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This is a 5* play on Under.

Game 1 of the Western Conference Finals was a high scoring affair, and because of that the total for Game 2 is five points higher than it was in Game 1. The series opener saw Denver dominate the first half, but the Lakers made adjustments that allowed them to come storming back. When they stuck Rui Hachimura on the Joker, the REAL MVP was held to just 3 points on 0-of-2 shooting in the 4th quarter. Don't be surprised if things tighten up in Game 2, and keep in mind that both teams shot better than 54 percent from the field when both teams are averaging under 50 percent in these playoffs.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on BOS.

The Celtics have all the momentum heading into Game 7 at the Garden. Boston is 26-9 all time in Game 7s, and the Sixers are 6-11 all time in Game 7s. Home teams have won 79 percent of Game 7s all time in the NBA Playoffs. The Celtics are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 home games, and they have covered in eight of their last 11 versus Philadelphia. The home team might get the calls here, and the Sixers could end up on the wrong side of a one-sided Game 7.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on MIA ML. 

The Knicks won Game 2, but their performance was far from convincing. The expression on Jimmy Butler's face said it all, he knows he's going back to Miami and winning Game 3. Butler scored 56 in Game 4 at home, and then scored 42 in the series clinching win in Milwaukee in Game 5. Even without Jimmy Buckets, the Knicks just barely won Game 2 at the Garden. Miami has the most valuable player in this series, and they are well coached. I think the coaching matchup is a mismatch in favor of the Heat. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under. 

So the first half total has gone under in five of six games, and now the bookmakers have made the adjustment. I don't think they have adjusted enough for a Game 7 though. There have been 15 Game 7s played in the NBA since 2018. The combined total fell short of 200 in 12 of those games. Only one of those 15 games went over the listed total for this game, when the Clippers beat the Mavericks 126-111 in 2021. We saw 109 points scored in the first half of Game 6, and I can't see them scoring more than that here in a Game 7. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

So when it was announced that De'Aaron Fox was going to play despite a broken finger, the Warriors went from -4 in Game 5 to -1.5. I said that he could be a liability if he wasn't at 100 percent. He appeared to play pretty well, but his 24 points was a series low. He shot a series low 36 percent from the field and committed a series high six turnovers. I don't see it getting any better for the Kings here in Game 6. The Warriors won four series in last year's playoffs, and in their four series clinching wins the total went under in all four. The average combined total in those games was 207.5. I'll take the Dubs to win and the game to go under the total.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Under.

I bet the under in Game 1 of this series, and I said the following before the game: “Minnesota is coming off back to back unders in both of their play-in games, and they held the Thunder to just 95 points in their last game. The Nuggets own an elite defense, and they are particularly good at home. The under is 11-2 in the Nuggets last 13 overall, and they have failed to reach the total in five straight home games.” We have since seen Game 2 and Game 3 go over the total, but with the Wolves facing elimination in Game 4, I expect to see more of a defensive battle here. The under is 12-4 in Nuggets last 16 overall, and the Timberwolves have gone under in 12 of their last 17 home games. 

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on MEM.

The Grizzlies were 35-6 on their home court, giving them the best home record in the NBA. The home team has won all three meetings between these teams this year, and Memphis won at home by a score of 121-109 in February. The Lakers looked good in the second half after trailing 60-49 at halftime. If they play like that here in Memphis, they will have a much tougher time coming back in the second half. Watching them blow a three point lead with just 1 second on the clock was a little alarming. This looks like a let down spot for the Lakers, and I like Memphis to win big.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Aztecs streak of unders ended in a 72-71 win over FAU in the Final Four. Both teams shot out the lights from beyond the arc, with the Owls hitting over 40 percent and San Diego State better than 50 percent. I won't bank on seeing that again in the Final. The under is 17-5 in the Aztecs last 22 overall, and the under is 27-9 in their last 36 neutral site games. UCONN also plays a tough defensive brand of basketball, and the under is 7-2 in the Huskies last nine overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the PELICANS.

This is the second game of a back to back for the Clippers, and Kawhi Leonard played last night. We will see if any Clippers will be rested for load management tonight. The Pelicans have won six of their last seven overall, and they are 8-1 straight up in their last nine versus the Clippers. The Clippers are 6-22 ATS in the last 28 meetings in New Orleans.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on SDSU.

The Aztecs will be just a slight favorite here against the Florida Atlantic Owls, and San Diego State has been dominant defensively in the tournament so far. They have held three of their four opponents to fewer than 60 points, with the exception being a 71-64 win over Alabama. The Aztecs have gone under in 12 straight overall, and we expect another defensive battle here. The Owls have escaped from some close calls, but I think their luck runs out here in the Final Four.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Aztecs will be just a slight favorite here against the Florida Atlantic Owls, and San Diego State has been dominant defensively in the tournament so far. They have held three of their four opponents to fewer than 60 points, with the exception being a 71-64 win over Alabama. The Aztecs have gone under in 12 straight overall, and we expect another defensive battle here. The Owls have escaped from some close calls, but I think their luck runs out here in the Final Four.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Some might be shocked to see these teams here in the Elite-8, but I actually have a pending bet on Kansas State at 10-1 to win the East Region. This was one of three longshots I gave out on my NCAA Tournament preview show on Youtube. I am a little concerned that their starting PG rolled his ankle against Michigan State, even though he played a team high 43 minutes. The Owls have been dominant defensively in the tournament, and if Nowell is not 100 percent it will be tough for the Wildcats to run up the score. The under is 20-8-1 in the Owls last 29 neutral site games, and they have failed to reach the total in five of their last six overall. The Wildcats have gone over in five straight NCAA Tournament games, but two of their three games at this tournament saw less than 144.5 combined points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The under is still hitting at close to 70 percent in the tournament so far, and history suggests that the low scores will continue in the Sweet-16. Last year only six of the eight games reached 140 combined points. Xavier had their way with Pitt in the first half on Sunday, but the pace was slowed in the second half. I expect Texas to have more answers for the Musketeers and I don't think it's going to take them until halftime to figure it out. The under is 7-3-1 in the Musketeers last 11 NCAA Tournament games, and the Longhorns have gone under in seven straight overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Tennessee is the best defensive team in the country, ranking #1 nationally in both opponent field goal percentage as well as three-point field goal percentage. It should come as no surprise that the under is 9-4-1 in the Volunteers last 14 overall. Florida Atlantic has been solid on defense as well, and the under is 5-1 in the Owls last six neutral site games. I think FAU will score fewer than 60 points here, and the Vols are only averaging 66 points per game in their last five overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Vandy.

