Marc Lawrence

Free

Virginia Tech

The Hokies find themselves one win away from making it to the Final Four of the NIT tourney when they host Rhode Island this evening. Tech will take the court knowing they are 6-0 SU and 4-2 ATS in games off a spread loss when facing an opponent that is also off a spread loss. With the Rams just 3-9-1 ATS in their last 13 games entering this contest, look for the Hokies to head off to the Garden with a convincing win here tonight.

We recommend a 1-unit play on Virginia Tech.

Utah Jazz at Toronto Raptors (+3, 214)

Monday’s win over the Celtics was a big one for the Jazz and not just because it was against a tough veteran team. Mehmet Okur played one of his best games of the season against the C’s and came up with several key defensive plays.

"The big thing, he kept rebounding the ball as well," Utah coach Jerry Sloan told the Salt Lake Tribune after the Jazz's 110-97 victory against Boston. "That's critical to do that when you play a team like [Boston].”

Okur finished with 14 points but also contributed with 15 boards. The contribution was a welcome sight for a player who’s going through his worst season as a member of the Jazz.

Utah is a much better team when the big center is active and part of the offense. His long-distance shooting spreads the floor and makes it easier for Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer to run the pick ‘n’ roll effectively.

Of course it doesn’t really matter when you’re playing the Raptors. Toronto’s defense resembles rusty lawn chairs in a light practice.

Pick: Jazz

Sacramento Kings at New Jersey Nets (+1.5, 197)

Nets ownership understands the frustration and embarrassment its fans are coping with. They just don’t want to hear about it.

ESPN.com is reporting that Nets CEO Brett Yormark shouted at a fan for wearing a paper bag over his head. Can you really blame the fan? Honestly?

The only time the club’s backers can make any cash is when the Nets are getting major points. New Jersey is 11-1 against the spread in its last 12 games getting eight or more points.

That’s not going to be the case Wednesday night against the visiting Kings who are also missing their best player (Tyreke Evans).

Pick: Kings

Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Sabres (-165, 5.5)

As the Canadiens desperately cling to the seventh spot in the Eastern Conference standings, their offense has hit a wall.

Montreal has mustered a total of two goals in its last two games and the team hasn’t netted more than two pucks during a loss since Jan. 20.

The Sabres have been stalwarts during their three-game winning streak, allowing only six goals in that stretch after yielding 10 in the previous three.

"If we play like the last three games, it's going to be tough to beat us," defenseman Toni Lydman said.

Buffalo goalie Ryan Miller is 6-0-2 with a 2.06 goals-against average against the Habs since last season and the Sabres have won six of their last seven against Montreal.

Pick: Sabres

St. Louis Blues at Detroit Red Wings (-180, 5.5)

The Blues are a longshot to sneak into the postseason while the Red Wings look to be on the verge of making their 19th straight playoff appearance.

"This is the best run we've been on all year," Detroit coach Mike Babcock said. "We're desperate to try to get into the playoffs. We’d all like to make the tournament and we think we have a shot if we get in.”

Detroit is 7-2 in its last nine games and held each of those opponents without a power-play goal. But St. Louis has been prolific with a man advantage recently, netting a power-play puck at least once in six of its last seven games.

The Blues have been road warriors this season (22-11-4) behind great offense, but the defense hasn’t always been there as seven of their last nine road games have gone over the posted total.

These two teams most recently played a 4-3 game on Feb. 9 and six of seven in the series have sailed over the number.

Pick: Over

Karl Garrett

FREE

For Wednesday, go right ahead and lay the lumber with the Bucks as they take on the Sixers.

Philly's latest losing streak is at 3 in a row, and 8 of 9 overall. The 76ers have also failed the line in 3 straight, and 7 of those 9.

Going to be hard for the Sixers to cool off the surging Bucks who are on a 10-4-1 spread run their last 15 at home. A Milwaukee team that is looking to improve their playoff stock, and who has also won 9 of their last 10, sporting a 6-3-1 spread mark in those 10 games.

The home team has been the right side in the last 3 series, meetings, and 5 of the last 7 both straight up and against the spread.

Have to lay it with the Bucks to get the bucks!

5* MILWAUKEE

Karl Garrett

FREE

I have a feeling the Rams of VCU are once again laying an inflated number in this CBI semifinal matchup against Boston U.

