Saturday 8/1/20 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

MLB
Dunkel

Saturday, August 1

Cincinnati @ Detroit

Game 951-952
August 1, 2020 @ 1:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cincinnati
(Bauer) 13.835
Detroit
(Fulmer) 14.864
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Detroit
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Cincinnati
-175
9
Dunkel Pick:
Detroit
(+155); Over

Chicago White Sox @ Kansas City

Game 957-958
August 1, 2020 @ 7:05 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Chicago White Sox
(Gonzalez) 15.237
Kansas City
(Bolanos) 13.949
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Chicago White Sox
by 1 1/2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago White Sox
-135
10
Dunkel Pick:
Chicago White Sox
(-135); Over

Cleveland @ Minnesota

Game 961-962
August 1, 2020 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Cleveland
(Carrasco) 16.983
Minnesota
(Maeda) 15.790
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Cleveland
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Minnesota
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Cleveland
(+110); Over

NY Mets @ Atlanta

Game 963-964
August 1, 2020 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
NY Mets
(Wacha) 17.639
Atlanta
(Toussaint) 16.524
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Mets
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Atlanta
-125
10
Dunkel Pick:
NY Mets
(+105); Over

Tampa Bay @ Baltimore

Game 959-960
August 1, 2020 @ 7:35 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Tampa Bay
(Glasnow) 17.639
Baltimore
(LeBlanc) 15.858
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Tampa Bay
by 2
12
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Tampa Bay
-220
9
Dunkel Pick:
Tampa Bay
(-220); Over

St. Louis @ Milwaukee

Game 965-966
August 1, 2020 @ 7:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
St. Louis
(Flaherty) 16.330
Milwaukee
(Anderson) 14.914
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
St. Louis
by 1 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
St. Louis
-140
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
St. Louis
(-140); Over

Houston @ LA Angels

Game 967-968
August 1, 2020 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Houston
(Greinke) 16.228
LA Angels
(Canning) 17.365
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Angels
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Houston
-160
9
Dunkel Pick:
LA Angels
(+140); Under

Boston @ NY Yankees

Game 969-970
August 1, 2020 @ 7:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Boston
(Godley) 14.124
NY Yankees
(Tanaka) 18.461
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
NY Yankees
by 4 1/2
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
NY Yankees
-200
10
Dunkel Pick:
NY Yankees
(-200); Under

LA Dodgers @ Arizona

Game 971-972
August 1, 2020 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Dodgers
(Urias) 16.072
Arizona
(Weaver) 17.241
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Arizona
by 1
11
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Dodgers
-150
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Arizona
(+130); Over

San Diego @ Colorado

Game 973-974
August 1, 2020 @ 8:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
San Diego
(Lucchesi) 17.495
Colorado
(Freeland) 16.338
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
San Diego
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
San Diego
-120
12 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
San Diego
(-120); Under

Pittsburgh @ Chicago Cubs

Game 975-976
August 1, 2020 @ 8:15 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Pittsburgh
(Keller) 15.847
Chicago Cubs
(Chatwood) 14.938
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Pittsburgh
by 1
13
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Chicago Cubs
-165
No Total
Dunkel Pick:
Pittsburgh
(+145); N/A

Oakland @ Seattle

Game 977-978
August 1, 2020 @ 9:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Oakland
(Fiers) 16.154
Seattle
(Kikuchi) 14.998
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Oakland
by 1
9
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oakland
-150
9 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Oakland
(-150); Under

Texas @ San Francisco

Game 979-980
August 1, 2020 @ 9:10 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Texas
(Lyles) 16.081
San Francisco
(TBD) 15.119
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Texas
by 1
7
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Texas
-130
8 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Texas
(-130); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA

Saturday, August 1

Trend Report

Minnesota @ Connecticut
Minnesota
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
Connecticut
Connecticut is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Connecticut's last 8 games at home

Washington @ Chicago
Washington
Washington is 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games when playing Chicago
Washington is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games when playing Chicago
Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Chicago's last 8 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Chicago's last 20 games

Los Angeles @ Seattle
Los Angeles
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Los Angeles's last 5 games when playing on the road against Seattle
Los Angeles is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing at home against Los Angeles
Seattle is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing at home against Los Angeles

[Can'tPickAWinner]

WNBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 1

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MINNESOTA (2 - 1) vs. CONNECTICUT (0 - 3) - 8/1/2020, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
MINNESOTA is 11-22 ATS (-13.2 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 2-11 ATS (-10.1 Units) in road games revenging a loss versus opponent over the last 3 seasons.
CONNECTICUT is 8-19 ATS (-12.9 Units) in road games after scoring 75 points or more over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
MINNESOTA is 4-3 against the spread versus CONNECTICUT over the last 3 seasons
CONNECTICUT is 4-3 straight up against MINNESOTA over the last 3 seasons
5 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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WASHINGTON (3 - 0) vs. CHICAGO (2 - 1) - 8/1/2020, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
WASHINGTON is 57-81 ATS (-32.1 Units) in road games in August or September games since 1997.
WASHINGTON is 202-251 ATS (-74.1 Units) after a division game since 1997.
CHICAGO is 24-14 ATS (+8.6 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 16-7 ATS (+8.3 Units) as an underdog over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) after a division game over the last 2 seasons.
CHICAGO is 13-4 ATS (+8.6 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
WASHINGTON is 29-16 ATS (+11.4 Units) vs. division opponents over the last 3 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
WASHINGTON is 6-1 against the spread versus CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
WASHINGTON is 6-1 straight up against CHICAGO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LOS ANGELES (2 - 1) vs. SEATTLE (2 - 1) - 8/1/2020, 8:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LOS ANGELES is 0-7 ATS (-7.7 Units) in road games in August or September games over the last 2 seasons.
LOS ANGELES is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 13-5 ATS (+7.5 Units) after allowing 75 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
SEATTLE is 83-115 ATS (-43.5 Units) in road games after a division game since 1997.

Head-to-Head Series History
LOS ANGELES is 4-3 against the spread versus SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
LOS ANGELES is 4-3 straight up against SEATTLE over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA public betting, line movement, sharp money for August 1
Patrick Everson

Anthony Davis and the Lakers beat the Clippers on opening night in the NBA Bubble. The Lakers opened as 3.5-point favorites against the Raptors and moved to -4 for a Saturday night game.

NBA betting odds are on the board for Day 3 inside the NBA Bubble, with five games on the Saturday slate in Orlando. Among the highlights is the defending NBA champion Raptors squaring off against the Lakers.

CG Technology sportsbooks risk analyst Dave Sharapan provided insights on NBA opening lines and early line movement, sharp money and public betting for Saturday’s matchups. Covers will update this action report with NBA sharp picks vs. public bets and line movement throughout the day.

NBA line movement

The Lakers are coming off a 103-101 win over the Clippers on Thursday’s opening night in the NBA Bubble. CG Tech books opened the Lakers -3.5 and moved to -4 Friday for Saturday’s 8:30 p.m. ET nightcap.

The Clippers and Pelicans also return for their second game of the restart, a 6 p.m. ET matchup. Los Angeles is holding steady as a 5.5-point favorite at CG Tech. The 76ers-Pacers 7 p.m. ET tilt opened Philadelphia -4, moved to -5, back to -4, then back to -5 Friday.

Also, generally speaking, bettors are firing like mad on Overs since the NBA restart began.

“The story of NBA Bubble betting so far is the totals being bet one way – Over, and then Over, and then Over again,” Sharapan said. “Totals are moving 5 to 8 points, like it’s the Showtime Era again.”

NBA sharp money

“Sharp play took Pacers +5, so we went back to -4,” Sharapan said of the back-and-forth movement on the Sixers-Pacers line.

NBA public betting

No surprise that public betting is on the Lakers so far.

“No significant wagers, just a steady flow of Laker money,” Sharapan said, before pointing to yet another total on the move. “The total was 213.5, we took a limit play from a stranger on the Over, and it’s now 215.”

Pelicans-Clippers has minimal action, but Sharapan said there are far more parlays on the Clippers than the Pelicans. He also expects to see some New Orleans money Saturday and perhaps a line drop.

Sixers-Pacers is Pros vs. Joes, with the public playing the Sixers -4. Public bettors are also on the Over, with the total opening at 211 and rising to 216. Sharapan said the Heat-Nuggets total went from 210 to 212.5 in the day’s first game, a 1 p.m. ET tipoff.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

717MIAMI -718 DENVER
DENVER is 19-7 ATS (11.3 Units) after failing to cover 4 of their last 5 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.

