Joey Juice
Kyrie Irving comes to Beantown facing rumors that he couldn't play with LeBron James because he wanted to be the focus of every single play, and it's understandable that he doesn't just immediately insert himself as the go-to guy on every trip downcourt.
It's understandable that he it's taking a little time to gel. But let's face it there is no better team than the New York Knicks to get your groove back on.
Other than Porzingis, the Knicks have no go to offensive players. Tim Hardaway Jr. has turned out to be a complete bust of epic proportions, and if you're waiting around for guys like Courtney Lee, Kanter, or Thomas to step up, you'll be waiting a very very long time.
Kyrie Irving makes this his come out game and statement game and he blows this team out single-handedly.
3* BOSTON
Jack Brayman
My free play for Monday is the Boston Celtics over the New York Knicks.
The Celtics have had a rough start to the season, going 1-2 while playing three games in the first four nights of the season. Injuries have already taken a toll, but they're keeping a positive outlook.
The Knicks, on the other hand, have no positive outlook. At least, I would think they shouldn't, other than Kristaps Porzingis. There's not much else to this team. Porzingis has scored 31 and 33 points in the first two games of the season, but the Knicks still lost by 21 at Oklahoma City and by 4 at home to the Pistons.
Back on the road, the Knicks won't have an answer for the resilient Celtics.
4* CELTICS
Tommy Brunson
Tuesday's free play is the Blazers to take care of the Pelicans in the NBA.
This is a "payback" game for Portland, as they have dropped the last pair of series meetings, including a 3-point setback at home last April in the last series meeting.
The Blazers have gotten off to a 2-1 start to the new season, and all 3 of the games were on the road. Home opener tonight for Rip City, and I expect things to be rocking for the home team.
The Pels have dropped 2 of their first 3 to the new season, and they are just 1-5 against the spread the last 6 times they have ventured to the pacific northwest.
Have to lay the small number and side with the Trail Blazers in their home opener for 2017-18.
2* PORTLAND
Marc Lyle
Pelicans vs. Blazers
Play: Blazers -4½
I was going to release this as a premium play but I figured I would give it out tonight for free. This is Portland's first home game of the season so we already know they are going to show up for this one. The Pelicans have one win on the season and that was against the Lakers. In the 3rd quarter the Pelicans gave up a 20 pint lead but went on to win 119-112. If They come out and play that way tonight Lillard and company are going to absolutely smoke them. I have the Blazers winning this game by at least 7 points and the line is moving at the current time.
John Martin
Astros vs. Dodgers
Play: Astros +156
I'm going to take a shot with the Houston Astros in Game 1 of this series tonight at a big underdog price. Dallas Keuchel has been great in the postseason going 2-1 with a 2.60 ERA without allowing a single home run in his three starts. Clayton Kershaw is 2-0 with a 3.64 ERA in 3 postseason starts this year, but he has already allowed 6 home runs in 17 1/3 innings. The Astros have been at their best on the road this season at 54-32 while scoring 6 runs per game. They are also scoring 5.6 runs per game against left-handed starters this season.
Doug Upstone
Pacers vs. Wolves
Play: Wolves -12
Indiana is a shell of its previous self and is in for a long season. In this case, Play Against underdogs like the Pacers, an average team from last season that won between 45-55% of their games, after two or more consecutive losses. In the past five years these teams are miserable 5-24 ATS and bonus, the Bulls also fit this tonight.
Jack Jones
Bulls vs. Cavaliers
Play: Under 206½
The Chicago Bulls are in a world of hurt right now offensively with the suspension of Bobby Portis that lead to the injury of Nikola Mirotic. Not to mention they were already going to be without Kris Dunn and Zach Lavine due to injury.
I just don't know where the points are going to come from with this team moving forward. The Bulls are averaging just 88.5 points per game on 39.8% shooting through two games. They have been good defensively, giving up 102.0 points per game on 43.7% shooting and will have to hang their hat on defense in the immediate future.
The Cleveland Cavaliers will get after it defensively tonight after an embarrassing 93-114 home loss to the Magic last time out. That was their first game without Derrick Rose, and they managed to shoot just 38.4% from the floor. Rose remains out as obviously does Isaiah Thomas, so they are going without a proven point guard.
