Soccer : FA Cup - Capital One Cup - Premier League

There’s some fantastic Soccer taking place this week with the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-finals and fixtures from the third round of the FA Cup to look forward to.

The League Cup takes centre stage in midweek as Stoke meet Liverpool at the Britannia Stadium on Tuesday and Everton play host to Man City on Wednesday.

Jurgen Klopp’s men are back in action on Friday as Liverpool visit Exeter in the FA Cup. The Reds ran out 3-1 winners in their only previous visit to St. James’ Park in August 2011. Wycombe will be hopeful of causing an upset on Saturday as they welcome Premier League strugglers Aston Villa, before current holders Arsenal take on Sunderland and Man Utd, who haven’t lifted the FA Cup since 2004, entertain Sheffield Utd. Sunday sees Chelsea face Scunthorpe, Tottenham clash with Leicester and Cardiff battle Shrewsbury.

NHL : Improving Leafs Host Slumping Pens on TSN

The Toronto Maple Leafs were supposed to be one of the worst teams in the league this year. The Pittsburgh Penguins were supposed to challenge for the Stanley Cup. That's the way the script played out when the season began, and now both teams are hovering around .500 in the Eastern standings. The 13-14-7 Leafs prepare to host the 17-15-3 Penguins this Wednesday (7 PM ET, TSN).

The Leafs started the season poorly enough at 1-7-2, but they've found their groove with James Reimer (.935 save percentage) taking over in net. Reimer has a personal record of 7-4-4 in 16 starts, and will get the nod again on Wednesday after missing nearly a month with a recurring groin injury. The under got paid in seven of Reimer's previous 10 starts.

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has won just four games in December after starting the year at 9-4. No. 1 goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (.925 SV%) remains out with a concussion, but goaltending hasn't been the problem ? it's mostly at the other end, where the Pens rank No. 28 in scoring at 2.23 goals per game. Team defense has been an issue, too, with Pittsburgh allowing 31.1 shots per game (No. 27 overall).

NHL : Reimer Back for Leafs; No Fleury for Pens?
Two teams heading in different directions will meet this Wednesday (7 PM ET, TSN) when the 13-14-7 Toronto Maple Leafs host the 17-15-3 Pittsburgh Penguins. The Leafs are 5-1-2 in their last eight games, while Pittsburgh is 2-5-1.

James Reimer (.935 save percentage) is expected to make his return for Toronto after missing nearly a month with a groin injury. It's unknown at press time whether Marc-Andre Fleury (.925 SV%) will be back for the Pens. Fleury suffered a concussion two weeks ago and hasn't played since, but he's considered probable for Wednesday's matchup.

NCAAB : Hokies Look to Upset Ranked Mountaineers

The West Virginia Mountaineers are 10-1 and up to No. 19 in the rankings. They're looking to make a return to the NCAA Tournament. However, they'll face a challenge on Wednesday, when they head to the 8-4 Virginia Tech Hokies, who will want to knock their state rivals down a peg.

The Mountaineers have now won three in a row since losing to the Virginia Cavaliers, and they beat the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 84-59 before the holiday break. Jaysean Paige came off the bench to score 17 for the Mountaineers, who were up 50-22 at the half, but took their foot off the gas in the second period.

The Hokies are coming off a 62-79 loss to Saint Joseph's in another New York game as they were beaten all over the court. Seth Allen led the way with 18 points for Virginia Tech, who shot 40.3% from the field and were outrebounded 48-32. Alarmingly, St. Joe's had 19 offensive rebounds to nine for the Hokies, and West Virginia leads the nation in offensive rebounding.
These two teams have met 10 times since 1998, with the Mountaineers winning six, including an 82-51 victory last season.

NCAAB : Hokies, Mountaineers Set to Rumble in Blacksburg
Virginia is the battleground for Wednesday's marquee matchup as the Virginia Tech Hokies host the No. 19 West Virginia Mountaineers. The game starts at noon EST.

The No. 19 ranked Mountaineers are 10-1, losing only to the Virginia Cavaliers in New York. They're No. 13 in the nation in scoring and No. 14 in points allowed. They'll pose a challenge for Virginia Tech. The Hokies are 8-4 and coming off a loss to Saint Joseph's, but they'll be up for this rivalry game. West Virginia won two of the last three between these two.

NCAAB: Saint Mary's, Santa Clara Continue Rivalry

The Saint Mary's Gaels and Santa Clara Broncos have been playing against each other in multiple sports since 1910. It's always an occasion when they get together and they’ll meet for the first time this season on Wednesday at Santa Clara.

Saint Mary's has won nine of their first 10 games to start the season. Their lone loss was by four points at California. The Gaels are a strong team and should be a factor in March. Sophomore guard Emmett Naar leads the way with 14.9 points and 6.9 assists, but the Gaels have seven players that average at least 8.0 points per game.

Santa Clara is 4-9 on the season.  They lost their first seven games of the season before winning four straight, all at home. They lost their latest game at Pacific on Monday by a narrow 72-73 margin in overtime. Junior guard Jared Brownridge is putting up 20.2 points and 4.0 rebounds per game.
Saint Mary's has won eight of their last 10 against Santa Clara, who won 71-70 at home in February. Brownridge made a lay-up with seven seconds left to give the Broncos a famous win.

NCAAB : Gaels Head to Santa Clara Before the Holidays 
There is no love lost when Saint Mary's and Santa Clara meet. Even though they both play on Monday, they'll be looking ahead to Wednesday's showdown.

The 9-1 Gaels are out to avenge a late loss at Santa Clara last season, and the 4-9 Broncos are looking to protect their home court once again. Saint Mary's has actually won five of their last six trips to Santa Clara, and they still have the memory of that bitter loss in February in their minds. Santa Clara is coming off a tough 72-73 overtime road loss at Pacific on Monday.

NHL : Sabres-Bruins on Boxing Day

After three well-deserved days off, the NHL is back in action this Saturday with nine games, starting with an old Adams Division classic between the Buffalo Sabres (14-16-4) and the Boston Bruins (19-9-4). This will be their first meeting of the 2015-2016 campaign. Game time from the Garden is 7 PM ET on NESN.

The Sabres were the worst team in the league last year, and the year before that, allowing them to grab centers Sam Reinhart (eight goals, seven assists) and Jack Eichel (nine goals, seven assists) with back-to-back No. 2 overall selections. Their play has helped Buffalo inch back toward respectability under new head coach Dan Bylsma.

After a slow start, the Bruins have won 11 of their last 15 games to move within a point of the Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division. Tuukka Rask has yet to lose a game this month; the Finnish netminder is 5-0-2 with a sparkling .961 save percentage, allowing just eight goals combined. In October, Rask allowed 23 goals in seven games. Boston has also received solid goalkeeping this year from back-up Jonas Gustavsson (.912 save percentage). The under is 7-1 in Boston's last eight games.

