Sports Picks & Predictions

At 4 pm, our selection is on the Houston Cougars minus the points over Kansas.  The Cougars will be happy to return to Houston for their 2022 home opener after road games against Texas-San Antonio and Texas Tech.  The Cougars split those two games, and will welcome the 2-0 Jayhawks to TDECU Stadium.  Kansas is 2-0 for the first time since the 2011 season after its upset win as a 2-touchdown underdog at WVU last week.  But Kansas hasn't won 3 straight games since 2009.  And it's a dismal 55-84-1 ATS its last 140, overall, including 7-19-1 ATS off a win, and 2-19-1 ATS if it owned a winning record!  Take Houston minus the points.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the Auburn Tigers + the points over Penn State.  Both of these teams come into this game with 2-0 records.  Penn State notched a Big 10 win at Purdue, 35-31, and then walloped Ohio, 46-10.  Auburn opened its season with a 26-point win over Mercer, and then outlasted San Jose State last Saturday, 24-16.  A year ago, the Nittany Lions bested the Tigers, 28-20, in Happy Valley, as a 4-point home favorite.  This season's game is in Auburn, where the Tigers have won 17 straight vs. non-conference foes.  Even better:  Auburn is 22-10 ATS at home when playing with revenge, including 9-1 ATS when priced from +2.5 to +10 points.  Finally, the Nittany Lions are a dismal 22-36-3 ATS vs. undefeated opponents, including 2-11 ATS on the road if the Nittany Lions were also undefeated, and also 3-15-1 ATS if its foe was off an ATS loss.  Take Auburn + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the UAB Blazers minus the points over Georgia Southern.  Last Saturday, the Eagles went into Lincoln as a 23.5-point underdog, and handed Nebraska a 45-42 loss.  And then Nebraska Athletic Director, Trev Alberts, handed coach Scott Frost his walking papers.  Off that big upset win, I look for a letdown on the road in Birmingham.  Indeed, over the past 42 years, underdogs off upset road wins as 14-point (or greater) underdogs, have covered the spread just 39% in their next game when matched up against a .500 (or better) team.  Lay the points with the Blazers.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 2 pm, our selection is on the UCLA Bruins minus the points over South Alabama.  UCLA comes into this game with a 2-0 record following wins over Bowling Green (45-17) and Alabama St. (45-7).  South Alabama is also 2-0, as the Jaguars went up north last weekend and upset Central Michigan, 38-24, as a 6-point dog.  And they won SU/ATS in Week 1 against Nicholls St., 48-7.  Unfortunately, teams off an upset win, that are undefeated SU/ATS on the season, have covered just 41% since 1980 as double-digit dogs vs. foes off a SU win.  Even worse:  South Alabama is a woeful 0-8 ATS off a SU/ATS win when matched up against a foe off a SU win.  And the Bruins are a solid 25-7 ATS at home following a big offensive game where they scored 42+ points.  Take UCLA.

At 8:15 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Chargers + the points over the Kansas City Chiefs.  Patrick Mahomes & Co. racked up 44 points last week in a 23-point blowout win over the Arizona Cardinals.  But off that offensive explosion, we will fade KC at home tonight.  Indeed, NFL home teams off a win by more than 20 points to start the season are an awful 1-13-1 ATS.  And the Chargers are 30-14-5 ATS on the road vs. division foes not off a loss.  Grab the points with Los Angeles.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 4:25 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the Minnesota Vikings + the points over the Green Bay Packers.  These two teams split the season series, 1 game apiece.  Minnesota won, 34-31, at home, but Green Bay blew out the Vikings at Lambeau Field, 37-10, in the next-to-last game of the season.  However, QB Kirk Cousins didn’t play in that game due to COVID-19, so Green Bay was installed as a 13-point home favorite, and coasted to an easy win.  After last year's home win, the Vikings have now gone 11-6 ATS as a home dog/pk vs. Green Bay.  And NFC North Division home dogs, as a whole, have gone 91-70-3 ATS in division games.  Finally, in Game 1 divisional matchups between two teams that won at least 8 games the previous season, home dogs have cashed 71% since 1981.  Grab the points with the Vikings.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 11 pm, our selection is on the Mississippi State Bulldogs minus the points over Arizona.  We played on each of these two teams last week -- and won on both of them.  Miss State demolished Memphis 49-23, while Arizona upset San Diego State, 38-20.  But off its huge upset win, we will fade the Wildcats on Saturday night.  Arizona is a wallet-busting 39-76-2 ATS off a point spread win, including 0-7 ATS in non-conference games off a SU win as an underdog/PK.  Additionally, the Wildcats fall into negative 11-66, 89-178 and 53-139 ATS systems of mine.  Lay the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10:15 pm, on Saturday, our selection is on the BYU Cougars minus the points over Baylor.  Last year, the Bears got the better of the Cougars, 38-24.  But that game was in Waco; this game is in Provo.  Baylor has covered just 1 of 8 non-conference games when playing a revenge-minded foe, if Baylor wasn't favored by 20+ points.  And BYU is a solid 33-21-1 ATS when playing with revenge, and not favored by 7+ points.  Take the Cougars.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Nebraska Cornhuskers minus the points over Georgia Southern.  The 'Huskers won last week (but didn't cover), and are now 1-1 SU, and 0-2 ATS.  We'll lay the points with Scott Frost's men, as Nebraska has gone 34-1 SU and 28-7 ATS if it didn't cover the point spread in either of its two previous games, and was priced between -9 and -31 points.  Take the Cornhuskers.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 6 pm, our selection is on the East Carolina Pirates minus the points over Old Dominion.  The Monarchs won a big game last week when they upset Virginia Tech, 20-17, at home.  But off that emotional win over an in-state rival, we'll fade ODU on Saturday evening.  Indeed, underdogs have covered just 40% over the last 42 years off an upset home win to open their season.  Lay the points with the Pirates.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Panthers + the points over Tennessee.  This is a rematch of a game played in Knoxville last September.  Pitt was a 3.5-point road favorite in that game, and won, 41-34.  And that game was representative of Tennessee's problems over the last five seasons.  It just hasn't stepped up vs. winning teams.  Indeed, the Vols are 8-23 SU and 11-20 ATS vs. winning foes, including 3-11 SU/ATS their last 14.  Certainly, the Vols hope to turn things around this season.  They won their opener last Thursday, 59-10, over Ball State.  And they've now been installed as a road favorite against last year's ACC Champ, Pittsburgh, which won, 38-31, vs. rival West Virginia.  Still, we'll go against the Volunteers, as they're an awful 20-36-2 ATS off a home win, including 0-7 ATS since 2020.  And if they won their previous game by 27+ points, then they've gone 3-18 ATS, including 0-9 ATS with revenge.  Grab the points with Pittsburgh.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 12 Noon, our selection is on the Georgia State Panthers + the points over North Carolina.  Georgia State lost at South Carolina last week, 35-14, while North Carolina upset Appalachian St, 63-61.  The Panthers return home this week, and will seek to avenge a road loss at North Carolina last September.  The Tar Heels were favored by 25.5 last season, and defeated Georgia St, 59-17.  We'll take the Panthers + the points, as home underdogs have covered 61% of their home openers vs. non-conference foes since 1980, when playing with revenge from a 24-point (or worse) defeat.  Even better, the Tar Heels are an awful 11-30-1 ATS off a road win in which they scored more than 30 points.  And they're 1-9 ATS their last 10 off a point spread win.  Take Georgia State + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 12 Noon, our selection is on the Duke Blue Devils + the points over Northwestern.  Duke shut out Temple, 30-0, last week to kick off its 2022 season.  And it now will travel to Evanston to play Northwestern.  The Wildcats also are 1-0, as they upset the Nebraska Cornhuskers, in Dublin, Ireland, to open their season.  They'll try to follow that up with a home win against the Blue Devils, who have won each of the last three meetings between these teams.  Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they're a woeful 27-46-2 ATS as a home favorite, including 0-9 ATS when priced from -8 to -12.  And Duke is 34-20-1 ATS as an underdog vs. a revenge-minded foe.  Take Duke.

