Ben Burns

I'm playing MINNESOTA on the money-line. Though I do expect the T-Wolves to cover the spread, I also won't be surprised if the game is close. The last three meetings between these teams were all decided by single-digits, the game here at Minnesota was decided by just two points. The Nuggets are off a single-digit loss at home last night and their last road game was decided by three points. On a losing streak and playing with revenge, the T-Wolves are going to be highly motivated. Schedule and venue in their favor, Towns not back and with a couple of games under his belt, look for them to find a way. 

I'm playing on PORTLAND. The Warriors' season was over before it started. On the other hand, the Blazers are still fighting/hoping for a playoff spot. They know they've got their work cut out for them if they want that to be a reality. They're currently in 11th, three games back of the 8th place Grizzlies with the Spurs and the Suns in between them. That makes taking care of business in a game like this a priority. This is a team they simply need to beat. The Warriors are 3-19 on the road; a win here brings the Blazers back to 500 at home. The Blazers, who already beat the Warriors by 10 here earlier, are 10-1 SU and 7-4 ATS the past 11 times that they were off a double-digit loss within their division. Expect them to bounce back with a blowout win. 

I'm playing on ATLANTA. The defending champs continue to roll. They're not used to playing an early Monday road game though. Off three straight wins and with a big showdown (playoff rematch) against the 76ers on deck, I feel its going to be tough to cover this big number. The Hawks already played the Raptors tough at Toronto earlier; they lost by just three back in November. We're getting even more points to work with here, too, despite this one being played at Atlanta. While they got hammered last time out, it was the second of b2b games and the Hawks had won their previous two. They're 6-3 ATS as home underdogs in the 6.5 to 12 range. Expect them to give their hosts all they can handle. 

I'm playing on PHOENIX. The Spurs are in the wrong place, at the wrong time. While they're off a hard-fought win yesterday afternoon, the Suns were resting, waiting for them. Yesterday's win was a battle the entire way and it came against a Miami team which had recently defeated them. This time, however, its the Spurs' opponent which will be playing with "revenge." Indeed, the Suns haven't forgotten that the Spurs beat them by two points in each of the last two meetings. This season's previous game came in mid-December, the Spurs winning 121-119 in OT. Those are the ones you don't forget and you can be sure the Suns have had this one circled. That 2-point loss on 12/14 was part of an 8-game losing streak for the streaky Suns. They're playing better now though. In fact, they've won four of their past five including an upset win at Boston last time out. Not only are the Suns 5-1 ATS when off an upset victory, they're 17-6-1 ATS when attempting to avenge a loss where the opposing team scored 110 or more. Schedule in their favor and knowing that they're going to have to face these same Spurs in a few days, at San Antonio, look for the revenge-minded Suns to take care of business tonight. 

I'm playing on Texas/WVU OVER the total. Last season's games both had O/U lines in the low 140s. We're working with a considerably lower number here. I feel that it'll prove to be too low. Though both teams are indeed pretty stingy, both have seen the OVER go 5-3 the past 2+ seasons, when facing a team which allows 64 or fewer points, through the first 15 games of the season.  While the Longhorns have been involved in a few low-scoring games of last, the same cannot really be said of the Mountaineers. Not their last couple, at least. They gave up 84 in a loss last time out and scored 81 in a win in their previous game. Overall, the Mountaineers score an average of 79 points at home, while connecting on 47% of their field goals. Visiting teams have averaged 60.4. I think the Mountaineers at least come close to their average but I don't think the Longhorns will just go away. Look for this one to prove higher-scoring than many will be expecting. 

I'm playing on Charlotte/ODU OVER the total. This line opened up low and I believe it'll prove to be too low. Charlotte has been involved in low-scoring games at home and these these played a low-scoring game against each other there. However, road games have been a different story; this afternoon's game at Chartway Arena should see both teams score more than they did at Charlotte. The 49ers have seen the OVER go 4-1 as a road underdog of six or less, 5-2 on the road overall. Last season's game here had an O/U line of 120 and produced 132 points. Overall, 49'er road games are average 139.3 ppg while the Monarchs have seen their home games average 130.4. Look for this one to prove higher-scoring than many will be expecting, the final score finishing above the low number.