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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:03 AM

Daily Sports Roundup

Thursday, December 25

There are five NBA games on tap for Christmas Day. Here's your dose of the Daily Sports Roundup.

Notable Events

It's wall-to-wall NBA action on Christmas Day, with five games on the schedule. That slate gets underway at 12:00pm ET, with New Orleans at Orlando. The Magic head into the holiday contest on a five-game winning streak and as winners of nine of their past 10 contests to sit at 22-6 SU and 18-9-1 ATS on the season. Orlando has also won nine of their 15 home contests ATS to this point.

The 2:30pm ET game has San Antonio at Phoenix, with the Suns a middling 5-5 over their past 10 games. Phoenix hasn't met expectations this season with a 16-11 SU mark, and they haven't been a lucrative betting option at only 11-16 ATS.

The marquee game then begins at 5:00pm ET, with the Celtics and Lakers meeting in Los Angeles in a rematch of last year's NBA Finals. Both of those teams sit atop their respective conference standings heading into the Christmas game, so another Finals meeting might be in the cards. Los Angeles will be returning home after a road trip, and they're 14-1 (6-9 ATS) in their own building.

The evening's slate then has Washington at Cleveland at 8:00pm ET, and Dallas at Portland at 10:30pm ET. The anemic Wizards are the only sub-.500 team in action on Christmas, while the Cavaliers are nipping at the Celtics' heels in the Eastern Conference standings. Both the Spurs and the Mavericks turned in mediocre starts to the campaign, but strong play of late has them turned around.

News from the Wire

Nine teams are still alive in both the AFC and the NFC playoff races heading into the final week of the regular season. In the AFC the Titans and Steelers have clinched first-round byes, and Tennessee has home-field advantage wrapped up. The Colts have secured one of the Wild Card berths, and the Dolphins, Broncos, and Ravens are currently sitting in playoff spots. The Patriots, Jets, and Chargers need things to go their way on Sunday to advance to the postseason . . . Over in the NFC the Giants have clinched the top seed, while the Panthers, Cardinals, and Falcons are all definitely going to the playoffs as well. The Vikings and Bucs are in the driver's seat for the final two NFC postseason berths, while the Cowboys, Bears, and Eagles can still make it to the playoffs with the right results.

A Peek at the Future

Leagues return in full force on Friday, with the NBA getting things going with a 5:00pm ET tipoff between the Bulls and Heat in Miami. Other highlights include Houston at New Orleans, Dallas at Utah, and Boston at Golden State . . . the NHL has nine games on the ice on Friday, including Pittsburgh at New Jersey and Philadelphia at Chicago . . . there is just one college bowl game on Boxing Day, with Central Michigan (-6.5) taking on Florida Atlantic in the Motor City Bowl.

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:03 AM

Six-pack for Thursday

-- NHL is helping out Phoenix Coyotes, who are having difficulties with their finances; wouldn't NHL be better off with more teams in Canada instead of the Sun Belt, where hockey isn't as popular?

-- One bad thing about being an NBA superstar; Lebron James will have to go to work every Christmas until he decides to retire.

-- Notre Dame broke their 15-year old bowl drought with an easy 49-21 win at Hawai'i. One good game on ESPN, now Clausen will probably be listed as a Heisman Trophy contender next summer.

-- If you rank the 12 hoop teams in the SEC, the top five are all in the Eastern Division; no one in the West is ranked above 68th.

-- Next bowl game is Motor City Bowl Friday night, as Howard Schnellenberger puts his perfect 5-0 bowl record on the line with his Florida Atlantic Owls facing Central Michigan at Ford Field.

-- One week until the MLB Network debuts, but sadly, it won't be on my cable system to start, although they said it will be on by the start of the regular season, which is only 102 days away.

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:04 AM

Thursday's List of 13: Random stuff on Christmas Day

13) When you add up what CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira will earn in the Bronx next summer, it is more than what four teams paid their entire bankrolls LY, including the AL champ Rays.

12) The biggest advantage Bronx has is fact that they can afford to make mistakes; they paid total of $86M for Carl Pavano and Kei Igawa, for instance. The less resources you have, the fewer mistakes you can afford to make.

