Daily tips for January 7

What’s on today

It’s a case of quality over quantity today with modest cards in the NBA and NHL; however, all eyes will be on the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California for the 2014 BCS National Championship Game featuring Florida State and Auburn – my preview is posted here; also watch for the latest edition of my column 'Another Week on the Punting Callander' later in the day; GL punters!

NHL for January 7

Florida Panthers (16-20-6, 38 points) @ Montreal Canadiens (24-14-5, 53 points), Bell Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada, Tuesday, January 7, 11.40am

These sides may be separated by 15 points, but they’ve each taken the same amount of time to claim their past 20. While they’re near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, the Florida Panthers have been surprisingly successful on the road recently. They've also proven adept at beating the Montreal Canadiens. The Panthers look for their third win over the Canadiens in less than a month here. Florida (16-20-6) currently sits ahead of only two teams – Buffalo and the New York Islanders – in the East and leads only the Sabres in the Atlantic Division. The Panthers, though, have managed to add to their point total lately by going 2-0-1 to wrap up a five-game homestand. After allowing the Rangers to rally for a shootout win Tuesday, Florida prevented Nashville from pulling off the same feat on Saturday. The Panthers will seek their seventh win in 11 road games when they open this three-game trip. Florida began its most recent trek (a four-gamer) with a 2-1 win over Montreal on December 15 and only a 5-2 loss to Winnipeg on December 20 kept it from a sweep.

The Panthers also topped the Canadiens 4-1 on December 29 at home. Scott Clemmensen earned his second victory over Montreal (24-14-5) this season and improved to 8-1-0 with 1.78 goals-against average in 10 career match-ups. Thomas, the team’s usual starter, missed both games against the Canadiens with a groin injury. With Florida having two days off after this game, Thomas might get to face Montreal this time. He’s stymied the Canadiens in recent seasons, going 9-4-0 with a 1.83 GAA in the past 14 match-ups. Following a 6-4 win in Dallas on Thursday, the Canadiens lost for the third time in their past four home games two days later, 4-3 in overtime against Ottawa. Carey Price gave up all three goals in regulation in the first 14:04. The Senators scored the winner on the power play 58 seconds into the extra session after P.K. Subban was called for a hooking penalty late in regulation. The Canadiens’ Max Pacioretty has eight goals and three assists in his last 10 contests but has been held without a point in his last four against the Panthers.

Confirmed bets

Florida Panthers @ Montreal Canadiens -5 (one unit @ $2.10) WIN (1-2)

Columbus Blue Jackets @ New York Rangers WIN (one unit @ $1.67) LOSE (4-3)

Leans

Dallas Stars @ New York Islanders -5.5 $1.91 LOSE (3-7)

Florida Panthers WIN $2.40 @ Montreal Canadiens LOSE (1-2)

Calgary Flames @ Colorado Avalanche +5.5 $2.00 WIN (4-3)

NBA for January 7

Minnesota Timberwolves (16-17, 6-11 away) @ Philadelphia 76ers (12-21, 7-8 home), Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia, PA, Tuesday, January 7, 11.10am

It’s safe to say the focus of the sporting world will be elsewhere today with just three NBA games on the board. However, it’s worth keeping an eye on the progress of the surging Philadelphia 76ers. They’re back home seeking to extend a season-best winning streak to five against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Philadelphia (12-21) opened its longest road trip of the season with back-to-back losses before turning things around, pulling out wins on the last four stops while holding opponents to 38.7 per cent shooting. The 76ers are also averaging 109.8 points during their run and allowing 102.3, significantly lower than their NBA-worst mark of 110.6. Philadelphia concluded its trek with one of its most impressive wins to date, 101-99 over Portland. Thaddeus Young (pictured) led the way with 30 points, Evan Turner added 23 and the 76ers outscored the Trail Blazers 64-40 in the paint. They also held Portland to a season-low 36.4 per cent shooting. Young is averaging 26.4 points over the last seven games, well above his season mark of 18.3. Turner, averaging a team-leading 19.8 points, has posted 23.0 per game during the winning streak.