Improving Sabres Visit Red-Hot Bruins
After two years in the NHL basement, the Buffalo Sabres (14-16-4) have come back to life under new head coach Dan Bylsma. But they'll be in tough Saturday night when they visit the Boston Bruins (19-9-4), who have won 11 of their last 15 games. The puck drops at 7 PM ET on NESN.

Boston's revival is due primarily to Finnish netminder Tuukka Rask. He's allowed just eight goals combined in his last seven starts, going 5-0-2 to bring the Bruins within one point of the  Montreal Canadiens for first place in the Atlantic Division.

NCAAF : BYU vs. No. 22 Utah

College football's bowl season begins Saturday with five games, anchored by a compelling “Holy War” Las Vegas Bowl matchup between the Brigham Young Cougars and the No. 22 Utah Utes. Kick-off from Sam Boyd Stadium is at 3:30 PM ET, with Utah favored by three points as we go to press. That line has held steady since the open back on December 8.

The Cougars (9-3 SU, 8-4 ATS) will be playing their last game under head coach Bronco Mendenhall, who took the top job at Virginia two weeks ago. They'll be trying to snap a four-game losing streak against Utah (9-3 SU, 5-7 ATS); the Utes have covered each of the last three meetings for coach Kyle Whittingham, a BYU alumnus who, legend has it, swore never to lose again to his alma mater.

That could be a tough task this Saturday. Utah is playing without running back Devontae Booker (4.7 yards per carry, 37 catches), who was lost for the year to a torn meniscus in Week 11. The Utes' offense has been sluggish ever since, splitting a pair of games straight up at 0-2 ATS with both games going under the posted total.

NCAAF : Holy War Resumes at Las Vegas Bowl
Saturday is the first day of the 2015 college football bowl season, featuring a “Holy War” matchup at the Las Vegas Bowl (3:30 PM ET) between the Brigham Young Cougars and the No. 22 Utah Utes. Utah has been a 3-point favorite since the lines opened December 8.

The Utes are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in their past four meetings with BYU, but they'll find Saturday's game more difficult without star running back Devontae Booker (4.7 yards per carry, 37 catches), who tore his meniscus in Week 11. Utah is 1-1 SU and 0-2 ATS since Booker's injury.

King George VI Chase

You can make the most of the action with an excellent range of Horse Racing offers on Boxing Day at Kempton, where the top National Hunt runners and riders will be out in full force for an exciting six-race card, including the King George VI Chase.

The bet365 Price Promise will apply to the race, as well as all other races televised live on Channel 4, with prices constantly updated from 10am on the day. Best price or joint best price will be matched from the following list of Bookmakers: Ladbrokes, William Hill, Paddy Power, Coral, Betfred and Boylesports. Best Odds Guaranteed still applies. Excludes live shows, enhanced win, Ante-Post and In-Play prices.

That’s not all, at bet365 you also have the chance to earn risk free bets with the Channel 4/1 Offer. Back any single winner at 4/1 or more on a race televised live on Channel 4 and bet365 will give you a risk free bet to the same stake (up to £50*) on the next live Channel 4 race. If your risk free bet also wins at odds of 4/1 or more, you will qualify for a risk free bet on the next live Channel 4 race. Keep backing those winners and bet365 will keep giving you risk free bets! If your risk free bet loses, your stake (up to £50*) will be refunded to your account.

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Premier League football matches

There’s some fantastic Soccer taking place this festive period with two rounds of fixtures from the Premier League to look forward to.

The action gets underway on Boxing Day as Man Utd head to the Potteries to face former hero Mark Hughes and his Stoke side, before Liverpool take on Leicester and Man City host Sunderland. Newcastle then welcome Roberto Martinez’s Everton to Tyneside and Southampton and Arsenal bring the day to a close as they clash at St Mary’s.

The entertainment continues on Monday with eight games, including Everton and Stoke back in action at Goodison Park, Tottenham making the short journey North to meet Watford and Man Utd going head to head with Chelsea in the highlight of the day. Jose Mourinho’s men have not tasted defeat against the Red Devils in their last four visits to Old Trafford.

With bet365’s Euro Soccer Bonus you can earn up to 100% more on your returns if you place accumulators on the Premier League, Primera Liga, Bundesliga, Serie A or Champions League. Place a pre-match accumulator of three or more selections on the Full Time Result or Result/Both Teams To Score markets combining teams in any of these competitions, and if successful, bet365 will add the relevant bonus to your returns.

The bonus will not apply where a stake has been fully Cashed Out. Where a stake has been partially Cashed Out, the bonus will be calculated based on the remaining active stake and the combination bets with bonuses such as Lucky 15’s or Lucky 31’s do not apply for this offer.

That’s not all, with the Bore Draw Money Back offer even a goalless draw is never the worst result with bet365 – if you place a pre-match bet on any Correct Score, Half-Time/Full-Time or Scorecast markets for any Soccer match and if the game finishes 0-0, bet365 will refund your stake if the bet loses.
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With a range offers and extensive pre-match and In-Play markets, bet365 is a great place for all your Soccer betting.

Soccer, Horse Racing and Cricket

Soccer - Champions League and Top Domestic Leagues
December promises to deliver some fantastic Soccer action with fixtures from Europe’s top domestic leagues and the final round of games from the Champions League group stage to look forward to.


Horse Racing - King George VI Chase and the Welsh Grand National
There’s plenty of top-class racing taking place this December with highlights including the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Welsh Grand National on Sunday 27th at Chepstow.


Cricket - South Africa v England
December sees England begin their tour of South Africa with the first Test in Durban.

NHL: East-Leading Caps Host Senators

After stocking up on talent during the offseason, the Washington Capitals have vaulted into first place in the Eastern Conference at 21-6-2. This Wednesday (7 PM ET, TSN), the Capitals host the Ottawa Senators (16-10-5), who are treading water in the East while a number of key players sit out injured.

The Capitals are in their second year under head coach Barry Trotz, and the front office gave his program a substantial boost in personnel by acquiring the likes of right wing Justin Williams (eight goals, 10 assists) and right wing TJ Oshie (10 goals, seven assists). Between their added offense and the stellar goalkeeping of Braden Holtby (.933 save percentage), the Caps have been able to beat the puck line for 9.98 betting units on a record of 15-14 ATS.
Ottawa (13-18 ATS, –6.10 units) was supposed to go through a rebuilding phase following the dismissal of head coach Paul MacLean last December, but they have played quite well under former assistant Dave Cameron. Now they have to weather the loss of left wing Milan Michalek (five goals, three assists) and left wing Clark MacArthur (16 goals, 20 assists last year) for an extended period due to injuries.

