Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 12:51 AM

NHL Odds: All-Star Game goes fantasy

Carolina is known as a hotbed of basketball. However, the state will switch gears Sunday when the NHL comes to town for its annual All-Star game. The puck will drop at 1:00 p.m. (PT) in Raleigh's RBC Center, home of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Sports Club owner Pete Korner, who distributes the betting line for the majority of Nevada’s sports books, made the game a pick’em. The ‘over/under’ opened at a bloated 16 ½ goals.

“Just in case handicappers are thinking that the 16 ½-goal total might be too high, keep in mind that the 2007-08 contest ended with the West defeating the East, 12-9,” reported Korner.

“This isn’t your father’s All-Star game,” Korner joked. “Fantasy hockey has arrived for this game, which is usually played in a wide-open style without any body checking and very few penalties.”

A new format for this year's festivities saw the conference versus conference approach replaced by a player draft, conducted by the All-Star players themselves, to determine the rosters for each team.

Eric Staal, who is an All-Star forward for the host Carolina Hurricanes, was named the captain for one squad. Niklas Lidstrom, a six-time Norris Trophy winner as the league’s best defenseman, leads the squad appropriately named Team Lidstrom.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Phil Kessel had the dubious distinction of being the last player chosen Friday night in the first-ever NHL all-star fantasy draft. He was selected by Team Lidstrom.

Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby will miss the game because of a concussion, so there was plenty of drama surrounding who would be the first pick. Staal won the puck flip to earn the No. 1 selection and used it to take goalie Cam Ward, his Carolina teammate. Ward and Staal captured the Stanley Cup together during the 2006 campaign.

Ward is 22-15-5 with a 2.70 GAA a .920 save percentage and two shutouts.

The other goalie for Team Staal will be Montreal’s Carey Price, who is 24-16-5 with a 2.36 GAA, a .920 save percentage and four shutouts.

Under the rules of the draft, all goalies had to be gone by Round 10 while defensemen had to be picked by the 15th round. That meant a forward was destined to go last.

Lidstrom selected forward Steven Stamkos with the No. 2 pick. Stamkos has 38 goals and 29 assists to lead the Tampa Bay Lightning. His 51 goals last year tied Crosby for the league lead.

Between the pipes for Team Lidstrom will be Boston’s Tim Thomas and Pittsburgh’s Marc-Andre Fleury. Thomas, who is at the top of most goaltending categories, is 24-5-6 with a 1.81 GAA, a .945 save percentage and seven shutouts.

Fleury is 24-16-5 with a 2.19 GAA, a .920 save percentage and two shutouts.

“Team Lidstrom seems to have the goaltending edge,” said Korner. “But how much that will mean in a wide-open game like this is anybody’s guess.”

Vancouver twin brothers Daniel and Henrik Sedin will be on opposite teams for the first time in their hockey careers. Daniel, who has 27 goals and 37 assists, went No. 5 to Staal. Henrik, who has 11 goals and a league-leading 50 assists, was picked sixth and will suit up for Lidstrom.

The NHL invented this new All-Star format after five years of pitting the Eastern Conference against the Western Conference, following a run of North American All-Stars versus their World counterparts. There wasn’t an All-Star game last season because of the lengthy break for the Vancouver Olympics.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 12:54 AM

All-Star Game Thoughts

January 29, 2011

Watching the All-Star Game of any sport when I was a kid was one of the more entertaining things you could see. Now, they are nothing more than an extended break where the players don’t want to get injured in the exhibition. And the fans really don’t care much for them as they once did.

To get around this general apathy for their first All-Star Game since 2009, the NHL did something a little different. They held the standard fan voting for the teams, but they would only decide the first six spots in the game (3 forwards, 2 defensemen and a goaltender). The remainder of the 36 players would be decided by the NHL itself. The players would then select those two captains and four alternate captains. Those captains, Carolina’s Eric Staal and Detroit Niklas Lidstrom, would be the teams in a fantasy draft. I absolutely love this format and see at least the NBA doing something similar in its event in the future. Yet I can’t help but think about getting picked next to last in dodgeball while growing up.

