Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, January 18, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Larry Ness
Jan 18 '18, 7:05 PM in 11h
NBA | Magic vs Cavs
Play on: Cavs -10½ -110 at BMaker
My 1* Free Play is on the Cleveland Cavaliers (7:05 EST).
Orlando broke a seven game slide with a 108-102 victory at home over the Wolves on Tuesday (I had the Magic in that one) and suffice it to say, I believe an immediate return to mediocrity is in store for the visitors today, facing what has now become a “must win” game for the scuffling Cavaliers. So far these teams have split a pair of games this year, with the Cavs winning just 131-127 on the road in the most recent in early January.
The Magic average 105.3 PPG and concede 110.9. Evan Fournier averages 18 PPG, while Aaron Gordon leads the nightly charge with 18.6 points and eight boards per contest.
The Cavaliers average 109.5 PPG and concede 108.7. LeBron James averages 27.3 points, eight boards and 8.8 assists per game, while Kevin Love adds 19.2 points and 19.6 boards per game.
I’ll point out thought that Orlando is just 1-6 ATS this year off an upset win as an underdog and only 3-5 ATS in trying to revenge a home loss against an opponent, while Cleveland is 2-1 ATS in its last three after four or more consecutive SU losses.
The Magic are just 5-19 on the road this year. Despite their recent struggles the Cavs are still 15-5 at home. As mentioned off the top, I believe this has become an almost “must win” game for Cleveland after four straight losses, including to Toronto, Boston and Golden State.
Orlando is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Consider laying the points in this one.
Good luck…Larry
John Ryan
Jan 18 '18, 10:05 PM in 14h
NBA | Pacers vs Blazers
Play on: Pacers +3½ -110 at 5Dimes
The Play and How to Play it:
The Play: Indiana (507)
The Matchup: INDIANA (24 - 20) at PORTLAND (23 - 21)
Start Time: Thursday, 1/18/2018 10:05 PM
SIM grading: 5 stars on a 3 to 10 star grading scale.
Recommended Strategy: Place a 5 star wager on Indiana using the line.
Scott Spreitzer
Jan 18 '18, 7:00 PM in 11h
NCAA-B | Charlotte vs Florida Atlantic
Play on: Charlotte +5½ -108 at 5Dimes
I'm taking the points with Charlotte on Thursday. FAU is one of the worst shooting teams in college basketball, yet they're likely feeling a little fat & sassy after winning back-to-back road games. However, this puts them in a tough spot. Conference road non-favorites (PK or dogs) have been a serious money-maker when they're off a conference home loss and their opponent is off at least two straight road wins. But this goes way beyond the trends. FAU ranks 319th in FG percentage and 300th in 3-point accuracy. FAU allows 68 points per game at home, while scoring just 64. They are making less than 40 percent of their shots and average 22 made FGs per game to 27 for their "guests." And we should also note, the Owls average just 4 made treys per home game on 18 attempts, or 22 percent shooting. They're upside down on the glass and have a horrible 0.72 assists/turnovers ratio, averaging just 12.5 assists per game at home and 17.2 turnovers per game. Finally, Charlotte is actually on an 8-0 ATS run off a conference home loss. I expect Charlotte to at least hang the number and I'm taking the points with the Charlotte 49ers on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, January 18, 2017
01/18 07:05 PM PT / 10:05 PM ET
NBA (507) INDIANA PACERS VS (508) PORTLAND TRAILBLAZERS
Take: UNDER
Reason: Indiana Pacers are 24-20 on the season and 6th in the East. The Pacers have won three straight games and are 9th int he NBA in scoring. The Pacers are 4-15 ATS in their last 19 Thursday games. Portland is 8th in the West with a 23-21 record. The Pacers have been a very good under team, going 1-5 O/U in their last six. In addition, they are 0-5 O/U their last five vs the West. Portland is 3-8 O/U their last 11 vs the NBA Central and 5-11 O/U their last 16 home games. I'm taking the UNDER here tonight.
Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Pick IUPUI -1 Over Cleveland St
Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Pick IUPUI -1 Over Cleveland St
Totals4U
Thursday's Free Selection: Michigan/Nebraska under 132
#1 Sports
Thursday's Free Selection: South Alabama Jaguars - 1 1/2
Platinum Plays
Free Pick: Free Pick the Colorado Buffaloes -8 over Washington St
Jesse Schule NCAAB
Pick: Michigan
OFFERED AT: 5dimes @ -3.5 MICH (-107)
Michigan vs Nebraska Free Pick January 18, 2018.
The Michigan Wolverines are sitting in third place in the BIG10, with a 5-2 conference record and a 16-4 overall record. They came out flat in their last game, trailing by 10 at halftime at home versus Maryland. They rallied in the second half, and led by seven with under two minutes to play. While they held on for the win, they didn't get the cover, perhaps falling victim to a classic let down spot after upsetting the Spartans in their previous game. Nebraska is just one game back of Michigan in the BIG10 standings, and the Huskers are 10-1 at home. All their wins in the BIG10 have come against conference bottom feeders (Wisconsin, Illinois, Minnesota and Northwestern). They are coming off a 64-63 win over Illinois, and they needed a three-pointer at the buzzer to avoid the upset. Michigan has won all eight meetings in this series dating back to 2012, and they covered the spread in five of those games. The Huskers have lost their last two home games against Michigan by a combined 49 points. The Wolverines are 9-2-1 ATS in their last 12 BIG10 games, and they have covered the spread in four straight road games.
Take MICH.
GL,
Jesse Schule
Jeff Allen Sports
Thursday's Free Selection is on the NY Rangers
Kenny Walker
Jan 18 '18, 7:00 PM in 8h
NCAA-B | Northeastern vs William & Mary
Play on: William & Mary -1 -110 at BMaker
Free Pick on William & Mary -1
Jimmy Boyd
Jan 18 '18, 8:00 PM in 9h
NCAA-B | Tennessee Tech vs Eastern Kentucky
Play on: Tennessee Tech +2 -110 at BMaker
Free Pick on Tennessee Tech +
I like the value here with the Golden Eagles catching points on the road against the Colonels. I just don't think home court means as much in this series and history would back that up. Tennessee Tech is 6-1 ATS in their last 7 trips to Eastern Kentucky. You also want to be on the team getting points in this series, as the underdog is 7-2 ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Adding to this is the fact that that the Colonels are just 4-14 ATS in their last 18 conference home games and 0-7 ATS in their last 7 home games off a contest where the two teams combined for 165 or more points.
Simply put, the Golden Eagles are the better team. Not only do they have the better record, but they have also played the tougher schedule. This is also a great spot to back Tennessee Tech. Last time out they lost 45-71 to Murray State. They are 22-9 ATS in their last 31 road games off a loss by 10 or more
We also have a strong system in play favoring the Golden Eagles. Road underdogs off a conference home loss vs an opponent that is off 2 or more road wins is 123-73 (63%) ATS over the last 5 seasons. Take Tennessee Tech!
Tommy Brunson
This Pac 12 meeting is all about the Buffaloes strong home court advantage, as that thin air in Boulder seems to be a very real thing for opponents. Colorado is just 1-5 on the road, but at home the Buffs are 7-1 straight up and a money-making 6-1-1 against the spread in those 8 home contests.
Colorado is back home after a split in the City of Angels on the Pac 12 road, as they lost at USC, but were able to upset UCLA for win # 3 of their last 4. Included in this uptick are home wins over both Arizona and Arizona State the last 2 times Ted Boyle's team was on their home floor.
Washington State was able to break their conference maiden with a blowout home win over California in their last game, but they have not been able to win yet in a true road game at 0-4 straight up, and this will be their first road contest of 2018.
Each of the Cougars last 4 trips to Boulder have been losses, and Wazzou is just 2-8 straight up the past 10 series meetings overall. True, CU is just 4-4 against the spread in the last 8 series meetings, but tonight I have no issue laying the number with the strong home court Colorado has exhibited early this season.
Take CU.
3* COLORADO