The Ottawa Senators (16-10-5) have played some good hockey since former assistant head coach Dave Cameron took over for Paul MacLean last December. Can they keep it up this Wednesday (7 PM ET, TSN) when they host the East-leading Washington Capitals (21-6-2)?

It won't be easy without left wing Milan Michalek (five goals, three assists), who joins left wing Clark MacArthur (16 goals, 20 assists last year) on the injured list. On top of that, defenseman Chris Phillips (20:54 minutes last year) might not play at all this year after undergoing back surgery during the offseason.

NCAAB: Tar Heels Aim to Get Back on Track Against Tulane

The North Carolina Tar Heels were upset over the weekend via a heartbreaking buzzer-beater at Texas. They aim to bounce back on Wednesday when they host Tulane of the American Conference.

The Tar Heels are 7-2 after an 82-84 loss on the road to the Texas Longhorns. North Carolina came into that game ranked third, but tumbled to No. 11 after the loss. UNC has steadied some since Marcus Paige came back and they can certainly score, but they struggle with getting stops when they need them. Paige has played just three of UNC's nine games, averaging 17.7 points and 4.0 assists. The inside duo of Brice Johnson and Kennedy Meeks are combining for 25.7 points and 16.5 rebounds per game.
The Tulane Green Wave were 5-4 through their first nine games losing the ninth 68-76 to Georgia Tech at home. They have been very mediocre as losses to Alabama A&M, Mercer and Southern won’t inspire much confidence. Louis Dabney paces the team with 14.1 points and 3.7 rebounds, but the Green Wave will have to either find firepower from somewhere or play the best defense of their lives.

The North Carolina Tar Heels are coming off a tough last-second loss on the road at Texas. They'll be looking to get back in the win column when they host Tulane on Wednesday.
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UNC went into the Texas game ranked third in the country, but fell to No. 11 after their buzzer-beater loss to the Longhorns. Tulane had a three-game winning streak halted by Georgia Tech, as well as some ugly losses on their resume, including Alabama A&M, Mercer and Southern. The Green Wave should be huge underdogs in this spot.

NCAAF : Army vs No 21 Navy

Bowl season is just around the corner, but there's one more game to take care of first: the annual Army-Navy Game. The No. 21 Navy Midshipmen (9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS) will host the Army Black Knights (2-9 SU, 4-6-1 ATS) this Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Kick-off is at 3 PM ET on CBS, with Navy laying 22 points at press time.

These two service teams first met in 1890 and have played every year since 1930. Each side has enjoyed its dominant periods, but for now, Navy is in full command of this rivalry, winning each of the last 13 games at 8-5 ATS. However, the Black Knights have covered three of the past four games, including their 17-10 loss to the Midshipmen (–16.5 away) in 2014. The under is also on a nine-game winning streak in this matchup.

As usual, Navy is powered by the “wishbone” triple-option offense of head coach Ken Niumatalolo, now in his eighth year at Annapolis. Army also runs the triple-option under second-year coach Jeff Monken – both he and Niumatalolo were assistants under Paul Johnson when Johnson led Navy to four straight bowl appearances in the mid-2000s.

NCAAF Betting: Army-Navy in One-Sided Rivalry
The No. 21 Navy Midshipmen (9-2 SU, 8-3 ATS) wrap up the 2015 FBS regular season this Saturday when they welcome the Army Black Knights (2-9 SU, 4-6-1 ATS) to Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia for the annual Army-Navy game. Kick-off is at 3 PM ET on CBS.

Navy is on a 13-game winning streak in this series at 8-5 ATS, although Army has covered three of the last four games. The Black Knights are getting 22 points this year, making this the largest spread the Midshipmen have faced since 2003, when they won 34-6 as 22.5-point home favorites.

NBA : Clippers-Bulls in Battle of Overvalued Teams

Two of the NBA's most unprofitable teams will lock horns this Thursday (8:00 PM ET, TNT) when the Chicago Bulls host the Los Angeles Clippers. At press time, the Bulls lead the Eastern Conference in red ink at 11-7 SU and 6-12 ATS; the Clippers (12-9 SU, 7-12-2 ATS) are in much the same boat out West.

Despite their similar records, these two teams couldn't be much further apart. The Bulls are fourth in the NBA in defensive efficiency (97.1), while the Clippers are sixth in offensive efficiency (104.1). Neither team is particularly good at the other end, but Chicago's offense (97.5) is awful at No. 26 overall, thanks in part to former league MVP Derrick Rose and his personal Offensive Rating of 86.
The Clippers are in the middle of the table defensively at No. 18 overall, giving up 101.8 points per 100 possessions. Josh Smith (100 Defensive Rating) has helped at this end of the floor, but otherwise, the new players Los Angeles brought in during the offseason have been disappointing. The Clippers also have one of the worst back-up guards in the league, Austin Rivers (8.7 PER), playing 24 minutes a night for head coach/father Doc Rivers.

NBA : Bulls Host Clippers on TNT Doubleheader
They're two of the most popular teams in the NBA, but the Los Angeles Clippers (12-9 SU, 7-12-2 ATS) and Chicago Bulls (11-7 SU and 6-12 ATS) aren't living up to market expectation. They'll meet in the first game of Thursday's TNT doubleheader at 8:00 PM ET.

Both teams will go into the United Center having played road games on Wednesday. At press time, the Clippers have won five of their last six games at 2-2-2 ATS, while the Bulls are in a slump at 3-4 SU and 2-5 ATS over their past seven.

NHL : Bruins-Canadiens in Hockey's Top Rivalry

Of all the rivalries in the NHL, none has burned brighter for longer than the feud between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens. They'll renew hostilities this Wednesday night (7:30 PM ET, NBCSN) at the Bell Centre; Montreal already has a pair of 4-2 victories over the Bruins this year, home and away.

It'll be a significantly weakened Habs club this time around. League MVP Carey Price (lower body) remains out indefinitely between the pipes, and Montreal has been missing right wing Brendan Gallagher (hand) for an extended period. On Monday, Montreal placed left wing Alexander Semin on waivers. Despite these absences, the Canadiens are still in first place in the Eastern Conference at 19-6-3.

The Bruins (14-9-3) have had an up-and-down season thus far, and they're currently in a bit of a slump, losing three of their last four games. However, Tuukka Rask (.906 save percentage) has started to turn things around after a very slow start in net. His last appearance was Saturday's 4-0 shutout of the Vancouver Canucks (–120 at home), in which Rask made 17 saves for the victory. That's four wins for the Finnish netminder in his last six starts.

