Friday 1/4/19 thread for free handicapping service plays and expert predictions for NCAAFB, NFL & NBA games.
Bobby Conn
Jan 04 '19, 7:00 PM in 9h
NCAA-B | Ball State vs Toledo
Play on: Ball State +6½ -109
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Hunter Price
Jan 04 '19, 7:00 PM in 9h
NCAA-B | IUPU-Indianapolis vs Illinois-Chicago
Play on: Illinois-Chicago -4 -110
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Mike Lundin
Jan 04 '19, 7:05 PM in 9h
NHL | Jets vs Penguins
Play on: Penguins -125 at GTBets
#NHL FREE PICK FROM MIKE LUNDIN
The Winnipeg Jets' 12-6 road record is the best in the Western Conference, but I think they're about to run into some serious trouble when visiting the red hot Pittsburgh Penguins Friday night.
The Pens enter this contest riding a season-high seven-game win streak as part of a 12-2-1 run through their last 15 games. They put a 7-2 beating on the Rangers at MSG on Wednesday and have scored five goals or more in three of their last four games.
The Penguins have won 26 of the last 30 meetings at Pittsburgh, and all things considered I think this is a phenomenal price on the home team.
8* play on Pittsburgh Penguins.
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Scott Rickenbach
Jan 04 '19, 7:35 PM in 10h
NHL | Predators vs Red Wings
Play on: OVER 5½ -106
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Game #65 Friday Free Pick OVER the total in Detroit Red Wings vs Nashville Predators @ 7:35 ET - This total has dropped from a 6 to a 5.5 and there is excellent line value here with the under. Yes, the Predators are known for strong goal-tending and solid defense but they are NOT the same team when on the road. They've allowed only about 2 goals per game when on home ice but Nashville has allowed 3.1 goals per game in road games this season. That said, don't be surprised if this game ends up being a 4-3 or 5-3 type game because the Red Wings have been giving up goals in bunches. Detroit is 5-0 to the over in their last 5 games as they've allowed 4.8 goals per game during this rough stretch. With Detroit struggling like this in their own zone and this total coming down to a 5.5 as of early this morning, I am jumping on the value with the over in this match-up. The over is 8-3 this season when the Red Wings enter a game on a losing streak of 3 or more games. The over is set to improve to a perfect 3-0 this season in Nashville's Friday games. The Predators are 6-2 to the over in their last 8 road games and another one is on tap here! Free Pick OVER the total in Detroit
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Kenny Walker
Jan 04 '19, 8:05 PM in 10h
NBA | Pacers vs Bulls
Play on: Pacers -6 -109
Steve Janus
Jan 04 '19, 9:00 PM in 11h
NCAA-B | Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan
Play on: Buffalo -10½ -110
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Jimmy Boyd
Jan 04 '19, 9:05 PM in 11h
NHL | Devils vs Coyotes
Play on: Coyotes -117
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Will Rogers
Jan 04 '19, 9:05 PM in 11h
NBA | Clippers vs Suns
Play on: Suns +4 -105 at Bovada
The set-up: The Suns are the “hungrier” team tonight as they look to break a four-game losing streak. The Clippers look more vulnerable now than at any time of the season as well after back-to-back losses to the Spurs and 76ers. LA averages 115.8 PPG, but it allows 114.8. Both those numbers are much better than the Suns’ averages (106 PPG average and 114.8 allowed), but I think the situation favors Phoenix. With a night off before a game against Orlando at home, I think LA comes out flat here. Also note that Phoenix will be trying to avenge a 123-119 OT loss to the Clippers back in early December.
The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but LA is just 15-22 ATS in its last 37 following a home loss, while Phoenix is a respectable 7-4 ATS in its last 11 trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent. Consider the Suns.
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John Anthony Sports
Friday's Free Selection: Nashville Predators - 200
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Kenny Towers
FREE PLAY FOR FRIDAY - UTAH -9 over Cleveland
Jack Jones
Jan 04 '19, 8:05 PM in 7h
NBA | Nets vs Grizzlies
Play on: Grizzlies -3½ -115 at BMaker
Jack’s Free Pick Friday: Memphis Grizzlies -3.5
The Memphis Grizzlies held a players’ only meeting following their loss to Detroit Wednesday night. It was a heated meeting, and players voiced that it was needed to clear the air. I fully expect the Grizzlies to respond in a big way tonight in their first game following the meeting.
The Nets are starting to get a lot of respect from oddsmakers now. They have gone 10-3 SU & 9-4 ATS in their last 13 games overall. It’s time to ‘sell high’ on them, and ‘buy low’ on the Grizzlies, who are 2-8 SU & 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games overall. This line is lower than it should be due to these recent trends.
The Grizzlies still have one of the better home-court advantages in the NBA. And the Nets are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Brooklyn is also 3-8 ATS in its last 11 vs. Western Conference opponents. Bet the Grizzlies Friday.
