Sports Picks & Predictions

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Kings +4

The Key: The Kings are showing value catching points against a Detroit team that is 0-8 ATS as a home favorite this season. The Kings were a terrible investment in December but are now showing great value here as odds makers have overadjusted their lines. You want to take underdogs that have failed to cover the spread in 12 or more of their last 15 games when they are taking on an opponent that has covered the spread in four or five of their last six games. Doing so has produced a 77-37 ATS mark since 1996. Take the points.

6* Pac-12 *POWERHOUSE* on Washington State +9.5

The Key: While the line is currently 9.5, it opened at 10.0 so the following system still applies. You want to fade favorites of 10.0 to 19.5 points that are off a win of six points or less when they are matched up against an opponent that is off a loss of 15 points or more as doing so has produced a 125-74 ATS mark the last five seasons. Cal is off a big win over Washington so it will have a hard time getting refocused to face a Washington State team it swept last season. The Golden Bears are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 conference games and 0-3-1 ATS in their last four home games versus a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. The Cougars are 3-0-1 ATS in their last four games versus a team with a winning record. Take the points.

7* NCAAB Situational Slam Dunk of the Week on San Francisco +5

The Key: This is a very difficult spot for BYU, playing a second road game in three days and riding high off a blowout win over Santa Clara. The Cougars have been a terrible investment following a cover at 20-41-1 ATS in their last 62 games following an ATS win. They are also 6-20 ATS in their last 26 games following a win of more than 20 points and 0-6 ATS the last two seasons following a stretch of eight wins or more in a 10-game span. The Dons will be highly motivated after dropping their last two league games, and they will also be fueled by losing each of last season's three meetings with the Cougars. The Dons are 34-16-1 ATS in their last 51 games following an ATS loss and 41-15 ATS in their last 56 versus West Coast Conference foes. San Francisco is also 14-5 ATS all-time under coach Rex Walters following a home loss to a conference opponent. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Loyola Marymount +9.5

The Key: This is a bad spot for St. Mary's as it plays a second road game in three days. Consider that the Gaels are 2-10 ATS the last three seasons in road games when playing a second game in three days and have lost these contests by an average score of 65.6 to 64.5. We are getting some additional line value here because the Gaels have covered their last three games and Loyola Marymount has failed to cover its last two. St. Mary's is 0-6 ATS the last three seasons after successfully covering the spread in three or more consecutive games. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Under the Radar Line Mistake on UNC Wilmington +4.5

The Key: UNC Wilmington is better than its 5-6 record might lead you to believe. Eight of its games have been true road contests, including each of its last three. The Seahawks are 3-0 at home this season and will be excited to finally get back in front of the home fans. They will also be extremely hungry after losing all three of last season's meetings with Hofstra. The Seahawks are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games. They are on a 10-2 ATS run at home after a game where they were called for at least 10 fouls more than their opponent.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Mississippi State +2.5

The Key: Now's the time to fade Florida State, which has won its last four and is coming off a big upset win over in-state rival Florida. The Seminoles are 0-5 ATS in their last five road games and on a 12-26 ATS slide following four or more consecutive victories. Mississippi State is on a 29-15 ATS run after failing to cover the spread in three or more consecutive games. It is also on a 22-10 ATS run at home when the line is +3 to -3. Lastly, the Bulldogs are 6-0 ATS in home games versus teams that are called for 3.0 or more fouls per game than their opponents under coach Ray. Take the points.

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Magic +1.5

The Key: Brooklyn is primed for a letdown as it has won five of six and is coming off a big win over Chicago. It also has a revenge game against Miami on deck so it will likely be looking ahead to that matchup rather than focusing on a team it defeated by eight points earlier this season. The home team has had a significant edge in this series as it is 6-0 in the last six meetings with an average winning margin of 12.2 points. Take Orlando.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Purdue +2

The Key: This is a bad spot for the Golden Gophers, who will be on the road for the first time since Dec. 2. They will also have a tendency to look ahead to Saturday's showdown at Maryland. Purdue has lost its last three, falling to Gardner-Webb in its most recent contest, so it will highly motivated here. Purdue is 7-0 in its last seven home games versus Minnesota and 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings overall. It is also 8-0 ATS on Wednesday the last two seasons. The Golden Gophers are on a 0-7 ATS slide after two consecutive games where both it and its opponent scored 75 points or more. Take Purdue.

6* NCAAB Under the Radar *CA$H COW* on South Alabama +3

The Key: I like South Alabama catching points at home in a game in which it should be highly motivated. The Jaguars have lost four straight to Arkansas State, including an ugly 24-point loss on this floor in the most recent matchup, and they will be out for some serious revenge. Arkansas State has been a poor play in Sun Belt action at 0-7 ATS in its last seven versus conference foes. It is also worth noting that the Red Wolves are 2-9 ATS in road games after playing a game as a road favorite under coach Brady and have lost in this spot by an average score of 74.5 to 66.5. Lastly, you want take any team that has been held to 65 points or less in three straight games that returns two more starters than their opponent. Doing so has produced a 190-119 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

7* NBA Total of the Month on Spurs/Grizzlies Under 194.5

The Key: Odds makers are well off the mark here. The total was set at 191.0 the last time these teams met. They tallied 233 total points in that game but needed triple-OT to do so. They combined for just 184 points at the end of regulation so this number should have went the other way if anything. The Spurs are 8-1 "under" this season in road games after playing a home game, and we have seen just 187.0 total points scored on average in these contests. Take the under.

6* NBA "Total" Annihilator on Kings/Nets Under 204.5

The Key: You want to play the "under" on teams like Brooklyn that are off two or more consecutive overs when they are matched up against an opponent that is off five or more consecutive overs. Doing so has produced a 60-25 mark the last five seasons. The under is 9-1 in the Nets' last 10 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game, 6-0 in their last six versus the Western Conference and 4-0 in their last four games following an ATS loss. Take the under.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on James Madison +3.5

The Key: As if back-to-back losses to High Point and Norfolk aren't enough motivation, James Madison was clobbered 81-49 at Valpo last season. Look for the Dukes to have their revenge tonight. You want to fade favorites that have had seven or more days off in a non-conference matchup between mid-majors as doing so has produced a 35-12 ATS mark the last five seasons. Valpo has been able to take it to its opponents on the boards, but I expect James Madison to be up to the challenge here. The Dukes are on a 13-3 ATS run versus teams that outrebound the opposition by 7.0 boards per game or more. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Spurs +1

The Key: Even if Tony Parker and Kawhi Leonard doubtful, I like the Spurs at home in what should be a highly motivated spot. The Spurs have lost their last two and were routed in the season's first meeting with Houston so they will be out for payback. The Spurs are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 home games versus a team with a winning road record. When the line is +3 to -3, you want to fade road teams that went over the total by 18 points or more in their previous game if they have a win percentage of .600 to .750 and are playing a team with a winning record. Doing so has produced a 31-7 ATS mark the last five seasons.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Monmouth -2.5

The Key: Monmouth had been playing well with three wins in a four-game stretch until it was sent into its Christmas break with an ugly 71-46 loss to St. Francis-NY. That loss assures us the Hawks will come out of break with plenty of motivation. The Hawks are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following a loss. Rutgers went into its break with a blowout win over Sacred Heart so it won't have nearly the same level of focus here. Plus, it begins Big Ten play Tuesday so this is a prime look-ahead spot for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 8-24 ATS in their last 32 games following a ATS win. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on New Mexico State +3

