Announcement

**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:52 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Monday, December 8

The Buccaneers and the Panthers will be fighting for top spot in the NFC South division when they meet up on Monday night. Here's your Daily Sports Roundup.

The Gridiron Spotlight

Both Tampa Bay and Carolina are 9-3 straight-up on the season, but the Bucs are the hotter team right now. Tampa Bay has picked up the win in each of their last four games, slipping past New Orleans 23-20 last time out. Jeff Garcia threw for just 119 yards in that contest, while Warrick Dunn picked up 74 rushing yards.

The Panthers knocked off Green Bay 35-31 in their last outing, with Jake Delhomme going 12-of-17 for 177 yards through the air. Steve Smith had four catches for 105 yards, and DeAngelo Williams carried the offense with four TDs.

The oddsmakers have Carolina listed as a 3-point home favorite in this contest, with the game's total at 38 points. The Panthers are 6-5-1 against-the-spread this season, and 5-7 on the OVER/UNDER. The Bucs are 7-5 ATS and 5-7 O/U. These two teams met in Tampa Bay back in Week 6, with the Bucs cruising to an easy 27-3 win as a 2-point home favorite. That combined score was an UNDER.

Other Notable Events

The Miami Heat have won each of their last three games to begin to gain some ground in the Southeast Division standings, and they'll get a visit from the Charlotte Bobcats on Monday night. The Heat topped Oklahoma City by a score of 105-99 Saturday night, with Dwyane Wade pouring in 38 points in that victory.

Rounding out the NBA's slate for Monday: Golden State at Oklahoma City, Houston at Memphis, and Orlando at the Clippers. The Magic are also coming off a win over the Thunder; they slipped past Oklahoma City 98-89 on Friday night.

The Rest of the Schedule

Phil Kessel and the red-hot Boston Bruins will be gunning for their fifth straight win on Monday night when the Tampa Bay Lightning hit Beantown. Kessel potted his team-leading 16th goal of the season in Boston's 4-0 win over the Florida Panthers on Saturday, and they knocked off Tampa Bay 3-1 last Thursday night.

There are four other games on the NHL's schedule for Monday night, including Florida at Ottawa, Buffalo at Pittsburgh, and the Islanders at Toronto. As well, the only Western Conference matchup on the schedule sees Nashville at St. Louis.

Finally, there are two ranked college basketball teams in action Monday, as Lamar plays No. 11 Louisville, and Savannah State meets No. 20 Georgetown.

News from the Wire

LB Adam Seward (ankle) and DE Hilee Taylor (calf) are listed as DOUBTFUL on the Panthers' official injury report for Monday night, while LB Na'il Diggs (thigh) and CB Ken Lucas (head) are PROBABLE . . . DT Jovan Haye (knee) is DOUBTFUL on the Buccaneers' injury report, while each of DE Gaines Adams (hip), DE Kevin Carter (illness), WR Michael Clayton (knee), and QB Brian Griese (right elbow) have been listed as QUESTIONABLE for Monday's contest.

A Peek at the Future

The NBA has nine games on its schedule for Tuesday night, including Toronto at Cleveland, San Antonio at Dallas, Orlando at Portland, and the Lakers at Sacramento . . . Montreal is back on the ice in an all-Canadian matchup at home against Calgary on Tuesday night, while the Islanders play in Philadelphia . . . it'll be the Saints vs. the Bears in Chicago in this week's Thursday night NFL game.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:52 AM

Six-pack for Monday

Initial thoughts after a quick look at the bowl matchups........

-- Opening line for BCS Championship game: Florida -3 over the Oklahoma Sooners, with a total of 72. Sooners are first team in the history of college football to score 60+ points six games in a row, and they're getting points in their bowl game-- go figure.

-- Most fun bowl to watch: Ole Miss-Texas Tech, Houston Nutt-Mike Leach, trick plays vs pass plays. Lots of offense. Runnerup is the Oregon-Oklahoma State game-- lots of offense there, too.

-- Clemson is in Gator Bowl for a record ninth time; their game vs Nebraska is a rematch of the '82 Orange Bowl, when Tigers won a national championship by upsetting the Cornhuskers.

