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Two of the division races in the National League are pretty wide-open and the first of them is the NL East. The reigning champion Atlanta Braves have the shortest price, but the reigning World Series champs and the best third-place team in 2019 also reside in this division.

On one hand, these types of divisions are nice because everybody is available at a plus price. On the other hand, these types of divisions are tough because you aren’t going to find any really big plus prices that you can sink your teeth into like you can in the AL East or the AL West.

There also isn’t a clear “winner of the offseason” in this division. The Braves lost Josh Donaldson, but picked up Marcell Ozuna and signed the best free agent reliever in Will Smith. The Nationals could be considered a loser because they lost Anthony Rendon, but they also managed to retain Stephen Strasburg when he opted out of his contract. The Mets have a new manager and also made a few moves to strengthen the bullpen and the depth of the roster, but also lost Zack Wheeler.

Offseason transactions frequently shape the market and shape the viewpoints of those betting into the early MLB futures market. As far as the three most likely contenders go in this division, nobody really stands out. That is true of how the offseason went and true of the odds as well.

Here are the odds to win the NL East per <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/5dimes"><strong>5Dimes Sportsbook</strong></a> as of February 20, 2020:

<a href="http://bangthebook.com/atlanta-braves-win-total-analysis/161/"><strong>Atlanta</strong></a><strong><a href="http://bangthebook.com/atlanta-braves-win-total-analysis/161/"> Braves</a> +193</strong>

<a href="http://bangthebook.com/washington-nationals-win-total-analysis/133/"><strong>Washington</strong></a><strong><a href="http://bangthebook.com/washington-nationals-win-total-analysis/133/"> Nationals</a> +255</strong>

<a href="http://bangthebook.com/new-york-mets-win-total-analysis/145/"><strong>New York</strong></a><strong><a href="http://bangthebook.com/new-york-mets-win-total-analysis/145/"> Mets</a> +335</strong>

<a href="http://bangthebook.com/philadelphia-phillies-win-total-analysis/142/"><strong>Philadelphia</strong></a><strong><a href="http://bangthebook.com/philadelphia-phillies-win-total-analysis/142/"> Phillies</a> +385</strong>

<a href="http://bangthebook.com/miami-marlins-win-total-analysis/148/"><strong>Miami</strong></a><strong><a href="http://bangthebook.com/miami-marlins-win-total-analysis/148/"> Marlins</a> +37500</strong>

The poor Miami Marlins. We can scratch them off the list. In my estimation, we can also scratch the Philadelphia Phillies off of the list. There is very little upside with that team relative to the other three top dogs in the division. That is a team that just doesn’t stack up in my humble opinion.

In all honesty, it is a little bit of a surprise to see the Braves lined the way that they are. They won the NL East last season, but became an afterthought because of a first-round playoff exit. They became more of an afterthought when a division rival won the World Series as a Wild Card, becoming the first team to do that since the 2014 San Francisco Giants.

The Braves also overachieved per their alternate standings metrics. The Nationals were actually 5.5 games better than the Braves per 3rd Order Win% and five games by BaseRuns.

While I personally do like the Braves, I couldn’t bet them as a favorite. The Nationals could also be subject to a World Series hangover and also have the production of Rendon to replace.

The team right there to take advantage is the New York Mets. Admittedly, I do wish the price was bigger than +335 because the Mets are a flawed team in their own right. Most of their flaws are on the health side, so this is really a question of whether or not this team can stay healthy and really make a big push. They do have a big gap to overcome from where their alternate standings put them, both relative to the Braves and the Nationals, while not having added much of consequence to the roster.

With a lot of different ways that things could play out in the NL East, there just isn’t enough line value to really take any of the teams in this division, but the Mets at +335 would be the closest one for me. This is one where we can definitely shop around as the season approaches and possibly find a better number.

