For any resources you could need like sports handicapping odds, handicapping stats, schedules, or handicappers free picks and tips please click on any of the links on the right hand side of this page.
CLICK A CAPPERS NAME TO SEE THEIR PREMIUM DAILY EXPERT PLAYS + PREDICTIONS!
Schedule: NFL | CFB | MLB | NBA | CBB | NHL
WANT FREE SPORTS PICKS to your inbox? | Newsletter Sign-UP!
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12-10-17 | Tulane v. Florida State -13 | Top | 53-72 | Win | 100 | 5 h 30 m | Show |
Tulane" The Green Wave were every bit of a six-win team last season (they earned those 25 losses) but it's been quite a turnaround in the early going of this season. 6-6 guard Melvin Frazier has improved in just about every statistical category over last season and, with a line of 18.8-7.4-2.8, has helped to carry the Green Wave to seven wins and a chance at their first winning season since 2012-13. Fellow guard Reynolds is right behind him (16.9 & 5.4) plus the 6-9 Sehic (12.4 & 7.4) is the team's best frontcourt player. Two more guards, Cornish (10.4 & 4.0 APG) and Ona Embo (9.6) round out the major contributors. Tulane averages 80.2 PPG (86th) on 47.6% shooting (77th). Florida State: The Seminoles won 26 games before losing the second round of the NCAAs last season. However, four starters are gone from that team, including guards Bacon (17.2), and Rathan-Mayes (10.6 & 4.8 APG) plus the "one & done" 6-10 Isaac (12.0 & 7.8). Mann was the lone returning starter and the 6-6 junior guard leads the team in scoring (16.0), while adding 5.8 RPG. Three more guards, CJ Walker (12.2), Angola (12.0) and MJ Walker (8.6) give FSU an excellent perimeter game. The surprise has been the 6-8 Phil Cofer. After a freshman season in which he averaged 6.9 points and 4.5 rebounds, Cofer appeared on his way to becoming a mainstay for the Seminoles but that hasn't been the case until this season. He averaged fewer than 13 minutes and four points over the last two seasons but he's averaging 13.4 PPG and 5.5 RPG, joining the 6-9 Kabengele (9.0 & 5,1) in the frontcourt. That group helps FSU to an average of 89.0 PPG (15th) on 50.6% shooting (21st). The D on a Leonard Hamilton-coached team is always good and this year's team is allowing 68.8 PPG (103rd). The pick: Florida State is one of eight unbeaten teams in Division I (number is falling fast, just ask Duke!) and will look to remain among that select company when it plays Tulane Sunday in Tampa, Fla. The Seminoles earned their seventh victory by 15 or more points Wednesday against Loyola Maryland and their 8-0 start is the best for Florida State since opening 10-0 in 2003-04. I'm laying the points here and making FSU a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-09-17 | Portland State v. Santa Clara -4 | Top | 87-84 | Loss | -105 | 22 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: The Portland State Vikings won their third straight game and improved to 7-2 on the season after defeating the Loyola Marymount Lions 94-85 this past Wednesday. The Vikings will travel to the Leavey Center on Saturday night to face the 3-5 Santa Clara Broncos. Santa Clara opened 1-5 but has won back-to-back homes games, 89-57 over Northern Arizona and 72-57 over Arkansas-Pine Bluff. Portland State: The Vikings have a new head coach in Barret Perry and the team's 7-2 start is confidence-building, after the team has won 15, 13 and 15 games the last three seasons, respectively. Portland State was able to pull away from the Lions this past Wednesday, helped by Marymount committing an incredible 33 turnovers! Bryce Canda had a double-double with 20 points and 13 rebounds to lead the way. This guard-oriented lineup features four double digits scorers on the perimeter. North is tops with 17.9 PPG, followed by Canda (17.7), who also leads in rebounding at 7.4 per. Mayhew (10.8) and Woods (10.2) round out the quartet, As a team, Portland averages 91.6 PPG, which ranks 6th in the nation. Santa Clara: After routing Northern Arizona, the Broncos did much the same to Pine Bluff (see above). Leading the way was Matt Hauser (10.1) who had 21 points. He's joined by two other scorers in the backcourt, Feagin (18.2) and Caruso (11.00, who also leads the team in rebounding at 7.1 per. The 6-8 Vrankic (11.0 & 4.4) is the team's best frontcourt player. The pick: Santa Clara averages more than 20 PPG less than Portland State at 74.3 per but note the Broncos have held back-to-back opponents to 57 points here at the Leavey Center. It's not as if Santa Clara can keep Portland State under 60 points (lowest point total was 69 vs Butler) but the Broncos should at least slow them down. It says something here that Santa Clara is favored over a team averaging almost 92 PPG and whose only losses this season have come against Butler and Duke at the Phil Knight Invitational Tournament. Lay it and make Santa Clara an 8* play. |
|||||||
12-09-17 | Magic +2 v. Hawks | Top | 110-117 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 4 m | Show |
The set-up: The Magic just beat the Hawks 110-106 Wednesday in Orlando but it took overtime and they did not cover as a 6 1/2-point favorite. The Hawks haven't played since, while the Magic are coming off a 103-89 home loss last night to the Nuggets. Evan Fournier, the Magic's second-leading scorer at 18.3 PPG ,scored 27 points in Orlandos home overtime victory over the Hawks on Wednesday but he won't be available for Saturday's rematch after he sprained his right ankle at the start of overtime. More bad news comes in that Orlando's leading scorer Aaron Gordon (18.7 PPG) will also be out of the lineup. He was injured when he collided with Denver guard Gary Harris in Friday's loss and won't play again until he clears the NBA's concussion protocol.The good news for the 11-16 Magic is that the Hawks are a brutal 5-19 on the season, including just 2-9 at home Orlando: Losing Fournier and now Gordon is just the latest injury blow for the Magic, who started the season 8-3 before going into a slide. The Magic are also without Terrence Ross (9.0) and rookie defensive standout Jonathan Isaac (6.1 & 4.4). Ross has missed the past five games with a knee injury and Isaac the last 15 with a sprained ankle. Gordon has been a real bright spot admitted head coach Frank Vogel. "Yeah, it's tough, but everybody in the league has injuries," Vogel said after the game. "You know we can't feel sorry for ourselves now. We have to go get a win (Saturday) night." Atlanta: The Hawks have lost four of their last five games and have injury woes of their own. Center Dewayne Dedmon (11.1 & 7.8) is expected to miss his fifth straight game due to a leg injury.and rookie forward John Collins (11.5 & 7.1) will miss his fourth straight contest with a shoulder injury and is expected to miss another week to 10 days. PG Dennis Schroder has emerged as the club's top scorer (20.5 PPG plus 6.5 APG) and is averaging 24 points over the past four games. Schroder scored 26 points in Wednesday's loss to Orlando for his 13th 20-point outing of the campaign. Second-year forward Taurean Prince is averaging 12.5 points and scored 19 on 6-of-8 shooting against the Magic after being just 11-of-34 shooting over the previous three games. The pick: The Hawks have won 11 of the last 14 home matchups with the Magic but let's remember, that was with a much different team. The Hawks have been to 10 straight postseasons (only the Spurs own a longer consecutive streak) but this year's team is a playoff imposter and is on pace for a 17-win season. Expect the Magic to win this quick turnaround re-match, as well. Make Orlando a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-09-17 | Minnesota v. Arkansas -3.5 | Top | 79-95 | Win | 100 | 19 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The Minnesota Golden Gophers opened 7-0 but they have not been very 'golden' lately, entering this game 8-2 (ranked No. 14) but losers of two of their last three. The team's first loss was 86-81 to Miami at home in the Big Ten/ACC Challenge on Nov. 29 ('Canes are currently ranked 10th) and then this past Tuesday at Nebraska. Minnesota shot just 32.4 percent from the floor in that 78-68 loss to the Cornhuskers (Nebraska is 7-3). The Gophers travel to Fayetteville and Bud Walton Arena on Saturday evening to take on 6-2 Arkansas. The Razorbacks bounced back from a 26-point loss at Houston on Dec. 2 with a resounding 92-66 victory over Colorado State on Tuesday. Minnesota: "They just played better than we did and when we needed to get stops, we couldn't," Minnesota head coach Richard Pitino told reporters after the Nebraska loss. "Offensively, obviously, we didn't have it going. If you don't have it going offensively, you've got to get stops and get out on the break. We did not do that. Credit to them."Minnesota has all five starters back from last year's 24-win team and is being led by 6-6 junior forward Jordan Murphy (19.9 & 12.8). Senior PG checks in at Nate Mason (15.7-4.0-4.4, after averaging 20.3 points over his last four games. Reggie Lynch is a 6-10 senior center and averages 11.6 & 8.6 plus leads the nation with 4.5 blocks per game. 6-8 forward Coffey (13.8 & 4.5) and SG McBrayer (8.8 & 3.4 APG) round out the starting-five. Arkansas: The Razorbacks won 26 games last season, losing in the NCAAs second round. Three starters are gone from that team, including leading scorer Hannahs (14.4) and the 6-10 Kingsley (12.0 & 7.7). Arkansas has solid balance this year, although four of the team's five double digit scorers are all guards. Barford leads the way with 19.6 PPG (4.1 RPG & 3.4 APG), followed by Macon (14.6), Beard (11.9) and Jones (10.8). The 'outsider' is 6-11 freshman Gafford, who averages 12.0 & 5.8. The Razorbacks average 87.2 PPG (25th) with Barford (46.2 percent), Macon (43.9) and Jones (40.5) coming into this contest as one of two trios in the nation shooting over 40 percent from three-point range with at least 35 attempts. The pick: The Golden Gophers average 87.3 PPG (23rd) but come in struggling on the offensive the last few games. That not good news when playing at Arkansas, which is famous for its defensive pressure. The Razorbacks forced 19 turnovers, raising its season average to 16.4 per in their win over Colorado State and held the Rams to 36.5 percent shooting. Murphy will face extra defensive attention from Arkansas’s deep, athletic forecourt plus center Reggie Lynch will be challenged by Arkansas’s prized, five-star 6-11 freshman Daniel Gafford, who has lived up to teh hype. The Razorbacks' first eight opponents were a combined 42-25 through Wednesday's games and Arkansas is 4-0 at home, outscoring opponents 92.8-to-62.5 PPG. Make Arkansas a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-09-17 | Army v. Navy -3.5 | Top | 14-13 | Loss | -104 | 113 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The Army Black Knights are 8-3 and headed to the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl two days before Christmas to meet San Diego State, marking the school's first back-to-back bowl appearances since 1984-85. The Navy Midshipmen have gone a disappointing 6-5 but will host Virginia in the Military Bowl on Dec. 28 in Annapolis, Md, as Navy makes its bowl appearance 14th bowl appearance in the last 15 years (missed only in 2011 since 2003!). Also, after Navy defeated Air Force 48-45 on Oct. 7 and Army shut out the Falcons 21-0 on Nov. 4, this marks the first time since 2012 that the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy is on the line for both teams when the two service academies meet Saturday at Lincoln Financial Field. Army: QB Ahmad Bradshaw is completing just 30.8 percent of his passes for 259 yards with one TD and two INTs, as Army ranks dead-last with 30.5 YPG passing. However, Army ranks first in rushing (368.1 YPG), leading the way for an offense which ranks 43rd in scoring at 31.2 PPG. Bradshaw leads in rushing with 1,472 yards (7.8 YPC) with 11 TDs. A trio of RBs contribute 517 to 668 yards, while averaging from 5.4,-to-7.3 YPC and combining for 21 rushing TDs. Defensively, Army has done a very solid job, allowing a modest 21.6 PPG (30th) on 360.9 YPG (41st). Navy: QB Zach Abey has led Navy to average three times as many passing YPG than Army but that means Navy checks in averaging only 91.2 YPG. Abey is also Navy's top rusher, having gained 1,322 yards (4.8 YPC) and 14 TDs. RB Malcom Perry adds 818 yards on 8.9 YPC with eight TDs. Navy is just behind Army in rushing YPG, checking in at 347.5 YPG (2nd-best) and not far behind in scoring at 30.4 PPG (50th). However, Navy doesn't match up as well defensively, as it is allowing 29.2 PPG (85th) on 399.8 YPG (72nd). The pick: A win here for Army will mean its first Commander-in-Chief's Trophy since 1996 (now that's a BIG deal!). There is no argument that Army is playing better football than Navy right now, winning six of its last seven games and losing just once since the beginning of October. However, Navy is favored because the Midshipmen have dominated this series over the years, winning 16 of the last 18 meetings. Army won last year's contest but hasn't beaten Navy in back-to-back years since 1995-96. Army's win last season came after having lost 14 straight I can't help but make Navy a 10* play here in this revenge role. |
|||||||
12-08-17 | Oklahoma +1.5 v. USC | Top | 85-83 | Win | 100 | 24 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: The 6-1 Oklahoma Sooners will visit Los Angeles to take on the 4-2 USC Trojans on Friday night in the Basketball Hall of Fame's Hoophall L.A. Classic played at Staples Center. The Sooners have the better current record, although it's USC which comes in ranked at No. 25 in the latest AP poll. However, after opening 4-0, the Trojans have lost at home to then No. 16 Texas A&M (75-59) and followed with a 72-55 loss at SMU. USC is now looking to avoid a third straight loss against an Oklahoma team that has lost just once (92-83 to Arkansas in the PK80 Invitational) and is knocking on the top-25 'door' with a four-game win streak that includes a 90-80 neutral-floor win over 2017 Final Four participant Oregon in that same PK80 Invitational in Portland,. Oklahoma: 6-2 freshman Trae Young scored a season-high 43 points to go along with a game-high seven assists and two steals in not only leads Oklahoma in scoring but his 28.7 PPG also leads the nation! Young, who also averages 8.7 APG, can't wait to play on the same court of former Oklahoma star Blake Griffin of the Clippers, not to mention the Lakers of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. "I've been able to play in the (Chicago) Bulls arena, the Brooklyn Nets arena, obviously Portland and now L.A.," Young said. "It's going to be fun. That's a legendary place to play. ... I can't wait for it." The Sooners ranks second in the nation at 94.4 PPG and shoot 50.5 percent as a team (24th). Junior guard Christian James (11.9 & 4.0) and 6-9 senior forward Khadeem Lattin (11.1 & 9.1) are also are averaging in double figures. USC; Last year's team set a school-record with 26 victories and made a surprising run to NCAA's Sweet 16 and with all five starters returning, were considered a 'sleeper pick' to make it to the school's first Final Four since 1954. However, after that 4-0 start, USC has been humbled in back-to-back games (see above). The team's current five starters average between 9.0 and 16.0 PPG, led by the 'Twin Tower' duo of the 6-11 Metu (16.0 & 7.7) and the 6-10 Boatwright (15.7 & 7.7). PG McLaughlin also scores in double digits at 13.5 PPG, while leading the team with 5.8 APG. The pick: USC's loss to A&M is not much of a concern (Aggies are currently ranked 7th) but the Trojans led 30-27 at halftime at SMU last Saturday, before getting outscored 45-25 in the second half by the Mustangs. It was deja vu all over again, as six days earlier Texas A&M used a late 19-3 run to pull away for a 16-point victory at the Galen Center. USC is already without G De'Antthony Melton, who is being withheld because of eligibility issues stemming from the FBI investigation of assistant coach Tony Bland plus will also be without PG Derryck Thornton, a Duke transfer who is expected to miss three-to-four weeks after dislocating his right shoulder Nov. 28. Back-to-back lopsided loss is a concern for Andy Enfield's team, whose offense is not functioning well with USC making just 12 of 44 three-point attempts (27.3 percent) in those contests. Even in the "friendly confines" of Staples Center (just up the 110 Freeway from USC's on-campus Galen Center), a see a third straight loss coming for the Trojans. Make Oklahoma a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-08-17 | Raptors -5.5 v. Grizzlies | Top | 116-107 | Win | 100 | 22 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The Toronto Raptors have been dominant at home so far, as after their 126-113 win over Phoenix on Tuesday, the Raptors checked in with a 9-1 mark at Air Canada Centre. In contrast, the team is just 6-6 on the road and tonight's game at Memphis vs. the Grizzlies will kick off a four-game road trip. The Grizzlies did snap their 11-game losing streak Monday against Minnesota but then fell right back in a "losing mode" dropping a 99-88 decision at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday to fall to 8-16 on the season. Toronto:.Toronto's backcourt of DeMar DeRozan (23.3-4.5-4.9) and Kyle Lowry (16.6-6.3-7.1) led the way in the win over the Suns, combining for 40 points and 18 of Toronto's 30 assists. "When you’re making shots, it's good, and the confidence we all have in each other to take shots and to give the opportunity to shoot the ball and we don’t care, it's always good," Lowry told reporters. Toronto is averaging 111.5 PPG (3rd-best in the NBA and topes in the East) an 48.7 percent shooting (2nd-best). The Raptors have upped that to 121 points during their four-game winning streak while making an average of 13 three-pointers per game and handing out 28.5 assists. "Everybody gets a chance to touch the ball, you don't necessarily got to work so hard," DeRozan told reporters. "Everybody gets a feel for the ball, everybody gets to make the next decision for your teammate, and with that, we still miss a lot of shots, but it's something we're still learning and something we're still trying to get better at every time we practice, every time we play." Memphis: Center Marc Gasol scored 17 points in Wednesday's loss in New York while his fellow starters combined for just 23, on 7-of-24 shooting. He's the team's leading scorer (18.9) and rebounder (8.8) plus played through a knee issue. "I don't know exactly what happened. It just locked up," he told reporters. "Couldn't really extend it. I never had any knee issues. So it was a new feeling for me." While Gasol's fellow starters 'laid an egg,' the bench provided some positives in the loss. In particular, forward Chandler Parsons, who had missed three of the previous four games with knee and ankle injuries, had 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting in 22 minutes. The pick: Memphis was 7-6 and had topped 100 points six times before deciding to shelve Conley (17.1 & 4.1 APG) on Nov. 14 in hopes of relieving the pain in his Achilles. The result has been the Grizzlies having gone 1-10 SU & 2-8-1 ATS since, being held to 98 or fewer points on all but two of the occasions. Toronto has faced only one team (Indiana, twice) with a winning record among its last six contests,and won't see another above-.500 club until meeting the Philadelphia 76ers on Dec. 21, which is eight games from now. The lesser competition has allowed the Raptors to focus on spreading the offensive wealth rather than relying on guards Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan. Seven players scored in double figures Wednesday and the club's 30 assists were one shy of their season best. Chalk up another 'victim' here. Make Toronto a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-07-17 | Eastern Washington v. San Francisco -7 | Top | 71-81 | Win | 100 | 14 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The Eastern Washington Eagles dropped their second straight game 84-65 this past Sunday to the Seattle Redhawks, falling to 3-5 on the season. They will travel to War Memorial Gymnasium in San Francisco on Thursday to take on the San Francisco Dons, who snapped their two-game losing streak and improved to 4-3 on the season after defeating the Central Arkansas Bears 78-76 this past Monday night. Eastern Washington: The Eagles allowed Seattle to shoot 50.9% from the floor, including 52.9% (9-17) from beyond the arc in Sunday's loss. Clearly, that kind of defense won't cut it for a team which is averaging only 70.1 PPG (273rd) on some very poor shooting (39.7% ranks 324th!). Eastern Washington's leading score is Bogdan Bliznyuk (14.1-4.5- 2.4), a 6-6 guard, plus a trio of guards add 6.9-to-9.0 PPG to the mix. The 6-7 Hunt (6.6 & 5.8) and the 7-0 Gruciunas (6.4 & 5.1) are the best big men. San Francisco: The Dons held off a late Central Arkansas run to pick up the two-point victory in their last game. San Francisco shot just 38.1% from the floor but did out-rebound the Bears by a 43-30 margin in the victory. San Francisco doesn't score any better than Eastern Washington, averaging 71.4 PPG (246th) and shoots poorly as well, connecting on 39.1 percent (336th). Jordan Ratinho had 17 points in the win and leads the Dons on the season with 12.7 PPG (also 4.3 RPG). 6-5 SF Chase Foster adds 11.3 PPG and a team-high 6.0 RPG. The pick: Eastern Washington has had a tough early schedule and it is taking a toll. The Eagles limp in just 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games and while San Francisco is "more in their class," the Dons are 6-0 ATS in their last six games vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400. Make San Francisco a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-07-17 | Wizards v. Suns +7.5 | Top | 109-99 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 29 m | Show |
The set-up: The Phoenix Suns opened the season 0-3 with two losses of 40 points or more. That prompted the firing of head coach Earl Watson, who was replaced by Jay Triano. The Suns have been more competitive since that horrific start (nowhere to go but up!), going 9-14 SU but also 12-10-1 ATS. The team just completed a 2-4 road trip but SG Devin Booker went down with a strained left adductor in Tuesday's 126-113 setback at Toronto. However, the Suns hope to have Booker available when they host Washington Wizards on Thursday. The 13-11 Wizards opened their five-game road trip with a 116-69 loss at Utah on Monday but quickly bounced back the next night in Portland, winning 106-92. Washington: SG Bradley Beal posted a career-high 51 points in Tuesday's win, as with Washington operating without All-Star PGJohn Wall (knee), he's being asked to take on more responsibility. Beal, as well as the entire team, laid an egg in Utah but all was right in Portland, especially with Beal who was 21-of-37 from the floor in his career-best effort. "I was really upset with the way we played, especially with myself individually," Beal told reporters in reference to the Utah debacle. "I just came in (to Portland) with the mindset that I was going to be aggressive, not thinking about anything else but trying to get a win and playing my game." Beal leads with 23.3 PPG with Wall (he has missed six games and remains sidelined because of left knee inflammation) second on the Wizards in scoring at 20.3 PPG (leads in assists with 9.2 per game). The Wizards are 3-3 with Tim Frazier starting in Wall's place. Phoenix: Booker (24.3-4.5-4.1) had to be helped off the court on Tuesday after scoring 19 points in 39 minutes and will undergo further testing to determine the severity of the injury. Booker had missed the first game of the road trip but was on fire over the rest of the trip, averaging 31.6 points on 50.5 percent shooting, including a 46-point outburst in a 115-101 win at Philadelphia on Monday. The Suns saw eight players score in double figures in the loss at Toronto and will ask even more of players like T.J. Warren (18.4 & 5.7) (9.2 & 3.5) and rookie Josh Jackson if Booker is unable to go. The pick: John Wall played (scored 21 points) and Bradley Beal scored 40, points back on Nov. 1 in Washington, yet the Wizards were still outscored by the Suns, 122-116 (as an 11-pont underdog). Warren exploded for a career-high 40 points on 16-of-22 shooting while adding 10 rebounds in that one, as Phoenix overcame a 22-point deficit to secure the victory. Center Greg Monroe collected 11 points and 10 rebounds on Tuesday to mark his third double-double in nine games with the team and enters doing a nice job since the trade (10.8 & 7.4). Revenge for Washington? I'm not buying it, as the Wizards are the only team in the Southeast Division with a winning record. The home dog barks loudly in this one. Make Phoenix a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-06-17 | Nuggets v. Pelicans -4.5 | Top | 114-123 | Win | 100 | 23 h 51 m | Show |
The set-up: New Orleans Pelicans squandered a 20-point halftime lead on Monday at home against the defending champs, eventually falling 125-115. Frustration seemed to boil over in the final minutes as a slew of technical fouls were handed out and DeMarcus Cousins was ejected (shocking!). The 12-12 Pelicans will try to re-group tonight, when the welcome the 13-10 Denver Nuggets to the Smoothie King Center. Denver opened its six-game trip with a 122-105 loss at Western Conference-worst Dallas on Monday, falling to 3-8 on the road, compared to the team's 10-2 home mark. Both teams are missing key performers, as Anthony Davis (25.2 & 11.0) is sidelined with a groin injury and Nikola Jokic (15.5 & 10.6) with an ankle injury. Denver: The Mavs rank among the lowest-scoring teams in the league but shot 57 percent from the floor against Denver on Monday. "They get their 3s from dribble penetration," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters of the Mavericks. "When you can't guard their guards and they live in the paint for scores and they live in the paint for kick-out 3s, they got everything tonight. You're not going to beat anybody when you're giving up that kind of productivity in the paint and behind the arc." Is Malone serious? If the Mavs are "tough to guard" for his team, where are the Nuggets headed? The Nuggets fell behind by 25 points in the first half and could not recover despite 22 points from Murray and 21 from Harris. Murray is averaging 14.4 PPG, joining fellow guards Barton (15.8), Harris (14.4) and Mudiay (10.0) in double digits. With Jokic sidelined for at least a few games and PF Millsap (15.7 & 6.2) also out until late-February with a wrist injury, Denver will need help from forwards Chandler and Faried, as well as center Plumlee. Not sure that will happen, though. New Orleans: "I keep telling our guys, as bad as this loss is, what we keep proving is that we have the ability to play extended minutes with the world champs," Pelicans head coach Alvin Gentry told reporters after the 125-115 loss. "We have to now find a way to not do it for 32 or 36 minutes, but for 48." New Orleans is operating without Davis, who had an MRI on his groin reveal no major damage and is now considered day-to-day with a left adductor strain. New Orleans is making up for the loss of production by asking more of its backcourt, and Jrue Holiday (34) and E'Twaun Moore (27) combined for 61 points on Monday. Holiday (16.3-4.4-5.5) is playing off the point with Rajon Rondo (6.6 & 7.3 APG) running the offense and has seen his scoring tick up to an average of 22.6 points in the last five games, with Rondo averaging nine assists in that span. Moore averages 12.6 PPG on the season, the only other player in double digits other than Cousins (25.3 & 12.2). The pick: Talk about a revenge motive! Denver shot 62.9 percent from the floor in a 146-114 home win over New Orleans back on Nov. 17! It was the team's best shooting percentage since 2012, and the Nuggets made 18 of 35 attempts from long range. They also recorded a season-high 37 assists and their starting five combined for 101 points. Davis played only 21 minutes in the first game against Denver but still led the Pelicans with 17 points. He is listed as day-to-day for Wednesday but he said Monday he was still experiencing sharp pain in his left groin area when making lateral cuts. No reason to expect Davis to play here but let's remember the Nuggets are now 3-8 SU and 3-9 ATS on the road (are allowing 10.9 PPG) and as head coach Malone noted, had no answers for the pathetic Mavs' offense. Lay it and make the Pelicans a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-06-17 | Loyola-Chicago v. Florida -15 | Top | 65-59 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: The Florida Gators opened 5-0, including a 111-105 win over Gonzaga. However, Florida then allowed Duke to come back from a 17-point deficit with 10 minutes left to beat the Gators 87-84 for the Motion Bracket championship at the Phil Knight Invitational tournament. Things went from bad-to-worse in Florida's next game, as the Gators were humbled 83-66 in a home loss to the unranked Seminoles on Monday. Mike White's team looks to bounce back tonight against the 8-1 Loyola-Chicago Ramblers, who are off to the school's best start since also winning eight of their first nine contests back in 1965-66. Loyola-Chicago: The Ramblers are 13-2 in their last 15 games versus non-Missouri Valley Conference opponents but of course in No. 5 Florida, it's a bit of a 'horse of a different color.' The team opened the season with seven straight victories before splitting its last two, an 87-53 loss at Boise State and then Saturday's 24-point win over Illinois-Chicago. Senior forward Aundre Jackson spearheaded the attack, hitting 10-of-11 shots for a game-high 23 points, his second-highest total of the season and the second time he has topped 20 points in the last four games. Freshman Lucas Williamson chipped in with a career-high 14 points. Loyola-Chicago averages 79.1 PPG (110th) but shoots 52.2% from the floor, which ranks 8th! Four players are averaging in double figures led by senior forward Jackson (13.8 & 4.2) plus guards Townes (13.4 & 5.2), Custer (13.4 & 4.3 APG) and Ingram (12.3 & 6.9). Florida: "They (Florida State) threw the first three or four punches and continued throwing most of them and connected on most of them until the final buzzer. Very disappointing effort," coach White told reporters afterward. "… I thought they played harder than us; I thought they were tougher than us for 40 minutes." Like Loyola, four players are averaging in double figures, led by junior guard Jalen Hudson (20.9 &4.4). Joining him are fellow guards Koulechov (16.7 & 6.6), Allen (13.7 & 3.4) and Chiozza (11.7-5.6-6.4). However, the Gators offense couldn't get anything going against Florida State, scoring 33.5 points fewer than its season average coming into the game (99.5). They wound up shooting a dismal 36.2 percent from the floor and hitting just 6-of-25 from three-point range (both their second-worst showings of the young season). The pick: No reason to think the Gators won't bounce back here, as Mike White's team is 3-1 in Gainesville with a 29.7 point average margin of victory in the three wins. As for Loyola, the Ramblers will be going for their first victory over a team ranked in the top-five since 1984 and in fact, they have not beaten ANY ranked team in nearly nine years. The Gators hope to responded to consecutive losses to Duke and Florida State in early December games last year, ripping off seven straight victories. Same story here, at least for one night (note Loyola's 83-57 loss at Boise State). Make Florida a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-05-17 | Islanders +1.5 v. Lightning | Top | 2-6 | Loss | -180 | 22 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: Both the NY Islanders and the Tampa Bay Lightning failed to make the playoffs last season. However, both teams' strong starts make it look as if that won't be an issue here in the 2017-18 season. The Islanders have earned at least one point in five of their last six games (4-1-1) after grinding out a 5-4 shootout victory at Florida on Monday. New York sits at 16-8-2 and the team's 34 points has them in second-place in the Metropolitan Division, one point behind first-place Columbus. Things have not gone a smoothly lately for the Lightning, although they snapped out of a 2-4-0 mini-slump Saturday in a 5-2 victory over San Jose. Tampa Bay is 18-6-2 and its 38 point not only has them in first in the Atlantic Division but the Lightning are tied with Winnipeg for the most points in the NHL. NY Islanders: Anders Lee extended his goal-scoring streak to four games in Monday's win with his fifth tally in that span and captain John Tavares netted his team-leading 17th, as New York won for the fifth time in its last six on the road. Josh Bailey notched an assist in Monday’s victory and leads the team with 31 points, including 13 in his last nine games, and Tavares is just one behind his linemate. Lee’s goal against Florida was his 100th in the NHL and defenseman Nick Leddy notched an assist to give him 12 points in his last 10 contests. Goalie Thomas Greiss (8-2-2, 3.61 GAA & .896 SP) sat out Monday’s win but will likely get the start after making 36 saves against Tampa Bay in mid-November to improve to 4-2-0 lifetime versus the Lightning. Tampa Bay: Nikita Kucherov moved onto the line with center Brayden Point and Ondrej Palat and tallied twice while Tyler Johnson was switched from third-line center to right wing with captain Steven Stamkos and Vladislav Namestnikov and scored a pair of goals Johnson’s two tallies snapped a 15-game goal-scoring drought during which he posted a minus-5 rating and registered 24 shots. “That’s how hockey goes,” Johnson told reporters. “Sometimes you get the chances and the bounces don’t go your way, and other times you kind of get those garbage goals that find a way to go in." The pick: Andrei Vasilevskiy (17-4-1, 2.22 GAA & .932 SP) is expected to be in goal for Tamp Bay and as you can see, his numbers are significantly better than Greiss'. However, the Lightning were 15-2-2 the last time the Islanders visited Amalie Arena (Nov. 18), with New York skating away with a 5-3 victory. The Islanders have overtaken the Lightning as the league's top scoring team (New York averages 3.73 GPG and Tampa Bay, 3.62) and I'm taking the 1 1/2-goals. Make the Islanders a 6* play. |
