ASA 10* play on: Phoenix Suns -3.5 over Boston Celtics, 9PM ET – The line on this game smells fishy which means we back the team that doesn’t look right. Let’s look at the number on this game. In comparison the Celtics were plus this same number in Milwaukee earlier this year and the Bucks are one of the four best teams in the NBA. Phoenix was recently a -1-point favorite over a Philadelphia team that grades out slightly lower than Boston.  Boston had won 10 straight games prior to yesterday’s loss in Sacramento. So why is this number as high as it is? Because they want you to take the Celtics and the points. The Celtics have the 3rd best average differential in the NBA at +8PPG, Phoenix is 5th at +7.1PPG. Both teams are top 5 in offensive efficiency and top 12 in defensive efficiency. The Celtics are coming off a loss yesterday and playing their 3rd game in four nights so fatigue is a factor, especially considering the Suns have been off since the 14th. Boston’s road wins aren’t spectacular as they haven’t beat a winning team on the road and the combined record of those teams are 20-45 SU. Phoenix on the other hand has some quality games at home with wins over the Philadelphia and the Clippers and a 1-point loss to Utah. The bet here is on Phoenix at home minus the points.

ASA 10* PLAY ON UNC Greensboro -9 over Appalachian State, Monday at 7 PM ET

UNCG is one of the favorites this year in the Southern Conference and we catch them here off a loss to Montana State as a 15 point favorite.  Greensboro took 29 more shots in the game but simply shot poorly hitting only 36% while Montana State hit 52%.  It was just one of those games where the ball was not going in the basket for UNCG.  It was also a poor defensive effort from a team that has been very good on that end of the court ranking 26th nationally in defensive efficiency 2 years ago and 74th last season.  Many of the key components are back from a team that finished 29-7 last year and this program has won 25+ game three straight seasons.  They finished 14-1 at home last year with their only loss coming at the hands of Wofford who was 30-5 a year ago.  Now off a rare home loss we expect them to have a huge bounce back and play very well in this game.  In a round robin type format, UNCG is hosting App State, Tennessee Tech, and Montana State.  They played Tennessee Tech on Friday (won by 34) and Montana State on Saturday (upset 1 point loss).  App State played both teams as well here in Greensboro (lost to Montana State & beat Tenn Tech) so they each will be playing their 3rd game in 4 days.  Advantage goes to the home team for sure in that situation.  Unlike UNCG, App State has not been a successful program with their last winning season coming back in 2011 (16-15 record).  They hired a new coach Kerns from Presbyterian and he is trying to turn this program around.  While he may just do that, it won’t happen this season.  Greensboro plays pressure defense creates turnovers at a high rates ranking in the top 30 in defensive turnover rate each of the last 3 season.  It’s early in the season but they are at it again turning their opponents over 28% of the time ranking them 12th nationally.  App State ranks 254th so far this season in offensive turnover rate.  This isn’t a great match up for the Mountaineers and they will be facing an angry Greensboro team that is used to winning at home.  UNCG wins by double digits.