719UTAH -720 OKLAHOMA CITY
OKLAHOMA CITY is 12-3 ATS (8.7 Units) in road games versus explosive offensive teams - scoring 110+ points/game in the current season.

721NEW ORLEANS -722 LA CLIPPERS
NEW ORLEANS are 13-2 ATS (10.8 Units) in road games versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

723PHILADELPHIA -724 INDIANA
PHILADELPHIA is 8-22 ATS (-16.2 Units) in road games revenging a road loss vs opponent in the last 3 seasons.

725LA LAKERS -726 TORONTO
LA LAKERS are 10-1 ATS (8.9 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent in the current season.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Long Sheet

Saturday, August 1

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MIAMI (41 - 24) vs. DENVER (43 - 22) - 8/1/2020, 1:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.

Head-to-Head Series History
DENVER is 3-2 against the spread versus MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
DENVER is 4-1 straight up against MIAMI over the last 3 seasons
4 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

UTAH (42 - 23) vs. OKLAHOMA CITY (40 - 24) - 8/1/2020, 3:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 39-24 ATS (+12.6 Units) in all games this season.
OKLAHOMA CITY is 29-18 ATS (+9.2 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
UTAH is 93-71 ATS (+14.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
UTAH is 43-25 ATS (+15.5 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-6 against the spread versus UTAH over the last 3 seasons
OKLAHOMA CITY is 10-6 straight up against UTAH over the last 3 seasons
11 of 16 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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NEW ORLEANS (28 - 37) vs. LA CLIPPERS (44 - 21) - 8/1/2020, 6:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA CLIPPERS are 83-68 ATS (+8.2 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 58-37 ATS (+17.3 Units) as a favorite over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 31-17 ATS (+12.3 Units) after a division game over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 40-27 ATS (+10.3 Units) when playing against a team with a losing record over the last 2 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 49-29 ATS (+17.1 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 27-13 ATS (+12.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 3 seasons.
LA CLIPPERS are 46-30 ATS (+13.0 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game over the last 3 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 19-7 ATS (+11.3 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.
NEW ORLEANS is 17-7 ATS (+9.3 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game - 2nd half of the season over the last 2 seasons.

Head-to-Head Series History
NEW ORLEANS is 7-3 against the spread versus LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
NEW ORLEANS is 6-4 straight up against LA CLIPPERS over the last 3 seasons
5 of 10 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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PHILADELPHIA (39 - 26) vs. INDIANA (39 - 26) - 8/1/2020, 7:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
PHILADELPHIA is 2-10 ATS (-9.0 Units) in road games revenging a loss vs opponent this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 16-28 ATS (-14.8 Units) after a win by 10 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 29-42 ATS (-17.2 Units) after scoring 115 points or more over the last 2 seasons.
PHILADELPHIA is 6-14 ATS (-9.4 Units) in road games when playing against a team with a winning record this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
PHILADELPHIA is 7-17 ATS (-11.7 Units) in road games versus good offensive teams - scoring 106+ points/game this season.
INDIANA is 1-8 ATS (-7.8 Units) on Saturday games this season.

Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANA is 6-4 against the spread versus PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
INDIANA is 5-5 straight up against PHILADELPHIA over the last 3 seasons
8 of 10 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

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LA LAKERS (50 - 14) vs. TORONTO (46 - 18) - 8/1/2020, 8:30 PM
Top Trends for this game.
LA LAKERS are 4-15 ATS (-12.5 Units) against Atlantic division opponents over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 18-34 ATS (-19.4 Units) in non-conference games over the last 2 seasons.
LA LAKERS are 10-1 ATS (+8.9 Units) revenging a home loss vs opponent this season.
LA LAKERS are 30-21 ATS (+6.9 Units) versus poor defensive teams - allowing 106+ points/game this season.
TORONTO is 223-274 ATS (-78.4 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record - 2nd half of the season since 1996.

