Friday 7/31/20 handicapping service plays and expert predictions for MLB, NBA & NHL
Larry Hartstein
PHOENIX -7
PHOENIX @ WASHINGTON | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
12:14 AM
The Suns are going to be a surprise team in the NBA Bubble, while the Wizards are short-handed and defensively challenged. Look for Deandre Ayton to dominate and for Phoenix to win going away.
94-80-3 LAST 177 NBA SIDES | +614
46-29 IN LAST 75 PHO ATS PICKS | +1457
5-1 IN LAST 6 WAS ATS PICKS | +390
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Brian Bitler
10* NBA GOM
Sacramento Kings -2.5
This is one of those games that jumped right off the page to me. Kings are one of the teams I will focus on in this startup I love to back the young teams in spots like this. Spurs are going nowhere and the Kings will be a playoff contender next season and won 7 of their last 10 games going into this extended break. Kings took this team to task the last time they met in February 122-102 I expect a similar result here and love this low line with a more motivated team. Kings are 6-0 ATS last 6 versus the Spurs last 6 make it 7-0 after Friday’s game. 10* Unit Investment on the Kings minus the points.
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Stephen Oh
UNDER 222.5
MEMPHIS @ PORTLAND | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
TUE 7/7
The model has the total in Grizzlies-Blazers going Under 222.5 in 60 percent of the simulations as both clubs could be rusty playing their first game since the restart and in an unusual Orlando location. The Under was 6-1 in Memphis' final seven games before the shutdown and 4-1 in the past five meetings in this series. Portland will be without starting forward Trevor Ariza as he has opted-out of the restart. Carmelo Anthony likely takes his spot.
20-5 IN LAST 25 NBA PICKS | +1448
7-2 IN LAST 9 MEM O/U PICKS | +480
ORLANDO -2.5
ORLANDO @ BROOKLYN | 7/31 | 2:30 PM EDT
TUE 6/30
My model says the Magic cover the spread 64 percent of the time, so you're getting good value playing them at this point spread. Prior to the pandemic, both teams had won three in a row. But Orlando is 4-0 ATS in both its last four overall games and last four against Brooklyn. With DeAndre Jordan (COVID-19) and Wilson Chandler (family reasons) already opting out for the rest of the season and Spencer Dinwiddie (COVID-19) a big question mark, Brooklyn will be at a disadvantage. Take the Magic.
20-5 IN LAST 25 NBA PICKS | +1448
6-3 IN LAST 9 BKN ATS PICKS | +272
PHOENIX -3.5
PHOENIX @ WASHINGTON | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
TUE 6/30
The Suns are winning about 70 percent of simulations, so you're getting strong value with Phoenix at this number. Motivation will be a huge factor in these games in Orlando, and Washington will be without key forward Davis Bertans, who is in the midst of a career-best season but will sit out the restart. The Suns have a young, talented roster that should enjoy getting back on the court even if the team's chances of making the playoffs are slim.
20-5 IN LAST 25 NBA PICKS | +1448
27-16 IN LAST 43 WAS ATS PICKS | +939
6-2 IN LAST 8 PHO ATS PICKS | +381
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Sam Quinn
NBA JOURNALIST
8:28 AM
OVER 224
PHOENIX @ WASHINGTON | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
The Wizards have hit the Over 58.7 percent of the time this season. Sportsbooks have a hard time setting reasonable totals for them. They're the second-worst defense this century, allowing a horrendous 115 points per 100 possessions. While losing Bradley Beal and Davis Bertans doesn't hurt their defense, it weakens their offense, which creates more transition opportunities. Throw in the lack of stakes here and the fact that games without stakes usually favor offenses as players focus on getting their numbers, and this Over pick feels safe.
11-7 IN LAST 18 NBA PICKS | +324
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Bobby Valentino
50 DIME
Winner
Late Night Bailout Lock
Dallas -1
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Jack Brayman
60 Dime
NBA Winner
Restart Opening Rout
Double-digit BLOWOUT
Orlando -7
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Kirby Maxwell
40 Dime
Winner
MLB Total of the Week
Colorado/San diego over 11.5
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Chris Jordan
400♦ N.L. East
Game of the Month
Mets +125
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Mitchell Newman
30 DIME
Winner
Interleague Game of the Week
Cincinnati -145
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Mike Barner
NBA SPECIALIST
9:55 AM
DALLAS -1.5
HOUSTON @ DALLAS | 7/31 | 9:00 PM EDT
This is an important game for both teams. The Rockets are tied with the Thunder for the fifth seed in the West, and the Mavericks are sitting in the seventh spot, three games back of both clubs in the loss column. Dallas would love to jump up at least one spot to potentially avoid the Clippers in the first round. Houston suffered a tough blow with guard Eric Gordon (ankle) hitting the shelf for a week or two, and the Mavs have also been excellent on the road by posting a 21-10-2 record ATS. Dallas covers.