NHL Odds: Habs Host Bruins on Wednesday Night Rivalry
The greatest rivalry in the NHL continues this Wednesday (7:30 PM ET, NBCSN) when the Montreal Canadiens host the Boston Bruins. This will be their third meeting of the 2015-2016 regular season; Montreal won the first two games, each by a final score of 4-2.

Carey Price (lower body) won't be in net for the Habs on Wednesday. The reigning Hart Trophy winner is expected to miss another month with a knee injury. His Boston counterpart, Tukkaa Rask (.906 save percentage), has won four of his last six games after a slow start.

NCAAB : Wildcats Aim to Bounce Back Against Eastern Kentucky

The Kentucky Wildcats fell from their No. 1 spot in the rankings by losing at UCLA on Saturday. But the Wildcats are still in the top five as they welcome the Eastern Kentucky Colonels to Lexington on Wednesday.

The Colonels are 7-2 and lead the Ohio Valley conference. This is the third in a stretch of four straight road games for them. After losing at Western Kentucky, the Colonels won 74-71 at Savannah State as the forward duo of Jarrelle Reischel and JaVonte Hawkins combined for 40 points and 15 rebounds.

The Wildcats will have to contend with those two after falling 77-87 at UCLA. The game wasn't even as close as the final score indicated. Isaiah Briscoe dropped 20 points, but the Wildcats shot 37.9% from the field. More alarmingly, they allowed the Bruins to shoot 52.8%. The Wildcats are now fifth in the rankings.

These two have met six times with Kentucky winning all six. Five of those games have been in Lexington with one meeting coming in the first round of the 2005 NCAA Tournament, which Kentucky only won by eight points. The Wildcats won last year's meeting 82-49.

NCAAB : Kentucky Welcomes EKU Colonels To Lexington
Kentucky is the battleground for Wednesday's contest between the No. 5 Kentucky Wildcats and the Eastern Kentucky Colonels. The game starts at 4 PM PT.

The Wildcats suffered their first loss of the season at UCLA last Thursday, and head coach John Calipari won't be happy with the defense they played. They need to pick it up before facing the Colonels, who are 7-2 on the season and averaging 90 points per game. If the Wildcats are lax on defense, they could lose to EKU for the first time in seven meetings.

NCAAF : No. 10 North Carolina vs. No. 1 Clemson

The Clemson Tigers (12-0 SU, 5-7 ATS) are the top-ranked team in college football, but they might not even make it into the College Football Playoff this year. First, they have to beat the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1 SU, 8-4 ATS) in Saturday's ACC title game. Clemson is a 5-point favorite at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

As well as the Tigers have played this year, they've had a hard time beating the spread, dropping the cash in their last four contests. The Tar Heels, on the other hand, are 4-1 ATS over their past five games. The stat gurus at FiveThirtyEight give Clemson a 57% chance of winning Saturday's matchup, which suggests the Tigers “should” be favored by 2.5 or three points on neutral ground.
In what should be a close game, North Carolina's superior special teams could make the difference. The Tar Heels rank No. 12 in this category on the Fremeau Efficiency Index, while Clemson is No. 76 out of the 128 FBS programs. Saturday's forecast calls for clear skies and temperatures around 50 degrees at kick-off.

NCAAF: Tigers-Tar Heels in ACC Title Game
The ACC title will be decided this Saturday when the No. 1 Clemson Tigers (12-0 SU, 5-7 ATS) face the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels (11-1 SU, 8-4 ATS) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. ABC has the television coverage starting at 8:00 PM ET.

The Tigers are 5-point “home” favorites in this matchup, but they've dropped the cash in their past four games. Meanwhile the Tar Heels are 4-1 ATS in their last five. North Carolina also has the better special teams, which is an important advantage in what should be a close game.

NCAAB: Hoosiers Head To Duke To Take On Blue Devils

Two of the top teams in the country meet at Duke on Wednesday. The Duke Blue Devils have won four in a row, and they're preparing to host the Indiana Hoosiers on December 2. The Hoosiers are trying to recover from some early season stumbles.

The Hoosiers are now 5-2 after finishing up the Maui Invitational with losses in two of their final four games. They lost to UNLV and Wake Forest along with a win over St. John's, but the loss to UNLV was particularly troubling. Indiana turned the ball over 21 times in that game, and if they're going to be a national contender, that simply can't happen. The good news is that Indiana got back on track on Monday by crushing Alcorn State 112-70.
The Duke Blue Devils are 6-1 and have won four in a row since losing to Kentucky. They thrashed Utah State 85-52 at home in their latest outing, and Grayson Allen and Luke Kennard scored 22 apiece for the Blue Devils. Despite Duke dominating Utah State, they had a troubling 15 turnovers.
Duke has won three of their five meetings with Indiana, who did manage a one-point win in the Sweet 16 in 2002. Their last meeting came in 2006, when the Blue Devils won 54-51 at home.

NCAAB Odds: Blue Devils, Hoosiers Face Off at Duke
The Duke Blue Devils and Indiana Hoosiers are known as two of college basketball's bluebloods, and on December 2, they'll meet in Durham for the marquee matchup of the week.

The Hoosiers, who stomped Alcorn State on Monday night, lost two of three at the Maui Invitational. They looked solid in a win over St. John's, but losses to Wake Forest and UNLV should cause some concern in Hoosier Nation.
The Blue Devils have won four straight games since losing to Kentucky in an early season showdown. After tough victories over VCU and Georgetown, Duke trounced Yale and Utah State in preparation for Indiana.

NCAAF : No.2 Alabama at Auburn

It's never a dull moment when the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Auburn Tigers meet at the Iron Bowl. This is arguably the most important rivalry game in college football, although this year, the Tigers (6-5 SU, 3-8 ATS) haven't been keeping up with No. 2 Alabama (10-1 SU, 6-5 ATS). At press time, Auburn is a 14.5-point home dog on the NCAAF odds board.

Saturday's game (3:30 PM ET, CBS) won't be the first time Auburn has been a double-digit Iron Bowl home dog. That was the case in each of their last three games at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with the Tigers going 1-2 SU and 2-1 ATS. In 2013, Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 100 yards on the final play to give Auburn (+10) a 34-28 victory and ruined Alabama's unbeaten season.
The Tide have already lost 43-37 to the Mississippi Rebels (+8 away) this year, but they can still make the College Football Playoff with a win over Auburn and another win over the Florida Gators in the SEC title game. Alabama is the +150 favorite on the FBS Championship futures market, and RB Derrick Henry is the –200 favorite to win the 2015 Heisman Trophy.