|||||||
12-05-17 | Vermont v. Marquette -3 | Top | 81-91 | Win | 100 | 21 h 23 m | Show |
The set-up: The Vermont Catamounts lost their season-opener at Kentucky but only 73-69 as 12-point underdogs. They then won six straight before falling this past Saturday 81-77 at Bucknell. Vermont will visit BMO Harris Bradley Center on Tuesday evening when they face the host the Marquette Golden Eagles. Marquette is 5-3, after seeing its three-game winnings streak snapped in 73-66 home loss to Georgia. Vermont: The Catamounts are led by 6-6 forward Lamb (14.9 & 6.5), who is joined by three other double digit scorers. They are guards Bell-Haynes (12.2 & 5.0 APG) and Duncan (11.9) plus the 6-8 Henson (11.5 & 5.8). Vermont did not look good for most of that Bucknell game and except for a run in the final minutes, the final score would have been a little more lopsided. Vermont will need a much better effort here. Marquette: Leading scorer Andrew Rowsey (22.6 & 4.2 APG) was held to 15 points in the loss to Georgia but his high-scoring backcourt partner Markus Howard (21.0) scored 29 points. Another guard, Hauser, averages 12.4 PPG and 6.0 RPG, but the scoring drops off from there, as no other player scores more than 6.4 PPG. The pick: The Golden Eagles won the only prior meeting between the teams but that was some time ago, 89-58 back on Dec. 22, 1995. Marquette has struggled to pick up resume-building wins against ranked teams and major conference opponents early in the season, falling to Purdue, Wichita State and Georgia, The Golden Eagles will be tested by Vermont, a mid-major with past success but this is a game the home team need badly and I'll back them. Make Marquette a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-04-17 | Steelers -4.5 v. Bengals | Top | 23-20 | Loss | -107 | 35 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The Steelers and Bengals have developed a big rivalry over the years but in fairness, it's been pretty much one-sided (Pittsburgh leads the series 61-35). The Steelers will visit Paul Brown Stadium for MNF on a six-game winning streak and looking to match New England's 10-2 record (with a win) for the AFC';s top mark. The Bengals enter on a modest two-game winning streak, after wins over the sad-sack Broncos (eight straight losses) and Browns (0-12 on the season). Cincinnati checks in at 5-6 and an upset would keep them alive in what's becoming a very crowded AFC wild card field. Pittsburgh: The latest version of the "Killer Bs" lead the Pittsburgh offense. QB Ben Roethlisberger is rounding into form after a shaky start to the year and has 2,948 yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 INTs, "Big Ben" threw five iNTs in that Oct. 8 home loss to the Jags but in the team' six-game winning streak, has 14 TDs and just five total INTs. Le’Veon Bell held out in the preseason and started slowly but he's re-established himself as the NFL's most dominant RB with 981 rushing yards (5 TDs) plus 61 receptions for 396 yards. Only Atlanta's Julio Jones can make an argument against Antonio Brown being the NFL's best WR and I'm not buying Jones. Brown has 80 catches for 1,195 yards and eight TDs. The Pittsburgh defense (as always) is among the NFL's best units. The Steelers allow 289.4 YPG (3rd) and 17.5 PPG (4th). Cincinnati: The Bengals are off a 30-16 win in Week 12 over the Browns but enter averaging just 18.1 PPG (25th) on an NFL-low 274.3 YPG (note; Cincy has scored 30 points just twice in 2017, both times against the still win-less Browns!). Good news last week was rookie RB Joe Mixon finally showing some sizzle by rushing for a season-high 114 yards and a TD and catching three passes for 51 yards. However, it did come against Cleveland and the Bengals' rushing attack averages only 75.6 YPG (ranks dead-last at 32nd). QB Andy Dalton has nine TDs and zero INTs since the team's Week 7 loss to the Steelers but he will likely remember that he was sacked four times, picked off twice and the Bengals managed a meager 19 total yards in the second half in that 29-14 loss. Wideout A.J. Green has a team-high 809 receiving yards (52 catches / 6 TDs), which is more than double any other Bengals player (2nd-best has 373 yards receiving). As noted. the offense ranks 32nd overall and in rushing, so Dalton's job is not an easy one. However, the Cincy D has been solid, allowing 19.5 PPG (10th) on 330.5 YPG (14th). The pick: The Bengals have won two in a row to stay within striking distance of the final playoff berth in the AFC but they will be taking a major step up in class against this bitter rival. Cincinnati's last three wins have come over the Browns, Broncos and Colts! The Bengals were dominated by the Steelers 29-14 in Pittsburgh in Week 7 (see above) and will it change much here, even in Cincy? I can't see why it should. The Steelers have beaten the Bengals five straight and have not lost at Paul Brown Stadium since 2013. Make Pittsburgh a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-04-17 | Missouri State -1.5 v. North Dakota State | Top | 71-58 | Win | 100 | 19 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The Missouri State Bears will travel to the Scheels Center in Fargo on a five-game winning streak and with an overall record of 7-2. Awaiting the Bears will be the North Dakota State Bison, who come off back-to-back losses leaving them at 43-4 to open the new season.The Bison are off a 19-win season, after four straights years of 20-plus wins, and return eight players. Missouri State has known success in the past (remember Steve Alford?) but last year's 17-win season came after winning just 11 and 13 games the previous two years. However, four starters returned this year and maybe this year's 7-2 start means the Bears are looking at getting back to 20 wins. Missouri State: Seven players are averaging 21-plus minutes per game with the 6-9 Johnson leading the team in scoring (13.7) and rebounding (10.3). Guard Miller (10.2 & 4.1) is the only other double digit scorer but SF Scurry just misses (9.7), despite averaging only about 15 minutes of playing time. Defense has been the key for Missouri State, which is holding opponents to an average of 62.4 PPG (33rd) on 36.8% shooting (14th). North Dakota State: The Bison were a little out of their league in losing 83-59 at Mississippi State this past Thursday. North Dakota State had no answers for the Bulldogs and Tyson Carter (35 points), as the Bison couldn’t fight back after falling behind by a 63-38 margin with 11:13 left in regulation. North Dakota State shot just 28.6% (10-35) from beyond the arc ant-d was out-rebounded by the Bulldogs by a 41-28 margin. Leading the way for the Bison was Paul Miller who had 19 points, five rebounds, and four assists. Miller tops a guard-oriented team in averaging 14.7 & 6.6, with three other guards following. They are Ward (11.6), Hunter (10.1) and Jacobson (9.1). The pick: Missouri State is not quite Miss. State (7-0) but the Bears have looked awfully good in their five-game winning streak. North Dakota State has struggled on the offensive end this season (67.3 PPG ranks 306th) and that's not good news against an excellent Missouri State defense Make the Bears a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-04-17 | Suns +10.5 v. 76ers | Top | 115-101 | Win | 100 | 19 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The 76ers are finally starting to give some positive signs that "The Process" is beginning to come together. Philly welcomes the Phoenix Suns to ton sporting an overall 13-9 record. The 76ers are 5-1 in their last six games and 7-3 in their last 10, losing only to the Warriors, Cavaliers and Celtics. This just in...Those three teams are pretty good. As for the Suns, Phoenix finds itself 8-16 on the season. The Suns fell to 1-3 on their six-game road trip with a 116-111 loss at Boston on Saturday and have surrendered an average of 122 points in the three losses on the trip. Phoenix: The Suns rank 30th (last) in the NBA in points allowed at 115.9 per game and after allowing the Celtics to shoot 52.5 percent from the floor on Saturday, rank 26th in defensive FG percentage at 47.1%. The Suns nearly erased a 17-point deficit in the fourth quarter at Boston but in the end, it was just another loss. "We competed well, we've just got to not make mistakes and compete for more possessions than we did tonight," interim coach Jay Triano told reporters after the game. "It's just understanding the game and what's available and not making mistakes down the stretch. Our discipline has to be better." Shooting guard Devin Booker poured in 39 points on 16-of-29 shooting in Boston and is averaging 31 points on 55 percent shooting over the last three games. He leads the team at PPG 23.6 PPG, with small forward T.J. Warren adding 18.4 & 5.8 RPG. Philadelphia: The 76ers are already "thinking playoffs." They rode 25 points and 10 rebounds from center Joel Embiid (23.1 & 11.3) to a 108-103 win over the Detroit Pistons on Saturday, pulling it out in the fourth quarter after squandering a lead in the third. "That's a good win for us," Embiid told reporters. "Getting those wins against what could be (a playoff team) is always good, learning the style of play." Rookie PG Ben Simmons scored just five points on Saturday (his first game scoring in single digits) but on the year is averaging 17.9-9.4-7.1. SG Redick (15.6), SF Covington (15.6) and PF Saric (11.5-6.4) are also in double digits. The pick: Yes, the 76ers are 7-4 SU (8-3 ATS) at home but laying double digits? To say the least, the 76ers don’t have much of a track record as a double-digit favorite these last four-plus seasons. How about they are 0-0 when laying nine points or more. Take the points and make the Suns (6-3-1 ATS last 10 as a road dog) a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-03-17 | Eagles v. Seahawks +6 | Top | 10-24 | Win | 100 | 123 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: NBC Sunday Night Football gets Week 13's marquee NFL matchup as the 10-1 Philadelphia Eagles, owners of a nine-game winning streak and the NFL's best record, visits CenturyLink Field to take on the the 7-4 Seattle Seahawks. This could be a battle of QBs. Philly's Carson Wentz leads the NFL's top-ranked scoring unit (31.9 PPG) per game). He tossed three TD passes in the Eagles' 31-3 Week 12 win over the Bears and has thrown 22 of his NFL-best 28 TD passes in the last seven games to put his name firmly in the mix for MVP honors. Wentz' counterpart is Seattle's Russell Wilson, who is third in the league in passing TDs (23), is tied for fourth in passing yards per game (275) and is responsible for nearly 86 percent of his team's scrimmage yards (talk about a "one-man gang!"). Philadelphia: Wentz has had a terrific sophomore season with 20 TDs and zero interceptions in the red zone. He's got a developing corps of receivers led by TE Ertz (55 catches / 7 TDs) plus WRs Jeffrey (43 catches / 7 TDs) and Agholor (33 catches / 6 TDs). The running game is strong, averaging 147.5 YPG (2nd). LeGarrette Blount led the team with 97 yards vs. the Bears and has 658 yards on the season (4.8 YPC). Philly traded for Miami' Ajayi and while he seems to be just a 'spot' player, let's note that in three games, he has 194 rushing yards while averaging 9.7 YPC! Let's not move on until mentioning the Philly D, which allows just 17.4 PPG (3rd) on 291.6 YPG (6th). Seattle: The Seahawks are currently one game behind the 8-3 Rams in the NFC West plus find themselves losing a tie-breaker to the Atlanta Falcons for the NFC's final wild card spot. The Seahawks stayed one game back of the Rams with last Sunday's 24-13 win at San Francisco. Russell Wilson was 20 of 34 for 228 yards with two TDs and one INT. He has 23 TDs and just eight INTs on the season plus is Seattle's leading rusher with 401 yards (6.2 YPC / 3 TDs). WR Baldwin leads with 58 catches but TE Graham is coming on strong with 49 receptions and a team-high eight TD catches (all in the last seven games). Seattle's "Legion of Boom" defense has suffered key injuries but Seattle remains a solid defensive team, allowing 19.3 PPG (9th) on 311.7 YPG (8th) The pick: The Eagles have been terrific but they have played just two teams which currently own a winning record, Kansas City (a Week 2 loss) and Carolina (a Week 6 win). A check of the record book reveals that Russell is an impressive 37-7 SU (.841) at home as a starting QB in the regular season. Seattle as a home dog? I can't pass on that! Make Seattle a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-03-17 | Dayton +9.5 v. Mississippi State | Top | 59-61 | Win | 100 | 20 h 34 m | Show |
The set-up: The Dayton Flyers are coming off a 24-win season and lost four starters from last year's team. Dayton is hoping to find some consistency in the early part of its season but so far has alternated wins and losses through each of its first six games, falling 3-3 on the season after being defeated 73-60 at home by the Auburn Tigers on Wednesday. The Flyers will travel to Humphrey Coliseum in Starkville to take on the 6-0 Mississippi State Bulldogs Sunday night in college hoops action. Dayton: The Flyers sure know about winning (26, 27, 25 and 24 wins the last four years) but Dayton not only lost four senior starters off last year's team, it also saw head coach Archie Miller leave to take the Indiana job. Miller's loss is mitigated somewhat by Anthony Grant taking over. He was an assistant under Billy Donovan at Florida and then at OKC in the NBA) plus led VCU and Alabama to NCAA tourney wins as a head coach. The lone returning starter is guard Darrell Davis, who has averaged 19.7 PPG. The 6-7 Cunningham, who missed most of LY with an injury, looks healthy while averaging 14.3 & 10.3 plus the 6-8 Williams (8.8 & 5.2) adds size to the frontcourt. Five others are seeing "PT," averaging from 5.0-to-7.2 PPG. Mississippi State: The Bulldogs stayed perfect on the season by defeating the North Dakota State Bison 83-59 this past Thursday. Leading the way for the Bulldogs was Tyson Carter who had 35 points, Carter is a guard who leads the team in scoringat 15.0 PPG, with three fellow guards chippng in 12.0--to-12.3 PPG. That includes PG Quinndary Weatherspoon, whose line reads 12.2-5.5-4.8. Up front, the 6-10 Holman (11.5 & 7.3) and the 6-11 Ado (8.4 & 7.0) add size and are the best producers. Quinndary's brother Nick, is averaging 12.0 PPG. The Weatherspoon brothers are the only players to start every game for the Bulldogs this season and they are one of 29 sets of brothers nationally who are teammates. The pick: Dayton may be in for somewhat of a rebuilding year but don't sell this program or head coach Grant, short (see above for a reminder). Former UCLA head coach Ben Howland owns a veteran squad and as always, he preaches defense (62.3 PPG allowed ranks 26th). However, while Dayton saw its 16-game home win streak snapped in that 73-60 setback Auburn last Wednesday, the Flyers are 15-4 in their last 19 games versus the SEC, including victories at Alabama 77-72 and versus Vanderbilt 68-63 last season. Take the points and make Dayton a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-03-17 | Lions v. Ravens -2.5 | Top | 20-44 | Win | 100 | 115 h 28 m | Show |
The set-up: Two 6-5 teams will meet at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on Sunday and the loser's playoff hopes will clearly be damaged. The Lions took a three-game winning streak into their Thanksgiving Day showdown with the Vikings but the 30-23 loss all but ended Detroit's division hopes. A second straight loss here could be a 'killer' for the Lions' wild card chances. As for the Ravens, they come in having won three of their last four and currently the team's 6-5 record is good enough for the AFC's final playoff spot (No. 6 seed). Detroit: QB Matthew Stafford signed a five-year, $135 million deal in the summer to become the highest-paid player in the NFL. He's NOT the league's best player or QB but he's completed 62.5 percent for 3,010 yards with 21 TDs and six INTs (QB rating of 97.3). He's had multiple TD passes in the four straight games and in eight of 11 this season. Detroit's much-maligned rushing game takes plenty of hits (78.3 YPG ranks 30th) but Ameer Abdullah (505 YR / 3.4 YPC / 3 TDs) had been a positive factor of late with three TDs (two rushing, one receiving) during the team's three-game winning streak, before being shut down by the Vikings. Golden Tate leads with 63 catches but Jones averages 16.6 YPC on his 44 catches with eight TDs. The defense has been below average all season and enters allowing 24.0 PPG (22nd) on 359.4 YPG (26th). Baltimore: While Detroit has received excellent QB play, the Ravens' Flacco has struggled all season. He's thrown just nine TD passes with 11 INTs, giving him a QB rating of 74.2. Baltimore's average of 164.3 YPG passing ranks dead-last (32) in the NFL. The lack of explosiveness is reflected in the fact that veteran TE Ben Watson (42) and RB Javorius Allen (41) are 1-2 on the team in receptions. The running game is no better than average (116.8 YPG ranks 16th) and the Ravens' are fortunate to be averaging 21.5 PPG (18th). However, the team's D has forced a league-high 26 takeaways (18 INTs is also an NFL-high), giving Baltimore a turnover ratio of plus-11 (again, best in the NFL). The pick: The Baltimore D has three shutouts this season but truthfully, it's not what it was in the Ray Lewis era. Then again, Baltimore's stop unit is doing just that. It allows 305.7 YPG (7th) but along with a league-best 26 takeaways, allows just 17.0 PPG, which ranks second. For all of Stafford's nice numbers, he's 0-3 in the playoffs and has never been known as a 'finisher.' Neither have the Lions, as they are just 7-18-1 ATS in their last 26 games in December. Make Baltimore an 8* play. |
|||||||
12-02-17 | Miami-FL v. Clemson -9.5 | Top | 3-38 | Win | 100 | 100 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: Most believe that the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte on Saturday evening is a "play-in" for CFP's 'Final 4.' There can be no doubt that 11-1 Clemson, the defending chaps and current No. 1 team in both polls plus the CFP's latest rankings, is a lock with a win. As for 10-1 Miami, the 'Canes have that 24-14 loss at Pitt hanging around their necks, as well as those "Turnover Chains!" Still, it's difficult to see a win in this game over Clemson, not ensuring the 'Canes a spot in the 'Final 4.' Miami: The Hurricanes were unbeaten and ranked No. 2 in the CFP rankings and both polls prior to their day after Thanksgiving loss to Pitt. Junior QB Malik Rosier has thrown for 2,807 yards with 25 TDs and nine INTs. More importantly, he has a number of "big-play moments" particularly in sparking late-game heroics in victories against Florida State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse and North Carolina. However, Rosier will be without two of his top-three receivers. Standout TE Chris Herndon (40 catches / 4 TDs) suffered a season-ending injury against Pittsburgh and WR Ahmmon Richards (24 catches / 18.3 YPC) tore the meniscus in his left knee during practice Wednesday and will need surgery. RB Travis Homer has been productive, rushing for 861 yards (6,3 YPC) since taking over for the injured Mark Walton, who is out for the season (Miami ranks 65th in RY at 166.0 per game). Everyone knows about the Miami D thanks to its gaudy “turnover chain,” but it's no mirage. The Hurricanes thrive on takeaways, having forced 29 turnovers while committing only 12, and the D checks in allowing 18.3 PPG (15th). Clemson: The Tigers have just one blemish, a 27-24 Oct. loss at Syracuse, on Friday the 13th! QB Kelly Bryant left taht game with an injury but hasn't missed any more time The pick: Miami’s loss at Pitt didn’t change much, as the 'Canes would have needed to beat Clemson to reach the 'Final 4,' anyway. However, it is disturbing that Miami came out so flat vs. the Panthers. Meanwhile, Clemson appears just fine after its mid-season 'hiccup,' which coincided with an ankle injury to QB Bryant. The Tigers have won a school-record 10 straight games against top-25 opponents, not to mention coming in on a 9-1 ATS run in their last 10 neutral-site games. In contrast, the 'Canes are 1-6 ATS in their last seven neutral-site games. Want more? How about Dabo Swinney has recorded an 8-1 ATS mark in ACC title or postseason games? Make Clemson a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-02-17 | Pistons v. 76ers -5 | Top | 103-108 | Push | 0 | 19 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The Philadelphia 76ers are 12-9 but have have been shut down this past week by two of the top teams in the Eastern Conference, losing 113-91 at home to Cleveland on Monday and then 108-97 at Boston on Thursday. Philly now gets set to host the Pistons, who are no slouch themselves. Detroit has missed the playoffs in seven of the last eight seasons but has every intent to change that dynamic here in the 2017-18 season, opening 14-7. That leaves them tied with Toronto, a half-game back of the Cavs, with all three teams chasing the 19-4 Celtics. Detroit: The Pistons are coming off a 109-91 loss at Washington on Friday, as Andre Drummond's 15th double-double (14 points & 17 rebounds) was not nearly enough. The Pistons led by six at halftime but were outscored 35-15 in the third quarter, as their three-game winning streak came to an end. "We got killed on the glass," head coach Stan Van Gundy told reporters. "They played so much harder. ... We did nothing. We did nothing. I really don't have an explanation." Four of five starters average in double figures, led by Harris (18.9 & 5.3). Guards Bradley (16.6) and Jackson (15.6 & 5.8 APG) join Harris, as does center Drimmond (14.3 & 15.2). Five others add exclellent deoth, contributing between 6.2 and 9.6 PPG. Phildelphia. The 76ers had won five of six before 'hitting a wall' against Cleveland and Boston. The Sixers rested center Joel Embiid on Thursday night in Boston, as it was their second game in as many nights and he has not yet been cleared to play in a back-to-back situations after undergoing surgery on his left knee in March. However, Embiid will play here and he's averaging 22.9 & 11.3. Ben Simmons (18.6-9.4-7.2) reminds some of Magic Johnson plus SG Redick (15.4), SF Covington (14.7 & 6.1) and PF Saric (11.2 & 6.4) are all playing well. T.J. McConnell (7.0 & 5.4 APG) missed the Boston game with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder but Bayless (9.7) is an able replacement at PG. The pick: Tough back-to-back situation here for Detroit, as the team plays its second contest in a four-game road trip. Philadelphia claimed the first meeting between the teams with a 97-86 win in Detroit (Oct. 23), as Ben Simmons recorded his first career triple-double with 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists and the 76ers limited the Pistons to 38.8 percent from the floor. Oh by the way, Embiid had 30 points in that first meeting in Detroit, as Drummond couldn't stop him. Nothing different expected here, Make Philly a HUGE 10* play. |
|||||||
12-02-17 | Troy v. Arkansas State -1 | Top | 32-25 | Loss | -110 | 99 h 23 m | Show |
The set-up: The Sun Belt Conference has three teams tied atop the standing at 6-1. Appalachian State is one of the three teams and will host ULL on Saturday, a team which 5-6 overall, including 4-3 in league play. However, the other two 6-1 teams meet at Centennial Bank Stadium in Jonesboro, Al. on Saturday, as Troy (9-2 / 6-1) visits Arkansas St. (7-3 / 6-1). Arkansas St. has won four in a row over Troy, including a 35-3 win at Troy last year as an eight-point underdog when Troy was ranked 25th in the AP poll.Troy: The Trojans shocked LSU earlier this year, winning 24-21 at Baton Rogue on Sep 30th, as a three-TD underdog. However, Troy lost its next game. That said, the Trojans enter this contest on a five-game winning streak (all SBC games). QB Brandon Silvers has 2,739 passing yards with a modest total of 11 TDs (six INTs). Troy's offense is averaging 29.8 PPG (54th) but its defense is the key. Troy ranks 10th in points allowed (16.9 per) on 318.1 YPG (18th).Arkansas State: QNB Justin Hansen is completing 63.9% for 3,198 yards with 32 TDs and 12 INTs, leading an offense which averages 39.9 PPG (9th). Hansen threw for 520 yards with four TDs in ASU's last game, a 67-50 win at UL-Monroe. Defensively, the Red Wolves are allowing 24.2 PPG (45th).
The pick: Troy has had an excellent season and have not allowed more than 24 points in any game this year (have given up 17 or fewer in four of its last five). The winner gets at least a share of the Sun Belt regular season title (would win outright if Appalachian State loses). Sure, Troy is playing with "quadruple-revenge" but after losing 35-3 at home LY to ASU, there is still a huge gap to make up. ASU has some pretty gaudy ATS numbers,as the Red Wolves are 14-5 ATS in its their last 19 games overall and 37-15-1 ATS in their last 53 conference games. Want more? The Red Wolves are 8-1 ATS in their last nine home games. Make Arkansas St a 9* play. |
|||||||
12-02-17 | Idaho v. Georgia State -4 | Top | 24-10 | Loss | -110 | 94 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: Ten of the Sun Belt's 12 teams will play on Saturday, including the Idaho Vandals (3-8 / 2-5) visiting the Georgia State Panthers (6-4 / 5-2). The Vandals are hoping to end a three-game slide and end their season on a high note. The Panthers were eliminated from the Sun Belt championship race following their 31-10 loss to Appalachian State in their last outing but could improve their bowl status with a win. Idaho: The Vandals will likely have to play again without senior QB Lineham (2,056 YP with 16 TDs and 4 INTs). Freshman Colton Richardson threw for 167 yards, a touchdown and an interception on 18 of 33 passing in Idaho's last game, a 17-10 loss at New Mexico State. While Aaron Duckworth led the Vandals ground attack with just 39 yards, he has 912 yards on the season (5.2 YPC), However, Idaho's running game averages only 122.2 YPG (111th). The team comes in scoring just 20.6 PPG (117th), while allowing 27.2 PPG (72nd). Georgia State: The Panthers are already bowl-eligible, so one could argue there's little motivation in this contest. Manning is a mediocre QB (2.599 YP / 13-7 ratio) and gets little help from a running game which averages 110.5 YPG (117th) and its top rusher has only 442 yards. Like Idaho, Georgia State does score much (20.7 PPG ranks 113th) and the defense allows 25.6 PPG (56th). The pick: Idaho is playing its final game in the FBS, with a return to the FCS Big SkyConference scheduled for next season. The Vandals are 0-5 SU on the road in 2017 and I see no reason to expect them to win here, with the team's injuries at QB. Georgia State's motivation is ending the season on a high note and winning at home for its seniors (Panthers are just 1-3 SU at home in 2017). Manning threw four INTs at Idaho in a 37-12 loss last season. Turnabout is fair play. Make Georgia State an 8* play. |
|||||||
12-02-17 | Cincinnati v. Xavier -2 | Top | 76-89 | Win | 100 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 21 Xavier (6-1) will host No. 11 Cincinnati (6-0) before a raucous, standing-room only crowd at Cintas Center at :high noon!' The time start is appropriate, as over the past 90 years these two Queen City schools have exchanged memorable performances, thrilling finishes, and even a few fists. Since Xavier's program has gained national prominence, the rivalry has drawn wider appeal as well. Cincinnati has steamrolled the competition to date, coming into Friday with an average margin of victory of 30.6 PPG, second-highest in all of Division I. However, the level of competition Cincinnati has encountered can be generously described as "not elite." Meanwhile, Xavier has already faced a pair of top-25 teams, losing a 102-86 decision to Arizona State before breaking out to an early 21-8 lead and winning 76-63 over Baylor. Xavier: The Musketeers are led by preseason All-Amercian Trevon Bluiett, who averages 19.7 & 6.1. PG Macura (14.6-5.1-3.3) is an excellent backcourt mate plus the 6-8 Gates (11.7 & 4.6) and the 6-9 Jones (9.1 & 6.9) are the team's two best big men. Five others chip in between 5.4 and 8.6 PPG. Bluiett will be looking to get back on track after being held to 21 total points against Arizona State and Baylor but was picked by Macura, who had 42 points in those two games. On the season, Macura is shooting a red-hot 59.3 percent from the floor. Xavier can score with Cincy (89.0 PPG ranks 21st) but can't defend nearly as well (69.0 PPG ranks 116th). The pick: This is a bitter rivalry In 1994, Xavier head coach Pete Gillen and Cincinnati head coach Bob Huggins refused to shake hands after an 82-76 Musketeers' victory in overtime, an incident they reportedly made amends for years later. In 1996, Xavier guard Lenny Brown's lane jumper at the buzzer lifted the Musketeers to a shocking 71-69 upset of No. 1-ranked Cincinnati in their gym. On December 10, 2011, in the closing moments of a 76-53 Xavier win at Cintas Center, an ugly bench-clearing brawl erupted, resulting in the game being played at a neutral site for two seasons. That vitriol has calmed in recent years, but there's certainly no love lost between the Bearcats and Musketeers. The schools are separated by less than three miles, and the teams and fan bases are united in their hatred of each other. This is Cincy's first real test of the young season and it is also the Bearcats' first true road game. Cincy won last year's game at home (86-78) but Xavier has largely dominated the series over the past two decades, winning three of the past four meetings, seven of 10, and 14 of the previous 21. Xavier is shooting 55.0 percent from the floor as a team, with only Virginia Tech (56.1) shooting better. The Musketeers are 4-0 SU & ATS at home, outscoring opponents 93.5-to-61.8 PPG. Make Xavier an 8* play. |
|||||||
12-01-17 | Stanford +4 v. USC | Top | 28-31 | Win | 100 | 76 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The first of nine conference championship games will be the Pac-12 Championship Game from Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara this Friday night as 9-3 Stanford (12th in the current CFP rankings) meets 10-2 USC, which is ranked 10th. The winners won't be making a 'Final 4' appearance this season and because the Rose Bowl is one of the CFP's two semifinal sites, the Pac-12 champion won't being in the Rose Bowl this season, either. However, the winner will play in a New Year's Six Bowl game and will have a chance to finish in the top-10 (likely higher than No. 10) with a bowl victory. Stanford: The Cardinal fell behind 20-17 after the third quarter against Notre Dame but would end the game by scoring 21 unanswered points to get the Stanford the 38-20 come-from-behind victory. The Cardinal were out-gained by the Fighting Irish by a 415-328 margin but won the turnover battle by a 3-0 margin. K.J Costello completed 14 of 22 passes for 176 yards and a season-high four TD passes, while RB Bryce Love had 125 yards rushing, giving him 1,848 on the season (8.6 YPC / 16 TDs). He leads a running game averaging 210.2 YPG (31st). The Stanford passing game is suspect, averaging only 183.7 YPG, ranking 97th. However, Stanford is averaging 32.3 PPG, to rank 36th. Stanford's defense is typically a strength and 2017 is no different. The Cardinal allow 20.7 PPG (25th) andd have forced 24 turnovers, giving them a plus-14 TO ratio. USC: The Trojans had already wrapped up the Pac-12 South before the season-finale vs. UCLA and despite allowing the Bruins to gain 501 yards, were able to secure their fourth straight victory with a 28-23 win. RB Ronald Jones II had 122 yards and two TDs and leads a rushing attack averaging 197.0 YPG (36th). Jones is not as famous as Love but has run for 1,346 yards (6.3 YPC & 16 TDs). QB Sam Darnold had visions of being the NFL's No. 1 overall pick prior to the start of the season but had all sorts of TO woes early on. He comes in completing 63.3% (down from 67.2% LY) with 24 TDs and 12 INTs, after throwing 31 TDs and just nine INTs in fewer games, last season. USC is averaging slightly more than Stanford (34.8 PPG ranks 36th) but defensively, the Trojans don't match up, allowing 26.2 PPG (60th) on 410.7 YPG (80th). The pick: These schools met way back on Sep. 9th in LA, with USC dominating in a 42-24 win. Darnold threw for 316 yards and four TDs while USC also ran for 307 yards (two RBs topped 100 yards, including Jones), out-rushing the Cardinal who ran for 170 (Love had 160!). However, can these factoids be ignored? Stanford only needs to make a short 15-minute drive to nearby Levi’s Stadium and has won seven of its last 10 games against USC. Stanford is 7-1 SU its last eight games (only blemish is a three-point loss to Washington St.) and comes in 10-3-1 as an underdog since 2011. The South Division is 0-6 in the Pac-12 championship game and USC, which was outplayed by UCLA last Saturday, has gone 0-5 ATS in its last five neutral site games! Make Stanford a 10* play. |
|||||||
12-01-17 | Duquesne +7 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 64-76 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 5 m | Show |
The set-up:: Duquesne and Pittsburgh (both Pittsburgh-area schools) meet annually in non-conference play and this year's matchup will be contested at PPG Paints Arena, the home of the two-time defending Penguins. Duquesne enters 2-2 and Pittsburgh 3-4. The Panthers lead the series 52-32 but Duquesne won 64-55 last season, as 15 1/2-point underdogs.Dusquesne: The Dukes are off a 10-22 season but made a great off-season hire by bringing in Keith Dambrot as their head coach. He coached LBJ in high school and recently, led Akron to three NCAA berths and five more in the NIT in his 13 seasons at Akron. Duquesne opened 2-0 but lost its second straight game 78-71 to Cornell on Monday. The Dukes led at the half 35-32 but a 15-3 Cornell run gave the Big Red a 65-53 lead with just 6:02 left in regulation and the Dukes never recovered. Duquesne shot just 34.9 from the floor, while allowing Cornell to shoot 56.4%. Shooting poorly has been a problem so far for e thDukes, as they are connecting on just 37.9 percent on the season (ranks 340th!). Four guards lead the way, all scoring in double digits. Castro (20.8 & 3.8) is tops, followed by Williams (13.5), who leads in rebounding at 9.8 plus Smith (12.8 & 4.2) and Lewis (12.0).
