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**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:11 PM

Eagles favored by 8 over Texans

HOUSTON TEXANS (5-6)
at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-4)

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:20 p.m. EDT, Line: Philadelphia -8, Total: 51.5

The sub-.500 Texans sit just one game back of the AFC South leaders as they travel to 7-4 Philadelphia on Thursday night. Houston finally got back in the win column last week, but its secondary will be tested against Michael Vick and the Eagles. Philly was contained last week when the Bears played their safeties absurdly deep for the entire game to take away the big play. While the Texans will likely attempt to do the same, they don’t have the necessary personnel to enjoy the same success.

Both teams have some injuries to deal with. The Texans will be without TE Owen Daniels (hamstring) for the fifth straight game and WR Kevin Walter (calf) is listed as questionable. For Philadelphia, LE Juqua Parker (hip) will not play, but CB Asante Samuel (knee) should return to action after missing last week’s game.

Samuel leads the NFL with seven interceptions and with Ellis Hobbs on injured reserve, Samuel is the only DB that can keep up with Texans star wideout Andre Johnson. But if Samuel is still ailing, physical corner Dimitri Patterson will be tasked with slowing down Johnson. The Houston WR had his way with the Titans last week with nine catches and a touchdown before getting ejected after a fight with Cortland Finnegan. Texans QB Matt Schaub has completed 66% of his passes with five touchdowns and no interceptions in his past three games. If Samuel isn’t close to 100 percent, Schaub will have a big day. In the two games that Samuel missed this year, 49ers QB Alex Smith and Chicago QB Jay Cutler combined for 556 passing yards, 7 TD and just 2 INT. The Eagles have allowed fewer than 200 passing YPG with Samuel in the lineup.

Speaking of giving up passing yards, Houston has allowed 286 passing YPG this year, which is the same average Vick has since returning from his rib injury. For the season, Vick has completed 63.4% of his passes with 13 touchdowns and one interception. He has also run for 419 yards on 6.5 YPC and is a big reason the Eagles lead the NFL with their 5.4 YPC average and rank third with 147 rushing YPG. RB LeSean McCoy has racked up 354 total yards (207 rushing) in his past three games. The Texans are also capable of running the football, ranked seventh in the league (133 YPG) behind Arian Foster. The third-year back leads the NFL with 1,147 rushing yards and 12 rushing touchdowns.

These teams have only met twice since the Texans joined the NFL and both have been easy wins for the Eagles (35-17 in 2002 and 24-10 in 2006). This five-star FoxSheets whopper expects Philadelphia to win and cover again.

Andy Reid is 11-0 ATS (+11.0 Units) vs. poor passing defenses - allowing 235 or more passing yards/game in the second half of the season as the coach of PHILADELPHIA. The average score was PHILADELPHIA 33.3, OPPONENT 16.5 - (Rating = 5*).

Despite the fact that both teams love to throw the football, the FoxSheets expect the Under to occur on Thursday night.

Play Under - Road teams against the total (HOUSTON) - with a terrible defense - allowing 5.7 or more yards/play, after outgaining opp by 150 or more total yards in their previous game. (27-9 over the last 10 seasons.) (75%, +17.1 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:11 PM

Suns look rise again at Golden State

PHOENIX SUNS (8-9)

at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (8-10)

Tip-off: Thursday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Golden State -2.5, Total: 229.5

The Suns have been struggling to find a rhythm recently, winning only two of their past seven games and going 1-5-1 ATS. Perhaps three days of rest will give Phoenix a boost after a 138-133 loss in Denver last Sunday. Both teams shot over 50% from the floor, but Denver took more than twice as many free-throw attempts (52) to outscore Phoenix 36-16 from the free throw line. Jason Richardson had a season-high 39 points and drained 7-of-10 from three-point range. Big offensive numbers won’t be enough to win if the Suns continue to allow opponents to score an average 114.4 points in away games.

Golden State has also been struggling lately, going 1-6 SU in the past seven games and covering the spread only twice. The Warriors lost 118-98 to the Spurs at home on Tuesday, despite Stephen Curry’s 32 points on 13-of-22 from the floor and five assists. Golden State is 5-3 SU at home and 4-4 ATS, but it hasn’t covered the spread in the past four games in Oracle Arena. The Warriors have been unable to capitalize on their 101.4 PPG average as their defense is allowing 106.5 PPG, ranking 27th in the league.

Phoenix took three of the four-game series last season, but only covered the spread once as the favored team in all four contests. The Suns are 6-2 SU against the Warriors over the past three seasons. These two FoxSheets stats favor Phoenix to cover the spread:

PHOENIX is 33-16 ATS (+15.4 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 99+ points/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was PHOENIX 114.9, OPPONENT 106.8 - (Rating = 2*).

