PicksWise Sports
NBA 3* Best Bets 58-50 overall..
Thursday NBA 3* Best Bets
Boston Celtics -8.5
Denver Nuggets -4
Rest of the Card
2* Boston Celtics/Toronto Raptors Over 220.5
2* New Orleans Pelicans/Miami Heat Under 227.5
2* Washington Wizards/Los Angeles Clippers Over 236
1* Golden State Warriors/Phoenix Suns Under 222
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MidAmerican Sports (Raiderman)
CBB - Oklahoma State +12
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Micah Roberts
DENVER @ INDIANA | 03/04 | 8:00 PM EST
OVER 227
ANALYSIS: The Nuggets have won and covered their last three games, all on the road. Each contest should have gone Over, but the Bucks failed to do their part to exceed the 234-point number in Denver's 128-97 win at Milwaukee on Tuesday. The Nuggets are focused, in a groove and fun to watch. The Pacers ended their four-game slide Wednesday in Cleveland but didn’t cover and are on a 0-5 ATS run while going Over in four straight. The Over looks like the top play on Thursday.
AUSTIN PEAY @ E. KENTUCKY | 03/04 | 10:30 PM EST
E. KENTUCKY -1.5
ANALYSIS: The neutral game site in Evansville, Ind., for the OVC Tournament gives Eastern Kentucky the edge because the Colonels handled being away from home much better than Austin Peay, going 11-4 during their 21-6 season (16-8-1 ATS). The spread suggests these two are rated much closer than I have them, but Austin Peay comes in limping with three straight losses, and losses in four of its last five (1-4 ATS). I’m on Eastern Kentucky.
SO. UTAH @ PORTLAND ST. | 03/04 | 10:05 PM EST
SO. UTAH -2
ANALYSIS: Southern Utah has been cruising along all season in the Big Sky Conference, with coach Todd Simon doing an amazing job. The Thunderbirds are 17-3 overall, 10-2 in conference play and tied for first in the Big Sky. This is a huge game for them, and they'll have to beat Portland State again on Saturday in their regular-season finale. Southern Utah averages 85.6 points, which is third in the nation, shoots 47.6 percent from the field and has senior point guard John Knight III running the show. The Thunderbirds are the play.
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Kenny White
FGCU @ LIPSCOMB | 03/04 | 7:00 PM EST
LIPSCOMB -5
ANALYSIS: Lipscomb is the third seed in the Atlantic Sun conference tournament. The Bisons finished the season with a 9-6 record. Florida Gulf Coast is the sixth seed after finishing 4-5 in the conference. I have the Bisons rated seven points higher than the Eagles.
OKLAHOMA ST. @ BAYLOR | 03/04 | 7:00 PM EST
OKLAHOMA ST. +12
ANALYSIS: Baylor is coming off a tough overtime win over West Virginia, The Bears beat the Cowboys by 15 points on the road earlier this season. But Oklahoma State was without Cade Cunningham in that game and were down to seven scholarship players at the time. The Cowboys have been inspired by remaining eligible for postseason play. They have won their last five games, covering the last four, and scored back to back wins over Oklahoma.
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Larry Hartstein
RHODE ISLAND @ DAYTON | 03/04 | 3:30 PM EST
DAYTON -3.5
ANALYSIS: Rhode Island senior guard Jeremy Sheppard is out with an ankle injury. In the Rams' 91-89 double overtime win against Dayton on Feb. 16, Sheppard played 45 minutes and posted 17 points, six rebounds, four assists and a steal with no turnovers. He shot 7 of 12. That's a big absence for a Rhode Island team that's dropped six of seven. Lay the points as Dayton wins the rubber match.
IOWA ST. @ TEXAS TECH | 03/04 | 7:00 PM EST
IOWA ST. +17
ANALYSIS: Iowa State has not won a conference game, but the Cyclones have played several competitive games against Big 12 powers like Baylor, Texas and West Virginia. Texas Tech is just 2-9 ATS in its last 11 home games and 4-12 ATS in its last 16 as a favorite. With the Red Raiders' visit to Baylor on deck, they could get caught looking ahead. And once the game is in hand, they also could try to preserve their starters for that Sunday showdown. Either way, take the points.
UCF @ EAST CAROLINA | 03/04 | 9:00 PM EST
UCF -3
ANALYSIS: East Carolina hasn't played in nearly a month and returns to host a hot Knights team that's won three in a row and covered four straight. On Jan. 27, host UCF beat the Pirates by seven while holding East Carolina to 4-of-20 shooting from deep. Lay the small number.