Chicago is 37-17 to the UNDER in its last 54 games following a loss. The Bulls are 34-20 UNDER when the total is 200 to 209.5 over the last two years. Both the Cavs (20th) and Bulls (19th) rank in the bottom half of the league in pace right now.
ASA
Vancouver at Minnesota
Play: Vancouver +171
The Canucks have been red hot on this road trip with wins in 3 of their last 4 games and it is no fluke as they've outshot each of their last two opponents by a combined shot total of 78 to 43. Jacob Markstrom is 2-0 on the road this season and playing very well between the pipes. Conversely, Devan Dubnyk has been struggling for the Wild and has a 1-3 record this season with an .888 save percentage. While it may seem 'risky' to take such a big dog on the road, the fact is that the Canucks are truly a confident team right now and Dubnyk and the Wild have been shaky. Also, Minnesota has lost 16 of their last 27 homes games (-13.6 net units) when the total was set at 5.5 goals.
Dave Price
Knicks vs. Celtics
Play: Celtics -7½
I like the price we are getting with the Boston Celtics as only 7.5-point home favorites here against the New York Knicks. The Celtics are getting no respect due to their 1-2 start, but the two losses came to two of the best teams in the East in the Bucks and Cavs by a combined 11 points. They got on track with a 102-92 win in Philadelphia last Thursday, and now they've had 3 days off to tweak things and get ready for the Knicks tonight. The Knicks are 0-2 despite back-to-back 30-point games from Kristaps Porzingis. He is all they really have and he can't do it all on his own. The Knicks lost 84-105 in Oklahoma City in their lone road game. I think they lose by double-digits here, too.
Pro Computer Gambler
Astros vs. Dodgers
Play: Dodgers -1½
MLB SYSTEM OF THE DAY - Since 2004, teams off of a win in which they held a biggest lead of 8 to 10 runs are 1593-1333 +135.67 units SU Dodgers
*PCG RAW NUMBERS are currently 866-700 +165.28 units for MLB 2017 season
The Dodgers are 7-0 since Sep 25, 2017 at home off a win
The Dodgers are 8-0 ON since Sep 24, 2017 as a home favorite
The Astros are 5-13 AGAINST since Sep 18, 2016 as a road dog
SPORTS WAGERS
Series - Houston +146 over L.A. DODGERS
For the first time in a long time, what might very well be the best two teams in baseball are, well, holding the titles as the two best teams in baseball. The pennant winners are more than deserving of their achievements: one club boasts the best record in baseball, the other is just a game shy of holding the second-best mark. As a result, we’ll be treated to what should be the best baseball you’ll see all season, played between two supremely talented clubs that are as good as it gets in all facets of the game. That’s what the World Series is about and frankly, we’re fortunate to witness it all in high-def in our living rooms.
To get it started, there’s nothing like a matchup between Cy Young award-winning southpaws to kick off the first World Series since 1970 to feature two 100-win teams. Since the beginning of the 2014 season, Clayton Kershaw (1.99) is the only starting pitcher with an ERA below 2.00, and Dallas Keuchel (3.15) has the third-best ERA in the American League during that time behind only Corey Kluber (2.83) and Chris Sale (2.99). During the regular season, the Astros (.813) and the Dodgers (.789) each had the second-best OPS against left-handed pitching in their respective leagues, so even southpaws as great as Keuchel and Kershaw have their work cut out for them. Keuchel has never faced the Dodgers before and Kershaw’s lone start against the Astros since 2013 came in 2015, so there’s little in the way of matchup-based track records to go on.
