Service Plays Thursday 8/20/20

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Spreitzer

7-Unit Play: Take 716 Bucks -13 over Magic (6 p.m., Thursday, August 19)

I'm laying the lumber with the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday. We all know these teams are a canyon apart when it comes to the talent gap. Milwaukee is a championship contending team while the Magic are fortunate to be in the playoffs. The problem in game 1 is that the Bucks knew it and thought they'd win by showing up. They rarely made more than one of two passes per possession and looked out of synch throughout the contest. But teams that lost outright as favorites of 9 or more are on an 18-1 SU run, (14-5 ATS) winning by more than 15 ppg. And if you haven't already heard, teams that lost outright as a double digit playoff fave are on an 8-1 SU run over the last decade, with an average winning margin of 21 ppg. We only need to look back to last year's playoffs to see the Toronto Raptors fit the criteria after their game 1 loss to Orlando and followed with a 111-82 win and cover. I expect much the same in this one. I'm laying the points with the Bucks on Thursday. Thanks & GL!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indian Cowboy MLB

3-Unit Play. #915. Take Milwaukee Brewers +105 over Minnesota Twins (Thursday @ 7:10pm est)
Great Back to Back Winners in the MLB as we now sit at a cool 18-8 for the Season for +4600 and look to inch closer to +5000 today. We roll with the Brewers here as they are starting to pick up steam as the are making a run at making sure that they get into the playoffs. The Brewers took 4 of 5 from the Cubs recently and won last night's game over the Twins winning 9-3 and they send Woodruff to the mound today, who has pitched very well frankly as he has just above a 3 era and around a 3 era lifetime against the Twins as well. Berrios is 1-3 this year with over a 5 era and last year he was 14-8 with a 3.68 era but I think the difference here is that he has given up 10 walks over his last 3 starts. He faced the Royals in back to back games and lost both giving up 9 runs in 8 innings and though his pitching coach says that he is very close and they continue to focus on drills and that he will pitch better - I don't know if it's going to happen here against such a good offense like Milwaukee.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Indian Cowboy Tennis

7-Unit Play. #201019. ATP Cincinnati Match. Kamil Majchrzak -0.5 Games (-110) over Joao Sousa (Thursday @ 5pm est)
We roll with Kamil here the young 24 year old in a step-out in the Cincinnati Open as it is finally nice to get some big named players here. We know Kamil is ranked a bit lower than Joao but don't look too much into that, he is a young 24 year old with a big serve and Joao is a talented player but he will run into a top 50 caliber player today and he likely struggles today. We look for the big serve of Kamil and this match to likely end up in a 7-5, 7-5 type of contest as Joao will simply not be able to compete with Kamil and his athleticism.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Scott Spreitzer NHL

4-Unit Play: Take 5 Islanders +100 over Capitals (8:05 p.m., Thursday, August 19)
The Caps staved off the sweep at the hands of the Islanders last time out and while they won the game it was far from an easy win. In fact, two of the Caps' three goals came on special teams. They took the Islanders out of their game and New Yorkers were sent to the penalty box four times in the second period alone. But I expect Barry Trotz to have his team back on track after the mild meltdown in game four. We'll back the Islanders to bounce back in the win column on Thursday. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Doug Upstone


6 Unit Play UNDER 9 (-115) #915-16 Milwaukee at Minnesota (7:10 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 20)
Jose Berrios has not been up to his usual standards the last couple of starts, but his pitching coach said this week that the velocity is there and the issue is location, and he thinks the drills they have worked on this week will show more positive results. Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff has a sharp 3.16 ERA and he's averaged 1.17 strikes per inning while permitting 0.77 hits an inning. Both bullpens gave up a few runs last night, but that's been rare as each has been exceptional and should return to form tonight. Minnesota is 12-2 UNDER at home and 9-1 UNDER vs. RH starters, leading to a lower scoring affair.

