NBA Best Bet Friday NY Knicks at Philadelphia 76ers (-6) (7PM ET) (NBA PPV)
The NY Knicks in game 1 poured in 120 points and Mike D’Antoni’s system look like it brought life to this team. Jamal Crawford and Chris Duhon looked good in the run and gun style for this squad. The 76ers were slow out of the blocks scoring just 83 points against the Toronto Raptors at home and Elton Brand was just 5 of 14 from the field. You have to wonder how Brand will do this early on after his injury last year. The Knicks have confidence and they will play within this number. Take the NY Knicks +6.
NBA Best Bet Wednesday LA Lakers @ LA Clippers (+7 ½) (10:30PM ET) (ESPN)
It’s a back to back spot here for the Lakers but its only the second game of the season and Lakers are facing no travel here playing the Clippers and Lakers both share the Staples Center as home courts. The Clippers will be an improved club this season but he Lakers with Bynum in the middle will be a strong force and will keep opponents shooting percentages low. I expect teams to shoot in the low 40’s against the Lakers this season. They will be an improved defensive club with a healthy Bynum and Trevor Ariza back healthy. The Lakers outstanding second unit led will keep the Lakers up by double digits. Baron Davis is no 100% with a bad finger and Marcus Camby has a bad heel. Take LA Lakers –7 ½.
Best Bet World Series Game 5 Monday Tampa Bay (Kazmir) (+140) @ Philadelphia (Hamels) (-150) (8:29PM ET) (FOX)
Cole Hamels has been outstanding in the postseason. In 4 starts he sits with an ERA of 1.55 in 29 innings pitched. Teams are only hitting .178 against his during that span. Listen to this. Hamels has given 2 runs or less in his starts in 13 of his last 14 starts. Scott Kazmir had problems with his control in Game 1 allowing 4 bases on balls. Kazmir has allowed 12 walks in 4 post season starts. Kazmir has also has had games where he’s given up the long ball and the ballpark is a very good hitters park in Philadelphia. Back Cole Hamels and the Phillies good bullpen and going against Kazmir is the way to go in Game 5. Take Philadelphia –150.
Your Best Bet for Monday Major League Baseball is playing the Philadelphia Phillies at –150 in Game 5 of the World Series.
Pro Football Monday Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans (-4)(8:35PM ET) (ESPN)
The Colts inability to run the ball has really hurt the Colts ability to make plays in the passing game with play action. The offensive line has not blocked well for rushing plays as the team sits with the worst rushing offense in the NFL. Their defense has been on the field more than any NFL team this season as the Colts sits last in time of possession. Speaking of the Colts defense they are very bad against the run and Tennessee’s combo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White will both have big games. Tennessee’s fierce defense can sit in pass coverage and make life miserable for Peyton Manning. Take Tennessee –4.
Pro Football Sunday Atlanta Falcons at Philadelphia Eagles (-9) (1:00PM ET) (FOX)
The Eagles Brian Westbrook told reporters that he wants to give it a go returning from broken ribs and a strained ankle. Also wide receiver Kevin Curtis and Reggie Brown return from injury. The question is how effective will they be in their first games back? Curtis hasn’t played all season and Brown only has seen action in 2 games. Both teams are coming off a bye so both defenses should be fresh. The Falcons really showed improvement in their 27-24 victory at Green Bay as Matt Ryan threw for 194 yards on 16 of 26 passing. Michael Turner and Jerious Norwood have ran the ball well for the Falcons and it will help keep them balanced against the Eagles who sometimes like to throw the kitchen sink at opposing QB’s. Falcon head coach Mike Brown was a former defensive coordinator at Jacksonville and with that he has brought toughness to this team that will enable them to be competitive in a contest against an NFC East opponent. The balanced Falcon attack will surprise you here. Atlanta doesn’t have to win they just have to be competitive and will cover the spread. Take Atlanta +9.
Pro Football Sunday Washington Redskins at Detroit Lions (O/U 42) (1:00PM ET) (FOX)
Jason Campbell and the Washington Redskins will see a very poor defense on Sunday in the Lions. The Lions give up over 31 points per game and 167 yards per game on the ground. The Redskins are a power running team that will have success against the Lions. The Lions secondary will be forced into run defense, which opens up big plays in the passing game for the Redskins. Jason Campbell has a strong arm so look for big plays against the mediocre Lions. Washington will put up plenty of points in this one and the Lions will put up enough to get this one over 42. Play over 42.
Pro Football Sunday NY Giants at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) (4:15PM ET) (FOX)
The Steelers are ailing in the running back position as Rashard Mendenhall is out for the season Willie Parker has a bum knee. So expect third down back Mewelde Moore get a lot of carries in this game. The Giants defense does a great job of stopping the run and will force Ben Roethlisberger into passing situations. The Giants defense puts heavy pressure on opposing quarterbacks and the Steelers offensive line have had problems protecting Big Ben. The Giants have knocked Carson Palmer and Matt Hasselbeck to the sidelines this season so Roethlisberger will need to throw quickly and if it means throwing away the football he better to get out healthy in this game. On offense the Giants will be balanced with the #1 rushing game in football and Eli Manning and his receiving corps making plays. Take the Giants +3.
World Series Game 4 Best Bet for Sunday Tampa Bay (Sonnanstine) (+120) at Philadelphia (Blanton) (-130) (8:29PM ET) (FOX)
The Phillies left handed batters could give Tampa Bay starter Andy Sonnanstine some problems in this one. Teams are hitting .277 against the Rays righty. The Phillies are getting the key long ball in the playoffs. Blanton has found good form late in the season for the Phillies. The Phillies team record is 6-0 in Blanton’s last 6 starts. The Phillies bats will get a lead on Tampa Bay and Philadelphia’s bullpen closes it out in game 4.
Your Best Bet for Sunday’s Major League Baseball is playing the Philadelphia Phillies at –130 in Game 4 of the World Series
Pro Football Best Bet Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7) (4:15PM ET) (CBS)
Jacksonville is coming off a bye and will be fresh and ready against the struggling Cleveland Browns. The Browns are coming off a physical battle last week at Washington and showed nothing on offense. Derek Anderson has not been accurate with his passing and his receivers are dropping passes left and right. Teams run well against the Browns between the tackles and the Jags have a two-headed monster in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones Drew. The Browns rank 26th in the league against the run. Garrard has been much better over his past 3 games with passing for no picks. The Jaguars QB was awesome at Denver hitting on 25 of 34 for 276 yards. The Jags balanced attack on offense coupled with the Browns poor play offensively will lead to a double digit Jaguar victory here off the bye. My Best Bet for Sunday NFL is playing the Jacksonville Jaguars –7 against the Cleveland Browns.
Pro Football Sunday Cleveland Browns at Jacksonville Jaguars (-7) (4:05PM ET) (CBS)
Jacksonville is coming off the bye and the Browns are off a physical road game at Washington. The Browns offense has been horrible. They rank 30th in the league in offense as they average a mere 15 points per game. The Jaguars have shown improvement on the ground with their two-headed run tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Garrard has not thrown an interception in his past 3 games and the team has averaged 25 points per game over their past 3 contests. Jacksonville’s run game will be very strong off the bye here and they are the right side in this one against a struggling Browns team. Take Jacksonville –7.
