Announcement

**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:29 PM

Bettors' best friend: Monday's wagering tips

Lines to watch

The Minnesota Vikings opened as 9-point underdogs at home against the Chicago Bears but are now listed at +8.

Weather to watch

Expect snow and temperatures around 26 degrees for Monday night’s Bears-Vikings game.

Who’s hot

NBA: Charlotte Bobcats have covered in eight of their last 10 meetings with the Washington Wizards.

NBA: Dallas Mavericks have covered in nine of their last 14 overall.

NBA: Miami Heat have won 12 straight, covering 10 times over that span.

NHL: Philadelphia Flyers have won five games in a row.

NHL: Carolina Hurricanes have won 10 of their last 13 meetings with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Who’s not

NBA: Orlando Magic have dropped six of their last seven against the number.

NBA: Cleveland Cavaliers have covered in three of their last 11 games overall.

NHL: St. Louis Blues have lost three of their last four.

Key stat

10 – number of fumbles Jay Cutler has coughed up, which leads the league. The Bears quarterback has lost six of those, also the most in the NFL.

Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked

Brandon Jennings (foot) Milwaukee Bucks – Jennings will miss Monday’s game against Portland with a foot injury. The Bucks are awaiting results on Jennings’ MRI and the point guard may not play at all this week.

Game of the day

Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (8, 33)

Notable quotable

"It's not like the Minnesota Vikings are going to be wearing ice skates, and we have on cleats," Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris said. "We're both going to have to try to find a way to play through it."

Notes and tips

Stephen Curry participated in parts of Sunday's practice, but his status for Monday's game against the Houston Rockets is very much in question. Curry himself said that "it would be a stretch" to play Monday. Curry, who has missed four straight games is averaging 20.1 points and 5.6 assists per outing.

The Phoenix Suns may be very shorthanded Monday against the Spurs after trading away Jason Richardson, Hedo Turkoglu and Earl Clark. Vince Carter, Marcin Gortat and Mickael Pietrus have 72 hours to report to the Suns so the club doesn’t expect to have them until Thursday’s game against the Heat.

The Tampa Bay Lightning may look to sign veteran goaltender Evgeni Nabokov in an attempt to solve their issues between the pipes. Nabokov still has to clear waivers after leaving the KHL, but Tampa Bay seems like a good fit. Both Mike Smith and Dan Ellis are struggling with goals-against averages above 3.20.

**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:33 PM

NBA

Monday, December 20

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Pick 'n' Roll: Today's best NBA bets
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Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat (-6.5, 191.5)

Two of the hottest teams in the Association square off Monday night in South Beach and the Miami Heat are looking to extend their 12-game winning streak.

Miami escaped with a 95-94 over Washington on Saturday, dropping the cash as 12-point favorites.

The Heat are taking this streak seriously. Following the win over the Wizards, you would have thought they had won the title by the post-game celebration after they scored five points in the last 30 seconds of the game.

“We played a horrible basketball game, we really did,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra told reporters. “We did not come with a great focus or consistency.”

“You have to win some of these games when you play poorly. You have to find a way somehow, someway to stay in it, keep your mind in it.”

You could see a letdown coming for the Heat who played six times over nine days, but Miami bettors definitely expected better from the club against a Wizards team that was playing without John Wall and Gilbert Arenas.

Miami won’t take Dallas so lightly.

Pick: Heat

Minnesota Timberwolves at Los Angeles Clippers (-4, 211.5)

The Timberwolves have dropped five straight games, but there are a couple things to like about this club. For one thing, they have covered in three consecutive games. Plus, they also have Kevin Love dominating inside every night.

Love put up a career-high 43 points and chipped in 17 rebounds in Saturday’s 115-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets. The scary thing about the big guy is that while he dominates inside, he can also hit from outside too. Love hit all five of his trey attempts against Denver and could use a little help from the rest of his team.

"It is getting frustrating, but we stay hungry because we are young and we have veteran guys who have come from winning situations and they aren't giving up on this team," Love said. "We're trying to get better in the here and now, but we're also looking to the future, on growing together and becoming a good team."

They have a long way to go, but at least they’re staying competitive. The Timberwolves will give the Clips a run in this spot.

