My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Bos/Min Over at 7:40 ET.

Boston surprised most by going 92-70 in 2021 and made it to the ALCS before losing 4-2 to the Astros. Here in 2022, the Red Sox were 11 games over .500 through June 26 (42-31) but the team is only 20-36(.357), after losing 4-2 at Minnesota last night in the opener of a three-game series with the Twins. That leaves them 62-67 on the season, EIGHT games behind the third wild card spot, with THREE teams between them and that final playoff spot. The Minnesota Twins went just 73-89 in 2021 (20 games behind the division-winning White Sox), after winning the AL Central in 2019 and 2020. The Twins were having a bounce-back 2022 season, owning a 5 1/2-game lead in the American League Central on May 24. However, that division lead has turned into a 1 1/2-game deficit in the Central behind Cleveland. The Twins are also THREE games behind the final AL wild card spot.

Rookie Kutter Crawford (3-5, 5.30 ERA) gets the start for Boston tonight, while veteran Chris Archer (2-7, 4.34 ERA), takes the mound for Minnesota. Crawford has been ripped for 13 runs and 21 hits spanning just 8.1 innings in his last two outings, He is NOT having a good season and his road ERA is 6.57, while allowing a BAA of .304 (hard to expect much from him here). Archer has always been a HUGE underachiever in my view and he 'limps' into this contest having last won back on June 25. In his eight starts since that victory, he's 0-4 with a 6.35 ERA while the Twins have lost ALL eight!

The Twins are seeking their FIFTH straight victory on Tuesday night, and I'd love to play them here (won 4-2 with Minnesota Monday). However, Archer has faced Boston 21 times in his career (teams are 7-14) with him posting a 2-12 record (5.27 ERA and 1.62 WHIP). That said, I will play "Over" in this matchup against the struggling rookie Crawford.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NFLX O/U Game of the Week is on Pit/Jax Over at 7:00 ET.

The Pittsburgh Steelers and the Jacksonville Jaguars meet Saturday in NFL Week 2 preseason action from EverBank Field. The two teams are linked from Week 18 games of last year, when the Jags' 26-11 win at home over the Colts allowed the Steelers to finish 9-7-1 with a Week 18 win over the Ravens, 16-13 in OT. That result allowed Pitsburgh to finish in second place in the AFC North and secure the AFC's final wild card spot, in Big Ben's final season. Pittsburgh opened its 2022 preseason last weekend with a 32-25 home win over the Seahawks, while the Jags have already lost TWICE (coming off a dreadful 3-14 season). The Jaguars lost 27-11 in LA to the Raiders in the HOF Game and then again last weekend, 24-13 at home to the Browns.

This seems like a good spot for the Jags, playing their final preseason at home with the update that most of the Jaguars starters will play much of the first half, it not all. That includes QB Trevor Lawrence, RB Travis Etienne and the starting offensive line. Likely to see their first game action of the preseason will be wide receivers Christian Kirk and Laviska Shenault. Pittsburgh's defense allowed Seattle to sored 25 points last weekend. Seattle QBs Drew lock and Geno Smith completed 21 of30 passes with two TDs and zero INTs, plus RB Dallas ran for 73 yards (just 10 carries) and fellow RB Horner added 41 yards on only FOUR carries (not exactly household names).

That said, can one really trust the Jags, whose defense has already allowed 27 and 24 points. The Jags 26.9 PPG allowed in 2021 was among the worst in the NFL. Pittsburgh rookie QB Kenny Pickett was the talk of the Steel City last week after he completed 13 of 15 passes for 95 yards and led a game-winning TD drive in a 32-25 victory over Carolina. Fans have been clamoring for Pickett since Mitch Trubisky's first fluttering pass of training camp and he has a huge chance against the Jaguars to raise his stock. That said, Trubisky (4 of 7 for 63 yards with on TD) and Rudolph (9 of 15 for 93 yards with one TD) also played well. The trio of QBs attempted 37 passes, WITHOUT an interception.

This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Game of the Week is on Hou/Atl Under at 7:20 ET.

Houston entered the season having won the NL West in FOUR of the previous five seasons (three WS appearances in that span) and were preseason favorites to repeat as AL West champs. The Braves were 51-53 in late-July of 2021 but went 37-20 the rest of the way and won the NL East (for the FOURTH straight season) before capturing the franchise's first World Series title since 1995 against Houston. The 77-43 Astros own a commanding 11 1/2-game lead over Seattle in the NL West, while the Braves have recovered from a 23-27 start, to climb with 3 1/2-games of the Mets in the NL East.

The Astros squandered late leads in each of the first two games of a four-games series at Chicago but won 3-2 on Wednesday and then 21-5 on Thursday! Houston’s run total tied for the second most in team history and the team pounded out 25 hits. THREE players had four hits, including Alex Bregman who hit two HEs and drove in six runs. The Braves took the first two games of their series with the Mets, lost the third game (against Scherzer) but bounced back with a 3-2 win last night when facing deGrom. Tonight's starters are Lance McCullers Jr (1-0, 0.00 ERA) and Kyle Wright (14-5, 3.14 ERA).

McCullers was 45-30 with a 3.57 ERA for Houston but didn't make his 2022 debut until this past Saturday, when he pitched for the first time in 305 days for Houston. His last outing for the Astros was in Game 4 of the 2021 AL Divisional Series against the Chicago White Sox. McCullers went on to miss the 2021 ALCS and World Series for the Astros due to a right flexor tendon strain and finally returned last Saturday to pitch six scoreless innings (allowed only two hits) in an 8-0 win, Wright entered the 2022 season having made just 21 starts (14 wins), going 2-8 with a 6.56 in four seasons. However, he's been Atlanta's best starter this season, going 14-5 with a 3.14 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in 22 starts (Braves are 16-6).

After pounding out 25 hits while scoring 21 runs, I have to believe the Astros' bats will be much 'quieter' here, especially against Wright. As for the Braves, they are coming off a 3-1 series win against the Mets and should have their hands full with McCullers. This one has UNDER "written all over it!'

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Division (NL West) Game of the Month is on Col/SD Over at 9:40 ET.

Colorado snapped a long playoff drought in 2020 (13 straight playoff-less years) but fell to 79-83 in 2021. The Rockies are "going nowhere" in 2022, as they take the field tonight at 46-57, 9 1/2-games behind the third NL wild card spot. San Diego ended a 13-year playoff drought in 2020's 60-game season and were expected to contend for the NL West title in 2021. However, the Padres would finish 79-83, 20 games behind the first-place Giants. The Padres challenged the Dodgers to open the 2022 season, but the Dodgers have opened a 12-game lead in the NL West. The 57-46 Padres do own the No. 2 wild card spot, but they are only 2 1/2-games clear of the playoff 'cut line.' The Padres welcome the struggling Colorado Rockies to town for five games in a span of four days beginning Monday night. The Rockies have lost SEVEN of 10 since the All-Star break and are only 16-30 on the road in 2022, meaning the Padres have a chance to strengthen their grip on a wild-card playoff spot.

Monday night's starters will be Antonio Senzatela (3-5, 4.90 ERA) for the Rockies going up against Mike Clevinger (2-3, 3.38 ERA) for the Padres. Senzatela has made 12 career starts vs San Diego, going 7-3 with a 2.95 ERA and 1.16 WHIP (teams are 9-3) but I'm not sure that is all that relevant here. Senzatela will make his 16th start of the season and his third since coming off his second stint on the injured list. Along with his near-5.00 ERA, he owns a 1.74 WHIP and .359 BAA. In his road starts, he owns a 6.57 ERA and BAA of .355! Clevinger was 38-18 for Cleveland from 2017-209 but was traded on August 31, 2020 to the San Diego Padres in exchange. It was announced in November of 2020 that Clevinger would need to undergo Tommy John surgery. He missed the entire 2021 season and didn't make his 2022 season debut until May 4 due to a knee injury.

I sure DON'T trust Senzatela but the Rockies have been a thorn in San Diego's side this, beating them eight times in 11 games. Clevenger has made only three career starts vs Colorado but owns an 8.16 ERA. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Total of the Year (AL West) is on Hou/Sea Over at 4:10 ET.

The Houston Astros entered the season having won the NL West in FOUR of the previous five seasons (three WS appearances in that span) and were preseason favorites to repeat as AL West champs. The Astros, the team everyone "loves to hate' was 59-32 at the break, giving them a NINE-game lead in the AL West.  Seattle finished second in the American League West in 2021 with a 90-72 record, just two games out of a wild-card berth. That extended Seattle's postseason drought to 20 years, as the Mariners last made the playoffs back in 2001. Ironically, that team won 116 games, tying a MLB record for most wins in a single season. The Mariners were headed 'nowhere' with a 29-39 record through June 19 but then went 22-3 to close the first half to reach 51-29. The Mariners won 14 in a row, the longest ever winning streak heading into the All-Star break but the Mariners opened the second half 10 games behind the first-place Astros in the AL West, after Houston began the second half by sweeping the Yankees in a doubleheader on Thursday.  However, Seattle's recent surge has them right in the mix of the wild card race, but SEVEN teams are battling for just THREE open spots.

Houston and Seattle opened a three-game series Friday night, with the Astros winning 5-2, snapping the Mariners' 14-game winning streak (one shy of the franchise record). Jose Altuve, Yordan Alvarez and Martin Maldonado all hit solo shots off Marco Gonzales to lead the way and upped Houston's lead over Seattle to 11 games in the AL West. "The crowd was into it," Astros manager Dusty Baker said of Seattle's fans. "They were trying to urge them on for No. 15. But I'm just glad that we held on and won the game." The starting pitchers for Saturday's game are Houston's Justin Verlander (12-3, 1.89 ERA) and Seattle's Logan Gilbert (10-3, 2.76 ERA). 

Verlander was shut down on September 19 of 2020 and would miss the remainder of that season plus all of the 2021 season (he underwent Tommy John surgery on September 30, 2020). Verlander signed a one-year contract with the Astros on December 13, 2021 and has been brilliant. Verlander is 19-10 with a 3.20 ERA in 35 career starts against the Mariners (teams are 22-13). He's 3-1 against them this year (more in a bit). Gilbert was just 6-5 with a 4.68 ERA in his rookie season but the Mariners went 16-8 in his 24 starts. That gave him a moneyline record of +$1,106 (3rd-best in MLB). Gilbert made four starts in a dominating April, which included victories over reigning division champions Tampa Bay and the Chicago White Sox. He was 3-0 (team was 4-0) with an 0.44 ERA, a showing that earned him the American League Pitcher of the Month Award for April. He opened May with a 7-3 win (5.2 IP / 1 ER) and was 4-0 (team was 5-0) with an 0.64 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and a BAA of .180. Seattle then lost his next FOUR starts, as he was 0-2 with a 4.84 ERA. However, Gilbert is 6-1 over his last 10 starts (team is 9-1) and is once again a formidable presence on the mound.

So why go OVER?  The over/under number is tantalizingly low and note that Verlander's lone loss (in four starts) against the Mariners in 2022 was his WORST outing of the season. He gave up SIX runs on 10 hits in six innings at Seattle back on May 27. Meanwhile, Gilbert's made five career starts vs Houston and owns a 4.67 ERA. I do NOT expect a slugfest, but that's hardly needed at this number. It's Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* 'Signature' LEGEND Play is on Phi/Mia Over at 1:40 ET.

The Philadelphia Phillies opened the season having failed to make the playoffs in each of the last 10 years, the second-longest active streak in MLB. The Miami Marlins overcame all sorts of team COVID issues to end a 16-year postseason drought in 2020 but the 2021 team finished 67-95. The two NL East rivals opened a three-game series Friday night at Marlins Park ahead of the All-Star break. Philadelphia fired Joe Girardi on June 3 and Rob Thomson took over as interim manager and won his first EIGHT games and 14 of his first 16. However, the Phillies took the field Friday 10-12 their last 22 and 46-43. They were 9 1/2-games behind the first place Mets in the NL East but just a half-game out of the NL's third wild card spot. The Marlins began the series playing MUCH better in 2022 (.489 winning percentage compared to LY's .414) and at 43-45, were only THREE games back of that third NL wild card spot.

The teams complete the series this afternoon, with Philadelphia looking for a three-game sweep (Phillies won 2-1 on Friday and 10-0 on Saturday). However, the Phillies haven't gained any ground on the Mets (still 9 1/2-games back) or in the wild card race (still a half-game back). The Marlins are now 43-47, FIVE games out of the final wild card spot. Aaron Nola (5-7, 3.35 ERA) will get the nod for Philadelphia, while Miami counters with Trevor Rogers (4-8, 5.42 ERA).

Nola went 17-6 with a 2.37 ERA and 0.97 WHIP in 2018 but has never come close to that since then. Including this season, Nola is just 31-28 with a 3.94 ERS the last three-plus seasons. He is 4-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 18 career starts vs Miami (team is 7-11). Rogers was Miami's first-round draft pick in 2017 and went 7-8 in 25 starts in 2021. However, he posted a 2.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP (157-65 KW ratio) and opponents batted only .218 against him. Those numbers were good enough for him to finish second in the voting for National League Rookie of the Year. As for 2022, it's been a struggle for Rogers, who has just ONE quality start in 17 tries. His ERA is up to 5.42, his WHIP to 1.58 and opponents are batting .273 against him (a 'jump' of 55 points!). Throw in the fact that Rogers is 1-3 with a 7.26 ERA and 1.77 WHIP.in seven career starts against the Phillies, and we should expect that Philadelphia will have little trouble scoring runs. Want more? Rogers owns a 7.27 home ERA in 2022, with opponents' batting .313 against him.

Getting back to Nola, he has to like the fact that Miami has scored just ONE run in the first two games of this series but then again, isn't Miami "due." I noted already that Nola has been nothing special against Miami in his career and will add that he takes the mound having allowed 12 ERs over his last three starts (21.2 innings), giving him a 4.98 ERA. This one is Goin' Over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of Month is on Bos/TB Over at 7:10 ET.

The Boston Red Sox and Tampa Bay Rays prepare to start a series against each other for the second straight week, as the AL East rivals begin a four-game series in St Petersburg, Fl on Monday, just one week after meeting for three games in Boston. The Red Sox lost two of three to the Rays at home and then needed to win two straight games to earn a split of its four-game series with the visiting New York Yankees. The Red Sox finished the week 3-4 against their division foes. Tampa Bay was happy to win two of three in Boston but then lost all THREE games at sad-sack Cincinnati, the first two games in extra innings and then 10-5 on Sunday. The Rays concluded their season-long 11-game road trip with a 5-6 mark.

No one will catch the Yankees in the AL East, as the 47-39 Red Sox are closest, 14 games behind. The 45-40 Rays and the 45-42 Blue Jays are next (Toronto has lost four straight and nine of 10). Coming on strong from behind (looking to steal one of three wild card spots) are 45-42 Seattle (eight straight wins and 16-3 its last 19) and 43-44 Baltimore (eight straight wins).

Boston will send Brayan Bello (0-1, 9.00 ERA) to the mound on Monday in what will be his second career start. He made his MLB debut against the Rays last Wednesday and struggled with command. He allowed four ERs on six hits and three walks in four innings of a 7-1 Boston loss. With seven-time All-Star Chris Sale starting Tuesday, Bello was likely ticketed back to Worcester. The Rays lost Friday's game when Matt Wisler was called for a balk in the 10th inning. It marked the 23rd time in major league history that a team lost on a walk-off balk. Wisler (2-3, 2.58 ERA) will serve as the "opener" Monday but call-up Josh Fleming (2-4, 6.17 ERA) will follow in a bulk-innings role. Fleming is 1-2 with a 9.68 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against Boston.

This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Game of the Week is on Tor/Oak Over at 9:07 ET.

The Toronto Blue Jays missed a wild card spot by ONE game in 2021 but were a 'sexy' preseason pick to best the Rays, Red Sox and Yankees in the brutally tough AL East in 2022. Meanwhile, the Oakland A's entered the current season coming off their fourth consecutive winning season (85-76) but missed the playoffs in 2021, after playing three consecutive postseasons (2018-2020). The Blue Jays and A's open a three-game series tonight in Oakland with 44-36 Toronto sitting 14 games behind the Yankees. The Jays, Red Sox and Rays are only separated by ONE game and seem destined to battle the rest of the season for wild card spots. TWO, maybe even all three, may achieve earn wild card spots by season's end. As for 26-55 Oakland, the A's own MLB's worst road record, as well as the worst moneyline mark (-$2,013 at $100/ game).

The Jays are around a -$250 favorite but I'm interested in the over/under aspect. Toronto's Alek Manoah (9-2, 2.09 ERA) is proving last season was no fluke. He went 9-2 with a 3.22 ERA in 20 starts as a rookie. Toronto was 16-4 in his 20 starts and the Jays are 10-5 in his starts here in 2022. He'll be opposed by Oakland's Cole Irvin (2-6, 3.58 ERA). Irvin is winless in his last NINE starts, going 0-5 (A's are 0-9!), despite a respectable 3.69 ERA. In fact, he hasn't won since shutting out the Texas Rangers 2-0 in his fourth start of the season back on April 24.

Here's the rub. Toronto played EIGHT consecutive unders from May 14 through May 22 but since May 23, the Jays have gone "over the total" in 31 of 39 games, including a blistering run in which over bettors have cashed in 18 of Toronto's last 21 games (that's 86%!). One could say I'm 'late to the party' and I get it, but this is too tempting to pass up. Let me point out that Manoah has made just two starts against the A's in his career, posting a 6.55 ERA. Meanwhile, Irvin owns a 6.97 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Division O/U Game of the Month (AL Central) is on KC/Det Over at 12:05 ET.

The KC Royals began the current season having missed the postseason in each of the previous SIX years, after making back-to-back World Series in 2014 (lost) and 2015 (won). The Detroit Tigers have missed the postseason the last SEVEN years and are well on their way to making it EIGHT straight non-playoff seasons in 2022, as they are currently 30-46. However, that's two games better than Kansas City, which is currently 28-48, as the teams meet in the "rubber match" of this three-game series (KC won 3-1 on Friday, with Detroit winning 4-3 on Saturday).

Brady Singer (3-3, 4.33 ERA) was originally listed as Saturday's starter, but was pushed back and will start the series finale for the Royals. He'll be opposed by Detroit's Tarik Skubal (5-6. 3.75 ERA). Singer is in his third season with KC and opened the 2022 season with a 9-15 record (4.62 ERA) in 29 starts. He's made 11 appearances this season, including eight starts. His first three appearances in 2022 were in relief but he was then optioned to Triple-A Omaha in late April. He returned on May 17 and went 2-0 with a 1.37 ERA in three starts. However, it didn't last. Over five June starts, Singer was 1-2 (team was 1-4) while posting a 5.97 ERA.

Skubal was Detroit's best starter through early June, going 5-2 in 11 starts (Tigers were 7-4), while posting a 2,33 ERA. However, his success has not been maintained, as he's allowed 18 ERs on 25 hits over his last four starts, covering only 18.1 innings. That gives him an 8.84 ERA and it should come as no surprise that he is 0-4 in that stretch! The Royals average only 3.80 RPG (27th) and the Tigers just 2.99 (30th) but we have two struggling starters taking the mound and this over/under number is the lowest of Sunday's entire schedule (currently 7.5). This one is Goin' Over.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Game of the Week is on Mil/NYm Over at 7:10 ET.

Milwaukee entered the current season having made the last four postseasons, winning the NL Central in 2021 and were favorites to do so again in 2022. The Brewers were looking pretty good after a Memorial Day win left them at 32-18, atop the division. However, the Brewers have lost 10 of their last 12, falling one game behind the StL Cardinals in the NL Central. The Braves were 51-53 in late-July of 2021 but went 37-20 the rest of the way and won the NL East (for the FOURTH straight season) before capturing the franchise's first World Series title since 1995. In stark contrast, New York went 22-38 down the stretch to finish in third place at 77-85, 11 1/2 games out of first place. The Mets made the 2015 World Series (lost 4-1 to KC) and made a one-game wild card appearance in 2016, but they've been playoff-less the last five years. However, here in 2022, the Mets own the NL's best record 40-22 and are still FIVE games ahead of the Braves in the NL East, even though Atlanta has won 12 straight!

Both Milwaukee and New York were off on Monday and will open a three-game series at Citi Field tonight. Adrian Houser (3-6, 3.92 ERA) will get the nod for the Brewers, while the Mets counter with Chris Bassitt (4-4, 4.35 ERA). Houser was just 7-13 (4.13 ERA) in his first four years with Milwaukee, before going 10- 6 with a 3.22 ERA in 2021. The Brewers went 18-8 in his 26 starts, giving Houser MLB's 11th-best moneyline record (+$793 at $100/game). Houser has made 11 starts in 2022 and despite a 3.92 ERA, the Brewers are just 4-7 in those starts (more in a bit). Bassitt was 27-11 with a 3.43 ERA the previous three years with Oakland but was traded to the New York Mets on March 12, 2022. Bassitt has become the de facto staff ace with Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom sidelined. He was fine through mid-May (4-2 with a 2.34 ER in seven starts / Mets were 5-2) but over his last five outings, he's allowed 22 ERs over 26 innings for a 7.62 ERA.

The Milwaukee bats have been 'quiet' lately but the Brewers have an excellent chance to break out vs Bassitt. As for the Mets, they own MLB's best BA (.265) and average 5.10 RPG (third-best). New York draws Houser here and he has been BRUTAL in five road outings (5.32 ERA / .281 BAA). This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NL Total of the Month is on NYM/SD Over at 9:40 ET.

The Braves were 51-53 in late-July of 2021 but went 37-20 the rest of the way and won the NL East (for the FOURTH straight season) before capturing the franchise's first World Series title since 1995. In stark contrast, New York went 22-38 down the stretch to finish in third place at 77-85, 11 1/2 games out of first place. The Mets made the 2015 World Series (lost 4-1 to KC) and made a one-game wild card appearance in 2016, but they've been playoff-less the last five years. The San Diego Padres ended a 13-year playoff drought in 2020's 60-game season and were expected to contend for the NL West title in 2021. However, the Padres would finish 79-83, 20 games behind the first-place Giants.

Both teams are off to strong starts in 2022, as the Mets own the NL's best record (37-19), 8 1/2-games ahead of the Braves in the NL East. The Padres (33-21) welcome the Mets to San Diego just two games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and currently own the NL's No. 1 wild card spot. The starters in tonight's opener will be Carlos Carrasco (6-1, 3.63 ERA) for New York and Blake Snell (0-2, 4.80 ERA) for San Dirgo. Carrasco went 60-36 for Cleveland from 2015-2018, but the previous three seasons, was just 10-16 with a 4.69 ERA. However, he has made 10 starts for the Mets this season and generally has looked sharp. Snell hasn't been the same pitcher ever since Game 6 of the 2020 World Series. With the Rays leading 1–0 with one out, Snell was pulled by Kevin Cash for Nick Anderson in the 6th inning after pitching a shutout with two hits and nine strikeouts. The Dodgers then scored two runs in that inning and would go on to win the game 3–1 and the World Series for the first time since 1988. Snell opened the 2022 season on the injured list with a strained adductor, the same problem he had during the 2021 season. This marks just his fourth start of 2022 and the 'jury is still out' on this former Cy Young winner.

Carrasco has pitched 13 seasons in the major leagues, spanning 264 games and 217 starts but has never faced the San Diego Padres. That changes tonight but note that while he has a 2.78 ERA and a BAA of .233 in six home starts, his road ERA is 5.06 and his BAA is .287 in four road starts. The good news for New York fans is that he takes the mound for a team batting a MLB-best .264, while averaging 5.11 RPG (3rd-best). As noted above, Snell remains a question mark and I'll play the OVER in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division O/U Game of the Year (AL East) is on the NYY/TB Over at 4:10 ET.

The Tampa Bay Rays have been shut down at home in the first two games of their four-game home series against the NY Yankees, losing 7-2 and 2-0. Nestor Cortes allowed just four hits and one run over eight innings in Thursday's 7-2 win and then Jameson Taillon faced just one batter over the minimum, allowing two hits and no walks over eight innings in Friday's 2-0 win. The Yankees became the first club to post consecutive eight-inning outings by a starter and with their fourth straight win, have moved to 20 games over .500 at 33-13. New York owns MLB's best record and is currently 6 1/2-games better than 26-19 Tampa Bay, which has won the AL East in each of the last two seasons.

