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With the over/under line set at 42.5 points, the Chiefs and Steelers will face off on Wednesday, December 25th at 1:00 ET. The Chiefs are the road favorite with a money line of -146, while the Steelers' money line sits at +123. The game is being televised on NFLX, and the Chiefs are -2.5 point road favorites. Both teams need to add their records, and this AFC matchup is taking place at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, PA.<h3>KANSAS CITY CHIEFS VS PITTSBURGH STEELERS BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5This game will be played at Acrisure Stadium at 1:00 ET on Wednesday, December 25th.<h3>WHY BET THE PITTSBURGH STEELERS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Steelers winning this one by a score of 22 to 21</li><li>Not only do we have the Steelers winning straight-up, we have them covering the spread at +2.5</li><li>Look for this game to go over the line of 42.5 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Chiefs Pick Up A Win On The Road?</h3>With a 14-1 record, the Chiefs have a 100% chance of making the playoffs and winning the AFC West. They are on a 5-game winning streak, including a 27-19 win over the Texans in week 16. Kansas City was favored by 3 points and covered the spread, and the 46 points scored in the game went over the 42.5-point line. Heading into week 17, the Chiefs rank 6th in our NFL power rankings. They have an average scoring margin of +5.2 points per game and are 6-8-1 against the spread. Their O/U record is 7-8, with their games averaging 42.3 points per game.Patrick Mahomes has been consistent over the last three weeks, with passer ratings of 88, 78, and 93 in week 16. Against the Texans, he threw for 260 yards (28/41) and a touchdown without an interception. Xavier Worthy led the team with 7 catches for 65 yards, while Kareem Hunt added 55 rushing yards on 11 carries. Heading into week 17, the Chiefs rank 8th in our offensive power rankings. They lead the NFL in 3rd-down conversion percentage (51%) and are 11th in points per game (23.7). Kansas City is 12th in passing yards per game (225.9) and 15th in rushing (112.9 yards per game).In their 27-19 win over the Texans, the Chiefs' defense allowed just 84 rushing yards on 17 attempts. They picked off two passes and held Houston to 2-of-5 on fourth down attempts. The Chiefs gave up 227 yards through the air, with Houston completing 59% of their passes, and two passing touchdowns. Additionally, the Chiefs allowed the Texans to convert on 53.8% of their third down attempts.Kansas City's defense put pressure on the quarterback throughout the game, finishing with two sacks and winning the QB hit and tackles for loss differentials. Despite allowing a couple of passing touchdowns, the Chiefs' defense played well enough to help secure the win.<h3>Will The Steelers Win At Home Over The Chiefs?</h3>Despite a two-game losing streak, the Steelers remain 1st in the AFC North with a 10-5 record. After a week 14 win over the Browns, Pittsburgh has dropped two straight, including a 34-17 loss to the Ravens in week 16. The Steelers were 7-point underdogs in that game, and the 51 points scored went over the 44-point line. According to our projections, Pittsburgh has a 47.4% chance of winning the division and a 100% chance of making the playoffs. They rank 12th in our NFL power rankings. The Steelers have a +3.6 scoring margin and are 10-5 against the spread this season. Their O/U record is 8-7, with their games averaging 43.5 points per game.Heading into week 17, the Steelers sit 19th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 23.5 points per game, which ranks 12th in the league. They are 19th in total yards per game, with 324.9, and rank 25th in passing yards, averaging 198.9 per game on 28.7 attempts. On the ground, Pittsburgh is 2nd in rushing attempts and 11th in rushing yards per game, with 126. In week 16, Russell Wilson threw for 217 yards (22/33), with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Calvin Austin III led the team with 4 catches for 65 yards, while Jaylen Warren had 48 rushing yards on 12 carries. The Steelers scored 7 points in the 3rd quarter against the Ravens but were shut out in the 1st and 4th quarters.The Steelers' defense struggled to stop the run in their 34-17 loss to the Ravens, giving up 220 yards on 38 attempts, which is 5.8 yards per attempt. Despite allowing just 198 passing yards, Pittsburgh gave up three passing touchdowns and allowed big plays in the passing game, with the Ravens averaging 8.6 yards per attempt.Pittsburgh's defense managed only one sack and allowed the Ravens to convert on 40% of their third downs. The Steelers also struggled to generate consistent pressure, losing the quarterback hit differential by -6 and the tackles for loss differential by -2.

