Michael Alexander

Rating: 2 Units

It's been a tough season for Original Six rivals New York and Chicago, who are both well out of playoff contention as they labor through rebuilding seasons. The Blackhawks are buried at the bottom of the Central Division and mired in a four-game losing streak (0-2-2) entering a matchup against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden tonight. Chicago lost for the sixth time in seven games with an 8-5 drubbing at New Jersey, which matched its season high for goals allowed.  The Rangers also had lost six of seven (1-6-0) while allowing 34 goals before ending their frustrations with a 6-2 victory over visiting Carolina on Tuesday. Chicago is  8-16 on the road, the Rangers are 12-11 at MSG.

Rating: 2 Units

The Maple Leafs got No. 1 goaltender Frederik Andersen back in the lineup after a three-week injury absence Monday, but his team did not play well in front of him as the Avalanche totaled 38 shots. It won’t be any easier against the Lightning, who lead the league in scoring and showed they can play solid defense by killing off six penalties Tuesday to earn a 2-0 victory at Dallas for their 19th win in 22 games (19-2-1).

Rating: 2 Units

New Jersey  has lost four of its last six and is in a tough spot playing its fourth game in six nights (0-5 in its last five in the fourth game of a 4-in-6 situation). While the Islanders have won nine of the last 10 meetings in their building

Rating: 2 Units

Los Angeles is 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game,  1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game, and 0-4 ATS in their last 4 vs. NBA Northwest.  In addition, the home team is 16-5 ATS in the last 21 meetings while Los Angeles is 5-16 ATS in the last 21 meetings in Oklahoma City.

Rating: 2 Units

The Kings already have the formula to beat the Hornets after claiming a 104-97 home victory on Saturday. Sacramento followed that up with a 115-107 home triumph over the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday but is hitting the road on Thursday for the beginning of a six-game strip while owning a 9-11 record away from home. The Hornets are 6-15 on the road but own a 14-8 record at home.

Rating: 2 Units

The Denver Nuggets look to bounce back from a thorough whipping when they host the struggling Chicago Bulls today. The Golden State Warriors set a record with 51 first-quarter points en route to steamrolling the host Nuggets 142-111 on Tuesday. The 31-point loss to the Warriors knocked Denver out of first place in the Western Conference, ended a 12-game home winning streak and it also stunned coach Michael Malone. Chicago is 0-4 on a five-game road trip and the defeats include being lambasted 146-109 by the Warriors last Friday.

Rating: 2 Units

BYU us 8-20 ATS in their last 28 road games vs. a team with a winning home record, 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. West Coast, 1-6 ATS in their last 7 games overall, and 1-10 ATS in their last 11 road games. While Pepperdine is 9-1 ATS in their last 10 vs. West Coast,  6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games,  11-2 ATS in their last 13 games following a ATS win, and 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.

Rating: 3 Unit CBB Play of the Day

San Francisco is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games,  4-1 ATS in their last 5 games after allowing more than 90 points in their previous game, and  19-7 ATS in their last 26 games following a double-digit loss at home. While Pacific is 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games following a ATS win and 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. In addition, San Francisco is  4-1 ATS in the last 5 meetings in Pacific.