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<p>The Pittsburgh Pirates and the St. Louis Cardinals get back to playing against National League competition as these NL Central squads pair up at Busch Stadium on Thursday night. The Pirates just got done playing the White Sox in interleague play and the Cardinals wrapped up a set against the Detroit Tigers.</p>



<p>The Cardinals are favored in the -150 range at <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/us/">Bookmaker Sportsbook</a> with a total of 9 for this series lid-lifter to kick off the four-game set. Chad Kuhl will go for the Pirates and the Redbirds will roll with Carlos Martinez in hopes of getting back on track after falling two games under .500 for the first time since April 21.</p>



<h2 id="h-pittsburgh-pirates"><strong><u>Pittsburgh Pirates</u></strong></h2>



<p>It looks to be a long, grueling rebuild in the Steel City. The Pirates don’t have a ton of high-end prospects in the system, as some weak drafts and a key graduation to the big leagues have the system looking pretty bare. Ke’Bryan Hayes looks to be a legit big leaguer, but it will be a long waiting game for guys like Quinn Priester, Liover Peguero, and Oneil Cruz.</p>



<p>The Pirates are last in most offensive categories this season. They entered play on Wednesday last in slugging percentage and wOBA and didn’t do much against Dylan Cease and the White Sox bullpen to improve upon those numbers. The Pirates have only hit 52 home runs in 72 games. That simply won’t get it done. Not in today’s MLB.</p>



<p>PNC Park is pretty widely known as a bad offensive park, though a bad offense will also make for a bad offensive park. Well, the road hasn’t been any kinder to the Pirates, who are actually worse offensively across the board away from home. That would seem to be bad going to Busch Stadium, another park that suppresses offense. When your claim to fame on the road is “only better than the Rockies”, that is not good.</p>



<p>You automatically think the worst when a starting pitcher was part of an 11-10 game, but it wasn’t Chad Kuhl’s fault. Kuhl, who has a 5.66 ERA with a 5.88 FIP in his 35 innings of work, only allowed one run on four hits over his six innings. It was the Pirates bullpen, a group that has seen some big spin rate decreases since the foreign substance crackdown, that had a major meltdown.</p>



<p>There is a stat at FanGraphs called Game Score Version 2. The baseline for an average start is a Game Score of 50. Kuhl only has two “above average” starts on the season, but his last one was his best one. I guess that says something about the Indians offense. He’s walked 22 and struck out 27 in 35 innings.</p>



<h2 id="h-st-louis-cardinals"><strong><u>St. Louis Cardinals</u></strong></h2>



<p>The Cardinals fell to 6-14 in the month of June with their loss to the Tigers on Wednesday. They’ve now been outscored 100-58 in the month. It has been as ugly as it seems. The loss of Jack Flaherty to injury seems to have reverberated across the rest of the roster, as the Cardinals have scored fewer than three runs per game and have given up five runs per game. Nothing seems to be going right for this team and there appear to be a lot of guys playing hurt, physically or mentally.</p>



<p>Carlos Martinez does not seem healthy. The 29-year-old right-hander has a 6.62 ERA with a 4.51 FIP in his 68 innings of work. Martinez will make his 14th start here in hopes of improving upon a ghastly 55% LOB%. Martinez has not been able to get out of innings and it has driven up his ERA in a big way.</p>



<p>He hasn’t given himself much margin for error with a 15.6% K% on the season. He’s also allowed a career-worst Hard Hit% of 44.7%. C-Mart has also had issues maintaining his velocity throughout some of his starts this season. The command and control have both been poor and he is showing the Cardinals that maybe he’d be better back in a relief capacity.</p>



<p>Martinez and the pitchers are hardly the only issues. St. Louis has been freefalling on offense. The Cardinals went into Wednesday’s game ranked 27th in wOBA and didn’t do much to fix that. The idea of having Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt and still being a bottom-five offense is ludicrous, but it is also a reality.</p>



<p>Over the last 30 days, the Cardinals have the worst offense in baseball by wOBA and the third-worst by wRC+. Busch Stadium doesn’t help, but the problems run a lot deeper than that.</p>



<h2 id="h-pirates-vs-cardinals-free-pick"><strong><u>Pirates vs. Cardinals Free Pick</u></strong></h2>



<p><br>So how do we possibly pick something in this game? The Pirates are awful. The Cardinals are playing at a Pirates-esque level of late. We have a total of 8.5 in a dreadful hitter’s park. What do we do? Well, the Pirates are at least battling right now. The Cardinals have just rolled over and died it seems. With that in mind, how about we give the Pirates a look tonight?</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates</strong></p>

Pirates vs. Cardinals Free Pick 06/24/21

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<p>Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Billikens and Ramblers. The game is starting at 8:00 ET on NBCS, and it's hosted by the Ramblers at Joseph J. Gentile Arena in Chicago, IL. Get ready to place your bets! This Atlantic 10 conference matchup has an over/under of 147 points, and Loyola Chicago is favored to win by -9.5 at home vs. Saint Louis.</p><h3>SAINT LOUIS BILLIKENS VS LOYOLA CHICAGO RAMBLERS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Saint Louis Billikens +9.5</p><p>This game will be played at Joseph J. Gentile Arena at 8:00 ET on Tuesday, January 30th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SAINT LOUIS BILLIKENS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 73-71 in favor of the Ramblers.</li><li>Even though we have Loyola Chicago winning straight-up, we like Saint Louis at +9.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 147 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.</li></ul><h3>Will the Billikens Come Through as Road Underdogs?</h3><p>After losing their last game to Massachusetts by a score of 84-73, Saint Louis is now 8-12 overall and 1-6 in Atlantic 10 play. On the road, the Billikens have gone just 1-6 this season, and they have lost their last six road games.</p>

<p>So far, Saint Louis has been the underdog in 13 of their 20 games, and they have gone just 3-10 in those games. On the season, they have been the underdog in six straight games.</p><p>As the underdog, Saint Louis has gone 6-7 vs. the spread this season. On the road, their ATS mark is 3-4 and their last 10 road ATS record is 3-7. Overall, the Billikens are 8-11 vs. the spread this year.</p><p>This season, the over/under record for Saint Louis games is 11-7-1. So far, the average scoring total in their games is 148.9 points. Today's over/under line of 147 is lower than the average over/under line in their games (146.9). Over their last three games, the over/under record is 1-1-1 and the average scoring total is 149 points.</p><p>In their recent game, the Billikens' offense concluded with 73 points, consistent with their ongoing season average of 72.5 points per contest. Gibson Jimerson is leading the team in scoring at 15.3 points per contest. Terremce Hargrove Jr. has also been a key contributor with a PPG average of 12.8 going into the game.</p><p>As they prepare for the upcoming game, Saint Louis is focused on shoring up their defense, as they are currently allowing an average of 77.4 points per game (275th). Saint Louis' three-point defense is currently 171st in the country at 8.2 made threes per game. In terms of overall field goal percentage, opponets have hit 44.8% of their shots vs. Saint Louis.</p><h3>Will Loyola Chicago Find a Way to Win at Home?</h3><p>Through 20 games this season, Loyola Chicago has a record of 13-7, including a mark of 8-4 at home. As the favorite, the Ramblers are 8-3, and their average scoring margin at home is +6.0.</p>

<p>In their most recent game, Loyola Chicago lost to VCU, 74-67. Over their last 10 home games, the Ramblers have gone 8-2.</p><p>As the favorite this season, Loyola Chicago has gone just 4-7 vs. the spread, and they are just 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as the favorite. At home this year, the Ramblers are just 4-8 vs. the spread, and they are 3-6 ATS in their last 10 home games.</p><p>On the season, the over/under record for Loyola Chicago sits at 7-11-1. So far, the average scoring total in their games is 138.7 points compared to an average over/under line of 143.1, resulting in an average margin of -4.4 points. Today's over/under line of 147 is higher than the average scoring total in their games this year and over their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1.</p><p>In their recent matchup, the Loyola Chicago offense ended with 67 points against VCU. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 41.7% and made 4 threes. Leading the team in scoring was Demilade Adelekun with 14 points. Jayden Dawson also added 12 points for the Ramblers.</p><p>At present, the Ramblers' defense is nationally ranked 86th, allowing 67.6 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 7.2 threes per game vs. Saint Louis. This has come on three-point shooting percentage of 34.0%.</p>

Saint Louis Billikens vs Loyola Chicago Ramblers Betting Pick & Prediction 1/30/24

Major League Baseball (MLB) might not be the most popular sport in the world to wager on, but it still presents a really good betting option. MLB betting comes in many different forms, and this is a season that presents plenty of betting opportunities as well.

Major League Baseball was founded all the way back in 1876, but the league has obviously gone through some major changes since that time. Most of the major rules are still in place, but the way that the game is played is now much different.

There are currently 30 teams in MLB, and every team plays 162 games during the regular season. MLB games typically start at the end of March, or early April, and the World Series wraps up during the first week of November.

MLB teams are split up into leagues and divisions, but there is now more crossover games than ever before. The American League and National League now operate under the same basic rules, and that keeps things similar regardless of what league you are looking at.

