January 9-ESPN Streak for the Cash Picks and Analysis

The San Antonio Spurs host the LA Lakers tonight in one of the ESPN Streak for the Cash matchups that I like the most. In this picture, earlier this season Kawhi Leonard (2) moves the ball ahead of Los Angeles Lakers shooting guard Kobe Bryant (24) during the second half at Staples Center. Photo by Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Streak for the Cash rolls on into a full Wednesday of picking action with 16 picks on the board coming from Cup Soccer early and basketball both pro and college tonight. It’s been an up-and-down month for my picks although my more confident picks have been performing rather well. Hopefully, we can find the greens on the chedult today with these picks:

Streak Picks 1/9

12:30- FC Porto wins by 2+: This is a cup game so it’s tough to know how invested these clubs will be, but Porto can definitely win by two or more if they put their mind to it. Porto is 5-0-0 against Vitoria Setubal in head-to-head matchups and they’ve won four of those five by multiple goals. You can never be too confident with Cup matches, but Porto’s the pick. Confidence Meter: 4

2:45- Juventus win: Juve has been dominating Serie A with a 14-2-3 record while AC Milan is 9-3-7. Juventus did lose their last league game to Sampdoria in an upset, but will be motivated to bounce back even though this is just Cup play. They should be able to get the win at home. Confidence Meter: 3

Jan 1, 2013; Ames IA, USA; Iowa State Cyclones guard Tyrus Mcgee (25) drives past Yale Bulldogs guard Nick Victor (21) in the second half at Hilton Coliseum. Iowa State beat Yale 80-70. Mandatory Credit: Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

7:03- Any Other Result: Kansas is at home against Iowa State as they start their Big XII schedule. They’ve won all eight of their home games this season and their last 10 in a row highlighted by knocking off then-#8 Ohio State in Columbus. Four of KU’s last five home win have been by 15 or more. On the other side, ISU has started off the season 10-3 but have fallen on the road to Iowa and UNLV by less than 10. The Cylcones rank in the top 20 in the nation in points, FG%, and assists, but have only played one game since December 20 beating Yale last week. The spread is 11 which seems about right so I can’t give the extra four even at Phog Allen. Just because the Cyclones can score enough to stay within shouting distance of the Jayhawks. Kansas won their last game by only seven against visting Temple and Iowa State is a better team in my mind than the Owls. I expect an 8-12 point win for Kansas but definitely think AOR is the pick for this conference game. Confidence Meter: 5

7:05- Utah Jazz: The Jazz head east to take on the Bobcats in Charlotte. Charlotte has actually won two of three after their extended losing streak but have still dropped their last 11 at home not winning since back on November 21 against visiting Toronto. The Jazz will be without Mo and Marvin Williams in their starting lineup but have won three of four led by some great bench play. Their depth should be enough to get them by the Bobcats. Confidence Meter: 6

8:10- Spurs win by Double-Digits: The Lakers complete their Texas two-step as they head to San Antonio tonight still expected to be without Pau Gasol and Dwight Howard. San Antonio lost on Monday in New Orleans and will look to bounce back as they host their Western Conference rivals. With the Lakers at less than full strength and playing on the second part of their back-to-back, I think this one could turn into a blowout early. Confidence Meter: 8

9:03- Illinois: The Illini host Minnesota in a matchup of top 12 teams. Minnesota has won 10 in a row including a nice win over then-#18 Michigan State at home two games ago. They also beat the-#19 Memphis on a neutral court after losing to Duke by 18 in their only loss of the season. The trip to Champaign will only be their third true road game after winning at Florida State and at USC. Illinois will be a tough test for the Gophers as they come off a huge win at home over Ohio State. It should be a great game, but I’ll go with the home team  who are surprisingly underdogs by 1.5. Confidence Meter: 3

Jan 5, 2013; Fayetteville, AR, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks guard Michael Qualls (24) reacts to a dunk during a game against the Delaware State Hornets at Bud Walton Arena. Arkansas defeated Delaware State 86-51. Mandatory Credit: Beth Hall-USA TODAY Sports

9:05- Arkansas: The Razorbacks go on the road to take on Texas A&M in just their second true road game and their SEC opener. The Aggies come into conference play 10-3 but did lose at home just three games ago to Southern. Their other two losses have come to Oklahoma and St. Louis on neutral floors. A&M has yet to play a ranked opponent. However, the Hogs have played a pair of teams ranked in the top ten and were competitive before losing on the road at Michigan and at home to Syracuse. Their other losses came early in the season against solid Wisconsin and Arizona State teams. Arkansas averages almost 83 points a game which ranks in the top ten in the nation while A&M ranks 231st averaging just 65.2. I think Arkansas can go on the road and get this win; don’t be fooled by record alone. Confidence Meter: 6

10:35- Golden State Warriors: The Warriors are two-point favorites over Memphis in a matchup between the current fourth and fifth seeds in the Western Conference. Golden State is 11-4 at home and Memphis will be playing their third game in four nights, so I’ll go Warriors in this one. Confidence Meter: 4

Dec 5, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Los Angeles Clippers guard Eric Bledsoe (12) dunks the ball as Dallas Mavericks guard Darren Collison (4) watches at the Staples Center. The Clippers defeated the Mavericks 112-90. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports

10:45- Clippers win by Double-Digits: The Mavs continue their West Coast swing as they head to LA to face the Clips. LA has bounced back after a two-game skid broke their winning streak earlier this month including a nice 26 point win over the Warriors in their last game. The Mavs have been playing better as Dirk starts to play like Dirk again but have still dropped nine of their last ten with six of those losses coming by 10 or more points. LA is 10.5 point favorites, and It hink they’ll win and cover at home in this one. Confidence Meter: 6

11:30- Washington 3PM or tie: Washington has played  three true road games and been competetive in all of them emerging with a 2-1 record with their only loss coming at UConn. In the nightcap tonight they head to Cal to take on the Golden Bears and this prop has their threes against the Cal winning Margin. Cal is 1-1 in Pac-12 play winning at USC after losing at UCLA. The Huskies average about six three-pointers per game and I don’t see the Bears beating them by more than that since I think these two teams are about even. The line right now has Cal favored but only by 6.5. Confidence Meter: 4

Picks so far this Month

Yesterday’s picks (click here to review): 5-5

Overall Record: 35-30

Confident Picks (5+): 16-7

Current Personal Streak: W2

Longest Personal Streak of January: W5