Pittsburgh: Kevin Stallings begins his second season at Pitt, coming off a 16-17 season. All five starters are gone from that team and maybe that's a good thing. The Panthers come in off two straight wins and can climb back to .500 after a 1-4 start with a win. Senior forward Ryan Luther scored 15 points and led Pitt with eight rebounds plus added a career-high five assists in Tuesday's 71-63 victory over High Point. Luther (13.4 & 9.1) has cracked double figures in scoring in six of Pitt's first seven games. Luther is Pitt's lone big man of note, as JC transfer Jared Wilson-Frame, a 6-5 wing player, paces the team in scoring at 14.0 PPG. Guards Carr (10.0), Stevenson (9.90)and Milligan (8.7) have been the other notable contributors, so far. |
|||||||
11-30-17 | Redskins +1.5 v. Cowboys | Top | 14-38 | Loss | -112 | 51 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The Dallas Cowboys welcome the Washington Redskins to AT&T Stadium for Thursday Night Football. This has traditionally been one of the league's great rivalries but this Week 13 meeting features two 5-6 teams with all but zero chance to win the NFC East plus neither team is really 'alive' in the wild card hunt, either. That said, the Redskins at least have a glimmer of hope, as none of their final five opponents currently own a winning record. That includes the Cowboys, who are now 0-3 SU & ATS since "Zeke" began serving his suspension, getting out-scored 92-to-22! Washington: The Redskins only put up 20 points in their Week 12 win over the Giants but QB Kirk Cousins did throw for 242 yards with two TDs (one INT). He's having another strong season (66.2% for 3,038 yards with 19 TDs and six INTs, giving him a QB rating of 101.3) and it seems as only Washington management is not high on this guy." Rookie RB Samaje Perine has given the running game a huge lift with 217 rushing yards in his last two contests and with Elliott sidelined, he's the best RB on the field. Perine, second-year Redskins receiver Josh Doctson (21 catches / 15.6 YPC / 4 TDs) and kicker Nick Rose (10 if 11 on FG attempt) are likely looking forward to returning to their home state to face a Cowboys defense that has given up more than its share of points, yards and big plays of late. That Washington defense should also be looking forward to taking advantage of a struggling Dallas offense (see above & below). Dallas: Many wondered who was more important to Dallas last year, "Zeke" or Dak. Right now, it's hard to argue against Elliott being the more important 'piece,' as Dallas has scored just one TD in three games without him (averaging 7.3 PPG), while Prescott has looked lost. His protection has been awful (14 sacks) and that has contributed to his woes but he's averaged just 166.7 YPG passing (high of 179) with five INTs and not a single TD pass (88 attempts) in the Cowboys' three-game slide. FYI...Zak threw just four INTs in his rookie season of 2016, in 459 pass attempts! The pick: The Redskins lost 33-19 to the Cowboys in Week 8 at FedEx Field but in that one, Elliott rushed for a season-high 150 yards and two TDs, fueling the Dallas offense in the win over Washington the way he did for much of the 2016 season. That was then and this is now. Not only has the Dallas offense 'hit a brick wall' (the Cowboys have failed to score at least 10 points in three straight games for the first time in franchise history) but its defense has allowed an average of 30.7 PPG in the team's 0-3 SU & ATS slide. QBs Ryan, Wentz and Rivers have thrown for 817 yards (272.3 per) with seven TDs and just one INT (in 89 pass attempts). Past history means little right now. Cousins is next up to rip the Dallas D and the Zeke-less Dallas offense can't keep up. Make Washington an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-30-17 | Cavs -7.5 v. Hawks | Top | 121-114 | Loss | -110 | 23 h 0 m | Show |
The set-up: Clearly, reports of Cleveland's demise have been greatly exaggerated. Despite LBJ's first-ever ejection Tuesday vs. the Heat, the Cavs' victory was the team's ninth in a row. As for the Hawks, the last thing they need to see tonight at home is a well-motivated James or a red-hot Cleveland squad after suffering the worst loss of an already down season with a 112-78 home setback to the Toronto Raptors on Saturday. "Our defense was just - they were shooting 64, 68 percent at the half," Atlanta coach Mike Budenholzer told reporters. "They'd hit enough 3's to make you worry about that and they'd just kick it into drive. I feel like our defense, not just in the paint but everywhere, was just not good enough for an NBA game." The Hawks have made 10 straight playoff appearances (only the Spurs own a longer active streak) but welcome the Cavs to Phillips Arena just 4-16 on the season (only the 3-16 Bulls own a worse record).. Cleveland: LBJ had 21 points (on 10-of-16 shooting) while adding 12 rebounds, six assists and five steals in 28 minutes against the Miami Heat on Tuesday but his ejection overshadowed a dominant performance from Kevin Love (18.7 & 10.0), who scored a season-high 38 points while going 10-of-16 from the floor and 14-of-17 from the free-throw line. The All-Star came up one rebound shy of his sixth double-double during the nine-game winning streak. The Cavs are now scoring 110.8 PPG (up to 3rd-best) but still have trouble on the opposite end of the court, allowing 108.5 PPG (25th). Atlanta: The Hawks haven't played since that Saturday's 'embarrassment' vs. Toronto but will the extra practice time help much vs. the Cavs? PG Dennis Schroder (19.7 & 6.8 APG) scored a team-high 14 points in the loss to Toronto and has reached double figures in scoring in seven straight games after bottoming out with seven points on 2-of-16 shooting in a loss at Washington on Nov. 11. Schroder's been pretty much a lone bright spot for the Hawks this season, although five others are contributing between 11.0 and 12,7 PPG (none stand out, though!). The Hawks rank near the bottom in both points scored (102.2 ranks 23rd) and points allowed (108.2 ranks 24th), so it's easy to see why they are struggling. The pick: It doesn't help Atlanta's chance here that one of the Cavaliers' most unexplainable losses during their disappointing 5-7 start to the current season came at home back on Nov. 5, when an injury-depleted Atlanta team that was riding an eight-game losing streak, won 117-115. Schroder matched a season high with 28 points and added nine assists in that Hawks' win but he'll need plenty of help here, if Atlanta is to "stay close." As noted above, Love is coming off a terrific outing and will now get a chance to wipe away the memory of his worst performance of the season, when he managed four points on 1-of-6 shooting in that home loss to the Hawks. My guess is that LBJ (28.2-8.3-8.3) will be focused off that ejection and I expect the Cavs to extend their winning streak to 10 in a row with plenty of room to spare. The Cavs are both 7-3 SU & ATS on the road this season, Make Cleveland an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-30-17 | Texas Tech v. Seton Hall +1.5 | Top | 79-89 | Win | 100 | 22 h 53 m | Show |
The set-up: A pair of quality teams square off tonight in the Under Armour Reunion at Madison Square Garden. Seton Halll lost last week 75-74 to Rhode Island at Barclay Center, before rebounding with a 72-59 win over Vandy the next night. The Pirates were No. 20 in the AP but dropped out in Monday's latest poll. Meanwhile, 6-0 Texas Tech made its first appearance in the AP's top-25, checking in at No. 22 Seton Hall: "The Hall" is off a 21-win season, appearing in the Big Dance for a second straight year (won 25 games, two years ago). Four starters are back this season. Up front, it's the 6-6 Rodriguez (17.8 & 4.0) and the 6-10 Delagdo (14.0 & 9.3) plus guards Powell (14.0 & 3.2) and Carrington (10.2 & 4.3 APG) man the perimeter. 6-8 senior Ismael Sanogo doesn't score many points (3.2) but that doesn't mean he isn't important. Sanogo's oot his first start of the season in last week's win over Vanderbilt and responded with season highs of eight rebounds and four blocked shots. His defensive prowess was critical in the Pirates avoiding a second straight defeat ahead of their meeting with the undefeated Red Raiders in New York City. "Ish sets the tone on defense," Desi Rodriguez told the media. "It takes the weight off our shoulders. That's why we consider Ish to be the best defender in the country." Texas Tech: Sanogo and the rest of the Pirates will have their hands full with a Texas Tech squad that has shot 50.4 percent as a team during its resurgence under coach Chris Beard. Tech starts starts five seniors and uses a 10-man rotation, with those players averaging between 5.3 and 15.0 PPG. .Keenan Evans (15.0 & 3.5 APG) leads the Red Raiders in scoring despite being held scoreless in the most recent win over Savannah State. Culver, a 6-5 freshman guard, is the only other player averaging in double digits (11.0). Great balance on offense has been 'swet' but defense has been ;king' for the team from Lubbock. Tech allows just 55,3 PPG (3rd) on 33.5% shooting (1st). The pick: The Red Raiders have won their six games by an average margin of 28 points, including a 36-point victory over a ranked Northwestern team. Texas Tech has held three of its first six opponents to 50 points or fewer and the 49 points against then-No. 20 Northwestern were the fewest that Texas Tech allowed to a ranked team since a 67- 47 victory over No. 11 Oklahoma on Jan. 19, 2004. Also note that Texas Tech has started their five seniors during its six-game winning streak, joining Mercer are the only two schools to start five seniors in a game this season. No knock on Tech but Seton Hall is playing in the familiar surroundings of MSG and since Willard became head coach in 2010-11, the Pirates have posted 13 wins against ranked teams, including seven in their last 11 opportunities. Make Seton Hall a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-29-17 | Auburn v. Dayton +3.5 | Top | 73-60 | Loss | -110 | 24 h 46 m | Show |
The set-up: Bruce Pearl hasn't had much success at Auburn (entered this season 44-54 in three years at the school) but all five starters are back from last year's 18-14 team. The Tigers come to Dayton looking to build off back-to-back wins that have the team sitting at 4-1 this season. Meanwhile, the Dayton Flyers, who are coming off a 24-win season, lost four starters from last year's team. Dayton is hoping to find some consistency in the early part of its season but so far has alternated wins and losses through each of its first 5 games (3-2). Auburn: The Tigers crushed Winthrop in its last outing, with Mustapha Heron leading the team with 31 points on 11 of 17 shooting, while adding 10 rebounds for the double-double. Bryce Brown had 21 points on 7 of 12 shooting with six 3-pointers. Malik Dunbar added 13 points, DeSean Murray added 12 points and 8 rebounds plus Chuma Okeke added 11 points to give Auburn five players in double figures. PG Jared Harper had seven points and seven assists. Brown is the team’s leading scorer this season with 18.8 PPG and Murray is the etam's leading rebounder a 8.8 per. Heron adds 16.4 & 5.2, Murray 12.2 PPG and PG Harper averages 10.6 & 5.2 APG. Auburn is sure putting points on the board, averaging 93.4 PPG to rank 9th in the nation. Dayton; The Flyers sure know about winning (26, 27, 25 and 24 wins the last four years) but Dayton not only lost four senior starters off last year's team, it also saw head coach Archie Miller leave to take the Indiana job. Miller's loss is mitigated somewhat by Anthony Grant taking over. He was an assistant under Billy Donovan at Florida and then at OKC in the NBA) plus led VCU and Alabama to NCAA tourney wins as a head coach. The lone returning starter is guard Darrell Davis, has come out averaging 20.0 PPG. The 6-7 Cunningham, who missed most of LY with an injury, looks healthy while averaging 16.0 & 10.2 plus the 6-8 Williams (8.8 & 5.2) adds size to a formidable frontcourt. Six others are seeing "PT," averaging from 3.6-to-7.4 PPG. Dayton scores nowhere near like Auburn but is a solid defensive team, allowing 69.8 PPG (137th). The pick: Dayton has "stepped up" to the challenge when playing SEC teams, going 12-4 ATS in its last 16 games against the Power-5 conference. In fact, Dayton has won all four all-time meetings between the schools, most recently 73-63 in the 2012 Charleston Classic. Make Dayton a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-28-17 | Suns v. Bulls | Top | 104-99 | Win | 100 | 10 h 60 m | Show |
The set-up: The "new look" Chicago Bulls are into a full-blown rebuilding process and after dropping five straight, as well as 10 of its last 11 games, stand at an NBA-worst 3-15. Chicago welcomes the 7-14 Phoenix Suns to the United Center on Tuesday, a team which has lost three in a row and 10 of their last 13 games, overall. This contest is a quick turnaround from a Nov. 19 game at the Talking Stick Arena, when Suns won 113-105.Phoenix: Star guard Devin Booker(22.5-4.2-4.2) suffered the injury during Friday's loss to the New Orleans Pelicans before sitting out Sunday's setback against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He hopes (big toe) hopes to return from a one-game absence but struggled with just 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting during that Nov. 19 home win over the Bulls .Booker's absence against the T-wolves led to increased playing time for rookie guard Mike James (11.4), who responded with a career-high 26 points in 30 minutes. "I think it's a little bit skewed because obviously Booker didn't play," James told reporters while downplaying his solid effort. "Most of the shots I took were more his shots." First-round pick Josh Jackson moved into the starting lineup with Booker out and he struggled to five points on 2-of-10 shooting to mark his eighth single-digit outing in 11 games. Jackson has so far been a disappointment, averaging 8.2 & 3.8. A bright spot (besides Booker) has been TJ Warren (18.6 & 5.6), who has scored in double digits in 12 straight games, reaching 20 points six times during that stretch. Chicago: The Bulls' Sunday loss emphasizes many of the problems the team has. Chicago held the Heat to seven first-period points but then allowed 38 in the second! "Nobody on our team wants to learn from losing," second-year forward Denzel Valentine (10.6 & 5.2) told reporters. "Everyone wants to learn by winning. But at the same time, all you can do is go out and compete." Jerian Grant (9.3 & 5.1 APG) lost his starting PG spot to Kris Dunn (10.6-4.7-3.9) but responded with outings of 21 points against the Golden State Warriors and a career-best 24 against the Heat. "I feel like when I'm out there with the second unit guys, I have that opportunity more," Grant told reporters about being able to look to score. "Coming off the bench I have to be aggressive and I feel like that helps our team. Being out there with that lineup, it's the punch I can give them." Dunn is averaging four points on 2-of-17 shooting in those same two games but coach Fred Hoiberg reiterated that he will remain the starter. Another example of a team with no sense of direction. The pick: Chicago currently owns the better first-round draft pick, as Lauri Markkanen (14.4 & 8.3) has looked 'light-years' better than Jackson (see above). In fact, Markkanen scored a career-best 26 points and collected 13 rebounds in the recent matchup with the Suns. Then again, the Bulls lost. Second verse, same as the first. Make the Suns a 10* play.
|
|||||||
11-28-17 | Louisville +7.5 v. Purdue | Top | 57-66 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: No. 17 Louisville has opened 4-0 and will travel to West Lafayette for Tuesday's ACC/Big Ten Challenge to face the 5-2 Purdue Boilermakers at Mackey Arena. The Cardinals really haven't been tested yet, opening the season with wins over George Mason, Omaha, Southern Illinois and St. Francis (Pa.). However, in Friday's win over St. Francis, when junior Ray Spalding left in the second half with an ankle injury, a 22-point lead was whittled to eight in the 84-72 triumph. Purdue rolled to victories in its first four games by a combined 157 points while averaging 102 points but lost 78-75 (OT) to Tennessee 78-75 in the opening round of the Battle 4 Atlantis. The Boilermakers then got upset 77-73 by Western Kentucky in the next round. However, Purdue recovered nicely against Arizona, shooting 57 percent and draining 11-of-22 shots beyond the arc in the 89-64 victory. Louisville: The Cardinals have had NCAA-related problems this fall, including the FBI investigation into bribery and corruption in college basketball, a mess that cost veteran coach Rick Pitino his job, replaced by former Cardinal player David Padgett on an interim basis. The 6-10 Spalding (12.0 & 9.3) matched his career high with 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting and set a new personal best with 13 rebounds and five blocks in just 26 minutes against the Red Flash before getting hurt (he is questionable for Purdue). This will be Louisville's first road contest and interim coach David Padgett told reporters, “It's going to be an eye-opening experience for the young guys just because they've never done it before, “It’s going to be welcome to the jungle a little bit because there are not many places in college basketball that are tougher to play in than Purdue.” Senior guard Quentin Snider (8.3 & 4.0 APG) and 7-0 senior Anas Mahmoud (7.5 & 7.8) plus 6-7 junior Deng Adel (team-high 17.5 points plus 5.5 RPG ) will be counted on heavily, especially if Spaulding can't go. Purdue: The win over then No.2 Arizona was Purdue's second-largest margin of victory against a ranked foe in school history. "It's good that they were resilient and they bounced back and they won a game," Purdue coach Matt Painter said. "But I don't think it answers what happened in the other two games. The other two games, we didn't make shots. You have to be able to win versus good people when the ball doesn't go in." Also of note is that the Purdue beat an Arizona team which went 0-3 in the Bahamas, becoming the first team ranked No. 2 to fall out of the top-25 in one week's time since the the 1986-87 season (ironically, that team was Louisville!). The Boilermakers return four starters from their 2016 Big Ten championship team, making them as experienced as any team in the country. Sure, Caleb Swanigan (18.5 & 12.5) is a huge loss but 6-8 senior forward Vince Edwards (12.6 & 4.9 LY) is the only active player in the nation with at least 1,000 pints, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. Guards Edwards (18.0 & 4.4) and Mathias (16.1-4.7-4.7) lead in scoring from the perimeter with Edwards (14.0 & 9.0) and the 7-2 Haas (14.4 & 5.3) taking care of business inside. Then there is the 7-3 Matt Harms (6.3 & 4.1), who has blocked 21 shots in just 125 minutes this season. The pick: Purdue leads the all-time series 11-6 but Louisville won last year’s matchup 71-64 at home, ending Purdue's seven-game winning streak in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge. Will Purdue start another winning streak here? I think not, as the Boilermakers have done quite a bit of traveling and this Louisville team is rested plus is playing with a chip on its shoulder from all the "off-the-court" issues. Make Louisville a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-27-17 | Lakers +4.5 v. Clippers | Top | 115-120 | Loss | -105 | 24 h 11 m | Show |
The setup: The Los Angeles Clippers opened the season 0-4 but the team quickly unraveled. A nine-game losing streak from Nov. 4-20 left them at 5-11 but the team's 116-103 win in Atlanta (11/22) finally stopped the bleeding. A 97-95 win at Sacramento followed, so now the 7-11 Clippers are looking to make it three in a row when they take on their Staples Center co-tenants, the LA Lakers. Those Lakers missed out on their own chance at a three-game winning streak with a 113-102 loss at Sacramento on Wednesday and have been off, since. The Lakers enter this game with an 8-11 mark, which is not bad at all for a team which has won 27, 21, 17 and 26 games the last four seasons, respectively. Lakers: Having some extra time off has given the Lakers time to work PF Larry Nance Jr. back into shape in practice after he missed 11 games with a fractured hand. “It was good to have him back out there,” Lakers coach Luke Walton told reporters. “I think he’ll be good to go by Monday. ... If he’s good to go and cleared and ready, I don’t see any reason to not put him back in the starting lineup." Nance's return could push rookie PF Kyle Kuzma back into a reserve role despite his strong play this month. The rookie from Utah is averaging 18.1 points and 7.5 rebounds in 11 games as a starter and 15 points and 4.8 boards in eight games as a reserve. Fellow rookie Lonzo Ball (you may have head of him and his family?) has recorded at least a double-double in each of the last three games and went 4-of-8 from the floor in Wednesday's loss at Sacramento, marking the second time in his brief career that he shot at least 50 percent from the field in a game. Ball is averaging 9.0-7.4-7.1 but as alluded to, makes just 31.5% on FG attempts, including 21.5% on threes. Kuzma's 16.8 PPG leads seven double digit scorers. Clippers: Blake Griffin (23.4-7.7-5.0) is the team-leader and five others average in double digits, including center Jordan (10.1 & 13.9), who shoots 65.5% from the floor plus anchors the defense. Jordan's contributions are subtler than Griffin but are no less impactful to the win column. He capped off a 16-rebound effort on Saturday agiants the Kings by using his length to alter a shot in the final seconds by Sacramento's Buddy Hield. Backing up, those "other five averaging in double digits" is now down to four, after First Team All-NBA defender Patrick Beverley was lost to a season-ending knee surgery. The pick: The Clippers have won 15 of the last 16 in the series but "The Times They Are A-Changin!" For the first time quite a few years, "the Lake Show" may just be the equal of "Lob City!" Take the points and make the Lakers an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-27-17 | Texans +7.5 v. Ravens | Top | 16-23 | Win | 100 | 22 h 5 m | Show |
The set-up: There weren't many bigger individually stories in NFL 2017 than the play of the Texans' DeShaun Watson. Just some of his highlights were his 4 TD passes and one rush TD in Week 4's 57–14 win over the Titans. He followed that performance on SNF vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. He had five TD passes in that 42-34 loss and in a Week 8 loss in Seattle (41-38), he posted his first career game with over 400 passing yards (also threw 4 TD passes). Watson threw 16 TDs in the month of October, setting the NFL record for most TD passes by a rookie in a calendar month. However, he suffered a torn ACL on a non-contact play during practice, which prematurely ended his rookie season on Nov. 2. The Texans are now 4-6 as they prepare to visit Baltimore to face the 5-5 Ravens with backup Tom Savage making his fifth start of the season. A win would give Baltimore a 6-5 record, tying them with the Bills and I'm pretty sure the Ravens would own the tie-breaker for the AFC's final wild card spot. A win would hardly be a surprise, as since head coach John Harbaugh took over the team in 2008, Baltimore has gone 11-1 in night games, the best mark in the NFL. The Ravens have also won nine consecutive prime-time matchups, also the longest streak in the NFL. |
|||||||
11-27-17 | Yale -2.5 v. Delaware | Top | 76-66 | Win | 100 | 21 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: The Yale Bulldogs won a school-record 23 games in the 2015-16 season. It led to the school's first NCAA appearance in 54 years and culminated in the first NCAA win in the school's 121-year history! All things considered, an 18-11 record last year, which ended with a loss in the Ivy League championship game (the league's first-ever conference tourney), wasn't half-bad! Yale (3-4) will travel to Newark, De. to take on the 4-2 Delaware Blue Hens Monday night at the Bob Carpenter Center. Delaware is off a 13-20 season (had won seven and 10 games the previous two seasons) but has four starters back. Yale: The Bulldogs lost Makai Mason (transferred to Baylor) but the 6-7 Oni (15.8-5.8-3.7) is a terrific all-around player. Balance abounds, with six others averaging between 8.0 and 10.4 PPG, topped by returning PG Copeland (10.4 & 3.4 APG). Delaware: Guard Ryan Daly (15.8 & 5.30 is th team's leading scorer with three other guards scoring in double digits. The frontcourt is patrolled by the 6-9 Carter (12.8 & 9.0) and the 6-8 Woods (7.8 & 4.7). The pick. the bottom line here is that Yale is the much better team and its record would be better if the Bulldogs hadn't opened the season with road games at Creighton and Wisconsin. Delaware's easy-season schedule has been quite easy with games against Wesley, North Carolina Wesleyan and Longwood (among three of the team's four wins) and even so, the team has still struggled to space the floor offensively, averaging only 73.5 PPG. Yale has better depth and has a history of winning on the road. Yale won last year's meeting 81-63 and while this game is at Delaware, I'll still make Yale a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-26-17 | Broncos v. Raiders -4 | Top | 14-21 | Win | 100 | 53 h 33 m | Show |
The setup: The KC Chiefs were initially on pace to "run away" with the AFC West title, opening 5-0. However, KC has brought teams like the Chargers and Raiders back into the division hunt by dropping four of its last five games. The Chargers, who opened 0-4, have won five of six after their Thanksgiving Day win in Dallas and are now 5-6. The 4-6 Oakland Raiders now have a chance to get to 5-6 themselves, when they host the 3-7 Denver Broncos in Week 12. Neither the Chargers nor the Raiders can control what KC does but the Chiefs sure look vulnerable these days. Denver: The Broncos hardly look like a team ready to break their six-game slide, after dropping a 20-17 home decision to the Cincinnati Bengals last Sunday. After giving up on Trevor Siemian, Brock Osweiler was handed the starting job and last week he was 23 of 42 for 254 yards with on TD and one INT. To no one's real surprise, he's been no better than Siemian, completing 53.0% of his 117 attempts for 164.8 YPG passing with three TDs and four INTs (65.5 QB rating). The job is now being handed to Paxton Lynch, the team's first round draft pick from 2016 (26th overall). He won't get much help from a running game that averages only 112.9 YPG (15th). Denver's "O' is now averaging a pathetic 18.3 PPG (24th) and while its once-feared defense is allowing an impressive 283.2 YPG (3rd) and the Broncos are allowing 25.9 PPG, which ranks 29th! Oakland: The Raiders were a 'sexy' preseason pick to win the AFC but after 2-0 start, Oakland has won just two of eight games. Last Sunday's game in Mexico City against the Patriots was 'ugly,' as they fell 33-8. QB Derek Carr completed 28 of his 49 pass attempts for 237 yards, a touchdown and an interception, while Marshawn Lynch led Oakland’s ground attack with 67 yards. Carr has struggled with back issues (64.0% / 14-8 ratio / 88.2 QB rating) and Lynch has been a huge bust (390 YR), as Oakland ranks 27th with 89.7 YPG on the ground. The defense has sure not be an asset, allowing 24.7 PPG (22nd) on 367.1 YPG (21st). The pick: Denver is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these two teams in Oakland. However, those were much different Bronco teams and the Raiders, although not as good as advertised in 2017, are still a team with some 'life!' Denver's last win came back on Oct. 1, 16-10 at home against these Raiders. However, the Broncos are 0-4 SU and ATS on the road in 2017, getting outscored 31.8-to-14.5 PPG! Make Oakland an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-26-17 | Browns +8 v. Bengals | Top | 16-30 | Loss | -105 | 60 h 14 m | Show |
