Dave Malinsky
Top of the Ticket – Side
4* PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (-9) over Houston Rockets
With a young roster filled with not only talented players, but the right kind of talent, the Portland Trail Blazers bring a lot of Ds to the able Discipline, Defense, Determination and Depth. That takes you a long way in this league, as we saw in a 2008-09 campaign in which many thought that they were ahead of schedule, but they were not the combination of talent + work ethic gives them a chance to assimilate much more quickly than the norm. On offense their chemistry and patience saw them #2 in efficiency on our best set of ratings; on defense it was #10; and they were at the top or near the top in every key rebounding category, a tribute to the Determination aspects. And the only glaring negative statistic was one that they could not control, and should actually reverse a bit this season they were dead last in opponents Free Throw percentage, watching helplessly as an 80.6 was drained against them. The latter really does matter over the course of the season that can have a definite impact on power ratings. So what happens when all of those Ds are combined You become a beast at home. The Trail Blazers were 13-2 SU and 10-5 ATS on this court after the All Star break LY, and went 13-7 ATS in their last 20 when laying -7 or more here. They simply wear weaker teams down, and we expect them to become ever strong in that category this season, with the addition of Andre Miller making the second unit (for now, eventually we believe that he will move to a starting spot) arguably the league?s best. That all spells bad news for the Rockets, who have an awful time matching up. It is one thing to transition from having Yao Ming, Ron Artest and Tracy McGrady, which would cause headaches for anyone, but another matter entirely when a savvy front office had brought in a bunch of role players to surround the stars. Under those circumstances, guys like Shane Battier, Chuck Hayes, Luis Scola and Trevor Ariza make a great deal of sense. But now there is not a legitimate go-to scorer to be found, while also the lack of a defensive and rebounding presence in the paint. It also means that promising PG Aaron Brooks will struggle to take the next step, since opposing defenders can help off of their man to negate his drives. Lets let Rick Adelman explain it for us - The way we're going to have to do it is we're going to have work harder than everybody else; we're going to have to be very consistent and play well as a team. This will be a progression for us There is a lot of uncertainty; there is no doubt about that. We lose all those points from people who are used to scoring those points, used to being the main guys. Now you just turn it over to people and try to get them to do more. We don't have that right now. We're still looking for it. That is going to cause us some uncertainty.? Those effort aspects from the Rockets will actually make them decent plays some nights, as they play harder than favorites that will take them lightly. But that does not work against the focus that the Trail Blazers will bring for this particular tip-off, and while Nate McMillan can have his team go all-out here, with Wednesday off, Adelman will not chase all that hard from behind, since his Rockets have to play again on Wednesday night at Golden State, a pace that will require a lot of energy. That keeps the back-door firmly locked here in a game that the favorite dominates
Ben Burns
#1 NHL Game of the Month!
EDMONTON
Lakers Under
East Caro
LT Profits
East Carolina -5.5
Celtics/Cavaliers Under 183.5
Mean Green Profit Machine
East Carolina -5.5
5Dimesports
ECU@Memphis
4 Dime Play Take Memphis +5.5
This is a game that the public is hammering ECU. I can see why if you look at a couple teams that these two teams have played. But Memphis has more talent and if they can put it all together with ECU looking ahead to a three game conference challenge, I think Memphis could pull off the upset here. Playing at home will give the Tigers a nudge to play their best tonight. Memphis has a better offensive passing rank and a better offensive rushing rank. Since neither of these teams are better than the other overall, we will go with the home underdog tonight, good luck.
TRENDS I LIKE
Pirates are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games as a road favorite of 3.5-10.0.
Tigers are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Vernon Croy
Tuesday Night NBA Slam Dunk
2* Boston Celtics ATS
We are getting very good line value here Tuesday night with the Boston Celtics who come into this season stronger than last season. The Celtics are finally all healthy with Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen all ready to start their championship run. The Celtics brought in Rasheed Wallace which will make them so much stronger defensively so I look for the Cavaliers to not have such an easy time in the paint this time around against the Celtics. The Celtics are 45-19-1 ATS in their last 65 road games as an underdog. Grab the points with the Boston Celtics as my NBA Season Opener Slam dunk
Fantasy Sports Gametime
100* Play East Carolina (-4) over Memphis
Memphis has lost 9 of the last 10 games as an underdog of 3.5 to 10 points and they have also lost 19 of the last 21 games after failing to cover the spread in four or five of the last six games. Memphis has lost 11 of the last 14 games against the spread vs. East Carolina and they are allowing 29 points a game on defense this season.
