As a courtesy to my followers for being away for two weeks, and for preparation for missed time as I am in Texas where I can not place bets, I am providing you with a pick for every major game on the slate tonight. Enjoy!
Ohio State (+2.5) @ Iowa
The Buckeyes are playing their best basketball of the season lately, going 5-1 SU and ATS in their last 6 games. They cracked the Top 25 for the first time in a month. Although the Hawkeyes are 12-1 at home this season, they are 1-3 this season against the current top 25. I’m siding with the slightly hotter team on the road tonight.
Oregon State (+10.5) @ Arizona
This the first time the Beavers are double digit underdogs which is surprising since they have lost by double digits 5 times already this season. Arizona has been a double digit favorite 15 times already this season, going 8-7 ATS in those games. I don’t feel good about it, but I’m going to side with the Beavers who handed the Wildcats their biggest loss earlier in the season by beating them by 17 on their home court.
Michigan State (-12) @ Nebraska
The Spartans have lost 4 of their last 5 and have not covered in any of those games, But to be fair, their last 5 games were against team in Kenpom’s top 40. Nebraska currently sits at 136 in those rankings. The last 5 games the Spartans have played against team below 100 in these ratings; W by 23, W by 5, W by 53, W by 33 and W by 29. The Cornhuskers have lost 10 in a row and are actually worse at home than on the road. They are 6-3 ATS on the road but just 4-9 ATS at home. Sparty gets back on track tonight.
Oregon @ Arizona State (+2)
The Ducks are 2-4 ATS as a road favorite this season and failed to cover in 4 of their last 5 on the road overall which does not bode well for them tonight. The Sun Devils have won 7 of their last 8 games and 5 straight Pac-12 games for the first time since 2009. Bob Hurley will have this team fired up and ready to play.
USC (+9.5) @ Colorado
The Trojans are a covering machine in this spot tonight. They are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games, 8-1 ATS on the road, 6-1 ATS as a road underdog. The Buffaloes are just 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games and haven’t covered at home since January 25th. With this many points and these kinds of trends, the Trojans are one of my favorite plays of the night.
Stanford @ Washington UNDER 131.5
Stanford was sitting pretty on January 15th, picking up their 15th win on the season to begin the year 15-2 SU and 13-4 ATS. However, in the 8 games since, they are just 1-7 SU and 2-6 ATS. Similarly, the Huskies began their season hot. In fact, they are the only team to beat the Baylor Bears this year. They began the season 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS. Since, they are a woeful 2-12 SU and ATS. They are 0-8 SU and ATS in their last 8 games. Since you can’t beat that both teams lose, I’m just going to assume neither team will know how to score. The Under has cashed in 9 of the Huskies last 13 games and while the Under is 8-17 overall for Stanford.
UCLA @ Utah (-3.5)
The Bruins have actually played pretty well lately, going 7-2 SU and 6-3 ATS in their last 9 games. The last time these two teams faced off, the Bruins handed the Utes a 16-point loss. However, that was on the road where the Utes have struggled this season where they are just 1-8 SU and 2-7 ATS. At home is a different story, where they are 10-1 SU and 8-3 ATS. Also a fun side note: The Utes won a game by 94 points this season in their 143-49 victory versus Miss Valley State.
Milwaukee (-13.5) @ Detroit
The NBA is back tonight and so is Giannis and so is the Buck’s trend of beating teams to a pulp. Before the Gainnisless night in Indy, the Bucks had won 14 of their last 15 games with 12 of those wins by double digits and an average margin of victory of 15.7 points per win. The Pistons have lost 10 of their last 12 games with 7 of those losses by double digits. This is a team that lost to the Cavaliers at home by 15. They should be scared tonight.
Miami @ Atlanta (+6.5)
Tough schedule for the Heat as they play their 6th straight road game despite 8 days in between games. They are just 1-4 SU and ATS on this current road trip. The Hawks are 6-5 SU and 7-4 ATS at home in 2020 and have won 4 of their last 5 home games overall. I think they can keep this close.
Charlotte (+4.5) @ Chicago
The Bulls entered the All-Star break going 1-6 SU and ATS in their last 7 games. Charlotte on the other hand won and covered in their final two games before the break, both road victories, to halt losing 13 of their previous 14 games. The Hornets are 2-1 against the Bulls this season including a 10-point victory in Chicago while covering in each of the 3 matchups.
Brooklyn @ Philadelphia (-8)
The Nets have been playing much better lately, winning 7 of their last 10 games and covering in 8 of those games, including covering in 5 straight. However, they are just 2-8 ATS in their last 10 road games, including an 11-point loss in Philly on January 15th. The 76ers are just a tough team at home where they are 25-2 SU 17-10 ATS. Consider using 76ers ML at -315 to boost another one of your bets.
Memphis (-1.5) @ Sacramento
The Grizzlies are one of the hottest teams in the NBA and in Vegas. Since the calendar turned to 2020, they are 15-5 SU and 14-6 ATS, including 8-2 SU and ATS in their last 10 games overall. The Kings have been a 3-point or less underdog in each of their last 3 home games in which they won, thus covering, in all 3 games. I think I’ll still side with the Grizzlies, as I think they have more to play for to hold on to that 8th seed, they will want to come out of the break a little more focused.
Houston (-10) @ Golden State
Aren’t we glad NBA is back in action? It feels like Christmas day! Well, maybe not for the Rockets who got thumped by this god awful team on Jesus’ birthday. Since, the Warriors have won just 4 times and have lost by double digits 11 times while the Rockets have won 13 games and have won by double digits 8 times. Surely the Rockets will be more focused tonight, right?
Jonny the Macedonian 