[PNBkid]

Michael Cannon

Tuesday's Plays...

5 Dime –
CELTICS

Take the Celtics tonight as the small road chalk over the Cavaliers.

Boston has stormed out of the gates this year with a 10-1 record. They are the only team in the league with three players averaging at least 19 points.

The Cavs rely too much on LeBron James to get by a team that has such balance as Boston does. There’s no question LeBron is great, but bottle him up late and force someone else to beat you and there’s a problem.

The Celtics are outscoring their opposition by an average of 13 points. They have won eight games by at least 10 points and four by 20 or more.

Now, I don’t see them blowing Cleveland out of Quicken Loans Arena, but I do see them controlling this game from start to finish.

Lay the small number as Boston grabs the cash with the road win and cover.



BULLS

Lay the small number with the Bulls tonight over the Hawks.

We’re getting great value with Chicago tonight because of their poor start. They return to the United Center after a six-game road trip and this is the perfect spot for them to shake out of their early season slump.

That’s because their opponent is the Atlanta Hawks, a team the Bulls have owned lately. Chicago hasn’t lost to Atlanta since April 2004. The Bulls have swept the last three season series and last year won all four games over Atlanta, outscoring them by 16.5 points in their two wins at the United Center.

Atlanta has won two straight on the road, but hasn’t won three in a row away from home in November since opening the 1997-98 season with four straight road wins.

Take Chicago as the small home chalk as they grab the home win and cover.



ST JOES

Lay the big number with St. Joeseph’s tonight when they host Ball State.

St. Joe’s holds a big size advantage down low and should easily win the rebounding battle tonight. That will lead to several second-chance points and an opportunity to extend their lead throughout.

Ball State lost at home to previously winless Evansville on Saturday, so I doubt they’ll be ready to jump up in class and compete tonight. They just don’t have the depth to compete with the bigger schools and it’s going to show tonight.

Lay the points as St. Joe’s cruises to an easy 20-point win and cover.