Play On - Underdogs (PHOENIX) - explosive offensive team - scoring 103+ points/game on the season, after allowing 105 points or more 4 straight games. (66-33 over the last 5 seasons.) (66.7%, +29.7 units. Rating = 2*).

All four meetings played at Golden State in the past three seasons went Over the total. This FoxSheets stat also favors the Over:

GOLDEN STATE is 15-3 OVER (+11.7 Units) in home games versus terrible defensive teams - allowing 103+ points/game over the last 3 seasons. The average score was GOLDEN STATE 123.8, OPPONENT 118.3 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:13 PM

Missouri-Oregon should be high-scoring affair
12/2/2010 at 8:38:00 AM

MISSOURI TIGERS (5-1)

at OREGON DUCKS (4-2)

Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Tip-off: Thursday, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Missouri -6.5, Oregon 152.5

After suffering its first loss of the season, Missouri will look to rebound against Oregon on Thursday night in the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series in Eugene.

At 5-0, Missouri was off to its best start since 2006-07, but the Tigers fell in overtime, 111-102, as Georgetown outscored Missouri 17-8 in OT at Kansas City on Tuesday night. Missouri rallied from an 18-point halftime deficit and took a four-point lead with 43 seconds left, but missed three of its final four free-throw attempts in regulation.

Meanwhile, Oregon was routed by top-ranked Duke, 98-71, at the Rose Garden on Saturday. The Ducks shot 33.8% from the field and 60.0% from the free-throw line -- both season lows.

Marcus Denmon is one of five Tigers averaging double-digits in scoring. He leads Missouri with 16.0 PPG, and against Georgetown, finished with 27 points on 10-of-12 shooting from the field, including 5-of-7 on threes. In fact, Denmon hasn't missed much from long range all year, hitting a remarkable 54.3% (19-of-35) from the three-point line.

Meanwhile, Ricardo Ratliffe has been a consistent threat through six games, averaging a near double-double (12.7 PPG, 9.2 RPG). He finished with 22 points (9-of-16 from the field) and seven rebounds in the loss to Georgetown.

Oregon's Joevan Catron leads the Ducks in scoring (18.8 PPG) and rebounding (6.3 RPG). He missed last season's matchup with Missouri with an ailing back. E.J. Singler is averaging 12.0 PPG and 4.8 RPG and has hit double figures in scoring in all six Ducks games this season.

For Oregon to pull off the surprise win, the Ducks will need to reverse their terrible trends against the Top 25 and Missouri. Oregon is 1-13 in its last 14 games versus ranked foes and has lost all four meetings to the Tigers, including two in Eugene. Missouri handled the Ducks last season, 106-69, as Oregon shot 30.6% from the field and allowed the Tigers to make 57.8% of its shots.

These two FoxSheets trends like Missouri to win and cover the spread:

Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MISSOURI) - after scoring 80 points or more 3 straight games against opponent after a combined score of 155 points or more.(38-12 over the last 5 seasons.) (76%, +24.8 units. Rating = 3*).

OREGON is 11-32 ATS (-24.2 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 3 seasons. The average score was OREGON 66.6, OPPONENT 76.9 - (Rating = 3*).

Expect the Over as Missouri has scored at least 70 points in five of its six games this season, and has reached at least 91 points three times. Meanwhile, Oregon has surrendered at least 70 points in four games, including at least 92 in two games. These FoxSheets trend also sides with the Over.

OREGON is 11-2 OVER (+8.8 Units) in home games after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread over the last 3 seasons. The average score was OREGON 72.8, OPPONENT 70.8 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:14 PM

ASU-Arizona meet in Thursday's Desert Duel

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (5-6)
at ARIZONA WILDCATS (7-4)

Kickoff: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. EDT, Line: Arizona -5.5, Total: 54.5

Bragging rights aren't the only thing on the line when the 84th Duel in the Desert between Arizona and Arizona State kicks off Thursday night.

The Sun Devils need a win to become bowl eligible, and a reeling Wildcats team could be just what they need. Arizona, which is already bowl eligible, brings a three-game losing streak into the game. Two of those losses came against ranked teams in Stanford and Oregon, but neither of those games ended up being close as Arizona lost to the Cardinal, 42-17 on Nov. 6, and to the Ducks, 48-29, on Nov. 26. The Wildcats also fell to USC, 24-21, on Nov. 13.

This rivalry game could be a tougher-than-expected battle for No. 23 Arizona. Despite its 5-6 overall record, Arizona State has played its opponents close all season, going 8-3 ATS. The lone exception was a 50-17 blowout against Cal on Oct. 23. In its other five losses, ASU fell by a combined 20 points. That includes three defeats against teams currently ranked in the BCS standings' top seven (Wisconsin 20-19, Oregon 42-31 and Stanford 17-13).