Knowing the best MLB betting sites &amp; sportsbooks is also important if you plan to bet on MLB, and this article will explore that as well. By the time you are done reading this article, you should be ready to bet on baseball.
<h2 id="h-where-to-bet-on-major-league-baseball" class="wp-block-heading">WHERE TO BET ON MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL</h2>
Here is a look at some of the best MLB sportsbooks that are out there in the industry:

Best MLB Betting Sites & Sportsbooks

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Dallas Cowboys vs San Francisco 49ers Betting Pick & Prediction 10/27/24

New York Mets vs Los Angeles Dodgers Betting Pick & Prediction 10/20/24

New York Yankees vs Cleveland Guardians Betting Pick & Prediction 10/19/24

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Los Angeles Dodgers vs New York Mets Betting Pick & Prediction 10/18/24

A smaller college hoops card is on the docket for Monday as we look to repeat last week’s successes with the spotlight games. UNLV and Nevada went over 142 in a blowout win for the Wolf Pack to round out a good week with six winners in seven picks. It’s been a nice run cherry picking these spotlight games. Hopefully you’ve been along for the ride.

Choices are pretty limited for Monday, as we’ve got day basketball in a few conferences and then the late board is mostly made up of SWAC games. There are some bigger matchups, but our focus falls in the AAC with a battle between UCF and Memphis.

The Tigers are -9 with a total of 133 at <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/bookmaker"><strong>Bookmaker Sportsbook</strong></a> and you can check this one out on ESPN+ if you so desire.
<h3><strong><u>UCF Knights</u></strong></h3>
It’s been a tough season for the Knights and head coach Johnny Dawkins. Every game has been a struggle in some way, shape, or form. Of course, that’s what happens when you’ve played the third-toughest schedule in the country according to Bart Torvik. Ken Pomeroy ranks the slate seventh in his rankings.

Torvik has the UCF schedule down for the third-toughest in AAC play so far and it has led to a lackluster 2-6 start. UCF won the conference opener over Cincinnati and then beat an East Carolina team that has hit a myriad of COVID issues lately back on January 27. Otherwise, UCF has lost six AAC games, including Saturday’s defeat at Wichita State in overtime.

This is a better team than the stats and record would indicate, but still a team with major problems. The Knights are 10th in 2P% defense in conference play. They’ve turned the ball over too much on offense to expose those defensive shortcomings even more. UCF only got in three non-conference games. They scored really nice wins over Auburn and Florida State and got blown out by Michigan. For whatever reason, conference play has been something of a disaster.

The AAC is a solid conference with a good amount of depth, but UCF should have had better showings against South Florida and Temple in those road losses. That was during a stretch when the team couldn’t score. During the five-game losing streak that featured those two games, UCF scored .853, .915, .848, .895, and .994 points per possession. Consistent scoring has been a problem.

But, UCF could be a positive regression candidate. The Knights are only shooting 56.1% on close twos, so they’ve had issues finishing their bunnies and putbacks. This isn’t a very tall team, which is part of the reason why they’ve struggled at the rim. On the plus side, the Knights have seen a little bit of improvement recently, including a good offensive performance in the Wichita loss with 1.031 PPP.
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<h3><strong><u>Memphis</u></strong><strong><u> Tigers</u></strong></h3>
Memphis has some offensive shortfalls as well. The Tigers, like the Knights, have struggled at the rim, finishing off just 57.4% of their close twos. Recently, Memphis has taken to finding solace beyond the arc. Over the last four games, the Tigers are shooting 48.8% from three with 41 makes on 84 attempts. They shot 45% from 3 against SMU last time out and still managed to lose the game.

That will be the key matchup in this game. Memphis is a defense-first team. Up until the SMU games last week, Memphis had allowed .980, .810, .873, .910, .746, and .720 points per possession in conference games against Tulane, Tulsa, USF, Tulsa, Wichita State, and East Carolina.

Memphis can go into prolonged offensive droughts, as they lost both Tulsa games during that aforementioned stretch, despite playing well defensively. Interestingly enough, Memphis is still first in the AAC in eFG% through eight games. The Tigers are awful at the free throw line at 57.2% and have turned it over on more than 24% of their possessions in conference games.

The Tigers are fourth in Block% in the nation. They are third in adjusted defensive efficiency overall per Torvik and 11th in eFG% defense. Points are hard to come by against them. If they could ever get the offensive side figured out, Penny Hardaway’s squad would be extremely dangerous.
<h3><strong><u>Pick &amp; Analysis</u></strong></h3>
The AAC isn’t blessed with talented offensive teams. It is a whistle-happy conference, though, so foul shots and free throw attempts sometimes bump up the scores. Only four teams in the conference rank in the top 100 in adjusted offensive efficiency. UCF is one of them, albeit barely.

SMU is a far better offensive team than UCF, but the Mustangs were able to do something no other AAC team had done against Memphis and that was score over a point per possession. Western Kentucky was the only one to do it in non-conference.

I would expect Memphis’s recent three-point spike to come back to earth. This will be more of a traditional game for them, in which they play good defense and struggle to get margin in my opinion. I’ll take the nine points with UCF, especially with a Memphis team that shoots 61.2% at the free throw line.
<h4><strong>Pick: UCF +9</strong></h4>
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UCF at Memphis College Basketball Free Pick & Prediction 2/1/21

<p>Wednesday’s MLB card features a couple of doubleheaders and there were some blanks on the overnight lines with pitching changes and other adjustments. It will be a long day on the diamond with games from 12:10 p.m. ET all the way until 10:10 p.m. ET.</p>



<p>One of those late games features the New York Yankees on the road against the Seattle Mariners. It will be Domingo German for the visiting favorites and Yusei Kikuchi for the host Mariners in one of the two starts after the 10 p.m. hour on the East Coast. It remains to be seen if Yankees fans will be willing to stay up and watch this one, but their Bronx Bombers are -120 at <a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/bovada/"><strong>Bovada Sportsbook</strong></a> with a total of 8.5.</p>



<h2 id="h-new-york-yankees"><strong><u>New York Yankees</u></strong></h2>



<p>Sometimes getting away from it all can help. The New York media is relentless when it comes to sports coverage and all of the talking heads want to know what is wrong with the Yankees this season. Perhaps getting a long way away from the chatter was helpful in a 12-1 rout on Tuesday night against former Yankees farmhand Justus Sheffield.</p>



<p>It was big to see an offensive explosion from New York, especially in challenging hitting conditions like T-Mobile Park. It is one of the worst offensive venues in baseball, especially for a team that has had plenty of offensive struggles this season. The Yankees don’t pay any attention to details. They don’t get runners in from third. They don’t take extra bases. They don’t do a lot of things well.</p>



<p>But, they did a lot of things well on Tuesday and started out the road trip on a high note. We’ll see if they can carry that over. The line swung in New York’s favor last night, as the Mariners are a big regression candidate by the alternate standings metrics and the Yankees still grade better than they’ve played.</p>



<p>Domingo German gets the ball in this one. German has a 4.50 ERA with a 4.76 FIP on the season. He has really hit the skids recently, as he has allowed 18 runs in his last 15.1 innings of work. German’s K% has fallen dramatically and he has allowed a lot of hard contact lately that has found holes.</p>



<p>German should, at least in theory, be a decent fit at T-Mobile Park, given that his biggest issue this season has been the 15 home runs that he has allowed. He’s struck out 68 and walked 19 in 76 innings, but lately, he’s had all sorts of issues and also hasn’t been inducing ground balls to mitigate the mediocre command.</p>



<h2 id="h-seattle-mariners"><strong><u>Seattle Mariners</u></strong></h2>



<p>Why are the Mariners a regression candidate? Well, for starters, this is the league’s worst offense at home with a .286 wOBA. That number is 10 points lower than any other team. The Mariners have adopted a fly ball-heavy philosophy, which would be great if their home park factor wasn’t so bad and if the baseball hadn’t been deadened this year.</p>



<p>Seattle is 45-41 with a -53 run differential. According to Pythagorean Win-Loss, which is a standings metric based on run differential, the Mariners are eight wins better than they should be. According to BaseRuns, an alternate standings metric that looks at all outcomes in a context-neutral environment and then creates a run differential, the Mariners are six wins better than they should be.</p>



<p>Seattle has been one of the most opportunistic offenses in baseball with runners in scoring position. The Mariners are third in wOBA with RISP and are running a league-high .344 BABIP in that split. That seems unlikely to continue. Seattle also has the best record in one-run games in baseball at 19-7. That is the most wins of any team in one-run games and makes up over 42% of their wins.</p>



<p>Yusei Kikuchi has a 3.18 ERA, but a 4.28 FIP, so he has some regression signs in his profile as well. Kikuchi has given up 15 HR in 93.1 innings of work. He has a .221 BABIP against because home runs are not balls in play and an 82.9% LOB%, so those are his two primary areas of concern. Given that he has a 41.5% Hard Hit%, it looks like more batted balls should find holes as we go forward here.</p>



<h2 id="h-yankees-vs-mariners-free-pick"><strong><u>Yankees vs. Mariners Free Pick</u></strong></h2>



<p>People are betting against the Yankees a bit here, likely due to the recent returns for German, which have not been good. There are a lot of regression signs for Kikuchi and the Mariners, but the quant crowd and the modelers that shape the MLB market are aware of all of these things.</p>



<p>For the Mariners to win this game in their preferred environment, a low-scoring game would be the best path to success. With that in mind, the under is the play.</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Under 8.5</strong></p>

Yankees vs. Mariners Free Pick & Prediction 07/07/21

<p>The Huskies and Wolf Pack are set to face off at 10:00 ET on MWN. The Wolf Pack will host the game at Lawlor Events Center in Reno, NV. The odds for this non-conference game currently have Nevada as the -7.5 favorite, with the over/under line sitting at 153.5 points.</p><h3>WASHINGTON HUSKIES VS NEVADA WOLF PACK BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Nevada Wolf Pack -7.5</p><p>This game will be played at Lawlor Events Center at 10:00 ET on Saturday, November 9th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NEVADA WOLF PACK:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 78-69 in favor of the Wolf Pack.</li><li>Not only will Nevada pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -7.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 153.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Can the Huskies Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?</h3><h3>Washington Huskies Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Washington opened their season with a 79-73 win over UC Davis on Tuesday, November 5th. Playing at home, the Huskies were -15.5 favorites going into the game but didn’t cover the spread.</p> 

