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WINNING POINTS TIPSHEET (NBA & NCAA BASKETBALL)
NBA BASKETBALL
Friday, November 29
**PREFERRED
Philadelphia over *Cleveland by 13
Philly getting a bit healthier, Coleman is back now, and they are just too talented for the Cavs. Coleman had 9 points and 5 bounds the other night in win vs. Raptors in only 17 minutes. Ricky Davis thinks he can play in this league but not sure he has even convinced his own coach John Lukas. In 26-point win early this year in Philly, the 76ers got great minutes out of Skinner and Buckner and Van Horn torched Hill. Expect more of the same. PHILADELPHIA 104-91
**PREFERRED
Los Angeles Lakers over *Memphis by 15
Last year the Lakers lost a lot of games to bad teams. Since they got off to such a poor start, they have to take care of business against the weaklings the rest of the way. This is a step down for L.A. after they just faced the Magic. No matter how hard Hubie Brown has them playing, they are in a whole new dimension against the champs especially since Shaq is back. L.A. Lakers 100-85
**PREFERRED
Golden State over *Denver by 12
These are two of the bottom feeders but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel where Warriors are concerned. They have a go-to guy in Jamison. They have another scorer in Richardson and Dunleavy is starting to contribute off the bench. The rest of the league has noticed. Check out Coach Rivers comments after his team got drilled by 42 by Golden State. Rivers: They act like they have a chance of winning. They don't have that inevitable look of doom on their faces. GOLDEN STATE 102-90
***BEST BET
*Sacramento over Los Angeles Clippers by 21
After getting blown out in L.A in first meeting last year, Kings dominated covering the next 3 winning outright in the process. Not impressed with Clippers coaching staff after Denver debacle 11/22. Clips had the game in control, Denver started making a move, but instead of calling a time out or two to stop the momentum, Coach Gentry just watched. This was the second straight fourth quarter L.A. collapse. Turkoglu and Stojakovic will love going length of the floor with athletic Clips. SACRAMENTO 111-90
Saturday, November 30
**PREFFERED
*New York over New Orleans by 9
The Knicks have double revenge as a solid motive this time. They had the Hornets on the ropes in the Garden 11/10, got outscored by almost double digits in the last quarter and wilted in overtime. They were up 8 at halftime vs. Orleans 11/22, but lost in double OT. Spree gives New York a slasher that plays defense, unlike Nailon. If Knicks D up down low, Houston and Spree should take them home. NEW YORK 97-88
***BEST BET
*Miami over Cleveland by 17
The Heat could steal one here. The Cavaliers hosted Philly last night and you know that had to be a defensive game. Riley has his guys playing defense. They beat Milwaukee in Milwaukee 11/19 by 4 and a lot of guys are getting playing time. MIAMI 97-80
**PREFERRED
*Portland over New Jersey by 12
Portland catches Jersey in a similar situation to last year when Nets visited. Last season, Jersey was playing a third game in 4 nights and Blazers covered in low-scoring win. This is the Nets fourth game of the journey and they still have Seattle to play tomorrow. Blazers seems to get up for top-caliber foes and Portland is one of the few teams that can match Jersey athletically. Coach Cheeks has to find his energy guys. The team is so deep, the second squad can beat most of the teams in the league. Recent pot bust of Wallace and Stoudamire could help Portland. They love the us against them theme. PORTLAND 105-93
Sunday, December 1
**PREFERRED
*Seattle over New Jersey by 14
Straight-shooting Sonics beat the Nets and covered at home last year winning by a half dozen. They catch the Nets in a back to back after playing the smoky Blazers last night and in a third game in 4 nights situation. Both teams like to run but Seattle much more potent from the perimeter with Barry in the lineup. Payton and Kidd have a long hometown bond and that should be a great matchup. Not convinced Nets can stop Sonics and Lewis from slashing to the hoop. SEATTLE 100-86
**PREFERRED
*Sacramento over Houston by 17
Exciting Yao Ming could be in for a little schooling this time against either Webber or the tricky Divac. Rockets live and die by the outside shot with Francis moving the rock. Norris will likely start but Rice is over the hill. Rockets dont have the half-court defense to shut down the Kings and they cant run with them either. After a shaky start as home chalk, expect Kings to right themselves. Last year they were 30-18 against the number at home. SACRAMENTO 109-92
