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**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:02 PM

Durant's Thunder face Stoudemire's Knicks Wednesday

OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (20-9)

at NEW YORK KNICKS (16-12)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: New York -1, Total: 217

The top two scorers in the league face off Wednesday when Kevin Durant (27.6 PPG, 6.6 RPG) and the Thunder visit Amar’e Stoudemire (26.5 PPG, 9.4 RPG) and the struggling Knicks. After winning eight in a row (7-1 ATS), New York has suffered three straight losses (1-2 ATS), including a close battle with the Celtics (118-116) and a big loss to the Heat (113-91). The favored Knicks also lost in Cleveland, 109-102 in overtime, after letting go of a four-point lead with less than a minute to play.

Defense continues to be a struggle for New York, which allows a third-worst 107.3 PPG, and has allowed 113.3 PPG over the past three contests. During the eight-game win streak and the loss to Boston, Stoudemire was averaging 34.4 points on 59.4% shooting. In the past two contests, he shot a combined 40.4% for 23.5 points.

The return to Madison Square Garden isn’t particularly encouraging for the Knicks as they are a sub-par 6-7 (6-6-1 ATS) at home.

The Thunder, meanwhile, have done well on the road this season with a 10-4 mark (8-6 ATS). Their five-game winning streak (SU and ATS) was snapped in a 113-110 loss to Phoenix at home over the weekend, but they bounced back to win 99-81 at Charlotte Tuesday.

Durant led the game with 32 points (8-13 FG) -- his 10th 30-point game this season -- as the Thunder outrebounded the Bobcats 56-44, contributing to an 18-6 advantage on fast break points.

The Thunder shot 52.2% during their winning streak, but only shot a combined 43.3% in the past two contests. Even though they’re scoring 4.2 PPG less than the Knicks (103.7 PPG), they’re holding opponents to 101.1 PPG for the season and 94.0 PPG over the past seven contests. With Oklahoma City’s defense playing well and Stoudemire dealing with a sore neck, look for the Thunder to win this one and hand the Knicks their fourth consecutive loss.

Oklahoma City is 3-1 SU (2-2 ATS) against New York over the past three seasons, and these FoxSheets trends also support an Oklahoma City win:

Play Against - All teams where the line is +3 to -3 (NEW YORK) - good shooting team (45.5-47.5%) against an average shooting team (43.5-45.5%), average ball handling team (14.5-16.5 TO's) against a poor pressure defensive team (<=14.5 TO's). (74-41 over the last 5 seasons.) (64.3%, +28.9 units. Rating = 2*).

OKLAHOMA CITY is 25-11 ATS (69.4%, +12.9 Units) as a road underdog over the last 2 seasons. The average score was OKLAHOMA CITY 98.2, OPPONENT 99.1 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:02 PM

Missouri slight favorite over Illinois Wednesday

ILLINOIS FIGHTING ILLINI (10-2)

vs. MISSOURI TIGERS (10-1)

Scottrade Center – St. Louis, MO
Tip-off: Wednesday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Missouri -1.5, Total: 148.5

There always seems to be plenty of reason for some sizzle when the red meat that is the feud between Illinois and Missouri gets thrown onto the grill. The seeds of this war have bloodlines in many other areas -- Cubs versus Cardinals in baseball, Blackhawks-Blues in hockey. The states that these schools represent share a border, by fate, not choice. While they come from different conferences, they’re not necessarily rivals. They are neighbors. Neighbors who do not like each other, that’s even better to watch. Wednesday for the first time this college basketball season, a matchup of two teams with at least 10 wins will take place, with the winner earning carte blanche to sectional bragging rights for one more year. Cue Michael Buffer.

This game was very close to being a meeting of two teams in the Top 10, but Bruce Weber’s Illinois squad lost a squeaker to in-state rival Illinois-Chicago (UIC) on Saturday 57-54. It was one of those performances worthy of destroying the game film, as the Fighting Illini shot 32.7% from the field and 23.5% from beyond the arc, both season lows. It was an aberration for a team that is shooting 47.4% from the floor this season, and has four players scoring in double figures, led by Demetri McCamey (15.8 PPG, 7.2 APG, 50.8% 3-pt FG). Senior Mike Tisdale (10.3 PPG, 7.0 RPG) is the team’s top rebounder, but has also committed nearly four fouls per game, limiting his minutes to just under 24 MPG, leaving the Illini vulnerable at times without its best shot blocker on the floor.

