Sean Murphy

My selection is on Tennessee State plus the points over UNC-Asheville at 6:30 pm et on Tuesday.

I don't think there's much separating these two teams at all - in fact, they're virtually mirror images of one another so far this season having faced a virtually identical strength of schedule. With that being said, we'll grab all the points we can get with the visiting Tigers on Tuesday. Tennessee State comes off an 89-60 loss in a difficult matchup on the road against Tennessee last time out. That was the Tigers worst offensive showing of the season as they connected on just 18-of-56 field goal attempts in the blowout loss. We have seen the Tigers push the pace when they want (and have been able) to this season and I think we'll see glimpses of that here as they look to make UNC-Asheville uncomfortable on its home floor. The Bulldogs have allowed four of five opponents to get off 62 or more field goal attempts this season. While Tennessee State has been vulnerable defensively, I'm not convinced Asheville is well-positioned to take advantage. The Bulldogs have been inconsistent at the offensive end of the floor, with a couple of standout performances in a losing effort at Georgia Southern and a blowout victory over little-known Bryan College but also a few very low-volume contests against Wichita State, Lipscomb and Western Carolina. Asheville would probably be well-suited to push the pace against the Tigers but I'm not sure that's it's identity. Look for Tennessee State to at the very least take this one down to the wire. Take Tennessee State (8*).

Southeast Division Game of the Month. My selection is on Washington plus the points over Atlanta at 7:10 pm et on Tuesday.

The knee-jerk reaction is probably to lay the points with the Hawks in this one as the Wizards enter riding a 14-game losing streak while Atlanta has won back-to-back games and checks in 11-7 on the season. We'll go the other way, however, and grab the points with the Wizards, noting that Atlanta has won just three of 11 road games by more than 10 points this season. Washington is actually 2-1 ATS over its last three games and I think this is an 'empty the tank' spot for the Wizards at home as they check in off consecutive off days and ahead of another two-day break before they take on the Pacers in Indiana on Friday. If nothing else, Washington has shown the ability to push the pace a little bit and I think it can make Atlanta uncomfortable in this otherwise favorable spot for the Hawks. Atlanta is unlikely to perform as well defensively as it has over its last two games, in which it held New Orleans and Charlotte to 35 and 39 made field goals, respectively. Despite that latter effort, the Hawks still won by only three points at home against the Hornets on Sunday. Atlanta checks in 1-3 ATS over its last four contests. Take Washington (10*).

Tuesday NBA Free play. My selection is on Orlando minus the points over Philadelphia at 8:10 pm et on Tuesday.

Both of these teams check in off a loss on Sunday. I think the Magic are favored for a reason in this spot as they look to rebound following a 138-129 defeat in Boston. Keep in mind, prior to that setback, Orlando had won four straight games ATS. The Magic are a terrific 9-4 SU and ATS over their last 13 games. The 76ers have been heading in the opposite direction, going 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS over their last five contests. Home court advantage hasn't meant much as Philadelphia is just 3-4 SU in its last seven games in the City of Brotherly Love. The Sixers did defeat the Magic by 12 points back on October 27th but that was when Orlando was mired in a 1-4 SU and 0-5 ATS start to the season. Look for the Magic to get their revenge here. Take Orlando.