11) High school QB named Shavodrick Beaver from Texas chose Tulsa over Michigan, an unusual choice. Shouldn't a kid named Beaver have to play at either Oregon State or Penn State (PSU plays home games in Beaver Stadium)?

10) If Rich Rodriguez can't outrecruit Tulsa for a QB, makes you wonder how soon the Wolverines will be bouncing back.

9) Rough basketball night for Big 12 Tuesday; Kansas got crushed by Arizona in desert, Missouri lost to Illinois (again), Iowa State lost at home to South Dakota State, and Nebraska lost at home to UMBC (Maryland- Baltimore County). Colorado beat UL-Monroe, but only by three. Rough night, even though Texas did beat Wisconsin in Madison.

8) Through Week 12 of pro football season, NFL players had been fined a total of $3,527,000 in 2008, 22% more than after 12 weeks LY, and that doesn't include Plaxico Burress' donations after Glockgate. Big year for the charities that receive the NFL's fine money.

7) I need an explanation, please; why has it been 20 years since there has been a bowl game between an SEC team and a Pac-10 club? Cal is playing Miami this year in the Emerald Bowl, but Miami is an ACC team. Probably has something to do with wanting to keep teams reasonable close to their fan bases, so people can travel if they like, but you figure once in two decades isn't too much to ask.

6) College football players are allowed to receive up to $500 in "swag" (free gifts) when they go to a bowl game-you'd be surprised at some of the nice stuff they get.

5) Kenpom.com reports that of the 73 college basketball teams in the six BCS-related conferences, Nebraska and Marquette have shortest players, with both teams' average player a little bit under 6-3.

4) Syracuse just won 72-65 at Memphis a few days ago, but a writer from San Jose didn't rank Orangemen in the Top 25 this week, but he did rank Memphis. Is anyone out there paying attention?

3) Georgia Tech football coach Paul Johnson gets a $75,000 bonus if his Yellow Jackets make it to a bowl; if that bowl is a BCS bowl, the bonus jumps to the $200,000 mark.

2) This is how stupid I am; was reminded last week I had 50 shares of stock in this company that I bought a long time ago, then forgot about. Was excited to see the stock selling for around $30 a share, until I looked and saw the stocks were selling for $93 a share eleven months ago. . What a dope I am.

1) According to one of the New York newspapers, maybe Bronx Bombers broke the bank to sign Mark Teixeira because they wanted to sell out those last seven luxury boxes that remain unsold in their expensive new ballpark. Can't imagine paying a guy $21.5M a year who made the All-Star team once in his six-year career.

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:04 AM

National Basketball Association - Dunkel Index

NBA
Dunkel Index

Boston at LA Lakers
The Celtics are 2-0 as an underdog this season and face a Lakers team that is just 2-11 ATS in December. Boston is the underdog pick (+2) according to Dunkel, which has the Celtics favored straight up by 2. Dunkel Pick: Boston (+2). Here are all of today's picks.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25

Game 701-702: New Orleans at Orlando
Dunkel Ratings: New Orleans 121.212; Orlando 126.764
Dunkel Line & Total: Orlando by 5 1/2; 185
Vegas Line & Total: Orlando by 4; 190 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Orlando (-4); Under

Game 703-704: San Antonio at Phoenix
Dunkel Ratings: San Antonio 120.542; Phoenix 121.465
Dunkel Line & Total: Phoenix by 1; 207
Vegas Line & Total: Phoenix by 2 1/2; 201
Dunkel Pick: San Antonio (+2 1/2); Over

Game 705-706: Boston at LA Lakers
Dunkel Ratings: Boston 129.654; LA Lakers 127.141
Dunkel Line & Total: Boston by 2; 196
Vegas Line & Total: LA Lakers by 2; 200 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Boston (+2); Under

Game 77-708: Washington at Cleveland
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 109.355; Cleveland 129.520
Dunkel Line & Total: Cleveland by 20; 184
Vegas Line & Total: Cleveland by 15; 190 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Cleveland (-15); Under