The Key: This is a good situation to back New Mexico State. When the line is +3 to -3, you want to back home teams that are off a win of 15 points or more when they are matched up with a team that has scored 75 points or more in three straight games. Doing so has produced a 14-1 ATS mark the last three seasons and a 24-4 ATS mark the last five seasons. In addition, New Mexico State is 7-0 ATS the last three seasons following a game where they led by 15 points or more at halftime. The Rams are 15-33-3 ATS in their last 51 games overall, 5-20-1 ATS in their last 26 games following a win, 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games and 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a win of more than 20 points. Take the points.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Pistons +2.5

The Key: The Pacers have been a terrible investment when coming off a win as they are on a 12-26-1 ATS slide following victory. Indiana is coming off a nice upset win at home over New Orleans but is a pathetic 2-12 ATS following an upset win at home under coach Vogel. It has lost by an average score of 96.0 to 87.6 in this situation. The Pistons have had the last four days off and spent that time focusing on defense. I expect a strong defensive effort here. I also expect the offense to be much more efficient after getting rid of Josh Smith, who led the team in field-goal attempts despite shooting just 39.1 percent. Take the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Heat +5.5

The Key: The Cavs are being overvalued here on the road where they are 1-7 ATS in their last eight games versus teams with a home winning percentage of less than .400. Cleveland has been inconsistent defensively this season and is 0-5 ATS in its last five games after allowing 100 points or more in its previous game. The Cavaliers are also 0-4 ATS in their last four games versus Eastern Conference opponents. The Heat got caught looking ahead to this matchup and lost to lowly Philadelphia as a result. They'll be even more focused and motivated here because of that defeat. The Heat are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a SU loss and 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss. Miami will be looking to send a message to LeBron James that he made the wrong decision. Take the points.

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Bucks -5.5

The Key: This is a bad spot for the Hornets, who are playing their second game in as many nights and fourth in five days. Milwaukee will be the much fresher side as it has had the last two days off. The Hornets are 21-47 ATS in their last 68 games when playing without a day of rest. The Bucks should also be the hungrier side as they have lost six straight to Charlotte, including a two-point loss in their season opener. The Bucks are 15-6 ATS this season when seeking revenge for a loss to an opponent. Milwaukee has taken care of business against weaker competition as it is 11-2 ATS versus teams with losing records this season. It has also bounced back nicely at 11-2 ATS following a loss on the season. You want to fade underdogs that beat the spread by more than 24 points in their previous game if that have a win percentage of just .250 to .400 on the season. Doing so has produced a 26-4 ATS mark the last five seasons.

7* NCAAB *HEAVY HITTER* on Niagara +2

The Key: Niagara will be the hungrier team tonight. Not only will it be out to bring a six-game losing streak to an end, but it will also be out for revenge for last season's 25-point loss at Arkansas State. This is not the same Arkansas State team that we saw last season as it didn't return a single starter. Plus, Niagara isn't as bad as its record looks. It has played just two home games thus far. The Red Wolves have been a bad investment at 3-9 ATS in their last 12 games overall. They are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a win and 1-5 ATS in their last six games versus a team with a losing record. The Purple Eagles are on a 13-4 ATS run at home after scoring 30 points or less in the first half in two straight games. Take Niagara.

7* NBA Situational Slam Dunk on Rockets -3.5

The Key: This is a bad spot for Portland. The Trail Blazers are playing their third road game in three days, and this stretch started with a triple-overtime contest. Houston, which has been at home and has had a day of rest in between each of its last two games, will be the fresher side. It will also be the hungrier side. Not only will the Rockets be out to end a two-game skid, they'll be out for revenge for last season's playoff loss to Portland. The Rockets are 20-8 ATS at against teams with winning percentages above 70% under McHale. The Trail Blazers are 4-10 ATS in their last 14 games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Florida Atlantic +5

The Key: This is a letdown situation for Eastern Kentucky following a huge 72-44 upset blowout win over Miami. Fading road favorites or pickems off a road win of 10 points or more has produced a 25-7 ATS mark the last five seasons if they carry a win percentage of .600 to .800 and are playing a team with a win percentage of .510 to .600. The Colonels are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following a win of more than 20 points. FAU is 9-2 ATS the last two seasons versus teams win a win percentage of .600 to .800. Take the points.

6* NBA Annihilator on Kings -7

The Key: Motivated by five consecutive defeats and out for revenge for a three-point setback in L.A. Dec. 9, the Kings will be hungry. Recent history suggests this is great spot to back the Kings as well as a great spot to fade the Lakers. Consider that Sacramento is 10-1 ATS the last three seasons following five or more consecutive defeats. In addition, the Lakers are 3-12 ATS the last two seasons after covering the number in three of their last four games. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Quinnipiac -1.5

The Key: This is a terrible spot for Oregon State. The Beavers just annihilated DePaul, and they have a lengthy eight-day break following this game so complete focus won't be there. To make matters worse, Oregon State has played only three games away from its home floor this season (just one true road game) and hasn't been further east than Las Vegas. Now, it's being asked to make the long cross-country trip with just two days of prep time. Oregon State won by eights points when it hosted Quinnipiac last December, which is all the more reason it will be overlooking the Bobcats, who will be jacked for this rematch. The Bobcats are 4-1 ATS in their last five non-conference games. Oregon State is on a 19-35 ATS slide following a stretch of five or six covers in a seven-game span.

6* NBA Total of the Week on Bucks/Clippers Under 211.5

The Key: Milwaukee combined with Sacramento for 215 points in its last game. The Clippers combined with Denver for 215 points in their last game. And, the Bucks and Clippers combined for 217 points when they met Dec. 13. With a number set well below these point totals, it appears odds makers are begging for action on the under. We won't bite. The LA's defense wasn't very good last night. It allowed Denver to shoot 47.5% for the game and make 11 three-point attempts. That poor defensive effort will remind the Clippers of an even worse defensive performance they had recently against the Bucks. They lost in Milwaukee while allowing the Bucks to shoot 56.6% from the field and 63.6% from three-point range. I expect a much better defensive effort tonight in a bounce-back, revenge spot. When the total is 200 or higher, you want to play the "under" on teams like Milwaukee that have covered the spread in four or five of their last six games and are playing a fourth road game in seven days. Doing so has produced a 55-25 (69%) mark the last five seasons. The Bucks are also on a 28-13 "unders" run in road games when the total is 210 or higher. Take the under.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on SIU-Edwardsville +1

The Key: This is a bad spot for Wisconsin-Milwaukee. The Panthers have a big showdown at Arkansas Monday and will have a tough time focusing on the task at hand as a result. Wisconsin-Milwaukee is 1-4 in games played away from home this season, including 0-3 in true road games. SIU-Edwardsville will be hungry as it tries to snap a seven game losing streak. It will also be excited to step back on its home floor, where it has performed just once in its last six games. The Cougars return four starters from a squad that went 9-5 at home last season. The Cougars are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games versus a team with a losing road record. The Panthers are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a win. Take SIU-Edwardsville.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on UTEP +6

The Key: This is a tough spot for Arizona, which is playing its third game in seven days and its first true road game of the season. The Wildcats are on a 1-8 ATS slide in road games when playing a third game in a week. UTEP has never lost as a home underdog or pickem under coach Tim Floyd, going a perfect 7-0 ATS in the role while winning by an average score of 72.4 to 67.6. Take the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Pistons +8