I picked Vandy at 28-1 to win the N.I.T. before the tournament started, and I bet on them in their opening game against Yale. Here is what I said before they beat the Bulldogs: "The Commodores have been one of the hottest teams in the country at the end of the season. Prior to losing to Texas A&M in the SEC Tournament Semifinal, they had won 10 of 11 with wins over Kentucky (twice), Tennessee and Auburn. They host the Yale Bulldogs, and Vandy is 5-0 ATS in their last five home games. The Commodores are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games following an ATS loss." They needed a miracle to get past Michigan, and of course to me that felt like destiny is on their side.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

If you check out ESPN you will see stories about Princeton and FDU. The media loves to hype up the upsets, meanwhile favorites are 29-11 straight up so far in the tournament. Lost in all the talk over underdogs and upsets is the fact that unders have been hitting at a 75 percent clip in the tournament so far. It wouldn't appear that the markets have adjusted for this, as the total for this game is over 145. There were eight games at the NCAA Tournament yesterday, and not a single one of them saw a combined 145 points. We have seen 22 of 24 games go under that number the last two days at the tournament. The under is 14-5 in the Kentucky Wildcats last 19 NCAA Tournament games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on SJST.

I don't think the markets have caught up to this San Jose State team. The Spartans are perennial bottom feeders in the Mountain West, but this year they finished top five in the conference this year, two games ahead of New Mexico and just two games back of Nevada. Both these teams are coming off a loss, but the Spartans are 17-5 ATS in their last 22 games following a straight up loss. The Screaming Eagles are 2-8-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up loss. I have to think this is a mismatch.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Duke.

By now, everyone knows that #5 seeds are vulnerable to upsets in the first round versus #12 seeds. Maybe that's how ACC Tournament champions Duke open as a single digit favorite and get bet down to -6.5 or -6. I believe the perception doesn't line up with the reality here at the NCAA Tournament. When a double digit seed wins outright it makes headlines, but the other 90 percent of the time it doesn't get talked about. Duke comes in on a nine game winning streak, and the average margin of victory in those games is well over 10 points per game. Oral Roberts has failed to cover in 12 of their last 15 versus teams with a winning percentage of .600 or better. The Golden Eagles covered just twice in their last nine games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Memphis.

The Cougars have won seven of the last 10 meetings straight up, but they have failed to cover in all but one of those games. These teams played just a week ago, and Memphis lost by two with Houston hitting the winner at the buzzer. Leading scorer Marcus played 37 minutes in that game, but he missed yesterday's game against Cincinnati. He will either miss this game, or he will be limited by a groin injury. With Houston's spot in the tournament secure, I see no reason for them to rush him back. The Cougars are 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall, and they have failed to cover in five of their last six coming off a win. I'll take the points, and sprinkle a little on the moneyline.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Aggies have won seven of eight overall, and prior to yesterday's win over Vanderbilt they had played seven straight games with neither team scoring 70 points. One game during that span was a 67-61 home win over Alabama in the final game of the regular season. Three of the last four head to head meetings between these teams have gone under the total, and Alabama has failed to read the total in nine of their last 11 versus a team with a winning record. The Aggies have gone under in 10 of their last 13 versus a team with a winning record. This game should look a lot like the last meeting which was played just last week.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Michigan.

The Wolverines finished the season winning three of their final five games, and one of those wins was a 59-48 win at Rutgers. They covered the spread in all five of those games, losing by a combined six points in road games at Illinois and Indiana. Rutgers won just two of their last five games of the season, and those wins came by a combined four points at Penn State and Wisconsin. The Scarlet Knights come in averaging 57.8 points per game in their last five, exactly 20 points fewer than Michigan has averaged during that span. The Wolverines are 36-15-2 ATS in their last 53 neutral site games. The Scarlet Knights are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on SAC.

Both these teams are playing the second game of a back to back, but the Kings won at home 128-127 versus the Clippers last night, and they don't have to travel. Minnesota played in LA, and will be playing a fourth straight game on the road tonight. The Kings are a young team that might not mind playing on back to back nights, as evidenced by the fact that they are 10-4 ATS in their last 14 games playing the second of a back to back. Minnesota has failed to cover in five of their last six coming off a win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Auburn.

The Vols are looking forward to the NCAA Tournament, while the Tigers might need a win here today if they want to get in. Auburn is coming off an overtime loss at Alabama, but they are much stronger on their home floor than they are on the road. The Tigers are 13-2 at home, while the Vols are just 4-5 on the road. Auburn has won five of the last seven head to head meetings, and all three home meetings since 2018. The Tigers are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up loss, while the Vols have failed to cover in four straight road games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on GONZ.

The Bulldogs might not be as good as they have been in previous seasons, but I believe they are still top dog in the WCC. I spoke on TV in a live interview with Dan Alexander a few weeks ago, saying that Gonzaga at 4-1 to win the conference was a good bet. They need to win tonight, and move ahead of SMC in NET rating (there was some confusion between NET and RPI). So SMC won at home in OT in the previous meeting a few weeks back, but that was just their second win in the last 10 head to head meetings. Both of those wins have come at home, and their losses at Gonzaga have come by an average margin of 17 points, and all six of those games were decided by double digits. Even in the OT win at home, SMC scored the first bucket, but Gonzaga too over shortly after and never trailed again in regulation. The visitor has failed to cover in each of the last eight meetings in this series.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Canisius.

The Golden Griffins have won eight of their last 10 versus MAAC rivals St. Peters, and even last year's talented squad that went to the Sweet Sixteen lost at Canisius. This Peacocks team has taken a major step back, going 3-11 ATS in their last 14 road games. The home team has covered in five of the last six head to head meetings, and when you look at the recent play from the Griffins it inspires plenty of confidence. Prior to a one point loss on the road at Mount St. Mary's, they won outright over Rider and Quinnipiac.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Drexel.

