Wednesday 12/23/20 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

[Can'tPickAWinner]

569DETROIT -570 MINNESOTA
Dwane Casey is 17-34 ATS (-20.4 Units) when the total >=220 (Coach of DETROIT)

575DALLAS -576 PHOENIX
DALLAS are 45-28 ATS (14.2 Units) in road games in the last 3 seasons.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

NCAAB

Wednesday, December 23

Xavier @ Creighton
Xavier (8-0, 1-0)
— ranked #47 by KenPom
— Tempo: #267
— Experience: #110
— Continuity: #165
— Xavier won its Big East opener, 91-88 over Marquette Sunday.
— Musketeers have four top 100 wins, two top 50 wins.
— Xavier has made 41.5% of their 3’s (#10).

Creighton (6-2, 2-1)
— ranked #13 by KenPom
— Tempo: #107
— Experience: #53
— Continuity: #17
— Bluejays are 2-1 in Big East, winning last game in OT over UConn.
— Creighton’s two losses are by total of six points.
— Bluejays are shooting 59.9% of their shots inside arc (#11).

— Teams split last 14 meetings.
— Xavier lost last two visits to Omaha, by 22-11 points.

UCLA @ Oregon
UCLA (5-2)
— ranked #29 by KenPom
— Tempo: #341
— Experience: #189
— Continuity: #2
— UCLA allowed 73-77 points in its two losses.
— Bruins are 5-0 when they allow fewer than 73 points.
— UCLA beat Cal 76-56 in its Pac-12 opener.

Oregon (6-1, 1-0)
— ranked #19 by KenPom
— Tempo: #184
— Experience: #33
— Continuity: #293
— Ducks won their last six games, since an opening loss to Missouri.
— Oregon won its Pac-12 opener, 74-71 at Washington.
— Ducks have top 100 wins over Seton Hall, San Francisco.

— UCLA won three of last four series games, with two wins in OT.
— Bruins lost five of last six visits to Eugene.

Towson @ George Mason
Towson (0-3)
— ranked #221 by KenPom
— Tempo: #321
— Experience: #134
— Continuity: #176
— Towson hasn’t played since November 27
— Tigers scored 62.3 ppg in first three games.
— Towson is shooting only 41.0% on the arc (#309).

George Mason (3-1)
— ranked #126 by KenPom
— Tempo: #286
— Experience: #218
— Continuity: #13
— Patriots’ only loss was by 10 to Belmont.
— Mason is shooting only 58.5% on foul line (#317)
— Patriots’ two D-I wins are over teams ranked #318/#240

Rutgers @ Ohio State
Rutgers (5-0, 2-0)
— ranked #18 by KenPom
— Tempo: #146
— Experience: #176
— Continuity: #54
— Rutgers beat Maryland/Illinois to start Big 14 play.
— Scarlet Knights also have a home win over Syracuse.
— 74-60 win at Maryland was Rutgers’ only road game.

Ohio State (6-1, 0-1)
— ranked #20 by KenPom
— Tempo: #324
— Experience: #94
— Continuity: #145
— Buckeyes lost Big 14 opener 67-60 at Purdue.
— Ohio State has top 100 wins over Notre Dame, UCLA.
— Buckeyes are #8 in country at protecting the ball.

— Ohio State won eight of last ten series games.
— Rutgers lost last five trips to Columbus, by 26-6-27-14-6 points.

Georgetown @ Seton Hall
Georgetown (3-4, 1-2)
— ranked #104 by KenPom
— Tempo: #78
— Experience: #24
— Continuity: #236
— Hoyas split pair with St John’s, lost by 13 to Villanova.
— Georgetown is turning ball over 22.1% of time (#253)
— Hoyas lost only road game 94-83 at St John’s.

Seton Hall (5-4, 2-1)
— ranked #51 by KenPom
— Tempo: #232
— Experience: #20
— Continuity: #115
— Pirates are 3-4 in top 100 games (schedule #34)
— Seton Hall lost last game in OT to Providence.
— Pirates are getting 23.4% of their points on foul line (#39)

— Seton Hall won four of last five series games.
— Hoyas lost their last five visits to Seton Hall.