***BEST BET
*Los Angeles Lakers over Minnesota by 17
Shaq Daddy should have a couple of games under his belt by this time and that spells disaster for the visitors. The other L.A. players had to grow up in Shaqs absence and guys like Medvedenko, George, Rush and Shaw should be better off down the line. Medvedenko somehow got off 17 shots in 17 minutes in win vs. Bulls 11/22. TWolves still trying to find themselves. Hudson and Strickland are trying to replace Brandon and Billups at point guard. Peeler has had to adjust, and Szczerbiak's sore foot cost him seven of the first 11 games. Staples crowd long overdue to get a blowout. L.A. LAKERS 116-99
Monday, December 2
***BEST BET
*Dallas over Toronto by 21
This is the third city in 4 days for the Raptors. They had to travel from Boston to Memphis and now to Big D. Two conflicting styles here. Raptors have no choice but to bang low and try to execute a half court offense. Dallas did little wrong in first couple of weeks of season and are starting to perfect a zone defense with the giant Bradley as a blocker down low. Nash never seems to get tired, nobody in the league stops Nowitzki. Cuban will light one up around the third quarter. DALLAS 119-98
Tuesday, December 3
**PREFERRED
Atlanta over *New Jersey by 1
The Hawks have had a couple of days to rest after playing in Orlando. In the season opener, Hawks only got outplayed in the opening quarter in New Jersey and they failed to cover by just a point. Abdur-Rahim was out with a sore back and his replacement, Henderson, had 4 points, 7 bounds, and zero assists in 42 minutes. ATLANTA 96-95
Wednesday, December 4
**PREFERRED
Sacramento over *Denver by 13
Nobody looks to score on Denver except for Posey and Harvey. They have a hard time going over the 80 mark and face a team that should have won the Finals last year but choked against the Lakers in OT in their last game. Cant see a number big enough to think that Juwan Howard will stop either Webber or Divic. SACRAMENTO 105-92.
**PREFERRED
*Portland over Dallas by 9
Could easily see some bad blood here with Bradleys sharp elbows and Wallaces short fuse. Portland will have to do it by committee. It still seems a new guy has to step up every night. Mavs miss Van Exel and LaFrentz and Portland matches up well with visitors on the talent scale. PORTLAND 107-98
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Saturday, November 30
**PREFERRED
LSU over Texas A&M by 18 (at Houston)
JC transfer Jaimie Lloreda is 6-9, 240 and gives LSU an impact player to join natural scorer Ronald Dupree and improving 6-8 250 Brad Bridgewater underneath. Senior point guard Torris Bright made major strides during last seasons limbo year for the program (on NCAA probation and lost Stromile Swift and Jabari Smith to the NBA). A&M is breaking in a new point guard from among newcomer JC transfer Leandro Garcia-Morales, or self-oriented off-guard Bernard King. LSU, 80-62.
**PREFERRED
St. Bonaventure over St. Louis by 14 (at Rochester, NY)
Look to go against Saint Louis a lot. When head coach Lorenzo Romar bolted for Washington, recruits and expected returnees began to scatter elsewhere rather than play for new head coach Brad Soderberg. When they lost to a depleted Tennessee-Martin team at home last week, you began to see the results of this mass defection. ST. BONAVENTURE, 81-67.
***BEST BET
Texas over Seton Hall by 23 (at Houston)
Seton Hall has lost too many bodies to the NBA over the last few years, and head coach Louis Orr opted to start fresh with a new player rather than take outside gunner Darius Lane back for another year of mindless mother-chuckin. Yet where Seton Hall once got the best recruits from their Jersey area, they are now going to Syracuse (Carmelo Anthony) or to Villanova, where the former Seton Hall ace recruiter is now employed under Jay Wright. In point guard match-up of Andre Barrett vs. Texas T.J. Ford, Barrett loses. TEXAS, 89-66.
**PREFERRED
James Madison over West Virginia* by 5
West Virginia saw many a player transfer out of there over the last few years, which, when you factor in the loss of three double-digit scorers from last season, creates multiple obstacles to achievement. They are switching to a small-ball approach with ex-Richmond head coach John Beilein. But James Madison has 6-10Ian Caskill, a double-double averager who figures to have a clear path to the hoop all night. Plus, JMU has an experienced backcourt with proven scoring ability. JAMES MADISON, 70-65.