NCAAF Betting: Title Hopes on the Line at Iron Bowl
The No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (10-1 SU, 6-5 ATS) need two more wins to secure a place in the College Football Playoff. It all starts this Saturday in the annual Iron Bowl game against the Auburn Tigers (6-5 SU, 3-8 ATS). Kick-off is at 3:30 PM ET on CBS, with Alabama favored by 14.5 points at press time.

When Auburn hosted the Iron Bowl two years ago, Chris Davis returned a missed field goal 100 yards on the final play as the Tigers (+10) won 34-28. Will revenge be enough motivation to put the Tide over the top?

NHL: Rangers, Islanders on Wednesday Night Rivalry

Bragging rights in the Empire State will be up for grabs this Wednesday (8:00 PM ET, NBCSN) when the New York Islanders host the New York Rangers. So far, the Rangers are having the better season at 17-6-2, but the Islanders are just six points back in the Metropolitan Division at 13-8-4. This will be their first meeting of the year.

The Rangers skate into Wednesday's game with two injuries of note: centre Derek Stepan (six goals, six assists) is out for the next four to six weeks with broken ribs, and defenseman Kevin Klein (three goals, three assists, and +11) is uncertain to play after he strained a muscle in Monday's 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes (+175 away).

Over in Brooklyn, the Islanders are relatively healthy coming out of Monday's 5-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche (+140 away). Usually it's the Rangers who do the damage against the puck line; they're up 9.54 betting units on a 13-12 ATS record, while the Islanders are 2.00 units in the black at 13-12 ATS. The Blueshirts have a goal differential of +0.84 this year, and their crosstown rivals are at +0.48 through the first 25 games of the regular season.

NHL Odds: Rangers Visit Islanders in Empire State Battle
Wednesday Night Rivalry returns to Barclays Center in Brooklyn this week for a battle between the 13-8-4 New York Islanders and the 17-6-2 New York Rangers. NBCSN has the television coverage starting at 8:00 PM ET.

Both New York teams are coming off victories on Monday, but the Rangers may have lost defenseman Kevin Klein (three goals, +11) after he strained a muscle in a 4-3 win over the Carolina Hurricanes (+175 away). The Blueshirts are already missing centre Derek Stepan (six goals, six assists) for the next four to six weeks due to broken ribs.

NCAAB: Michigan, UConn Battle in the Bahamas

The Battle 4 Atlantis tips off on Wednesday in the Bahamas, and the marquee matchup of the day brings two college bluebloods together. Michigan takes on Connecticut, who has started the season 3-0.

The Wolverines were ranked 24th in the country before they lost 86-70 to Xavier at home on Saturday. They handled their first two games against Division-II Northern Michigan and Elon, but the Wolverines were outrebounded 47-29 by Xavier. However, Michigan has a star in senior G Caris LeVert, who scored 29 against Xavier and is averaging 19.3 points through the first three games.
The Huskies are 18th in the country after an 83-58 rout of Furman. Senior forward Shonn Miller led the way with 18 points for the Huskies, who held Furman to 34.5% from the field. Senior point guard Sterling Gibbs tops the Huskies with 15.7 points per game.
These schools have met twice in the past, with the Huskies winning 69-61 in 2009, while Michigan won 68-63 the following year. The home team won in each game.

NCAAB Odds: Huskies Clash with Wolverines in the Battle 4 Atlantis
The Battle 4 Atlantis begins on Wednesday in the Bahamas, and it’s fitting that Michigan and Connecticut headline the day. Regardless of records, these are two of the biggest programs in the NCAA.

The Huskies are in the Top 25 and have won their first three games by an average of 29.3 points, although their competition has been Maine, New Hampshire and Furman. The Wolverines beat Northern Michigan and Elon by an average of 23 points, but then lost by 16 to Xavier at home.

NHL: Flyers, Islanders Renew Patrick Division Rivalry

They've done battle in the Patrick Division. They traded blows in the Atlantic. Now the Philadelphia Flyers and New York Islanders are in the Metropolitan Division, and their 40-year-old rivalry continues this Wednesday night (7:30 PM ET, NBCSN) in Brooklyn.

Philadelphia (7-9-5) is only four points behind the Islanders (10-8-3) in the Eastern Conference standings, but there's a much larger gap in quality between the two teams. New York has a plus-6 goal differential, while Philadelphia is second-worst in the NHL at minus-22. The Flyers are tied for last in scoring with 38 goals after 21 games. They're in the Bottom 10 in the league in goals against, shots against, power-play percentage and penalty-kill percentage.

The Flyers also have another injured player to worry about. Centre Sam Gagner suffered a cut above his eye after he landed on his face during Monday's 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes (+115 away). Gagner is listed as questionable to face the Islanders; centres Ryan White (upper body) and RJ Umberger (foot) are already out for Philadelphia, as is defenseman Mark Streit (groin). Former first-round blueliner Thomas Hickey (lower body) is expected to miss the game for the Islanders.

NHL Odds: Broken Flyers Skate into Brooklyn
The Philadelphia Flyers (7-9-5) are only four points behind the New York Islanders (10-8-3) in the Eastern standings, but there's a considerable gap in quality between the former Patrick Division rivals. They'll meet again this Wednesday (7:30 PM ET, NBCSN) at Barclays Center.

The Islanders have a goal differential of plus-6 after 21 games, while Philadelphia is second-worst in the league at minus-22. Injuries have been an ongoing problem for the Flyers; centre Sam Gagner could miss Wednesday's game after he was cut above the eye during Monday's 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes (+115 away).

NCAAF : No.9 Michigan State at No. 3 Ohio State

The defending champs have had it easy up to this point. Now the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0 SU, 4-6 ATS) finish the regular season with back-to-back games against their toughest competition in the Big Ten East. Their season finale is next week in Ann Arbor against the No. 12 Michigan Wolverines; first, the Buckeyes will host the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans (9-1 SU, 3-7 ATS) this Saturday at The Horseshoe. Kick-off is at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.

Despite OSU's soft schedule thus far, the Buckeyes are 13-point home faves at press time. That might be a bit generous. Michigan State has held its own at 3-1 SU and ATS over the past four games, with a major upset of the Wolverines (–7 at home) in Week 7, and a narrow 39-38 loss to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (+6 at home) in Week 10 after Nebraska scored two touchdowns in the last two minutes.
The main concern for Sparty fans will be the condition of QB Connor Cook's right shoulder. He missed the second half of last week's 24-7 win over the Maryland Terrapins (+15.5 away), but Cook says he's good to go for Saturday.

NCAAF Betting: Buckeyes Have Plenty to Prove Versus Spartans
The No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes (10-0 SU, 4-6 ATS) have enjoyed a soft schedule up to now, but that all changes on Saturday when they host the No. 9 Michigan State Spartans (9-1 SU, 3-7 ATS) in a critical Big Ten matchup. Kick-off is at 3:30 PM ET on ABC.