At 12 pm, our selection is on the Miami-Fla Hurricanes minus the points over Southern Miss.  The 'Canes had a cupcake game to kick off 2022, as they blew out Bethune-Cookman here last Saturday, 70-13.  Southern Miss lost by 2 points to Liberty, but covered the point spread.  Off that 57-point win, we'll lay the wood with Miami today.  Over the last 42 seasons, favorites that scored more than 49 points in Week 1 are 67.1% ATS in Week 2 when playing an opponent off an ATS win that gave up more than 10 points in its previous game.  Take the Hurricanes.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 1:40 pm, our selection is on the New York Mets minus 1.5 runs over the Washington Nationals.  Just when things looked like they were going great for the Mets, last night their ace, Max Scherzer, left the game early against his former team with what was described as side fatigue.  Even worse:  the Nats' hitters went nuts and embarrassed New York at home.  But the Mets are still in first place, so they will look to move past that game and bounce back against a bad DC team this afternoon behind RHP Carlos Carrasco.  The 35-year-old looks like a solid candidate for Comeback Player of the Year.  In 23 starts covering 126 1/3 innings, Carrasco is 13-5 with a 3.92 ERA.  Carrasco has already faced the Nationals three times this season, with some pretty sparkling results.  In just over 17 innings, Carrasco is 2-0 with a 1.56 ERA and 1.04 WHIP vs. Washington.  His last start against them was five innings of shutout, four-hit ball right here at Citi Field in a 5-0 Mets victory on June 1.  Despite their win here last night, the Nats are still just 7-20 in their last 27 games in Queens.  Take New York.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Ohio State Buckeyes minus the points over Notre Dame.  The Marcus Freeman-era will start this Saturday, and it will be at a most difficult venue for visiting teams.  Ohio State is a dominant 134-32-1 straight-up, and 94-64-4 ATS at home when not favored by 22+ points.  Even better:  dating back to 1979, Ohio State has won 34 straight season openers, if it was playing at home, and has gone 21-11 ATS in those games.  Meanwhile, the Fighting Irish are a wallet-breaking 15-26-1 ATS in their first road game of the season, including 0-3 SU/ATS as double-digit underdogs.  And they've covered just 21 of 52 road games vs. Big 10 Conference foes.  Lay the points with Ohio State.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Utah State Aggies + the points over Alabama.  The Aggies won their season opener last week, at home, vs. UConn, 31-20, and outgained the Huskies by 178 yards.  Here, they've been installed as a 6-touchdown underdog vs. the #1-ranked Crimson Tide, and we'll happily grab the points.  Alabama has burned money over the past 42 years in its home openers, including 3-9 ATS when priced as a 28-point (or greater) favorite.  Utah State, on the other hand, is 10-5 ATS its last 15 road openers.  And it's a profitable 33-15 ATS when getting more than 3 points away from home (including 15-5 ATS when getting more than 20).  Take the Aggies.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Mississippi State Bulldogs minus the points over Memphis.  These two teams met last season at Memphis, and the Tigers upset Miss State, 31-29.  We had a big play on Memphis in that game, but will reverse course, and take the revenge-minded Bulldogs on Saturday night.  Over the previous 33 years, Mississippi State has cashed 64.2% as a revenge-minded favorite, including 82% in non-conference games!  That bodes well for Miss State on Saturday.  As does the fact that Memphis is 0-8 ATS its last 8 when playing on the road against a revenge-minded foe.  Lay the points with the Bulldogs.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the N. Texas Mean Green + the points over SMU.  The Mean Green play with revenge from three blowout losses to the Mustangs (35-12, 65-35, 49-27) the past three seasons.  Here, the Mean Green will play with a game under its belt (while SMU will be taking the field for the first time this season).  And the Mean Green were impressive in their first game, as they earned a blowout win at UTEP.  North Texas is 17-6 ATS at home off a road win.  Additionally, the Mean Green fall into a 131-74 ATS revenge system of mine, as well as a 34-14 ATS 'momentum' angle, based on their 18-point blowout win last week.  Grab the points with North Texas.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the Arizona Wildcats + the points over the San Diego State Aztecs.  Last season, San Diego State went into Tucson, and pummeled Arizona, 38-14.  But you know what they say about paybacks!  And Arizona falls into a terrific 95-55 ATS revenge system of mine which plays on certain teams in a revenge situation.  The Aztecs, meanwhile, have covered just 40% since 1980 as favorites vs. revenge-minded non-conference foes.  And Arizona has cashed 71% since 1980 as underdogs when playing with revenge vs. non-conference opposition.  Take the Wildcats + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the Arkansas Razorbacks minus the points over Cincinnati. Luke Fickell's men have gone 22-2 SU and 14-8 ATS the past two seasons, but I expect a big drop-off this season.  The Bearcats lost QB Desmond Ridder, RB Jerome Ford and WR Alec Pierce, among others, on offense.  And they also lost six defensive starters from a unit which finished #5 in scoring defense.  Cincinnati may get better as the season progresses, but it's too much to ask of this team to go into Fayetteville, and win a season opener.  The Razorbacks are a solid 34-5-1 straight-up in their last 40 home openers, and have covered the spread 60% of the time, including 12-3 ATS when priced from +3 to -20.5 points.  Cincinnati, meanwhile, is a soft 14-28 SU and 16-22 ATS in its road openers, including 5-22 SU and 11-16 ATS when priced as an underdog.  Lay the points with Arkansas.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 3:30 pm, our selection is on the Texas-San Antonio Roadrunners + the points over Houston.  Each of these teams come into 2022 off great seasons last year.  Houston capped off a 12-2 campaign with a 17-13 victory over Auburn in the Birmingham Bowl, while UTSA also went 12-2, but lost in the Frisco Bowl to San Diego St., 38-24.  The Roadrunners have been dominant here in the Alamo City, as they've won 10 straight home games, and have gone 7-3 ATS in this stretch.  Texas-San Antonio has also covered 67% as home dogs of +10 or less points, while Houston has covered just 13 of 37 as a road favorite of 10 or less points.  Finally, in match-ups between two teams that won 80% (or more) of their games the previous season, teams installed as home dogs in their home openers have covered the spread 69% since 1980.  Grab the points with Texas-San Antonio.

