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Stephen Nover |
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| I have had only two losing season in pro football in my handicapping career. I have the best sources in the business thanks to more than 25 years as a sportswriter, handicapper and analyst. |
| FREE PICKS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
| NBA | Nov 14, 2018 Bulls vs. Celtics |
Bulls +12 -104 at 5DIMES |
in 8h |
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Boston is at low ebb right now coming home after going 1-4 SU, 0-5 ATS on a five-game road trip that concluded this past Sunday in Portland with a 100-94 loss to the Trail Blazers. The Celtics' lone win during their trip came against the 2-11 Suns in overtime. The question now becomes are the Celtics ready to take out their frustrations against the Bulls today? The evidence says no. Boston likely wins, but not by double-digits. The Celtics are still trying to find their way. Brad Stevens is working on ironing out his rotation. Not only is this Boston's first game back from a long trip - often a bad spot for the home team - but the Celtics have revenge games up next hosting Toronto on Friday and Utah on Saturday. The matchup against the Raptors is the biggest for the Celtics so far this season. So Stevens has little reason to extend his starter's minutes against the lowly Bulls especially if the game gets out of hand, which leaves the backdoor swinging open if it comes down to a garbage time scenario with the point spread on the line. Boston is at its point spread worst, too, when laying 8 1/2 or more points having failed to cover in that situation the past 10 TIMES, including going 0-4 ATS in that role this season. The Bulls are a young team with some of their better players injured. Zach LaVine is having a breakout season, though. He's currently the fifth-leading scorer in the NBA averaging 27.1 points a game. Chicago has covered in its last three away games. Only twice in their last 11 games have the Bulls lost by more than nine points. (Editor's note: Stephen Nover is one of the top NBA 'cappers in North America and he's having another huge season going 21-13 on his premium/free plays for 62 percent after cashing an easy winner with the underdog Cavaliers on Tuesday.) |
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| YESTERDAY'S PLAYS | ||
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| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NBA | Nov 13, 2018 Hornets vs Cavs |
Cavs +8½ -105 at pinnacle |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
| It seems almost unfair given how bad they are without LeBron James. But the Cavaliers have been one of the hardest hit team by injuries so far this NBA season. Still, I expect the Cavaliers to give an all-out effort here and keep this game close. Cleveland was embarrassed by Charlotte, 126-94, just 10 days ago. That was at Charlotte. Now the Cavaliers get quick revenge. They have beaten the Hornets the past seven times at home although that was with James. Still, it could be a mental barrier against the Hornets. Charlotte is in action for the third time in five days. The Hornets lost in overtime to the 76ers and then beat the Pistons, 113-103, as 2 1/2-point road chalk. I see this as a flat spot for the Hornets, who while certainly a level higher than Cleveland, are not the type of dominant team that can cover huge spreads on the road. The Cavaliers have veterans. They are not happy with only one win this season. Cleveland has played better of late. Since getting blown out by Charlotte, Cleveland lost by two points on the road to Orlando and by one point on the road to the Bulls in their last game this past Saturday. | ||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NHL | Nov 13, 2018 Maple Leafs vs Kings |
Maple Leafs -125 at 5Dimes |
Won $100 |
| Play Type: Premium | ||
| I'm not reluctant to lay this road price with the Maple Leafs. Toronto is 11-6 and proven on the road going 6-1 in its away matchups. The Maple Leafs just lost their first road game, 5-1, to the Bruins this past Saturday. I like their chances of rebounding against the Kings. The Maple Leafs rank sixth in scoring and also have the sixth-best power play. The Kings are 5-10-1. They are scoring a league-worst 2.06 goals per game. So the Kings must play effective defense. Unfortunately their first two goalies are hurt leaving either third-stringer Peter Budaj or just recalled Cal Petersen from the American Hockey League to be in net. Petersen's AHL numbers were a 4.29 goals against average and .881 save percentage. So not only will the Maple Leafs have a huge offensive edge, but also a strong goalie advantage, too, with Frederik Andersen in net. | ||
| Matchup | Selection | W/L |
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NCAA-F | Nov 13, 2018 Western Michigan vs Ball State |
Western Michigan -7½ -100 at pinnacle |
Lost $100.0 |
| Play Type: Top Premium | ||
| Back in Week 2, Ball State hung in against Notre Dame losing, 24-16. Since then, though, things have gone way downhill for the Cardinals. They are 2-6 since that close loss and out of conference and bowl contention. Their starting quarterback, Riley Neal, is out with a knee injury and their top running back, James Gilbert, has been demoted to second team after missing last week's game with a back injury. Ball State has gotten blasted in its last two games losing, 52-14 to Ohio and 45-13 to Toledo. The Cardinals have two games left and their coaching staff has made it known they are going to be looking at younger players. There are inexperienced players in the secondary and in the offensive line. Western Michigan needs this game to keep its MAC West Division title hopes alive and also secure a bowl bid. The Broncos buried the Cardinals, 55-3, last season. The Broncos are treating this as their most important game of the season. | ||
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SERVICE BIO |
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Sports gaming writer for Las Vegas Review-Journal 1984-1997. Professional handicapper since 1999. Author of three books - Las Vegas Sportsbeat, Sportsgaming Beat, Winning Fantasy Football. Taught sports betting at UNLV. Former co-host of the Sunday Night Stardust Line sports gaming radio show. Was part-time oddsmaker and analyst for Roxy Roxborough. Recognized NFL expert with 21 of 23 winning seasons. |
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