Head-to-Head Series History
TORONTO is 5-0 against the spread versus LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
TORONTO is 5-0 straight up against LA LAKERS over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA

Saturday, August 1

Trend Report

Miami @ Denver
Miami
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Miami's last 8 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing Denver
Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Denver's last 8 games when playing at home against Miami
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Miami

Utah @ Oklahoma City
Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Utah is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City is 18-1 SU in its last 19 games when playing at home against Utah
Oklahoma City is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Utah

New Orleans @ LA Clippers
New Orleans
New Orleans is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers
The total has gone OVER in 4 of LA Clippers's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
LA Clippers is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games

Philadelphia @ Indiana
Philadelphia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Indiana
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 5 games when playing at home against Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Indiana's last 9 games when playing Philadelphia

LA Lakers @ Toronto
LA Lakers
LA Lakers is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games on the road
LA Lakers is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games
Toronto
Toronto is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
Toronto is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing LA Lakers

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA
Dunkel

Saturday, August 1

Miami @ Denver

Game 717-718
August 1, 2020 @ 1:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Miami
117.405
Denver
115.592
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Miami
by 2
218
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Denver
by 1 1/2
211
Dunkel Pick:
Miami
(+1 1/2); Over

Utah @ Oklahoma City

Game 719-720
August 1, 2020 @ 3:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Utah
119.168
Oklahoma City
119.318
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Utah
Even
210
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Oklahoma City
by 2
216 1/2
Dunkel Pick:
Utah
(+2); Under

New Orleans @ LA Clippers

Game 721-722
August 1, 2020 @ 6:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
New Orleans
118.217
LA Clippers
127.603
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
LA Clippers
by 9 1/2
224
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Clippers
by 5
229
Dunkel Pick:
LA Clippers
(-5); Under

Philadelphia @ Indiana

Game 723-724
August 1, 2020 @ 7:00 pm

Dunkel Rating:
Philadelphia
124.177
Indiana
113.670
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Philadelphia
by 10 1/2
230
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Philadelphia
by 5 1/2
216
Dunkel Pick:
Philadelphia
(-5 1/2); Over

LA Lakers @ Toronto

Game 725-726
August 1, 2020 @ 8:30 pm

Dunkel Rating:
LA Lakers
120.918
Toronto
126.071
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Toronto
by 5
215
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
LA Lakers
by 4
217
Dunkel Pick:
Toronto
(+4); Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mitchell Newman

For Saturday's free play I am going to venture to the NBA and look for the mid-afternoon game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder to hold Under the total.

This will be OKC's first game of the NBA restart and they did get halted back in March having played 4 of their final 6 games Under the posted total. For the season they have played 22 of their 39 games against teams from the Western Conference Under the posted price.

As for Utah, they opened on Thursday night and were able to come from as many as 16 points down in slipping past the New Orleans Pelicans in a game that needed an extra 5 minutes to decide and yet still held Under the posted total.

Utah is now on a 4-1 Under run for their last 5 games, a trend that I like to continue this afternoon.

Prior to the virus halting the action these Western Conference rivals had tangled twice for the year - both of the meetings landing Under the total. Series numbers show 3 straight and 6 of the last 8 overall meetings between the teams having landed Under the total.

Going to stick with the established trends and call for another Under in the Jazz-Thunder rivalry.

4* UTAH-OKLAHOMA CITY UNDER

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bob Valentino

Second game in "the bubble" for both the Pelicans and the Clippers and both are coming off last second losses on Thursday night in their first games back from the 111 day layoff.

New Orleans is trying to work their way into a play-in game in the Western Conference standings and it sure didn't help that they were up by 12 points at the half and led by as many at 16 points in their overtime loss to the Jazz as the -2 1/2 point favorites.

Los Angeles also held a double-digit lead over the Lakers but were beat late by a bucket in a game they did cover as the underdog.

The Clippers will be playing the role of the favorite tonight and my money will be on the Pelicans to be right there with them come the closing seconds of this game as New Orleans takes it where it counts - against the spread.

I know Alvin Gentry and the front office are limiting the playing time of prized rookie Zion Williamson, but after 13 points in just over 15 minutes played, the playoff-seeking Pels may want to extend Zion's minutes tonight by at least 5 or so!

This will be the third meeting of the year between the teams, with the Clippers the straight up winner in each of the previous 2 meetings - 1-1 against the spread. Do note that Williamson did NOT play in either of the previous meetings this season. While he won't play very many more minutes than he did on Thursday, expect him to dominate while in there.