Tisdale will need to stay on the floor and out of foul trouble against a Missouri team that will attack the paint, the perimeter, the offensive glass, and your point guard (and that’s just during pregame warm ups). Head coach Mike Anderson’s version of “40 minutes of hell” will enter Wednesday’s game with the fifth-most prolific offense in Division I (85.9 PPG). The Tigers have won five straight, with the only blemish on its record being a nine-point overtime defeat to Georgetown three weeks ago. Even with guard Michael Dixon serving a suspension, the Tigers still boast a quartet of players scoring in double figures, led by Marcus Denmon at 16.8 PPG. A close game could favor the Tigers, who after letting the Georgetown game slip away from them, showed poise in winning a tough three-point battle on the road at Oregon, and a three-point overtime victory at home over a surprising Vanderbilt team. Depth could be a concern though, as Phil Pressey, who replaced Dixon in the starting lineup, is out for two weeks with a broken right ring finger.

While Missouri won last season 81-68, Illinois leads the all-time series 20-9. The Illini have won all six times the two teams have met when each school was ranked. These two FoxSheets trends think Missouri is the team to play on Wednesday night:

ILLINOIS is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) when playing on a neutral court over the last 2 seasons.The average score was ILLINOIS 70.1, OPPONENT 73.3 - (Rating = 1*).

MISSOURI is 42-24 ATS (63.6%, +15.6 Units) after allowing 25 points or less in the first half last game since 1997. The average score was MISSOURI 75.4, OPPONENT 66.3 - (Rating = 0*).

This FoxSheets coaching trend expects the game to finish Under the Total:

Bruce Weber is 36-14 UNDER (72.0%, +20.6 Units) after having won 4 of their last 5 games as the coach of ILLINOIS. The average score was ILLINOIS 65.4, OPPONENT 60.4 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:03 PM

Nuggets look to avenge tough loss vs. Spurs

DENVER NUGGETS (16-10)

at SAN ANTONIO SPURS (24-3)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
Line: San Antonio -7, Total: 213

The Nuggets face the Spurs for the second time in six days after a 113-112 loss in Denver last Thursday. Carmelo Anthony (24.0 PPG, 8.3 RPG, 3.3 APG) scored a game-high 31 points (10-20 FG) and pulled nine rebounds, but his game-winning buzzer beater was withdrawn as he was called for a charging foul on Manu Ginobili (19.7 PPG, 4.9 APG). That made Ginobili’s go-ahead basket with four seconds left the game-winner, his second in two nights after hitting a fadeaway as time expired to win 92-90 over Milwaukee.

After the first meeting with the Spurs, the Nuggets beat Minnesota in a 115-113 win Saturday. Denver was without PG Chauncey Billups (wrist injury) for its third consecutive game, but reserve Ty Lawson (10.7 PPG, 4.3 APG) finished with 23 points (8-16 FG), nine assists, and three steals. Billups (14.4 PPG, 5.4 APG, 1.2 SPG) is expected to return for Wednesday’s game, but Lawson will likely start with the way he’s stepped up his play in Billups’ absence. Denver may also be helped by the season debut of Kenyon Martin (knee), who will be a game-time decision. Chris Andersen (back) will also be a game-time decision for Wednesday’s game.

Denver has struggled away from home this season, winning only four of 12 (5-7 ATS), and going 1-3 (SU and ATS) in the past four road contests. It won’t be easy to reverse this trend in the AT&T Center, where the Spurs are an excellent 15-2 (9-8 ATS).

With nine consecutive wins under its belt, San Antonio looks for its second double-digit winning streak this season. The Spurs won most recently against an undermanned Suns team Tuesday, 118-110, but failed the cover the spread for the third straight home game.

All five starters scored double digits, led by Tim Duncan (14.1 PPG, 9.7 RPG, 2.1 BPG) with 20 points and 15 rebounds. But it was reserve PG Gary Neal (7.3 PPG) who led the team with 22 points in 31 minutes. Expect Neal to see more minutes with regular sixth-man George Hill (11.3 PPG, 2.3 APG, 1.2 SPG) out for a couple weeks with a sprained big toe.

With San Antonio (106.8 PPG) and Denver (107.3 PPG) scoring at ease, defense will be the key to this game. The Spurs have played well defensively throughout the season, holding opponents to 97.7 PPG, while the Nuggets are allowing 105.1 PPG. It’s been even worse for Denver over the past seven contests, allowing a lofty 110 PPG. With Denver dealing with some injuries (Carmelo Anthony missed practice Monday with strained elbow), look for the Spurs to cover in this second go around.

