-1 ATS in their last 18 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record.

My selection is an 8* play on Philadelphia 76ers. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA MONEYLINE MASSACRE

The Miami Heat have won four of their last five with road wins at Brooklyn, Memphis and Charlotte included. The Atlanta Hawks on the other hand have lost four in row after winning three times in seven games. The Hawks have the worst record in the NBA at 6-23 and the Heat are 7-0-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. 

Miami defeated the Clippers 90-85 on Saturday despite shooting only 37.8 percent from the field, and it has played very good defense of late, holding three of its last five opponents to fewer than 90 points. Atlanta has surrendered 110 or more points seven times in the past 10 games.

My selection is a 10* play on Miami Heat. 

CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Charlotte 49ers are losers of four straight, and coach Mark Price lost his job after a 64-50 setback at Chattanoga on Dec. 10. "We’re trending in the wrong direction," 49ers athletics director Judy Rose said. Rose also said she didn’t see the 49ers playing hard for Price, particularly in the defeat at Chattanooga, when Charlotte managed just two offensive rebounds. 

Assistant Houston Fancher has been named the interim coach, and the 49ers hope to get the same effect as East Carolina got after its own coaching change, winning three straight under Michael Perry.

I think the coaching change will give Charlotte a boost, and I'm taking the points on the visitors in this matchup.

My selection is an 8* play on Charlotte 49ers. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

Tough spot for the San Antonio Spurs who took a 124-109 beating at Houston last night. They're 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games playing on no rest. The Dallas Mavericks are still not winning many games, but they're 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 games and defeated the Spurs 95-89 at home earlier this week to improve to 6-1 ATS in the last seven head-to-head meetings.

My selection is a 10* play on Dallas Mavericks. 

CBB BANKROLL BUILDER

The Virginia Tech Hokies lead the country with an average of 96 points per game on 55% shooting, and I think they'll give the Kentucky Wildcats all they can handle here on Saturday. The Wildcats have been asked to cover too big spreads more often than not this season while Virginia Tech has done extremely well against the spread, and it is 10-2 ATS in its last 12 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

My selection is an 8* play on Virginia Tech Hokies. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

The Boston Celtics opened the week with a 108-85 loss at Chicago without Kyrie Irving (quadriceps), but he was back for Wednesday's 124-118 win over Denver and left the hardwood with 33 points. The Utah Jazz are struggling, coming off four straight defeats and they've failed to cover the spread in each of the last three. 

Celtics are 9-3-2 ATS in their last 14 home games and 18-6-2 ATS in their last 26 games playing on one days rest. Jazz are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games and 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games playing on one days rest.

Boston has won eight straight head-to-head meetings with the Jazz home at TD Garden, going 6-0-2 ATS during that stretch.

My selection is a 10* play on Boston Celtics. 

NBA HARDWOOD HAMMER

The LA Clippers opened their road trip with a 106-95 win over the Magic Wednesday night for their third straight win, but I think they're about to run into some serious trouble in the nations capital tonight. The Wizards are coming off a 93-87 home win over the Grizzlies Wednesday night as they welcomed All-Star point guard John Wall (knee) back from injury. Los Angeles has been forced to play without starters Patrick Beverley (knee), Blake Griffin (knee) and Danilo Gallinari (hip) for quite some time and has guard Austin Rivers ruled out for this contest with a concussion. 

Good revenge spot for the Wizards after taking a 113-112 loss at LA on Dec. 9.

My selection is an 8* play on Washington Wizards. 

3-PACK

The Los Angeles Lakers are on fire and they were oh so close to make it three wins in a row before dropping a 113-109 decision at the New York Knicks in overtime on Tuesday. Tonight they'll visit a Cleveland Cavaliers team that is going for its 16th win in 17 games, but the Cavs have just covered the spread in two of their last seven games overall and they're 3-15 ATS in their last 18 home games vs. a team with a road winning % of less than .400.

My selection is an 8* play on Los Angeles Lakers. 