Gerrit Cole (4-1, 3.31 ERA) will start on Saturday for New York, while Tampa Bay counters with Corey Kluber (1-2, 4.42 ERA). Cole allowed five runs and seven hits in eight innings against the Baltimore Orioles this past Monday. Baltimore reached Cole for four runs in the fourth inning, turning a 2-0 deficit into a 4-2 advantage in what would be a 6-4 Baltimore win. Cole was saddled with his first loss of the season. Kluber (1-2, 4.42) is a two-time Cy Young Award winner who signed a one-year deal with New York last season and went 5-3 with a 3.83 ERA across 16 starts in his lone season in the Bronx. Kluber has been excellent against his 2021 club, as over eight starts, he sports a 5-2 mark with a 2.51 ERA.

However, Kluber has lasted just 18 innings in four May starts, allowing 12 ERs (6.00 ERA), with batters hitting .303 against him. Then there is Cole, who is just 1-6 with a 4.46 ERA in 11 career starts against the Rays. The Rays have scored just TWO runs in the first two games on only EIGHT hits but should "get something going" here vs Cole. As for Kluber, he is NOT the pitcher he once was. 'Low' total means this one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Breaker is on Tex/Oak Over at 9:40 ET.

The Oakland Athletics head home after capturing the final two games of a three-game set in Seattle, capped by a 4-2 victory on Wednesday afternoon. The Athletics had dropped 13 straight games against Seattle before earning a 7-5 win on Tuesday and are coming off their first series win in two weeks (the A's have won just TWO of their last 10 series)! The Texas Rangers come to the East Bay with a 19-23 record (two games better than the A's) and neither team seems like a viable playoff contender in 2022. The Rangers appeared in back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011 (lost both) but continued to be competitive, making the playoffs in THREE of the next five seasons. However, it's been FIVE consecutive losing seasons for Texas since 2017. Oakland made the postseason in 2018, 2019 and 2020, but last year's 86-76 record left them SIX games out of the last Wild card spot.

Martin Perez (3-2, 1.64 ERA) will start Thursday for Texas against Oakland's Frankie Montas (2-4, 3.55 ERA). Perez has turned into a 'different pitcher'' here in 2022. His first two starts last just four innings each (allowed six ERs on 12 hits for a 6.75 ERA) but over his last six starts, he's 3-0 and Texas 5-1, The veteran lefty (63-69 with a 4.71 ERA entering this season) has allowed just three ERs over 41.1 innings in that span for an 0.65 ERA. Montas lasted just 1.2 innings in his most recent start, Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels, after getting hit on the hand by a line drive. Montas is winless over his last six starts (he's 0-3 and the A's are 0-6), despite posting a respectable 3.51 ERA.

Neither pitcher has done well against its opponent, as Perez owns a 4.71 ERA and 1.48 ERA in 19 career starts vs Oakland, while Montas owns a 5.66 ERA and 1.40 WHIP in six career starts vs Texas. I've given this game a "second look" and will NOT pass up going over the posted number of 6.5.

Good luck...Larry

My NL 10* O/U Game of the Month is on Col/Was Over at 7:05 ET.

The Colorado Rockies were 15-10 after taking two of three games against the visiting Nationals from May 3-5, but they have lost their last SIX series, going 5-13 in that span to fall to 20-23. Colorado is now NINE games behind the Dodgers in the NL West. The Washington Nationals opened the 2022 season losing their first three games to the Mets and have gradually fallen further and further under .500. Washington opens this four-game home series with the Rockies 15-30, 13 1/2-games behind the Mets in the NL East. Washington has gone 6-14 since it last won consecutive games on May 1 and 3,

The Rockies and Nationals are each turning to a struggling starting pitcher on Thursday. German Marquez (1-4, 6.14 ERA) gets the nod for Colorado and Patrick Corbin (0-7, 6.60 ERA) for Washington. Marquez is coming off allowing five runs (four earned) on 11 hits with seven strikeouts and a walk in six innings during a 5-1 loss to the New York Mets on Saturday. He's got a 1.59 WHIP and opponents are batting .315 against him in eight 2022 starts. Marquez was pummeled by the Nationals in his last outing against them, allowing seven runs on 10 hits (including two HRs), in just five innings of a 10-2 loss on May 3. That's hardly news, as Marquez owns an 8.44 ERA and 1.72 WHIP in six starts spanning 32 innings against the Nats. Washington's Patrick Corbin (0-7, 6.60 ERA) is having a terrible season, adding a 1.69 WHIP and an opponents' BAA of .295 to his winless season to-date (team is 0-9 in his starts) to that 'ugly' ERA. He is no stranger to the Rockies. as Corbin spent six seasons with Arizona. He's made 25 career starts vs Colorado, posting a 4.51 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.

Just hard to see how this game stays under. Go O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conf Finals O/U Game of the Year is on G St/Dal Over at 9:00 ET.

The Golden State Warriors have won NINE consecutive games in the Western Conference finals, after a 109-100 win over Dallas in Game 3. The Warriors haven't lost in the West finals since erasing a 3-2 deficit to Houston in 2018, when they won the last of their three titles in four years by beating Cleveland in the NBA Finals. Golden State swept Portland for a fifth consecutive trip to the Finals in 2019 before losing in six games to Toronto. The Warriors can make it an even 10 straight wins, eliminate Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks and return to the NBA Finals after three years away with a victory in Game 4 in Dallas on Tuesday night. Golden State looks to become the first team since Michael Jordan's Chicago Bulls to make SIX trips to the NBA Finals over an eight-year.

The Warriors small-ball lineup of Stephen Curry (27.1-5.1-5.9), Klay Thompson (19.5 & 4.6), Jordan Poole (18.9 & 4.4 APG), Andrew Wiggins (15.9 & 6.9) and Draymond Green (8.0-7.1-6.1) is one of the most feared in the NBA. Then there is Golden State big man Kevon Looney, who was inserted back into the starting lineup in Game 6 vs Memphis. He pulled down 22 rebounds in that series clinching win. He then made all five FG attempts in Game vs Dallas (10 points / 5 rebounds), before making 10 of 14 shots in scoring 21 points and grabbing 12 rebounds in Game 2. In Game 3, he had 9 points and 12 rebounds. 

Doncic is averaging 32.1-9.5-6.2 this postseason, while Brunson has increased his scoring by almost a 'TD' more in the postseason (22.7 PPG) than he averaged in the regular season (16.3). Doncic has scored 42 and 40 points in the last two games, but he NEEDS more help than just Brunson. In Game 3, Dallas' three other starters combined for only NINE points (Dinwiddie did have 26 off the bench). Key three-point specialists Dorian Finney-Smith, Maxi Kleber and Reggie Bullock combined for just nine points (all of them from Finney-Smith), as Kleber and Bullock missed all 12 of their threes and all 15 of their shots overall.

NO team has overcome an 0-3 'hole' to win an NBA seven-game series and Dallas won't be the first to do so. After all, the Warriors have been great at winning series in the Kerr era, capturing 20 of 22, losing only to the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2016 Finals and to the Toronto Raptors in the 2019 Finals. That said, I just don't see Dallas going quietly. The Mavs scored 117 points (had 72 at the half) in Game 2 but scored just 87 points in Game 1 and only 100 in Game 3. Expect Doncic and his 'helpers' to put together a solid offensive effort in Game 4. The problem? The Warriors had 82 FG attempts in Games 1 and 2 plus 81 in Game 3 (talk about consistency). The Warriors are shooting 53.1% for the series, averaging 115.7 PPG. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* IL Ov/Un Game of the Month is on the White Sox/Cubs Over at 7:40 ET.

The White Sox ended an 11-year postseason drought in 2020 with a wild card appearance. They then ran away with the American League Central title last season with a 93-69 record, winning the division by 13 games. As for the Chicago Cubs (71-91), here's how one preseason magazine summed up the Cubs' situation heading into 2022. " Highly successful early in the 20th century, followed by 100 years of mediocrity, then a six-year burst of winning and now back into the abyss."

The two Chi-Town rivals met last night in the first contest of a brief two-game series. The White Sox won 3-1 but last season's AL Central champs check in at just 10-13. An eight-game losing streak from April 17 through April 26th leaves this team with plenty of "work yet do to." The Cubs enter tonight's game in Wrigley only 9-14 and hardly look anything like a postseason contender.

Lucas Giolito (0-1, 2,57 ERA) gets the start for the White Sox, while the Cubs counter with Kyle Hendricks (1-2, 5.47 ERA). Giolito has not pitched poorly in his three 2022 starts but the White Sox have lost all three. The same can't be said of Hendricks, whose 16-8 (2.13 ERA) season of 2016 is no more than a distant memory. The White Sox averaged 4.91 RPG in 2021 but enters this contest averaging only 3.26 RPG. However, considering Henricks' struggles in 2022 and his lifetime record vs the White Sox (1-5 with a 4.67 ERA in 10 starts / Cubs are just 2-10), I expect the White Sox to score. As for the Cubs, they are averaging 4.22 RPG and Giolito has been hit hard by the Cubbies in four career starts, posting an 8.81 ERA and 1.84 WHIP. With an Over/Under of just SEVEN, this one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is Hou/Tex Over at 8:05 ET.

The Astros remain the team everyone 'loves to hate.' Houston won the AL West last season with a 95-67 record, capturing the division for the FOURTH time in the last five years. Houston won the 2017 World Series (over the Dodgers), lost the 2019 World Series (to the Nats) and then lost it again last season to the Braves. The Astros opened the current season winning FOUR of five but have gone 3-8 since, after losing 6-2 last night to the Rangers in Arlington. Texas appeared in back-to-back World Series in 2010 and 2011 (lost both) but continued to be competitive, making the playoffs in THREE of the next five seasons. However, it's been FIVE consecutive losing seasons for Texas since 2017, including the team losing 100-plus games in 2021 (60-102) for the first time since going 57-105 in 1973. The Rangers won the opener of this four-game series against their in-state rival last night, the team's FOURTH win in its last five games.

The series continues tonight with Houston just 7-9 and Texas checking in at 6-10. The starting pitchers are Jake Odorizzi for Houston and Taylor Hearn for Texas. Odorizzi is 4-1 with a 3 67 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP in 11 career starts vs Texas (teams are 8-3). Hearn is in just his second full season and in two starts vs Houston in 2021, he posted a 1.86 ERA and 0.72 WHIP.

However, both starters have struggled to begin the current season. Odorizzi (0-2, 9.00 ERA and 2.56 WHIP) failed to escape the first inning of his most recent start, allowing six runs (three earned) on two hits and four walks while recording two outs against the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday. He has more walks (seven) than strikeouts (five) and has thrown just nine innings in three starts this season. Hearn is 0-1 with a 7.59 ERA and 2.25 WHIP in three starts. He did not factor into the decision in his latest outing, an 8-6 win over the Mariners on Thursday, after allowing five runs on five hits and four walks with four strikeouts over three innings. Hearn is 0-3 with an 8.39 ERA in his last six starts (Rangers are 1-5) dating back to last season. This one is Goin' OVER.

Good luck...Larry

The 1st pick of my STP is a 9* on Phi/Tor Over at 2:00 ET.

Toronto won 50-plus games over a five-year stretch prior to last season (won the NBA title in 2019), playing .693 basketball. However, the Raptors 'dropped like a rock' last season, finishing 27-45 (.375). The Raptors were a .500 team in late January, but an eight-game winning streak got them back in playoff position. The team was a modest 34-30 in early March but ended the season winning 14 of 18 and wound up with the East's No. 5 seed. Philadelphia battled at the top of the East all season but in the end, Miami (53-29) won the East, while Boston, Milwaukee and Philadelphia all finished 51-31. Due to tiebreakers, the 76ers wound up as the No. 4 seed and got Toronto in the first round.

The 76ers won Games 1 (131-111) and 2 (112-97) in Philly, then Joel Embiid's clutch overtime winner in Game 3 (104-101 Philly victory) gave Philadelphia a 3-0 lead. Saturday, the visiting 76ers will go for a 4-0 sweep. Embiid (27.7 & 13.0), Maxey (26.7-5.7-3.7), Harris (19.0 & 9.3) and Harden (18.3-5.7-10.0) have made up Philly's "Core 4." Toronto hopes to have rookie Scottie Barnes (15.3 & 7.5) back for Game 4 from his sprained ankle, as he has missed the past two games after playing well until he was injured in Game 1 (15-10-8). A return by Barnes would surely help but Toronto still has FOUR more players who all averaged more than 17 PPG this season. The group includes Siakam (22.8-8.5-5.3), VanVleet (20.3-4.4-6.7), Trent (18.3) and Anunoby (17.1 & 5.5).

No NBA team has overcome a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series but I do NOT see Nick Nurse letting his team go out with a whimper. The Raptors scored just 97 points in Game 2 (11 of 32 on threes) and then had just 95 points in Game 3 during regulation (13 of 35 on threes). The Raptors won't win this series and may not win Game 4 but I see them scoring in the 110s. Considering that the 76ers have averaged 115.7 PPG in the series, this game is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division O/U Game of the Month (AL East) is on Tor/Bos Over at ET.

The Jays and Red Sox opened a three-game series last night in Fenway with Boston winning 2-1. The Red Sox had just THREE hits and the Jays lone run came on a solo HR in the second inning. Expect a MUCH different outcome tonight. Toronto sends Jose Berrios (0-0, 11.81 ERA) to the mound, while Boston counters with Nick Pivetta (0-2, 9.39 ERA). Both will be making their third starts of 2022 and there is little reason to expect that either will pitch well. Berrios made his third Opening Day start (1st for Boston) on April 8 and recorded just ONE out against the Texas Rangers (allowed three hits, two walks and four ERs). He did fare better in his most recent start Wednesday against the New York Yankees, allowing three ERs with five strikeouts over five innings of a 6-4 win (he got a no-decision). I may have looked for him to continue to improve but he's 0-5 with a 4.43 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in seven career starts vs Boston (teams are 16).

Pivetta has taken two losses in as many starts, allowing four ERs in each and nine total hits, including three HRs. "Hopefully the mechanics are right," Red Sox manager Alex Cora said of Pivetta. "The timing of his arm and everything else is not there. That's why you see the velocity down. If you look at the games, the fastball wasn't great and the slider was OK." Pivetta said this following last week's start, "For me right now, that's what it kind of feels like. I didn't have that consistency with the velocity. Just didn't feel great. It was disappointing. But just gotta keep moving forward from here." I don't see him "moving forward" just yet, as in seven career starts vs Toronto (teams are 3-4), he owns a 5.77 ERA and 1.44 WHIP. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Bos/NYY Over at 7:08 ET.

It's the debut edition of Sunday Night Baseball for 2022, as the Red Sox and Yankees complete a three-game series in the Bronx. Boston will try to avoid the sweep after losing 6-5 (11 inn.) on Friday and 4-2 on Saturday. The Red Sox let one "slip away" on Friday but then got just five hits on Saturday, with Alex Verdugo’s two run HR serving as the lone scoring for the BoSox. The Yankees had just FOUR hits on Saturday but two of the four were Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton each hitting two-run HRs to make up the scoring for New York.

Tanner Houck will start here for Boston, coming off a 1-5 season in 2021 (3.52 ERA and 1.13 WHIP). He made 18 appearances, including 13 starts (Red Sox were 7-6) for the Red Sox last season. Jordan Montgomery gets the nod for the Yankees in this one, coming off a 6-7 season in which he posted a 3.52 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP. He made 30 starts, with the Yankees going 17-13. There is no greater rivalry in MLB than Red Sox/Yankees (although Dodgers/Giants will argue) and it's a great way to 'kick off' Sunday Night Baseball. Coming off a game in which Boston had just FIVE hits and the Yankees only FOUR, look for a high-scoring game tonight. Houck is still an unknown quantity and I have never been much of a Jordan Montgomery fan. This one is Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Was/Atl Under at 8:10 ET.

The 35-44 Washington Wizards and the 41-38 Atlanta Hawks get together at the State Farm Arena on Wednesday night in Atlanta. The Wizards are playing out the string but do enter having won FIVE of seven, including an impressive 132-114 win last night in Minnesota. Much was expected from the Hawks after they made it all the way to the Eastern Conference finals last season, However, Atlanta was just 17-25 through Jan 15, before a seven-game winning streak put them back in 'play-in' position (have hovered around .500 since that winning streak). The Hawks enter tonight's game having won 17 of their last 23, but saw their five-game winning streak end 118-108 last night in a loss at Toronto. Atlanta is tied with the Nets, with both teams trailing the Cavs (No. 7 seed) by 1 1/2-games (note: Brooklyn owns the tie-breaker over Atlanta).

The current Wizards look nothing like the team did at the midpoint of the season, when guards Beal and Dinwiddie were joined by a trio of former Lakers (Caldwell-Pope, Harrell and Kuzma) plus undersized center Gafford as the team's "Core 6." Beal's season ended after playing just 40 games, Dinwiddie and Harrell have both been traded, while Kuzma is currently out of commission with right knee tendinitis. In last night's win at Minnesota, Porzingis led the team with 25 points, Gafford added 24 points with 12 rebounds off the bench, Rui Hachimura added 21 points while Deni Avdija chipped in with 17 points, eight rebounds and five assists off the bench. The Wizards shot 55 percent from the floor, including 13 of 30 from the three-point line.

PG Young (28.2 & 9.67APG) continues to shine for Atlanta but PF Collins (16.2 & 7.8) has played in just FOUR of the team's last 24 games. Five more Hawks contribute double digits, spanning from SG Bogdanovich (14.9 & 3.9) to center Capela (10.8 & 11.9). Young led the team with 26 points and 15 assists in last night's loss at Toronto, followed by Huerter's 21 points, Hunter's 20 points and Bogdanovic's 19 & 9 off the bench. 

I expect the Hawks to grab the win here, as earning the No. 8 seed would give the team a much better chance to reach the playoffs through the play-in round. Both teams are playing the second game of a back-to-back and at this stage of the season, fatigue is a factor. After an offensive "outburst" by Washington last night (132 points on 55% shooting), expect the Wizards to play closer to their season form (108,9 PPG). Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Game of the Day is on Phi/Cle Under at 6:10 ET.

The last thing the Philadelphia 76ers needed was a three-game losing streak to end March but that's exactly what happened the 27th thru the 31st. Philly did rebound in a big way with a 30-point 144-114 win over the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday. Philly is back in action again on Sunday, taking a 47-30 record into a game with the Cavs in Cleveland. The 76ers are currently the East's No. 4 seed (last to get home court in the 1st round), two games clear of Toronto (No. 5 seed). Looking up, the 76ers are just a half-game behind the Celtics (No. 3 seed) and one game behind the Bucks (No. 2 seed). The Cleveland Cavaliers entered this season having gone 60-159 (.274) the previous three seasons but through Feb 11, were one of the league's biggest surprises with a 35-21 record. However, the Cavs have won just EIGHT of their last 22 games and at 43-35, have dropped out the top-six. They are now the No. 7 seed and TWO games behind the Bulls (No. 6 seed) with only four games left to play.

The 76ers still have a decent chance to move up at the top of the East standings and while the Cavs will likely be stuck in the 'play-in' round, I do expect them to give it their best shot here. The Cavaliers will be shorthanded again on Sunday without center Jarrett Allen (finger) and PF Evan Mobley (ankle). "I think we're learning from our past," head coach Bickerstaff said after last night's 119-101 win at the Knicks. "I don't think we played particularly well in Atlanta. I didn't like the way that we played in Atlanta (a loss on Thursday). What this afternoon showed is that we can take steps and learn quickly. Before the game today in our meeting we watched clips of us at our best offensively and it wasn't a lot of ball holding."

Both teams are playing the second of back-to-back games and both are coming off big offensive efforts. Philly, in particular, set season highs in points (144), three-pointers made (21) and assists (38). However, take note that these are two excellent defensive teams, as Cleveland has allowed 105.1 PPG (4th) and Philadelphia 106.8 PPG (8th). This O/U is too high. Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division (Atlantic) O/U Game of the Year is on Bos/Tor Under at 7:40 ET.

The Boston Celtics visit the Toronto Raptors on Monday night in a key Eastern Conference contest. The Celtics entered last season having made the playoffs in 12 of the previous 13 seasons. Boston made the postseason again last year but after reaching the conference finals in THREE of the previous four seasons, Boston lost 4-1 in the first round to Brooklyn. Boston seemed like a non-factor this season at 25-25 through Jan 26 but the team has won 22 of its last 25! Look at the standings right now. Boston is tied with Miami (47-28) for the East's No. 1 seed. However, Milwaukee and Philadelphia lurk just one-half game behind.

Toronto won 50-plus games over a five-year stretch prior to last season (won the NBA title in 2019), playing .693 basketball. However, the Raptors 'dropped like a rock' last season, finishing 27-45 (.375). Toronto is currently 42-32, giving them the East's No. 6 seed (final guaranteed playoff spot). Toronto is just ONE game behind the No. 5 seed (Chicago) but also just ONE game ahead of the No. 7 seed (Cleveland).

It wasn't long ago that there were all sorts of rumors that Tatum and Brown were NOT getting along AND that they "not playing well with others' That chatter is 'Gone with the Wind,' as Tatum is averaging 27.1- 8.1-4.3 and Brown 23.4 & 6.1. Tatum scored 34 points and Brown had 31 points in Sunday's 134-112 home victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I think the main thing that we've seen is consistency over the last few months," head coach Ime Udoka said. "A lot of areas that we've really targeted offensively -- sharing the ball, defensively coming out with that mindset. And then playing with a sense of urgency, getting off to better starts, and so consistency is what we've done. There's no reason to go back on that. We see the success it's brought us, and the unselfishness is contagious."

The Raptors moved past the Cavaliers by one game in the Eastern Conference with their 131-91 home victory over the Indiana Pacers on Saturday. Pascal Siakam scored 23 points for the Raptors, while OG Anunoby (17.4 & 5.4) scored 16 points in his second game back after he was out for 15 with a broken finger. Three more Raptors are averaging more than 15 points. PG VanVleet (20.6-4.6-6.7), SG Trent (18.0) and rookie forward Barnes (15.4 & 5.4).

The Celtics will be out to clinch the season series with the Raptors, after winning two of the first three games between the teams. Notable about those three contests is the fact that the final scores have averaged 198.7 points. Both teams are coming off HUGE offensive efforts, as Boston scored 134 points and Toronto 131 points in their most recent games. Lots on the line for each team in this game and in EVERY game through April 10. What's more, the Celtics could be short-handed for the game. Robert Williams left the game Sunday in the third quarter with a left knee sprain and did not return. Al Horford did not play Sunday for personal reasons. Brown and Tatum have been dealing with sore knees. For Toronto, Trent has sat out the last three contests with a left big toe hyperextension, Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Sweet 16 Total of the Year is on Iowa St/Miami OVER at 9:59 ET.

Four double-digit seeds made it to the Sweet 16 this year. Michigan (No. 11) lost last night to Villanova and it's hard to see St Peter's (No. 15) beating 29-7 Purdue (No. 3) tonight. However, we KNOW that at least one double-digit team will advance to the Elite 8 because the 10th-seeded Miami Hurricanes (25-10) and the 11th-seeded Iowa State Cyclones (22-12) meet Friday night in the Midwest regional semifinal at Chicago's United Center. Who'da thunk it! Miami came into the season off an 'ugly 10-17 year (4-15 in the ACC), while Iowa St was 2-22 (0-18 in the Big 12) during the 2020-21 season! Miami coughed up a late lead in its first-round game against seventh-seeded USC before winning 68-66 and then two days later, the Hurricanes trounced No. 2 seed Auburn 79-61. Iowa State began with a tournament-opening upset of No. 6 seed LSU (59-54) and then essentially had a road assignment Sunday in facing Wisconsin in Milwaukee. However, the Cyclones emerged with another impressive win, beating the third-seeded Badgers 54-49.

Jim Larranaga entered this season having led the Hurricanes to six, 20-win seasons in his 10 years, to all three of the school's 25-win seasons and to two of the school's three Sweet 16 appearances. By the way, I could also throw in him leading unheralded George Mason to a Final 4 appearance back in 2006. The 'Canes were awful last season (see above) but this year's team contended for the ACC title during the regular season, before losing in the ACC semifinals to top-seeded Duke. Miami is led by the guard trio of McGusty (17.5 & 4.9), Wong (15.5 & 4.3) and Moore (12.8 & 4.6 APG). Miller is a fourth guard and adds 10.1 & 6.0. Miami's lone big man of note is the 6-10 Waardenburg (8.4 & 4.2), although the 6-9 Walker contributes 5.11 & 2.4 in just 14 MPG.