Pick: Timberwolves

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**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:35 PM

NCAAB

Monday, December 20

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College funds: Monday's best NCAAB bets
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Elon University Phoenix at Duke Blue Devils (N/A)

Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski is a win away from tying Dean Smith for No. 2 on the all-time win list but he has more on his mind than his 879th victory.

Freshman point guard Kyrie Irving will be out for a while after a freak to injury and the club is still figuring out what life is like without him.

"Certainly, with Kyrie going down, it changes our team," associate head coach Chris Collins told reporters. "He was such a dynamic player when he had the ball, and we opened the floor and we kind of played off him doing his thing. Now, we have to change the way we do things, especially offensively, and a lot of that is predicated on those two guys (Smith and Kyle Singler) being really aggressive."

Without Irving, Nolan Smith is the guy who is taking care of the ball. He put up a team-high 22 points and five assists in downing Saint Louis while covering as 24.5-point favorites. The Blue Devils are averaging 88 points a game and shouldn’t have much trouble handling Elon in this spot.

Pick: Duke

Coppin State Eagles at Connecticut Huskies (N/A)

Kemba Walker’s 28.1 points per game average ties him Xavier Silas for the best scoring average in the nation and now he’s getting a little help from the club’s youngsters.

Walker scored 21 points the last time the Huskies took the floor in a 78-54 win over Fairleigh Dickinson on Dec. 8. While Walker continues to roll along, UConn also got 22 combined points from freshmen Jeremy Lamb and Roscoe Smith.

"It's just good to see that those guys' confidence is getting higher, and that's what we need," Walker said. "When those tough games come around, if I'm not on, I think some of those guys, especially the young guys, will come along."

One of the those tough games will be next week against No. 8 Pitt and the Huskies will need to improve their shooting before then. UConn ranks last in the Big East shooting 45.2 percent from the floor, but the club has been even worse lately, hitting less than 38 percent of its shots in two of the last three games.

Pick: Eagles

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**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:43 PM

NHL

Monday, December 20

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Ice picks: Monday's best NHL bets
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Atlanta Thrashers at Toronto Maple Leafs (-120, 5.5)

The Maple Leafs played a much better game Saturday than what Toronto fans saw Thursday against the Flames but the Canucks still beat the visiting Buds 4-1.

Toronto’s effort was there and goalie Jonas Gustavsson, who’s been thrust into the starter’s job because Jean-Sebastien Giguere's long-term injury, played solid but Vancouver was able to hold the Leafs to just one goal.

"At the end of the day only one line scored again,” Buds coach Ron Wilson told reporters after the game. “Other guys have got to do what they’re paid to do which is score."

Toronto is averaging the third fewest goals per game (2.19) and its goaltending isn’t good enough to steal the club games on a regular basis.

Expect the Thrashers to leave Toronto with two points.

Pick: Atlanta

Anaheim Ducks at Boston Bruins (-180, 5.5)

The Ducks aren’t loving things on the road this season. They’ve won just six of their 18 games away from home, including their last two roadies.

Anaheim coach Randy Carlyle didn’t like what he was seeing from his side Saturday night at Carolina so he decided to mix up his lines. Teemu Selanne joined Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry on the big line while Bobby Ryan dropped down to the second line with Saku Koivu and Joffrey Lupul.

Despite some strong shifts, Anaheim was unable to slip on past Panthers goalie Cam Ward.

"When he started changing the lines, we got the all the momentum," Selanne told the Orange County Register. "So I think we really turned the game on our side. I think that was the turning point. At that time, I thought we were going to win the game.

"We were very solid in every area pretty much. So that's why it's disappointing that we couldn't score."

Look for better results from the shaken up Ducks.

Pick: Anaheim

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**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:48 PM

NHL

Monday, December 20

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Pucking the trends: Predators surprising bookies
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Every week, we update you on who's hot, who's not and situational betting spots in the National Hockey League.

HOT TEAM: Nashville Predators

The old adage in sports that “you’re only as good as your last game” applies to hockey, so we must take this run with a grain of salt. But it’s tough not to call out the Predators, despite their 6-1 whitewash at the hands of the Kings on Saturday night.