Kansas City Chiefs vs Pittsburgh Steelers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/25/24

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Winning at MLB might require thinking out-of-the-box more than any other sport. For starters, we're rarely betting simply against the -110, which is hard enough to beat over the long run. The game is changing and one option a lot of people are taking advantage of is in-game betting, which I happen to think should be in every serious bettors' repertoire. However, for many that requires being mobile and at-the-ready for hours on end, which is just not possible for the recreational bettor with responsibilities.

However, one option that you might consider if you're doing a lot of your own work is a first-five inning bet. They are far less complicated and require far less work simply because you can simply eliminate bullpens from the equation entirely, and we know how costly some bullpens can be. Personally, I love to bet on home teams in the first five innings for several reasons.

First, we are always assured the last at bat - which is huge. Secondly, and especially if we're betting against a pitcher that our team hasn't seen much of, the fifth inning is typically going to give the lineup a second and third look at the pitcher. We know from experience that familiarity is a big deal.

There is even more value to these bets in the National League. In the American League with a designated hitter there is far less likelihood that a pitcher isn't going to last five innings, whereas in the National League there are many situation where the starter might be having issues and get pinch-hit for earlier than you might expect. It's simply all about the odds.

There are also some great stats-splits right on <a href="http://mlb.mlb.com/stats">MLB.com</a> that sort teams by inning as far as they're historical scoring AND pitching. Just as in any sport there are some teams that are fast starters and others that seem to take time to get going, and I am always looking to simplify. This is not rocket-science as some would have you believe. It's just a matter of having TIME.

For example the three highest scoring teams in the FIRST inning this season are the Phillies, Rays, and the Marlins. Those are three teams people tend to shy away from, all of whom have marginal (at best) bullpens that may offer great first-five value in the right situations, and especially at home. The first inning is good baseline for me because you know you're getting the best of the order at the plate, as opposed to the second/third when you just aren't sure, and again, especially in the NL when you get to the pitchers' spot.

And of course you can look at the other side of the ledger, pitching. The three teams that have ALLOWED the most runs in the first inning are all teams people instinctively want to bet ON. Those would be Washington, Boston, and the Cubs. And all of those teams are usually going to be expensive, so looking to fade them on the road in the first five innings can be great bets.

As always, everything is situational - but you have to start somewhere. The point here is that we need to think beyond the obvious, because bookmakers count on us NOT doing that, and winning over the long haul is hard. But with some foresight and not getting caught in doing the same thing over and over again (we know that saying) we can and do win.

Betting out of the Box - First Five Innings

Arizona Cardinals vs Los Angeles Rams Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24

Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24

Los Angeles Chargers vs New England Patriots Betting Pick & Prediction 12/28/24

Seattle Seahawks vs Chicago Bears Betting Pick & Prediction 12/26/24

Baltimore Ravens vs Houston Texans Betting Pick & Prediction 12/25/24

New Orleans Saints vs Green Bay Packers Betting Pick & Prediction 12/23/24

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Dallas Cowboys Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

San Francisco 49ers vs Miami Dolphins Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

Jacksonville Jaguars vs Las Vegas Raiders Betting Pick & Prediction 12/22/24

Looking to win big? The Anteaters and Tritons face off at 4:00 ET on SPEC. The Tritons are hosting the game at LionTree Arena in San Diego, CA. The over/under for this game is set at 142.5 points, and California-San Diego is favored by -1 vs. UC Irvine in a Big West conference matchup.<h3>UC IRVINE ANTEATERS VS CALIFORNIA-SAN DIEGO TRITONS BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: UC Irvine Anteaters +1This game will be played at LionTree Arena at 4:00 ET on Saturday, February 24th.<h3>WHY BET THE UC IRVINE ANTEATERS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 81-66 in favor of the Anteaters.</li><li>Not only will UC Irvine pick up the win, but look for them to cover at +1.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 142.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 147 points.</li></ul><h3>Do the Anteaters Stand a Chance on the Road?</h3>UC Irvine is 20-7 overall and 13-2 in the Big West. They have won two straight games and are 6-7 on the road this season. The Anteaters have gone 18-3 when favored and 1-4 as the underdog.

