Dave Cokin
Bonus Play Thursday
Today’s Bonus Play is on tonight’s football game. Note that as of now, I’ve got just one college basketball game on my card, and nothing else. So this game falls into the opinion category and will not be on my card.
RAIDERS at CHIEFS 8:25 PM
Take: RAIDERS +3
Call it a lesson reinforced. I went against the Raiders this past Sunday, and while that play looked great into the third quarter as the Buffalo Bills amassed a 24-9 lead, it sure didn’t end very well. The lesson learned the hard way, and not for the first time in my career, is that stepping in front of an oncoming train is generally not a very good idea.
Analytics might suggest that the Raiders should not be 10-2. Unfortunately, the Raiders don’t give a rat’s behind about those analytics. They just keep winning games, and these last two have been impressive as hell, regardless of any metrics. Oakland allowed 25 straight points in turning a big lead into a likely loss against the Panthers. They got off the canvas, rallied and won the game. Then they had the huge explosion against the Bills last weekend in another game where defeat seemed probable.
The Chiefs are a tough as hell team to beat. They won’t wow many on the eye test, but go ahead and argue against the success they’ve been enjoying going back to the middle of last season. This team knows how to win football games. Andy Reid continues to get what I consider to be the absolute max out of a team that seems ordinary.
As for tonight, I don’t think it’s all that tough to make a case for either team. My lean to Oakland is mostly because they’re getting a field goal in a game I consider to be very much a tossup. I’ll therefore side with the Raiders plus the points, but again, this one won’t be on my card.
Bonus Play Thursday
Today’s Bonus Play is on tonight’s football game. Note that as of now, I’ve got just one college basketball game on my card, and nothing else. So this game falls into the opinion category and will not be on my card.
RAIDERS at CHIEFS 8:25 PM
Take: RAIDERS +3
Call it a lesson reinforced. I went against the Raiders this past Sunday, and while that play looked great into the third quarter as the Buffalo Bills amassed a 24-9 lead, it sure didn’t end very well. The lesson learned the hard way, and not for the first time in my career, is that stepping in front of an oncoming train is generally not a very good idea.
Analytics might suggest that the Raiders should not be 10-2. Unfortunately, the Raiders don’t give a rat’s behind about those analytics. They just keep winning games, and these last two have been impressive as hell, regardless of any metrics. Oakland allowed 25 straight points in turning a big lead into a likely loss against the Panthers. They got off the canvas, rallied and won the game. Then they had the huge explosion against the Bills last weekend in another game where defeat seemed probable.
The Chiefs are a tough as hell team to beat. They won’t wow many on the eye test, but go ahead and argue against the success they’ve been enjoying going back to the middle of last season. This team knows how to win football games. Andy Reid continues to get what I consider to be the absolute max out of a team that seems ordinary.
As for tonight, I don’t think it’s all that tough to make a case for either team. My lean to Oakland is mostly because they’re getting a field goal in a game I consider to be very much a tossup. I’ll therefore side with the Raiders plus the points, but again, this one won’t be on my card.
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:35 PM EST
(511) SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS (512) CHICAGO BULLS
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL
Reason: Your free pick for Thursday, December 8, 2016 comes in the NBA as the Spurs head to Chicago to face the Bulls. A high total as both teams can score, but don't overlook the defensive capabilities. San Antonio is No. 3 in the NBA in points allowed, while Chicago is No. 9. San Antonio has gone four straight games under the total. Chicago is home and the Bulls are 12-5 under the total after a loss, plus the Under is 12-5 in the Bulls last 17 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. And when these teams clash the Under is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings. Play the Spurs/Bulls Under the total.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, December 8, 2016 9:35 PM EST
(511) SAN ANTONIO SPURS VS (512) CHICAGO BULLS
Take: UNDER THE TOTAL
Reason: Your free pick for Thursday, December 8, 2016 comes in the NBA as the Spurs head to Chicago to face the Bulls. A high total as both teams can score, but don't overlook the defensive capabilities. San Antonio is No. 3 in the NBA in points allowed, while Chicago is No. 9. San Antonio has gone four straight games under the total. Chicago is home and the Bulls are 12-5 under the total after a loss, plus the Under is 12-5 in the Bulls last 17 vs. a team with a winning straight up record. And when these teams clash the Under is 12-5 in the last 17 meetings. Play the Spurs/Bulls Under the total.
GamePlan
Pacific vs Massachusetts
Bonus Play MASSACHUSETTS (-8.5) over PACIFIC
This one would seem to be a great spot for the underdog as UMASS is just 4-14 against the spread in their last 18 games at home, but looks can be deceiving. Pacific has been a dreadful team on the road this year as they have won exactly ZERO games away from home and must now fly from California all the way across the country to take on the Minutemen at the Mullins Center.
UMASS gets back star freshman point guard Dejon Jarreau who has been battling a knee problem but is listed as healthy with no limitations this week. Donte Clark also gives UMASS one of the better players in the country that you've never heard of, and they have better athletic talent
and far better depth than Pacific. For Pacific, forward Ray Bowles is the only guy who could give UMASS problems, but other than him this is a tough matchup for the Tigers.