Lineups (AVG/OBP/SLG)
Astros:
CF-R George Springer (.283/.367/.522)
RF-L Josh Reddick (.314/.363/.484)
2B-R Jose Altuve (.346/.410/.547)
SS-R Carlos Correa (.315/.391/.550)
LF-S Marwin Gonzalez (.303/.377/.530)
3B-R Alex Bregman (.284/.352/.475)
DH-S Carlos Beltran (.231/.283/.383)
1B-R Yulieski Gurriel (.299/.332/.486)
C-L Brian McCann (.241/.323/.436)
Houston’s lineup scored the most runs in baseball and had the fewest strikeouts. That’s pretty much the gist of it. This is a club with freakish offensive ability up and down the order, displaying dangerous pop at all slots and never letting up. Sure, the whole lineup wasn’t clicking against Yankees in the ALCS (namely Reddick and his 1-for-25 cold streak), but Houston has plenty of plug-and-play options off the bench and, even against some of Los Angeles’ premium arms, they’ll be a force.
Oh, and here’s where the Astros really get you: Much has been made of home-field advantage this postseason, but the Astros have been unbelievably good hitters on the road. Scoring nearly 100 runs more than the second-best offensive team away from home, this lineup isn’t going to be any easier to neutralize while in Los Angeles. That doesn’t mean they’re any easier of an opponent in Houston, though—the Astros are undefeated in the bandbox they call home this postseason. Damned if you have to pitch against this offense at home, equally damned when they’re on the road. Good luck.
Dodgers:
CF-R Chris Taylor (.288/.354/.496)
SS-L Corey Seager (.295/.375/.479)
3B-R Justin Turner (.322/.415/.530)
1B-L Cody Bellinger (.267/.352/.581)
RF-R Yasiel Puig (.263/.346/.487)
C-R Austin Barnes (.289/.408/.486)
2B-L Chase Utley (.236/.324/.405)
LF-L Curtis Granderson (.212/.323/.452)
The Astros will get you with quality bats up and down the order, but the Dodgers go with the “try to make it through our front four, we dare ya” approach. The top half of this order is simply impenetrable—if you’re lucky enough to get one stud out, good luck retiring the other three. With Taylor, Turner, and Bellinger all clicking (and Seager now healthy), it could be a long series for Astros pitching. And then there’s Puig, who’s slashing a casual .414/.514/.655 this postseason. The bottom few aren’t quite as terrifying, but there might not be a more dangerous top half in baseball.
As pretty as this lineup looks, though, there’s a very good chance you’re going to be looking at a different set of players every night. Sure, continuity counts for something but there are plenty other lineup permutations that are just as dominant and the Dodgers’ platoon-based approach helped produce a top-five OPS against lefties during the regular season. Houston has only one southpaw in the rotation, but it’s Dallas Keuchel.
Benches (AVG, OBP, SLG)
Astros:
C-R Evan Gattis (.263/.311/.457)
OF-R Cameron Maybin (.186/.226/.441)
1B-R Tyler White (.279/.328/.525)
C-L Juan Centeno (.231/.286/.346)
The Astros bring legitimate pop off the bench with Gattis and White, both of whom may see more playing time than expected if Reddick continues his poor play. Centeno plays the classic third catcher role of affording Houston additional flexibility in using Gattis, while Maybin could be used as a defensive replacement late in games.
Dodgers:
C-S Yasmani Grandal (.247/.308/.459)
2B-R Logan Forsythe (.224/.351/.327)
UT-R Enrique Hernandez (.215/.308/.421)
OF-L Andre Ethier (.235/.316/.441)
C-R Kyle Farmer (.300/.300/.350)
The Dodgers have the luxury of two excellent options behind the plate in Barnes and Grandal. Farmer’s unlikely to see much game time, but his presence allows Los Angeles to use their top two catchers in the same game without the fear of Yasiel Puig: Emergency Catcher. Forsythe and Hernandez could see starts in Game 1 against Keuchel, but their utility is likely limited to southpaws in this series. Then again, Kike may be awarded with additional playing time given that handy little three-homer game he ripped off in the NLCS.
Starting Pitchers (IP, ERA, xERA)
Astros:
LHP Dallas Keuchel (146, 2.90, 2.65)
RHP Justin Verlander (206, 3.36, 3.24)
RHP Lance McCullers (119, 4.25, 2.77)
RHP Charlie Morton (147, 3.62, 3.46)
The Dodgers are going to have a hell of a time trying to beat Keuchel and Verlander is going to be just as tough; he was unhittable for the Astros since a deadline trade and carried that incredible performance into the postseason. Although the final two Houston starters remain unconfirmed in this series, it’s likely to be McCullers and Morton in some order. McCullers and his constant stream of curveballs from hell are going to be fun to watch in this series, while Morton’s been hit-or-miss thus far in the postseason.