These FoxSheets trends also support San Antonio to cover:

Play Against - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (DENVER) - revenging a loss where opponent scored 100 or more points, playing with 3 or more days rest. (85-38 since 1996.) (69.1%, +43.2 units. Rating = 3*).

DENVER is 1-10 ATS (-10.0 Units) in road games after a combined score of 225 points or more over the last 2 seasons. The average score was DENVER 103.3, OPPONENT 106.8 - (Rating = 1*).

Of the past 32 meetings in San Antonio since 1996, 23 have finished Under the total. This FoxSheets stat also picks the Under:

Play Under - All teams where the total is greater than or equal to 210 (SAN ANTONIO) - in a game involving two good three point shooting teams (>=36.5%), in a game involving two average rebounding teams (+/-3 reb/game). (90-40 over the last 5 seasons.) (69.2%, +46 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:04 PM

Texas-Michigan St. meet for 5th straight season

TEXAS LONGHORNS (9-2)

at MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (8-3)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Michigan State -5.5, Total: 141

As the first quarter of the college basketball season has progressed, it’s fair to say that the Texas Longhorns and Michigan State Spartans have gotten closer to one another. Not emotionally speaking, but rather in the polls (just between you and me, I think someone is afraid of commitment?). This closeness is actually good news for one team and disconcerting for the other. That’s because Michigan State began the season as the 2nd ranked team in the country, while Texas started off at No. 25 in the nation. Wednesday night, the Spartans will take the court at No. 12, facing the Longhorns who are No. 22, and looking to close the gap in the rankings between these two teams even more.

Texas is trying to carry over momentum from perhaps its biggest win of the season, Saturday’s tough “neutral” court victory in Greensboro Coliseum over North Carolina. Cory Joseph’s turnaround jumper with 1.4 seconds remaining completed a hard fought 78-76 victory in a game that Texas trailed for most of the second half. Joseph scored a season-high 21 points, and received a huge boost in the comeback from teammate Jordan Hamilton, who scored 17 of his game high 24 points after intermission. At 42.8 RPG, the Longhorns are sixth-best in Division I in rebounding. They out-boarded the Tar Heels 39-33, a very good warmup for playing a Tom Izzo team, who will punish anything and anyone who enters the lane to do battle on the boards. Texas is going for its fourth straight victory since getting trounced by 17 at USC.

Texas will be the fifth team that Michigan State has faced this season that has been ranked at some point this season. The results of those previous four games have been somewhat mixed. Michigan State defeated the Washington Huskies in the Maui Classic, but lost to Connecticut’s Huskies in the same tournament. Back here in the states, the Spartans were defeated by Duke in Durham, and Syracuse in Madison Square Garden. Wednesday night’s contest will take place in the Breslin Center, where Michigan State is a perfect 5-0 this year. Izzo hopes to have a full complement of healthy players for the game, but could be a little thin in the backcourt. Korie Lucious recently aggravated a right ankle injury, and with Keith Apling suffering a head injury during Saturday’s 90-51 waltz over Prairie View A&M, the Spartans might be shorthanded. Senior guard Durrell Summers (15.5 PPG) leads the Spartans in scoring, and will need a huge game out of fellow senior Kalin Lucas (14.7 PPG) if State is to pull out the victory. It will be the last game on the schedule before the Spartans’ Big Ten conference opener versus Minnesota on New Year’s Eve.

This marks the fifth straight year these two teams are meeting. Michigan State is 3-1 (SU and ATS) in these contests, but Texas beat MSU 79-68 last December 22 as the Horns shot 56% FG and held the Spartans to 44% from the floor. This pair of FoxSheets trends expects Michigan State to win and cover the spread on Wednesday:

Play On - Home favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (MICHIGAN ST) - in non-conference games, off a home win scoring 85 or more points. (273-175 since 1997.) (60.9%, +80.5 units. Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Road underdogs of 3.5 to 9.5 points (TEXAS) - good foul drawing team - attempting >=25 free throws/game, good defensive team - shooting pct defense of <=42% on the season. (386-265 since 1997.) (59.3%, +94.5 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:05 PM

Kansas takes season's first road trip Wednesday

KANSAS JAYHAWKS (10-0)

at CALIFORNIA GOLDEN BEARS (6-4)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 11:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kansas -11.5, Total: 138

Kansas will play its first true road game of the season when it visits Berkeley to face California on Wednesday night. The Jayhawks have traveled to Las Vegas and New York for neutral-site games, but this will be their first contest on an opponent's home court, and it marks their first trip to Berkeley since 1956. The Golden Bears will be the fourth Pac-10 team Kansas plays this season. It has already defeated Arizona (87-79), UCLA (77-76) and, most recently, USC (70-68) all by single-digit margins.