2020 NL East Division Betting Odds & Prediction

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<p>Looking to win big? The Bison and Tigers face off at 8:00 ET on None. The Tigers are hosting the game at Mizzou Arena in Columbia, MO. The over/under for this non-conference contest is set at 150.5 points, with Missouri being favored by -19 over Howard.</p><h3>HOWARD BISON VS MISSOURI TIGERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Howard Bison +19</p><p>This game will be played at Mizzou Arena at 8:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE HOWARD BISON:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-72 in favor of the Tigers.</li><li>Even though we have Missouri winning straight-up, we like Howard at +19.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 150.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the Bison Offense Score Enough on the Road?</h3><h3>Howard Bison Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Howard faced a tough challenge on Monday, November 4th, as they took on the Jayhawks in an away game. The Bison entered the game as +27.5 point underdogs and ended up losing 87-57, failing to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>After a rough first half where they trailed 46-19, Howard managed to score 38 points in the second half while allowing 41. The total points for the game were 144, which was under the 155.5-point line.</p><p>Howard's offense struggled in their last game, putting up just 57 points on 37.9% shooting from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 44.8%, and they hit 36.4% of their threes, going 8-for-22 from beyond the arc. At the free-throw line, they connected on just 5 of 12 attempts, shooting 41.7%.</p> <p>Zeke Mayo led the way with 19 points, hitting 5 of 8 threes, while Blake Harper and Hunter Dickinson each added 16 points. Flory Bidunga was perfect from the field, going 6-for-6 and grabbing 8 rebounds. Howard finished with 8 offensive rebounds and 12 assists as a team.</p><p>Howard's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 87 points on 60% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 67% of their two-point attempts, with 21 makes on 31 tries.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Howard's opponent shot 50%, connecting on 11 of 22 three-pointers. They also sent them to the line 16 times, where they made 12 free throws (75%). Howard limited them to 5 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Do the Tigers Stand a Chance at Home?</h3><h3>Missouri Tigers Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Missouri dropped their season opener on Monday, falling 83-75 to Memphis on the road. Entering the game as +3.5 point underdogs, the Tigers not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>Missouri led 42-32 at halftime but allowed 51 points in the 2nd half while scoring just 33. The game’s total points of 158 exceeded the pre-game O/U line of 154.5.</p><p>In their latest game, Missouri's offense put up 75 points, shooting 45.6% from the field. They connected on 57.6% of their two-point attempts, but struggled from beyond the arc, hitting just 29.2% of their threes. Their effective field goal percentage came in at 52.6%.</p> <p>PJ Haggerty led the way with 25 points and 5 assists, while Anthony Robinson II added 16 points and 7 assists, shooting 80% from the field. Missouri finished with 16 assists and 7 offensive rebounds, shooting 64% from the free-throw line.</p><p>Missouri's defense gave up 83 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 44% from the field. They allowed 47% shooting on two-point attempts, with the other team going 18/38.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Tigers' defense conceded 8 threes on 20 attempts, a 40% shooting rate. They also sent the other team to the line 29 times, where they hit 23 free throws, a 79% success rate. Missouri gave up 13 offensive rebounds.</p>

Howard Bison vs Missouri Tigers NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

<p>The Red Raiders and Longhorns are set to face off at 8:00 ET on ESPN2. The Longhorns will host the game at Moody Center in Austin, TX. This Big 12 conference matchup has an over/under of 141.5 points, and the Longhorns are favored to win at home vs. the Red Raiders.</p><h3>TEXAS TECH RED RAIDERS VS TEXAS LONGHORNS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Texas Longhorns -6.5</p><p>This game will be played at Moody Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, January 6th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE TEXAS LONGHORNS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 76-68 in favor of the Longhorns.</li><li>Not only will Texas pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -6.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 141.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 144 points.</li></ul><h3>Can The Red Raiders Secure a Road Victory?</h3><p>After starting the season 5-0, the Red Raiders have gone 6-2 in their last eight games and are currently riding a six-game winning streak. Texas Tech is 11-2 overall and 3-2 on the road this season.</p>