***BEST BET
Cal-Santa Barbara* over San Francisco by 20
Prior to their loss in Alaska to a very nice, experienced Weber State squad, UCSBs Brandon Fullove had missed time because of an ankle injury. With that loss and the subsequent consolation game under his belt, he should be good to go in the home opener, complemented by natural scorers Mark Hull and Nick Jones. USF has a major hole to fill in the wake of departed 7-footer Hondre Brewer. And when point guard LyRyan Russell went down with a knee injury last season, the team completely collapsed. He aint never cominback. When USF won on its home floor by 3 points last season, both Fullove and the starting center did not play for UCSB. CAL-SANTA BARBARA, 80-60.
Sunday, December 1
**PREFERRED
Vanderbilt* over Connecticut by 14
Vandy has shored up its inside game, and Emeka Okafor of Uconn is vastly overrated as far as this paper is concerned. Let him prove he can be a reliable offensive weapon and stay out of foul trouble on the road without Caron Butler playing alongside him. VANDERBILT, 78-64.
Tuesday, December 3
**PREFERRED
Florida over West Virginia by 27 (at Charleston)
As mentioned in West Virginias forecast vs. James Madison on Saturday, they must overcome roster turnover, a new coach, and a new style. In this match-up, they must overcome that while combating a team on a mission whose athletes have the ability to control the tempo at a fast pace, and wear them down. FLORIDA, 88-61.
**PREFERRED
Cal-Santa Barbara* over USC by 13
The Thunderdome will be rocking, and USC wont be popping with the loss of Clancy and Bluthenthal leaving behind a bunch of questionable shooters and decision-makers. UC-SANTA BARBARA, 73-60.
Wednesday, December 4
**PREFERRED
Temple over NC-Charlotte* by 9
Charlotte is looking to become less perimeter-oriented. Good luck to them in their attempt to get the ball inside vs. the match-up zone. On the list of teams ranked by basketball smarts, the 49ers are way down there. TEMPLE, 74-65.
NBA BASKETBALL
Friday, November 29
**PREFERRED
Philadelphia over *Cleveland by 13
Philly getting a bit healthier, Coleman is back now, and they are just too talented for the Cavs. Coleman had 9 points and 5 bounds the other night in win vs. Raptors in only 17 minutes. Ricky Davis thinks he can play in this league but not sure he has even convinced his own coach John Lukas. In 26-point win early this year in Philly, the 76ers got great minutes out of Skinner and Buckner and Van Horn torched Hill. Expect more of the same. PHILADELPHIA 104-91
**PREFERRED
Los Angeles Lakers over *Memphis by 15
Last year the Lakers lost a lot of games to bad teams. Since they got off to such a poor start, they have to take care of business against the weaklings the rest of the way. This is a step down for L.A. after they just faced the Magic. No matter how hard Hubie Brown has them playing, they are in a whole new dimension against the champs especially since Shaq is back. L.A. Lakers 100-85
**PREFERRED
Golden State over *Denver by 12
These are two of the bottom feeders but at least there is light at the end of the tunnel where Warriors are concerned. They have a go-to guy in Jamison. They have another scorer in Richardson and Dunleavy is starting to contribute off the bench. The rest of the league has noticed. Check out Coach Rivers comments after his team got drilled by 42 by Golden State. Rivers: They act like they have a chance of winning. They don't have that inevitable look of doom on their faces. GOLDEN STATE 102-90
***BEST BET
*Sacramento over Los Angeles Clippers by 21
After getting blown out in L.A in first meeting last year, Kings dominated covering the next 3 winning outright in the process. Not impressed with Clippers coaching staff after Denver debacle 11/22. Clips had the game in control, Denver started making a move, but instead of calling a time out or two to stop the momentum, Coach Gentry just watched. This was the second straight fourth quarter L.A. collapse. Turkoglu and Stojakovic will love going length of the floor with athletic Clips. SACRAMENTO 111-90
Saturday, November 30
**PREFFERED
*New York over New Orleans by 9