Nashville, after all, was playing on the back end of back-to-back games, and took an 8-0-2 streak into that contest before subsequently laying that egg at home.

But the Predators are now off until Wednesday, when they play at Chicago, so maybe a little rest and relaxation will help this club regain its focus. Because it would be a shame for a team that has yet to win a playoff round, to not build off this dominant December.

In this month alone, the Predators are 7-2 with two shutouts. It’s even more impressive considering Nashville was favored in just three of those games.

Veteran Steve Sullivan (10 goals and 10 assists) leads a balanced attack that doesn’t get much publicity, and he’s been aided by defenseman Shea Weber (5 and 10), who leads the team with 102 shots on goal.

Anders Lindback, who clearly didn’t have it vs. Los Angeles, has been more than expected in net, as he fills in for the injured Pekka Rinne. Lindback is 9-2-2 with a.925 save percentage.

So, where does this all get the Predators? Well, good question. The run has been terrific, no question, but it will not guarantee anything in the jumbled Western Conference.

Entering Sunday’s action, Nashville was in second place in the Central Division, three points behind Detroit (43). If the season ended on Saturday night, the Predators would meet Colorado in a matchup of No. 4 and 5 seeds, in which the Avalanche would have home-ice advantage.

At the same time, though, the Predators were only three points ahead of the Western playoff cutoff on Sunday morning. So, be careful, moving forward with this club. But know this: As long as they continue to get solid play in net, and can score adequately like they’ve been, they will be a solid buy for the foreseeable future.

COLD TEAM: Toronto Maple Leafs

The long, hard trip to western Canada that so many NHL teams trek through annually has been the downfall of many a team over the years. So, the Maple Leafs won’t be the first team to regret making that journey.

And to their credit, they did sneak out two points in a three-game swing that saw stops in Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver.

But they didn’t play all that well, and for a team that was showing signs of consistency, that has to be a concern.

Toronto lost to the Flames, 5-2 and the Canucks, 4-1, after opening the swing with a 4-1 win over Edmonton. Toronto has now lost four of six, and entering Sunday’s games, it was in last place by itself in the Northeast Division with 28 points.

The Maple Leafs have injury concerns, no question. Goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere is out indefinitely with a groin injury, and while he wasn’t the savior to begin with, he had put up modest numbers (8-7-2, .894 save percentage).

But there’s still enough talent on this team to overcome his loss. And let’s just see what coach Ron Wilson still has left in his motivational tank. On Monday night, Toronto welcomes Atlanta to the Air Canada Centre.

OVER PLAY: Atlanta Thrashers

Speaking of the Thrashers - did anyone expect this kind of offense from this club six months ago, when they traded Ilya Kovalchuk to the Devils?

Well, there’s still next to no one in the stands, and there’s still more than half a season to play, but you have to hand it to this new-look squad. They can score in bunches, and if you’re looking for an underrated over play, you can do worse than the Thrashers.

Atlanta whacked Kovalchuk and the Devils, 7-1, on Saturday night at home. It marked the seventh time this month, that the Thrashers had reached five goals, for and against, and it was the fourth time in December, that they surpassed five.

Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien (33 points) and forward Andrew Ladd (30) have been everything Atlanta could have hoped for, when they acquired them this offseason from Chicago.

But this week will be a challenge for a team that will clearly be on an emotional high, after embarrassing Kovalchuk. They play three games in four days, starting with the aforementioned Toronto on Monday, and including St. Louis and Boston.

Of course, the Bruins, with red-hot goalie Tim Thomas, will be a challenge. But Atlanta can certainly score against the Maple Leafs and Blues, so you might want to consider them a quality over play through the holidays, at the least.

UNDER PLAY: Calgary Flames

Team Sutters Brothers -- Brent as the coach, Darryl as the general manager -- is under fire in Calgary, and a change may be in order, as the playoffs seem like a longshot for this club. But that’s not your concern. For now, all you need to know is that the Flames are a quality under play.

Calgary lost to Minnesota, 3-1, on Saturday night. It was the fifth time this month that the Flames failed to top five goals, for and against. What’s more, they have not topped three goals, on their own, in seven games this December.