Dodgers:
LHP Clayton Kershaw (175, 2.31, 3.30)
LHP Rich Hill (136, 3.32, 4.16)
RHP Yu Darvish (187, 3.86, 3.08)
LHP Alex Wood (152, 2.72, 3.44)
Penciled in by the Dodgers for the first three World Series games are Kershaw, Hill, and Darvish, with Wood a solid bet to be their fourth starter. Although Los Angeles is disadvantaged by starting the hapless Kershaw in the postseason (please read with heavy sarcasm), their final three starters bring the heat with a potentially dominant slew of pitching. While Houston has the offensive advantage in this series, the Dodgers have the better, deeper bullpen. That’s really the only clear advantage the Dodgers have. We’ll put Keuchel, Verlander, McCullers and Morton up against Kershaw, Hill, Darvish and Wood and take back near 7½-5 every time.
Relief Pitchers (IP, ERA, xERA)
Astros:
RHP Ken Giles (63, 2.30, 3.20)
RHP Chris Devenski (81, 2.68, 3.40)
RHP Luke Gregerson (61, 4.57, 3.40)
RHP Joe Musgrove (109, 4.77, 5.76)
LHP Francisco Liriano (97, 5.66, 5.39)
RHP Will Harris (45, 2.98, 3.75)
RHP Lance McCullers (119, 4.25, 3.52)
Although the Astros have the inferior on-paper bullpen in this series, that’s more of a testament to the Dodgers’ bullpen than anything else. Giles remains an elite closer, and although the fatigued Devenski isn’t quite his 2016 self, he’s still a multi-inning weapon for manager A.J. Hinch. Harris has been hittable this postseason, but he’s generally very good as well. The one weakness here is the lack of a dependable southpaw, as their lone lefty is Liriano, who’s currently walking as many as he’s striking out. That’ll put the Astros in a tough position against powerful lefties like Seager and Bellinger
Dodgers:
RHP Kenley Jansen (68, 1.32, 2.34)
RHP Brandon Morrow (44, 2.06, 3.17)
LHP Tony Watson (67, 3.38, 5.63)
RHP Kenta Maeda (134, 4.22, 3.89)
LHP Tony Cingrani (43, 4.22, 5.25)
RHP Pedro Baez (64, 2.95, 5.17)
RHP Ross Stripling (74, 3.75, 4.03)
RHP Josh Fields (57, 2.84, 4.34)
Apparently, Maeda is unhittable out of the bullpen. No, we’re serious. His postseason resume in relief thus far: five innings, zero hits, zero walks, zero runs, and seven strikeouts. The same ol’ Maeda, but with 95 mph fastballs, is pretty damn good, but he may not even be the third-best reliever in this stacked bullpen. Jansen is, y’know, Jansen, and Morrow’s excellent as well. The rest of the bullpen isn’t quite as good, but with the final two-plus innings on lock and Maeda looming as a fireman, the late innings could be an offensive dead zone for Houston.
Managers
With most of the managerial hirings this offseason, the clear priority is to find a sabermetrically-inclined mind, and here we’ll see two of the best in the business when it comes to that aspect of the game. Following the leads of their forward-thinking front offices, Dave Roberts and A.J. Hinch have both shown a willingness to make the analytically-backed moves in their tenures. It’s hard to pin down an advantage here, so we won’t, but the two are both very solid skippers who are unlikely to make many head-scratchers this series.
Defense
When it comes to defense, the leading headline for the Dodgers is their excellent duo behind the plate—both Grandal and Barnes are top-notch framers. The rest of the defense isn’t noteworthy in terms of reputations, but there are no apparent weaknesses and the Dodgers led MLB in Park-Adjusted Defensive Efficiency (PADE) thanks in part to excellent positioning. Be warned, though: a hundred columnists already have a mad-lib style hit-piece ready to run as soon as Puig overthrows a cutoff man.