The Knicks have double revenge as a solid motive this time. They had the Hornets on the ropes in the Garden 11/10, got outscored by almost double digits in the last quarter and wilted in overtime. They were up 8 at halftime vs. Orleans 11/22, but lost in double OT. Spree gives New York a slasher that plays defense, unlike Nailon. If Knicks D up down low, Houston and Spree should take them home. NEW YORK 97-88
***BEST BET
*Miami over Cleveland by 17
The Heat could steal one here. The Cavaliers hosted Philly last night and you know that had to be a defensive game. Riley has his guys playing defense. They beat Milwaukee in Milwaukee 11/19 by 4 and a lot of guys are getting playing time. MIAMI 97-80
**PREFERRED
*Portland over New Jersey by 12
Portland catches Jersey in a similar situation to last year when Nets visited. Last season, Jersey was playing a third game in 4 nights and Blazers covered in low-scoring win. This is the Nets fourth game of the journey and they still have Seattle to play tomorrow. Blazers seems to get up for top-caliber foes and Portland is one of the few teams that can match Jersey athletically. Coach Cheeks has to find his energy guys. The team is so deep, the second squad can beat most of the teams in the league. Recent pot bust of Wallace and Stoudamire could help Portland. They love the us against them theme. PORTLAND 105-93
Sunday, December 1
**PREFERRED
*Seattle over New Jersey by 14
Straight-shooting Sonics beat the Nets and covered at home last year winning by a half dozen. They catch the Nets in a back to back after playing the smoky Blazers last night and in a third game in 4 nights situation. Both teams like to run but Seattle much more potent from the perimeter with Barry in the lineup. Payton and Kidd have a long hometown bond and that should be a great matchup. Not convinced Nets can stop Sonics and Lewis from slashing to the hoop. SEATTLE 100-86
**PREFERRED
*Sacramento over Houston by 17
Exciting Yao Ming could be in for a little schooling this time against either Webber or the tricky Divac. Rockets live and die by the outside shot with Francis moving the rock. Norris will likely start but Rice is over the hill. Rockets dont have the half-court defense to shut down the Kings and they cant run with them either. After a shaky start as home chalk, expect Kings to right themselves. Last year they were 30-18 against the number at home. SACRAMENTO 109-92
***BEST BET
*Los Angeles Lakers over Minnesota by 17
Shaq Daddy should have a couple of games under his belt by this time and that spells disaster for the visitors. The other L.A. players had to grow up in Shaqs absence and guys like Medvedenko, George, Rush and Shaw should be better off down the line. Medvedenko somehow got off 17 shots in 17 minutes in win vs. Bulls 11/22. TWolves still trying to find themselves. Hudson and Strickland are trying to replace Brandon and Billups at point guard. Peeler has had to adjust, and Szczerbiak's sore foot cost him seven of the first 11 games. Staples crowd long overdue to get a blowout. L.A. LAKERS 116-99
Monday, December 2
***BEST BET
*Dallas over Toronto by 21
This is the third city in 4 days for the Raptors. They had to travel from Boston to Memphis and now to Big D. Two conflicting styles here. Raptors have no choice but to bang low and try to execute a half court offense. Dallas did little wrong in first couple of weeks of season and are starting to perfect a zone defense with the giant Bradley as a blocker down low. Nash never seems to get tired, nobody in the league stops Nowitzki. Cuban will light one up around the third quarter. DALLAS 119-98
Tuesday, December 3
**PREFERRED
Atlanta over *New Jersey by 1
The Hawks have had a couple of days to rest after playing in Orlando. In the season opener, Hawks only got outplayed in the opening quarter in New Jersey and they failed to cover by just a point. Abdur-Rahim was out with a sore back and his replacement, Henderson, had 4 points, 7 bounds, and zero assists in 42 minutes. ATLANTA 96-95
Wednesday, December 4
**PREFERRED
Sacramento over *Denver by 13
Nobody looks to score on Denver except for Posey and Harvey. They have a hard time going over the 80 mark and face a team that should have won the Finals last year but choked against the Lakers in OT in their last game. Cant see a number big enough to think that Juwan Howard will stop either Webber or Divic. SACRAMENTO 105-92.