The set-up: The Cleveland Browns remain the NFL's lone win-less team at 0-10 (lost last Sunday at home to the Jags 19-7) and will be on the road to face AFC North rival the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday. The Bengals are 4-6, after snapping a three-game skid last week by edging the Broncos last Sunday 20-17 in Denver. The Bengals crushed the Browns 31-7 at Cleveland back in Week 4 (Cincy's first win after an 0-3 start) and despite the team's 4-6 mark, a wild card berth is not yet "out of the question." Cleveland. The Browns are now 1-25 under head coach Hue Jackson and while the team's problems go much deeper than its head coach, one still has to wonder just how much losing will it take for the team to make a head coaching change? The Browns held the Jags to 19 points last Sunday but gained only 184 yards themselves, as QB Kizer threw two INTs and coughed up two fumbles (team had five giveaways). Kizer is completing just 52.5% with five TDs, 14 INTs (QB rating of 54.0) and six lost fumbles. Kizer's 22 rushing yards was a team-high, as the Browns offer their passing game little 'cover,' averaging 101.2 YPG on the ground (23rd). The Browns enter as the NFL's lowest scoring team (15.0 PPG). Their defense allows 313.7 YPG (ranks 8th) but the team also allows 25.9 PPG, which ranks 27th. That's indicative of the team owning the worst TO margin (minus-17) of any NFL team. Cincinnati: The Bengals only scored 20 points and won by just three points at Denver but QB Andy Dalton, despite throwing for a modest 154 yards, had three TD passes. Dalton has re-invigorated the deep passing game with four TD passes of 18 yards or more over the past two games, after having just three through the first eight outings. A.J. Green has scored in consecutive weeks and ranks eighth in the NFL with 743 yards receiving and is tied for third with six TDs The Bengals' running game averages only 68.0 YPG (32nd!) and is a big reason Cincy ranks 32nd in total yards (265.6 per game), as well as 29th in scoring at 16.9 PPG. The defense is pretty solid, allowing 19.9 PPG (10th) on 323.0 YPG (12th). The pick; Cleveland is just the third team in NFL history to start consecutive seasons at 0-10 but just like last year, there figures to be one week in which the Browns "break through." Maybe I'm "spitting into the wind" or "pulling on Superman's cape" but I;m taking the points and making the Browns a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-26-17 | Oklahoma v. Oregon +2 | Top | 90-80 | Loss | -105 | 6 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The 3-1 Oklahoma Sooners and the 5-1 Oregon Ducks square off on Sunday in a fifth-place game as part of the PK80 tournament from Portland, Oregon. The Sooners rode Buddy Hields' scoring to a Final Four appearance two seasons ago but the Sooners "fell off the map" in the 2016-17 season, going 11-20 (had won 29 games the season before). Meanwhile, Oregon made it ll the way to the Final Four last season, before finishing 33-6. However, four starters are gone from that team, so the team's 5-1 start has been a mild surprise. Oklahoma: Freshman Trae Young was still in high school when Buddy Hield propelled Oklahoma past Oregon and into the Final Four two years ago. Young exploded for 33 points against the Pilots during a win, becoming the first freshman in the Lon Kruger era (2011-present) to score 30 points. His performance marked the highest-scoring game by a Sooner freshman since Tommy Mason-Griffin tallied 38 points on Jan. 27, 2010. Young leads the way ins coring (24.5) and assists (9.0) plus 6-9 forward Khadeem Lattin (14.7 & 10.3) is the lone senior on the team. The Sooners are averaging 98.0 PPG (3rd-best) but are giving up too points, allowing 80.2 PPG (298th). Oregon: The Ducks needed OT to earn an 89-79 win over DePaul, upping the Ducks to 5-1 this season. Guard Payton Pritchard, the lone returning starter, led the team with 29 points on 9 of 16 shooting. Elijah Brown (12.0) added 19 points on 6 of 13 shooting. 6-7 Freshman Troy Brown had 11 points along with nine rebounds and leads the team at 7.0 RPG (is scoring 11.0 per). Like Oklahoma, Oregon can light up the scoreboard (88.5 PPG) but unlike Oklahoma, Oregon is allowing 66.3 PPG. The pick: I believe Oklahoma can put up points on most teams, but Oregon has enough offensive 'punch' to match the Sooners' point-for-point. Make Oregon a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-25-17 | Loyola Marymount v. Boise State -11 | Top | 48-68 | Win | 100 | 20 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Loyola Marymount Lions will travel to Boise, Idaho to take on the Boise State Broncos in a non-conference college basketball matchup on Saturday night. The Lions opened the season with a loss at UT-Arlington but a 91-87 win over Incarnate Word the last time out gives them three straight victories and a 3-1 record to open the season. In contrast, the Broncos opened 4-0 Broncos but will be looking to bounce back from their first loss of the campaign, a 75-64 loss to Iowa State back on Nov. 19th in South Carolina (Puerto Rico Tip-Off). Loyola-Marymount: It's been awhile since Marymount has put a competitive team on the court and head coach Mike Dunlap opened his fourth season as the school's head coach with just a 37-55 record. Just two starters are back from last year's 15-15 team and Dunlap needs to replace seven of his top-eight scorers. The leading returning scorer from last year is the 6-6 Haney (9.4) and he's scoring 11.7 PPG. However, three newcomers are the key to this year's success (or lack thereof). JC transfer guards Batemon (19.0-5.0-3.8) and Allen (11.0) are already making an impact, as is 6-5 freshman Scott, who is averaging 16.2 PPG and a team-high 8.8 RPG. The Lions are averaging 84.8 PPG (54th) but will need to tighten a defense which allows 80.5 PPG on 47.5% shooting (both rank 29th!). Boise State: Head coach Leon Rice has been at Boise for seven years and has won 20-plus games in all but his second season. His 2013 and 2015 teams made NCAA appearances. Two starters are gone from last year's 20-win team but the 6-7 guard Chandler Hutchison entered the season as arguably the MWC's best player. However, he's gotten off to a modest start (12.0-8.2-3.6) plus missed the Iowa St game (questionable here). The Broncos have shown excellent balance with fellow guards Hobbs (14.0-3.2-3.4) and Jessup (12.0 & 7.0) off to very good starts plus 6-9 graduate transfer (from Rice), Christian Sengfelder (13.4 & 4.6) has been an excellent addition. The pick: If Hutchison can’t go again it's not great news but here at home, the Broncos can put plenty of points on the board against a Marymount defense allowing some "big numbers" against so-so competition so far. Lay the points and make Boise State an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-25-17 | Clemson v. South Carolina +14 | Top | 34-10 | Loss | -110 | 95 h 34 m | Show |
Clemson: The Tigers lone loss came back on Oct. 13th at Syracuse, when QB Kelly Bryant had to leave with an injury. Clemson has won all four since then, after a 61-3 rout of The Citadel in its previous outing. Bryant completed 17 of 22 for 230 yards and three TDs. He's not exactly Deshaun Watson but he's pretty darn good. He's completing 66.2% for 2,154 yards with 10 TDs and five INTs. He's run for 613 yards and 10 TDs, joining RBs Etienne (679 YR / 7.7 YPC / 11 TDs) and Feaster (619 YR / 6.7 YPC / 5 TDs) to give Clemson a ground game which averages 218.6 YPG (24th). The offense averages 35.3 PPG (22nd) which works well when the team's D allows just 13.9 PPG (3rd) on 290.2 YPG (7th). South Carolina: The Gamecocks would love to upset Clemson plus a win would sure enhance the team's bowl status. QB Jake Bentley threw for 194 yards and a TD on 22 of 28 passing against Wofford and enters the game completing 63.1 percent for 2,429 yards with 15 TDs and nine INTs. The running game averages a modest 132.5 YPG (89th), although A.J. Turner (507 YR) and Ty’Son Williams (407 YR) average 5.6 and 5.2 YPC, respectively. Overall, the team's 353.3 YPG ranks just 104th. The defense allows 19.6 PPG (20th) on 366.0 YPG (42nd). The pick: The Tigers have not had much success when playing in the Gamecocks’ backyard as of late and South Carolina has covered seven straight as an underdog, going back to last year's bowl appearance). Taking away nothing away from Clemson's D (see above for a reminder) but the Gamecocks are one of just five FBS teams that have not allowed 30 or more points in a game this season, joining Alabama, Auburn, Troy and Wisconsin). South Carolina has held 10 of its 11 opponents below their season scoring average, including five who scored at least 10 points below their mark. Home dog 'barks' loudly in this one. Make South Carolina a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-25-17 | Northwestern -16.5 v. Illinois | Top | 42-7 | Win | 100 | 91 h 54 m | Show |
The set-up: The Northwestern Wildcats look to win to cap their 2017 regular season with a seventh straight win (Northwestern is currently 8-3 and ranked 22nd in the CFP rankings) when visit the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium in Champaign-Urbana. The team's will be playing for the Land of Lincoln Trophy. Lovie's Smith second season (Illinois is just 2-9), has gone no better than his first (the Illini were 3-9 in 2016). Illinois comes in on a nine-game losing streak and has not scored more than 17 points or gained more than 294 yards in its last five games. Northwestern: RB Justin Jackson has 1,010 yards rushing ( YPC) and eight TDs but the running game is averaging only 147.7 YPG (87th). You may not have heard too much about Jackson but he is just the second player in Big Ten history to rush for over 1,000 yards in four straight seasons! However, while QB Clayton Thorson owns a 14-11 ratio on 60.5%, his 2,669 passing yards have helped the Wildcats rank 46th in passing at 253.3 YPG. Defensively, Northwestern is allowing 21.0 PPG (30th) on 369.7 YPG (46th). Illinois: The Fighting Illini opened 2-0 (beat Ball St. and Western Kentucky at home) but have not won since. Jeff George, Jr. has taken most of the snaps this season but has completed just 51.9 percent of his passes for 1,273 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Crouch (4 of 14 for 16 yards!) played last week against Ohio St. and George is questionable for this one with a concussion. Making any QB's job harder, is a ground game averaging only 106.1 YPG (122nd). Illinois averages only 16.2 PPG (125th). The defense is allowing 30.5 PPG (88th) on 415.9 YPG (86th). The pick: A win will improve Northwestern's bowl status plus puts Pat Fitzgerald's team on track to win 10 games for the second time in three seasons. The Wildcats haven't just won six in row, they've covered all six as well, giving them an 8-1 ATS run their last nine. As for Illinois, here's the latest from head coach Lovie Smith. We're down to one more game left in our football season and we're playing our rival," Smith told reporters. "So hopefully we get a couple of guys back and play better than we did on Saturday." Anyone 'buying into' that? Not I. Let's make Northwestern an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-25-17 | Florida State -5 v. Florida | Top | 38-22 | Win | 100 | 87 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: The latest 'Sunshine Showdown" takes place at "The Swamp," although this year's game holds very little of the pizazz usually associated with a meeting between the Seminoles and Gators. Both teams' early-season schedules were affected by Hurricane Irma and both school's records have gone from bad to worse. However, Florida State got to 4-6 with a 77-6 destruction of Delaware State last Saturday, while Florida snapped its a five-game losing streak with a 36-7 win over UAB, also 'improving' to 4-6. Florida State: QBs James Blackmon threw for 179 yards and two TDs (completed 11 of 15) while J.J. Cosentino added 51 yards and a TD, completing 6 of 7 attempts. RB Ryan Green led the team with 96 yards on the ground, while adding two TDs. Akers (779 YR / 5.3 YPC) and Patrick (465 YR / 5.5 YPC) are the team's top RBs, although FSU has averaged a modest 141.7 YPG on the ground (94th). It's been quite awhile since an FSU offense has averaged only 24.0 PPG (ranks 97th!). All things considered, the defense has done well, holding opponents to 346.4 YPG (30th) and 23.1 PPG (40th). Florida: QB Feleipe Franks threw for 152 yards and a pair of TDs on 15 of 30 passing in last week's win. However, the highly-touted freshman has been a big disappointment with the QB position being stuck in a constant state of flux all season long. The running game is only slightly better than FSU's (averages 163.0 YPG to rank 69th) and the Gators are scoring even less than the Seminoles, averaging 22.1 PPG (109th). Defensively, Florida has allowed a modest 362.6 YPG (37th) but ranks 69th in scoring D, allowing 26.2 PPG. The pick: This 62nd meeting of the "Sunshine Showdown' is anything but a showdown, as it marks the first time since 1959 and only the second time in series history, that both teams will enter the game with a losing record. Florida's Interim head coach Randy Shannon got first win since the school and former head coach Jim McElwain mutually parted ways on Oct. 29 last Saturday but two ina row may be too much to ask. FSU has won the last four meetings (six of the last seven, as well) plus actually has something to play for. The school has re-scheduled its game against UL-Monrore for next weekend, meaning if it wins here, a win next Saturday would extend the nation's longest active bowl streak to 41! Incredibly, Florida State is 0-9 ATS (or 0-72, at best!) against FBS squads in 2017. Really? Make FSU a 10* play! |
|||||||
11-25-17 | Georgia -11 v. Georgia Tech | Top | 38-7 | Win | 100 | 87 h 55 m | Show |
The set-up: It's Rivalry Week and each has its own history. 10-1 Georgia (No. 7 in the current CFP rankings) will play in the SEC championship game next Saturday but first it's the school's annual showdown against Georgia Tech, which enters 5-5. Georgia's lone loss was at Auburn but the Bulldogs easily topped the SEC East. The Yellow Jackets welcome the hated-Bulldogs to Bobby Dodd Stadium on Saturday for their season-finale. Ga. Tech had an earlier game vs. USF canceled due to circumstances surrounding Hurricane and because of that, will play only 11 games. That means Ga. Tech will have this one last chance to earn a sixth win to become bowl-eligible. Georgia: The Bulldogs own an outstanding one-two RB tandem in Nick Chubb (1,045 YR / 6.3 YPC & 12 TDs) and Sony Michel (818 YR / 7.4 YPC & 12 TDs), with that duo leading the nation's 10th-best rushing attack (267.4 YPG). Freshman QB Jake Fromm remains a question mark (60.9% & 17-5 ratio), as Georgia ranks 113th with 164.0 YPG passing. The Georgia D allows 276.1 YPG (5th) and 14.4 PPG (4th). The Bulldogs' D 'laid an egg' against Auburn by allowing 40 points but that was only the second time Georgia has allowed more than 19 points in 2017. Ga. Tech: The Yellow Jackets have lost three of their last four coming in, having fallen to Clemson, Virginia and Duke. QB TaQuon Marshall is completing only 38.0 percent with nine TDs and four INTs, with Tech averaging only 88.9 YPG through the air (129th of 130 teams!). However, Marshall has run for 1,074 yards (4.7 YPC) with 17 TDs plus RB Benson has 1,009 yards (5.3 YPC) with six TDs. The Yellow Jackets rank 4th in the nation, averaging 319.3 YPG on the ground. The defense allows only 342.6 YPG (29th) but 25.4 PPG, which ranks 55th. The pick: Sure, the Bulldogs will play in the SEC championship game but a loss here would really make any 'Final 4' chances moot. Yes, Ga. Tech is playing for that all-important "sixth win" and in the nine years that Paul Johnson has been the head coach at Georgia Tech, only two games have been decided by more than eight points. Then again, anyone think that the Bulldogs won't remember blowing a double digit lead in last year’s 28-27 loss in Athens. This rivalry is described as “Clean, Old Fashioned Hate.” Need more? The visitor is on a 16-2-1 ATS run. Make Georgia an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-24-17 | Heat v. Wolves -4 | Top | 109-97 | Loss | -105 | 20 h 30 m | Show |
The set-up: The 11-7 Minnesota Timberwolves will welcome the 8-9 Miami Heat to the Target Center of Friday night, as all NBA teams were able to enjoy a Thanksgivings Day "off night." The Heat just knocked off the Celtics 104-98 Wednesday night, ending the NBA's longest winning streak at 16. However, Miami (at just 8-9), will have no time to rest on its laurels, as the Heat open a four-game road trip tonight in Minnesota. The Timberwolves won 124-118 win over the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, after back-to-back losses. However, it was hardly smooth sailing, as they squandered a 26-point lead in the fourth quarter. "We have to work at it," Minnesota coach Tom Thibodeau told reporters of fourth-quarter woes. "You have to be tough-minded." Miami: Head coach Erik Spoelstra put his team through a pair of tough practices leading into the matchup with the Celtics, after getting blown out 120-95 at home by Indiana on Sunday. The strategy seemed to pay off. "I don't even care about the result," Spoelstra told reporters after Wednesday's 104-98 triumph. "Right now, it's all behavior and habits." PG Goran Dragic has led the team in scoring all season (18.8 & 4.6 APG) but entered the Boston game having totaled 14 points on 6-of-19 shooting in his two previous games, before breaking out for 27 points in the win over the Celtics. The 31-year-old did not attempt a free throw in the previous three games but got back to attacking the basket against Boston and went 9-of-10 from the line. SG Dion Waiters (15.9) wasn't far behind, as he scored 26 points on Wednesday, after going scoreless on 0-of-10 shooting in Sunday's loss. Center Whiteside has been bothered by a thumb issue and had a modest with eight points and 10 rebounds but continues to be a double-double machine, averaging 15.5 & 13.2 on the season. Minnesota: The T-wolves had held six of eight games opponents under 100 points (won all six of those games) but let up some on the defensive end over the last three contests, dropping two in a row before pulling out Wednesday's 124-118 win. "My concern is what we're doing defensively," Thibodeau told reporters. "If we're going to go anywhere, we have to correct that." The Timberwolves make up for some of those defensive issues on the other end of the floor vs. Orlando, as Jimmy Butler matched a season high on Wednesday with 26 points, Three others, Taj Gibson (24), Jeff Teague (22) and Andrew Wiggins (20) all reached the 20-point plateau as well. All five starters are averaging in double digits for the T-wolves, led by center Towns (20.4 & 11.5). He's followed by Wiggins (18.8 & 4.1) plus newcomers Butler (16.9-5.5-4.2), Teague (14.0 & 7.5 APG) and Gibson (10.4 & 7.8). However, Thibodeau has always emphasized strong defensive play and Minnesota is falling woefully short of that goal, allowing 108.2 PPG (25th) on 48.6 percent shooting (30th). The pick: The Heat are looking to turn the tables on a Minnesota team that beat them 125-122 in overtime on Oct. 30 at AmericanAirlines Arena but even with a Thanksgiving Day 'holiday' in between, I expect there to be a letdown off that win over Boston. The T-wolves were on a 7-2-1 ATS run before failing to cover three in a row but this seems like just the "wrong place at the wrong time" for Miami. Make Minnesota a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-24-17 | Virginia Tech -6.5 v. Virginia | Top | 10-0 | Win | 100 | 71 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: It's "Rivalry Weekend' and at Scott Stadium in Charlottesville it will be the 8-3 Virginia Tech Hokies (4-3) taking on the 6-5 Virginia Cavaliers (3-4 ACC). The Hokies were riding high at 7-1 but lost at Miami and then at Ga. Tech, before bouncing back with a 20-14 win at home vs. Pitt. As for the Cavs, they've seen a promising season disappear, as after a 5-1 start, they have lost four of their last five games, falling to Boston College, Pitt, Louisville and Miami. These in-state rivals will meet for the 99th time (winner gets the Commonwealth Cup), with Va. Tech leading the series 56-37-5. Virginia Tech: Senior WR Cam Phillips (2,981 yards) is the school's all-time leading receiver by yards, surpassing Isaiah Ford (2,967 from 2014-16) after recording eight receptions for 117 yards and a TD last week. Junior RB Travon McMillian (team-high 434 yards, two TDs) carried only once last week before leaving with a leg injury, with head caoch Justin Fuente telling reporters that "he didn't want to push it.'' Tech's running game has been no better than average in 2017, averaging 164.0 YPG (67th). However, QB Josh Jackson has had an very good season, passing for 2,600 yards with 18 TDs and just seven INTs. Then again, Va. Tech, especially under DC Bud Foster, is typically known for its defense. The Hokies come in allowing 14.7 PPG (6th) on 315.6 YPG (17th). Virginia: QB Kurt Benkert put up 384 yards with four TDs and just one pick last Saturday against Miami's outstanding defense, which should give him plenty of confidence coming in to this game. Benkert has thrown for 2,876 yards (needs only 101 yards to set the school record for passing yards in a season) with 25 TDs and only eight INTs. He gets almost no help from a running game which limps in averaging 107.4 YPG (121st). The defense is not bad and in fact, senior linebacker Micah Kiser (115) and senior safety Quin Blanding (104) are the only teammates from a Power-5 conference team to each have 100 or more tackles. However, the Cavs are giving up 28,2 PPG (79th) on 359.9 YPG (33rd). Again, the Virginia defense is NOT in Va. Tech's class. The pick: Virginia is bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011 but that pales next to the fact that Virginia Tech is headed to its 25th consecutive bowl game. Sure, this is a rivalry game but how much of a rivalry is it really? Virginia head coach Bronco Mendenhall's first taste of the rivalry was a sour one a year ago as the Cavaliers got crushed in Blacksburg 52-10, which closed out a 2-10 season. This year, Virginia is looking for its first win in the series since 2003. That's 13 straight Va. Tech wins and 17 in the last 18 meetings! A rivalry? Really? Make Va. Tech a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-24-17 | Gardner-Webb v. Wright State -4 | Top | 47-67 | Win | 100 | 18 h 13 m | Show |
The set-up: The Wright State Raiders are the host team for the Wright State Tournament (who could have guessed?). Gardner-Webb will play Wright State in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader and the Raiders will again play the second game on Saturday (against Jacksonville), win or lose tonight. Nutter Center is the site, which is naturally, the Raiders' home court. The Gardner-Webb Runnin’ Bulldogs come in 2-3 and the Wright State Raiders check in at 1-3. Garner-Webb: The Runnin' Bulldogs Gardner-Webb started out the year with three straight losses to Miami, Florida and UCF, but then beat Warren Wilson and Brevard College in their last two. Gardner-Webb plays in the Big South (is off a 19-14 season) and head coach Tim Craft is currently in his fifth season (76-63, including this year's start). The transfer of guard LaQuincy Rideau (14.2-5.7-5.2) was no small deal but David Efanayi has played well early on, averaging 18.4 PPG. The graduation of All-Big South forward Tyrell Nelson (12.9 & 7.0) was also a blow but the 6-6 DJ Laster has been terrific so far, averaging 16.8 & 10.0. However, Craft's team doesn't have much depth. Wright State: 20-win seasons are not exactly news for Wright State fans and the Blue Raiders went 20-12 last season but didn't play in a postseason tourney, after losing in the Horizon quarterfinals. Three starters are gone from last year's team, with three freshman leading the way so far this season. 6-6 forward Winchester (13.0 & 5.3) is the leading scorer and the 6-9 Love (9.5 & 7.0) leads in rebounding. A third frosh, guard Mitchell, checks in with 10.7 & 6.7. Senior guard Benzinger (12.5) and junior guard Hughes (10.0) give the Raiders a solid core. PPG). The pick: Wright St. head coach Scott Nagy is in just his second season and his team should have few problems getting to .500 (3-3) on the season, against this level of competition the next two nights. First things first. Lay the points Friday and make Wright St. a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-24-17 | Miami-FL -13.5 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 14-24 | Loss | -110 | 63 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: Miami's Sep. 9th home game with Arkansas St. was canceled due to Hurricane Irma, so the 'Canes enter this final contest of the regular season at 10-0, not 11-0. Miami is off a tougher-than-expected 44-28 home win over Virginia last Saturday but when the latest CFP rankings came out, Miami moved up to No. 2, as the committee cited its No. 1 SOS. Win, lose or draw, Miami and current No. 2 Clemson will meet Dec.2 in the ACC title game but the Hurricanes sure don't want/need a slip-up here. Friday, at 12 noon ET, the 'Canes will be at Heinz Field to take on the 4-7 Pittsburgh Panthers (2-5 ACC). The Panthers almost upset Va. Tech last Saturday (lost 20-14) when they up short on four attempts from the 1-yard line in the final seconds!