The Key: The Pistons hold major motivational edges in this game. They will be highly motivated tonight as they try to snap an ugly 11-game losing streak at home. They'll also be fueled by a three-game losing streak to the Raptors. Toronto will have a tough time getting up for the lowly Pistons on the road. We saw this in its most recent road game when it defeated the Knicks by only five points. Toronto is off a 105-89 win over Brooklyn but is 1-4 ATS in its last five games following a win of more than 10 points. In addition, fading Friday night favorites off a home win over a division rival has resulted in a 52-20 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

7* NCAAB Game of the Week on Western Carolina +2.5

The Key: Western Carolina is a much better team than its 3-7 record might lead you to believe. The Catamounts have suffered from playing just one home game so far so they'll be extremely excited to get back on their home floor tonight. This team has performed exceptionally at home where they went 11-2 last season. They are also the more battle tested team because of their challenging early season schedule, and I believe they'll perform better down the stretch as a result. Wright State is 3-2 in true road games, but the Catamounts are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games versus teams with a winning road record. It is also worth noting that Wright State is 1-9 ATS the last two seasons in road games that follow two consecutive non-conference contests. The Raiders have lost by an average score of 72.1 to 68.8 in this spot. Take the points for insurance, but I like Western Carolina outright tonight.

7* NBA Humpday *HEAVY HITTER* on Nuggets +1.5

The Key: Motivated by back-to-back defeats, including a 108-96 loss in Houston Dec. 13, the Nuggets will bounce back strong at home where they are 5-1-1 ATS in their last seven. The Nuggets are 45-22-1 ATS in their last 68 home games versus teams with a winning road record and 15-5 ATS in their last 20 home games versus teams with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. Home court has been huge in this series as the home team is 6-0 in the last six meetings with an average winning margin of 10.2 points. The Rockets are 0-4 SU and ATS in their last four visits to the Mile High City. Take Denver.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on NC State -4.5

The Key: This is a bad spot for Tennessee as it plays its first true road game of the season against a highly motivated NC State squad and just two days removed from a big win over Butler. I expect maximum effort and focus from the Wolfpack following a bad loss to Wofford. NC State returns three starters from a team that won by seven at Tennessee last season. The Vols bring back just one starter from that team. The Wolfpack are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games following an ATS loss, 10-0-1 ATS in their last 11 Wednesday games and 6-0 ATS in their last six games after forcing eight turnovers or less in their previous game. The Volunteers are 1-5-1 ATS this season. Lay the points.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Kings +7.5

The Key: The Thunder have been rolling since the return of Durant and Westbrook, but this is a tough situation for them. They are playing their fourth game in six and have a big one at Golden State on deck. The Kings have had the last two days off so they will be the fresher side. I also expect maximum effort in the wake of Michael Malone's firing. Fading favorites off two straight double digits wins in a matchup of teams with +/- 3.0 ppg differentials has resulted in a 37-11 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Tennessee State +15

The Key: Tennessee State is in a good spot. The Tigers have had nine days to prepare for a team they've already seen this season. They lost the first meeting by 17 points but are on a 27-10 ATS run in road games when seeking revenge for a same-season loss. Southern Illinois just played Sunday and will have a strong tendency to look right past the Tigers because it handled them in the first go-around. Tennessee State is 12-4 ATS in all lined road games the last two seasons, including 6-0 ATS during this span following three consecutive games as an underdog. The Tigers are 6-0 ATS the last three seasons in road games after three or more consecutive losses. Take the points.

6* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Pacers -6

The Key: This is a tough situation for the Lakers, who are playing their second road game in as many days and third in four days. Indiana has been at home and had Sunday off so it should be the fresher side. The Pacers are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games when playing on one days' rest. The Pacers should also be the hungrier side as they try to snap an eight-game slide. The Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last six games versus a team with a losing record and 4-13 ATS in their last 17 Monday games. The Pacers are 5-0 in the last five meetings, winning them by an average of 8.4 points. Lay the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Suns +6.5

The Key: OKC is being overvalued at home following a five-game win streak that has coincided with the return of its two stars. The Suns have given the Thunder problems, winning the last two meetings. The Suns are in the midst of a four-game slide but none of the losses have come by more than six points. Phoenix is on a 24-11 ATS run as a road underdog and is 9-1 ATS in road games following a loss of six points or less the last two seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB National TV Annihilator (ESPNU) on Tennessee +1

The Key: Tennessee has been an awesome investment at home in games odds makers expect to be close, going 27-13 ATS in home games when the line is +3 to -3 since 1997. The Volunteers are 9-3-1 ATS in their last 13 home games while the Bulldogs are 3-7-1 ATS in their last 11 road games versus a team with a winning home record. Tennessee was able to get the "W" at home versus K-State last time out but did not cover. That sets up a strong trend this afternoon as teams headed up by coach Tyndall are 15-3 ATS off a home win in a game they didn't cover.

7* NCAAB Game of the Week on Nebraska -4.5

The Key: This is a difficult spot for Cincinnati. The Bearcats are playing their first true road game of the season and it comes after a long 10-day layoff. Cincy is 0-6 ATS when playing on seven days of rest or more under coach Cronin. Nebraska let in-state rival Creighton beat it twice as it did not show up following its disappointing loss to the Blue Jays and went down on its home floor to Incarnate Word. As if that ugly loss isn't enough motivation, the Cornhuskers will also be fueled by last season's 74-59 loss at Cincinnati. Cincy has done a poor job of forcing turnovers this season and is 0-6 ATS the last two seasons after four straight games of forcing  14 or less turnovers. Nebraska is 7-0 ATS as a home favorite of six points or less or pickem over the last two seasons, winning these games by an average score of 72.0 to 59.9. Lay the points.

7* NBA Total of the Week on Pistons/Suns Over 203

The Key: When these teams met in Detroit last month, we saw just 174 total points scored, but they combined for only 33 points from beyond the arc and only 23 points from the free throw line. Keep in mind these teams average 54 points combined per game on three-pointers and 33 points on free throws. In other words, they are averaging 31 more points per game in these areas than we saw in the first meeting. Add those 31 points to the total score of the first meeting, and we get 205. So we are getting a good number here. Plus, we can also take into consideration that neither team is defending well. The Pistons have allowed 103.6 points over their last eight games, and the Suns are allowing 106.7 points over their last nine games. Phoenix is 8-1 over this season versus teams that give up 99.0 ppg or more, and we have seen an average of 219.9 total points scored in these contests. The Suns are 9-1 over the last two season when playing against teams with a win percentage of 25% or worse, and we have seen 213.2 total points scored in these games. Take the over.

6* NBA "Total" Annihilator on Rockets/Kings Over 196

The Key: We saw just 191 total points scored when these teams met in Houston last month. The Kings went to DeMarcus Cousins in the post a lot in that game, but they'll be looking to run more without him in the lineup. The Rockets just played last night, and the Kings are playing for the third time in four days. Neither team has fresh legs, and defense is the first thing to go when that's the case. Houston is 18-4 over off a road loss over the last two seasons, and we have seen an average of 212.7 total points scored in these contests. Also, the over is 13-6 in the last 19 meetings in Sacramento.