3 Unit Play. Take #910 Baltimore +130 over Boston (7:35 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 20)
Boston ended their nine-game losing streak last night and travels to Baltimore. Red Sox starter Nathan Eovaldi (5.93 ERA) is laboring just like his teammates, permitting 1.20 hits an inning and six times he's surrendered gopher balls. The Orioles will counter with Asher Wojciechowski (4.34) and the Birds righty should keep his club in this contest as he has a sharp 1.02 ERA in three starts versus the BoSox. With Boston 3-8 on the road, the O's 7-3 when the total is 9 to 9.5 and 12-9 (+12.3 Units) as an underdog of +100 or higher this season, this looks like a nice spot for a dog.

2 Unit Play. Take #913 L.A. Dodgers -150 (-1.5) RL over Seattle (7:10 p.m. ET, Thursday, Aug. 20)
Though we are not receiving value on the run line compared the money line (the RL should about -135), the situation is too good to pass up. The Dodgers saw their seven-game losing streak come to an end last night to an inferior Seattle squad. The Mariners are big dogs today the last 105 times they were catching +200 or more on the ML, they have lost by 2.5 RPG. Additionally, the last 32 times the M's played a team with a win percentage of 62% or higher, they've been beaten by 3.1 RPG. It's L.A. on the RL with Clayton Kershaw

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Allen Eastman NBA

6-Unit Play. Take #717 Portland (+6.5) over L.A. Lakers (9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)
I hit with the Blazers as my Game of the Year Tuesday. I am going back to them here. I think that Portland is going to win this game and go up 2-0 in this series. This Lakers team is not very good. They have lost five of their last six games and they are 0-6 ATS in those games. Los Angeles is 1-9 ATS in their last 10 games and they are just 1-4 ATS as a playoff favorite. Portland has won five straight games SU and they are 3-2 ATS in those games. This team has all the momentum and they are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 games overall. Portland is 47-22 ATS in its last 69 meetings with the Lakers and they have dominated this series. I think they get another SU win here and cash another big ticket. Play Portland.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Barner
NBA SPECIALIST

OKLAHOMA CITY +2
OKLAHOMA CITY @ HOUSTON | 8/20 | 3:30 PM EDT
Despite their ugly loss in Game 1, I still like the Thunder to win this series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Dennis Schroder shot a combined 5-for-20, so don’t expect to see them both struggle like that again Thursday. Meanwhile, Jeff Green and Ben McLemore shot a combined 13-for-20 off the bench for the Rockets, including 7-for-14 from behind the arc. That will also be difficult to duplicate. I think the Thunder bounce back with a win in Game 2.

115-68-3 IN LAST 186 NBA ATS PICKS | +4020
13-4 IN LAST 17 OKC ATS PICKS | +861

7-3 IN LAST 10 HOU ATS PICKS | +370

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Doc's Sports NBA

3-Unit Play #712 Take Indiana +4.5 over Miami (1 p.m. EST, Thursday Aug 20)
We think this is a pretty evenly matches series. Looks like Oladipo is good to go for the Pacers today, so that really helps them. The Pacers didn't play well at all in Game 1, but we expect them to give a much better effort here today. These teams are very familiar with each other lately, and that will only help the Pacers today in the underdog role. We thought the bookies should have adjusted this line since the Pacers backs will be against the wall with a loss here, and we would lean to Indiana at 2, which we think is the more appropriate line. We expect a close game and we think the Pacers have a great shot at the win.
7-Unit Play #713 Take Oklahoma City +2 over Houston (3:30 p.m. EST, Thursday Aug 20)
We think this line looks pretty fishy like the bookies are begging for Rockets money here. The Thunder got thrashed in Game 1, and yet the odds stayed the same for Game 2 when you would normally expect an adjustment. We like to be on the side of the bookies, and we think the Thunder are the clear play here today. They are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 after a beatdown of double-digits, and we think they will bounce back well once again here and even this series up today. Houston is shorthanded without Westbrook and the Thunder have been a great bet all season as one of the best ATS teams in the NBA. Houston has been erratic this season; they can look great one game and lousy the next. They rely too much on certain players, and with Westbrook out, that hurts if a couple other guys go cold. The Thunder just seem like a steady team that plays strong team basketball and we think they will bounce back well once again today.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Robert Ferringo NBA

