Tony George
Ohio vs Toledo
Bonus Play Ohio U +17 @ Toledo
Frank Solich is a great coach, and I have banked on him all year with the Ohio Bobcats. I have faded Ohio once as well and cashed on them as favs twice. Toledo is beat up with injury issues on the OL and off a huge emotional win where they got lucky with a key turnover by Central Michigan in that game. Ohio U full healthy in backfield on offense, QB Maxwell playing smart ball and RB Brown a big boost since returning to the lineup. Solich is always good in big games as well. Ohio struggled against Kent, had -3 in turnovers and could not convert a first down to save their life in a game they overlooked, it will not happen again under Solich in this game. The sharps in Vegas hit this at 17 and now it dropped a point, I am still on them at this number to cover it, and it is climbing back up.
While Toledo is an offensive high octane machine, their OL injury issues concern me. Toledo is also a cover machine going 17-5 ATS their last 22 games overall, but I sense a spot here that gets tight for them. Ohio's strength is their defense, and they are #1 team in the MAC in points allowed on defense. While I think Toledo gets the win, it will not come easy against a team who aggressively pursues the QB and has 29 QB sacks YTD. Going with the Big Dog in this one.
Bonus Play on Ohio U Thursday Night
Ohio vs Toledo
Bonus Play Ohio U +17 @ Toledo
Frank Solich is a great coach, and I have banked on him all year with the Ohio Bobcats. I have faded Ohio once as well and cashed on them as favs twice. Toledo is beat up with injury issues on the OL and off a huge emotional win where they got lucky with a key turnover by Central Michigan in that game. Ohio U full healthy in backfield on offense, QB Maxwell playing smart ball and RB Brown a big boost since returning to the lineup. Solich is always good in big games as well. Ohio struggled against Kent, had -3 in turnovers and could not convert a first down to save their life in a game they overlooked, it will not happen again under Solich in this game. The sharps in Vegas hit this at 17 and now it dropped a point, I am still on them at this number to cover it, and it is climbing back up.
While Toledo is an offensive high octane machine, their OL injury issues concern me. Toledo is also a cover machine going 17-5 ATS their last 22 games overall, but I sense a spot here that gets tight for them. Ohio's strength is their defense, and they are #1 team in the MAC in points allowed on defense. While I think Toledo gets the win, it will not come easy against a team who aggressively pursues the QB and has 29 QB sacks YTD. Going with the Big Dog in this one.
Bonus Play on Ohio U Thursday Night
Scott Spreitzer
Celtics vs Bulls
Bonus Play Boston Celtics
I'm backing the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. Chicago signed Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez but lost Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic return in Fred Hoiberg's second year as head coach after a 42-40 season. Mirotic is probable tonight with a back injury. Boston has the luxury of having a game under its belt with Wednesday's 122-117 win over Brooklyn when the Celtics failed to cover after leading by 23 points. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 25 points and nine assists and Jae Crowder added 21 points. Al Horford scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in his first game for Boston. It will take time for the Bulls to find the right chemistry with all the changes and they still have to improve their three-point shooting and Wade and Rondo don't appear to be the answer to that problem. Boston has an incredible 40-17-1 ATS record when playing in the second of back-to-backs. Look for that trend to continue. I'm backing the Celtics on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Celtics vs Bulls
Bonus Play Boston Celtics
I'm backing the Boston Celtics on Thursday night. Chicago signed Dwyane Wade, Rajon Rondo and Robin Lopez but lost Derrick Rose, Joakim Noah and Pau Gasol. Jimmy Butler and Nikola Mirotic return in Fred Hoiberg's second year as head coach after a 42-40 season. Mirotic is probable tonight with a back injury. Boston has the luxury of having a game under its belt with Wednesday's 122-117 win over Brooklyn when the Celtics failed to cover after leading by 23 points. Isaiah Thomas led the Celtics with 25 points and nine assists and Jae Crowder added 21 points. Al Horford scored 11 points and grabbed five rebounds in his first game for Boston. It will take time for the Bulls to find the right chemistry with all the changes and they still have to improve their three-point shooting and Wade and Rondo don't appear to be the answer to that problem. Boston has an incredible 40-17-1 ATS record when playing in the second of back-to-backs. Look for that trend to continue. I'm backing the Celtics on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Sean Murphy
Panthers vs Maple Leafs
8* NHL Bonus Play Florida Panthers
Things won't get any easier for the struggling Leafs here as they welcome the Panthers who are coming off a tough 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh two nights ago.