Liked what I saw from Brandon Ingram in the restart against the Jazz and his potential game-winning three ball in the closing seconds of overtime sure didn't miss by much.

Close one for both teams again tonight.

Grab the points.

2* NEW ORLEANS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jack Brayman

My complimentary winner for Saturday is on the late MLB card, where I'm going to play a big underdog in the American League East in the Baltimore Orioles catching money against the struggling Tampa Bay Rays.

Tampa Bay's offense has struggled out of the gate, currently sitting 24th in the bigs with a .215 batting average. It's surprising and confusing, because the Rays are tied with the fifth-highest tally of 41 runs.

They're just struggling to close things out, as they've now lost three in a row, leaving Baltimore with the upper hand at home and in a good spot to steal another one.

The O's won 6-3 on Friday after erasing an early 2-0 deficit, and should have some momentum to move ahead of the Rays in the division standing.

Take the home dog price here.

2* ORIOLES

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Chris Jordan

Well, the New York Mets did me dirty. Tonight, I'm on the other side and laying the small number with the Atlanta Braves for your complimentary winner.

This momentum play finds the Braves suddenly streaking with three straight wins, while the Mets have lost three in a row.

And because of how Atlanta won last night's game, I think it will carry a wealth of momentum into this game. Travis d'Arnaud drove in five runs, including three with a bases-loaded double to cap a five-run eighth, as the Braves seemed destined to win after overcoming deficits of 8-2 and 10-5.

Ronald Acuna Jr. was hitting a meager .138 with 15 strikeouts in 29 at-bats before he doubled to center field in the second inning last night, and I think that could be a sign he is going to enjoy a breakout weekend to get on track for the abbreviated season. Acuna, who had three more strikeouts last night, has not driven in a run this season. Look for him to have a big night at the plate.

Momentum play here, as the Braves keep streaking.

5* BRAVES

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Stephen DeAngelo

Helluva comeback by the Braves on Friday, who rallied from a 10-5 deficit to stun the Mets 11-10. That’s now 10 out of 15 complimentary winners, including two in a row. For Saturday’s freebie, it’s back to baseball as we’ll play the Dodgers on the run-line (-1½ runs) against Arizona.



Arizona scored four times in the eighth inning Friday night to steal a 5-3 victory in the second game of this four-game series. Despite that come-from-behind win, the DBacks enter tonight with a 3-5 record, while Los Angeles is 5-3. The Dodgers have covered the run line in all five of their wins (including a 4-2, 13-inning triumph in Houston on Wednesday); conversely, not only has Arizona failed to cover the run line in any of their five defeats, but each has been by a minimum of three runs!



The DBacks’ biggest problem? They need a road map to figure out how to circle the bases, having produced just 25 runs in eight games while batting under .200 as a team. And prior to its four-run, eighth-inning outburst Friday, Arizona had yet to score more than four runs in any game this season.



Look for the Snakes’ offensive struggles to continue tonight against Dodgers southpaw Julio Urias. The young phenom who made his first big-league start at age 19 but missed most of 2017 and all of 2018 after Tommy John surgery, had a strong 2020 debut Sunday. He held the Giants to a run on five hits and three walks over five innings, but didn’t get any run support in a 3-1 loss.



Unlike Friday when the offense was held in check, I don’t expect runs to be an issue for LA tonight. That’s because Arizona right-hander Luke Weaver isn’t exactly the second coming of Max Scherzer. In his debut Monday, Weaver got torched for six runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings in San Diego, losing 6-2. And in his only career start against the Dodgers — in the opening series of the 2019 season last March — Weaver got tagged for five runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, with the DBacks falling 8-7 in LA.


Bottom line here is there’s a major class difference between these squads, and that will be evident once again tonight as the Dodgers — who have covered the run line in 15 of their last 17 victories dating to Sept. 2, 2019 — cruise to another multi-run victory.

3* LA DODGERS (-1' runs)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Cappers Access

MLB (Sat) Padres -120
MLB (Sat) Cubs -165
NBA (Sat) Nuggets +1-
NBA (Sat) Raptors +4
NHL (Sat) Oilers -150
NHL (Sat) Jets +

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Razor Sharp

YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR SATURDAY: CINCINNATI (Bauer) -160 over Detroit