7* NCAAB *HEAVY HITTER* on Western Illinois -112

The Key: Western Illinois is 2-5 but has played just three home games and has been competitive in all three, winning two. The Leathernecks are home following back-to-back losses on the road and will be highly motivated to get back in the win column. They'll draw added motivated from last season's 67-63 loss at Idaho. Western Illinois was the better team in that matchup but it shot just 2 of 11 from three-point range and 17 of 28 from the foul line. I expect much better shooting from the Leathernecks here as they are averaging seven three-point makes per game on the season. The Vandals have won their last two with their last win coming at home over Cal Davis, but they are 17-28 ATS off a home win under coach Don Verlin. Recently, they are 2-7 ATS in their last nine games following a cover. Take Western Illinois.

6* NBA Vegas Line Mistake on Pacers +7

The Key: The Pacers are extremely disappointed with how they performed last game. They returned home following an 0-4 road trip looking to get back on track but were hit in the mouth by Atlanta instead. I expect an inspired performance in the wake of that loss. The Pacers are 5-0 ATS in their last five games following a double-digit loss at home, 5-0-1 ATS in their last six Wednesday games and 4-0 ATS in their last four games when playing on one day of rest. The Clippers are 0-4 ATS in their last four versus Central division opponents. Take the points.

7* NBA Situational *SLAM DUNK* on Hornets -2.5

The Key: This is a superior spot for Charlotte, which has had the last four days off to get healthy and to get prepared for this matchup. Boston is playing its third game in four days with the last one going to double overtime. The Hornets will have the fresher legs. Boston has been playing uptempo basketball, trying to outscore its opponents, but Charlotte has done an excellent job controlling the tempo against such teams and is on a 27-14 ATS run versus up-tempo teams that average 83 shots per game or more. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB National TV Annihilator (FOXS1) on Georgetown -2.5

The Key: Georgetown will be out for revenge for last season's 22-point loss at Kansas. The Hoyas are a different team at home, and that's why we see them favored over the 10th-ranked team in the country. The Hoyas are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games while the Jayhawks are 1-5 ATS in their last six road games. The Hoyas are 6-1 ATS in their last seven versus the Big 12 while the Jayhawks are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 versus the Big East. Kansas checks in off a nice win over Florida but is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games following a win. The Hoyas are off a blowout of Towson State and are 21-7 ATS in their last 28 games following a win of more than 20 points. Lay the points.

6* NBA Bailout on Lakers -2.5

The Key: Motivated by three consecutive blowout losses, the Lakers should take care of business against a Sacramento team that hasn't been the same since the loss of DeMarcus Cousins. The Lakers should also benefit from fresher legs. Sacramento played last night while L.A. had the night off. The Lakers have had plenty of success against the Kings and are 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings overall and 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings at home. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB Situational Slam Dunk on South Dakota +16.5

The Key: This is a letdown spot for Creighton following Sunday's big win over in-state rival Nebraska. Plus, it has had just one day to prepare for this contest while South Dakota has had three. You want to fade home favorites or pickems off an upset win on the road if they have a win percentage of .600 to .800 and are playing a team with a win percentage of .200 to .400. Doing so has produced a 45-18 ATS mark the last five seasons. It is also worth noting that the Coyotes are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600. Take the points.

7* NBA Situational Slam Dunk on Heat +5

The Key: This is a bad spot for Phoenix, which will be playing a second game in as many nights and a fourth in five days. To make matters worse, last night's game with the Clippers went to overtime so I don't see the Suns having enough left in the tank to cover this number. The Suns are 1-4 ATS in their last five games when playing without a day of rest and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games when their starting five players combine for more than 160 minutes the previous day. The Heat are 18-6 ATS in the last 24 meetings, including 6-0 ATS in the last six meetings in Phoenix. Take the points.

6* NBA Vegas Line Mistake on Suns +7.5

The Key: This line is inflated due to LA's run of five consecutive covers. Consider that the Clippers are just 22-43 ATS since 1996 after covering the spread in four or more consecutive games. The Clippers are also 0-5 ATS in their last five home games versus teams with a winning road record. The Suns are coming off a loss in Houston but are an impressive 29-11-1 ATS in their last 41 games following an ATS loss. That game, however, was Phoenix's second in as many days. While playing three games in four days is no picnic, the Suns have thrived in such spots under Hornacek, going 22-10 ATS and winning by an average score of 105.7 to 101.9. They are also 44-20-1 ATS in their last 65 games when playing on one day of rest. The Suns are 31-16 ATS as a dog under Hornacek and 23-11 ATS as a road underdog under their current coach. You want to take road teams that average 103.0 ppg or more that trailed by 15 points or more at halftime of the previous game. Doing so has produced an 81-36 ATS mark since 1996. Take the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Nevada +6

The Key: This is Nevada's first home game since Nov. 17, and it will be jacked up as a result. Not only will it be out to end a five-game losing streak, but it will also be out for revenge for last season's eight-point loss at Cal. You want to fade favorites like Cal that have covered the spread in five or six of their last seven games if they have a win percentage of 80% or higher and are playing a team with a win percentage of 20% to 40%. Doing so has produced a 44-17 (72%) ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Nuggets +5.5

The Key: Atlanta is 12-6 but wouldn't be if it played in the much stronger Western Conference. The Hawks are just 3-13 ATS in their last 16 versus the West and 0-6 ATS in their last six versus the NBA Northwest division. The Nuggets are off a bad loss at Washington where they couldn't throw it in the ocean, but the performance was an outlier because they had been played exceptional in their previous nine games. The Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games when playing on one day of rest. You want to back road teams that average 103.0 ppg or more that trailed in their previous game by 15 points or more at the half. Doing so has produced an 81-35 ATS mark since 1996. It is also worth noting that Atlanta is just 11-23 ATS the last three seasons versus teams that average 103.0 ppg or more.

6* NBA Situational Slam Dunk on Pistons -9

The Key: The Pistons have been a major disappointment thus far, but this is a fantastic spot for them. Not only will Detroit be motivated by a 10-game slide, but it will also be fueled by an embarrassing 25-point loss the last time it faced the 76ers. The Pistons have had two days to regroup and are 5-1 ATS in their last six games when playing on two days' rest. The 76ers have covered the spread in six of their last seven and are starting to lose value as a result. This is the second game of a back-to-back for them, a spot that hasn't treated the well. They are 18-38 ATS in their last 56 games when playing without a day of rest. They are also 17-32 ATS the last two seasons as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. Lay the number.

7* NCAAB Game of the Week on Wisconsin Green Bay +10.5

The Key: Miami is 8-0 and high on the horse following a big win over Illinois and is susceptible here as a result. I expect the Hurricanes to get caught looking right past a Wisconsin Green Bay squad that was kicked by Georgia State Thursday. That was just one of those rare games where the Phoenix couldn't throw it in the ocean. They shot just 28.8% from the field after shooting 50% or better in three of their previous four games. The Phoenix are 8-1-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a loss of more than 20 points and 4-0 ATS in their last four games after being held to less than 50 points in their previous game. Brian Wardle is one of the best coaches you don't know much about. Playing a second game in three days might seem like a tough situation, but Wardle's ability to prepare and motivate has allowed the Phoenix to thrive in such situations. In fact, his Wis-GB teams are 27-7 ATS all-time when playing a second game in three days and have won these games by an average score of 69.4 to 65.7. Take the points.