The Dragons host Northeastern in their final home game of the season, and they have owned this team in recent years. Drexel defeated the Huskies by 21 points on the road earlier this season. They won at home versus Northeastern by 16 points last February. They are 4-0 SU and 4-0 ATS in this series over the last three seasons. The Huskies are coming off a home win over Conference bottom feeder CWM, and they are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games following an ATS win. Drexel lost it's last game at Hampton, and they are 22-7 ATS in their last 29 games following a straight up loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Fordham.

The Rams are just 2.5 games out of first place in the A-10, and they come into Loyola as winners of eight of their last 10. During that span they have road wins at Duquesne, La Salle, Davidson and St. Bonaventure. They are a small favorite here on the road versus the last place team in the conference, and Loyola has lost it's last two home games by double digits. The Ramblers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight home games, and have failed to cover in 19 of their last 27 overall. The Rams are 7-1 ATS in their last eight road games versus a team with a losing home record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Vanderbilt.

Vandy comes in red hot, winning their last five games. They are now in a position to possibly make the NCAA Tournament, but they likely need to run the table. It starts tonight at LSU, a team that has lost 13 straight games. Vandy has won back to back road games at Florida and South Carolina, and they are 37-17-1 ATS in their last 55 road games. The Tigers are 6-20 ATS in their last 26 home games and they have failed to cover in 16 of their last 21 overall. Two teams trending in opposite directions, I know who I'll put my money on.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on K-State.

The Wildcats have lost four of their five, but three of those losses came on the road. They host Iowa State, and the Cyclones have lost five in a row on the road. Kansas State is 13-1 SU at home, outscoring opponents by an average margin of 15 points per game. They are allowing just 60 points per game at home, while the Cyclones are scoring less than 65 points per game on the road. The Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last seven home games, while the Cyclones have failed to cover in six of their last eight overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on UGA.

The Georgia Bulldogs are 12-2 at home, and they host an LSU team that is 0-6 on the road. Georgia is coming off a home win over Kentucky, and some might say that sets them up for a let down here. I think at this point in the season a home game against a team with a 1-11 conference record is more of an opportunity than a spot we would see a let down. The Tigers are 8-20-1 ATS in their last 29 games overall, and they are coming off a 74-62 home loss to Texas A&M. They are 0-7 ATS in their last seven coming off a double digit home loss. The home team has covered in four of the last five head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on TOR.

The Grizzlies are struggling, and they come into tonight's home game versus the Raptors with two starters out, and two more questionable. Toronto has been horrible this season, dealing with their own injuries. The Raptors are 3-3 SU on their current road trip, and one of those losses was a game decided by three points in Utah. History favors the Raptors here in Memphis, where they have covered in five straight. They are 9-3 ATS in the last 12 meetings overall. A shorthanded Grizzlies team has no business being asked to cover a number like this here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on DEN.

The Hawks are on a roll, coming off back to back wins over the Suns and the Jazz. They take on the Denver Nuggets tonight, and playing the second game of a back to back at altitude is a tough spot. Denver is 10-3 ATS in their last 13 home games, 24-4 overall at home, and 14-6 ATS in their last 20 overall. Nikola Jokic will likely not play both games in an upcoming back to back, but it makes more sense to rest him on the back end in Minnesota on Sunday. The Hawks might want to rest some of their starters here in Denver.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on PHX.

Despite all the injuries and a poor start to the season, the Suns have won six of their last seven, and they are 19-8 at home this season. Both DeAndre Ayton and Chris Paul are back in the lineup, and Ayton is coming off a double-double with 22 points and 13 boards in a win over the Raptors. They host the Atlanta Hawks, and the home team has won nine of the last 10 meetings in this series. The Hawks are 1-5-1 ATS in the last seven meetings in Phoenix. Tre Young is expected to return after missing the last game with sore ankle, but it might not be enough to get a win over a team that has won 51 of it's last 69 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Oklahoma.

Some might suggest that the Sooners are primed for a let down after upsetting Alabama in a 24-point blowout win at home in their last game. I will push back on that, as it's a rivalry game in a revenge spot after they got blown out in Stillwater earlier in the year. The home team has won straight up in eight of the last 10 meetings, and the Cowboys are 2-5 straight up on the road. The home team is 21-8-1 in the last 30 head to head meetings. Oklahoma State struggles to score on the road (averaging 67.3 points per game) and I don't think they can score enough to keep up to the Sooners here.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Phoenix.

The Suns have been decimated by injuries, but that hasn't prevented them from winning 18 of 25 home games. They host the Dallas Mavericks tonight, and Dallas has lost 15 of 23 road games. The home team is 8-1 SU in the last nine head to head meetings. Chris Paul is back, and he had 11 assists in a blowout win over Charlotte on Tuesday. The Mavs will not have 2nd leading scorer and 2nd leading rebounder Christian Wood. The Suns are expecting their big man back on Thursday. DeAndre Ayton leads the Suns in scoring and rebounding. The Mavericks are 8-22 ATS in their last 30 road games, and they are 17-35-2 ATS in their last 54 games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Texas A&M.

The Aggies are undefeated in the SEC, and they are 8-1 at home. They have already beat the Gators in Florida this season, and they won both meetings versus Florida last season. The Gators are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 road games versus a team with a winning home record. The Aggies are 22-8 ATS in their last 30 games overall, and they are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 versus Florida. The Aggies have outscored opponents by an average margin of 19 points at home.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on EWU.

The Eagles are undefeated in conference play, and they look good as just a small home favorite here tonight. The Eagles are 9-1 ATS in their last 10 games overall, and they have covered the spread in five of their last six home games. The Grizzlies are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 road games, and they are just 3-3 in the Big Sky. One of their losses came on the road at Northern Arizona, a team with a 5-14 record. The Eagles are averaging 92 points per game at home this season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Clemson.

The Tigers are sitting in first place in the ACC, and they are undefeated at home (9-0). The home team is 8-2 straight up in the last 10 head to head meetings, and this year's Blue Devils team is not your typical Duke squad we saw under Coach K. Duke has lost two of three road games so far, failing to cover in all three. They lost at Wake Forest by double digits, and Clemson beat that same Demon Deacons team by 20 points. Starting PG Jeremy Roach, who leads the Blue Devils in assists is expected to miss this game with a foot injury. I'll take the Tigers to get the "W" at home.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on KENT.