T.J. Otzelberger came from UNLV to take over at Iowa St and the Cyclones opened 12-0 and were ranked No. 8 thru Dec 21. The team couldn't keep up that pace but then came the two back-to-back tourney wins. A trio of guards lead the way for Iowa St, starting with standout Izaiah Brockington, who leads the team in scoring (17.21 and rebounding (6.8). He's joined on the perimeter by PG Hunter (10.9 & 4.9 APG) and Kalscheur (9.5). The team's frontcourt rotation is led by the 6-8 Kunc (6.1 & 3.9) and the 6-9 Conditt (4.9 & 3.5). Guard Grill (6.5) is the first player off the bench and each one of the just mentioned players have participated in all of Iowa St's 34 games this season.

With Iowa St winning its first two games by scores of 59-54 and 54-49, it would be easy to say, "go under!" However, as Lee Corso loves to say, "Not so Fast!" Miami just scored 79 points in beating Auburn (despite making only 3 of 15 on threes) by using their quickness and experience. Both teams own excellent (and deep) backcourts and I expect BOTH teams to surpass 70 points in tonight's contest. This one is Goin' over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Mia/Phil Over at 7:40 ET.

The top of the Eastern Conference has been tightly contested all season and Monday night the 47-24 Miami Heat will be searching for their third consecutive victory when they visit the 43-27 Philadelphia 76ers. Miami is three games up on Milwaukee, plus 3 1/2-games ahead of the 76ers and Celtics. The Heat defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 120-108 on Friday, giving them THREE straight wins. More notably, the Heat have won 15 of 19 to take over as the East's current No. 1 seed. The 76ers lost 93-88 at home last night to the Raptors (after giving up an early 16-point advantage) and could really use a "W' in this one.

Butler (21.1-6.0-5.6) and Herro (21.1) are Miami's top-scorers but FOUR more join that duo in double digits. Adebayo (19.0 & 10.7) tops that group, followed by Lowry (12.7-4.7-7.7), Robinson (11.4) and Strus (10.7). Philly's Embiid (29.8 & 11.3) is the current MVP favorite and Harden's line with Philly is 22.4-7.0-10.5 in 11 games. It seems as if the 76ers are not thrilled with Harris, despite him averaging 17.6 & 6.9. However, the 76ers sure like PG Maxey (17.3 & 4.3 APG).

Here's the 'dope' Jimmy Butler sat out the last game (ankle) and is listed as questionable plus Philly keeps listing Embiid as day-to-day, but he has kept on playing. He had 21 points and 13 rebounds last night and has a league-leading 33 games of 30 or more points. He'll likely sit out a game or two down the stretch but maybe not if Philly has a chance to catch Miami. Forgetting about Miami for a second, Philly could easily find itself 5th in the East, which would mean NO home court advantage in a first-round series against the No. 4 seed. Prior to last night's ugly 88-point 'effort,' Philly had averaged 116.7 PPG over the previous six games. That sounds like a good number for the 76ers and Miami comes in averaging 112.4 PPG over its last 13. The O/U line is a little low and the play is O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on LAL/Tor Over at 7:40 ET.

The Toronto Raptors return home after winning all five games on their current road trip. The Raptors' recent surge has moved them to 39-30 and into a tie with the Cleveland Cavaliers for the East's No. 6 seed. Toronto will try to extend its winning streak in a quick rematch with the Los Angeles Lakers from last Friday night. Toronto won 114-103 in a wire-to-wire victory over the stumbling Lakers. LA is 29-40 (No. 9 seed in the West), just ONE game better than the Pelicans (No. 10 seed) and only 1 1/2-games clear of missing out on the 'play-in' round completely.

The Lakers are a mess with AD (23.1 & 9.7) sidelined once again and LBJ constantly dealing with injuries. However, James (29.5-8.1-6.2) almost always takes the court and he's had two, 50-point games in March (56 vs the Warriors and 50 vs the Wizards). Toronto's Anunoby (17.5 & 5.5) remains out but the team's other four starters are just fine. Siakam (22.6-8.4-5.1), VanVleet (21.1-4.6-6.7), Trent (18.1) and Barnes (15.3 & 7.6) will likely be too much for LA to handle.

Consider this. The Lakers opened a four-game trip with a 124-104 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday. It was the third straight loss for the Lakers, who have dropped their last 11 away games and are 9-23 for the season on the road. Meanwhile, the Raptors return home from that 5-0 road trip in which they averaged 116.0 PPG. Teams seem to love running up a score on the Lakers these days and I'll play this one to go OVER the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Min/Orl Over at 7:10 ET.

The Minnesota Timberwolves were just 24-25 in Late January but since Jan 30, have won 14 of 19 games to reach 38-29. That gives them the West's No. 7 seed, just two games behind Denver (No. 6 seed) and 2 1/2-games back of Dallas (No. 5 seed). Minnesota is looking to earn a playoff berth for just the SECOND time since 2004! As for Orlando, its playoff hopes ended early (2-8 start) and after 30 games, the Magic were just 5-25. Orlando had some excellent teams from the mid-90s through the first decade of the 21st century but those are now just distant memories. At 17-50, the Magic were 'battling' the 17-49 Rockets for the right to be 'crowned' the NBA's worst team.

The T-wolves are led by the trio of Towns (24.5 & 9.7), Edwards (21.3 & 4.6) and Russell (19.0 & 7.1). Malik Beasley (12.1) is the team's fourth double-digit scorer but note that SIX more players chip in between 6.5 & 9.3 PPG. Speaking of Beasley, Minnesota's 132-102 Wednesday victory over the visiting Oklahoma City Thunder featured a historic three-point performance by Beasley. He attempted all 17 of his field goals from beyond the arc, making a career-high 11 that set an NBA record for most points (33) scored via three-point shots only. Despite Orlando's putrid record, the Magic do feature SEVEN players averaging in double figures. PG Anthony (17.3-5.1-5.7) leads the way, followed by six more chipping in between 10.2 and 15.5 PPG. That group includes Orlando's first round pick of the 2021 Draft (Suggs at 12.3-3.7-4.4) plus centers Carter (14.4 & 10.4) and Bamba (10.2 & 7.9).

The T-wolves come in 'on fire,' winning SIX in a row by an average margin of 24 PPG, while averaging a whopping 130.8 points (lowest output was 124 points!). However, the Magic overcame a 13-point second-half deficit to win 115-97 back on Nov 1 in Minneapolis in the first meeting between these teams. A fluke, you say? Maybe not, as Orlando has won 11 of the past 13 meetings at home against the Timberwolves. For Orlando to win (or stay competitive) here, the Magic will have to score. The play is O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conference O/U of the Month is on G St/Den Under at 9:10 ET.

The Golden State Warriors opened 18-2 but cooled some, before winning NINE straight from Jan 21 thru Feb 7. Golden St was 41-13 on the morning of Feb 8 and the Suns were 40-13. However, the Warriors lost FOUR of five prior to the break and then returned to play with a win over the depleted Blazers However, they have lost FOUR in a row since. Doing the math and it's EIGHT losses in 10 games, as the Warriors have fallen EIGHT games behind Phoenix. The Warriors are tied with Memphis for the No. 2 seed and now the Jazz are within 2 1/2-games of Golden St and Memphis.

The Nuggets outlasted New Orleans Sunday in OT, as Jokic had 30 of his 46 points after the third quarter and finished with 12 rebounds and 11 assists to notch his 17th triple-double of the season. Denver is 38-26 (No. 6 seed) and just ONE game behind Dallas (No. 5 seed) plus 2 1/2-games behind Utah (No. 4 seed). Denver's won the first two meetings this season against Golden St but that point seems moot. Why? Read along.

Golden State has already announced that Curry, Klay Thompson, Andrew Wiggins, Andre Iguodala and Gary Payton Jr. won't play in Monday's game. Curry, Thompson and Wiggins will sit for rest while Iguodala (back) and Payton (knee) are nursing injuries. Obviously, that makes the Warriors severely short-handed BUT they do catch a scheduling break. The Nuggets are coming off an overtime win against New Orleans on Sunday night, host Golden St tonight and then travel to Sacramento for a game Wednesday night. That means Golden State catches them on the second night of back-to-back games. One more thing. Jokic (25.8-13.8-8.0) was rested Friday and there was talk he might not play Sunday. Is it possible the Nuggets will rest him here, off last night's Herculean effort in OT? Go U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Month is on SA/Mia Under at 8:10 ET.

Prior to last year, San Antonio had never missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons. Now, three straight is a very real possibility, as the Spurs are just 24-36. That leaves them 11th in the West, one game behind the No. 10 seed (last of the play-in' teams). The Spurs won 157-153 in double-overtime at home last night over the Washington Wizards and then caught a late-night flight into Miami for tonight's game vs the Heat. Miami lost in the 2020 NBA Finals to the Lakers, but last season fell to 40-32 and got eliminated 4-0 in the first round of the playoffs by the Bucks. However, Miami is currently 39-21, tying them with Chicago for the East's No. 1 seed.

I'll make this short and sweet. The Spurs will need to call on all of their physical reserves for tonight's game in 'South Beach' (second of a road back-to-back, off Friday's 2-OT shootout). Keldon Johnson led San Antonio with 32 points, and Dejounte Murray racked up 31 points, 14 assists and 13 rebounds for his 12th triple-double of the season. Jakob Poeltl added 28 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists; Lonnie Walker IV went for 23 points, and Devin Vassell and Doug McDermott had 12 each for the Spurs. Any rest the Spurs had in the tank from their 12-day All-Star break was likely used up last night.

 
The Heat also played last night, earning a 115-110 win over the Knicks at MSG. Miami has won SEVEN of its last eight games and was led by Tyler Herro's 25 points off the bench and 23 from Jimmy Butler. Kyle Lowry added 19 points for the Heat, with Bam Adebayo racking up 16 points and 16 rebounds. The Heat will play 15 of their final 21 regular-season games at home, after playing the second-most road games in the NBA (33) before the All-Star break. Miami has the third-best home record in the NBA this season at 19-7. BOTH teams are playing back-to-back games since returning from the break and I see a contest that will be MUCH lower scoring than the O/U number indicates. The Heat rolled past the Spurs in San Antonio 112-95 in the two teams' first meeting this season on Feb 3, as the final of 207 points was WELL below the current O/U number for tonight. Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Western Conf O/U Game of the Month is on Hou/LAC Under at 10:40 ET.

The Houston Rockets and the LA Clippers meet tonight in LA, as the NBA's All-Star break is set to begin on Friday (teams don't return to play until next Thursday). Both teams are coming off contests against the NBA-best Phoenix Suns (48-10 ), as the Clippers are coming off a 103-96 road defeat to the Suns on Tuesday, while the Rockets gamely battled the Suns on Wednesday in an eventual 124-121 defeat. Houston had a slim lead with 1:56 to play before the Suns pulled ahead.

The Rockets own the West's worst record at 15-42, while the Clippers are 29-31, leaving them as the West's No. 8 seed. LA is just three games behind the Nuggets (No. 6 seed, the last of the guaranteed playoff spots) but are also FIVE games clear of the No. 11 seed (New Orleans. The Rockets played inspired basketball against Phoenix, out rebounding them 49-42, while taking 97 shots to 86 for the Suns. All that without Christian Wood (17.6 & 10.2) and Kevin Porter (13.7 & 6.2 APG). who were late scratches due to a stomach bug. Dennis Schroder scored 17 of his 23 points in the second half of his second game and first start with the Rockets. He added nine assists and six rebounds but had six turnovers. Jae'Sean Tate (12.5 & 5.6) scored 22 for the Rockets with 10 rebounds, while Eric Gordon (14.3) had 10 of his 20 in the fourth quarter. Houston's Alperen Sengun (8.8 & 4.8) tied his career hi14.3gh with 19 points and set a career high with 14 rebounds in his fifth career start.

The Clippers have been without Kawhi Leonard (knee) all season and without Paul George (elbow) since December. The most recent injury was to new arrival Norman Powell (18.7 PPG in 40 games for Portland) who is out indefinitely with a broken bone in his left foot. Powell and Robert Covington (7.6 & 5.7 in 48 games for Portland) were picked up before the trade deadline to give the Clippers more firepower down the stretch, but it remains unclear when Powell will return. That said, the Clippers still gave the Suns a game Tuesday as Marcus Morris (15.9 & 4.8) scored 23 points and Nicolas Batum (9.0 & 4.5) added 18. The Clippers forced 16 Suns turnovers, but Phoenix shot 48.9 percent from the floor to 41.2 percent for Los Angeles.

I'm assuming BOTH teams are looking forward to the break and with SO many missing and questionable players, I see this game as a 'dead' Under. That's the play!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Tor/Min Under at 8:10 ET.

The Toronto Raptors have followed an eight-game winning streak with back-to-back losses, and they will try to rebound Wednesday night when they oppose the Minnesota Timberwolves in Minneapolis. Toronto fell all the way to 27-45 last season but that eight-game winning streak has them 'knocking on the door' for a guaranteed playoff spot in the East. The Raptors are currently just 1 1/2-games behind the red-hot Celtics, who have taken over the No. 6 seed. However, it should also be noted that in the East, Toronto is still within FIVE games of the No. 1 seed (Miami, which is 37-21).

The Timberwolves will be going for their third consecutive victory on Wednesday, after defeating the visiting Charlotte Hornets 126-120 in overtime last night. Like Toronto in the East, 31-27 Minnesota is the West's No. 7 seed, just 1 1/2-game behind the No. 6 seed. However, unlike Toronto, Minnesota sits a whopping 16 1/2-games behind the West's No. 1 seed (Phoenix at 47-10).

Toronto has FIVE players averaging 14.5 PPG or more. PF Siakam (21.4-8.6.5.6) and PG VanVleet (21.6-4.7-7.2) lead the way, joined by guard Gary Trent (18.3), SF Anunoby (17.7 & 5.6), who is having a career-year, and Florida rookie Barnes (14.5 & 7.5). Big men Boucher (9.2 & 5.8) and Achiuwa (7.4 & 6.9) are regular contributors. Fred VanVleet left the Monday game in the third quarter with a sore knee after scoring 20 points and is listed as questionable against Minnesota.

Minnesota relies on its "Big 3" of center Towns (24.4 & 9.7), SG Edwards (22.2 & 4.8) and PG Russell (19.1 & 7.0 APG). All three were first round picks! Guards Beasley (12.0) and Beverley (9.7-4.4-4.9) contribute in the backcourt, while the 6-10 McDaniels (8.7 & 4.2) and the 6-11 Reid (8.2 & 3.8) help out up front. Like Toronto, Minnesota could be missing a key player tonight in Edwards, who left last night's game with an ankle sprain and is listed as questionable.

Both teams played last night and with VanVleet and Edwards listed as questionable, my play is on the UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late Show O/U is on Mil/LAC Under at 9:10 ET.

The LA Clippers acquired guard Norman Powell (18.7 PPG and 40.7% on threes) and forward Robert Covington (7.6 & 5.7) from the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday, and both are in line to make their debuts with the team. The move cost Los Angeles veteran guard Eric Bledsoe and forward Justise Winslow, among other pieces, but a scorer like Powell is what the Clippers were desperate to add. Los Angeles still doesn't know if stars Kawhi Leonard (knee) or Paul George (elbow) will return this season, but a mix-and-match roster has found some success. The Clippers have won four of their last six games and five of eight, as they welcome the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks to Staples Center.

The Bucks enter off Saturday's 137-108 victory over the short-handed Trail Blazers, giving Milwaukee a SIXTH win in eight games. It has been a much-needed surge, after the Bucks lost SIX of eight from Jan 3-17. Milwaukee is now 33-21, just ONE game behind the 33-19 Bulls and 34-20 Heat, who are in a virtual tie for the East's No.1 seed. Milwaukee had little trouble with Portland, as Giannis Antetokounmpo (28.9-11.3-6.0) scored 29 points with nine rebounds and six assists, while Bobby Portis (15.2 & 9.1) added a season-best 30 points to kick off a four-game Western Conference road trip. Milwaukee is undergoing its own change. The Bucks signed free-agent big man Greg Monroe, a veteran of 10 seasons, who made his return to the team Saturday on a 10-day deal. He had six points with six rebounds in 15 minutes.

The Clippers are just 27-27 (current No. 8 seed in the West), but just two games behind the No. 6 seed, which is the last guaranteed playoff spot. With Kawhi out since the start of the season and George since Christmas, LA's best regular contributors have been PG Jackson (16.7 & 4.1 AP), forward Morris 915.8 & 5.10 and swingman Kennard (12.1). However, Morris has only played in just 29 of 54 games. I'm too sure Powell and Covington will blend all that quickly. Milwaukee stays in LA until Tuesday, when the Bucks take on the Lakers and then head to Phoenix (Thursday), to face the 42-10 Suns. After last night's big (easy!) road win, I expect the Bucks will NOT want to turn this one into a "run and gun" shootout. Pretty sizable over/under number here and expect a more methodical pace from these teams tonight. Go U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Game of the Week is on Den/Uah Under at 10:10 ET.

The Utah Jazz and Denver Nuggets enter their Wednesday matchup in Salt Lake City coming off losses to the same team, the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Denver's case, the Nuggets saw their five-game winning streak come to an end Tuesday in a 130-115 loss at Minneapolis. In comparison, not only did the Jazz fall 126-106 to the host Timberwolves on Sunday to extend their losing streak to five games (11th loss in last 13 games), but they also lost Joe Ingles (7.2) for the rest of the season due to a torn left anterior cruciate ligament. Utah's slump has dropped them to 30-21, 11 1/2-games behind the West's top team, Phoenix. In fact, the Jazz have fallen to the No. 4 seed, four games behind Memphis. Denver checks in at 28-22, placing them 6th (last guaranteed playoff spot) and just 1 1/2-games back of the Jazz.

Denver has played all season without Murray (21.2 PPG last season) and Porter played just NINE games (9.9 & 6.6) before going down. Last year's MVP Jokic (25.9-13.8-7.8) has been brilliant and is still surrounded by some solid talent. Swingman Barton (15.3-4.8-4.2), PF Gordon (14.5 & 5.6), PG Morris (12.6 & 4.2 APG), SF Green (10.5) and the recently acquired Forbes (8.6), give head coach Malone plenty to work with. Meanwhile, the Jazz will play the Nuggets without All-Stars Donovan Mitchell (25.5-4.0-5.2) who is in the concussion protocol and Rudy Gobert (16.0 & 15.1) because of a calf injury). In addition, Jazz coach Quin Snyder and backup Danuel House Jr., who led the team with 21 points against the Memphis Grizzlies on Friday, are in COVID-19 protocol. Then there is Hassan Whiteside (8.5 & 7.2 in 18 MPG), who is listed as questionable with a back injury.

This game will be the final meeting between the Jazz and Nuggets during the regular season and Utah has won the first three. However, the Nuggets catch this Jazz team at the right time, playing its worst basketball of the season. I expect a competitive, but ultimately lower-scoring game. The play is under!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Conference O/U Game of the Year (Big East) is on Marquette/Seton Hall Over at 8:30 ET.

Shaka Smart was booted out of Austin but has done quite a job at Marquette, which did not return a SINGLE starter from last season's disappointing 13-14 team. Few teams in college hoops are hotter than Marquette (14-6 / 6-3 Big East), which entered the AP poll for the first time this past Monday at No. 22 (more details to follow). The Golden Eagles' visit Newark, NJ to face a revenge-minded Seton Hall team on Wednesday night. The Pirates opened 9-1 and were ranked 15th, before losing FIVE of their last eight to fall to 12-6 (3-5 Big East) and out of the rankings.

Marquette was 3-0 last week, beating Seton Hall, Villanova and Xavier (all were ranked at the time). Smart had a disappointing six-year run at Texas but despite a four-game losing streak this season, he has confidence that his team has learned from its earlier losses. "Losing four in a row... I think what you take out of that as a team is we can win, we can find a way to win those games, but we've got to be a little bit better in a variety of areas," Smart said. "And I think we've continued to get better." Marquette has a deep eight-man rotation, led by 6-7 freshman Lewis (15.8 & 7.9) and Maryland transfer, Morsell (13.9 & 3.5). Joining that duo in the starting lineup are freshman guard Kolek (6.4 & 4.0) plus frontcourt players like the 6-8 Prosper (5.8 & 3.4) and the 6-10 Kuath (5.4 & 4.5), Adding depth are guard Elliott (8.1), freshman guard Jones (7.7) and 6-9 freshman Ighodaro (6.3 & 3.7).

Kevin Willard took over at Seton hall for the 2010-11 season and had led the Pirates to four straight NCAA tournaments before the 2020 tournament was canceled because of COVID (Seton Hall was 21-9). However, the Pirates were just 14-13 last year and lost to the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (17.5 & 7.6), who was co-player-of-the-year in the Big East. However, the Pirates have EIGHT players scoring between 6.5 and 15.7 PPG. 6-6 swingman Rhoden leads in scoring (15.7), while adding 6.9 RPG. Senior guards Aiken (14.5) and Cole (10.0 & 4.1) join Rhoden in double digits. The 6-8 Yetna just misses at 9.9 PPG but is the team's leading rebounder at 7.9 per game. Two 6-10 players, Samuel (8.5 & 6.3) and Jackson (7.2 & 3.9) plus guards Richmond (8.1-3.7-3.7) and Harris (6.5) complete Seton Hall's 'Great 8.'

Marquette hosted Seton Hall back on Jan 15 in a back-and-forth affair, decided by a controversial late whistle. With the game tied at 72, Marquette's Greg Elliott leaned into the Pirates' Bryce Aiken while attempting a shot, elbowing Aiken in the nose. However, the officials called the foul on Aiken, and Elliott's free throw with one second left won the game for Marquette. Aiken scored 28 points that day but entered concussion protocol and hasn't played since. That said, as noted above, Seton Hall has the depth to 'cover' Aiken's absence.

That Jan 15 game ended 73-72 but I expect a higher-scoring game here, one in which Seton Hall avenges that loss with an OUTSTANDING offensive effort. It's Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Division Round O/U Game of the Year is on LAR/TB Under at 3:30 ET.

The Rams opened the season 7-1 but then lost THREE in a row, falling to 7-4 (Cards were 9-2 thru 11 games). At that time, it looked as if the Rams were headed for a wild card berth and the Cards for the division title. However, the Rams would win FIVE straight games and even with a Week 18 home loss to the 49ers (blew a 17-0 lead to lose in OT), were able to earn the NFC West title, as the Cards lost in Week 18 at home to Seattle. That set the stage for the Rams to play host to the Cards in the first-ever Monday night playoff game. It was a "no-contest," as the Rams were up 28-0 in the late third quarter on their way to a 34-11 (BTW...The Rams were my 10* Wild Card GOY pick!). Stafford picked up his first career playoff win (was 0-3 with the Lions), throwing a modest 17 times, completing 13 for 202 yards with two TDs and no INTs. RBs Michel (58 yards) and Akers (55) allowed the Rams to run for 140 yards, 41 yards more than the team's 99.0 YPG average on the season. The Rams defense, which somewhat underachieved this season, held the Cards to just 183 total yards.

The Rams will travel to Raymond James Stadium on Sunday to face the defending champions Tampa Bay Bucs. The Bucs won the Super Bowl last season in Tom Brady's first year with the team. They took "the wild card route" last year but this season won the NFC South for the first time since 2007 with a 13-4 record. The ageless Brady led the NFL in passing yards, TDs, attempts and completions this season (threw for 5,316 yards with 43 TDs and just 12 INTs), as the Bucs averaged 30.1 PPG (2nd), while the Tampa Bay defense held opponents to 20.8 PPG (5th). Tampa Bay's wild card win last weekend was a 'walk in the park,' as the Bucs ran 25 plays to Philadelphia's eight in the first quarter, outgaining the Eagles 137 yards to 17 and compiling an 11-1 edge in first downs. The Bucs led 31-0 and won 31-15. Brady was 29 of 37 for 271 yards with two TDs and zero INTs. The victory gives him a 35-11 postseason record, including 21-4 in home games.

With the Rams showing a running game last weekend, Stafford could/should be able to attack the Tampa Bay defense with a more balanced offense, while the Bucs could really use Fournette to be able to play, after he missed last week with a hamstring injury (he's listed as probable). Vaugh and Bernard combined for 97 yards rushing vs the Eagles (each ran for a TD) plus combined for seven catches, but Fournette ran for 812 yards (4.5 YPC / 8 TDs) and caught 69 passes with two TDs this regular season. The Rams went 7-2 SU away from home this season, while the Bucs have gone 8-1 SU at home. The Rams head into Tampa looking for their EIGHTH win in NINE tries against the Bucs (dating back to 2012) but I don't believe that's particularly relevant, now the Brady is Tampa Bay's QB. That said, I will note that the Rams beat the Bucs 34-24 back in Week 3 in LA.