7* NBA Game of the Week on Timberwolves +7

The Key: Off a big win over Memphis and with a matchup against Phoenix tomorrow night, Houston won't give Minnesota its full attention. The Rockets have a 12-point win over Minnesota this season in Mexico City so it will be easy for them to look right past the Timberwolves here. I expect the T-Wolves to be extremely motivated after losing to the then 0-17 76ers. That's the type of embarrassing loss that gets a teams attention. The Rockets are 0-4 ATS in their last four games versus a team with a winning percentage below .400. Also, you want to fade Friday night favorites that are off a home win against a division rival as doing so has produced a 50-20 (71%) ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on SMU -4.5

The Key: We are getting a good number with SMU at home because it has yet to cover a spread this season. The Mustangs defeated Wyoming by eight points on the road last season, and I'm expecting them to take care of business by at least that many here. SMU has come up short against each of the first three quality opponents its faced so it will be going after this one with all its got. First road games are often times shaky. Wyoming has yet to set food outside of its own gym for a game this season, and that makes this an even tougher spot for the Cowboys. Plus, the Mustangs are more battle tested. The Cowboys have played just one high-caliber opponent (Colorado). We have some nice history on our side as Wyoming is 38-60 ATS since 1997 when it heads out on the road following a home win. It is 10-23 ATS in road games off two or more consecutive home wins since 1997 and has lost by an average score of 76.4 to 67.0 in this situation. Lay the points.

6* NBA National TV Annihilator on Knicks +7.5

The Key: The Cavs haven't played on the road since Nov. 21, and they are just 3-3 in their previous six road games with just one of the wins coming by more than this number. The Knicks won the first meeting, spoiling LeBron James' homecoming. While Cleveland will be out for revenge, that angle has been figured into this number, overfigured. The Knicks will be highly motivated too as they try to end a five-game skid. The Knicks are 7-2 ATS in their last nine games versus a team with a winning record while the Cavaliers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games versus a team with a home winning percentage of less than .400. Take the points.

7* NCAAB *HEAVY HITTER* on Missouri State -6.5

The Key: The Bears haven't played at home since Nov. 19 so they will be excited to get back in front of their fans. They've lost three of four since a 2-0 start at home and will be looking for a dominant performance tonight. The Bears are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games following three or more consecutive games away from home and 12-3 ATS the last three seasons following a stretch of three losses in four games. Arkansas-LR is 4-1 but has benefited from a soft schedule. Now it finds itself in the road underdog role, which hasn't been kind. The Trojans are 49-70 ATS as a road dog or pickem under coach Shields, including 10-23 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12.0 points. Lay the number.

7* NCAAB *HEAVY HITTER* on Tulsa -1

The Key: Creighton is off to a nice 6-1 start, but it will miss the presence of Doug McDermott in its first true road game of the season. Not only will Tulsa be motivated by back-to-back losses, it will also be fueled by last season's 10-point loss at Creighton. The Golden Hurricane have been outstanding at home, where they are 6-0 in their last six and 13-1 in their last 14. The Blue Jays have really been living with the three-point shot in the early going. In fact, 44% of their shot attempts are coming from beyond the arc. That bodes well for us because Tulsa has given high-volume three-point shooting teams fits. It is 12-2 ATS versus teams that attempt 21 three-point shots per game or more over the last three seasons and has defeated these teams by an average score of 65.9 to 61.5. Take Tulsa.

6* NBA *SITUATIONAL SLAM DUNK* on Hornets +3.5

The Key: This is a favorable situation for Charlotte. The Hornets will undoubtedly be the fresher side having had the last three days off. The Bulls, on the other hand, will be feeling the effects of last night's double-OT contest with Dallas. The Bulls are 0-4 ATS in their last four games when their starting five players combine for more than 160 minutes the previous day. The Bulls are also 0-4 ATS in their last four games versus teams that have a winning percentage below .400. The Hornets, meanwhile, are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games versus a team with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Vegas Line Mistake on Indiana State +7.5

The Key: Butler is being overvalued following a good showing in the Battle 4 Atlantis. This is its first true road game of the season, and I believe it is in danger of being upset. Indiana State has been one tough cookie at home, where it has won or lost by fewer than 7.5 points in 58 of its last 63 games. Now that's a 58-5 trend I'm not hesitating to get behind. The home team is 10-2 in the last 12 meetings in this series. Take the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Middle Tennessee State +9

The Key: Middle Tennessee State is 30-15 ATS after a double-digit defeat under coach Kermit Davis and has won by an average score of 72.4 to 65.0 in these games. It is also 10-2 ATS under Davis after being held to 60 points or less in two straight games. In addition, you want to fade home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points that are off a win of three points or less and are up against an opponent that trailed by 15 points or more at the half of its previous game. Doing so has produced a 43-17 ATS mark the last five seasons. MTSU was upset at home by Belmont last season and will be looking for a little payback here. Take the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Celtics +6.5

The Key: Boston is coming off a 22-point loss to the reigning NBA champion Spurs, which is actually a good thing for us. Consider that road teams off a blowout loss of 15 points that average 103.0 ppg or more on the season are 123-70 (64%) ATS since 1996. The Hawks are off a 30-point win over Charlotte and the game was never in doubt as they led big at the half. That bodes well for us too as fading home teams that led their previous game by 20 points or more at halftime has produced a 98-56 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Jazz +3

The Key: The Nuggets are being overvalued on the road tonight because they have won six of their last seven games. Utah has lost five straight and will be hungry as a result. I really like its chances of winning this one outright considering it has won 31 of the last 38 at home in the series. The Jazz are 14-3 ATS the last three seasons after failing to cover the spread in four of their last five games. In addition, when the line is +3 to -3 you want to fade road teams off two or more consecutive overs if they average 102.0 ppg or more and are playing a team that allows 98.0-102.0 ppg. Doing so has produced a 32-10 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Marshall +7

The Key: Marshall will be highly motivated tonight. It has lost its last three games. Plus, it was crushed 92-65 at South Carolina last season. This is South Carolina's first true road game of the season, and I think it will have a tough time getting up for it given the result of last year's meeting. The Gamecocks are 16-39-2 ATS in their last 57 games following an ATS win while the Thundering Herd are 6-1-1 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss. Teams headed up by Frank Martin are 2-12 ATS in road games versus good passing teams that average 16.0 assists per game or more. Take the points.

6* NBA "Total" Annihilator on Grizzlies/Kings Under 195

The Key: The Grizzlies combined with Portland for 211 points in their last game. The Kings combined with San Antonio for 216. And, these teams combined for 221 points in the season's first meeting. It appears odds makers are begging for action on the over, but we won't bite. Memphis has been at its best defensively on the road where it is giving up only 89.9 ppg. It is also worth noting that the Grizzlies haven't been nearly as good offensively on the road, averaging just 94.5 ppg. The Kings have been a far better defensive team at home where they are holding opponents to 97.2 ppg. Prior to this season's meeting, these teams had combined for 188 points or less in four straight matchups. The under is 6-0 in the Kings' last six home games versus a team with a winning road record. The under is 3-0-1 in the Grizzlies' last four games following a win of more than 10 points and 3-0-1 in their last four after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. Memphis is 18-3 under as a road favorite under coach Joerger, and we have seen just 182.3 total points scored on average in these games.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Fresno State +7

The Key: Fresno State will be the hungrier team as it looks to end a four-game losing streak and avenge last season's loss at Cal. The Bulldogs have been a fantastic investment in bounce-back spots, going 36-17-3 ATS in their last 56 games following a loss. They have also been an outstanding underdog at 27-14 ATS in the role the last three seasons. Cal is 0-6 ATS the last three seasons in road games versus teams averaging 12.0 assists per game or less, losing these contests by an average score of 76.5 to 68.5. Fresno State is 6-0 ATS after two straight games with five steals or less under coach Terry. Take the points.

