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NBA & NCAA Write ups & picks
COLLEGE FAST FACTS
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Connecticut at Notre Dame
The Irish are 13-1 SU at home with an average victory margin of 17 points a game, but only 4-6 ATS at the Joyce Center this season. Connecticut is 3-5 both SU and ATS on the road, with its last road outing resulting in a nine-point loss at Villanova. The Huskies have covered five of the last seven meetings. These two last met in the Big East Tournament semifinals last March with U.Conn scoring the 82-77 win.
Butler at Cleveland State
Butler is 11-4 SU and 8-5 ATS on the road this year. The Bulldogs won 73-57 laying 18 at home in the season's first meeting February 1. Cleveland State, losers of 10 of its last 11 straight-up, is 3-7 ATS at home this year, and 5-12 ATS overall as a dog. But, it's covered four of the last five meetings on its home floor.
Old Dominion at George Mason
ODU is 4-7 SU and 4-6 ATS on the road this year. Even worse, the Monarchs are 3-13 ATS as a road pup of 3 1/2 to 6 points since 1997. George Mason, coming off a five-point home loss to James Madison on Saturday, lost the season's first meeting, 59-46, as a three-point road dog January 22.
N.C. Wilmington at William & Mary
N.C. Wilmington, 10-5 ATS in Colonial Conference action, failed to cover its only outing this season as a road chalk of 9 1/2 to 12 points. William & Mary is coming off three consecutive double-digit losses, losing at home by 16 to Drexel and 17 to George Mason, and by 20 at Virginia Commonwealth. However, the Bill & Mare has covered seven of the last 10 meetings, including four of the last five at home.
St. Joseph's vs. Lasalle
This Big 5 clash is being played at the Palestra in Philadelphia. St. Joe's is 12-6 ATS as a favorite this year, but the Hawks have lost six of the last seven in this series versus the oddsmakers. Lasalle is 0-3 on the floor and in Vegas since starting forward and leading scorer Steve Smith went down with a season-ending foot injury.
North Texas at U.L. Lafayette
North Texas is 5-12 ATS as a dog this year, including 0-3 when getting 12 1/2 or more points on the road. And N-T is 2-11 ATS versus teams with winning records. U.L. Lafayette, winners of nine of its last 10 outings, is 9-0 SU at home, but only 1-5 ATS, despite an average winning margin of 17 points a game. Even worse, U.L.L. is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of 12 1/2 points or more, and it has a big lookahead game on tap with Western Kentucky coming to town on Wednesday.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
The Red Raiders have dropped four of their last five outings in Vegas, and are 2-4 ATS on the Big 12 highway. Oklahoma State snapped a six-game pointspread losing streak with Saturday's 82-77 triumph against Texas. The victory improved the Cowboys' home record to 12-1 SU. They won the season's first meeting, 79-70, on January 26 as a 5 1/2-point road dog.
New Mexico at San Diego State
The Lobos are 6-2 ATS on the road despite losing all eight games straight-up by an average margin of 10 points a game. And they upset San Diego State, 66-62, at home as a 1 1/2-point dog in the season's first clash January 25. New Mexico is 9-4 ATs as a dog this year, and has covered six of the last eight in the series, including three of the last four on the road. The Aztecs, in the throes of a 2-6 SU slide, snapped a three-game losing streak with a 67-53 win against Air Force on Saturday.
Air Force at UNLV
UNLV is 5-9 ATS at home this year, including 0-3 as a home chalk of 9 1/2 to 12 points. Air Force prevailed 75-71 as a one-point home chalk in the season's first clash, and the Falcons have covered in each of their last two trips to Las Vegas.
BYU at Utah
Utah's 79-75 win as a 5 1/2-point dog in Provo January 25 snapped BYU's 44-game home winning streak. The Utes enter tonight's rematch a perfect 13-0 SU at home with an average margin of victory of 14 points. They're 8-4 ATS as a favorite this season, including 2-0 when laying between 3 1/2 and 6 points at home. BYU is 3-1 ATS as a dog this year, and 7-4 ATS outside of Provo. The last two meetings on Utah's home floor have topped the posted total. Both teams have been idle since last Monday.
