Thursday 2/6/20 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for NCAAB, NBA & NHL games
Sam Quinn
MEMPHIS +5
MEMPHIS @ DALLAS | 2/05 | 8:30 PM EST
The Mavericks have generally fared well without Luka Doncic, but this is a bad matchup for them with their best player still sidelined. Memphis struggles to defend the pick-and-roll, but handling Jalen Brunson and Seth Curry is a substantially easier task. Jonas Valanciunas is questionable with knee soreness, but that almost works in Memphis' favor against Dallas. This is because a Brandon Clarke-Jaren Jackson Jr. frontcourt forces Kristaps Porzingis to defend in space, his defensive weakness. Porzingis won't be able to get Jackson into foul trouble, and that will be essential for Memphis on both ends.
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Mike Barner
PHOENIX -3
PHOENIX @ DETROIT | 2/05 | 7:00 PM EST
The Suns have been a better team on the road this season, posting an 11-13 record compared to a 9-17 mark at home. They’ve been even better ATS at 14-10 on the road. The Pistons will be without Derrick Rose (hip) and Sviatoslav Mykhailiuk (hip), while Markieff Morris (hip) is listed as questionable. All three were out Monday against the Grizzlies, resulting in a 14-point loss in which they only scored 82 points. Scoring could be hard for them to come by Wednesday as well, so I’ll take the Suns to cover.
BOSTON -6.5
ORLANDO @ BOSTON | 2/05 | 7:30 PM EST
The Celtics will be shorthanded with Kemba Walker (knee), Marcus Smart (thigh) and Daniel Theis (ankle) all out. However, they still have a significant edge playing at home, where they are 15-10 ATS. Also, the Magic have been just horrible lately, winning only two of their last nine games. Both of their wins came against the lowly Hornets and their seven losses were by an average of 15.3 points. Look for the Celtics to cover Wednesday despite their depleted depth chart.
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Bill Marzano
MIAMI +6.5
MIAMI @ L.A. CLIPPERS | 2/05 | 10:00 PM EST
The Clippers recently beat up the Heat in Miami, but look for the Heat to give the Clippers all they can handle in L.A. Miami is a dangerous team that is healthy and has a solid bench. Meanwhile the Clippers have listed Paul George as questionable. Take the Heat.
TORONTO -6
INDIANA @ TORONTO | 2/05 | 7:30 PM EST
The Raptors are on fire right now having won 11 straight games. The Pacers welcomed back their best player in Victor Oladipo, however, they are still trying to figure how to get things worked out offensively since his return. Toronto has been getting excellent contributions off its bench and is 18-7 at home while Indiana is just 13-12 on the road. The Pacers are just 12-27 ATS in their last 39 trips to Toronto. I'm riding the Raptors.
UNDER 208.5
ORLANDO @ BOSTON | 2/05 | 7:30 PM EST
Both of these teams are missing a couple of key players, and that is going to hurt them both offensively. The Magic have been excellent defensively all season with the No. 1 scoring defense (104.6) with the Celtics right behind them with the No. 2 scoring defense (105.5). The Magic are 29th in the NBA in scoring offense (103.3). Look for points to be at a premium tonight. Under is the play.
UNDER 134
TEMPLE @ MEMPHIS | 2/05 | 8:00 PM EST
Memphis really has fallen from the rankings but still is a pretty tough team. The Tigers are allowing 63 points per game, while Temple is yielding just 65. The Owls have struggled offensively, but so has Memphis. The Under is 6-1 in Temple's true road games and 14-6-1 overall for the team this season. Memphis has seen the Under cash in 14 of its last 17 contests following an ATS win.
UNDER 129
TCU @ OKLAHOMA ST. | 2/05 | 8:00 PM EST
These teams played just a few weeks ago and the final score was 52-40, so expect another low-scoring game here. The Cowboys are winless in conference play, but the oddsmakers obviously believe that losing streak comes to an end here. Oklahoma State is a 3-point favorite, which tells me it's going to be a low-scoring contest. Neither team shoots well from the field but use a lot of the shot clock and play solid defense.
UNDER 140.5
CREIGHTON @ PROVIDENCE | 2/05 | 7:00 PM EST
This total looks a little high to me as I had this total in the 137 range and was still thinking Under, so this is well in our favor. Creighton can shoot, but Providence has struggled to find any offensive consistency. The Friars are allowing just over 66 points per contest while the Bluejays yield a little over 68. The Under has cashed in 13 of the last 16 road games for Creighton.