So what can we expect out of this Sunday’s All-Star Game in Raleigh, North Carolina? Well, besides the fact that it will be on Versus at 4:05 p.m. EST. Let’s look, shall we?

Plenty of Home Cooking…

Niklas Lidstrom getting a captaincy for this game makes plenty of sense. He’s a classy and strong leader for the Red Wings. Eric Staal is as well, but you know damn well the NHL wouldn’t have let a Hurricane NOT be a captain for this game. If this game were in Florida, David Booth would have been gifted the role. No offense to Booth and his skill, but it is what it is.

That home cooking didn’t just extend to the captain’s role, it bled out into the draft. Staal took Carolina goaltender Cam Ward with the very first pick of the fantasy draft. Ward isn’t a bad choice when you consider he is 22-15-5 with a goals against average of 2.70. Plus, he’s won three of his last four starts for the ‘Canes.

Staal also rounded out the home feel by drafting Carolina teammate Jeff Skinner with his 11th pick. Skinner is the youngest player ever to make the All-Star Game (he’s only 18), but already has 18 goals and 22 assists to his credit. He made the game as a replacement for Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, but is definitely worthy of making this game.

Lidstrom would have like to pick some fellow Red Wings for this game. He couldn’t do it since he is the only one in the game. I doubt we’ll hear him complain.

A Family Affair…

I hate to harp on Staal a little more, but there was a prop out there if he’d take his brother Marc from the Rangers for his team. The blueliner had stated he wanted to be on the other team, but mom might have had some words for Eric. Marc was drafted seventh on Team Staal and gives them one of the more physical defenders in the game.

The bigger news for the draft was that the Sedin Twins were finally broken up for at least one night on the ice. Daniel was drafted third by Team Staal, and why wouldn’t he be? He’s third in the league goals scored (27), assists (37) and second in power play lamp lighters (11).

As great as Daniel is, Henrik going to Team Lidstrom was a better pickup for me. Henrik is the best point man in the game right now, tallying 50 assists this season and ranking fourth overall in total points. He’s going to make great players that much better in a game that is supposed to showcase their talents.

Uneven Matchup…

While this is a game of nothing but the best in the NHL, I can’t help but think that Lidstrom got the better end of the bargain.

There is no shortage of quality on his team and perhaps even more important than that is the familiarity of their roster with one another. Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis are beasts with the Lightning this year, and they’re together on Lidstrom’s side. And you can be damned sure that the Stars’ Brad Richards will get some ice time on the left with his old teammate St. Louis from Tampa Bay in this game. Then you have Chicago’s dynamic duo of Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane set to a line for this tilt. Plus, Lidstrom has three of the Top 5 netminders in wins this season (Tim Thomas, Marc-Andre Fleury and Jonas Hiller).

The only advantage Staal’s team has outside of home ice is at left wing. Along with Daniel Sedin, he has Alex Ovechkin of the Capitals, Patrick Sharp of the Blackhawks and Patrik Elias from the Devils. That is a lot of talent to handle from one side of the ice. Plus, Rick Nash of the Blue Jackets is suiting up for them and he’s been a force in all of his All-Star Game appearances.

Playing the Line…

Even though the clear chemistry edge goes to Team Lidstrom, the oddsmakers are a lot more lenient at the betting window. Both teams are coming in at minus-110 (risk $110 to win $100), which makes sense in the first game in this format. But the total is coming in at 16 ½.

While Lidstrom’s team makes more sense to take on the money line, the ‘over’ is coming in as the real play of this game. Plus, the last three ASGs have scored a combined 59 goals. I don’t think there is any reason to believe that we won’t see a high scoring contest either.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 10:02 AM

Duke looks to retain dominance over St. John's

DUKE BLUE DEVILS (19-1)

at ST. JOHN'S RED STORM (11-8)

Tip-off: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Duke -9, Total: 143

No. 3 Duke looks to extend its recent success against Big East teams when it plays St. John's at Madison Square Garden on Sunday afternoon.