The Buckeyes go into this contest as 13-point favorites, the lowest spread they've faced all year, while the Spartans will be underdogs for just the second time. In Week 7, they stunned the Michigan Wolverines (–7 at home) 27-23 after Michigan botched a punt attempt on the last play.
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NBA : Bucks vs. Cavaliers on Thursday

NBA Odds: Overvalued Cavs Host Bucks
The Cleveland Cavaliers have the best record in the Eastern Conference, but at 8-3 SU and 3-8 ATS, they're also the least profitable team in the East. They'll be coated in chalk once again this Thursday (8:00 PM ET, TNT) when they host the Milwaukee Bucks, who are off to a bumpy start at 5-6 SU and ATS.

The Cavaliers are starting this season without point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) and shooting guard Iman Shumpert (wrist), and while they're a deeper team this year with the arrival of point guard Mo Williams, this still won't be a complete Eastern contender until Irving and Shumpert make their expected returns in December.

Milwaukee has started the year with some key injuries as well, but there's a chance that small forward Jabari Parker (foot) will make his season debut this Thursday. Parker is one of the future cornerstones of the Bucks, who tanked the 2013-14 season in order to draft Parker second overall out of Duke. Center John Henson is also back in action after missing four games with a sore Achilles tendon; Henson (22.8 PER) is one of the NBA's more underrated players, especially now that he's behind Greg Monroe (23.3 PER) on the depth chart.

NBA Odds: Chalky Cavs Take on Replenished Bucks
The Cleveland Cavaliers (8-3 SU, 3-8 ATS) are in first place in the East, but they're also the most unprofitable team in the conference. They'll host the Milwaukee Bucks (5-6 SU and ATS) this Thursday at 8:00 PM ET in the front end of TNT's weekly doubleheader.

Casual fans may be overlooking the absence of point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) and shooting guard Iman Shumpert (wrist) from the defending Eastern champions. Milwaukee, meanwhile, could have small forward Jabari Parker (foot) back in the lineup this Thursday, and underrated center John Henson has returned after missing four games with a sore Achilles.

NCAAB: Wofford vs. North Carolina on Wednesday

NCAAB Odds: No. 1 Tar Heels Host Upset-Minded Wofford
North Carolina is ranked No. 1 in the country after opening their campaign with two straight wins. They welcome the Wofford Terriers to Chapel Hill on Wednesday night.

The Terriers hail from the Southern Conference and are coming off an 83-74 loss at Missouri to open their season. Fletcher Magee came off the bench to drop 22 points for the Terriers while Justin Gordon added 19 points and six boards for Wofford, who shot just 38.2% from the field.
After routing Temple, the Tar Heels romped to a 92-65 win over Fairfield in their home opener. Nate Britt was the high man with 17 points off the bench while Brice Johnson had 16 points and 11 rebounds for the Tar Heels. UNC, who are without injured guard Marcus Paige, forced 19 turnovers while shooting 50% from the field. Britt was one of five Tar Heels in double figures, but UNC shot 18-of-32 from the foul line, so that needs to be improved.
This is the first time that these two schools have met in men's basketball since 1926.

NCAAB Odds: Tar Heels Welcome Terriers to Chapel Hill
North Carolina is ranked at the top going into their third game of the season, which will be against the scrappy Wofford Terriers. The Tar Heels have the talent to go a long way this season, but they still have some work to do.

Even without injured star guard Marcus Paige, the Tar Heels have scored 183 points in two wins over Temple and Fairfield. Kennedy Meeks and Brice Johnson have averaged double-doubles while Nate Britt is picking up the scoring slack in the absence of Paige. Wofford fell to Missouri in their season opener and have a very tough schedule to open the season. They won't be afraid of North Carolina, even on the road.

NCAAF : No. 12 Oklahoma at No. 6 Baylor

The No. 6 Baylor Bears (8-0 SU, 4-3 ATS) are second in the Big 12 standings, but are the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners (8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS) the “real” best team in the conference? They'll meet this Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco, with Baylor laying three points (EVEN) at press time. Kick-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

While Baylor leads the entire FBS in scoring at 57.4 points per game, Oklahoma is No. 16 overall in points allowed at 18.1 per game, and the Sooners have played a tougher schedule than the Bears going into Week 11. Baylor will also be starting freshman quarterback Jarrett Stidham for just the second time in place of the injured Seth Russell (neck). Stidham played well last week against the Kansas State Wildcats, but the Bears dropped the cash as 17.5-point road favorites in a 31-24 victory.
Oklahoma, meanwhile, ranks No. 1 on ESPN's Football Power Index, one spot ahead of Baylor. Since their surprise loss to the Texas Longhorns (+17 on neutral ground) in the Red River Showdown, the Sooners have pummeled their last four opponents by a combined score of 232-50.

NCAAF : Oklahoma-Baylor in Big 12 Showdown
The top two teams on ESPN's Football Power Index will meet this Saturday in a critical Big 12 matchup. The Baylor Bears (8-0 SU, 4-3 ATS) host the Oklahoma Sooners (8-1 SU, 7-2 ATS) at 8:00 PM ET on ABC.

The Sooners are the better team according to the FPI, but they're 3-point road dogs (–120) at press time for this contest. Baylor will be starting freshman and blue-chip quarterback Jarrett Stidham for just the second time in place of the injured Seth Russell, who's out for the year with a fractured neck.

NBA Odds: Trades, Injuries Shake up Jazz-Heat

The Miami Heat (5-3 SU and ATS) might have the best starting five in the NBA, but their bench will be thin when they host the Utah Jazz (4-3 SU, 5-2 ATS) this Thursday night. Miami has traded point guard Mario Chalmers to the Memphis Grizzlies in a salary dump, and shooting guard Gerald Green has been suspended for two games for conduct detrimental to the team.
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Chalmers and small forward James Ennis were dealt to the Grizz on Tuesday for point guard Beno Udrih, power forward Jarnell Stokes and a future second-round pick. The Heat were looking for a third team to absorb Udrih's contract, but they couldn't find any takers. Until Green's return, Miami will likely rely on young guards Tyler Johnson and Josh Richardson to play significant minutes in the backcourt.

The Jazz could also be short-handed for Thursday's matchup (7:30 PM ET). Center Rudy Gobert is listed as questionable after spraining his left ankle in Tuesday's 118-114 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers (–6 at home). With Gobert in the middle, Utah has allowed a league-best 89.7 points per game; Miami is second at 90.1 points allowed. The under is a combined 12-3 for these two clubs to start the new season.

The Miami Heat (5-3 SU and ATS) will be missing a familiar face when they host the Utah Jazz (4-3 SU, 5-2 ATS) this Thursday night. Point guard Mario Chalmers was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday in a salary dump; he was with the Heat for seven years and two NBA titles.