The Terriers have proven to be a tough out, and their overtime win on Monday over Morehead State is as gritty as they come. This team does NOT want to go home, and while they may not have enough to spring the outright upset, it should be noted that VCU was unable to cover the double-digits against the College of Charleston on Monday, and they have failed in 3 of their last 5 when laying 10-points or more.

Virginia Commonwealth moves on, but this one is a lot closer than the linemakers think.

Take Boston U plus the points.

1* BOSTON UNIVERSITY

RatedPicks

CBB 03/24 Princeton at St Louis pick: St Louis pts: -4.0 3 units
NBA 03/24 Orlando Magic at Atlanta Hawks pick: Orlando Magic pts: +1.0 3 units
NBA 03/24 Denver Nuggets at Boston Celtics pick: Boston Celtics pts: -4.5 2 units
NHL 03/24 LA Kings at Colorado Avalanche pick: Colorado Avalanche pts: -1.5 (+240) 3 units

RedZone Sports/Jr. O'Donnell

free internet play: Dayton/Illinois over (NCAAB)

Arthur Ralph Sports
415 - 303 run 58 %

Free Play WED Illinois -3

DCI NCAA

Straight Up: 3889-1277 (.753)
ATS: 1743-1715 (.504)
ATS Vary Units: 4687-4721 (.498)
Over/Under: 1550-1589 (.494)
Over/Under Vary Units: 2405-2401 (.500)

National Invitation Tournament
Blacksburg Bracket
Bracket Championship at Blacksburg, VA
VIRGINIA TECH 79, Rhode Island 70
Champaign Bracket
Bracket Championship at Champaign, IL
ILLINOIS 67, Dayton 61
College Basketball Invitational
Semifinals at campus sites
VCU 77, Boston U. 71
SAINT LOUIS 54, Princeton 47
CollegeInsider.Com Postseason Tournament
Semifinals at campus sites
MISSOURI STATE 71, Creighton 67
APPALACHIAN STATE 71, Pacific 65


DCI NBA

Straight Up: 707-296 (.705)
ATS: 547-487 (.529)
ATS Vary Units: 1290-1149 (.529)
Over/Under: 514-528 (.493)
Over/Under Vary Units: 691-702 (.496)

Orlando 99, ATLANTA 97
BOSTON 104, Denver 100
CHARLOTTE 105, Minnesota 90
INDIANA 105, Washington 97
Utah 109, TORONTO 103
Sacramento 101, NEW JERSEY 99
MILWAUKEE 102, Philadelphia 89
Cleveland 103, NEW ORLEANS 96
OKLAHOMA CITY 105, Houston 97
SAN ANTONIO 101, L.A. Lakers 97
Memphis 114, GOLDEN STATE 112


DCI NHL

Season: 366-247 (.597)

N.Y. RANGERS 3, N.Y. Islanders 2
WASHINGTON 4, Pittsburgh 3
BUFFALO 3, Montreal 2
DETROIT 3, St. Louis 2
Los Angeles vs. COLORADO: TOO CLOSE TO CALL
VANCOUVER 4, Anaheim 3

SPORTS ADVISORS

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 24

NBA

Orlando (50-21, 39-31-1 ATS) at Atlanta (45-25, 41-29 ATS)