Game 709-710: Dallas at Portland
Dunkel Ratings: Dallas 116.995; Portland 124.214
Dunkel Line & Total: Portland by 7; 200
Vegas Line & Total: Portland by 4 1/2; 195
Dunkel Pick: Portland (-4 1/2); Over

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:06 AM

National Basketball Association - Short Sheet

NBA
Short Sheet

Thursday, December 25th

New Orleans at Orlando, 12:05 ET ESPN
New Orleans: 8-1 Under off BB Unders
Orlando: 12-4 ATS vs. Western Conference

San Antonio at Phoenix, 2:35 ET ABC
San Antonio: 4-14 ATS as road underdog of 3pts or less
Phoenix: 46-30 Over off a home win

Boston at LA Lakers, 5:05 ET ABC
Boston: 18-7 ATS as an underdog
LA Lakers: 2-11 A TS in December

Washington at Cleveland, 8:05 ET TNT
Washington: 52-32 Over after scoring 80 points or less
Cleveland: 19-4 ATS as favorite

Dallas at Portland, 10:35 ET TNT
Dallas: 8-1 ATS Away after playing as favorite
Portland: 3-13 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:06 AM

National Basketball Association – Write up

NBA
Write-up

Thursday, December 25

Hot Teams
-- Magic won, covered nine of last ten games.
-- Suns won five of their last seven games. Spurs won three in row, eight of last ten games.
-- Lakers won six of last eight games, are 1-10-1 vs spread in last dozen games. Celtics won their last 19 games, are 5-1-1 vs spread in last seven.
-- Cavaliers are 15-1 in their last 16 games (14-2 vs spread).
-- Mavericks won 14 of their last 18 games. Portland won three of their last four games.

Cold Teams
-- Nets are 1-5 vs spread in game following their last six wins.
-- Wizards lost their last seven games (0-7 vs spread).

Totals
-- Nets' last four games went over the total; four of last five Orlando tilts stayed under.
-- 10 of last 12 Phoenix games went over the total.
-- Last three Boston games all went over the total.
-- Three of last four Washington games stayed under the total.
-- Six of last seven Dallas games stayed under the total.

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:07 AM

National Basketball Association – Trend Sheet

NBA

Thursday, December 25

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Trend Sheet
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12:00 PM NEW ORLEANS vs. ORLANDO
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 6-11-1 ATS in its last 18 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Orlando's last 9 games when playing New Orleans
Orlando is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against New Orleans

2:30 PM SAN ANTONIO vs. PHOENIX
San Antonio is 2-5-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
San Antonio is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
Phoenix is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Phoenix is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

5:00 PM BOSTON vs. LA LAKERS
Boston is 10-5 ATS in its last 15 games on the road
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
LA Lakers are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against Boston
LA Lakers are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games when playing at home against Boston

8:00 PM WASHINGTON vs. CLEVELAND
Washington is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Washington's last 23 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Cleveland is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games
Cleveland is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington

10:30 PM DALLAS vs. PORTLAND
Dallas is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
Dallas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Dallas
Portland is 2-15 SU in its last 17 games when playing Dallas

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**pm530** · 12-25-2008, 06:08 AM

National Basketball Association - Tips & Trends

NBA

Thursday, December 25

We will update when added info and all projected scores are available.

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Tips and Trends
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New Orleans Hornets at Orlando Magic [ESPN | 12 PM ET]

Hornets: New Orleans saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 100-87 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. The Hornets lost for the second time in as many home meetings with LA this season and had to fight from behind most of the game, trailing by 19 points at halftime. “Once again we dug ourselves a hole and tried to fight out of it the rest of the game,” said New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, who will be responsible for trying to stop reigning NBA Player of the Week Jameer Nelson.

Hornets are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 Thursday games.
The UNDER is 6-0 in New Orleans' last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries - F Peja Stojakovic (back) is questionable.
G Antonio Daniels (knee) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 90 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Magic (-4.5, O/U 190): Orlando has won five straight games and nine of 10 heading into this Christmas Day matchup. The Magic have also won seven in a row at home following a 113-81 rout of Golden State on Monday, beating some of the Western Conference's best teams in the process. “With the Laker game, and San Antonio, we feel pretty good,” former Warriors and current Orlando guard Mickael Pietrus said. “I think that (the Warriors) are the No. 1 offensive team in the league so we had to take care of business. We had a great defense. Hopefully against New Orleans, we can take it to the next level.”