-- LSU faces Georgia Tech, in game between only two teams that wear white uniforms at home, so whomever wears the dark jerseys in this game will feel a little weird.

-- NC State-Rutgers is in Birmingham; State's O'Brien is America's hottest bowl coach, winning his last seven. Rutgers was the hottest team in the Northeast down the stretch. Should be interesting.

-- Vanderbilt is going to its first bowl since 1982, but they don't get a road trip- they're staying home for the Music City Bowl, which is in Nashville. Their opponent is Boston College, winners in their last eight bowls. Not sure if QB Crane will be back for the Eagles.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:53 AM

Monday's List of 13: Wrapping up an NFL Sunday

13) I don't want to hear one more freakin' word about Tony Romo until he wins something meaningful; he is probably playing hurt, but once again, he came up small in a big spot late Sunday, as Cowboys blew 13-3 4th quarter lead and lost 20-13 to gutty Steelers. Romo is overrated, plain-and-simple, because media loves the Cowboys.

12) Meanwhile, two-time MVP Kurt Warner's Cardinals clinched a division title out in the desert, but because Arizona isn't a perennial contender and because Warner is a family man, a Christian, people just shrug their shoulders and say, "They'll lose in the playoffs."

11) How do you figure the Jets? They're 0-3 in California, they lose at home to Denver, but they win in Tennessee. AFC East is now big mess, with three teams tied for first. Speaking of which.......

10) Miami Dolphins are now Canada's team after shutting down the skidding Bills 16-3 in the first regular season NFL game played north of the border, in Toronto. What a coaching job by Sparano and staff.

9) That said, you think last year's Miami coach Cam Cameron has a big grin on his face? Cameron is now offensive coordinator for the 9-4 Ravens, and he has guided rookie QB Flacco to within a game of first place in AFC North, with Steelers visiting Baltimore next week.

8) Denver had ball seven times in 24-17 win over Chiefs-- all seven drives started at their 20 or worse field position. Never saw that in a game before-- Broncos won despite 16-yard deficit in field position, and that doesn't happen that much either.

7) Matt Schaub was 28-42/408 passing, as Texans kicked field goal at the gun of 24-21 win at Lambeau Field. Packers lost tough game last week at home (35-31 to Carolina); their playoff hopes look dead.

6) Not many flags got thrown this week; total of 141 penalties were called in 15 games, an average of 9.4 a game, not a lot. Tennessee got flagged 13 times for 131 yards, by far the most of any team.

5) Matt Ryan is awesome; Falcons lost 29-25 in Superdome, but not because of Ryan, who was 24-33/315 passing, and used mobility to escape several jams. This was a terrific game, and the more desperate team won it. Now Saints have to go to Chicago Thursday for a date on a nice balmy night in the Windy City against the Bears.

4) Detroit led 6-3 at the half, but once again snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, falling to 0-13 even though Gus Frerotte got hurt and Tavaris Jackson played most of the game. Lions close out with the Colts, Saints and Packers, as they try not to be the first 0-16 team.

3) Should be a fun week around the Giants, after the media hurricane of this week, then a horrible performance against the 7-5-1 Eagles. With the 8-5 Cowboys coming to the Swamp Sunday night, should be lot of interesting questions, answers in the Garden State this week.

2) Still think the Browns should play Josh Cribbs at QB for the last three games of the season; they're in Philadelphia on Monday night this week against the Eagles; not looking forward to Game 2 of the Ken Dorsey era, and I'm sure that ESPN execs aren't either.

1) Boy the Patriots' defense is old and slow; they lost four players to injury Sunday, and were using Junior Seau in same week they signed him off the street, If they played anyone who is any good yesterday, they get beat. Luckily for Pats, they close with Raiders, Cardinals (who already clinched) and Bills, so they still might make playoffs.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:54 AM

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up

Monday, December 8

Hot Teams
-- Miami won its last three games, by 1-4-6 points.
-- Magic won 15 of their last 18 games.
-- Rockets won eight of their last twelve games.