The red-hot Magic, who conclude a three-game road trip tonight, go for the series sweep of the Hawks in this Southeast Division clash at Philips Arena. Orlando crushed the 76ers 109-93 as an eight-point road favorite Monday and has now won three in a row SU and ATS and is 13-2 in its last 15 games (11-4 ATS). Of the Magic’s last 15 wins, 12 have been double-digit blowouts. Additionally, going back to Jan. 31, Stan Van Gundy’s club has won nine of 11 on the highway (8-3 ATS).
Atlanta came up just short in Milwaukee on Monday, falling 98-95, but it cashed as a six-point underdog to move to 5-1 ATS in its last six games. The Hawks have still won 11 of their last 16 games, including six in a row at home. Atlanta’s 5-1 ATS run follows a 4-10 ATS plunge (1-5 ATS at home). The Magic have annihilated Atlanta three times this season, winning 93-76 (road), 113-81 (home) and 104-86 (home), easily covering the spread in all three games. Going back to January 2009, the Magic are on a 6-0 SU and ATS run in this rivalry, and they’ve cashed in four straight trips to Philips Arena. Also, the SU winner has covered the spread in each of the last 16 meetings.
In addition owning the Hawks, Orlando is on spread-covering sprees of 6-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 8-2 versus the Eastern Conference, 6-2 against the Southeast Division, 5-0 on Wednesday and 10-4 when playing on one day of rest.
Atlanta has cashed in five of six overall, four of five against the Eastern Conference and 15 of 20 on Wednesday, but the Hawks are also in pointspread funks of 0-5 against Southeast Division rivals, 0-4 after a SU defeat and 3-8 after one day of rest.
Orlando is on “under” runs of 8-3 in divisional games, 14-6-1 after a SU win and 47-19-1 after a day off. Conversely, the Magic carry “over” trends of 4-1 overall, 4-1 on the road and 14-5 on Wednesday, while the Hawks are on “over” stretches of 11-3 overall, 6-1 at home, 8-3 in Eastern Conference contests, 36-15-1 on Wednesday and 10-3 after a SU defeat.
Lastly, these teams have stayed under the total in the last four meetings overall and five of the last seven clashes in Atlanta.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO


Denver (47-24, 31-35-5 ATS) at Boston (45-25, 29-39-2 ATS)

After opening their five-game, seven-day road trip with a stunning loss at the Knicks last night, the Nuggets will try to quickly rebound when they make their only stop of the season at TD Garden for a clash with the Celtics, who kick off a six-game homestand tonight. Denver’s journey began at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday, as they fell 109-104 to the Knicks as a seven-point road favorite. The Nuggets scored the game’s first 12 points but trailed for much of the fourth quarter. Although it has still won 11 of its last 16 games, Denver is now in an 0-5 ATS rut. Additionally, with Tuesday’s loss the Nuggets fell below .500 on the road this year at 17-18 (14-17-4 ATS).
Boston’s four-game SU and ATS winning streaks came to a halt with Monday’s 110-97 loss at Utah as a four-point road underdog. The Celtics took a 54-49 lead into halftime but got outscored 61-43 in the second half. Doc Rivers’ squad has won nine of its last 13 games and is 8-4-1 ATS, but Boston has been a spread-covering mess at home this year (10-22-1 ATS).
Denver pounded the Celtics 114-105 as a 4 ½-point home favorite back on Feb. 21, improving to 3-1 SU and ATS in the last four meetings. Although the road team took both of last year’s matchups, the host is still 8-2 SU and ATS in the last 10 meetings, with the chalk cashing in five of the last six. Also, the winner has covered the pointspread in each of the last 18 series clashes. The Nuggets’ negative ATS trends of 0-5 overall, 0-5 against the Eastern Conference and 1-5-1 when playing on back-to-back days are offset by positive pointspread streaks of 19-8 against the Atlantic Division and 6-2-1 on Wednesday. Meanwhile, outside of a 4-1 ATS run overall, the Celtics are in pointspread slumps of 18-38-1 at home, 4-11-1 versus Western Conference foes and 5-12-2 after one day of rest. The under is 6-2 in Denver’s last eight overall and 8-3 in Boston’s last 11 against the Western Conference. From there, the “over” is on runs of 10-5 for the Nuggets against the Eastern Conference, 5-3 for the Nuggets against the Atlantic Division, 9-3 for the Nuggets on Wednesday, 6-1 for the Celtics versus the Northwest Division and 5-1 for the Celtics against winning teams. Finally, these teams have topped the total in seven of their last nine head-to-head battles overall.

ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER


L.A. Lakers (52-18, 29-38-3 ATS) at San Antonio (42-27, 36-32-1 ATS)