<p>Washington led 37-33 at halftime and scored 42 points in the 2nd half while allowing 40. The total points for the game were 152, which went over the pre-game O/U line of 147.5.</p><p>In their latest game, the Huskies put up 79 points, shooting 45.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 46.8%, with a strong 54.2% inside the arc, but they struggled from deep, hitting just 2 of 14 threes (14.3%).</p> <p>At the free-throw line, Washington connected on only 55.3% of their attempts, going 21 for 38. Ty Johnson led the way with 35 points, while Great Osobor contributed 15 points and 17 rebounds. The Huskies also grabbed 12 offensive boards and dished out 13 assists.</p><p>Washington's defense gave up 73 points, with the opposing team shooting 45% from the field. They allowed 26 two-point baskets on 48 attempts, a 54% success rate.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Washington held their opponent to just 2 made threes on 14 attempts, a 14% shooting percentage. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 38 times, where they made 21 free throws, shooting 55%.</p><h3>Does Nevada Stand a Chance at Home?</h3><h3>Nevada Wolf Pack Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Nevada opened their season with a 91-75 win over Sam Houston on Monday. Playing at home, the Wolf Pack were -10.5 point favorites and covered the spread. The total points for the game reached 166, surpassing the O/U line of 144.5.</p> 

<p>Nevada led 37-34 at halftime before pulling away in the 2nd half, scoring 54 points while allowing 41.</p><p>Nevada's offense was firing on all cylinders in their last game, putting up 91 points while shooting 56.6% from the field. They knocked down 45.5% of their threes, hitting 10 of 22 attempts, and their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 66%.</p> <p>Kobe Sanders and Nick Davidson led the way, with Sanders scoring 27 points and adding 6 rebounds and 4 assists. Davidson was highly efficient, shooting 8 of 10 from the field and finishing with 26 points and 10 rebounds.</p><p>Nevada's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 75 points on 56% shooting from the field. They allowed 64% shooting on two-pointers, with the opposing team making 20 of 31 attempts.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, Nevada's opponents shot 45%, hitting 10 of 22 three-point attempts. They also sent the other team to the free-throw line 31 times, where they made 21 free throws.</p>

Washington Huskies vs Nevada Wolf Pack NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/9/24

<p>Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Bears and Spartans. The game is starting at 7:30 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the Spartans at Echols Hall in Norfolk, VA. Get ready to place your bets! The over/under for this Mid-Eastern conference contest is set at 147 points, with Norfolk State being favored by -12.5 at home against Morgan State.</p><h3>MORGAN STATE BEARS VS NORFOLK STATE SPARTANS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Morgan State Bears +12.5</p><p>This game will be played at Echols Hall at 7:30 ET on Monday, January 29th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE MORGAN STATE BEARS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-69 in favor of the Spartans.</li><li>Even though we have Norfolk State winning straight-up, we like Morgan State at +12.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 147 points, and we like the under with a projected 144 points.</li></ul><h3>Do the Bears Have What it Takes in Norfolk?</h3><p>Despite being 2-13 as an underdog this season, Morgan State enters this game as a 12.5-point underdog. The Bears are 6-14 overall and 2-2 in Mid-Eastern Conference play. They have won two straight games, including their most recent contest against Howard, 85-79.</p>

<p>On the road, Morgan State has gone 1-11 this season, and their average scoring margin in those games is -18.2. Over their last 10 road games, the Bears have gone just 1-9. For the season, they are 4-12 in non-conference games.</p><p>As the underdog this season, Morgan State has an ATS record of 6-8-1. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, they are 5-5 vs. the spread.</p><p>On the season, the over/under record for Morgan State games is 10-7 and today's over/under line of 147 is very close to the average over/under line in their games this year (147.8). So far, 10 of their games have finished with more points than today's over/under line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 with an average scoring total of 161 points.</p><p>Coming off their recent game, the Morgan State offense tallied 85 points in a matchup against Howard. Their field goal percentage for the game was 54.4%, and they made 6 threes. Wynston Tabbs is the current leading scorer for the team, with an average of 15.3 as they approach today's matchup. In addition, Will Thomas brings a PPG average of 11.5 into the game.</p><p>Currently, the Bears' defense holds the 289th rank in the nation, allowing 79.0 points per game. In their previous game vs. Howard, the Bison finished with a field goal percentage of 54% and a total of 79 points vs. Morgan State.</p><h3>Pressure Builds for Norfolk State as Home Favorites</h3><p>At home this season, Norfolk State is 4-1, and they have won their last three games at home. Over their last 10 home games, they are 9-1.</p>

<p>Overall, the Spartans have a record of 13-8, and they have won their last two games. So far, they are 3-1 in Mid-Eastern Conference play.</p><p>As the favorite this season, Norfolk State has gone just 2-2 vs. the spread. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, the Spartans have an ATS record of 5-5. At home, their ATS mark is 2-3 this year, and over their last three home games, they are 1-1 vs. the spread.</p><p>Today's over/under line of 147 is higher than the average over/under line in Norfolk State's games this season (138.5). So far, 12 of their games have finished with more points than today's OU line. In their last three games, the over/under record is 0-2 and the average scoring total is 147 points.</p><p>In their recent matchup, the Norfolk State offense ended with 68 points against Coppin State. They finished with an overall field goal percentage of 47.8% and made 0 threes. Jamarii Thomas is currently the leading scorer for the team, entering today's matchup with an average of 17. Meanwhile, Allen Betrand also brings a PPG average of 11 into the game.</p><p>The Spartans' defense is presently ranked 77th nationally, allowing an average of 67.2 points per contest. In today's game vs. Morgan State, the Norfolk State defense will be looking to do a better job avoiding putting opponents on the line. In their last game, Norfolk State made 24 free-throws vs. the Spartans.</p>

Morgan State Bears vs Norfolk State Spartans Betting Pick & Prediction 1/29/24

<p>The Broncos and Dons are set to face off at 10:30 ET on ESPN+. The Dons will host the game at War Memorial Gymnasium in San Francisco, CA. In this non-conference matchup, Boise State is favored by -3.5 against San Francisco. The over/under for the game is 148 points.</p><h3>BOISE STATE BRONCOS VS SAN FRANCISCO DONS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: San Francisco Dons +3.5</p><p>This game will be played at War Memorial Gymnasium at 10:30 ET on Saturday, November 9th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE SAN FRANCISCO DONS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 75-71 in favor of the Dons.</li><li>Not only will San Francisco pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +3.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 148 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Do the Broncos Stand a Chance in San Francisco?</h3><h3>Boise State Broncos Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Boise State opened their season with a commanding 87-43 win over Oakland at home on Wednesday. The Broncos, who were -16.5 favorites, easily covered the spread. The game’s total points fell short of the 142.5 O/U line, with the teams combining for 130 points.</p> 

<p>Boise State dominated from the start, leading 48-18 at halftime. They continued their strong play in the second half, outscoring Oakland 39-25.</p><p>Boise State put up 87 points in their last game, shooting 53.2% from the field and 45% from beyond the arc. Their effective field goal percentage was an impressive 61.3%, and they hit 85.7% of their free throws, going 12-for-14 from the line.</p> <p>The Broncos dished out 23 assists and grabbed 12 offensive rebounds. O'Mar Stanley and Dylan Anderson both shot 85.7% from the field, with Stanley hitting 2-for-2 from three-point range. Andrew Meadow also contributed, hitting 3-of-6 from deep.</p><p>Despite Boise State’s defensive struggles, they managed to hold their opponent to 43 points. The Broncos allowed their opponent to shoot 53% from the field, with 33 made baskets on 62 attempts.</p> <p>Boise State gave up 57% shooting on two-point attempts, with their opponent hitting 24 of 42. From beyond the arc, the opponent shot 45%, making 9 of 20 threes. The Broncos also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 14 times, where they converted 12 for 85%.</p><h3>Will the Dons Defense Show Up at Home?</h3><h3>San Francisco Dons Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Dons picked up an 86-78 win over Cal Poly on Tuesday, November 5th. Playing at home, San Francisco entered the game as heavy favorites, with a -21 point spread, but didn’t cover. The game’s total points went over the pre-game line of 153.5, finishing at 164.</p> 

<p>San Francisco led 39-35 at halftime and scored 47 points in the 2nd half while allowing 43. Although they got the win, the Dons’ inability to cover the spread might be a concern moving forward.</p><p>San Francisco put up 86 points in their last game, shooting 45.2% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 51.6%, with a strong showing inside, hitting 61.8% of their two-point attempts. From beyond the arc, they struggled, connecting on just 25% of their threes, going 7 for 28.</p> <p>At the free-throw line, the Dons were solid, making 23 of 28 for 82.1%. Tyrone Riley IV led the way with 26 points, hitting 3 of 9 from deep. Malik Thomas added 23 points, while Jarred Hyder and Owen Koonce each knocked down 4 threes, with Koonce shooting 44.4% from long range.</p><p>San Francisco's defense gave up 78 points, allowing their opponent to shoot 45% from the field with 28 made baskets on 62 attempts. Inside the arc, they struggled to contain the two-point shooting, where their opponent hit 21 of 34 shots, a 61% success rate.</p> <p>From three-point range, the Dons held their opponent to 25% shooting, with just 7 made threes on 28 attempts. However, they sent them to the free-throw line 28 times, where they converted 23 free throws, shooting 82%. San Francisco also allowed 8 offensive rebounds.</p>