<p>In their last game, the Red Raiders defeated North Alabama by a score of 85-57. Over their last 10 road games, Texas Tech is just 5-5.</p><p>As the underdog, Texas Tech has gone 1-2 against the spread this season. On the road, the Red Raiders are 2-3 vs. the spread, and over their last 10 road games, they are 6-4 vs. the spread. Overall, Texas Tech has an ATS record of 6-7 this year.</p><p>Today's over/under line of 141.5 is lower than the average over/under line in Texas Tech's games this season (138.2). So far, 5 of their games have finished with more points than today's line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total is 147 points.</p><p>Texas Tech recently showcased a strong offensive performance, scoring 85 points against North Alabama. This output exceeded their season average of 78 points per game. The top scorer for the Red Raiders was Pop Isaacs with 21 points, while Chance McMillian also added 16 to the scoreboard.</p><p>Coming into today's game, the Texas Tech defense is giving up an average of 64.5 points per contest. In today's game vs. Texas, the Texas Tech defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Texas Tech made 17 free-throws vs. the Red Raiders.</p><h3>Can Texas Pull Off a Home Win?</h3><p>Heading into today's matchup, the Texas Longhorns are favored by 6.5 points over the Texas Tech Red Raiders. So far this season, Texas has an overall record of 11-2 and has won their last five games.</p>

<p>At home, the Longhorns are 10-1 and have an average scoring margin of +19.4 points per game. In their last game, they defeated UT Arlington by a score of 79-62. Over their last ten games at home, Texas has gone 9-1.</p><p>As the favorite this season, Texas has gone just 4-7 vs. the spread. At home, their ATS record is 4-7 and their last 10 ATS mark as the favorite is 3-7. Over their last 3 home games, the Longhorns are 1-2 vs. the spread.</p><p>So far this season, the over/under record for Texas games is 5-8. The average scoring total in their games is 143.5, which is 2 points higher than the average over/under line of 141.5. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is just 125 points.</p><p>In their latest game, Texas' offense looked good, scoring 79 points against UT Arlington. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 42.9% and made 16/20 free throws. Max Abmas led the scoring for the Longhorns, contributing 18 points. Additionally, Kadin Shedrick chipped in with 17 points.</p><p>The Longhorns' defense is presently ranked 36th nationally, allowing an average of 64.3 points per contest. In today's game vs. Texas Tech, the Texas defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Texas made 16 free-throws vs. the Longhorns.</p>

Texas Tech Red Raiders vs Texas Longhorns Betting Pick & Prediction 1/6/24

<p>Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bulls versus the Cougars? Tip off is at at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on FloH. The game will be played at TD Arena in Charleston, SC. The over/under for this game is set at 155 points, and Charleston is favored by -3.5 against South Florida in a non-conference matchup.</p><h3>SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS VS CHARLESTON COUGARS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: South Florida Bulls +3.5</p><p>This game will be played at TD Arena at 7:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SOUTH FLORIDA BULLS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-72 in favor of the Cougars.</li><li>Even though we have Charleston winning straight-up, we like South Florida at +3.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 155 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Can South Florida Deliver Being Underdogs on the Road?</h3><h3>South Florida Bulls Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>South Florida dropped their season opener to the Gators on Monday, falling 98-83 on the road. Entering the game as +10.5 point underdogs, the Bulls not only lost but also failed to cover the spread.</p> 

<p>Despite leading 40-39 at halftime, South Florida couldn’t keep pace in the 2nd half, allowing 59 points while scoring 43. The game’s total points of 181 exceeded the O/U line of 152.5.</p><p>South Florida put up 83 points in their last game, shooting 44.4% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 54%, thanks in part to hitting 50% from three-point range, connecting on 13 of 26 attempts. They also made 82.4% of their free throws, going 14 for 17 from the line.</p> <p>Walter Clayton Jr. led the way with 29 points, shooting 66.7% overall. Will Richard added 25 points, while Jamille Reynolds contributed 17 points, hitting 7 of 13 shots. Kasen Jennings knocked down 3 of 6 threes, finishing with 15 points.</p><p>South Florida's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 98 points on 52% shooting from the field. They allowed 73% shooting on two-point attempts, with the opposing team hitting 28 of 38 shots inside the arc.</p> <p>From three-point range, South Florida held the other team to 20% shooting, as they made just 5 of 25 attempts. However, they sent them to the free-throw line 33 times, where they converted 27 free throws (81%).</p><h3>Is A Home Victory Likely for the Favored Cougars?</h3><h3>Charleston Cougars Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Cougars opened their season with a 90-80 win over Southern Illinois on Monday. Charleston, who were -5.5 favorites, covered the spread in the road victory.</p> 

