Monday 1/3/22 free thread for handicapping and expert predictions for NFL, NCAAF, NCAAB & NBA games.
Scott Spreitzer
4* Pittsburgh +3.5
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Gianni the Greek
131) Over 41 Cleveland-Pittsburgh…(5%)- BIG MOVE via Pinnacle
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Pickswise Sports
NFL
2* Steelers -126 (Moneyline)
1* Over 41.5
CBB 2* Plays
Purdue/Wisconsin Over 139
Purdue -12.5
Iowa -7.5
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Colin Cowherd
NFL
Steelers +3.5
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Bob Balfe
NFL
Browns -3
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Mike Lombardi
NFL
Steelers +3.5
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Greg Peterson
NFL
Steelers -130 (Moneyline)
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Northcoast
2* Pitt -2
Top Opinion: Over 42 Cleveland/Pitt
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Tomas Sports
Pittsburgh ml
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IC
4 - Charlotte Hornets +2 over Washington Wizards
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Red Dog Sports
CBB
3* #867 Wisconsin +12.5
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Master Sports
CBB
3* #878 Iowa -9
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Pure Lock
10* Sam Houston St -7.5
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Brian Bitler
10* NBA Monday Executive Total
Miami Heat vs Golden State Warriors Under 215.5
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Tom Stryker
39-12 ATS NFL Division GOW
Steelers
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Power Sports
NBA DIVISION TOTAL OF THE MONTH
10* Under 229 Hornets/Wizards
TOTAL OF THE WEEK
10* Under 42 Browns/Steelers
BIG 10 POWER-HOUSE
8* Under 151.5 Maryland/Iowa
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R. J. White
CLEVELAND @ PITTSBURGH | 01/03 | 8:15 PM EST
PITTSBURGH +3.5
ANALYSIS: The Browns ran all over the Packers, but they still lost the game after Baker Mayfield threw four picks. How can you trust this team to score points? The Steelers offense also has its issues, but they were never going to look good against the Chiefs. This could be the last home game of Big Ben's career, which makes it a brutal spot for a Browns team that has not impressed offensively over the second half of the season. Expect another low-scoring battle, but with Ben Roethlisberger likely to have more autonomy running the offense apart from Matt Canada, I think the Steelers score enough points to get the win.
+519 13-7 IN LAST 20 NFL PICKS
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Justin Perri
TOWSON @ DREXEL | 01/03 | 6:00 PM EST
TOWSON -1
ANALYSIS: Towson travels to Drexel as both teams start conference play in the Colonial. This line feels a bit small here for me and my model definitely agrees with this one- it's projecting a four point win for Towson. The Tigers are 11-2 ATS this season including 7-0 ATS on the road. Drexel also has not played since December 14th, so the Dragons may find themselves a bit rusty. Towson has won three straight meetings with Drexel and nine of the last ten since 2016. Take the small number now, pay attention to inactive reports and watch to see if Towson can continue their dominance over their conference foe.
+598 50-40-1 IN LAST 91 CBB ATS PICKS
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Matt Severance
CLEVELAND @ PITTSBURGH | 01/03 | 8:15 PM EST
PITTSBURGH +3
ANALYSIS: If you believe in motivation, this will be an easy Pittsburgh victory. The Steelers still have playoff hopes (not great ones) but the Browns were eliminated from contention on Sunday. Thus, I wonder if maybe they sit Baker Mayfield because he's so banged up. Even if not, tough to see Pittsburgh losing in what should be Ben Roethlisberger's home finale.
+316 11-7 IN LAST 18 NFL ATS PICKS
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Mike Barner
ATLANTA @ PORTLAND | 01/03 | 10:00 PM EST
ATLANTA -5.5
ANALYSIS: The Trail Blazers have not only lost four straight games, but each of those losses have come by at least 14 points. To complicate matters, Damian Lillard (abdomen) has been ruled out for this matchup. When he missed a five-game stretch earlier this season, the Blazers went 1-4 with their only win coming against the Pistons. Each of their four losses came by at least 10 points. Add in Jusuf Nurkic (COVID-19) being listed as doubtful and this could get ugly in a hurry.