Miami: The Hurricanes almost blew it last Saturday, showing signs of a letdown against Virginia after the highs of back-to-back triumphs over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame. However, the Hurricanes scored 30 unanswered points in the second half. The team's winning streak to 15 in a row. Manny Diaz's defense didn't show the same urgency last week as it had in the big victories over Virginia Tech and Notre Dame but the unit roared back from an uninspired first half. The Miami D slammed the door on Benkert and company with the "turnover chain" coming out three times for the game, giving Miami 19 takeaways in its last five contests, That D is allowing 17.7 PPG, 15th-best in the nation. QB Malik Rosier has passed for 2,319 yards with 23 TDs and nine INTs, with his most reliable target being Berrios (8 TDs). RB Homer leads the way with 849 YR (6.5 YPC) with 7 TDs for a ground game averaging 178.1 YPG on 5.3 YPC.Pittsburgh: RB Darrin Hall was completely shut down by Virginia Tech on Saturday,finishing with just four yards on 15 carries. However, he had topped 100 yards in his three previous games. He has 598 YR on the season (5.1 YPC & 9 TDs), leading a running game averaging 148.0 YPG (86th). Starting QB Ben DiNucci (4-for-8, 54 yards, one touchdown, one interception) was pulled last week (he had taken over for Browne) and replaced by freshman Kenny Pickett, who went 15-for-23 for 242 yards with one INT. Pittsburgh's offense (just 23.9 PPG to rank 98th) will surely have its hands full with the Miami D plus the Pitt D is allowing 27.7 PPG (73rd) on 415.1 YPG (85th). The pick: The now No. 2 Hurricanes head on the road for the first time since Oct. 28 in this game at Pittsburgh. The Hurricanes will also have the additional challenges of cold weather, a short week and some exhaustion due to playing their 10th straight weekend thanks to schedule changes prompted by Hurricane Irma. However, is Pitt (especially if teh freshman plays QB) really ready for Miami's opportunistic defense which also leads the nation in sacks per game (3.8). That hardly bodes well, as Pittsburgh QBs have been sacked 30 times this year. At No. 2, Miami is the highest-ranked team Pitt has hosted at Heinz Field in 16 years (that opponent was also Miami, which was ranked No. 1 when the teams met on Sept. 27, 2001). What's more, Pitt is just 4-12 ATS at home since 2015! Make Miami an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-23-17 | Giants v. Redskins -7 | Top | 10-20 | Win | 100 | 56 h 21 m | Show |
The set-up: The Giants had seemingly hit "rock bottom" with their 31-21 Week 10 loss at San Francisco (49ers entered that game 0-9) but lo and behold, the Giants won last Sunday 12-9 over the Chiefs in OT, as a double-digit home dog! The 2-8 Giants and NFC East rival Washington will face off in the nightcap of Thanksgiving's three-game NFL card. The Redskins come into the game having blew a 15-point lead in the final six minutes of an eventual 34-31 overtime loss to New Orleans last Sunday. The defeat dropped them to 11th place in the NFC playoff standings, two games out of the final playoff spot. NY Giants: Can New York build off its upset of the Chiefs? Eli and the offense did little but the defense was a revelation. The Giants allowed an NFC-best 17.6 PPG in 2016 but entered last week's game having allowed 26.4 PPG to rank 28th in the NFL. The Kansas City Chiefs came in averaging 28.1 PPG but the Giants held them to just three FGs and QB Alex Smith, who came in with 18 TD passes and just one INT (in 293 pass attempts), was picked off three times! Eli Manning completed just 19 of 35 passes (54.3 percent) and failed to throw a TD pass for the first time since the season opener. Washington: The Redskins no longer have any margin for error plus will need to get some help to make the playoffs. Last Sunday's loss to the Saints was the second in a row but it would be hard to blame QB Kirk Cousins. He threw for 322 yards and three TDs against New Orleans. It was his second-straight 300-plus-yard effort through the air (the fourth in his last six games) and he has 17 TDs and just five INTs on the season witha 101.8 QB rating. RB Samaje Perine added 117 rushing yards and a TD on 23 carries. It was Washington's defense which has cost the Redskins the last two weeks, allowing 38 points to the Vikings and 34 to the Saints. The pick: Congrats to the Giants for the upset of the Chiefs but that New York offense looks inept. Sure, the defense was great last Sunday but it has struggled almost all season. Cousins is playing great (see above for a reminder) and let's not forget that Washington's back-to-back loses have come against the Vikings and Saints, two 8-2 teams. This just in...the 2-8 Giants are NOT in that class. Beginning with the Giants, none of the teams left on Washington's remaining schedule currently own a winning record. Just maybe, the postseason is not a pipe dream? Lay it here and make Washington a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-23-17 | Butler +2 v. Texas | Top | 48-61 | Loss | -110 | 19 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Butler Bulldogs won 25 games last year and made it to the Sweet 16. However, head coach Chris Holtmann (Stevens' replacement) jumped at the Ohio St. job when Matta was suddenly let go, with Milwaukee's LaVall Jordan stepping in. Butler has opened 3-1 with its lone loss coming 79-65 at Maryland, as the team travels to Portland for the Phil Knight Invitational and a meeting with 3-0 Texas.Shaka Smart is off an 'ugly' 11-22 season last year but his team has racked up thee victories by double figures with the defense yet to allow more then 60 points to open the current season. Butler: Jordan will miss the versatile Chrabascz (11.4-4.6-3.7) from last year's team but a solid nucleus returns, led by the 6-7 Martin (15.0 & 8.3). Baldwin (13.8) is a sophomore guard building on his solid freshman season and the 6-8 Wideman (12.3 & 4.0) is an All-Big East talent. McDermott (12.0), GW transfer Jorgensen (9.8) and Thompson (7.0 & 4.3) round out the main contributors. Texas: The Longhorns lost their top-two scorers from last season in Mack (14.8 & 4.8) and Allen (13.4 & 8.4) but guards Jones (13.0) and Roach (12.7) plus big men Bamba (14.0 & 9.0) and Ostekowski (11.3 & 9.) have looked very good early. Bamba is a 6-11 freshman center who few thought Smart could lure to Austin, while Ostekowski is a 6-9 junior.Mo Bamba missed the team's second win with a concussion but was back the last time out, chipping in 13 & 10. Texas has been winning with defense as it's held its opponents to 60 points or fewer in every game (58.7 PPG to rank 21st) on 32.8 percent shooting (5th-best). The pick: The Longhorns needed a strong start after last year's disaster but look closer and you'll see wins over Northwestern State, New Hampshire and Lipscomb. That trio has nothing in common with a Butler team (remember, 25 wins and a Sweet 16 trip LY!) or program which has gone 39-11-2 ATS in its last 52 neutral-site games. Make Butler an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-23-17 | Vikings v. Lions +3 | Top | 30-23 | Loss | -105 | 48 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: The Minnesota Vikings have won six in a row and now own a two-game lead in the NFC North as they head to Ford Field early Thursday afternoon to take on the Detroit Lions. The Lions have won three straight, beating the Packers, Browns and Bears to reach 6-4. That means the Lions need to win here or fall three games back of the Vikings, with just five games remaining. Detroit is tied with the Falcons and Seahawks (Atlanta would win the tie-breaker as of now, giving them the NFC's No. 6 seed) plus the Packers and Cowboys are lurking at 5-5.. Minnesota: The Vikings will sure remember the last time these teams met, as the Lions won 14-7 at Minnesota, with the Vikings losing three fumbles. However, the Vikes haven't lost since. Case Keenum has 'rescued' the offense, entering this contest completing 65.7% for 2,194 yards with 12 TDs and five INTs (he's 6-2 as a starter in 2017). The loss of rookie RB Dalvin Cook was supposed to all but 'kill' the running game but Murray (412 yards) and McKinnon (367 yards) have filled in well, with Minnesota entering this game averaging 123.3 YPG on the ground (8th). WR Adam Thielen has an NFC-best 916 receiving yards while his 16 catches of at least 20 yards has the 27-year-old tied with Pittsburgh's Antonio Brown for the league lead. However, the Vikings' defense has led the way in 2017, allowing 17.2 PPG (4th) on 290.5 YPG (5th). Detroit: QB Matthew Stafford signed a five-year, $135 million deal in the summer to become the highest-paid player in the NFL. He's NOT the league's best player or QB but he's completed 63.1 percent for 2,760 yards with 19 TDs and five INTs (QB rating of 98.4). He's had multiple TD passes in the three straight wins and in seven of 10 this season. Detroit's much-maligned rushing game takes plenty of hits (80.8 YPG ranks 28th) but Ameer Abdullah (491 YR / 3.4 YPC / 3 TDs) has been a positive factor of late with three TDs (two rushing, one receiving) during the team's three-game winning streak. The Lions have averaged 31.7 points during their three-game winning streak and now rank 5th in the league, at 27.1 PPG. The pick: Thi game is YUGE for the Lions (see above for implications) and as of late (like the team's 14-7 win at Minny in Week 4), the Lions have ground out numerous low-scoring wins over the Vikings these last four seasons. Detroit has won five of the last seven meetings, including three straight despite scoring a combined four TDs. The Lions have won four straight Thanksgiving Day games at Ford Field, helping them to make the playoffs in two of those seasons (had lost nine straight games on Thanksgiving prior to the streak). Stafford's been brilliant the past five Thanksgiving games, with 13 TD passes against just two interceptions. Make the Lions an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-22-17 | Clippers -3.5 v. Hawks | Top | 116-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 34 m | Show |
The set-up: The LA Clippers were riding high at 4-0 SU & ATS, after Blake Griffin hit a game-winning three-pointer to edge Portland back on Oct. 26 . However, the "new look" Clippers have been in a free-fall ever since, going 1-11 SU. That includes bringing a nine-game losing streak (1-8 ATS) to Atlanta and this game with the Hawks, after Monday’s 107-85 defeat in New York. the Knicks. Not sure many are aware that the Hawks own the second-longest active postseason streak (second only to the Spurs) but there have not been many positives this season for Atlanta Hawks, who enter this game just 3-11 SU and 7-9 ATS. The 2018 postseason seems like nothing but a pipe dream at the moment. LA Clippers: “Bottom line, we just can’t sustain anything,” Los Angeles head coach Doc Rivers told the media after Monday's loss. “Right now, we get it going a little bit and one thing happens and it just implodes.” The Clippers’ guard play was not strong Monday, as Austin Rivers, Lou Williams and Jawun Evans combined to shoot 5-for-25 from the floor. Griffin is averaging 22.7-7.8-4.7 and is joined by five other double digit scorers, including center Jordan at 10.1 & 13.7 (one of 12 NBA players currently averaging a double-double). However, LA is just about "average or below" in scoring 104.9 PPG (16th) and allowing 106.6 PPG (19th).. Atlanta: Similar to LA, the Hawks have six players averaging in double digits, led by new starting PG Dennis Schroder (19.7 & 7.1 APG). However, the Hawks rank even lower than the Clippers in both scoring (102.8 PPG which is 22nd) and points allowed (107.8 ranks 24th). The Hawks have been competitive against some of the better teams in the NBA, including an 11-point loss at San Antonio on Monday. Rookie John Collins (11.6 & 7.4) grabbed attention in that one by scoring 21 points and collecting nine rebounds off the bench. The pick: Atlanta’s last four games have featured a one-point loss, a franchise-record 46-point victory plus close calls against Boston and San Antonio.The Hawks are surely playing better than the Clipps but if LA can't win here, one wonders just how far this team will fall. I'm in on the Clippers and will make them a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-22-17 | Celtics -3.5 v. Heat | Top | 98-104 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 34 m | Show |
The set-up: It seems as if no deficit is too large for the Celtics to overcome. Boston has rallied from double-digit deficits for victories in each of its last three contests to keep the team's now 16-game winning streak alive (4th-longest in franchise history). The Celtics trailed by 13 with less than eight minutes to go Monday before storming back for a 110-102 overtime victory at Dallas, as Kyrie Irving scored a season-high 47 points. 16-2 Boston can tie the third-longest streak (1959-60) in franchise history with a win here at AmericanAirlines Arena and hope for a similar effort to the one on Oct. 28 when the Celtics took care of the Heat 96-90 in Miami. The 7-9 Heat have dropped three of their last four after getting crushed 120-95 at home against Indiana on Sunday, a game in which they allowed 60 percent shooting from the floor. Boston: Irving's been everything and more for Boston, averaging 22.5 & 5.3 APG plus taking over as team-leader. “He’s got every move imaginable, but on top of that he’s one of the best shooters in the league,” head coach Brad Stevens told the Boston Herald. “Everybody gets caught up in the moves and dribbling and everything he can do the ball, but his touch is beautiful with both hands.” Nearing the quarter-pole of the regular season, Irving is making his case as league MVP. Stevens knows a little something about "moves," as he's quickly risen to the top-tier of the NBA coaching ranks. Jaylen Brown is averaging 23.7 points over the last three games to push his season mark to 16.2 PPG, while making 10-of-20 from three-point range. He's showing just why he was drafted 3rd overall in 2016 by Boston. Miami: The Heat's leading scorer is also the team's PG, Goran Dragic. He's averaging 18.3 & 4.7 APG on the season but just seven points over his past two games, while missing 13 of 19 shots from the floor. Meanwhile backcourt partner Dion Waiters (2nd-best scorer at 15.1 PPG) is coming off an 0-for-10 shooting performance in Sunday's game. To state the obvious, that's bad news when getting set to host Boston. Center Hassan Whiteside continues to put up big numbers (16.2 &13.5) and forward James Johnson is the fourth player averaging in double figures (12.3). The pick: The Celtics have trailed by double digits in five of their 16 wins, making a habit of playing well "in the clutch.".In stark contrast, Miami has faded down the stretch. The Heat are the worst second-half team in the league so far this season. Miami's first-half FG percentage (51.1) is sixth-best in the league but the Heat's second-half shooting percentage (39.6) is last. Boston is 9-1 SU & ATS on the road, while the Heat are 2-6 SU and 0-6-2 ATS at home. Not a tough call. Make Boston an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-22-17 | Troy State +4 v. East Tenn State | Top | 73-65 | Win | 100 | 12 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: It's an interesting matchup tonight in Johnson City, Tn, as Troy takes on East Tennessee St. Troy won the Sun Belt tourney last season and made the NCAAs, while East Tennessee St. won the Southern Conference and went 'dancing' as well. Troy enters 2-3 and East Tennessee St. at 2-2. Troy: Head coach Phil Cunningham made quite a splash in his fourth season, as after winning just 11, 10 and 9 games, led the team to 22 wins and an NCAA berth in 2016-17. He returns four starters, including two of the Sun Belt's best players, the 6-6 Jordan Varnado (18.6 & 7.8) plus Wes Person Jr, a guard averaging 17.0 PPG. The team did lose some quality contributors but the one-two punch of Varnado and Person is a good one. East Tennessee State: Steve Forbes led the Buccaneers to 'the promised land' in just his second season as the team's head coach but unlike Cunningham's Troy team, he lost four starers from last year's team. Four guards average between 7.0 and 12,5 PPG, led by Payne (12.5) and Bradford (11.8-5.8-3.8), who is the lone returning starter. The 7-0 Jurkin (10.0 & 6.7) gives East Tenn. St. the game's best big man. The pick: East Tennessee St. is the home team but it's my belief that Troy is the better team and proves it here. Make Troy a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-21-17 | Alabama A&M +37.5 v. Minnesota | Top | 57-100 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: The latest AP poll came out Tuesday and the 4-0 Minnesota Golden Gophers were ranked No. 14. The Golden Gophers passed a big road test last week at Providence and followed that up by knocking off two opponents at home. Tuesday night, the Gophers welcome Alabama A&M (0-3) to Williams Arena. The Bulldogs are a member of the SWAC and after going 2-27 last season, are expecting no more than a 'pay day' out of this contest. Alabama A&M: Head coach Donnie Martin is in his first season at Huntsville and surely has nowhere to go but up, taking over a team which had just two wins last season (both in league play). The Bulldogs have averaged just 62.7 PPG (323rd) on 39.2 percent shooting (312th) in opening 0-3. Junior guard Arthur Johnson leads the team in scoring (14.7) and rebounding (6.3), while making 6-of-11 from three-point range. Sophomore guard De’Ederick Petty has chipped in 13.0 PPG and while.freshman guard Amari Goulbourne did not score in his first two collegiate games, he broke out with 17 points and four assists in 36 minutes against Alabama (that's the promise Ala A&M needs). Defensively, the team allows 84.0 PPG (305th) on 50.0 percent shooting (323rd). Minnesota: When the Big Ten announced its 10-player preseason all-conference team, senior PG Nate Mason and sophomore swingman Amir Coffey represented Minnesota. However, heading into Tuesday's game against Alabama A&M, 6-6 forward Jordan Murphy might have a line on the conference's player of the year award based on his early performances. Murphy averaged 11.3 points and 8.3 rebounds last season but is averaging 24.8 & 12.8 this season. That's not to say Mason and Coffey are not contributing. Mason is averaging 14.0-6.2-4.5 and Coffey 14.0 & 4.2. Each of Minny's other two starters are also in double digits, the 6-10 Lynch (12.8 & 8.8 plus 22 blocks!) and guard McBrayer (11.0). The pick: Pitino's 'ride' at Minnesota has been of the roller coaster variety. A 25-win season in his first year (won NIT!), 18 wins in his second but then just EIGHT in his third. Minnesota bounced back with 25 wins last year (lost in the 1st round of the Big Dance) and now owns a 4-0 start and a top-25 ranking early in this season. It's safe to say that regardless how the Gophers' season plays out, the 2017-18 season will have gone much better for Richard Pitino, than for his dad, Rick. Minnesota is averaging 94.2 PPG and allowing 74.0. Sure, Alabama A&M is here for the 'paycheck' and has just one starter listed over 6-7 but just look at the size of this pointspread. Make Alabama A&M an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-20-17 | Blazers -1.5 v. Grizzlies | Top | 100-92 | Win | 100 | 12 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: The Memphis Grizzlies earned a 98-97 win in Portland on Nov. 7 to reach 7-4 but have surrendered an average of 110.5 PPG in losing four in a row (0-4 ATS) to fall under .500 at 7-8. The Grizz will welcome the Portland Trail Blazers to Memphis Monday night in hopes of snapping their current slide. However, the Blazers are moving in the opposite direction of the Grizzlies, having won three of four to move to 9-7 on the season. Then again, the Blazers, who will play their next five games on the road, have lost three in a row away from home with their last road victory coming way back on Oct. 20 when they bested Indiana 114-96 in just their second game of the season. Portland: The Blazers scored a season low in an 86-82 loss at Sacramento on Friday but returned the favor with a 102-90 triumph at home over the Kings the next night. “I liked our demeanor,” Trail Blazers head coach Terry Stotts told reporters after the win. “After being disappointed last night and struggling with the offense, to come back and the way we set the tone — I think our first five baskets were assisted — I thought that set a good tone for the rest of the night." The offense has been led all season by guards Lillard (25.6-5.4-6.4) and McCollum (22.5) plus 7-0 center Nurkic (14.6 & 7.2). That said, Portland's real improvement so far this season has come defensively, with the Blazers allowing just 97.5 PPG (2nd) on 43.1 percent shooting (3rd). Memphis: The Grizzlies were solid defensively at home against Houston on Saturday, holding one of the league's top scoring offenses to 44.9 percent shooting (Grizzlies allow 101.3 PPG to rank 7th) but could not figure out a way to get anything done at the other end in a 105-83 loss. "We couldn’t get organized in the basic sets that we run, for whatever reason," Grizzlies coach David Fizdale told reporters. "I know a couple of the guys that are just getting back are running around with their heads cut off a little bit. We just couldn’t get organized." Memphis is searching for a leader on the court with PG Mike Conley (Achilles) out until at least next month. Center Mark Gasol leads in scoring (19.7) and rebounding )9.3) but without Conley's 17.1 PPG, only swingman Evans (17.7 & 5,4) is averaging in double digits, Mario Chalmers, who missed all of last season because of a ruptured Achilles tendon he sustained in March 2016 started at PG on Saturday and had only six points.The Grizzlies are averaging only 100.7 PPG, which ranks 25th. The pick: Without Conley, Memphis too limited offensively and as noted above, after allowing108.5 PPG last season, the Blazers are allowing just 97.5 PPG so far this season, an 11.0 PPG improvement (that's a BIG deal!). Make Portland a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-20-17 | Creighton v. UCLA +2.5 | Top | 100-89 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 15 m | Show |
The set-up: LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill were arrested more than a week ago on suspicion of stealing sunglasses from a Louis Vuitton store while their team was in the Chinese city of Hangzhou. They did not accompany the team on the trip home but were released later. UCLA finally started to resemble the type of team it hoped to be this season, pulling away in the secsond half of Friday’s 96-68 victory over South Carolina State, after owning just a six-point halftime advantage. This coming after a pair of narrow victories over Ga. Tech and Central Arkansa The No. 23 Bruins play Creighton in Kansas City on Monday in the Hall of Fame Classic. The Blue Jays are off to a strong start and enter the week off an upset of No. 20 Northwestern on Wednesday, 92-88. Creighton is 3-0. UCLA: Freshmen Jaylen Hands and Kris Wilkes fueled the second-half surge against South Carolina State. “It was really helpful to us to get that momentum,” Hands told the media after scoring a team-leading 22 points, combining with Wilkes to score 17 of the Bruins’ first 19 points after halftime. The 6-8 Wilkes (17.3 & 7.3) and 6-3 guard Hands (15.3-4.7-37) lead the team in scoring, while junior PG Holiday (14.3 & 5.3 APG) plus 7-0 senior Welsh (13.0 & 11.1) join them in double digits.have. Another freshman, the 6-9 Chris Smith, scored a season-high 15 points in just 21 minutes against South Carolina State. Creighton: The Blue Jays won 25 games last season and eback in the "Big Dance" after a two-year absence. However, after a 17-1 start, Creighton went a modest 8-9 the rest of the way, including a first-round loss in the NCAAs. Three starters return and the junior guard Khyri Thomas scored a career-high 24 points to go with 11 rebounds as Creighton blew an early 15-point lead, but maintained its composure to pull off the road upset at Northwestern. “Our guys fought,” Thomas told reporters. “That’s what we preach. Just fight, be tough and be the better man.” Martin Krampelj, a 6-9 sophomore who averaged just 2.8 & 2.2 LY, added 17 points on 7-of-9 shooting. All-Big East first-team pick Marcus Foster leads the Blue Jays in scoring at 19.3 points per game, and is the first Creighton player since 1970 to score 23 or more points in the first two games of a season. Freshmen Ty-Shon Alexander and Mitch Ballock combined for 20 points against Northwestern. The pick: These are two undefeated and high-scoring teams which will square off in the first semifinal game of the 2017 CBE Hall of Fame Classic Monday night at Sprint Center in Kansas City, Mo. The Bruins are averaging 88.3 PPG, while the Blue Jays average 97.7 PPG. Kansas City is not exactly a neutral floor but it's also not CenturyLink Center in Creighton. The Bruins seemed to "come together" against SC State in the second half and now should be ready to take the next step, a pointspread uin after opening 0-3 ATS. Make UCLA a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-19-17 | Pacers v. Heat -4.5 | Top | 120-95 | Loss | -103 | 10 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: The Indiana Pacers are just 8-8 and the Miami Heat only 7-8 as the two teams get set to meet this afternoon at American Airlines Arena in Miami. However, both are coming off impressive wins on Friday night. Indiana overcame a 22-point deficit in a 107-100 home win over the red-hot Detroit Pistons, while Miami built a 25-point lead at Washington before holding on for a 91-88 victory. The Heat welcome the Pacers to town, having won six straight home games against Indiana, including picking up their first win of the season at home against the Pacers back on Oct. 21. Indiana: The Pacers outscored the Pistons 36-19 in the fourth quarter, making 6 of 7 three-pointers. SG Victor Oladipo,who leads Indiana in scoring at 23.1 PPG, posted 21 points (despite by going 6-for-19 from the floor) plus added a career-high 15 rebounds with four assists, one steal and one block in a stellar 39-minute, all-around effort. Lance Stephenson (6.6 & 4.40) scored all 13 of his points in the fourth quarter Friday and chipped in eight rebounds and two assists in 18 quality minutes. Behind Oladipo, the Pacers have five players chipping in between 13.0 and 13.6 PPG. Indiana averages 108.4 PPG (9th) but also allows 108.8 PPG, which ranks 25th. Miami: The Heat looked bad down the stretch against the Wizards, nearly coughing up a 25-point lead in Friday's win. However, they held Washington's star PG John Wall to just eight points. "Our defense is tighter, and our penetrators are getting in the paint," said Heat center Hassan Whiteside when asked by Sun Sports for the key to the victory that snapped a two-game losing streak. "We are not settling for jump shots." Whiteside (16.3 & 14.1) was huge for Miami, posting his seventh double-double in just 10 games this season, going for 22 points (made 10 of 12 shots from the floor) with 16 rebounds and two blocks. Forward James Johnson (12.4 & 5.5) scored 20 points off the bench plus swingman Justise Winslow (6.8 & 5.3) had 10 points, seven rebounds and two steals in just 18 minutes. Miami's starting guards have led the way all season, with PG Dragic averaging 19.0-4.2-4.7 and SG Waiters adding 16.3 PPG. Miami has not scored well (100.6 PPG ranks 26th) but has defended well, allowing 102.0 PPG (8th). The pick: Miami has won six straight meetings at home, including that Oct. 21 meeting this year. In that one, Miami was cruising with a 21-point lead with just 16 1/2 minutes to play, but the Pacers wouldn’t go away. Indiana closed to within just two points with 12 seconds left, before Miami won 122-118. It's true that the Heat are 0-5-2 ATS at home so far but they shot 51.7% in their last game against the Pacers and this time around, won't blow a big lead. Make Miami a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-19-17 | Old Dominion v. Dayton +2.5 | Top | 75-67 | Loss | -110 | 9 h 22 m | Show |
The Dayton Flyers and the Old Dominion Monarchs face off in final round tournament action at the Gildan Charleston Classic. Both teams lost their first game but ODU will look to finish the tournament on a high note after improving to 3-1 on the year with a 62-44 win over Indiana State and Dayton hopes to do the same, after defeating Ohio 79-65 in moving to 2-1. Dayton is off a 24-win season and lost four senior starters off that team plus head coach Archie Miller left to take the Indiana job. ODU is off a 19-12 season and in his fifth season at ODU, head coach Jeff Jones returns three starters. Old Dominion: PG Caver (11.5 & 4.5 APG) led the team with 22 points on 5 of 12 shooting with three triples and a 9 for 11 mark from the foul line in addition to handing out a team-high six assists in the win over Indiana St.and 3 steals. The 6-10 Trey Porter (11.8 & 6.5) added 16 points (on 6 of 9 from the floor). Jones has a pair of Stith brothers as well, as guard B.J. leads the team in scoring at 12.2 PPG with his 6-7 older brother Brandan adding 7.2 & 5.8 PPG. Dayton: Miller's loss is not all that huge as Anthony Grant takes over (was an assistant under Billy Donovan at Florida and then at OKC in the NBA) plus led VCU and Alabama to NCAA tourney wins as a head coach. The loos of four senior starters can't be dismissed but the lone returning starter, guard Darrell Davis, has come out averaging 20.3 PPG. The 6-7 Cunningham, who missed most of LY with an injury, looks healthy while averaging 15.7 & 9.3 plus the 6-8 Williams (10.0 & 6.3) adds size to a formidable frontcourt. The Monarchs were a disappointment last season (19 wins and no postseason tourney), coming off seasons of 27 and 25 wins. However, I'm not sure this year's team will be much better. ODU ranked 331st in effective FG percentage last season and averaged just 64.5 PPG. In four games so far this season, ODU is averaging 63.2 PPG (322nd) on 40.0% shooting (293rd). Make Dayton a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-19-17 | Patriots -6.5 v. Raiders | Top | 33-8 | Win | 100 | 115 h 43 m | Show |
The set-up: The Raiders were 12-4 last season and after opening 2-0 in 2017, were being touted as "the real deal," a genuine AFC title contender. In contrast the defending champs stumbled to a 2-2 start and alarmingly, had allowed an average of 32.0 PPG. That's on the heels of New England allowing an NFL-low 15.6 PPG in 2016. However, as the two teams get set to meet in this Week 11 game at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City, the Raiders check in at just 4-5, while the Pats are 7-2, having once-again reminded all just why the Brady and Belichick combo has won five Super Bowl titles together. New England: Brady has been dominant ever since a poor Week 1 effort, entering this contest having completed 67.3 percent of his passes with 19 TDs, just two INTs (in 343 pass attempts) to earn a QB rating of 108.3 (the Pats rank first with 301.6 YPG through the air and 4th in scoring at 28.6 PPG). Brady would like more help from a running game that averages just 109.7 YPG (16th) but as always, he seems to "make do." However, what Brady really appreciates is the defense's return to form. The naysayers were out in full force saying that while Belichick may be a genius, he could not get the team's awful defense turned around with just a snap of his fingers. Well, I'm not sure what he did but numbers don't lie. During the Pats' five-game winning streak, the team's D has held opponents to 13.4 PPG! Oakland: The Raiders promptly lost four in a row after that 2-0 start and while they enter this game having won two of three, the wins have come by one point over KC (winning TD on the game's final play) and by three points over a Miami team which is on a three-game slide getting outscored 112-to-45! Carr's injured back cost him one full game but after a three-game stretch in which he averaged 144 yards passing, he has aired it out over the past three games, throwing for 1,030 yards with five TDs and three INTs. Marshawn Lynch, whose last game against New England ended with a rush to the one-yard line in Super Bowl XLIX, returned from a one-game suspension to rush for 57 yards and two TDs in a 27-24 win at Miami. However, he's been a bust, with just 323 yards on the season (3.8 YPC), including three games in which he hasn't run for as much as 20 yards! Defensively, the Raiders are allowing 23.8 PPG (22nd) and not only are they tied for last in sacks (13), they have yet to record an interception in 288 pass attempts against them. Are you kidding? The pick: Sometimes, we can over-think things. I will try NOT to make that mistake here. Brady is playing like he's 30-years-old and in 343 pass attempts, he's been picked off twice. He will face an Oakland pass D in this game which is allowing a league-high 71.2% completion, while allowing 14 TDs without a single INT in 288 pass attempts. Opposing QBs have a 110.5 rating against Oakland, the highest in the NFL. Add in that Oakland's pass rush has an NFL-low 13 sacks and just how does anyone expect the Raiders to stop Brady? Can they outscore him? Why? After all, New England is allowing 13.4 PPG during its five-game winning streak. One last thing. This is a neutral-site game but how does it hurt that the Pats went 8-0 SU on the road last season and are 4-0 this season, outscoring opponents 30.0-to-16.8 PPG! Lay the points and make the Pats a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-19-17 | Bucs +1.5 v. Dolphins | Top | 30-20 | Win | 100 | 111 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins were supposed to open the 2017 season in Week 1 but Hurricane Irma had other ideas. Ironically enough, both teams were scheduled for a Week 11 bye week, so here we are. The Bucs and Dolphins will meet Sunday in Miami Gardens at Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday, although both teams' seasons are just about 'toast.' The Bucs opened 2-1 but then lost five in a row, before finally ending their slide with 15-10 win over the Jets last Sunday (Bucs are currently just 3-6 in the 'tougher than nails' NFC South). As for the Dolphins, a 4-2 start now seems 'light-years' away after Miami has not just lost three straight (falling to 4-5 in a division with the 7-2 Pats), but the Dolphins have been dominated in all three losses, getting outscored 112-45! Tampa Bay: QB Jameis Winston sat out last week's win with shoulder issues, replaced by veteran journeyman Ryan Fitzpatrick, who passed for 187 yards with one TD and one interception. RB Martin is back from his suspension but has averaged only 50.8 YPG rushing in his six games. Tampa Bay averages only 82.8 YPG on the ground (28th) on the season. The Bucs are averaging only 19.2 PPG on the season, ranking 22nd. The defense is also worse than average, allowing 23.1 PPG (20th) on 376.3 YPG (27th). Miami: The Dolphins' defense has been ripped for 112 points in the team's three-game slide (37.3 PPG) but through the team's nine games, Miami's offense ranks dead-last (32nd) in scoring at 15.2 PPG. Cutler has not been the answer at QB, as Miami ranks 29th in passing YPG at 194.9 YPG. With the trade of RB Ajayi at the end of October, 64 percent on Miami's rushing offense is now in Philadelphia. Kenyan Drake has run for 176 yards the last two weeks (taking over for Ajayi) but Miami enters averaging 80.1 YPG on the ground, which ranks 30th. Is it good or bad news that Drake accounted for Miami' first rushing TD of the 2017 season last Sunday? Hard to believe but true. The pick: Ryan Fitzpatrick is not a full-time starter but "in relief," he's more than serviceable. Currently, he is not a drop-off from Winston, whose confidence had eroded even before his shoulder injury. Miami's defense is now as bad as it's defense. Make Tampa Bay an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-18-17 | Utah v. Washington -17 | Top | 30-33 | Loss | -110 | 98 h 39 m | Show |