<p>Charleston led 45-42 at halftime and maintained their pace in the 2nd half, scoring another 45 points while holding the Salukis to 38. The game’s total points of 170 exceeded the O/U line of 144.5.</p><p>Charleston's offense was firing on all cylinders, putting up 90 points with a field goal percentage of 56.4% and an effective field goal percentage of 65.5%. They hit 45% from beyond the arc, connecting on 9 of 20 attempts, while shooting 62.9% on two-pointers. Their free-throw shooting was less impressive, hitting just 63.3% from the line.</p> <p>Ante Brzovic led the way with 27 points and 9 rebounds, shooting 68.8% from the field. Elijah Elliott added 23 points, hitting 3 of 7 from deep, and CJ Fulton contributed 17 points and 7 assists, knocking down 3 of 6 from three-point range. Deywilk Tavarez was perfect from beyond the arc, hitting all 3 of his attempts.</p><p>Charleston's defense gave up 80 points in their last game, with the opposing team shooting 40% from the field. They allowed 20 two-point baskets on 41 attempts, a 48% shooting rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Cougars held their opponent to 5 made threes on 21 attempts, a 23% shooting performance. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 33 times, where they converted 25 free throws, a 75% rate.</p>

South Florida Bulls vs Charleston Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

<p>Making on a bet on this NCAA game featuring the Bruins versus the Lobos? Tip off is at at 11:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on None. The game will be played at Lee's Family Forum in Henderson, NV. UCLA comes into this non-conference matchup as the -6 point favorite. The over/under line currently sits at 151 points.</p><h3>UCLA BRUINS VS NEW MEXICO LOBOS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: New Mexico Lobos +6</p><p>This game will be played at Lee's Family Forum at 11:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NEW MEXICO LOBOS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 77-69 in favor of the Lobos.</li><li>Not only will New Mexico pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +6.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 151 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the Bruins Offense Score Enough in Henderson?</h3><p>UCLA opened their season with a dominant 85-50 win over Rider on Monday. Playing at home, the Bruins were favored by 21.5 points and covered the spread with ease. The total points for the game ended at 135, just under the 139-point O/U line.</p> <p>UCLA took control early, leading 41-23 at halftime, and continued their strong play in the second half, outscoring Rider 44-27.</p><p>UCLA put up 85 points in their last game, shooting 52.3% from the field and posting an effective field goal percentage of 60%. They were dominant inside, hitting 66.7% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 34.5% from beyond the arc, going 10-for-29 from three-point range.</p> <p>The Bruins dished out 21 assists and grabbed 15 offensive rebounds. Tyler Bilodeau led the way with 18 points, shooting 56.2% from the field, though he missed all three of his three-point attempts. T.J. Weeks Jr. added 15 points, hitting 4-of-7 from deep.</p><p>Despite giving up 50 points, UCLA's defense struggled, allowing their opponent to shoot 52% from the field. The Bruins gave up 66% shooting on two-pointers, with their opponent hitting 24 of 36 attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, UCLA's opponent shot 34%, making 10 of 29 three-point attempts. The Bruins also sent them to the line 12 times, where they converted 7 free throws, shooting 58%.</p><h3>Can New Mexico Grab a Win at Home?</h3><h3>New Mexico Lobos Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Lobos opened their season with a 91-84 win over Nicholls on Monday. Playing at home, New Mexico was a -18.5 point favorite but didn’t cover the spread.</p> 

