Service Plays Thursday 12/19/13

Please remember, this forum is not here for regular posters who cap their own games to post ther daily plays. Please use our individual sport forums to post your plays. Professional cappers (those that sell plays) must remain in the Site Promotion Forum.
Do not post any copy written info from the following services.


Advertise with the Rx - do not post
Al Mcmordie
Allan Eastman
Doc's Sports Services
Jim Feist
Ocal Sports
Robert Ferringo
Sports Money Profit System
Strike Point Sports
Vegas Sports Informer
Vegas Winning Crew


Do not post write-ups
AJ Apollo
Alex Smart
@ntonwins
Apple Handicappers
ASA, ASA Inc’s or American Sports Analysts
ATS Consultants
ATSadv ice.com
Ben Lewis
Brandon Lang's Crew
Bruce Marshall
Chris Jordan's Crew
Dave Cokin
Dennis Hill
Dennis Macklin
Dr. Bob Sports
Dr. guru sports
EZ Winners
Fairway Jay
Fred Wallin
Gametimereport
Greg DiPalma
Hittingpaydirt
JB Sports
Jim Avery
Jim Kruger
Jorge Gonzalez
Ken Jenkins
Killersportslive
Larry Ness
Lenny Delgenio
LT Profits
Lucky Lester
Madduxsports
Marc Lawrence/Playbook
Matt Fargo
Mike Lineback
Mike Rose
Pacific (Pac Star) Sports
PayneInsider
Paul Stone
Peter Gold at VI
Pick Nation Crew
PlusLineSports
Pointwise Sports
PowerPlay Wins
Preferred Picks
Pregame
Pro Sports Info
Red Zone Sports
Right Angle Sports (RAS)
Rocky Atkinson
Ron Raymond
Ross Benjamin
Sal Bansa/sportspicks1019
Scott Spreitzer
Sixth Sense Sports
Sports Memo Crew
Steve Merril SportsAlatex Sports
Stevo Design Inc. All services
Ted Sevransky/Teddy Covers
Tennessee Valley Sports
THELOCKOFTHEDAY
The Prez
The Real Animal
Tony George
Tony Karpinski/3G-Sports
Tom Stryker
Trushel Sports Consulting
Vegasadvisor s.com
Vernon Croy
Winning Points/Sports Reporter
zen_gambler
-------
GL!

Duke vs. UCLA: What bettors need to know

Duke Blue Devils vs. UCLA Bruins (+3.5, OFF)

The game will be played at Madison Square Garden, New York, New York.

Jabari Parker and No. 8 Duke bring one of the most efficient offenses in the country to Madison Square Garden in New York on Thursday to face off against Jordan Adams and an even more potent UCLA attack. The Blue Devils are shooting 51.7 percent from the field, good enough for the top 10 in the nation but not quite enough to catch the Bruins, who fill it up at 54.3 percent and average 89.1 points. No. 22 UCLA is facing its first ranked opponent in Duke.

Parker is doing nothing to slow the hype train behind him with averages of 22 points and 7.6 rebounds in his freshman campaign and is sliding perfectly into a Blue Devils' offense that swings the ball and isn’t afraid to run. “The most important thing we want to do is keep developing,” Parker said. “We don’t want to peak too early. That’s a positive way we can look at it.” UCLA is developing as well and bounced back from its first loss by crushing Prairie View A&M 95-71 on Saturday.

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, ESPN

LINE: The line opened with Duke as 3.5-point faves. The total are currently off the board.

ABOUT DUKE (8-2, 5-5 ATS): The Blue Devils zipped past Gardner Webb 85-66 on Monday and are coming together behind Parker, Quinn Cook and Rodney Hood. Cook is quietly taking control of the team from the point guard spot and is averaging a team-high 6.6 assists while shooting better than 50 percent from the field. “This year he is the veteran,” coach Mike Krzyzewski said of Cook. “It’s kind of like a torch has been passed. Maturity, leadership, it’s his team.” Cook posted nine assists in each of the last two contests.

ABOUT UCLA (9-1, 6-3 ATS): The Bruins have not played quite the same schedule the Blue Devils have and fell to the lone team to even sniff the Top 25 - Missouri - in their only true road game. Adams led UCLA in scoring in each of its first 10 games but guard Kyle Anderson is becoming the glue for the offense while posting 13.8 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.7 assists and shooting 60 percent from beyond the arc. “It’s a game you think about as a kid,” Anderson said of the meeting with Duke. “It’s going to be a test for our team. It’s at a neutral site, so we really have to play like we practice. It’s going to be great.”

