3* Underdog SMASH on Hornets +7 The Lakers are 18-1 at home so naturally the money is rushing in on them, but a good Hornets team will be up to the challenge tonight. New Orleans has already lost to LA twice this season and off a loss to Denver in its last game, the Hornets have all the incentive in the world to leave it all out on the floor. New Orleans is actually 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS in its last 3 meetings in LA. The Lakers are just 2-10 ATS after having won 12 or more of their last 15 games this season while New Orleans is 16-5 ATS after a loss by 6 points or less over the last 3 seasons, 25-10 ATS revenging a home loss vs. an opponent over the last 3 seasons, and 13-3 ATS in January games over the last 2 seasons. Take the points.

1 Unit FREE PLAY on Texas -4.5 The alarm was sounded when Arkansas beat Oklahoma so I don't see a superior Texas team falling into any traps here. The key will be Texas' defense which is only allowing 59.9 ppg on the season and is holding opponents to just 38.6% shooting from the floor. This type of a defensive team fits into an outstanding system that I will back tonight. Plays on road favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points; very good defensive team - shooting pct defense of <=39% on the season, in January games are 52-20 ATS the last 5 seasons. Lay the number.

4* Major GMAC Bowl BEST BET on Ball State +3 Both of these teams crapped out in their respective conference championship games so both should have the incentive to bounce back strong, but I'm going with Ball State and the points here. The Cardinals have the best player on the field in Nate Davis and he did not play well in front of the pro scouts in that MAC title game against Buffalo. He puts his skills on display tonight and leads the Cards to the win and the cover. Also, he has the better defense in this matchup to get the ball back for him. Ball State is allowing only 19.0 ppg on the road this season while Tulsa is giving up 35.7. The Cardinals are 16-5 ATS vs. a team with a winning record, 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as an underdog, 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games following an ATS loss, and 10-2 ATS in their last 12 non-conference games. Take the Cards.

5* Big Ten Line Mistake of the Year on Purdue -2 Purdue has won all 4 meetings with Penn State the last couple seasons and it will be out for blood here following a loss to Illinois in its last game. In this case, I think the outcome of its last game is carrying too much weight and that Purdue should be around a 5-point favorite in this game. Purdue is 9-2 ATS in road lined games over the last 2 seasons, winning by an average score of 69.8 to 64. Purdue is also 14-5 ATS against conference opponents over the last 2 seasons, winning these games by an average score of 68.4 to 62.1. Lastly, Purdue is 15-5 ATS versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons, winning these contests by an average score of 68.1 to 63.2. The Boilermakers are the most talented and balanced team in the Big Ten this season and they will not lose two in a row. Lay the number.

4* Major NBA Blowout of the Week on Magic -12.5 This one has blowout written all over it as the Magic are off a loss and returning home out for blood while the Wizards are in a letdown spot after surprising Cleveland. Orland already has wins of 25 and 15 against the Wiz this season as they have had no answer on the interior. Orlando is 19-2 ATS off a road loss over the last 2 seasons. Enough said. Lay the points.