Mike Lundin
Wild vs Sharks
5* NHL Free Pick San Jose Sharks ML
The Minnesota Wild had recorded 12 consecutive victories before running into the even hotter Columbus Blue Jackets on New Year's Eve. This will be the Wild's first game since the defeat, and we can note that they're 2-11 in their last 13 games when playing on three or more days rest and they've struggled with the Sharks in recent season's, particularly at SAP Center where they've won just three of the last 18 encounters. San Jose is coming off back-to-back losses to Los Angeles, so the Sharks will be desperate to get back in the win column.
Goaltending advantage San Jose as Devan Dubnyk is 5-8-2 with a 3.07 GAA against the Sharks while Martin Jones is 2-1-0 with a fantastic 1.38 career GAA against the Wild. Great price on the Sharks to take a big bite of the Wild at home.
Wild vs Sharks
5* NHL Free Pick San Jose Sharks ML
The Minnesota Wild had recorded 12 consecutive victories before running into the even hotter Columbus Blue Jackets on New Year's Eve. This will be the Wild's first game since the defeat, and we can note that they're 2-11 in their last 13 games when playing on three or more days rest and they've struggled with the Sharks in recent season's, particularly at SAP Center where they've won just three of the last 18 encounters. San Jose is coming off back-to-back losses to Los Angeles, so the Sharks will be desperate to get back in the win column.
Goaltending advantage San Jose as Devan Dubnyk is 5-8-2 with a 3.07 GAA against the Sharks while Martin Jones is 2-1-0 with a fantastic 1.38 career GAA against the Wild. Great price on the Sharks to take a big bite of the Wild at home.
Ray Monohan
Thunder vs Rockets
5* NBA FREE ATS Play Oklahoma City Thunder +8.5
It's going to be Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden on Thursday night and the Thunder plus the points is the play here.
Oklahoma City receives all their offensive sparks from Westbrook and he comes in off a solid showing. Westbrook finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in a loss to Charlotte. Look for him to really pick apart this Houston defense here as he'll have plenty of motivation and momentum heading into this one.
This is matchup where the Thunder matchup well defensively with Houston. Expect the Thunder to really suffocate shooters in this one and not allow the Rockets to get many good looks from behind the arc.
Some trends to note. Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Expect this one to stay close throughout, as Westbrook and Harden put on a show.
Back Oklahoma City ATS.
Good Luck, Razor Ray
Thunder vs Rockets
5* NBA FREE ATS Play Oklahoma City Thunder +8.5
It's going to be Russell Westbrook vs. James Harden on Thursday night and the Thunder plus the points is the play here.
Oklahoma City receives all their offensive sparks from Westbrook and he comes in off a solid showing. Westbrook finished with 33 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 assists in a loss to Charlotte. Look for him to really pick apart this Houston defense here as he'll have plenty of motivation and momentum heading into this one.
This is matchup where the Thunder matchup well defensively with Houston. Expect the Thunder to really suffocate shooters in this one and not allow the Rockets to get many good looks from behind the arc.
Some trends to note. Thunder are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 vs. Western Conference. Thunder are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
Expect this one to stay close throughout, as Westbrook and Harden put on a show.
Back Oklahoma City ATS.