TRENDS:

* Duke is 1-4 ATS in its last five games following a SU win.
* UCLA is 4-1 ATS in its last five games overall.
* Under is 4-0 in Duke's last four games versus a team with a winning percentage above .600.
* Over is 4-1 in UCLA's last five games overall.

TIP-INS:

1. The storied programs have not met since 2002, and Duke boasts a 7-1 lead in the series since Krzyzewski became coach.

2. UCLA gets 30.5 percent of its scoring off the bench, led by G Zach LaVine’s 13.8 points.

3. Blue Devils G Andre Dawkins is 7-for-11 from 3-point range over the last three games.

NBA betting: Thunder keep winning, cashing in for bettors

The Oklahoma City Thunder dumped the Denver Nuggets 105-93 Tuesday night, extending their winning-streak to seven games.

With a record of 6-1 ATS during the streak, they've been coming through for their backers as well.

The only slip up was Sunday's 101-98 victory over the Orlando Magic, in which the Thunder failed to cover as lofty 13-point faves.

The Thunder have been scoring at will over the last seven games, soaring over the century mark in each game and averaging a whopping 110.2 points over that stretch.

The Chicago Bulls are next-in-line as they travel to the Sooner State to tangle with the Thunder on TNT Thursday night.

THE GOLD SHEET

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke 83 - Ucla 73—Duke is flat-out playing more hard-nosed halfcourt
defense right now than UCLA, which got few second-half stops in its 80-71
setback at Missouri on Dec. 7. So, would lean to the Blue Devils, who’ve also
benefited from playing a more challenging preconference slate up. The Bruins’
6-10 Wear twins (David & Travis only 12.5 ppg & 7.2 rpg combined; transfers
from North Carolina!) are still reluctant to get down and dirty in the paint, so look
for Duke’s assertive 6-8 soph F Rodney Hood (19.3 ppg) to repeatedly hurt
UCLA in the box. Plus, the uptempo Blue Devils clearly showed they can grind
out a win, evidenced by their grueling 79-69 victory over Michigan on Dec. 3. (at
Madison Sq. Gdn.) 12-DNP

Clemson 73 - AUBURN 65—This would be a heck of a football game this
season. Unfortunately, Auburn’s hoopsters offer nowhere near the compelling
viewing as do the Tiger gridders. In fact, SEC sources believe HC Tony Barbee
might be in some serious hot water, with Auburn appearing to be at the bottom
of the conference barrel once again after suffering recent blowout losses vs.
Illinois and Iowa State. Barbee is getting plenty of scoring on the perimeter from
holdover G Chris Denson (19.9 ppg) & Virginia transfer K.T. Harrell (18.2 ppg).
But contributions elsewhere have been sporadic, with frontline efficiency and
bench depth not among the Auburn strengths. Brad Brownell is also trying to
make the pieces fit at Clemson. But there have been more positive indicators
from the ACC rep now that 6-6 jr. K.J. McDaniels (18.2 ppg) seems to have
emerged as the go-to scorer. Defense and rebounding edges in Clemson’s
favor as well. 12-DNP

UTAH over Texas St. by 17 to 20—12-Utah +2' 74-69

LONG BEACH ST. 67 - Southern Cal 66—Long Beach excited, as UCLA transfer G Tyler Lamb will be eligible for the first time this season. 12-USC -8' 62-44

UC Santa Barbara over Troy by 5 to 7—(at Logan, UT) 12-DNP

Western Illinois vs. UTAH ST.—No Prediction

POINTWISE

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

(7:30) Duke 78 - Ucla 71 (Madison Square Garden)
(8:00) Clemson 73 - AUBURN 70 (FSN)
(9:00) UTAH 74 - Texas State 56
(10:00) So California 67 - LONG BEACH STATE 59

TRAVELERS CLASSIC @ Logan, Utah
(7:30) Cal-Santa Barbara 68 - Troy 63
(10:00) UTAH STATE 90 - Western Illinois 65

ADDED GAMES
(7:00) DAYTON 74 - Iona 70 (NBCS)
(7:00) WRIGHT STATE 69 - Eastern Illinois 66
(8:00) ILLINOIS STATE 78 - Tennessee State 73

BEST BET --- SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

WINNING POINTS

COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke over UCLA by 11 (at Madison Square Garden, NY)
It’s this week’s “rebound like a girl” matchup, as UCLA’s Wear Brothers travel 3,000
miles in an attempt prove that they are as soft as the Duke bigs and therefore, no threat to exploit a Blue Devils’ weakness.
DUKE, 88-77.