**PREFERRED
*Portland over Dallas by 9
Could easily see some bad blood here with Bradleys sharp elbows and Wallaces short fuse. Portland will have to do it by committee. It still seems a new guy has to step up every night. Mavs miss Van Exel and LaFrentz and Portland matches up well with visitors on the talent scale. PORTLAND 107-98
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Saturday, November 30
**PREFERRED
LSU over Texas A&M by 18 (at Houston)
JC transfer Jaimie Lloreda is 6-9, 240 and gives LSU an impact player to join natural scorer Ronald Dupree and improving 6-8 250 Brad Bridgewater underneath. Senior point guard Torris Bright made major strides during last seasons limbo year for the program (on NCAA probation and lost Stromile Swift and Jabari Smith to the NBA). A&M is breaking in a new point guard from among newcomer JC transfer Leandro Garcia-Morales, or self-oriented off-guard Bernard King. LSU, 80-62.
**PREFERRED
St. Bonaventure over St. Louis by 14 (at Rochester, NY)
Look to go against Saint Louis a lot. When head coach Lorenzo Romar bolted for Washington, recruits and expected returnees began to scatter elsewhere rather than play for new head coach Brad Soderberg. When they lost to a depleted Tennessee-Martin team at home last week, you began to see the results of this mass defection. ST. BONAVENTURE, 81-67.
***BEST BET
Texas over Seton Hall by 23 (at Houston)
Seton Hall has lost too many bodies to the NBA over the last few years, and head coach Louis Orr opted to start fresh with a new player rather than take outside gunner Darius Lane back for another year of mindless mother-chuckin. Yet where Seton Hall once got the best recruits from their Jersey area, they are now going to Syracuse (Carmelo Anthony) or to Villanova, where the former Seton Hall ace recruiter is now employed under Jay Wright. In point guard match-up of Andre Barrett vs. Texas T.J. Ford, Barrett loses. TEXAS, 89-66.
**PREFERRED
James Madison over West Virginia* by 5
West Virginia saw many a player transfer out of there over the last few years, which, when you factor in the loss of three double-digit scorers from last season, creates multiple obstacles to achievement. They are switching to a small-ball approach with ex-Richmond head coach John Beilein. But James Madison has 6-10Ian Caskill, a double-double averager who figures to have a clear path to the hoop all night. Plus, JMU has an experienced backcourt with proven scoring ability. JAMES MADISON, 70-65.
***BEST BET
Cal-Santa Barbara* over San Francisco by 20
Prior to their loss in Alaska to a very nice, experienced Weber State squad, UCSBs Brandon Fullove had missed time because of an ankle injury. With that loss and the subsequent consolation game under his belt, he should be good to go in the home opener, complemented by natural scorers Mark Hull and Nick Jones. USF has a major hole to fill in the wake of departed 7-footer Hondre Brewer. And when point guard LyRyan Russell went down with a knee injury last season, the team completely collapsed. He aint never cominback. When USF won on its home floor by 3 points last season, both Fullove and the starting center did not play for UCSB. CAL-SANTA BARBARA, 80-60.
Sunday, December 1
**PREFERRED
Vanderbilt* over Connecticut by 14
Vandy has shored up its inside game, and Emeka Okafor of Uconn is vastly overrated as far as this paper is concerned. Let him prove he can be a reliable offensive weapon and stay out of foul trouble on the road without Caron Butler playing alongside him. VANDERBILT, 78-64.
Tuesday, December 3
**PREFERRED
Florida over West Virginia by 27 (at Charleston)
As mentioned in West Virginias forecast vs. James Madison on Saturday, they must overcome roster turnover, a new coach, and a new style. In this match-up, they must overcome that while combating a team on a mission whose athletes have the ability to control the tempo at a fast pace, and wear them down. FLORIDA, 88-61.
**PREFERRED
Cal-Santa Barbara* over USC by 13
The Thunderdome will be rocking, and USC wont be popping with the loss of Clancy and Bluthenthal leaving behind a bunch of questionable shooters and decision-makers. UC-SANTA BARBARA, 73-60.
Wednesday, December 4
**PREFERRED
Temple over NC-Charlotte* by 9
Charlotte is looking to become less perimeter-oriented. Good luck to them in their attempt to get the ball inside vs. the match-up zone. On the list of teams ranked by basketball smarts, the 49ers are way down there. TEMPLE, 74-65.