Handicapper Ben Burns

I'm playing on NY/Utah UNDER the total. This O/U line has climbed a bit from its opening number. I believe thats providing us with excellent value. Yes, the Jazz have been involved in some high-scoring games of late. Those three consec. 'overs' came against the Pelicans (twice) and Warriors though. I expect a game against the Knicks to have a much different result. Keep in mind that before the recent 'overs,' the Jazz had seen four straight games finish below the total. They held three of those opponents to 92 points or less. The Knicks come in averaging just 101.9 ppg. Thats the lowest mark in the entire league. (The Cavs are next at 104.5.) Not surprisingly, 12 of their 18 games have fallen below the total. I expect them to have trouble-scoring here, the UNDER improving to 4-0 when the Jazz played with two day's rest in between games. 

I'm playing on EASTERN ILLINOIS. The last meeting between these teams saw Eastern Illinois win by a score of 70-52. I'm expecting another double-digit win for the Panthers this evening. While they may be improved from last year, the Cougars are still short on talent. It certainly doesn't help the Cougars that they had a string of nine consecutive games postponed. They're finally back on the court but haven't had a chance to properly gel. Last time out, they got destroyed 114-62. This one's a makeup game and marks the start of six games in 12 days for the Panthers. That's a tough stretch and they know they need to take advantage of this winnable game, to snap their current skid, while they have the opportunity. Expect the Panthers to do exactly that, picking up the cover along the way. 

I'm playing on TEXAS. The Sooners' recent hot streak has kept this line lower than it easily could have been. I feel thats providing excellent value with the Longhorns. Keep in mind that Oklahoma's wins have been coming at home. The Sooners' last three road games have ALL resulted in loses. They dropped those games at Xavier, Baylor and Kansas by an average of 14 points, two of the three losses coming by double-digits. While some may be concerned about the Longhorns' extended layoff, another potential factor helping to keep the line down, lets not forget the game against Kansas. That was a 1/2 game and the Longhorns hadn't played since 12/20. Rust? Not exactly. They crushed Kansas by a score of  84-59. While these teams have played some close ones, I see the Longhorns pulling away and covering the small number. 

I'm playing on COLORADO. Wrong place, wrong time for the Sharks. If the Avs aren't the best team in the league, they're certainly right there in the top five. The same cannot be said of the Sharks. Off a 3-1 loss, the Avs are going to be angry. You may recall that we backed them earlier in the season when they were off a 4-1 loss. They responded by winning their next game by a score of 8-0. Including that blowout, they're a perfect 6-0 the past six times that they were off a game where they scored two goals or less, in their previous game. (The Sharks are 1-4 their last five when faciing an opponent that scored two or less.) The Sharks won last game but have yet to win two in a row. They're 0-2 off a win. The home team has dominated this series, going 37-14 the last 51 meetings. Colorado improves on those stats Tuesday.