However, what I do see as relevant is that both "very talented" defenses were superb last weekend. The Rams held the Cards to 183 total yards (team was up 28-0) and the Bucs were up 31-0 over the Eagles, before allowing two 'garbage' TDs in the 4th quarter (Eagles had just 14 FDs and 244 total yards, most coming in those two late TD drives). A win here for Stafford over Brady would be HUGE for him but with the Bucs playing with revenge, it's hard for me to go against Tampa Bay. However, I have NO problem betting on this contest to go U-N-D-E-R. That's the play.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East/West Total of the Year is on Tor/Dal Over at 8:40 ET.

The No. 7 thru No. 10 seeds in both conferences enter the "Play-In" tourney to decide the No. 7 and No. 8 seeds. Toronto has won SEVEN of 10 and at 21-20, is the current No. 9 seed in the East. The Raptors are three games back of the No. 6 seed but just ONE game ahead of the No. 11 seed. Dallas has won NINE of 10 to reach 25-19, giving the No. 5 seed in the West, three games clear of the No. 7 seed. 

Toronto's top-three scorers have led the way. PG Fred VanVleet (21.9-4.8-6.7), PF Pascal Siakam (21.1-8.5-5.0) and SF Anunoby (19.2 & 5.o), who is having a career season). The Raptors also have two more significant scorers in Trent (16.4) and Florida rookie Barnes (14.5 & 7.9). Barnes is back after a knee injury but Trent remains out (??). Luka Doncic (24.6-8.6-8.8) had his fifth triple-double of the season with 20 points, 11 rebounds and 12 assists in the Mavs' most recent win, recording his 41st career triple-double. Kristaps Porzingis (20.3 & 7.9) added 13 points and eight rebounds on Monday. Porzingis and Doncic played together for the second consecutive game, the first time they have both been active for back-to-back games since Dec 8-10. PF Kleber (7.4 & 5.8) and guard Bullock (6.4) are out but the Mavs are pretty healthy right now. Guard Brunson (16.0 & 5.7 APG), swingman Hardaway (14.5) and SF Finney-Smith (10.5 & 4.8) all average in double digits.

These teams met way back on oct 23, with Dallas winning 103-95. Do NOT expect a similar low-scoring contest here! Note that both Doncic and Porzingis have done well against Toronto. Doncic is averaging 24.2 points, 9.7 rebounds and 8.8 assists in six career appearances against the Raptors, including two triple-doubles. As for Porzingis, he has faced Toronto five times (since coming to Dallas) and averaged 20.2 points and 11.2 rebounds with four double-doubles. This O/U number is way too low. It's Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Wild Card O/U Game of the Year is on SF/Dal Under at 4:30 ET.

The San Francisco 49ers opened 2-0 but then lost four in a row (and five of six), to fall to 3-5. However, the 49ers closed on a 7-2 run, including winning 27-24 (in OT) at the LA Rams (trailed 17-0) to clinch the NFC's No. 6 seed at 10-7 in Week 18. The Dallas Cowboys lost their season opener 31-29 at Tampa (on a last second FG) but then won SIX in a row. Three losses in their next four followed but after a 36-33 OT loss to the Raiders in Dallas on Thanksgiving, the Cowboys would win four straight, lose 25-22 at home vs Arizona in Week 17 and rout the Eagles 51-26 in Philly in Week 18. Dallas finished 12-5, including an NFL-best 13-4 ATS. Dallas has Super Bowl 'dreams' but gets a tough matchup in San Francisco, which boasts a strong running game and a stronger run defense.

RB Mitchell has 963 yards on 4.7 YPFC with 5 TDs plus WR Deebo Samuel has run for 365 yards on 6.2 YPC with 5 TDs. The 49ers are averaging 127.4 YPG rushing (7th) and the running game has made it a little easier for the oft-criticized Jimmy Garoppolo. Jimmy G should have answered his critics with excellent play down the stretch, finishing the season by completing 68.3% for 3,810 yards with 20 TDs and 12 TDs. WR Samuel was just named to the All-Pro team and it's well-deserved. His contributions to the running game have been HUGE, plus he's caught 77 passes with a 18.2 YPC average and 6 TDs. Fellow WR Aiyuk has 56 catches (14.8 YPC / 5 TDs) plus TE Kittle caught 71 passes with 6 TDs, despite missing three games. The San Francisco D is allowing 21.5 PPG and is holding opponents to just 103.5 YPG on the ground (7th).

Dak Prescott is coming off a Week 18 game in which he completed 21 of 27 attempts for 295 yards and five TDs in just over three quarters of action. He's completing 68.8% for 4,449 yards with 37 TDs and 10 INTs, helping Dallas lead the NFL in scoring at 31.2 PPG. This year's team set a franchise record with 22 different players scoring at least one TD. The RB duo of Elliott (1,002 / 4.2 YPC / 10 TDs / 47 catches) and Pollard (719 yards on 5.5 YPC with 2 TDs) looks good on paper but I'll add a comment later. Lamb (79 catches / 13.9 YPC / 6 TDs), Cooper (68 catches / 12.7 YPC / 8 TDs) and Wilson (45 catches / 6 TDs) plus TE Schultz (78 catches / 8 TDs) provide a plethora of options for Dak. The Dallas offense gets all the accolades but the team's defense is allowing 21.1 PPG (7th), while leading the NFL with 34 takeaways.

Zeke may have had a 1,000-yard season (no big deal with a 17-game schedule) and 10 rushing TDs but his 87 yards rushing in Week 18, was the first time he had more than 69 yards rushing in a game in his last 12 contests! Meanwhile, there might not be a more physical team than the 49ers and they match up well against Dallas because of their ground game and quick, short passing attack. Both teams play excellent defense and I see a much lower scoring game than the posted O/U line. Let's call it, "Under Downunder!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* East Conf O/U Game of the Month is on Chi/Bos Under at 8:40 ET.

Both the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will attempt to get back in the win column when they meet Saturday night in Boston. Chicago was blown out at home 138-96 by the Golden State Warriors last night, while the Celtics fell 111-99 at home to Philadelphia. The Chicago Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year but have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. The Bulls sit atop the East with a 27-13 record but not only were they blown out last night by Golden St, they suffered the same fat Wednesday night at home, losing 138-112 to the Brooklyn Nets. Boston's first-year head coach Ime Udoka has seen his two superstars Tatum and Brown struggle at times to blend together and with the rest of the team, which partly explains Boston's 21-22 record. At the moment, Boston sits a half-game behind the East's No. 10 seed, the last of the seeds to make the "Play-In" round.

There were 'whispers' that the 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan was on the downside of his career, but he's been one of the best players in the NBA so far this season, averaging 25.7-5.1-4.7. He has energized the Chicago Bulls, along with LaVine (24.9-4.8-4.2), Vucevic (16.0 & 11.3) and Ball (13.0-5.4-5.1). Almost all of Chicago's key performers have missed a few games because of COVID but the team is pretty well set these days. Guard White is the most recent to return and is averaging 12.1 PPG, while SF Jones (6.5 & 3.5) has been starting with DeRozan in the frontcourt, along with true center Vucevic. However, Zach LaVine exited last night against the Warriors with 8:28 left in the first quarter with a left knee injury. LaVine, who did not attempt a shot and went scoreless in four minutes, will not travel to Boston and instead undergo an MRI exam on Saturday. Derrick Jones also did not play last night with a bone bruise in his right knee. Coby White scored 20 points off the bench and Nikola Vucevic had 19 points and 14 rebounds to pace Chicago in Friday's loss. The Bulls' leading scorer DeMar DeRozan finished with 17 points and seven assists and Lonzo Ball chipped in 15 points.

Tatum (25.7 & 8.4) and Brown a (24.5 & 6.6) are the team's 'Dynamic Duo' and the duo had performed like Superheros lately, combining for 50 or more points in three of their past four games and were averaging a combined 51.8 points between them over the last five, as Boston visited Philly last night. After opening a six-point lead early last night, the Celtics ceded a 28-4 run to end the first quarter and never threatened after that. Philadelphia led by as many as 22 points in the second quarter and Boston was unable to pull within single digits down the stretch. Jaylen Brown had a team-high 21 points and Jayson Tatum added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Celtics but as noted above, the duo entered the game averaging 51.8 points between them in their prior five outings. Boston played without starting guard Marcus Smart (11.6-4.0-5.3) for a second straight game. Smart missed Wednesday's tilt at Indiana with a right-thigh bruise but was sidelined against Philadelphia in the NBA's COVID-19 health and safety protocol. Fellow guards Schroder (15.7 & 4.4 APG) and Richardson (10.3) are set to go. So are Horford (10. & 7.4) and Robert Williams (9.9 & 9.1), who are both solid big men.

The Bulls and Celtics met once earlier this season, on Nov 1 in Boston, with Chicago coming away with a 128-114 victory. Boston led 103-89 after three quarters before Chicago finished strong and outscored the hosts 39-11 in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. However, this time around, expect a lower scoring contest. Each failed to eclipse the 100-point plateau last night and I have a hard time seeing either mustering up much energy here in the second game of the back-to-back scenario. Go U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Late Show O/U play is on Mem/LAL Under at 9:40 ET.

The Memphis Grizzlies lost 132-110 to the Hawks on Nov 26, giving them a 9-10 record. However, the Grizzlies have won18 of 2 since, as Memphis now owns a 27-14 record, good enough for the Western Conference's No. 4 seed. The Grizzlies will take an EIGHT-game winning streak into tonight's game with the Lakers, after a 123-108 win over the Clippers last night. The win came with head coach Taylor Jenkins on the sideline (COVID-19 protocol) and leading scorer Ja Morant (25.0-5.8-6.6) sitting out with soreness in his left thigh. The Grizzlies WON'T have to travel, as they are back in Staples Center again, to face the Lakers, whose four-game winning streak has them two games over .500 at 21-19. The Lakers are beginning to get healthy after being shorthanded most of the season and that's helped them produce their longest winning streak of the season.

Morant is considered day-to-day, and Memphis also lost second-leading scorer Dillon Brooks (18.4) to an ankle injury against the Clippers, leaving his availability against the Lakers in doubt as well. The Grizzlies also played without Kyle Anderson (8.1 & 5.3) because of back soreness, John Konchar, Yves Pons, Xavier Tillman and more notably, center Steven Adams (7.0 & 9.4) because of health and safety protocol. Adams had played in AND started, all 40 games before last night. Some good news comes in that the Grizzlies have had to test their depth in recent games, and players like Tyus Jones and Brandon Clarke have answered the call. Jones scored in double figures for the FIFTH straight game after producing 18 points against the Clippers. He was held to five or fewer points in the five games before the hot stretch. As for Clarke, he had 18 points and 15 rebounds off the bench against the Clippers.

As noted above, the Lakers are beginning to get healthy. The Lakers still remain without eight-time All-Star center Anthony Davis (23.3 & 9.9) but the 37-year-old LBJ continues to carry the load while also defying his age. James scored 32 points against the Hawks to become the oldest player in NBA history to score at least 25 points in 10 straight games. LBJ is averaging 28.7 points overall (second best in the NBA), 7.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists. He also passed Alvin Robertson on Friday night for 10th on the NBA's all-time steals list (2,113). James has been getting some help recently from Malik Monk, who went 7-of-12 from three-point range and scored 29 points against the Hawks. Monk is averaging 21.9 points over the past seven games to raise his season average to 12.1. The ageless Carmelo Anthony has quietly played in ALL 40 games, averaging 13.4 & 4.2. Speaking of playing in all 40 games, Westbrook has done that as well, but no one is quite sure if he's the best 'fit' for LA, despite averaging 19.3-8.1-8.3.

Getting to the point. The Grizzlies have beaten the Lakers twice in December (both games played in Memphis), 108-95 and 104-99. Those two finals have averaged 203 PPG, some three 'TDs' lower than the O/U number here. I say, go U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured NFL Sunday O/U play is on SF/LAR Over at 4:25 ET.

The San Francisco 49ers opened the season 3-5 but have been able to win SIX of their last eight games to reach 9-7 as they visit the Rams Sunday afternoon at Sofi Stadium. The Los Angeles Rams opened 7-1 but then lost THREE in a row to fall to 7-4. Meanwhile, Arizona was 9-2 after 11 games, so the Rams seemed destined for at best, a wild card spot. However, the Rams enter this contest on a FIVE-game winning streak to get to 12-4, while the Cards have fallen to 10-5. Both the Rams and Cards have clinched playoff spots but the Rams will capture the NFC West with a win over the 49ers, or a loss by the Cards. As for the 49ers, they are in as a wild card if they beat the Rams but could also 'sneak' into the playoffs if the Saints lose on Sunday in Atlanta.

San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan, citing current key injuries, the COVID unknown and the general parity among the NFL's top teams, said this week the door is wide open this season for any playoff team to walk away with the hardware. "The goal to me is always: Just to get in," he professed. "Because if you get in, you got the shot. I've always felt like that, and it seems pretty strong this year, too." It's HARD to argue with him on this. The 49ers have won FIVE in a row against their longtime California rival and a SIXTH straight win could give them a psychological edge. A "W' would give the 49ers a third consecutive season-series sweep and a third straight win in LA.

Jimmy Garoppolo went 15-for-19 for 182 yards and two TDs in a 31-10 home win over the Rams in Week 10 but suffered a partially torn ligament in his right thumb in the Week 16 loss at Tennessee. He sat out last week's 23-7 home win over the Houston Texans, a game in which prized rookie Trey Lance threw for 249 yards and two TDs. Shanahan has indicated that Garoppolo (68.0% for 3,494 yards with 19 TDs and 10 INTs), if deemed healthy, would get the start against the Rams. It figures to be a game-day decision. Mitchell has 'saved' the 49ers' running game this season, gaining 878 yards on 4.7 YPC with 6 TDs. He's topped 100 yards rushing in TWO of the last three games (133 in Week 15 at Minnesota and 119 at home vs Houston in Week 17). Then there is WR Samuel, who has 51 rushing attempts for 320 yards (6.3 YPC) and 7 TDs, while snaring a team-best 73 receptions (17.9 YPC / 6 TDs). TE Kittle (66 / 6 TDs) is active and WR Aiyuk has 50 catches (14.4 YPC) with 5 TDs.

Matthew Stafford is sure happy to be out of Detroit, Stafford has completed 67.3% for 4,648 yards with 38 TDs and 15 INTs (QB rating of 103.5). The running game has been better behind Sony Michel (802 yards on the season), who has averaged 99.4 yards per game during the five straight wins. RB Darrell Henderson (688 yards on 4.6 YPC and 5 TDs) is on IR but Cam Akers could finally play after an offseason Achilles injury that was originally expected to cost him his season. WR Kupp leads the NFL in receptions (138), yards (1,829) and receiving TDs (15). Fellow WR Woods (45 catches / 6 TDs) remains on IR but second-year WR Jefferson has 48 catches on 16.1 YPC with 6 TDs (he caught just 19 passes as a rookie, playing in all 16 games!). TE Higbee adds 55 catches and 3 TDs. Cooper Kupp is in position to become the fourth player in NFL history to lead the league in receptions, yards receiving and touchdown catches. Only Jerry Rice, Sterling Sharpe and Steve Smith have won the triple crown. Kupp is also 12 receptions and 136 yards away from setting the single-season NFL records in both categories, although Kupp believes those potential achievements would deserve a big asterisk in a 17-game season. In the end, that's just a 'side story.'

Neither team's defense has played up to snuff this season, as both find themselves in the middle-of-the-pack. The 49ers will know by kick-off if the Saints have won or lost in Atlanta. If New Orleans lost, the 49ers are in the postseason, win or lose but if the Saints were to win, the 49ers would need to beat the Rams to play next weekend. The Rams could be scoreboard watching as well, as the Cards are hosting the Seahawks at the same time. An Arizona loss clinches the division for the Rams win or lose. In the end, maybe all these "what ifs" are NOT worth worrying about. I expect the Rams to want to win this game pretty badly and end that five-game losing streak. I also expect LA to score here and for the 49ers, whether they need to win or not, to score enough for this game to 'fly' over the number.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* West Conf O/U Game of the Month is on Sac/Den Over at 9:10 ET.

The Kings and Nuggets meet tonight in Denver. The Kings are just 16-24, leaving them 11th in the West, a half-game out of sneaking into the NBA's "Play-In" round, which features the 7-10 seeds playing for the last two playoff spots. Injuries and COVID-19 absences have piled up for the Nuggets but Denver checks in at 18-18. That gives them the No. 7 seed but the team is just ONE game back of the West's No. 5 seed.

The Kings won't have center Richaun Holmes (12.6 & 8.7) against Denver after he went into COVID-19 protocol on Saturday. Terence Davis (9.5) sat out Wednesday's game with an ankle injury, and Chimezie Metu (9.1 & 6.5) is also in the protocol and will be out for Friday's game. PG Fox (20.9 & 5.2 APG) has scored 30 points in each of the Kings' last two games and is joined by guards Hield (15.7) and Haliburton (13.6-4.0-6.8) to form a terrific perimeter trio. SF Barnes (16.5 & 6.1) continues his solid play plus Baylor rookie Mitchell (9.4) has become a regular contributor. PF/C Bagley (8.0 & 7.1) is back healthy and has pulled down 12 rebounds in each of the team's last two games.

With Denver suffering injuries and COVID absences last year's MVP has taken on more and more responsibility. It would be hard for Nikola Jokic (25.7-14.2-7.0) to do more than he did Wednesday night, when he scored 26 points with 21 rebounds and 11 assists in a 115-109 loss to the Utah Jazz. "26, 21 and 11, and you lose," acting Nuggets coach Popeye Jones said after Wednesday's game. "You feel it for him. I think I've said it numerous times since I've been sitting here. Most superstars wouldn't take it. ... He's a special guy." Jokic has had to carry a bigger load with long-term injuries to Jamal Murray (knee) and Michael Porter Jr. (back). Neither is coming back soon, and things became tougher with Aaron Gordon (14.2 & 5.5 playing with a hamstring injury, while Jeff Green and Zeke Nnaji were placed on the health and safety protocol list.

The Kings lost at home to Atlanta on Wednesday night despite Trae Young, John Collins and Bogdan Bogdanovic sitting out. Unfortunately, for those hoping the Kings will finally break their 15-year playoff drought, it's not the only time Sacramento has lost to a team that is missing stars. The Kings have dropped games against the Los Angeles Lakers without LeBron James and Anthony Davis and to Dallas when Luka Doncic was sidelined. Sacramento is the worst defensive team in the league but will also be able score here in Denver, so I see this game 'soaring' over the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Atl/Sac Under at 10:10 ET.

Full, detailed analysis Wednesday by 12 noon ET.

My 9* NFL Featured Sunday O/U is on Mia/Ten Over at 1:00 ET.

Miami opened last season 1-3 but won NINE of its final 12 games (5-1 at home, losing only to KC), to just miss the playoffs at 10-6. Optimism was high entering 2021 but after a 17-16 win at New England in Week 1, the Dolphins lost SEVEN straight games. However, Miami has rebounded with a 7-0 SU & 6-1 ATS run to become the first team in NFL history to win seven straight games and also lose seven consecutive games in the same season. The now 8-7 Dolphins can make the playoffs but they'll have to beat both the 10-4 Titans and 9-6 Patriots to close out the regular season.

Miami is in Nashville on Sunday to take on the Titans, who rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit in Week 16 to beat the 49ers 20-17 on Bullock's 44-yard FG with four seconds left. "We're not dead yet," Tennessee head coach Mike Vrabel said of the Titans, who had lost three of their previous four games. Now, a win over the Dolphins would give the Titans their second straight AFC South championship.

Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa (70.1% for 2,339 yards with 15 TDs and 9 INTs) has made a living this year out of short and safe passes to rookie WR Waddle and TE Gesicki. Waddle has set the Dolphins rookie record for receiving yards with 941 on 96 catches and Gesicki. has 67 catches for 707 yards with two TDs. The Miami running game is a problem, as the Dolphins average only 86.6 YPG on the ground to rank 30th of 32 teams. The Miami D has allowed just 11.8 PPG in its seven-game winning streak and checks in allowing 21.0 PPG on the season to rank 10th.

The Titans haven't been the same since RB Derrick Henry was lost with a foot injury in Week 8. QB Ryan Tannehill has had to shoulder more of the load, and he has thrown for fewer than 200 yards in four of seven games since Henry (937 yards / 10 TDs) was hurt. Henry has not played since a 34-31 OT win at Indy. Tannehill has fallen off dramatically from the previous two seasons. He won the job during 2019 and wound up with 22 TDs and just 6 INTs (QB rating of 117.5). He then had a 33-7 ratio in 2020 with a 106.5 rating. His 2021 numbers? 15 TDs and 14 INTs and a QB rating of 84,8. Tannehill had not thrown for more than 191 yards in the three games WR Brown had been on injured reserve but the third-year receiver was activated off IR before last week's game and caught 11 passes for 145 yards with a TD. Tannehill threw for 209 with a TD and no INTs.

The backstory in this game is that Tannehill spent six seasons as Miami's starting quarterback, struggling with mediocre talent surrounding him (Tannehill had a 42-46 record as Miami's starting QB). However, with Tennessee, Tannehill has produced an impressive 28-13 record. The Dolphins are 'on fire' but winning here will be tough. Note that Miami has been very fortunate during its winning streak, the second-longest active run in the NFL, as the Dolphins have beaten just ONE team that does not have a losing record. That team is Baltimore, which is barely above .500 at 8-7, having lost FOUR in a row.

While some may see this as an 'under,' I expect Tannehill to come up with a HUGE effort vs his former team plus I expect Tua to make some 'noise' as well. This Over/Under is WAAAY too low. It's Goin' Over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Bowl O/U of the Year is on ASU/Wisconsin Over at 10:30 ET.

The Wisconsin Badgers began the season ranked No. 12 in the AP preseason poll but opened 1-3. All looked lost but the Badgers put together a seven-game winning streak and all they needed to do was win at Minnesota in their regular season finale to clinch a berth in the Big Ten championship game. However, Wisconsin lost 23-13. The mood was bleak. Yes, 8-4 Wisconsin is making its 20th consecutive bowl appearance, but that seven-game winning streak had the Badgers craving a loftier bowl destination. However, the Badgers are now saying they are motivated to make amends as they enter the Las Vegas Bowl against Arizona State on Thursday. In contrast to Wisconsin's slow start, ASU opened 5-1 (lone loss was 27-17 at BYU) and was ranked 18th when it visited Salt Lake City to take on Utah. The Utes dominated the Sun Devils, winning 35-21 and the defeat was the beginning of a 3-3 finish that leaves the Sun Devils with the same record as the Badgers at 8-4.

QB Jayden Daniels accounted for 16 touchdowns (10 passing, six rushing) but didn't make the big impact he needed to declare for the NFL draft. He recently announced he will be back in 2022 after passing for 2,222 yards (with nine interceptions) and rushing for 670 yards. That's the good news for ASU. The bad news is that RB Rachaad White (1,006 rushing yards / 5.5 YPC / 15 TDs) is skipping the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft and fellow RB DeaMonte Trayanum (402 rushing yards with six TDs) entered the transfer portal. That leaves Daniyel Ngata, who averaged 6.4 yards a carry while producing 286 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, as the lead back against Wisconsin.

Wisconsin dominated opponents defensively during the first six games of its seven-game winning streak, allowing a miniscule 44 points (7.3 PPG). However, in its final two games, the defense allowed 51 points. That said, the Wisconsin defense enters this game allowing just 16.4 PPG on 241.4 YPG (1st in the nation). You may remember Wisconsin QB Mertz making a spectacular debut back on Oct 23rd of 2020, completing 20 of 21 for 248 yards with five TD passes in the Big Ten's 1st game back after it initially had canceled the season. Well, that QB hasn't been seen since. In his last 18 games, he has just 13 TD passes and 15 INTs. RBs Allen (1,109 yards / 7.1 YPC / 12 TDs) and Mellusi (815 / 4.7 YPC / 5 TDs) headline a running game that averages 215.3 YPG (16th), The Wisconsin offense isn't pretty but it averaged 31.9 PPG in its seven-game winning steak and 25.8 PPG on the season.