Auburn* over Clemson by 1
People will be paying to see a pair of extended offensive droughts. If Clemson’s leading
scorer K.J. McDaniels gets into early foul trouble, please be aware that the team
has only one double-digit scorer besides him.
AUBURN, 60-59.

Utah* over Texas State by 21
The schedule played to date by Utah ranks as the weakest of the weak. Which is no
problem in this match-up, because Texas State, at only 66 ppg and its most recent of
three wins against something called Cedarville, is among the weakest of the weak.
UTAH, 85-64.

**PREFERRED
Long Beach State* over USC by 10
You’d hope that Long Beach’s typically hard early-season schedule would prepare them
well for what is their biggest “point-to” game – really, their only point-to game – of
the non-conference slate. Dan Monson’s team was 1-9 SU when the week began but
all he wants to do is win the Big West…and maybe beat a local rival with a bigger
trademark. This is certainly the time (first-season head coach) and place (true roadie)
for USC to fall flat, as they did at Utah State in Game 1, their only true road game to
date. Monson will have had from December 7 to December 19 to get the 49ers ready
– the 12 days of Christmas?
LONG BEACH STATE, 71-61.

Cal-Santa Barbara over Troy by 13 (at Logan, UT)
Traveling and playing in Utah State’s building is a magical mystery tour for a squad
like Troy, whose first-season head coach is Phil Cunningham, one of Rick Stansbury’s
former clowns, er, assistants at Mississippi State. Troy’s ability to defend inside against Alan Williams (26 ppg) and three supporting double-digit Gaucho scorers should be laughable.
CAL-SANTA BARBARA, 76-63.

Can These Bad NBA Teams Continue To Be Good Bets?

When it comes to mining for NBA gold, some of the worst SU teams have provided the strongest value.

As oddsmakers continue to punish the East for being miles behind its West counterpart, the weaker conference actually houses some of the strongest ATS bets through the opening quarter of the season. And one rather well-known Western Conference team has fared well ATS despite opening without its biggest star.

Here are four teams that have been decidedly kinder to bettors than they have to their own fans:

Charlotte Bobcats (10-14 SU, 14-9-1 ATS)

Charlotte has actually been decent - by Bobcats standards, at least - as it looks to turn things around following last season's 21-61 debacle. The Bobcats have shown a keen ability to stay in games this year, which explains why they have one of the conference's best ATS records despite being well below .500. The main reason for Charlotte's success: a stifling defense allowing the third-fewest points in the league (92.5) entering Tuesday's action. Not surprisingly, that has also made the Bobcats one of the best "under" plays of the year (7-16-1 O/U).

Boston Celtics (12-14 SU, 15-11 ATS)

The Atlantic Division-leading Celtics may not be the powerhouse unit of years gone by, but they're using many of the same tactics to thrive. Boston has defended all areas of the court well, but has been particularly stingy beyond the arc, limiting opponents to a league-worst 32.2-percent success rate. The Celtics have struggled on the offensive end, but some of those problems should disappear with the return of injured point guard Rajon Rondo. Unfortunately, the odds will likely be adjusted to reflect that - making Boston a less solid ATS play.

Washington Wizards (10-13 SU, 13-10 ATS)

While Charlotte and Boston have provided ATS value with strong defensive play, the Wizards are in the mix thanks to a surprisingly potent offense. Led by electrifying point guard John Wall, the Wizards are averaging 98.3 points per night - more than five points ahead of last year's mark - and have been one of the deadliest teams from long range, hitting 38.4 percent of their 3-point attempts. That hot shooting has enabled the Wizards to keep pace with favored teams - particularly of late, as they're 3-1 ATS in their last four games as an underdog.

Los Angeles Lakers (11-13 SU, 13-10-1 ATS)

Mike D'Antoni may not earn any Coach of the Year votes at season's end, but his ability to keep the Lakers semi-competitive despite being without injured star Kobe Bryant and fellow aging guard Steve Nash has been impressive. Los Angeles found a way to remain offensively efficient in Bryant's absence - averaging better than 100 points per game - and that has made the Lakers a tough out. Yet, with Bryant back in the fold, the Lakers have actually begun to lose value - going 1-4 ATS - as oddsmakers account for Los Angeles' perceived improvement with him in the lineup.