At 6:35 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays minus 1.5 runs over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  The Buccos acquired 24-year-old Johan Oviedo in the trade which sent Jose Quintana to the St. Louis Cardinals.  This will be Oviedo's first start with Pittsburgh, but he was 0-9 in his 19 career starts with St. Louis (which went 4-15 in those games).  Including relief appearances, Oviedo was 2-9 in his stint in St. Louis, with a 4.65 ERA.  It's hard to imagine his results will be better in a Pirates uniform, given the Pirates' lack of offense (463 runs, #28 MLB).  And, certainly, Oviedo's first test as a Pirate is against a difficult opponent, as Toronto's offense ranks #7 in baseball, and his mound opponent is also one of MLB's best.  Some players are sorry to see the month of August come to a close while others are glad it's September.  Count Blue Jays ace Alek Manoah among the latter group.  Although his ERA was a solid 3.34 last month, Manoah managed just one win and the Blue Jays went 1-4 in his five August starts.  That makes them 1-5 in his last six trips to the mound when you add on his last start of July.  But Manoah is still a very dangerous starter and he's built for the long haul so don't be surprised if the big RH finishes the season very strong -- and the Jays follow suit.  He can get things started tonight with this trip south to Pittsburgh to begin a three-game set against the 49-81 Pirates.  It will be Manoah's first start against the Bucs as he's normally used to much tougher competition (Yankees, Rays, Red Sox, etc.).  In four career inter-league starts, Manoah is 2-1.  Additionally, Toronto went 5-0 in Manoah's September starts in 2021 and it's also 9-4 this season when Manoah goes on five or six days' rest.  Take the Jays minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 2:10 pm, our selection is on the Milwaukee Brewers minus 1.5 runs over the Pittsburgh Pirates.  Zach Thompson will get the start for the Pirates this afternoon.  Thompson is 0-6 in his last 10 starts, and he's 2-15 in his last 31 starts.  Even worse, the Bucs have lost 23 of those 31 games.  His ERA this season is 5.40, and it's 6.58 over his last three outings.  And his career ERA vs. the Brewers is 6.62.  Milwaukee will counter with Freddy Peralta, who was understandably rusty when he returned from the injured list on August 3.  The Brewers didn't let him go past 5 innings in his first three starts, but he went 6 innings in each of his last two games, and allowed 2 runs over those 12 innings, including a 6 IP, 0 ER performance last Friday.  His ERA over his last three starts is 1.69, and his WHIP is 0.87.  And his seven career starts vs. Pittsburgh, his ERA is 2.09.  It's true that Thompson is well-rested, with nine days off in between this start, and his previous outing.  But the Bucs are 0-7 in his starts when he was well-rested with at least 7 days off.  Take Milwaukee minus 1.5 runs.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 12:05 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers minus 1.5 runs over the Miami Marlins.  The Marlins managed to score a huge upset over the best team in baseball on Saturday.  Of course it took a complete game from their ace -- and Cy Young candidate -- Sandy Alcantara, in a 2-1 Miami home victory.  The problem for the Marlins is that they only have one Sandy Alcantara on their staff and he won't be available today.  The Dodgers will send their 20-game winner from 2021 -- Julio Urias -- to the mound for his 25th start of the season.  Urias won't win 20 games this year, but the 26-year-old LHP is having another outstanding campaign.  In 24 starts, covering just under 134 innings, Urias is 13-7 with a 2.36 ERA and 0.96 WHIP, with a 4.81 K:BB ratio (130 strikeouts and 27 walks).  The Mexican southpaw has been much better on the road this season than in L.A.  In 11 home starts, Urias is 5-3 with a 2.64 ERA.  However, in 13 road starts, he is 8-4 with a 2.13 number.  Despite their loss yesterday, the Dodgers are still 5-1 in the last six meetings with the Marlins.  Take Los Angeles minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, on Saturday, our selection is on the Texas El Paso Miners over the North Texas Mean Green.  Last season, UTEP had a winning campaign (7-6) for the first time since 2014, and earned a New Mexico Bowl bid.  The Miners did lose that bowl game, 31-24, to Fresno State (its 7th straight bowl defeat), but its season was still a success.  This season, the Miners return 15 players for 5th year-head coach, Dana Dimel, who was 5-27 in his first three seasons in El Paso.  The Miners fell to the Mean Green, 20-17, last season on a late field goal.  And that was UTEP's 5th straight defeat in this series.  We'll take UTEP to avenge that defeat as it falls into a 67-36 ATS revenge system of mine.  Additionally, revenge-minded Conference USA teams have gone 175-137 ATS at home vs. conference foes, if our revenger wasn't favored by more than 3 points.  And North Texas is a wallet-busting 4-15 ATS its last 19 road games vs. revenge-minded opponents.  Finally, the Miners are 8-2 ATS in their home openers when installed as a PK/Underdog, while North Texas is a poor 3-15 SU and 6-12 ATS vs. an opponent playing its home opener.  Take Texas El Paso.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Arizona Cardinals + the points over the Tennessee Titans.  Last week, Arizona lost, 24-17, to the Baltimore Ravens (who also beat Tennessee, 23-10, in Week 1).  The Cards won their first preseason game, 36-23, at Cincinnati, while Tennessee downed Tampa Bay last Saturday, 13-3.  So, the Cardinals and Titans are each 1-1 in the preseason, but Tennessee has scored just 23 points, while Arizona has tallied 53 points.  That bodes well for Arizona as an underdog tonight, as NFL teams, with an offensive average greater than 12 points than their opponent, have covered 79% since 1987 at Game 3 forward, if they were off a straight-up loss.  Grab the points with the Cardinals.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the New York Mets minus 1.5 runs over the Colorado Rockies.  The Mets were swept in a two-game subway series by their American League counterparts in the Bronx and then had the day off on Wednesday.  They return back to Queens tonight for the first of four against the Rockies, and they're 8-2 this season off back to back losses.  It's only been four starts, but RH ace Jacob deGrom has looked like the best pitcher on the planet again and that's scary considering he still likely doesn't have all his arm strength back.  Start number five comes against a team that can be dangerous at home but probably won't be able to offer much resistance here at Citi Field.  The Rockies are a dreadful 24-64 (minus 28.4 net games) as road underdogs vs. righties, while the Rockies are 0-6 with Ryan Felter in games with Over/Under lines less than 9 runs, and 1-6 in his starts as a road dog.  Meanwhile, this season, deGrom is 2-1 with a 2.31 ERA in 23 1/3 innings with 37 strikeouts and only one walk (how's that for a K:BB ratio!).  And in nine lifetime games vs. the Rox (all starts), deGrom is 5-1 with a ridiculous 1.17 ERA and 0.77 WHIP in just over 61 innings.  Take New York minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:40 pm, our selection is on the San Diego Padres minus 1.5 runs over the Washington Nationals.  Last night, Josh Hader had yet another meltdown for his new team, as the MLB saves leader (29) allowed 3 runs without retiring a batter.  His ERA is 13.50 since joining the Padres.  And it's an unsightly 5.06 on the season.  I would be surprised if Hader was used tonight, given he also pitched Thursday night.  And that's probably a good thing for San Diego, at this point.  Joe Musgrove will get the start for Bob Melvin's club, and he's been a stopper for San Diego the last couple of seasons, as San Diego is 19-11 off a loss with Musgrove on the mound, including 7-1 this season.  Washington, meanwhile, is a poor 12-32 its last 44, including 3-9 off a win.  And it's 51-76 (minus 19 net games) its last 127 off a win.  Take San Diego minus 1.5 runs.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10:10 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers minus 1.5 runs over the Miami Marlins.  If someone had told you at the beginning of the season that two of the Dodgers would be leading the NL in Wins, you probably would have thought, Walker Buehler and Julio Urias ... or maybe Buehler and Clayton Kershaw.  You certainly wouldn't think those two leaders would be Tony Gonsolin and Tyler Anderson.  But sometimes this game throws you curveballs and the success of the bottom end of the Dodger rotation this season is certainly one of those.  The Dodgers got out of Milwaukee with a four-game split and now it's Anderson's turn to kick off this weekend series with the Marlins.  In 22 games -- 20 starts -- the 32-year-old southpaw is 13-2 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.01 WHIP.  Those numbers earned Anderson his first ever All Star Game appearance last month and he hasn't slowed down since then as he is 3-1 with a 2.32 ERA in five starts covering 31 innings since the break.  Clearly, he loves his new ballpark as Anderson is 7-0 with a 2.30 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) at Dodger Stadium this year.  And he should find success tonight against a Marlins club which has only scored more than 3 runs in one of its last 18 games.  Take Los Angeles minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 12:05 pm, our selection is on the San Diego Padres minus 1.5 runs over the Washington Nationals.  The Nats surprised San Diego last night with a 4-3 win behind Anibal Sanchez, who went 5 innings, and gave up 3 runs to lower his ERA to 7.20.  Still, Sanchez got a no-decision, and remained winless at 0-5.  This afternoon, the Nationals will hand the ball to another starter who has yet to notch a win this season.  Paolo Espino is 0-4 in 31 appearances (11 starts), and has a 4.04 ERA and 1.27 WHIP (but those numbers balloon to 5.14 and 1.40 when only his 11 starts are counted).  Espino will match up against veteran lefty Blake Snell, who has been brilliant in his last four starts (22 2/3 innings; 3 runs).  Washington has struggled vs. lefties, as it's 29-60 (minus 25.7 net games).  And it's also 13-41 (minus 17.7 net games) as a home dog of +125 (or more).  San Diego's last 10 wins were by an average of 4.6 runs per game, and it won by 2+ runs in eight of those 10 games.  We'll lay the 1.5 runs this afternoon.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 2:10 pm, our selection is on the Houston Astros minus 1.5 runs over the Texas Rangers.  The Rangers won, 8-4, in 10 innings yesterday.  But that was an uncommon road victory for the Rangers.  Indeed, Texas is a poor 56-111 (minus 31.5 net games) its last 167 on the road.  This afternoon, the Rangers will face southpaw Framber Valdez.  And to say Texas has been dominated lately by 28-year-old lefty would be an understatement.  Valdez has faced Texas five times since Sept. 17, 2020, and he's 4-0 in those five starts, with an ERA of 1.11, and a WHIP of 0.89.  Texas will also start a southpaw -- Cole Ragans -- and the Astros are 26-11 (+6.2 net games) vs. lefties this season.  Finally, Texas has struggled in daytime affairs, with a 15-25 record (minus 10.1 net games), while Houston has excelled in the afternoon (29-13, +7.4 net games).  Lay the 1.5 runs with Houston.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 2:10 pm, our selection is on the Milwaukee Brewers minus 1.5 runs over the Cincinnati Reds.  The Brewers have hit the skids with five losses in their last six games, including a 5-3 loss to the Pirates the last time Corbin Burnes took the mound.  The Brewers' ace gave up four earned runs in that game over 5 1/3 innings, which was the 2nd-most runs he's given up all year.  But Burnes generally bounces back off bad outings.  Indeed, when Burnes has given up 3 or more earned runs in a game, he's allowed 1 earned run or less his next time on the mound in 10 of his last 11.  In those 11 starts, he's allowed just 11 earned runs over 68 2/3 innings (1.44 ERA) and, importantly, Milwaukee has won nine of those 11 games.  Burnes will match-up against Cincy's Graham Ashcraft this afternoon.  In one prior start this season vs. the Brewers, Ashcraft gave up 6 runs over five innings, in a 7-3 defeat.  Take the Brewers minus 1.5 runs today.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:10 pm, our selection is on the Houston Astros minus 1.5 runs over the Boston Red Sox.  When Cristian Javier takes the mound for the Astros tonight, he may be throwing the ball to another Christian (this one with an 'h' in his name).  On Monday, the Astros made a deal with the team they'll be facing tonight for veteran catcher Christian Vazquez.  The move isn't as much for what Vazquez can do at the plate but rather what he can do behind it.  Vazquez will add much-needed experience calling games for Houston's solid rotation -- both the veterans and youngsters.  Javier falls into the latter category and the 25-year-old RH is likely to get a boost from having Vazquez as his backstop.  The 'Stros also improved their lineup with the addition of veteran 1B/DH Trey Mancini from the Orioles.  One reason I like the Astros tonight is that the Red Sox hitters haven't faced Javier before, and I've always believed that favored the pitcher.  Additionally, the Astros are 59-27 this season as a favorite, and 13-4 in Javier's17 starts as a home favorite (including 6-0 when priced from -175 to -250).  Take Houston minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 3:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays minus 1.5 runs over the Detroit Tigers.  There are certainly plenty of players you can point the finger at for the lower-than-expected performance of the Blue Jays to date.  But Ross Stripling isn't one of them.  The 32-year-old RHP has done everything you would expect a #5 starter to do -- and then some.  In 22 games -- including 14 starts -- Stripling is 5-3 with a 3.10 ERA and 1.10 WHIP, with a 4.13 K:BB ratio.  But Stripling's numbers are even more impressive when you look what he's done only when he's been in the starting role.  In his 14 starts, Stripling is 4-3 with a 2.94 ERA and 1.04 WHIP -- far above what you'd expect from the guy at the bottom of your rotation.  He'll get the second start of his career against the Tigers this afternoon, and Stripling can only hope that this one goes as well as the first one.  Back on June 12, Stripling threw six innings of near-perfect ball in Detroit and came away with an easy 6-0 Jays victory.  Despite their win here last night, the Tigers are still just 2-12 in their last 14 games vs. the AL East.  The Blue Jays have won eight of their last 12 games by 2+ runs, while Detroit has lost 12 of its last 18 games by 2+ runs.  Take Toronto minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 3:10 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Dodgers minus 1.5 runs over the Washington Nationals.  We didn't see Andrew Heaney in a Dodgers uniform for very long, but what we saw looked pretty darn good.  The 31-year-old former Marlin-Angel-Yankee made two starts for the Dodgers before going on the 10-day IL with shoulder soreness.  Then he came back and made a return start but immediately went back on the IL on June 24 -- again for his shoulder -- and Heaney hasn't made an appearance since.  But in those three starts, Heaney went 1-0 with a 0.59 ERA with 23 strikeouts and four walks in 15 1/3 innings.  He's finally ready to pitch again and no doubt the Dodgers look forward to having the veteran LH back in their rotation -- (they should also be getting Dustin May back from his shoulder surgery soon).  Heaney must certainly be looking forward to contributing to his team's playoff push as he has never pitched in the post-season despite being in the league for eight seasons.  The Nats are 1-10 in Patrick Corbin's last 11 starts vs. teams with a winning record, while his ERA over his last three starts is a woeful 7.87.  Take the Dodgers minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays minus 1.5 runs over the Kansas City Royals.  Toronto's Charlie Montoyo became the third MLB Manager to be relieved of his duties this season when the Jays fired him earlier this week (joining Joe Girardi (ex-Phillies) and Joe Madden (ex-Angels).  Bench coach John Schneider has stepped in for now and he has already won his first game, beating the Phillies on Wednesday.  Since going 8-1 with a 1.67 ERA in his first 12 starts, All Star RH Alek Manoah has won just one of his five starts since while seeing his ERA climb to 2.34.  But Manoah has faced winning teams (Red Sox, Mariners, Brewers, and Yankees) in four of those five outings.  Start number 18 will come tonight and Manoah will step down in class to face the 36-53 Royals.  In two career starts vs. KC, Manoah has yet to allow a run as he has logged 13 innings while surrendering just eight hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.  Despite the Royals victory on Thursday evening, the Jays have won five of the last eight meetings vs. Kansas City.  Take Toronto.