<p>New Mexico led 48-43 at halftime and scored 43 points in the 2nd half while allowing 41. The game’s total points of 175 exceeded the O/U line of 151.5.</p><p>New Mexico put up 91 points in their latest game, despite shooting just 38.3% from the field and 19.4% from three-point range (7/36). Their effective field goal percentage was 42%, but they made up for it with 16 offensive rebounds and 22 made free throws on 32 attempts (68.8%).</p> <p>Nelly Junior Joseph was a force inside, scoring 28 points on 9/15 shooting and grabbing 16 rebounds. Robert Brown III added 23 points, hitting 6 of 12 from beyond the arc, while Donovan Dent dished out 11 assists to go with his 15 points.</p><p>New Mexico gave up 84 points in their last game, with their opponent shooting 38% from the field on 81 attempts. Inside the arc, they allowed 53% shooting, as their opponent went 24/45 on two-point shots.</p> <p>The Lobos limited their opponent to 19% shooting from three, with just 7 made threes on 36 attempts. They also sent their opponent to the line 32 times, where they converted 22 free throws for 68%.</p>

UCLA Bruins vs New Mexico Lobos NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

<p>The 2022 Stanley Cup First Round goes on Thursday, May 12, with the Eastern Conference showdown from Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida, so we bring you the best Maple Leafs vs. Lightning betting pick and odds.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Toronto meets Tampa Bay for Game 6 of the best-of-seven series. The Maple Leafs are one win away from the conference semifinals following a 4-3 victory in Game 5 at home. Toronto is a +105 road underdog for Thursday’s clash, while Tampa Bay is a -125 moneyline fave with a total of 6.5 goals on <a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/mybookie/">MyBookie Sportsbook</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>The Maple Leafs overcame an early deficit in Game 5&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>After just 6:11 of play in the first period of Game 5, the Toronto Maple Leafs trailed the Lightning by a couple of goals. John Tavares converted a power-play opportunity in the second period to cut the deficit, while Morgan Rielly and William Nylander scored early in the third period to make it 3-2. The Maple Leafs allowed the Bolts to tie the game at 3-3, while Auston Matthews netted the winner with 6:06 left on the clock.&nbsp;</p>



<p>It was Matthews’ third goal of the series, and the 24-year-old superstar also has four assists on his postseason tally. Matthews was outstanding this past regular season, accounting for 60 goals and 46 assists.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Jack Campbell posted 32 saves last Tuesday, bouncing back from a rough outing in Game 4 when he surrendered five goals on just 16 shots. The 30-year-old netminder went 31-9-6 in the regular season, tallying a 2.64 GAA, .914 save percentage, and five shutouts.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>The Lightning need more from Andrei Vasilevskiy&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>The Tampa Bay Lightning are on the brink of elimination following a tough loss in Game 5 in Toronto this past Tuesday. They blew a 2-0 lead and a great opportunity to take the lead in the first-round series for the first time.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The reigning champions outshot Toronto 35-25 and took ten hits more than their rivals, but it wasn’t enough. Andrei Vasilevskiy put on another poor performance, surrendering four goals on just 25 shots, and the 27-year-old goalie yielded three goals on 25 shots in a 7-3 victory in Game 4 at home.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Vasilevskiy will have to improve if the Bolts want to stay alive in this series. The 2019 Vezina Trophy winner went 39-18-5 with a 2.49 GAA, .916 save percentage, and a couple of shutouts last regular season.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Trends</strong><strong>:</strong></p>



<p><strong>Toronto:&nbsp;</strong></p>



<ul><li>N/A&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p><strong>Tampa Bay:</strong></p>



<ul><li>5-2 in the last seven outings as favorites&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p><strong>Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Pick&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p>Tampa Bay trounced Toronto 7-3 in their previous duel at Amalie Arena. The Lightning had a 5-0 lead after just 5:25 of play in the second period, and I’m expecting the reigning champs to put on another strong performance in front of the home fans.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Maple Leafs own plenty of dangerous offensive weapons, but their defense is questionable. The Lightning are a top-notch offensive team as well, and they’ll come out on top if Andrei Vasilevskiy finally makes some stops.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Take Tampa Bay Lightning at -125&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>