Providence @ Butler
Providence (5-2, 1-0)
— ranked #59 by KenPom
— Tempo: #318
— Experience: #143
— Continuity: #206
— Friars won Big East opener in OT at Seton Hall.
— Providence is 3-2 in top 100 games, losing to Indiana/Alabama.
— Friars won last three games overall, scoring 79-79-80 points.

Butler (1-3, 0-1)
— ranked #73 by KenPom
— Tempo: #281
— Experience: #254
— Continuity: #251
— Butler lost its last three games, giving up 76.3 ppg.
— Bulldogs lost their Big East opener, 85-66 at Villanova.
— Butler’s one win was November 25, over Western Michigan.

— Providence won six of last eight series games.
— Friars won last two games in Hinkle Fieldhouse.

Cal-Bakersfield @ Pepperdine
Cal-Bakersfield (3-3)
— ranked #201 by KenPom
— Tempo: #314
— Experience: #2
— Continuity: #23
— Roadrunners’ three losses are by 6-25-13 points.
— Bakersfield’s only D-I win was by 10 over Idaho.
— Bakersfield is turning ball over 24.4% of time (#299)

Pepperdine (4-4)
— ranked #114 by KenPom
— Tempo: #89
— Experience: #90
— Continuity: #75
— Waves have D-I wins over California, Cal-Irvine.
— Pepperdine has Big West losses: UCSB, Northridge.
— Waves lost their last two D-I home games.

Illinois @ Penn State
Illinois (5-3, 1-1)
— ranked #11 by KenPom
— Tempo: #42
— Experience: #214
— Continuity: #38
— Illini is shooting 45% on the arc (#2)
— Illinois allowed 82-81-91 points in their losses.
— Illini has played schedule #23 so far.

Penn State (3-2, 0-1)
— ranked #44 by KenPom
— Tempo: #173
— Experience: #47
— Continuity: #46
— Penn State hasn’t played in ten days.
— Nittany Lions split their four top 100 games.
— Penn State is forcing turnovers 23.2% of time (#48).

— Penn State won six of last seven series games.
— Illinois won 62-56 here LY, their first win in last four visits to PSU.

Weber State @ BYU
Weber State (3-2)
— ranked #253 by KenPom
— Tempo: #96
— Experience: #67
— Continuity: #299
— Weber lost by 11 at Boise State, by 2 at Portland State.
— Wildcats’ only D-I win was 94-66 at Portland State.
— Weber is forcing turnovers over 22.4% of time (#71).

BYU (8-2)
— ranked #85 by KenPom
— Tempo: #104
— Experience: #74
— Continuity: #255
— BYU won its last three games, beating Utah/San Diego State.
— Cougars allowed 74-79 points in their two losses; they allowed 71 or fewer points in their wins.
— BYU is turning ball over 21.9% of time (#247)- they’ve already played 10 games.

— BYU hammered Weber State 91-61 LY.

Villanova @ Marquette
Villanova (7-1, 2-0)
— ranked #4 by KenPom
— Tempo: #351
— Experience: #126
— Continuity: #8
— Villanova won first two Big East games, by 13-19 points.
— Wildcats have road wins at Texas/Georgetown.
— Villanova is #2 team in country at protecting the ball.

Marquette (5-4, 1-2)
— ranked #54 by KenPom
— Tempo: #256
— Experience: #182
— Continuity: #162
— Marquette lost three of its last three games.
— Golden Eagles are shooting 38.6% on arc (#30)
— To this point, Marquette has played schedule #40.

— Home side won last four series games.
— Villanova lost last two trips to Milwaukee, by 1-11 points.

Western Illinois @ DePaul
Western Illinois (2-4)
— ranked #338 by KenPom
— Tempo: #66
— Experience: #65
— Continuity: #324
— WIU’s only D-I win is over #340 Tenn-Martin.
— Leathernecks lost only top 100 game by 41 at Iowa.
— WIU is shooting 43.8% inside arc (#275), 55.8% on line (#324).

DePaul (0-0)
— ranked #85 by KenPom
— Tempo: #xx
— Experience: #***
— Continuity: #***
— This is DePaul’s season opener.
— DePaul has 3 starters back from LY’s 16-16 (3-15) team.
— DePaul hasn’t been in NCAA Tournament since 2004.