UNDER 135.5
IOWA @ PURDUE | 2/05 | 7:00 PM EST
This game has all the makings of a low-scoring, defensive battle and points are sure to be at a premium. Both teams have been money-makers this season when it comes to the Under, which is 14-8 for Iowa and 13-9 for Purdue. The Boilermakers' defense has been tough all season, allowing just 60 points per contest, while the team is scoring only 67. The oddsmakers have Purdue favored here, so that tells me they are looking for a low-scoring game as well.
UNDER 131
VILLANOVA @ BUTLER | 2/05 | 6:30 PM EST
Although there's a slight lean toward Villanova, I just think the better play is on the total. The Wildcats have played tough defensively all season, permitting just over 66 points per game. However, Butler has been even tougher with just 59 allowed, and even a little better at home. Both teams have been beasts on the defensive glass, limiting their opponents' second-chance points. Free throws are going to be key in this game, and hopefully we won't see a ton of late fouls. The Under has cashed in all six true road games for Villanova and nine of the last 11 overall for Butler.
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Stephen Oh
OVER 227
PHILADELPHIA @ MILWAUKEE | 2/06 | 8:00 PM EST
My simulations see the high-powered Bucks carrying the pace Thursday against the 76ers and sending the game Over another sizable total. The Over is hitting in 60 percent of simulations. The 76ers have played Over in six straight games against winning opponents and the Over also is on a 6-0 run in this series. The Bucks are 6-1 to the Over in their last seven home games.
UNDER 6
DETROIT @ BUFFALO | 2/06 | 7:00 PM EST
My projections see a maximum of five goals finding the net Thursday between the Red Wings and Sabres, providing a major value position on the Under against a total of six. Detroit has played Under in five straight against Eastern Conference opponents and is on a 3-0-1 Under run as a road underdog. The Under also is on a 5-2 spurt in this series at Buffalo.
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These were all yesterday games?
Sam Quinn
NBA JOURNALIST
8:26 AM
L.A. LAKERS -6.5
HOUSTON @ L.A. LAKERS | 2/06 | 10:30 PM EST
Perhaps eventually, Houston's daring small-ball experiment will produce meaningful victories against the Lakers. It won't on Thursday. Robert Covington and Jordan Bell are uncertain to play, and their presence will depend on the timing of the eventual trade call with the league. That call could be delayed if the Rockets plan to expand the deal in order to add a center. No matter what they do, though, they will be at far less than 100 percent with Isaiah Hartenstein as their top big man Thursday. Houston is surely looking for a playoff center option, but they won't have one in time for Thursday. Anthony Davis, JaVale McGee and Dwight Howard are hardly the faces such a small roster wants to see.
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Ken Thomson CBB GOY: Belmont -5.5
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CleInsiderSports (3-2 yesterday)
NBA
PASS
NCAAB
James Madison +6
Murray State +6
Eastern Illinois -7.5
Sacramento State +1
NHL
Ducks ML (+140)
Ducks/Canadiens UNDER 5.5
Penguins/Lightning UNDER 6.5
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Wunderdog
Game: Vancouver Canucks (45) @ Minnesota Wild (46)
Time: Thursday 02/06 8:05 PM Eastern
Pick: Vancouver +115 (moneyline) at 5dimes
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SHARP TOTALS CLUB
2*Weber State Under 124
2*Gonzaga Over 138
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College Basketball(BOB BALFE) VIP
7:00 PM EST
Rotation #603
Oakland +10.5 over Northern Kentucky
Northern Kentucky has been one of the most impressive teams this year. Darrin Horn is doing great at his first year with this program. This is an undersized team that is missing their best player and still have not missed a beat. I am just not so sure they should be double digit favorites. Oakland got a big boost with Rashad Williams becoming eligible a few weeks ago. This is a well coached team that should be able to hang with the Norse this time after an 11 point loss at home three weeks ago. Williams is the X Factor. His hot shooting should make this game very interesting. Take Oakland.
College Basketball
9:00 PM EST
Rotation #665-555
Tulane/Houston Under 136
Ron Hunter is a great coach and will have Tulane on a high level soon, but this is a team with a lot of transfers and scoring has been down. This is not exactly the best building or program to be playing to get back on an offensive roll. Houston is a big favorite in this game, but they might be looking ahead to Wichita State. DeJon Jarreau won’t play tonight which takes a good ball distributor off the floor. Quinton Grimes is also dealing with a hip injury so there is no need to push him hard tonight either. I think Houston will win, but there probably won’t be much motivation to blow this team out. Look for a low scoring defensive game. Take the Under.