Cold Teams
-- Bobcats lost last two games, are 0-3 vs spread in last three.
-- Warriors lost last nine games, with four of last five losses by 13+ pts. Thunder is 1-17 in their last 18 games, but covered seven of last eight.
-- Grizzlies lost eight of their last nine games.
-- Clippers lost seven of last nine games, but covered five of last six.

Totals
-- Over is 10-4 in Miami's last fourteen games.
-- Over is 11-2 in Golden State's last thirteen games.
-- Seven of last eight Houston games went over the total.
-- Three of last four Clipper games stayed under the total.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:55 AM

National Basketball Association – Trend Sheet

NBA

Monday, December 8

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Trend Sheet
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7:30 PM CHARLOTTE vs. MIAMI
Charlotte is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Miami
Charlotte is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Miami
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games

8:00 PM GOLDEN STATE vs. OKLAHOMA CITY
Golden State is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Golden State is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Oklahoma City is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
Oklahoma City is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games when playing at home against Golden State

8:00 PM HOUSTON vs. MEMPHIS
Houston is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Houston's last 8 games
Memphis is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Houston
Memphis is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing Houston

10:30 PM ORLANDO vs. LA CLIPPERS
Orlando is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Orlando is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 2-13 ATS in their last 15 games at home
LA Clippers are 2-13 SU in their last 15 games at home

7:00 PM DETROIT vs. WASHINGTON
Detroit is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games on the road
Washington is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Washington is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Detroit

7:00 PM TORONTO vs. CLEVELAND
Toronto is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Toronto is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Cleveland is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing Toronto

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:55 AM

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA

Monday, December 8

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Tips and Trends
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Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies [8 PM ET]

Rockets (-7, O/U 192): Houston has scored 100 points six times in the last eight games, winning all six times. The Rockets are coming off a 131-112 rout of Golden State on Friday behind a season-high 36 free throws and 13 3-pointers. Yao Ming also enjoyed his best game of the season against the Warriors with 33 points and 14 rebounds. “The great thing about tonight was we had tremendous balance,” Houston forward Shane Battier said. “We can’t do it by ourselves, but when we have tremendous balance, we become a much better, much more efficient offensive team.”

Rockets are 3-1 ATS in the last 4 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings at Memphis.

Key Injuries - F Tracy McGrady (knee) is OUT.

G Brent Barry (calf) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Grizzlies: Memphis head coach Marc Iavaroni is on the hot seat after watching his team lose 12 of 14 games. The Grizzlies have allowed five of their last six opponents to shoot better than 50 percent from the field, and Iavaroni is concerned with a lack of motivation by his players, which was evident again in Saturday's 106-87 loss to New Orleans. “We needed energy on the floor, we needed toughness,” Iavaroni said. “We were not in the tough category. We were nowhere near it.”

Grizzlies are 1-8 ATS in their last 9 games overall.
The UNDER is 6-2 in Memphis' last 8 Monday games.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 91

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:56 AM

College Basketball – Long Sheet

NCAAB
Long Sheet

Monday, December 8

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HAWAII (4 - 2) at ILLINOIS (7 - 1) - 12/8/2008, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
HAWAII is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 10-21 ATS (-13.1 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 0-6 ATS (-6.6 Units) in December games over the last 2 seasons.
HAWAII is 2-12 ATS (-11.2 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in all home games over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in home lined games over the last 2 seasons.
ILLINOIS is 3-11 ATS (-9.1 Units) in December games over the last 3 seasons.
ILLINOIS is 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) after allowing 60 points or less over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
HAWAII is 1-0 against the spread versus ILLINOIS over the last 3 seasons
ILLINOIS is 1-0 straight up against HAWAII over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WICHITA ST (3 - 4) at TCU (5 - 3) - 12/8/2008, 9:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WICHITA ST is 34-17 ATS (+15.3 Units) in road games after a non-conference game since 1997.
TCU is 15-36 ATS (-24.6 Units) when playing with one or less days rest since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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SAN JOSE ST (2 - 3) at SAN DIEGO (4 - 4) - 12/8/2008, 10:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
SAN JOSE ST is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE ST is 10-20 ATS (-12.0 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN JOSE ST is 7-19 ATS (-13.9 Units) after a non-conference game over the last 3 seasons.
SAN JOSE ST is 7-18 ATS (-12.8 Units) in non-conference games over the last 3 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 25-13 ATS (+10.7 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
SAN DIEGO is 21-6 ATS (+14.4 Units) in home games in December games since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 against the spread versus SAN JOSE ST over the last 3 seasons
SAN DIEGO is 1-0 straight up against SAN JOSE ST over the last 3 seasons
1 of 1 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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INDIANA ST (0 - 6) vs. OHIO U (3 - 2) - 12/8/2008, 4:30 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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LAMAR (6 - 1) at LOUISVILLE (3 - 1) - 12/8/2008, 7:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
There were no past matchups in this series during this time period.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:56 AM