1-Unit Play. Take #713 Oklahoma City (+2.5) over Houston (3:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)

3-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 226.0 Oklahoma City at Houston (3:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)
We hit a big play with the 'Over' in the first game of this series. I'm going right back to it. These two only scored 48 points in the first quarter of that game and just 44 in the last quarter of the blowout game. So it took them a little bit to get going and they both just mailed it in during the fourth quarter when the game was over. In between they scored a combined 139 points! That's what happens when the Rockets get going. The Thunder have been erratic offensively, being held below 110 points in three of four games. But it is not as if they aren't capable of blowing up for 110+, which they've averaged this year. I see someone hitting 120 and someone else hitting 110 and this game goes 'over'. I like the Thunder to get themselves back into this series with a win here.

7-Unit Play. Take 'Over' 228.5 Portland at L.A. Lakers (9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)

1-Unit Play. Take #718 L.A. Lakers (-6.5) over Portland (9 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 20)
This was the worst and lowest-scoring game of the first wave of the first round. However, I think we will see a bit more action in this one. The Lakers shot 16% from 3-point range, going just 5-for-32 in their last game. That's not going to happen again. They shot 35% from the field and were a terrible 65% from the free throw line. Part of that is because their guards suck. Part of it is just missed opportunities. But almost none of it has to do with the Blazers defense. The Lakers should experience some positive regression here. Portland won despite hitting just 39% from the field. Dame Lillard and C.J. McCollum only went 17-for-41 so there is plenty of room for them to improve as well. The public is piling on the Blazers. But I think that LeBron is going to be much more assertive in this game and much more aggressive going to the basket. That should lead to more points and more open shots for his substandard supporting cast. The Lakers are against the ropes, though, and it is not as if they are incapable of blowing someone out. I have this one at 126-114 for Los Angeles.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NBA(BOB BALFE)
9:00 PM EST
Rotation #718
Lakers -6.5 over Blazers
The Lakers were stunned in game 1. This team seems to have their head in a different place and not focused on basketball. I will say they are a much better basketball team and this is where experience really helps. Portland is short-handed tonight and they need to hope CJ McCollum’s back doesn’t act up. I believe the Lakers will play better three point defense and eventually run away with game 2. Take the Lakers.

MLB
9:45 PM EST
Rotation #924
Giants -120 over Angels
Gausman/Suarez
The Giants have the slight edge here as they actually hit left handed pitching better than right handers. Jose Suarez gets the start for the Angels. Last year he was rocked and it doesn’t help that he has yet to pitch this year. Look for San Francisco to hit the ball well right out of the gates. Take the Giants.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tonight's Mets / Marlins game has been postponed

[rocky57]

H&H Sports (Final Update)
NBA
Double Dime - Lakers/Trailblazers Over 229
Dime Play - Magic +13.5

NHL
Dime Play - New York Islanders +102

MLB
Triple Dime - Chicago White Sox (posted earlier - Winner)
Dime Play - Rays/Yankees Under 9.5 (posted earlier - Lost)
Double Dime - Boston Red Sox -142
Double Dime - Minnesota Twins -105

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Kenny White

PORTLAND +6.5
PORTLAND @ L.A. LAKERS | 8/20 | 9:00 PM EDT
4:02 PM
Portland was by far the most improved team entering the bubble because of the return of The Bosnian Beast, Jusuf Nurkic. His return added 4.5 points to the team's power rating. Carmelo Anthony came back in better shape, and now Portland has four go-to scorers plus a solid bench. The Lakers will be fired up, mad, focused and looking for revenge. But are they that much better than Portland? Not the way they are playing right now. I think the Blazers win the first quarter and first half and are close late in the game. Lakers 111, Blazers 109.