UC Irvine's average scoring margin on the road is +2.4 points per game compared to +13.4 points per game at home. They have won 13 straight games at home.As the underdog, UC Irvine has gone 3-2 vs. the spread this season. Over their last 10 games as the underdog, the Anteaters have an ATS record of 5-5.This season, the over/under record for UC Irvine games is 12-12-2. The average scoring total in their games this year is 142.3 points, which is slightly lower than the average over/under line of 141.3. Over their last three games, the average scoring total is 154 points and the over/under record is 3-0.The UC Irvine offense is coming off a game in which they scored 81 points vs. UC Santa Barbara. Overall their field goal percentage was 49.1% while connecting on 3 threes. The top scorer for the Anteaters was Justin Hohn with 19 points, while Derin Saran also added 16 to the scoreboard.Currently, the Anteaters' defense holds the 46th rank in the nation, allowing 66.6 points per game. On average, opposing teams are hitting 5.6 threes per game vs. California-San Diego. This has come on three-point shooting percentage of 32.6%.<h3>Does California-San Diego Stand a Chance at Home?</h3>California-San Diego comes into this game with an 18-9 record, including a 12-3 mark in Big West play. They have won three straight games and are 10-2 at home this season.

Over their last 10 games at home, the Tritons have gone 8-2, and they are 13-3 this season when favored. For the year, they have a scoring margin of +8.7 points per game at home compared to +3.7 on the road.As the favorite, UC San Diego has gone 11-5 against the spread this season. At home, the Tritons have an ATS record of 9-3. Over their last 10 games as the favorite, UC San Diego is 7-3 vs. the spread.This season, the over/under record for California-San Diego's games is 12-12-1. So far, 11 of their games have finished with more points than today's over/under line of 142.5. In their last three games, the over/under record is 2-1 and the average scoring total in those games is 131 points.In their latest game, California-San Diego offense put up 77 points against UC Riverside. They recorded an overall field goal percentage of 45% and made 8 threes. The team's top scorer is Bryce Pope, who enters today's matchup with an average of 17.6, while Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones also carries a PPG average of 13.3 into the game.This season, the California-San Diego defense has been impressive, holding the 48th position in the country while permitting an average of 66.7 points per contest. In terms of field goal percentage allowed, California-San Diego's defense has allowed opponents to shoot 41.3% from the field, including a three-point shooting percentage allowed of 31.8% this season.

UC Irvine Anteaters vs California-San Diego Tritons Betting Pick & Prediction 2/24/24

