NEW ORLEANS @ DALLAS

Here is one for all the trend followers. Dallas is a ridiculous 3-20 in their last 23 home games ATS. New Orleans is 7-1 on the road ATS in their last 8. Sounds simple enough.

-TAKE NEW ORLEANS +8.5

TORONTO @ OKLAHOMA CITY

The Raptors visit a very hot Thunder team who has won 8 of their last 10, however, they have been very ordinary 16-14 ATS at home. Meanwhile the Raptors have been playing pretty well since the break, even without Chris Bosh. This may be an opportunity to catch the books being forced to give Oklahoma City more respect than they would like to, and maybe we catch an added bonus if Bosh can go today for Toronto.

- TAKE TORONTO +8.5

SUNDAY UPDATE

Well, it looked like we had one in the bag at the half last night. The Wolves and Blazers combined for only 80 points at half time helped by a 10 point second quarter from Minnesota. Then, as often the case, garbage time got us with the two teams netting 61 points in fourth.

Back to work today with 8 games on the schedule. As usual on Sunday, the starting times are scattered throughout the day so check back often for updates.

-CJ

PORTLAND @ MINNESOTA

The best edge we can find for tonight is a total play. Both the Wolves and Blazers are playing the 4th game in 5 nights, the Blazers are coming off OT last night at Chicago and are in the midst of a long road trip. Minnesota had played the previous 3 on the road before tonight's home contest. I am looking for a tired group of players on both sides which will hopefully provide many turnovers and poor shooting leading to fewer points than normal.

TAKE POR/MIN UNDER 195

SATURDAY UPDATE #2

The 1:00pm game between NJ/BOS does not excite me. I am currently checking the 3:30 contest between MIL/MIA as well as the night games, so check back in a couple hours.

SATURDAY UPDATE

Well, the Bulls needed OT, but came thru for us last night. Enjoy the 1 point win because we will most definitely be and the wrong side of these kind of games sooner than later. We have won four straight but must remain on an even keel and stay consistent with your betting.

There are 7 games today, however, 2 of them are matinees, so check back before 1:00pm for an update.

-CJ

PORTLAND @ CHICAGO (-3)

The Blazers are playing their 3rd straight road game in four nights against a surging Bulls team that has won 5 of the last 6 and are a very good 18-9 at home. We also will not have to lay much in the way of points.

TAKE CHICAGO -3

FRIDAY UPDATE

There are 12 games slated for tonight. After taking an initial glance, there may be one or two games of interest so check back later today for potential plays.

-CJ

THURSDAY UPDATE #2

After looking over the schedule I can not find any edge. Check in tomorrow for any early updates. We should have a play tomorrow.

-CJ

THURSDAY UPDATE

A good day yesterday with the Clips taking care of business. Only 3 games scheduled for tonight. I will check them over during the course of the day and let you know later this afternoon if anything looks playable.

-CJ

DETROIT @ LA CLIPPERS (-3.5)

Detroit goes back to back after a win last night in Sacramento. The Clippers seemed to have regained some footing under new coach Kim Hughes winning their last two. The Clips are 11-4 ATS at home in their last 15 games and are playing their 4th straight game at the Staples Center. Laying very little in the way of points, I expect LA to enjoy some more home cooking and beat a Detroit team that has won only 5 of their last 21 on the road.

TAKE LOS ANGELES -3.5

WEDNESDAY UPDATE

My favorite set-up came thru again last night with Minnesota winning outright last night as an 8 point dog at Miami. There is a pretty full slate of games tonight and I should be posting something later today.

-CJ

MINNESOTA @ MIAMI (-8)

This game features one of my favorite set-ups. Miami is returning home after a long road trip with minimal rest. The first game back from a road trip is essentially another road game for the home team and often creates a good opportunity to take the road dog. I passed on this opportunity last night in the Hawks/Jazz game because the Hawks were going back to back and had been playing poorly as of late. Turned out to be over thinking on my part, should have just played the odds as the Hawks won outright. Second chance tonight? Let's hope so.

TAKE MINNESOTA +8

TUESDAY UPDATE

Well our "go against the crowd" wager paid of yesterday as the Bucks and Knicks managed to scrape up only 150 points against a Vegas total of 209. They should all be so easy. I am currently taking my first look at the lines and will update you again later.

-CJ

MILWAUKEE @ NEW YORK (209)

After taking a long look I can find one edge tonight. For those of you who like contrarian plays, players have run the total on the MIL/NY game from 204 to 209. I don't often do totals, but tonight it is tempting enough to make it a play.

TAKE MIL/NY UNDER 209

MONDAY UPDATE

Well, it was a tough one swallow last night as the Blazers blew a 64-39 lead held at the mid-point of the 3rd quarter. To add insult to injury, they still had the game covered before Carlos Boozer's tip in at the buzzer sent the game to OT. Games like this are always a reminder that there are no sure things. This is just one game in the course of many and should not hang with you for any length of time. We will move on and stay focused.

I am currently looking at the slate for tonight and will update things later this afternoon. After an early look, nothing is standing out, however, still looking. Stay tuned.

UTAH @ PORTLAND

The Utah Jazz have won 9 of their last 10 and take a 6 game road winning streak into Portland where they have failed to cover 6 of the last 7. All good things must come to an end and with the home Blazers laying only a single point, I think the Jazz road winning streak can very well go up in smoke tonight.

TAKE PORTLAND -1

SATURDAY UPDATE

Although there are 7 games scheduled this evening, I am having trouble finding an edge so no plays tonight as of right now. As always, check back in case something comes up.

-CJ

DENVER (-5.5) @ WASHINGTON & CLEVELAND (-4) @ CHARLOTTE

Denver is coming off an overtime victory versus Cleveland last night, but should still be fairly fresh after the long All-Star break. The Nuggets covered 5 of the last 6 at Washington. Meanwhile, the Wizards have only covered 10 of 26 on their home floor and are depleted of what talent they had left after the trades of Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler. It looks like a pretty good spot for the Nuggets.

TAKE DENVER -5.5

Cleveland has a tough back to back as they travel to Charlotte after a tough OT loss at home. The Bobcats are notorious for giving the Cavaliers fits and it may take a while for Cleveland to integrate Antawn Jamison.

TAKE CHARLOTTE +4

THURSDAY UPDATE

There are only two games slated for this evening and neither look like viable plays thus far. As always, check back before tip-offs to make sure there are no changes. Have a good night.

UTAH (-4) @ NEW ORLEANS & ATLANTA (-6) @ LA CLIPPERS

Utah has won 5 straight on the road and have been one of the hotter teams in the league. However, road winning streaks in the NBA usually don't last too long. The Hornets are still without Chris Paul, but New Orleans plays well at home sporting a 17-8 record. With the road streak getting long in the tooth and laying 4 against a solid home team, there is a good chance Utah's streak may end tonight.

Atlanta comes fresh of the All-Star break to face a struggling Clippers team who just dealt F/C Marcus Camby. Things don't look like they will get better tonight for the Clips.

TAKE NEW ORLEANS +4 and ATLANTA -6