Rockets-Raptors Preview

The Houston Rockets and the Toronto Raptors will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.
Odds aren’t yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Yao Ming picked up 22 points and 10 rebounds on Wednesday night to lead the Rockets to an 85-81 win over the Bucks.
The Rockets failed to cover the 8-point spread at home in that contest, while the combined score fell UNDER the night’s posted total (189.5).
Andrea Bargnani had a game-high 26 points in Toronto’s 114-107 loss to Denver on Wednesday night.
The Nuggets managed to cover the 2-point spread on the road in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the posted total (201).
Current streak:
Toronto has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 21-12 SU, 15-18 ATS
Toronto: 12-20 SU, 11-20-1 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing Milwaukee are 9-1
After a win are 5-5

Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Orlando are 3-7
After playing Denver are 2-8
After a loss are 2-8

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston’s last 11 games when playing on the road against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Houston’s last 12 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Houston’s last 21 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Houston’s last 21 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Toronto’s last 11 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto’s last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Toronto’s last 21 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Toronto’s last 5 games at home
Next up:
Houston at Atlanta, Saturday, January 3
Toronto home to Orlando, Sunday, January 4

 

Heat-Magic Preview

The Miami Heat and the Orlando Magic will meet on the court at Amway Arena on Friday in a battle of division rivals.
Oddsmakers currently have the Magic listed as 8½-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game’s total has not yet been posted.
The Heat dominated the Cavaliers in the first half en route to a 104-95 upset win on Tuesday, as 5.5-point underdogs. The 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 182.5.
Dwyane Wade had 21 points with five rebounds and 12 assists, while Mario Chalmers also tossed in 21 points in the victory.
Seven players reached double figures on Wednesday, as the Magic cruised past the Bulls 113-94. The Magic covered the 6-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 202.
Hedo Turkoglu led the way with 18 points and nine rebounds, while Rashard Lewis scored a game-high 21 points in the win.
Team records:
Miami: 17-13 SU, 14-15-1 ATS
Orlando: 25-7 SU, 21-10-1 ATS
Miami most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing New Jersey are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a win are 6-4

Orlando most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 8-2
After playing Chicago are 2-8
After a win are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Miami is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Miami is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami’s last 9 games
Miami is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Orlando is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Miami
Orlando is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games
Orlando is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
Next up:
Miami home to New Jersey, Saturday, January 3
Orlando at Toronto, Sunday, January 4

 

Sugar Bowl: Utah vs. Alabama Preview

Alabama spent a good chunk of the season ranked No. 1 in the country, but lost when it mattered most in the SEC title game. That loss sent the Crimson Tide to the Louisiana Superdome for the Sugar Bowl where they will face the tough Utah Utes.
It’s No. 4 Bama against unbeaten No. 7 Utah.
Oddsmakers currently have the Crimson Tide listed as 10-point favorites versus the Utes, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.
Brian Johnson threw four touchdown passes and Utah scored three TDs in the fourth quarter to earn a 48-24 win over BYU in Week 13. Utah covered the 7-point spread, and the 72 points sailed OVER the posted total of 55.
Johnson completed 30-of-36 for 302 yards, and Brent Casteel caught two TD passes in the win.
Alabama suffered its only regular-season loss in Week 15, as they fell 31-20 to Florida. Alabama was listed by sportsbooks as a 10-point underdog in that game, while the 51 points went UNDER the posted total of 54.5.
Glen Coffee ran for 110 yards off 21 carries with a TD in the first loss of the season for Alabama.
Team records:
Utah: 12-0 SU, 7-3-1 ATS
Alabama: 12-1 SU, 9-4 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing in January are 1-0
When playing on turf are 10-0
After being outgained are 8-2
When an underdog on the road are 5-5

Alabama most recently:
When playing in January are 2-1
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 7-3
When favored at home are 8-2

A few trends to consider:
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah’s last 7 games
Alabama is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Alabama’s last 8 games
Alabama is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games

 

Liberty Bowl: East Carolina vs. Kentucky Preview

Kentucky lost six of its final eight games, but still earned a bowl berth. God bless the bowl system for finding place for a team that lost 63-5 against Florida.
The fans at the Liberty Bowl will watch the East Carolina Pirates and the Kentucky Wildcats clash January 2.
Oddsmakers currently have the Pirates listed as 3-point favorites versus the Wildcats, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.
Ben Hartman’s 36-yard field goal with 1:43 remaining gave East Carolina a 27-24 upset win over Tulsa in Week 15.
The Pirates covered the 12.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day’s posted total of 66.
Kentucky was crushed 28-10 by Tennessee in Week 14 as a 4-point road underdog. The combined 38 points went as a PUSH against the posted total of 38.
Alfonso Smith ran for the only touchdown in the loss.
Team records:
East Carolina: 9-4 SU, 5-8 ATS
Kentucky: 6-6 SU, 4-7 ATS
East Carolina most recently:
When playing on turf are 6-4
After being outgained are 7-3
When playing outside the conference are 4-6
After playing Tulsa are 3-0