Payne Sports
8 Units Memphis +4.5
I believe they have the best player on the field in Steele as he has the potential to take over any game in this conference and had great numbers against the elite in Ole Miss. They have went back to pounding the rock with him and it has showed as he has ran for 375 yards his last two games one resulting a win and the other a loss. The qb situation doesnt bother me as Hudgens is capable of being an impact player for Tigers and can manage this offense. East Carolina has struggled on the road going 1-3 and their only win against Marshall should have been a loss, as they gave the game away. I believe Memphis will control the clock and get the outright win.on +9 for 8 units
Wunderdog
Boston Celtics @ Cleveland Cavaliers
Pick: 5 units: Boston Celtics +5
The NBA season gets underway tonight with perhaps a preview of what many feel will be the NBA Eastern Conference Finals. The Cavaliers took a chance and signed Shaq to team-up with LeBron to hopefully put them over the top. The Cavs realizing that if they don't get it done this year it may not happen for a while as LeBron is complimentary to walk after this season. The Celtics went out and got an insurance policy of their own signing Rasheed Wallace in case Kevin Garnett's balky knees flare up. The Celtics did a very good job a year ago on the road against the better teams in the NBA as they went 12-8 against teams with a victorious record when facing them on the road. When you factor in the fact they lost only four of those by more than five points, you know that they will be right there down the wire, and getting points here certainly shows value. Boston has turned in a stellar 45-19-1 mark in their last 65 as a road dog, and I'll ride with them in this one.
R&R Handicapping
Clippers at Lakers
Pick: Over 206
The new look clippers will be taking on the champs in the season opener. While the Lakers will be getting their rings, they may not be paying atention to the clippers. we look for very little defense in the opener and both teams enjoying a run and gun stlye opener. look for the first half to go over as well.
Nick "BookieKiller" Parsons
East Carolina vs. Memphis
For a number of different reasons I feel the value in this game is on the visitors: In the past four games, East Carolina has averaged 153.5 rushing yards and scored nine TD's on the ground behind a veteran offensive line and looked great on both sides of the ball in their 49-13 destruction of Rice last week. The Pirates are tied for 10th nationally with 17 forced turnovers so far and have held their last two opponents to a combined 7-of-26 conversion success rate on third downs (26.9 %) and neither SMU or Rice converted a third down or more than five yards. East Carolina is fourth in C-USA in total defense (352.1). Although its just 2-4 ATS its last six overall, keep in mind that dating back to last season the Pirates are 10-5 SU their last 15 and are a perfect 5-0 ATS their last five vs. Memphis.
On the other side of the field: Receivers Duke Calhoun and Carlos Singleton are the country’s third most prolific scoring tandem with 40 combined TD catches, but the Tigers rank near the bottom of C-USA with 11 takeaways in seven games, including zero inside the red zone where opponents have scored on 25-of-27 trips. They rank fifth in the conference against the pass (218.3) and eighth against the run (186.7). Memphis is a horrible 2-6 SU its last eight overall and a poor 1-5 ATS in its last six at home vs. East Carolina.
Bottom line: The Pirates have won six of their last eight road games against C-USA East opponents, and have held their last two opponents to 53 rushing yards. I believe East Carolina will slow down RB Curtis Steele, forcing the TIgers to attack through the air, which will favor the Pirates as they are second in the league with 10 INT's and Tigers QB's have thrown 11 picks, second-most in C-USA. Look for EAST CAROLINA to move to a perfect 2-0 ATS when playing against a team with a losing record while Memphis falls to 1-5 ATS as an underdog! 9* East Carolina.
Tony George
Boston vs. Cleveland
Like the Cavs at home to open the season. They Own the Celtics and will be primed with Shaq in the line up and a full sclae team this year that will contend. Celtics 2-9 ATS the last 11 against the Cavs, and they have their home opener the next nite. Not sold on Boston as this is an older team this year but Garnett being healhty will help them. Like going against road teams with a short home fav who is the better team overall. On TNT to showcase Lebron and Shaq...come on...a STRONG Homecourt to boot!
Play 1 Unit on Cleveland
Ron Raymond
Colorado vs. Edmonton
Keys to selection: The Avalanche strength of schedule in their last 7 games might explain their success. Now, they must travel to Edmonton to face a goalie whose 5-1 on home ice this season and the Oilers average over 3.86 goals per game at home.
80% angle: When EDMONTON Played as a Favorite - During Last 5 Years - With 1 Under or More - Lost Last Game by 2 Goals or Less - With SU Record of 1 Win 2 Lost in L3G; the Oilers are 8-2 SU in this spot.
Prediction: Edmonton 3 Colorado 2
Evan Altemus
Boston vs. Cleveland
These two teams always play each other tough defensively, and this game should be no exception. They played each other in the preseason just a few days ago, and pushing and shoving went on during the game. Boston will have Kevin Garnett back this season, and he will make a big difference on the defensive end. Meanwhile, Cleveland added Shaq, who will improve the Cavaliers already tough defense. I look for this game to be more of a grind and played at a slow pace. Both offenses will struggle because of the season just starting. It will take both line-ups a few games to get going offensively, so the defenses should have a big advantage. Take the under. 3 UNIT SELECTION
Northcoast
Marquee
Memphis/East Carolina Over