The Golden Flashes have won 19 of their last 23 conference games, and they are undefeated in the MAC so far this season. They have three seniors in their starting five, including their two leading scorers Sincere Carry and Malique Jacobs. This is the best team in the MAC, and I wouldn't be expecting them to lose many games this season whether at home or on the road. The Golden Flashes are 22-7-1 ATS in their last 30 games overall. The Bobcats are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on TEXAS TECH.

The Red Raiders will be shorthanded here at Iowa State, and they are already 0-3 in conference play. History suggests that this game will be close, and I think the bookmakers are overreacting to a few injuries here. Daniel Batcho and Pop Isaacs didn't play in an overtime loss to Oklahoma, but the Cyclones leading rebounder Aljaz Kunc has also missed the last three weeks. Texas Tech has won eight of the last 10 in this series, and both losses came in games decided by four points. The Cyclones are 3-0 in the BIG12, but two of those wins came in games decided by three points or less. I'll take the points!

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Iowa.

The Hawkeyes are reeling after losing three straight, but a home game against BIG10 rivals Indiana looks like a good spot to get back on track. The home team is 5-1 straight up in the last six meetings between these teams. The Hoosiers have failed to cover in four straight overall, and four of five on the road. They have been playing without two starters, leading scorer Trayce-Jackson-Davis and PG Xavier Johnson. The Hawkeyes are 6-2 ATS in their last eight home games, and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 off a loss.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on Pelicans.

The Pelicans are tied for first place in the Western Conference, and they are in a revenge spot in the second game of a two game series in Utah. The Pelicans are 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games following a straight up loss. The Jazz are just 6-11 in their last 17 overall, and they were playing over their heads at the beginning of the year. Zion only played 26 minutes in the first game in Utah, expect him to play more minutes and be a more dominant force here in the rematch.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Arizona.

The Wildcats are 7-1, with a pair of wins over ranked teams. They beat San Diego State and Creighton before losing their first true road game at Utah. They host the #14 ranked Indiana Hoosiers in a neutral site game tonight, but Las Vegas might feel like a second home to the Wildcats. This Arizona team was 11-1 in non-conference games last year, beating #4 Michigan right here in Las Vegas. Indiana might struggle to match the scoring prowess of a Wildcats team that is averaging 91.5 points per game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Raptors.

Everyone in the NBA knows it's not easy to win in Toronto, and yet the Celtics come into Monday's game as favorites. This is a tough spot for Boston, playing the second game of a back to back off a big win in Brooklyn. Jalen Brown played 40 minutes last night, and Jason Tatum logged 37 minutes. Marcus Smart is out with an injury, and the Raptors are back to full strength. Toronto should get the W here in this spot.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on K-State.

The Wildcats are coming off their first loss of the season, on the road at Butler. A home game against Wichita State looks like a good spot to get back on track. Wichita State had three players score in double digits last season, and all three are gone. One went to the NBA (Tyson Ettienne) and two transfered. The Wildcats have three senior starters averaging in double digits, and this gives them a huge edge in experience. Kansas State has won both their home games by double digits, and the Shockers are likely to be overmatched here in Manhattan.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on UCONN.

The #20 Huskies are 7-0, and they beat #18 Alabama by 15 points on Friday at the Phil Knight Invitational. They face an unranked Iowa State team that just upset #1 North Carolina, and this could be a let down spot for the Cyclones. Iowa State made 9-of-20 three-point attempts in the upset win over the Tar Heels. I don't like their chances of hitting 45 percent from beyond the arc here in this game. The Huskies have the experience, the shooters, and the coaching to take down this scrappy Cyclones team.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 5* play on NCSTATE.

The Butler Bulldogs didn't get a lot of returning talent from last year, and they did not look good in their first game against a ranked team. They scored 45 points on 32 percent shooting in a loss to Tennessee a few days ago. The Wolfpack have more experience, and that may be what allowed them to hang with #3 ranked Kansas. NC State comes in averaging over 80 points per game, while the Bulldogs average just slightly above the national average (71.5). The Wolfpack currently rank 1st in the ACC in scoring, and near the top in FG percentage, FT percentage and three-point shooting.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Under.

George Mason lost 66-62 to Belmont at the Paradise Jam at the UVI Sports & Fitness Center in the Virgin Islands on Saturday. In fact all four games at this venue over the weekend were low scoring, falling well short of 140 combined points. Neither of these two teams have been scoring regardless of the venue, Buffalo comes in averaging 69 points per game while the Patriots are averaging just 65 points per game. The Patriots are strong defensively, which might be why they have gone under in five of their last six games. This number looks way too high.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Baylor.

The Cavs had four games against Top 25 teams last year, and they lost three of those four games by double digits. They do not match up well with a #5 ranked Baylor team that has the edge in experience, returning production and overall talent. The Bears are 14-6-1 ATS in their last 21 neutral site games. The Cavaliers are 2-6 ATS in their last eight neutral site games, and they are 1-10 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 4* play on Utah.

I think we have one of the more overrated teams (Memphis) playing one of the more underrated teams here in Utah. The Jazz are gonna suck without Donovan Mitchell? Well maybe not. They are off to a 4-2 start and they are undefeated at home. The Grizzlies are 1-5 ATS in their last six games following a straight up win. Ja Morant scored 22 points in a win at Sacramento Thursday, but he's listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Grizz.

Call me a conspiracy theorist, but it's no secret that it's in the best interest of the NBA to extend a series when one team is facing elimination. That's particularly true when the game is officiated by Scott Foster. Teams facing elimination are 20-5 in such games that he's called in his career. As of now (Tuesday night), there is no guarantee Foster will be the crew chief for this game. Regardless, expect the Grizzlies to get the benefit of the doubt, and a few favorable calls. When it was announced that Ja Morant will not play Game 5, the line moved 2.5 points. Of course Morant didn't play Game 4 in Golden State and that game went right down to the wire. Memphis is now 20-6 straight up in games without Morant this season. The Warriors are 0-5 ATS in the last five meetings in Memphis, and the Grizzlies are 7-1 ATS in their last eight games as a home underdog. I'll take the points.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on UNC.