College Basketball – Write up

NCAAB
Write-up

Monday, December 8

Notes on today's game.............

Illinois crushed Georgia in last game, after losing by hoop game before that, vs Clemson; Illini are 7-1, have one more game after this before an exam break. Big 11 home favorites are 17-10 against spread. Hawai'i is on mainland for first time this year- they did upset Iowa State at home. WAC road underdogs are 10-7 against the spread.

TCU is 6-3, winning last five games vs collection of stiffs; they've lost at home to Nebraska (62-50), Clemson (70-58), Charleston (86-75) on the road. MWC home favorites are 12-12 vs spread. Wichita State lost by 3 at Texas Tech in last game, after being down 17 at half- they're 3-4, with losses to Georgetown, Michigan State- they've played good teams.

San Diego lost crosstown rivalry game with Aztecs Saturday; they're a disappointing 3-4, losing to UNLV, Wisconsin, Miami, San Diego State all decent enough teams, but best team they've beaten is Nevada, which is rebuilding, and Valparaiso. San Jose State struggles to score, losing its last three D-I games by 17-1-3 points, scoring average of 49.3 ppg..

Louisville crushed Ohio, Indiana State last two days; playing third time in three days has to favor deeper, more athletic 'ville. Lamar, also known as Cardinals, lost by hoop to previously winless Indiana State Sunday, after beating Ohio 76-67 the night before. Lamar is 6-2. Big East home favorites are 19-18 against the spread.

Indiana State got first win of season Sunday, after getting pounded by Louisville in first game; Sycamores are 1-6, with four losses by seven or less points. Ohio U has new coach, is 4-2, losing by 9 to George Mason and by 35 to Louisville yesterday. MAC favorites are 3-4 vs spread on the road. Missouri Valley road underdogs are 9-8 on the road.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:57 AM

College Basketball – Trend Sheet

NCAAB

Monday, December 8

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Trend Sheet
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4:30 PM INDIANA STATE vs. OHIO
Indiana State is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
No trends available

7:00 PM LAFAYETTE vs. FORDHAM
No trends available
Fordham is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Fordham is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

7:00 PM LAMAR vs. LOUISVILLE
No trends available
Louisville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Louisville is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM WAYNE ST MICH vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN
No trends available
Eastern Michigan is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Eastern Michigan is 2-3-1 ATS in its last 6 games

7:30 PM NJIT vs. ST. JOHN'S
No trends available
St. John's is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
St. John's is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:30 PM SAVANNAH STATE vs. GEORGETOWN
No trends available
Georgetown is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Georgetown is 23-2 SU in its last 25 games at home

8:05 PM ARKANSAS-LITTLE ROCK vs. ORAL ROBERTS
Arkansas-Little Rock is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Arkansas-Little Rock is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
No trends available

8:05 PM HAWAII vs. ILLINOIS
Hawaii is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Hawaii is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Illinois is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Illinois is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games at home

9:00 PM WICHITA STATE vs. TCU
Wichita State is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Wichita State is 1-13 SU in its last 14 games on the road
TCU is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
TCU is 19-5 SU in its last 24 games at home

10:00 PM SAN JOSE STATE vs. SAN DIEGO
San Jose State is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games
San Jose State is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing San Diego
San Diego is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing San Jose State
San Diego is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Jose State

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:58 AM

National Hockey League – Write up

NHL
Write-up

Monday, December 8

Hot teams
-- Bruins won four in row, 16 of last 19 games.
-- Panthers won three of their last four games. Senators won four of their last five games.
-- Penguins are 5-0 in the game after their last five losses.
-- Predators won four of their last five games.