At 9:05 pm, our selection is on the Toronto Blue Jays -1.5 runs over the Oakland Athletics.  A five-game series between two teams in the regular season is rare, but the Blue Jays and Rays just played one with Tampa getting the better of Toronto, three games to two.  Alek Manoah -- arguably the Jays best starter -- didn't go in that series, so he gets the call tonight in Oakland against the A's.  With a 9-2 record and 2.09 ERA in 15 starts covering 94 2/3 innings, Manoah is a shoe-in for the AL All-Star team and is also an early favorite for the Cy Young award.  This will be the 24-year-old RH's third start against the A's -- his second this season.  The Jays are 2-0 in his previous two outings vs. Oakland -- with both of those coming at home.  But Manoah should have no problem pitching in the friendly confines of the Oakland Coliseum where fly balls go to die -- usually in the gloves of the outfielders.  The Blue Jays are 13-3 in the last 16 meetings with the A's overall and 5-2 in the last seven in Oakland.  The Jays are also 6-2 in Manoah's last eight starts going back to May 21.  Take Toronto -1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 12:10 pm, in Game 1 of the Double Header, our selection is on the New York Yankees -1.5 runs over the Cleveland Guardians.  The Yanks are likely looking forward to playing the Guardians over this weekend.  Then again, they're probably happy to be playing anyone other than the Astros.  Against Houston, New York is 2-3 this season.  Against everyone else, the Yanks are 54-18.  At the front of the line of players who are happy not to be facing the 'Stros is ace RH Gerrit Cole.  Cole is having another season worthy of Cy Young consideration (he's yet to win the award but has come close several times).  In 15 starts covering just over 87 innings, the 31-year-old is 6-2 with a 2.99 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, an 11.4 strikeout rate and a 4.83 K:BB ratio.  This is his second start of the season against the Guardians.  On April 24, Cole threw 6 2/3 innings of four-hit, shutout ball in a 10-2 Yankees victory over Cleveland.  Prior to the loss to Houston in his last start, the Yanks had won Cole's last four outings by a total run count of 29-9.  That bodes well for a blowout this afternoon vs. the Guardians, who will hand the ball to Kirk McCarty.  The rookie southpaw is making his second major league start.  He has also pitched in relief once this season -- and that was against the Yankees.  In that outing vs. New York, he was hit hard for 4 runs in 3 innings, and gave up 2 home runs.  Overall, in his 2 appearances, he's given up 9 runs (8 earned) and 5 home runs, in 7 innings, for a 10.29 ERA.  The Yanks are 9-3 in the last 12 meetings and 6-1 in the last seven in Cleveland.  Take New York minus 1.5 runs.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, on Monday, our selection is on the Boston Celtics + the points over Golden State.  The Celtics and Warriors are tied at 2-games apiece after the Warriors' 107-97 victory in Game 4 on Friday.  We'll take Boston in this Game 5, as the Celtics are an awesome 17-0 ATS away from home in the Playoffs, when priced from -3.5 to +7.5, if they failed to cover the spread by more than 7 points in their previous game, and don't lead in the Playoff series.  Even better:  the Warriors have been horrible (26-62 ATS) off a point spread win, when matched up against a revenge-minded foe.  Grab the points with Boston.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:15 pm, on Thursday, our selection is on the New York Rangers +1.5 goals over Tampa Bay.  We played on New York in Game 1 of this series, as our NHL Game of the Year, and were rewarded with a 6-2 blowout win.  New York then followed up that game with another victory on its home ice, with a 3-2 triumph in Game 2.  And those two wins moved New York's record this season vs. Eastern Conference foes to 12-1 when not favored by more than -115.  For this critical Game 5, we'll take the New York Rangers +1.5 goals, and note that they are 11-2 this season off back to back losses.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the Golden State Warriors minus the points over Boston.  The Celtics roared back from a double-digit deficit to stun the Warriors, 120-108, in Game 1.  We'll lay the points with Golden State to rebound in Game 2, as the Warriors are 51-31 ATS when off a SU/ATS loss, and playing with revenge.  And they're 19-9 ATS when playing with double revenge against foes with a W/L percentage < .700.  Meanwhile, Boston is an awful 0-8 ATS on the road in the playoffs following a win, if its opponent's win percentage is .630 (or better).  Lay the points with Steph Curry & Co.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, on Thursday, our selection is on the Golden State Warriors.  Boston had to go the distance against the Miami Heat, while the Warriors snuffed out the Mavericks in just five games.  And I think the extra rest will benefit Golden State in this Game 1.  Additionally, the Western Conference has dominated the Eastern Conference in Game 1 of the NBA Finals when the Eastern team owned the worse regular season record.  Since 2005, our Eastern Conference teams have gone 0-13 straight-up and 1-12 ATS in these Game 1s of the NBA Finals, and have lost all 13 games by at least 8 points (average loss by 14.15 points).  Boston is an awful 6-13 ATS in its Game 1 road games, while the Warriors have excelled in their Game 1s (19-11 ATS last 30).  Take Golden State.  Good luck as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:00 pm, our selection is on the Edmonton Oilers +1.5 goals over the Colorado Avalanche.  The fact that it was played in Colorado makes it more appropriate to call Game 1 an Old West shootout than a hockey game perhaps.  When the gunsmoke had settled, the home team came away with an 8-6 victory.  But it was a costly one for the Avalanche who lost #1 goalie Darcy Kuemper about mid-way through Tuesday's contest with an upper body injury and it is unclear whether Kuemper will be able to play tonight.  If he can't go, that would leave the net-minding duties in the hands of back-up Pavel Francouz -- a decent 2nd option but not someone you'd want defending the crease every night against the likes of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Evander Kane.  Likewise, the Oilers will need a better performance from Mike Smith tonight and the defense around him will have to step up as well.  They have a way of bouncing back after losses like the one on Tuesday.  The Oilers are 36-16 in their last 52 after allowing five goals or more in their previous game.  Take Edmonton +1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:30 pm, on Wednesday, our selection is on the Miami Heat over the Boston Celtics.  These two teams have alternated wins and losses over the series' first four games, and I look for that to continue on Wednesday.  Indeed, NBA teams off a loss by 7+ points, and not favored by 7+ points, have gone 10-0 straight-up and 9-1 ATS in Game 5 of the Conference Finals since 1994, if the series was tied at 2-games apiece.  Even better:  Miami is 23-8 ATS in 'win situation' games with point spreads less than 3 points, if it was off a loss by 20+ points in its previous game.  And Boston is 0-15 straight-up, and 2-13 ATS in Playoff road games vs. .600 (or better) foes, if the Celtics were off a win by more than 11 points.  Take Miami in Game 5.  Good luck, as always....Al McMordie.

