Jim Feist

Two teams that won't be going anywhere come the postseason meet tonight as Charlotte hosts the Knicks. The Charlotte Hornets are 12th in the East with a 15-31 overall record and have lost eight-straight games. They have done slightly better vs the number, going 5-8-2 ATS their last 14-games. Charlotte is 7-14 S/U and 8-11-2 ATS at home and getting outscored by a 4.9 ppg margin. The Knicks are coming off a win over the Nets, 110-97. It was also their fifth cover in a row. New York is 6-17 S/U, but 12-11-1 ATS on the road thsi year and getting outscored by a 4.8 ppg margin. This game around pick or 1-point either way. Need to pick the winner though and that for me is the visitor in this one. Play New York.

Still difficult to believe that Golden State is the worst team in the NBA. This is a classic example of going from the Penthouse to the Outhouse in just a few seasons. And it's no wonder that teams are taking delight in beating up on the Warriors, something they did to other teams for many years in a row. The Warriors are 10-37 on the season and 3-20 on the road. They are also 11-12 ATS on the road and getting outscored by double-digits. Philadelphia is the 6th seed right now in the East, bu only 2 1/2 games separate 2nd place from 6th place in the East so wins like tonight are important to Philadelphia. The Sixers have won seven of their last 10 games are 21-2 S/U and 13-8-2 ATS at home. I look for an easy blowout win tonight here by the Sixers. Play Philadelphia.

The Atlanta Hawks are the 2nd worst team in the NBA and the worst team in the Eastern conference with a 12-35 record. The Hawks are 5-19 S/U and 8-16 ATS on the road this season. They are also being outscored on the road by 13.8 points per game. The defending NBA Champion Raptors are third in the East with a 32-14 overall record. They have won seven straight games and eight of their last 10 games. The Raptors have also covered five of their last seven games. Toronto is 16-7 S/U and 13-10 ATS at home and outscoring opponents by 7 1/2 points. I don't expect much of a fight here tonight from the Hawks. The Raptors are fighting for position in the East and won't take their foot off the pedal with this easy victim. Play Toronto.

ACC action here this evening has Duke hosting Pittsburgh. The Duke Blue Demons are ranked 9th in the country with their 16-3 S/U and 11-8 ATS records. Duke is 6-2 S/U and 5-3 ATS in conference play. The Blue Demons are coming off a win at home over Miami, 89-59 as a 18 1/2 point favorite. Pittsburgh is 13-7 S/U and 10-10 ATS on the season. The Panthers are coming off a loss at Syracuse, 61-69 as a 5 1/2 point dog. The Panthers are 3-5 S/U and ATS in conference play. We have to lay a lot of points here tonight with Duke. However, they have quite a few days off before their next game at Syracuse. I expect a full-out effort here tonight by Duke and I will lay the big number. Play Duke.

Big 10 action here on Tuesday evening has Purdue playing at Rutgers. Purdue is 11-9 S/U and 9-11 ATS on the season. The Boilermakers are 4-5 S/U and 3-6 ATS in conference play. The Boilermakers are coming off a home win over Wisconsin, 70-51, as a 4-point favorite. It was only the club's third cover in their last 10 games. Rutgers is 15-5 S/U and 13-6 ATS on the season. The Scarlet Knights are 6-3 S/U and 8-1 ATS in conference play. Their only conference non-cover came last game at home vs Nebraska in a 75-72 win as a 13 1/2 point favorite. The Knights have been great covering team this year, especially in conference. I'll lay the points with the home team here tonight. Play Rutgers.