NBA

NBA: 111-110-10(+8.21u @ 50.2%)

Los Angeles Lakers At Phoenix Suns
ML - LAKERS PK (x2) LOSS

Phoenix will return home from a 3 game road trip to face the Lakers tonight. The Suns had their little run broken last night as they went down to the Nuggets. Now playing on b2b and returning from Denver and Utah the Suns must regroup to face a Lakers side that just lost in their own building.

Phoenix who have played just 2 of their past 10 at home. As well as the letdown the Suns must be feeling off last night loss, the fatigue and difficulties of returning from altitude will also take its toll. I suspect they will be a little rusty 1st game home from their road trip also.

The Lakers will be on b2b games here also but have had the luxury of playing 7 of their past 8 at home. I expect a big performance from Andrew Bynum here tonight. He owes his side after being ejected last night late in the 3rd for back chat. He will be well rested and looking to get some respect back from his coaches and teammates in this one. Sessions has been a great addition to this team and will keep Nash in check, While MWP looks to have found his confidence back! I find it hard to see Gortat and Frye keeping Bynum and Gasol quiet and who guards Kobe?

Kobe loves playing the Suns and in a must win game LA gets Pheonix in a bad spot. I like the Lakers to bounce back strong here in Pheonix and win SU.
(2.05u @ 1.98 @ Pinnacle)


Sacramento Kings At Los Angeles Clippers
1ST H - CLIPPERS -4 (x1) WIN
(1.1u @ 1.93 @ Pinnacle)

AFL

AFL SATURDAY NIGHT

Collingwood @ Richmond
ATS - MAGPIES -35.5 (x2) LOSS

Richmond failed to live up to all the hype and expectations that were place on them before the opening round. Carlton just clicked into gear early in the last and put the young Tigers to bed! Collingwood lost also but they were very competitive against the flag favourites Hawthorn.

Collingwood regain a couple of handy players Tarrant and Beams for this one. Tarrant is super important as he sures up their defense and is capable of manning bigs or smalls. This is an area that is still a concern for the Tigers, their defense. Richmond looked very unsure in their back half last week. They still lack a quality key defender and guess what, against Collingwood you need two! I don't know how Richmond hold Cloke and Dawes?

Colling are a proud club and will not want to start 2012 0-2. With Richmonds leaky backline, Collingwoods midfield sure to give plenty of service too the big power forwards, a big score looks to be on the cards. Collingwood make a statement here and win by 10 goals!
(2.0u @ 2.01 @ Pinnacle)

NBA

Phoenix Suns At Denver Nuggets
ATS - SUNS +3.5 (x1) LOSS

The Suns are making an almighty charge for that 8th seed in the West winning their past 3 in a row on the back of an energised Steve Nash and Gortat! This team has confidence and belief right now and that is huge in this game. The Nuggets, returning home from a long road trip and coming off a tough loss the Hornets, is fair to say is a little less confident, and with Galinaro and Chandler still out may find the fired up suns a little tough to contain here in their first game home.

I like the Suns to win here tonight or at very least keep this one close
(1.1u @ 1.92 @ Sportsbet)


Houston Rockets At Los Angeles Lakers
1st H - LAKERS -3 (x2) WIN

The Lakers are on a 4 game winning streak and are coming off a big motivational victory against home town rivals the Clippers. After all the hype the Lakers still hold the #3 seed n the West right now and will be keen to hold on to it and finish above the Clippers.

Bynum has taken his game to the next level and is quickly becoming the go to man in LA! The choice of sticking with Gasol and picking up Sessions has been a masterstroke so far. Gasol is the perfect teammate and a great role player who can step up on any given night and give you 25 & 10. Sessions has been the young spark this team needed. He has involved LA's big's alot more and is giving Kobe a nice cut out when required on offense.

While the Rockets have been solid with a 29-25 record, they haven't fared so well on the road, just 9-17. Facing the Lakers at Staples is just about as tough as it gets as they are 23-5 on their home floor. With Lowry and Martin still out I think tonight will be too big a task for Houston. LA have been sensational in the opening halves of most matches, it's been finishing that's been their main concern. With that said I like the Lakers to come out strong again here early and have this game in control at the half.
(2.3u @ 1.87 @ Pinnacle)

AFL

AFL SATURDAY

Fremantle @ Sydney
ATS - SWANS -5.5 (x1) WIN

The Swans host the Dockers in what may well feel like their first match of the new season. Sure they played 2 weeks ago now against the Giants in a stand alone match but now is when the real stuff begins for Sydney. The Swans were average in that game, just doing what was needed to fend of GWS winning by 10 goals +.

They will get a boost with O'Keefe and Shaw both named for this one while the Dockers will miss the little pest Ballantyne. Fremantle were super impressive in their 1st up win over the Premiers Geelong. So good I'm not sure that same effort can be repeated straight up. Let down here I suspect.

The few key factors as to why I'm against the Dockers are Let down as mentioned above, travel factor and the loss of Ballantyne cannot be underestimated. He does give them a spark when needed. On the Flip side Sydney are at home, well rested and have added two key players. Sydney are fantastic at the contested ball and on the smaller spaces of the SCG I see Sydney limiting Freos run and carry. Mumford will be a huge challenge for Sandilands to stay with all game. He has formed a great relationship with Kennedy and those two will give Sydney plenty of forward entries. Swans get the points, win by 19pts
(1.15u @ 1.87 @ Sportsbet)

Melbourne @ West Coast
ATS - EAGLES -49.5 (x1) WIN

The Demons have had a week from hell! With all the gossip and end undo I feel for Neeld. He must be thinking what on earth have I got myself into here! Melbourne have a number of players missing here Maloney, Davey, Sylvia to name a few and were just awful last week against the Lions. A game they really had to stand up in and they all just went missing.

The Eagles look ominous. This team is well drilled and just look ready to go very deep in September. I just cannot see the Demons staying remotely close to the Eagles over in Perth. This one will be ugly! Eagles by 75!
(1.1u @ 1.91 @ Sportingbet)