Cold teams
-- Lightning lost six in a row, 13 of last 15 games.
-- Sabres lost ten of their last fourteen games.
-- Islanders lost four of their last five games. Maple Leafs lost three in a row, eight of last ten games.
-- Blues lost seven of their last ten home games.

Totals
-- Five of last six Boston games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 13-5-1 in last nineteen Florida games.
-- Three of last four Buffalo games stayed under the total.
-- Last seven Islander games all went over the total.
-- Under is 7-3 in Nashville's last ten games.

Series Records
-- Bruins won ten of last thirteen games against the Lightning.
-- Senators won eight of last ten games against Florida.
-- Penguins won seven of last nine against Buffalo.
-- Islanders won five of their last seven games against Toronto.
-- Blues are 2-0 vs Nashville this season, winning 5-2/1-0so.

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 05:59 AM

National Hockey League – Trend Sheet

NHL

Monday, December 8

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Trend Sheet
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7:00 PM TAMPA BAY vs. BOSTON
Tampa Bay is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Boston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tampa Bay's last 5 games when playing Boston
Boston is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games

7:30 PM BUFFALO vs. PITTSBURGH
Buffalo is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Buffalo is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
Pittsburgh is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Buffalo
Pittsburgh is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Buffalo

7:30 PM FLORIDA vs. OTTAWA
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Florida's last 23 games
Florida is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Ottawa is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Florida
Ottawa is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Florida

7:30 PM NY ISLANDERS vs. TORONTO
NY Islanders are 1-4 SU in their last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of the NY Islanders last 8 games
Toronto is 2-5 SU in their last 7 games when playing NY Islanders
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing NY Islanders

8:30 PM NASHVILLE vs. ST. LOUIS
Nashville is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Nashville is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
St. Louis is 6-19 SU in its last 25 games when playing Nashville
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of St. Louis's last 22 games when playing Nashville

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**pm530** · 12-08-2008, 06:00 AM

National Hockey League – Hot lines

NHL

Monday, December 8

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Ice Picks: NHL Bets
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Florida Panthers at Ottawa Senators

The Ottawa Senators had luck on their side during a 3-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday afternoon.

Forward Jason Spezza scored all three goals for the Sens, all of which came from favorable bounces. Spezza wound up with a tumbling puck on his stick for his two second-period goals and banked his third one off a defenseman's skate from behind the net.

While Ottawa's offense had fate on its side, the defense has only itself to thank for keeping the Penguins' high-powered offense in check. Pittsburgh was limited to 19 shots and couldn't crack Alex Auld in the final minutes of the game. Ottawa has won four of its last five, limiting opponents to under two goals a game during that stretch.

Pick: Ottawa -163

Tampa Bay Lightning at Boston Bruins

Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas was stellar in a 3-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last Thursday. However, with the way Manny Fernandez is shutting the door, Boston will likely give him the nod when it hosts Tampa Bay Monday.

Fernandez turned away all 27 shots from the Florida Panthers for a 4-0 win Saturday night. He's won seven straight games and posts a 1.85 GAA over that span. Surprisingly, Saturday's shutout was Fernandez's first clean sheet of the season.

"For myself, I couldn't care less," he told reporters after the game. "I really wanted to get the win. Everybody's pitching in, everybody's giving their 100 percent, everybody's battling, everybody's playing their game every night."

His teammates are providing enough support on the scoreboard, winning four straight games while scoring 18 collective goals in those victories.

Pick: Boston -230

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**Udog** · 12-08-2008, 09:36 AM

NBA

Monday, December 8

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Pick 'n' Roll: Monday's best NBA bets
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Houston Rockets at Memphis Grizzlies (+7, 193)

A matchup with the worst defensive team in the NBA helped the Houston Rockets record their highest point total in nearly 13 years. Yao Ming's best game of the season didn't hurt.