<p><strong>The Total:</strong></p>



<p>The Maple Leafs blanked the Lightning 5-0 in Game 1. Since then, we have seen four high-scoring affairs with seven or more goals in the total. I would ride this betting trend and take the over on the totals, as Toronto loves to play at a high tempo.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Seven of the last eight encounters between the Maple Leafs and Lightning have gone over the total. The over is 7-1 in Tampa Bay’s last eight games at home, and it is 16-2-2 in Toronto’s previous 20 showings on the road.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Go over 6.5 goals at -120&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>

Toronto Maple Leafs vs. Tampa Bay Lightning Odds, Pick, Prediction 5/12/22

<p>The Tar Heels and Jayhawks are set to face off at 7:00 ET on ESPN2. The Jayhawks will host the game at Allen Fieldhouse in Lawrence, KS. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 158.5 points, and Kansas is favored by -7.5 at home against North Carolina.</p><h3>NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS VS KANSAS JAYHAWKS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: North Carolina Tar Heels +7.5</p><p>This game will be played at Allen Fieldhouse at 7:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NORTH CAROLINA TAR HEELS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-71 in favor of the Jayhawks.</li><li>Even though we have Kansas winning straight-up, we like North Carolina at +7.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 158.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Can North Carolina Lock in a Road Win?</h3><h3>North Carolina Tar Heels Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>North Carolina opened their season with a 90-76 home win over Elon on Monday, November 4th. The Tar Heels were -28.5 point favorites, but they didn’t cover the spread. The game’s total points reached 166, surpassing the O/U line of 152.5.</p> 

<p>UNC led 51-39 at halftime and added 39 points in the 2nd half while allowing 37 points to Elon.</p><p>North Carolina put up 90 points in their last game, shooting 40.5% from the field and 41.9% from beyond the arc, hitting 13 threes. Their effective field goal percentage was 48.1%, and they were strong at the free-throw line, making 81.2% of their attempts.</p> <p>RJ Davis led the way with 24 points and 7 assists, despite shooting just 36.8% overall and 27.3% from three. Elliot Cadeau contributed 17 points and 8 assists, hitting 3 of 4 from deep. Nick Dorn also added 17 points, connecting on 5 of 10 three-point attempts.</p><p>North Carolina's defense gave up 76 points, with their opponents shooting 40% from the field, hitting 32 of 80 attempts. Inside the arc, they held their opponents to 39% shooting, with 19 makes on 48 attempts.</p> <p>From three-point range, North Carolina allowed 13 threes on 32 attempts, a 40% clip. They also sent their opponents to the line 16 times, where they converted 13 free throws, shooting 81%. North Carolina gave up 18 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Is a Home Win Possible for Kansas?</h3><p>Kansas opened their season with an 87-57 win over Howard on Monday, November 4th. Playing at home, the Jayhawks were -27.5 point favorites going into the game and covered the spread with the 30-point victory. The total points for the game were 144, falling short of the 155.5 O/U line.</p> <p>Kansas dominated the first half, leading 46-19 at the break. In the second half, they scored 41 points but allowed Howard to put up 38 points, an area they’ll likely look to tighten up moving forward.</p><p>Kansas put up 87 points in their last game, shooting 59.3% from the field and 50% from three-point range, hitting 11 of 22 attempts. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 70.4%, with a strong 65.6% shooting on two-point attempts.</p> <p>Zeke Mayo led the way with 19 points, hitting 5 of 8 threes, while Blake Harper and Hunter Dickinson each added 16 points. Flory Bidunga was perfect from the field, going 6 for 6 and grabbing 8 rebounds in just 17 minutes.</p><p>Despite Kansas allowing 57 points, their opponent shot 60% from the field, connecting on 32 of 53 attempts. Inside the arc, they were even more efficient, hitting 67% of their two-point shots, going 21/31.</p> <p>From three-point range, Kansas's opponent shot 50%, making 11 of 22 attempts. They also went to the line 16 times, converting 12 free throws for a 75% rate. Kansas gave up 5 offensive rebounds.</p>

North Carolina Tar Heels vs Kansas Jayhawks NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

It is always important to look at the psychological aspect of blackjack, since there are not only betting but playing decisions to be made. Many customers, including those who play at <a href="http://betanysports.eu/btb50/"><strong>BetAnySports</strong></a>, enjoy blackjack more than roulette, baccarat or craps in that they feel more of a sense of control and can exercise a variety of options during play.