Both teams own top-notch passing offenses. Arizona State is 12th in the country with 288 passing YPG. Brock Osweiler is expected to start for ASU instead of Steven Threet who is still dealing with a head injury. Osweiler played very well after replacing Threet last week against UCLA, throwing for 380 yards and four touchdowns and running for another score in the Sun Devils' 55-34 win. Osweiler's only previous start was in 2009, when he was a true freshman. He completed just 5-of-10 passes for 14 yards with an interception against Oregon before being knocked out of the game.

Arizona’s aerial attack ranks ninth in the nation (314 YPG) as Nick Foles has thrown for 16 TD in his eight-plus games. In the past two games, Foles has thrown for 801 yards with six touchdowns and just one pick. Expect similar success against ASU’s 98th-ranked pass defense allowing 243 YPG this year. It will be imperative for the Wildcats to gain yards through the air considering they have only 55 rush YPG in their past two games. Arizona won’t have an easy time against ASU ranked 17th in rushing defense (119 YPG).

ASU is 7-2 ATS in the past nine meetings in Tucson, but last season, Arizona took home the Territorial Cup for the second straight year after pulling out a late win in Tempe, 20-17. The FoxSheets expect Arizona to win again.

Mike Stoops is 12-2 ATS (+9.8 Units) after being outrushed by 125 or more yards last game as the coach of ARIZONA. The average score was ARIZONA 27.5, OPPONENT 23.5 - (Rating = 3*).

The FoxSheets also advise playing Over the healthy total.

Play Over - Any team against the total (ARIZONA ST) - in a game involving two average defensive teams (330 to 390 YPG), after gaining 525 or more total yards in their previous game. (47-17 over the last 5 seasons.) (73.4%, +28.3 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:15 PM

Dunn looks to lead Baylor past ASU Thursday

ARIZONA STATE SUN DEVILS (3-2)

at BAYLOR BEARS (5-0)

Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Tip-off: Thursday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Baylor -9.5

When he has taken the court against Arizona State during his career, it has been a tale of two performances for Baylor guard LaceDarius Dunn. In 2008, it was the best of times for Dunn, as he scored 27 points coming off the bench to help his team upset then-No. 14 Arizona State 87-78. Last season, it was the worst of times as Dunn was held to seven points on 3-of-10 shooting as the Bears edged out the Sun Devils 64-61. Thursday night in Waco, Dunn looks to display his 2010 form (the one where he is averaging 22.0 PPG) as his team will try to make it three in a row over Arizona State.

Dunn has gotten some much-needed assistance from top freshman recruit Perry Jones. The McDonald’s and Parade All-American center has been good as advertised, tallying 13.0 PPG, 9.4 RPG and 1.8 BPG. Baylor has won 10 straight on its home court, and with one more win will match the longest home winning streak in the 22-year-old history of the Ferrell Center.

Arizona State enters this game fresh off a 67-58 defeat at the hands of St. John’s in the championship game of the Great Alaska Shootout (yes, they still play that tournament up north). Herb Sendek’s Sun Devils are led by sophomore guard Trent Lockett, averaging 18.6 PPG on an insane 65% shooting from the floor. Lockett is also tied for the team lead in rebounds at 7.2 RPG. Guard Ty Abbott is the only other Sun Devil player scoring in double figures this season (11.8 PPG), and is also leading the team in blocks averaging 1.5 per game. Arizona State turned the ball over 17 times to St. John’s in its last game, and will face a long and athletic Baylor squad that is forcing over 19 turnovers per game. Arizona State has won seven of its last 15 contests against ranked opponents, and to make it 8-of-16, ball security will be key.

The FoxSheets like Baylor to cover the spread at home.

Play On - A favorite (BAYLOR) - a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after allowing 55 points or less. (85-39 over the last 5 seasons.) (68.5%, +42.1 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:16 PM

Miami favored by 5 in James' return to Cleveland

MIAMI HEAT (11-8)

at CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (7-10)

Tip-off: Thursday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -5, Total: 192.5

The last time LeBron James played in the Q (Quicken Loans Arena), he shot 3-for-14 in a 32-point loss to Boston. Cleveland fans probably won’t get the repeat performance they’re hoping for as James is averaging 23.4 points and 6.6 assists in away games. The Heat, however, haven’t been kind to bettors lately as they went a miserable 2-12 ATS in November and didn’t cover the numbers in any of their four November road games. Miami started off December on a high note, winning and covering the spread in a 97-72 blowout over Detroit Wednesday night. The Heat held the Pistons to 36.8% FG, while shooting 51.3% FG and dropping 6-of-12 from three-point range.