The Lakers take a six-game winning streak to the AT&T Center where they tip off a five-game, eight-day road trip with a battle against the Spurs. Los Angeles jumped on Washington early on Sunday and won 99-92, but it let off the gas in the fourth quarter and failed to cover as a 12-point home favorite. During the Lakers’ six-game run, they’ve won three straight as a visitor (2-1 ATS) after a four-game road losing skid. Although Los Angeles has won 14 of 19 overall, it is 4-11-1 ATS since the All-Star break (2-6 ATS on the road). San Antonio split a two-game, two-day road trip to start this week, losing 119-114 in overtime at Atlanta on Sunday (as a 3½-point underdog) and holding on 99-96 at Oklahoma City on Monday (as a five-point pup). Despite continuing to play without All-Star point guard Tony Parker (broken hand), the Spurs have won 10 of 13, going 10-2 ATS in the last 12. San Antonio has played 17 of its last 23 games on the highway, but those six home games all ended in victories (5-1 ATS). These rivals have split their first two meetings this season, with the host easily holding serve in each contest (105-85 Spurs win as a 3½-point chalk; 101-89 Lakers win as a 2½-point favorite). Los Angeles is 8-3 SU and ATS in the last 11 meetings; the home team has taken eight of the last 10 (6-4 ATS); and the SU winner has covered the number in seven of the last eight battles (including the last four in a row). L.A.’s spread-covering woes include 4-11-1 overall, 2-5-1 against the Western Conference, 3-7-1 after a SU win and 1-5-1 when coming off two days of rest. Conversely, San Antonio is on pointspread surges of 10-2 overall, 4-0 at home, 7-0 in Western Conference games, 10-4-1 against the Pacific Division, 5-2 against winning teams and 4-1 after one day of rest. The Lakers carry a slew of “under” trends, including 4-1 overall, 4-1 on the road, 9-2 in Western Conference contests, 6-1 against the Southwest Division, 10-1 after a non-cover, 8-2 versus winning teams and 20-6 when playing after two days of rest. The under is also 9-4 in the Spurs’ last 13 after a spread-cover, 8-2 in the Spurs’ last 10 after a victory, 8-2 in the last 10 meetings between these squads and 10-3 in the last 13 battles in San Antonio.

ATS ADVANTAGE: SAN ANTONIO and UNDER


COLLEGE BASKETBALL

NIT

Rhode Island (25-9, 13-17-1 ATS) at Virginia Tech (25-8, 13-13-1 ATS)

After scoring a pair of NIT wins at home, Rhode Island now heads south to Cassell Coliseum in Blacksburg, Va., for a showdown against the Hokies with a trip to Madison Square Garden on the line. The Rams had little trouble with Northwestern a week ago today, posting a 76-64 opening-round victory as a six-point home favorite. However, they barely held off Nevada on Monday, winning 85-83 while coming up way short as an 8½-point chalk. Rhode Island has won four of its last five games – the only setback being a 13-point loss to Temple in the semifinals of the Atlantic 10 tournament – but the Rams are just 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games, alternating spread-covers in the last five. Virginia Tech also opened the NIT with an easy victory a week ago, pummeling Quinnipiac 81-61 as a 13-point home chalk. But the Hokies barely escaped against UConn in a second-round matchup Monday, getting the game-winning basket with less than 20 seconds remaining to survive 65-63 as a 4½-point home favorite. Like the Rams, Va-Tech has won four of its last five (3-2 ATS), with a 70-65 loss to Miami (Fla.) in the ACC tournament quarterfinals ending the Hokies’ NCAA Tournament hopes. Rhode Island has been decent on the highway this season, going 10-7 in road/neutral-site games (9-7-1 ATS). Meanwhile, the Hokies are now 17-1 at home, outscoring visitors by an average of 15.1 points per game (75.2-60.1). However, they’re just 6-7 ATS in lined home contests. These teams haven’t met since November 2001, when Virginia Tech rolled to an 86-63 victory as a 13-point favorite. They’ve split four contests SU and ATS since 1998. The Rams are 21-10-1 ATS in their last 32 non-conference games and 4-1 ATS in their last five after a non-cover, but they’re also on pointspread nosedives of 4-9 overall, 1-5 on the road and 1-6 after a SU win. Virginia Tech is on positive ATS stretches of 5-1 outside the ACC, 7-1 on Wednesday and 6-2-1 after a non-cover, but it has also failed to cover in five of seven at home and it is 1-4-1 ATS in its last six after a SU victory. It’s been all “unders” for Rhode Island, including 5-2 overall, 16-5-1 on the road, 5-0 on Wednesday, 11-4 after a SU win and 14-5-1 after an ATS setback. Also, Va-Tech has stayed low in seven of 10 at home and seven of eight versus the ACC, but the over is 12-3 in the Hokies’ last 15 non-conference games.

