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One big home win for the Saints and the bettors are once again backing this team. Currently, they’re getting close to 70% of bettors’ support. The problem is that the Saints are over-valued. Prior to the season starting, Carolina was listed as a -2.5 home favorite in this game. In addition, they opened at PK and no rose a full 3 points. Let’s not forget, this is a Thursday Night Football game, short week, and the Saints are on the road. This team is 1-3 ATS and 0-4 SU on the road this year, while the Panthers are 3-1 ATS at home. Saints have losses @ ATL, @ CLE, @ DAL, and @ DET this year. Three of the four were decided by a combined 6 points, but that’s the point here. With such a bad defense, teams tend to hang with New Orleans, especially at home. Typically on a Thursday Night Football I look to back the home team, who I feel has a strong advantage with not having to travel and a little more time to prepare. With this being a big divisional matchup, both teams knowing each other, and most importantly Carolina catching a full 3-points, this play is automatic from my perspective.
NBA
#1: Washington Wizards -4.5
The big factor here is the return of both Nene and DeJuan Blair. Without Frye and Oladipo, Orlando is very dependent on their inside game with Vucevic and Harris as their only dependent long-range weapon is Fournier. This plays into Washington’s hands, who are missing a number of key long-ranger shooters of their own. With Nene and Blair in the middle, along with Gortat, Gooden, and Humphries, Wizards have the bodies to bang in the post and cause issues for this horrible Orlando offense. Magic is coming off a game where they allowed 62 rebounds, 26 offensive boards, and 64 PIP (Points In the Paint). Washington should be able to dominate in a similar fashion today. I know Wiz are on a b2b on the road, but their game last night was at Miami so it’s not like they have to travel far here. Plus this early in the season, b2b’s aren’t as significant.
#2: Los Angeles Clippers -13
You have to tip your cap to Russell Westbrook, who was dynamite last night. He scored 38 points, dished out 6 assists, and went to the FT-line 16 times. Of course without much of a supporting cast, him and the rest of the Thunder ran out of gas in the 4th quarter, got outscored 31 to 12 and lost the game by 17 points. Now they’ll be playing on a b2b, both on the road, and facing a Clippers team that is a real title contender this season. Neither Reggie Jackson nor Jeremy Lamb will suit up for this one, and of course KD will be out as well. Remember the playoff series between these teams last year? The average margin of victory was +0.8 PPG in OKC’s favor. That’s how close all of those games were. Now the Thunder will be without key players in KD and Jackson, as well as Lamb who is expected to take a step forward this year. Clippers have added depth this offseason by bringing in Hawes and Farmar, to go with Crawford and Glen Davis off the bench, and they should have lineup advantages throughout today’s game. In addition, hard to see Westbrook having as good of a game as he had last night. He was facing Lillard, one of the worst defending PG’s in the league. Today he’ll be going up against Chris Paul, one of the better defenders. Tougher matchup, b2b on the road, and a depleted roster for the Thunder. Another DD win for their opponent tonight?
Play Louisville +3.5 over Florida State (NCAA) ---GO BIG HERE 7:30 PM EST
Louisville has won 10 of the last 11 games when the total posted is between 49.5 and 56 points and they have won 16 of the last 18 home games. Louisville has won 3 consecutive games when playing on a Thursday and they have won 6 of the last 7 games coming off a bye week.
Play Georgia Southern -25.5 over Troy (NCAA) 7:30 PM EST
Troy has lost 15 of the last 18 games when playing as an underdog and they have lost 11 of the last 13 games when the total posted is greater than 63 points. Troy has lost 4 consecutive games when playing on a Thursday and they are allowing an average of 40 points on defense in road games this season.
Play Carolina +2.5 over New Orleans (NFL) 8:30 PM EST
Carolina has covered the spread in three of the last four games and they have won 14 of the last 18 games when playing in the 2nd half of the season.Carolina has won and covered the spread in 9 of the last 13 games vs. division opponents and they have won and covered the spread in 7 of the last 10 home games when the total posted is greater than 45.5 points.
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