At 8:30 pm, on Monday, our selection is on the Boston Celtics minus the points over the Miami Heat.  We played on Miami in Game 3, but will take the home-standing Celtics in Game 4.  With its 109-103 defeat, Boston has fallen behind in this series 2-games-to-1.  But home teams that trail 2-games-to-1 in a Playoff series have covered 64.7% since 1990, if they lost Game 3, and weren't an underdog of 4+ points in Game 4.  Moreover, the Celtics have gone 26-12-1 ATS in the Playoffs, if they trailed in a series, and failed to cover the previous game's spread by 6+ points.  And Miami has covered just 7 of 24 games as a road underdog in the Playoffs, if it led in a series.  Take Boston minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, on Sunday, our selection is on the Dallas Mavericks minus the points over Golden State.  We played on the Warriors in Game 1 of this series (and were rewarded with a 25-point win), but stayed away from Game 2.  The Warriors won that game, albeit a comeback victory rather than a blowout win from start-to-finish.  Here, however, Dallas will have the benefit of playing in front of its home crowd.  And, in the Playoffs since 1996, home teams off back to back SU/ATS losses have covered 65% vs. < .700 foes, if our home team trailed in the series, and were not favored by more than 3 points.  Dallas is a solid 28-5-1 ATS at home off a road loss vs. a foe off a win, if the Mavs were not laying more than 7 points.  Meanwhile, Golden State is a wallet-busting 0-7 ATS on the road as an underdog off less than 6 points, off back-to-back SU/ATS wins.  Take Dallas.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie

At 8:30 pm, on Saturday, our selection is on the Miami Heat + the points over the Boston Celtics.  Boston leveled this series at 1 game apiece with a 127-102 victory in Game 2.  The Celtics will now return home where they hope to take a series in this Conference finals.  Unfortunately, home teams have struggled in Game 3 of a series tied at 1 game apiece, at the quarterfinals round forward.  Since 1990, our home teams have covered just 35.1% of the time.  That doesn't bode well for Boston here.  Nor does the fact that Miami is 15-7 ATS with Erik Spoelstra as coach off an upset playoff loss.  And it's also a solid 61-29 ATS its last 90, overall, off an upset loss vs. a foe off a SU win.  Take Miami + the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, our selection is on the Golden State Warriors minus the points over the Dallas Mavericks.  Luka Doncic & Co. knocked out the Western Conference favorite on Sunday, with a blowout win over the Phoenix Suns.  Phoenix was far-and-away the best team in the NBA this season, with a 64-18 record (a full eight games ahead of #2 Memphis).  But off that upset win, we will fade the Mavericks in San Francisco tonight.  Indeed, NBA teams that pulled off an upset win, and ousted a .705 (or better) opponent from the Playoffs in their previous game, have only covered the spread 27% the past 32 years.  Take Golden State minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns minus the points over Dallas.  The Suns were destroyed by Dallas in Game 6, 113-86, even though the Suns were favored by 2 points.  That's the bad news.  The good news for this Game 7 is that Phoenix is a spectacular 16-0 ATS its last 16 off an upset road loss, if its opponent was off a double-digit cover.  Meanwhile, Dallas is a dreadful 7-19 ATS off an upset playoff win, when matched up against .630 (or better) foes.  Phoenix has won all six home meetings vs. the Mavericks the last two seasons (by an average of 12.6 ppg), and is 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS vs. Dallas the past 11 games here, at home.  Lay the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Golden State Warriors over the Memphis Grizzlies.  The Warriors were embarrassed, 134-95, in Game 5, as they once trailed by 58 points.  But off that rare clunker, we'll play on Steph Curry & Co. tonight.  Indeed, .610 (or better) NBA teams that lost a playoff game to their opponent, and failed to score 100 points in that defeat (with their opponent scoring more than 121) have bounced back to cover 83% since 1990.  Take the Warriors.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Boston Celtics + the points over the Milwaukee Bucks.  The Celts need to win tonight to force a seventh game, and I believe they will.  They've been installed as a small underdog after their 110-107 upset loss as a 4.5-point favorite in Game 5, and we'll take the points, as Boston is 17-2 ATS away from home in the playoffs, if they didn't lead in the series, and failed to cover the spread in their previous game by more than 7 points, including a perfect 12-0 ATS as a #3 seed (or better).  Take the Celtics.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns minus the points over the Dallas Mavericks.  The Suns swept the regular season series from Dallas, 4-games-to-none, and then won the first two games of this Playoff series for a 6-game win streak this season.  But the Suns lost Games 3 + 4 to knot this series at 2-games apiece.  Still, Phoenix is a very profitable 17-6 ATS its last 23 vs. Dallas.  Moreover, the Suns were installed as a road favorite in Game 4, yet lost by double-digits, 111-101.  The good news for Chris Paul & Co. is that Phoenix is a powerful 15-0 ATS its last 15 off an upset road loss, if its opponent was off a double-digit cover.  And Dallas is a dreadful 7-18 ATS off an upset playoff win, when matched up against .630 (or better) foes.  Lay the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Mavericks + the points over Phoenix.  The Suns were the league's #1 team this season, and the only team which won 69+ percent of its games.  Phoenix got this series off to a great start with a 7-point win on Monday.  Unfortunately, #1-seeded NBA teams with a .733 (or better) win percentage have gone 30-64 ATS as home favorites in the NBA playoffs if they led the series, and their opponent had yet to win a game.  That doesn't bode well for Phoenix tonight.  Nor does the fact that the Mavericks are 39-14 ATS as a double-revenge-minded road underdog off a loss vs. an opponent off a win.  Take the Mavericks.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Memphis Grizzlies + the points over Golden State.  The Grizz lost Game 1, but covered the 2.5-point spread in the process.  And that extended Memphis' point spread record this season to 56-32-1 ATS this year (63.6%).  Its regular season ATS record (52-29-1 ATS) was not only the #1 ATS record of any NBA team this season, but it also was the 4th best regular season ATS record over the past 32 seasons!  This is key, as NBA teams have gone 53-24 ATS at home in the Playoffs, if their ATS win pct. was 62% (or better).  Moreover, Memphis is 25-3 ATS at home when playing with revenge against an opponent off a SU win, if the Grizzlies weren't favored by more than 2 points.  Take Memphis as a home dog on Tuesday.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Boston Celtics minus the points over Milwaukee.  The Celtics had covered their previous seven games vs. the Bucks before getting upset in Game 1, 101-89.  But off that upset loss, we'll lay the points with Ime Udoka's men tonight.  Indeed, .610 (or better) NBA teams have gone 49-21 ATS at home off an upset playoff loss, if they scored less than 90 points in that defeat, and were favored by 4+ points in the current game.  Take Boston minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 1 pm, our selection is on the Boston Celtics minus the points over the Milwaukee Bucks.  Last year, the Bucks won the title in part due to the loss of key players to injury by other teams.  This season, it's the Bucks (and 76ers) who have suffered the biggest losses thus far.  Milwaukee will be without its second best player, Khris Middleton, for this series, while the 76ers lost center Joel Embiid.  It would have been an uphill climb for Milwaukee even with Middleton, but his absence will likely doom Milwaukee in this series.  I expect Boston to get off to a good start in Game 1, and we'll lay the points.  Milwaukee has won its last three games, but it's a poor 110-173-1 ATS off three (or more) wins.  Even worse:  it's 5-20 ATS as an underdog of more than 2 points, including 0-8 ATS vs. a foe off back to back wins.  Take the Celtics.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Pittsburgh Penguins minus 1.5 goals over the Columbus Blue Jackets.  The Penguins haven't exactly been what you'd call a "clutch" team lately.  With third place in the Metropolitan Division on the line and the Pens ending their season with games against the Flyers, Oilers, and Blue Jackets, you'd think they would have been in very good shape.  Heck, even a 3-0 finish would not have been out of the question.  But they come into tonight's match-up with Columbus needing a victory after dropping games to Philly and Edmonton -- and neither was close.  Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets come into tonight off an emotional win over the defending Champs (Tampa) in their final home game of the season.  Off that win, however, I expect a letdown tonight.  And, based on the numbers, Pittsburgh couldn't have hand-picked a better opponent for its final game of the regular season.  The Penguins have won 13 of the last 15 meetings with the Blue Jackets and they have won 10 straight meetings here at home going back to December of 2015.  The Blue Jackets are also 4-9 in 13 games when playing with zero days of rest this season.  Take Pittsburgh on the puck line, minus 1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Utah Jazz over the Dallas Mavericks.  Utah's Donovan Mitchell will play tonight, and that's all we need to pull the trigger on the Jazz.  Utah could not have played any worse in Game 5, as it lost by 25 points, and made just 3 of 30 shots from three-point range.  Given that Utah converted 36% of its three-point shots this season, and ranked second in successful three-pointers per game (14.5), I fully expect the Jazz to play much better here, at home, on Thursday.  NBA teams with a .583 (or better) win percentage are a solid 59-41 ATS in the playoffs off a 25-point (or worse) defeat.  Take the Jazz.  Good luck as always....Al McMordie.

