My leans for today are as follows. This does not mean I am playing all of these, as I will post my PLAYS shortly before game times...feel free to offer your feedback...
Cleveland Cavaliers -2
The Cavs lost two in a row only once, but at 37-19 ATS, they remain the best pointspread team in the NBA, having had just a pair of three-game ATS slides and one two-game ATS slump. Otherwise, Cleveland hasn’t gone consecutive games without cashing. Furthermore, the Cavs have been as good as any team in the league on back-to-back situations (9-3 ATS) and they're 10-1 SU following a loss this year. And while they struggle to cover spreads in Thursday night marquee games (now 3-10 ATS in the last 13 TNT showcase games), they’re a rock-solid 9-1 ATS in their last 10 contests on Fridays.
Philadelphia 76ers/NY Knicks Over total 213.5
Really like the over in this matchup. The Knicks have been scoring at will lately, going over the total in their last 8 home games. The last two teams these teams met at Madison Square Garden, the total was 226. Nate Robinson, since winning the dunk contest, is averaging almost 30 ppg. Philly, since Brand went down with an injury, has been playing a more wide open offense and trying to get easier points with fast breaks.
Los Angeles Lakers -2
The Lakers are 20-8 against the spread when playing with no rest and they are 10-4 against the spread in their last 14 games overall. LA is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 road games and are 7-1 ATS on the road against winning teams. Denver is 2-6 ATS their last 8 games as underdogs, and 2-6 ATS on Fridays. Finally, Denver is 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against the Lakers.
Columbia +5
When Columbia takes on Harvard in an Ivy League clash tonight they will do so knowing the fact that the Lions are 9-1 ATS in this series on this floor. With Columbia coming off an 8-point loss and Harvard off a 6-point upset win, look for more of the same here tonight and for Columbia to cover the spread once again.
Loyola Chicago +2.5----Possible Moneyline Play/Upset Winner
It is revenge time once again for Loyola Chicago who looks to avenge a home loss against the flames from last season. The game is big for both teams as playoff seedings are on the line. Loyola needs a win in this game and a Youngstown State loss on Saturday to secure a first-round home game, which then would be played against youngstown state. A victory over Butler made Loyola the only Horizon team to own victories over the conference's top two teams (Butler and Green Bay). 70 points has been the benchmark for success for the Ramblers. A year ago, Loyola went 7-0 when totaling at least 70 points. In fact, dating back to the 2006-07 season, Loyola has won 19 of its last 23 contests when it reaches the 70-point plateau, and is 7-3 when doing so this year. Improved efficiency at the offensive end of the floor has helped fuel Loyola to its last eight victories as they are averaging 73.5 ppg, 10 points more than their season average, while draining shots at a 49 percent clip. Conversely, when the Ramblers surrender 70 or more points this season, they are 0-13. The good news is that the Flames are not averaging even close to that when playing on the road, tallying just 64.8 ppg and topping the 70-point mark only four times in 14 games away from home. Long range shooting has also been an added bonus to the recent success for the Ramblers. In the first 16 outings of the year, the Ramblers shot only 29 percent from three-point territory but over the last 14 games, Loyola has vastly improved by hitting 34 percent of its tries from beyond the arc. Look for the Ramblers to get their revenge tonight in a great spot and get halfway to the prize of getting a home conference tournament game.
Ok those are my leans for tonight...will be back in a bit with my plays for this afternoons MLB games...
TiERnEY1127's Thread...
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