The Blue Devils have won four straight games overall and 10 of their past 14 versus the Big East. After scoring only 61 points in its lone loss of the season, a 66-61 setback at Florida State on Jan. 12, the Blue Devils have scored 83 points in three of the past four games. Duke ranks fourth in the nation in points (85.7 PPG), and it has scored at least 80 points in 15 games this season. The Blue Devils, who have won 30 consecutive games when scoring 80-plus points, are coming off an 84-68 victory over Boston College at home on Thursday. Seth Curry (8.3 PPG, 41.4% three-pointers) had a season-high 20 points on 6-of-9 shooting, including 5-of-7 from behind the arc, while Nolan Smith led all scorers with 28 points, which marked his third 20-plus point performance in the past four games. After hitting just 15-of-41 shots in his previous two games, Smith connected on 10-of-20 from the field against the Eagles and also added eight assists. He leads Duke and the ACC in scoring (20.5 PPG) and assists (5.7 APG). Kyle Singler (17.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 38.1% three-pointers), chipped in with 14 points and six boards against BC, but only hit 5-of-14 from the floor. Ryan Kelly (7.1 PPG, 44.7% three-pointers) also had 14 points, but his streak of consecutive shots made ended at 18 early in the second half.

St. John's has dropped five of its past six games (SU and ATS), including three straight contests at Louisville (88-63), versus Cincinnati (53-51) and at Georgetown (77-52). Part of the Red Storm's struggles can be attributed to a brutally tough schedule, as they will play their seventh game of an eight-game stretch against Top 25 opponents on Sunday. Justin Burrell (6.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG) had 12 points and eight rebounds in the setback to the Hoyas on Wednesday, while Dwight Hardy (team-best 14.5 PPG) went 4-for-16 from the field and finished with 10 points. Hardy is just 10-of-35 from the field during the losing streak. Justin Brownlee (13.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG) added nine points and has just 12 points combined in the past two contests, and D.J. Kennedy (third on the team in scoring with 10.7 PPG) had only seven points in 28 minutes. The Red Storm shot 33.9% (20-of-59) from the field versus Georgetown and is scoring 68.8 PPG this season.

Duke has won the past seven meetings versus St. John's and leads the all-time series 14-5. The Blue Devils have won five of the past seven matchups by at least 10 points and have also found success at Madison Square Garden, winning six of the past eight games, including three straight. The Red Storm’s last victory over the Blue Devils came at MSG on March 2, 2003, 72-71. Duke won last season's meeting, 80-71, as Singler scored 17 points and Smith finished with 16. The Red Storm are 8-4 ATS against Duke since 1997, but the smallest spread in these meetings was eight points. The Blue Devils have won the past seven meetings by an average of 15.4 PPG, well above Sunday’s spread. This FoxSheets trend also supports Duke to win and cover the spread on Sunday.

Play On - A road team (DUKE) - an explosive offensive team (>=76 PPG) against an average offensive team (67-74 PPG) after 15+ games, after scoring 80 points or more 2 straight games. (48-16 over the last 5 seasons.) (75%, +30.4 units. Rating = 3*).

The FoxSheets also expect the game to finish Under the total.

ST. JOHN’S is 25-7 UNDER (78.1%, +17.3 Units) in a home game where the total is 140 to 149.5 since 1997. The average score was ST JOHNS 66.8, OPPONENT 66.5 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 10:03 AM

Huskies try to stay hot against rival Cougars

WASHINGTON HUSKIES (15-4, 7-1 in Pac-10)

at WASHINGTON STATE COUGARS (14-6, 4-4 in Pac-1-0)

Tip-off: Sunday, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Washington -4, Total: 150

No. 18 Washington looks to continue its fast start in Pac-10 play when it visits rival Washington State on Sunday night.

The high-scoring Huskies have won nine of their past 10 games (7-3 ATS), including three in a row. At 7-1 in the Pac-10, they're off to their best conference start since the 1986-87 season. UW's only loss during that stretch was a 58-56 setback at Stanford on Jan. 13. Since that defeat, Washington has collected double-digit victories at Cal (92-71), versus Arizona (85-68) and against Arizona State (88-75). The Huskies are second in the nation in scoring (87.1 PPG), ninth in FG Pct. (48.8%) and eighth in assists (17.7 APG). They've scored at least 80 points in seven of their past 10 games, including three straight contests. Washington is led by Isaiah Thomas (16.9 PPG, 5.8 APG, 36.4% three-pointers), who has hit double-figures in 18 of 19 games this season, including the past 17 games. Thomas scored 19 points with eight assists and six rebounds in their most recent victory over the Sun Devils on Jan. 22, while Matthew Bryan-Amaning (16.2 PPG, 7.7 RPG, 58.9 FG%) tallied a career-best 30 points on 11-of-16 shooting to go along with nine rebounds. After scoring only eight points in the loss to the Cardinal, Bryan-Amaning has exploded for 70 combined points in his past three contests. Justin Holiday (12.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 41.9% three-pointers) hasn't been as sharp. He was just 2-of-7 from the field versus ASU and finished with five points, which ended his double-digit scoring output at three straight games.

