ECKS & BACON

Las Vegas - “Basketball is my favorite sport, I like the way they dribble up and down the court.” Actually, basketball is not my favorite, sport, but the song, “Basketball” by Kurtis Blow, is way close to the top of my music list. If you need all the lyrics, hit my Email, ben@americasline.com. Got 'em all.

Gonna go North tonight and try the T'wolves -4 points over the Grizzlies. On the baseball board, I'll tickle the Indians at home with Josh Tomlin to wear the crown. Gimme half a Benjamin on each game.

Once again, get to use one of my favorite words ... another. As in ANOTHER winning week here at Ecks & Bacon. Yes, another small win, but still a +$45 for the week. The key word, or, actually symbol, being a plus. And the grind continues.

LINE MOVE REPORT: A bit of uncertainty on the NFL board. The Ravens opened up late Sunday night at -21/2 over the Steelers. That line was made without QB Ben Roethlisberger. Apparently, it appears as if Big Ben is gonna start. Missing just one game after surgery to repair the torn meniscus in his left knee would be remarkable, and we would like to know what kind of vitamins he is taking. C?D? E? A number of sportsbooks have taken the game down, because if Roethlisberger actually does get the start, the line would move a few points, and Pittsburgh could wind up as the favorite. WHAT a difference a BEN makes huh.

BOXING REPORT: In the WBO welterweight title fight on November 5 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Manny "Pac Man" Pacquiao (58-6-2, 38 KOs) is -$700 vs. Jessie "Ruthless" Vargas (27-1-0, 10 KOs) at +$500; and in the WBA/IBF/WBO light heavyweight title fight on November 19 in Las Vegas, Nevada, Andre "S.O.G." Ward (30-0-0, 15 KOs) is -$135 vs. Sergey "Krusher" Kovalev (30-0-1, 26 KOs) at +$115.