Appalachian State at N.C. Greensboro
Appalachan State is coming off a 13-point home loss to five-point road dog Davidson on Saturday. N.C. Greensboro lost the season's first meeting 91-60 as a nine-point road pup, and its 2-10 ATS versus teams with winning records this year.
Wofford at Western Carolina
Wofford fell to 2-5 ATS as a favorite this season when it was upset on Saturday at home by 6 1/2-point road dog Furman.
VMI at The Citadel
VMI is 2-11 SU and 2-7 ATS on the road this year. The Keydets snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 61-60 win at N.C. Greensboro on Saturday. The Citadel is 2-5 ATS at home, but has won six of the last seven series' showdowns, going 4-0 ATS in that stretch.
Furman at East Tennessee State
Furman is 3-11 SU and 3-6 ATs on the road, but its won and covered three straight entering this contest. East Tennessee State is 10-1 Su at home, but only 2-4 ATS despite an average winning margin of 20 points a game. Plus, ETS is 2-8 ATS as a favorite this year.
Tennessee-Chatanooga at Georgia Southern
Tenn-Chatt is coming off a 79-78 overtime triumph against College of Charleston in its home finale on Saturday. The Mocs are 7-4 SU and 6-3 ATS on the road. Georgia Southern is 1-6 ATS at home, but the dog has covered each of the last three meetings. And Georgia Southern earned the ATS win for the fourth time in the last five meetings when it covered as a 10 1/2-point dog in the season's first clash, a 97-94 road loss February 3.
Tennessee State at Murray State
Tennessee State, 4-12 ATS as a dog this season, carries a 17-game losing streak into this contest. And it's 1-13 SU and 3-7 ATS on the road this year. Murray State won 93-75 as a 15-point road chalk in the season's first clash January 27. The Racers are 5-12 ATS at home since 1997 when laying 12 1/2 or more points, including 1-4 this season.
Butler (-10') at CLEVELAND STATE
By Chuck Franklin, Featured Handicapper
How easy was my free winner on Oklahoma on Sunday? For the month of February, I'm now 15-8 with my complimentary selections.
But, today from the Inside Edge on the Odds, don't just rely on the one free pick for your profits. I've got the 2 biggest plays of the year going tonight with the NBA GAME OF THE YEAR and the COLLEGE HOOPS' GAME OF THE YEAR! Both plays are worth 4,000-stars and both are the highest-rated releases of the season! Get them now at Chuck Franklin Sports!
Last week I hit my Big Monday Game of the Year with Texas. Tonight, it's not Big Monday...it's a HUGE Monday with HUGE PROFITS!
Today's free play...
Butler is 20-4 SU and has a solid RPI of 44. But, the Bulldogs also remember being snubbed for an NCAA at-large bid with a 25-5 record last year, so I’m ready to lay points on the road versus a Cleveland State squad that's already absorbed four double-digit home losses this season.
The tenacious Bulldog defense is allowing a paltry 51 points per game the last five meetings and will stifle the erratic Viking attack once again.
Butler is 6-2 ATS as a road chalk this season, and 4-0-1 ATS in the last five games in the series.
PICK: 2 BUTLER
Lasalle vs. St. Joseph's (-11)
By Sean Michaels, Featured Handicapper
Hey everybody, Sean Michaels here and we are ready to rock and roll on Monday!
The last two Mondays I've owned the board going 21-6 combined. That is just having a good feel for the match-ups, and I'm telling you now, I'm loving what I'm seeing for tonight's card.
For only the third time in the last 15 months, I'm releasing 3 NBA and 3 College 200-star conference best bets. The NBA releases are on an 11-2 run, and the college picks are on an 8-4 tear. Don't make a move on the games until you get my six winners tonight. Check out my website now!
Your free pick is St.Joes over Lasalle at the Palestra in Philadelphia.
I'm just not a believer in this Lasalle team, especially since their leading scorer, forward Steve Smith, went down with a season-ending foot injury a few weeks back. They're 0-3 SU and ATS since Smith got hurt.
Lasalle's last three road losses have been by an average margin of 22 points. Playing at the Palestra, a neutral court, for this Big 5 battle, the Explorers lose this one by 20 as well.
Play on St. Joeseph's.