The 76ers are 11-6 when Turner scores at least 22 compared to 1-14 when he doesn’t. The fourth-year forward didn't come close to reaching that mark in a 106-99 loss at Minnesota on December 11. Turner managed 13 points on 6-of-16 shooting and committed a career-worst nine turnovers. The Timberwolves have had the 76ers’ number of late, taking the last four match-ups while surrendering 91.3 points per game. Minnesota (16-17) is hoping to get back to .500 after falling 115-111 to Oklahoma City on Saturday. Nikola Pekovic and Kevin Love combined for 61 points and 25 rebounds but the Timberwolves had no answer for Kevin Durant, who scored 48. Minnesota made just 18 of 29 free throws, while the Thunder went 27 of 28. The Timberwolves are 5-14 when giving up more than 100 points. Minnesota could be in for another long night on the road, where they have dropped 10 of 14. They rank 29th in the league with an opposition field-goal percentage of 48.4 away from home. Kevin Love is averaging just 15.0 in eight career meetings with Philadelphia, his lowest mark against any team.

Confirmed bet

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Philadelphia 76ers -218 (one unit @ $1.91) LOSE (126-95)

Leans

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Philadelphia 76ers +7 $1.91 LOSE (126-95)

Atlanta Hawks @ Brooklyn Nets -2.5 $1.91 WIN (86-91)

Orlando Magic @ Los Angeles Clippers -8.5 $1.91 WIN (81-101)
 

College Football for January 7

Vizio BCS National Championship: Florida State Seminoles (13-0, 8-0 ACC) v Auburn Tigers (12-1, 7-1 SEC), Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA, Tuesday, January 7, 12.30pm

One thing struck me when the odds were released for the 2014 BCS National Championship Game – is the No.1 school really 10 and a 1/2 points better than the No.2 school? Sure, all-or-nothing games can turn into blowouts but this looms as a modern classic as Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston leads top-ranked Florida State into battle against Auburn at the Rose Bowl. Winston because the youngest Heisman winner (19 years, 342 days) in history after a superb freshman campaign in which he passed for 3820 yards and 38 touchdowns. Both teams have prolific offences with the Seminoles leading the nation with 90 touchdowns while ranking second in scoring at 53 points per game with a low output of 37 points. Auburn reached the title game with a superb final three-game run that included astounding late-game victories over Georgia and Alabama before beating Missouri in the SEC title game.

The difference in the game could be on the defensive side as Florida State has a ferocious unit that ranks first nationally in scoring defense (10.7) and passing defense (152 per game) and third in total defense (268.5). The Seminoles have skill players all over the park. Three players compiled more than 500 rushing yards and three receivers had more than 900 receiving yards. Devonta Freeman (943 yards, 13 TDs) is the primary back while Rashad Green had a team-best 67 receptions with Kelvin Benjamin hauling in 14 scoring receptions. Cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (five sacks, two interceptions) and outside linebacker Telvin Smith (three interceptions, team-best 75 tackles) lead a strong defence that intercepted 25 passes, including a team-high four from safety Nate Andrews. Florida State is 12-2 ATS in its last 14 games overall while the ‘over’ is 10-3 in Florida State's past 13 games overall.

The Tigers have the nation’s top rushing attack (335.7) and scored 69 total touchdowns while tied for 11th in the nation in scoring at 40.2 points. Auburn is somewhat suspect on the other side of the ball, allowing 24 points per game and ranking 88th in total defense (423.5) and 104th in passing defense (260.2). Tre Mason enjoyed a superb regular season that included 1621 yards and an SEC-record 22 rushing scores. Mason forms an explosive trio with multipurpose QB Nick Marshall (12 passing scores, 1023 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns) and receiver Sammie Coates (22.1 average, seven TDs). Cornerback Chris Davis (who provided the winning points with the game-ending missed field goal return against Alabama) – has a team-high 69 tackles. The SEC has won – and covered – every single BCS National Championship Game since the concept started in 2007. I can’t see that trend ending here.

Confirmed bet

Florida State Seminoles v Auburn Tigers +10.5 (two units @ $1.91) WIN (34-31)

Lean

Florida State Seminoles v Auburn Tigers -68 $1.91 WIN (34-31)

• Selections are listed in three categories – 1) Suggested (likely bet but yet to be finalised); 2) Confirmed (locked in at the price listed); and 3) Leans (tips, but not recommended bets); all times quoted are Australian Eastern Daylight Time (AEDT); prices with thanks to Centrebet (except where markets are not available), correct at time of publication – for most people gambling is an exciting and fun recreational pursuit. For others it can become a problem with devastating consequences for them, their families and friends. We want you to enjoy your gambling experience. We want you to stay in control of your gambling and not allow your gambling to control you.