Kentucky most recently:
When playing in January are 0-1
When playing on turf are 4-5
After being outgained are 4-6
When playing outside the conference are 10-0

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of East Carolina’s last 7 games
East Carolina is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
East Carolina is 3-8 ATS in its last 11 games
Kentucky is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
Kentucky is 1-6 ATS in its last 7 games

 

Cotton Bowl: Mississippi vs. Texas Tech Preview

The Mississippi Rebels won’t get as much press and public betting as their opponent in this year’s Cotton Bowl. But beware Ole Miss as they battle the Texas Tech Red Raiders January 2.
While the Red Raiders were highly ranked and their offense highly feared, the Rebels were quietly beating Auburn, Arkansas, LSU and Florida. Not bad for a team sitting as a TD underdog.
Oddsmakers currently have the Red Raiders listed as 5-point favorites versus the Rebels, while the game’s total is sitting at 66.
Mississippi blanked Mississippi State 45-0 as an 18-point favorite last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (48).
Jevan Snead passed for 214 yards with four touchdowns for the Rebels, while Mike Wallace caught four passes for 105 and two touchdowns in the win.
Texas Tech scored 21 unanswered points in the second half to beat Baylor 35-28 in Week 14.
The Red Raiders did not cover the 22.5-point spread, while the final score played UNDER the day’s posted total of 70.
Team records:
Mississippi: 8-4 SU, 8-3 ATS
Texas Tech: 11-1 SU, 5-4-1 ATS
Mississippi most recently:
When playing in January are 1-0
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 5-5
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

Texas Tech most recently:
When playing in January are 1-1
When playing on grass are 6-4
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing outside the conference are 10-0

A few trends to consider:
Mississippi is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Mississippi‘s last 6 games
Mississippi is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
Texas Tech is 13-1 SU in its last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Texas Tech’s last 8 games

 

GodsTips Bowl GOY Goes Friday

Whether you are watching Reebok hockey or the USC football coaches try to hold on and give forensic sports handicapping founder Stevie Vincent a winner in far and away his biggest pick of the bowl season, the USC Trojans led by Mark Sanchez, we have great news: the best is yet to come.

What’s G? It’s GodsTips, led by Grandmaster sports handicapper Joe Duffy and they have confirmed that Friday, January 2 is the biggest bet of the bowl season by any handicapper anywhere. It’s the 2008-09 Bowl Game of the Year. It will be as easy as Georgia over Hawaii, which was last year’s version.

GodsTips is already 6-2 with bowl Wise Guys (6-1 with Wise Guy bowl sides).  Joe Paterno and Penn State football scored a bit more than we thought and handed us a rare loss on the total. However, Nebraska earlier in the day was our latest side. We remain hotter than the USC cheerleaders and Kari Bryon combined.

It’s non-stop winning at GodsTips, anchor of OffshoreInsiders.com.  December 30 it was Oregon as the Bowl Underdog Game of the Year. On Dec. 20, Arizona was the Pre Christmas Bowl Game of the Year.  

Nov. 22 Penn State wins as the Big 10 Game of the Year. Nov. 16 the 49ers in a rout were our NFC Game of the Year, fresh on the heels of Maryland our ACC Game of the Year the day before. Nov. 10 our MNF Total of the Year on the 49ers over was easy. On Nov. 1 Temple wins as our Nonconference Game of the Year and California as our Pac 10 Game of the Year! On Oct. 19 the Raiders outright were our AFC Game of the Year. On Oct. 11, it was Florida as our CBS Game of the Year. Oct. 5, the Colts over was our AFC Total of the Year. Monday, Nov. 10 the 49ers over was the Monday Night Total of the Year.

Dec. 14 Carolina obliterates Denver as the NFL Game of the Year.  On Dec. 7 hit with Florida as the College Football Game of the Year. On Dec. 7 it was the Seahawks as the Sunday Game of the Year and on Dec. 8 Carolina the Prime Time Game of the Year—a total sweep.

Brent Musburger and Kirk Herbstreet need to stop kissing Keyshawn Johnson and make sure he’s not on the other side if this burial.

Check out OffshoreInsiders.com later Thursday night as the entire card for GodsTips is released for Friday.