Boise State Broncos vs San Francisco Dons NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/9/24

<p>The San Francisco Giants have been disrespected a lot for being a first-place team. On Tuesday night, they’ll be on the road as an underdog against the Los Angeles Angels, barring a significant swing in the line. It will be the 30th time this season in 73 games that the Giants are a pup. They’re 17-12 in those games to this point.</p>



<p>The Angels are a .500 team, trying as hard as possible to get back into the AL West race, but they already trail by eight games. We’ll see if they can get over .500 and get some positive momentum rolling for the week in this game against the Giants. Los Angeles is the favorite in the -125 range at <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/betus/">BetUS</a> with a total of 8.5 that is showing 9 at some other <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/us/">sportsbooks</a>.</p>



<h2 id="h-san-francisco-giants"><strong><u>San Francisco Giants</u></strong></h2>



<p>It is crazy that there are a lot of people still sleeping on the Giants. San Francisco is now third in position player fWAR according to FanGraphs and boasts a top-five offense by wOBA. Remember that Oracle Park is not exactly known as a hitter’s haven and wOBA does not adjust for park factors. wRC+ does and the Giants are a top-five offense in that metric as well.</p>



<p>This is a really good team and one that got even better recently with the return of Mike Yastrzemski to the lineup. His dramatic grand slam last week gave the Giants a happy highlight and was also an indication of what he can bring to the table for an offense that was already playing well without him. By wOBA, the Giants are effectively on the Dodgers’ level, just to give you a frame of reference on how strong this group is.</p>



<p>San Francisco draws a lefty today in Andrew Heaney and ranks 12th in wOBA in that split. One thing that the Giants rely on against southpaws is the free pass. Their 11.7% BB% is the best in baseball against left-handed pitchers. Heaney, though, only has 20 walks in 62.2 innings of work, so the Giants may have to hit themselves on base.</p>



<p>Anthony DeSclafani gets the call today for the Giants. He’s got a 3.01 ERA with a 3.51 FIP in his 80.2 innings of work. There are a few regression signs in the profile, like a .241 BABIP and a 76.6% LOB% with a below average strikeout rate, but DeSclafani has been able to navigate around hard contact with a solid defensive team behind him and by limiting the opposition to just eight home runs.</p>



<p>DeSclafani actually allowed 10 runs in 2.2 innings in his May 23 start against the Dodgers. We can’t magically remove outings from the ledger, but if we take that one away, he actually has only allowed 17 earned runs in 13 starts covering 78 innings. That would be a 1.96 ERA.</p>



<h2 id="h-los-angeles-angels"><strong><u>Los Angeles Angels</u></strong></h2>



<p>The Angels offense has been quite a marvel this season. Mike Trout has not played in a while due to injury and Anthony Rendon is not having the type of season that we are used to seeing. Despite all of that, the Angels actually rank sixth in wOBA and have had a really nice season on that side. They’re doing it with quality contact, as the Angels have one of the lower walk rates in baseball at 7.4%. They’ve just been aggressive in the strike zone and have hit a lot of balls hard. Their .257 average ranks in the top five and they’ve hit for more power than expected.</p>



<p>Shohei Ohtani leads the charge with his .415 wOBA and 168 wRC+. He’s having a huge season on the mound and in the batter’s box and keeps doing things that we haven’t seen since Babe Ruth. Jared Walsh has also been a huge upgrade to the lineup with his 18 home runs and a .391 wOBA. Even Justin Upton has had a renaissance this season as an above average bat.</p>



<p>It is crazy to see a guy like Rendon with a .230/.305/.348 slash, but to see the Angels performing as well as they have offensively. If Rendon ever gets it going, this offense could really make a huge push when Trout returns from the IL. That should happen sometime next month.</p>



<p>Andrew Heaney goes into this start with a 4.45 ERA and a 3.64 FIP. The southpaw has struck out 75 and only has 20 walks in 62.2 innings of work. Heaney has allowed nine homers, but the rest of his peripherals look just fine and his HR/FB% isn’t that bad as a guy that tilts more towards the fly ball side of the spectrum. The Angels haven’t gotten great starting pitching this season, which is why they’re a .500 team through 72 games despite a top-five offense.</p>



<p>The bullpen has also been rather poor. The Angels pen has a 4.83 ERA with a 4.56 FIP heading into this one. The Giants bullpen has a 3.46 ERA with a 4.14 FIP, so that unit is a regression candidate, but that still looks like an upgrade to the Angels pen.</p>



<h2 id="h-giants-vs-angels-free-pick"><strong><u>Giants vs. Angels Free Pick</u></strong></h2>



<p>The Angels have been able to pad their stats and their record against bad teams. Los Angeles is 17-7 against teams with a losing record and 19-29 against teams that don’t have more losses than wins. The Giants have also feasted on poor teams with a 33-14 record against teams under .500 and a 13-12 record against teams .500 or better, most of those being the Dodgers and Padres.</p>



<p>This game looks like a lot more of a toss-up to me than the line would suggest, so the plus-money price with the Giants is where I’m going in this game.</p>



<p><strong>Pick: San Francisco Giants</strong></p>

Giants vs. Angels Free Pick & Prediction 06/22/21

<p>Tip-off for tonight's Western Conference matchup between the Pelicans and Kings is set for 10:00 ET at the Golden 1 Center. Sacramento (-114) is currently favored by 1 point and has an overall record of 45-34. New Orleans is 47-32 and has won two straight games.</p>

<p>This game will be shown on TNT. The over/under line for this game is currently sitting at 218.5 points.</p><h3>NEW ORLEANS PELICANS VS SACRAMENTO KINGS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: New Orleans Pelicans +1</p><p>This game will be played at Golden 1 Center at 10:00 ET on Thursday, April 11th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS PELICANS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 113-111 in favor of the Pelicans.</li><li>Our projections have Zion Williamson finishing with Zion Williamson points, 6 rebounds and 5 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Pelicans finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.2% and knocking down 13 threes.</li></ul><h3>Can the Pelicans Pull Out the Win as Road Underdogs?</h3><p>New Orleans has an overall record of 47-32, which is good for 6th place in the Western Conference. In their division, they are 2nd behind the Rockets. As the Pelicans have a record of 28-21 against the West and 19-11 against the East.</p>

<p>On the road, the Pelicans are 26-14 this season and have won four straight games. Their straight-up road record is 21-18, and they are 21-18 against the spread on the road.</p>

<p>Against the spread this season, the Pelicans are 41-37, and they have covered in their last four road games. As the underdog, their ATS record is 18-12, and they are 16-14 straight-up as the underdog.</p>

<p>The Pelicans have won two straight games, with their most recent victory coming against the Trail Blazers (110-100). In that game, the O/U line was 214, and New Orleans was favored by 14.5 points.</p>

<p>This season, the Pelicans have an O/U record of 34-45, and their games have averaged 225.3 points per game. In their last two games, the final score has been lower than the O/U line.</p><p>On the season, the Pelicans are 13th in the NBA in scoring at 114.9 points per game. However, they have scored less than the NBA scoring average in 53.2% of their games. In their last 12 games, they have scored below their season average.</p>

<p>When it comes to shooting, the Pelicans are 10th in field goal percentage at 48%. They are also 10th in true shooting percentage. In terms of three-point shooting, they are 21st in made threes per game and 25th in three-point attempts.</p>

<p>When it comes to getting to the free-throw line, the Pelicans are 8th in attempts and 11th in made free throws. They are also 18th in pace at 97.2 possessions per game.</p><p>So far, the Pelicans defense is giving up 110.4 points per contest, which has them sitting 8th in the NBA. One thing to note, is they have given up more points than their season average in three straight matchups. On two point field goal attempts, the Pelicans' defensive unit is allowing a field goal percentage of 55.3% and allowing 34.8% from beyond the arc.</p><h3>Will Sacramento Come Through as Home Favorites?</h3><p>In their last game, the Kings lost to the Thunder by a score of 112-105. The O/U line for that game was 227.5, and Sacramento was getting 5.5 points as the underdog.</p>

<p>This season, the Kings have an O/U record of 36-42-1, and their games have averaged 231.6 points per game. Today's O/U line is set at 218.5, and Sacramento has hit the under in their last three games.</p>

<p>Sacramento is currently 8th in the Western Conference with a record of 45-34. In the Pacific Division, they are in 3rd place. Against other Western Conference teams, the Kings are 29-20 compared to 16-14 in non-conference games.</p>

<p>At home, the Kings are 23-15 this season, and they are favored by 1 point in today's game. As the favorite, Sacramento has gone 34-19 this season, and they have covered the spread in three straight games.</p>

<p>This season, the Kings have an ATS record of 40-39, going 24-17 on the road and 16-22 at home. In their games, the average scoring margin vs. the spread is +1.8 points per game at home and +1.2 points per game on the road.</p><p>At home this season, the Kings are averaging 118.7 points per game, which is 9th in the NBA. Overall, Sacramento is 9th in the league in scoring at 116.5 points per game. They have outscored the NBA scoring average in 57% of their games.</p>

<p>When it comes to pace, the Kings are 14th in the league at 99.1 possessions per game. In terms of field goal percentage, Sacramento is 15th in the NBA at 47%. From three-point range, the Kings are 4th in the league in made threes per game at 14.4.</p>