ATS ADVANTAGE: VIRGINIA TECH and UNDER


Dayton (22-12, 15-15-1 ATS) at Illinois (21-14, 16-18 ATS)

The Flyers try for their second straight road upset when they invade Assembly Hall for an NIT quarterfinal matchup against Illinois. Five days after opening the NIT with a 21-point rout of Illinois State, Dayton made the short trek to Cincinnati on Monday and throttled the Bearcats 81-66 as a three-point underdog. It’s the first time since early February that Dayton has scored two straight wins, as the Flyers had ended the season in a 3-6 slump (1-7-1 ATS). Also, prior to winning at Cincinnati, they had lost four in a row (0-3-1 ATS) and six of seven (2-4-1 ATS) true road contests. The Illini have taken advantage of their No. 1 seed in this tournament, crushing Stony Brook 76-66 as a seven-point road favorite a week ago tonight followed by Monday’s 75-58 rout of Kent State as an eight-point favorite. Illinois has won three of its last four games (4-0 ATS), a surge that comes on the heels of a 1-5 (2-4 ATS) funk. The SU winner is 7-2 ATS in the Illini’s last nine games.
Even with Monday’s win at Cincinnati, Dayton remains just 6-10 in road/neutral-site games (6-9-1 ATS). The Illini are 13-4 inside Assembly Hall, but just 6-10 ATS in lined action.
The Flyers have cashed in six straight non-Atlantic 10 games and seven of nine on Wednesday, but they’re otherwise in ATS slumps of 3-7-1 overall, 1-4-1 on the highway, 2-6-1 versus winning teams and 1-3-1 after a SU victory. Illinois is on ATS runs of 4-0 overall, 5-2 after a victory, 4-1 after a spread-cover and 31-15-2 on Wednesday, but it has failed to cover in six of its last eight at home. Dayton has stayed under the total in six straight Wednesday contests and seven of eight non-conference games, but the Flyers also carry “over” trends of 4-1 overall, 5-2 on the road and 4-1 after a victory. Meanwhile, Illinois is on “over” stretches of 12-5 at home, 11-1 outside the Big Ten and 5-1 on Wednesday.

ATS ADVANTAGE: ILLINOIS and OVER

Billy Coleman
NCAA
4* Pac/App St ov132
3* Pac +3
3* VaTech/RI un143

NBA
5* Orl +1 (GOY)
3* NO +6

Andrew Bucciarelli
Mr. Hockey
Tuesday 2-0 +5.00*

3* Rangers (-145) over Islanders

James patrick sports 5*


Indiana pacers 5*

sportsbetsnow

NBA

1 unit Utah -3

Lance's Lock

Pick: VCU -11'

Overall: 929-825-35

Current Streak: 4 losses

Mark Lawrence

4* Indiana -6

another poster said Lawrence is 25-8-3 in his last 36 bball plays

BIGFELLA SPORTS

CBB

VT -6 4*
Ill -3½ 4*

NBA

Magic +1 3*
Nets +1½ 2*

Gina

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010 8:30 p.m. est.
Minnesota Timberwolves (14-57) at Charlotte Bobcats (36-34)

The struggling Timberwolves are playing awful, especially on defense. Minnesota has lost 13 straight games and five of its last six against Charlotte. Go with the Bobcats for their sixth straight home victory. Charlotte is 25-8 at Time Warner Cable Arena. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves are a horrible 5-31 this season on the road.
Charlotte is 8-2-1 ATS in its last 11 games, 4-1 ATS in its last 5 at home.
Minnesota is 1-7-1 ATS in its last 9 games

Charlotte Bobcats -9½

Johnny Guild

Los Angeles Lakers (52-18) at (42-27)
The home team in this series is 8-2 in the last 10 clashes, going 6-4 ATS. Take the Spurs to grab their seventh straight victory on their home court in a close battle against Kobe and crew. The host in this series has split the first two meetings of this season by double-digits.
San Antonio Spurs +1

NCAA
7:00 PM Rhode Island (25-9) at Virginia Tech (25-8)
Virginia Tech Hokies -6.5
8:00 PM Creighton (18-15) at Missouri St. (22-12)
Missouri St. Bears -6.5