You can catch this week 16 NFC matchup between the Saints and Packers on ESPN at 8:15 ET. The Packers are heavily favored with a money line of -879 and are -13.5 point favorites at home at Lambeau Field. The Saints' money line odds are +577, and the over/under line is set at 42 points.<h3>NEW ORLEANS SAINTS VS GREEN BAY PACKERS BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: New Orleans Saints +13.5This game will be played at Lambeau Field at 8:15 ET on Monday, December 23rd.<h3>WHY BET THE NEW ORLEANS SAINTS:</h3><ul><li>We have the Packers winning this one by a score of 26 to 14</li><li>Even though we like the Packers to win, our ATS pick is to take the Saints at +13.5</li><li>We see this game finishing below the line of 42 points</li></ul><h3>Will The Saints Pull Off An Upset As Road Underdogs</h3>After two straight wins, the Saints couldn’t keep the momentum going in week 15, falling 20-19 to the Commanders. Despite the loss, New Orleans managed to cover the spread, coming in as 7.5-point underdogs. The O/U line was set at 44.5 points, and the teams combined for 39, marking the Saints’ third straight under. New Orleans is now 5-9, putting them 3rd in the NFC South. They rank 30th in our power rankings and have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs. Against the spread, the Saints are 6-8, with a -0.2 average scoring margin. Their O/U record is 7-7, with their games averaging 44.4 points per contest.Heading into week 16, the Saints rank 18th in our offensive power rankings. They sit 15th in the NFL in both points per game (22.1) and yards per game (334.6). New Orleans ranks 20th in passing yards per game, averaging 210.2 on 31.6 attempts per game. On the ground, they are 10th in rushing yards per game (124.4) and 8th in rushing attempts. The Saints are converting 37.4% of their third downs, which ranks 18th in the league. In week 15, New Orleans scored 12 points in the 4th quarter but fell short in a 20-19 loss to the Commanders. Spencer Rattler threw for 135 yards (10/21) and a touchdown, while Kendre Miller led the team with 46 rushing yards on 9 carries. Marquez Valdes-Scantling had 2 catches for 64 yards. The Saints converted 3 of 11 third-down attempts and went 1/2 in the red zone.In their 20-19 loss to the Commanders, the Saints' defense allowed 189 passing yards on 25 completions. Despite this, they gave up two passing touchdowns and allowed the Commanders to complete 80.6% of their passes. The Saints' defense was able to get to the quarterback, recording an impressive eight sacks in the game.Against the run, the Saints allowed 137 rushing yards on 35 attempts. Even though they struggled to stop the run, they did have eight tackles for loss in the game. On third down, the Commanders converted 52.9% of their chances.<h3>Are The Packers Going To Defend Home Field Advantage?</h3>Heading into week 16, the Packers sit 3rd in our NFL power rankings and have a 99.9% chance of making the playoffs. They are 10-4, with a +6.6 scoring margin and a 7-6-1 record against the spread. Green Bay is 5-2 both at home and on the road, but they are just 1-3 in division games, giving them a 0.6% chance of winning the NFC North. After a week 14 loss to the Lions, the Packers bounced back with a 30-13 win over the Seahawks in week 15. They covered the 3-point spread in that game, improving their ATS record to 7-6-1. The O/U line was 48 points, and the teams combined for 43, with the under hitting.Heading into week 16, the Packers sit 7th in our offensive power rankings, averaging 27.1 points per game. They rank 4th in the NFL in total yards, with 375.4 per game, and are 11th in passing yards, despite ranking 29th in pass attempts. Green Bay leans on its rushing attack, ranking 5th in attempts and 4th in yards, with Josh Jacobs posting 94 yards on 26 carries in week 15. The Packers are 15th in 3rd-down conversions and 26th in red zone efficiency, despite ranking 3rd in red zone attempts. Jordan Love has been outstanding, posting a passer rating of 123 in week 15, going 20/27 for 229 yards and 2 touchdowns without an interception. He had a 111 rating in week 14 and a 129 rating in week 13. Christian Watson led the Packers in receiving in week 15, with 3 catches for 56 yards, following a 114-yard performance in week 14.Green Bay's defense was outstanding in their 30-13 win over the Seahawks, allowing just 128 yards passing and coming up with 7 sacks. They defended the run well, even though Seattle only attempted 16 rushes, allowing 80 yards on the ground.The Packers' defense didn't give up any touchdowns through the air and limited Seattle to a 30.8% conversion rate on third down. Additionally, they picked off two passes and held the Seahawks to 60.6% completions.

The Nuggets (-410) are favored by 9 points on the road against the Trail Blazers (+318) in a Western Northwest division matchup. The over/under line is 218 points and tip-off is scheduled for 10:00 ET at the Moda Center.