The Astros’ solid infield defense will be particularly important in this series, as they’re sure to be busy given their staff’s AL-high 47.3 percent ground-ball rate. The outfield defense made all of the routine plays (and then some) against the Yankees in the ALCS, and they should be on their game yet again in the World Series. Again, these might be the two best teams in baseball. The Astros certainly have the advantage on offense, but the Dodgers have the upper hand when it comes to both their starting pitchers and relievers.
If the Astros and their deadly 1-2 punch of Keuchel/Verlander can steal the first two games, it’s going to be a tough climb for the Dodgers. Still, it can’t be overstated that Los Angeles has Clayton Kershaw. Plus, Darvish likely has the edge over whichever pitcher he faces in Game 3.
We love that the Astros were put to the test when they lost three straight in New York and came home with their backs to the wall. That sort of resiliency can’t be overstated and we like the Astros ability to manufacture runs should it come down to that. During the regular season, the Astronauts stole 55 bases while the Dodgers stole just 36. We can break it down a million ways but it’s really going to be about which teams gets the bounces at the right time. It’s such a close series, thus, if we’re sticking to playing value, the Astros have just as good a chance of winning as do the Dodgers and it’s for that reason we have to grab the value and play the Astronauts. Enjoy.
SPORTS WAGERS
VEGAS +146 over Chicago
Before we begin and until further notice, we’re going to be splitting up our NHL underdogs into two bets. We’re playing them straight up for 1 unit and we’ll be playing them on the reverse puck line (-1½) for 1 unit, thus making up our traditional 2 unit bet. The thinking is that if the dog loses, we lose our bet anyway. If the game goes into OT, which is a coin-toss anyway, we lose our -1½ bet but have a chance to profit a pork-chop if we happen to get lucky and win it in the extra time. If our team is winning by a goal, we know for sure we’ll get a crack at an empty netter and there is also a good chance that if our team is ahead, it might be by more than one goal anyway. Therefore, our bet for this game and every dog we play will be -1½ for 1 unit and straight up for one unit.
OT included. Perhaps it’s time to acknowledge that Vegas might end up being a difficult city for the opposition to get a win at. Perhaps Vegas will redefine “home-ice advantage”. What we know for sure is that a bunch of teams have already come in here and lost and Chicago might be next. What we also know is that the fans have embraced this team and the players have embraced the town. The Knights have been scoring goals and they also have given some former castoffs a second chance, which has inspired the young guys, who are getting an early opportunity that they otherwise may not have had. It has created a strong bond throughout and the success they’ve had has created some buzz already in that city but perhaps we should be paying more attention to the vulnerability of the intruder.
Imagine yourself in Vegas at the ripe age of 21 to 25 or even a bit older with a Mount Everest of cash in your pocket. Hockey might not be the first thing on your mind. Of course there are curfews and rules and practices but what happens before and after stays in Vegas. The Blackhawks played in Arizona on Saturday night. They headed to Vegas the next day so they have been here for a couple of days. We doubt they’re playing Resident Evil in their hotel room. This trip to Arizona and Vegas is going to become a familiar one for Western Conference teams but right now it’s a novelty trip that offers up a lot of potential fun for young guys with a boatload of money and in Chicago’s case, some time on their hands. It might not be coincidence that all these teams are losing once they get here.
The bets are as follows:
Vegas -1½ +365 for 1 unit
Vegas +146 for 1 unit
Detroit +111 over BUFFALO
Before we begin and until further notice, we’re going to be splitting up our NHL underdogs into two bets. We’re playing them straight up for 1 unit and we’ll be playing them on the reverse puck line (-1½) for 1 unit, thus making up our traditional 2 unit bet. The thinking is that if the dog loses, we lose our bet anyway. If the game goes into OT, which is a coin-toss anyway, we lose our -1½ bet but have a chance to profit a pork-chop if we happen to get lucky and win it in the extra time. If our team is winning by a goal, we know for sure we’ll get a crack at an empty netter and there is also a good chance that if our team is ahead, it might be by more than one goal anyway. Therefore, our bet for this game and every dog we play will be -1½ for 1 unit and straight up for one unit.