6* NBA Situational Slam Dunk on Jazz +6

The Key: This is a good spot to back the Jazz. The Clippers are off a big win in Houston last night, which puts them in danger of a letdown. Furthermore, this is their second road game in as many days and their fifth in seven days. This is the last game of a seven-game road trip so the Clippers will be happy to return home and will likely be more focused on that rather than the task at hand, especially since they have won 10 straight against the Jazz. Utah will be highly motivated to end that streak, and it will be the fresher side having had the last two days off. The Clippers are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a win of more than 10 points and 1-8 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win. The Jazz are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following an ATS loss and 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a  loss of more than 10 points. The Clippers are 4-17-1 ATS in the last 22 meetings in Utah. Take the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Old Dominion +5.5

The Key: This is VCU's first true road game of the season, and it will have a tough time making it out alive. Old Dominion has lost four straight in the series and will be highly motivated as a result. The Monarchs have been an outstanding investment at home where they are 10-1 ATS in their last 11. They are also 5-0 ATS in their last five games versus teams that have a winning record. The Rams are 1-4 ATS in their last five games versus teams that have a winning S.U. record, and the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings. The key to victory for Old Dominion is taking care of the basketball against VCU's pressure. The Monarchs have done a great job of taking care of the rock thus far and have had nine turnovers or fewer in three of their last four games. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Hornets +9

The Key: The Hornets will be highly motivated as they look to bring their seven-game losing streak to an end. Adding fuel to the fire is a 112-87 loss at Golden State Nov. 11. I expect the Hornets to show much better at home where they have won or lost by fewer than nine points in nine straight against the Warriors. That's a 9-0 trend in our favor. The Hornets are 5-1 ATS in their last six home games versus teams with a road winning percentage of greater than .600. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Dartmouth -2

The Key: Dartmouth dropped its first two games, but this is its home opener and it's had over a week to prepare. The Big Green have taken on IUPU Fort Wayne each of the past three seasons and came up short each time so they will be seeking revenge, which is perhaps the best motivator of all. Dartmouth returns basically its entire team, including three double-digit scorers, and you want to back teams in the first 10 games of the season with four starters returning when the line is +3 to -3 after a game where they were held to 50 points or less. Doing so has produced a 56-24 ATS mark since 1997. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB National TV Annihilator (ESPN2) on Tulsa +2.5

The Key: Oklahoma State is 5-0 but is yet to play anyone. The losses of leading scorers Marcus Smart and Markel Brown will show up tonight against a Tulsa team that is very good defensively. Tulsa checks in off a 53-35 win over Auburn, and it should be noted that it is 14-0 ATS the last two seasons after a win by 10 points or more. It is on a 10-0 ATS run after a win by 15 points or more and an 8-0 ATS run after two straight wins of 10 points or more. Oklahoma State is very reliant on the three-point shot. In fact, of the 55 shots per game it averages, 24 are three-point attempts. This plays right into the hands of a Tulsa team that is holding opponents to 25% shooting from beyond the arc. The Golden Hurricane are 7-0 ATS the last two seasons versus teams who attempt an average of 21 three-point shots per game or more. Take the points.

7* NBA Situational Slam Dunk GAME OF THE MONTH on Timberwolves +1.5

The Key: This is a great spot to back the Timberwolves. They have had the last three days off to prepare for this contest while Milwaukee just played last night. The Timberwolves are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games when playing on three days' rest or more. The Bucks defeated the Pistons by 12 points last night, but they are 8-20 ATS in their last 28 following a win and 5-16 ATS in their last 21 following a win of more than 10 points. The T-Wolves lost by 12 to Sacramento the last time they took the floor, but they are 20-7-1 ATS in their last 28 games following a double-digit loss at home. Milwaukee hasn't been the same team on the road where it has lost five of eight. It's also struggled against Minnesota. It is 0-4 in the last four meetings overall and 4-13 in its last 17 games in Minnesota. The Bucks are 1-6 ATS in the last seven meetings, and the underdog is 10-4-1 ATS in the last 15 meetings. Take the T-Wolves.

7* NBA Total of the Week on Kings/Pelicans Under 203.5

The Key: We saw 206 total points scored when these teams faced off in Sacramento last Tuesday. However, we saw just 185 and 199 total points scored in the previous two meetings. Both teams will benefit from two days of rest and game prep and the fact they just faced each other. I just don't see the offenses being as efficient here. The Under is 14-5-1 in the Kings' last 20 road games versus a team with a winning home record and 4-0 in the Pelicans' last four home games versus a team with a winning road record. When the total is 200.0 to 209.5 in November games, you want to play the under on all teams (Sacramento in this case) with a winning percentage of 60-75%. Doing so has produced a 64-31 mark the last five seasons. We've seen an average total of 204.5 points in this situation but only 199.1 total points scored on average. Take the Under.

7* NCAAB *HEAVY HITTER* on SMU -4

The Key: This game is all about revenge for SMU, which lost 89-78 at Arkansas last season. The Razorbacks aren't nearly the same team on the road, and I expect the tides to turn. Arkansas has rolled to this point. However, it is 0-8 ATS in road games off two consecutive home wins of 10 points or more under coach Anderson, losing by an average score of 77.5 to 63.3 in this spot. SMU is 9-0 ATS after failing to cover the number in three of its last four games under coach Brown, winning by an average score of 67.6 to 61.3 in this spot. The Razorbacks are a dismal 15-36 ATS in their last 51 road games while SMU is on a 12-3 ATS run as a home favorite or pickem. Lay the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Brown +19.5

The Key: Illinois is off a pair of massive blowout wins of 58 and 41 points and is being overvalued as a resulted against an experienced Brown squad. The Bears have dropped their last three but haven't lost by more than 15 points this season. They are 4-0 ATS in their last four games following an ATS loss and 5-0 ATS in their last five road games versus a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600. The Fighting Illini are 2-7 ATS in their last nine home games. You want to fade double-digit favorites after a game where they scored 95 points or more if they are outscoring opponents by 8.0 ppg or more on average and are up against a team that is being outscored by 3.5 to 8.0 ppg on average. Doing so has produced a 78-37 ATS mark since 1997. Take the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on UC Irvine +4.5

The Key: I'll take the points with an experienced UC Irvine squad that returns 12 of its 13 top scorers. The Anteaters won't be fazed here after playing a talented Arizona team. They ended up losing to the Wildcats by 17 points but were successful at the defensive end, holding them under 40% shooting. That loss actually sets up a nice situational play as the Anteaters are 26-9 ATS in road games off a double-digit road loss since 1997. The Gaels are 3-0 and have covered both of their lined games, but they take a big step up in competition here. The Gaels are 1-8 ATS in their last nine games following an ATS win. They are also 0-4 in their last four meetings with Irvine. Take the points.

