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James Patrick Sports

Nuggets vs. Grizzlies

The Bears end a currant home stand by hosting the Nuggets at the Fed Ex Forum on Monday Night in NBA action. Memphis leaves after this game for a road trip and although they are struggling of late, they catch the Nuggets in the second of back-to-back games and Denver is just 5-9 in their first 14 in this role. Our selection on Monday in NBA action is Memphis Grizzlies.

Vegas Sports Pics

Virginia Tech Hokies - 7 over UAB Blazers    

Virginia Tech is 6-2 last eight games including a 62-49 win over Miami in the ACC tournament, which went on to lose to No.6 Texas 75-72 on Sunday, and close losses at No.22 Clemson 72-71 and to No.1 UNC 68-66 in the ACCs.    
   

California Golden Bears + 8 over (at) Ohio State Buckeyes    

Cal's record includes a 69-65 win at then No.9 Washington State, its first road win over a Top 10 team since 1995. The Bears, who are 11-4 all-time in NIT games, lead the PAC ten in scoring paced by league leading scorer forward Anderson's 21.4 ppg.    
   

Dayton Flyers + 6.5 over (at) Illinois State Redbirds    

Dayton has posted wins over (at) No.13 Louisville 70-65 and No.17 Pittsburgh 80-55 this season. The Flyers are 5-1 this month including a 79-67 home win over decent St. Joseph's, the loss coming to No.12 Xavier 74-65 in the A-10 tournament.     
   

Mississippi Rebels - 5 over Nebraska Cornhuskers    

Mississippi has won its last four home games including an 81-72 victory over (23-11) Arkansas, which went on to beat (25-8) Indiana 86-72 in the NCAA first round. The Rebels, who are 7-1 in all-time in NIT home games, are 31-3 at home under coach Kennedy.

Jim Feist.

NJ Nets and NY Knicks.
Take " NJ Nets".

Isiah Thomas, who won't be around much longer, is going with the kids and the Knicks have responded by going 0-4 SU/ATS. The Knicks lost again to another lottery-bound team, 114-93 to Minnesota. The kids don't play any defense, either, giving up 109, 110, 120 and 114 points. The Knicks have lost 11 of 12. The Nets young players are better, on a 3-3 SU, 4-2 ATS run. The Nets have motivation, just 1.5 games behind eighth-place Atlanta in the Eastern Conference. A better spot for the visitors in this area rivalry.

Play the Nets!

Joe Wiz

The marquee game in the NBA takes place in Detroit, as the Pistons host the red hot Phoenix Suns. The game features a big contrast in style, with the up tempo Suns and the defensive minded Pistons. The Suns recent surge have brought them within one game of the Los Angeles Lakers for first place in the Pacific Division. The Suns are 47-22 and have reeled off seven straight wins, with the latest coming Saturday night at home over Houston, 122-113. The Pistons return home tonight, after losing at Washington last evening 95-83. They hold a big lead in the Central Division. The Suns are 21-12 on the road this season, while the Pistons are 27-6 at home.

The teams met at Phoenix on February, 24th and the Pistons dominated play and won easily 116-86. The Suns are 33-33-3 ATS this year, but have been sharp of late, going 6-0-1 ATS over their last seven games. The Pistons are 38-30 ATS and 21-14 ATS at home.

The Suns are hitting their stride, after a mid season let down. They are averaging 110.2 points per game this season and have topped that mark in each of the last six games and in eight of their past nine. They will need to figure out how to quicken the pace against the Pistons, which kept them from breaking out in their earlier meeting. Steve Nash will look to control the pace while his teammates head down the floor after both made and missed baskets. Nash must also find more looks from the perimeter and knock down shots. Amare Stoudemire, who is coming off a 38-point and 13-rebound performance will try and beat the Pistons down the floor. He scored a game-high 31 points in the loss to the Pistons. Shaquille O'Neal is starting to gel with his new squad. He had one of his best games since joining the team last time out, with 23 points and 13 rebounds. The Suns might be without Raja Bell again tonight. Leandro Barbosa will start in his place if he can't go, but that hurts the Suns depth.

