TheSpread.com

Matt Rivers

3 straight comp play winners with the Hawks covering last night.

Tonight's free play is the Knicks over the struggling Lakers.

Yeah, well aware that Kobe likes to play at the Garden, but in reality it is the rest of the Lakers I am worried about. Nash and Gasol are still sidelined, and the fact of the matter is Los Angeles is just 2-7 straight up on the road and are off that ugly road loss in Cleveland on Tuesday night.

The Knicks will be eager to show the Lakers that this season's record is no fluke, and with a perfect 8-0 straight up mark at the Garden, and a money-turning 7-1 against the spread mark on their home floor, I see no reason to go against the Knickerbockers at this particular time.

Los Angeles is a flawed team, and even if Kobe nets 50 points tonight, the "team" concept New York is playing right now, coupled with the sell-out crowd at the Garden will carry the Knicks to a 9-0 mark at home, and an 8-1 against the spread mark on their hardwood.

Lay it with New York, as the Lakers absorb another setback.

3♦ NEW YORK

SPORTS WAGERS

Wichita State -106 over TENNESSEE

The Vols come in with a 4-3 record with wins over Kennesaw, UNC Ashville, UMass and Oakland. The three games they’ve played against better quality, Tennessee is 0-3. Against Georgetown and Virginia, the Vols scored 36 and 38 points respectively. Their defense is adequate but the offense cannot keep pace with teams that can score.

The Shockers are 9-0. They already have wins over Iowa and DePaul and both were by double digits. Wichita ranks 45th in the nation with a .470 shooting percentage and their talent doesn’t end there. Wichita State also plays outstanding defense, they rebound well and any flaws they may possess have not been exposed yet. The Vols are just not ready to take on a team of this caliber.