The set-up: The Utah Utes lost to the Washington State Cougars 33-25 last Saturday, falling to 5-5, including 2-5 Pac-12 South. The Utes will travel to Husky Stadium in Seattle to take on the 8-2 Washington Huskies (5-2 Pac-12 North). Washington is No. 16 in the latest AP poll but 18th in the CFP rankings, behind No. 11 USC and No. 14 Washington State of the Pac-12. Washington lost a week ago Friday 30-22 at the Stanford Cardinal 30-22. Washington’s usually strong defense couldn't contain Bryce Love and the Stanford rushing attack, as Love rushed for 166 yards and three TDs. Utah: The Utes had no answers for the Washington State QB Luke Falk, who passed for 311 yards and three TDs. Utah QB Tyler Huntley completed 21 of 39 passes for 305 yards and a TD but with three INTs. Huntley (13 TDs / 9 INTs) is streaky and as noted, was picked off three times in the loss to Washington State, one week after throwing four TD passes. Utah averages 29.0 PPG (65th) and allows 24.1 PPG (45th). Washington: QB Jake Browning has completed 68.4% for 2,097 yards with 16 TDs and five INTs. He is far off his pace of 2016, when he threw for 3,430 yards with 47 TDs and nine INTs. In fact, Browning has failed to throw a TD pass in three of his past four games. RB Myles Gaskin has run for 1,038 yards (6.3 YPC) and 13 TDs. Washington averages 36.9 PPG (21st) but the team thrives on its defense, The Huskies are allowing just 13.0 PPG (2nd) on 258.5 YPG (4th). The pick: Utah comes in having lost five of its last six games and Washington has won nine of the previous 10 meetings between the two schools. What's more, Washington is 11-1 SU at home since the start of 2016, including 5-0 SU & 4-1 ATS at home this season, outscoring opponents 46.2-to-11.2 PPG. Lay the points and make Washington an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-18-17 | Bucks -8 v. Mavs | Top | 79-111 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
The set-up: Mark Cuban decided to bypass Giannis Antetokounmpo in 2013 draft as a means to protect salary cap space in an effort to go after then-free agent Dwight Howard. Dallas traded down and eventually drafted guard Shane Larkin. And so it goes. The 8-6 Milwaukee Bucks are sure glad they have Antetokounmpo, who has been the talk of the league in the early going of the 2017-18 season. Cuban and his NBA-worst Mavericks (2-14 SU & 4-12 ATS) will get a front-row view of the "Greek Freak" when the Bucks visit American Airlines Center in Dallas tonight. Milwaukee: The Bucks arrive in Dallas on a season-best four-game winning streak. Antetokounmpo is averaging 30.6-10.0-4.6 on the season and has topped 20 points in 13 of 14 games this year. It's also worth mentioning that Milwaukee hasn't lost since PG Eric Bledsoe joined the team. He is averaging 13.3 PPG, despite shooting a 36.7 percent, including a woeful 3-of-18 from three-point range. A healthy Middleton is averaging 18.4 PPG and last year's ROY Brodgdon is averaging 14.8 & 4.0. Milwaukee is shooting well (48.2% ranks 3rd) but not scoring enough (103.9 PPG ranks 20th). Dallas: The Mavs are a mess and going nowhere. Dallas suffered a disappointing 111-87 home loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday as it built a 12-point halftime lead before being drubbed 68-32 in the second half. The Mavericks are an NBA-worst 1-8 at home and Friday's scoring output was their lowest of the campaign. The Mavs badly need a victory after losing four straight and 10 of their last 11 contests. However, are they already running out of time to turn the season around? Rookie PG Dennis Smith has shown flashes of the type of player he might become, averaging 15.2-4.2-4.6. However, the aging Dirk Nowitzki is averaging just 10.5 PPG and the Mavs are struggling to keep up offensively. Dallas is scoring 98.2 PPG (28th) on 42.0 percent shooting (29th). The pick: Bledsoe will get his shooting touch straightened out but for know, the Bucks have said his energy has helped spark his teammates. The Mavericks have excelled against the Bucks in recent seasons by winning eight of the last nine meetings and the Bucks have dropped their last four games in Dallas (most recent victory occurring Feb. 26, 2013). However, that was then and this is now! Make Milwaukee a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-18-17 | Arizona University v. Oregon -2.5 | Top | 28-48 | Win | 100 | 45 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The 7-3 Arizona Wildcats will travel to Autzen Stadium in Eugene to meet the 5-5 Oregon Ducks this Saturday in Pac-12 action. Arizona beat Oregon State 49-28 at home last Saturday, improving to 5-2 in the Pac-12 South. It's been quite a bounce-back season for Rich-Rod's Wildcats, who were just 3-9 in 2016, including 1-8 in league play. Oregon is coming off a bye last Saturday, having lost badly in its last outing, 38-3 at Washington on Nov. 4th. The 5-5 Ducks are coming off a 4-8 season last year but a win here would make the bowl-eligible. Arizona: The Wildcats amassed an outstanding 534 yards rushing against the Beavers (a school recrod!), led QB Khalil Tate who rushed for 206 yards and 2 TD’s on just 16 carries. Tate has been an unstoppable force on the ground since taking over QB duties for the Wildcats. He has completed 61.9% of his passes with eight TDs and four INTs and averages just 124.8 YPG through the air. However, he's rushed for 1,293 yards on an incredible 11.6 YPC with 11 TDs. Arizona is now averaging (due to Tate) 348.2 YPG on the ground (3rd-best in the nation) and 44.4 PPG (also 3rd-best). Defensively, the Wildcats are allowing 31.9 PPG (99th). Oregon: The Ducks also depend on their running game, especially with No. 1 QB Justin Herbert still sidelined with a collarbone injury. RB Royce Freeman is a stud who has 1,218 rushing yards (5.9 YPC) and 10 TDs. He leads a ground game averaging 255.2 YPG (11th). The Ducks average 32.3 PPG (40th) but also allow 30.1 PPG (89th). Here's the rub. The Ducks averaged 49.6 points in their first five games (4-1) but have been stuck in neutral without Herbert, averaging 15 points and going 1-4 with freshman Braxton Burmeister under center. The pick: Obviously, I'm hoping Herbert will be cleared to play but either way, I'm backing the Ducks. Oregon's defense is allowing just 129.0 YPG on the ground, which is Arizona's strength with Tate. Oregon ranks 25th nationally in rushing yards allowed, which is 2nd-best in the Pac-12. Make Oregon an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-18-17 | Harvard -3.5 v. Manhattan | Top | 69-73 | Loss | -110 | 6 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The Harvard Crimson opened with back-to-back home wins but fell 73-69 at Holy Cross when the team's late rally (down 10 in the first half) fell short. The Crimson will visit NYC Saturday afternoon to take on the Manhattan Jaspers, who opened their 2017-18 season by edging St. Francis (NY) 80-79 in overtime. Harvard: The Crimson are off seasons of 14 and 18 wins (well down from previous Amaker teams) but return four starters, including PG Bryce Aiken. Aiken leads the team at 18.3 PPG (4.0 rebounds & 3.3 assists) plus the 6-7 Towns (16.3 & 6.7) and the 6-9 Lewis (10.0 & 5.3) are also contributing double digit scoring. Big guard Justin Bassey chips in 5.7-6.3-3.0. Holy Cross out-shot Harvard 50.0 to 42.3 percent but the Crimson kept the game close by winning the battle of the boards, 34-19. However, in the end, the Crimson just made too many mistakes, as they had 23 TOs! Manhattan: The Jaspers are off a lousy 10-22 season but do return four starters, including 6-5 senior Rich Williams, who is back for a fifth season off last year's injury. He had 21 points and six rebounds in the team's opening-game win, joined by three other double-digit scorers. Fellow guard Zavier Turner had 16 points off the bench, although he played 35 minutes. Up front, the 6-8 Crawford had 11 & 5 and the 6-9 Waterman added 10 & 9. The pick: Manhattan will be much more competitive this season with a healthy Williams but Harvard is the better team with a solid core of experienced players. Make Harvard a 10* |
|||||||
11-18-17 | Texas +3.5 v. West Virginia | Top | 28-14 | Win | 100 | 87 h 56 m | Show |
The set-up: Big-12 schools Wets Virginia (22nd) and Texas (23rd) both opened ranked in the AP's preseason poll. The two teams meet at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown on Saturday with the 5-5 (4-3 in Big 12) Texas Longhorns looking to avoid a fourth straight losing season (note: Texas football began back in 1893 and the only time the school has produced four straight losing season was back from 1935 through 1938), while the 7-3 West Virginia Mountaineers are one of three teams at 5-2 in the Big 12 (along with TCU and Oklahoma State), trailing the 6-1 first-place Sooners. Understandably, Texas is unranked, while the Mountainers are 24th in the AP and 25th in the Coaches poll but were left out the CFP rankings. Texas: The Longhorns entered last Saturday’s home game against lowly Kansas with three losses in their previous four contests but were able to hold off Kansas 42-27, climbing back at .500. QBs Shane Buechele and Sam Ehlinger both threw TD passes in the game, as Tom Herman just can't decide which QB is his No. 1 guy. Sophomore Buechele is the more polished passer and freshman Ehlinger the bigger threat to run. The Texas offense is down slightly from last season (averaging 29.9 PPG after averaging 31 PPG in 2016) but the defense has made excellent strides. Texas allowed 31.5 PPG on almost 450 YPG last season but has cut that to 21.9 PPG (3rd) on 367.3 YPG (40th). West Virginia: The Mountaineers have won four of their last five games to reach eight victories for a third straight year. There is no uncertainty at the QB position for West Va, as Will Grier is completing 64.2 percent of his passes for 3,440 yards with 34 TDs and only 12 INTs. Grier has a trio of outstanding WRs. Jennings (82 catches) and White (51 catches), who both will go over 1,000 yards in receiving yards by year's end plus Sills has 55 catches and an NCAA-high 18 TD receptions. Remember the great line about the NFL's Cris Carter? All he does is catch TDs! The West Va. offense averages 39.0 PPG (12th) but its defense allows 29.2 PPG (82nd) on 436.4 YPG (102nd). The pick: West Va. head coach Dana Holgorsen has it right. “I’m putting everybody on high alert on this 5-5 thing (with Texas),” Holgorsen said at his weekly Tuesday news conference. “We’re sitting here at 7-3 (overall) with three losses to (top-20-ranked) teams, and they (the Longhorns) aren’t any different. Those guys have lost close games to the likes of Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and TCU, and the last time I checked, those teams are in the top 15, right?” Texas, meanwhile, needs one more win to become bowl-eligible in coach Tom Herman’s first season in Austin, and the new coach also is looking for a signature victory. “We’ve got to win one that we’re not supposed to,” Herman said at his Monday news conference. “I think right now, save for the very first game, we’ve won the ones that we’re supposed to and we haven’t won the ones that people said we weren’t supposed to. So I think that’s got to be the next step.” Texas out-gained West Va. 536-383 in LY’s 24-20 home defeat and how does one overlook Tom Herman's 8-1 ATS mark as an underdog since 2015? Make Texas a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-17-17 | Pelicans +4.5 v. Nuggets | Top | 114-146 | Loss | -103 | 22 h 37 m | Show |
The set-up: The 8-7 New Orleans Pelicans are coming off a 125-116 home loss to the Toronto Raptors and now head to the Pepsi Center in Denver to take on the 8-6 Nuggets, who couldn't 'buy a basket' in Monday’s 99-82 loss in Portland against the Trail Blazers. The Pelicans allowed the Raptors to shoot 59.2 percent from the floor plus Toronto went 16-of-34 from three-point range. As for the Nuggets, Denver scored 11 points fewer than their previous low this season Monday in Portland, while shooting just 35.7 percent from the floor. New Orleans: “The rotations were bad, communication was pretty bad,” New Orleans leading scorer DeMarcus Cousins told reporters after the home loss to the Raptors. “We let guys that are known shooters get wide open shots. That’s on us. We were a bit limited.” however, there was some good news on Wednesday, as PG Rajon Rondo made his first start of the season Wednesday in his second appearance since returning from core muscle surgery in the preseason. He contributed four points and eight assists in 14 minutes. “I’m just taking my time and trying to do the right thing,” Rondo told the Times-Picayune. “I haven’t had any practices and these games are like practices. I’m just trying to make sure I manage it correctly. It’s a marathon not a sprint.” It's no surprise that the Pelicans' version of "the Twin Towers," Cousins (28.0 & 13.7) and Davis (25.6 & 11.4) are doing what they have been expected to do. Denver: The Nuggets 'ugly' offensive effort Monday in Portland "came out of nowhere," as Denver entered that contest averaging 113 PPG in Its previous three contests. 6-10 center Nikola Jokic had averaged 22.7 PPG in that stretch and was named Western Conference Player of the Week. “We were in a very good offensive rhythm coming in here,” Nuggets head coach Michael Malone told reporters. “And they took us out of our rhythm right away.” Jokic (16.4 & 11.6) leads six players averaging in double figures in scoring. PF Paul Millsap (15.7 & 6.4) has picked up his production by scoring 17 per game over the last four and those two frontcourt guys are joined by guards Barton (14.9 & 5.4), Murray (13.2), Harris (12.4) and Mudiay (11.6). The pick: The Denver Nuggets gained confidence by going 5-1 on their recent homestand but that positive mojo was dealt a blow with that humbling loss at Portland on Monday night. The Pelicans scored a 25-point upset in the Pepsi Center last season and the team comes into this game having gone 4-1 SU & 5-0 ATS in their last five road contests. Make New Orleans an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-17-17 | UNLV v. New Mexico -2 | Top | 38-35 | Loss | -115 | 73 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: The setting for this Friday night MWC contest will be University Stadium in Albuquerque, where the 3-7 New Mexico Lobos (1-5 in MWC play) will host the 4-6 UNLV Rebels (3-3 in league play). The Rebels still have an outside shot at earning bowl-eligibility but will need to win here and then at Nevada in their season-finale on Nov. 25th. As for New Mexico, the Lobos entered the 2017 season off back-to-back bowl appearances, including finishing 9-4 in 2016 after edging UTSA 23-20 in the New Mexico Bowl. Obviously, the team's record is a major disappointment. As for the Rebels, even an outside shot at a bowl berth is a "good sign, for a school that has made just one bowl appearance (2013) over the previous 16 years heading into the current season. UNLV: The team's head coach is Tony Sanchez, of Bishop Gorman High School fame (Las Vegas). The transition from legendary HS head coach to UNLV has not gone smoothly, as the Rebels were 3-9 in his first season and 4-8 last year. The team averages 29.2 PPG (65th) led by a running game averaging 239.5 YPG (20th). RB Lexington Thomas leads the way, running for 1,146 yards (6.4 YPC) with 15 TDs. Senior QB Tony Stanton lost his job to freshman Armani Rogers but regained it when Rogers suffered a concussion. Rogers is cleared to play but Sanchez is sticking with Stanton, who threw for 325 yards and two TDs (also two INTs) in last week's 31-21 loss to BYU. UNLV's defense doesn't help much, allowing 32.3 PPG (103rd) on 461.1 YPG (116th). New Mexico: Bob Davie's option attack has produced three seasons of 400-plus YPG rushing in five previous years at New Mexico (team averaged 370 & 388 in the two 'down' years!). However, while this year's team averages 226.3 YPG on the ground to rank 22nd in the nation, that's a significant drop-off from previous years. QBs Jordan and Tuioto have both struggled, completing around 50% with six TDs and nine INTs between them. New Mexico's D is better than UNLV's but not by much, allowing 30.9 PPG (ranks 93rd). The pick: At this pointspread price, one must look at UNLV's straight-up road record, as "staying within a margin" doesn't really come into play. UNLV entered this season 8-51 SU on the road the last 10 years (2-10 under Sanchez) and the team's 2-2 road record in 2017 hardly builds confidence in a game the Rebels will almost have to win in order to cover. New Mexico was 11-4 at home the last two seasons and while the Lobos are just 2-3 SU at home in 2017, I'll back them in their final home game of what's been a very disappointing year. Make New Mexico a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-17-17 | Thunder v. Spurs | Top | 101-104 | Loss | -105 | 19 h 7 m | Show |
The set: The Thunder's "new look" of adding Paul George and Carmelo Anthony to reigning MVP Russell Westbrook has not been a smooth transition. However, a favorable portion of the schedule (three home games against sub-.500 teams) has allowed OKC to get back to .500 at 7-7. However, "the degree of difficulty" is about to go up, starting with tonight's visit to the AT&T Center. The 9-6 San Antonio Spurs had won five of six before falling flat in a 98-86 loss at Minnesota on Wednesday. Oklahoma City: The Thunder come in off wins over the Clippers, Mavs and Bulls. Carmelo Anthony (back) returned from a one-game layoff to notch his first double-double with Oklahoma City against the Bulls (18 & 11) but he struggled from the floor along with fellow stars Paul George and Russell Westbrook. The trio shot 13-for-38 against Chicago, which left them taking pride in a defensive effort that held Chicago to seven first-quarter points and a 34.7 percent mark from the floor for the game. The Thunder are still trying to find the best use of their Big 3. Is the combo of George (21.9 & 5.9) and Anthony (20.1 & 6.2) added to Westbrook (20.3-8.1-9.6) making OKC a better team? As one can see, Westbrook's numbers are down across the better and the team's three-game winning streak leaves them at just 7-7. San Antonio: The Spurs will not be "the Spurs" until Kawhi Leonard gets back. Wednesday's loss at Minnesota represented the team's worst offensive effort of the season, 79 points on 41.8% shooting. Foul trouble limited Aldridge to 28 minutes in the loss to Minnesota, his second-lowest total of the season. The team's leading scorer at 22.0 PPG, was held to 15 points on 5-of-14 shooting. Gay (12.0), Green (10.6) and Gasol (10.5) are barely scoring in double digits for the Spurs. The pick: The Spurs are having real trouble finding reliable offensive options, while waiting for Leonard and PG Tony Parker to make their season debuts. I'm not sure that changes here against the Thunder, who are playing well defensively (OKC ranks 2nd in both PPG allowed at 97.1 and defensive FG percentage at 43.1) while having their own problems figuring out the new dynamic of how best to utilize its "Big 3." The Thunder will visit a dangerous New Orleans team next, then return home to host the Warriors and the surprising Pistons, giving them a difficult four-game stretch. Starting off that stretch "on the right foot,' is important. That's the bet. Make OKC a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-17-17 | Fordham v. Florida State -14.5 | Top | 43-67 | Win | 100 | 17 h 1 m | Show |
The set-up: 1-0 Florida State and 1-1 Fordham get to travel to Montego Bay to face off in a 2017 Jamaica Classic matchup on Friday night. The Seminoles got their season off on the right foot with an 87-67 home win over George Washington on Tuesday, while Fordham rebounded from an opening 55-54 home loss to Miami-Ohio with an 81-68 victory over LIU, also at home.. Fordham: The Rams are coming off a 13-19 season and lost three starters. A bunch of players are back but most lack quality playing time. Third-year head coach Jeff Neubauer will be expecting big things from preseason All-Atlantic 10 third-teamer Joseph Chartouny, who set a school record last year with 94 steals and already has nine in two games, while averaging a team-high 14.5 points and 6.0 rebounds. Fellow guard Will Tavares, the school's only scholarship senior with Division I experience, is leading the team with 7.0 rebounds per game and is tied with the 6-7 Raut (a freshman) for scoring at 14.0 points per game. 6-10 junior Prokop Slanina recorded personal highs in the win over LIU with 19 points and 11 rebounds for his first career double-double (he's averaging 12.0 & 6.0). Florida State: The Seminoles are off a 26-win season, earning the school's first trip to the NCAA Tournament since 2012. However, four starters are gone, including the team's top-three scorers. Guards Bacon (17.2 & 4.2) and Rathan-Mayes (10.6 & 4.8 APG) are among the missing, as is the "one & done" 6-10 Isaac (12.0 & 7.1), who was drafted sixth in the first round by Orlando. Junior guard Terance Mann lived up to preseason expectations in the team's season-opening win with team highs of 17 points and eight rebounds (six offensive). "The sky's the limit for him," head coach Hamilton said at the postgame press conference. "He has a knack for putting the ball in the basket. I thought he was extremely aggressive tonight. He had five blocks. He must have chased several more. I thought he went after rebounds. ... I think he's taken a lot of pride, and over the season he's going to get better and better." However, he was just one of five players in double digits, including starters Koumadje (14 & 7), who is a 7-4 junior center and Cofer (15 & 4), a 6-8 senior PF. The pick: FSU lost plenty off LY's team but Mann is poised for a big year plus the duo of Koumadje (the tallest player in FSU history) and Cofer should fill in nicely for Isaac. Fordham does not have the overall talent nor depth to 'hang' with the Seminoles. Make FSU a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-16-17 | Titans +7 v. Steelers | Top | 17-40 | Loss | -110 | 47 h 43 m | Show |
The set-up: Two first-place teams meet Thursday night at Pittsburgh's Heinz Field, as the 6-3 Tennessee Titans (tied atop the AFC South with the Jacksonville Jags) visit the 7-2 Pittsburgh Steelers (alone atop the NFC North and owners of a three-game lead). The Titans had high expectations entering 2017 but opened just 2-3. However, Tennessee enters Thursday's game on a four-game winning streak, beating the Colts, Browns, Ravens and Bengals (not exactly a "murderer's row"). The Steelers opened 3-1 but were then shocked at home by the Jags, losing 30-9. Big Ben was awful in that game (five INTs!) and prompted him to question "if he still had it?" Question answered, as the Steelers have won four in a row and currently hold down the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Tennessee: QB Marcus Mariota (1,783 passing yard with just seven TDs and six INTs /QB rating of 83.1) is battling ankle and shoulder injuries but expects to play through the pain. The team's two-pronged rushing attack features DeMarco Murray (433 yards, four TDs) and Derrick Henry (409 yards, three TDs), ranking 8th at 124.8 YPG. The offense comes in averaging only 22.8 PPG (13th) on the season and pretty much needs to find a way to get its offense on track on the road after scoring a combined 36 points in its last three games away from home. Defensively, Tennessee allows 23.7 PPG (22nd) on 328.3 YPG (16th). Pittsburgh: Roethlisberger has thrown for 2,298 yards with 12 TDs and INTs (83.8 QB rating), hardly 'career' numbers. However, he has the best WR in the NFL on his side in Antonio Brown (60 catches / 882 yards / 3 TDs). He also may play with the NFL's best RB as well, in Le’Veon Bell (840 YR with 5 TDs / 40 catches). It will come as no surprise that Pittsburgh's D ranks second in points allowed (16.4) and total yards allowed (284.4). The pick: I noted earlier that Big Ben is not exactly having a career season but that's actually an understatement. Truth is, his completion percentage of 61.1 and QB rating of 83.8 represent his lowest marks since 2008. That's led to three of Pittsburgh’s last four wins coming by six points or less, with the Steelers having scored 20 points or less in four of their last five. The Titans know a lot about "close games" as well (five of last seven have been decided by six points or less) and come in 3-0 against AFC North opponents in 2017. Take the points and make the Titans an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-16-17 | Warriors -7 v. Celtics | Top | 88-92 | Loss | -101 | 13 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The Celtics opened the season with back-to-back losses plus lost prized FA addition Gordon Hayward for the entire year in the team's first game (at Cleveland). However, Boston has ripped off 13 consecutive wins (11-1-1 ATS) to give them an NBA-best 13-2 record. It prompted Golden State head coach Steve Kerr to proclaim that the Celtics are "the team of the future in the East." The Celtics welcome the NBA's ""team of the present" tonight to TD Garden, as the Warriors come to town winners of seven in a row and the West's best record of 11-3. The Celtics own the best defense in the NBA by limiting opponents to an average of 94.5 PPG, while the Warriors are scoring an average of 119.6 PPG, to lead all NBA teams. Golden State: The Warriors' "Core Four" of Curry (25.2-4.7-6.7), Durant (24.8-7.5-5.2), Thompson (20.6) and Green (10.9-7.5-6.6) stand "above the crowd," as does Golden State's depth. The backcourt depth features Young, Stephenson and McCaw (listed in order of scoring averages), while the wings and frontcourt consists of West, Casspi, Iquodala, McGee, Looney and Pachulia (again, arranged in order of scoring prowess). PG Stephen Curry sat out Monday's 110-100 win over the Orlando Magic with a thigh contusion but is probable to return when the Warriors kick off a four-game road trip on Thursday. Golden State also leads the NBA in FG percentage (51.9%) and assists (31.3 per game). Boston: The Celtics owned the East's best record last season but knew they needed "change" to compete with the Cavs and eventually, with the Warriors. The rebuilt Boston Celtics lost Hayward (see above) but new PG Kyrie Irving (20.6 & 5.2 APG) has been terrific, as has rookie Jason Tatum (14.0 & 5.3). Boston gave up Avery Bradley to get Marcus Morris and over the last four games, he's averaged 15.3 PPG and grabbed 10 rebounds in his last game (Boston needs him to rebound, especially without Hayward). Veteran center Horford (15.3-8.8-4.5) has been superb plus plus second-year SF Brown (14.7 & 6.7) is now a starter and looking every bit as good as Boston had hoped he'd be when was the team's first pick of the 2016 draft. The pick: The Celtics currently own the NBA's best record but Golden State owns a better point-differential, plus-11.9 to plus-8.1. That's because in Golden State's current seven-game winning streak, the Warriors have won by an average margin of 19.9 PPG! The visiting team has taken the last five in the series plus the Warriors have won their last four trips to Boston. Make Golden State a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-16-17 | Tulsa v. South Florida -22 | Top | 20-27 | Loss | -110 | 47 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: The 2-8 Tulsa Golden Hurricane (1-5 in the AAC) will visit Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Thursday night to face the 8-1 South Florida Bulls (5-1 in the AAC). Tulsa's fallen a long way from last year's 10-3 team which destroyed Central Michigan 55-10 in the Miami Beach Bowl. Tulsa limps in having lost seven of its last eight and checks is 0-5 on the road in 2017. USF owned a nation-best 12-game winning streak and had scored 30-plus points in 24 staright games but lost at home 28-24 to Houston on Oct. 28. However, the good news is, USF still controls its own destiny (more later). Tulsa: The Golden Hurricane rely on a rushing attack that averages 248.7 YPG to score 31.0 PPG (50th). However, that isn't quite enough when the team's D has allowed 38.0 PPG (12st) on 547.5 YPG (128th). All that said, let's give Tulsa some credit. Five of its last seven losses have been decided by 10 or less points, as Tulsa is just one of those teams that competes hard but just can't put together a complete 60 minutes. South Florida: Senior QB Quinton Flowers registered a school-record 516 yards of total offense last time out against UConn and now needs just one rushing TD to become the sixth FBS player with 60 passing TDs and 40 rushing TDs in a career. Flowers threw for 385 yards while rushing for another 131 against UConn and needs 357 to pass Matt Grothe (10,875) for the school record in total offense. He's passed for 1,955 yards with 15 TDs and just 4 INTs on the season, while adding 751 RY (5.2 YPC) and 9 TDs. RBs Tice (780 YR / 9 TDDs) and Johnson (631 YR / 7 TDS) help make USF the 7th-best running team in the nation, averaging 276.7 YPG. The offense gets all the 'pub,' averaging 39.1 YPG (7th) but the defense has more than held its own, allowing 19.9 PPG (23rd) on 319.8 YPG (18th). The pick: Tulsa comes in 8-3 ATS as a road dog since 2015 and USF does have a "Black Friday" showdown looming at UCF on Nov. 24th. Naturally, USF must beat UCF in that one and a win the following week in the AAC championship game would almost assuredly lead to a New Year's Six Bowl bid but first things first. USF has to "take care of business" here in its regular season home finale against Tulsa. Sure, it's a lot of points but despite that four-point home loss to Houston, USF has outscored opponents at home by 35.6-to-15.6 PPG. Note that Tulsa has allowed 46.6 PPG on the road. Lay it and make USF an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-15-17 | Cavs -1.5 v. Hornets | Top | 115-107 | Win | 100 | 13 h 22 m | Show |
The set-up: Are the Cavs finally rounding into form? We do know this. Cleveland enters tonight's game at Charlotte having won consecutive games for the first time since opening the season 2-0. Monday's win over the Knicks in MSG was a special one, as the Cavs overcame a 23-point deficit en route to a 104-101 victory. Still, the Cavs are a hard-to-believe 7-7 on the season and look for their first three-game winning streak of the season tonight against the 5-7 Charlotte Hornets. The Hornets 'limp' home after an 0-4 road trip that ended with a 90-87 setback at Boston on Friday (team's lowest point total of the season). Cleveland: LBJ got into a war of words with Knicks center Enes Kanter during and after Monday's trip to Madison Square Garden but got the last laugh with the comeback win, scoring 23 points, grabbing nine rebounds and handing out 12 assists. Here's a shocker, James is logging a league-high 38.1 MPG while averaging 28.1-7.4-8.8. James got some help on Monday from SG Kyle Korver, who scored 21 points (19 in the fourth quarter while making five 3-pointers!). However, Korver is averaging a modest 10.9 PPG. Love (17.6 & 10.4) is said to be unhappy about his move to center but he's the only other regular contributor. Rose has played in just half of the team's 14 games and Green (10.5) is the only player also averaging in double digits. Defense has been a major issue for the Cavs, as they are allowing 112.5 PPG on 47.5% shooting (both rank 28th in the league!). Charlotte: The Hornets are planning (hoping?) on guard Nicolas Batum (elbow) making his season debut on Wednesday after he spent the last three days practicing with the team. “If it’s my call, yes,” Batum told the Charlotte Observer after practice on Tuesday of playing against the Cavaliers. “If the coaches and the training staff are OK with it, it should be a go tomorrow." Batum averaged career highs of 15.1 points and 5.9 assists in 2016-17 while adding 6.2 rebounds and 1.1 steals. PG Walker is off an All Star season but comes off a road trip in which he shot 33.9 percent from the floor, including 5-of-25 from three-point range. His scoring is down this season (21.7) but Lamb's is up at 16.7, as he's gotten more opportunities with Batum sidelined. Then there is FA center Dwight Howard, averaging 14.4 & 13.2 but has he really helped the Hornets "get better" as a team. The pick: I realize that the Cavs are just 4-9-1 ATS through their first 14 games but one has to admit, this team is way better than that. Meanwhile, the Hoinets don't look improved at all and Howard seems happy putting up solid (excellent?) numbers, while playing without any pressure to win (arguably, the story of his career). The Cavs seem ready to me to shake out of their doldrums, Make Cleveland a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-14-17 | Purdue v. Marquette +4.5 | Top | 86-71 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 3 m | Show |
The set-up: The 2-0 Purdue Boilermakers were ranked 19th in the AP's first regular season poll (released Monday) and will travel to Milwaukee on Tuesday night to take on the Marquette Golden Eagles, who defeated Mount St. Mary's 80-59 on Friday,to improve to 3-1 in season openers under Steve Wojciechowski. Marquette is off a 19-win season which included a loss in the NCAA's first round. As for Purdue, the Boilermakers are off a 26-win season which include winning the Big Ten regular season title and a trip the the NCAA's Sweet 16. Purdue faces its first real test of the season tonight, as it plays at Marquette in the Gavitt Tipoff Games series. It's the first-ever meeting between the schools. Purdue: The Boilermakers return starters from their 2016 Big Ten championship team, making them as experienced as any team in the country. Sure, Caleb Swanigan (18.5 & 12.5) is a huge loss but 6-8 senior forward Vince Edwards (12.6 & 4.9 LY) is the only active player in the nation with at least 1,000 points, 500 rebounds and 300 assists. The Boilermakers have scored a combined 216 points in defeating Southern Illinois-Edwardsville 105-74 in their opener and dismantling Chicago State 111-42 on Sunday. Chicago State's 21.5 percent shooting marked the lowest shooting percentage by a Purdue opponent in school history, while the Boilermakers scored 100 or more points in back-to-back games for the first time in 43 year. Guards Edwards (20.2) and Mathias (18.0 $ 4.5 APG) lead in scoring from the perimeter with Edwards (14.5 & 8.8) and the 7-2 Hass (12.0 & 6.5) taking care of business inside. Marquette: The Golden Eagles defeated Mount St. Mary's 80-59 on Friday but led by as many as 37 points and had four players score in double figures. Andrew Rowsey is the the team's lone senior and the guard led with 23 points but he was on the bench for much of the second half, enabling Mount St. Mary's to chip away at the deficit. Fellow guards Cheatham (13 & 5) and Howard (11) joined Rowsey in double digits, as did the 6-10 Heldt. The pick: Matt Painter enters his 12th season at Purdue and expectations are rightly high but after two 'cupcakes,' the going gets much tougher here at the Bradley Center. Take the points and make Marquette a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-14-17 | Ohio -13 v. Akron | Top | 34-37 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The Bobcats were upset at home back on Oct. 7 (on Homecoming, no less), losing 26-23 to Central Michigan as a 10 1.2-point favorite. That left them 4-2 overall (1--1 in the MAC). However, Ohio has won four in a row since, including last week's 38-10 rout of Toledo in Athens, dominating teh Rockets by out-gaining them 532-316 in yards. Ohio (8-2, 5-1 in the MAC) now travels to InfoCision Stadium in Akron to take the Zips, who are coming off a 24-14 defeat at the Miami (Ohio) Redhawks as an 11.5 point road underdog. Akron was out-gained 420-273 and fell to 5-5 overall but at 4-2 in the MAC East, not out of it. The Bobcats would clinch the East title with a win but an Akron win would leave the teams tied at 5-2 apiece. Both would have one game remaining but Akron would own the head-to-head tie-breaker! Ohio: Frank Solich has done a remarkable job since coming to Ohio back in 2005 (more later) and while his teams have typically been known as relying on defense, it's Ohio's offense, especially its running game, that has led thetetam to its 8-2 mark in 2017. The Bobcats are averaging 44.8 PPG during their four-game winnings streak, upping their scoring average to 40.9 PPG for the season, ranking 7th in the nation. The team ran for 393 yards in the win over Toldeo and Ohio's ground game is averaging 250.8 YPG (12th). RB Quelette leads the way with 897 yards, QB Rourke has 668 RY plus a team-best 17 TDs and Brown, after rushing for 142 vs. Toledo, checks in with 600 RY. Rourke also has 1,643 passing yards with 14 TD and just four INTs. Ohio's defense is solid, if not spectacular, holding opponents to 24.1 PPFG (45th). Akron: Terry Bowdon took over at Akron in 2012 and promptly went 1-11. However, he led the Zips to the school's second-ever bowl bid in 2015, finishing 8-5 after winning the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl. This year's team may be just 5-5 but as noted at the top, is still very much alive for an East title by winning here at home. Akron can't match Ohio's running game, as the Zips average only 105.5 YPG on the ground (124th). In fact, Akron is averaging only 21.8 PPG (110th), about half of Ohio's U's scoring average. Defensively, the Zips are allowing 441.8 YPG (106th) but have somehow managed to hold opponents to a more reasonable 24.9 PPG (ranks 51st!). Bowden suspended starting QB Thomas Woodson for a violation of team rules and freshman Kato Nelson got his first collegiate start vs. Miami-Ohio. He threw for 218 yards and one TD but with Akron’s ground game finishing with just 55 yards, he had a tough hill to climb. The pick: Woodson's availability for Tuesday has not been announced but indications are he will be available to play in this do-or-die game. Woodson or no Woodson, the fact remains that the Bobcats have won nine straight games over the Zips, including winning four straight in Akron, holding the Zips to two TDs and just 42 total points. Solich has been a 'savior' for Ohio U football and in this, his 13th season, will lead Ohio to its ninth bowl game. When he took over, the Bobcats had only been to two bowl games in school-history, most recently in 1968. Solich is 99-69 at Ohio, so a win here would be No. 100, which would clinch an East title. This is Solich's best team and no way the Bobcats stumble here at Akron. Make Ohio U an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-13-17 | Nuggets v. Blazers -1 | Top | 82-99 | Win | 100 | 24 h 57 m | Show |
