Friday's Trends and Indexes - 2/11 (NBA, NCAAB, NHL, Misc.)

[Udog]

NHL


Friday, February 11

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Trend Report
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7:00 PM
COLORADO vs. COLUMBUS
Colorado is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Colorado is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
Columbus is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Columbus's last 9 games at home

7:00 PM
DETROIT vs. BOSTON
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Boston
Boston is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit

7:00 PM
PITTSBURGH vs. NY ISLANDERS
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Pittsburgh's last 10 games on the road
Pittsburgh is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
NY Islanders are 1-5 SU in their last 6 games at home
NY Islanders are 5-10 SU in their last 15 games

7:00 PM
SAN JOSE vs. NEW JERSEY
San Jose is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
San Jose is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Jose

7:30 PM
NY RANGERS vs. ATLANTA
NY Rangers are 2-6 SU in their last 8 games when playing Atlanta
NY Rangers are 2-4 SU in their last 6 games on the road
Atlanta is 1-7 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Atlanta's last 12 games when playing NY Rangers

8:00 PM
MINNESOTA vs. ST. LOUIS
Minnesota is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Minnesota is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games on the road
St. Louis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
St. Louis is 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota

8:30 PM
CHICAGO vs. DALLAS
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Chicago is 6-18-1 SU in its last 25 games ,when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Dallas's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Dallas is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games when playing Chicago

9:00 PM
ANAHEIM vs. CALGARY
Anaheim is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Calgary
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Anaheim's last 7 games when playing Calgary
Calgary is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Calgary is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Anaheim


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[Udog]

NBA & NCAAB


Friday, February 11

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Pick 'n' roll: Today's best basketball bets
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NBA

Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz (-6.5, 208)

So if the Jazz can’t beat the Suns with head coach Jerry Sloan, what will happen without him?

On Thursday, Sloan, joined by assistant Phil Johnson, resigned as head coach of the team. Assistant Tyrone Corbin likely will take over, but the team and staff is in shambles.

The move came as a result of Sloan’s deteriorating relationship with star point guard Deron Williams. Williams and Sloan have been fighting a lot recently, but it came to a head in a loss to the Bulls Wednesday when Williams called his own play on the floor and disregarded the set signaled by Sloan.

But it’s not like the pair were agreeing on anything this season.

In a 110-94 Phoenix win over Utah in October, Williams had one of his worst games of the year, posting a mere 13 points to go with just six assists against three turnovers. The former Illinois star finished 3 of 12 from the field with five fouls.

“We’re trying to run half of a system and then half just freelance,” Williams said. “We can’t do that. We’re not the Phoenix Suns. We’re not the New York Knicks. We’re not just coming out here and playing one-on-one. But that’s what’s happening. Things are breaking down and we’re going one-on-one the last five seconds of a shot clock.”

Don’t expect a quick turnaround against the Suns.

Pick: Phoenix


NCAA

Princeton Tigers at Columbia Lions (+2.5)

The Lions once looked like contenders for the Ivy League title. Now, they just need to find a way to stop opposing scorers to have a shot at an NIT bid.

“We’re pulling it out of the net all of the time,” Columbia coach Kyle Smith said. “So there aren’t a lot of missed shots, and we’re not making them miss enough.”

Last weekend, Brown freshman guard Sean McGonagill light up the Lions for 39 points in an 87-79 loss. That defeat became a losing streak when in the next game Columbia let Yale put three players in double figures, shoot 50 percent from the field and make 44 percent of their threes en route to a 72-67 beating.

And things won’t be easier against the Tigers. Princeton is fully healthy, has already beat top Ivy League contenders Penn and Harvard and is one of the best shooting teams in the nation. The Tigers are in the Top 50 in the country in both field goal percentage (46.6) and 3-point percentage (37.9).

“They’ve got four studs, the way I see it,” Smith said. “Both of their guards can drill it from the three but I think their strength is really in their forwards with (Kareem) Maddox and [Ian] Hummer…they post those guys relentlessly.”

And look for them to keep posting up on Friday.