Here is what I said prior to the Tar Heels Final Four win: "Duke will be the favorite in their Final Four matchup versus North Carolina, and the question is how much better than the Tar Heels is this team. They finished with one more win in the ACC, and they both got eliminated by Virginia Tech in the ACC Tournament. The Tar Heels upset Duke in Coach K's final home game at Cameron Indoor Stadium, and they have been lighting it up in the NCAA Tournament. North Carolina ranked second in the ACC with a three-point percentage of .385, and the Tar Heels ranked first in the conference in free throw shooting hitting over 77%." As good as Kansas is, they aren't unbeatable. They had their hands full with Creighton and Providence in the tournament, and it seems like a big ask to cover and handful of points here in the Final. 

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Both the Jayhawks and the Wildcats have been outstanding defensively in the Tournament. Kansas has held it's last five opponents to an average of just 60.8 points per game, while Villanova has allowed just 53.6 points per game over their last five. Here in the Final Four the stakes are high, so don't expect either team to waste any time cranking up the defensive intensity. The under is 8-1 in the Wildcats last nine neutral site games, and they have failed to reach the total in four of their last five at the NCAA Tournament. The under is 7-3 in the Jayhawks last 10 overall, and they have also failed to reach the total in four of their last five NCAA Tournament games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Cougars are coming off a 68-53 win over Illinois, and I expect another low score here in the Sweet-16. Arizona has scored 80+ points in eight straight, but they are going to find it tough sledding here against a Cougars defense that has allowed just 59.2 points per game over their last five. The under is 6-2-1 in Cougars last nine overall, and they have failed to reach the total in 14 of their last 20 as an underdog. I am predicting a final score of 76-67.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Providence.

The Friars finished first in the Big East this season with a 14-3 record, half a game ahead of Villanova. The Wildcats are favored by 15 in their first round matchup versus a 15 seed. The Friars are just a slight favorite here against 12 seed Richmond. The Spiders weren't even in the top five in the A-10 this season, but they got hot at the right time and won a close game versus Davidson in the Conference Tournament Final. As well as the Spiders are playing, I believe this line is a product of recency bias. Richmond ranked dead last in the A-10 in rebounds per game, and they weren't a particularly good shooting team. They can muddy it up and play strong defense all they want, but that's not going to be anything new for a Providence team that plays Villanova twice a year. Richmond is the Cinderella, but the clock might strike midnight here and the carriage could turn into a pumpkin.

GL,

Jesse Schule

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Wyoming.

The Cowboys were in first place in the Mountain West a couple weeks ago, but after losing four of their last six overall they sit in fourth. So what happened? Well they had a tough schedule, facing Colorado State and UNLV on the road, and losing a close home game against long time Mountain West powerhouse San Diego State. They are still 15-1 at home, with the only loss coming to the Aztecs. They beat Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State at home, and tonight's game against Fresno State will be their final home game. The Bulldogs have lost five of their last seven, and they have failed to cover in six of their last seven versus teams with a winning record.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

The Nets might be favorites to win the Eastern Conference with a Big 3 of KD, Kyrie and Ben Simmons, but none of them will be in the lineup tonight in Toronto. The only healthy starter for the Nets will be Seth Curry, who has spent the majority of his career coming off the bench. The Nets lost at home last night to the Raptors by 36 points, and traveling north of the border 24 hours later isn't likely to yield a better result. The Raptors are 13-3 ATS in their last 16 home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Boise State.

Boise State sits at the top of the Mountain West, with just a half game lead over Wyoming. They have a home game against Utah State Saturday, and I like the Broncos to win big. The Broncos have won four of the last five meetings versus the Aggies, and Utah State has struggled on the road this season. The Aggies are 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight road games, and they are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games following a straight up loss. Utah State has covered in just one of their last five games overall.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on HOU.

The Rockets will be an underdog in San Antonio Friday, and they catch the Spurs on the back end of a back to back. The Rockets are 5-1 ATS in their last six games as a road underdog, and the road team has won four of the last five meetings outright. The Spurs have failed to cover in five of their last six home games, and they have just three wins in their last 12 games overall. Three starters missed last night's game against Miami, and the Spurs are in rough shape considering Houston is as healthy as anyone right now. Christian Wood has scored 20+ points in three straight games, and alongside Kevin Porter Jr. and Jalen Green, the Rockets are not short on young talent.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on CWM.

It's been a tough year for The College of William and Mary, but this team has been historically tough at home. The Charleston Cougars know that well, as the home team has won 10 straight in the last 10 head to head meetings. These teams played at Charleston at the end of January and the Cougars won by a score of 74-73. The Tribe have covered in five straight overall, and they are 5-0 ATS in their last five games as an underdog. The Cougars are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as a favorite. I don't just think the Tribe cover the spread, I fully expect them to win this game outright.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Texas Tech.

The Cyclones won 51-47 at home versus Texas Tech just before Christmas, and I was fortunate that I got a good line. Many people would have pushed or lost depending on when they played that game. One of the reasons I decided to bet against Texas Tech in that spot, was that they were missing leading scorer Terrance Shannon. He played 18 minutes in a loss to Kansas State over the weekend, and he should be ready to take on more minutes here in a revenge game against the Cyclones. Texas Tech is 10-0 at home, and the Cyclones have lost two of three on the road. The Red Raiders are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 home games, and they won their last home game against Iowa State by 27 points. This smells like a double digit win for the Red Raiders.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Sun Devils host Utah Monday, and historically these teams have been involved in high scoring games. They have gone over in five straight head to head meetings, but a dark cloud hangs over both these teams at the moment. Arizona State has struggled without Marcus Bagley, ranking 391st nationally scoring just 62.6 points per game. They come into tonight's game averaging just 59.4 points per game in their last five overall. Utah hasn't been much better, averaging 67 points per game in their last five overall. The Sun Devils have gone under in five straight overall, and the under is 10-1 in their last 11 home games. They shot just 33 percent from the field in a home loss to Colorado in their last game, and they rank last in the PAC12 with a FG percentage of .385 on the season.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on Brooklyn.