+770 55-43-1 IN LAST 99 NBA PICKS
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Larry Hartstein
MARYLAND @ IOWA | 01/03 | 9:07 PM EST
IOWA -8
ANALYSIS: Iowa is off to an 0-2 start in Big Ten play, losing by seven to Purdue and by four to Illinois. Those defeats were part of a three-game skid in early December. But you can put an asterisk there because Keegan Murray (23.7 pgg) didn't play against Purdue and his ankle hampered him in the other two losses. This is Maryland's first true road game, against an Iowa team that thrives at home and rarely turns the ball over. The Terps have gotten off to slow starts the past two games against Brown and Lehigh. That could cost them in Iowa City.
+440 11-6 IN LAST 17 MD ATS PICKS
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Matt Severance
MIAMI @ GOLDEN ST. | 01/03 | 10:00 PM EST
UNDER 219
ANALYSIS: Golden State ranks No. 1 in the NBA in scoring defense (101.3 ppg) and gets back its best defender tonight from protocols in Draymond Green. Miami is No. 3 in scoring defense (103.9 ppg). Surprised this total is so high.
+300 3-0 IN LAST 3 NBA O/U PICKS
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Larry Hartstein
FLORIDA A&M @ BETHUNE-COOK. | 01/03 | 7:30 PM EST
FLORIDA A&M -2
ANALYSIS: This is a redemption game for Rattlers senior guard MJ Randolph, who averages 19.2 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.5 assists and should be the best player on the floor. In the most recent meeting in March 2020, also in Daytona Beach, Randolph missed a free throw with no time left in regulation and Florida A&M ended up losing in overtime. Florida A&M ranks 298th at Kenpom, 55 spots ahead of Bethune-Cookman. Lay the small number.
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Tom Fornelli
MARYLAND @ IOWA | 01/03 | 9:07 PM EST
MARYLAND +9
ANALYSIS: It's easy to be fooled by Iowa's offensive numbers, but it's important to remember that the Hawkeyes have played one of the easiest schedules in the country, and are only 2-3 against teams ranked in the top 100 by KenPom (Maryland is 54th). It's also important to remember that Iowa is a weak defensive team, which makes it hard to trust it as a large favorite against a good team. Now, Iowa's capable of going supernova from three, and if that happens, we're toast, but that's not the most likely outcome here.
WISCONSIN @ PURDUE | 01/03 | 7:00 PM EST
PURDUE -12.5
ANALYSIS: Both teams are ranked, but there's a vast difference between the two of them. Wisconsin cannot shoot and instead relies on taking care of the ball for its offensive efficiency, but that won't mean much against a Purdue team that doesn't rely on turnovers to stop you. Meanwhile, Purdue is the most efficient offense in the country, and Wisconsin has no obvious way of slowing it down.
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Ralph Michaels
4% - NBA Denver Nuggets +3.5
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Adam Trigger
Maryland +9 (4%)
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Kush Martin
Townson ml
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Matt Howe
TOWSON @ DREXEL | 01/03 | 6:00 PM EST
TOWSON -2.5
ANALYSIS: Drexel has not played a game since Dec. 14 and has had four straight games postponed because of COVID-19 protocols. Towson has a solid offense, with four players averaging at least 10 points per game. The Tigers are led by Nicolas Timberlake, who scores 14.5 points per game and shoots 42.4 percent from long distance. As a team, Towson shoots 37.1 percent from the 3-point line, ranking them No. 36 in the country. Drexel allows teams to shoot 37.4 percent from beyond the arc (No. 312 nationally). Lay the points with the small road favorite against what should be a rusty Drexel team.
+519 14-8 IN LAST 22 CBB PICKS
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Max Gorenstein
TOWSON @ DREXEL | 01/03 | 6:00 PM EST
TOWSON -2.5
ANALYSIS: The Tigers have been amazing against the spread. They are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games including 8-0 ATS away from home. Their offense has been on fire on the road. They are shooting 40 percent from deep on the road. The Dragons have one of the worst three point defenses as they are allowing opponents to shoot 37.6 percent from behind the arc. This spread is too small. I am expecting the Tigers offense to thrive in this matchup and lead them to an easy win and cover.