The set-up: The Denver Nuggets have won three in a row (and seven of nine) to reach 8-5. The offense is clicking, as all five starters scored in double figures in Saturday's 125-107 home win over the Orlando Magic. Denver will make a brief one-game road trip to visit Northwest Division rival Portland on Monday with the Trail Blazers checking at 6-6, Denver: The Nuggets' backcourt duo of Barton (15.1) and Murray (12.8) combined for 58 points against the Magic plus center Nikola Jokic (17.2 & 12.0) flirted with a triple-double, scoring 12 points with 17 rebounds and nine assists. Harris (12.4) and Mudiay (12.2) give Denver four guards averaging in double figures on the season plus PF Millsap (15.5 & 6.5) is a quality veteran sidekick up front for Jokic. Portland: After a 101-97 home loss to injury-riddled Brooklyn on Friday night, Portland checks in just 2-4 in games decided by four points or fewer. "What makes it so frustrating is we could very easily be 10-2," PG Damian Lillard said after the Nets game. "It makes losses like this hurt even more, because you've already let some games slip that we should have won. We shouldn't be having our heads down. We've been in worse situations. But being here is our fault. We've had our chances." Lillard is averaging 25.2 PPG on the season but is mired in a bit of a shooting slump and failed to reach 20 points in either of the last two games. Lillard's left hand got banged up in the final minute against the Nets but he said, " I don't plan on missing any games. I think I'll be all right." His backcourt partner McCollum (22.9) give Portalnd one of teh league's highest-scoring duos plus as noted at the top, Nurkic has sure found a home in Portland (he's averaging 15.6 & 7.3 this season). The pick: Sure, Denver's off back-to-backs wins (and covers) but note the team was just 3-8 ATS before those consecutive covers. Portland has also had its own ATS woes (just 2-6 at home) but the Blazers took three of the four meetings last season (now six of the last seven in the series). Also, don't downplay the effect Nurkic may have here. When the teams last met last March, Nurkic went for 33 points (made 12 of 15 shots from the floor & and 9 of 11 from the FT line) plus added 15 rebounds in a 122-113 victory over his former team. Make Portland a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-13-17 | Dolphins +10 v. Panthers | Top | 21-45 | Loss | -135 | 34 h 17 m | Show |
The set-up: The 4-4 Miami Dolphins will visit Bank of America Stadium.in Charlotte to take on the 6-3 Carolina Panthers as Week 10 concludes with the latest MNF clash. The Dolphins have lost back-to-back games and a third straight loss would pretty much end any 'dream' of the team staying within shouting range of the Pats (now 7-2) in the AFC East. In contrast, the Panthers are seeking a third straight win in hopes of keeping pace with the red-hot Saints who won their seventh in a row to move to 7-2 in the NFC South. The Panthers are in for a 'dog fight' in their division in 2017, as the Atlanta Falcons are also lurking at 5-4. Miami: QB Jay Cutler returned last weekend after missing a game with cracked ribs. He had his best game of the season last Sunday, despite the Dolphins falling at home 27-24 to the Raiders. Cutler completed 34 of 42 for 311 yards with three TDs and zero INTs. However, he's averaging only 170.0 YPG through the air and has 10 TDs and five INTs on the season, for a QB rating of 87.4. Miami 'traded away" its running game when it shipped Pro Bowl selection Jay Ajayi to Philadelphia. He owns 75% of the team's rushing yards in 2017 and even including Ajayi's contributions, Miami ranks 30th in rushing at 77,6 YPG. With Ajayi gone, Kenyan Drake is the team's leading rusher with just 94 yards on the season. The Dolphins ranks last in both scoring (14.5 PPG) and total offense (270.2 YPG). Miami's defense is middle-of-the-pack, allowing 22.4 PPG (17th). Carolina: Cam Newton is pretty much a "one-man show" in Carolina when it comes to the team's offense. However, he's way off his MVP-like performance of the 2015 season. He's averaging only 202.1 YPG with 10 TDs and 11 INTs, giving him even a lower QB rating (78.4) than Cutler. Newton ran or 86 yards in Carolina's 20-17 win over Atlanta last Sunday but the Panthers were likely happier that rookie RB Christian McCaffrey picked up a season-high 66 rushing yards plus his first rushing score last week. "A lot had to do with the blocking up front," head coach Ron Rivera said. "I thought we got our hands on them and we were able to push and Christian was able to make some cuts." McCaffrey leads the team with 54 catches out of the backfield, although WR Devin Funchess also has stepped up as the team's top wide-out since Kelvin Benjamin was traded to Buffalo (Funchess had five catches vs. Atlanta and now has 38 on the season). The Carolina D is playing at a high level and is the reason the Panthers are 6-3. The Panthers are allowing a league-low 274.1 YPG overall, while allowing a modest 17.7 PPG (3rd-best). The pick: McCaffrey's performance was encouraging last Sunday but where has he been all year? Cam Newton continues to carry too heavy of a burden for this offense and it can't go unnoticed that the Panthers may have won two straight but they enter this contest having averaged just 13.3 PPG in their last three games (not a team one wants to lay big points with!). The Dolphins are coming off their best offensive performance by far and let me also point out that Miami has had five games decided by six points or less, with three of its last four games featuring three-point margins. Does it matter that Miami is 4-1 SU all-time vs. Carolina, going 5-0 ATS? It doesn't hurt! Make Miami a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-12-17 | Texans +12 v. Rams | Top | 7-33 | Loss | -110 | 87 h 6 m | Show |
The set-up: The surprising LA Rams sit top the NFC West at 6-2, coming off a 4-12 season in 2016. The Texans won the AFC North with a 9-7 record in 2016 and after six weeks of the 2017 season, stood at 3-3. However, the emergence of rookie QB of Deshaun Watson had the Texans thinking playoffs again this year. Coming off a Week 7 bye, the Texans lost a 41-38 shootout to the Seahawks and then disaster struck in the days leading up to their Week 9 game with the Colts. Watson was lost for the season to a non-contact injury at practice. The Texans visit the LA Memorial Coliseum at just 3-5 and hardly look like a playoff contender, now. Houston: Tom Savage, who was given the Week 1 start over Watson, was back under center against the Colts and once again proved he's not ready for primetime. He completed 19 of 44 for 219 yards with one TD and no INTs but with a QB rating of 66.1. He's completed a poor 45.6% of his 57 pass attempts in 2017 and while he has not thrown an interception, he has just one TD pass (QB rating is 66.5). DeAndre Hopkins is a top-flight WR (51 catches for 692 yards with 8 TDs) but he needs a QB to get him the ball. Lamar Miller is the team's leading rusher with 483 yards but while Houston averages 132.8 YPG on the ground to rank 4th, Watson's 269 yards (on 7.2 YPC) were a big part of that. With J.J. Watt also out for the season, the once-proud Houston defense is now allowing 26.0 PPG, to rank 30th of 32 teams. LA Rams: Sean McVay has become a coaching prodigy in just a half-season and is being given most of the credit for Jared Goff's re-birth. The league's No. 1 draft choice in 2016, came off a rookie year in which he was 0-7 as a starter. However, Goff has led the Rams to a 6-2 record, completing 60.2 percent for an average of 245.3 YPG with 13 TDs and just 4 four INTs (QB Rating of 97.9). RB Gurley has sure been a huge help, rushing for 686 yards and seven TDs while catching 29 passes with three more TDs (his10 TDs are tops in the NFL). In all, the Rams top the NFL by scoring 32.9 PPG on 382.1 YPG, which ranks 3rd. The defense has sure not disappointed under DC Wade Phillips, holding opponents to 19.4 PPG (9th), after allowing 24.6 PPG in 2016. The pick: Clearly, the Rams are a team on the rise and one to be reckoned with in 2017. Meanwhile, the Texans need to find a QB quickly and they have signed Matt McGloin, T.J. Yates and Josh Johnson over the past two weeks. Johnson has not seen action in the NFL since appearing in two games with Cincinnati in 2013. but remains on the roster, McGloin, who played for Oakland from 2013-16, has since been released while Yates, who made seven starts in two previous stints with the club, is likely the best option. Here's the rub. The Rams are just 2-2 SU & ATS at home in 2017 plus they are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 home games and 1-5 ATS versus a team with a losing record. Surprise, make Houston a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-12-17 | Massachusetts v. Harvard -10 | Top | 67-70 | Loss | -110 | 7 h 56 m | Show |
Two Boston-area Massachusetts schools meet Sunday as UMass (situated in Amherst) of the A-10 will visit Cambridge to take on Harvard of the Ivy League. Both schools come in 1-0. Harvard defeated MIT 73-64 at home on Thursday ina sloppy win and UMass struggled to beat Division II UMass-Lowell 74-69 on the same night. UMass won last year's game 70-66 at home, although Harvard won the ATS 'battle,' as a 4 1/2-point underdog. UMass: The Minutemen are coming off a 15-18 season and lost three starters from last year's club. Unique McLean, a 6-2 freshman, and Rashaan Holloway, a 6-11 junior, shared the team lead with 12 points apiece in the team's unimpressive opening win. Also making contributions were the 6-10 Hines (11 & 13), PG Pipkins (11-7-5) and another guard, Anderson (9-4-5). UMass gave a very unsteady performance in the team's opener, trailing by two at the half , before eventually winning by only five points. The Minutemen shot 47.1% plus held their opponents to 39.2% shooting, but they also committed 15 turnovers and shot just 3-of-15 from beyond the arc. The Minutemen needed an 11-2 run to make it 66-58 with 2:31 to play to finally take control. Harvard; The Crimson are off seasons of 14 and 18 wins (well down from previous Amaker teams) but return four starters, including PG Bryce Aiken. Aiken had 12 points in the opener but the best efforts came from the 6-7 Towns (20 & 7) and the 6-9 Lewis (13 & 10). Big guard Justin Bassey added seven points to match his seven rebounds and a team-high four assists in the win. The pick: Harvard struggled in its opener but this is a good team with experienced players. The Crimson are 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 as a favorite and have gone 8-2 ATS in their last 10 home games. Make Harvard an 8*! |
|||||||
11-12-17 | Saints -2.5 v. Bills | Top | 47-10 | Win | 100 | 64 h 33 m | Show |
The set-up: Few would have predicted that the Saints would be 6-2 mid-way through the 2017 season, considering New Orleans entered the season off three consecutive 7-9 seasons. What's more, the Saints opened 2017 at 0-2 but visit the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field in Orchard Park, NY on Sunday afternoon for this Week 10 game having gone 6-0 SU & ATS to surge to the top of the NFC South (Panthers are 6-3 and the Falcons 4-4). The Bills have also been a surprise in 2017 but are coming off a poor effort in Week 9's Thursday night game, losing 34-21 to the Jets. The loss doped Buffalo to 5-3 in the AFC East, one game back of teh 6-2 Pats. I doubt anyone, even teh Bills themselves, believe they out-last the Pats for the division crown but the Bills do currently own the final wild card spot in the AFC. New Orleans: Drew Brees completed 22 of his 27 pass attempts for 263 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the team's 30-10 win last Sunday over the Bucs. So what else is new for the ageless wonder? He enters the second half of the the 2017 completing 71.6% of his passes with 13 TDs and just four INTs (105.0 QB rating). Ingram quietly leads a running game averaging 122.8 YPG (7th), helping Brees lead the Saints to an average of 27.6 PPG (6th). The defense has been a mess the last few seasons but the team's stop unit continues to surprise, allowing just 19.4 PPG, which ranks 10th. Buffalo: No one quite seems sold on QB Tyrod Taylor but he threw for 285 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 29 of 40 passing, while also leading the Bills on the ground with 35 rushing yards and a rushing TD on six carries against the Jets. The Bills led the NFL in rushing in 2016 (164.4 YPG) but LeSean McCoy has had an up-and-down season so far, with a case in point being his 25-yard effort against the Jets, For the season, Buffalo is averaging 116.9 YPG on the ground, almost 50 yards per games less than last season (that's no small deal!). However, the defense has improved from allowing 23.6 PPG to just 18.6 PPG in 2017. The pick: I'm well aware that Buffalo is 4-0 SU at home but the Bills just can't establish a consistent running game like last season. Meanwhile, the Saints' "under the radar" running game, led by Mark Ingram and rookie Alvin Kamara, has given Brees a balance on offense that he hasn't had in years. I should also note that the swarming Saint “D,” has also made this team a real NFC title-game contender. Here's something most don't know. The Saints are 11-2 ATS their last 13 road games! Make New Orleans an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-12-17 | Browns +11 v. Lions | Top | 24-38 | Loss | -110 | 64 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: The Lions picked up a rare win in Lambeau Field this past Monday when they beat the Rodgers-less Packers, 30-17. QB Matthew Stafford connected on 26 of 33 passes for 361 yards and two touchdowns (both to Marvin Jones) in the win at Green Bay. The victory got the Lions to 4-4, two games back of the 6-2 Vikings in the NFC North. Cleveland: WR Josh Gordon returned to the team during the week but isn't eligible to play until Dec. 3. Other quality players are fighting injuries. All-purpose RB Duke Johnson left the last game with a concussion and is listed as questionable but DE Myles Garrett (the No. 1 overall pick of the 2017 draft) has cleared concussion protocol and is expected to play. Defensive back Jabrill Peppers is uncertain to play after missing the past two games with a toe injury. Rookie QB DeShone Kizer was benched early in the second half the previous week after throwing two interceptions against Tennessee but played the entire Week 8 against Minnesota (a 33-16 loss). He completed 18 of 34 passes for only 179 yards but didn't commit any turnovers. Kizer was second-round pick out of Notre Dame but is completing just 52.1 percent of his passes with three touchdowns and 11 interceptions, giving him an awful 51.1 QB rating. He has to realize that he needs to improve quickly or become just another failed Browns signal caller. Cleveland is scoring just 14.9 PPG (31st), while allowing 25.2 PPG (28th). This just in...that's not a good combo. Detroit: Stafford is a quality QB and is having another good seson. He's completing 62.4% for 2,212 yards with 14 TDs and just four INTs (94.4 QB ratings). The running game stinks (79.9 YPG ranks 29th) but Stafford leads an offense that averages 25.8 PPG (8th). Stafford's first scoring pass to Jones in last week's MNF contest was the 200th TD pass in his 117th career game (sixth-quickest in NFL history). Jones has 33 catches and a team-high five TD receptions, while Golden Tate has shrugged off shoulder issues to lead all receivers with 562 yards on 50 catches. The pick: As noted, the Lions are not in bad shape for a playoff push but Detroit's defense is in the bottom half of the league in points allowed (23.2 PPG arnks 20th) and yards allowed (341.8 YPG ranks 21st). Sure, the Browns are 0-8 but they haven't 'rolled over!' Four of their losses have come by just three points and they very well could have won a few of those. The Lions actually come into this contest having lost theri last three home games and that's been due in large part due to the team's red-zone woes. Detroit ranks 27th at 45.8 percent scoring TDs in the red zone, just one spot ahead of the Browns (45.0). No upset but take the huge points and make Cleveland an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-11-17 | Wolves -9.5 v. Suns | Top | 110-118 | Loss | -106 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
The set-up: The Minnesota Timberwolves saw their five-game winning streak end Wednesday night at Oracle Arena when they fell 125-101 to the Warriors. Losing to and particularly at Golden State, is something that will happen to most teams but overall, the T-wolves have proven they are capable of making noise in the Western Conference. Minnesota's 7-3 start was its best 10-game start since going 9-1 in 2001-02 but an 18-4 third-quarter run proved to be its undoing in a 125-101 loss to the Warriors on Wednesday. “We got humbled … that’s the kind of level we want to get to, the way they’re playing over there,” Timberwolves forward Taj Gibson told the Minneapolis Star-Tribune Minnesota: Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague were outscored by the Warriors' backcourt of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson 60-25 on Wednesday. "I just know what I can bring to the table in all aspects of the game. I know the reasons they wanted me here and a big part of it is scoring, closing out games, guarding, getting everyone involved. So I'll be a new player from here on out," Butler told the Star-Tribune. The Timberwolves had held the previous three opponents to under 100 points. "That's what a championship team looks like," head coach Tom Thibodeau said. "They play hard. They play together. They make plays. Their defense over the last five games has been back to what their defense is. That's why they've been able to win the way they've won. Their willingness to sacrifice and play for each other is what makes them great." Towns leads the Timberwolves in scoring and rebounding, averaging a double-double with 21.0 points and 11 rebounds per game. He is tied for seventh with 1.82 blocks per game. Wiggins is averaging 19.6 PPG, with the team's veteran guard duo of Butler (14.-5.0-4.5) and Teague (13.5 & 8.1 APG) comprising this team's "Core Four." Phoenix: The Suns are led by guard Devin Booker, who averages 22.1 points a game but was held to nine points in the loss to Orlando on Friday. While Booker had his worst game of the season, first-round pick Josh Jackson gave Phoenix what it hopes becomes a regular occurrence. He made 9-of-18 from the floor for a season-high 18 points and tied another personal best with six rebounds while playing only 22 minutes. Jackson is averaging 10.1 & 3.4 on the season. Center Alex Len (making his second start of the season in place of Tyson Chandler, who is out with back spasms), managed to stay out of foul trouble against Orlando for one of the first times this season and finished with season highs in points (21) and minutes (40) while also corralling 13 rebounds. Mike James continued to be one of the Suns' few bright spots during their losing streak, posting his third straight game with at least 16 points He is averaging 14 points over his last seven outings despite a two-point effort on Nov. 3 and 12.7 PPG on the season. The pick: Minnesota was not up to the task of matching up against the Warriors but is that really the issue? I think not. The T-wolves entered their Wednesday at Oracle on a five-game winning streak, while holding three of their previous four 'victims' under 100 points.The Suns dumped Earl Watson after an 0-3 start and initially played like an NBA team, going 4-1 and 5-0 ATS. However, they enter this contest having returned to the early form that got Earl Watson fired by going 0-5 SU & ATS. Make the T-wolves an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-11-17 | Iowa v. Wisconsin -11.5 | Top | 14-38 | Win | 100 | 73 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: The Big Ten's woes were evident with the announcement of the second CFP rankings this past Tuesday, as Ohio State and Penn State each fells six sports to 13th and 14th, respectively. Yes, Michigan State made the biggest move, from 24th all the way to 12th, but unbeaten Wisconsin was only ranked 8th, behind one-loss schools Notre Dame (3), Clemson (4), Oklahoma (5) and TCU (6). Bottom line is, Wisconsin's poor SOS numbers could possibly (likely?) keep the Badgers out of the 'Final 4' even if Wisconsin can finish 13-0. However, the Badgers can't worry about that now, as coming to Camp Randall Stadium in Madison on Saturday will be the Iowa Hawkeyes, who may be just 6-3 (3-3 in Big Ten play) but this is the team that just beat Ohio State 55-24 last Saturday and could have upset Penn State Sep. 23rd, falling just 21-19. Iowa: Talking about his team's upset of Ohio State last Saturday, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz told hawkeyesports.com, "If we could draw up the way we wanted it to look, that pretty much was it. The guys did a good job, there was good run-pass balance. I think we were a yard apart on run total (243) and pass total (244). More importantly, we were able to run and pass efficiently and work together -- I was happy to see that. We were hoping we would see that execution over the last four or five weeks and we finally broke through." On defense, Iowa held Ohio State under wraps, led by defensive back Josh Jackson who tied a school record with three interceptions and was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week on Monday. "He knocked it out of the park," Ferentz said of Jackson. "You can see the maturation of guys sometimes, and Josh has taken a step with every year he has been here. He played good football for us the last two years, now he is a starter and has played well all season. It's almost impossible to have three interceptions in one game and all three of them were spectacular plays." That defense allows 18.1 PPG (16th) on 370.2 YPG (45th). However, the Hawkeyes are averaging a modest 28.3 PPG (6th) on just 361.0 YYPG (103rd). Wisconsin: Wisconsin knows a little something about playing defense, ranking 5th in both points allowed (13.3 PPG) and total yards allowed (267.8 YPG). The offense may not always look 'pretty' but the Badgers average 36.1 PPG (24th) on 439.2 YPG (37th). That offense is led by freshman RB Jonathan Taylor, who bounced back from an ankle injury suffered in a 24-10 win at Illinois on Oct. 28 by running for 183 yards on 29 carries in last week's 45-17 victory at Indiana. Taylor comes in having run for 1,328 yards on 7.2 YPC with 12 TDs, leading a ground game averaging 245.2 YPG (18th). QB Alex Hornibrook is efficient (64.4% for 1,728 yards with 15 TDs and 9 INTs) but hardly a game-changer. The pick: Is it possible (likely?) for Iowa's offense to maintain the kind of balance it showed against Ohio State (in Iowa City), here on the road at one of college football's toughest venues in Camp Randall? Isn't this a perfect "letdown spot" for the Iowa after blowing out Ohio State? These recent numbers indicate Iowa could be in trouble, as the Hawkeyes are 1-4 ATS in their last five following a straight up win of more than 20 points and 0-4 ATS in their last four after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game. Wisconsin is the only Big Ten team with a path to the CFP and it knows it must "take care of business!" The Badgers also know that they will get some help on Saturday, as No. 3 Notre Dame plays at No. 7 Miami and No. 5 Oklahoma hosts No. 6 TCU. The losers of those games will both fall behind Wisconsin, as long as the Badgers win. A dominating win, will 'taste' even better, Make Wisconsin a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-11-17 | Oklahoma State -6.5 v. Iowa State | Top | 49-42 | Win | 100 | 59 h 26 m | Show |
The setup: The Oklahoma State Cowboys are off a 62-52 home loss to Oklahoma last Saturday in their annual "Bedlam" showdown. The loss dropped the Cowboys to 7-2 (4-2 in the Big 12), all but ending their Big 12 and College Football Playoff hopes. Still, Oklahoma State's reputation remains solid (No. 15 in the CFP rankings) and still owns a resume good enough to be a candidate for a major bowl. OSU travels to Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, Iowa on Saturday to face the 6-3 Iowa State Cyclones (4-2 in the Big 12), who own wins of 38-31 over Oklahoma on the road and 14-7 over TCU at home. The Sooners are currently No. 5 in the CFP rankings and the Horned Frogs are No. 6. The schools will meet for the 52nd time, with OSU holding a 30-18-3 advantage. Oklahoma State: QB Mason Rudolph is completing 63.3 percent of his passes for 3,314 yards with 27 TDs and seven INTs. Rudolph's top receiver is James Washington, who has 52 receptions and is averaging 21.8 YPC with nine TDs (OSU ranks third in passing YPG at 379.2 per). The running game features Justice Hill (1,064 yards on 5.9 YPC with nine TDs) and ranks 33rd, averaging 204.6 YPG on the ground. Defense is an issue, allowing 28.6 PPG (79th) on 405.6 YPG (77th). Iowa State: The Cyclones are looking for a third win over a ranked team, which would surely improve the quality of their bowl game. QB Kyle Kempt is completing 66.9 percent of his passes for 1,108 yards, with 10 TDs and just three interceptions, since taking over for Jacob Park, who went on leave for undisclosed personal medical reasons. Kempt's first start came in the upset against Oklahoma and he was under center for the win over TCU, as well (he's 4-1 as a starter). The team's ground game is averaging only 112.8 YPG (118th) but the defense has been very good, allowing 18.9 PPG to rank 21st. The pick: The Cowboys claim that they have come away from the Bedlam loss feeling confident in the way they played and confident in their leadership. OSU's offense is a dominating unit and after watching game film on Iowa State allowing West Va. 524 yards last Saturday, should feel confident. Yes, Oklahoma State has failed its two toughest tests 2017 (both at home vs. TCU & OU) but the Cowboys are 5-0 SU on the road, out-scoring opponents 41.4-to-22.2 PPG. The Cowboys have won the last five in the series and will make it six in a row here, while covering. Make Oklahoma State an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-11-17 | Arkansas +17 v. LSU | Top | 10-33 | Loss | -110 | 59 h 24 m | Show |
The set-up: It's an SEC clash from Baton Rogue when No. 24 LSU (6-3, 3-2 in the SEC) hosts the Arkansas Razorbacks (4-5, 1-4 in the SEC) at Tiger Stadium in an 11:00 CT start. LSU has played the vast majority of its home games at night and I'll point out that this will be just the 12th game played in Tiger Stadium before noon since 1969. LSU's three-game winning streak was snapped at Alabama last Saturday, when the Tigers fell 24-10. The Arkansas Razorbacks can climb back to .500 with a win, after narrowly escaping against Coastal Carolina in their last outing, winning 39-38 at home as a 24 1/2-point favorite. The schools are meeting for the 63rd time with LSU leading the series 38-22-2, after having won 12 of the last 20 "Battles for the Golden Boot." Arkansas: The Razorbacks enter this contest having won two straight by one point, that unimpressive 39-38 non-conference victory over Coastal Carolina at home last week, and a 38-37 win at Ole Miss as a three-point dog on Oct. 28. Arkansas will need at least two victories in its final three contests to become bowl eligible and will play its final two games at home after this one, against Miss. St. and Missouri. Senior QB Austin Allen threw for 3,430 yards last season and could return after missing the last four games with a shoulder injury, although freshman Cole Kelley has played admirably (59.6 percent completion percentage, eight TDs and three interceptions). Arkansas is a mediocre offensive team, averaging 29.9 PPG (55th) on 388.4 YPG (76th). That really hasn't been good enough with a defense allowing 36.1 PPG (11th) on 422.4 YPG (92nd). LSU: The Tigers' 24-21 loss to Troy as a three-TD favorite (on Homecoming, no less!), was earth-shattering to the LSU faithful. However, LSU rebounded with road wins at Florida and Ole Miss, sandwiched around a home upset of Auburn. The team played hard at Alabama and held the Crimson Tide to just 299 yards of total offense but the Tigers kept giving Alabama a short field on offense which ultimately led to LSU’s downfall ('Bama won 24-10). QB Danny Etling completed just 12-of-26 passes for 137 yards and an interception, after connecting on 58.5 percent of his tosses with four TDs and no picks during the team’s three-game winning streak. Etling has only nine TDs passes the season but also just two INTs. However, LSU's passing game ranks just 89th, averaging 196.3 YPG. Two good RBs, Guice (782 YR / 5.5 YPC) and Williams (559 YR / 5.2 YPC) lead a ground game averaging 209.0 YPG (31st). The Tigers also play good defense and enter this game allowing 20.4 PPG (30th) on 317.0 YPG (17th). The pick: Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema is clearly on the 'hot seat' at Fayetteville but Arkansas is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings between these two teams at LSU. The Tigers "gave it their all" against Alabama and the points are VERY attractive in this matchup. Make Arkansas an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-10-17 | Georgia Tech v. UCLA -7.5 | Top | 60-63 | Loss | -110 | 26 h 36 m | Show |
The set-up: The Baoshan Sports Center in Shanghai, China is host to a game between the UCLA Bruins (No. 21 in teh AP's preseason poll) of the Pac-12 and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets from the ACC. UCLA went 31-5 last season and Ga. Tech just 21-16, but the Yellow Jackets made it all the way to the NIT champiosnhip game last season, before losing. This contest was one of a handful of marquee matchups on CBB's opening night but off-the-court issues have dominated the storyline. Just who isn't aware that three UCLA players, freshmen LiAngelo Ball, Cody Riley and Jalen Hill, will not play following arrests in an alleged shoplifting incident Tuesday in Hangzhou. However, earlier that same day, CBS Sports published allegations a friend made against Georgia Tech coach Josh Pastner, accusing Pastner of knowing about exchanges of impermissible benefits. Georgia Tech previously self-reported violations involving Josh Okogie and Tadric Jackson to the NCAA, with the caveat being that Pastner was unaware until Oct. 2, and the violations totaled less than $1,300. |
|||||||
11-10-17 | Washington -5.5 v. Stanford | Top | 22-30 | Loss | -110 | 80 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: While much was made of the Big Ten's woes with the announcement of the second CFP rankings this past Tuesday, it should also be noted that the Pac-12 is not exactly "sitting pretty," either. Washington made the 'Final Four' in 2016 but the Huskies will not only need to "win out" the rest of the way but also need s"some help" for a return trip to this year's semifinals, to be contested on Jan. 1 in the Rose and Sugar Bowls. Washington (8-1 & 5-1 in the Pac-12) is the highest rated Pac-12 school in the latest rankings (at No. 9) and will travel to Stanford Stadium Friday night to take on the Stanford Cardinal, who lost 24-21 at Washington State last Saturday, falling out of both the AP poll and latest CFP rankings at 5-3 (5-2 in Pac-12 play). There's a long history between the schools, which meet for the 87th time with Washington leading the series just 42-41-4. Washington: The Huskies are coming off a 38-3 pasting of the Oregon Ducks last Saturday in Seattle. Washington scored 38 unanswered points in the 2nd and 3rd quarters, out-gaining the Ducks by a 451-278 margin. WR Dante Pettis caught four passes for 87 yards and 1 TD but also became the NCAA's all-time leader in punt returns for TDs with a 64-yard return. The Huskies are averaging 38.6 PPG (14th) on 413.0 total yards per game (55th). QB Jake Browning has completed 67.8% of his passes on the season for 1,907 yards with 16 TDs and five INTs. RB Myles Gaskin (918 YR / 6.2 YPC / 10 TDs) leads a ground game averaging 188.0 (43rd). Defensively, the Huskies are holding teams to 11.1 PPG (2nd) on 242.1 YPG, which ranks No. 1! Stanford: The Cardinal 'escaped 15-14 at Oregon State Oct. 26 without star RB Bryce Love but couldn't win in Pullman this past Saturday, falling 24-21 to Washington State (currently 19th in the CFP rankings). Love was back but he looked less than 100 percent, gaining 69 yards on 16 carries (52 yards came on a TD run!). QB play has been questionable all season for Stanford, with sophomore K.J. Costello getting the start over senior Keller Chryst (54.2& with an 8-4 ratio) against WSU. He went 9 of 20 for 105 yards without a TD and one INT, badly getting out-played by the Cougars' Luke Falk (337 yards and three TDs). Who does Stanford turn to here? Stanford's defense is not in the class of Washington's, allowing opponents to an average of 21.3 PPG (33rd) on 401.3 YPG (73rd). The pick: Love is arguably the nation's top RB when 100 percent but that is likely not going to be the case, here.Browning was better last year but he's still far superior to either Chryst of Costello, for Stanford. The Cardinal will be looking for payback for the Huskies' 44-6 win last season in Seattle but while Stanford has dominated Washington by winning nine of the last 12 meetings (had won eight in a row until last season), the "here and now" says Washington. Make the Huskies an 8* play.. |
|||||||