I won't be even a little surprised if the Wisconsin offense bludgeons the ASU defense, which also saw CBs Chase Lucas and Jack Jones opt out of the contest to prepare for the draft. "Obviously, the regular season didn't end the way we would've liked it," Wisconsin head coach Paul Chryst said. "But I go back to (the fact that) this group truly does enjoy each other. They care about each other, and we've got one game that we can play and one more opportunity. I think for all those reasons, it means a lot to them." I'm with Paul and while ASU will definitely be short-handed with its running game, I expect QB Daniels to play with a 'chip on his shoulder' with something to prove against the Wisconsin defense. ASU avenged 29.7 PPG on the season and if the Sun Devils can get between 14 and 21 points, I expect this game to 'fly' over the total. That's the bet.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured Sunday O/U (NFC East O/U Game of the Year) is on Was/Dal Over at 8:20 ET.

The Dallas Cowboys were not on the field Thursday night but when the Titans edged the 49ers 20-17 on a FG with four seconds left in the game, Dallas became the second NFL team to clinch a 2021 playoff berth, joining the Green Bay Packers. The 10-4 Cowboys have a three-game lead over the 7-7 Philadelphia Eagles in the division race and can clinch the NFC East with a victory over the visiting 7-7 Washington Football Team on Sunday Night Football. The Dallas/Washington rivalry is among the most intense in the NFL and the two teams meet for the SECOND time in a three-week span. Dallas led that Week 14 game in Washington 24-0 at the half but despite forcing FOUR turnovers and Washington losing starting QB Taylor Heinicke to an injured knee (left and didn't return), the Cowboys needed to hang on for a 27-20 win.

Heinicke didn't play Tuesday night in Washington's 27-17 loss at Philadelphia but he's back here. He's proven himself this season, completing 66.5% for 2,931 yards with 19 TDs and 12 INTs. He needs 69 yards passing for 3,000 on the season plus has run for 297 yards on 5.4 YPC. Pass-catching RB McKissic (43 receptions ranks second on the team) is out, which means Washington could really use RB Gibson (862 rushing yards with 5 TDs) on the field. However, he had just 26 yards on 15 carries in Tuesday's game and has missed practice time with a toe injury during the week. If he can't go, rookie Patterson will get the call, but he's carried the ball just 41 times with a 3.8 YPC average. WR McLaurin (63 catches / 13.6 YPC / 5 TDs) is Washington's lone receiver of note, with Humphries and Carter (each has played all 14 games) combining for 59 catches with only three TDs.

Dallas had a rough November, losing THREE of four games, but enters this quick turnaround vs Washington having just completed a 3-0 three-game road trip. Dallas has allowed an average of 14.3 PPG during the winning streak, forcing four turnovers in each contest (first time Dallas has done that over a three-game stretch since 1994!). QB Dak Prescott has put up impressive numbers, completing 68.5% for 3,598 with 25 TDs and 10 INTS (he has missed just ONE of 14 games). However, he hasn't been nearly as good since returning from a calf injury in the eighth game. Prescott couldn't get himself going in the first meeting with Washington two weeks ago. His pick-6 in the fourth quarter gave Washington a chance to tie after trailing by 19 with less than six minutes remaining. In fact, Prescott has thrown just five TD passes over the last five games, after tossing 20 over his first eight appearances. RB Elliott (862 yards / 4.3 YPC / 9 TDs) has been saying his ailing right knee is getting better, but he's now on a six-game streak with a per-carry average below four yards. With 51 yards against the Giants, he ended a five-game run below that mark. That said, he needs 123 scrimmage yards to join LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players to with at least 1,250 scrimmage yards and eight touchdowns in each of their first six seasons (not bad company). Zeke's RB partner is Tony Pollard (676 yards on 5.7 YPC) and he needs just 52 scrimmage yards for his first season with at least 1,000. WRs Lamb (70 catches / 6 TDs) and Cooper (53 catches / 6 TDs) are both healthy and TE Shultz has 61 catches with 5 TDs.

Yes, the Dallas defense is playing great, but Washington could very well come into this contest with almost no running game to speak of and will be forced to throw. Yes, Dak has not had is "A-game" for a month, but Prescott is 4-0 with 11 TDs (nine passing / two rushing) and no interceptions at home against Washington. The last time the Cowboys were at home was Thanksgiving Day, when they lost 36-33 to the Raiders in OT. Dak threw for 375 yards and two TDs in that one and I'm expecting Dak and the Dallas offense to 'wake up' here vs the hated-Redskins (slip of the tongue) and put up some impressive numbers. Washington and Heinicke will HAVE to score to keep up. This one is Goin' over!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Ind/Chi Under at 8:10 ET.

The Indiana Pacers missed the postseason with a 34-38 record last year, after playing in NINE of the previous 10. The Pacers opened 1-6 and will enter this Christmas Day game in Chicago at 14-19, two games out of the "Play In" cut line. The Bulls were 31-41 last season, missing the postseason for the FOURTH consecutive year. However, the Bulls have reinvented themselves as a threat in the Eastern Conference behind Zach LaVine and the free-agent signing of DeMar DeRozan. They also picked up center Nikola Vucevic from Orlando last season (where his talents were wasted) plus added Lonzo Ball as a free agent. Like many other teams in recent weeks, the Bulls have had severe COVID issues but still enter this contest 19-10, battling 22-13 Milwaukee for the Central Division lead. The Bulls currently hold down the No. 2 seed in the East.

When healthy, the Pacers have a strong five-man rotation, as all players average in double digits. PG Brogdon (19.0-5.3-6.1) leads the way, followed by PF Sabonis (18.1-11.6-4.2). SG LeVert (16.7), center Turner (13.4 & 7.5) and 6-5 rookie Duarte (13.2 & 4.1) comprise that group. The issue for Indiana for tonight's game is the Pacers are hoping that PG Malcolm Brogdon (right achilles) and forward Domantas Sabonis (right calf) will be back in the lineup. Both are listed as day-to-day after missing Thursday's 118-106 win over the Houston Rockets. Center Myles Turner, who has 17 blocks over his past five games, contributed 32 points and 10 rebounds in 37 minutes against the Rockets. The Pacers also received a boost from Caris LeVert, who filled in for Brogdon at point guard and tallied 24 points and 11 assists.

There were 'whispers' that the 32-year-old DeMar DeRozan was on the downside of his career but he's been one of the best players in the NBA so far this season, averaging 26.8-5.2-4.2. He has energized the Chicago Bulls, along with LaVine (26.0-5.3-4.2), Vucevic (15.5 & 10.4) and Ball (13.2-5.4-5.0). DeRozan missed three games due to the NBA's COVID protocols before scoring 38 points in last Sunday's 115-110 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. He then scored 26 in a 133-118 victory over the Houston Rockets on Monday. Cautious optimism has the Bulls hoping the worst of the team's COVID outbreak is behind them. In fact, Sunday's game will mark the first time Chicago has had center Nikola Vucevic, forward DeMar DeRozan and guard Zach LaVine available at the same time in more than THREE weeks.

The Bulls will surely remember the Pacers beating them 109-77 in Chicago back on Nov 22, meaning Chicago has lost its last SIX home games against Indiana It's time for the Bulls to say Enough is ENOUGH! We won't know until tip-off just who will or won't play for the Pacers but it's my opinion that this O/U number seems to reflect an "all hands on deck" scenario, which by no means is a guarantee. I'm going U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* NFL Featured O/U is on the NJY/Mia Over at 1:00 ET.

The Jets drafted BYU's Zach Wilson No. 2 in the 2021 Draft, right after the Jags took Trevor Lawrence, hoping that he would develop into the franchise QB the team has been searching for the last few decades. The early returns? Not so good! The Dolphins are led by QB Tua Tagovailoa, who was the 5th overall pick in the 2020 Draft. Things are going MUCH better for Tua, as he and the Dolphins welcome the Jets to Hard Rock Stadium for this Week 15 contest. The 3-10 Jets have already been eliminated from playoff contention for a franchise-record 11th consecutive year, which is also the longest active drought in the NFL Meanwhile, the Dolphins are looking to extend their 5-0 SU & ATS winning streak to six games on Sunday.

The Jets opened the season 2-8, although both wins were shockers. They first beat the Titans 27-24 in OT (note: Tennessee is in a three-way tie for the AFC's best record with Kansas City and New England at 9-4) plus then beat the Bengals 34-31 as 11.5-point underdogs. New York's only other win this season has come 21-14 over the equally sad-sack 2-11 Houston Texans. Wilson has struggled, missing three games due to injury and compiling a 2-7 record in his nine starts. He is completing just 56.1 percent of his passes and has just six TD passes while getting intercepted 11 times in 285 attempts (QB rating is a pathetic 65.3). The Jets' running game is almost non-existent (84.2 YPG ranks 30Th) and on the season, New York's 17.4 PPG ranks 29th.

Miami opened last season 1-3 but won NINE of its final 12 games (5-1 at home, losing only to KC), to just miss the playoffs at 10-6. Optimism was high entering 2021 but after a 17-16 win at New England in Week 1, the Dolphins lost SEVEN straight games. However, Miami has rebounded with a 5-0 SU & ATS run. Tua regained the starting QB job (injury/poor play) and has led the team in the last four wins. In his team's last three games, Tua has focused on staying in the pocket (just nine rush attempts), completing 80% of his 105 pass attempts with five TD passes and just one INT.  Miami's running game is actually worse than New York's, averaging 79.2 YPG (31st)but Tua does have two impressive 'targets' in rookie WR Waddle (86 catches) and TE Gesicki (59 catches).

These teams met back in Week 11, with the Jets losing at home 24-17. However, total yards were about even, Mia had 388 to NY's 380, with Tua throwing for 273 yards and Flacco for 291. it's Wilson not Flacco here and while I don't expect the Jets to score too much vs a Miami defense allowing just 11.0 PPG during the team's five-game winning streak, I do expect them to approach their season average of 17.4 PPG, playing in the perfect weather of Miami. Meanwhile, Tua and the Dolphins should have NO problem moving (AND scoring!) against a New York defense allowing an NFL-worst 30.5 PPG on 397.8 PPG (31st of 32 teams). No reason NOT to think that the Dolphins won't top 30 points, meaning we don't need too much from the Jets to exceed this low O/U number. The play is O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Min/Den Under at 9:10 ET.

The Minnesota Timberwolves made Karl-Anthony Towns the No. 1 overall pick in 2015 and the LA Lakers made D'Angelo Russell the No. 2 pick of that same draft. Towns has been the 'centerpiece' (pardon the pun) of the T-wolves since joining the team but now Russell, who has had a nomadic career, is making a big impact with the T-wolves as Towns' teammate. Throw in swingman Anthony Edwards, the No. 1 overall pick of the 2020 Draft and the T-wolves own quite a trio. That said, Minnesota visits Pepsi Center to take on the Nuggets, with just a 12-15 record.

Nikola Jokic (last season's MVP) may be having a better year than last season, with his numbers not nearly telling the whole story. His 26.5 points a game is 0.1 more than last year, his 7.3 assists are down by just one per game but he is averaging 13.8 rebounds this year, three more than last season. However, as the Nuggets welcome the T-wolves to Denver, the etam is just 14-13 (.519), after going 147-80 (.648) the last three seasons.

Minnesota is 0-5 without Russell in the lineup but 12-10 with him. The T-wolves had lost five straight (the last three when he was out with a sore ankle) but he returned Sunday in Portland, when his 18 points helped Minnesota end that five-game slide with a 116-111 win.

The Nuggets have been floating near .500 while dealing with roster turmoil (injuries/COVID). The Nuggets hadn't played at home since losing to Milwaukee back on Nov 26 but returned from a 4-3 road trip on Monday to beat the Wizards 113-107. Nikola Jokic makes up for a lot of holes (see above) but the team's second-leading scorer is Barton (16.3-5.1-4.2), who is again listed as questionable for this game. SF Gordon (14.3 & 5.7) has played well up front but is having back issues. PF Porter has only played in NINE games this season (last played Nov 6), with Jeff Green is filling in and averaging 9.6 & 3.1, well below Porter's 19.0 & 7.3 last season. PG Murray (21.2 & 4.8 APG last season) remains out after a torn ACL at the end of last season (no timetable on his return) and while Morris (12.7 & 4.3 APG) is a solid player, he's NO Murray.

When these teams played against each other last, the Nuggets walked away with the 93-91 win back on October 30th in Minnesota. While I do NOT expect THAT low of a point total this around, I do expect a similar competitive and defensive affair this time around. Note the closing Over/Under number in that Oct 30th game was 219.5. The same total I played under in this one. U-N-D-E-R is the way to go!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Sac/Tor Over at 7:10 ET.

The Sacramento Kings are trying to salvage one win from a three-game road trip. They lost 124-123 to the Charlotte Hornets on Friday, ending a three-game winning streak, and then lost 117-103 at Cleveland on Saturday. The Kings are in Toronto tonight to face the Raptors, who are hoping to complete their seven-game homestand with a winning record. The Raptors evened their record on the homestand to 3-3 with a 90-87 victory over the New York Knicks on Friday.

We all know that Sacramento hasn't made the playoffs for 15 straight seasons The Kings.fired Luke Walton after a 6-11 start, ending, at least for now, his legendary 166-241 (.408) record as an NBA head coach. However, I'm sure there will be many opportunities for him down the road. The Kings have shown some 'life' and progress since being led by interim head coach Alvin Gentry, going 5-5. I've been saying the same thing for the last two seasons, the Kings have way more talent than their record indicates. Maybe Gentry, whom players like, can get the most out of these perennial underachievers. PG Fox (20.1 & 5.1 APG) is joined on the perimeter by fellow starter Haliburton (12.0 & 5.6 APG) and Hield (15.7 & 4.2), who seems fine coming off the bench these days. Undersized center Holmes (14.0 & 9.3) has developed into a quality big man but he is expected to miss here with an eye injury. SF Barnes (18.0 & 6.8) has been terrific since arriving in Sacramento a few years ago.

Toronto went 58-24 in the 2018-19 season (.707) and went onto win the franchise's lone NBA title led by Kawhi. Kawhi 'flew the coop' before the 2019-20 season but the Raptors had even a better regular season record, going 53-19 (.736). However, the Raptors couldn't replicate their postseason success. Last season, Toronto tumbled to a 27-45 record. The Raptors are just 12-14 so far this season. OG Anunoby has blossomed this season, averaging 20.1 & 5.5 but a hip pointer has kept him on the sidelines since. PG VanVleet (19.7-5.1-6.4) is a true All Star, as is PF Siakam (18.9 & 7.7), who is back after beginning the season injured. SG Trent (17.0) has been a valuable addition plus rookie Barnes (Florida) has been a HUGE surprise, averaging 15.1 & 8.3. However, depth is an issue right now. I referred to Anunoby at the top but PG Dragic, PF Achiuwa and center Birch are all expected to miss as well.

That lack of depth should hurt on the defensive side of the ball and the Kings show up in Toronto with a defense allowing 114.0 PPG (29th). The Kings' last three games have averaged 246.3 points per game and I view this as a "run-and-gun shootout." Go O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured NFL Sunday O/U is on Bal/Cle Over at 1:00 ET.

The Steelers survived a game-winning two-point conversion for the Ravens o in Week 12, holding on for a 20-19 win. Heading into Week 14, the AFC North looked like this, Baltimore was 8-4, Cincinnati 7-5 (off a humbling home loss to the Chargers), Pittsburgh 6-5-1 and the Browns 6-6 (Week 13 bye). The Steelers were the first AFC North team to play in Week 14, losing 36-28 Thursday night in Minnesota to fall to 6-6-1. The Bengals are set to host the 6-6 49ers in a 4:25 start and at 1:00 ET, the Ravens and Browns will meet in Cleveland. Baltimore just won 16-10 over visiting Cleveland in Week 12, a mere two weeks ago. Since the Browns had a bye last week, they now become the first NFL team in 30 years to play consecutive regular-season games against the same opponent. Seattle did it last in 1991.

The scheduling quirk has Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield feeling healthier as he's battled shoulder, foot, and knee injuries most of the season. The extended prep time can ONLY help the Browns, who have lost FOUR in a row against their division rival. Baker Mayfield led the Browns to a 10-6 record, as the team ended a 17-year playoff drought in 2020. He rebounded from a 2019 season in which he had 22 TDs and 21 INTs, by improving to a 26-8 TD/INT ratio. Cleveland then recorded a 48-37 victory at Pittsburgh in an AFC wild-card game on Jan 10. However, Mayfield has not put up the same kind of numbers here in 2021 (like 2020), completing 62.2% for 2,413 with only 11 TDs and 6 IMTs. In fairness, the Browns may own the worst receiving corps in the NFL. However, despite on-and-off issues/injuries to Chubb (867 yards / 5.8 YPC / 6 TDs) and Hunt (381 yards / 5.0 YPC / 5 TDs), the Browns do check in with the NFL's third-best running game in the NFL (147.1 YPG). Defensively, the Browns are allowing 22.3 PPG (12th).

Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore offense in general, have become mired in a slump.  Jackson has just three TD passes and six  INTs, not to mention 13 sacks taken, in his last three games. The Ravens have scored just 61 points in their past four games (15.3 PPG.). Jackson does have 762 yards rushing (5.8 YPC), allowing the Ravens, despite the loss of RBs Dobbins and Edwards getting hurt before the season started, to match the Browns in avenging 147.1 YPG on the ground. WR Brown has 65 catches (6 TDs) and TE Andrews has 64 (6 TDs). The Baltimore defense is allowing 23/5 PPP (16th).

In the Week 12 meeting, while Baltimore won, Jackson was BRUTAL, passing for just 165 yards with four INTs. As for Mayfield, he did little, passing for 247 yards with one TD (no INTs). More notably, Chubb and Hunt both played but the Browns ran the ball just 17 times for 40 yards, more than 100 less than the team's season average. Like with Mayfield, Chubb and a healthy Hunt are available Sunday and the bye week has been a HUGE help. I also expect Jackson to bounce back, after his terrible three-game stretch (see above). Expect Cleveland  to "open the playbook" off its bye and for this contest to comfortably 'Go Over' the number. Weather forecast for Sunday in Cleveland says; sunny and in the high 40s. Perfect football weather.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Phi/Cha Under at 7:10 ET.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in Charlotte tonight to take on the Hornets. Philly (49-23) was the East's No. 1 seed last season but lost in the second round to the Hawks, As for the Hornets, they were 33-39 last year and were part of the NBA's "Play-In" round, but got crushed 144-117 at Indiana. However, as the teams meet Monday night, the Hornets are 14-11 and the 76ers 12-11,

The 76ers should be well-rested, as while Philadelphia played three games in an eight-day period (2-1), the most recent-game for the 76ers was Friday night's 98-96 win in Atlanta. The best news for Philly fans is that the team is back healthy. Center Embiid (22.5 & 11.0) and PF Harris (19.2 & 8.2) have missed time becai-use of COVID protocols but that's behind them. Simmons has NOT been missed, as PG Maxey (17.2 & 4.9 APG) has played all 23 games plus Curry adds 16.3 PPG in the backcourt. Guards Milton (11.5) and Korkmaz (9.2) add depth on the perimeter, while the 6-7 Niang (11.3) and the 6-10 Drummond add 6.5 & 10.5 in about 21 minutes per game.

Charlotte is led by the outstanding trio of Bridges (20.4 & 7.3), Ball (20.0-7.7-8.3) and Hayward (17.2-4.9-3.4). Plumlee (6.8 & 7.3) started the first 20 games but is currently sidelined (right calf strain), with PJ Washintgton (10.5 & 5.2) filling in the last two. Perimeter players Rozier (17.7) and Oubre (15.8) have also been regular and effective contributors. The Hornets go into Monday night's home game against the Philadelphia 76ers coming off an unlikely result. Down four players because of COVID protocols, the Hornets pulled out Sunday night's 130-127 road victory against the Atlanta Hawks. Charlotte won despite the absences of LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier, Mason Plumlee and Jalen McDaniels. All except McDaniels are considered starters.

These teams meet again Wednesday night (also in Charlotte)but let; stay "in the moment." Charlotte is the highest-scoring team in the league, averaging 115.5 PPG but with the 76ers running the majority of their offense through their big man, I expect a much more methodically-paced affair than what this Over/Under line is suggesting. Play the U-N-D-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NFL Sunday Featured O/U is on NYG/Mia Over at 1:00 ET.

The Miami Dolphins will host the New York Giants on Sunday and welcome the Giants to Hard Rock Stadium on a FOUR-game winning streak that has followed a SEVEN-game losing streak. The Giants 'limp' into Miami 4-7, after a 13-7 home win over the Eagles last Sunday but are just 1-4 on the road.

The Giants have put up some impressive defensive performances recently, allowing just 15.2 PPG over their last five games but the offense will be without QB Daniel Jones. He was not cleared for contact after suffering a neck strain during last week's win over the Philadelphia Eagles and head coach Joe Judge announced he will not play in Sunday's game on Friday. Jones has completed 64.3% of his passes for 2,428 yards with 10 TDs and 7 TDs this season plus has rushed for 298 yards (4.8 YPC) and two TDs. Without him, the Giants running game (90.8 YPG on 3.8 YPC) will be even more limited. Starting in Jones' place will be Mike Glennon, who went 0-5 as a starter for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2020. His last win as a starting QB came during the 2017 season with the Chicago Bears. Glennon went 16-of-25 passing for 196 yards with a one TD and two INTs while playing in a blowout loss to the Dallas Cowboys on Oct. 10.

Miami has a poor running game as well averaging an even worse 80.2 YPG (31st) on 3.4 YPC. Much like the Giants, Miami's played excellent defense lately, allowing just 11.5 PPG during its four-game winning streak. However, the Miami offense has surged as of late, averaging 26.3 PPG. Tua is back healthy and the last two games, he's completed 84.4% for an average of 261.5 YPG passing with three TDs and just one INT in 64 attempts. Tua's top targets are rookie WR Waddle (77 catches / 4 TDs) and TE Gesicki (52 catches / 4 TDs).

Here's the rub. With both teams putting up strong defensive numbers, the opening Over/Under number was among the lowest this season. Now, with the news of Jones NOT playing, it has gone even lower. That may make some sense but I'm playing contrarian in this one. My feeling is that Glennon may just give this Giants offense a spark and while I've never been a big Tua fan, he sure has looked pretty good the last two weeks. Great weather in Miami gives this game an excellent chance to 'fly over' this super-low total.

Good luck...Larry 

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Det/Pho Over at 9:10 ET.

The Phoenix Suns tied a franchise record with their 17 straight win on Tuesday by defeating Golden State 104-96 on. The Suns held the Warriors to 61 points after the first quarter and outscored them 24-18 in the fourth. They have a golden opportunity to pass the 2006-07 Suns with an 18th consecutive win when the hapless 4-17 Detroit Pistons visit Phoenix on Thursday night.

Detroit visits Phoenix on a SEVEN-game losing streak and will look to salvage the finale of a five-game road trip, having already lost at Milwaukee, to both Los Angeles teams and Portland. The Blazers dominated them 110-92 on Tuesday despite the absence of perennial All-Star Damian Lillard and another starter, Norman Powell. Cade Cunningham, the top pick in the 2021 draft, had a season-high 26 points. His line reads 13.8-6.6-4.6 and head coach Dwane Casey said, "He's coming around. He can't do it by himself. We've got to get some people to join the party and join the shot-making club. He's doing exactly what he's supposed to do as a young player in our league." PF Grant (19.5 & 4.7), SF Bey (12.5 & 6.2) plus center Olynyk (12.5 & 6.3) join Cunningham in double digits. However, Olynyk is sidelined for at least six weeks with a MCL sprain.

The Phoenix guard duo of Booker (23.2-4.0-4.9) and Paul (14.5 & 10.1 APG) has been superb, while center Ayton averages 16.0 & 11.5 (10 double-doubles in his last 12 games). Joining that trio in the starting lineup are SF Bridges (12.4 & 3.9) and PF Crowder (8.9 & 4.7). The Suns got past Golden State without their star on the court in the second half, as Devin Booker suffered a hamstring injury (he will miss Thursday's game). That said, guard Payne (9.4) is more than capable of stepping in, especially against the sad-sack Pistons.

Expect Phoenix to lay the hammer down early, knowing the team has a date with the Warriors Friday night in San Francisco. That could leave the 'back door' open for the Pistons (note: Detroit covered in both of its losses in LA, before then getting destroyed 110-92 at Portland). Detroit ranks 30th in both scoring (98.7 per) and FG percentage (40.1) but I believe that the Pistons will reach triple-digits here. What's more, a Detroit defense allowing 108.2 PPG (21st), should have little success slowing down a Phoenix team averaging 112.2 PPG (4th) on a league-best 48.1% shooting.