Orange Bowl: Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati Preview

The Virginia Tech Hokies, ranked 16th nationally on defense, face the 11-2 Cincinnati Bearcats at Dolphin Stadium in the Orange Bowl on New Year’s Day.
Cincy won 10 of 11 to end the year, while the Hokies rebounded from a tough mid-season stretch to win their final three games.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bearcats listed as 2-point favorites versus the Hokies, while the game’s total is sitting at 42.
Virginia Tech rushed for three touchdowns and ran away from Boston College to win 30-12 in Week 15.
The Hokies covered the 1-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 39.
Marshwan Gilyard had a late TD reception in Week 15 as Cincinnati pulled out a 29-24 win over Hawaii.
The Bearcats weren’t able to cover the 7.5-point spread in that contest, while the combined score went OVER the day’s posted total (48.5).
Team records:
Virginia Tech: 9-4 SU, 5-7 ATS
Cincinnati: 10-2 SU, 6-5 ATS
Virginia Tech most recently:
When playing in January are 2-5
When playing on grass are 8-2
After being outgained are 8-2
When an underdog on the road are 5-5

Cincinnati most recently:
When playing in January are 1-0
When playing on grass are 3-7
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When favored at home are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Virginia Tech’s last 5 games
Virginia Tech is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
Cincinnati is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games
Cincinnati is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games

 

Rose Bowl: Penn State vs. Southern Cal Preview

A pair of 11-1 conference champions restore some luster to the Rose Bowl this year as the Big Ten champion Penn State Nittany Lions face the Pac 10 champion USC Trojans.
Penn State has struggled ATS of late, losing three of four, while USC has been dominant on defense, allowing more than 10 points just twice in 12 games this year.
Oddsmakers currently have the Trojans listed as 10-point favorites versus the Nittany Lions, while the game’s total is sitting at 45.
Daryll Clark threw for career-highs of 341 yards and four touchdowns and a stingy defense held Javon Ringer to a season-low 42 yards as Penn State clinched a BCS bid with a 49-18 victory Michigan State in Week 13.
The Lions covered the 16.5-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 47.
Mark Sanchez threw for 268 yards as USC ran past UCLA 28-7 in Week 15. USC could not cover the 32.5-point spread, and the 35 points went UNDER the posted total of 47.
Sanchez completed 18-of-33 with two touchdowns for USC. Joe McKnight ran for 99 yards and a TD in the win.
Team records:
Penn State: 11-1 SU, 7-3-1 ATS
Southern Cal: 11-1 SU, 7-5 ATS
Penn State most recently:
When playing in January are 5-2
When playing on grass are 8-2
After outgaining opponent are 10-0
When an underdog on the road are 0-10

Southern Cal most recently:
When playing in January are 6-1
When playing on grass are 10-0
After outgaining opponent are 9-1
When favored at home are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Penn State is 12-1 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Penn State’s last 6 games
Penn State is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games
Southern Cal is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Southern Cal’s last 23 games
Southern Cal is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games

 

Capital One Bowl: Michigan State vs. Georgia Preview

The fans at Florida Citrus Bowl will be treated to a possible defensive battle when the Michigan State Spartans and the Georgia Bulldogs clash January 1 for the Capital One Bowl.
And Bulldog backers will be hoping for a victory to take the money-losing sting out of four consecutive ATS losses.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bulldogs listed as 9-point favorites versus the Spartans, while the game’s total is sitting at 57.
Javon Ringer had one TD for Michigan State, giving him 21 on the season, but the team ended up losing 49-18 to Penn State in Week 13.
The Spartans did not cover the 16.5-point spread, while the combined score played OVER the posted total of 47.
Matthew Stafford finished with 407 yards passing, five touchdowns and one interception but it was not enough as Georgia was upset 45-42 by Georgia Tech in Week 14.
The Bulldogs failed to cover the 7.5-point spread, while the final score played well OVER the posted total of 50.5.
Team records:
Michigan State: 9-3 SU, 6-6 ATS
Georgia: 9-3 SU, 3-6-2 ATS
Michigan State most recently:
When playing in January are 1-0
When playing on grass are 7-3
After being outgained are 6-4
When playing outside the conference are 7-3

Georgia most recently:
When playing in January are 6-1
When playing on grass are 7-3
After outgaining opponent are 8-2
When playing outside the conference are 9-1

A few trends to consider:
Michigan State is 9-2 SU in its last 11 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Michigan State’s last 6 games
Georgia is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Georgia’s last 5 games
Georgia is 1-6-1 ATS in its last 8 games

 

Sports betting blog with sports handicapping picks from the best sports handicappers, pregame betting information, sports handicapping articles, links to live odds, free picks, sportsbook information and more. All pro gamblers go to this betting blog before placing a bet.