Favorite is 0-8-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.

Key Injuries -F Brian Cook (personal) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 95

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns [ABC | 2:30 PM ET]

Spurs:

Underdog is 6-2-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 11-1 in San Antonio's last 12 games vs. Pacific Division.

Key Injuries - G Manu Ginobili (ankle) is probable.
C Fabricio Oberto (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Suns (-2.5, O/U 201.5):

Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 9-2 in Phoenix's last 11 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers [ABC | 5 PM ET]

Celtics: Boston carries a franchise-record 19-game winning streak into this NBA Finals rematch after beating the Lakers for the league championship last June. The Celtics won that series in six games and have covered the last eight meetings between the teams. “I totally appreciate the whole history of the Lakers and Celtics and the tradition, the players who’ve come through both teams, the foundations of this league,” Boston forward Kevin Garnett said. “But to put all the eggs in one basket on one game, or that we circle it - we circle all the games, and if you’re on the schedule we don’t decline any shows.”

Celtics are 19-0 SU in their last 19 games.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Boston's last 11 games as an underdog.

Key Injuries - F Glen Davis (concussion) is doubtful.

PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (Side Play of the Day)

Lakers (-1.5, O/U 200): LA star Kobe Bryant is licking his chops regarding the opportunity to stop Boston's winning streak in a monster revenge game on national television. “It’s good for the game,” Bryant said. “Growing up in high school, you hear Bulls and Knicks, Lakers-Celtics and all this other stuff. The hype is what creates the atmosphere and the energy for people who watch the game. It’s enjoyable for us to be a part of it. I know if I was coming up in high school, I’d be tuning in, just like everybody else.”

Lakers are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
The UNDER is 13-3 in LA's last 16 Thursday games.

Key Injuries -G Jordan Farmar (knee) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98

Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers [TNT | 8 PM ET]

Wizards:

Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The UNDER is 16-7 in the last 23 meetings at Cleveland.

Key Injuries - C Etan Thomas (ankle) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Cavs (-15, O/U 191):

Cavs are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 home games.
The UNDER is 10-4 in Cleveland's last 14 games overall. NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers [TNT | 10:30 PM ET]

Mavs:

Mavs are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games vs. Northwest Division.
The UNDER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Key Injuries - G Jerry Stackhouse (heel) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

Blazers (-4, O/U 194):

Blazers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-3 in Portland's last 10 home games.

Key Injuries - G Martell Webster (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: TBD

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**Udog** · 12-25-2008, 10:01 AM

NBA

Thursday, December 25

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Pick 'n' Roll: Thursday's best NBA bets
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Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers (-2, 200.5)

Is it too early to consider the Celtics one of the best clubs in history? Probably. But a win over the 23-5 Lakers will add more fuel to the argument.

Boston extended its winning streak to 19 games on Monday with a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers. In beating the Sixers, the Celtics also set an NBA record for best 29-game start.

But getting win No. 20 won't be a cake walk for the champs.

The Lakers have the league's third-best record and are 14-1 in L.A. But unlike the Celtics, Los Angeles has recently hit a rough stretch.

L.A. has lost two of its last four and is just 1-10 against the spread in its last 11.

Backcourt mates Kobe Bryant (26.1 PPG, 5.2 RPG & 4.2 APG) and Derek Fisher (11.2 PPG, 2.6 RPG) have been solid all campaign, but L.A. could have trouble keeping up with Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo (11.6 PPG, 5.0 RPG & 7.4 APG) especially with Jordan Farmar on the sidelines.

Farmar is expected to miss eight weeks after tearing the meniscus in his left knee in Friday's loss to the Miami Heat. He is averaging more than seven points and two assists off the bench.

The Celtics are 4-0 ATS in their last four meetings in L.A.

Pick: Celtics

Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers (-15.5, 190.5)

This won't be a very merry Christmas for the Wizards.

Santa left Washington a tough match-up against LeBron James and the Cavaliers.