3-PACK

The Detroit Pistons will try to end a seven-game slide when they visit Atlanta Thursday night. The schedule has not been kind though, and I think they'll get the better of the Hawks tonight. Atlanta has covered the spread in four straight and six of its last seven games and I think the linemakers have overreacted to that fact, not giving the Hawks enough points tonight. Detroit beat Atlanta 111-104 at home on Nov. 10 and I predict a similar result in favor of the Pistons in this encounter.

My selection is an 8* play on Detroit Pistons. 

GAME OF THE WEEK (NBA)

The Thunder have been a nightmare for their backers the last few weeks, going 0-9 ATS through their last nine games. I think the linemakers are giving them too much credit once again when they visit Indiana Wednesday night. The Pacers are coming off four straight wins, and they've covered the spread in all but one of their last five games. 

There are also two strong "revenge angles" in play for this encounter, with the Pacers looking to pay back for a 114-96 loss at OKC on Oct. 25, plus the fact that this will be Paul George's first game at Indiana since leaving the team in the summer. 

Looking at the schedule we can note that the Pacers are playing on two days rest (24-8 ATS in their last 32 games playing on two days rest) while the Thunder are playing on one days rest since taking a 116-103 loss against Charlotte on Monday. They're just 5-16 ATS in their last 21 games playing on one days rest.

The Pacers are 10-4 SU (9-5 ATS home at Bankers Life Fieldhouse on the season while the Thunder are 3-9 SU and 2-10 ATS on the road. 

My NBA Game of the Week is a 10* play on Indiana Pacers.

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The L.A. Lakers have opened their four-game road swing with back-to-back upset triumphs at Philadelphia and Charlotte, but I think they're due for a let down game at Madison Square Garden Tuesday night. The Knicks have won just one game on the road this season, but they are a solid 12-5 SU and ATS in front of the home town crowd. We can also note that they're 7-2 ATS in their last nine home games vs. a team with a losing road record and 6-1 ATS in their last seven against teams from the Western Conference. 

My selection is a 10* play on New York Knicks. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

The Toronto Raptors are coming off a 102-87 triumph at Sacramento on Sunday, their sixth straight victory and they've averaged 117 ppg during that stretch. They're 18-7-1 ATS in their last 26 games playing on no rest and I don't think they'll have any trouble with the Clippers at L.A. here Monday night. The Clippers snapped a four-game losing streak with a dramatic win over Washington on Saturday, but they're hampered by injuries and just 5-12 ATS in their last 17 games overall.

My selection is a 10* play on Toronto Raptors. 

SUNDAY NIGHT NBA ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Dallas Mavericks have been very competitive lately despite coming off losses at Boston and Milwaukee. They're 7-2-1 ATS through their last 10 games and I think they'll give the Minnesota Timberwolves a scare here Sunday night.

The Wolves are 15-11 SU on the season, but the bookmakers have a tendency to give them too much credit when facing teams with a losing record (6-15-2 ATS last 23 games vs. a team with a losing straight up record) and at home (0-5-1 ATS last six home games). 

Minnesota wrecked the Mavs twice last month, outscoring them by a total of 37 points, but I think Dallas will keep it much closer in this encounter.

My selection is an 8* play on Dallas Mavericks. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The Boston Celtics will play on double revenge here, coming off a 105-102 loss in San Antonio Friday night and losing the last encounter with the Pistons 118-108 on Nov. 27. The Celtics are 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings in Detroit and I think they'll get the job done here against a Pistons team that has averaged just 97 points during a five-game slide. 

My selection is a 10* play on Boston Celtics. 

COLLEGE BASKETBALL BOOKIE BREAKER

The George Washington Colonials have won three straight games, and they are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. I think they'll keep it reasonably close here when they visit Penn State Nittany Lions Saturday afternoon. Penn State is coming off a deflating 64-63 loss as a 5.5-point favorite against Wisconsin, and George Washington has already won outright as a big dog this season when it took down Temple as an 11-point dog earlier this month. 

