Zack's Past Picks
The Indiana Pacers will play their third game in four nights on their current road trip. They will face a Clippers team that struggled their last outing against the LA Lakers from a defensive stand point. Siakam on the year ranks 24th in the NBA in field goal percentage, and I expect him to correct a recent three game one for 10 stretch beyond the arc. Take Siakam’s over.
Portal defects hit San Diego hard this season, as they have gone just 4-20 on the season. Losses have mounted as they go into tonight’s matchup against Pacific on a ten game losing streak. Throughout the losses they have been competitive with close losses against Santa Clara, Loyola Marymount, and Washington State. They even showed resilience in what looked to be a blowout loss last week against Pepperdine. Take the Torreros who are being over adjusted ATS due to their losing streak and road spot at Pacific.
The Dallas Mavericks defensively are short handed as Anthony Davis will not make his debut until Saturday. Tonight will be a tall task against a Celtics team that just went on the road and defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers. Expect Jaylen Brown to build on his recent performance over Dallas in which he scored twenty two points, as the Celtics continue their recent hot streak.
The LeMoyne Dolphins will go into their third straight road game tonight against St. Francis. They come in on a three game losing streak, where they have struggled in second halves. This came to light in their latest loss against Wagner where they led at halftime. Expect LeMoyne to step it up against a St. Francis team that has had a full week off of action.
Exactly two weeks ago, Lafayette went on the road and dismantled Loyola Maryland 80-59. The twenty one point win was the Leopards best win on the season over a division one school. It was a game where the big run occurred right before halftime, and the Greyhounds weren't able to recover. Look for a stronger effort defensively as that was the most points any team scored in-conference against Loyola. Grab the points here.
The Charlotte Hornets come into tonight’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks on a five game losing streak. Milwaukee just traded away Khris Middleton, and rested the majority of their starters in Monday’s loss to the Thunder. That could lead to a sluggish start even against the poor Hornets. Bridges has gone over this prop in four out of his last five games. Play his over.
Out in the Mountain West Boise State remains a fixture with upperclassmen deluxe. Tonight look for UNLV to counter that in a must win spot. After a big win over a formerly ranked Utah State team, they have dropped four games in a row. Take the Rebels to at least cover as a home underdog.
In a conference with sixteen teams it can be hard to identify a mini sleeper. BYU may be that as they have turned the page after a demoralizing overtime loss to Utah. Since they have won four straight games with excellent offense. Take them tonight as Arizona comes down to Earth after a scorching stretch.
In the Lakers last game they pulled off a big upset at Madison Square Garden over the Knicks. Returning from an East Coast road trip is often difficult, and now elevated for the Lakers post Anthony Davis trade. Look for a bit of sloppy play as the Clippers take advantage on both ends of the court. Lay it with the Clippers.
The Houston Rockets go into the daunting task of playing their seventh game over the last eleven days. With heavy road travel involved they have lost three straight games, including losing to the Brooklyn Nets at home 110-98. The Rockets delve deeper into their bench rotation last night in preparation for a back to back. Expect Cam Whitmore, Aaron Holiday, and Tari Eason to flourish and give the Rockets an edge.
Saint Louis is coming off two big home games in which they rode the emotional wave of a great win over VCU, only to falter in a televised spot against Dayton. Now they will play three of four games on the road, starting with tonight’s matchup against UMass. The Minutemen may be 10-12 but they have grown in-conference winning four out of their last five games. Take UMass to protect their home floor as the slight underdog.
Iowa State just a week ago last Monday was on the verge of a win at Arizona. With Caleb Love sending in a beyond half court shot, the Cyclones lost in overtime. That loss spilled over into a pathetic showing Saturday at home against Kansas State. Look for the Cyclones to regroup against a Kansas team that is showing the inability to compete for forty minutes.
The Utah Jazz ended an eight game losing streak on Saturday by defeating the Orlando Magic by fourteen points. That’s been a hidden bright spot on the Jazz season is facing Eastern Conference teams. They are 6-2 ATS over their last eight matchups against an Eastern Conference opponent. All six of their wins since December 19th have come against Eastern Conference teams. Grab the points with the Jazz.
Out in the SWAC Alabama State has had consecutive poor losses. Last Monday they had a poor second half defensive effort against Texas Southern, and Saturday nearly dug themselves a huge hole against Bethune Cookman. They showed fight in nearly coming back Saturday, and I expect that effort to carry over on the road against Florida A&M and end the Rattlers five game winning streak.
Southeast Louisiana has had a home stretch that is going into its fourth straight tonight. That has lifted their value a bit to high tonight based on winning seven of their last eight games. Lamar with their depth and steady guard play is one of the few Southland conference teams that can combat the Saturday to Monday road elements in-conference. Take the Cardinal who swept won both matchups last season.