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Tom Fornelli
IOWA ST. @ TEXAS TECH | 03/04 | 7:00 PM EST
IOWA ST. +17
ANALYSIS: This isn't a play that's going to excite anybody making it, but it looks like a tricky spot for the Red Raiders. Iowa State stinks out loud, but the Red Raiders have Baylor looming this weekend. Tech wouldn't be the first college basketball team to overlook an inferior opponent with a big game on the horizon. Plus, Tech's been awful against the spread all season, particularly in conference play where it's only 4-11.
MIAMI @ NEW ORLEANS | 03/04 | 8:30 PM EST
NEW ORLEANS -2
ANALYSIS: I like this line where it's at right now and wouldn't be shocked if it moves as we approach tip. With both Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo listed as questionable, I'd expect this line to grow a few points if one or either doesn't play. Still, even if everybody's at full-strength, I like the Pelicans at home here. Even if they're coming off a loss last night.
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Primetime Sports Picks
5 Unit - Arizona St/Colorado UNDER 147 (NCAAB)
3 Unit - Milwaukee -6 over Memphis (NBA)
3 Unit - Utah St. -16.5 over Wyoming (NCAAB)
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Big AL
NHL SLAPSHOT CLUB WINNER!
Dallas Stars
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Zack Cimini
DETROIT @ NEW YORK | 03/04 | 7:30 PM EST
NEW YORK -7
ANALYSIS: On Thursday, the New York Knicks should be able to replicate Sunday’s 109-90 blowout win at Detroit. In the contest the Pistons shot just 38.9 percent from the field and received just 47 points from their starting lineup. A victory also would put the Knicks over .500 heading into the All-Star break. Grab the Knicks, who should be motivated from start to finish.
TEXAS @ OKLAHOMA | 03/04 | 9:00 PM EST
TEXAS +2
ANALYSIS: The Longhorns are playing in their third straight road game, but match up well against the Sooners. Expect their offense to pick up where it left off against Iowa State, as the Longhorns make a late-season push up the polls. Grab Texas.
MURRAY ST. @ JAX. STATE | 03/04 | 8:00 PM EST
MURRAY ST. -3
ANALYSIS: Conference struggles are not customary for Murray State. This year the Racers were .500 in the Ohio Valley at 10-10, including two losses against Jacksonville State. Yet the pressure is now on the Gamecocks to get a third win over Murray. Grab the Racers to get the win that matters most and advance in the tournament.
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Nets vs. Heat NBA Prediction The second game of Sunday’s ESPN NBA double header takes basketball fans to Miami where the Heat will host the Nets at 3:30 p.m. ET. The Nets have been a good ATS play against the Heat but will they cover as a 5.5-point favorite today?
Pelicans vs. Knicks NBA Prediction The first game of ESPN’s NBA double header takes place at Madison Square Garden on Sunday where the Knicks will host the Pelicans at 1:00 p.m. ET. What’s the best play on the board when it comes to this matchup?
Tigers vs. A's MLB Prediction The A’s will go for a four-game sweep of the Tigers on Sunday when the two teams meet at 4:07 p.m. ET in Oakland. With Matthew Boyd set to oppose Chris Bassitt in the pitching matchup, are the A’s the best play on the board?
Dodgers vs. Padres MLB Prediction The Dodgers will go for a sweep of their NL West rivals the Padres on Sunday when the division foes meet at 4:10 p.m. ET in San Diego. Will the Dodgers complete the sweep of are the Padres a good bet as an underdog?
Capitals vs. Bruins NHL Prediction The Capitals have been a good bet in previous meetings with the Bruins, but Washington is playing the second game of a back-to-back set and is an underdog. Will the Caps still cash for bettors?
Warriors vs. Celtics NBA Prediction The ABC Saturday night matchup of the week in the NBA will take place in Boston where the Celtics will host the Warriors at 8:30 p.m. ET tonight. Will the Celtics cover as a 4.5-point home favorite or is there a better option on the board?
Jazz vs. Lakers NBA Prediction The Lakers will host the Jazz in a Saturday afternoon matinee when the two teams meet at 4:30 p.m. ET from STAPLES Center in L.A. With the Lakers catching 6.5 as a home dog and the total sitting at 216, what’s the best play when it comes to this matchup?
Dodgers vs. Padres MLB Prediction Following an epic series opener between the two teams on Friday, the Dodgers and Padres will meet again on Saturday night at 8:40 p.m. ET from Petco Park. Will the over cash again for bettors?
Rays vs. Yankees MLB Prediction The Yankees have had all sorts of issues with American League East rival Tampa to start the season and they’ll host the Rays again at 1:05 p.m. ET on Saturday. Are the Rays another wise bet this afternoon in the Bronx?
Blues vs. Coyotes NHL Prediction The Blues are one spot ahead of the Coyotes for a playoff spot but that could change depending on what happens on Saturday evening in Arizona. Will the Coyotes pull off a small upset against the Blues at 6:00 p.m. ET tonight?