It was almost a month ago now that I published an article titled: "Why The Nets Won't Win The Title in 2021". Here is an excerpt: "Having the best players is only an advantage if they can stay healthy, and that’s asking a lot for a group that has only managed to play eight games together this season. KD is returning from an Achilles injury, Kyrie has been injury prone the majority of his career, and Harden is dealing with a lingering hamstring issue. All three players have a reputation for creating drama in a locker room. KD had his issues with Draymond, Harden burned all his bridges in Houston on his way out the door, and there was no love lost between LeBron and Kyrie in the final days in Cleveland. The folks in Boston don’t speak highly of Kyrie either." I still don't think Brooklyn is in great shape as far as winning the championship, but KD is still the best player in this series, and James Harden has improved with each game back. Home court, and a healthier Harden might be too much for the Bucks in Game 7.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

I bet on the Clippers to win the West, so needless to say I didn't expect them to be down 0-2 in this series versus Dallas. So now I have to figure out where I went wrong? Well there are two things that stand out, one that I should have considered, and another woud have been impossible to predict. I noted that Paul George really looked like he was on top of his game heading into the playoffs, but the fact is that this isn't the first time we've seen him struggle in the post-season. He's forcing up some pretty questionable shots for a guy that currently can't hit the broadside of a barn. The Mavs three-point shooting (roughly 50 percent in the series so far) isn't something that anyone could have predicted. They can't maintain that percentage forever, and eventually those shots will stat rimming out and falling short. Paul George simply needs to be realistic about who he is, and try to be more like Ben Simmons and less like Michael Jordan. At the end of the day, I still think Kawhi is the best player in this series, and I expect LA to run the table now that they have seized the momentum.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

The Western Conference is wide open heading into the playoffs. The defending champion LA Lakers are still the favorite, despite facing a play-in situation versus the red hot Golden State Warriors. Steph Curry has played at an MVP caliber all season long, while LeBron has been in and out of the lineup, and doesn't appear to be 100 percent healthy.

The Utah Jazz finished first in the standings, and the Phoenix Suns were only one game back. Neither of those teams is getting much respect from bookmakers, who give them the third and fourth best chance to win the West.

The media was buzzing when LeBron James was quoted a few weeks ago as saying: "I don't think i'll ever get back to 100% in my career." While I believe that was mostly clickbait, I do think he's already looking for an excuse if he fails to get out of the first round, or gets bounced by the Warriors in the play-in.

The Clippers are guilty of tanking in their final few games, a strategic move to avoid facing the Lakers until the Western Conference Final. Kawhi Leonard has had a pretty quiet season, but he has a history of elevating his game in the playoffs. He's also been perhaps the only player in the league to get the better of LeBron James.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

Both Gonzaga and UCLA hit over 57 percent from the field in the Final Four, but we can't expect that efficiency to continue here in the Final versus Baylor. The Bears are far better defensively than any of Gonzaga's previous opponents, and buckets will not be easy to come by. The total here is sky high, despite three of the last four head to head meetings falling below 155 points. Tonight's total is 10 points higher than in any of the previous four head to head meetings.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Clippers.

The Clippers have won five straight home games, and Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in a 122-112 win over the Sixers Saturday. The Bucks are coming off back to back losses, and Giannis has been struggling with a knee injury. The "Greek Freak" had failed to score 20 points in his last two starts, and did not play in Saturday's loss to New York. The Bucks are 1-6 ATS in their last seven road games, and they are 1-5 ATS in their last six games overall. The Bucks are 1-4 ATS in the last five meetings in Los Angeles.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Alabama.

The Crimson Tide are undefeated in the SEC, and they spanked LSU by a score of 105-75 in Baton Rouge a few weeks ago. After losing by 30 points at home, you might figure this would be a revenge spot for the Tigers. They might not have a lot of fight in them though, losing their leading rebounder Darius Days to a knee injury in a loss to Texas Tech. Day played 21 minutes in Sunday's game, scoring 11 points and pulling in nine rebounds before suffering a knee injury that will keep him out for at least a month. LSU has lost three of their last four overall, and they are 2-5 ATS in their last seven on the road. The Crimson Tide are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games overall, and they have covered in five of their last six at home. This should be a double digit win for the Tide.

GL, 

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Clemson.

The Tigers have lost four of their last five, but three of those losses came on the road. The other was a home loss to first place Virginia, the defending national champions. The Tar Heels on the other hand have won six of seven, but four of those wins came at home. None of those six wins came against teams with a winning record in the ACC. Historically these teams have played close games in recent seasons, and last year Clemson won 79-76 in overtime at Chapel Hill. The Tar Heels last win at Clemson came by just two points, and their previous win at Clemson (2015) came in overtime by three points. The Tigers are 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine home games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Under.

The Houston Cougars are ranked #10 overall, and they play a very strong defense. They have allowed just 52 points per game so far, and last year they were one of the top defensive teams in the AAC. The under is 21-7-1 in the Cougars last 29 home games, and the under is 21-8 in Cougars last 29 overall. The Gamecocks are 1-1, and neither of those two games saw more than 140 combined points. They are coming off a 69-58 win over Tulsa, and a similar score is expected here against Houston. The Cougars have also failed to reach the total in eight of their last nine Saturday games.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on Over.

The Nuggets are a ratings nightmare for the NBA, denying everyone the Clippers vs Lakers Western Conference Final that we waited for all season. Not only did they come back and win three straight after trailing the Clippers 3-1 in the series, they trailed by double digits in Game 7. The Nuggets shot over 49 percent from the field in Game 7 versus the Clippers, but it's hard to imagine they won't be set up for a let down in Game 1 versus the Lakers. After defeating the Jazz in a low scoring Game 7 in the first round, they lost Game 1 of their series versus the Clippers by a score of 120-97. Other than two low scoring Game 7s, Denver has seen 10 of their 12 playoff games go over the total of 210. The Lakers are averaging over 114 points per game in these playoffs, and the over is 20-7-2 in their last 29 meetings versus Denver.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the LA Lakers.

So far there have been plenty of surprises in the bubble so far, and several teams have seen their stock rise and fall. The Lakers came in as consensus favorite, but failed to impress. Portland on the other hand won six of eight games, and then won their play in game against Memphis. This has people calling them a dark horse candidate to win it all. I can't say I was all that impressed with wins over Memphis, Dallas and Philly by three, and a one point win over Brooklyn. The Nets and the Grizzlies effectively shut down Damian Lillard in the fourth quarter, and now the Blazers face a well rested Lakers team. Game 1 looks like a classic let down spot for Portland.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Hawks have been playing well lately, winning four of their last eight overall. Those wins came against two teams hit hard by injuries (Blazers and Nets). The Grizzlies have 10 more wins than Atlanta, and they are coming off an impressive win over the 1st place Lakers. Memphis is still battling for a playoff spot, and they aren't going to get caught napping here in Atlanta. The Hawks are 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games following a straight up win. The Grizzlies have a positive point differential on the road, and I just don't think they should be an underdog here against an inferior team.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on the Memphis Grizzlies.