Pick: Princeton


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[Udog]

NBA


Friday, February 11

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Lakers at Knicks: What bettors need to know
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Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks (+3.5, 211.5)

THE STORY: The Los Angeles Lakers are 3-0 on their current seven-game road trip and strive to remain unbeaten when they visit the New York Knicks on Friday. Los Angeles avenged a recent loss to the Boston Celtics on Thursday and also has a nationally television game on Sunday against the Orlando Magic looming, so the Knicks could be catching the Lakers at a good time. The Lakers don’t play at home again until Feb. 22 and are tied for second place in the Western Conference playoff race with the Dallas Mavericks. New York was badly outclassed by the Lakers when the two teams played in Los Angeles last month.

TV: 8 p.m. EST, ESPN

ODDS: The Knicks opened as 3-point home underdogs. That line has moved to 3.5. The total opened at 211.5 points.

ABOUT THE KNICKS (26-25 31-18-2 ATS): That feel-good spurt that saw the Knicks enjoying a 22-15 record a month ago today has long dissipated. New York is just 4-10 since then and Amare Stoudemire criticized the team’s effort after Wednesday’s 116-108 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. Stoudemire had 23 points and Danilo Gallinari scored 21. Perhaps the most pleasing occurrence was Timofey Mozgov scoring 18 points on 8-of-9 shooting. It was the center’s second big performance in five games – he had a season-high 23 points and 14 rebounds against Detroit on Jan. 30. New York is in sixth place in the Eastern Conference playoff chase but a distant 11 1/2 games behind Boston in the Atlantic Division.

ABOUT THE LAKERS (37-16, 24-28-1 ATS): Los Angeles held Boston to 33 second-half points while notching the impressive victory. Kobe Bryant scored 20 of his 23 points in the second half and Pau Gasol had 20 points and 10 rebounds. Gasol’s shooting touch has been spectacular over the last four games as he has made 35 of 51 shots while averaging 22.5 points. Center Andrew Bynum outplayed Boston’s Kendrick Perkins with 16 points and nine rebounds. The Lakers are 18-8 on the road this season, the second-best mark behind the San Antonio Spurs (19-6). Los Angeles’ seven-game trip ends with games against Charlotte on Monday and Cleveland on Wednesday.

WHO'S HOT/WHO’S NOT: Bynum is averaging 12.3 points and shooting 61.3 percent over the last four games. Stoudemire is averaging 27.5 points over the last eight contests. Lakers forward Ron Artest is averaging 7.3 points and shooting just 33.3 percent over the past three outings. Knicks forward Wilson Chandler is averaging 8.7 points and shooting just 35.5 percent over the last three games.

KEY STATISTIC: Los Angeles is allowing just 88.5 points over the last four games. New York is second in the NBA in scoring at 106.6 ppg.

SEASON SERIES: The Lakers defeated the Knicks 109-87 in Los Angeles on Jan. 9. The Lakers have beaten New York seven consecutive times.

KEY INJURIES: LOS ANGELES: F Matt Barnes (knee); C Theo Ratliff (knee). NEW YORK: C Ronny Turiaf (ankle); F Wilson Chandler (personal); F Anthony Randolph (personal); G Kelenna Azubuike (knee).

LAST WORD: “I hope we’re motivated every night. We got a 1-7 record against power teams, so this win is important, playing our game and finding ourselves in a game, which we were highly competitive, and not losing ourselves while having our identity.” – Lakers coach Phil Jackson after Thursday’s victory over Boston, referencing Los Angeles’ first win this season against one of the top teams.

TRENDS:

* Lakers are 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings in New York.
* Over is 9-4 in the last 13 meetings.
* Road team is 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings.


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[Udog]

NHL


Friday, February 11

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Ice picks: Today's best NHL bets
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Anaheim Ducks at Calgary Flames (-140, 5.5)

The Calgary Flames might not be the sexiest team in the league, but their wide-open style is paying huge dividends. Since a 6-0 loss to Minnesota about three weeks ago, the team is on an 8-0-1 tear thanks to a streaking offense. During its nine-game run, the team is averaging four goals per game – a substantial boost from the 2.8 goals per game it is averaging on the season.

"Obviously we've got a lot of work ahead of us yet," said Calgary forward Curtis Glencross. "If you look at the standings there's a few games in hand that other teams have on us. We've just got to keep it one game at a time and stick with our program.