7* NBA Game of the Week on Celtics +6

The Key: The Trail Blazers are being overvalued following six consecutive wins. They are 9-3 on the season but have played only three games on the road, losing two. The Celtics are 4-7 but have played some good teams close. They have four losses of five points or less to the likes of Dallas, Toronto, Phoenix and Cleveland, and they have a win over Chicago. Boston has been a tough road trip for the Blazers, who are 1-9 in their last 10 visits. Take the points.

6* NBA Situational Slam Dunk on Bucks +3

The Key: This is a tough situation for the Wizards as they hit the road following last night's big win over Cleveland. The Wizards are 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a win, and they'll have a tough time getting up for a Milwaukee team they defeated by 11 points earlier this month. That loss, along with last night's ugly performance in Toronto, assures us the Bucks will be motivated. They are 6-0 ATS in their last six games following a loss and 4-0-1 ATS in their last five games following a loss of more than 10 points. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Navy +13

The Key: This is a sandwich game for Northeastern, which is off a big upset win at Florida State and has a showdown at UMass on deck. Since playing Michigan State to a five-point game in its opener, Navy was kicked at Notre Dame and Providence in its last two. Still, playing superior competition should benefit it here. Northeastern is an unreliable 2-10 ATS as a favorite over the last two seasons. Teams headed up by Ed DeChellis are 11-2 ATS all-time in games played away from home following a road loss of 20 points or more. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Long Beach State +2.5

The Key: This is a revenge game for Long Beach State, which lost both of last season's meetings with Kansas State by double digits. Those games were at K-State and Puerto Rico. Now the 49ers get to host the Wildcats, and I expect home court to prevail. Kansas State is 1-6 ATS in its last seven road games and 4-15 ATS as a road favorite of 3.0 points or less or pickem since 1997. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Timberwolves +8.5

The Key: Off a big win over LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, this matchup won't get San Antonio's competitive juices flowing. Minnesota is 3-0 ATS at home this season, and it has been competitive against the Spurs. The T-Wolves are 3-2 in the last five meetings and 2-0 in the last two home meetings. The home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and the Spurs are 1-4 ATS in their last five meetings in Minnesota. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Kings -1

The Key: The Bulls are off a blowout win over the Clippers but are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a win. The Kings are off a loss to New Orleans but are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 games following a loss. The Bulls are 6-0 on the road, but the Kings are 13-6 ATS in their last 19 home games versus a team with a winning road record. The Bulls are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games versus a team with a winning S.U. record. The Kings have performed well against the Bulls, going 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings while winning their two home meetings during this span by 42 and 29 points. Take the Kings.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Harvard -16

The Key: Harvard will have no trouble getting up for this game. It was upset by Holy Cross last time out. And, in case that's not enough of a motivator, it was upset by Florida Atlantic last season. The Owls are 0-8 ATS in their last eight lined games and 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a win of more than 20 points. They are also 0-7 ATS the last three seasons in road games after holding their previous opponent to 60 points or less. Lay the points. 

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Arkansas -12

The Key: Off a pair of easy wins to start the season, Wake Forest takes a big step up in competition tonight. When the Demon Deacons have caught a big number on the road, it's been for good reason. They are 19-34 ATS as a road underdog of 10 points or more since 1997. They are also 0-8 ATS as a road underdog of 6.5 to 12 points over the last three seasons. They covered their first lined game of the season Monday but are 0-4 ATS in their last four games following a cover, which is a sure sign of unreliability. Lay the points.

7* NBA Humpday *HEAVY HITTER* on Pistons +3

The Key: The Pistons have been a poor investment in the early going, but they have quietly covered the spread in three of their last four and are showing value in the home underdog role tonight. I expect a tremendous defensive effort from the Pistons following their worst defensive performance of the season. After holding Oklahoma City and Memphis below 40% shooting, they allowed the Magic to shoot 51.9%. The Suns are one of the worst defensive teams in the NBA and have allowed their last two opponents to shoot above 51%. They have allowed 47% shooting or higher in five of their last seven games so there's a good chance the Pistons get it going offensively. Odds makers are certainly expecting to see a little offense tonight with the total set at 204.5. That bodes well for us as Van Gundy's teams are 30-11 ATS all-time in home games when the total is 200.0 to 204.5. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Pelicans +3

The Key: New Orleans will have no trouble getting up for a Sacramento team that has won the last three meetings. The Pelicans played last night in Portland but are 4-1 ATS in their last five games without rest. The Kings have had the last two days off but are 0-4 ATS in their last four when playing on two days' rest. Sacramento is off a big win over the Spurs, but it is on an 8-19 ATS slide at home following a win. When the line is +3 to -3 in the first half of the season, you want to fade home teams off an upset win as doing so has produced a 53-25 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB *CA$H COW* on Murray State pk

The Key: Murray State returns eight of their top 10 scorers, including their top four, and it will be hungry following an upset loss at home in its opener. It will be further fueled by an 18-point home loss to Middle Tennessee State last season. Fortunately for the Racers, this is not the same MTSU squad. The Blue Raiders lost their top for scorers from last year's team. The Racers are 18-7-2 ATS in their last 27 games overall, 4-1 ATS in their last five games following a loss, 5-1 ATS in their last six road games and 4-1-1 ATS in their last six non-conference games. The Blue Raiders are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a win and 1-5 ATS in their last six non-conference games. Take Murray State.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on Tulane +2.5

The Key: Wake Forest won last season's meeting at home by 15 points yet it is laying only 2.5 here? It looks like odds makers are begging for the money to come in on Wake. We won't bite. The Demon Deacons lost three key contributors from last year's team, including the two best shooters. Tulane, on the other hand, returns its top six scorers. The Deacs have also struggled on the road where they went 1-11 last season and are 0-6 in their last six. The Green Wave are 7-2 ATS in their last nine versus ACC foes and 13-4 ATS under coach Conroy in home non-conference contests. Take the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Hornets +4

The Key: The Hornets were pummeled at Golden State last game, but they were in a tough spot - playing their second road game in as many nights against one of the best teams in the NBA. That loss will have them motivated here. The Hornets have been one of the best bounce-back teams in the league, going 31-15 ATS following a loss since the start of last season. They are 6-1 ATS in their last seven games following a loss of more than 10 points. Much of Dallas' early success can be attributed to how well it's taken care of the basketball. Recent history suggests it won't matter tonight. The Hornets are 11-1 ATS in home games versus teams that commit an average of 14.0 turnovers per game of less under coach Clifford. They have defeated these teams by an average score of 104.3 to 96.0. Also, the home team is 5-0 in the last five meetings with Charlotte winning by 25 the last time it hosted. Take the points.