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John Martin
Jan 04 '19, 8:35 PM in 7h
NBA | Hawks vs Bucks
Play on: Bucks -13 -110 at sportsbook
1 Unit FREE PLAY on Milwaukee Bucks -13
The Milwaukee Bucks have had no problem covering these big numbers. It’s easy to see why when they are 17-3 at home this season and outscoring their opponents by 13.8 PPG. And they’re laying 13 points here to the worst team in the Eastern Conference in the Atlanta Hawks. The Bucks are 4-0 SU & 4-0 ATS in their last four games with all four wins coming by 14 points or more. The Hawks are coming off a 16-point road loss to the Wizards to fall to 11-26 on the season. The Hawks are 4-15 ATS in their last 19 Friday games. The Bucks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 Friday games. They continue rolling here tonight. Give me the Bucks.
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Brandon Lee
Jan 04 '19, 8:35 PM in 7h
NBA | Hawks vs Bucks
Play on: Hawks +13½ -115 at betonline
10* FREE NBA PICK (Hawks +13.5)
I'll take my chances here with Atlanta as a big road dog against the Bucks on Friday night. I just think we are seeing too much value to pass up with the Hawks. Tough spot for Milwaukee, who has to be feeling good about themselves off a 121-98 win over Detroit on Tuesday. Problem is they have a much bigger game on deck tomorrow night against the Raptors. As for the Hawks, they come in off a 16-point loss at Washington, but that was a 4-point game going into the 4th quarter. I expect a big effort here from Atlanta against their former coach and while they likely won't come close to winning the game, they should keep it respectable and cover the big spread. Give me the Hawks +13.5!
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Cole Faxon
Jan 04 '19, 9:00 PM in 8h
NCAA-B | Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan
Play on: Eastern Michigan +11 -109
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Mike Williams
Jan 04 '19, 9:00 PM in 8h
NCAA-B | Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan
Play on: Buffalo -10 -109
Info Plays
Jan 04 '19, 9:00 PM in 8h
NCAA-B | Buffalo vs Eastern Michigan
Play on: Buffalo -10 -109
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Larry Ness
Jan 04 '19, 9:05 PM in 8h
NBA | Clippers vs Suns
Play on: Clippers -4 -105 at betonline
My free play is on the LA Clippers at 9:05 ET.
The Los Angeles Clippers got off to a surprising 15-6 start but then went 6-9 in December, before opening 2019 with a 119-113 home loss to the Philadelphia on Tuesday (Jan 1). The 21-16 Clippers allowed a shocking 76 first-half points in the loss to the 76ers, before a late-game spurt made the final score look respectable. However, when LA travels to 9-30 Phoenix tonight, the Clippers will be looking to extend their winning streak over the Suns to 11 in a row. The Suns are 0-4 to open a seven-game homestand, allowing an average of 126.0 PPG in losses to the Thunder, Nuggets, Warriors and 76ers.
The Clippers gave up 41 points in the first quarter to Philadelphia and 76 in the opening half, the most allowed in any half this season. The team has been facing big early deficits of late, as three days before being blitzed early by Philadelphia, Los Angeles fell behind 14-4 in the first 3 1/2 minutes against the San Antonio Spurs, before eventually losing 122-111. "We're not a team that can ease into a game," point guard Patrick Beverley told reporters. "We have to be dogs, we have to be gritty, that's our M.O., and we have to build off that. As of lately, we've been trying to ease into games, and we can't do that." PF Harris leads the team in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (8.1) followed by Gallinari (19.6 & 6.3), who has scored over 20 in seven of his last nine contests. Guard Williams comes off the bench to average 18.2 PPG. LA averages 115.8 PPG (4th) but allows 114.8 (24th).
The four consecutive home losses follow a stretch in which Phoenix won five of seven games and head coach Igor Kokoskov is bemoaning that the slate hasn't allowed for much practice time. Devin Booker (25.5 PPG) has posted 10 straight 20-point outings, averaging 29.3 points during the span. SF Warren checks in averaging 18.5 & 4.1 plus 7-1 rookie Auyton is proving himself a worthy No. 1 pick, averaging 17.0 & 10.9.
Still, it's hard to trust the Suns against this opponent, especially when one considers that LA's 10-game winning streak against Phoenix equals the Clippers' longest active win streak against another NBA team and that the wins have come by an average of 14.3 PPG. Take the road favorite.
