2-3 Friday night (computer issues last night) and if any of you live in New Jersey and heard screams coming from the NJ Turnpike as the Magic put up 35 in the first quarter and 103 through three against the Nets (they average 105 per game), that was me.
Five games, Eight picks.
Craziest line of the day for me was the Thunder +150 on the Money Line over a Rockets team that's lost about 100 in a row. I think Houston will finally win today but getting 150% return against a team that hasn't won since Feb. 6 seems like a worthy wager. Game was just too early.
All wagers and returns based on $10. Please check game time lineups before wagering.
Pelicans at NUGGETS 3:05 pm EDT, Magic at CELTICS 3:35 pm, Bulls at PISTONS 7:05 pm, Mavericks at TRAIL BLAZERS 10:05 pm, Lakers at SUNS 10:05 pm.
3-pointers: Bulls -3 Over PISTONS and Over 217.5 +255 (returns $35.50) The Pistons have won two straight, albeit one was against Houston. The Bulls have lost two straight. The Bulls are the better team, I'm just hoping they play like it.
Chris Paul (Suns) double-double +200 (returns $30.00). I expect Paul to find seams in the Lakers defense to get that assist number up. If his shot is falling he should make the doubles.
2-pointers: SUNS win Over Lakers and Under 215 +125 (returns $22.50) With a chance to play against the Lakers without AD or LeBron, the Suns should be motivated. But the Lakers will have to clamp down on D in order to have a chance since their offense will likely be raggedy. Now Kyle Kuzma will go off for 40.
Free throws: Pelicans at NUGGETS Over 230.5 -112 (returns $19.00) I hate betting Overs in afternoon games, but the Nuggets are scoring a lot and the Pelicans defense comes and goes. But again, it could be 46-42 at the half.
Steals: Maxi Kleber (Mavericks) Over 15.5 points, rebounds, assists -113 (returns $18.90) The two teams played the other night and Kleber went for 16-4-4. Only 66% of that productivity will be a win.
Aaron Gordon (Magic) Over 26.5 points, rebounds, assists -113 (returns $18.90) If healthy, Gordon is a stat-sheet stuffer. He sure looked healthy against the Nets
Evan Fournier (Magic) Over 25.5 points, rebounds, assists -113 (returns $18.90) Fournier doesn't fill quite as many categories as Gordon, but he scores, rebounds and passes. I think these numbers are low because he and Gordon have been out so much. Looking to capitalize before they go up.
Magic Over 103.5 points vs CELTICS -122 (returns $18.20) The Magic are a different team with Aaron Gordon and Evan Fournier playing. I don't expect them to score 69 points as they did against the Nets, but 104 for the team seems reasonable.
Winners:
Free throws: TRAIL BLAZERS +3 Over Mavericks -109 (returns $19.20) The Blazers not only they covered, they won, 125-119, with a big game from CJ McCollum, who found his shot..
Steals: Joe Harris Over 18.5 points, rebounds, assists -113 (returns $18.90) Harris missed a few wide open threes, but still went for 16-6-4 = 26.
Losers:
3-pointers: MAGIC +11 and Under 224.5 +260 (returns $36.00) I had a gut feeling the Magic were going to be tough in this one, but I would have never believed that they could win by out scoring the Nets. But Aaron Gordon went for 38 (7-8 from three) and Evan Fournier hit for 31 (6-8 from three). When those two guys (maybe any two guys) shoot 13-16 from behind the arc, you're gonna lose.
2-pointers: Nets win Over MAGIC and Under 224.5 +118 (returns $21.80) See above.
Steals: Anthony Edwards (T-Wolves) Over 31.5 points, rebounds, assists -125 (returns $18.00) Edwards had a double-double but went for only 11-10-6=27 on 4-18 shooting.Here's the difference between the NBA and the college game: NBA: Rookie goes 4-18, star center goes 9-12. College: Rookie sits while others feed star center.
Canceled:
None
$50 wagered (2-3), $38.10 returned.
Day 75: -$11.90
Total: +$76.35 (161-185 off 346 $10 wagers)