CENTRAL MICHIGAN 34 - Ohio 10—This is the third appearance in four seasons in the MAC championship game for Central Michigan. Chippewa QB Dan LeFevour led CMU to a 35-10 win over Miami-O. in 2007 with 170 YR and to a 31-10 decision over Ohio U. (314 YP, 3 TDP) in 2006. Expect a similar result this time around, especially if Ohio U. QB Theo Scott isn’t 100%. Scott was injured late in the Temple win and was on crutches (ankle) at the end of the game. Scott’s mobility was a key factor against the Owls, and the Bobcats have already lost co-starting QB Boo Jackson to a shoulder injury. Ohio HC Frank Solich is resourceful, but doubt true frosh Tyler Tettleton (9 of 20 passing, no TDs) or little-used RS sr. Brandon Jones (25 of 68 career passing) capable of doing much damage facing a Chippewa defense that’s the best in the MAC, allowing fewer than 18 ppg. Ohio is well-coached and plays well on special teams, but Scott has been a key to the Bobcats limiting turnovers (they rank 6th in nation in TO ratio). Bobcats also might be without services of key WR/PR LaVon Brazill and their third-leading tackler, S Patrick Tafua. CMU is talented on both sides of the ball and often looks like it should be in the Big Ten. TV— ESPN2
Toronto 102 - WASHINGTON 97—Have to check first meeting at Toronto
to see if visitor-trend in series continues. Although triumvirate of Arenas, Butler & Jamison is on the floor for Wizards, Raptors’ Chris Bosh is one of very few NBA players averaging 20 ppg & 10 rpg. 09-Check 12/1 result; 08-Tor +2' 99-93 (191), Was +6' 100-98 (215), Tor +2' 97-96 (215)
ATLANTA 104 - New York 101—With big game at Dallas up tomorrow night for Atlanta, hard to see Hawks expending a lot of energy blowing out 3-13 New York. Knick bench is showing a knack for closing gaps late in games to get the cover, as New York was 4-1 vs. the number last 5 on the road prior to facing Orlando on Wednesday. 09-Atl -5' 114-101 (208); 08-ATL -10' 98-95 (215), NY +1 112-104 (207), NY +1' 109-105 (214)
OKLAHOMA CITY 96 - Boston 94—OKC young F Kevin Durant is fourth in the league in scoring and PG Russell Westbrook (17 ppg & 7 apg) looks pretty good for a guy who just turned 21 years old. With imports Sefolosha, Krstic (sore Achilles; check status) and Ibaka contributing, Thunder have won and covered 6 of last 10 through Dec. 1, including SU wins at San Antonio, Utah and Miami. Celtics still in low gear, with a 3-9 spread mark last 12 after beating Miami Sunday. Celtic older players unlikely to be ready for peak effort after visiting Spurs last night. 08-Bos -9 96-83 (183), BOS -11 103-84 (191)
CLEVELAND 107 - Chicago 88—Negative trends collide in this game, as Cavs have started the season by dropping 5 of first 6 laying more than 9 points at home, while Chicago was just 1-7 as a road dog prior to visiting Milwaukee Monday night. Bulls have dropped 6 of last 7 games, all by double digits. Have no interest in punchless visitor that’s shooting just 30% from beyond the arc. 09- Chi +11' 86-85 (191); 08-CLE -8' 107-93 (186), Cle -1' 106-97 (189), CLE -12' 117-92 (196), CHI +8 102-93 (OT-196) CABLE TV—ESPN
Dallas 116 - MEMPHIS 101—All Memphis covers at home have come against bad teams, while Dallas covered first 5 facing “C” teams on the road (prior to facing New Jersey on Wednesday). Mavs will remember losing twice at the FedEx Forum last season. 08-DAL -9' 91-76 (195), DAL -11 100-82 (198), MEM +6' 102-82 (189), MEM +7 107-102 (196)
Milwaukee 94 - DETROIT 90—With G Richard Hamilton and F Tayshaun Prince out and G Ben Gordon questionable with a sprained ankle, doubt Detroit can shake slump that’s seen it drop 7 of last 8 SU prior to visiting Chicago on Wednesday. Milwaukee dropping in class after stumbling through tough string of games, and Bucks could be healthier with return of Luc Mbah a Moute, Michael Redd or Andrew Bogut. 09-MIL -2 96-85 (184); 08-DET -9 107-97 (190), Det +5' 87-76 (191), Det -4 126-121 (OT-183), Mil +6' 92-86 (195)
NEW ORLEANS 105 - Minnesota 90—New Orleans adjusted remarkably well to injury of PG Chris Paul, winning 4 of first 6 SU after the Hornets’ leader was sidelined. G Darren Collison has made the most of his added minutes, scoring 15 ppg and handing out 7 apg off the bench in first six games the Hornets played without Paul. Minnesota falling like a proverbial rock, dropping 10 of last 12 spread decisions through Dec. 1, and see no reason New Orleans can’t add to Timberwolf HC Kurt Rambis’ woes. 08-MIN P 116-108 (194), NO -3 101-97 (190), NO -13 94-93 (193)
Charlotte 98 - NEW JERSEY 89—Although New Jersey wasn’t likely to turn things around under fired HC Lawrence Frank, the Nets aren’t likely to turn it around just because he was let go, either. N.J. top gun G Devin Harris is having a horrible start, shooting just 35%, and he’s making just 16% from 3-point range. Nets’ 0-17 start not an unlucky series of accidents, they’re just that bad. Barring a tremendous upset-effort against Dallas on Wednesday, they’ll come into this game with the worst record through 18 games in NBA history. The Bobcats aren’t going to want to be the team that loses to N.J. to break the string. 09-CHA -7 79- 68 (175); 08-Cha +4' 95-87 (192), Nj +2' 114-103 (OT-191), NJ -3' 91-87 (195)
UTAH 109 - Indiana 93—Utah PG Deron Williams is getting hot (19 for 27 shooting in recent double-digit home wins against Portland and Chicago), and F Carlos Boozer is back at the top of his game after making just 37 appearances due to injury last year (20 ppg, 11 rpg in 36 mpg this year). Jazz have covered 6 of last 8 prior to facing Memphis on Monday, and look for that streak to continue against surprisingly listless Indiana (dropped 5 of last 6 vs. the number through Nov. 29). 08-UTAH -10' 120-113 (220), Utah -3' 112-100 (214)
LA LAKERS 115 - Miami 91—The Lakers have welcomed back C/PF Pau Gasol to the lineup, and they now look ready to defend their title. HC Phil Jackson’s team is talented, and now the bench is starting to contribute more than it did in the first few weeks of the season when L.A. couldn’t extend leads and started 0-5 against the number. The Lakers covered 7 of previous 9 games at Staples Center prior to facing New Orleans Tuesday night, and Miami G Dwyane Wade can’t do it alone (Heat on 1-8 spread run to end November). Miami coming off a game last night in Denver, and deep Lakers should have an easy night. 08- MIA +8 89-87 (203), LA -11 108-105 (203) CABLE TV—ESPN
Gold Sheet 12/4
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