And this week, with their struggles in tow, they take to the road, for a three-game trip. On Monday, they meet that same Minnesota team. They also travel to Columbus and Dallas before taking a Christmas break.

The Flames still have Jarome Iginla (30 points through Saturday), who still plays with as much passion as anyone in the league. But even he only had two goals in his past five games through Sunday, and there’s not much else there behind him.

Until they prove otherwise, they should be considered an under team, moving forward. There are a lot of problems up there, with few solutions.

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**Udog** · 12-19-2010, 11:54 PM

NOTE:
For the initial posting of trends and indexes, we have provided information available up to the time of posting.
Additional updates for today’s games will be posted ASAP.

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:40 AM

Daily Sports Roundup: December 20

Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Vikings play an outdoor home game against the Bears, while the Blue Devils take on Elon, and the Mavericks look for a win in Miami.

Colliding on the gridiron . . .

Monday Night Football will be played in Minnesota this week, but at the Golden Gophers' chilly TCF Bank Stadium instead of the Metrodome. The Vikings (5-8 SU, 5-8 ATS) were beaten 21-3 by the Giants at neutral Ford Field in Detroit last week, with Adrian Peterson getting held to just 26 yards rushing on 14 carries. Third-string QB Joe Webb will get the start for Minnesota on Monday in place of the injured Brett Favre and Tarvaris Jackson. The Bears (9-4 SU, 6-6-1 ATS) will be looking to bounce back from an ugly 36-7 home loss to New England last week, as Jay Cutler threw for just 152 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions. Oddsmakers have the Bears pegged as 8-point road favorites for Monday night's matchup, while the total for the contest sits at 33.

Tipping off on the hardwood . . .

There are nine games on tap around the NBA on Monday, with Orlando at Atlanta, Utah at Cleveland, New Orleans at Indiana, Charlotte at Washington, Phoenix at San Antonio, Milwaukee at Portland, Houston at Golden State, Minnesota at the Clippers, and Dallas at Miami. The Mavericks (21-5 SU, 14-10-2 ATS) are coming off a 106-91 home win over the Suns in which Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry both tossed in 18 points. Tyson Chandler was good for seven points and 12 boards in that contest. The Heat (21-8 SU, 13-15-1 ATS) ran their winning streak to 12 games with a 95-94 win in Washington on Saturday night, with LeBron James scoring 32 points. The Mavericks beat the Heat 106-95 as a 2-point home favorite when the teams met on November 27.

Around college basketball on Monday there are four games involving ranked teams: Coppin State at No. 4 Connecticut, Morgan State at No. 5 Syracuse, TAMU Corpus Christi at No. 18 Memphis, and Elon at No. 1 Duke. The top-ranked Blue Devils (10-0 SU, 5-3 ATS) beat up on Saint Louis 84-47 at home last time out, with Nolan Smith scoring 22 points. The Phoenix (4-6 SU, 0-1 ATS) lost 71-65 to Chattanooga last game.

Taking a trip around the rink . . .

As well, Monday's NHL schedule has Phoenix at Pittsburgh, Atlanta at Toronto, Anaheim at Boston, Carolina at Tampa Bay, Vancouver at St. Louis, Calgary at Minnesota, and Florida at Philadelphia. The 14-16-0 Panthers got back into the win column last time out on Friday by topping the Sabres 6-2 at home. Marty Reasoner scored twice for the Panthers in that contest, while Tomas Vokoun stopped 41 of 43 Buffalo shots. The 22-7-5 Flyers have won five straight games, getting past the Rangers 4-1 at home in their last game on Saturday afternoon. Nikolay Zherdev (with two), Andreas Nodl, and Ville Leino all scored for the Flyers in that win, while Brian Boucher had 24 saves on the day.

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:41 AM

Monday's six-pack

-- Looks like Maryland is targeting Mike Leach as its next football coach, replacing Ralph Friedgen, who was 70-49 with seven bowls in his ten years with the Terrapins.

-- Royals traded Zach Greinke to Milwaukee for four prospects, even though they had Greinke under control for two more years. Wouldn't it have been smarter to keep him for few months, and drive the price up, as July's trading deadline approached?