The Jayhawks are the nation's top shooting team (54.2%) and rank sixth in the country in scoring (85.6 PPG). And Kansas figures to get better if top recruit Josh Selby continues to show improvement. Selby scored 21 points in 27 minutes in his college debut, a two-point victory over the Trojans on Dec. 18, in which he hit a go-ahead three-pointer with 26 seconds left. He converted 5-of-11 field goals with all of his made baskets coming from behind the 3-point line (5-for-8). Selby also had five rebounds and four turnovers to just one assist.

The Jayhawks have been led this season by the Morris twins -- Marcus (16.3 PPG, 6.3 RPG) and Markieff (12.2 PPG, 9.0 RPG). Marcus Morris had 11 points and seven rebounds versus USC, while brother Markieff tallied 11 points and eight boards.

The Golden Bears beat Cal Poly, 51-41, to snap a two-game losing streak at home on Dec. 18. Jorge Gutierrez (12.6 PPG) struggled to find his shot (4-of-14), but had 10 points and hit a key three-pointer to propel Cal to the victory.

Senior Markhuri Sanders-Frison (9.1 PPG, 7.8 RPG) added 15 points and 10 rebounds for his second career double-double, while Harper Kamp, who leads the Bears in scoring with 13.1 PPG, finished with nine points.

Cal has split two games versus ranked teams this season. On Nov. 25, it defeated Temple, 57-50, but on Dec. 8, the Bears dropped a 77-57 decision to San Diego State. The Bears are 4-6 ATS this season, while Kansas is only slightly better at 4-4 ATS.

Kansas beat Cal at home last December, 84-69, behind Marcus Morris (14 points and seven rebounds) and Tyshawn Taylor (10.5 PPG, 5.8 APG), who finished with 13 points and seven assists. It marked the Jayhawks' ninth consecutive win in the series. The last time they lost to Cal was in 1954, 65-62. Cal will give Kansas a tougher game than some might expect, but Kansas should find a way to win and cover the spread.

The FoxSheets advises to:

Play On - Road favorites of 10 to 19.5 points (KANSAS) - good defensive team - allowing <=64 points/game on the season, after allowing 25 points or less in the first half last game.(129-70 since 1997.) (64.8%, +52 units. Rating = 3*).

Play Against - Home underdogs of 10 to 19.5 points (CALIFORNIA) - averaging 6 or less steals/game on the season. (215-142 since 1997.) (60.2%, +58.8 units. Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also like the Under in this game:

Play Under - All teams where the total is between 130 and 139.5 points (KANSAS) - after 10 or more consecutive wins, a top-level team (>= 80%) playing a marginal winning team (51% to 60%). (30-7 since 1997.) (81.1%, +22.3 units. Rating = 3*).

Self is 31-11 UNDER (+18.9 Units) off a home no-cover where the team won straight up as a favorite as the coach of KANSAS. The average score was KANSAS 74.4, OPPONENT 64.0 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:12 PM

NCAA Betting Preview: No. 3 Kansas at California

Third-ranked Kansas (10-0 straight up, 4-4 against the spread) concludes its Pac-10 tour with Wednesday’s road matchup against California (6-4 SU, 4-6 ATS). The Jayhawks have already defeated Arizona, UCLA and Southern Cal this season.

Kansas enters this contest ranked first in the county in field-goal percentage at 54 percent, fifth in assists per game (19.2) and sixth in points per game (85.6). Coach Bill Self’s squad has seen the ‘under’ go 12-4 the previous 16 matchups versus Pac-10 opponents.

California doesn’t have the same lofty rankings as Kansas, and this contest marks just its third game against a ranked opponent. The Golden Bears are a dismal 222nd in the country in field-goal percentage at 43 percent, 258th in points per game (65.2) and 170th in rebounds per game (36).