The Cavaliers have won two of their last their three tilts against Washington and LeBron has been nothing short of exceptional. King James, who always enjoys playing against Deshawn Stevenson and company, is averaging 31.6 points, 11.6 rebounds and 9.0 assists in his last three outings against the D.C. dwellers.

It gets worse for the Wizards.

Washington - already without starting center Brendan Haywood until February - could be without backup Etan Thomas on Thursday. Thomas has missed the last two contests with an ankle injury.

Pick: Cleveland

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**Spark** · 12-25-2008, 10:04 AM

Merry Christrmas Guys ..

Thank You for your dedication to this forum ....

You guys are class acts ....

**Udog** · 12-25-2008, 12:15 PM

Merry Christmas, Spark! I hope you and yours have a wonderful day!

Orlando Magic -4
It goes early, buddy! 12:00 eastern!

**Udog** · 12-25-2008, 12:19 PM

I just checked your thread and you're already on it! I should have known you'd find the best play of the day on your own!!

**Udog** · 12-25-2008, 12:22 PM

NBA

Thursday, December 25

Updated
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Tips and Trends
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New Orleans Hornets at Orlando Magic [ESPN | 12 PM ET]

Hornets: New Orleans saw a four-game winning streak come to an end with a 100-87 loss to the Lakers on Tuesday. The Hornets lost for the second time in as many home meetings with LA this season and had to fight from behind most of the game, trailing by 19 points at halftime. “Once again we dug ourselves a hole and tried to fight out of it the rest of the game,” said New Orleans point guard Chris Paul, who will be responsible for trying to stop reigning NBA Player of the Week Jameer Nelson.

Hornets are 3-11 ATS in their last 14 Thursday games.
The UNDER is 6-0 in New Orleans' last 6 games overall.

Key Injuries - F Peja Stojakovic (back) is questionable.
G Antonio Daniels (knee) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 90 (UNDER - Total Play of the Day)

Magic (-4.5, O/U 190): Orlando has won five straight games and nine of 10 heading into this Christmas Day matchup. The Magic have also won seven in a row at home following a 113-81 rout of Golden State on Monday, beating some of the Western Conference's best teams in the process. “With the Laker game, and San Antonio, we feel pretty good,” former Warriors and current Orlando guard Mickael Pietrus said. “I think that (the Warriors) are the No. 1 offensive team in the league so we had to take care of business. We had a great defense. Hopefully against New Orleans, we can take it to the next level.”

Favorite is 0-8-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 8-1 in the last 9 meetings.

Key Injuries -F Brian Cook (personal) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 95

San Antonio Spurs at Phoenix Suns [ABC | 2:30 PM ET]

Spurs: San Antonio is back to being one of the elite teams in the Western Conference following a 2-5 start. The Spurs have won nine of their last 11 games and are looking forward to re-igniting one of the best rivalries in the NBA. “It’s Phoenix and we have a history there - it’s a rivalry,” San Antonio guard Roger Mason said. “It’s a lot of fun to be able to play on a big stage like that. I think we’re starting to play better and better, and it will be a good test for us.”

Underdog is 6-2-1 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
The UNDER is 11-1 in San Antonio's last 12 games vs. Pacific Division.

Key Injuries - G Manu Ginobili (ankle) is probable.
C Fabricio Oberto (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 99

Suns (-2.5, O/U 201.5): Phoenix has won three of four games since trading Raja Bell and Boris Diaw to the Bobcats for Jason Richardson. The team's newest player is averaging 18.3 points per game and has made 13-of-24 shots from beyond the 3-point arc. He is happy to be out of Charlotte and also considers it a gift to be able to be play in such a big game. “Playing on Christmas Day is huge,” Richardson said. “First time I’m getting to getting to play on that Christmas Day stage and hopefully will get my present in the form of a Suns win.”

Suns are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games overall.
The OVER is 9-2 in Phoenix's last 11 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 101

Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers [ABC | 5 PM ET]

Celtics: Boston carries a franchise-record 19-game winning streak into this NBA Finals rematch after beating the Lakers for the league championship last June. The Celtics won that series in six games and have covered the last eight meetings between the teams. “I totally appreciate the whole history of the Lakers and Celtics and the tradition, the players who’ve come through both teams, the foundations of this league,” Boston forward Kevin Garnett said. “But to put all the eggs in one basket on one game, or that we circle it - we circle all the games, and if you’re on the schedule we don’t decline any shows.”