<p>So far this season, Sacramento has made 56% of their two-point attempts, which is 9th in the NBA. In terms of offensive rebounds, the Kings are 10th in the league at 10.9 per game. When it comes to assists, Sacramento is 7th in the NBA at 28.4 per game.</p><p>At this time, the Kings' defense is positioned 17th in the NBA, permitting 115.1 points per game. The Kings defense is coming off a game in which they held the Thunder offense to just 34.4% shooting. Overall, they gave up 112 points to Oklahoma City.</p>

New Orleans Pelicans vs Sacramento Kings Betting Pick & Prediction 4/11/24

<p>At 6:50 PM ET, the Diamondbacks and Rays square off in an interleague matchup. This one is being played at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, and the Rays are the slight favorite on the money line (-109).</p>

<p>Arizona is 69-53 overall and they have won six straight, putting them 2nd in the NL West. Tampa Bay comes in with a record of 59-61, and they will be sending Ryan Pepiot to the mound vs. a Diamondbacks club that has Ryne Nelson starting.</p><h3>ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS VS TAMPA BAY RAYS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks Moneyline -110</p><p>This game will be played at Tropicana Field at 6:50 ET on Friday, August 16th.</p><h3>HOW TO BET THE DIAMONDBACKS VS RAYS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Diamondbacks winning by a score of 6 to 5</li><li>However, if you're looking for a run line pick, we like the Rays to cover</li><li>As for an over/under pick, we have this game finishing with 11 runs and like the over</li></ul><h3>Diamondbacks Records & Stats</h3><p>Eugenio Suarez had a big game at the plate for the Diamondbacks in their most recent game vs. the Rockies, going 3/4 with a homer and five RBIs. The Diamondbacks really broke things open with a four-run 1st inning and added another four runs in the 6th to close things out. Arizona was the heavy favorite at -214 going into the game.</p>

<p>Jordan Montgomery started for the Diamondbacks, going six innings and giving up three runs on five hits. He only had three strikeouts in the outing and got the win.</p><p>Arizona is on a six-game winning streak, and they are two games behind the Dodgers for the NL West lead. The Diamondbacks are 69-53 overall and have gone 22-14 against other teams in the NL West. Arizona closed out their series vs. the Rockies with three straight wins.</p>

<p>As the road team today, the Diamondbacks are 32-27 this season compared to 37-26 at home. Arizona has won four straight games as the road favorite, and they are 8-6 in these situations this year. They have also won six straight series on the road and have an overall series record of 22-13-4, including winning nine straight series.</p><p>When betting the run line on the Diamondbacks, it's important to note that they have a winning run line record on the road at 34-25. They have covered the run line in two straight road games and have a run line record of 39-24 when they are the underdog.</p><p>The Diamondbacks are on the road against the Rays today, and the over/under line is set at 8 runs. Arizona games have averaged 9.9 runs per game this season, and their over/under record is 66-50. When the line is set at 8 runs, their record is 10-4-2. Overall, 73% of their games have had higher over/under lines than 8 runs.</p><p>Ryne Nelson is looking to build off his last outing, where he turned in a solid performance against the Phillies. In that August 9th start, he went 7 1/3 innings, giving up just two earned runs on three hits. Nelson finished with a no-decision in the outing. Looking back further, he has made eight quality starts this year and has a record of 8-6. Nelson's ERA for the season is 4.51, along with a WHIP of 1.32. For the year, he has allowed 11 home runs and is averaging 7.27 strikeouts per nine innings.</p><p>Arizona comes into today's game as the top-scoring team in the league, averaging 5.3 runs per game. This is a team that has been even better at home, where they are averaging 5.5 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .261, which is the 2nd best mark in the MLB right now.</p>

<p>Arizona's offense is led by Ketel Marte, who is hitting .298 for the season and has gone deep 30 times, which is the best mark on the team and 7th best in the league. Marte and Christian Walker have been the team's top run producers this season, with Marte driving in 81 runs and Walker at 71. Jake McCarthy has been swinging a hot bat of late, going 14/30 in his last seven games with three homers.</p><h3>Rays Records & Stats</h3><p>The Rays will be looking to get back on track after closing out their series vs. the Astros with a 2-1 loss. Tampa Bay was the +106 underdog at home going into the game. Things started off well for the Rays, as they got on the board with a run in the 1st inning but gave up the lead right away as the Astros scored in the top of the 2nd.</p>

<p>Zack Littell put together a good start for the Rays, going five innings and giving up just one earned run while striking out three. However, the Rays couldn't close things out, and Garrett Cleavinger took the loss out of the bullpen. Tampa Bay also wasted a big game from Wander Franco, who went 3 for 4 with a double and a run scored.</p><p>The Rays are 59-61 overall, putting them 4th in the AL East, 12 games behind the Orioles for the division lead. Tampa Bay lost the final game of their series vs. the Astros and have dropped three straight games. So far, they are 17-23 in AL East matchups.</p>

<p>At home, the Rays are 31-34 this year, and they are two games above .500 at 28-27 on the road. This season, the Rays are just 9-16 as the home underdog. Tampa Bay's overall series record is 20-15-4, and they have dropped three straight series.</p><p>When the Rays win, they win big, with an average run margin of 2.8 runs. That's a big reason why they are 38-24 against the run line as underdogs. Their overall run line record is .500 at 60-60, but they have been much better on the road at 34-21. Their average run margin is -.5 runs per game, and they are 26-39 against the run line at home.</p><p>The Rays have been involved in a high-scoring games this season, as their games have averaged 8.2 runs per game. Their over/under record is 54-61 on the season, and when the line is set at 8 runs, they are 13-18-1. Their games have had an average line of 8 runs per game, and 43 of their games have had lines set over 8 runs. Their games have gone under the line in 45 games, and they are currently on a 4-game under streak.</p><p>Ryan Pepiot gets the start for the Rays today vs. the Diamondbacks and is coming off a great outing. In his most recent start, Pepiot went 6 innings and didn't give up a run. He only allowed two hits in the outing. Looking back over his last three starts, Pepiot has given up a total of three earned runs. The right-hander's record for the season is 6-5, and he has an ERA of 3.92. Opponents are batting .195 off Pepiot this season. Out of his 17 starts, he has six quality starts and is averaging 9.69 strikeouts per nine innings.</p><p>Heading into today's game, the Rays are one of the worst offensive teams in the league, averaging just 3.9 runs per game. They have been even worse at home, averaging just 3.5 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting just .231, which is 19th in the MLB, and their team on-base percentage of .308 is also below average. Tampa Bay does have a few hitters with good home run numbers, as Christopher Morel and Jose Siri have 20 and 14 homers, respectively, but both have struggled in terms of batting average.</p>

<p>Yandy Diaz has been the team's most consistent hitter this season, batting .270 with 10 homers. He is also 2nd on the team in RBIs. Over his last seven games, Jose Caballero has gone 6/16, while Brandon Lowe has gone just 3/24 in his last six games. Lowe has one homer and three RBIs in that stretch.</p>

Arizona Diamondbacks vs Tampa Bay Rays Betting Pick & Prediction 8/16/24

The NASCAR Xfinity Series season gets underway this weekend as well with the NASCAR Racing Experience 300. Formerly known as the PowerShares QQQ 300, the kickoff to the “junior circuit” for NASCAR usually features a few Cup Series guys that want to get another feel for the track at Daytona International Speedway and this year’s version is no different.

As always when it comes to the Xfinity Series, there are plenty of driver and team changes to be aware of and also some new rules. Toyota will also be running the Supra instead of the Camry this year and Dodge will no longer be an Xfinity Series manufacturer. Ford will also be going with the Mustang instead of the Fusion.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at the kickoff to the Xfinity Series season.
<h5><strong>The More Things Change</strong></h5>
Models and manufacturers are far from the only Xfinity Series changes this year. Races will now feature 38 cars instead of 40. Cars will now feature flange-fit composite bodies, which was tested last year, but is now mandatory for all races. The same post-inspection rules for the Cup Series will apply to the Xfinity Series. That means that the official race winner won’t be declared until 90-120 minutes after the race. The first and second-place teams will be inspected and so will one other randomly selected car.

A lot of drivers that were part-time have now gone full-time, including Chase Briscoe, Noah Gragson, John Hunter Nemechek, Jeffrey Earnhardt, Matt Mills, Joey Gase, and Josh Bilicki. Elliott Sadler retired from full-time racing.

Roush Fenway Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing will not be running Xfinity Series this season.
<h5><strong>The Field and the Odds</strong></h5>
As you can see from the odds on the right-hand side for desktop viewers and below the comment box for mobile viewers, Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliott are the Cup Series guys “dropping down” to participate in this race. Cup Series drivers and teams have to choose their spots wisely, as those guys are capped at seven races over the course of the 26 races prior to the playoffs. They also cannot run in the Dash 4 Cash events, which are at Bristol, Richmond, Talladega, and Dover from April 6 to May 4, with a week off for the Easter holiday.

As we’ll often see with the Xfinity Series, Cup guys are listed at the top of the board. If there aren’t any Cup guys, we’ll see Justin Allgaier, Christopher Bell, and Cole Custer at the top. Most of the other drivers will be priced in the same general area. With a plate race here, we do see them bunched up a little more than usual.
<h5><strong>Daytona Darts</strong></h5>
I’ve long operated on the theory that plate races or other tight racing conditions favor the veterans. The guys with the savvy knowhow in terms of maneuvering in tight spots. Then you look at the winners. Sure, Tony Stewart won this race seven times from 2005-13, but the last four winners have been young drivers in Ryan Reed twice, Chase Elliott, and Tyler Reddick.