Only the Boston Celtics can lay claim to having a better defense than the Pistons, which are yielding just 90.8 points per game. They held the Suns to just 86 points in the first meeting. They crashed the boards and won that battle with ease and the Suns were with O'Neal. Guards Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups are terrific defenders and were able to keep the Suns from getting out on the break. On offense, they are both averaging just over 17 points per game. Hamilton is one of the most efficient three point shooters in the league. Billups is handing out seven assists per game and rarely turns the ball over. Rasheed Wallace did the most damage in the first meeting against the Suns. He scored a team-high 22 points and was solid on the glass. The Pistons bring solid defenders off the bench, which could come into play with this their second game in as many nights.

Seattle +8 1/2 over Portland

ARMVIN SPORTS

VIRGINIA TECH -7

CALIFORNIA 8

DAYTON 6.5

NEBRASKA at MISSISSIPPI Over 138

CALGARY at COLORADO Over 5.5

Joel Tyson

Old Dominion +8’ at VIRGINIA

Take the points and back the Monarchs of Old Dominion when they meet state rival, Virginia tonight. This has not been your typical Virginia team this year, as the Cavaliers are 16-15, and ended 5-12 in conference play. The Monarchs despite dropping two straight before their win last time out over Rider 68-65, are definitely the hotter team right now as they have won seven of their last 10 overall. The Cavaliers have alternated wins and losses over their last six, and have dropped five of their last 10. ODU with the momentum, and confidence coming in should display the firepower necessary to stay in this game. For these reasons I look for the Monarchs to easily stay within the number.

2* OLD DOMINION

John Ryan

Game: Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors
Prediction: Los Angeles Lakers

Reason: Ai Simulator 3* graded play on the Lakers – AiS shows a 70% probability that the Lakers will win this game by 3 or more points. Lakers off a disappointing loss and are just percentage points behind Conference leader New Orleans. Golden State in the 8th spot right now, but just 1.5 games ahead of Denver. There are a lot game dependent projections supporting the Lakers. Lakers have an 88% probability that they will score 105 or more points and also shoot a minimum of 48% from the field. Note that the Lakers are 10-2 ATS when they make 48% to 51% of their shots in a game this season. Golden State is just 11-30 ATS when they allow 105 or more points in a game this season. Supporting this graded play is a system that has gone 53-21 ATS since 2002 for 71%. Play on favorites that are playing with double revenge having 2 straight losses versus opponent and in a game involving two good teams sporting win percentages of 60% to 75% for the season. Take the Lakers

Robert Ross

Game: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Prediction: Philadelphia 76ers

Reason: Triple-revenge for the Sixers, losers of the first three meetings this year with the Celtics. They are playing much better now (winning 9-of-11) than earlier in the year and catch the Celts returning from a West Coast trip. Take Philadelphia!

Nick Parsons

Game: Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics
Prediction: Boston Celtics

Reason: Member Pick: Play ON Boston vs Philadelphia @ 7:35 ET – With this line opening up around the double digit mark it certainly may seem enticing to Philadelphia backers. After all, the Sixers have been one of the hottest teams in the league. However, the issue here is that Boston presents the 76’ers with a lot of match-up issues plus the Celtics are not going to be in a good mood here either. Boston is coming off of a rare, ugly loss as they allowed 113 points to the Hornets on Saturday night in a loss at New Orleans. After that defeat, it’s bounce back time for the Celtics and they will make the most of this opportunity to take out their frustrations on a hated rival. Note that Boston is 20-5 at home this season while Philadelphia is just 15-20on the road. Also, eight of the Celtics last ten wins have come by double digits and this includes a win over the Sixers by 14 points in their most recent meeting. As good as Philly has been playing, they are still in the wrong place at the wrong time and the Celtics are the superior team capable of imposing their will on their home floor. Look for Boston to win this one in a romp

Moneylockoftheday

Digger's pick
Portland/Seattle over 204

Hawker's pick
Bradley/Ohio over 141.5