Denver (37-19) is currently 4th in the Western Conference, while Portland (15-39) is 14th. The Trail Blazers have lost 6 straight games.<h3>DENVER NUGGETS VS PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: Denver Nuggets -9This game will be played at Moda Center at 10:00 ET on Friday, February 23rd.<h3>WHY BET THE DENVER NUGGETS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 121-106 in favor of the Nuggets.</li><li>Our projections have Nikola Jokic finishing with Nikola Jokic points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists.</li><li>From the field, we have the Nuggets finishing with a field goal percentage of 48.9% and knocking down 12 threes.</li></ul><h3>Is It the Nuggets Game to Lose on the Road?</h3>The Nuggets are favored by 9 points today against the Trail Blazers. This season, Denver has been favored in 48 of their 56 games, going 35-13 in those games. As the favorite, they have a scoring differential of +5.2 points per game.

Denver's ATS record for the season is 23-31, and they have covered the spread in their last two road games. On the road, the Nuggets are 10-18 vs. the spread.

On average, Denver's games have finished with a combined scoring total of 225 points. Today's O/U line is set at 218, and the Nuggets have played in 49 games with higher O/U lines than that. Their O/U record for the season is 20-35-1.

In their last game, the Nuggets beat the Wizards by a score of 130-110. The O/U line for that game was 233, and Denver covered the spread as 15.5-point favorites.

In the Western Conference, the Nuggets are currently in 4th place with a record of 37-19. Against other Western Conference teams, they are 20-13 and 4-5 against teams in their division. On the road, the Nuggets are 15-14.So far this season, the Nuggets are averaging 114.2 points per game, which is 18th in the league. However, on the road, they are scoring 109.7 points per game. Coming into the game, the Nuggets are 29th in pace at 96.1 possessions per game.

Denver is one of the top teams in the league in two-point field goal percentage, as they are making 55% of their shots inside the arc. Overall, the Nuggets are 8th in field goal percentage at 49%.

When it comes to three-point shooting, the Nuggets are 15th in the league at 36%. In terms of volume, Denver is 27th in three-point attempts and 26th in made threes.So far this season, the Nuggets defense has been performing well, ranking 6th in the NBA at 110.8 points allowed per contest. When it comes to forced turnovers, the Nuggets are forcing 11.8 per game, which is 4th in the league. They also come into the game sitting 11th in blocked shots at 5.4 per game.<h3>Can the Portland Offense Score Enough at Home?</h3>Portland has lost six straight games and currently sits in 14th place in the Western Conference with a record of 15-39. In the Northwest Division, they are in 5th place.

As the underdog, the Trail Blazers have gone 14-35 this season and are 24-25 against the spread as the underdog. Today, they are 9-point underdogs and have gone 5-49 as the underdog this season.

This season, Portland has an average scoring differential of -5.3 points per game at home. Against the spread at home, they are 11-15 and 25-29 overall.

The Blazers' O/U record for the season is 24-29-1, and their games have averaged 224.6 points per game. Today's O/U line is set at 218, and their last two games have gone over the posted total.

In their most recent game, the Trail Blazers were defeated by the Timberwolves by a score of 128-91. Portland was 9.5-point underdogs in that game, and the O/U line was 216.This season, the Trail Blazers have been one of the worst offenses in the NBA, ranking just 29th in points per game at 107.9. However, they have been slightly better at home, where they are averaging 110.0 points per game.

Portland's struggles on offense can be seen in their field goal percentage, as they are shooting just 44% from the field this season (30th in the NBA). In terms of pace, the Blazers are 20th in the league at 98 possessions per game.

When it comes to three-point shooting, Portland is just 25th in the NBA at 35%. However, they are one of the better teams in terms of offensive rebounding, ranking 5th in the league in that category.The Trail Blazers' defense is presently ranked 17th in the league, allowing an average of 116.7 points per contest. Inside the arc, the Trail Blazers defense is giving up a shooting percentage of 58.6% and 34.6% from three-point territory.