PICK: 2 ST. JOSEPH'S
Tennessee-Chatanooga (-2) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Yesterday I hit my Atlantic 10 BLOWOUT OF THE YEAR with Temple absolutely destroying Fordham, 99-77, as the visiting Owls racked up their highest point total in 15 years!
Expect a repeat performance today at Michael Cannon sports, as I have my BIG EAST GOLD LOCK OF THE WEEK among 2 easy college winners going tonight!
In the NBA, the key is a "limited game" concept, as every night of the week for 6 months there are games to bet on. I know which ones are sure things, and that's why Michael Cannon Sports has had so much success in the pros.
Tonight we release our MIDWEST DIVISION PLATINUM GAME OF THE YEAR among 2 locks! Over the past 6 years I have gone an amazing 5-1 with this exact play!
And, it goes without saying, I'm on a 20-5 run with PLATINUM plays, cashing in my most recent NBA selection with my Total of the Year winner Friday night with Philadelphia and Cleveland easily going over!
Come aboard and let me show you what a winning sports handicapper can do for you.....
Now, onto my free play...
UT-Chattanooga won at home, 97-94, in the season's first meeting February 3.
Last time these two teams squared off in Georgia, the visiting Mocs prevailed handily by 12.
UT-Chatt is led by big man Ashley Champion, who puts up solid numbers at 15.5 PPG and 6 RPG. He will look to dominate a Georgia Southern team that has junior forward Frank Bennett pulling down the boards, averaging over 8 per contest. This battle on the boards between Champion and Bennett will likely be the key matchup and a major factor in the outcome of this late season conference game.
In road games this season, Chatanooga is 6-3 ATS. And, I look Tenn-Chatt to take its third straight on the road overall by 6-to-8 points.
PICK: 2 TENNESSEE-CHATANOOGA
__________________________________________________
Minnesota at MILWAUKEE (-4)
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Well, you had to love Sunday's 2-0 sweep as we cashed in with a 3-star on Orlando and 2-star on Golden State.
Tonight we look to continue our winning ways by backing Milwaukee at home against Minnesota.
This game marks the home debut of Gary Payton and Desmond Mason for the Bucks, both of whom were acquired in last Thursday's blockbuster deal that shipped Ray Allen to Seattle.
Payton scored 22 points and dished out nine assists to rally his new mates from a 10-point, fourth quarter deficit in a 93-90 victory at Portland Saturday night. And long-time Milwaukee point guard Sam Cassell, who never met a shot he didn't like, shared the ball-handling duties with Payton and quickly adjusted with 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds versus the Trail Blazers.
Frankly, the Bucks, one of the more versatile teams in the league, only got better with the addition of Payton and Mason. True, the long-term effects of the deal are open for debate because of Payton's impending free agency. But, for the final third of the season, Payton's defensive tenacity and leadership, along with Mason's strong play off the bench, will make the Bucks a formidable playoff contender.
Minnesota arrives at the Bradley Center having won 19 of its last 25 games. And the T'Wolves have dominated this series of late, winning 10 of the last 12 meetings, going 9-2 ATS in that stretch with five straight covers in Milwaukee.
But, think about the match-up problems Minnesota faces tonight in the backcourt with Anthony Peeler and undersized Troy Hudson going against Payton and Cassell.
The Peeler-Hudson duo was torched for 32 points by Stephon Marbury in Sunday's 99-97 home win against the Suns. And, just imagine if George Karl, who likes to tinker with his line-up as much as Dallas' Don Nelson does with his Mavs, decides to go big in the backcourt at times with Payton and/or Cassell paired with Mason or Toni Kukoc.
PICK: 3 MILWAUKEE
NBA FAST FACTS
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Houston at Boston
The Celtics, who return home after a 4-2 SU and ATS West Coast road trip, are in quadruple revenge against Houston both on the floor and in Vegas. The Rockets, who are 9-16 SU on the road, have covered eight of the last 11 meetings overall.
Utah at Memphis
Utah is 3-0 SU and ATS versus Memphis this season, winning by margins of 21 and 35 at home, and 29 on the road. In those contests the Jazz, who have covered eight of the last 11 in the series, have outshot the Grizzlies 53% to 37% from the field. Memphis, 0-2 SU since acquiring Mike Miller from the Magic, is 5-1 ATS since the All-Star break. And the Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS as a home dog of 3 1/2 to 6 points this year. In terms of the total, each of the last 12 games on the Grizzlies' home floor, whether it be in Memphis or their old home in Vancouver, have remained under the total.
