Cappers Sports Picks

Rating: 2 Units

The New York Islanders will need to get acclimated to life away from home as they play six of their next seven contests on the road, including today's opener of a four-game trek versus the red-hot Mikko Rantanen and the Colorado Avalanche. The home team has won each of the last eight encounters in the series, with the Islanders limping to an 0-3-1 mark in their last four trips to Denver. The clincher:  New York owns just a 3-7-0 mark against Western Conference representatives.

Rating: 2 Units

The Minnesota Timberwolves could not salvage anything from their four-game road trip but hope to turn around their fortunes when they return home today for a match up against the Sacramento Kings. The Timberwolves dropped a 107-99 decision at league-worst Phoenix on Saturday to end a trek during which they allowed an average of 119.3 points, but they have been tough to beat at home (11-4) this season. The clinchers:  Minnesota is 6-0 ATS in their last 6 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game and  6-1 ATS in their last 7 games playing on 1 days rest.

Rating: 2 Units

The New York Knicks finished their three-game road trip with a loss but hope to take some positives into a rare home game on Monday against the Phoenix Suns. Two nights after posting a dramatic comeback win in Charlotte, the Knicks played Indiana tough until the very end of Sunday's 110-99 loss and completed the trek with a 1-2 record. New York fell to 5-13 away from home, and its 18 road games are the most in the Eastern Conference - with a visit to Philadelphia on tap for Wednesday and a six-game trip beginning just after Christmas. The clincher:  Phoenix is 7-20 ATS in their last 27 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

The Rockets are trying to overcome some shooting woes on the outside from shooting guard Eric Gordon, who is battling through knee soreness and is 1-of-17 from 3-point range over the last three games. Gordon was held to a season-low four points on 2-of-11 shooting in 31 minutes during Saturday's victory. Utah took each of the first two meetings this season, including a 100-89 win at Houston on Oct. 24 and is 7-3 ATS in their last 10 vs. NBA Southwest.

Rating: 2 Unis

Portland is suffering through a six-game road slide and scored a season-low 83 points at Memphis on Wednesday before making the brief stop back in the northwest and lighting up the scoreboard.  Los Angeles fell by a total of 62 points in losses to Toronto and San Antonio before battling the Thunder in a 110-104 road loss on Saturday. The Clippers shot 50.7 percent from the floor, including 13-of-25 from 3-point range, and had three players score at least 20 points in the setback. The teams split the first two meetings, with Los Angeles earning a 104-100 victory at Portland in the most recent matchup on Nov. 25.  The clincher:  Portland is 2-11 ATS in their last 13 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.

Rating: 2 Units

Wake Forest is 3-7 ATS in their last 10 non-conference games, 7-19 ATS in their last 26 games overall,  6-19-1 ATS in their last 26 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, and  3-12 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.

Rating: 2 Units

Pepperdine is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record, 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up loss, 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games overall, and 5-2 ATS in their last 7 road games. While Oregon State is 10-22-1 ATS in their last 33 non-conference games and  1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 vs. West Coast.

Rating: 2 Units

Third straight road game for the Saints, who came up big for us last week in Tampa, with a 25-0 2nd half edge, & though Drew was only 1/1 (31/4 for the year), he was a nice 77.4%. Second straight division title for the Saints, as their defense came up big (4 sacks, & allowing only 81 2nd-half yards). Five straight losses for Panthers (SU & ATS), with McCaffrey their lone bright spot (2 more TDs & 101 total yards). That's 12 TDs in his last 7 games. New Orleans is on a 10-1 ATS run, so not about to call free-falling Panthers' number.