The Professionals

College hoops already posted at lunchtime. NBA/NHL picks for Monday night:

NBA

Timberwolves +3.5 +104, 1 unit to win 1.04 units

This Timberwolves team just does not get blown out very often, and the Bobcats are hardly a powerhouse. Mostly, an anti-public pick, which feels weird because we've backed Charlotte lots of times for the same reason.

Celtics -9 +106, 1 unit to win 1.06 units

Also available at -8.5 with worse juice, but we're going this way. Public very slightly favoring the Magic (you know, because the Magic are a "great road team"), but no significant consensus. Sportsbooks have moved from -8 to -9, so they're not exactly sold on the Magic tonight either. Anthony Johnson and JJ Redick can hold down the fort well enough when Howard is dominating the lesser frontcourts of some teams, but we don't think he'll have as easy a time with KG and Perkins, so the shortcomings in the backcourt will make for a long night in Boston for Orlando. You won't find us backing the defending World Champs very often, but there it is.

NHL

Anaheim +190, 0.5 units to win 0.95 units

With those wide flat feet, ducks probably do pretty well on ice, I would imagine. I can't name one player on either team, so I don't really have anything to else to say. Seriously, though, just from looking at the stats, I'm not sure how Detroit is a 2-to-1 favorite against Anaheim. I don't know much about hockey, but that line does not make sense, yet 65% of bettors like Detroit even with the huge number. Don't get it.

Good luck everybody.