My 10* TOTAL CLASH OF THE TITANS is on the OVER Hawks/Knights.

Chicago has won three of its last five, including a 5-4 win over the Leafs three nights ago. With two whole days off to prepare for this one, I like the hungry Hawks to keep the good on the gas here. Vegas on the other hand has lost three of its last five, including three straight. The Knights have also had two nights off to prepare for this one. 

Key Trends:

- Chicago has seen the total go over the number in 16 of its last 25 when playing on two days rest.

- Las Vegas has seen the total go over in 17 of its last 27 when playing on two days rest.

The verdict: The situation and the numbers/trends are both pointing to the "over" as the savvy call in this one in my opinion!

My 10* BIG TIGER is on Grand Canyon. 

I think SDSU gets caught looking past its lowly opponent here. The Lopes hit the road for the first time this year after two straight losses at home. Most recently GCU fell to Illinois 83-71: "We just are trying to get better every day," Lopes head coach Dan Majerle said. "It was better (vs. Illinois) but we've still got a long way to go. The schedule doesn't get any easier so we have to find a way." SDSU on the other hand comes in off a satisfying 76-71 win at BYU and a 77-42 victory over Texas Southern. As stated off the top, I think this one sets up as a "letdown/look-ahead" spot for the home side. 

Key Trends:

- GCU is 4-1 ATS in its last five as a road dog in the 6.5 to 12 points range.

- SDSU is just 1-4 ATS in its last five after a win by six points or less.

The verdict: No outright, but closer than expected! Grab the points!

My 9* BEATDOWN is on the Portland Trail Blazers.

The Blazers got caught "looking ahead" to this game last night in Sacramento, falling 105-94 to the surging Kings. But I think that Damian Lillard and company will rebound here and take advantage of a depleted Raptors side. After beating the Lakers, the Raptors wound up losing 98-88 to Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers. Both Serge Ibaka and Kyle Lowry were out with injury and each is questionable here as well. 

Key Trends:

- Toronto is just 1-4 ATS in its last five after scoring 90 points or less in its previous game.

- The Blazers are 21-10 ATS in their last 31 after allowing 105 points or more in three straight games.

The verdict: I think the desperate home side lays everything on the line and I believe that effort will be more than enough to cover the handful of points tonight; play on Portland!

My 10* TOP DOG is on the Spurs.

The Wolves barely held on for a 120-114 win over the Pistons on Monday and I think they're going to have their hands full here vs. this Spurs team which has dropped two in a row. In fact note that San Antonio has lost four of its last five. San Antonio has looked shaky of late, but I think the visitors match up well today vs. Minnesota and I like DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge to bounce back tonight. Anthony Wiggins and Karl Anthony Townes have been bright spots for the Wolves, but Minnesota gets pretty thin after them. 

Key Trends:

- The Spurs are 21-12 ATS in their last 33 after two or more consecutive SU losses.

- The Wolves are only 3-7 ATS in their last ten off an upset win as a road underdog.

The verdict: I expect San Antonio to finally "show up" tonight in this very winnable game; grab the points!

My 10* CLASH OF THE TITANS is on Bowling Green.

Miami Ohio is in need of just one more victory to become bowl eligible. But at 3-6, the Bowling Green Falcons are still three victories away. Outright victory here? Likely not! But Bowling Green's post-season aspirations are in the balance here and I think it'll have enough to keep this one competitive until the final moments. Bowling Green comes in off a momentum building 35-6 win over Akron in its last action as well. The Redhawks revolve around QB Brett Gabbert, who has three TD's and no INT's over his last three games. Note though that Miami's last three victories have come by seven, three and seven points respectively. 

Key Trends:

- Bowling Green is interestingly 5-1 ATS in its last six after playing three consecutive conference contests.

- Miami Ohio is a poor 3-7 ATS in its last ten as a home favorite.

The verdict: The Falcons come in out of their bye week and with the extra time off to prepare, I look for them to comfortably sneak in through the back door down the stretch with the ample points they've been afforded tonight; play on Bowling Green!