Ben Burns

I’m playing on the Las Vegas Knights (10* PERSONAL FAVORITE). Both teams have been a complete disaster of late. Each team desperately needs a victory to start to turn things around. But this “means more” to the Knights in my opinion. Despite their recent three-game slide, the Jets are still No. 1 in the Central. Winnipeg has been dealing with a flu bug, which has likely contributed to its shoddy play of late. Regardless, the Jets have indeed struggled of late, especially on the offensive by averaging only 2.25 GPG over their last eight. Note that Winnipeg goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is 1-2 with a 4.40 GAA lifetime vs. the Knights. Las Vegas net-minder Marc Andre Fleury is 21-6 with a 2.32 GAA lifetime vs. the Jets. Las Vegas still has an eight point lead over ninth place Chicago, but it won’t be lacking for motivation here after losing nine of its last 12. Note that the Jets are just 3-8 in their last 11 a road dog, while Vegas is 24-6 in its last 30 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. All things consider, this line could/should be a lot larger in my opinion. Lay it, Vegas rolls.

I’m playing on Columbia (8* FEAST). Outright victory? Probably not. But I think this is going to be a competitive battle until the end. Columbia is 6-16 SU and 9-10 ATS this year, while Penn is 15-9 SU and 12-11 ATS. The Quakers won the Ivy League last year, but they’re just 3-5 in conference plays this season. The Lions are in last place in the standings, but after dropping six straight, they definitely won’t be lacking for motivation tonight (most recently fell 65-63 at Brown.) Penn comes in off a couple of crushing close losses and I think it comes out flat here as well. Most recently the Quakers fell 75-68 to Harvard in OT. Additionally note that Columbia is already a perfect 3-0 ATS this year as a road dog in the 6.5 to 12 points range, while Pennsylvania is still only 1-3 ATS in its last four as home favorite in the 6.5 to 10.5 points range. Grab the points, Columbia rolls.

I’m playing on Monmouth (10* VIOLATOR). Canisius enters off a 70-65 loss at home to Manhattan as a six points favorite most recently. The Golden Griffins three-game win streak was snapped in that one and I think the team is poised for another letdown here as well. Canisius has a target on its back tonight as it still holds the No. 1 sot in the conference. But Monmouth enters as the “hungrier” team here. After winning five straight, Monmouth comes in desperate to break a two-game slide, most recently a 75-67 loss to Marist as a 3.5 points home favorite. The Golden Griffins have struggled in this spot for bettors by going 5-9 ATS in their last 14 after a loss by six points or less. Monmouth on the other hand is already 3-1 ATS this year after allowing 75 points or more in two straight games. I think the writing is on the wall and a blowout is what’s in store. Lay the points, Monmouth rolls.

I’m playing on (10*) the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks lost to the Knicks in their final game before the break, while the Pistons won four of their final five. Detroit though lost its finale to the Pistons and I think it’ll come out “flat” here to open the second half as well. Both teams are hungry and for the most part both are rested. The advantage today for Atlanta comes via “the home floor,” and also the fact that Detroit is just 3-6 ATS in its last nine when playing with three or more days rest, while Atlanta is 8-2 ATS in its last ten off an upset loss by 15 points or more as the favorite. Grab the points, Hawks roll.

I’m playing on (8*) the New York Knicks. The Wolves won their last two games before the break over the Rockets and Clippers, but the extra time off throws a big monkey wrench into that chemistry in my opinion. The Knicks won’t be taking anything for granted here. New York was going into the break on an 18 game losing streak before pulling off a victory over the Hawks last week. The Knicks got significant contributions from some of their new-comers in the win, as DeAndre Jordan posted ten points and 13 boards, while Dennis Smith Jr. had 19 points, two boards and seven assists. The Wolves are just 16-26 in their last 42 as a road favorite, while New York is 9-5 ATS in its last 14 non-conference contests. Outright victory? It’s not out of the question, but in the end I’ll grab the points.

I’m playing on (8*) the Charlotte Hornets. I think the Hornets take care of business on their home floor to open the second half. The Wizards lost their previous matchup 129-120 on the road to Toronto, while the Hornets were killed 127-89 on the road by Orlando in their most recent action last week. Note that this is a “revenge” scenario for the home side as well after dropping the other game between the clubs, 130-126 in the nation’s capitals on December 29th. The Hornets can turn the page here and maintain their playoff spot with a decent second half and they couldn’t have asked for a better first opponent to try and do that. The Wizards are just 5-15 ATS this season as a road underdog. The Hornets are already 4-1 ATS this season after two or more consecutive road losses. Look for the extra time off to benefit the home side more in this one. Lay the points, Charlotte rolls.