Memphis was one of the league's hottest teams heading into the All Star break, winning 15 of their last 19 games. They are an underdog on the road at Sacramento tonight, and the Kings are not really in the hunt for the playoffs this season. The Kings have a controversy brewing, as the rumors are that Buddy Hield wants out of Sacramento. He's unhappy with his role coming off the bench, and believes he is a starter in the league (guess he's not familiar with Lou Williams). We can expect the visitors to be more focused here as they continue their pursuit for the post season. Memphis has more road wins than the Kings have at home, and they are a tighter unit right now. "For some reason, we didn't feel the need to try to play much defense tonight," said coach Luke Walton after losing their last game. "We couldn't stop their top guys and when we did, it just didn't feel like we had the passion and desire that it takes to win, especially on the road, in this league." It looks like Walton isn't getting his players to buy in, and that is likely going to be an issue moving forward.

Take MEM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Oklahoma Sooners.

The #1 ranked Baylor Bears come into Oklahoma as winners of 22 straight. They are 12-0 in the BIG12, and they are 11-0 on the road. You've got to have BIG BRASS TACKS to bet against a team that hasn't lost since November ... but sign me up! The Bears keep winning, but rarely are they blowing teams out. Four of their last five road games were single digit wins, and all five of those games came against teams that trail Oklahoma in the standings. They won by a score of 61-57 at home versus Oklahoma just a few weeks ago. The Sooners are 11-1 at home, and they won their last two home games by a combined 39 points against #13 ranked West Viriginia and Iowa State. The underdog has covered in five of the last six meetings between these two teams.

Take OKLA.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Portland Blazers.

Portland is making a run for the post-season, which really shouldn't surprise anyone. If you have been paying attention over the last several years, you should remember that this is a team that has started slow only to dominate in the second half of the season, and then they have made plenty of noise in the playoffs. It seems like Dame Time has arrived, as Damian Lillard has scored 40+ points in six of his last nine games. It's not surprising that the Blazers have won six of their last nine games. They take on a shorthanded Miami Heat team tonight. Jimmy Butler and Tyler Herro are expected to sit out tonight. The Blazers have covered in four straight home games, and they are 4-1 ATS in their last five home games versus Miami.

Take POR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The first thing that comes to mind when you see the Grizzlies playing the Pelicans might be that a high score is expected. That's fair enough, as both teams rank in the Top 10 in scoring, and the bottom 10 in defense. This hasn't been lost on the bookmakers, who have set the total for this game higher than 240. Neither of these two teams have reached that number since the last time they played each other. The Grizzlies have been a completely different team over their last 13 games, going 11-2 during that span. They are now in a position to make the playoffs, and an increased emphasis on defense should be expected. These two teams have failed to reach the total in eight of the last 10 head to head meetings. The Grizzlies have gone under in seven of their last nine, and they have gone under in five straight versus New Orleans.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on William and Mary.

The Tribe have been the class of the CAA so far, winning six of seven games in conference play. They are an absolute juggernaut at home, and their last three home games were double digit wins over UNC Wilmington, Charleston and James Madison. They have now covered the spread in six straight home games. The Tribe won a close game at Towson last year, and in 2018 they won both meetings by double digits. The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings, and I think the Tribe deserve to be closer to a double digit favorite here.

Take CWM.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Saint Louis Bilikens.

The Davidson Wildcats are still one of the more recognizable brands in the Atlantic-10 Conference. They have been far more successful than Saint Louis over the last decade, but so far this season there is no doubt that the Bilikens have been the better team. Saint Louis is 14-4 overall, and three of their four losses came against ranked teams. The one loss against an unranked opponent came against a Duquesne team that is on the cusp of being ranked. They are 3-2 in conference play, and both losses came against the top two teams in the conference. Most recently they lost in overtime on a buzzer beater by a score of 78-76 at home versus Dayton. These two teams split the season series in 2019, and Saint Louis won by 20+ points at Davidson. They had previous lost to the Wildcats by a single point at home earlier in 2019. I think the Bilikens should be the favorite here.

Take SLU.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 8* play on the [email protected] to go Over the total.

These teams played twice last season, and Gonzaga scored over 100 points at home, and more than 90 points on the road. They won and covered in both games, and each of those games went over the total. The Cougars come into tonight's game playing great offensively, they've scored 90+ in back to back wins, and they scored 84 points in a loss to St. Mary's in their last road game. Gonzaga has gone over in six of their last seven home games, and the Cougars have gone over in five straight as a road underdog.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule.

This is a 10* play on Oregon State.

The Beavers are getting a bunch of points on the road at Washington, and history tells us that the underdog has been the play in recent meetings. These teams have gone to overtime three times in the last five head to head meetings. The underdog has covered the spread in four of those games. The Huskies are shorthanded, with their starting PG missing the last two games since being ruled academically inelligeble. Quade Green leads the team in assists, and he's the Huskies best free throw shooter and he's also their biggest threat from beyond the arc. Green isn't available until late March. The Huskies are 0-2 without him, failing to score 60 points in each of those losses. The road team is 5-0 ATS in the last five head to head meetings. I'll take the points.

Take ORST.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Miami Heat own the best home record in the NBA at 16-1. They host Portland on Sunday, and the bookmakers have the total listed sky high at 223. These teams haven't seen a total as high as 220 in any of the previous 10 head to head meetings. Only one of those games saw a total higher than 215. Both these teams come in cold, with Portland coming in as losers of five of six overall. They scored an average of 107 points in those losses, well below their season average of 112+ points per game. The Heat are coming off back to back games scoring fewer than 90 points. They scored 84 in a home win over Toronto, then followed up with just 85 points in a loss at Orlando.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Over the total.