At 7 pm, on Thursday, our selection is on the Philadelphia 76ers over the Toronto Raptors.  The Sixers were blown out, 103-88, by Toronto in Game 5.  But off that home upset defeat, we'll take Philly on the road in Game 6.  Indeed, road teams that scored less than 90 points in a 15-point (or worse) home upset playoff loss, have cashed 64.7% since 1990.  Take the 76ers.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns minus the points over New Orleans.  We played on the Pelicans as a home underdog in Game 4, and were rewarded with a 118-103 blowout win.  But off that loss, we'll take Monty Williams' men to rebound on Tuesday.  Phoenix is an awesome 50-18-1 ATS off an upset road loss, including 16-0 ATS its last 16 vs. foes that covered by 11+ points in their previous game.  Take the Suns.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Brooklyn Nets over the Boston Celtics.  Brooklyn was within a half-second of winning Game 1 on the road, but fell, 115-114, when Jayson Tatum took a pass from Marcus Smart, and made a lay-up at the buzzer.  It was one of those momentous plays which -- for all intents and purposes -- swung this series to Boston's favor.  Indeed, Brooklyn never recovered.  It certainly had its chances again in Game 2, but collapsed late in a 7-point loss.  And, then, here at home, the Nets lost by six, 109-103, in Game 3.  I stayed completely away from this Playoff series over its first three games, but the value now resides on the side of Brooklyn.  It was favored by 4 points in Game 3, but because it's down 3-games-to-none, the number has been significantly adjusted.  I certainly understand WHY the number has been adjusted:  teams down 3-games-to-none have gone 39-55-5 ATS since 1990 in Game 4.  But of those prior 99 series, only 2 have been more competitive as this one, as Boston has only outscored Brooklyn by a total of 14 points in the three games.  We'll play on Brooklyn, as it falls into a 90-52 ATS Playoff series of mine which plays on certain home teams off back to back ATS losses.  Take the Nets.  Good luck, as always....Al McMordie.

At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the New Orleans Pelicans + the points over Phoenix.  The #1-seeded Suns regained control of this series with a 115-112 victory in Game 3.  But we will fade Phoenix off that win, as NBA road teams off a win in Game 3, and up 2-games-to-1, are a dismal 32.7% ATS since 1990 in competitively-priced games with spreads less than 5 points.  Take the Pelicans to even this series at 2 games apiece.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Timberwolves + the points over Memphis.  The Grizzlies roared back from a seemingly impossible 26-point deficit to win Game 3, 104-95.  Memphis now has a 2-1 series lead, but the Timberwolves are far from out of it.  We'll take the homestanding T-Wolves tonight, as home teams off a loss in Game 3 have cashed 71% since 1990 if they trailed in the series 2 games to 1, and their opponent's win percentage was less than .703.  Take Minnesota + the points.

At 4:30 pm, our selection is on the Utah Jazz minus the points over Dallas.  With their proverbial backs against the wall, the Jazz will attempt to level the series at 2 games apiece this afternoon.  Utah is a spectacular 67.3% ATS as a favorite off a SU/ATS home loss since 1990 when playing with revenge.  I won't fade those numbers.  Lay the points.

At 9:30 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns over the New Orleans Pelicans.  Entering the playoffs, the Suns had the easiest path toward a championship, which would have been their first in their franchise's history.  But that path got a huge roadblock in Game 2 when star Devin Booker sustained a hamstring injury.  If there is a silver lining for Monty Williams' crew, it's that they've played many games without Booker over the last two years.  This season, they went 8-6 in 14 games sans Booker.  We'll take Phoenix in this Game #3, as it is 105-58-3 as a single-digit favorite (or PK) off an upset loss, including 42-16-3 ATS on the road; 7-0 ATS its last 7 playoff games; and 40-15-2 ATS if it failed to cover its previous game by 16+ points.  Take the Suns.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7 pm, our selection is on the Atlanta Hawks over the Miami Heat.  Miami bested Atlanta by 10 points in Game #2.  We'll take Atlanta here, at home, in Game #3, as it's 96-55 ATS at home when playing with rest, and revenge from a double-digit loss.  Take the Hawks.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Denver Nuggets + the points over Golden State.  The Nuggets come into this game off 3 straight point spread defeats.  But Denver is a spectacular 29-8 ATS off 3 (or more) ATS losses, if it was matched up against a .400 (or better) foe, including 9-1 ATS when playing with revenge.  Grab the points with Mike Malone's men.

At 9 pm, our selection is on the Utah Jazz minus the points over Dallas.  We played on the Mavericks in Game 2, and were rewarded with a 110-104 upset victory.  Unfortunately for Dallas, it's 13-34 ATS vs. .333 (or better) revenge-minded foes, if Dallas won its previous game.  Take Utah to bounce back on Thursday.

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Colorado Avalanche minus 1.5 goals over the Seattle Kraken.  The Avs lost a tough one at home on Monday, 3-2, to the Capitals.  Despite Colorado's dominance this season, the loss wasn't all that surprising given that the Caps have the best road record in the league and that they seem to have Colorado's number lately.  Tonight should be a different story as the Avs visit Seattle.  The Kraken have had a tough go of it in their first NHL season with a 25-44-6 record overall and just 14-21-3 here at home.  Despite the Avs' loss the other night, they still are tied for the best record in the league with Florida, and have an outside shot at a second consecutive President's Trophy.  The problem for Colorado in its chase for the most points is that tonight's game will be the last game against a non-playoff team.  The Panthers, on the other hand, have a much easier finishing schedule.  But the good news for tonight's game is that the Avs tend to not lose back-to-back games.  In its last 15 games immediately following a defeat -- going back to November 6 -- Colorado is 13-2.  Even better:  Seattle is on a 2-game win streak, but has yet to win three-in-a-row in five previous attempts this season.  The Kraken is also 0-4 in its last four after allowing two goals or less in its previous game.  Take the Avs minus 1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:30 pm, on Tuesday, our selection is on the Memphis Grizzlies minus the points over Minnesota. Memphis was the league's #1 point spread team this season, with a 52-29-1 ATS record (64.1% ATS). But it comes into this Game 2 off back to back SU/ATS losses, as it fell to Boston, 139-110, in its final regular season game, and lost to Minnesota, 130-117, on Saturday. We'll take Memphis to bounce back tonight, as NBA teams with a .620 (or better) ATS win percentage have cashed 68.9% at home in the post-season since 1990. And favorites of -4 (or more) points off back to back losses by 13+ points have cashed 75% in the post-season since 1990. Indeed, we just saw this situation last Wednesday when the New Orleans Pelicans (-5) defeated the San Antonio Spurs, 113-103, after losing their two previous games by 27 and 21 points. Finally, favorites have cashed 88% in the playoffs if they gave up 123+ points in back to back games. Take Memphis minus the points. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Atlanta Hawks + the points over the Miami Heat.  These two teams have met twice over the previous 11 days, with the Hawks losing by 4 and 24 points.  We'll play on the double-revenge-minded road underdog tonight, as #1-seeds (like Miami) stumble in Game 2 of a series more often than not after posting a blowout win in Game 1.  Indeed, #1-seeded teams have covered just 28% as a favorite of 6+ points against .520 (or better) foes following a 6-point (or better) win to open a series.  That doesn't bode well for Erik Spoelstra's men tonight.  Nor does the fact the Heat are an awful 26-55, 32% ATS at home off a division home win.  Grab the points with Atlanta.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 10:05 pm, our selection is on the Vegas Golden Knights -1.5 goals over the New Jersey Devils. It's crunch-time in Las Vegas. The team which has made the NHL post-season in each of its first four years in the League is in danger of not making it in 2022. Prior to the Monday games, the Golden Knights are sitting three points behind the Los Angeles Kings, and four points behind the Dallas Stars and Nashville Predators with six games to go. The Knights will need to overtake at least one of those teams to reach the post-season. The good news for Vegas is that it has played one less game than Los Angeles -- the closest team to it in the standings. But the bad news is that the Kings' final five games are all against teams outside of the Playoff picture. So, Vegas definitely has the odds against it. Tonight, the Golden Knights will look to sweep the season series against the Devils, who they defeated last December, 5-3. In fact, Vegas has beaten the Devils in each of the last four meetings going back to January 2019. The Devils are also 2-5 in their last seven games against Western Conference foes including 0-4 in their last four vs. the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, the Knights are 41-14 in their last 55 vs. a team with a winning percentage below .400. Take Vegas minus 1.5 goals. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 8:30 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Mavericks + the points over the Utah Jazz. In last Sunday's final regular season game, Jason Kidd's gameplan was to play Luka Doncic for three quarters against the San Antonio Spurs. But with less than three minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, his All-Star strained his left calf. Sometimes, one's best-laid plans go awry. The Mavericks put up a game fight in Saturday's 99-93 loss, but had poor offensive execution, and missed too many free throws. Certainly, they'll have to be better in those areas tonight. The good news for Dallas is that underdogs off a SU/ATS loss that are down 1 game in a playoff series have covered 57.3% since 1990. And the Mavericks are 19-8 ATS as an underdog off a loss when they've trailed in a playoff series. Take the Mavericks + the points. Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns minus the points over New Orleans.  The Pelicans are (by far) the worst team in the playoffs.  They were 36-46 in the regular season, but were able to sneak into the playoffs by defeating a Los Angeles Clippers team which was without its All-Star, Paul George, due to COVID-19.  Unfortunately for the Pelicans, Phoenix -- the league's #1 team with 64 wins -- won't be missing any key personnel this afternoon.  Even worse for the Pelicans:  it's playing this game with just 1 day off, while the Suns have been off for 6 days.  And .650 (or worse) teams have covered just 26% of playoff games since 1990 if their opponent had at least 5 more days of rest.  Moreover, NBA teams with a losing record are 51-92-7 ATS their last 150 playoff games.  And teams with a win percentage at least .325 worse than their opponent have gone 0-8 SU/ATS in the opening game of a playoff series.  Lay the points with the Suns.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:05 pm, our selection is on the Boston Bruins minus 1.5 goals over the Ottawa Senators.  While the Caps keep winning games, the Bruins are losing them, making the race for the playoff match-ups in the East very interesting.  The Bruins lost to the Blues on Tuesday night, despite out-shooting them by 11 (41-30).  That's three losses in their last four games and they're now only three points ahead of the Caps in the Wild Card race.  They're also just one game behind the Lightning, so their last nine games could mean the difference between a top-three Divisional finish and the last available playoff spot.  They're back home again tonight, but instead of facing a team that is fighting for its own playoff position, as St. Louis is doing, it's the Senators that are coming to Bean Town.  Ottawa is 14-22 on the road this season.  And although it's won three of its last four away from home, those three wins came against the likes of the Canadiens and Red Wings (twice).  Series don't get much more one-sided than this one as Boston is 14-2 in the last 16 meetings and 6-0 in the last six at home.  Take the Bruins minus 1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 9:40 pm, our selection is on the Dallas Mavericks minus the points over San Antonio.  The Spurs' chase for the #9 slot officially ended with last night's loss at home to the Golden State Warriors.  With nothing to play for tonight, we'll fade Gregg Popovich's crew in Dallas.  The Mavericks still aspire to get to the #3 position, which would happen with a win vs. San Antone, and a loss by the Warriors in New Orleans.  Since February 4, Dallas is 22-7 SU and 21-8 ATS.  And it's 24-3 SU and 18-9 ATS its last 27 when laying 9+ points.  The Mavericks blew out Portland by 50 points in its last game.  And NBA favorites off late-season wins (final 11 games of the season) by > 36 points have gone 28-0 SU and 20-7-1 ATS, including a perfect 7-0-1 ATS in their final home game of the season.  Lay the points with the Mavericks.  Good luck, as always....Al McMordie.

