My picks for today:
1. NY Rangers (-130)
2. Phoenix (-125)
3. Vancouver (-170) and
4. I will also take Pittsburgh to win tonight (-115)
- The Rangers always play Carolina well. They have been the hotter team as of late as well. (3-star play)
- Coyotes on the road against Winnipeg should win by at least 1 goal. They can certainly score goals, and also have a low goals against average. (3-star play)
- The Canucks are playing really well, and they are playing at home tonight. Nashville is a tough squad, but the road trip is probably wearing them down. The preds have scored 5 goals in their last 4 games. (3-star play)
- The Pens should do well against the capitals tonight. With the recent coaching situation, and with Crosby back in the line up, I feel the pens should win this game tonigth. (1-star play)
GAME: San Antonio @ Utah Jan 26, 2011 9:30PM
SPORT: NBA
PICK: San Antonio Spurs -4.0
REASON FOR PICK: This one might get close, but near the end of the game the Spurs will look to hold off the Jazz. The Spurs have been playing well as of late. The offense is doing great, but the defense could use a little love. Not to say that the defense is bad, San Antonio's D is certainly better than Utah's D.
Keeping in mind that, the Jazz have been playing well at home.
My Straight uP pick is still the Spurs.
My Cover pick is still the Spurs by 4.
On the Edge - I would take Utah at +10, or even +8.
NOTE - The Spurs already beat the Jazz once at home, by 12!
GAME: L.A. Clippers @ Dallas Jan 25, 2011 8:30PM
SPORT: NBA
PICK: L.A. Clippers +6.5
REASON FOR PICK: The Clippers meet the Mavericks at the AAA in Dallas Tuesday evening with revenge on their minds from a 16-point home loss suffered earlier this season. That's proved profitable for the Clips as they are 10-5-1 ATS with same season revenge in this series, including 5-1-1 ATS in Dallas. With rookie sensation Blake Griifin and company 12-4 ATS in games against opponents off a win this season, and the Mavs riding a 2-7 SU and 1-8 ATS streak of late, we'll grab the points in this payback tonight.
We recommend a 1-unit play on the Clippers.
I'm personally feeling the Mavs. And I feel that they will win this by double digits!
GAME: Philadelphia @ Charlotte Jan 20, 2011 7:00PM
SPORT: National Basketball Assoc.
PICK: Charlotte
REASON FOR PICK: Scott Rickenbach's Free Pick Opinion Play for Thursday, January 20th NBA: Charlotte Bobcats vs Philadelphia @ 7 ET: This one sets up very nicely for the Bobcats. Charlotte lost a tough one in overtime to the Sixers on Monday. The Bobcats then had to play Tuesday night at Chicago. The scheduling now works out in their favor as Charlotte comes into this match-up with an off-day Wednesday while the Sixers are coming into this match-up in a tough back to back situation. The 76'ers had to face the Magic in Orlando Wednesday and then travel to Charlotte for this match-up.
Heading into the Orlando game Philadelphia has now failed to cover the spread in four straight games. Also, of course, this is a unique opportunity for the Bobcats to have a shot at right back revenge. Look for Charlotte to make the most of it and note that the Bobcats had covered six of their last seven games heading into the match-up with the Bulls on Tuesday. The Bobcats are starting to heat up in the ATS department and, conversely, the Sixers are starting to cool off in the ATS department after their unrealistic start to the season. Keep in mind, the 76'ers were 24-11 ATS to start the season. No team can maintain the pace forever and, sure enough, the Sixers "cooldown" has begun. It continues here. Consider a small play on Charlotte in NBA action on Thursday.
GAME: Dallas @ Chicago Jan 20, 2011 8:00PM
SPORT: NBA
PICK: Chicago
REASON FOR PICK: The Mavericks snapped their losing streak last night. They're a talented team and with Nowitski back in the lineup, they're bound to return to their winning ways. That doesn't mean that they'll win again tonight though.
While the Mavs are off a hard-fought (and badly needed) victory over the Lakers, the Bulls had last night off. That gives them both the schedule and the venue in their favor.
Even with a 1-point loss (83-82) in their last game, the Bulls are still 12-5 their last 17 games; four of those five losses coming on the road. Note that they're also 11-6-2 ATS the past few seasons, after scoring 85 or fewer points in their previous game.
The Bulls have already beaten the likes of both the Celtics and Heat on this floor, in 2011.
The Bulls also already won at Dallas earlier this season. Including that result, the Mavs are 9-18 ATS their last 27 against teams from the Central. During that stretch, the Bulls were 17-7-1 ATS against teams from the Southwest.
With the Mavs playing their fifth game in the past seven nights, consider laying the small number with the home team.
GAME: Charlotte @ Chicago Jan 18, 2011 8:00PM
SPORT: NBA
PICK: Charlotte (Marc Lawrence)
REASON FOR PICK:
None!
Play On: Charlotte Bobcats
Note: When the Bobcats meet the Bulls in the Windy City this evening they will take the court knowing they are playing their best ball of the season with pointspread wins in six of their last seven contests. In addition, Charlotte is 6-1 ATS this season in games against opponents off a double-digit victory. With Chicago off a12-point road win yesterday, look for the Cats to improve to 7-3 ATS in this series here this evening. We recommend a 1-unit play on Charlotte.
Marc shares his College Basketball Fan Appreciation play on Tuesday night's card and it's a dandy, another live dog in a dominating role. Best of all it's yours, if you act now!