Utah could also be a bit short-handed on Thursday (7:30 PM ET). Center Rudy Gobert sprained his left ankle on Tuesday and is listed as questionable to face the Heat. With Gobert in the middle, the Jazz lead the league in points allowed at 89.7 per game.

NBA: Grizzlies Out For Revenge on Warriors

Golden State's title defense is off to a fantastic start. One of their early-season signature wins came November 2 at home when they crushed Memphis by 50 points. The Grizzlies should have revenge on their minds when they host the Warriors on Wednesday.

At one point in their last match, the Warriors were down by a point. They went on to out-score the Grizzlies 72-27 in the second and third quarters. Reigning MVP Stephen Curry dropped 30 points in 28 minutes for the Warriors, who out-rebounded the Grizzlies 65-44 and out-scored them 36-10 on the fast break. Golden State looks even better than the team that rolled to the NBA title last season, and they seem to be playing with a chip on their shoulder.
Memphis didn't do themselves any favors last Monday, shooting 27.1% from the field in the franchise’s worst loss ever. Marc Gasol had 13 points and nine rebounds to lead the way for the Grizzlies. Making a statement against the champions would compensate for their slow start.
The Warriors are 7-3 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 meetings with Memphis, who are 6-4 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 at home against the Warriors.

NBA Odds: Warriors Aim to Keep Rolling in Memphis
Golden State stomped Memphis by 50 points when the two met in Oakland on Monday, November 2. Now the Warriors travel to Memphis on Wednesday night and the Grizzlies will want payback.
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Stephen Curry led the charge with 30 points for the Warriors, who outscored the Grizzlies by 45 over the second and third quarters to put the game away. Marc Gasol managed 13 points for Memphis, who shot a miserable 27.1% from the field and after the first quarter. The Warriors have now won seven of their last 10 with Memphis.

NBA Odds: Can Warriors Continue Memphis Dominance?
Golden State has beat Memphis in seven of their last 10 meetings overall. Their first meeting of the regular season ended in a 50-point rout for the Warriors at home. Now the Grizzlies will try to get revenge when they host the defending NBA champions on Wednesday night.

NBA: Jilted Mavs Seek Revenge Against Clippers

The Dallas Mavericks thought they had a free-agent deal with DeAndre Jordan. But the All-NBA Third Team centre got cold feet and went back to the Los Angeles Clippers instead. This Wednesday (8:00 PM ET, ESPN), fans at the AAC get their first chance to let Jordan know how they feel.

It's been a difficult transition for the Mavs (3-3 SU and ATS). They had to scramble to put Plan B into effect during the offseason, trading a second-round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for centre Zaza Pachulia, and signing free-agent point guard Deron Williams on the cheap to join shooting guard Wes Matthews in the backcourt. Pachulia and Williams have both played very well for the Mavs, but Matthews is still trying to shake off the effects of last year's torn Achilles tendon.
Jordan, meanwhile, is off to another strong start for Los Angeles (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS). He, Blake Griffin and Chris Paul are playing lights-out basketball, but new additions like Lance Stephenson and Paul Pierce have struggled. The Clippers have dropped the cash in four of their last five games since beating Dallas 104-88 as 12-point home favourites; Williams and Matthews did not play for the Mavs that day.

Fans of the Dallas Mavericks (3-3 SU and ATS) will get their first chance to say hello to DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Clippers (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS) when they meet Wednesday night at the AAC. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.
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Jordan famously left the Mavs at the altar during the free-agency signing period, but Dallas has gotten positive returns at centre from veteran Zaza Pachulia (17.3 PER). The Clippers, on the other hand, haven't been getting much out of newcomers Lance Stephenson (9.9 PER) and Paul Pierce (11.3 PER).

NBA Odds: Mavericks Host Jordan, Clippers
The Dallas Mavericks (3-3 SU and ATS) have what should be a very interesting matchup against DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Clippers (5-2 SU, 3-4 ATS) this Wednesday night at the AAC. It'll be Jordan's first game in Dallas since deciding to turn down the Mavericks in free agency.

Tennis Odds: Djokovic on the Prowl at Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic is the undisputed King of Tennis, and he's back in action this week at the Paris Masters indoor hard-court tournament. The three-time and defending champion (2009, 2013, 2014) had a bye into the second round, then advanced to the third with Tuesday's straight-sets win over Thomaz Bellucci. Next up: No. 14 seed and French native Gilles Simon (Thursday, 4:00 AM ET).

At press time, Djokovic is a heavy –2000 favorite to get past Simon (+900) and into the quarterfinals. Djokovic is also available at –1200 to win the first set, with Simon at +600. They've met 10 times in men's singles action, with Djokovic winning each of their last nine matches after losing on the indoor courts of Marseilles back in 2008.
Among the other players advancing to the third round at press time were No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, plus 2012 champion and No. 8 seed David Ferrer. All the top men's seeds are present for this prestigious Masters 1000 event, including No. 2 Andy Murray, No. 3 Roger Federer and No. 7 Rafael Nadal. Federer (2011) is the only member of that threesome to win the Paris Masters; Nadal fell to David Nalbandian in the 2007 finals.

Tennis Odds: Djokovic Seeks Paris Masters Three-peat
World's No. 1 Novak Djokovic is looking for his fourth career title and his third in three years at this week's Paris Masters (indoor, hard-court). Djokovic has already advanced to the third round, where he'll meet No. 14 Gilles Simon on Thursday at 4:00 AM ET.

Djokovic is a heavy –2000 favorite at press time to beat Simon (+900) for the ninth straight time in men's singles action. He's also –1200 to win the first set over Simon (+600). The only time the Frenchman has beaten Djokovic was the last time they played indoors, seven years ago in Marseilles.

MLB Odds: Royals Beat Mets in Five to Take World Series

Kansas City got to Game 7 of the World Series last year, but suffered a stinging defeat, losing 3-2 to San Francisco. They appeared to be on a mission in 2015 to make amends, winning the American League pennant before running into the New York Mets. The National League winners boasted one of the best starting rotations in baseball, but they couldn't hang with the Royals, who were not to be denied.

The Royals wound up winning in five games over the Mets and true to form, the championship clincher wasn't as easy as it looked. Kansas City had been kept in check by Matt Harvey and were down 2-0 in the 9th inning, but they clawed their way back through a double from Eric Hosmer that brought home Lorenzo Cain, while Hosmer was driven in by Salvador Perez. It was the third time in the World Series the Royals won a game after trailing in the eighth inning or later.