-- New Miami coach Al Golden kept three of Randy Shannon's aides from the last Miami staff, and brought three more with him. Figuring the three holdovers have valuable Florida recruiting contacts.

-- Remember when Georgia Tech lost at Kennesaw State Nov 15? Well, Kennesaw hasn't won a game since, losing its last eight games.

-- Red Sox signed Tampa Bay reliever Wheeler over weekend; sure sign people are jumping off the Rays' bandwagon. Wheeler's father-in-law is DeWayne Staats, the Rays' play-by-play guy on TV.

-- Maryland-Miami-Pitt have all fired their football coach since this season ended; all three had winning records, all three are alums.

***************************************

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

13) Giants scored with 8:17 left to go up 31-10 on the Eagles, but then became just the 9th NFL team ever to blow a 21-point 4th quarter lead, losing 38-31 on the last play of the game, when DeSean Jackson ran a punt back for a TD as time expired. I'm searching for the right word......

Catastrophe, nightmare, disaster, debacle, fiasco, collapse. No matter what word you use, this loss will be very tough to bounce back from.

12) It was the Giants' sixth straight loss to the Eagles; since 1988, they are 1-12 vs Philly in second meeting of the season, if they lost the first.

11) Detroit Lions won their first road game since 2007, putting a crimp in Tampa Bay's playoff chase with a 23-20 OT win. They're doing well considering they've played a lot with Stanton, their 3rd-string QB.

10) Falcons won on the road for the third week in a row; I don't care if you played the three worst teams in the NFL, thats an impressive feat.

9) If I owned the Seattle Seahawks, I'd call Pete Carroll in and ask him, "You really thought Leinart was better than Cassel? Really?"

8) Kudos to Matt Cassel on playing well, just 11 days after he had an emergency appendectomy. Big win for the Chiefs.

7) Oakland spotted Tim Tebow's Broncos early TDs on drives of 26-32 yards, then pulled away from Denver in a 39-23 win. Raiders scored 98 points in two wins against the Broncos this season. Tebow was OK, but Denver still only threw the ball 16 times the whole game.

6) Jets ran opening kickoff for TD, then stopped Pittsburgh in red zone on the game's final play, as Gang Green won their first-ever (1-7) game in Pittsburgh, 22-17 over the Polamalu-less Steelers.

5) Rex Grossman passed for 286 yards, put 30 points on board, but the Cowboys used a 23-yard edge in average field position to hold off rival Redskins 33-30. Dallas was +3 in turnovers; four of its 11 drives began in Washington territory.

4) Baltimore held the Saints to 269 yards, 4.9 yards per pass in a 30-24 win; Ravens are one of 11 teams this week that didn't turn ball over; the five that played a team that did commit a turnover were 5-0.

3) Packers' Matt Flynn will last ten years in NFL now, after playing so well in Foxboro Sunday night. No one expected him to go 24-37/226 in the air, or convert 11 of 19 on third down. This film will make him rich.

2) On their last three drives in the Swamp Sunday, Eagles ran 15 plays for 220 yards and three TDs. Prior to that, they had run 44 plays for a total of 198 yards, one TD. Michael Vick is a beast in the 4th quarter.

1) Saints-Falcons in Georgia Dome next Monday is a very big game. So is Giants-Packers from Lambeau late Sunday afternoon.

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:42 AM

NBA

Monday, December 20

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
CHARLOTTE vs. WASHINGTON
Charlotte is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Washington
Charlotte is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Washington
Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Washington is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
ORLANDO vs. ATLANTA
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Orlando's last 11 games when playing Atlanta
Orlando is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Atlanta is 3-13 ATS in its last 16 games at home
Atlanta is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Orlando

7:00 PM
UTAH vs. CLEVELAND
Utah is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cleveland
Utah is 17-6 SU in its last 23 games
Cleveland is 1-10 SU in its last 11 games
Cleveland is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Utah

7:00 PM
NEW ORLEANS vs. INDIANA
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Indiana's last 13 games when playing at home against New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 5 games at home