LCM Sports

6pt teaser Ucla and Okc. In the Nba

Today's NBA Picks

Chicago at Oklahoma City

The Thunder host the Bulls tonight looking to build on their 11-6 ATS record in their last 17 games as a home favorite of 12 1/2 to 15 points. Oklahoma City is the pick (-13) according to Dunkel, which has the Thunder favored by 21. Dunkel Pick: Oklahoma City (-13). Here are all of today's picks.

NCAA Basketball Picks

UCLA vs. Duke

The Blue Devils bring their 8-2 record to NYC tonight to face a UCLA team that is 0-4 ATS in its last 4 games against teams with a winning percentage above .600. Duke is the pick (-3 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Blue Devils favored by 6 1/2. Dunkel Pick: Duke (-3 1/2). Here are all of today's games.

Free Selection from Arthur Ralph Sports

Our Bonus Plays are 1141-873 (57%) over the last 5 1/2 years College FB 65-38 this yr,NFL 44-35:

Free winner THURS USC - 1 1/2

Gamblers Data

Bonus Plays Thursday

Oklahoma City -12.5

Spurs +3.5

FYI: 12 up-to-date newsletters are available in the Newsletter thread in the Rubber Room

WINNING POINTS

PRO BASKETBALL

*Oklahoma City over Chicago by 9
The Bulls had to play against the Rockets, the top-scoring team in the league last
night, and now draw the Thunder, who were averaging the third-most points in the
NBA and 114.2 points in their last four games through last Saturday. Chicago was 3-
9 ATS on the road heading into its game the night before against the Rockets.
OKLAHOMA CITY 107-98.

San Antonio over *Golden State by 2
The Warriors nearly won at San Antonio for the first time in 30 visits when the teams
met on Nov. 8, losing 76-74. This matchup could be tight, too as the Spurs conclude
their four-game, six-day road swing playing for the second consecutive night. Led by
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, Golden State was No. 1 in three-point shooting
percentage. SAN ANTONIO 96-94.

POINTWISE

PRO BASKETBALL

(8:00) OKLAHOMA CITY 99 - Chicago Bulls 79 (TNT)

(10:35) GOLDEN STATE 110 - San Antonio 108 (TNT)

BEST BETS ---- OKLAHOMA CITY (2)

THE GOLD SHEET

PRO BASKETBALL

OKLAHOMA CITY 102- Chicago 88—Chicago played in Houston last night,
and, after running with the Rockets, the Bulls must run with uptempo OKC. It's
no secret the Bulls aren't the same without G Rose, and with F Deng & C Noah
either out or limping, this isn't a good matchup facing Thunder side that is 33-18 last
1+ as home chalk. 12-Okc -2' 97-91 (190), OKC -9 102-72 (196) TV—TNT

GOLDEN ST. 97 - San Antonio 96—The Spurs have dominated Golden
State, posting a 22-4 SU mark last 26 against the Warriors, including ushering
G.S. out of the Western Conference playoffs in a 6-game series last season.
Warrior G Steph Curry missed the first meeting vs. S.A. this season, and Tony
Parker took over down the stretch, scoring 15 of the Spurs' final 16 points in a
defense-minded 76-74 win. 13-SAN -6 76-74 (203); 12-SAN -11' 95-88 (202),
GS +3 107-101 (OT-209), SAN -8' 104-93 (202), GS -5' 116-106 (199), SAN -9
129-127 (2OT-203), Gs +7' 100-91 (205), San +2' 102-92 (202), GS +1 97-87
(OT-199), SAN -7 109-91 (195), San -2 94-82 (195) CABLE TV—TNT

NBA TNT doubleheader Bulls at Thunder, Spurs at Warriors

*** Chicago Bulls at Oklahoma City Thunder (-13, 192.5)

One of the NBA’s hottest squads plays one that is sinking fast when the Oklahoma City Thunder hosts the Chicago Bulls on Thursday. Oklahoma City was won seven straight games – the longest active streak in the league – and 15 of its last 16 contests as it welcomes a Chicago club that has been reeling since former MVP Derrick Rose suffered a season-ending knee injury. The Bulls have lost 12 of their last 15 games and are six games below .500.

