NHL

MINNESOTA -˝ +1.15 over Phoenix Pinnacle
The Wild return home from a four-game trip but unlike years gone by, teams returning home from a trip are not coming up lame and the Wild are in no position to take a night off after losing three straight. Two of those games went into OT and as a result of that the Wild have picked up points in six of its last eight games. Furthermore, they own the Coyotes at the Excel Energy Center, as they’ve beaten Phoenix seven straight games there and have outscored them 27-9 over that stretch dating back to ’06. Against the Wild, Ilya Bryzgalov has a 1-7 record, a GAA of 3.42 and a save percentage of .891. As for the Coyotes, well, they’re in somewhat of a funk with just two wins in its last eight and a slew of significant injuries. The Coyotes have three of its top defensemen out and not only do they lose their talents but they lose their grit as well. The Wild have always been a damn good home team and in fact, they’ve won eight of its last 10 at home. Minnesota is playing a lot better these days despite the three-game losing streak. They come to play almost every night and after a brutal first period against the Canes and falling victim to the Canes, one would expect a big bounce back tonight. Play: Minnesota -˝ +1.15 (Risking 2 units).


NBA

MEMPHIS –5 over L.A. Clippers Pinnacle
One really has to wonder how the Clip Joint is going to compete tonight. They appeared gassed and completely subdued last night after losing to the Hornets for the second time in eight days. Now they’ll travel again to play its third game in four nights and the tail end of back-to-backs. Furthermore, they lost Kareem Rush and he joins guards Eric Gordon and Blake Griffin and now the Clippers have nobody to run the offense. This team is mentally and physically fatigued and they’ll play a rested Memphis team that’s coming off a win. One win does wonders to team moral and the Iverson distraction is now a thing of the past as well. What you can count on is a Grizz team that should absolutely dominate the boards and play to its potential. This is a highly talented team off to a bad start and they couldn’t have handpicked a better opponent to make it two straight. Play: Memphis –5 (Risking 2.06 units to win 2).

MILWAUKEE/New Jersey under 189 Pinnacle
Focus for the Bucks could be way off tonight after facing Denver, Dallas and Golden State and then playing an 0-11 team at home. The Bucks have won five of six and this looks like a “breather” game for them and might be treated as such. Furthermore, after playing that trio of very up-tempo games in which all three games exceeded this total by 20 points or more, the line here is a bit enticing but be very cautious. You see, Dallas, Denver and the Warriors play a run and gun style so it’s no surprise those three games went over. In fact, the books posted a total of 193 against Dallas and now this game is just four points lower? The Nets can barely hit 80 points against anyone and they’re very aware that they’re not going to outscore anyone in an up-tempo game; no way, no how. So either the books were way off in their Dallas/Milwaukee total or they’re way off here. You make the call. Play: Milwaukee/New Jersey under 189 (Risking 2.2 units to win 2).