Northwestern @ Indiana
Northwestern (4-1, 1-0)
— ranked #56 by KenPom
— Tempo: #127
— Experience: #255
— Continuity: #62
— Wildcats upset Michigan State 79-65 in their opener.
— Northwestern’s only loss was by a point to Pittsburgh.
— Wildcats have #3 eFG% defense, having played schedule #303.

Indiana (5-2)
— ranked #17 by KenPom
— Tempo: #234
— Experience: #283
— Continuity: #74
— Indiana’s two losses are to Texas/Florida State.
— Hoosiers have #19 eFG% defense in country.
— Indiana has three top 100 wins: Providence, Stanford, Butler.

— Indiana won six of last eight series games.
— Wildcats lost their last five visits to Bloomington.

New Mexico @ Boise State
New Mexico (3-1, 0-1)
— ranked #216 by KenPom
— Tempo: #132
— Experience: #220
— Continuity: #291
— Lobos are playing their fifth game in 11 days.
— New Mexico won their opener by 11 at Rice, lost by 24 at Boise Monday.
— Lobos are shooting 28.1% inside arc (#280).

Boise State (5-1, 1-0)
— ranked #84 by KenPom
— Tempo: #244
— Experience: #81
— Continuity: #233
— Boise’s one loss was by 10 at Houston, in their opener.
— Broncos have a top 100 win, at BYU.
— Boise shot 68% inside arc in Monday’s win over New Mexico.

— Boise State won four of last six series games.
— Lobos lost last three games here, by 28-13-24 points.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

701XAVIER -702 CREIGHTON
XAVIER is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) after covering 4 of their last 5 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.

703UCLA -704 OREGON
OREGON is 8-1 ATS (6.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

707UTAH VALLEY ST -708 AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE is 20-7 ATS (12.3 Units) as a home fav of 3.5 to 6 since 1997.

709IDAHO ST -710 N COLORADO
IDAHO ST is 22-49 ATS (-31.9 Units) when playing only their 3rd game in a week since 1997.

711TOWSON ST -712 GEORGE MASON
GEORGE MASON is 38-17 ATS (19.3 Units) after failing to cover the spread in 3 or more consecutive games since 1997.

713RUTGERS -714 OHIO ST
RUTGERS are 9-1 ATS (7.9 Units) versus good offensive teams - scoring 77+ points/game over the last 2 seasons.

715GEORGETOWN -716 SETON HALL
SETON HALL is 11-2 ATS (8.8 Units) versus good rebounding teams - outrebounding opponents by 4+ per game over the last 2 seasons.

717PROVIDENCE -718 BUTLER
BUTLER is 8-0 ATS (8 Units) when the line is +3 to -3 over the last 2 seasons.

719CS-BAKERSFIELD -720 PEPPERDINE
CS-BAKERSFIELD is 2-14 ATS (-13.4 Units) versus poor pressure defensive teams - forcing <=14 turnovers/game over the last 2 seasons.

723WEBER ST -724 BYU
WEBER ST is 1-10 ATS (-10 Units) in road games after covering 2 of their last 3 against the spread in the last 3 seasons.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Tony Mejia

Event: (224601) Racing Club at (224602) Boca Juniors
Sport/League: SOC
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 7PM EST
Play: Boca Juniors -1.0 (-106)
Racing won the first leg of this Copa Libertadores quarterfinal pairing between Argentine sides 1-0, so Boca has to push forward and really impose its will in order to get even and ultimately secure passage to the semifinal round. Look for midfield to decide this one with the Colombian trio of Frank Fabra, Edwin Cardona and Jorman Campuzano looking to monopolize action and set up Sebastian Villa, Ramon Abila and legendary captain Carlos Tevez up front. This should be a fun one at the Bombonera and I like host Boca to pull off a victory by multiple goals, securing a semifinal berth. Lay the goal in this FREE play.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bryan Leonard