Denver Nuggets vs Portland Trail Blazers Betting Pick & Prediction 2/23/24

The 2021-22 NBA season goes on with a three-game Tuesday card, so we’re taking a closer look at the Western Conference showdown from Staples Center in Los Angeles to get you the best Trail Blazers vs. Clippers betting pick and odds.&nbsp;



Portland and LA have already net each other twice in 2021-22. The Clippers smashed the Trail Blazers 116-86 as 2.5-point home favorites on October 25, while Portland responded four days later, grabbing a comfortable 111-92 victory as a 3.5-point home fave. This time around, the Clippers are 3.5-point favorites with a total of 222.5 points on <a href="https://bangthebook.com/sportsbooks/betdsi/">BetDSI Sportsbook</a>.&nbsp;



<h2>The Trail Blazers start a four-game road trip</h2>



The Portland Trail Blazers (5-5; 4-6 ATS) hit the road, searching for their third consecutive victory. They just wrapped up a two-game homestand with a 105-90 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers on Saturday night, recording their fifth home win in a row.



The Trail Blazers had an awful shooting night and still managed to easily outlast the short-handed Lakers, leading by as many as 34 points. Portland made only 37.9% of its field goals and 27.3% of its triples (15-for-55), while Damian Lillard led the way with 25 points and six assists.



Lillard has struggled through the first ten games of the new season, averaging 18.5 points per game and making just 35.1% of his field goals and 24.7% of his 3-pointers. The Trail Blazers are scoring 110.4 points per 100 possessions (tied-6th in the NBA) while surrendering 107.5 in a return (tied-15th).



<h2>The Clippers eye their fifth consecutive W  </h2>



The Los Angeles Clippers (5-4; 5-4 ATS) are coming off a 120-106 home victory to the Charlotte Hornets this past Sunday. It was their fourth victory on the spin, as the Clippers opened a six-game homestand on a high note.



LA overcame a 9-point fourth-quarter deficit against the Hornets thanks to a 22-0 run. The Clippers held Charlotte to 40.6% shooting from the field while making 47.7% of their field goals. Paul George led the charge with 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists, but he also turned the ball over eight times.



With Kawhi Leonard on the shelf, George is a go-to-guy for the Clippers. PG-13 is averaging 27.0 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 5.2 assists a night, shooting 46.4% from the field and 35.8% from downtown. The Clippers are scoring 105.2 points per 100 possessions (21st in the league) while surrendering only 100.8 in a return (3rd).



Trends:



Portland:



<ul><li>1-4 ATS in the last five games overall&nbsp;</li><li>0-6 ATS in the last six games on the road&nbsp;</li></ul>



LA Clippers:



<ul><li>6-2 ATS in the last eight games against Portland</li><li>5-0 ATS in the last five home games against Portland</li><li>12-7 ATS in the last 19 games overall</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-portland-trail-blazers-vs-los-angeles-clippers-pick">Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Pick</h2>



We’ve seen a couple of lopsided scores in the first two H2H duels of the season between the Trail Blazers and Clippers, and I’m expecting a much tighter clash this time around. LA is rolling on a four-game winning streak, while Portland has won two straight, so both teams enter Tuesday’s game with high hopes.



I’m going with the Clippers because of their defense, but this clash could easily go either way. If you like to ride the betting trends, LA is your team here. The Clippers are 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS in their last eight meetings with the Trail Blazers, who have failed to cover in six straight showings away from home.



Pick: Take Los Angeles Clippers -3.5 at -110&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;



The Total:



The first two meetings of the season between Portland and LA have gone in the under, but their previous four duels have gone in the over, producing 225 or more points each. The Clippers play at a fast pace (101.7 possessions per 48 minutes) and the under is 5-2 in their last seven games thanks to their stout defense.



On the other side, the Trail Blazers average 99.9 possessions per 48 minutes. They lean heavily on their 3-point shooting, taking 41.8 attempts from deep per game (4th in the NBA), but making those treys against the Clippers will be a tall task.



Pick: Go under 222.5 points at -110&nbsp;&nbsp;

Portland Trail Blazers vs. Los Angeles Clippers Odds, Pick, Prediction 11/9/21

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