7:30 PM
DALLAS vs. MIAMI
Dallas is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Dallas is 4-0-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 3-9-1 ATS in its last 13 games at home
Miami is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Dallas

8:30 PM
PHOENIX vs. SAN ANTONIO
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games on the road
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing San Antonio
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing Phoenix

10:00 PM
MILWAUKEE vs. PORTLAND
Milwaukee is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Portland
Milwaukee is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Portland's last 15 games at home
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

10:30 PM
HOUSTON vs. GOLDEN STATE
Houston is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Golden State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston

10:30 PM
MINNESOTA vs. LA CLIPPERS
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 8 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Minnesota's last 18 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 6-17 SU in their last 23 games
LA Clippers are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:43 AM

NCAAB

Monday, December 20

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Trend Report
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1:00 PM
JACKSONVILLE vs. FLORIDA
No trends available
Florida is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
Florida is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Jacksonville

5:00 PM
VALPARAISO vs. EASTERN MICHIGAN
Valparaiso is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games on the road
Eastern Michigan is 15-7 SU in its last 22 games at home
Eastern Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
ILLINOIS STATE vs. UNC WILMINGTON
Illinois State is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Illinois State's last 5 games on the road
UNC Wilmington is 8-17 SU in its last 25 games

7:00 PM
BUCKNELL vs. CORNELL
No trends available
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cornell's last 5 games at home
Cornell is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Bucknell

7:00 PM
MORGAN STATE vs. SYRACUSE
No trends available
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Syracuse is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

7:00 PM
WINTHROP vs. DAYTON
No trends available
Dayton is 13-3 SU in its last 16 games
Dayton is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games at home

7:00 PM
NORFOLK STATE vs. VIRGINIA
No trends available
Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
Virginia is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games

7:00 PM
COPPIN STATE vs. CONNECTICUT
No trends available
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Connecticut is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
TOWSON STATE vs. HAMPTON
Towson State is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
No trends available

7:00 PM
ELON vs. DUKE
Elon is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
NORTHWESTERN vs. ST. FRANCIS NY
Northwestern is 2-9 SU in its last 11 games on the road
No trends available

7:00 PM
SOUTH DAKOTA STATE vs. CENTRAL MICHIGAN
No trends available
Central Michigan is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Central Michigan is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games

7:30 PM
VERMONT vs. FAIRFIELD
No trends available
Fairfield is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Fairfield is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games

8:00 PM
TEXAS A&M C.C. vs. MEMPHIS
No trends available
Memphis is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Memphis is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games

8:00 PM
EASTERN WASHINGTON vs. SOUTH DAKOTA
Eastern Washington is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
No trends available

8:00 PM
NORTH DAKOTA vs. WISC-GREEN BAY
No trends available
Wisc-Green Bay is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Wisc-Green Bay is 15-8 SU in its last 23 games at home

8:05 PM
WESTERN ILLINOIS vs. CREIGHTON
No trends available
Creighton is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games at home
Creighton is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games

8:05 PM
SAVANNAH STATE vs. ARKANSAS STATE
No trends available
Arkansas State is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games at home
Arkansas State is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games

8:05 PM
JACKSON STATE vs. BRADLEY
No trends available
Bradley is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Bradley is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games at home

9:00 PM
SAMFORD vs. TEXAS-SAN ANTONIO
Samford is 6-15 SU in its last 21 games on the road
No trends available

9:00 PM
CENTENARY vs. WYOMING
No trends available
Wyoming is 6-16 SU in its last 22 games
Wyoming is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games at home

9:00 PM
NORTHERN COLORADO vs. COLORADO STATE
Northern Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado State is 5-10 SU in its last 15 games
Colorado State is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Northern Colorado

9:30 PM
DAVIDSON vs. ST. JOHN'S
No trends available
St. John's is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
St. John's is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games

10:30 PM
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN vs. TEXAS EL PASO
No trends available
Texas El Paso is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Texas El Paso is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home

10:30 PM
PORTLAND STATE vs. NEVADA
Portland State is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Nevada is 1-8 SU in its last 9 games
Nevada is 18-6 SU in its last 24 games at home

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:44 AM

NHL

Monday, December 20

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. BOSTON
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Anaheim's last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Anaheim's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing at home against Anaheim
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home