Chicago has failed to reach 100 points in any of its last seven games, including Wednesday’s 109-94 loss to the Houston Rockets. The powerful Thunder are on the other end of the spectrum by topping the century mark in eight consecutive games and averaging 109.5 points during the stretch. Oklahoma City is also the lone team in the NBA not to lose at home (12-0) and its 20-4 start is the second-best in franchise history behind the 21-3 opening stretch of the Seattle SuperSonics in 1993-94.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, TNT

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Bulls (-5.2) - Thunder (-14.0) - Home Court (-3.0) = Thunder -11.8

ABOUT THE BULLS (9-15, 7-17 ATS): Veteran point guard D.J. Augustin was recently added to the roster due to the injury issues and his ball-handling has been solid over the past two outings. Augustin had nine assists in the loss to Houston and has 17 assists against three turnovers over the past two games. His shooting has been poor in four games since joining Chicago – he’s 8-of-31 from the field – but he’s just happy to be in position to contribute. “Just go out there and try to give a spark,” Augustin recently told reporters. “Whenever Coach (Tom Thibodeau) puts me in, just try to bring a spark and play hard, do whatever it takes to help the team win.”

ABOUT THE THUNDER (20-4, 14-10 ATS): Forward Kevin Durant continues to be superb and six of his NBA-high 30-point outings have come in December. The perennial All-Star leads the NBA with a 28.6 scoring average and has made 32-of-54 shots over the past three games. Running mate Russell Westbrook has three straight double-doubles and the last two have been of the point-rebound variety as the standout point guard has grabbed 25 total rebounds in back-to-back wins over Orlando and Denver. Westbrook is fully sound after offseason knee surgery and is averaging 21 points per game.

TRENDS:
* Under is 4-0 in the last four meetings.
* Favorite is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings.
* Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings in Oklahoma City.
* Bulls are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:
1. Oklahoma City swept last season’s two meetings and has won three straight overall against the Bulls.

2. Thunder PF Serge Ibaka has five double-doubles over the past eight contests.

3. Bulls PG Kirk Hinrich (back) could miss his fourth consecutive game.

*** San Antonio Spurs at Golden State Warriors (N/A)

The Golden State Warriors got Andre Iguodala back on Tuesday and looked like a totally different team in cruising past the New Orleans Pelicans. Iguodala will make his second straight start when the host Warriors search for some redemption against the Tony Parker-less San Antonio Spurs on Thursday. Golden State lost to the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals last spring and put up a season-low scoring total in a 76-74 loss at San Antonio last month.

The Warriors went 5-7 in the 12 games Iguodala missed with a hamstring strain and only needed him for 17 minutes on Tuesday to change the tone of the game. “He’s a guy that makes it so much easier with his ability to make plays, read and react,” Golden State coach Mark Jackson said. “We missed him and we are glad to have him back. It was also a carryover effect because other guys began to read, react and make plays.” The Spurs have a guy like that in Parker, but the star point guard has already been ruled out of the contest due to a shin contusion.

TV: 10:30 p.m. ET, TNT

COVERS POWER RANKINGS: Spurs (-13.8) - Warriors (-9.5) + Home Court (-3.0) = Spurs -1.3

ABOUT THE SPURS (20-5, 13-12 ATS): San Antonio did not need Parker to get past the Phoenix Suns 108-101 on Wednesday, leaning on Manu Ginobili and Tim Duncan to pick up the win. Duncan picked up his fifth straight double-double in the win and is averaging 17.8 points and 13.2 rebounds in that span, though coach Gregg Popovich seems typically unimpressed with his whole team. “We have the same team we always have,” Popovich said. “...Usually at this point in the season we are OK, a little bit above average, but not the best for sure.”

ABOUT THE WARRIORS (14-12, 11-13-2 ATS): Iguodala played in the first meeting with the Spurs but Stephen Curry sat out, robbing the team of its best scorer in the tight loss. Curry went for 28 points and 12 assists in the win over the Pelicans on Tuesday and is averaging 30.8 points and 9.4 assists in the last five games - but is still looking for more from himself and his team. “We need to come out with energy and effort to start games,” Curry said. “We are a good team when we have the lead so we need to figure out a way to separate from teams early, especially at home, so we can put ourselves in a better position to not have to work so hard and try to get over the hump.”

TRENDS:
* Under is 5-1 in the last six meetings.
* Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings in Golden State.
* Spurs are 7-3-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings in Golden State.
* Underdog is 5-2 ATS in the last seven meetings.

BUZZER BEATERS:
1. The Warriors took both meetings at home during the 2012-13 regular season but lost two to the Spurs in their own arena during the playoffs.

2. Ginobili is 17-for-28 from the field over the last two games.

3. Golden State F David Lee has recorded a double-double in six straight games.