My selection is an 8* play on George Washington Colonials. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BASKET BRAWLER

The Washington Wizards will visit the L.A. Clippers for the fourth stop on their five-game road swing. They opened the trip with a 116-69 at Utah but has bounced back with solid wins at Portland and Phoenix. I think they'll make it three in a row here against a struggling Clippers side that has lost four in a row while giving up an average of 114.8 points per game and covering the spread just once. 

The Wizards are without All-Star point guard John Wall, but Bradley Beal has stepped up instead and averaged 42.5 ppg through Washington's last two contests. The Clippers are without All-Star power forward Blake Griffin and no one has been able to make up for it adequately. It certainly doesn't help that Los Angeles is also without guards Milos Teodosic (foot) and Patrick Beverley (out for the season after knee surgery). 

My selection is a 10* play on Washington Wizards. 

SUPER EARLY MARQUETTE @ WISCONSIN ATS ANNIHILATOR

The Marquette Golden Eagles have won four of their last five games. Standout sophomore guard Markus Howard has averaged 32 points while making 21-of-38 from 3-point range in the last three games and Marquette shot 55% from the field in Tuesday's 91-81 home win over Vermont. The Wisconsin Badgers meanwhile have lost three of their last four games and they've averaged just 53.5 ppg while shooting 44% or lower during that stretch. 

Underdog is 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings.

My selection is an 8* play on Marquette Golden Eagles.

CBB BOOKIE BREAKER

The Oregon Ducks will be fired up after losing to Boise State’s Lexus Williams' half-court buzzer beater last Friday. It ended Oregon’s home win streak at a national-best 46 game and I think the Colorado State Rams will pay the price for that loss tonight. The Rams have yet to cover the spread when playing on the road this season and they took a 92-66 road loss at Arkansas on Tuesday. They're just 3-10-1 ATS in their last 14 Friday games while the Ducks are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 Friday games.

My selection is an 8* play on Oregon Ducks.

TOP RATED 10* CELTICS @ SPURS BEST BET

Two of the hottest teams in the NBA will clash Friday night when the San Antonio Spurs host the Boston Celtics at AT&T Center. 

The Celtics closed out a five-game homestand with four straight wins, and they've won 10 of their last 11 road games straight up while covering the spread in 10 of 12 road games on the season. 

The San Antonio Spurs are coming off back-to-back wins here at AT&T Center to improve to 12-2 in front of the home town crowd for the season. This is however not a great spot for the Spurs. They defeated Miami 117-105 their last time out but are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win of more than 10 points and 1-4 ATS in their last five home games vs. a team with a winning road record. 

Boston meanwhile is 19-6-2 ATS in its last 27 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600. Advantage Celtics in this matchup IMO. 

My selection is a 10* play on Boston Celtics. 

NBA HARDWOOD HAMMER

The Golden State Warriors picked up a 101-87 win at Charlotte on Wednesday, their first of several games to come without injured Stephen Curry. I think they'll find it much tougher at Detroit Friday night. 

The Pistons have lost four straight games (all on the road), but the three most recent were all decided by five points or fewer and they've been extremely hard to beat home at Little Caesars Arena this season going 8-2 SU. Detroit is 6-0 ATS in its last six games vs. a team with a winning % above .600 and 5-2-1 ATS in its last eight home games.

My selection is an 8* play on Detroit Pistons. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

I have no doubt that the Philadelphia 76ers will be fired up for Thursday's matchup with the LA Lakers after taking a 115-101 beating by Phoenix as a 10-point favorite on Monday. They're 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss of more than 10 points and perfect 8-0 ATS last eight games playing on two days rest. The Lakers have lost five straight games and fell 118-95 to Houston on Sunday. They're 0-4 ATS in their last four games playing on three or more days rest and 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games following a double-digit loss at home.

The 76ers won 115-109 at LA on Nov. 15 behind a career-high 46 points as well as 15 rebounds from Joel Embiid, and I think they'll win by an even larger margin here in their own building. 