Washington State hopes to rebound from a close 65-63 loss its last time out at Arizona on Jan. 22, its fifth defeat in nine games. Klay Thompson, who leads the Pac-10 in scoring with 22.2 PPG, did not score in double-figures for the first time this season, and finished with just nine points on 4-of-16 shooting. Thompson, who also averages 5.5 RPG, 4.4 APG and shoots 42.8% on threes, is 20-for-52 from the field in his past three games. DeAngelo Casto (10.9 PPG, 6.3 RPG, 1.9 BPG, 55.9 FG%) picked up the slack by scoring a team-high 17 points on 8-of-12 shooting. He also had six rebounds and four blocks in the loss to the Wildcats and has scored 42 points combined in the past two games after scoring 36 combined in the previous four contests. Faisal Aden, second on the team in scoring with 14.1 PPG, has been bothered by soreness in his knee, but is expected to play on Sunday. Aden sat out the 78-61 win against Arizona State on Jan. 20, but returned to the lineup versus Arizona, scoring just five points (2-of-7) in 17 minutes of action. The Cougars are 1-2 versus teams that were ranked at the time they played them this season, but all three games were competitive. They fell at home to Kansas State, 63-58, on Dec. 3 and earned a win over Baylor, 77-71, on Dec. 23 before falling to Arizona by two last weekend.

Washington holds a 171-98 advantage in the all-time series, including a 71-61 edge at Washington State. The Huskies have won the past four meetings (3-0-1 ATS) including sweeping the season series in 2009-10 with a 92-64 rout at Seattle and a 59-52 road victory. WSU holds a slight 14-12 ATS edge in the series since 1997 and is 6-2 ATS at home this season, out-shooting its opponents 49.3% to 35.8% in Pullman this season. These two FoxSheets trends side with Washington State as the pick here.

Lorenzo Romar is 5-19 ATS (20.8%, -15.9 Units) after scoring 80 points or more 3 straight games as the coach of WASHINGTON. The average score was WASHINGTON 78.7, OPPONENT 73.0 - (Rating = 3*).

Play On - A home team (WASHINGTON STATE) - off an upset loss to a conference rival as a favorite against opponent after scoring 80 points or more in a win over a conference rival. (64-32 since 1997.) (66.7%, +28.8 units. Rating = 2*).

The past four games in this series have all finished Under the total, and this highly-rated FoxSheets trend backs a fifth straight Under.

WASHINGTON is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) in road games after scoring 80 points or more 2 straight games over the last 2 seasons. The average score was WASHINGTON 67.3, OPPONENT 64.7 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 10:04 AM

Nuggets try to stay hot in Philadelphia

DENVER NUGGETS (28-18)

at PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (20-26)

Tip-off: Sunday, 6:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Philadelphia -2, Total: 208.5

Denver aims for its fifth straight win (SU and ATS) when it visits Philadelphia on Sunday night.

In their only meeting of the season with the 76ers on Dec. 26, the Nuggets dropped a 95-89 decision at home after blowing a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter. However, that setback came without Carmelo Anthony (23.9 PPG, 8.0 RPG) in their lineup. Denver leads the NBA in points (107.9 PPG), and it has scored at least 109 points during its four-game winning streak, which includes the first three road games of a current five-game trip to the East. The Nuggets are 8-2 (SU and ATS) in their past 10 games, including a 117-103 victory over Cleveland on Friday. Anthony had 33 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Arron Afflalo (13.2 PPG, 44.2% three-pointers) added 23 points against the Cavaliers. Second-leading scorer Chauncey Billups (16.0 PPG, 5.2 RPG) added 11 points on just 3-of-9 from the floor. Nene Hilario (15.0 PPG, 7.4 RPG) scored seven points in nine minutes against Cleveland after missing the previous game against Detroit with a strained calf. He had 13 points and nine boards in the loss to the 76ers in December, while Billups scored 24 that night.