7:00 PM
ATLANTA vs. TORONTO
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Atlanta's last 6 games
Atlanta is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Toronto is 7-17 SU in its last 24 games

7:00 PM
FLORIDA vs. PHILADELPHIA
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of Florida's last 19 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Florida's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games at home
Philadelphia is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games at home

7:00 PM
PHOENIX vs. PITTSBURGH
Phoenix is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Phoenix's last 8 games when playing on the road against Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 8 games when playing at home against Phoenix

7:30 PM
CAROLINA vs. TAMPA BAY
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Carolina's last 11 games when playing Tampa Bay
Carolina is 8-15 SU in its last 23 games when playing on the road against Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is 3-10 SU in its last 13 games when playing Carolina
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Tampa Bay's last 9 games

8:00 PM
CALGARY vs. MINNESOTA
Calgary is 8-16 SU in its last 24 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Calgary's last 8 games on the road
Minnesota is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Calgary
Minnesota is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Calgary

8:00 PM
VANCOUVER vs. ST. LOUIS
Vancouver is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
Vancouver is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games when playing St. Louis
St. Louis is 3-8 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of St. Louis's last 13 games

**pm530** · 12-20-2010, 04:45 AM

NBA
Tips and Trends

Monday, December 20

Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat [7:35 PM ET]

MAVERICKS: Dallas has the 3rd best record in the NBA at 21-5 SU. The Mavericks appear to be one of the elite teams in the NBA, as they continue to win with their defense. The Mavericks are allowing just 93.2 PPG this season, the 5th fewest in the NBA. C Tyson Chandler and F Caron Butler have really brought the defensive toughness and intensity to the rest of their teammates. Dallas is 8-1 both SU and ATS on the road this year. The Mavericks are a perfect 7-0 ATS as the listed underdog this season. F Dirk Nowitzki is the biggest offensive force for Dallas, as he's averaging 24.8 PPG while shooting better than 55% from the field. G Jason Terry is 2nd on the team in scoring, averaging 15.9 PPG this year. The Mavericks are 7-0-1 ATS in their last 8 games against a team with a winning SU record. Dallas is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games against the NBA Southeast. The Mavericks are 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 games following a SU win of more than 10 points. The Mavericks are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 games following a SU win. Dallas is 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following an ATS win. The Mavericks are 0-3-1 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 2 days rest.

Mavericks are 6-0 ATS last 6 road games against a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600%.
Under is 7-2 last 9 games following a SU win of more than 10 points.

Key Injuries - None Reported

Projected Score: 91

HEAT: (-6.5, O/U 191.5) Miami has hit their stride, as they have won 12 consecutive games SU. The Heat are 21-8 SU and 14-15 ATS overall this season. While just 14-15 ATS, Miami has won 8 of their past 10 games ATS. Miami has been playing amazing defense this year, allowing opponents to average just 91.2 PPG, tied for the NBA fewest. Miami is 12-3 SU at home this year, and they would like nothing more than to exact some revenge against the Mavericks for their double digit loss earlier this year. F LeBron James is averaging a team high 24.5 PPG and 7.2 APG, along with 6.4 RPG this year. F Chris Bosh is averaging more than 18 PPG this year, while shooting better than 50% from the field. The Heat are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games against a team with a winning SU record. Miami is 7-1 ATS in their last 8 games playing on 1 days rest. The Heat are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU win. Miami is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 home games. The Heat are 7-16 ATS in their last 23 Monday games.

Heat are 4-0 ATS last 4 games against the Western Conference.
Under is 6-2 last 8 home games.Key Injuries - F Mike Miller (thumb) is doubtful.

Projected Score: 92 (UNDER-Total of the Day)

**Udog** · 12-20-2010, 10:11 AM

NBA
Write-Up

Monday, December 20

Hot Teams
-- Mavericks are 14-1 in last 15 games; they're 6-0 as an underdog. Heat won its last 12 games, covering nine of last 11.
-- Spurs won last three games, but are 0-3 vs spread in last three, with wins by 2-1-6ot.
-- Milwaukee is 3-1-1 vs spread in last five games, 5-3 as a road dog. Blazers won last two games, but covered one of last five.
-- Clippers won last two games; they're 2-4 as home favorite.
-- Rockets won three of last four games, covered seven of last nine.