On the other bench, the program has changed a bit for the Ducks. With All-Star goalie Jonas Hiller suffering from fatigue and placed on IR, backup Curtis McElhinney has taken over between the pipes. McElhinney has a 2.78 goals-against average and if he gets the nod over Hiller Friday, it could be a long night for the Ducks.

But scoring goals should come easier for Anaheim now, as stud forward Ryan Getzlaf has been activated after suffering multiple nasal sinus fractures that put him on IR. Getzlaf has 13 goals and 25 assists this season, including registering a helper in a 4-3 win over Vancouver in his first game back.

Overall, the Ducks have notched three or more goals in five straight games.

Pick: Over


New York Rangers at Atlanta Thrashers (-104, 5.5)

The Rangers have been playing terribly because of an atrocious power play. However, the Atlanta penalty kill has been so bad, it seems like most teams are always playing with a two-man advantage.

“Special teams, especially penalty killing, are the ultimate team game,” Atlanta coach Craig Ramsay said. “That’s where everybody has to be together. We you decide to attack and chase because of a bouncing puck and you have three out of four [players] doing it, it doesn’t work. On many occasions we had three out of four. It won’t work. It just won’t work.”

Overall, the Thrashers are killing off a mere 76 percent of opponents’ power-play chances, the second-lowest number in the league. Over the past 10 games, the team has given up 10 power-play goals and not surprisingly, is a horrid 2-8.

That’s great news for the Rangers. The team has hardly been setting the world on fire with its mediocre man advantage, putting just five power play goals into the net over their past 10.

“I’m really frustrated with a few of our guys on the power play,” New York coach John Tortorella said. “It’s not a rundown of our team, but we don’t have a legitimate quarterback on the power play.”

But that could be changing. Talented forward Wojtek Wolski was inserted at the point on the power play and helped generate several good chances in a 3-2 loss to Detroit, including picking up an assist. Look for the Wolski experiment to pay more dividends against the Thrashers.

Pick: Rangers


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[Udog]

NBA


Friday, February 11

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Tips and Trends
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Los Angeles Lakers at New York Knicks [ESPN | 8:00 PM ET]

LAKERS: (-3, O/U 211.5) Facing the Knicks the day after battling the Boston Celtics is a recipe for disaster. That's exactly the scenario facing the Lakers tonight. Los Angeles is currently on a long road trip, and they are determined to show their true worth on this difficult trip. The Lakers are 36-16 SU and 23-28-1 ATS overall this season. Los Angeles is 17-8 SU and 13-11-1 ATS on the road this season. The Lakers are 2-4 ATS as a road favorite favorite of 3 PTS or fewer this year. Los Angeles is really focusing on their defense, and it's slowly improving. The Lakers are allowing just 96.4 PPG this season, 10 fewest in the NBA. G Kobe Bryant is leading the Lakers in scoring yet again this year, as he's averaging 25.4 PPG. F Lamar Odom might be having his best season ever, as he's averaging 15.3 PPG and 9.5 RPG this year. C Andrew Bynum is the subject of multiple trade rumors currently, as he's averaging 11.3 PPG and 7.4 RPG this year. The Lakers are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 0 days rest. Los Angeles is 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 road games against a team with a winning home record.

Lakers are 1-4 ATS last 5 Friday games.
Under is 19-7-1 last 27 games against the Eastern Conference.

Key Injuries - F Matt Barnes (knee) is out.

Projected Score: 106

KNICKS: Despite losing 3 of their past 4 games, New York is quite optimistic as we approach the All Star break. If the playoffs started today, the Knicks would be the 6th seed in the Eastern Conference. New York is 26-25 SU and 31-18-2 ATS overall this season. Few teams have been as profitable as the Knicks have this basketball season, pro or college. New York was dominated by the Lakers when they faced them earlier this season, so there is little doubt that the Knicks will be ready for tonight's affair. The Knicks are 14-11 SU and 13-11-1 ATS in home games this year. New York is 19-6 ATS as the listed underdog this season. New York is averaging 106.6 PPG this year, 2nd most in the NBA. F Amar'e Stoudemire is averaging 26.2 PPG this year, 3rd most in the NBA. PG Raymond Felton is averaging 17.2 PPG and a team high 9 APG for the Knicks this season. The Knicks are 4-0-1 ATS in their last 5 games playing on 1 days rest. New York is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 home games against a team with a road winning percentage greater than .600%. The Knicks are 27-13-1 ATS in their last 41 games overall. New York is 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games against the Western Conference.