96-61-3 IN LAST 160 NBA ATS PICKS | +2890
5-1 IN LAST 6 HOU ATS PICKS | +390
16-12-1 IN LAST 29 DAL ATS PICKS | +274
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Tim Doyle
BOSTON +5
BOSTON @ MILWAUKEE | 7/31 | 6:30 PM EDT
10:07 AM
The Celtics have the most explosive offensive weapons in the NBA: three guys who average 20 points per game and five guys whom I trust to create their own shot late in the clock. No team is hurt more by the bubble than the Bucks. They were dominating at home this year, and with no home-court advantage, they will lose their swag. I just don’t trust the pieces around The Greek Freak in the playoffs. Close game here.
11-6 IN LAST 17 NBA PICKS | +564
HOUSTON +100
HOUSTON @ DALLAS | 7/31 | 9:00 PM EDT
10:03 AM
Here’s why I like Houston in the bubble: The Rockets are playing their style no matter whom they face. They've shot the ball well in their scrimmages, and I believe the smaller venue will benefit them from deep. Small Ball + Harden + Westbrook = Win.
7-1 IN LAST 8 NBA ML PICKS | +795
PORTLAND -150
MEMPHIS @ PORTLAND | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
10:01 AM
With the Pelicans losing a heartbreaker on Thursday, this becomes the biggest game of the season for Portland. The Blazers have big time life if they win this game. The Grizzlies were the best story in the NBA this year, but they have gone from the hunter to the hunted as they currently sit in that No. 8 spot. Portland is rested, healthy and dangerous. Rip City rolls.
7-1 IN LAST 8 NBA ML PICKS | +795
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SDQL
L.A. DODGERS -135
L.A. DODGERS @ ARIZONA | 7/31 | 9:40 PM EDT
9:53 AM
Arizona's Zac Gallen does not have good accuracy, and the disciplined Dodgers hitters have taken full advantage of similar pitchers. L.A. is 14-0 straight up and on the run line against a starter who has averaged more than one strikeout per game and has a strike-per-ball ratio of less than 1.61. The Dodgers' average margin of victory has been 4.79 runs. L.A. is also 11-0 straight up as a road favorite off a game as a favorite in which the team used five-plus pitchers and a reliable 8-0 straight up as a road favorite over a divisional opponent with fewer wins. The Dodgers are undervalued here.
4-0 IN LAST 4 MLB ML PICKS | +406
TAMPA BAY -203
TAMPA BAY @ BALTIMORE | 7/31 | 7:35 PM EDT
9:48 AM
The Orioles battled all the way back from a 5-0 deficit to take a 6-5 lead over the Yankees, only to lose 8-6. This has to be devastating, and it will be a tough blow from which to recover. Baltimore is 0-17 as a 165-plus dog off a home loss in which the Orioles held the lead, losing by an average of 4.41 runs per game. The Rays have lost two straight, but the Orioles have been the perfect opponent for good teams on losing streaks for some time. Baltimore is 0-15 as a 170-plus dog facing a team on a two-plus game losing streak, losing by an average of 4.2 runs. The Rays are the play.
4-0 IN LAST 4 MLB ML PICKS | +406
3-0 IN LAST 3 TB ML PICKS | +300
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Mike Barner
Mike Barner
NBA SPECIALIST
10:14 AM
PHOENIX -7
PHOENIX @ WASHINGTON | 7/31 | 4:00 PM EDT
The Wizards are a bad team to begin with and will now have to play without Bradley Beal (shoulder) and Davis Bertans (opt-out), who are two of the top scorers on their team. The Suns will be without Kelly Oubre Jr. (knee), but they still have Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton to lead the way. I don’t think the Wizards have the firepower to hang with the Suns, so I’ll take the Suns to cover despite this being a pretty lofty 7-point line.
96-61-3 IN LAST 160 NBA ATS PICKS | +2890
12-7 IN LAST 19 WAS ATS PICKS | +424
12-9-1 IN LAST 22 PHO ATS PICKS | +208
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Brian Bitler
9* MLB Dog Investment
SF Giants
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The Spot Player
3* Oakland -1.5
2* Brooklyn Nets +7
2* Grizzlies +3
2* Rockets +1.5
3* Atlanta Dream -5.5
2* Indian Fever +3
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St Louis - Milwaukee Postponed due to 2 Cardinals players testing posting for Covid.
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Al Demarco
white sox -1.5
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Stephen Deangelo
30 DIME Winner
boston celtics +5
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WUnderdog
MLB
Texas-1.5 vs san francisco
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Worlds Worst Picker
Worlds Worst Picker.
S.D. Padres
Your pick.
Col Rockies
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Scoutspicks
8* Blazers -2.5
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