The set-up: Both teams have been playing to some higher-scoring affairs of late, but I believe the conditions are now right for a lower-scoring battle. The Kings will be hungry here to get off the schneid after six straight losses, including a 20 point loss in Detroit last time out. The Bulls are coming off a win at home, but just like their counterparts today, consistency from game to game is a major issue for them this season. Neither plays great defense, but each comes in believing they can win this game. I expect each to double down on the defensive end this evening as they try to earn an elusive win.

The pick: Additionally note that the Kings have seen the total go under the number in 18 of their last 26 as a road dog of six points or less, while Chicago has seen the total dip under in six of nine already this season after scoring 115 points or more in its previous outing. Considering all of the above information, I do indeed feel that this number is a little high.

10* TOTAL BEST OF THE BEST on the UNDER Kings/Bulls.

The set-up: Yale is 13-4 and its on the road to take on a hungry 7-7 Brown Bears team. Brown plays with revenge here, as it fell at Yale in mid January by a score of 70-56. Yale comes in off an 89-75 road win at Howard, but I think the Bulldogs will have their hands full tonight. This is a great situational play in my opinion, as Brown has had an extended period off, having not played since the loss at Yale.

The pick: On paper Yale has the advantage, but note that it's just 1-3 ATS in its last four after playing a game as a road favorite, while Brown is 4-2 ATS in its last six revenging a road loss of ten points or more and 4-1 ATS this season after a loss by ten points or more. I think the outright upset is definitely possible, but in the end I'm going to grab the points.

10* ANNIHILATOR on Brown.

The set-up: BOston is 11-9 away from TD Garden and it enters on a two-game win streak. Orlando is 13-9 at home this year and it's looking to bounce back off a loss. Overall Boston averages 112.3 PPG and it allows 105.7. Orlando averages 104 PPG and it concedes a league best 104 as well. Orlando has gotten healthier over the last month and that's seen the team have a dramatic turnaround in play across the board. The Magic though allow only 100 PPG at home, while the Celtics' offensive average drops to 108 on the road.

The pick: Additionally note that Boston is a poor 2-4 ATS this year already after two or more consecutive home victories, while Orlando is a sharp 3-1 ATS off an upset loss as a home favorite. Boston is dealing with injuries right now as well. I'm laying the points and expecting a decisive home victory.

10* DESTRUCTION on the Orlando Magic.

The set-up: Clearly the Nets have a lot of issues to resolve. They've been a much better home team than on the road though and they won't be lacking for motivation tonight facing the Lakers. LA comes to town off a come from behind win in New York just last night and it could very likely be sitting key pieces of its rotation in the second game of the back-to-back scenario. Situationally I believe this one sets up great for the hungrier home side.

The pick: But note as well that the Lakers are still just 8-9 ATS in non-conference games this year and only 40-49 ATS in their last 89 vs. clubs with losing records, while Brooklyn is already 6-3 ATS this season as a home underdog. I'm grabbing the points and expecting a "nail biter."

10* ELITE OF THE ELITE on the Brooklyn Nets.

The set-up: FIU is 13-6 and after two straight victories, I think it comes in a tiny bit complacnet here vs. 7-12 ODU, which enters off two straight losses. FIU plays at a fast pace, averaging 81 PPG, but its defense is horrible. The Monarchs are coming off a tough 66-62 loss to Charlotte. ODU's defense has been fantastic though, ranked 42nd in the league overall. From a situational stand point, this one definitely sets up nicely for the home side.

The pick: Note as well that the Monarchs are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six as an underdog and 4-1 ATS in their last five at home, while the Panthers just 1-4 ATS in their last five as a road dog after back-to-back victories. I'm laying the points.

10* MID-MAJOR DESTRUCTION on Old Dominion.

The set-up: Winnipeg came out flat in its 4-1 loss in Carolina last night, but it'll look to bounce back strong here in its final game before the All Star break. The Jets fall to 14-11-2 on the road. Columbus is 15-9-2 at home and it's 8-2 in its last ten and 5-0 in its last five. Columbus is fired up here to end the first half on a big win streak and Winnipeg is anxious to bounce back after last night's collapse. Situationally this one sets up as a high-scoring shootout in my opinion.

The pick: Note as well that Winnipeg has seen the total go over the number in 14 of 20 non-conference games this season, while CBJ has seen the total sail over in three of its last four in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent. Everything points this one sailing over sooner, rather than later.

10* TOTAL COACH'S CORNER on the OVER Jets/Jackets.

The set-up: The Marist Red Foxes are after their second straight victory after getting the better of Iona 83-73. Matt Herasme had 17 points and 11 boards in the victory. It was a break out game for Marist, as it set season highs for field goal percentage, points scored, three-pointers made, three-point percentage, assists, rebounds and free throws made. The Manhattan Jaspers had won four of five to open league play before then falling 65-58 to Monmouth on Saturday.

The pick: Manhattan is just 2-4 ATS in its last six after playing two straight home games (including 0-2 ATS this year), while Marist is 3-1 ATS in its last four after scoring 80 points or more in its previous game. The Red Foxes come in off an inspiring win and I look for them to carry that momentum over here. That said, grab the points.

10* MID-MAJOR DESTRUCTION on Marist.

The set-up: I'm expecting an all out brawl until the end in this one. However, I expect much more of a "chess match," than a wide open run and gun "shootout" between these two heated rivals. These teams have both been playing to some higher-scoring affairs of late, but in two games this year, each contests total combined points would have fallen well below tonight's posted number. Both have won on their home floor, with Toronto prevailing 101-96 in November and Philadelphia responding with a 110-104 win in December. Both enter on four game SU win streaks as well.

The pick: The "under" is 5-1 the last six in this series North of the border. Toronto has the league's second best defense and neither side likes to play at a very fast pace. Considering all of the above situational and trend based factors listed above, I do indeed feel that this O/U line is high.

10* TOTAL ELITE OF THE ELITE on the UNDER 76ers/Raptors.

The set-up: These teams are similar. Neither plays great defense and each has an above average offense. Each is filled with plenty of offensive talent as well. Both teams are coming off high-scoring victories, but I believe that the stage is now finally set for more of a defensive affair between these two top Western Conference teams.

The pick: The trends support this theory as well, as note that the Clippers have seen the total go under the number in five of their last seven when playing with two days rest and in all seven of their games this season as a road underdog, while Dallas has seen the total dip under the number in four of its last five in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent. I think each team doubles down defensively tonight to try and earn this victory.

10* TOTAL PLAY-BOOK on the UNDER Clippers/Mavericks.

The set-up: I like the home side to pull off the upset here. However, I'm going to recommend to grab the points instead of playing on the money line. The Shockers have suddenly lost back-to-back games and I think the hungry Bulls will take advantage of this now reeling visiting side. USF won't be lacking for motivation here either as it enters off a 55-54 road loss vs. UCF. Note that USF won this game at home last year by a score of 54-41. The Bulls struggle offensively, but they make up for it on the defensive end.

The pick: Note as well that USF is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 as an underdog, while Wichita State is just 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 as a road favorite. South Florida's last three losses have come by a combined eight points. The stage is set for the outright, but as stated off the top, I'm grabbing the points.

8* play on USF.