OT included. Playing the 25th ranked strength of schedule after nine games, Buffalo is 2-7 and has not played a top-10 team yet. The Sabres are 0-1 against top-16 teams. In other words, eight of Buffalo’s nine games this season have been played against the lower tiered teams and although it’s early and things will change, those projected good teams like Montreal, Anaheim and Minnesota for instance are losing games right now and Buffalo still only has two victories in nine tries. One of those wins was an OT victory over Boston in which Buffalo rallied from three down so its record could be worse.
The Sabres are not a garbage team. They are actually a pretty good team in terms of personnel but their problem is not unique. The Sabres goaltending is a mess. Robin Lehner is a below average goalie and Chad Johnson might be worse. Lehner is also a head case that gets rattled so a bad start usually means a long night. The Flames, Jets, Coyotes, Hurricanes, Rangers, Wild (before Dubnyk arrived), Islanders, Panthers and Flyers have been losing games for years because of bad goaltending and you can add the Sabres to that list too. These teams cannot be trusted when spotting a tag because they lose too often. Aside from that, the Sabres rank 22nd in Corsi For and 25th in scoring chances for.
The Red Wings are coming off a brutal performance on Sunday at home against the Canucks. From the coach to the Captain, they all agreed that it was a lame and inexcusable performance. There is almost no chance of the Red Wings being so uninspired again here. Detroit has dropped four in a row but now take the road after losing three of those four at its new rink. The Wings played four of their first five games on the road this season and won three of them including a 6-3 victory in Sin City, a place that nobody else has been able to win at. We’re confident that we’ll get a strong effort from Detroit here after such a lame one against the Canucks and that makes them worthy of a bet against such an unreliable favorite.
The bets are as follows:
Detroit -1½ +301 for 1 unit
Detroit +111 for 1 unit
Arizona +172 over N.Y. ISLANDERS
Before we begin and until further notice, we’re going to be splitting up our NHL underdogs into two bets. We’re playing them straight up for 1 unit and we’ll be playing them on the reverse puck line (-1½) for 1 unit, thus making up our traditional 2 unit bet. The thinking is that if the dog loses, we lose our bet anyway. If the game goes into OT, which is a coin-toss anyway, we lose our -1½ bet but have a chance to profit a pork-chop if we happen to get lucky and win it in the extra time. If our team is winning by a goal, we know for sure we’ll get a crack at an empty netter and there is also a good chance that if our team is ahead, it might be by more than one goal anyway. Therefore, our bet for this game and every dog we play will be -1½ for 1 unit and straight up for one unit.
OT included. Make no mistake that we are on board with the Islanders. We like their speed, mix of vets and youth, talent and balance and we see plenty of profit potential when they’re being offered a price. However, as the favorite in this range in a bad spot, we’re fading them without hesitation. The Islanders returned home from a four-game road trip on Saturday against the Sharks and proceeded to beat them, 5-3. The Barclay’s Center was jammed and rambunctious too, which is rare for that arena but tonight it’ll probably go back to being the morgue that it is. The Islanders first three games of said trip were on the West Coast before they played the final game at Madison Square Gardens. This game now follows five intense games by the Islanders before they head out on the road for two games afterward. This is a breather spot against a winless team.
Arizona is 0-8 so it goes without saying that the prices on them are inflated. The Coyotes have not been bad, they’ve just been unlucky. You have to be unlucky to lose eight straight to open the year when parity in this league has never been stronger. Arizona is coming off games against Dallas and Chicago and did not get outshot in either. Its Corsi for numbers are comparable to Philadelphia, Chicago, Winnipeg, New Jersey and Ottawa among others so it’s not like they are getting torched under the hood. The ‘Yotes have only been outshot once in their past six games and are near even in terms of high danger scoring chances for (77) and against (81). To give you an idea of how unlucky Arizona has been, Chicago has 59 high danger scoring chances for and 86 against but Chicago has five wins. We’re not suggesting that Arizona is in the same class as the Blackhawks. We’re merely pointing out that Arizona is a competitive team that has been on the wrong side of luck. Arizona opened the year in Anaheim and had a 4-1 lead in the third period before losing it in OT. One has to wonder where they would be had they been able to win that game. That loss snowballed into their worst start in franchise history but now a trip to the East Coast is a well-timed one for the Coyotes, In what we’re calling a favorable spot and a very sweet tag, Arizona is investment worthy here.