Yao looks to continue his aggressive play of late as the Rockets go for their ninth win in 10 games against the Southwest Division rival Memphis Grizzlies on Monday night at the FedExForum.

Early offensive struggles were a concern for Houston (13-7) as the team got off to a mediocre 7-5 start. However, after scoring 100 points or more only twice in that stretch, the Rockets have reached the century mark six times in their last eight games, winning all six.

Houston was particularly effective against offensive-minded Golden State on Friday night, when the Rockets recorded season highs with 13 3-pointers and 36 free throws in a 131-112 home victory. It was their highest point total since a 133-93 road win over Sacramento on Dec. 12, 1995.

Yao took advantage of the Warriors' small frontcourt, recording season highs with 33 points and five assists and adding 14 rebounds. He was 8-for-12 from the field and 17-for-19 from the free-throw line.

Yao has taken only 20 field goal attempts in Houston's back-to-back victories, but has gone 29-for-32 from the line in those contests. He's averaging 8.0 free throw attempts in wins, compared to 5.0 in losses.

"I'm just attacking the rim," said Yao, shooting a career-high 88.1 percent at the stripe this season. "If I catch it in the paint and turn around and draw contact, seven or eight times out of 10, the referee will give you the call. ... When you keep getting to the free-throw line, it makes the game a lot easier."

Pick: Houston -7

Orlando Magic at Los Angeles Clippers (+4.5, 193.5)

After losing seven of their previous eight, the Los Angeles Clippers (4-16) ended their four-game road trip and three-game losing streak with a 107-84 win over Minnesota on Saturday.

It was the Clippers' largest margin of victory on the road since defeating Indiana 102-68 on Nov. 10, 2004.

"We've been struggling," said Marcus Camby, who posted his third straight double-double with 12 points and a season-high 19 rebounds to go with seven blocks. "We didn't get out to the best of starts and we wanted to salvage the rest of this road trip."

Playing with Denver last season, Camby averaged 7.0 points, 10.0 boards and 3.5 blocks against Orlando. Point guard Baron Davis, who had 27 points and nine assists against Minnesota, averaged 26.0 points, 6.0 assists and 6.0 rebounds versus Orlando last season playing for Golden State.

Zach Randolph, who is averaging 23.8 points and 9.6 rebounds in five starts since being acquired from New York on Nov. 21, has 24.2 points and 11.2 rebounds per game in his last five against Orlando.

Prior to last season's 113-106 loss on Jan. 9, the Clippers had won six of the seven previous matchups with the Magic in Los Angeles.

Pick: Los Angeles +4.5

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**Udog** · 12-08-2008, 09:43 AM

NCAAB
Dunkel

Hawaii at Illinois
The Warriors look to take advantage of an Illinois team that is just 2-6 ATS over the last three seasons as a home favorite between 18 1/2 and 24 points. Hawaii is the underdog pick (+23) according to Dunkel, which has the Illini favored by only 20. Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+23). Here are all of today's games.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8

Game 709-710: Hawaii at Illinois
Dunkel Ratings: Hawaii 47.941; Illinois 67.883
Dunkel Line: Illinois by 20
Vegas Line: Illinois by 23
Dunkel Pick: Hawaii (+23)

Game 711-712: Wichita State at TCU
Dunkel Ratings: Wichita State 58.438; TCU 59.145
Dunkel Line: TCU by 1
Vegas Line: TCU by 2 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Wichita State (+2 1/2)

Game 713-714: San Jose State at San Diego
Dunkel Ratings: San Jose State 47.281; San Diego 63.094
Dunkel Line: San Diego by 16
Vegas Line: San Diego by 11
Dunkel Pick: San Diego (-11)

Game 715-716: Indiana State vs. Ohio
Dunkel Ratings: Indiana State 50.905; Ohio 58.585
Dunkel Line: Ohio by 7 1/2
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Game 717-718: Lamar at Louisville
Dunkel Ratings: Lamar 50.296; Louisville 81.589
Dunkel Line: Louisville by 31
Vegas Line: No Line
Dunkel Pick: N/A

Announcement

Monday Trends and Indexes 12/8 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

Monday Trends and Indexes 12/8 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

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