Philadelphia had its three-game winning streak snapped in a 99-94 home loss to Memphis on Friday. The 76ers enjoyed 21-point lead in the third quarter, but couldn't close it out, committing 10 turnovers in the fourth and losing for the sixth time this season after leading by at least 10 points. Jrue Holiday (14.4 PPG, 6.6 APG) and Jodie Meeks (9.1 PPG) had 16 points apiece, while Elton Brand (14.9 PPG, 8.6 RPG) added 15 points and nine boards. Holiday scored 22 points against Denver in the first meeting in December, and Thaddeus Young (11.7 PPG, 5.0 RPG) added 20 points. Brand had 16 points and 17 rebounds against the Nuggets, while Meeks chipped in with 17 points last month.

The Nuggets have won six straight (both SU and ATS) over Eastern Conference opponents since that loss to the 76ers, but Philadelphia is 9-5-1 ATS against Western Conference teams this season. The two teams split the season series last year with each winning on the other's homecourt. The Nuggets won in Philly, 93-83 behind Billups' 31 points, and the 76ers won in Denver, 108-105, as Brand scored 16 points. Denver's Billups and Anthony sat out that defeat with injuries, however. Since 1996, the Nuggets are 16-11 ATS versus the 76ers, including 8-5 ATS in Philadelphia. This FoxSheets trend also sides with Denver as the pick here.

Play On - Road teams where the line is +3 to -3 (DENVER) - avenging a straight up loss vs. opponent as a home favorite, a good team (60% to 75%) playing a team with a losing record. (40-15 since 1996.) (72.7%, +23.5 units. Rating = 2*).

Although eight of the past 13 games at Philadelphia in this series have finished Under the total, the FoxSheets lean towards the Over for Sunday’s side bet.

DENVER is 7-0 OVER (+7.0 Units) when playing 6 or more games in 10 days this season. The average score was DENVER 115.1, OPPONENT 111.9 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 10:05 AM

Bosh, Wade could return Sunday at Oklahoma City

MIAMI HEAT (32-14)

at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER (30-16)

Tip-off: Sunday, 1:00 p.m. EDT
Line: TBD

After a solo show against the Pistons, LeBron James could be getting some help when Miami visits Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon.

Both Dwyane Wade (sore wrist) and Chris Bosh (ankle), who did not play in the Heat's 88-87 win over Detroit on Friday, made the trip to Oklahoma City and might see action versus the Thunder. They are listed as day-to-day. In their absence, James (26.1 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 7.2 APG) carried the load against the Pistons with 39 points on 15-of-25 shooting to go along with nine assists and eight rebounds. That all-around performance came one game after a 7-for-24 shooting effort in a 93-88 loss to the Knicks on Thursday. But despite that poor shooting game, James is still averaging 33.8 PPG and 10.0 RPG in his past four contests. Wade (25.3 PPG, 4.2 APG) had 34 points against the Knicks (14-of-22) to go along with 16 boards and five assists before sitting out Friday's game. Wade and James are the NBA's second-highest scoring duo, averaging 51.4 PPG. When healthy, Miami boasts a star-studded lineup and is scoring 101.2 PPG (10th in the NBA), but the Heat have relied on their defense to win games, as they're allowing only 93.8 PPG to rank fifth in the league.