Good Luck, Razor Ray
Scott Spreitzer
Loyola Marymount vs Pepperdine
Bonus Play Loyola Marymount
I'm recommending a play on Loyola-Marymount minus the points on Thursday night. The Lions are on the road in Malibu taking on a Pepperdine team that finally returns home for the first time since November 27. The Waves have dropped nine in a row SU (1-8 ATS), and defense, or lack thereof, has been the biggest culprit. Pepperdine has allowed an average of 84.3 ppg during the losing streak and have allowed teams to nail 47.6% of their FGA (325th) & a ridiculous 43.1% of their 3-pointers (350th) on the season. The Waves don't rebound well and can't shoot from the stripe, while barely touching 70 ppg. We doubt being reacquainted with home-cooking will get them back on track tonight. Finally, Pepperdine is on a 1-10 ATS slide against teams with a winning record. Loyola-Marymount isn't going to challenge in the WCC, but they're in better shape than Pepperdine. We're backing LMU minus the points on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Loyola Marymount vs Pepperdine
Bonus Play Loyola Marymount
I'm recommending a play on Loyola-Marymount minus the points on Thursday night. The Lions are on the road in Malibu taking on a Pepperdine team that finally returns home for the first time since November 27. The Waves have dropped nine in a row SU (1-8 ATS), and defense, or lack thereof, has been the biggest culprit. Pepperdine has allowed an average of 84.3 ppg during the losing streak and have allowed teams to nail 47.6% of their FGA (325th) & a ridiculous 43.1% of their 3-pointers (350th) on the season. The Waves don't rebound well and can't shoot from the stripe, while barely touching 70 ppg. We doubt being reacquainted with home-cooking will get them back on track tonight. Finally, Pepperdine is on a 1-10 ATS slide against teams with a winning record. Loyola-Marymount isn't going to challenge in the WCC, but they're in better shape than Pepperdine. We're backing LMU minus the points on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday
Iowa State just missed getting the upset at Baylor, with the Cyclones comfortably finishing inside the number. I’ll stay in the colleges for the Thursday comp.
785 FURMAN at 786 SAMFORD 8:00 PM
Take: SAMFORD -3
Samford gets no recognition nationally as they’re in a non-marquee conference, but this is one of the most improved teams in college basketball. Actually, Furman is also exceeding expectations, so this has a chance to be a pretty good game.
But matching the two teams up category by category, it’s the Bulldogs earning most of the check marks. There’s also the home chalk double revenge angle, which is working extremely well so far in conference play.
I don’t see the Paladins getting blown out here, but I do expect Samford to win and the points are reasonable, so I’m on the home side here.
Bonus Play Thursday
Iowa State just missed getting the upset at Baylor, with the Cyclones comfortably finishing inside the number. I’ll stay in the colleges for the Thursday comp.
785 FURMAN at 786 SAMFORD 8:00 PM
Take: SAMFORD -3
Samford gets no recognition nationally as they’re in a non-marquee conference, but this is one of the most improved teams in college basketball. Actually, Furman is also exceeding expectations, so this has a chance to be a pretty good game.
But matching the two teams up category by category, it’s the Bulldogs earning most of the check marks. There’s also the home chalk double revenge angle, which is working extremely well so far in conference play.
I don’t see the Paladins getting blown out here, but I do expect Samford to win and the points are reasonable, so I’m on the home side here.
BRAD WILTON
Comp play winner for Thursday is the Jazz and Raptors to add up to an Over in their game at the Air Canada Centre.
Utah snapped a streak of 3 straight Unders in their 115-104 loss at Boston on Tuesday, while Toronto is back home off a 6 game road trip that saw them split 6 in the Over/Under department. A closer look shows the road trip starting with an Over in Utah back on December 23rd.
That's significant as it pushed the series numbers to 8-2 over the total the past 10 times the teams have played one another. The Over also happens to be 4-0 the last 4 meetings in Canada between the teams.
With Toronto 22-12 Over for the year, stick with the percentages that are in favor of another Over between the teams.
Jazz and Raptors go to 9-2 Over the total in their last 11 meetings, and 5-0 Over at Toronto.
2* UTAH-TORONTO OVER
Comp play winner for Thursday is the Jazz and Raptors to add up to an Over in their game at the Air Canada Centre.
Utah snapped a streak of 3 straight Unders in their 115-104 loss at Boston on Tuesday, while Toronto is back home off a 6 game road trip that saw them split 6 in the Over/Under department. A closer look shows the road trip starting with an Over in Utah back on December 23rd.
That's significant as it pushed the series numbers to 8-2 over the total the past 10 times the teams have played one another. The Over also happens to be 4-0 the last 4 meetings in Canada between the teams.
With Toronto 22-12 Over for the year, stick with the percentages that are in favor of another Over between the teams.
Jazz and Raptors go to 9-2 Over the total in their last 11 meetings, and 5-0 Over at Toronto.
2* UTAH-TORONTO OVER
