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Stephen Nover |
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| I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
| YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NBA | Jan 14, 2021 Hornets vs Raptors |
UNDER 220 -110 |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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The Hornets' decent 6-6 start can be attributed to defense. Charlotte ranks eighth defensively holding foes to 107.3 points. Hornets Coach James Borrego is showing how much he prefers defense above offense by giving minutes to Cody and Caleb Martin while keeping scorer Malik Monk on the bench. A rusty Monk may get an opportunity here, though, as the Hornets' leading scorer, Gordon Hayward, may not play after suffering a hip strain on Wednesday. Hayward and Terry Rozier are the only Charlotte players averaging more than 13 points per game. Charlotte ranks 24th in scoring at 107.2. The Hornets just matched their lowest scoring output of the season in a 104-93 home loss to the Mavericks on Wednesday. That game went 24 points below the closing total of 221. The Hornets lack inside scoring. They have to work hard for their baskets. Toronto gave up the second-fewest points per game last season. The Raptors, though, have been a major disappointment so far this season losing eight of their first 10 games while ranking 19th defensively yielding 112.5 points. Lately, however, the Raptors have shown defensive improvement. They held Golden State to 106 points and Portland to 112 points both on the road during their past two games. That's six points below the season average of both of those teams. The Raptors have played seven Western Conference teams plus the Celtics and 76ers - each of whom rank in the top 12 in scoring - during their first 10 games. Now they are stepping down in class against a punchless offense that could be without its best scorer. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 14, 2021 Washington vs USC |
UNDER 139½ -105 |
Lost $105.0 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
| USC ranks second in the country in defensive field goal percentage. Washington is having a down year averaging just 63.3 points, which ranks 317th in the nation, and shooting 39.4 percent from the floor, which rates 321st. The Huskies are going to have trouble scoring inside against USC's star Mobley brothers, Evan and Isaiah. The Trojans averaged only 51 points in two games against the Huskies last season. USC has been frigid in its 3-point shooting during its past two games making just 6-of-43 for 14 percent. The Huskies always have had a highly-respected defense under Mike Hopkins. | ||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NHL | Jan 14, 2021 Islanders vs Rangers |
Islanders -105 at Mirage |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Top Premium | ||
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By the end of the season, the Rangers could prove dangerous. But right now the Rangers are somewhat vulnerable being one of the youngest teams in the league. The patient, well-coached, savvy Islanders are a bad first-game matchup for the Rangers. The Rangers' home ice edge is greatly reduced, too, with no fans allowed in the stands and the Islanders just having to make a short trip. The absence of exhibition games hurts the Rangers far more than the Islanders, who retain virtually their entire roster that took Stanley Cup champion Tampa Bay to six games in the Eastern Conference finals. Morale is up for the Islanders after they were able to sign Mathew Barzal to a contact extension last week. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NHL | Jan 14, 2021 Canucks vs Oilers |
Oilers -120 at Mirage |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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Vancouver exploited Edmonton's vulnerable defense with a 5-3 road victory Wednesday night. Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisailt were held to a combined one assist by the Canucks. I'm betting on a bounce back from the Oilers and McDavid and Draisailt. Call it a zig-zag play if you want. I'm impressed with Vancouver's young scorers. But the Oilers still have more firepower especially with the Canucks missing center J.T. Miller. He's out with an undisclosed injury. Miller scored the most points for Vancouver last season and tied for the team lead in goals with 27. There's a good chance both teams go with their backup goalies in this one. If that's the case, I would rate an edge to Edmonton with Mike Smith. Mikko Koskinen was disappointing in net for the Oilers on Wednesday. So Smith should be an improvement. |
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 14, 2021 Colorado State vs San Jose State |
UNDER 156 -110 |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
| This game could get lopsided real fast. Colorado State gives up 64.7 points a game, ranking 61st in the country. San Jose State ranks 335th in field goal percentage. The Spartans, winless in the Mountain West Conference, have scored 65 or fewer points in five of their last seven games. Neither team is good at offensive rebounding so there shouldn't be many easy putback baskets off missed shots. Colorado State probably can name its score here. But the Rams and Spartans square off again on Saturday. So the Rams are likely to not run up a score and get their reserves ample minutes if the game gets out of hand, which is likely to happen. Given the circumstances and San Jose State's scoring woes, Under is the right way to look. | ||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-B | Jan 14, 2021 Northern Colorado vs Idaho |
Northern Colorado -6 -110 at Draft Kings |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
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Northern Colorado is a middle-of-the-pack team in the Big Sky Conference that has owned Idaho beating them the past six times.The Bears' average winning margin in these games is 20 points. Everybody in the Big Sky beats Idaho. The Vandals are one of the worst teams in the country. They are winless in nine games and 0-6 in the Big Sky. Northern Colorado is 8-1 ATS the last nine times taking on foes with a winning percentage below 40 percent. Bodie Hume gives Northern Colorado the best player on the court. The Bears give up 10 points fewer per game than Idaho, which is 1-8 ATS in its past nine home contests. |
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SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |
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