James is second in the league in scoring behind Oklahoma City's Kevin Durant, who averages 28.8 PPG and is coming off consecutive 40-point games against cellar dwellers Minnesota and Washington. After exploding for a career-best 47 points in a 118-117 overtime victory versus the Timberwolves on Wednesday, Durant finished with 40 points in Friday's 124-117 double-overtime win over the Wizards. He shot 15-of-28 in both contests and also had a career-high 18 rebounds against Minnesota. In the previous four games prior the 40-point explosions, Durant was just 31-of-85 (36.5%) from the field. He and Russell Westbrook (22.7 PPG, 8.5 APG) are combining for 51.5 PPG, which is slightly better than James/Wade for tops in the league. Westbrook is coming off his third triple-double of the season on Friday. He had 35 points (12-of-24 shooting), 13 rebounds and 13 assists against Washington after scoring 16 points on 7-of-19 shooting versus the Timberwolves. Thanks to their dynamic duo, the Thunder rank sixth in the NBA in scoring (104.2 PPG).

Oklahoma City swept the series with Miami last season after going 1-7 against the Heat in the previous four campaigns. The Thunder won at Miami, 100-87, and they picked up a 98-80 victory at home in 2009-10. Oklahoma City has a season-best six-game winning streak at home (4-2 ATS), and has won 12 of their past 14 at the Ford Center (9-5 ATS). The Heat have lost four straight road games (0-3-1 ATS) after winning their previous 13 away from Miami. They're also just 2-5 SU (1-5-1 ATS) in their past seven games overall. This FoxSheets trend also supports Oklahoma City as the pick here.

Play On - Home favorites (OKLAHOMA CITY) - after failing to cover 5 or 6 of their last 7 against the spread, in a game involving two good teams (60% to 75%). (47-18 over the last 5 seasons.) (72.3%, +27.2 units. Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 10:06 AM

Lakers favored by 2.5 in NBA Finals rematch

BOSTON CELTICS (35-11)

at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (33-14)

Tip-off: Sunday, 3:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Los Angeles -2.5, Total: 185

Last season's two NBA Finals participants meet for the first time this season when the Lakers host Boston on Sunday afternoon.

Both teams are coming off surprising losses on Friday night. The Celtics scored a season-low 71 points, falling at Phoenix, 88-71. Boston, which shoots 49.9% for the season, hit only 34.2% FG (27-of-79) for the game, including 2-of-18 from long range. It also had just 14 assists as a team, well below its NBA-leading 24.4 APG. Kevin Garnett (15.0 PPG, 8.9 RPG) paced the Celtics with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting with nine rebounds. Garnett was ejected from the game after hitting Phoenix's Channing Frye in the groin area, but the NBA will not suspend or punish him for his actions so he will be available on Sunday. Leading scorer Paul Pierce (18.9 PPG, 5.0 RPG) was the only other Boston player in double figures, finishing with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting. Ray Allen (17.1 PPG, 45.5% three-pointers) scored just eight points against Phoenix, while shooting 3-of-8 from the floor. Despite shooting 50.2% for the season, Allen is just 26-for-67 (38.8%) in his past six games. Glen Davis, who averages 12.1 points and 5.3 rebounds as a reserve, sat out the second half with a strained right hamstring and is questionable for Sunday. He scored just two points with three rebounds in 13 minutes. The Celtics are second in the NBA in points allowed (91.5 PPG), while the Lakers are seventh in points scored (103.6 PPG). L.A. has the advantage on the glass as its 44.1 RPG ranks third in the league, while Boston’s 38.4 RPG ranks last in the NBA.

Los Angeles had its own problems on Friday night, dropping a 100-95 decision to lowly Sacramento at home. The Lakers allowed the Kings to shoot 51.2% (42-of-82) from the floor, while hitting only 41.3% (33-of-80) of their own shots. Kobe Bryant (25.1 PPG, 4.9 APG) scored 38 points (13-of-27), including 21 in the first quarter, and also added seven assists, four rebounds and three steals. Shannon Brown (9.7 PPG) finished with 17 points, but Pau Gasol (18.4 PPG, 10.6 RPG, 1.9 BPG) was held to nine points on 4-of-11 shooting, while Lamar Odom (15.4 PPG, 9.5 RPG) had just four points and was 0-for-7 from the field. Los Angeles has won 10 of its past 13 games (6-7 ATS), but is just 3-3 in its past six contests.

The two teams split their regular-season series last season, with the Lakers winning in Boston by one point, 90-89, and the Celtics winning in L.A. by a single point, 87-86. Los Angeles went on to win the NBA Finals in June, 4-3, with neither team scoring in triple-figures in the final five games of the series. The Lakers have outscored their opponents by 10.2 PPG in home contests this season, while Boston is 13-19-1 ATS (40.6%) with one or zero days of rest in 2010-11. This FoxSheets trend also likes Los Angeles to win and cover on Sunday.