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Dwayne Bryant
5% Cal Baptist Under 137.5
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Mike Barner
NEW ORLEANS -5
NEW ORLEANS @ CHICAGO | 2/06 | 8:00 PM EST
12:56 PM
The Bulls have struggled at home, posting just an 11-15 record there ATS. Now they are dealing with injuries to a number of players, including their two best defenders in Wendell Carter Jr. (ankle) and Kris Dunn (knee). Meanwhile, the Pelicans are at full strength with Zion Williamson back. They defeated Chicago at home by 15 points without him a month ago, so I expect them to cover in another blowout win.
ORLANDO -2.5
ORLANDO @ NEW YORK | 2/06 | 7:30 PM EST
12:52 PM
The Knicks could look very different by the time the trade deadline passes on Thursday afternoon. The player they're most likely to deal is Marcus Morris, who has been one of the best scorers on the team this season. As bad as the Magic have been lately, they have faced some tough opponents (Boston and Miami twice each, LA Clippers). They also have allowed the fewest points per game in the league. Look for them to cover.
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John Bollman
UNDER 6.5
COLORADO @ OTTAWA | 2/06 | 7:30 PM EST
12:33 PM
The Aves have hit the over in six of their last eight games and they score the fourth most road goals in the league at 3.46 goals per game. However, they give up the fourth fewest home goals per game with 2.69. The Aves power play on the road is actually ranked 26th with just 14.6% effectiveness. The Senators are ranked 26th in home power play effectiveness at 16.9% and they are 10th in the league at killing penalties at home. Take the under.
UNDER 6
DETROIT @ BUFFALO | 2/06 | 7:00 PM EST
12:32 PM
The Red Wings score the fewest road goals in the league with 2.08 goals per game. The Sabres rank 17th in the league in goals per game at home with 3.15. Buffalo’s power play at home is very mediocre ranked 16th with 20.8% effectiveness and Detroit’s road power play is by far the worst in the league at under 10% effectiveness. Take the under.
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Bill Marzano
PHILADELPHIA -1.5
NEW JERSEY @ PHILADELPHIA | 2/06 | 7:00 PM EST
12:18 PM
The Flyers are flying high, posting a 6-1-1 record in their last eight games overall and a sterling home mark of 18-4-4. The Devils are going in the opposite direction, having lost three in a row and six of their last seven. Flyers goalie Brian Elliot has stepped it up with a 4-0-1 record, a 1.58 GAA and a .945 save percentage. The Devils are just 11-15 on the road and rank near the bottom of the league in allowing 3.5 goals per contest. Play Philadelphia (-1.5) on the puck line at +115.
COLORADO -1.5
COLORADO @ OTTAWA | 2/06 | 7:30 PM EST
12:15 PM
The Avalanche are a dangerous, physical team that can score. They've won four of their last five while the Senators have dropped three in a row and 13 of their last 15. The Senators are just 1-9 their last 10 home games. Play Colorado (-1.5) on the puck line at +126.
BUFFALO -1.5
DETROIT @ BUFFALO | 2/06 | 7:00 PM EST
12:12 PM
The Sabres are struggling but sitting around .500 with a chance to make a run if they can get it together. The Red Wings are the worst team in the NHL; they've dropped nine straight overall and are 4-20-1-1 on the road this year. The Sabres are 15-9-2 at home and have won five of the last six overall meetings. Play Buffalo (-1.5) on the puck line at +120.
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From Northcoast group of handicappers:
Hot Shot Sports
NBA
3* #503 New Orleans -4.5
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Mike Tierney
UNDER 135
STANFORD @ UTAH | 2/06 | 10:00 PM EST
1:00 PM
Utah, mired in offensive woes, is unlikely to break out against the Pac-12 leader in points allowed (59.7), especially if guard Both Gach (knee), the team's No. 3 scorer, misses his third consecutive game. The Utes have gone Under in four straight. Stanford ranks sixth nationally in defensive efficiency. A total in the high 120s would be justified. Take the Under.
CALIFORNIA +16
CALIFORNIA @ COLORADO | 2/06 | 8:00 PM EST
12:54 PM
A few weeks ago, this spread would have been valid. But Cal built its confidence on a three-game homestand with a pair of wins sandwiched around a narrow defeat to Pac-12 frontrunner Oregon. The Bears have yet to cover on the road, but they are much improved under a new coach (Mark Fox) since last heading out of Berkeley. Cal covers.
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Bezobets
NCAA Basketball: Tennessee Tech +6 @ 1.909/-110 (3 Units)
NCAA Basketball: Murray State +6 @ 1.952/-105 (3 Units)
NCAA Basketball: Connecticut +1.5 1st Half @ 1.909/-110 (2 Units)
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