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Dustin Hawkins
Jan 04 '19, 10:05 PM in 9h
NHL | Golden Knights vs Ducks
Play on: Golden Knights -125
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High Stakes Syndicate
Free Selection for Friday: Memphis Grizzlies - 5 1/2
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Vegas Steam Line
Your free winner for Friday: ATLANTA/MILWAUKEE UNDER the total of 230½
Teyas Sports
FREE PICK 1/4/2019 INDIANA-6 1/2
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Arthur Ralph
FREE play FRI PHOENIX + 4 NBA
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Huddle Up Sports
Free Play: Tulane +9' College BB
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Hawkeye Sports
Friday's Free Pick: Winnipeg Jets + 120
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Golden Dragon
FREE WINNER for Friday
Washington/Miami over 214'
Nevada Sharpshooter
Your free winner for Friday: Take OKLAHOMA CITY/PORTLAND UNDER the total of 223½
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Easy Money Sports
Lee's Friday Free Selection Is
Brooklyn Nets +3½
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Sharp Bettor
SharpBettor FREE Play for Friday, January 4, 2019
1/04 04:00 PM CB (803) IUPUI VS (804) ILLINOIS CHICAGO
Take : Illinois Chicago
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Platinum Plays
Free Pick: the Tulane Green Wave +9½ over SMU
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#1 Sports
Friday's Free Selection: Orlando Magic + 6
Atlantic Sports
Friday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: Columbus - 120
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Roz Wins
Roz's Friday, January 4, 2019, Free Pick
01/04 05:05 PM NBA (535) INDIANA PACERS VS (536) CHICAGO BULLS
Take : Pacers
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Jeff Allen
Friday's Free Selection is on the Indiana Pacers
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Totals4U
Friday's Free Selection: Atlanta Hawks/Milwaukee Bucks under 230 1/2
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Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR FRIDAY: INDIANA/CHICAGO OVER the total of 201½
Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Friday, January 4, 2019
01/04 07:35 PM PT / 10:35 PM ET
NBA (543) OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER VS (544) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Take: (544) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
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Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Toledo -6 Over Ball St
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Jack Brayman
Three straight complimentary winners for you, after hitting the Vegas Golden Knights Puck Line three nights back, Iowa State in College Basketball two nights ago and the Rockets outright over Golden State on Thursday.
I'm going to roll with Toledo in college basketball against Ball State.
The Rockets open up their conference slate against Ball State, and after seeing their dominant defensive performance last Saturday afternoon against Penn, I think this will be a statement game. Toledo, which has won 10 straight, stifled Penn 77-45. And make note, the Quakers had posted wins over defending national champion Villanova and Miami (Fla.) earlier this season.
Penn's 45 points were the fewest by a Rocket opponent since a 59-44 win over Eastern Michigan in the 2014 Mid-American Conference Tournament semifinals.
Toledo limited the Quakers to a 30.5 field-goal percentage, the lowest by a Rockets opponent since Miami (Ohio) shot 30.4 percent on Feb. 13, 2016.
Toledo, which is 7-0 at home for the first time since winning all 15 home games in its 2013-14 season, has covered four in a row at home and five straight overall.
Lay the points with the Rockets, who launch their MAC season with a huge win and cover.
3* TOLEDO
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Gus Augustine
Friday's comp play release is ranked Buffalo to avoid the "banana peel" tonight at Eastern Michigan.
The Bulls are 12-1 on the year, and have won at Syracuse already this season. Now they did lose the game right after at Marquette in a big letdown spot, but they close the 2018 calendar year with a road win and cover at Canisius.
This will be their first game in 2019, and they do come into this game with a money-making 8-3-1 spread mark this season that includes a 6-1-1 mark away from home.
Buffalo averages over 84 points per game, and they are getting over 18 of them per game from C.J. Massinburg. They are also hauling in over 36 rebounds per game and are led by Nick Perkins who is snatching over 13 boards per contest!
Simply too much firepower tonight for the stacked visitors who will be facing an Eagles team that is just 6-7 on the year, and is scoring at a paltry 61 points per contest.
No wonder EMU is on an 0-6 spread slide their last 6 games played.
Buffalo has won and covered in each of the last 3 series meetings, winning 2 of those 3 by a comfortable double-digits.
No change tonight.
Bulls big!
5* BUFFALO
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Ray Chadwick
Friday night in the NBA, going to look for the Nets and the Grizzlies to creep Over this total at the Grind House.
No questioning the fact that Memphis is an offensively-challenged team, as their 101.5 points per game ranks them at 29th in the league in scoring offense, but they are playing a Brooklyn team that allows 112 points per game, so it is not too far-fetched to think that the home team that is looking to snap a 3-game losing streak puts up some offense tonight.
Memphis has seen 2 of those 3 losses play Over the total, and their opponent tonight does come in with a spate of Overs on their docket.
Brooklyn has played their last pair of games Over the total. The Nets have also landed Over the posted price in 4 of their last 6, and 7 of their last 11 overall.
This will be the second and final meeting between the teams this season, the first sailing way Over the posted price in a 131-125 overtime affair at the Barclays Center in the month of November.
Series numbers show 5 of the previous 6, and 7 of the last 10 overall having played High.