Sometimes it’s just about being able to stay out of the crashes. Kyle Larson won the first stage and led the most laps last year, but finished 29th. Joey Logano, who usually runs well in plate races, was 34th. Austin Dillon, who won the Daytona 500, finished 32nd. Elliott won the second stage, but finished 12th. Larson actually won the second Xfinity race at Daytona and veteran Ryan Blaney finished fourth.

Guys like Kaz Grala and Garrett Smithley had their only top-five finishes in this race last year. Grala was fifth at Daytona in the summertime. Smithley didn’t have another finish higher than 10th.

Two-time winner Ryan Reed, who was formerly sponsored by Lilly Diabetes as a diabetic driver, is not running Xfinity Series races because his sponsor left the team.

That means that this race really is wide-open.
<h5><strong>Major Manufacturers</strong></h5>
In this race, equipment doesn’t matter quite as much, because drivers just mash the gas to the floor and go from there. With Chip Ganassi Racing and Roush Fenway Racing both out of the equation, you’ll have to really consider the teams for these drivers. Austin Cindric is the only full-time driver for Penske. Joe Gibbs Racing still has a lot of guys, including Brandon Jones and Christopher Bell. Stewart-Haas Racing has Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe. JR Motorsports will run out Justin Allgaier, Michael Annett, Ryan Preece, Zane Smith, Ryan Truex, Noah Gragson, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. for his cameo appearance.

Because of the nature of this race, there aren’t a ton of great betting opportunities, but we can plant some seeds for the future. It is really hard for smaller teams to win at any level of racing and the Xfinity Series is no different.
<h5><strong>Picks</strong></h5>
Keep it real simple with this race. This is a beer money race. Not even like craft/microbrew. This is like that tallboy that you can get for $1.50 at the gas station. I’ll go with Christopher Bell at +1100. He was third at Daytona and ran well on smaller tracks like Richmond and Dover. He seems to like the tight racing on ovals.

The long shot prices aren’t all that great across the board, as all but three lines drivers are +1300 or lower. Even matchups are a dicey proposition here. Throw one dart with Bell and save the other two after qualifying to see who might get a head start and stay above the fray.

2019 Xfinity Series NASCAR Racing Experience 300 Betting Odds & Picks

<p>Looking to win big? The Runnin' Bulldogs and Eagles face off at 1:00 ET on ESPN+. The Eagles are hosting the game at McDougald-McLendon Arena in Durham, NC. The over/under line for this matchup is currently at 142.5 points, and North Carolina Central is favored by -4.5 at home against Gardner-Webb.</p><h3>GARDNER-WEBB RUNNIN' BULLDOGS VS NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL EAGLES BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs +4.5</p><p>This game will be played at McDougald-McLendon Arena at 1:00 ET on Friday, November 8th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE GARDNER-WEBB RUNNIN' BULLDOGS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-72 in favor of the Eagles.</li><li>Even though we have North Carolina Central winning straight-up, we like Gardner-Webb at +4.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Is a Road Win Possible for the Runnin' Bulldogs?</h3><h3>Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Gardner-Webb fell to the Volunteers 80-64 on Monday, November 4th. The Runnin' Bulldogs were +27 point underdogs going into the game, but managed to keep the final score closer than expected.</p> 

<p>Gardner-Webb trailed 44-32 at halftime and scored 32 points in the 2nd half while allowing 36. The game’s total points of 144 went over the pre-game line of 141.5.</p><p>In their last game, Gardner-Webb scored 64 points, shooting 43.6% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 49.1%, with a 56.2% success rate on two-point attempts and just 26.1% from beyond the arc, hitting 6 of 23 threes.</p> <p>The Runnin' Bulldogs had 10 offensive rebounds and 8 assists. Darryl Simmons II led the way with 22 points, hitting 4 of 10 threes, while Chaz Lanier connected on 4 of 6 from deep, finishing with 18 points.</p><p>Gardner-Webb's defense struggled in their last game, giving up 80 points on 50% shooting from the field. They allowed their opponent to hit 62% of their two-point attempts, going 20/32 inside the arc.</p> <p>From three-point range, Gardner-Webb's opponent shot 34%, making 8 of 23 attempts. The Runnin' Bulldogs also sent them to the free-throw line 21 times, where they converted 16 free throws for a 76% rate. Gardner-Webb gave up 8 offensive rebounds.</p><h3>Does North Carolina Central Have What it Takes at Home?</h3><h3>North Carolina Central Eagles Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>The Eagles opened their season with a 75-58 road loss to George Mason on Monday. Entering the game as +15.5 point underdogs, they didn’t cover the spread. The total points for the game finished at 133, just under the O/U line of 138.5.</p> 

<p>North Carolina Central trailed 32-22 at halftime and couldn’t close the gap in the 2nd half, where they scored 36 points but allowed 43.</p><p>North Carolina Central struggled offensively in their last game, shooting just 28.1% from the field and 23.8% from three-point range. Their effective field goal percentage was 31.6%, and they managed only 7 assists as a team.</p> <p>At the free-throw line, the Eagles were strong, hitting 21 of 25 attempts for 84%. Darius Maddox led the team with 17 points, while Josh Smith added 14, both shooting 4 of 11 from the field.</p><p>North Carolina Central's defense gave up 75 points while allowing the opposition to shoot 41% from the field. They struggled to contain two-point attempts, with the other team hitting 55% of their shots inside the arc, going 19/34.</p> <p>From three-point range, the Eagles held their opponent to just 2/17 shooting, or 11%. However, they sent the other team to the free-throw line 41 times, where they converted 31 of those attempts, shooting 75%. North Carolina Central also allowed 18 offensive rebounds.</p>

Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs vs North Carolina Central Eagles NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/8/24

<p>The Arkansas Razorbacks head into this week nine matchup with a 4-3 record, while the Mississippi State Bulldogs are just 1-6 on the season. Kick-off is set for 12:45 ET at Davis Wade Stadium in Starkville, and SECN will be handling the broadcast. Arkansas is favored by -7 points, with the over/under line currently sitting at 58 points. The money line odds are -267 for the Razorbacks and +215 for the Bulldogs.</p><h3>ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS VS MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Mississippi State Bulldogs +7</p><p>This game will be played at Davis Wade Stadium at 12:45 ET on Saturday, October 26th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Mississippi State Bulldogs winning this one by a score of 36 to 25</li><li>Not only do we have the Mississippi State Bulldogs winning straight-up, we have them covering the spread at +7</li><li>Look for this game to go over the line of 58 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Arkansas Razorbacks Win As Road Favorites?</h3><p>Arkansas enters Week 9 against Mississippi State with a 4-3 record, ranked 31st in our power rankings. They have a 77.3% chance of becoming bowl-eligible but no shot at winning the SEC. The Razorbacks are 2-1 at home and 1-1 on the road this season.</p> <p></p><p>Arkansas has been favored in just one game this season and holds a +8.4 average scoring margin. Their ATS record is 3-2, going 2-0 on the road and 1-2 at home. As underdogs, they are 3-1 against the spread.</p> <p></p><p>Their over/under record stands at 1-4, with an average total of 51 points per game. The average over/under line is 56.8 points, and this week’s line is set at 58 points.</p><p>Arkansas heads into week 9 ranked 46th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 29.7 points per game. They are also 46th in the nation in scoring. Their third-down conversion rate is impressive, ranking 9th at 52%. The Razorbacks are 25th in passing yards, averaging 278.7 yards per game, and they attempt 34 passes per game.</p> <p>Quarterback Taylen Green has thrown for 1,741 yards but has an 81 passer rating with six touchdowns and six interceptions. Arkansas is 89th in passer rating nationally. Leading the rushing attack is Ja'Quinden Jackson with 592 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5 yards per carry. Andrew Armstrong leads the receivers with 646 yards on 45 catches.</p><p>Arkansas's defense, ranked 35th nationally, is giving up 21.3 points per game this season. In their recent game against LSU, they allowed 34 points, surrendering 395 total yards, including 160 rushing yards and 235 passing yards, though they didn’t allow a passing touchdown.</p> <p></p><p>Opponents are averaging 114.6 rushing yards per game on 31.1 attempts against Arkansas, while quarterbacks have completed 58.6% of their passes, averaging 217.9 passing yards per game.</p><h3>Are The Mississippi State Bulldogs Going Win In At Upset At Davis Wade Stadium</h3><p>Mississippi State enters Week 9 with a 1-6 record, facing Arkansas at home. They rank 60th in our power rankings and have just a 0.1% chance of becoming bowl-eligible. The Bulldogs are 0-3 at home this season.</p> <p></p><p>Against the spread, Mississippi State is 3-3, with a 2-1 record on the road and 1-2 at home. They’ve been favored in just one game this season, and their average scoring margin is -5.9 points per game.</p> <p></p><p>The over/under line for this week is 58 points. Mississippi State’s games have averaged 60.7 points, with an over/under record of 4-2. Their average line has been 56.8 points, and they’ve exceeded it by an average of 3.6 points.</p><p>Mississippi State’s offense is averaging 27.4 points per game as they head into week 9, placing them 58th in our offensive power rankings. They are 40th in passing attempts, averaging 32 per game, and 43rd in passing yards, with 252.3 yards per game. Their third-down conversion rate is 40%, and they are 65th in completion percentage at 60.3%.</p> <p>Blake Shapen leads the Bulldogs’ passing attack with 974 yards and a passer rating of 117. He has completed 68.5% of his passes, throwing eight touchdowns and one interception. Kevin Coleman Jr. has 536 receiving yards and four touchdowns on 44 catches. On the ground, Mississippi State averages 128.3 rushing yards per game.</p><p>Mississippi State's defense has struggled this season, allowing an average of 33.3 points per game. In their recent 34-24 loss to Texas A&M, they gave up 34 points, with 217 passing yards and 137 rushing yards allowed, while forcing two interceptions.</p> <p></p><p>Opponents have averaged 195.1 rushing yards per game against Mississippi State, and quarterbacks have posted a 103 passer rating, completing 71.7% of their passes for an average of 257.1 yards per game.</p>