Florida has struggled since opening with back-to-back wins, dropping three of its last four games overall. But this looks like a fine opportunity for the Panthers to get back on track against a Leafs squad that just can't keep the puck out of its own net.
Keep in mind, the Panthers have absolutely owned this series over the years. The Leafs have won just two of the last 10 meetings.
Toronto continues to battle hard, but with Frederik Andersen struggling mightily between the pipes, the offense is up against it on a nightly basis. In order to win games they need to score at least four goals it seems, and on some nights, even that isn't enough.
Here, I look for the Panthers to turn in a strong defensive performance as they try to bounce back from a blown opportunity in Pittsburgh (they led that game 2-0). Take Florida (8*).
Panthers vs Maple Leafs
8* NHL Bonus Play Florida Panthers
Things won't get any easier for the struggling Leafs here as they welcome the Panthers who are coming off a tough 3-2 loss in Pittsburgh two nights ago.
Florida has struggled since opening with back-to-back wins, dropping three of its last four games overall. But this looks like a fine opportunity for the Panthers to get back on track against a Leafs squad that just can't keep the puck out of its own net.
Keep in mind, the Panthers have absolutely owned this series over the years. The Leafs have won just two of the last 10 meetings.
Toronto continues to battle hard, but with Frederik Andersen struggling mightily between the pipes, the offense is up against it on a nightly basis. In order to win games they need to score at least four goals it seems, and on some nights, even that isn't enough.
Here, I look for the Panthers to turn in a strong defensive performance as they try to bounce back from a blown opportunity in Pittsburgh (they led that game 2-0). Take Florida (8*).
Ben Burns
Stars vs Jets
Bonus Play Winnipeg Jets
I successfully backed the Stars when these teams faced each other at Dallas on Tuesday. With the venue shifting to Winnipeg, I like the Jets' chances for some immediate payback. While they have yet to win away from Winnipeg, the Jets have a pair of victories on home ice. The Stars are dealing with a number of banged-up forwards at the moment. While it didn't hurt them on Tuesday, don't be surprised if those injuries catch up with them tonight. Consider Winnipeg.
Stars vs Jets
Bonus Play Winnipeg Jets
I successfully backed the Stars when these teams faced each other at Dallas on Tuesday. With the venue shifting to Winnipeg, I like the Jets' chances for some immediate payback. While they have yet to win away from Winnipeg, the Jets have a pair of victories on home ice. The Stars are dealing with a number of banged-up forwards at the moment. While it didn't hurt them on Tuesday, don't be surprised if those injuries catch up with them tonight. Consider Winnipeg.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, October 27, 2016
Your free NBA pick for Thursday, October 27, 2016, between the L.A. Clippers and the Blazers in Portland. The L.A. Clippers love to run and gun under Doc Rivers and they head to Portland, another team that love to run. The Blazers have a strong backcourt that pushes the tempo, going four straight home games over the total. The Over is 18-5 in the Blazers last 23 games following a spread win. The over is 14-6-2 in the last 22 meetings in Portland between these foes.
Play the Clippers/Portland Over the total.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, October 27, 2016
Your free NBA pick for Thursday, October 27, 2016, between the L.A. Clippers and the Blazers in Portland. The L.A. Clippers love to run and gun under Doc Rivers and they head to Portland, another team that love to run. The Blazers have a strong backcourt that pushes the tempo, going four straight home games over the total. The Over is 18-5 in the Blazers last 23 games following a spread win. The over is 14-6-2 in the last 22 meetings in Portland between these foes.
Play the Clippers/Portland Over the total.