Scoring is down around the NBA this season, but this number is a little too low. The play is O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* featured Sunday O/U is on LAC/Dev Over at 4:05 ET.

The 6-4 LA Chargers are a half-game back of the 7-4 KC Chiefs in the AFC West. They are in Denver this Sunday to face the 5-5 Denver Broncos who are in last-place, a half-game back of the 6-5 Las Vegas Raiders, who won Thanksgiving Day at Dallas. Sunday's game will be the first time Denver head coach Vic Fangio will coach against his former assistant Brandon Staley. Fangio was the defensive coordinator for the Chicago Bears when he hired Staley to be his outside linebackers coach in 2017. They were together for three seasons, the last with Denver in 2019. Staley has led Los Angeles into playoff contention in his first year.

Justin Herbert threw for a season-high 382 yards with three TDs and one INT in last Sunday night's 41-37 win over Pittsburgh. The Chargers led 27-10 into the 4th quarter but actually fell behind, before Herbert connected on a 53-yard TD pass with just over two minutes to go. RB Austin Ekeler ran for 50 yards (2 TDs) and caught six passes for 65 yards (2 TDs). He is the ONLY player in the AFC with 500 or more rushing yards (573) and 400-plus receiving yards (405).  He has run for 7 TDs and caught 6 TD passes. Herbert has veteran WR Allen as a possession receiver (74 catches / 10.9 YPC / 2 TDs) and Williams (46 / 15.3 YPC / 7 TDs) as more of a big-play threat.

Denver opened the season 3-0, then lost FOUR straight, only to win back-to-back games before losing at home to the Eagles 30-13 last Sunday. I'm not sure Denver has finally found its next QB but Bridgewater is completing 69.2% for 2,389 yards with 14 TDs and just 5 INTs. The 14 TD passes is one shy of his career-high and he's thrown just one INT in his last four games (123 attempts). The RB duo of Gordon (522 yards / 4.4 YPC / 5 TDs) and rookie Williams (514 yards / 5.0 YPC / 1 TD) gives the offense some balance, while WRs Sutton (43 / 14.3 YPC / 3 TDs) and Patrick (37 / 14.1 YPC / 4 TDs) plus TE Fant (42 / 3 TDs) make up a decent receiving corp.

Here's the contrast in this game. The Chargers average 26.0 PPG but allow 26.5, while the Broncos average 20.0 PPG and allow just 18.3. Which team controls the flow and pace of this game? I say the Chargers, who have won FIVE consecutive AFC West games after dropping nine straight. Four of Herbert's 13, 300-yard passing games have come against AFC West teams and he has thrown for 17 TDs and without a SINGLE interception in his last six starts against a division opponent.

A big note of concern is obviously on the defensive side of the ball for LA, as the 37 points the Chargers conceded last weekend was the third time this season the team has allowed more than 30 points (perhaps more surprisingly, the team has won two of those three games. The Broncos' offense had the week off because of their bye and with the extra time to prepare, I expect a strong performance here from the offense against a vulnerable LA defense. Look for this total to 'fly' over the number well before the final whistle sounds.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Weekend Wipeout O/U is on Pho/Brk Under at 7:40 ET.

When the Phoenix Suns ended a 10-year postseason drought last year, finishing just ONE game behind the Utah Jazz for the NBA's best regular season record. The Suns made it all the way to The Finals but after taking a 2-0 lead over the Bucks, lost FOUR in a row. Based on 'early returns,' the Suns REALLY mean business this season. 16-3 Phoenix takes the court tonight at Barclay Center and will put its 15-game winning streak on the line (the longest since a team-record 17-game run in 2006-07) to take on the 14-5 Brooklyn Nets. The Nets opened 2-3 but have won 12 of 14 since. Brooklyn suffered an 18-point loss to Golden State on Nov 16 but enters this contest on a four-game winning streak.

The Suns are averaging 114.3 points during their winning streak and notched their seventh double-digit win of the streak when they cruised to a 118-97 rout of the New York Knicks Friday night for their seventh straight road win. SG Booker (23.6-5.3-4.7), center Ayton (14.1 & 10.4) and PG Paul (15.8 & 10.4 APG) comprise the Suns' version of a "Big 3," but there is plenty of depth to go along with that trio. Of course, all know the Kyrie situation, leaving Brookly one person short of its "Big 3." That said, KD and Harden are a pretty sweet "Big 2,' plus Aldridge is playing like he did five years ago. Durant checks in at 28.1-7.6-5.3, Harden at 20.7-7.6-9.2 and Aldridge at 13.6 & 5.9. The most notable changes to Brooklyn's lineup of late are inserting LaMarcus Aldridge as the starting center in place of a struggling Blake Griffin on Wednesday and giving rookie Cam Thomas more minutes. Thomas had 13 points in Brooklyn's last game, less than a week after getting 46 in a G-League game.

Here's the rub. Clearly, scoring is down in the NBA this season. The Nets and Bucks NBA season opener had an opening posted total of 243.5. Tonight's game between two of the best teams in the league is more than 20 points less than that. Regardless, I am expecting more of a defensive affair in this one between two teams that are both 'smelling' an NBA Finals appearance. The offensive stars will dominate the pre-game 'talk' but note that Phoenix allows 104.9 PPG (9th) on 43.1% shooting (5th), while Brooklyn allows the same 104.9 PPG on 42.5% shooting (2nd). Expect a 'Thunder Down Under' result!

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Cha/Was Over at 7:10 ET.

The Charlotte Hornets and Washington Wizards have each produced a five-game winning streak this month as the 10-8 Hornets travel to D.C. to take on the 11-5 Wizards. Charlotte lost five straight from Nov 1-8 but then won FIVE in row, before seeing its streak end with a 115-105 loss Saturday night in Atlanta. Washington won FIVE in a row from Nov 5-15 and welcomes the Hornets to the Verizon Center where the Wizards own a 7-1 record, including the last four.

Charlotte is led by the outstanding trio of Bridges (21.6-7.6-3.4), Ball (19.3-7.8-7.7) and Hayward (17.7-5.1-3.5). Plumlee (6.7 & 7.4) has started all 16 games at center plus perimeter players Rozier (14.7) and Oubre (13.7 & 4.2) have been regular contributors. Beal (23.7-5.2-5.9) and Dinwiddie (15.7-5.0-5.6) make for an excellent backcourt duo, joined by a trio of players I've dubbed, "Lakers East!" PF Harrell (17.1 & 8.4), SF Kuzma (13.6 & 9.6) and guard Caldwell-Pope (9.6) are very happy on the East Coast.

Charlotte has seen the total go under the number in five of its last six, but I think that the value has now swung the other way as far as the total is concerned here for the Hornets. One of those "unders" included a low-scoring 97-87 win at home over these very Wizards on November 17th. The Hornets have struggled defensively, conceding 118 PPG over the last two weeks plus Charlotte ranks second in the NBA in scoring (112.3 PPG). This is a difficult stretch for the Hornets, who began a road stretch Saturday and will be playing their THIRD game in four nights. I think that will make them even more vulnerable defensively and therefore I'm Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* featured Sunday O/U play is on Cin/LV Under at 4:05 ET.

The Bengals (5-4) and Raiders (5-4) were each atop their respective divisions a few weeks ago but both enter this contest in Las Vegas on two-game losing streaks. The Bengals took over first place in the AFC North with a dominating 41-17 win at Baltimore on Oct 24 but they followed their best performance of the season (520 total yards) with two of their two worst outings, falling 34-31 to the last-place Jets before getting blown out at home 41-16 by the last-place Browns on Nov 7. The Raiders also opened up 5-2 and appeared to be a threat to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC West. However, a 23-16 loss to the Giants followed by a 41-14 setback to the visiting Chiefs on Sunday have dropped the Raiders to third place in the division.

Cincinnati had its bye last week and head coach Zac Taylor said,"You're going to see a good football team after this bye. We've got a lot of season left in front of us. We're going to learn from this, move on, and be a team to be reckoned with here in November and December." Joe Burrow is completing 68.2% for 2,497 yards with 20 TDs and 11 INTs (102.6 QB rating). Chase has developed into a first-class WR (44 catches / 19.0 YPC / 7 TDs) and TE Uzomah (28 / 5 TDs) has become a valued target. RB Mixon (636 yards / 4.2 YPC / 7 TDs) is on pace for a 1,200-yard season (17 games) but the Bengals average just 97.1 YPG on the ground (24th). Despite the D's last two games, Cincy enters allowing 22.6 PPG (11th).

Las Vegas QB Carr (67.7% for 2,826 yards with 15 TDs and 8 INTs) is also having a solid season but his running game is even worse than Cincy's. No RB has even reached 300 yards, with Raiders averaging only 85.0 YPG rushing (28th). TE Waller (44 / 2 TDs) is a 'keeper' plus WR Renfrow leads with 52 catches (4 TDs). However, he averages only 9.5 YPC and has only two TDs. Ruggs (19.5 YPC) and Edwards (20.7 YPC) are the team's deep threats but the team just released Ruggs after he was charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor for his role in a crash that killed a woman and her dog earlier this month. The Las Vegas defense has not played well (25.6 PPG / 26th).

Despite the recent slumps, both the Bengals and Raiders remain in contention in a tight conference that features SEVEN teams with five wins, FOUR more with six and only Tennessee (8-2) having created any space with the competition. Neither team has much of a running game so at first blush, maybe the play is over. However, in an ULTRA-important contest like this, these types of games are usually played "closer to the vest." I noted that the Cincy D has been shredded the last two games but in the team's first seven games, the Bengals D allowed just 18.3 PPG. I'm playing the under.

Good luck...Larry

There is talk that the Lakers are about to get their 'King' back, as LBJ (24.8-5.5-7.0) could be set to return from an abdominal injury when the Lakers visit the Celtics on Friday night. The NBA's two most successful franchises renew their storied rivalry on the parquet tonight in Boston with the Lakers coming 8-8 and the Celtics at 7-8.

LBJ has missed his team's last eight games (3-5), including a 109-102 loss at Milwaukee on Wednesday, but was listed as questionable for Friday's contest. "I hope, I hope," James told ESPN after Wednesday's game when asked if he would play Boston. The Lakers were not able to stop Milwaukee's Giannis Antetokounmpo, who scored a season-high 47 points for the Bucks. LA's Anthony Davis (23.8 & 10.8), Russell Westbrook (19.4-8.4-8.8) and Carmelo Anthony (15.2 & 4.1) combined to only equal Antetokounmpo's point total. Some VERY good news for LA has been that Talen Horton-Tucker led the Lakers in scoring for a second straight game with 25 points. The 6-4 shooting guard played for the first time this season on Nov 14 and has averaged 23.3 PPG in his three games.

The Celtics remain without Brown (hamstring), who has averaged 25.6 & 6.1). Big man Robeet Willimas (10.0 & 9.2) is listed as questionable with a knee issue. Tatum (24.2 & 8.5) needs to pick up the slack with Brown out and has gotten some excellent support from PG Schroder (17.0-3.8-5.1). The return of Horford (13.1 & 8.7) has been a blessing but the Celtcs are still one game under .500 for the season, including 2-3 at home.

That said, a game with the hated-Lakers should (will) bring out the best in Boston. "That game is special," Tatum said of Friday's game against Los Angeles. "Everyone knows the history between the two franchises, and I've been fortunate enough to be a part of that going on five years now." Chemistry is the main issue with LA right now, especially with LeBron James having been sidelined for nearly a month now with injury. The Lakers have struggled defensively all season, allowing 112.3 PPG. However, LA has averaged 109.3 points per game, which ranks ninth overall. The Celtics' defense has struggled this season, as they're allowing opposing teams to shoot a whopping 48 percent from the floor in their own building (that's dead last in the league!). I am expecting a faster-paced game tonight and for the total to go over.

Good luck...Larry.

My 9* Featured Sunday NFL O/U is on Min/LAC Under at 4:05 ET.

The 3-5 Minnesota Vikings come into Sunday's game with the 5-3 LA Chargers, enduring a season's worth of frustarting losses. Their five losses have been by a total of just 18 points, including two OT losses. The Chargers know the feeling, as they had a similar start last season. Their first five losses were by a combined 19 points and also had two ending in overtime. The bottom line is, as the teams take the field Sunday at So-Fi Stadium, Minnesota's season is 'on the brink,' while the Chargers are tied with the Raiders atop the AFC West, with KC and Denver lurking just one game back at 5-4.

Minnesota has also had to deal with five players on the COVID-19 list, including two starters. Safety Harrison Smith will miss Sunday's game, but center Garrett Bradbury could return. There is also RB Dalvin Cook, who is facing a lawsuit from a former girlfriend, who alleges the running back assaulted her during an altercation at his home last year. Cook ran for over 1,500 yards last season with 16 TDs plus caught 44 passes. However, in six games this season, he has 554 yards rushing on 4.8 YPC with only two TDs and a mere 15 receptiosn. QB Kirk Cousins is once again putting up impressive numbers (68.2% / 2,140 yards 16 TDs and two INTs), as he has two excellent WRs in Jefferson (46 / 13.7 YPC / 4 TDs) and Thielen (45 / 7 TDs). However, Minnesota is averaging a middle-of-the-pack 24.3 PPG (17th). A big failing is the team is converting just 35.7% on third downs (25th of 32 teams).

The Chargers have a young and exciting QB in Justin Herbert (66.1% / 2,350 yards / 18 TDs and 6 INTs), who just broke out of a two-game slump that saw him 'earn' QB ratings of 67.8 and 66.7 in his previous two games. He completed a career-high 84.2% of his passes against the Eagles (LA won 27-24), throwing for 356 yards with two TDs and zero INTs (123.2 QB rating). RB Ekeler (479 yards / 4.7 YPC / 5 TDs / plus 36 catches and 3 TDs) is 10th in the league in scrimmage yards and has five 100-yard games this season. Like Cousins, Herbert has an excellent WR duo in Allen (57 catches / 2 TDs) and Williams (37 catches / 15.5 YPC / 6 TDs).

Both teams have so-so defenses but I do NOT see this being a high-scoring game. While non-conference games aren't always the most intense on the defensive side of the ball, I believe each side will be doubling down on that end in this one. LA can't afford a loss here in the ultra-competitive AFC West plus Minnesota just continues to find ways to underachieve. This one stays UNDER the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner (O/U) is on Mia/LAC under at 10:40 ET.

The Los Angeles Clippers began the season knowing Kawhi would miss most if not all of it.  The Clipps started slowly but will take a five-game winning streak into a home contest against the Miami Heat on Thursday. The Heat will enter off a 120-117 overtime defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday, which followed a 113-96 loss in Denver on Monday.

Wednesday's loss was the THIRD in four games for the Heat but more notably, they lost star Jimmy Butler (23.6-5.5-5.1) after 12 minutes because of a sprained right ankle. His status for Thursday's game remains in the air. Bam Adebayo (19.3 & 11.6) scored 28 points and Tyler Herro (20.9-5.3-3.9) had 27, but the Heat missed five free throws and two 3-point attempts by Herro in the final 50.9 seconds of overtime. Miami led 106-97 with 4:45 remaining in regulation before the Lakers rallied to tie it.

The Clippers made it FIVE straight wins with a 117-109 victory at home over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Paul George (26.7-8.3-5.4) had 24 points and  got 23 from Reggie Jackson (17.6-3.5-4.5), while Nicolas Batum (12.1 & 6.3) was right behind the leading scorers, hitting six 3-pointers while scoring 22 points. The Clippers seem to have found their 'mojo.' The team-wide approach has shown on both offense (balanced scoring) and also on defense, leading to four consecutive victories by at least an eight-point margin.

Both teams have been known as strong defensive ones. Miami enters allowing 103.2 PPG (6th) and Los Angeles 103.2 PPG (7th). This is a great situational play. Not only is Miami dealing with some off-court issues (COVID related), but it's also off an exhausting (and disappointing) 120-117 overtime loss at the Lakers just last night.The last thing that LA will want to do here is to play at a fast pace, as that plays right into the Heat's strength on the offensive end. The Heat will almost assuredly double-down on the defensive end as well. This one sets up as well from a number of different ways to be much more of a defensive affair than what the oddsmakers are trying to lead us to believe. This number is high, the play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Weekend Wipeout is on SA/OKC Over at 7:10 ET.

The San Antonio Spurs visit OKC off a 102-89 win Friday in Orlando, marking the second time this season the Spurs have defeated the Magic. San Antonio is 3-6 on the season and the Thunder check in at 2-6. OKC is also coming off a win, 107-104 over the Lakers in Los Angeles on Thursday. Oklahoma City wrapped up a three-game California road trip 1-2 after a blowout loss in San Francisco to the Warriors and a close loss in L.A. to the Clippers.

The Spurs started the same five players in each of their first four games but McDermott (9.7) missed all three games of a road trip with a balky right knee, before returning in the last two. Walker (11.2) started in his place, joining Murray (18.4-8.1-8.5), Johnson (15.6 & 5.8), Poeltl (13.9 & 9.7) and White (13.7 & 5.7 APG). However, Poeltl will miss here, as he has entered the NBA's health and safety protocols and is expected to miss several games,

PG Gilgeous-Alexander (23.5-4.9-3.9) leads OKC, joined by three others who have started all eight games. However, none are household names in SF Dort (12.4 & 3.6), PF Bazley (11.1 & 6.3) and SG Gidley (10.5-6.0-6.1). The Thunder are rebuilding after losing the entire core of players that led them into the NBA Finals Against the Cavaliers back in 2012.

The Thunder are off a big 107-104 road win at the Lakers and they'll be eager to make it two in a row here. That game was played Thursday, so OKC has had time to 'come down from that high' and is well rested. This year's version of the Spurs is running a free-flowing offense (108.9 PPG ranks 13th) and defense is no longer a priority (107.9 PPG ranks 16th). Yes, the Spurs clamped down on Orlando but I expect both of these teams to be in the 110s in this one. Go Over!

Good luck...Larry

I was going to use this game as my 10* O/U Game of the Year but then Rodgers was ruled out. I would reccomend a "no play." I am not offering this play for sale.

Larry

My 10* Eastern Conference O/U Game of the Month is on Phi/Det Over at 7:10 ET.

The Detroit Pistons have opened 1-6 and it's not difficult to figure out why. Detroit ranks dead-last in scoring (95.1 PPG), FG percentage (39.4%) and three-point percentage (26.7%). A difficult early schedule hasn't helped the cause and it won't get any easier in the short run, as the Pistons host Philadelphia on Thursday and Brooklyn on Friday. The Sixers have a different set of issues as they visit Detrouit but come to Motown 6-2, which includes a 110-102 victory over Detroit in Philadelphia last Thursday.

Joel Embiid (20.6-8.7-4.3) had 18 points, nine rebounds and seven assists in his return to the lineup on Wednesday plus Seth Curry (17.1) scored 22 points and hit a crucial jumper late to lead the Philadelphia 76ers over the Chicago Bulls 103-98. Georges Niang (11.6 PPG coming off the bench in all eight games) added 18 points for the short-handed 76ers. All are aware of the Ben Simmons situation (personal reasons), who has missed all eight games, but Philadelphia was without starters Tobias Harris (health and safety protocols) and Danny Green (hamstring). The loss of Green is not a big deal but Harris was averaging 19.8-9.0-4.2. Maxey has started all eight games (alongside Curry) and is averaging 14.0 & 4.3 APG. Milton, who missed the first four games (averaged 13.0 PPG last season), has played the last four, averaging 10.3 PPG.

Detroit has just three players scoring in double digits. That trio is comprised of frontcourt players Grant (16.8 & 5.0), Bey (14.1 & 7.9) and Olynyk (12.4 7 4.6), Seven more players have participated in all seven games, avergaing betwee 5.7 and 9.4 PPG. All eyes are on the top pick in the 2021 Draft, Cade Cunningham. He went 2-for-14 from the floor in his second appearance of the season against the Bucks. He's taken 14 three-point shots in his two games and missed EVERY one of them."That's part of his rust," head coach Casey said of the rookie, who sprained his ankle during training camp. "That's why we tried to get him some minutes toward the end, just to get some rust off the pipes."

Here's the rub. Philadelphia has seemed adjust to playing without Ben Simmons in the lineup and is gunning for its fifth straight victory tonight. No reason to think that Philly can't match or excede the 112.0 PPG that the team has averaged in its four-game winning. After all, the Pistons have allowed 117 points in each of their last two games, including to a Milwaukee team that was missing regular starers Middleton, Holiday, Lopez and DiVincenzo. I expect Phily to score 155 points or more, meaning this game can go OVER even in the Pistons do no better than match their 95.0 PPG average. Note: The Pistons scored 102 opoints at Philadelphia on Oct 28.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Game of the Week is on SA/Ind Over at 7:10 ET

The Spurs snapped a four-game losing streak with a 102-93 win in Milwaukee on Saturday. San Antonio's defense carried it to the victory, which was also its first on the road this season. The Spurs limited Milwaukee's attack to 21 points below its per-game scoring average coming in and avenged a 10-point loss at home to the Bucks on Oct 23. 2-4 San Antonio will visit Indiana on Monday to take on the struggling Indiana Pacers. Indiana had made NINE postseasons in its previous 10 years before missing out last season with a 34-38 record. Now, the Pacers have opened 1-6 and carry a four-game losing streak into Monday's game after a 97-94 loss at home to Toronto on Saturday.

The Spurs started the same five players in each of their first four games but McDermott (11.5) missed his second straight game with right knee soreness in Saturday's win and will not play on Monday. Walker (13.2) will take his place, joining Murray (17.7-8.5-8.8), Johnson (15.8 & 5.3), Poetle (14.3 & 10.3) and White (13.2 & 6.2 APG).

Indiana PG Brogdon (23.4-7.0-7.5) did not play for Indiana in Saturday's loss (hamstring strain), which was the second game of a road-home back-to-back.He is questionable for this one. Domantas Sabonis (20.9-11.1-4.1) led the Pacers with 22 points and 14 rebounds but missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds that would have tied the game against Toronto. Justin Holiday (8.6) added 16 points, rookie Chris Duarte (17.7 & 4.7) had 12, Jeremy Lamb (10.0) scored 11 points and center Myles Turner (12.4 & 7.4) had 10 points and 11 rebounds. Caris LeVert saw the court for the first time this season and scored 15 points in 16 minutes for Indiana, all in the first half. LeVert is on a minutes restriction because of a stress fracture in his back that forced him to miss the Pacers' first six games but should be able to give Indiana a good 20 minutes in this one.

Non-conference matchups aren't always the most intense on the defensive side and I expect that to be the case here. Dating to last season though Indiana has seen the total go over the number in seven of its last nine after a SU/ATS home loss in which it was held to 95 or fewer points. The Spurs had lost four in a row prior to their win over the defending champs and won't be taking anything for granted in this one, as they must feel this is a game that they can win outright as well. I expect both teams to push the pace from the opening tip, resulting in an O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured NFL Sunday O/U play is on TB/NO Over at 4:25 ET.

Full, detailed analysis by Friday afternoon by 3:00 ET

My 10* O/U Game of the Month is on Atl/NO Over at 7:40 ET.

The Atlanta Hawks made the playoffs for 10 straight years from the 2007-08 through the 2016-17 seasons. The Hawks then followed with THREE consecutive last-place finishes in the Southeast division with a combined 73-158 (.316) record. However, the Hawks had a breakout season last year, going 41-31 and reaching the Eastern Conference final before falling to the Bucks, who went on to win the NBA title. The Pelicans were 48-34 back in 2017-18 but have gone 33-49, 30-42 and 31-41 the last three seasons, the last two after selecting 'King' Zion as the first pick of the 2019 Draft. The 2-1 Hawks open a three-game road trip tonight in New Orleans against the 1-3 Pelicans.

Atlanta crushed the Mavs 113-87 in its season-opener at home but its first road game didn't go well, losing 101-95 at Cleveland. The Hawks rebounded to beat visiting Detroit 122-104 on Monday night but now will be tested tonight at New Orleans, a contest that 'kicks off' a stretch in which EIGHT of the team's next 10 games will be played away from home. PG Young leads a deep roster averaging 25.0 & 10.0 APG. Four more players average in double digits, led by Reddish, who averages 18.7 PPG off the bench. Starting center Capela is averaging a modest 8.7 PPG but leads the team averaging 11.7 RPG.