At 9:40 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Clippers minus the points over Oklahoma City.  The Clips continue to roll as we end the season.  Last night, they blew out Sacramento here, at home, 117-98.  And they're clearly on a mission, as their 4-game win streak started with a 153-119 victory AT MILWAUKEE -- in a game Paul George didn't even play!  Los Angeles is now 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS, with its only ATS defeat coming against the Suns, when Phoenix had to outscore the Clippers, 48-26, in the fourth quarter just to get the cover.  Still, Los Angeles played great for most of that game, as it even went on a 21-0 run to establish a huge lead.  Tonight, the Clippers will close out the season with a game against 24-57 Oklahoma City, which has long since been eliminated from playoff contention.  OKC comes into this game off a 120-101 loss at the Los Angeles Lakers.  And the Lakers had dropped eight straight games prior to that contest.  We'll lay the points, as NBA teams with a win percentage > .300 have gone 71.8% ATS since 2009 in the season's final regular season game vs. foes with a win percentage < .300.  Take the Clippers.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:40 pm, our selection is on the Denver Nuggets minus the points over the Los Angeles Lakers.  This will not be a star-studded affair.  Denver's MVP Nikola Jokic is questionable to play tonight, while Russell Westbrook, LeBron James, and Anthony Davis are all out for the Lakers.  The Nuggets come into this game off a 122-109 blowout win over Memphis, on Thursday.  They currently reside in the 6th seed, and can get as high as #5 with a win tonight, and an improbable loss by Utah vs. Portland.  But it's extremely unlikely, and it may also not even be desirable by Denver, given that it might prefer the 2-3-6-7 pathway rather than the 1-4-5-8 path (so as to avoid playing Phoenix until the conference finals, at the earliest).  But regardless of Denver's incentive, we're going to lay the points tonight against the hapless Lakers.  This season, the Lakers were one of the biggest disappointments in league history.  They were tabbed by many to be one of the top 3 teams in the entire NBA, but wound up missing the playoffs entirely.  So, with this final game being played on the road, and also being Los Angeles' 3rd game in four days, we'll fade them, and lay the points with Denver.  Indeed, NBA road underdogs have gone 18-38 ATS in their final game of the regular season, if they were playing their 3rd game in four days, and their opponent was rested and off an ATS win.  Take Denver minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:40 pm, our selection is on the Minnesota Timberwolves minus the points over Chicago.  The Bulls are 0-4 SU/ATS coming into this final regular season game.  We played against Chicago on Friday, and it was upset at home by Charlotte, 133-117.  That upset defeat doesn't bode well for Chicago tonight, as winning teams, off an upset loss in their final regular season home game, are a horrid 21.4% as road underdogs vs. other winning teams.  Take Minnesota minus the points.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the New York Knicks + the points over Toronto.  The Knicks are a home underdog to end the regular season, after blowing out Washington, 114-92, on Friday.  Since 1990, home dogs have cashed 58% in their final game of the regular season, if they were off a SU win in their previous game.  Take the Knicks + the points.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the Philadelphia 76ers minus the points over Detroit.  Philly is 50-31, and still has an outside shot at the #3 seed in the Eastern conference (it would need a win coupled with a Celtics loss).  We'll lay the points, as Philly will be playing this game with revenge from a 102-94 loss at Detroit 10 days ago.  But revenge-minded favorites of more than 12 points have gone 9-0 ATS since 1990 if it was the final game of the regular season for both teams.  Lay the points.

At 6:05 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes -1.5 goals over the Anaheim Ducks.  Not that long ago, the Hurricanes were considered favorites in the East.  They still have to be looked at as one of the most talented teams in the league, but anyone can see that the 'Canes are simply not playing their best hockey right now.  Carolina has lost three of its last four games and two of those came against non-playoff-caliber clubs in the Sabres and Islanders.  With 10 games to go in the regular season, there is certainly time for the 'Canes to turn it around, and a Sunday affair against a sub-par Western Conference team may be just what they need.  The Ducks looked very promising in the first half of the season, but you'd be hard-pressed to find another team in the league that has nose-dived in the second half as dramatically as Anaheim.  Since January 31, the Ducks are a God-awful 6-20.  The 'Canes have been dominating teams outside of their conference as they are 53-21 in their last 74 games vs. clubs from the West and 21-7 in their last 28 vs. the Pacific Division.  Take Carolina -1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 3:40 pm, our selection is on the Charlotte Hornets minus the points over Washington.  The Hornets are in 10th place, but are still alive to move up to 7th place with a win (they would need the Cavaliers, Nets and Hawks to lose for that to happen).  The upshot, of course, is that Charlotte will play this game to win.  Washington, meanwhile, is 35-46, and out of the playoff picture.  The Wizards were blown out in each of their last two games -- 118-103 by the Hawks, and 114-92 by the Knicks.  We'll go against Washington this afternoon, as NBA teams off back to back 15-point losses have covered just 20% since 1990 in their final regular season game, when matched up against a foe off back to back SU/ATS wins.  Take the Hornets minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 3:40 pm, our selection is on the Brooklyn Nets minus the points over Indiana.  We played on Brooklyn against Cleveland on Friday, and will come right back with them this afternoon.  The Nets will secure the #7 slot with a victory, while the Pacers will surely be happy to see this horrible season end.  Indiana has lost its last nine games, and has given up more than 120 points in each of its last eight, including a 133-120 defeat at Philadelphia yesterday.  We'll fade the Pacers as underdogs have covered just 21% since 1990 in their final regular season game after giving up 125+ points in their previous game, and playing an opponent off a straight-up win.  Take Brooklyn minus the points.