The Jayhawks avoided their first setback of the season by slipping past Southern Cal last Saturday as decided 18-point home ‘chalk,’ 70-68. The combined 138 points slithered ‘over’ the 137 ½-point closing total, ending a string of back-to-back ‘under’ outings.

Kansas has struggled to a 1-4 ATS record its last five games, and was bailed out against the Trojans by newcomer Josh Selby. The freshman was unavailable the first nine games of the season due to a NCAA-sanctioned suspension. Selby hit the go-ahead 3-pointer with just 26 remaining, finishing with a game-high 21 points.

The Jayhawks prevailed despite getting outscored in the second half, 48-39, finishing the game by winning the rebounding battle, 38-29. Kansas shot a season-low 39 percent (21-of-54) from the field, and 39 percent (7-of-18) from behind the arc.

California snapped a two-game SU losing skid compliments of Saturday’s victory over Cal Poly as a 13-point home favorite, 51-41. The combined 92 points never seriously threatened the 125-point closing total, ending a string of four consecutive ‘over’ outings.

The Golden Bears led the Mustangs by seven points at halftime, 19-12, but didn’t put the game away until a late 12-2 run over the final 3 minutes. Center Markhuri Sanders-Frison paced the offense with 15 points and 10 rebounds, while guard Jorge Gutierrez added 10 and four.

Kansas is 3-0 SU and ATS the previous three meetings with Cal, while the ‘under’ has cashed each time. The Jayhawks prevailed in last year’s encounter as 13 ½-point home ‘chalk,’ 84-69, while the combined 153 points failed to eclipse the 156 ½-point closing total.

Guard Mario Little is ‘out’ indefinitely due to a suspension. The Jayhawks follow this contest with home games against Texas-Arlington, Miami of Ohio and Missouri-Kansas City.

Cal hosts Hartford after this game in its last non-conference outing of the year before road games against Pac-10 opponents Stanford, Arizona and Arizona State. The Golden Bears have seen the ‘over’ go 34-16-1 their previous 51 home endeavors.

Fox Sports Net will provide coverage of this contest beginning at 8 p.m. PT from Cal’s Haas Pavilion.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:13 PM

Red Wings host Canucks on NHL betting slate

The Northwest Division-leading Vancouver Canucks have allowed five goals during their current four-game winning streak. However, the Canucks will have their hands full Wednesday when they travel to Detroit to face the high-scoring Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena.

Vancouver extended its winning streak to four games Monday by defeating the St. Louis Blues as 105 road favorites, 3-1. It was the third time in the last four games that the Canucks had allowed just one goal. As a result, the ‘under’ has cashed in those last four outings.

After killing off all three of St. Louis’ chances with the man advantage, the Canucks have now not allowed a power play goal in seven of their last 10 games. The surge has lifted the Canucks into a No. 5 ranking by killing 85.3 percent of the opposition’s power plays.

Conversely, the Canucks rank fourth on their own power play by connecting at a 23.6 percent rate. That has helped Vancouver rank third offensively, scoring an average of 3.2 goals per game. The squad is seventh defensively, yielding 2.5 goals per contest.

Aaron Volpatti scored his first career goal in Monday’s victory against St. Louis, while Ryan Kesler nothed his fourth goal in three games. Jeff Tambellini scored a late power-play goal and Mikael Samuelsson had two assists to lead the offense.

Roberto Luongo had to stop just 15 shots en route to the victory, which raised his record to 16-8-0-2. He has a 2.40 GAA, a .914 save percentage and two shutouts. The victory lifted Vancouver’s record over its last 11 games to 9-1-1.

The streak has enabled the Canucks to jump into first place in the Northwest Division and has put them within two points of the Western Conference-leading Red Wings.

Detroit has allowed the Canucks to creep closer by dropping six of its last nine games, including Sunday’s 4-3 overtime setback against Dallas as a whopping 200 home favorite. The Wings have now lost four of their last six home contests to lower their ledger at Joe Louis Arena to 12-4-2-1.

Mike Babcock’s troops have now allowed three goals or more in six of their last nine outings, including one power play goal in each of their last five contests.

The leaky defense has helped the ‘over’ improve to 17-15 in the Red Wings’ first 32 overall outings and has lowered the club to 11th defensively at 2.7 goals per game.

Starting goalie Jimmy Howard has dropped four of his last six starts, and has allowed 21 goals during that span. The mini-slump has lowered Howard’s record to 17-6-2 and has raised his goals-against average to 2.62. The 26-year-old has a .911 save percentage and two shutouts.