The bets are as follows:
Arizona -1½ +454 for 1 unit
Arizona +172 for 1 unit
Will Rogers
New Orleans vs. Portland
Pick: New Orleans +4.5
The New Orleans Pelicans snapped an 11-game losing streak in Portland when they closed the regular season six months ago but when they return to Portland tonight for a game with the Blazer, they will again need to break a Portland winning streak. Tonight's contest marks the Blazers' home opener and Portland will take the court tonight at the Moda Center, having won an NBA-record 16 consecutive home openers, dating to a 96-86 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers back in 2000. The Pelicans are 1-2 to open the new season and the Blazers check in at 2-1.
New Orleans: The Pelicans will be without starter Rajon Rondo (core muscle surgery) for at least another month, so New Orleans signed veteran PG Jameer Nelson on Sunday. He played against the Lakers later that night and contributed five points and five assists in 24 minutes, as the Pelicans won for the first time this season, 119-112. The 35-year-old Nelson could find himself in the starting lineup alongside Jrue Holiday. "There is nothing on the court that is going to startle or scare me," Nelson told reporters Monday after his first practice with the team. "Anything is possible. You can't really put your finger on what's going to happen, why it's happening, when it's going to happen. Just be ready." The Pelicans have their own version of "the Twin Towers," as Davis is averaging 31.7 & 16.7 and Cousins 28.7 & 11.7.
Portland: The Blazers will again be relying on the backcourt duo of Lillard (23.7-5.7-5.3) and McCollum (27.0 & 5.0). However, for Portland to really move up in the Western Conference, the Blazers will need center Jusuf Nurkic, who made such a splash after arriving in a trade-deadline deal with the Denver Nuggets last season, to "keep it up." He's averaging 13.0 & 8.0 but is shooting only 43.2 percent from the floor with 13 turnovers in the three games. "Slow start. I must be better, and I'm going to be," Nurkic told NBC Sports Northwest. "It just takes time. I'm getting there. On defense, I'm doing what I'm supposed to do. If I could make shots, it would be different. Unfortunately, I'm missing, so I just have to get back to work and trust myself."
The pick: New Orleans is going to need to find a reliable third scoring option beyond Anthony Davis and Boogie Cousins but that seems very doable to me. The Pelicans took three of four meeting from the Blazers last season and here, I expect them to end that long Portland winning streak in home openers. Take the road team.
Bruce Marshall
Lightning AT Hurricanes
Pick: Lightning
Is Tampa Bay due a bit of a letdown? Maybe, but no arguing that the Lightning enters Raleigh very hot after a 7-1 win on Saturday vs. the Penguins. A healthy Steven Stamkos, already on a startling 18 points, one of several categories in which Tampa Bay leads the league. Nikita Kucherov also has an NHL-best 10 goals. And GK Andrei Vasilevskiy has a league-high seven wins. Finally, the Lightning sports an NHL-best 7-1-1 record.
Wunderdog
Calgary @ Nashville
Pick: Nashville -133
Calgary heads out on the road after dropping three of four, but was favored in all three defeats. The Flames have been outscored on the season with a terrible offense at #27 in goals scored, and #14 on the power play. And the defense is just #16 in goals allowed. The Flames are 27-55 away against a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600. The Nashville Predators have yet to be beaten at home at 3-0 where they've outscored visitors by a 14-7 count. The offense is getting it going behind Scott Hartnell and Filip Forsberg, scoring 18 goals the last six games, while the defense is seventh in the NHL in goals allowed, and eighth in penalty killing. Nashville is on a 40-19 run at home, plus 21-7 against the Western Conference, and holds all the cards tonight.