Arkansas Razorbacks vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Betting Pick & Prediction 10/26/24

<p>Week 13 Sunday Night Football brings the AFC West showdown from GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, so we’ve prepared the best Broncos vs. Chiefs betting pick along with the latest odds update on <a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/bookmaker/">Bookmaker Sportsbook</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The Chiefs search for their 12<sup>th</sup> consecutive victory over the Broncos. Kansas City is a huge 10-point home fave for Sunday’s clash, while the totals are listed at 47.5 points.</p>



<h2>The Broncos shut down the Chargers to get back on the right track   </h2>



<p>The Denver Broncos are back in the playoff hunt after winning three of their previous four contests. They are coming off a 28-13 victory to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 12, upsetting the odds as 3-point home underdogs.</p>



<p>The Broncos held the Chargers to 72 rushing yards. They picked off Justin Herbert twice, and Pat Surtain’s 70-yard pick-six made it 28-7 midway through the fourth quarter. On the other side of the ball, Melvin Gordon had 17 carries for 83 yards, while Teddy Bridgewater went 11-of-18 for 129 yards and a TD.</p>



<p>Bridgewater suffered a shin injury and had to make a brief exit during the last weekend’s clash against the Chargers. He’ll be ready to go Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium, but Melvin Gordon (shoulder, hip) is listed as questionable.</p>



<h2>The Chiefs shoot for their fifth straight W       </h2>



<p>The Kansas City Chiefs are coming fresh off a bye, searching for their fifth win in a row. Back in Week 11, they beat Dallas 19-9 in another strong defensive display, as the Chiefs have allowed only 47 points over their previous four outings.</p>



<p>Kansas City is now yielding 22.7 points per contest (tied-13<sup>th</sup> in the NFL) on 364.4 total yards (23<sup>rd</sup>). The Chiefs’ defense has improved a lot after some serious struggles in the first seven weeks of the season.</p>



<p>Andy Reid’s boys limited the Cowboys to 276 total yards. They allowed only 82 rushing yards while picking off Dak Prescott twice. On the other side of the ball, Patrick Mahomes completed 23 of his 37 passing attempts for 260 yards and an interception. Tyreek Hill had nine receptions for 77 yards, while Clyde Edwards-Helaire posted 12 carries for 63 yards and a TD in his first appearance since Week 5.</p>



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



<p><strong>Denver:</strong></p>



<ul><li>1-4 ATS in the last five games against the AFC</li></ul>



<p><strong>Kansas City:</strong></p>



<ul><li>9-2 ATS in the last 11 games against Denver</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-denver-broncos-vs-kansas-city-chiefs-pick">Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Pick</h2>



<p>The Chiefs hope to stay on the winning path and continue with a strong defensive performance. Their offense has a lot of room for improvement, and the Chiefs could easily explode following a bye week. Andy Reid is 21-11 ATS in his career when he has an extra week to prepare his team, so I’m backing the Chiefs to extend their dominance over the Broncos.</p>



<p>Kansas City is 11-0 SU and 9-2 ATS in its last 11 contests against Denver. Edwards-Helaire’s return is a huge boost for the Chiefs’ offense that will have to attack the Broncos both on the ground and through the air.</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Take Kansas City Chiefs -10.0 at -110&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p>



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



<p>I’ve mentioned the Chiefs’ turnaround on the defensive side of things. They should continue with a strong performance against the Broncos, who score 20.7 points per game (21<sup>st</sup> in the NFL). Denver, on the other side, allows only 17.8 points per game (3<sup>rd</sup>), so I’m not expecting a high-scoring affair Sunday in Kansas City.</p>



<p>Only one of the Chiefs’ last six games has produced more than 44 points in total. Also, none of the Bronco previous five tilts have seen more than 46 points on the scoreboard.</p>



<p><strong>Pick: Go under 47.5 points at -110</strong></p>

Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs Odds, Pick, Prediction 12/5/21

The Milwaukee Bucks are not the favorites at BetAnySports to win the NBA title, and maybe that is indicative of a lack of respect. On the "totem pole," they are below the Los Angeles Lakers (+250) and tied with the Los Angeles Clippers at +320.

The great Giannis is likely to win the MVP, and rightly so, because he is not only the ultimate all-tool player on the offensive end, he is a stopper and legitimate candidate for Defensive Player of the Year.

And that suits this culture just fine. Mike Budenholzer has built a foundation around defense, and the Bucks have a rather unconventional approach. This is a crew that will allow its opponents to shoot as many threes as they want, but they are not going to give them much of a chance to follow up.

And that is a critical part of defense - not to stop people once, but to finish it.

Milwaukee has the best defensive rebounding percentage in the NBA, and maybe that's not so difficult when you have someone like Giannis pulling down 11.5 of them per game. Then you have the guys like Khris Middleton (who made the All-Star team), Robin Lopez and even Dante DiVincenzo (former Final Four hero at Villanova) helping to fill in the rest.

Perhaps it was fortuitous that the league shut down, because the Bucks had lost their last three games going into this forced break.

But the super-prepared Budenholzer should have them ready for anything.

They'll get started on the restart on Friday at 6:30 PM ET at the HP Field House against the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee is a five-point favorite, with a total of 219 points, according to the folks at <a href="http://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/betanysports"><strong>BetAnySports</strong></a>.

We thought that Milwaukee may not be able to so easily get over the loss of Malcolm Brogdon, a member of the exclusive "50-40-90" group (50% shooting, 40% triples, 90% free throws) But they have adjusted - that's obvious. And Brogdon missed quite a bit of time, while the Bucks did well without him.

And how well are they doing now? Well, let's put it this way - they are fourth in the league in three-point shooting and tops in TWO-point shooting; they are they best at shooting percentage defense (allowing 41.3%), mainly because they are incredibly stiff inside the arc (allowing just 45.3%). They are #1 in total rebounds, #3 in blocks, tops in Pace AND Defensive Rating, and by virtue of all this, are comfortably #1 in average margin of victory (11.3 points), which in fact is the fifth best figure in the history of the league.

Eric Bledsoe, who has blossomed into an All-Defensive performer under Budenholzer, might miss some early games because of his quarantine. It's okay for now, because Milwaukee is leading the East by 5.5 games with only eight being played in the "seeding" period.

What I have found most remarkable about this team is that everybody on the roster - with the exception of Brook Lopez and Marvin Williams, who was acquired not long before the shutdown - was drafted outside of the top ten. These guys really know how to find the diamonds in the rough. They even saw more value than most in Giannis, who was a #15 overall pick.

It hurt quite a bit last year blowing a 2-0 lead against Toronto in the Eastern Conference finals. They can only remedy that one way; by making their way through the conference with as little wear and tear as possible so they can do battle with the Lakers or Clippers or whoever survives the West playoffs.

We're not sure they are going to cover the number in the restart re-opener against Boston, and they might not even provide a heck of a lot of value at -125 for the "over" on 5.5 wins in seeding, because they aren't in danger, But they are the class of the East, make no mistake about it, and we could see our way clear to take the +320 odds on them to go all the way.

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NBA Betting -- Bucks Won't Stop Here if It's Milwaukee's Choice

<p>Planning on watching today's Penguins and Cougars game? Catch the action at Jones Convocation Center in Chicago, IL, as the Cougars hosts this showdown at 8:00 ET on ESPN+. Youngstown State is favored by -4.5 in this non-conference showdown. The game's over/under is currently at 147.5 points.</p><h3>YOUNGSTOWN STATE PENGUINS VS CHICAGO STATE COUGARS BETTING PICK</h3><p>The Pick: Chicago State Cougars +4.5</p><p>This game will be played at Jones Convocation Center at 8:00 ET on Saturday, November 9th.</p><h3>WHY BET THE CHICAGO STATE COUGARS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 74-72 in favor of the Cougars.</li><li>Not only will Chicago State pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +4.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 147.5 points, and we like the under with a projected 146 points.</li></ul><h3>Is A Road Victory Likely for Favored Youngstown State?</h3><h3>Youngstown State Penguins Records</h3> 

<p>Youngstown State finished last season with an 18-9 overall record, going 14-6 in Horizon League play. At home, they were 10-2, winning by an average of 10.2 points per game, while they went 8-7 on the road with a +3.6 scoring margin.</p> 

<p>Against the spread, the Penguins were 15-12, including a 9-6 mark on the road. They were 16-4 straight-up when favored and 11-9 ATS. As underdogs, they went 2-5 straight-up and 4-3 ATS. Their average over/under line was 150.3 points, and they had a 14-12-1 O/U record, with their games averaging 150.1 points per contest.</p><h3>Youngstown State Penguins Offense Stats</h3>

<p>Youngstown State averaged 81.2 points per game last season, ranking 173rd in possessions per game (65.6). They shot 45% from the field (185th) with a 51% effective field goal percentage (163rd). The Penguins were 66th in two-point percentage, making 54% of their attempts.</p>

<p>From beyond the arc, Youngstown State made 8.8 threes per game (54th) but struggled with accuracy, shooting 32% (317th). They attempted 27.2 threes per game, ranking 21st. At the free-throw line, they made 14.2 per game (154th).</p>