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Also, players have a tendency to want to "hang in there" and keep their winning hopes alive for as long as possible, and therefore they stand and wait for the dealer to make a move. The truth is that even with the worst upcards possible (5 or 6), the dealer will only bust a maximum of 42% of the time in the long run, so sitting back and waiting is not sound strategy at all.

One psychological myth that appears to be embedded in the minds of many people is that luck always seems to run in streaks. This misguided notion spawns a strategy of continually increasing bets after wins and decreasing them after losses. On the other side of the coin, there is a "school of thought" many people subscribe to, which advocates increasing (usually doubling) bets after losing, and decreasing after wins. This is based on the misconception of the so-called "law of averages" which theorizes that sooner or later you would have to win.

Of course, this is known as the "Martingale" betting strategy, and can be the quickest road to ruin, since one can keep losing consecutive hands and soon be in excess of the house limit, at which point the strategy has been rendered completely useless, with no chance to make up for what has been lost.

Another variation on the "law of averages" involves the perception of the non-counting player that "a lot" of small cards just dealt would denote that "a lot" of big cards are on their way, of course leading to hunch plays which are based upon nothing but pure supposition. It gets to be very difficult for players to stick to a Basic Strategy without deviation, but for some it takes the fun out of the game. Personally, winning money - or having a real chance to win it - is a lot more fun than screwing yourself out of the game before a card is dealt, but to each his own.

Just remember where the psychological pitfalls are, and do your level best to avoid them.

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Blackjack -- Psychology is a Funny Thing

<p>At 7:30 ET, the undefeated Cleveland Cavaliers (-183) will host the Golden State Warriors (+154) in a non-conference matchup. The over/under line is currently sitting at 231.5.</p>

<p>This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland and can be seen on NBCS.</p><h3>GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS VS CLEVELAND CAVALIERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Cleveland Cavaliers -4.5</p><p>This game will be played at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse at 7:30 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 120-114 in favor of the Cavaliers.</li><li>Our projections have Donovan Mitchell finishing with Donovan Mitchell points, 4 rebounds and 5 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Cavaliers finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.4% and knocking down 14 threes.</li></ul><h3>Do the Warriors Have a Shot at a Win at Cleveland?</h3><p>The Warriors improved to 7-1 on the season with a 118-112 win over the Celtics on Wednesday. Golden State, who entered the game as +6.5 point underdogs, not only won but covered the spread. The total points for the game came in at 230, just over the pre-game line of 228.5.</p> <p>A pivotal 12-0 run by the Warriors turned the game in their favor, as they went from trailing 44-40 to leading 52-44. After a 32-16 second quarter, the Celtics responded by outscoring Golden State 41-31 in the third. The Warriors entered the fourth quarter with a narrow 82-81 lead and finished strong, outscoring Boston 36-31 in the final period.</p><p>Stephen Curry led the Warriors with 27 points and 9 assists in their win over the Celtics, hitting 4 threes at 44.4% efficiency. Buddy Hield also connected on 4 threes, shooting 57.1% from deep and finishing with 16 points, matching Andrew Wiggins' total.</p> <p>Golden State hit 14 threes as a team, shooting 41.2% from beyond the arc and 46.2% overall. Curry scored 21 points in the 2nd half, including 11 in the 3rd quarter and 10 in the 4th, while Hield added 5 points in the final period.</p><p>The Warriors put together a strong defensive effort in the 2nd quarter, holding the Celtics to just 16 points, but they struggled in the 3rd, giving up 41 points. Overall, they allowed 112 points on 42% shooting from the field.</p> <p>Golden State sent Boston to the line 21 times, where they made 17 free throws. The Celtics hit 19 threes at a 35% clip. The Warriors finished with 6 steals and 5 blocks.</p><h3>Will the Cavaliers Defense Show Up at Home?</h3><p>The Cavaliers improved to 9-0 on the season with a 131-122 win over the Pelicans on Wednesday. Cleveland, favored by 6.5 points, covered the spread with the win. The game’s total score of 253 points exceeded the 224.5-point line by 28.5 points.</p> <p>A key moment came when the Cavaliers went on a 10-0 run, stretching the score from 48-39 to 58-39. They took control in the 3rd quarter, outscoring New Orleans 40-29, and entered the 4th with a 99-88 lead. Although the Pelicans edged Cleveland 34-32 in the final quarter, the Cavaliers had already built a strong enough lead to secure the win.</p><p>The Cavaliers shot 54.2% from the field and knocked down 17 threes at a 48.6% clip in their 131-122 win over the Pelicans. Donovan Mitchell led the way with 29 points, including 15 in the 4th quarter.</p> <p>Jarrett Allen and Caris LeVert each added 16 points, with Allen shooting 70% from the floor. Darius Garland scored 11 of his 14 points in the 3rd quarter, while Ty Jerome added all 11 of his points in the 2nd.</p><p>Despite giving up 122 points, the Cavaliers managed to secure a win over the Pelicans. Cleveland's defense was at its best in the 2nd quarter, where they allowed just 25 points. However, they struggled in the 1st and 4th quarters, giving up 34 points in each.</p> <p>The Cavaliers allowed New Orleans to shoot 47% from the field and 48% from three, with the Pelicans making 13 threes. Cleveland also sent New Orleans to the line 28 times, where they converted 25 free throws. Defensively, the Cavaliers recorded 6 steals and 10 blocks.</p>