My selection is a 10* play on Philadelphia 76ers. 

NBA BASKETBALL BONANZA TOTAL

The New York Knicks host the Memphis Grizzlies Wednesday night. Both teams have struggled to score buckets lately, but I think the bookmakers have set the total way too low for this matchup. 

The Knicks took a 115-97 loss at Indiana on Monday, playing without their top two scorers in Kristaps Porzingis (ankle, illness) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (leg). Porzingis is being listed as probable for this matchup, and having him on the floor would no doubt give the Knicks offense a boost. It's worth noting that the Knicks are averaging a healthy 107.9 ppg home at MSG on the season. 

The Grizzlies snapped an 11-game losing streak with a 95-92 victory over Minnesota on Monday, their first win since firing coach David Fizdale. Expect them to be looking to build on that W.  

Over is 5-2 in the last seven encounters at MSG and 13-6 in the last 19 overall.

My selection is an 8* play on Over. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA GAME OF THE WEEK

The Chicago Bulls are flat out awful at the moment, traveling to Indiana as losers of nine in a row. They're a pathetic 3-19 SU on the season and just 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games. Here they'll face a Pacers team that has had great success beating up on lesser opponents going 8-1 ATS in its last nine games vs. a team with a winning % below .400.

The Pacers had lost back-to-back games (at Houston and Toronto) before pounding the Knicks 115-97 here at Bankers Life Fieldhouse Monday night. They breezed to a 105-87 win at Chicago on Nov. 10 and they're 7-1 ATS in the last eight encounters in their own building. 

My NBA Game of the Week is a 10* play on Indiana Pacers. 

TOP RATED 10* NBA BOOKIE BREAKER

It shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone that the Toronto Raptors are big favorites when they host the Phoenix Suns Tuesday night, and I like Toronto to come through with a blowout victory. 

The Suns will play their third game in four nights and they're in a massive letdown spot after winning 115-101 as an underdog at Philadelphia last night. Now they have to travel north of the border to play on no rest, taking on a Raptors team which will be well rested as it has not played since Friday when it defeated the Indiana Pacers 120-115. The Raptors are riding a three-game winning streak and they've averaged 119.3 points during that stretch.

Raptors are 4-1 ATS in their last five games playing on three or more days rest and 6-2 ATS in their last eight games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last five games following a straight up win.

The Suns won both of last season's meetings, but this looks like a great spot for Toronto to get payback. 

My selection is a 10* play on Toronto Raptors. 

FRESH FROM FLORIDA SUNSHINE SHOWDOWN

The Florida Gators host the Florida Seminoles in this Fresh from Florida Sunshine Showdown Monday night. 

The Seminoles are perfect 6-0 on the season, but this will be their first big test (first game as underdog), and a tough one at that. This will be the Gators' first game since taking a heartbreaking 87-84 loss to No. 1 Duke in the last game of the PK 80 Invitational, their lone loss on the season. 

The Gators held a 17-point lead in the second half but fell apart in the final ten minutes, and with more than a week to mull it over I expect to see some hungry Gators tonight. Note that the Gators are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up loss and 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games.

Florida leads the nation for scoring at 99.5 points per game, and I expect their offense to be too much for the Seminoles to handle. I also think it's worth paying attention to day-of-the-week trends when it comes to college basketball, and we can note that the Seminoles are 1-5 ATS in their last six Monday games while the Gators are 4-1 ATS in their last five Monday games.

My selection is a 10* play on Florida Gators. 

MONDAY 3-PACK

I like the Detroit Pistons as a small road underdog at San Antonio Monday night. Note that the Spurs played the Thunder hard at OKC on Sunday, and I think that will show even though they rested key players like Aldridge and Parker. This will be San Antonio's third game in four night, always a tough spot, but particularly here as it'll face a Detroit team looking to avoid a three-game losing streak. The Pistons are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 road games vs. a team with a winning home record and the Spurs 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games playing on no rest.

My selection is an 8* play on Detroit Pistons.