Play On - Home teams where the line is +3 to -3 (LA LAKERS) - off a upset loss as a favorite, good team, winning 60-75% or more of their games on the season.(73-34 since 1996.) (68.2%, +35.6 units. Rating = 3*).

Expect another low-scoring, defensive-minded affair on Sunday, as eight of the past 11 games in this series have finished Under the total. The FoxSheets also side with the Under.

Play Under - Any team (LA LAKERS) - well rested team - playing 4 or less games in 10 days, with a winning record on the season playing another winning team.(584-423 over the last 5 seasons.) (58%, +118.7 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-30-2011, 12:24 PM

The line on the pro bowl isn't out yet......only the total of 64 which i'll lean to the under for now.....i'll see if a line comes out later in the day......but here is what i have today.

NBA

Sunday, January 30Game Score Status Pick Amount

Miami - 1:00 PM ET Oklahoma City -2 500
Oklahoma City - Over 198 500 ( NBA TOTAL POD )

Boston - 3:30 PM ET L.A. Lakers -3 500
L.A. Lakers - Under 183.5 500

Denver - 6:00 PM ET Denver +2 500
Philadelphia - Over 208.5 500

Cleveland - 6:00 PM ET Orlando -16.5 500
Orlando - Under 204.5 500

New Orleans - 8:00 PM ET Phoenix -1.5 500
Phoenix - Over 196 500

Utah - 10:00 PM ET Golden State -1.5 500
Golden State - Under 215.5 500

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NHL

Sunday, January 30Game Score Status Pick Amount

Team Lidstrom - 4:05 PM ET Team Staal +103 500
Team Staal -

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NCAAB

Sunday, January 30Game Score Status Pick Amount

Manhattan - 12:00 PM ET Marist -2 500
Marist - Under 126 500

Iona - 12:00 PM ET Iona -5 500
Loyola-Maryland - Over 142 500

Duke - 1:00 PM ET Duke -8.5 500
St. John's - Under 143 500

Wright St. - 2:00 PM ET Wright St. +2.5 500 ( HORIZON DOG )
Wis.-Milwaukee - Under 129 500

Niagara - 2:00 PM ET Siena -13.5 500
Siena - Over 136 500

Toledo - 2:00 PM ET Kent St. -19 500
Kent St. - Under 126.5 500

Detroit - 2:00 PM ET Detroit +3.5 500
Wis.-Green Bay - Over 139 500

Dayton - 2:00 PM ET Duquesne -7.5 500 ( A-10 POD )
Duquesne - Under 141 500

Providence - 2:00 PM ET Providence +4 500 ( BIG EAST DOG)
Seton Hall - Over 146 500 ( TOTAL POD )

Drake - 3:05 PM ET Illinois St. -5 500
Illinois St. - Over 124 500

Rhode Island - 4:00 PM ET Rhode Island +1.5 500
Massachusetts - Over 136 500

Iowa - 4:00 PM ET Michigan -7.5 500
Michigan - Under 127.5 500

Louisiana-Lafayette - 5:05 PM ET South Alabama -2.5 500
South Alabama - Over 146.5 500

Miami - Florida - 5:30 PM ET Miami - Florida +8.5 500
Virginia Tech - Over 135 500

Indiana - 6:00 PM ET Indiana +11 500 ( BIG 10 DOG )
Michigan St - Under 139 500

Central Michigan - 6:00 PM ET Akron -9 500 ( MID AM POD )
Akron - Under 123.5 500

Maryland - 7:45 PM ET Maryland -3 500
Georgia Tech - Over 139.5 500

Northern Iowa - 8:05 PM ET Missouri St. -7 500 (MVC POD )
Missouri St. - Over 122 500

Washington - 10:00 PM ET Washington St. +4 500
Washington St. - Under 150 500

Announcement

The Bum's Sunday's Best Bets NBA-NCAAB !

The Bum's Sunday's Best Bets NBA-NCAAB !

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