Event: (727) UMKC at (728) Saint Louis
Sport/League: CBB
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 8PM EST
Play: Saint Louis -23.0 (-110)
728 UMKC at Saint Louis
Kansas City has yet to face a team of this caliber, not facing any squad yet in the top 50. They rank 305th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and now face a very good defense off a loss.
The Billikens brought back all five starters and have gotten off to a terrific start. But they did lose to Minnesota 90-82 last time out. The Gophers hit eight more shots from long range to do St Louis in. But now dropping way down in class we look for Saint Louis to pull away with good free throw shooting and excellent offensive rebounding.
PLAY ST LOUIS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bobby Ligs

Event: (565) Oklahoma City Thunder at (566) Houston Rockets
Sport/League: NBA
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 8PM EST
Play: Total Over 224.5 (-110)

[Can'tPickAWinner]

The Prez

Event: (569) Detroit Pistons at (570) Minnesota Timberwolves
Sport/League: NBA
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 8PM EST
Play: Minnesota Timberwolves -5.5 (-110)
Opening the NBA 2020 season with Detroit and Minnesota won't turn heads, nor will it make the Free Pick Hall of Fame here at WagerTalk. It does, however, make sense in more ways than one. The bubble to a bubble hybrid is what the league is essentially doing to protect the players and organizations from unnecessary virus risk.
Secondly, the Pistons executing a retool of their roster and bringing back only four players from last year's squad makes for a probable outcome tonight in Minnesota. Two of the four Pistons returning for another season in Detroit are Blake Griffin and Derrick Rose. And possibly to your surprise, both are healthy, for now.
Veteran point guard Ricky Rubio returns to the team who drafted him, allowing shooting guard D’Angelo.
Russell to be free to create shots. Neither of these two teams will be anything more than lottery teams at season's end, and the home team earns a "W" for the hometown folk, wherever they may be.
Play is on the home-team TimberWolves

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Andrew McInnis

Event: (571) Sacramento Kings at (572) Denver Nuggets
Sport/League: NBA
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 9PM EST
Play: Total Over 226.0 (-110)
Total Over 226.0 (-110) (#571/572)

Sacramento Kings take on the Denver Nuggets to kick their respective seasons off.
The Nuggets are coming off a Western Conference Finals appearance while the Kings are coming off a disappointing season in which they missed the playoffs.

Both of these teams are youthful, full of energy and pace, they have plenty of guys that can take it to the hoop on their own and beat their man to the basket, but they are also unselfish and are more than willing to make the extra pass to find the best shot. Quotes out of the Denver locker room have been all about playing small ball, play quick and shooters not hesitating to pull the trigger, I expect both the Kings and the Nuggets have plenty of guard talent including Jamal Murray that had an outstanding bubble performance and will certainly come into this season with an extreme level of confidence. Both teams have guards that will get it done but I expect the bigs to get it done as well. Both teams have athletic post-players that can catch the ball outside the key and take it to the hoop on their own.
The last time the Kings and Nuggets met they combined for 235 points going over the posted today
I usually don’t take much stock into preseason but the Kings have been playing a ridiculous pace, the pace they played at when they had a ton of success scoring the basketball 2 years ago, they got away from it last year however but it looks like they'll be going back to that. The Nuggets, on the other hand, are coming off an offseason in which they lost their best defender in Free Agency Jerami Grant, Michael Porter Jr will be taking over his starting role, Michael Porter Jr is an outstanding offensive player but he’s really struggled defensively in his career.
This game is going to be played at a quick pace, both teams will STRUGGLE to keep the basketball out of their net.

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Teddy Covers

Event: (573) Utah Jazz at (574) Portland Trail Blazers
Sport/League: NBA
Date/Time: December 23, 2020 10PM EST
Play: Total Under 229.0 (-110)
Take Utah – Portland UNDER (#573-574)
The Jazz have made a commitment to defense in the preseason. I expect it to pay dividends on the court in their opener at Portland. Donovan Mitchell: “The past two preseason games we really picked up our intensity on defense…We’ve done it well in practice, now we’ve got to carry it forward to the regular season.” Rudy Gobert: “Every single one of us is trying to be disruptive, be physical, be aggressive on that end. More than anything it’s our mindset, stepping out every single night with the mindset that we’re just going to dominate defensively. This is who we want to be as a team.” Those are most assuredly the types of quotes I’m looking for when betting an opening night Under! Take the Under