The Seahawks were once the powerhouse in the CAA, but they have slipped all the way to the cellar. They will be a home underdog against Towson on Saturday, and their poor play doesn't inspire me to back them in this role. That being said, they still average over 77 points per game at home, and history suggests they will score their fair share against the Tigers. These two teams have played eight times since 2015, and all of those previous eight meetings saw a total higher than 140. Towson gave up 81 points in a loss to Charleston in their last game, and the over is 5-1 in the Tigers last six games following an ATS loss.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Under the total.

The Raptors have been hit hard by injuries, playing without Marc Gasol, Norm Powell and leading scorer Pascal Siakam. They lost 84-76 at Miami in their last game, shooting just over 30 percent from the field. Siakam hasn't played since December 19th, and the Raptors have scored an average of 106.5 points in eight games since (well below their season average). They have also stepped up on defense during that span, and they have held opponents under 100 points in four straight games. The under is 5-1-1 in the Raptors last seven road games, and they have failed to reach the total in four of their last five in Brooklyn.

Take Under.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Over the total.

The Vanderbilt Comodores come into tonight's home game against Tulsa averaging over 85 points per game on better than 51 percent shooting. They have gone over the total in all six games so far this season, and tonight's total seems a little low (on the wrong side of 140). Vandy isn't quite as impressive on defense, allowing opponents to average over 70 points per game. The Comodores have gone over in nine straight non-conference games, and the over is 5-0 in their last five home games. Tulsa has scored 72 or more in five of their six games so far.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is a 10* play on [email protected] to go Over the total.

The Atlanta Hawks are feeling good about themselves coming into tonight's game at Phoenix, coming off a 125-121 win over the Nuggets in Denver. Tre Young scored 42 points on 13-of-21 shooting in the victory. It was however the third consecutive game that the Hawks allowed their opponent to score 120+ points. Tonight they face a Suns team that ranks among the top teams in the league in scoring, but the Suns are also allowing opponents to average more than 110 points per game this season. The history tells us that these two teams have gone under in five straight meetings, and nine of the last 10 meetings. That history might be keeping tonight's number artificially low, as the last two time these two teams played they score at least 230 combined points, but failed to reach a much higher total.

Take Over.

GL,

Jesse Schule

10*

This is an 8* play on Toronto.

I have been riding Toronto the whole way, with pending bets on the Raptors to win the series and Kawhi to win MVP. Here is what I said prior to Game 1: "The Raptors have all the momentum, coming off four straight wins over a Milwaukee team that had the best record in the NBA during the regular season. They cranked up the defense, and physically dominated the Bucks. The same approach could yield a similar result here in the NBA Finals against the Warriors. Toronto swept the season series, and the Raptors are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. If Toronto's role players play the way they did in Games 5 and 6 against Milwaukee, they could win this series." Now KD is gone and isn't coming back. Cousins and Klay Thompson are banged up, and Looney is hurt. Toronto is the better team at this point.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Toronto.

For all but the first 5-6 minutes of the third quarter in Game 2, the Raptors have completely dominated this series versus the Warriors. They appear to be younger, healthier, and depth has been a huge advantage. The Warriors are hoping to get KD back in Game 5, but I am not sure that it will be enough. Surely if KD isn't 100 percent healthy he could actually be a defensive liability. I have been riding Toronto the whole way, with pending bets on the Raptors to win the series and Kawhi to win MVP. Here is what I said prior to Game 1: "The Raptors have all the momentum, coming off four straight wins over a Milwaukee team that had the best record in the NBA during the regular season. They cranked up the defense, and physically dominated the Bucks. The same approach could yield a similar result here in the NBA Finals against the Warriors. Toronto swept the season series, and the Raptors are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. If Toronto's role players play the way they did in Games 5 and 6 against Milwaukee, they could win this series."

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on the Toronto Raptors.

Toronto heads to Oakland with the series tied 1-1, and they will be getting a handful of points as the underdog here in Game 3. The Raptors have been the better team, in all but six of minutes in the 3rd quarter of Game 2. They have dominated the first half of both the first two games so far, and I expect them to do it again in Oakland. The Warriors aren't a first half team, as they often wait until the third quarter before they really get going. They might struggle to do that tonight if Clay Thompson can't Play. Looney is out, and Cousins isn't 100 percent. Andre Iguodala has to he held together by duct tape. The 35 year old has battled injuries for the entire post-season, and he suffered an upper body injury in Game 2. Pascal Siakam should be better in Game 2, and as long as the Raptors stay out of foul trouble they should have a chance to win this game.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is an 10* play on the Toronto Raptors.

There is a good reason why the Golden State Warriors are a 3-1 favorite to win the series, but a slight underdog in Game 1 in Toronto. The Warriors have had nine days off, and they could be caught a little flat footed here in Game 1. The Raptors are an excellent home team, with a record of 40-11. The Raptors have all the momentum, coming off four straight wins over a Milwaukee team that had the best record in the NBA during the regular season. They cranked up the defense, and physically dominated the Bucks. The same approach could yield a similar result here in the NBA Finals against the Warriors. Toronto swept the season series, and the Raptors are 5-2-1 ATS in the last eight meetings. If Toronto's role players play the way they did in Games 5 and 6 against Milwaukee, they could win this series.

Take TOR.

GL,

Jesse Schule

This is a 10* play on Denver.

The Nuggets seized all the momentum in this series with a gutsy win in Game 4. What was most impressive is how they responded to losing a 4 overtime thriller in Game 3. Watching the game it looked like Denver's depth was the difference. It doesn't have to be Nikola Jokic carrying the load when they can get 20+ points from the likes of Jamaal Murray, Paul Millsap or Will Barton. Here is what I said about Denver prior to Game 1: "Portland is coming off a shocking first round series win over Oklahoma State, but I think they are vulnerable to a let down here in Game 1 at Denver. The Blazers took full advantage of home court in round 1, winning all three of their home games. They will have to win on the road here if they want to get past Denver, and that's not going to be easy. The Nuggets had the best home record in the NBA in the regular season (34-7). Denver doesn't have the same problems that Oklahoma City has. Poor decision making by Russell Westbrook really cost the Thunder, and the Blazers can't count on the Nuggets beating themselves. The Blazers have lost six of the last seven head to head meetings versus Denver, and they have failed to cover the spread in four of their last five at the Pepsi Center."

Take DEN.

GL,

Jesse Schule