Minnesota at Milwaukee
Gary Payton makes his Bradley Center debut tonight for the Bucks, who are 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of 3 1/2 to 6 points this season. He scored 22 points in leading Milwaukee back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a 93-90 triumph at Portland Friday. The T'Wolves, on a 19-5 straight-up run, have covered nine of the last 12 series' showdowns, including each of the last five meetings in Milwaukee. Minnesota is 3-7 ATS as a road dog of 3 1/2 to 6 points this year.
Phoenix at Chicago
The Bulls have covered three straight overall, and two in a row at home, versus Phoenix. The Suns, who are 9-18 SU on the road, are 9-17 ATS as a favorite this season. Chicago, losers of three in a row both SU and ATS, is 16-9 SU and 15-10 ATS at home. Four of the last five series' showdowns have stayed under the total, with the exception being this season's first meeting, a 115-111 overtime triumph by the Suns at home February 3.
Golden State at Denver
The Warriors have swept the season series, winning by 21 at home and 10 at the Pepsi Center. Golden State is 15-8 ATS on the highway this season. Denver, 9-18 SU at home, is 22-30 ATS as a dog this year, including 2-5 ATS as a home pup of 3 1/2 to 6 points. Five of the last seven meetings have gone over the total, and the Warriors had played over in eight straight outings prior to staying under in last night's home victory against Atlanta.
Detroit at Seattle
The Pistons, coming off consecutive losses against New Orleans at home and Minnesota on the road, are 17-12 SU and 18-9 ATS on the road this year. They claimed a 91-78 victory as a six-point home favorite in the season's first meeting December 14. The Sonics enter the contest with a 9-15 ATS record at home. Each of the last two meetings in Seattle have stayed under the total, and the Sonics are 16-8 under at home this year.
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Connecticut at Notre Dame
The Irish are 13-1 SU at home with an average victory margin of 17 points a game, but only 4-6 ATS at the Joyce Center this season. Connecticut is 3-5 both SU and ATS on the road, with its last road outing resulting in a nine-point loss at Villanova. The Huskies have covered five of the last seven meetings. These two last met in the Big East Tournament semifinals last March with U.Conn scoring the 82-77 win.
Butler at Cleveland State
Butler is 11-4 SU and 8-5 ATS on the road this year. The Bulldogs won 73-57 laying 18 at home in the season's first meeting February 1. Cleveland State, losers of 10 of its last 11 straight-up, is 3-7 ATS at home this year, and 5-12 ATS overall as a dog. But, it's covered four of the last five meetings on its home floor.
Old Dominion at George Mason
ODU is 4-7 SU and 4-6 ATS on the road this year. Even worse, the Monarchs are 3-13 ATS as a road pup of 3 1/2 to 6 points since 1997. George Mason, coming off a five-point home loss to James Madison on Saturday, lost the season's first meeting, 59-46, as a three-point road dog January 22.
N.C. Wilmington at William & Mary
N.C. Wilmington, 10-5 ATS in Colonial Conference action, failed to cover its only outing this season as a road chalk of 9 1/2 to 12 points. William & Mary is coming off three consecutive double-digit losses, losing at home by 16 to Drexel and 17 to George Mason, and by 20 at Virginia Commonwealth. However, the Bill & Mare has covered seven of the last 10 meetings, including four of the last five at home.
St. Joseph's vs. Lasalle
This Big 5 clash is being played at the Palestra in Philadelphia. St. Joe's is 12-6 ATS as a favorite this year, but the Hawks have lost six of the last seven in this series versus the oddsmakers. Lasalle is 0-3 on the floor and in Vegas since starting forward and leading scorer Steve Smith went down with a season-ending foot injury.
North Texas at U.L. Lafayette
North Texas is 5-12 ATS as a dog this year, including 0-3 when getting 12 1/2 or more points on the road. And N-T is 2-11 ATS versus teams with winning records. U.L. Lafayette, winners of nine of its last 10 outings, is 9-0 SU at home, but only 1-5 ATS, despite an average winning margin of 17 points a game. Even worse, U.L.L. is 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of 12 1/2 points or more, and it has a big lookahead game on tap with Western Kentucky coming to town on Wednesday.