UMASS has beaten some tough teams recently including Temple and an underrated Harvard squad, while Pacific has not fared well at all against tougher opposition. Playing in a Tournament in front of their
home fans with a potential matchup with Providence looming this weekend, we look for the Minutemen to cover the number here.
Pacific vs Massachusetts
Bonus Play MASSACHUSETTS (-8.5) over PACIFIC
This one would seem to be a great spot for the underdog as UMASS is just 4-14 against the spread in their last 18 games at home, but looks can be deceiving. Pacific has been a dreadful team on the road this year as they have won exactly ZERO games away from home and must now fly from California all the way across the country to take on the Minutemen at the Mullins Center.
UMASS gets back star freshman point guard Dejon Jarreau who has been battling a knee problem but is listed as healthy with no limitations this week. Donte Clark also gives UMASS one of the better players in the country that you've never heard of, and they have better athletic talent
and far better depth than Pacific. For Pacific, forward Ray Bowles is the only guy who could give UMASS problems, but other than him this is a tough matchup for the Tigers.
UMASS has beaten some tough teams recently including Temple and an underrated Harvard squad, while Pacific has not fared well at all against tougher opposition. Playing in a Tournament in front of their
home fans with a potential matchup with Providence looming this weekend, we look for the Minutemen to cover the number here.
Sean Murphy
Oilers vs Flyers
8* NHL Bonus Play Philadelphia Flyers over Edmonton
I'll back the Flyers on home ice on Thursday night.
Philadelphia has won six games in a row and I don't believe the Oilers are the team to stand in their way here.
Edmonton hasn't been playing its best hockey by any means, dropping its last two contests and five of its last seven games overall. The Oilers will face a tall task in trying to stop a Flyer squad that has gone 9-5-2 at home this season, and comes in playing its best hockey in quite some time.
The Oilers have taken three straight meetings in this series but these two teams haven't met since last March. I look for the red hot Flyers to turn the tide here. Take Philadelphia (8*).
Oilers vs Flyers
8* NHL Bonus Play Philadelphia Flyers over Edmonton
I'll back the Flyers on home ice on Thursday night.
Philadelphia has won six games in a row and I don't believe the Oilers are the team to stand in their way here.
Edmonton hasn't been playing its best hockey by any means, dropping its last two contests and five of its last seven games overall. The Oilers will face a tall task in trying to stop a Flyer squad that has gone 9-5-2 at home this season, and comes in playing its best hockey in quite some time.
The Oilers have taken three straight meetings in this series but these two teams haven't met since last March. I look for the red hot Flyers to turn the tide here. Take Philadelphia (8*).
Mike Lundin
Blazers vs Grizzlies
5* NBA Free Pick Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers have played decent basketball lately, but this looks like a tough spot for the visitors at FedExForum Thursday night. They lost 115-107 at Milwaukee last night and this will be their third road game on the week. They'll face a Memphis Grizzlies team looking to revenge a 100-94 loss here about a month ago, and the Grizzlies are going for their fourth consecutive win following a 96-91 home victory over the 76ers Tuesday night.
Portland is just 2-7 ATS as an underdog this season and Memphis is 9-5 ATS when trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent.
Blazers vs Grizzlies
5* NBA Free Pick Memphis Grizzlies
The Portland Trail Blazers have played decent basketball lately, but this looks like a tough spot for the visitors at FedExForum Thursday night. They lost 115-107 at Milwaukee last night and this will be their third road game on the week. They'll face a Memphis Grizzlies team looking to revenge a 100-94 loss here about a month ago, and the Grizzlies are going for their fourth consecutive win following a 96-91 home victory over the 76ers Tuesday night.
Portland is just 2-7 ATS as an underdog this season and Memphis is 9-5 ATS when trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent.
Art Aronson
Nuggets vs Wizards
1* Bonus Play Washington Wizards
It looks like a good spot to pull the trigger on the home side here, as Denver comes into this one disheartened after falling 116-111 in Brooklyn just last night. Washington should be the much “hungrier” side this evening as it’s dropped three of its last four, including a listless 124-116 setback to Orlando at home last time out. Also note that Denver is just 8-11 ATS in its last 19 as an underdog, while Washington is 3-1 ATS in its last four as a home fav in the 3.5 to six points range. Consider laying the points on the WIZARDS.
AAA Sports
Nuggets vs Wizards
1* Bonus Play Washington Wizards
It looks like a good spot to pull the trigger on the home side here, as Denver comes into this one disheartened after falling 116-111 in Brooklyn just last night. Washington should be the much “hungrier” side this evening as it’s dropped three of its last four, including a listless 124-116 setback to Orlando at home last time out. Also note that Denver is just 8-11 ATS in its last 19 as an underdog, while Washington is 3-1 ATS in its last four as a home fav in the 3.5 to six points range. Consider laying the points on the WIZARDS.
AAA Sports
