Zack's Picks (2 Live)
Zack's Past Picks
Northern Arizona has held up to begin the season better than anticipated. They have won three straight games, and have not left the state of Arizona over their last five games. Yet, this NAU team is bound for their first home let down of the year. They lost several key graduates and double double threat Carson Towt to Notre Dame. Take South Dakota State to snap their two game losing streak, and winless road record.
The Detroit Pistons will face the Milwaukee Bucks twice the rest of this week, beginning with a road game tonight. Recently, the Pistons have been involved in closer games. A couple of losses, and three wins by five points or less. Expect that to change against a Bucks team that has dropped eight out of their last nine. This includes a thirteen point loss to Detroit. Lay the number here.
When it comes to Florida Gulf Coast, expect close games. Each of their last two games has went into overtime. Their opponent tonight in Florida International was a one point game last season, 60-59. Look for the Panthers to be motivated as they try and end losing the last three meetings against Florida Gulf Coast. Back the home team here on the moneyline.
Karl Anthony Towns has scored under his prop offering in three straight games. Tonight expect the balance to be back as Towns can uplift his scoring at the free throw line. One of two games he made double digit free throws this season was against the Boston Celtics with ten. He also has room for a rise in three point makes, as he has made just two of his last 9 attempts over the last three games. Take Towns over tonight against Boston.
South Alabama remains in the state of Texas for today’s neutral site game against New Mexico State. On Sunday, they defeated UTSA by a score of 82 to 58. They’ll face a New Mexico State team that is undefeated and has a four day rest advantage over the Jaguars. That will lead to a faster start for the Aggies with fresh legs, and caused the spread to jump on the Aggies side. Take the dog as South Alabama shoots their way back into the game in the second half.
Jackson State after beginning the year 0-6, got their first win of the season against UL Lafayette. Road travel has been the norm for Coach Mo Williams and his Tigers team, as tonight will mark their seventh road game overall. That’s factored into the number against a Kennesaw State team that comes in on six days rest. Look for a ten to twelve point win, but for Jackson State to cover the line.
Denver Nuggets MVP candidate Nikola Jokic has been a rebound away from a triple double each of his last two games. Scoring has dipped as he has went under his points prop in three straight games. Saturday though, he played his fewest minutes over his past eleven games. Expect the scoring focus to be there against a Mavericks team that is shuffling their interior with Anthony Davis’s return.
The LA Clippers continue to be the struggling team that the market values off of prior seasons. That can be tough to find a spot to back, as they are just 2-8 on the road and have dropped seven out of their last eight games. Still, tonight will mark Kawhi Leonard’s fifth game back in the lineup. He has scored 30 or more in consecutive games, and the first matchup against Miami was just a one point loss on November 3rd. Back the Clippers.
Before their bye week the LA Chargers Justin Herbert had a woeful game against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He threw for just eighty one yards as Quentin Johnston was held without a catch, and Ladd McConkey had just thirteen yards receiving. In their first matchup against the Raiders, Coach Jim Harbaugh valued time of possession and to the sticks offense. Look for Ladd McConkey to be the recipient of that game plan today as he has a couple of catches, mixed with one big gainer.
The Las Vegas Raiders offensively have scored just one offensive touchdown each of the last three games. With Geno Smith it’s no secret that the guys he wants to throw the football to are Tyler Lockett, Brock Bowers, and Tre Tucker. Tucker has had eight and ten targets each of the last two games. Look for Tucker to break his 1-4 stretch in the prop market over the last five games, as he clears his over tonight.
There is not a more rock bottom moment in the NFL season than the Las Vegas Raiders. Losing in the fashion that they have all season long, but the last two weeks have been brutal. A prime time blowout home loss to the Dallas Cowboys, and then as a favorite blown out by the Browns who were starting Sheduer Sanders for the first time on the season. After the firing of Chip Kelly look for enough wrinkles from the offense to stay in the game against a Chargers team that did not show much before their bye week against the Jaguars. Grab the points with the Raiders.
The Fresno State Bulldogs lost their momentum in last week’s home loss against Utah State. It was a game they led by double digits at halftime, but could not generate anything offensively under quarterback EJ Warner. Warner looked a bit uncomfortable and that is an angle to keep San Jose State in the game with a true freshmen quarterback. Low scoring close game, get the current key number.
California Baptist has had one of the more home friendly schedules in college basketball to start the season 6-0. Tonight will mark just their second road game of the season against Oregon State. While I’m impressed with the Lancers size and guard Dominique Daniels tonight seems like a slip up spot post holiday. Back the home team here in Oregon State.