Texas Tech at Oklahoma State
The Red Raiders have dropped four of their last five outings in Vegas, and are 2-4 ATS on the Big 12 highway. Oklahoma State snapped a six-game pointspread losing streak with Saturday's 82-77 triumph against Texas. The victory improved the Cowboys' home record to 12-1 SU. They won the season's first meeting, 79-70, on January 26 as a 5 1/2-point road dog.
New Mexico at San Diego State
The Lobos are 6-2 ATS on the road despite losing all eight games straight-up by an average margin of 10 points a game. And they upset San Diego State, 66-62, at home as a 1 1/2-point dog in the season's first clash January 25. New Mexico is 9-4 ATs as a dog this year, and has covered six of the last eight in the series, including three of the last four on the road. The Aztecs, in the throes of a 2-6 SU slide, snapped a three-game losing streak with a 67-53 win against Air Force on Saturday.
Air Force at UNLV
UNLV is 5-9 ATS at home this year, including 0-3 as a home chalk of 9 1/2 to 12 points. Air Force prevailed 75-71 as a one-point home chalk in the season's first clash, and the Falcons have covered in each of their last two trips to Las Vegas.
BYU at Utah
Utah's 79-75 win as a 5 1/2-point dog in Provo January 25 snapped BYU's 44-game home winning streak. The Utes enter tonight's rematch a perfect 13-0 SU at home with an average margin of victory of 14 points. They're 8-4 ATS as a favorite this season, including 2-0 when laying between 3 1/2 and 6 points at home. BYU is 3-1 ATS as a dog this year, and 7-4 ATS outside of Provo. The last two meetings on Utah's home floor have topped the posted total. Both teams have been idle since last Monday.
Appalachian State at N.C. Greensboro
Appalachan State is coming off a 13-point home loss to five-point road dog Davidson on Saturday. N.C. Greensboro lost the season's first meeting 91-60 as a nine-point road pup, and its 2-10 ATS versus teams with winning records this year.
Wofford at Western Carolina
Wofford fell to 2-5 ATS as a favorite this season when it was upset on Saturday at home by 6 1/2-point road dog Furman.
VMI at The Citadel
VMI is 2-11 SU and 2-7 ATS on the road this year. The Keydets snapped an eight-game losing streak with a 61-60 win at N.C. Greensboro on Saturday. The Citadel is 2-5 ATS at home, but has won six of the last seven series' showdowns, going 4-0 ATS in that stretch.
Furman at East Tennessee State
Furman is 3-11 SU and 3-6 ATs on the road, but its won and covered three straight entering this contest. East Tennessee State is 10-1 Su at home, but only 2-4 ATS despite an average winning margin of 20 points a game. Plus, ETS is 2-8 ATS as a favorite this year.
Tennessee-Chatanooga at Georgia Southern
Tenn-Chatt is coming off a 79-78 overtime triumph against College of Charleston in its home finale on Saturday. The Mocs are 7-4 SU and 6-3 ATS on the road. Georgia Southern is 1-6 ATS at home, but the dog has covered each of the last three meetings. And Georgia Southern earned the ATS win for the fourth time in the last five meetings when it covered as a 10 1/2-point dog in the season's first clash, a 97-94 road loss February 3.
Tennessee State at Murray State
Tennessee State, 4-12 ATS as a dog this season, carries a 17-game losing streak into this contest. And it's 1-13 SU and 3-7 ATS on the road this year. Murray State won 93-75 as a 15-point road chalk in the season's first clash January 27. The Racers are 5-12 ATS at home since 1997 when laying 12 1/2 or more points, including 1-4 this season.
Butler (-10') at CLEVELAND STATE
By Chuck Franklin, Featured Handicapper
How easy was my free winner on Oklahoma on Sunday? For the month of February, I'm now 15-8 with my complimentary selections.
But, today from the Inside Edge on the Odds, don't just rely on the one free pick for your profits. I've got the 2 biggest plays of the year going tonight with the NBA GAME OF THE YEAR and the COLLEGE HOOPS' GAME OF THE YEAR! Both plays are worth 4,000-stars and both are the highest-rated releases of the season! Get them now at Chuck Franklin Sports!