+797 57-45 IN LAST 102 CBB PICKS
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Max Gorenstein
MARYLAND @ IOWA | 01/03 | 9:07 PM EST
IOWA -9
ANALYSIS: Fading the Terrapins in this matchup. This will be the Terrapins first true road game. They have to go into Iowa against a very strong Hawkeyes team. The Hawkeyes are 8-1 SU and 6-3 ATS at home. Their offense has looked unstoppable as they are averaging 94.5 PPG on 50 percent shooting at home. The Terrapins defense will have no answers for Keegan Murray and the rest of the Hawkeyes offense. This spread isn’t high enough. Lay the points with the Hawkeyes.
+797 57-45 IN LAST 102 CBB PICKS
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Larry Hartstein
ALABAMA A&M @ ARK.-PINE BLUFF | 01/03 | 8:30 PM EST
ALABAMA A&M -2.5
ANALYSIS: The Bulldogs played admirably in their last game against Lipscomb, a 66-63 loss. So even though they're on a nine-game skid, I like them to cover this small number against the Golden Lions. Alabama A&M has won three straight in the series. Arkansas-Pine Bluff is rated 356th nationally by Kenpom, out of 358 teams.
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Justin Perri
ALABAMA A&M @ ARK.-PINE BLUFF | 01/03 | 8:30 PM EST
UNDER 127.5
ANALYSIS: My model makes this one right at 127 points, but I am going to bet on this conference matchup to be a slow one even without full support from my projections. Alabama A&M has seen all five of their most recent games stay below the closing line. These two teams have also had their last five meetings go below the total as well with an average score of 111.8, only once passing the 127.5 line we have tonight. Grab the Under in this SWAC matchup as it should be a lower scoring game.
+180 4-2 IN LAST 6 CBB PICKS
FLORIDA A&M @ BETHUNE-COOK. | 01/03 | 7:30 PM EST
BETHUNE-COOK. +2
ANALYSIS: The wrong team looks to be favored in this matchup. It is the first game that FAMU has ever played in the SWAC and they're doing so on the road where they are a winless 0-8 this year. Bethune isn't all that great either but they were picked about Florida A&M in the preseason poll and should be able to hold ground on their own court. My model supports this play projecting a one point win for Bethune. Take the two points here on the home team.
+598 50-40-1 IN LAST 91 CBB ATS PICKS
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Frank Patron
30,000 Unit College Hoops Move
Wisconsin Badgers +13 over Purdue
10,000 Unit Bonus
Pittsburgh Steelers -3 over Browns
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Analytics Capper
Dallas Mavericks -3.5(-105)
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WUnderdog
NBA
Charlotte +2 vs washington
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Greg Peterson Newsletter Best Bets
Sacramento State vs Oregon State Under 135.5
Wisconsin +12.5 vs Purdue
Washington +23 vs Arizona
Iowa -8 vs Maryland
Colorado vs Oregon Under 133.5
Updated Record 139-115-4
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BRYAN LEONARD
Orlando Magic at Chicago Bulls
Date/Time: Jan 3 2022 8:10 PM EST
Rating: 4%
1H Orlando Magic +8.5 (-110)
509 Orlando at Chicago
1st Half Play
The Magic are clearly one of the worst teams in the league. Entering play with a 7-30 record on the season. They played a tough game at Boston last night and gave the Celtics all they could handle in a 116-111 loss. The last time these two met the Bulls bombed the Magic 123-88, so this meeting should bring out some extra motivation from the visitor.
Chicago is cruising right now, having won 11 of its last 13 games. That includes seven straight victories. But this is also the Bulls sixth game in nine days, all in different locations. Coming off back to back road games decided at the wire against Washington and Indiana, we can see Chicago coming out unfocused in this one.
PLAY ORLANDO FIRST HALF
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Trek Way
Nets -7
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Godfather locks
HUGE 5K UNIT PICKS *
#1 - CLEVELAND BROWNS +3 (NFL)
#2 - PORTLAND BLAZERS +5 (NBA)
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IC
5* Oregon St -14.5
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Ben Burns
STEELERS OVER
MARYLAND
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Gianni The Greek
5* Steelers over 42.5
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