6* NBA Bailout on Lakers +8

The Key: The Lakers are 1-8 but are showing value catching eight points. They have been playing much better ball of late, losing by more than eight points just once in their last five games. Plus, LA was blown out at Golden State earlier this season and will be looking for payback. The Warriors just played yesterday and blew out Charlotte, and they have four days off after this game so I wouldn't be surprised if they start their vacation a little prematurely. You want to fade road favorites in Sunday games that are called for at least two more fouls per game than their opponents. Doing so has produced a 9-1 ATS mark over the last five seasons and a 35-12 ATS record since 1996. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Annihilator on UC-Irvine -13.5

The Key: This is a difficult spot for Pacific, which played at Western Illinois Friday and is now back on the West Coast. While the Tigers have been traveling, UC-Irvine has been home. The Anteaters will be hungry too as they look to avenge last season's five-point loss at Pacific. The Tigers don't return a single starter and lost seven of their top eight scorers. The Anteaters, on the other hand, return four starters and 12 of their top 13 scorers. Pacific is 1-10 ATS as a road underdog of 12.5 to 15.0 points since 1997, losing these games by an average of 19.3 points. The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings. Lay the number.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Timberwolves +11.5

The Key: This line is an overreaction to Minnesota's ugly 48-point loss to New Orleans as well as Dallas' lopsided 53-point win over Philadelphia. Right away, I like the fact that fading home teams that led by 20 points or more at halftime of their previous game has produced a 97-54 ATS mark the last five seasons. In addition, you want to back double digit underdogs that have lost by 18 points or more against the spread in their last three games when they are up against an opponent that has gone under the total by 18 points or more in its last three games. Doing so has produced a 40-12 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Blowout on Northern Iowa -22

The Key: With all five starters back, I expect Northern Iowa to start the season strong with a blowout win over a North Dakota team that lost five of its top six scorers. The Panthers return all of their top six scoring options. ND really struggled on the road last season, finishing 6-14 SU and ATS. UNI, meanwhile, was fantastic at home where it finished 11-2 SU and 8-3 ATS in line games. The Panthers have had the upper hand in the series. They are 5-0 in the last five meetings. Two of the last four wins have come by 23 and 25 points, and I'm expecting at least a 25-point margin of victory here given how much the Panthers bring back and how much ND lost. North Dakota is 0-7 ATS in its last seven non-conference games. Lay the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Nuggets +3.5

The Key: This is a sandwich game for Indiana, which is off a big win over Miami and plays in Chicago tomorrow. It won't give a Denver squad that has lost six in a row its full attention. The Nuggets are a better team than their record indicates, and I expect them to show that here in a matchup against a weaker Eastern Conference. The Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last seven versus the Eastern Conference while the Pacers are 2-7 ATS in their last nine versus the West. The Nuggets are 13-6 ATS in the last 19 meetings, including 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings in Indiana. You want to back underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points that are off an upset loss at home if they have a win percentage of 25% or worse and are playing a team with a losing record. Doing so has produced a 29-8 ATS mark since 1996. Take the points.

6* NCAAB Season Opener on William & Mary +18.5

The Key: Don't expect Florida to be in top form right out of the gate. The Gators will really miss guard Scottie Wilbekin, who set the tone on both ends of the floor. William & Mary won 20 games last season and is expected to be even better than it was last year. It is on an 8-1 ATS run when playing away from home as an underdog or pickem. In addition, you want to take underdog of 10 points or more in the first five games of the season if they closed out last season with three consecutive covers or more and are up against a team that closed last season with eight wins or more in its last 10 games. Doing so has produced a 24-5 ATS mark since 1997. Take the points.

7* NBA Total of the Week on Bulls/Raptors Under 197

The Key: Hard-fought defensive battles have been the norm in this series recently, and I expect no different tonight. We are getting a great number here because both teams have been overs machines early on, but the reality is these teams haven't combined for more than 186 points in their last five meetings. We have seen just 177.4 total points scored on average during this span. The Bulls jumped out to a big lead in their last game against Detroit with a 60-point first-half performance. That bodes well for us as Chicago is 8-0 under the last three seasons after scoring 60 points or more in the first half of their last game. We have seen only 173.3 total points scored on average in this spot. Take the under.

7* NBA Humpday *HEAVY HITTER* on Pistons +7

The Key: The Pistons have yet to cover a spread this season, and we are catching a very generous number as a result. The Pistons match up well with the Wizards and have won or lost by seven points or fewer in 18 of the last 20 meetings. Washington has won its first two at home, but the Pistons are 12-2 ATS in their last 14 road games versus a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600. The Wizards are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 home games versus a team with a losing road record. Take the points.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Mavericks -6.5

The Key: I'm not yet sold on the Kings, and it appears odds makers aren't either, installing them as a pretty hefty road dog despite their 5-2 start. The Mavericks are off a loss, but they are a team that responds following defeats, perhaps better than any other team. In fact, Dallas has followed up its previous two losses with wins of 18 and 23 points, and it is an impressive 45-14 ATS in its last 59 games following a loss. The Mavs are 20-0 in their last 20 home games against the Kings, winning them by an average of 13.1 points. Lay the number.

6* NBA Annihilator on Knicks +1.5

The Key: Look for the Knicks to bring their four-game losing streak to an end here. These teams just played Saturday in Atlanta with the Hawks winning, but now they hit the road where they are 0-3. Atlanta is just 8-26 in its last 34 road games in the series. The Hawks are also 0-5 ATS in their last five games following a cover. The Knicks are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games versus a team with a losing road record, 14-3 ATS the last three seasons following three consecutive road games and 33-17 ATS the last three seasons when seeking revenge for a loss where it allowed 100 points or more. Take New York.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Suns +1

The Key: This is a tough encore for Golden State as it goes on the road with no rest following yesterday's big win over Houston. The Suns will be highly motivated following back-to-back defeats. Home court has been huge in this match. The home team is 6-1 in the last seven, including 4-0 in the last four. The Suns are a reliable 25-9-1 ATS in their last 35 games following a spread loss. They are 29-14 ATS as an underdog and 11-2 ATS when playing on Sunday under Hornaceck. You want to back any team on Sunday that is off a home loss to a division opponent as doing so has produced a 31-8 ATS mark the last five seasons. Take Phoenix.

6* NBA *CA$H COW* on Clippers -4

The Key: Head coach Dcc Rivers has called out his players, and I expect them to respond. They are 5-1 ATS in their last six games following a loss of more than 10 points. The Trail Blazers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 road games and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 road games versus a team with a winning home record. Home court has been huge in this matchup with the home team going 6-0 in the last six meetings with an average winning margin of 7.5 points. The Clippers are 5-0 in their last five at home in the series, winning these by an average of 8.0 points. You want to back teams like the Clippers that are averaging 48.0 rebounds per game or less and allowing their opponents to shoot 50% from the field or better. Doing so has produced a 22-4 ATS mark since 1996. Lay the points.

7* NBA *HEAVY HITTER* on Thunder +7.5

The Key: This line is an overreaction to Oklahoma City being without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook. OKC is 1-4 but all four losses have come on the road and against some pretty good teams. Memphis is 5-0 but hasn't played as difficult of a schedule as the Thunder. Under coach Brooks, the Thunder are 49-27 ATS following two or more consecutive losses, 56-33 ATS after failing to cover in two or more consecutive games and 57-38 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. OKC is at home and has had two days to gear up for this one. It has won or lost by fewer than 7.5 points in 10 straight home games versus the Grizzlies. Take the points.

6* NBA "Total" Annihilator on Spurs/Rockets Over 199.5

The Key: The Spurs have finished under the number in each of their first three games. The Rockets have come in below the number in each of their first five games. We are getting a very favorable number here as a result. Houston has looked good defensively in the early going, but it has played a very weak schedule to this point. It takes a big step up in competition here. Six of the last eight matchups between these teams have gone over this number with an average of 213.9 total points scored. The over is 14-4 in the Rockets' last 18 home games. The over is also 26-11 in Houston's games against teams with a win percentage of 60-70% under coach McHale.