Last week I hit my Big Monday Game of the Year with Texas. Tonight, it's not Big Monday...it's a HUGE Monday with HUGE PROFITS!
Today's free play...
Butler is 20-4 SU and has a solid RPI of 44. But, the Bulldogs also remember being snubbed for an NCAA at-large bid with a 25-5 record last year, so I’m ready to lay points on the road versus a Cleveland State squad that's already absorbed four double-digit home losses this season.
The tenacious Bulldog defense is allowing a paltry 51 points per game the last five meetings and will stifle the erratic Viking attack once again.
Butler is 6-2 ATS as a road chalk this season, and 4-0-1 ATS in the last five games in the series.
PICK: 2 BUTLER
Lasalle vs. St. Joseph's (-11)
By Sean Michaels, Featured Handicapper
Hey everybody, Sean Michaels here and we are ready to rock and roll on Monday!
The last two Mondays I've owned the board going 21-6 combined. That is just having a good feel for the match-ups, and I'm telling you now, I'm loving what I'm seeing for tonight's card.
For only the third time in the last 15 months, I'm releasing 3 NBA and 3 College 200-star conference best bets. The NBA releases are on an 11-2 run, and the college picks are on an 8-4 tear. Don't make a move on the games until you get my six winners tonight. Check out my website now!
Your free pick is St.Joes over Lasalle at the Palestra in Philadelphia.
I'm just not a believer in this Lasalle team, especially since their leading scorer, forward Steve Smith, went down with a season-ending foot injury a few weeks back. They're 0-3 SU and ATS since Smith got hurt.
Lasalle's last three road losses have been by an average margin of 22 points. Playing at the Palestra, a neutral court, for this Big 5 battle, the Explorers lose this one by 20 as well.
Play on St. Joeseph's.
PICK: 2 ST. JOSEPH'S
Tennessee-Chatanooga (-2) at GEORGIA SOUTHERN
By Michael Cannon, Featured Handicapper
Yesterday I hit my Atlantic 10 BLOWOUT OF THE YEAR with Temple absolutely destroying Fordham, 99-77, as the visiting Owls racked up their highest point total in 15 years!
Expect a repeat performance today at Michael Cannon sports, as I have my BIG EAST GOLD LOCK OF THE WEEK among 2 easy college winners going tonight!
In the NBA, the key is a "limited game" concept, as every night of the week for 6 months there are games to bet on. I know which ones are sure things, and that's why Michael Cannon Sports has had so much success in the pros.
Tonight we release our MIDWEST DIVISION PLATINUM GAME OF THE YEAR among 2 locks! Over the past 6 years I have gone an amazing 5-1 with this exact play!
And, it goes without saying, I'm on a 20-5 run with PLATINUM plays, cashing in my most recent NBA selection with my Total of the Year winner Friday night with Philadelphia and Cleveland easily going over!
Come aboard and let me show you what a winning sports handicapper can do for you.....
Now, onto my free play...
UT-Chattanooga won at home, 97-94, in the season's first meeting February 3.
Last time these two teams squared off in Georgia, the visiting Mocs prevailed handily by 12.
UT-Chatt is led by big man Ashley Champion, who puts up solid numbers at 15.5 PPG and 6 RPG. He will look to dominate a Georgia Southern team that has junior forward Frank Bennett pulling down the boards, averaging over 8 per contest. This battle on the boards between Champion and Bennett will likely be the key matchup and a major factor in the outcome of this late season conference game.
In road games this season, Chatanooga is 6-3 ATS. And, I look Tenn-Chatt to take its third straight on the road overall by 6-to-8 points.
PICK: 2 TENNESSEE-CHATANOOGA
__________________________________________________
Minnesota at MILWAUKEE (-4)
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Well, you had to love Sunday's 2-0 sweep as we cashed in with a 3-star on Orlando and 2-star on Golden State.
Tonight we look to continue our winning ways by backing Milwaukee at home against Minnesota.
This game marks the home debut of Gary Payton and Desmond Mason for the Bucks, both of whom were acquired in last Thursday's blockbuster deal that shipped Ray Allen to Seattle.