Knicks are 0-4 ATS last 4 games against the NBA Pacific.
Over is 4-0 last 4 home games.

Key Injuries - C Ronny Turiaf (ankle) is questionable.

Projected Score: 106 (SIDE of the Day)



Phoenix Suns at Utah Jazz [ESPN | 10:30 PM ET]

SUNS: Phoenix is playing some of their best basketball of the season right now. The Suns are really trying to get back into both the playoff chase in the Western Conference as well as get back to having a winning record. Currently, Phoenix is 24-25 SU and 21-26-2 ATS overall this season. The Suns are currently 2.5 games back of 8th place in the Western Conference standings. Phoenix is 10-14 SU and 11-12-1 ATS in road games this year. The Suns are 13-12 ATS as the listed underdog this season. Phoenix is averaging 105.1 PPG as a team this season, 3rd most in the NBA. PG Steve Nash is averaging 16.7 PPG and a team high 11.1 APG this season for Phoenix. F Grant Hill is averaging 14.3 PPG and 4.7 RPG this year, while also playing solid defense for the Suns. Phoenix has been focusing on their defense of late, as they have held 6 of their past 10 opponents under 100 PTS. The Suns are 2-5-1 ATS in their last 8 games against the NBA Northwest Division.

Suns are 4-1 ATS last 5 games overall.
Under is 5-0 last 5 road games.

Key Injuries - G Goran Dragic (foot) is out.

Projected Score: 97

JAZZ: (-6.5, O/U 208) The inevitable has happened, as Coach Sloan has stepped down as coach of the Jazz. Sloan is an instant Hall of Famer, and it's likely to be an emotional game tonight. Understanding how the Jazz players will handle this news is truly anyone's guess and the ultimate gamble. Utah is 31-23 SU and 24-29-1 ATS overall this season. The Jazz are currently in 6th place of the brutally difficult Western Conference. Utah is 17-11 SU and 12-16 ATS in home games this season. The Jazz are 16-19 ATS as the listed favorite this year. PG Deron Williams is having another outstanding season despite recent injury concerns. Williams is averaging a team high 21.6 PPG and 9.6 APG this year. F Al Jefferson is averaging 17.2 PPG and a team high 9 RPG this season. F Paul Millsap is averaging 17.1 PPG and 7.9 RPG this year. The Jazz are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games against the NBA Pacific. Utah is 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games playing on 1 days rest. The Jazz are 6-14 ATS in their last 20 games against the Western Conference. Utah is 6-16 ATS in their last 22 games overall.

Jazz are 3-9 ATS last 12 home games.
Under is 4-0 last 4 home games against a team with a losing road record.

Key Injuries - C Mehmet Okur (back) is out.

Projected Score: 104 (UNDER-Total of the Day)


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[Udog]

NBA
Short Sheet


Friday, 2/11/2011

NEW JERSEY at CHARLOTTE, 7:00 PM ET
NEW JERSEY: 10-22 ATS Away off home game
CHARLOTTE: 14-2 Under off road loss

MINNESOTA at INDIANA, 7:00 PM ET
MINNESOTA: 14-2 ATS Away after having won 2 of their last 3 games
INDIANA: 13-5 Under as home favorite

SAN ANTONIO at PHILADELPHIA, 7:00 PM ET
SAN ANTONIO: 11-1 Under off 3 straight covers as favorite
PHILADELPHIA: 13-3 ATS revenging road loss

NEW ORLEANS at ORLANDO, 7:00 PM ET
NEW ORLEANS: 15-7 ATS as an underdog
ORLANDO: 22-9 Under when the total is between 180 and 189.5 points

PORTLAND at TORONTO, 7:00 PM ET
PORTLAND: 1-10 ATS off SU win as home dog
TORONTO: 12-27 ATS as home dog of 6pts or less

