The AT&T Center might get some long-distance action on Jan 13th as the Portland Trailblazers go to San Antonio to battle against the San Antonio Spurs. Portland is a young squad looking to rebuild as the quick but electric Brandon Roy era officially came to an end with his retirement in December. Ex – #1 pick Greg Oden has additionally had repeated concerns with his knees as Portland seemingly can not shake the ghost of Sam Bowie. The San Antonio Spurs expect to defend their court with sizzling plays from their usual constant roster. The San Antonio Spurs are favored by 8 points and this seeks to be a great bet.

On Jan 12th, things get hot when the Cleveland Cavaliers come into Phoenix to face the Phoenix Suns. A couple of years ago, this would’ve been a stellar competition with LeBron James and Amare Stoudemire going head to head in a collision course. In the era of free agency however, times definitely have transformed as this competition seems drastically different. Phoenix is liked by 6 points over the Cleveland Cavaliers and this is apparently a safe bet.

The United Center in Chicago will be in the spotlight as the Wizards arrive in town to take on the Chicago Bulls. In past years, this match would’ve been the most difficult ticket to get as the 2nd comeback by Michael Jordan turned the Wizards into media darlings all through the league. Jordan is now long retired nevertheless and the Wizards have turned into an awesome youthful squad with vast amounts of possible waiting to be tapped. The sports book has the Bulls favored by 8 points which appears correct and appears like a solid bet with Chicago being rooted on at home.

Saturday evening on January 14th, the New York Knicks come into Oklahoma City to take on the Thunder in this big matchup between these two teams. It is a tale of two teams as the Thunder arrive in the game with a dependable squad of young guns vs the NY Knicks who it looks from year to year usually comes into play with plenty of changes going on. The NY Knicks are preferred by 4 points and this might hold unless Durant has one of his standard killer matches.

The Staples Center will come alive on January 11th when the Heat takes on the Los Angeles Clippers. The Miami Heat comes in with one of the best records in the NBA bolstered by a great lineup of stars. The Miami Heat lead the league as a team in points won and assists. The sports book has the Miami Heat liked by 8 points and with the backcourt they include, it appears to be a sure bet. Let’s have a closer look at the Miami Heat this year and the things they provide.

These two teams have been doing relatively well this year. This really should not an unexpected to anyone as these two colleges are well noted for their share of triumphs in basketball for a lot of years. When Western Virginia visits Connecticut these two teams will be at it out on the court on January 9.

The Jan 9 – Oklahoma at Oklahoma State game still has its own kind of excitement, despite the fact that this particular match may not have the same intensity that its football version does. With the conference basketball season just arrived, both the Oklahoma Sooners and Cowboys will try to set the tone for the remainder of their season with this game. In Oklahoma’s case, they are going to be trying to continue what has been a great start as they finished the non-conference slate with a 10-2 record.

On January 8th, postseason ncaa football comes to Mobile, AL when the Arkansas State Red Wolves take on the Northern Illinois Huskies at the GoDaddy.com Bowl. Both teams come up with rookie head coaches with the Northern Illinois Huskies helmed by first-year head coach Dave Doeren. Temporary head coach David Gunn who’s been the running backs coach all year heads the Red Wolves. Arkansas State has appointed Gus Malzahn who will take control after the year ends. The take from the sportsbook is now Arkansas State (-1 ½) with an over-under set at 63 points.

It is not only the Division I-A schools getting face time on ESPN, on January seventh the NCAA Division I-AA Tournament game is performed at Pizza Hut Park in Fricso, TX. In a battle of the two best small colleges in the nation, the Bison face the Sam Houston Bearkats. Both the Sam Houston Bearkats and the Bison have steamrolled their opposition all year long and both are also coming into play with comparable styles on offense. As the defenses are going to get a workout, anticipate plenty of running and plenty of first downs by each team. The sports book is having a tough time with this one as the line presently stands at North Dakota State (-1) with the over-under scheduled at 46.

Birmingham, AL plays sponsor to the Compass Bowl on January seventh with the Pitt Panthers taking on the Southern Methodist University Mustangs. The Pittsburgh Panthers come in just after the one-year Todd Graham experiment at head coach. After taking the head coaching position at Arizona State, Graham quit his post on December 14th. Defensive Coordinator Keith Patterson will put on the headset for the Pittsburgh Panthers in this clash of titans. SMU enters into play with the specter of the “Death Penalty” handed down in the 1980′s still being debated today. Former Nfl and Hawaii coach June Jones is now in his 4th year on the sidelines of Southern Methodist University. The wagering line has this established at Pittsburgh (-3) with the over-under of 47 points.