Golden State Warriors vs Cleveland Cavaliers Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

<p>The Atlanta Falcons and Chicago Bears will face off on Sunday, December 31st at 1:00 ET. You can find this week 17 NFL game between the Falcons and Bears on CBS. s</p><h3>ATLANTA FALCONS VS CHICAGO BEARS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Chicago Bears -3</p><p>This game will be played at Soldier Field at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 31st.</p><h3>WHY BET THE CHICAGO BEARS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 20-16 in favor of the Bears.</li><li>Our projections have Justin Fields finishing with 160.667 passing yards on 13.813/22.81 passing.</li><li>The Bears are projected to finish with 314 yards of offense compared to the 276 yards for the Falcons.</li></ul><h3>Can the Falcons Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?</h3><p>As they take on the Bears, the Falcons will be looking to build on their 7-8 record. This currently places them at 2nd in the NFC-South and 9th in the NFC. The Falcons' scoring margin for the season is currently -0.1. This has contributed to their ATS record of 5-10.</p><p>Coming into week 17, the Falcons offense is 21st in the league at 19.1 points per contest. This season, the Atlanta's passing offense is 22nd in passing attempts. Their average of 202.7 passing yards per contest, has them 22nd in the NFL.</p><p>The Falcons come into the game handing the ball off 31.5 times per game and are currently 8th in rushing yards. Their average yards per attempt is 4.1.</p><p>Facing the Bears this week, the Falcons defense has allowed an average of 19.2 points per game. They currently rank 14th in quarterback hits and have allowed an average of 308.4 yards per contest.</p><h3>Does Chicago Have What it Takes to Win as Home Favorites?</h3><p>Taking on the Falcons, the Bears will look to improve on their record of 6-9. This mark has them in 4th in the NFC-North and 12th in the NFC. The Bears' scoring margin heading into this week's game is at -2.1, putting their ATS record at 7-6-2.</p><p>Regarding their offense, the Bears have an average 20.9 points per game, which places them 19th in the NFL. Chicago is currently ranked 28th in the NFL for passing yards per game, with an average of 182.6. In terms of passing yards per attempt, they are 13th in the league.</p><p>At 142.1 rushing yards per game, the Bears are 2nd in the NFL. This figure has come on an average of 31.5 attempts (3rd).</p><p>Defensively, the Bears are currently ranked 15th in tackles for loss and 18th in sacks. Their opponents have been putting up an average of 23 points per game against them and accumulating 318.1 yards per contest.</p>

Atlanta Falcons vs Chicago Bears Betting Pick & Prediction 12/31/23

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