At 9:40 pm, our selection is on the Utah Jazz minus the points over Phoenix.  After a horrible 1-6 SU and 0-7 ATS run, the Jazz snapped out of their funk with an overtime win against Memphis, and a 36-point blowout victory over Oklahoma City.  Tonight, they'll set their sights on the league's best team.  And Utah will no doubt want to play well -- if only to just boost their confidence -- given they might match-up with these Suns in the quarter-finals.  Utah is 46-24 ATS at home when playing with rest off an 18-point (or greater) win.  And the Jazz also fall into a 61% ATS "Last Home Game" system of mine which plays on certain .375 (or better) teams in their final home game, if they were off a SU win.  Take the Jazz.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:10 pm, our selection is on the Charlotte Hornets over the Chicago Bulls.  Chicago is -- for all intents and purposes -- locked into the #6 seed in the Eastern conference, as the Raptors will nail down the #5 seed tonight when it plays the 20-60 Houston Rockets (a game which starts 30 minutes prior to this contest).  But Charlotte can rise as high as the #7 seed, so it will be highly motivated to play this game from start to finish.  The Hornets blew out Orlando, 128-101, last night, and fall into 116-69 and 91-51 ATS late-season systems of mine that play on certain teams off wins.  In contrast, Chicago comes into this game on a 3-game SU/ATS home losing streak.  But teams on 3-game SU/ATS losing streaks are a soft 36% as a favorite in the final four games of a regular season, including a horrid 4-21-1 ATS if they were playing their 3rd game in four nights (which Chicago is).  Take Charlotte + the points.

At 7:40 pm, our selection is on the Brooklyn Nets minus the points over Cleveland.  Brooklyn (finally) showed some intestinal fortitude when it roared back from a 67-50 halftime deficit to beat New York, 110-98, on Wednesday.  On the heels of that 60-31 2nd half, we'll lay the points with Brooklyn in this crucial match-up against Cleveland tonight.  This game will determine the #7 seed (assuming Brooklyn can beat the hapless Indiana Pacers on Sunday), so both teams will be fully motivated.  But Cleveland is currently in a 2-8 ATS tailspin, including an upset loss at Orlando in their last game.  And that doesn't bode well tonight, as nba teams have cashed just 37% since 1990 in their final road game, if they were off back to back losses, and their opponent was rested, and off back to back wins.  Take the Nets.

At 10 pm, our selection is on the Golden State minus the points over Los Angeles.  The 2021-22 Lakers have been the most disappointing team in recent memory.  Pegged by many to be a Top 3 NBA team, the Lakers flamed out, and failed to make the Playoffs entirely.  It's true Los Angeles sustained injuries this season.  But so did Golden State, yet the Warriors powered through, and currently reside in the #3 spot out West.  Golden State's on a 3-game ATS win streak, and has won its last 2 games, straight-up.  However, Dallas is right behind Golden State, and sits just a half-game behind, so I expect the Warriors to be ultra-focused tonight.  The Warriors did lose their previous game to the Lakers.  But they're 93-60 ATS when playing with same-season revenge, including 10-1 ATS their last 11 at home .  And they're 38-24 ATS off 3 ATS wins.  Lay the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:10 pm, our selection is on the Denver Nuggets minus the points over Memphis.  The Nuggets are still incentivized to win, as Minnesota is chasing down their necks for the #6 spot, while Denver can still catch Utah for the #5 spot.  This is Memphis' final road game of the season.  The Grizzlies are locked into the #2 seed in the Western conference, so they don't have the same incentive as Denver (but, of course, that's not to say the Grizzlies won't continue to play hard).  Regardless, since 1990, playoff-bound NBA teams that were off a SU loss in their previous game, have covered just 37% in their final road game of the season, if they were installed as an underdog.  Lay the points with Denver.

At 7:35 pm, our selection is on the Carolina Hurricanes minus the 1.5 goals over the Buffalo Sabres.  The Hurricanes looked like world-beaters and the likely favorite to get to the Cup Finals from the East only a few short weeks ago.  But the team which won their only NHL Championship back in 2006 has lost eight of its last 12 games, including three of its last four coming into tonight.  The good news is that Carolina still has a dozen games to try to get itself straightened out for the playoffs.  That should be plenty of time for Sebastian Aho, Jordan Staal, Frederik Andersen & Co. to figure things out.  This is a back-to-back revenge situation for the 'Canes who just lost to the Sabres in Buffalo, 4-2, on Tuesday.  Still, the Sabres' 3.62 goals-against-average in 34 road games this season ranks as the fifth-worst such number in the league (tied with Philadelphia).  Coupled with their 2.56 road goal scoring rate, that results in a negative differential of greater than one goal away from home.  Buffalo is 8-18 in its last 26 when playing the second game of a home-and-home series.  Take the Hurricanes minus 1.5 goals.  As always, good luck...Al McMordie.

At 7:30 pm, our selection is on the Milwaukee Bucks minus the points over Boston.  Each of these teams enters tonight's game with 30 losses, so the winner will have a leg-up on a higher seed in the Playoffs.  This is Milwaukee's final home game of the season, NBA teams are 128-96-4 ATS when playing their final home game, and priced from -3.5 to -7 points (Milwaukee is 9-2 SU and 8-2-1 ATS in this situation).  Take Milwaukee.

At 10:40 pm, our selection is on the Phoenix Suns minus the points over the Los Angeles Lakers.  The Suns have rolled to the best record in the league.  They're 62-16 with four games to go.  But Phoenix was upset by the Oklahoma City Thunder in its last game, and that was its second straight loss, overall.  And it also was its 3rd straight ATS defeat.  But Phoenix is 5-0 ATS this season off 3 ATS losses.  And it's 63-38 ATS off 3 point spread losses when it owned a winning record.  The Suns have won six straight vs. the Lakers, and the last five have been by 29, 18, 10, 13 and 30 points.  Take the Suns minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:10 pm, our selection is on the San Antonio Spurs + the points over Denver.  The Spurs are closing in on an improbable berth in the Play-in round.  Prior to the season, most pegged the Spurs to win between 24 and 28 games this season.  But, with four to play, San Antonio is 33-45, and is on the doorstep of clinching the #10 seed (with an outside shot of finishing #9).  The Spurs are 14-5 ATS as road underdogs of +6 (or more) points this season (and 27-10 ATS their last 37 in this role).  Take San Antonio + the points.

At 9:10 pm, our selection is on the Utah Jazz minus the points over Memphis.  Certainly, these two teams have had contrasting seasons.  Utah had hopes to repeat its strong 2020-21 season, where it owned the #1 record in the entire league (52-20).  But the Jazz have struggled, and are in 6th in the West, with a 46-32 record.  In contrast, the Grizzlies were 8th in the West last season, with a 38-34 record, but have taken a massive leap forward this year.  The Grizzlies own the NBA's #2 record (55-23), and also are the league's best team against the point spread (65.3% ATS).  Memphis, perhaps, had its best game of the season this past Friday when it upset the league's best team -- Phoenix -- 122-114, as a 7.5-point home underdog.  But off that emotional win, we'll fade the Grizzlies on the road tonight, as they fall into a negative 146-234 ATS system of mine which fades certain teams off wins over > .800 foes.  The fact remains that Memphis is locked into the #2 spot out West, and has less incentive to win tonight than does Utah.  The Jazz are in a tight battle with Denver for the #5 slot, and can also move as high as #4, and fall as low as #7.  Take the Jazz minus the points.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 8:10 pm, our selection is on the Portland Trail Blazers + the points over Oklahoma City.  The Thunder pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season on Sunday, when they shocked Phoenix, 117-96, as a 14-point home underdog.  But tonight the Thunder aren't an underdog -- they're favored against Portland (which has lost 7 straight).  And favored teams have covered just 33% since 1990 off an upset win as a 13-point (or greater underdog), if they were matched up against a foe off a SU/ATS loss.  Take the Trail Blazers + the points.

At 8:10 pm, our selection is on the Milwaukee Bucks minus the points over Chicago.   The Bucks come into tonight's game off back to back upset home losses -- to the Clippers and Mavericks.  But Milwaukee is a fantastic 42-10 SU and 38-14 ATS in the regular season as a favorite of -3.5 to -11 points, if it was off back to back defeats, including a perfect 9-0 ATS in division games.  Lay the points with the Bucks.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 9:40 pm, our selection is on the Los Angeles Clippers minus the points over New Orleans.  The Clippers welcomed All-Star Paul George back on Tuesday, and they defeated Utah, 121-115.  We played on Los Angeles in that home game, and we'll back the Clippers again tonight, at home.  Los Angeles comes into this game off the highest-scoring victory in the NBA against a winning opponent the past two seasons.  Los Angeles walloped Milwaukee, 153-119, and home teams have covered 71 percent since 1990 after scoring more than 148 points in a win.  Take Los Angeles.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.

At 7:10 pm, our selection is on the Portland Trail Blazers + the points over San Antonio.  We played on San Antonio two nights ago, and were rewarded with a 130-111 blowout win over these Trail Blazers.  But we'll take the double-digits with Portland in the rematch, as double-digit road underdogs have covered 68.2% in the regular season over the last 31 years, if the two teams were playing the 2nd of back-to-back games, and our underdog lost SU/ATS in the prior meeting.  Take the points with Portland.  Good luck, as always...Al McMordie.