I don't think we will see another 131-125 final, but I do feel we are heading for an Over tonight between the Nets and the Grizzlies.
3* BROOKLYN-MEMPHIS OVER
Tommy Brunson
The first place Bucks enter play for Friday atop the division standings in the Central at 26-10 straight up. Mike Budenholzer's team also happens to be 17-3 straight up on their home court at Fieserv Forum. Need a little more in the way of positive numbers? Well, the Bucks are on a 4 game win and cover streak, and have covered double-digit imposts in each of their last 3 wins.
All of those stats considered, it is what initially drew me to say, "gotta lay this wood with the Bucks", but then I saw that tomorrow night Milwaukee will have a rather large clash with the team they likely will be vying for in the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Toronto Raptors! And then, a pretty stiff task awaits with another home date on Monday versus the Utah Jazz out of the Western Conference.
You can see where the Bucks may not be fully focused on the 11-26 Atlanta Hawks, but I can promise you that after the way the Mike Budenholzer "era" ended in Atlanta after last season, the Hawks will be focused on trying to stick it to Coach Bud after an ugly departure.
Atlanta has not been able to dent the Bucks since the "Greek Freak" has been around, as Milwaukee is on a 4-game series win streak, but the Hawks have been able to make the points work in their favor when they take on the Bucks, as the Hawks are on a 7-1 spread run over the last 8 meetings.
Atlanta is also a positive 11-10 against the spread on the road this year, and they enter this game on a 5-2 spread run in the underdog role, as they have gone 5-3 straight up their last 8 games.
In the end, Milwaukee has too much for Atlanta, but with this price inflated, and the Raptors coming to town tomorrow, I see the Bucks taking their foot off of the gas pedal and allowing the Hawks to keep it close enough to grab the cash.
2* ATLANTA
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Scott Delaney
My free play is on the Vegas Golden Knights, laying a cheap number to the Anaheim Ducks on the road.
Always a tough play in Pacific Division action, especially on the highway, but Vegas is on a 14-3-3 run and looks like the team that won the Western Conference last season.
The Golden Knights have gotten inspired play from the second line of Alex Tuch, Brandon Pirri and veteran Paul Stastny. The trio has 22 points since Pirri was called up from Chicago. The other 10 forwards on the team have 20 points in that span.
That's not to say the Knights are depending on that trio, either, since they do have one of the most talented top lines in hockey, with Jonathan Marchessault, William Karlsson and Reilly Smith.
Factor in a fourth line of Ryan Reaves and William Carrier - the league's top two players in hits - and a leader in Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, and this team is deep right now.
Goalie Marc-Andre Fleury just recorded his league-leading sixth shutout, and was named to his fourth All-Star team. He is expected to start, and has looked sharp all season.
Take the Knights in this spot.
2* GOLDEN KNIGHTS
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Chris Jordan
My free play for Friday night is on the Nashville Predators over the Detroit Red Wings. And with the line priced high, I'm going to lay the Preds on the Puck Line.
The Wings step to their own ice having lost six straight, while they're a dismal 1-7-3 over their last 11 games. And while I know they're excited to see forward Darren Helm back in the lineup, he won't be able to single-handedly help the Wings against one of the Western Conference's best.
Nashville, which is sitting in second place in the Central Division, has won two straight following a six-game winless streak, and appear to be back in action with how it plays best. The Preds beat the Flyers, 4-0, on Tuesday, as eight different Nashville players picked up a point. The Preds roll into Motown with a 12-3-1 mark against Eastern Conference opponents this season.
And look for Nashville to start out strong, as it improved to 18-2-0 when scoring first, and 20-2-0 when leading after two periods.
Lay the puck line, as the Predators roll.
5* PREDATORS PUCK LINE
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FURBOOKIE
NHL COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS/CAROLINA HURRICANES u6
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Lasvegasmoneymachine
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ‑4
Monster Sports Picks
NBA LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS ‑4
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Tommy King Wins
PHOENIX SUNS +4
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Top Shelf Sports Pick
NHL NASHVILLE PREDATORS ‑185
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DONNY ACTION
TOLEDO ROCKETS ‑4.5
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Line Mover Sports
PHOENIX SUNS +4
MaxActionSports
NCAA Basketball BUFFALO BULLS ‑11
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Pure Lock
NBA ATLANTA HAWKS +14
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Top Dog
ANAHEIM DUCKS +110
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Mikey Money
TOLEDO ROCKETS ‑4.5
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Vegas Investment Picks
NBA PHOENIX SUNS +4
Golden Lock Sports
TULANE GREEN WAVE +10.5
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The Oracle
NBA MILWAUKEE BUCKS ‑13.5
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Brand X Sports
SOUTHERN METHODIST MUSTANGS ‑10
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Moneyline Hunter
BROOKLYN NETS +140