Cold Teams
-- Orlando lost six of last seven games; they should have their new guys in lineup tonight. Hawks lost three of their last four games.
-- Hornets lost 10 of their last 15 games.
-- Cavaliers lost 10 of last 11 games (3-3 vs spread last six). Jazz split their last eight games; they're 1-3 as a road favorite.
-- Bobcats lost their last eight road games (3-5 vs spread). Wizards lost last seven games, losing last game by a point to Miami.
-- Suns are 1-5 vs spread in game following last six wins.
-- Minnesota lost last five games, but covered last three.
-- Warriors lost last eight games (1-3 vs spread last four).

Totals
-- Four of last five Atlanta games stayed under the total.
-- Under is 10-1 in last 11 New Orleans games. Last five Indiana home games went over the total.
-- Seven of last ten Cleveland games went over the total.
-- Under is 8-4 in last dozen Charlotte games.
-- Six of last seven Dallas games went over the total. Five of Miami's last six games stayed under.
-- Over is 7-3 in last ten Phoenix road games.
-- Five of last seven Milwaukee games stayed under.
-- Clippers' last three games went over the total.
-- Last four Golden State games stayed under the total.

Back-to-Back
-- Hawks are 4-5 vs spread if they played night before, 2-1 if they won.
-- Pacers, Hornets are both 2-2 vs spread if they played night before.
-- Suns are 1-4 vs spread if they played the night before.
-- Rockets are 1-3 vs spread on road if they played night before.

**Udog** · 12-20-2010, 10:12 AM

NCAAB
Write-Up

Monday, December 20

NC-Wilmington is 5-4, making more 3's than foul shots; they're 3-0 at home, also have wins at GW, Wake Forest. Illinois State hasn't played in nine days; they're 7-3 playing the #326 schedule, losing only road game 63-54 at Ark-Little Rock (+2.5). CAA teams are 6-8 vs spread if the number is 3 or less. MVC road teams are 6-3 if spread is 3 or less.

Valparaiso is 5-4 vs D-I teams, 2-3 on road, but both wins were Horizon games; Crusaders are 1-3 as favorites this year. Eastern Michigan is 0-8 vs D-I teams (1-8 overall) and they were favored in three of eight losses. Eagles are 2-3 as an underdog. Horizon single digit road faves are 4-6-1 vs spread; MAC single digit home dogs are 2-6-1.

St John's has ten seniors but hasn't played like it, losing last two games to St Bonaventure/Fordham; Red Storm is 2-4 vs spread when favored. Davidson is very well-coached; they're 5-4 with seven of nine on road; they're 2-3 vs spread as an underdog. Big East single digit home faves are 8-9 vs spread. Southern Conference single digit road dogs are 9-3.

Duke is playing for first time in nine days, and they don't play again for nine more days; they're 6-3 vs spread as favorite. Elon lost five of six vs D-I teams (three non-D-I wins); they're 3-2 vs spread as dogs. SoCon road underdogs of 17+ points are 2-6 vs spread (20-6 if underdog of less than 17). ACC home favorites of 20+ points are 5-3 vs spread.

Home side won five of last six Northern Colorado-Colorado State games, with Bears losing last three visits to Fort Collins by 9-9-8 points. State hasn't played in nine days; they're 4-3, 0-1-1 as favorite. Northern is 2-5 vs D-I teams, 2-1 as underdog, losing games on road by 23-3-10-3 pts. MWC single digit home favorites are 13-4 against the spread.

5-4 Portland State just lost its rivalry game to Portland for first time in few years; Vikings are 1-3 as an underdog, losing away games by 16 at SMU, 19 at Oregon, 15 at Bakersfield. Nevada lost its last eight games vs D-I teams- they've lost four games already by 3 or less points. WAC single digit home favorites are 10-3 vs spread. Big Sky road underdogs of 8+ points are 11-9 vs spread.

Announcement

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 12/20 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

Monday's Trends and Indexes - 12/20 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

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