Meanwhile, the Cavs had a day to rest after a 106-87 loss to the Celtics Tuesday night in Ohio. Boston outscored Cleveland a dominating 60-26 in the paint as the Cavs’ turned in a lowly 39.0% shooting performance. Offense will need to be on point Thursday night as Cleveland is only averaging 91.3 points at home -- numbers that Miami’s defense will stomp on with the NBA’s fifth-best scoring defense (93.3 PPG). The Cavs’ scoring leader Mo Williams (15.9 PPG) has played well against Miami in the past, scoring 19.0 PPG and 5.4 APG. Cleveland is just shy of .500 with a home record of 4-5 SU and ATS.

The Cavs are 5-2 ATS (6-1 SU) against the Heat over the past three seasons. This was, of course, when they had LeBron James on their side. These FoxSheets stats favor Miami to cover the spread:

Play On - Road teams (MIAMI) - cold team - failing to cover the spread in 12 or more of the last 15, tired team - playing 8 or more games in 14 days. (43-15 since 1996.) (74.1%, +26.5 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Any team (CLEVELAND) - off a home loss against opponent off 2 or more consecutive home wins. (132-82 over the last 5 seasons.) (61.7%, +41.8 units. Rating = 2*).

The Under has hit in 17 of the past 24 meetings in Cleveland in this series. The Cavs have gone Under in seven of their nine home games this season. This FoxSheets stat also favors the Under:

MIAMI is 12-2 UNDER (+9.8 Units) after a blowout win by 20 points or more over the last 2 seasons. The average score was MIAMI 95.1, OPPONENT 87.9 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:18 PM

Kansas heavily favored over UCLA Thursday

UCLA BRUINS (3-2)

at KANSAS JAYHAWKS (6-0)

Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series
Tip-off: Thursday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas -15.5

Two legendary programs, one dynamic college basketball setting, history, tradition. That is about all that undefeated Kansas (6-0) and UCLA (3-2) will have in common when they take the court Thursday night in Allen Fieldhouse. The Jayhawks bring a nation-best, 64-game home winning streak into play, and the Bruins will be about as welcome in Lawrence as LeBron James will be welcome Thursday night in Cleveland.

Kansas has been clicking on all cylinders, and they have yet to add top recruit Josh Selby to the rotation. The NCAA ruled recently that Selby can play beginning on December 18. So far without Selby, Kansas is shooting a Division I best 57.8% from the field. Their average margin of victory (35.3 PPG) is also tops in the nation. As a team, they are averaging 22 assists per game. The Morris brothers have been outstanding so far. Marcus Morris leads the team in scoring at 19 PPG, while brother Markieff is averaging 12.3 PPG and a team-high 9.5 RPG. Tyshawn Taylor has been stellar so far at the point, averaging a team high 7.2 APG to complement his 9.2 PPG.

After a 3-0 start, Ben Howland’s Bruins lost in the semifinals and then the consolation game of the Preseason NIT Championship in Madison Square Garden. Sophomore forward Reeves Nelson leads the Bruins in points and rebounds (17.6 PPG, 10.4 RPG), and totaled 30 points and 23 rebounds in the two losses in New York City. Nelson and Tyler Honeycutt (14.6 PPG, 8.0 RPG) are both sophomores, and headline a young Bruins club that does not have a single senior on the team. The poise and discipline of this UCLA team will be sorely tested on Kansas’ home floor. The Bruins have totaled 84 assists and 81 turnovers this season. The combination of a young team that doesn’t protect the basketball, playing in a hostile road environment against an experienced team that has won 64 straight on its home floor and loves to pressure the ball looks like a bad combination for the baby bears. Normally when Kansas and UCLA play, that smell in the air is tradition. Thursday night in Lawrence, that won’t be tradition you’re whiffing, but more like the smell of a young team getting smoked.

This highly-rated FoxSheets trend also likes Kansas to cover the big spread against the Bruins.

KANSAS is 20-5 ATS (+14.5 Units) when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) over the last 3 seasons. The average score was KANSAS 80.3, OPPONENT 63.6 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-02-2010, 07:26 PM

Here are my NHL Plays :

12/02/2010 by ONLINE at 03:20 PM
[Ticket #: ] PARLAY (6 TEAMS) RR (1P-6T)

12/02/2010 @ 04:05 PM NHL [51] TAMPA BAY 2.35

12/02/2010 @ 04:05 PM NHL [52] TOTAL u5½ 1.74
(TAMPA BAY vrs BOSTON)

12/02/2010 @ 04:05 PM NHL [53] MONTREAL 2.15

12/02/2010 @ 04:05 PM NHL [59] TOTAL o5½ 1.83
(ATLANTA vrs PITTSBURGH)

12/02/2010 @ 05:35 PM NHL [64] TOTAL u6 2.05
(WASHINGTON vrs DALLAS)

12/02/2010 @ 07:35 PM NHL [66] TOTAL u5½ 1.71
(FLORIDA vrs LOS ANGELES)

5.00/ 278.33

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