11-10-17 | South Alabama v. Texas Tech -24 | Top | 50-75 | Win | 100 | 23 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The South Alabama Jaguars will visit the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Tx. to take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders. The Jaguars were just 14-18 last season, after winning 14, 12 and 11 games, the previous three seasons. The goal for head coach Matthew Graves is to finish .500 or better for the first time since 2012-13 (before he arrived). The Red Raiders are off an 18-14 year in Chris Beard's first season at the school. South Alabama: The Jags return just one starter from last year and that's the 6-7 Josh Ajayi, who averaged 10.6 PPG on 48.7% shooting, while adding 5.4 RPG. He expects to up that scoring average this year plus sophomore guard Herb McGee (3.6) has a chance to produce more after playing in 31 games last season and 6-6 sophomore forward Trhae Mitchell brings experience at the forward position. The X-factor for the Jaguars is Pittsburgh transfer Rozelle Nix, who played 20 games last season and brings a massive frame of 6’11”, 300 pounds. Texas Tech: The Red Raiders were young last season, leaving a lot of potential for this year. Guard Keenan Evans (15.4 PPG) and the 6-8 Zach Smith (12.1 & 7.2) are a solid returning duo. Justin Gray is a 6-6 forward who made 27 starts last season and has shot above 50 percent the last two years, Niem Stevenson shot 37.5 percent from three-point range last season and made seven starts in the team's last 10 games (averaged 8.6 PPG for the season). The pick: Chris Beard, in his first and only season at UALR, led the Trojans to 30–5 seaso. He won the regular season and Sun Belt tournament titles and then knocked off fifth-seeded Purdue 85–83 in double overtime to advance to the Second Round, where the Trojans fell to Iowa State. The Red Raiders have no excuse not to seriously compete in the Big 12 and reach the Big Dance (for just the second time since the Bob Knight days), as they're one of the more experienced teams in the country. The Red Raiders have won 12 of their last 15 home games, while the Jaguars have lost 10 of their last 13 road games (note: Tech is 7-2 ATS in their last 9 games as a favorite of 13.0 or more). "Blowout Alert!" Make Texas Tech an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-10-17 | Pacers -3 v. Bulls | Top | 105-87 | Win | 100 | 10 h 37 m | Show |
The set-up: The Chicago Bulls began the season with Bobby Portis punching Nikola Mirotic in the face, hospitalizing Mirotic and earning himself an eight-game suspension. Not much has gone right since for Chicago which will host the Indiana Pacers tonight. The Bulls own a 2-7 record and the Pacers come to town as losers of four in a row following a 5-3 start, giving them a 5-7 mark. Both teams have made major personnel changes but it may be noteworthy that Chicago has won 22 of the last 26 vs. Indiana at the Indiana: The Pacers have not just lost four in a row, they've allowed 115.0 PPG in those setbacks to also go 0-4 ATS. "It sucks that we haven't won in a while, but it's part of the game and it's a part of the NBA," Indiana guard Victor Oladipo told reporters. "How teams respond separates the good teams from the great teams, and we've got to figure out what kind of team we want to be." Oladipo leads the Racers in scoring (22.8) and it's good news that center Myles Turner got back on the court last Friday (15.2 & 9.0 on the season). However, the offensive side of the ball hasn't caused Indinia trouble, it's been the team's defense. Indiana now ranks 25th in scoring D (110.2 PPG) and 28th defensive field-goal percentage (48.3%). The Pacers allowed the Detroit Pistons to shoot 51.8 percent from the floor and knock down 12-of-27 from beyond the arc in a 114-97 setback on Wednesday. "They made some plays, and once again, we didn't get the stops that we needed," Indiana head coach Nate McMillan told reporters. "It looked like we were a little fatigued tonight and just didn't have enough." Chicago: Bobby Portis returned from his suspension at Toronto on Tuesday, scoring 21 points on 8-of-13 shooting while adding 13 rebounds in 24 minutes off the bench in a 119-114 loss to the Raptors. "Just tried to go out there and play the best I could and have fun," Portis told reporters. "It's been a long time since I played the game of basketball. I'm not going to stop being myself; situation happened. But at the end of the day, I have to be myself no matter who is around, who is my teammate, what team I'm on." Although one couldn't tell it by Tuesday's loss, the Bulls are actually one of the better defensive teams in the league, limiting opponents to 100.6 PPG (5th) on 44.3 percent shooting (8th). Arizona rookie Markkanen (15.8 & 8.2) is currently the team's top scorer, although guard Holiday (15.6) and center Robin Lopez (15.3 & 6.1) are right there with him. The pick: Sure, series history says the Bulls in this one (especially, at this venue) but both teams look "nothing like" the teams of the recent past (or even further back!). The Pacers have seen a huge drop-off in their defensive effort during their four-game slide (see above) and following Wednesday night's loss in Detroit, held a closed-door team meeting which emphasized that players understood that something had to give after starting the season by winning five of their first eight games. "You can't have a negative mindset this early in the season, but we definitely have to get the ball rolling," Pacers center Myles Turner told reporters following Wednesday's loss, according to the Star. "Chicago is a must win for us." I'm "buying into" Turner's sentiment. Make Indiana a 10* |
|||||||
11-09-17 | Thunder -1 v. Nuggets | Top | 94-102 | Loss | -105 | 22 h 7 m | Show |
The set-up: The Denver Nuggets have two more games to go on the team's current six-game homestand, including tonight's contest against OKC. "We set this goal to go 6-0," center Nikola Jokic said. "We're not going to do that (Nuggets are 3-1), but we have two games,left so we're going to try to do our best to achieve something." The now 6-5 Nuggets welcome the Thunder to Pepsi Center tonight and just might be catching OKC at the right time. Oklahoma City has struggled in trying to fit forwards Paul George and Carmelo Anthony around Westbrook, the reigning MVP. All three are averaging 20.1 points but inconsistency has been an issue, especially against Western Conference teams, as the Thunder are 0-5 against Wes opponents. Oklahoma City: The Thunder are coming off a 94-86 loss to the lowly Sacramento Kings on Tuesday and afterward Westbrook vowed the Thunder would be better. "I take ownership of how we're playing, and I will be better," he said after the loss to the Kings. "We will be better, so I'm not worried." OKC insists that the team is just going through some growing pains as its superstars and supporting staff learn to play alongside each other. However, in the loss to the Kings, the team shot 33.7 percent from the floor with Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Russell Westbrook combining to go 15-of-54. "We have a whole year to figure it out," George told reporters. "We can't really rush into this. It's something that step-by-step, day-by-day, at this point game-by-game we have to slowly get on the same page. It sucks to drop games like this. We look back down the road in March and April, we'll be pretty sick about it, but this isn't when we want to play our best basketball." Denver: Meanwhile, the Nuggets are starting to come together. They have won five of their last seven games and center Nikola Jokic broke out for a career-high 41 points in a 112-104 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Tuesday. after managing just eight points in a loss to the Golden State Warriors on Saturday. Jokic is averaging 17.9 points on 53.5 percent shooting, while adding 11.6 rebounds and 4.5 assists. "The guy can do it all," Denver coach Michael Malone told reporters. "It was one of those nights for him, We needed it. ... He is ultra-skilled. Obviously, the way he's been shooting the ball from 3-point range this year has been magnificent. I'm going to stop saying he's a (heck) of a young player. I don't care how old he is. Nikola Jokic is one of the best players in the NBA." Joining Jokic are free agent PF Millsap (15.4 & 6.3) plus four guards (Barton, Harris, Mudiay and Murray) who are all scoring between 11.5 and 14.3 PPG. The pick: The Thunder may be 0-5 vs. the West so far but they have won five straight at Pepsi Center, dating back to Feb. 9, 2015. It is also a homecoming for Anthony, who played his first 7 1/2 seasons in Denver before being traded to the New York Knicks. Sure, he's been back as a Knick, but now he's playing for a division rival that needs to make a statement. Make OKC a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-09-17 | Coyotes +1.5 v. Blues | Top | 2-3 | Win | 100 | 20 h 32 m | Show |
The set-up: The Arizona Coyotes are 2-13-2. giving them not only the worst record among all Western Conference teams but also the worst record in the entire NHL. They travel to St. Louis tonight to take on the Blues, owners of the West's best record at 12-3-1. The Blues' 25 points are just one shy of Atlantic Division leader Tampa Bay, which owns the NHL's best record at 12-2-2 (26 points). The Coyotes limp in 1-8-1 on the road so far, while the Blues are 6-1-0 at home plus come in 8-1-1 in their last 10 overall contests. Ariziona: First-year Arizona head coach Rick Tocchet is trying to take a patient approach to the Coyotes' performance, looking for small ways that the team can improve. Does he have another option? "Been here a couple months and one thing I noticed, I don't want us to be a perimeter team," Tocchet told NHL.com after the Coyotes' most recent loss, 3-1 to the Penguins on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh. "You have to go to the net. You have to be good along the walls. That's something that we as an organization, we have to get better at. I have to teach it better because you can't win in this league unless you have people that go to the net or you win battles along the wall." Surely a bright spot has been the play of 19-year-old rookie Clayton Keller, who has scored 11 goals and contributed six assists. Only one other player on the team has scored more than three goals. No. 1 goaltender Antti Raanta has his work cut out for himself, as with Arizona's 2.4 goals per game ranking 29th in the league and its 28th-ranked penalty kill (only 75.0 percent), he rarely has any margin of error. St. Louis: The Blues have won 12 of their first 16 games of a season for the first time in franchise history while the team's 25 points after that stretch ties a club record. Goalie Jake Allen has stepped up his game with a 5-1-0 mark, 1.84 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in his last six starts. Brayden Schenn, who will play in his 450th career game on Thursday, followed up a four-assist performance in St. Louis' 6-4 win over Toronto on Saturday by joining Vladimir Tarasenko with a three-point effort in a 3-1 triumph at New Jersey three nights later. "It's been fun, two guys with tons of skill," Schenn said of Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, a line that has accounted for 16 points (four goals, 12 assists) in the last two games. The pick: The Blues outscored the Coyotes 10-2 en route to winning all three meetings last season, making the results of their head-to-head games in recent yearstotally one-sided. also have been one-sided. St. Louis has won 10 of its past 11 meetings with Arizona plus goalie Jake Allen has turned aside a staggering 174 of 181 shots (.961 SP) to record two shutouts and win all seven career encounters with teh Coyotes, Any chance here for Arizona? Antti Raanta stumbled out of the blocks in his 100th career game on Tuesday, yielding two goals in the first 3:07 of the contest before settling in for the night against the Penguins, in a 3-1 loss. However, he's faced 37 shots in each of his last two games, allowing a modest four goals, for .946 SP. I'm taking the 1 1/2 goals and making Arizona an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-09-17 | North Carolina +9.5 v. Pittsburgh | Top | 34-31 | Win | 100 | 52 h 29 m | Show |
The set-up: North Carolina opened the season losing to Cal (allowed 35 points) and Louisville (allowed 47 points). The Tar Heels rolled over ODU 53-23 on Sep. 16 but then dropped five straight games (also 0-5 ATS) before hanging tough against Miami on Oct. 28, before losing a sixth consecutive game, 24-19 (UNC covered as a 21-point home dog). The 1-8 Tar Heels (0-6 in the ACC) had last Saturday off and Thursday night travel to Heinz Field against the 4-5 Pittsburgh Panthers (2-3 in the ACC). The Panthers have won their last two games, beating Duke and Virginia, giving them a chance of earning a 10th straight trip to a bowl game with two wins in their last three games. The good news is that North Carolina has just one win this season and limps in on a six-game slide but the bad news is that the Tar Heels have won the last four games in the series and since 2013, are the only team the Panthers have not defeated in the Coastal division. North Carolina: The Tar Heels played hard against the 'Canes, out-gaining Miami 428-415 in yards but had four giveaways. North Carolina hasn't done much offensively, except in the team's lone win, when they scored 53 points. Despite that output, North Carolina is averaging just 21.3 PPG (110th) on 344.2 YPG (109th). Nathan Elliot replaced injured starter Chazz Surratt in the first half of the Miami game at QB, completing 16-of-39 passes for 173 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. However, he also ran for 79 yards and caught a 33-yard pass. Both Surratt and particularly Harris (1 TDP / 8 INTs) have struggled. Defensively, North Carolina is allowing 33.4 PPG (105th) on 447.1 YPG (111th). Pittsburgh: In the team's back-to-back wins, the Panthers may just have finally found a replacement for RB James Conner. Conner ran for 3,733 yards on 5.6 YPC during his four-year career with the Panthers, including a 1,765-yard, 26 TD season in 2014. Darrin Hall is a junior who had carried the ball only 131 times in 2 1/2 years but broke out for 254 yards in Pitt’s 24-17 victory at Duke on Oct. 21 and followed that up with 111 yards on 25 carries in a 31-14 victory against Virginia on Oct. 28. Quarterback Ben DiNucci looks to have the No. 1 job now, although he's no better than Browne (Pitt ranks 77th with 218.4 YPG through the air). The Pitt D has allowed 27.9 PPG (74th) on 425.0 YPG (94th). The pick: The Tar Heels do enter on a six-game slide but their last game vs. unbeaten Miami (currently No. 7 in the CFP rankings) showed the team can compete. Meanwhile, despite back-to-back wins, Pittsburgh is just 5-13 ATS its last 18 games at home. Don't forget, North Carolina has won the last four games in the series. Make the Tar Heels a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-08-17 | Wolves +11 v. Warriors | Top | 101-125 | Loss | -108 | 22 h 4 m | Show |
Minnesota: The T-wolves believe their team is only scratching the surface. "This is still a work in progress," Teague told the Minneapolis Star Tribune. "We're still trying to figure out each other. It can be a lot better. We all know that. We're starting to get into a groove here. But we have miles to go to be the team we want to be." Teague recorded 18 points and 12 assists in a 112-94 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday to continue his own groove with a fourth double-double in five games. Karl-Anthony Towns leads in scoring (21.8) and rebounding (10.9), while Wiggins checks in right behind him at 19.9 PPG (also 4.6 RPG). The two new 'key' additions are Butler and Teague. Butler checks in at 15.1-5.2-4.0 and Teague at 13.4 & a team-high 8.4 APG. Minnesota is averaging 109.4 PPG (7th) but allowing 109.8 PPG (25th). Golden State: The Warriors wow their fans with their offensive exploits and that's the case again this season. Golden State is No. 1 in scoring (118.5 PPG), FG percentage (51.2%) and three-point shooting (40.9%). You may just have heard of Durant, Curry, Thompson and Green. The Warriors led the NBA in defensive FG percentage en route to the championship last season gut ranks sixth in the early going this season (44.0%) and more troubling, 22nd in scoring D (108.5 PPG). The pick: The Warriors have righted their ATS 'ship,' covering four in a row after a 1-6 ATS start but the T-wolves are enjoying the franchise's first five-game winning streak since 2009. The Warriors have beaten the Timberwolves in 17 of the past 20 meetings. However, this year's team surely looks more than ready to end a streak which has seen them miss the playoffs for each of the last 13 seasons. The T-wolves may have lost three of four to the Warriors last season but covered three of the four, including winning outright once here in Oakland. Take the points and make Minnesota an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-08-17 | Lakers +9 v. Celtics | Top | 96-107 | Loss | -109 | 20 h 40 m | Show |
The set-up: The Boston Celtics lost Gordan Hayward to a season-ending injury in Game 1 of the current season and then lost Game 2 to the Bucks. However, they then became the first team in NBA history to lose its first two games and then win its next seven. Boston didn't stop there though, as Monday Boston made in nine straight wins with 110-107 victory in Atlanta. Boston's puts its winning streak and the NBA's best overall record (9-2) on the line tonight, when the 5-5 LA Lakers invade TD Garden. At .500, the Lakers can't be too unhappy (coming off seasons of 27, 21, 17 and 26 wins) rookie PG Lonzo Ball is shooting 29.9 percent from the floor on the season, including 23.4 percent on threes. LA Lakers: Ball will have to learn to shoot but he is averaging 6.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds in 33 minutes, leading the team in both categories. He handed out nine assists in Sunday's 107-102 win over Memphis but he went 1-of-8 from three-point range in that game. “He’s been a little down on himself a little bit with the season he’s having,” fellow rookie Kyle Kuzma told the LA Daily News of Ball. "Of course he wants to play a lot better. I just try to tell him to be more aggressive on the floor. ... Once he’s confident in his game he’s pretty hard to guard." Kuzma has had no problem scoring and shooting well, as he has taken over the rookie scoring load for the Lakers by averaging 13.4 PPG on the season, while shooting 56.2 percent from the floor. Boston: Monday's win over Atlanta snapped a string of eight straight games of holding opponents under 100 points for the Celtics, who lead the NBA in scoring defense at 94.5 PPG. Boston could have drafted Ball with the No. 1 overall pick but instead traded down to the No. 3 spot and picked up forward Jayson Tatum, who is averaging 14.3 points on 50.0 percent shooting, including 52.9 percent from three-point range. The Celtics are getting contributions from everyone on the roster, but Kyrie Irving (22.3 & 5.7 APG) is the unquestioned team leader plus veteran center Al Horford had his fourth double-double of the campaign on Monday. He is averaging 14.6 PPG and 9.2 RPG, while shooting 47.4 percent from beyond the arc. The pick: the TD Garden always presents a hostile environment for the Lakers but they have improved their defense, which ranked dead last a year ago but was 11th in efficiency into last weekend. LA allowed 111.5 PPG last season but it's down to 107.3 PPG so far this season, which ranks 20th. The Ball-led offense remains a work in progress as Luke Walton tinkers with lineup combos but while Ball averages just 8.8 PPG, seven other Lakers are averaging in double digits (newly acquired center Brook Lopez leads with 16.4 PPG). One can't argue with the Celtics' 9-2 SU & ATS record but the Lakers come into this game having covered four in a row and I expect them to 'hang around' the number here in Boston. Make the Lakers an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-07-17 | Grizzlies v. Blazers -3.5 | Top | 98-97 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 35 m | Show |
The set-up: The 6-4 Memphis Grizzlies visit Moda Center tonight for a matchup with the 6-4 Portland Trail Blazers. The Grizzlies beat the Los Angeles Clippers 113-104 Saturday but lost to the Los Angeles Lakers 107-102 Sunday to open a five-game road trip that continues Tuesday against the Blazers. Portland enters off two close home wins, 113-110 on Thursday against the Lakers and then 103-99 over the Thunder on Sunday. Memphis: The Grizzlies have to be sick about losing to the Lakers. Memphis roared back from a 22-point deficit to close to within 103-102 inside the final minute before the Lakers closed out the win, 107-102. "We just waited too long to have a sense of urgency," said PG Mike Conley, who led the Grizzlies with 23 points. "We have to do better, especially on the second of back-to-back games. We didn't start the way we wanted to. You can't spot any team in this league that many points. We didn't have what it took early on." Conley (18.4 & 4.0 APG) notes that he has seen mixed results from a roster in transition. "I have been pleased with our effort. I think our team is learning," he said. "We still have a very long way to go, we have a lot of young guys who are learning the game. We are trying to do our best to bring everybody up to speed but we are going to have nights where we don't seem to have everything going for us." One newcomer who is thriving is veteran guard Tyreke Evans (17.1 PPG), who has posted three straight 20-point outings and is averaging 26 points on 59.2 percent shooting during the hot stretch. Veteran center Marc Gasol had 15 points and 10 rebounds against the Lakers for his fifth double-double of the season and checks in leading the team in scoring (19.9) and rebounding (9.3). Portland: Guard Damian Lillard is on a scoring spree and the Portland star looks to top 30 points for the fifth straight game when the Trail Blazers host the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday. Lillard is averaging 34.3 points during his run, and tallied 36 points in Portland's 103-99 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday. Lillard is averaging 27.1-5.4-6.6 on the season, teaming with fellow guard McCollum (22.1 & 4.7) to give the Blazers one of the league's top backcourts. Portland is also receiving solid offensive play from center Jusuf Nurkic (16.0 & 7.8), who has played especially well over the past three games while averaging 24 points, eight rebounds and 3.3 assists and shooting 60.4 percent from the floor. The pick: Conley is recovering from a recent quad strain and doesn't quite seem 100 percent. The Grizz allow just 98.1 PPG (3rd) on 42.2% shooting (1st) but have trouble scoring, averaging only 101.8 PPG (24th). However, shutting down Lillard and McCollum is quite a task plus Portland is allowing almost 10 fewer points per 100 possessions than it did last season. Make the Blazers a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-07-17 | Bowling Green +8 v. Buffalo | Top | 28-38 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 58 m | Show |
The set-up: UB Stadium is the venue for tonight's latest weekday game from the MAC, as the 3-6 Buffalo Bulls (1-4 in the MAC East) host the 2-7 Bowling Green Falcons (2-3 in the MAC East). Neither team will threaten 7-2 Ohio or 5-4 Akron, which are both 4-1 and in a tie for first in the East. However, Bowling Green is coming off a 44-16 win last week (just its second of the season), while Buffalo lost 21-20 at Akron, falling for a fourth straight time (all in MAC play), after opening the season 3-2 (1-0 in the MAC). Bowling Green: Mike Jinks is in just his second season as head coach at Bowling Green and was not only a woeful 5-15 SU but also 5-15 ATS heading into last Tuesday game at Kent State. The Falcons were averaging only 20.5 PPG, so the team's 44 points were a welcome sight, as were the team's 251 rushing yards plus the play of freshman QB Jarrett Doege. James Morgan started the last seven games of the 2016 season at QB for Bowling Green and was instrumental in the Falcons’ three-game winning streak to end the season. It was expected hat he would build on that performance but the exact opposite has been the case. He's completed just 45.3 percent of his passes with nearly as many interceptions (seven) as TD passes (nine). Morgan was benched in favor of freshman Doege who relieved Morgan in a 49-7 loss at Northwestern and then made his first start the following week at Middle Tennessee St. He showed good accuracy (63.5 percent completion rate) and had some success running the offense but then suffered a back injury in his second start against Akron. Morgan took over and led the Falcons to a 37-29 victory on the road against Miami (Ohio) in the next game, but gave way to another freshman, Grant Loy, in an Oct. 21st 48-17 blowout home loss to Northern Illinois. Doege was healthy last week and was an efficient 14-18 for 174 yards and two TDs (no INTs). The defense entered that game allowing 37.8 PPG on 526.5 YPG, so the 16 poits on 284 yards allowed were also welcome sights. Buffalo: The Bulls last played on Oct. 28th (final Saturday of Oct.) and while they out-gained Akron 454-367 (with almost 34 minutes of possession time), they lost 21-20. QB Tyree Jackson connected on 34-of-50 for 313 yards and an interception while Emmanuel Reed gave Buffalo a presence on the ground with 116 yards and two TDs on the ground. The pick. You'll get no argument from me that Buffalo is the better team but I'm not sure just why one would want to lay more than a TD with a team on a four-game slide. Also, consider this. The underdog is 10-2 ATS in the last 12 meetings between these two schools with the road team going 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings. BG is the underdog and the road team in this one, so make Bowling Green a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-06-17 | Celtics -8.5 v. Hawks | Top | 110-107 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 31 m | Show |
The set-up: The Celtics may have lost Gordon Hayward for the season in their first game but it's nearly impossible to imagine the team getting off to a better start even if Hayward was playing. The Celtics pulled away from the Magic on Sunday in Orlando, posting a 104-88 victory to extend the team's winning streak to eight games. Speaking of an eight-game streak, the Hawks opened the season with a victory but then lost eight in a row, before ending their skid with Sunday's 117-115 over the Cavs in Cleveland (what to make of the Cavs, so far?) The pick: Atlanta coach Budenholzer said "To get a win in Cleveland is not easy to do" but we may want to remind him that the Cavs are just 4-6 on the season, including 2-4 at home. The Hawks may be at home in this one but they are 0-3 SU at home so far, going 2-8 SU & 3-6-1 ATS on the season, overall. Meanwhile, Boston's owns the NBA's best overall record (8-2 SU & 9-1 ATS), including going 5-1 SU and 6-0 ATS on the road, Make Boston a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-05-17 | Thunder v. Blazers +2.5 | Top | 99-103 | Win | 100 | 15 h 38 m | Show |
The set-up: The Thunder squandered an 18-point lead in a 101-94 Friday home loss to the Celtics, indicating that there is still some work to be done in blending their trio of superstars on both ends of the court. OKC will take a 4-4 record into Portland on Sunday night, where they'll meet the 5-4 Blazers. Portland ended a brief two-game skid on Thursday, but just barely! A late three-pointer from Damian Lillard allowed the Blazers to escape with a 113-110 home win over the Lakers. Oklahoma City: Blending Russell Westbrook with newcomers Paul George and Carmelo Anthony was never expected to be seamless. That was sure the case Friday, as OKC seemingly had Boston on the ropes but squandered an 18-point lead. "It's good to struggle now, this is our first year together," Paul George told reporters. "This is a long run, we'll be fine. We're starting to shoot it well, we're starting to find some rhythm. We're starting to figure out how to attack and be aggressive. ... we'll be totally fine." Anthony told reporters after the contest, “We took the foot off the gas a little bit,” . “We didn’t put a full game together tonight." Anthony went 1-of-12 from the floor in the second half and finished with a season-low 10 points. As everyone knows, Westbrook averaged a triple-double for eth eyar last season but hsi line reads 19.5-9.4-11.8, so far through eight games. Portland: “It’s good to get a close game win," Portland head coach Terry Stotts told reporters. “We need that, especially on the heels of not only last night but some of the other games. Dame’s shot was huge. He really carried us in the second half." The bckcourt duo of Lillard (26.1-5.4-5.9) and McCollum (22.1 & 4.9) is set but Portland has been searching for an inside scorer to compliment them since LaMarcus Aldridge left. Center Jusuf Nurkic is trying to prove he can be"the man" and scored 28 points on 12-of-20 shooting in Thursday's win and is averaging 15.0 points and 7.8 rebounds. Portland: Not only is Westbrook averaging more than 12 PPG less this season but his percentages from the floor (.453 from .425) and the three-point line (.375 from .343), are also down. The Blazers got the best of the Thunder last season, taking three of the four and while Westbrook clearly has more help this season, it's yet to be determined how that will all play out. Make Portland a 10* play. |
|||||||
11-05-17 | Raiders -3 v. Dolphins | Top | 27-24 | Push | 0 | 99 h 50 m | Show |
The set-up: The 4-3 Miami Dolphins are 'licking their wounds' from a 40-0 loss at Baltimore in Week 8's Thursday night game, as they get set to welcome the Oakland Raiders to Miami Gardens and Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday evening. The Oakland Raiders know all about disappointment, as after opening the 2017 season at 2-0, the Raiders have lost five of six, with the team's lone win coming when Oakland scored on the game's final play of a 31-30 victory over the Chiefs in Week 7 (also, a Thursday night game). Oakland: Derek Carrr (64.6% with 12 TDs and 6 INTs / 90.9 QB rating) has only missed one game but he's clearly not 100 percent.Carr followed up his 417-yard explosion versus Kansas City with a 313-yard effort against Buffalo but he also tossed two interceptions for the third time in five contests. He'd love some help from his running game but Lynch has been a bust and Oakland ranks 26th with 88.0 YPG on the ground. The Raiders scored 26 at Tennessee and 42 at home vs. the Jets in opening 2-0 but are averaging a modest 21.1 PPG on the season (20th). Oakland did score 31 in the team's lone win (KC) in its last six games but the Oakland offense has averaged a woeful 13.4 PPG in its five losses. The defense has also been an issue, allowing 27 points or more in four of its last six games (1-5 stretch). Miami: The Dolphins lost two of their first three games (Week 1 contest was postponed due to Hurricane Irma) but then beat the Titans, Falcons and Jets, before falling to Baltimore 40-0 in their last appearance. Jay Cutler sat out vs. Baltimore due to multiple cracked ribs, with Matt Moore going 25 of 44 for only 176 yards with two picks! There is plenty to criticize regarding Cutler but it's good news for Miami fans that he's expected to play in this one. However, not only does Miami rank 31st in rushing yards at 76.3 YPG (just 3.2 YPC), but the Dolphins just traded away RB Ajayi (465 yards), who had accounted for 87 percent of the team's rushing yards in 2017 (you explain that to me?). The pick: Clearly, the Raiders are not the "up and coming team ready to break out" that many thought they would be but even though Oakland is 3-5 and Miami 4-3, I still see the Raiders as a better team than the Dolphins. Miami rans dead-last (32nd) in both scoring (13.1 PPG) and total offense (252.4 YPG). Cutler is back under center (an improvement but not by much) and the running game (a disaster) now doesn't even have a featured back. What's more, the defense comes in having allowed 68 points over its last two games. Miami's had very little of a home field edge (7-11-1 ATS the last two-plus seasons), while the Raiders entered 2017 on a 12-4 TS run on the road the previous two seasons, before going 1-3 ATS away from home to open this season. I'm sticking with my belief that Oakland is the better team and I'll make the Raiders an 8* play. |
|||||||
11-05-17 | Jazz v. Rockets -6.5 | Top | 110-137 | Win | 100 | 13 h 37 m | Show |
The set-up: Of the handful teams which attempted to upgrade their rosters in the off-season in an attempt to compete with the Warriors, the Houston Rockets are off to the best start. Houston's 119-104 victory at Atlanta on Friday gives them an NBA-best 6-1 record on the road and the team's overall 7-3 mark is tops in the Western Conference and behind only the 7-2 Boston Celtics, among all NBA teams. The Rockets will be home tonight though, when they welcome the 5-4 Utah Jazz to the Toyota Center. . The Jazz opened 5-0 at home but the team's hot start came to an end with a 109-100 loss to Toronto on Friday in Salt Lake City. The Jazz will visit the Rockets, who are just 1-2 at home, looking for their first road win of the young season (0-3). Utah: The Jazz allowed 109 points to Toronto, the team's worst defensive scoring performance of the season. "Well, it wasn't the best defensive effort. That's got to be there for us," head coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "A lot of individual breakdowns where guys were getting beat put us in some compromising positions and they were able to score. We're not going to win if we don't play defense better than that." Utah comes into thsi contest allowing 96.0 PPG (2nd) and the team relies on its defense, as the Jazz are scoring a modest 98.1 PPG, to rank 27th. Houston: The Rockets preceded their 15-point victory over the Hawks on Friday with an 18-point win over the Knicks on Wednesday. Houston made 19 three-pointers against the Knicks, then made 16 more vs. the Hawks. Houston jacked up 146 three-pointers over the last three games and is beginning to make a few more after some early accuracy issues. James Harden has averaged 29.7 points and 19.0 assists to lead the charge these last three games. Harden is averaging 26.8 PPG and 9.4 APG on the season, while the team's main off-season acquisition, Chris Paul, hasn't gotten back on the court since leaving with an injury in the team's season-opener. Center Clint Capela leads the NBA in FG percentage (69.0%), averaging 13.2 PPG and 10.9 RPG. The pick: Utah has won and covered two of last three visits to Toyota Center. (had lost eight of nine prior to that) but remember, Gordon Hayward (27 PPG vs. Rockets) and G George Hill (22 PPG) left via free agency. After enduring a schedule that featured seven road games over a 10-game stretch, the Rockets will host the Jazz tonight, in the first of three successive home games and nine in 12 games at Houston, overall. The Jazz are 0-3 SU on the road, losing at Minnesota, the LA Clippers and Phoenix. It doesn't get any easier, here. Make Houston an 8* play. |
- Early Lines
- High Limits
- NEW VIP Rewards
- VIP Program
- Mobile Betting
- Crypto
- VIP Program
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting!
- Crypto
- Live & Mobile Betting
- 48 Hour Payouts
- 35% Crypto Bonus
- Live Betting
- Mobile Friendly
Guaranteed Winners or your money back and Free Picks in the NFL football, NBA basketball, MLB baseball, NCAA college football and basketball, Nascar Racing, Arena Football nhl hockey leagues and more.
We are part of the internets Premier Sports Handicappers League with full documentation of all members on this sports betting news and info portal. Free Membership, Join Today and start Winning!
For any resources you could need like sports handicapping odds, handicapping stats, schedules, or handicappers free picks and tips please click on any of the links on the right hand side of this page.