Celtics are 19-0 SU in their last 19 games.
The UNDER is 8-3 in Boston's last 11 games as an underdog.

Key Injuries - F Glen Davis (concussion) is doubtful.

PROJECTED SCORE: 102 (Side Play of the Day)

Lakers (-1.5, O/U 200): LA star Kobe Bryant is licking his chops regarding the opportunity to stop Boston's winning streak in a monster revenge game on national television. “It’s good for the game,” Bryant said. “Growing up in high school, you hear Bulls and Knicks, Lakers-Celtics and all this other stuff. The hype is what creates the atmosphere and the energy for people who watch the game. It’s enjoyable for us to be a part of it. I know if I was coming up in high school, I’d be tuning in, just like everybody else.”

Lakers are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games overall.
The UNDER is 13-3 in LA's last 16 Thursday games.

Key Injuries -G Jordan Farmar (knee) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 98

Washington Wizards at Cleveland Cavaliers [TNT | 8 PM ET]

Wizards: Washington is off to its worst start in the team's 48-year old history following an 80-72 loss to Charlotte on Tuesday. The Wizards have lost seven straight games on the road by an average of 15.2 points, and they are only 1-10 away from home this season. “I just have to keep working at different things and keep us collected and keep us focused and keep us positive,” said Washington head coach Ed Tapscott.

Wizards are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 road games.
The UNDER is 16-7 in the last 23 meetings at Cleveland.

Key Injuries - C Etan Thomas (ankle) is questionable.

PROJECTED SCORE: 88

Cavs (-15, O/U 191):Cleveland is the NBA's lone unbeaten team at home, winning 14 straight games to start the season there and limiting opponents to a league-low 89.3 points per game. “We know as a team that we are a very good defensive group and I know that I’m a very good defensive player, and we’re just going to try and get better on that end of the floor,” Cavs star LeBron James said. “I’m going to keep watching and scout teams and the individual players I have to guard. We’ll see what happens.”

Cavs are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 home games.
The UNDER is 10-4 in Cleveland's last 14 games overall.

Key Injuries - NONE

PROJECTED SCORE: 103

Dallas Mavericks at Portland Trail Blazers [TNT | 10:30 PM ET]

Mavs: Dallas went through an identity crisis early this season under new head coach Rick Carlisle and seems to have finally developed into a quality defensive team. The Mavs held Memphis rookie O.J. Mayo to just seven points in a 100-82 win on Tuesday, which is only the second time this season he has been held to single digits. “With the lineups we’ve been starting, we have to be good defensively because we don’t have a dynamic offensive team from one to five out there,” Dallas head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We’ve really got to be good defensively and get our offense predominantly off stops.”

Mavs are 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games vs. Northwest Division.
The UNDER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

Key Injuries - G Jerry Stackhouse (heel) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 95

Blazers (-4, O/U 194): Portland is looking to take the next step and become a playoff contender in the Western Conference. The Blazers have beaten playoff teams like the Suns and Nuggets recently, proving they are starting to grow up. “What we are working on, and what we’ve got to do, is make that transition being able to play with Phoenix, the Nuggets, we’ve got Dallas coming up,” Portland head coach Nate McMillan said. “All of these games are going to require the same type of basketball - very physical, you’ve got to be focused, we’ve got to be the aggressors.”

Blazers are 4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings.
The UNDER is 7-3 in Portland's last 10 home games.

Key Injuries - G Martell Webster (foot) is OUT.

PROJECTED SCORE: 99

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**Spark** · 12-25-2008, 12:24 PM

Originally posted by Udog View Post

I just checked your thread and you're already on it! I should have known you'd find the best play of the day on your own!!

hahahahahaha

Thanks P ....

Announcement

Christmas Day Trends and Indexes 12/25 (NBA, Misc.)

Christmas Day Trends and Indexes 12/25 (NBA, Misc.)

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