New Orleans' starting lineup is under flex, as first-year coach Willie Green evaluates his roster and prepares to go without Williamson. "We've got a ton of guys who can play," Green said. "I have some decisions to make." The Pelicans fired Stan Van Gundy after the team finished 31-41 in his only season. In addition to the coaching change, the Pelicans overhauled their roster, trading Lonzo Ball, Steven Adams and Eric Bledsoe, while bringing in Jonas Valanciunas (Memphis), Devonte' Graham (Charlotte) and Tomas Satoransky and Garrett Temple (both Chicago). Ingram (27.0-7.5-4.8-4.9) has developed into an outstanding small forward and will be the "go-to guy" until Williamson returns. Both Graham (17.8 & 5.0 APG) and Valanciunas (17.3 & 15.0) have made immediate contributions plus Alexander-Walker (17.3-5.5-7.8) has made great strides in his third season. The problem? No other Pelicans player is averaging as much as 6.0 PPG.

The Pelicans finished a three-game road trip of their own with their first victory of the season, 107-98 at Minnesota on Monday. First-year head coach Willie Green called the win "refreshing" after starting the season with three consecutive losses. The Pels are not a strong defensive team and while Atlanta's defense has been great to this point (97.3 PPG ranks 2nd), I don't see that as being a sustainable number over the long-term, as the Hawks allowed 111.4 PPG last season. Regression in that department is going to happen sooner, rather than later. I'm expecting a very up-tempo game tonight so go O-V-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Play of the Day is on Phi/NYK Under at 7:40 ET.

The 76ers are at MSG tonight to take on the Knicks, as both teams enter with 2-1 records. The 76ers had the East's best record last season (49-23) but again flopped in the playoffs. They are playing without Ben Simmons (14.7-5.6-7.2), who demanded a trade over the summer after struggling in a seven-game second-round loss to the Atlanta Hawks plus guard Shake Milton (13.0 PPG last season) has yet to play with an ankle injury. The Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31 but lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals. However, after impressive wins over Boston at home (138 points in two OTs) and at Orlando (scored 121 points), the Knicks lost to Orlando in MSG in a quick turnaround, being held to 104 points.

Embiid (21.0-7.7-5.)0) leads the 76ers but is averaging more than a 'TD' less than last season (28.5). Philly has used the same starting-five in all games, as Embiid has been joined by Curry (23.0), Harris (19.0 & 9.3), Maxey (16.3-4.7-3.0) and Green (5.7 & 3.0). Some worries facing the Sixers coming into this game are that Joel Embiid: is day-to-day (knee) and Andre Drumond, who had 27 rebounds in the first two games before sitting out Sunday with a right ankle injury, is also listed as day-to-day.

Julius Randle (28.7-11.3-6.3) leads the Knicks, who have outstanding debt on the perimeter, as Fournier, Rose, Barrett and Kemba Walker are all averaging in double digits. Center Robisnon checks in at 9.0 & 12.0. Expectations were running high in NYC, as the Knicks were looking to open 3-0 for the first time since 2012-13 but received a stern reminder of how far they still have to go to become a title contender Sunday against the Magic.

New York clearly won't be happy about its defensive performance against the lowly Magic, so I believe we'll see a much more concerted effort on that end of the floor tonight (remember, head coach Tom Thibodeau is known as a defensive specialist). Besting Philadelphia is easier said than done, as Philadelphia has so far allowed just 100.0 PPG in its two road games. The total has gone under in these team's last three against each other, and all signs point to a FOURTH straight under in this one.

Good luck...Larry

My NBA 10* O/U Game of the Week is on Orl/NYK Under at 7:10 ET.

Orlando went 48-34 in the 2017-18 season (lost in conference semis) but the last three years, has played .416 basketball without even 'sniffing' a playoff berth. Orlando is in full rebuild mode this season and new head coach in Jamahl Mosley, who doesn't have a lot to work with. Meanwhile, the Knicks ended a seven-year postseason drought last year by going 41-31. New York lost in the first round to the Atlanta Hawks, who made it all the way to the East Conference Finals.

Orlando opened its season by allowing 123 points at San Antonio and then 121 points at home to the Knicks, to open 0-2. It could (will be) a L-O-N-G first season for the Magic and Mosley. The Knicks preceded their win over the Magic by topping the Celtics 138-134 in two OTs in their season opener. The Two teams now play a quick turnaround game Sunday night at MSG.

It's really hard to know what to make with Orlando. The Magic's inexperience has been exposed during an 0-2 start. In their season opener Wednesday at San Antonio, the Magic led for much of the first quarter and remained within a possession of the lead well into the second quarter but fell 123-.97  Against the Knicks on Friday at home, Orlando fell behind for good fewer than four minutes into the game. The Magic went 0-for-8 from the floor while being outscored 16-0 over the final 4:34 of the first quarter and trailed 36-16. Final score; 121-96. The Magic's starters in the first two games, Cole Anthony, Mo Bamba, Wendell Carter Jr., Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, are all 23 years of age or younger. Plus all FIVE are first-round draft picks

Randle (35-8-9) and Fournier (32 points) led the way in the 138-134 win over Boston, as New York shot 48.6% from the floor, including 17 of 45 on threes. Friday night in Atlanta, Randle had more modest totals of 21-10-7 and Fournier added "just" 18 points. However, the team shot 500.% overall, including 24 of 54 on threes. What's going on with ALL the threes, has the defensive-minded Tom Thibodeau turned into Paul Westwood?

The bottom line is, I can't see the Knicks pushing the pace in this one from the opening tip until the final horn, with Philadelphia coming to town next. New York has also seen the total go under the number in SEVEN of its last nine after a SU/ATS road win in which it scored 120 or more points in. Play under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* NFL "Featured" O/U is Det/LAR Over at 4:05 ET.

The 0-6 Detroit Lions will be in Los Angeles on Sunday to take on the  5-1 LA Rams. QB Jared Goff, who the Rams made the overall No. 1 pick of the 206 Draft will be back in LA to face his former team for the first time since the Rams engineered a trade last offseason that brought QB Matthew Stafford to the Rams from the Lions. The move to secure Stafford has gone well, as the Rams sit at 5-1,  just below the 6-0 Arizona Cardinals in the NFC West. As for Goff's move to Detroit? Not so much! The same cannot be said for the Lions. Detroit is 0-6 and still looking for its first win under first-year head coach Dan Campbell. Speaking honestly (rare for any coach or manager these days), Rams head coach Sean McVay said the handling of Goff's departure wasn't exactly a smooth process. "I wish there was better, clearer communication," McVay said. "To say that it was perfectly handled on my end, I wouldn't be totally accurate in that. I'll never claim to be perfect, but I will try to learn from some things that I can do better, and I think that was one of them without a doubt."

Goff is completing 66.8% for 1,505 yards with seven TDs and four TDs. He doesn't have much to work with as the running game averages 91.8 YPG (23rd). RB Swift is the team's leading receiver (34) and TE Hockenson checks in with 32. Neither player averages as much a 10.0 YPC! The Detroit defense gave up 76 points in its first two games but then held opponents to just 20.7 over its next three. However, Joe Burrow  and the Bengals scored 34 points against them last Sunday and now the Lions face ex-teammate Stafford, who could easily wind up with a career season.

That's saying something, as Stafford had thrown for more than 4,000 yards in EIGHT different seasons. However, he's completing 69.5% through six games for 1,838 yards (that puts him on pace for about 5,200 yards in this 17-game season) and he's thrown 16 TDs against just four INTs. His QB rating of 116.6 is almost 16 points higher than his career average of 90.8. The Rams running game is no bargain (103.5 YPG ranks 21st) but Stafford has a pair of excellent veteran WRs in Kupp (46 catches / 7 TDs) and Woods (29 catches / 3 TDs), a second-year WR in Jefferson who has 17 catches (had just 19 in his rookie season) and a quality TE in Higbee (22 catches and two TDs). The LA defense is allowing 21.2 PPG (10th) and won't feel threatened against a Detroit offense averaging only 18.2 PPG.

Then again, I'm predicting that Goff has his best of the season here, against the team that "done him wrong!" Goff is going to have his hands full with this aggressive Rams pass rush, but I don't think he'll go down without putting up a fight. That said, Stafford appears to be "a man on a mission" this year (finally on a team with a real chance to make some 'noise' in the postseason) and I have a hard time seeing the Lions slowing him down on his own field. With these two highly motivated QBs going head-to-head, all signs point to this total blasting past the posted number sooner, rather than later. It's Goin' Over. BE THERE!

Good luck...Larry

My ALCS 10* O/U Game of the Year is on Hou/Bos Under at 8:08 ET.

J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers became the first pair of teammates in postseason history to hit grand slams in the same game, doing so in the first and second innings respectively of Boston's decisive 9-5 win in Game 2 on Saturday at Houston that tied the ALCS at one-all. The Red Sox will return home to Fenway Park with momentum on their side as they host the Astros for a pivotal Game 3 in their best-of-seven showdown on Monday night. The Astros fought back out of a 9-0 hole on Saturday to make it a four-run game after scoring three in the fourth and two in the ninth. Houston also scored five runs in its series-opening 5-4 win over Boston in Game 1 Friday. "We've got to try to figure it out," Houston manager Dusty Baker said. "We won the seventh, eighth and ninth, but those two innings in the beginning -- that's a tremendous mountain to climb."

Houston Game 3 starter is Jose Urquidy (8-3, 3.62 ERA over 20 regular starts / team was 14-6), who is set to make his postseason debut. Urquidy was in line to start Game 4 of the team's ALDS against the Chicago White Sox before it was rained out. He is 1-1 with a 2.81 ERA in eight appearances (four starts) in his postseason career. Rodriguez went winless in two playoff starts against Tampa Bay in the ALDS and is 0-1 with a 7.02 ERA in 10 career postseason games (three starts). However, after allowing two runs in the first inning of that Game 1 start at Tampa Bay (was removed after getting just two in the second inning), he gave a very solid effort in Boston's 6-5 series-clinching Game 4 win, pitching 5.1 innings at home, allowing only three hits and two ERs.

Boston has seen the total go over the number in SIX of seven so far in the postseason, including in its first two games here against the Astros, losing 5-4 in Game 1 and then bouncing back with a 9-5 victory in Game 2. As for Houston, it has seen the total eclipse the posted number in FIVE of six in the playoffs, including in five straight. Each of these hard-hitting sides have played their fair share of "overs" to start the postseason but I think the value has now finally swung the other way. This is NOT a classic pitchers duel but I expect strong outings from each starter. Go UNDER!

Good luck...Larry

My NFL 9* Featured Sunday O/U is on LV/Den Over at 4:25 ET.

Las Vegas opened the season with three straight victories, beating the Ravens 33-27 in overtime, the Steelers 26-17 and the Dolphins 31-28 in overtime as well. However, the Raiders then lost a Monday Nighter 28-14 at the LA Chargers, before last week's 20-9 home loss to the Bears. The Raiders travel to Denver on Sunday to take on the Broncos, who have had a similar start to the season. The Broncos also won their first three games, beating the Giants 27-13, the Jaguars 23-13, and the Jets 26-0. However, Denver has struggled the last two weeks, falling 23-7 to the Ravens and 27-19 to the Steelers. Both teams are 3-2, ONE game behind the 4-1 Chargers and ONE game up on the Chiefs 9KC has won the AFC West FIVE straight years!).

QB David Carr got off to an excellent start but had his worst effort of the season at home vs the Bears, throwing for just 206 yards without a TD and one INT. RB Jacobs, off back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, has not been healthy and last week had just 48 yards on 15 carries. The Raiders are averaging only 78.6 YPG on the ground, ranking 29th. Carr had been playing VERY well before last Sunday, averaging around 350 YPG with eight TDs and three INTs. TE Waller is tied for the team lead (28 catches) with WR Renfro, while WRs Ruggs 17 catches / 20.5 YPC) and Edwards (13 catches / 18.2 YPC) can 'stretch' the field. The Las Vegas defense is allowing 24.0 PPG.

Denver has found a QB in Teddy Bridgewater, who is completing 68.8% for 1,180 yards with seven TDs and just one INT (QB rating of 106.1). Gordon (282 yards / 4.7 YPC / 2 TDs) and Williams (247 yards / 4.2 YPC / one TD) give Denver a decent running game (118.6 YPG ranks 12th), while WRs Sutton (25 catches / 15.1 YPC) and Patrick (22 catches / 13.7 YPC) are solid at WR. TE Fant adds 21 receptions and two TDs The Denver defense is much improved, holding opponents to 15.2 PPG (2nd) on 292.4 YPG (3rd0.

For a number of reasons, I think this posted O/U number is just a little too low here. I think this is a great situational play. Of course, 'the elephant in the room' is the resignation of Jon Gruden (you just MAY have heard!). The Raiders are having to deal with the fall out of that fiasco and I think the organization will rally on the field this weekend. These types of situations either go one of two ways, as the team will rally, or fall flat on its face. I believe Derek Carr will step up here, off not just one, but two subpar performances. He has passed for a total of 402 yards in the last two weeks, 33 yards fewer than he had in the season opener. The Broncos are in a similar slide after starting the year with three wins. They, too, have struggled to find consistency on offense, particularly on third downs where they have gone 5-for-26 over the past two games.

These teams combined to score 63 and 49 points in their two meetings last season and this mid-40s over/under sets up perfectly to go O-V-E-R! Finally, note that Las Vegas has seen the total go over in EIGHT of its last 11 off a straight-up and against-the-spread road loss after being held to 10 or fewer points as well.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured Saturday O/U is on Toledo/Central Michigan Over at 3:30 ET

Toledo and Central Michigan are both 3-3 (1-1 in the MAC), as both teams meet Saturday in Mount Pleasant hungry for a win. Toledo smashed Norfolk in its opener 49-10, but then it suffered back-to-back losses, falling 32-29 at Notre Dame (excellent effort) and then 22-6 to Colorado State. The Rockets then bounced-back with victories over Ball State and UMass, before last week's 22-20 loss to NIU (a 'killer,' as the Huskies kicked the game-winning FG with 26 seconds remaining). CMU lost 34-24 to Missouri in its opener, before hammering Robert Morris 45-0. The Chips then lost to LSU 49-21, beat FIU 31-27 and lost 28-7 to Miami Ohio. Last Saturday's 30-27 win over Ohio came with CMU scoring the game's final 10 points.

Bradley and Finn have both been used at the QB position by Toledo (combined 7-1 TD/INT ratio) but it was Finn who passed for two TDs last week. Fin is by far the better runner, gaining 281 yards on 7.0 YPC with four TDs. RB Koback ran for 1,187 yards last year with 14 TDs (includes two TD catches) and has 455 yards on 5.2 YPC with five TDs this season. CMU has also used two QBS in Sirmon and Richardson but it's Richardson who has thrown for 859 yards the last three games with six TDs and two INTs.

Toledo averages 28.5 PPG and CMU 28.0 PPG but Toledo owns the much better defense, holding opponents to 17.5 PPG to CMU allowing 27.5 PPG. Toledo has won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two MAC-West schools and I expect the Rockets to get a MUCH-needed win off last week's crushing loss to West-leader Northern Illinois (2-0). However, shutting down CMU won't be easy with Richardson playing very well (see above) and RB Nichols (591 yards on 5.1 YPC) adding excellent balance to the CMU attack.

This game has "Shootout" written all over it. It's Goin' Over!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U of the Week is on Mil/Atl Over at 5:15 ET.

Full, detailed analysis Tuesday by 12 noon ET.

 My 9* "Featured" Sunday O/U is on Cle/LAC Over at 4:05 ET.

A pair of 3-1 teams meet Sunday in Los Angeles, as the Browns take on the Chargers. Kevin Stefanski took over as Cleveland's head coach last season and led them to an 11-5 record, the team's first winning record since 2007 (ending a 12-year drought of sub-.500 seasons). More importantly, the Browns made the postseason, ending a 17-year drought. The Browns then CRUSHED the Steelers in the wild card round, before falling to the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. Cleveland opened 2021 with a hard-luck 33-29 loss at KC but has won three in a row since to put them in a three-way tie atop the AFC North with Baltimore and Cincinnati (all 3-1).

The Chargers dumped head coach Anthony Lynn after last season (12-20 in 2109 and 2020) and hired Brandon Staley. He's made a BIG difference already, as the Chargers are also off to a 3-1 (currently are in a three-way tie atop the AFC West with the Broncos and Raiders). Los Angeles won 20-16 at Washington in Week 1, before falling 20-17 at home to Dallas in Week 2 (game-winning FG on the game's final play!). However, the Chargers have been 'cooking' with an impressive 30-24 victory at KC in Week 3 and then a 28-14 Week 4 MNF win at home against the previously unbeaten Raiders!

Both teams are 'hungry' for a win, playing in highly competitive divisions. Cleveland QB Baker Mayfield really stepped up last season, completing 62.8% for 3,356 yards He's completing 65.5% this season for 935 yards, which is an average of 233.8 YPG (last year's average was 222.7 YPG). However, he had a 26-8 TD-to-INT ratio last season but it's just 2-2 after four games in 2021. The offense has relied more on the one-two RB duo of Chubb (362 yards on 5.2 YPC) and Hunt (234 yards on 5.4 YPC). Cleveland enters No. 1 in the NFL by averaging 177.0 YPG. 'Flying under the radar' is the Cleveland D, allowing 16.8 PPG (4th) on 250.3 YPG (2nd).

Justin Herbert of LA outplayed Derek Carr Monday night, completing 25 of 38 for 222 yards with three TDs and no INTs. He's completing 68.9% on the season for 1,178 yards with nine TDs and three INTs. RB Ekeler ran for 117 yards (one TD) plus caught a TD pass. This all-purpose back has run for 283 yards on 5.7 YPC with four TDs plus has 18 receptions and one TD. WRs Allen (28) and Williams (23) are All-Pro caliber plus TE Cook (12 catches) is solid. The LA defense is not quite in Cleveland's class but is allowing just 18.5 PPG (7th) on 332.0 YPG (9th).

So why go over? The Browns are on the road for a second straight week and are coming off their worst offensive effort of the season, a 14-7 win at Minnesota. Cleveland gained a season-low 327 yards vs the Vikings, after averaging 410.0 YPG while scoring 28.7 PPG its first three games! Mayfield is way OVERDUE for a big game and up against Herbert (who is "the REAL deal"), should rise to the challenge. Could we see two "gun-slingers" go toe-to-toe in this one? My bet says, "Yes we can!"

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Wild Card Total of the Year is on NYY/Bos Over at 8:08 ET.

The wild card race in the AL came down to the 162nd game, as the Yankees, Red Sox, Glue Jays and Mariners could have all ended the regular season with a 91-71 record, IF New York and Boston had both lost, while Toronto and Seattle had both won. As it turned out, the Yankees scored in the bottom of the 9th to beat the Rays 1-0 and the Red Sox overcame a 5-0 deficit to the Nats (in DC) to win 7-5, on a two-run HR in the 9th. Toronto did win on Sunday but fell ONE game shy of New York and Boston at 91-71 (Seattle lost to come up two games short). Not for nothing but the AL East is the first division with four 90-win teams since MLB split each league into three divisions (1994).

MLB's 2021 postseason now opens with a "winner-take-all" game between the 92-70 Yankees and Red Sox, for the right to meet the Tampa Bay Rays in an ALDS series, who earned the AL's best regular season record for a second straight season with a record of 100-62. Yankees vs Red Sox, MLB's best and fiercest rivalry. Can it get any better than this? The starting pitching matchup features Gerrit Cole (16-8, 323 ERA) and Nathan Eovaldi (11-9, 3.75 ERA). These same two pitchers met in the first contest of a three-game weekend series at Fenway back on Sep 24. Cole got the better of Eovaldi in that one, pitching six innings while allowing three ERs in an 8-3 win. Eovaldi lasted just 2.2 innings while allowing seven ERs!

Cole has NOT looked good down the stretch, as he's allowed 15 ERs on 24 hits over 17.2 innings in his last three starts, for a 7.64 ERA. He'll be facing a Boston lineup that has averaged 5.12 RPG on the season. As for Eovaldi, he was AWFUL opposite Cole on Sep 24 and faces a Yankee lineup that scored a total 19 runs in that three-game sweep of the Red Sox at Fenway from Sep 24-26 (that's 6.33 RPG!).

A Fenway classic? Could be but it WON'T be a pitcher's duel. Go O-E-R!

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured NFL Sunday O/U is on Car/Dal Under at 1:00 ET.

This Week 4 matchup between the Panthers and Cowboys features a contest between two FIRST-PLACE teams. The 3-0 Panthers sit atop the NFC South (take that TB 12), while the 2-1 Cowboys lead the NFC 'Least,' as its only winning team. BOTH are a perfect 3-0 ATS. The Carolina Panthers are surely one of the NFL's biggest surprises, while the Cowboys lone loss came at Tampa Bay (on a FG in the closing second). Dallas followed that tough loss with back-to-back wins, receiving kudos after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers and Philadelphia Eagles.

The Panthers have won their first three games for the first time since 2015, when they played in the Super Bowl behind MVP Cam Newton. Carolina is led this season by NY Jet castoff Sam Darnold, who is completing 68.2% for 888 yards with three TDs and just one INT (QB rating of 99.0). He entered this season with a 45-39 TD-to-INT ratio and his career QB rating is 80.2. Darnold has been a real bright spot but look at the Carolina defense. It ranks No. 1 in total yards allowed (191.0 YPG), passing yards allowed (146.0 YPG) and rushing yards allowed (245.0 YPFG), while ranking 2nd in points allowed (10.0 PPG).

"Dak is Back" for Dallas, completing 77.5% for 878 yards with six TDs and two INTs, after completing 21 of 26 for 238 yards with three TDs and no INTS last Monday night in a 41-21 win over the Eagles (his QB rating was 143.3 in that game!). He's got plenty of offensive 'weapons,' in WRs Lamb and Cooper plus TE Schultz (trio has a combined 51 catches and 5 TDs). RBs Elliott (199 yards on 4.5 YPC with 3 TDs) and RB Pollard (183 yards on 6.8 YPC and one TD) are both contributing. However, the Dallas defense is allowing 402.0 YPG.

Those Carolina defensive numbers are great and this is by far, the best defense Dallas has seen this year. The last thing Carolina wants to do is get into a shoot-out with Dallas and with do-everything RB McCaffrey sidelined, the Panthers are without their biggest and best offensive threat. Yes, the Dallas D is giving up a lot of yards (see above) but under new defensive coordinator Dan Quinn, it's allowing a much better 23.0 PPG (13th), by forcing a league-best eight turnovers.

Carolina has played three straight unders to open the season and this number seems a little high to me. Expect Dak to struggle vs Carolina's defense and for Dan Quinn's defense to hold Carolina at bay, as he's very familiar with the Panthers from his days as Atlanta's head coach. Go Under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Featured NFL Sunday O/U is on Sea/Min Under at 4:25 ET.

1-1 Seattle pulled away for a 28-16 win at Indianapolis in Week 1 but then blew a 14-point 4th quarter lead at home last Sunday in a 33-30 OT loss to Tennessee. Minnesota is 0-2 but is just two plays away from being 2-0. The Vikings lost 27-24 in OT at Cincy in Week 1 and at Arizona last Sunday, missed a 37-yard FG on the game's final play.

The Vikings are at home for the first time in 2021 this Sunday against Seattle. QBs Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins are both off to great starts with Wilson completing 74.1% for 597 yards with six TDs and zero INTs (QB rating of 146.9 is No. 1). Cousins is completing 71.6% for 595 yards with five TDs and zero INTs, giving him a QB rating of 112.9. The duo has combined to attempt 135 passes through the season's first two weeks and neither has thrown a SINGLE interception.

Considering Seattle's defense ranks 30th in allowing 434.0 YPG and Minnesota is allowing 420.0 YPG (28th), maybe this is a 'dead-nuts' Over! Then again, maybe the Over is not such an easy call. The Seahawks have won SIX straight regular-season games against the Vikings, including a 27-26 victory last year in Seattle on a 6-yard TD pass from Russell Wilson to DK Metcalf with six seconds remaining. In fact, I think we'll witness another tight battle here as well, but I also expect a lower final combined score.

The Vikings have played two consecutive games decided by a FG attempt on the game's final play, with the Vikings coming out on the 'wrong' side of the make and miss. An 0-3 start all but ends any playoff hopes Minnesota brought into the season and Seattle sure wants/needs to move to 2-1, as the other three teams in the NFC West have all opened 2-0. Seattle is at the 49ers next week and the is home to the Rams the following week.

Expect a competitive game and a final score that stays Under the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Rivalry O/U Game of the Year is on the NYY/Bos Under at 7:10 ET.