Payton scored 22 points and dished out nine assists to rally his new mates from a 10-point, fourth quarter deficit in a 93-90 victory at Portland Saturday night. And long-time Milwaukee point guard Sam Cassell, who never met a shot he didn't like, shared the ball-handling duties with Payton and quickly adjusted with 16 points, eight assists and five rebounds versus the Trail Blazers.
Frankly, the Bucks, one of the more versatile teams in the league, only got better with the addition of Payton and Mason. True, the long-term effects of the deal are open for debate because of Payton's impending free agency. But, for the final third of the season, Payton's defensive tenacity and leadership, along with Mason's strong play off the bench, will make the Bucks a formidable playoff contender.
Minnesota arrives at the Bradley Center having won 19 of its last 25 games. And the T'Wolves have dominated this series of late, winning 10 of the last 12 meetings, going 9-2 ATS in that stretch with five straight covers in Milwaukee.
But, think about the match-up problems Minnesota faces tonight in the backcourt with Anthony Peeler and undersized Troy Hudson going against Payton and Cassell.
The Peeler-Hudson duo was torched for 32 points by Stephon Marbury in Sunday's 99-97 home win against the Suns. And, just imagine if George Karl, who likes to tinker with his line-up as much as Dallas' Don Nelson does with his Mavs, decides to go big in the backcourt at times with Payton and/or Cassell paired with Mason or Toni Kukoc.
PICK: 3 MILWAUKEE
NBA FAST FACTS
By Alan Rolli, Managing Editor
Houston at Boston
The Celtics, who return home after a 4-2 SU and ATS West Coast road trip, are in quadruple revenge against Houston both on the floor and in Vegas. The Rockets, who are 9-16 SU on the road, have covered eight of the last 11 meetings overall.
Utah at Memphis
Utah is 3-0 SU and ATS versus Memphis this season, winning by margins of 21 and 35 at home, and 29 on the road. In those contests the Jazz, who have covered eight of the last 11 in the series, have outshot the Grizzlies 53% to 37% from the field. Memphis, 0-2 SU since acquiring Mike Miller from the Magic, is 5-1 ATS since the All-Star break. And the Grizzlies are 6-1 ATS as a home dog of 3 1/2 to 6 points this year. In terms of the total, each of the last 12 games on the Grizzlies' home floor, whether it be in Memphis or their old home in Vancouver, have remained under the total.
Minnesota at Milwaukee
Gary Payton makes his Bradley Center debut tonight for the Bucks, who are 0-4 ATS as a home favorite of 3 1/2 to 6 points this season. He scored 22 points in leading Milwaukee back from a 10-point, fourth-quarter deficit in a 93-90 triumph at Portland Friday. The T'Wolves, on a 19-5 straight-up run, have covered nine of the last 12 series' showdowns, including each of the last five meetings in Milwaukee. Minnesota is 3-7 ATS as a road dog of 3 1/2 to 6 points this year.
Phoenix at Chicago
The Bulls have covered three straight overall, and two in a row at home, versus Phoenix. The Suns, who are 9-18 SU on the road, are 9-17 ATS as a favorite this season. Chicago, losers of three in a row both SU and ATS, is 16-9 SU and 15-10 ATS at home. Four of the last five series' showdowns have stayed under the total, with the exception being this season's first meeting, a 115-111 overtime triumph by the Suns at home February 3.
Golden State at Denver
The Warriors have swept the season series, winning by 21 at home and 10 at the Pepsi Center. Golden State is 15-8 ATS on the highway this season. Denver, 9-18 SU at home, is 22-30 ATS as a dog this year, including 2-5 ATS as a home pup of 3 1/2 to 6 points. Five of the last seven meetings have gone over the total, and the Warriors had played over in eight straight outings prior to staying under in last night's home victory against Atlanta.
Detroit at Seattle
The Pistons, coming off consecutive losses against New Orleans at home and Minnesota on the road, are 17-12 SU and 18-9 ATS on the road this year. They claimed a 91-78 victory as a six-point home favorite in the season's first meeting December 14. The Sonics enter the contest with a 9-15 ATS record at home. Each of the last two meetings in Seattle have stayed under the total, and the Sonics are 16-8 under at home this year.
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