Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Monday
539 GEORGIA SOUTHERN @ 540 APPALACHIAN STATE 6:30 PM
Take: GEORGIA SOUTHERN +3.5
The records for these two teams won’t show it, but both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have shown some considerable improvement recently, and this might turn out to be a pretty good under the radar game.
Georgia Southern has split its last four games, and while the Eagles are still a very poor entry when it comes to shooting the basketball, other aspects of their game have gotten much better. Georgia Southern is actually leading the Sun Belt in turnover percentage on both the offensive and defensive ends, and that’s pretty impressive.
Those turnover stats are also the key to this selection. Appalachian State has upped its performance level just like the Eagles since conference play got started. But the one area in which the Mountaineers have had continued issues is in the turnover category. Appalachian State is dead last in the SBC in turnover percentage, and just as with Georgia Southern, that’s on both offense and defense.
This is pretty compelling stuff for me. I really like it when I can find an underdog with its strongest aspect also happening to be the weakest link for the favorite, and that’s what I will get here with Georgia Southern.
Additionally, it’s not a bad situational fade for Appalachian State. The Mountaineers are off back to back outright underdog wins against Arkansas State and Georgia State. Now they’re laying points, and that’s certainly an unfamiliar role for the Mountaineers. In fact, they’ve been chalk just twice all season and Appalachian State lost each of those game straight up.
The downside here is that Georgia Southern shoots bricks with the worst of them, and the lack of accuracy is simply always going to be a concern. But with a number of categorical edges in head to head comparisons, including the aforementioned turnover stats, I’m seeing the Eagles as a very live dog tonight. I’ll take the available points with Georgia Southern.
Bonus Play Monday
539 GEORGIA SOUTHERN @ 540 APPALACHIAN STATE 6:30 PM
Take: GEORGIA SOUTHERN +3.5
The records for these two teams won’t show it, but both Georgia Southern and Appalachian State have shown some considerable improvement recently, and this might turn out to be a pretty good under the radar game.
Georgia Southern has split its last four games, and while the Eagles are still a very poor entry when it comes to shooting the basketball, other aspects of their game have gotten much better. Georgia Southern is actually leading the Sun Belt in turnover percentage on both the offensive and defensive ends, and that’s pretty impressive.
Those turnover stats are also the key to this selection. Appalachian State has upped its performance level just like the Eagles since conference play got started. But the one area in which the Mountaineers have had continued issues is in the turnover category. Appalachian State is dead last in the SBC in turnover percentage, and just as with Georgia Southern, that’s on both offense and defense.
This is pretty compelling stuff for me. I really like it when I can find an underdog with its strongest aspect also happening to be the weakest link for the favorite, and that’s what I will get here with Georgia Southern.
Additionally, it’s not a bad situational fade for Appalachian State. The Mountaineers are off back to back outright underdog wins against Arkansas State and Georgia State. Now they’re laying points, and that’s certainly an unfamiliar role for the Mountaineers. In fact, they’ve been chalk just twice all season and Appalachian State lost each of those game straight up.
The downside here is that Georgia Southern shoots bricks with the worst of them, and the lack of accuracy is simply always going to be a concern. But with a number of categorical edges in head to head comparisons, including the aforementioned turnover stats, I’m seeing the Eagles as a very live dog tonight. I’ll take the available points with Georgia Southern.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 7:05 PM ET
(501) MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS (502) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, January 25, 2016 is in the NBA Scheduled contest between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. Most teams get that bump when they change coaches, but that didn't happen for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyronn Lue took over the reigns for the Cavs and lost his first game out at home to the struggling Chicago Bulls, 96-83. The Cavs looked very flat in their first game following the firing of David Blatt and never really challenged the Bulls. The 83 points was a season low for the Cavs at the Quicken Loans Arena. One issue with the Cavs is pace, they are ranked near the bottom of the league in possessions per 48 minutes with 94.9. The Cavs have gone under in four of their last six games. Minnesota is one of the lower scoring teams in the NBA, averaging just 99.04 ppg this season. The last 16 times these clubs have met, they have gone UNDER 11 times. In addition, the UNDER is 7-2 the last nine meetings in Cleveland. The Cavs should have a much easier time scoring tonight, but with their slower pace I'm still staying with the UNDER here.
Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Monday, Jan. 25, 2016 7:05 PM ET
(501) MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES VS (502) CLEVELAND CAVALIERS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Your Bonus Play for Monday, January 25, 2016 is in the NBA Scheduled contest between the Minnesota Timberwolves and Cleveland Cavaliers. Most teams get that bump when they change coaches, but that didn't happen for the Cleveland Cavaliers. Tyronn Lue took over the reigns for the Cavs and lost his first game out at home to the struggling Chicago Bulls, 96-83. The Cavs looked very flat in their first game following the firing of David Blatt and never really challenged the Bulls. The 83 points was a season low for the Cavs at the Quicken Loans Arena. One issue with the Cavs is pace, they are ranked near the bottom of the league in possessions per 48 minutes with 94.9. The Cavs have gone under in four of their last six games. Minnesota is one of the lower scoring teams in the NBA, averaging just 99.04 ppg this season. The last 16 times these clubs have met, they have gone UNDER 11 times. In addition, the UNDER is 7-2 the last nine meetings in Cleveland. The Cavs should have a much easier time scoring tonight, but with their slower pace I'm still staying with the UNDER here.
Scott Spreitzer
Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State
Bonus Play Georgia Southern
I'm recommending a play on Georgia Southern plus the points on Monday. Neither the Eagles or Mountaineers have set the basketball world on fire on the offensive end this season, but GASO has the advantage with more "outs." App State has one player, Frank Eaves (20.6 ppg) averaging in double-figures per night, while GASO has three players averaging between 16.6 & 12.1 ppg. But the Eagles also have a pair of strong "dishers" in Tookie Brown and Devonte Boykins, who push the tempo and find open looks for their teammates. GASO averages over 75 ppg overall, and they average about 27 3-pointer per game on the road. The good news is that App State is not good on the defensive end, even on their home floor, where their "guests" have made nearly 44% of their 3-point attempts. And while GASO has forced 14 turnovers, allowing just 9 assists per game over their last five outings, the Mountaineers have an upside down 0.80 assist-turnover ratio in their last five games, averaging more than 17 tpg. The Eagles have covered five of the last seven meetings and they're on a 5-2 ATS run on the road against teams with a losing home record. Tonight marks just the third time this season App State has been posted as the favorite and they lost the first two outright. In fact, they have lost each of their last three as chalk, going back to February 12 of last season. I expect more of the same. I'm recommending a play on Georgia Southern plus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Georgia Southern vs Appalachian State
Bonus Play Georgia Southern
I'm recommending a play on Georgia Southern plus the points on Monday. Neither the Eagles or Mountaineers have set the basketball world on fire on the offensive end this season, but GASO has the advantage with more "outs." App State has one player, Frank Eaves (20.6 ppg) averaging in double-figures per night, while GASO has three players averaging between 16.6 & 12.1 ppg. But the Eagles also have a pair of strong "dishers" in Tookie Brown and Devonte Boykins, who push the tempo and find open looks for their teammates. GASO averages over 75 ppg overall, and they average about 27 3-pointer per game on the road. The good news is that App State is not good on the defensive end, even on their home floor, where their "guests" have made nearly 44% of their 3-point attempts. And while GASO has forced 14 turnovers, allowing just 9 assists per game over their last five outings, the Mountaineers have an upside down 0.80 assist-turnover ratio in their last five games, averaging more than 17 tpg. The Eagles have covered five of the last seven meetings and they're on a 5-2 ATS run on the road against teams with a losing home record. Tonight marks just the third time this season App State has been posted as the favorite and they lost the first two outright. In fact, they have lost each of their last three as chalk, going back to February 12 of last season. I expect more of the same. I'm recommending a play on Georgia Southern plus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Mike Lundin
Pistons vs Jazz
5* NBA Free Pick Utah Jazz
The Detroit Pistons have only two wins in their last seven games and are off a pair of defeats at New Orleans and Denver. They've won just three of the last 20 matchups with the Utah Jazz but claimed a 92-87 victory back in October. I think that result will work to our advantage here though as the Jazz are 11-5 when revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Utah is off a dominant 108-86 win at Brooklyn Friday and will enter this contest well rested as Saturday's scheduled game at Washington was postponed due to the blizzards plaguing the East Coast. The Jazz are a solid 5-1 ATS in their last six home games while the Pistons are 2-6 ATS in their last eight on the road. We can also note that Detroit has the worst free throw percentage in the league with just 65.0% while Utah is shooting a respectable 75.7% from the foul line.
Pistons vs Jazz
5* NBA Free Pick Utah Jazz
The Detroit Pistons have only two wins in their last seven games and are off a pair of defeats at New Orleans and Denver. They've won just three of the last 20 matchups with the Utah Jazz but claimed a 92-87 victory back in October. I think that result will work to our advantage here though as the Jazz are 11-5 when revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
Utah is off a dominant 108-86 win at Brooklyn Friday and will enter this contest well rested as Saturday's scheduled game at Washington was postponed due to the blizzards plaguing the East Coast. The Jazz are a solid 5-1 ATS in their last six home games while the Pistons are 2-6 ATS in their last eight on the road. We can also note that Detroit has the worst free throw percentage in the league with just 65.0% while Utah is shooting a respectable 75.7% from the foul line.