The Royals' catcher was named the World Series MVP as Perez hit .364 in five games, going 8-for-22 with two RBI, scoring three runs. It was fitting that Perez was named the MVP as he was the final out in last year's heartbreaking loss to the Giants at home. He led the charge to the Royals' first World Series since 1985.

Kansas City was down 2-0 going into the 9th inning of Game 5 against the New York Mets, but they never panicked. True to form, they wound up winning 7-2 in 12 innings on the road. It was their first World Series since 1985.
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It concluded a stunning postseason for the Royals, who won four of five games despite trailing in every single game of the World Series. They were down in the eighth inning of three of those games, but they wouldn't buckle to the Mets. It was a fitting end for the Royals, who lost in seven games last year to San Francisco.

NBA Odds: Cavs Prepare for Improved Knicks

Will this finally be the year LeBron James leads the Cleveland Cavaliers to the NBA title? It's been a good start for the Cavs – they've won three of their first four games SU and ATS. The New York Knicks (2-2 SU and ATS) also have to be pleased with their results so far. These two Eastern foes will meet Wednesday night (8:00 PM ET, ESPN) in Cleveland.

The Cavaliers still aren't at full strength; point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) and shooting guard Iman Shumpert (wrist) aren't expected to make their 2015-16 debuts for at least another month, while shooting guard JR Smith (knee) and new back-up centre Sasha Kaun (imminent fatherhood) are day-to-day. Depth isn't as problematic for Cleveland as it was last year, thanks to a healthy Anderson Varejao at centre and the return of veteran point guard Mo Williams to Ohio.

New York is considerably deeper than last year, as well, thanks to a successful offseason of wheeling and dealing. First-round pick Kristaps Porzingis is already paying dividends at power forward; he and new center Robin Lopez provide defensive balance for small forward Carmelo Anthony, who's off to a strong start with 27.1 points and a career-high 4.5 assists per 36 minutes.


NBA Odds: Rested Knicks Visit LeBron, Cavs

The Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1 SU and ATS) are well on their way to another NBA Finals, but the New York Knicks (2-2 SU and ATS) will have enjoyed an extra day of rest going into Wednesday's meeting at The Q. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.

The Knicks need every advantage they can get. Cleveland will be missing both point guard Kyrie Irving (knee) and shooting guard Iman Shumpert (wrist), so there's a chance for New York to pull off the upset with its improved lineup, featuring first-round draft pick Kristaps Porzingis at power forward next to swingman Carmelo Anthony.


Both the Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1 SU and ATS) and New York Knicks (2-2 SU and ATS) have improved their lineups significantly going into the 2015-16 campaign. They'll meet this Wednesday night at The Q; this is the first game of a doubleheader on ESPN, tipping off at 8:00 PM ET.

The Cleveland Cavaliers (3-1 SU and ATS) have a date this Wednesday night with the New York Knicks (2-2 SU and ATS), in a battle of two Eastern Conference foes with much deeper rosters than last year. Tip-off is at 8:00 PM ET on ESPN.

World Series & NBA 2015

It’s a great day to be a sports fan. The Fall Classic starts tonight when the Mets taken on the Kansas City Royals, much to the dismay of many Canadian players who are still reeling from the tough loss for the Blue Jays. While the NBA tips off tonight for another season in which the Cavaliers are +275 favourites to win it all.
The Breeders' Cup is slated for this weekend, and with 13 races over two days, offering a total of $26,000,000 in purses What's more, this next week marks the start of yet another exhilarating NBA season and the MLB World Series. It will also feature non-stop NFL and NHL action - a huge week in sports to say the least!

NCAAF Odds: Georgia at No. 11 Florida

The No. 11 Florida Gators (6-1 SU, 5-1-1 ATS) have nearly clinched the SEC East Division for the first time since 2009. A win this Saturday against the rival Georgia Bulldogs (5-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) would put Florida two games up on the 'Dawgs with two games left to go in the regular season. At press time, the Gators are 3-point “home” favorites at EverBank Field in Jacksonville; kick-off is at 3:30 PM ET on CBS, with mostly sunny skies in the forecast.

Florida has made quick progress in its first year under head coach Jim McElwain. However, the Gators had their undefeated season spoiled two weeks ago by the LSU Tigers, who prevailed 35-28 as 7-point home faves on the closing line. McElwain used the bye week to prepare for Saturday, as did Mark Richt and the Bulldogs after scraping past the Missouri Tigers (+14.5 away) 9-6.
If Saturday's game turns into a similar kicking duel, the Gators could be in trouble. They held open tryouts after PK Jorge Powell was forced out of the LSU game with a season-ending knee injury. Redshirt junior PK Austin Hardin has been injured and ineffective, leaving the identity of Saturday's kicker unresolved.

NCAAF : Who Will Kick for the Gators Versus Georgia? The No. 11 Florida Gators (6-1 SU, 5-1-1 ATS) will be 3-point “home” favorites this Saturday when they meet the Georgia Bulldogs (5-2 SU, 2-5 ATS) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville. But who will be Florida's starting kicker? At press time, it's still up in the air who won Florida's open tryouts.

The Gators need a new kicker after Jorge Powell suffered a season-ending knee injury in their Week 7 loss to the LSU Tigers. Redshirt junior PK Austin Hardin hasn't been healthy or consistent enough. Time's running out for Florida; Saturday's kick-off is at 3:30 PM ET on CBS.

The No. 11 Florida Gators (6-1 SU, 5-1-1 ATS) can take another step toward clinching the SEC East with a win this Saturday over the Georgia Bulldogs (5-2 SU, 2-5 ATS). Kick-off from EverBank Field in Jacksonville is at 3:30 PM ET on CBS, with Florida favored by three points.

Tennis Odds: Federer Defending Home Court in Basel

World's No. 3 Roger Federer has won the Swiss Indoors title six times, and has been to the finals every year since 2006. Federer went into this week's event as the top seed and the favorite. He's well on his way to defending his title after a 6-1, 6-2 win over Mikhail Kukushkin in the first round.

Federer's demise has been predicted for some time, but even at age 34, the Basel native remains one of the best hard-court players in men's singles. He's 27-4 this year on his second-favorite surface (grass remains Federer's specialty), winning tournaments in Cincinnati, Dubai and Brisbane. However, Federer did lose to Albert Ramos-Vinolas last week in the Round of 32 at the Shanghai Masters.

There are seven other players from the ATP Top 16 participating in Basel; Federer's toughest competition should come from fellow Swiss and World's No. 4 Stan Wawrinka, as well as his old nemesis, No. 6 Rafael Nadal. Wawrinka and Nadal are in the bottom half of the bracket, so they'd have to play one another before getting a crack at Federer in the finals. No. 12 Kevin Anderson is the second highest-ranked player in Federer's half of the draw.

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