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Jeff Alexander

Dec 23 '20, 7:35 PM in 12m
NBA | Bucks vs Celtics
Play on: Bucks -4 -109 at pinnacle

1* NBA - Bucks/Celtics *FREE PICK* on Bucks -4
The Bucks will be eager to put that early exit from the playoffs in the bubble behind them in their season opener against the Celtics. Milwaukee might not be built for the playoffs, but there's no question this team is built for success in the regular-season. I think this year's team might just be the best yet and a big reason for that is the upgrade at the point guard position. Milwaukee said their good-byes to Eric Bledsoe and added in Jrue Holiday.
The other big thing here is this not a fully loaded Celtics team to start out the new season. Boston will be without starting point guard Kemba Walker. I also don't think you can ignore their two ugly showings in preseason. They failed to score 100 points in both games. I just don't think their defense will be able to carry them against the high-powered Bucks offense. Bet Milwaukee -4!

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Ray Monohan

Dec 23 '20, 7:35 PM in 12m
NBA | Bucks vs Celtics
Play on: Bucks -4 -108 at BetCris

Milwaukee -4
The Bucks have some value here. Boston lost a few key pieces and will have to replace some scoring here this season. Milwaukee returns back their main core and one of the most dynamic offensive players in the NBA. Look for the Celtics to struggle out of the gate, while they try to find their identity.
Good Luck, Razor Ray.
Wednesday 5* Free NBA ATS Play

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Bryan Leonard

Dec 23 '20, 8:00 PM in 37m
NCAA-B | UMKC vs St. Louis
Play on: St. Louis -23 -104 at pinnacle

728 UMKC at Saint Louis
Kansas City has yet to face a team of this caliber, not facing any squad yet in the top 50. They rank 305th in adjusted offensive efficiency, and now face a very good defense off a loss.
The Billikens brought back all five starters and have gotten off to a terrific start. But they did lose to Minnesota 90-82 last time out. The Gophers hit eight more shots from long range to do St Louis in. But now dropping way down in class we look for Saint Louis to pull away with good free throw shooting and excellent offensive rebounding.
PLAY ST LOUIS

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Dustin Hawkins

Dec 23 '20, 8:30 PM in 1h
NCAA-B | Northwestern vs Indiana
Play on: Indiana -8 -110 at Mirage

1 Dimer on Indiana -8 -110

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Sean Murphy

Dec 23 '20, 10:35 PM in 3h
NBA | Mavs vs Suns
Play on: Suns PK -115 at betonline

Wednesday NBA Free play. My selection is on Phoenix over Dallas at 10:35 pm et on Wednesday.
The Suns were one of the most impressive teams in the 'bubble' in Orlando this past Summer, ultimately just missing out on a playoff spot. There's no question Phoenix has a lot of positives to build off of as it enters the 2020-21 season and I look for it to deliver a victory in its home opener against the Mavericks on Wednesday. Dallas went 2-1 in a brief preseason, delivering a pair of wins over the mighty Bucks. Meanwhile, the Suns went winless in four preseason tilts but were competitive in a pair of losses against the Lakers, losing those two games by just six points combined. Of course you can pretty much throw preseason results out the window as we turn the page over to the regular season. I simply feel the Suns are an undervalued commodity at this early stage of the season and will get in the win column on the strength of a big game from Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton against Luka and the Mavs on Wednesday. Take Phoenix (8*).

[Can'tPickAWinner]

Mike Lundin

Dec 23 '20, 10:35 PM in 3h
NBA | Mavs vs Suns
Play on: Suns PK -115 at betonline

Mavericks vs Suns Free Pick December 23, 2020
The Phoenix Suns look like a solid home favorite over Dallas in their season opener. They were on fire in the bubble closing out the season on an 8-0 run, and now they've brought in 10-time All-Star point guard Chris Paul and veteran forward Jae Crowder among other interesting pieces.
Dallas is not short on talent either, but they've lost Seth Curry and Kristaps Porzingis will miss this game as he is still recovering from right knee surgery.
Free pick on Phoenix Suns.