Detroit continues to have little trouble putting the puck in the net, evidenced by the club ranking third offensively at 3.3 goals per game. The Wings also rank third by firing 33.3 shots on goal per game.

These two Western Conference foes have already met once this season (Nov.6), with Vancouver registering a 6-4 victory as a 140 home favorite. The combined 10 goals soared above the NHL odds, allowing the ‘over’ to cash in the last three series matchups.

The Canucks outshot the Red Wings, 34-28, and were 2-for-5 on the power play. Detroit, 1-for-4 with the man advantage, was playing its third game in four nights and the second of a back-to-back situation.

The Canucks continue to play without LW Mason Raymond (thumb) and defenseman Sami Salo (ankle). The Don Best Sports injury report lists both players as “out.”

The Red Wings will have little time to rest, as they fly to St. Louis for a Thursday contest against the Blues. Vancouver concludes its three-game road trip with a Thursday outing at Columbus against the Blue Jackets.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-22-2010, 07:14 PM

NBA Odds Preview: Healthier Nuggets visit Spurs

The Denver Nuggets could be in line for major reinforcements when they visit the red-hot San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night.

Denver (16-10 straight-up, 8-16-2 against the spread) is expected to get back point guard Chauncey Billups (wrist), power forward Kenyon Martin (knee) and backup center Chris Andersen (back).

Martin has been out the entire year, while Andersen has been sidelined since Dec. 3 and played just five games this season. Billups has missed the last three games, including a 113-112 home loss to San Antonio last Thursday.

San Antonio’s Manu Ginobili had the go-ahead bucket with 4.2 seconds left and then drew an offensive foul on Carmelo Anthony to secure the win. Denver backup point guard Ty Lawson had 15 points and seven assists, but he’ll go back to the bench with Billups’ return, despite playing well (18 PPG, 7.3 APG) in his absence.

The Nuggets did rebound with a 115-113 home win over Minnesota on Saturday, failing to ‘cover’ the 10 ½-point spread. They’re 2-7 ATS in their last nine games. The 128 combined points scored went just ‘over’ the huge 227 point total. The ‘over’ is 4-0-1 in Denver’s last five games.

Coach George Karl is happy to be getting healthier, but there’s still a big problem with Anthony. The 26-year-old superstar is on the trading block after making it clear he plans to leave the team as a free agent at year’s end.

Anthony leads the Nuggets in scoring at 24 PPG despite being banged up (elbow, thumb). They’re third in the league in scoring (107.3 PPG), but give almost all of it back on the defensive end (105.1 PPG, ranked 25th).

Getting defensive minded players back in Martin and Andersen will help. Martin can also provide veteran leadership for a squad in turmoil due to the Anthony situation.

The Nuggets have badly struggled on the road all season at 4-8 SU and 4-7-1 ATS. They’re well rested, but are only 1-3 ATS on three days rest or more. Those are all bad omens for Wednesday.

The Spurs (24-3 SU) continue to shock the NBA with the league’s best record. That wasn’t supposed to happen with a team expected to decline with aging stars like Ginobili (33) and Tim Duncan (34).

San Antonio has reinvented itself with a faster-paced offense averaging 106.8 PPG. That’s significantly higher than last year (101.4 PPG). The defense is allowing a respectable 97.7 PPG (ranked 15th).

The Spurs have a nine-game winning streak, last beating Phoenix 118-110 at home on Monday as 10 ½-point ‘chalk.’ They’re 0-3 ATS in their last three home games (9-8 ATS at home this season). The ‘over’ is 3-0 in the last three games and 16-11 on the season.

Guard George Hill (11.3 PPG) missed the last two games with a toe injury and has a good chance to miss the Denver game as well. Gary Neal took advantage of more minutes against Phoenix with 22 points.

Neal was an unknown talent playing in the Spanish League last year. Spurs management does a great job with player personnel, a big reason for their continued success. Coach Gregg Popovich has also done a great job keeping the starters’ minutes down, so there’s no reason fatigue should set in any time soon.

Denver won and ‘covered’ both games in San Antonio last year. The road team and underdog are on an incredible roll in this series at 9-0 ATS each. The ‘under’ went 4-0 last year, although the meeting this year went ‘over’ the 211 ½-point total.

Tip-off from the AT&T Center is at 5:30 p.m. (PT) and will be broadcast locally.

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