MLB's greatest rivalry adds to its legacy this weekend as the NY Yankees visit the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Part for a three-game series starting tonight. Here's the set-up. Only two games separate these teams in the wildcard race, as Boston is 88-65 and New York 86-67. However, Toronto lurks just ONE game back and Seattle, which last made the postseason in 2001), sits only two games back.

And the Yankees have won three straight (7 of 10) but Boston has won SEVEN in a row (8 of 10). The Yankees hand the ball to ace Gerrit Cole (15-8, 3.03), who is coming off one of the worst outings this season, allowing seven runs off 10 hits over six innings. Meanwhile, Boston counters with Nathan Eovaldi (10-8, 3.58 ERA) who enters off an unfortunate no-decision to the Orioles on Sunday, striking out eight and allowing three runs off seven hits over five innings.

Cole has worked 169.1 innings and comes down the stretch of the regular season with an elite 231/38 KW ratio and note that he's been at his best on the road this season, going 9-4 with a 2.96 ERA. Eovaldi was 9-5 at the All Star break but has earned just ONE win over his last 12 starts. However, he's posted a 2.27 ERA and 48/6 KW ratio over his last six starts plus owns a 2.99 ERA at Fenway, compared to a 4.62 ERA on the road.

Tonight is a pivotal opener of this three-game series and it's my opinion that these two hurlers will garner most of the headlines in tomorrow's summaries. These teams have played under the total in SIX of their last seven meetings and everything points to that trend continuing here. This number is high and the play is on the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U of the Week is on Min/Chi Under at 7:40 ET.

Neither club will be in the postseason in 2021, after BOTH won their respective divisions in 2020. The Twins won the AL Central and the Cubs the NL Central. However, the Twins check in at 65-85 and the Cubs at 67-83. what a difference a year makes. Each team enters having lost SEVEN of its last 10.

Neither starting pitcher instills a ton of confidence, but I still think this O/U line is high. The visitors hand the ball to Griffin Jax (3-4, 6.65 ERA), who gave up five runs (three earned) over five innings in a loss to the Indians on Wednesday. Chicago turns to Alec Mills (6-6, 4.50), who gave up four runs over five innings in a no-decision to the Phillies on Wednesday.

Chicago has been involved in plenty of high-scoring games of late, which makes it worth noting that the Cubs have seen the total go under in 14 of their last 20 after playing five or more straight overs in a row. That's the case here, as Chicago has indeed played to five overs in a row and in seven of its last 10). The Twins rank 16th in scoring and the Cubs are 19th. When it's all said and done, I look for this one to sneak under the total.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NFL Featured Sunday Total is on SF/Phi Over at 1:00 ET.

A couple of confident 1-0 teams collide in Week 2 and everything points to a shootout, rather than a chess match.

San Francisco got an excellent game from QB Jimmy G (17 of 25 for 314 yards with one TD and zero INTs) and opened up a 38-10 lead in the 3rd quarter at Detroit last Sunday, However, the Lions scored 23 points in the final 16 1/2-minutes of the game to get the 'back-door' cover. That second half defense collapse doesn't bode well heading to Philadelphia to face Jalen Hurts and this high-flying Eagles offense.

Philadelphia only had a 15-6 halftime lead over the Falcons in Atlanta last Sunday, but it dominated the second half en route to a 32-rout. QB Jalen Hurts looked sharp, finishing with 264 passing yards and three TDs, to three different receivers also had 62 rushing yards. RB Miles Sanders is healthy (that's BIG deal) and he added 74 rushing yards plus 39 receiving yards.

Shutting down Atlanta is one thing, but doing the same to the 49ers will be much more difficult.

San Francisco posted an 8.0-yard average while on offense. It did lose a couple fumbles (still scored 41 points) but it punted only twice and it conceded just a single sack.

Making this an over play is that the San Francisco pas D allowed Detroit's Jared Goff to throw for 338 yards and three TDs. This game will be competitive and VERY high-scoring.

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

Important: As you can see by my write-up, I selected UNDER when I obviously meant Over!

My 10* Division O/U of the Month (AL East) is on NYY/Bal Over at 5:05 ET.

The Orioles are stumbling towards the finish line, as they've lost seven of their last 10, including five in a row. However, that's NOT the half of it! The Orioles have 'caught' the D'backs and now own MLB's worst record of 46-99. As for the Yankees, they won 13 straight, then lost 12 of 15 but have now won four of five, including three straight. That leaves them tied with Toronto at 83-64. Boston is 83-65, as the three teams battle for the AL's two wild card spots.

While the first two games of this series have gone under the posted number, all signs point to the finale as finally being more of a slug-fest.

The Yanks hand the ball to Jordan Montgomery (5-6, 3.71 ERA), who is off a terrible outing on Friday against the Mets, taking a loss after conceding seven runs off seven hits over 3.1 innings.

The Orioles counter with Chris Ellis (1-0, 2.08 ERA), who has given up just one run over his past two outings. This is his fifth career start. He went five hitless innings against New York last week, but I say regression is finally in order here for the rookie.

Here's the bottom line. It's NOT usual for these teams to play to lower-scoring games, as despite the first two contests of this series going under the number, these clubs have still seen the over go 30-12-1 here in their last 43 played at Camden Yards.

The stage is set for some offensive fire-works in this hitter-friendly park (note: Baltimore's team ERA of 5.93 is the worst in MLB).

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Las Vegas Insider is on Mil/Det Under at 6:40 ET.

Milwaukee barely made the expanded playoff field in 2020, 'sneaking' in at 29-31. However, the Brewers have no such worries in 2021, as at 89-55 they own a 14-game lead over the Reds in the NL Central. Detroit has no playoff aspirations, as the tigers check in at 68-76 (.472). That said, Detroit fans have to be happy that the Tigers are MUCH more respectable this season, after losing 98, 98 and 114 games from 2017 thru 2019, then going 23-35 (.397) in 2020's COVID-shortened season.

These are two teams that normally struggle to plate runs on the best of nights and I expect that to be the case in the opener of this interleague series.

Milwaukee hands the ball to Freddy Peralta (9-4, 2.69 ERA), who gave up three runs over four innings in a no-decision to the Phillies in his last outing.

It was his second start since returning from the injured list. He should be given the green light to now throw deeper and he'll be feeling confident as he's 5-2 with a 3.00 ERA on the road.

The Tigers counter with Wily Peralta (3-3, 3.60), who is coming off a great outing against the Pirates on Tuesday, allowing one run over four innings, unfortunate to receive a no-decision.

The Brewers are allowing just 3.23 RPG on the road this year, so Detroit is going to have its hands full with the playoff-bound Brewers in this series.

Either way, look for these two starters to battle into the latter frames, and as a result, expect this total to stay firmly under the posted number.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* MNF Magic play is on Bal/LV Under at 8:15 ET.

Baltimore has a really good team. It has a dynamic offense that averaged 29.3 points per game last year.

The offense is run by LaMar Jackson, who had 2,757 yards, 26 TDs, and nine INTs last year. He also led the team with 1,005 rushing yards and seven touchdowns.

But how will Baltimore adjust after losing Marcus Peters, J.K. Dobbins, Justice Hill, and Gus Edwards to injury ALL in the last week?!

That's obviously the big question Baltimore was one of the best on the defensive side of the ball last season, finishing by conceding just 18.9 PPG.

This tough Ravens' defense will be tasked to slow down Derrick Carr, who had 4,103 yards passing, 27 TDs, and nine INTs last year. Las Vegas also has a strong run game with Josh Jacobs, who had 1,065 rushing yards and 12 major scores last year.

If Jon Gruden is going to make the playoffs with his new team for the first time in four years, clearly Las Vegas has to address its issues on the defensive end, a unit that conceded 29.9 PPG last year.

I don't think Harbrough wants to let Gruden and the Raiders control the tempo. Baltimore wants to wear this home side down and win the war in the trenches and with great field position created by its defense.

There are many different variable factors at play here that make me believe we'll see a low-scoring defensive game, rather than a high-scoring shootout.

The play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* IL Total of the Week is on Arz/Sea Under at 4:10 ET.

Seattle won 5-4 in Game 1 before Arizona won 7-3 here yesterday.

 Seattle has now seen the total go over the number in EIGHT straight (it's interesting to note though that the Mariners have seen the total go under the number in seven of their last 10 after playing to five or more straight overs in a row). So the fact that we've now seen eight straight overs from Seattle makes this trend even stronger in my opinion.)

 Tyler Gilbert (1-2, 3.12 ERA) gets the nod for Arizona. He's been decent, not great. He most recently is off a no-decision to Seattle last week, allowing three runs with four strikeouts over seven innings.

The home side counters with Yusei Kikuchi (7-8, 4.32) who is off likely the worst start of his career, allowing six runs over 1.2 innings in a loss to the Astros on Monday.

My NFL Week 1 Featured Sunday Total is a 9* on Buf/Pit Under at 1:00 ET.

Pittsburgh did well in the preseason, but without really addressing many issues across its offensive line in the offseason, many experts believe the Steelers are poised for a major step-back this year.

Clearly, Ben Roethlisberer isn't getting any younger or more mobile, and I think he's going to be running for his life today against this revamped Buffalo pass rush in its first game of the season in front of the hometown crowd.

Steelers' veteran head coach Mike Tomlin knows this though. And so we can expect the visiting side to run the ball early and often. This will also keep this potent Buffalo offense off the field as long as possible as well.

Pittsburgh's strength last year was on the defensive side of the ball and that'll once again be the case this season.

Buffalo has a Top-5 QB in Josh Allen. Stefon Diggs put up huge numbers in his first season with the Bills last year. But with a Week 2 matchup at division rival Miami in Week 2, the temptation to look ahead and be planning for that one is there as well for the home side.

This is an explosive Buffalo offense, but it faces one of the stiffest defenses it'll see all season right out of the gates. If the Bills want to take the next step though, clearly they'll have to once again make strides on the defensive side of the ball.

I expect a lot of running from each side. Also some hard-hosed defensive play.

This total is more than a little too high. The play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* 'Best Bet' Total is on Was/Pit Over at 6:35 ET.

Pittsburgh squeaked out a 4-3 win here yesterday. The Pirates have now seen the total go under the number in three straight (they've actually won three of their last four as well.)

Washington has lost three of its last four and it's been alternating overs and unders for six straight games. After yesterday's low-scoring loss, I absolutely am expecting this strong pattern to continue here today.

And really this is based completely upon these starting pitchers, both of whom I have no trust in whatsoever.

Pittsburgh hands the ball to the volatile Wil Crowe (3-7, 5.94 ERA), who conceded seven earned runs over three innings in a loss to the Cubs on Sunday. Note that the rookie has been particularly inept on the road as well, going 2-2 with a 7.04 ERA.

The home side counters with the equally as erratic Josiah Gray (0-2, 5.65), who was rocked for six runs off seven hits over three innings in a fortunate no-decision to the Mets on Sunday.

He's now allowed six runs in each of his last two trips to the hill.

As I said above, I DO NOT trust either of these starting pitchers.

Finally, note that Pittsburgh has seen the total go over the number in EIGHT of its last 11 after playing to three or more straight unders in a row.

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Eye-Opener is on WKU/Army Under at 11:30 am ET.

Western Kentucky rolled to a 59-21 win over Tennessee Martin in Week 1, and that total flew well over the number.

Army is off a convincing 43-10 win over Georgia State, and that total also eclipsed the posted number.

These teams didn't play against each other in the shortened COVID season last year, but they did in 2019 and Western Kentucky managed the 17-8 victory.

They'll likely get a few more combined points here in this one, but I definitely expect a very defensive affair again, one which is dominated by the run game by each team while on offense.

Bailey Zappe completed an unrealistic 80 percent of his passes for 424 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception in his team's win over lowly Tennessee Martin.

The Knights are a run-first team. QB Christian Anderson completed only 50 percent of his passes for 40 yards, one touchdown, and zero interception in last week's win (the Army Black Knights have only six touchdown passes dating back to last season.)

Army racked up 258 rushing yards in Week 1 and it'll look for a duplicate performance here as well against the Hilltoppers.

It's hard to get a firm read on either team's defense at this point, as their opening opponent was pretty weak. But the bottom line is, both defenses looked good and there's no reason not to think that consistent play won't be carried over here as well.

Look for this one to be decided in the trenches.

This number is high, the play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Late-Breaker is on Tex/Oak Over at 9:40 ET.

The Rangers and A's open a three-game series tonight in Oakland and I expect the opener to result in plenty of offense. The Rangers are  a sad-sack 51-88, while the 76-64 A's are in a five-team 'scramble' for the AL's two wild card spots. There's no way I'm laying this large home price, but as I said already, I do think this one sets up nicely as a high-scoring affair.

Texas hands the ball to Glenn Otto (0-0, 1.86 ERA), who has made two MLB starts for the club, including going five scoreless against the Astros in his big league debut. The book is still clearly out on the rookie though, and there's no question that he draws a tough opponent here, and in a difficult road venue as well. However, Texas enters having won four straight, tying a season-best streak.

The A's counter with Paul Blackburn (0-2, 4.12), who has made just four starts (1.43 WHIP and .300 BAA). been consistently inconsistent all season. He's made two  appearances vs Texas in his short career, allowing seven ERs in just five innings (12.60 ERA).

The over has ca$hed in FIVE straight between the clubs, including in SIX of the last eight in this ballpark.

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Getaway Day Game of the Week is on the CWS/Oak Over at 3:37 ET.

 The White Sox have a comfortable 11-game lead in the AL Central, but they've seen the total eclipse the posted number in seven of their last ten in trying to revenge a road loss against an opponent in which they were held to one or fewer runs in.

 Reynaldo Lopez (3-1, 2.08 ERA), who gave up three runs over four innings in a no-decision to the lowly Royals on Saturday gets the start. Lopez has been great overall this year, but he's being forced into a starter's role out of necessity.

Oakland counters with Sean Manaea (8-9, 3.91 ERA), who is off a no-decision to the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs over seven innings. He's been great overall, but it's interesting to note that he's 4-5 with a 3.37 ERA on the road, and just 4-4 with a 4.45 ERA at home.

It's a big game for Oakland but note that the White Sox average 4.98 RPG on the road this year.

The total has also gone over the number in five of Oakland's last six vs. other AL opponents.

Lopez is going to only see a handful of innings in this one as well.

 When considering all of the above-listed information, I absolutely feel that the correct call as far as the total is concerned is on the over.

And that's the play. It's Goin' Over.

Good luck...Larry

My MLB 10* Total of the Week is on Min/Cle Under at 6:10 ET.

The Twins are in the process of playing out the rest of the season, while the Indians still have hopes of going on a big win streak and sneaking into the playoffs.

The opener of this series sets up as a lower-scoring one in my opinion.

Cleveland hands the ball to Logan Allen (1-5, 6.62 ERA), who comes in under the radar, as over his last two outings he's posted an elite 2.13 ERA and 0.71 WHIP spanning 12.2 innings of work. This could be Allen's last start before heading back to the bullpen, and I think he'll make the most of it facing this poor Twins' hitting lineup.

Minnesota counters with Bailey Ober (2-2, 3.98), who will work this game with Michael Pineda. Previous to that Ober allowed two runs and struck out five over six innings in a win over the Tigers. Over his last eight starts, he's now allowed 13 earned runs (2.81 ERA) with a 40/6 K/W in that span.

I think the stage is set for these two "in form" starting hurlers to battle into the latter innings.

This number is high, the play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Division Total of the Year (AL Central) is on Cle/KC at 8:10 ET.

Kansas City has lost the first two games of this series, and three games overall coming into the Thursday finale.

The Indians have been playing much better of late, as they've won seven of their last ten, including three in a row.

Both teams are hungry for victories and any sort of positive spin they can find despite not being in contention.

The Royals hand the ball to the volatile Mike Minor (8-11, 5.30 ERA), who has looked a bit better of late, but who is still just 4-6 with a 5.32 ERA at home this season.

The Indians counter with Triston McKenzie (3-5, 4.83), who returns from a short stint on the IL. McKenzie has actually been great over his last two starts, but immediate regression after the time off is imminent in my opinion (note that he's 2-4 with a ballooned 5.24 ERA on the road this season as well.)

The recent form of starting pitchers is an important factor I always take into account when playing an Over/Under and while these two teams have struggled with offensive consistency this year, I do not trust either of these starters this evening.

With each making an expected "early exit," the play here is definitely on the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* NFLX Total of the Month is on Mia/Cin Over at 4:00 ET.

The Bengals are 1-1 SU in the preseason. They're 2-0 ATS. They won at Tampa Bay by a score of 19-14 in Week 1, and then lost 17-13 at Washington last week, covering with the five points they were afforded in that one.

Both of those games stayed under the posted number as far as the total is concerned. With their only home preseason game today, I believe the Bengals open up the playbook today on offense with their backups, and wannabe's getting one last look.

Miami is 1-1 SU and ATS. It lost 20-13 at Chicago in Week 1 but then rebounded with a convincing 37-17 victory at home over Atlanta last weekend.

Suffice it to say, I believe the Fish are going to try and duplicate that performance here and to keep the positive momentum rolling into the regular season.

I base a lot of my over/under selections on "situations." This one definitely sets up great as an offensive shootout in my opinion.

I'll point out as well that Cincinnati has seen the total go over the posted number in eight of its last 11 after scoring 13 or less points in a SU road loss in its previous outing.

In my opinion, both the situation and the trends point to this one flying over the number.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* Situational Stunner O/U is on Cin/Mia Over at 6:10 ET.

While yesterday's total stayed under the number in the Reds' 6-0 victory, I expect a bit more of a slug-fest between these two NL foes on Saturday night.

The visitors hand the ball to Vladamir Gutierrez (9-4, 3.68 ERA), who gave up one run over seven innings in a victory over these very Marlins last weekend. The rookie's on fire, but I believe he's in the wrong place at the wrong time here.

One possible concerning O/U ATS stat to keep in mind here today for Reds bettors, is that Miami has seen the total go over the number in eight of its last ten in trying to revenge a shutout home loss to an opponent. 

Miami counters with Sandy Alcantara (7-12, 3.35), who lost to the Reds last Sunday despite allowing two runs over seven innings. He also had 11 strikeouts (note that he's 3-8 with a 5.01 ERA in all night games this year.) 

I don't mind either of these pitchers, but overall (situationally and from a trend-based view), this one sets up beautifully as a higher-scoring affair. 

Look for this one to sail over sooner, rather than later. The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* Situational Stunner O/U is on Min/Bos Under at 7:10 ET.

These team's played to a higher-scoring affair in Boston's 11-9 victory yesterday, but I expect much more of a "duel" here on Wednesday night.

The Twins hand the ball to Bailey Ober (1-2, 4.38 ERA), who gave up two runs over six innings in what turned out to be an unfortunate loss to the Indians on Tuesday. With his last start skipped over, Ober comes in extra fresh here and I say that matters.

The home side counters with Nick Pivetta (9-6, 4.43), who is off an outing to forget against the Yankees, allowing four runs over just 1.2 innings last Wednesday. 

It was literally the shortest outing of his professional career. 

Previous to that dud, Pivetta had pitched back-to-back gems. 

I think the veteran will bounce back at home here in this favorable matchup.

Finally, note that the Twins have seen the total go under the number in seven of their last ten in trying to revenge a road loss against an opponent in which they conceded ten or more runs in.

This number is high, the play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My MLB 10* Total of the Week is on the NYY/Atl Under at 7:20 ET.

These teams played to a lower-scoring affair last night, and everything points to another tight affair this evening.

New York hands the ball to Andrew Heaney, while Atlanta counters with Charlie Morton.

Heaney (8-8, 5.51 ERA) is coming off his strongest outing yet for the Yanks out of five tries, allowing one run over seven innings in a victory over the Red Sox.

Morton (12-4, 3.47), is 4-2 with a 3.59 ERA in 11 career starts against New York.

These teams have been under machines of late and I expect that trend to carry over for at least one more game.

Morton has in fact allowed three or fewer runs in each of his last four starts.

I think Heaney will continue his progression as well.

Look for these two competent starters to throw into the latter frames and as a result, expect this total to once again stay under the posted number.

Good luck...Larry

My IL 10* Total of the Year is on Phi/SD Over at 8:40 ET.

Both teams have been struggling to plate runs. The Phillies are coming in off a much-needed 4-3 win last night. That broke a four-game slide. 

Philadelphia has now seen the total go under in four straight and in nine of its last ten.

San Diego is the one reeling now, as it's lost eight of ten, including four in a row. It's seen the total go under the number in seven of its last ten, including in its last four losses.

These are two talented hitting line-ups and I think that tonight's posted total is finally a little too low.

And that's because both of these starting pitchers are in poor form right now.

The Phillies hand the ball to Aaron Nola (7-7, 4.48 ERA), who is 4-3 with a 3.32 ERA at home, and only 3-4 with a 5.59 ERA on the road.

The home side counters with Joe Musgrove (8-8, 3.11), who was shelled for six earned runs off ten hits over five innings in a loss to Arizona last weekend. 

The Padres are kicking themselves for not taking advantage of the ten walks allowed last night. They're clearly desperate now.

Finally note, the Padres have seen the total go over the number in seven of their last ten after playing to three or more straight unders in a row.

Considering all of the above information, I do indeed feel this number is low.

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* O/U Oddsmaker's Error of the Month is on Det/Tor Under at 7:07 ET.

Detroit has been crushing the ball of late. It's been in several high-scoring games lately, as it's seen the total go over the number in six of its last seven, including in yesterday's 13-10 setback at home to the Angels.

The Jays will be eager to return to the winners circle after losing five of their last six. That includes back-to-back road games in Washington, falling 12-6 and 8-5. Toronto has seen the total eclipse the posted number in four in a row.

But I expect a duel here in the opener of this one.

The Tigers hand the ball to Tyler Alexander (2-2, 4.57 ERA), who gave up four runs over five innings in a loss to the Indians last Friday. 

Despite the pedestrian outing, he's still posted a combined 3.77 ERA over his last three starts. 

But I do really like Robbie Ray. I'm not going to lay the large price on the home side, but I do expect Ray to have a big night. He's 9-5 with a 2.88 ERA this season. He most recently conceded two runs with eight strikeouts over seven innings against the Mariners. It was the southpaws fifth straight quality start.

One O/U ATS trend worth mentioning sees that Jays having seen the total go under the number in eight of their last 11 after playing to three or more straight overs in a row.

This number is a tad high, the play is the under.

Good luck...Larry

My 10* AL Total of the Year is on Oak/CWS Over at 2:10 ET.

Oakland is second in the AL West at 68-53. Houston is 70-50. After four straight losses, clearly the A's are now desperate to get back into the winners circle. I think this desperation is going to lead to some production at the plate in the finale of this four-game series.

So far Chicago has taken the first three games, winning 5-2, 9-0 and 3-2. 

Both starters have been decent, but I think the overall situation will lead to a higher-scoring game here finally. 

The A's hand the ball to Cole Irvin (8-11, 3.52 ERA), who is starting to show some cracks in the armor, most recently allowing five runs off eight hits over five innings to the lowly Rangers on Friday. 

The rookie has likely exceeded expectations to this point, but there's no doubt he draws a difficult assignment in a tough road venue tonight.

The home side counters with Dylan Cease (9-6, 4.04), who gave up three runs in a no-decision against the Yankees on Saturday. 

Cease will have his hands full against this hungry Oakland team though in my estimation, as note that the Athletics have seen the total go over the number in seven of their last nine after playing to three or more straight unders in a row.

The overall situation points to this contest eclipsing the posted number as it gets into the latter frames.

The play is the over.

Good luck...Larry

My 9* O/U Situational Stunner is on Oak/CWS Under at 8:10 ET.

Both teams are hungry for a victory. I say the opener of this series sets up as pitchers duel.

The A's hand the ball to Frankie Montas (9-8, 3.98 ERA), who gave up two runs (one earned) with six strikeouts over six innings in a no-decision to the Indians on Wednesday. 

It was his sixth straight quality start. Montas now owns a sharp 146/36 K/W over 131 innings of work and he's been at his best on the road, going 5-2 with a 3.50 ERA away from friendly confines thus far.

The home side counters with Dallas Keuchel (7-6, 4.51), who gave up four runs over six innings in a loss to the Twins. Still, Keuchel has gone at least six innings in four of his last six outings and he's 4-2 with a 3.99 ERA at home this season.

Five of the last seven between these clubs have indeed fallen under the number and as outlined here, I expect that low-scoring trend to carry over here in Game 1 of this series.

The play is the under.

Good luck...Larry