LA CLIPPERS at CLEVELAND, 7:30 PM ET
LA CLIPPERS: 1-13 ATS Away after scoring 110+ points
CLEVELAND: 15-7 Over L22 games

MIAMI at DETROIT, 7:30 PM ET
MIAMI: 4-0 ATS at Detroit
DETROIT: 16-4 Over at home if underdog last game

MILWAUKEE at MEMPHIS, 8:00 PM ET
MILWAUKEE: 8-2 ATS off DD road loss
MEMPHIS: 10-1 ATS off SU dog win

LA LAKERS at NEW YORK, 8:00 PM ET ESPN
LA LAKERS: 8-1 ATS Away off road win
NEW YORK: 19-6 ATS as an underdog

PHOENIX at UTAH, 10:30 PM ET ESPN
PHOENIX: 8-0 Over off division win by 20+
UTAH: 10-0 Over after a game forcing opponent to commit 8 or less turnovers

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NCAAB
Short Sheet


Friday, 2/11/2011

YALE at HARVARD, 7:00 PM ET
YALE: 16-6 Over if favorite L2 games
HARVARD: 23-43 ATS off BB ATS losses

PRINCETON at COLUMBIA, 7:00 PM ET
PRINCETON: 8-0 ATS as road favorite or pick
COLUMBIA: 13-3 Under in home games

PENNSYLVANIA at CORNELL, 7:00 PM ET
PENNSYLVANIA: 8-2 ATS as an underdog
CORNELL: 5-1 Under vs. Pennsylvania

BROWN at DARTMOUTH, 7:00 PM ET
BROWN: 7-0 ATS Away off double digit loss
DARTMOUTH: 9-18 ATS as an underdog

Added Games

SIENA at IONA, 7:00 PM ET ESPNU
SIENA: 10-0 Under when the total is 140 to 149.5
IONA: 0-6 ATS after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 games

CANISIUS at RIDER, 7:00 PM ET
CANISIUS: 8-1 ATS off BB Unders
RIDER: 0-7 ATS in home games

FAIRFIELD at MANHATTAN, 7:00 PM ET
FAIRFIELD: 22-10 ATS Away off BB home games
MANHATTAN: 0-6 ATS at home vs. conference

NIAGARA at LOYOLA-MD, 7:00 PM ET
NIAGARA: 10-2 ATS Away off win by 15+ points
LOYOLA-MD: 4-14 ATS as home favorite

ST PETERS at MARIST, 7:30 PM ET
ST PETERS: 7-1 ATS as favorite
MARIST: 0-5 ATS vs. St. Peters

** (TC) Denotes Time Change

[Udog]

NHL
Short Sheet


Friday, 2/11/2011

SAN JOSE at NEW JERSEY, 7:00 PM ET
SAN JOSE: 12-5 SU in 2nd of BB road games
NEW JERSEY: 12-21 SU vs. Western Conference

PITTSBURGH at NY ISLANDERS, 7:00 PM ET
PITTSBURGH: 6-0 SU off 4+ Unders
NY ISLANDERS: 3-14 SU revenging road loss

COLORADO at COLUMBUS, 7:00 PM ET
COLORADO: 35-18 SU Away off 1 goal loss
COLUMBUS: 2-12 SU revenging loss of 4+ goals

DETROIT at BOSTON, 7:00 PM ET NHL
DETROIT: 10-3 SU Away after scoring 1 goal or less
BOSTON: 1-6 SU if 8+ total goals were scored last game

NY RANGERS at ATLANTA, 7:30 PM ET
NY RANGERS: 17-12 SU in road games
ATLANTA: 8-13 SU as home favorite

MINNESOTA at ST LOUIS, 8:00 PM ET
MINNESOTA: 4-0 SU Away off home win by 1 goal
ST LOUIS: 4-0 SU at home vs. Minnesota

CHICAGO at DALLAS, 8:30 PM ET
CHICAGO: 2-7 SU off road win scoring 4+ goals
DALLAS: 15-5 SU off division loss

ANAHEIM at CALGARY, 9:00 PM ET
ANAHEIM: 10-22 SU after scoring 3 goals or more in 5 straight games
CALGARY: 21-9 SU at home vs. Anaheim

** (TC) Denotes Time Change