<h3>Youngstown State Penguins Top Returning Offensive Players</h3>

<strong>Nico Galette: G</strong>

<ul>
<li>Games: 31 (Last Year)</li>
<li>PPG: 13.5 (Last Year)</li>
<li>Assists: 2 (Last Year)</li>
<li>Rebounds: 7.2 (Last Year)</li>
</ul>

<strong>Siem Uijtendaal: G</strong>

<ul>
<li>Games: 23 (Last Year)</li>
<li>PPG: 13.3 (Last Year)</li>
<li>Assists: 2.1 (Last Year)</li>
<li>Rebounds: 3.4 (Last Year)</li>
</ul><p>Last season, Youngstown State allowed 70.9 points per game, ranking 133rd in the nation. Opponents shot 31.8% from three-point range against them, placing the Penguins 183rd in three-point defense. They also limited opponents to 16.6 free throws per game, ranking 93rd nationally.</p> <p>Youngstown State averaged 6.2 steals per game, ranking 220th in that category. They were much more effective in blocking shots, averaging 4.8 per game, which ranked 29th in the country.</p><h3>Does Chicago State Have What it Takes to Win as Home Underdogs?</h3><h3>Chicago State Cougars Recent Game/Games</h3> 

<p>Chicago State opened their season with a 79-72 road loss to Loyola Chicago on Monday. Despite being +21.5 point underdogs, the Cougars kept the game much closer than expected.</p> 

<p>After trailing 37-35 at halftime, Chicago State scored 37 points in the 2nd half but allowed 42. The total points for the game reached 151, surpassing the O/U line of 137.5.</p><p>Chicago State put up 72 points in their last game, shooting 41.3% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 47.6%. They connected on 48.6% of their two-point attempts, while hitting just 30.8% from beyond the arc, going 8-for-26 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they shot 60%, making 12 of 20 attempts.</p> <p>Jayden Dawson led the way with 20 points, hitting 3 of 9 from deep. Justin Moore and Des Watson each added 14 points, with Moore dishing out 7 assists. Gabe Spinelli contributed 13 points, and Cameron Jernigan and Saxby Sunderland each chipped in 11, despite Sunderland's 1-for-7 shooting performance.</p><p>Despite giving up 79 points, the Chicago State Cougars held their opponent to 41% shooting from the field. The Cougars allowed 52% shooting on two-point attempts, with their opponent hitting 20 of 38 shots.</p> <p>From beyond the arc, the Cougars limited their opponent to 24% shooting, with just 6 made threes on 25 attempts. Chicago State also sent their opponent to the free-throw line 29 times, where they converted 21 free throws for 72%.</p>

Youngstown State Penguins vs Chicago State Cougars NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/9/24

The Staples Center is playing host to an enticing clash as the Ottawa Senators take on the Los Angeles Kings. It's the last time that these two clubs will meet in the regular season. The first puck will drop at 10:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday, March 11, and fans at home can catch this East-West matchup live on Fox Sports West.
<h2>Ottawa Senators vs. Los Angeles Kings Odds</h2>
Ottawa (+140) is currently the underdog to Los Angeles (-160) and the Over/Under (O/U) is placed at 6 goals. The line for betting the total stands at -130 money on the over and +110 on the under.

Losing 2.5 units for moneyline gamblers, Los Angeles is 28-41 straight up (SU) overall thus far. That early-season winning percentage is fairly close to what the team posted during the 2018-19 season (31-51). Out of the team's 69 regular season contests, 38 of them have gone under the total, while 26 have gone over and just five have pushed. Thus far, the team's 18-15 SU at home.

The Kings have converted on just 16.9 percent of their power play chances this season, a mark that places them in the bottom-5 overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, their penalty kill is ranked 24th overall, and they've successfully killed off 77.1 percent of all penalties.

As a team, the Kings have been whistled for penalties just 3.1 times per game overall this season, and 2.2 per game over their last five home outings. The team has been forced to kill penalties for just 6.2 minutes per game over their last 10 outings, in total.

With a .904 save percentage and 26.4 saves per game, Jonathan Quick (16-26-4) has been the top goalkeeper for the Kings this season. If head coach Todd Mclellan chooses to rest him, however, Los Angeles may go with Jack Campbell (8-12-12 record, .900 save percentage, 2.85 goals against average).

The Kings will continue relying on leadership via Anze Kopitar and Alex Iafallo. Kopitar (62 points) has put up 21 goals and 41 assists and has recorded multiple points 18 times this year. Iafallo has 17 goals and 26 assists to his name and has recorded at least one point in 32 games.

Ottawa has lost 11.6 units for bettors taking the moneyline thus far and is currently 25-45 straight up (SU). 37 of its matches have gone over the total, while 31 have gone under the total and just one has pushed. The Senators are 7-26 SU as a road team this season.

The Senators have converted on just 14.4 percent of their power play opportunities this season, a figure that places them in the bottom- overall among NHL teams. On the other hand, its penalty kill unit is ranked 29th overall and it's successfully killed off 76.3 percent of all penalties.

Ottawa's players have been called for penalties 3.8 times per game in total this season, and 2.6 per game over their last five on the road. The team has had to stave off opponent power plays just 6.4 minutes per game over their last five outings.

Craig Anderson (.901 save percentage and 3.26 goals against average) has been the primary option in goal for Ottawa. Anderson is averaging 26.7 saves per game and owns an 11-22-2 record.

Brady Tkachuk (21 goals, 22 assists) and Connor Brown (16 goals, 27 assists) have been standout playmakers for Ottawa and will lead the attack for the visiting Senators.
<h3>Ottawa Senators at Los Angeles Kings Betting Predictions</h3>
<a href="http://bangthebook.com/nhl-betting-trends-of-the-day/">Prediction:</a> SU Winner – Kings, O/U – Over
<div class="notes">
<h2>Notes</h2>
Betting Notes

Ottawa is 1-5 in games decided by a shootout this season while Los Angeles is 1-3 in shootouts.

Four of Los Angeles' last five games gone under the total.

The Kings have averaged the league's fourth-most shots on goal (33.1) while the Senators have attempted just the 22nd-most (33.1).

Los Angeles has allowed 3.0 goals per game overall this season, but has brought that figure down to 1.2 per contest over its six-game winning streak.

Five of Ottawa's last ten games have been decided by two goals or more. The team is 1-4 in those games.

Ottawa skaters have accounted for the league's second-most hits per game (28.0), but the team's averaged just 25.2 hits over their last five away games.

</div>

Ottawa Senators vs. Los Angeles Kings Betting Pick 3/11/20

<p>Certainly the&nbsp;<strong>Atlanta Hawks</strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<strong>Milwaukee Bucks</strong>&nbsp;were quite spent after their respective playoff series in which they each won a Game 7 matchup on the road.</p>



<p>Some&nbsp;<strong>BetAnySports&nbsp;</strong>customers may have figured the Hawks had the potential to cause some trouble for the Bucks, because of their ability to shoot from the perimeter, but that’s not how they came away with a victory in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference finals.</p>



<p>If it was Milwaukee’s objective to let Trae Young get his points and stop the rest of the Hawks, well, that strategy backfired on them. And so we see them trying to fight back just to gain a split at home after Atlanta posted a 116-113 victory over them.</p>



<p>The Hawks won straight-up as an eight-point underdog largely on the strength of 48 points from Young, who also had eleven assists and seven rebounds.</p>



<p>For the Bucks, there were only two players providing effective offense – GIannis Antetokounmpo and Jrue Holiday – who scored 34 and 33 points, respectively.</p>



<p>We know there are some things that aren’t likely; Young isn’t likely to score that many again and frankly, neither is Holiday. But that doesn’t necessarily tip the scales in favor of either of these two teams.</p>



<p>In the NBA Eastern Conference Finals odds on Game 2 (8:35 PM ET on Friday), as they are posted at&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://www.bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/betanysports/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">BetAnySports</a></strong>, the Bucks are laying considerable points:</p>



<p><strong>Milwaukee Bucks &nbsp;-7.5<br>Atlanta Hawks &nbsp;+7.5<br><br>Over 226 points -110<br>Under 226 points -110</strong></p>



<p>It could be that the Bucks thought they might have an easier time with Young, since in seven previous meetings in which he played he had been kept very much under control. He has, in fact, averaged just under 19 points a game on 36% shooting.</p>



<p>The Bucks commit fewer fouls than any NBA team, but they were not able to keep Young off the line in Game 1, as he had twelve of Atlanta’s 16 free throw attempts.</p>



<p>Young’s 46.8% Usage percentage was simply unnatural.It is going to be imperative that the Hawks find some other people who can contribute some points, since the All-Star guard is going to be more of a focus for Mike Budenholzer’s defensive scheme.</p>



<p>And we’re not sold on the idea that any of this can come from Bogdan Bogdanovic. The sharpshooting wing, who may have been a member of the Bucks had Milwaukee not broken NBA rules in jumping the gun too early during free agency, was bothered by a knee injury against Philadelphia, and was good for just 28% triples. On Wednesday he was one-of-six from the field.</p>



<p>While it does look like the Bucks have some advantages here, we are uncomfortable in laying this kind of number with them. The Hawks have a lot of fight in them, and under Nate McMillan they’re a sizzling 32-18-1 against the spread.</p>



<p>But we point to a couple of things here – one is that these teams seem comfortable at a swifter pace than you might see in a playoff game. In fact, 197 shots were attempted. And these teams went just 16 of 68 combined from three-point range. That’s 23.5%, and even if they were just 30%, that would have accounted for a dozen more points. See where we’re going with that? We’re going&nbsp;<strong>OVER&nbsp;</strong>the total, that’s where.</p>



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NBA Eastern Conference Finals – Bucks Need Sharper Effort on Both Ends vs. Hawks

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