6-1 IN LAST 7 NBA ATS PICKS | +490
4-0 IN LAST 4 POR ATS PICKS | +400

3-0 IN LAST 3 LAL ATS PICKS | +300

UNDER 7.5
CLEVELAND @ PITTSBURGH | 8/20 | 7:05 PM EDT
4:13 PM
This play is all about Indians starter Shane Bieber, who leads MLB with 54 strikeouts in 34 2/3 innings. Bieber, the MVP of last year's All-Star game, is the ace of the Indians staff and has the best curveball in baseball. His ERA is 1.30, his xFIP is 1.66 and he has not allowed a run in three of his five starts.The Pirates are last in wOBA at .265, with the next-closest team at .286.

2-1 IN LAST 3 MLB O/U PICKS | +80
5-1 IN LAST 6 PIT O/U PICKS | +380

MILWAUKEE -105
MILWAUKEE @ MINNESOTA | 8/20 | 7:10 PM EDT
3:56 PM
The Brewers will start 27-year old right-hander Brandon Woodruff, who has a 3.16 ERA and 3.12 xFIP. Woodruff has dominating stuff, with his average fastball clocking at 97 mph, an 88-mph slider and an 87-mph changeup. This kid is the real deal as he has gone 17-7 to start his career. I've been bragging about Twins righty Jose Berrios for the past four years and still like him, but he isn't even close to putting up the same type of numbers Woodruff does. I have a 70-cent advantage in starting pitchers.

4-3 IN LAST 7 MLB ML PICKS | +194
13-5 IN LAST 18 MIN ML PICKS | +870

4-0 IN LAST 4 MIL ML PICKS | +535

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Zack Cimini

L.A. LAKERS -6.5
PORTLAND @ L.A. LAKERS | 8/20 | 9:00 PM EDT
3:43 PM
The Portland Blazers have made a habit with high-energetic comeback wins. In their last four games they’ve needed fourth quarter comebacks against the Mavericks, Nets, Grizzlies and Lakers. That’s a pattern a team does not want to be in against a Lakers team with its backs against the wall. Grab the Lakers to play as a true No. 1 seed tonight.

45-31-1 IN LAST 77 NBA ATS PICKS | +1091
9-2 IN LAST 11 POR ATS PICKS | +684

MILWAUKEE -12.5
ORLANDO @ MILWAUKEE | 8/20 | 6:00 PM EDT
3:38 PM
The Bucks never hit the On switch in Game 1. Instead an early start time led to sloppy play and a loss. Attention to detail will be ramped up in Game 2 as the Bucks defend Nikola Vucevic better. Grab the Bucks to roll.

45-31-1 IN LAST 77 NBA ATS PICKS | +1091
18-13 IN LAST 31 MIL ATS PICKS | +386

5-4 IN LAST 9 ORL ATS PICKS | +58

MINNESOTA -105
MILWAUKEE @ MINNESOTA | 8/20 | 7:10 PM EDT
3:33 PM
The Twins have yet to lose consecutive home games. That will be tested Thursday as the Brewers are coming off a season-high nine runs Wednesday evening. Minnesota pitcher José Berrios has struggled with walks and hits, and that has led to a 5.92 ERA. But look for Berrios to get out of jams and for the Twins to utilize their bullpen early. Grab Minnesota.

6-1 IN LAST 7 MLB ML PICKS | +498
8-5 IN LAST 13 MIN ML PICKS | +277

2-1 IN LAST 3 MIL ML PICKS | +143

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tim Doyle

PORTLAND +6.5
PORTLAND @ L.A. LAKERS | 8/20 | 9:00 PM EDT
3:25 PM
You have to think that at some point, all of these stressful games Portland has played will catch up with the Blazers. Until then, ride the wave. The Lakers are fragile and LeBron James knows it. Too many points here, take the dog!

29-16-1 LAST 46 NBA SIDES | +1259
3-1 IN LAST 4 POR ATS PICKS | +185

ORLANDO +12.5
ORLANDO @ MILWAUKEE | 8/20 | 6:00 PM EDT
3:23 PM
The Bucks are in a bad mental place. How can you possibly lay double-digit points when they just got worked in Game 1? No home court advantage kills this team. They are the more talented team but they are not currently playing like it. Back Orlando.

29-16-1 LAST 46 NBA SIDES | +1259
2-1 IN LAST 3 MIL ATS PICKS | +90