SCOTT SPREITZER
NCAA-B | Jan 04, 2018
Santa Clara vs. Loyola Marymount
Santa Clara+5
I'm recommending a play on Santa Clara on Thursday night. Loyola Marymount runs up and down the floor and attempts to push the tempo. Unfortunately, their desired style doesn't work too well when you're terrible from the deep perimeter and play very little defense. The Lions make just 31 percent of their treys, (304th in the nation). Defensively, LMU allows over 79 ppg, which is more than they score themselves, and they have allowed teams to nail 47.3 percent of their FGA, which ranks 311th in college basketball. The Broncos aren't too hot on the defensive end either, but with four players averaging between 18 ppg and 10.6 ppg, they own the ability to keep this one close against a bad defensive favorite. KJ Feagin and Matt Hauser have combined for 105 assists this season and both get everyone involved on the offensive end. Meanwhile, LMU has James Batemon, but not much else when it comes to dishing to the open man. LMU is once again an overvalued home favorite against a team that struggles on the road. The Lions are 5-13-1 ATS the last 19 times at home against teams playing less than .400 road basketball. In fact, they've covered just 18 of their last 60 home games against teams with a losing road record in general. We're recommending a play on Santa Clara plus the points on Thursday. NOTE: Be sure to grab both of our premium plays today, including our CBB Conf GOM, and our West Coast Wipeout. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
LARRY NESS
My 1* Free Play is on the Oklahoma City Thunder (10:30 EST).
The Thunder come in off a relatively simple 133-96 destruction of the Lakers just last night and suffice it to say, I believe the team carries that momentum over here against the Clippers.
The Thunder’s big three of Carmelo Anthony, Paul George and Russell Westbrook combined for almost 70 points in just 28 minutes last night, meaning that the core for OKC is going to be well rested for tonight’s game as well.
If recent history is any precedence, then the Thunder have to be loving their chances today, because when these teams met for the first time back on November 10th, it was OKC that scored the relatively simple 120-111 victory.
OKC averages 103.5 PPG and concedes just 100.5. Westbrook averages 24.8 points, 9.6 boards and ten assists per game.
The Clippers average 105.7 points and concede 105.7 as well. Blake Griffin leads the Clippers with 23.5 points, 7.7 boards and 5.3 assists per game.
I’ll point out though that OKC is 3-1 ATS in its last four after scoring 130 points or more in its previous contest, while LA is just 8-9 ATS as an underdog this season.
With a well rested trio of superstars ready to play tonight, all signs point to another rout for the surging Thunder in my opinion. Consider a second look at Oklahoma City in this matchup.
Good luck…Larry
MIKE LUNDIN
NHL | Jan 04, 2018
Kings vs. Flames
Kings+105
The Los Angeles Kings are coming off triumphs at Vancouver and Edmonton, and I think they'll come out of their three-game trek through Western Canada with a perfect record after visiting the Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome Thursday night.
Calgary snapped a three-game skid with a 4-3 OT win against Chicago on New Year's Eve, but it's worth noting that this is a team that's just 2-6 in its last eight when facing a team with a winning record. The Flames have struggled to assert themselves in front of the home fans going just 10-11-0 at home. The Kings meanwhile own a Western Conference-best 13-6-2 road record and they've won 11 of their last 13 when visiting a team with a losing home record.
My free pick is on LA Kings.
The Oracle
NBA OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER/LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS over 213
Ace / Line Beaters
NBA LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS +1
Football Garbage Time
NBA GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS ‑4.5
Oklahoma City at L.A. CLIPPERS (214u, -110)
By Tommy Brunson
Thursday comp play is Over the total in the Thunder-Clippers meeting.
OKC has found its rhythm with their troika of stars (Westbrook, George, and Anthony), and play this one fresh off an Over last night against the Lakers in this same arena.
The Thunder is now Over the total in 3 of their last 4 games!
Los Angeles is also playing them high lately, as 6 of their last 8 games have landed Over the total.
The first meeting between the teams way back in November did land Over the total, as the Over in the series is now 5-2 the past 7 times these Western Conference foes have jumped ball against one another.
With the Thunder grooving right now, expect the points to be adding up, and expect this one to land Over the total.
4* OKLAHOMA CITY-L.A. CLIPPERS OVER
Cincinnati (-7') at TEMPLE
By Joey Juice
Let's back the Bearcats who look too tough to beat, as they are on a five game winning streak thanks to them being one of the best defensive teams in the Nation. They only have 2 losses on the year at the hands of Florida and Xavier, two extremely good teams. Cincinnati is putting up 80.9 points a game while holding teams to 59.1 points.
Temple, on the other hand, have now dropped 3 in a row, and four out of their last five. Unlike Cincinnati, their defense is mediocre. They are currently scoring an average of 72.4 points per game, and holding opponents to 72.5 points, a stark contrast from Cincinnati.
Cincy is the Free play.
3* CINCINNATI