Jim Feist
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Saturday, March 23, 2019
NBA (515) BOSTON CELTICS VS (516) CHARLOTTE HORNETS
Take: (515) BOSTON CELTICS
Reason: Your free play for Saturday, March 23, 2019 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Boston Celtics and the Charlotte Hornets. Your free play is on the Celtics.
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JACK BRAYMAN
My complimentary winner for Saturday is on the Detroit Pistons plus the points against the Portland Trail Blazers.
It's a battle between playoff contenders, and while the Pistons are 5 1/2 games back of the Boston Celtics for fifth place in the Eastern Conference, the more important thing is they're only half-game in front of the hard-charging Brooklyn Nets.
Portland is the third stop of a grueling five-game road trip that will likely end up with losses at Golden State on Sunday and Denver on Tuesday. The Pistons are in must-win mode right now if they want to stave off Brooklyn.
The Pistons are 8-3 in the month of March and are in after holding the Phoenix Suns to 38 second-half points in a 118-98 road victory on Thursday. And tonight they'll present a problem for Portland with one of the best front lines in the NBA, led by power forward Blake Griffin, who averages 24.6 points, 7.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists per game.
Griffin is joined by center Andre Drummond, who has scored at least 15 points and grabbed 15 rebounds in 35 games this season.
The Trail Blazers, who have won five of their last six games and are 27-9 on their homecourt this season, are missing CJ McCollum due to a knee injury. And believe me, Seth Curry isn't going to be enough to replace McCollum against Detroit, which has won five of the last six meetings between the teams.
This game will be close and could come down to the wire.
1* PISTONS
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CHRIS JORDAN
I've nailed 13 of 17 complimentary winners, and for Saturday I'm rolling out the skates for an easy winner in the NHL.
Exactly how bad is Ottawa? The Senators have lost two straight and are 3-12-1 since Feb. 18. And since losing Mark Stone to the Vegas Golden Knights at the trade deadline, they've been outscored 47-31. Outside of a 6-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs, the Senators have scored more than 3 goals just twice since Feb. 21.
This team is horrible. And in concluding a three-game road trip that started with a 7-4 loss in Vancouver and 5-1 setback in Calgary, the Senators will struggle against Edmonton's dynamic duo: Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
McDavid and Draisaitl are the first two Oilers with 90-plus points in the same season since 1989-90. McDavid is the first NHL player to reach 100 points in three straight seasons since Alex Ovechkin. Draisaitl ranks second in NHL goal scoring, with 43 goals, one of only four players with 40 goals in the NHL this season.
Since losing four straight to the Senators, the Oilers have won the last two meetings by a combined final of 10-4.
Look for Edmonton - which is enjoying a 9-5-2 run - to continue its final extended homestand with a blowout win.
5* OILERS PUCK LINE
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COLE FAXON
NCAA-B | Mar 23, 2019
Florida vs. Michigan
FREE PLAY on Florida +6½ -109
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SCOTT RICKENBACH
NHL | Mar 23, 2019
Islanders vs. Flyers
Flyers-121
Scott "The Bulldog" Rickenbach NHL Game #60 Saturday Free Pick Philadelphia Flyers Money Line (-) vs New York Islanders @ 1:05 ET - The Islanders are off back to back shutout losses and scoring goals continues to be a problem. New York has averaged only 1.4 goals per game in their last 7 games. In 6 of those 7 games the Islanders have been held to 2 or less goals. The Flyers are a modest 8-5 their last 13 games but Philadelphia has scored an average of 3.6 goals per game during this 13 game stretch. Philly has scored at least 3 goals in 10 of their last 13 games. The Islanders are playing this game with home loss revenge but that is a situation that has seen them lose 11 of 19 this season. The Flyers have won the last two games against the Islanders by a combined score of 9 to 3 and are playing with desperation as they fight to remain alive in the playoff race. Look for them to get a key home ice win as they are off rare back to back home losses and previously had won 11 of their last 15 as a host. Free Pick PHILADELPHIA
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DAVE PRICE
NCAA-B | Mar 23, 2019
Florida vs. Michigan
1* on Florida +6
The Key: The Florida Gators match up well with almost any Big Ten team. They like to play the grind it out style, which is what the Big Ten is all about. And I think they match up very well with Michigan, a great defensive team that struggles at times on offense, similar to Florida. But the Gators have played well offensively here down the stretch, shooting 46.4% against LSU, 60.5% against Auburn and then 45.3% against Nevada. The Gators are 8-2 ATS in road games when playing only their 2nd game in a week this season. The Gators are 8-0 ATS in road games against poor pressure defensive teams that force 14 or fewer turnovers per game this season. The Gators are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games. The Wolverines are 1-4-1 ATS in their last 6 against SEC teams. Take Florida.
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JOHN MARTIN
NBA | Mar 23, 2019
Celtics vs. Hornets
1 Unit FREE PLAY on Charlotte Hornets +3
The Charlotte Hornets need wins and fast if they want to make the playoffs. They should have a good chance to get one today against the depleted Boston Celtics, who are expected to be playing without Gordon Hayward, Al Horford and Aron Baynes. The Celtics have a losing road record this season and are just 1-4 ATS in their last five games overall. The home team is 4-0 ATS in the last four meetings. Give me the Hornets.
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BRAD DIAMOND
NCAA-B | Mar 23, 2019
Villanova vs. Purdue
OVER 137 -110
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Rocketman Sports
FREE NHL play Saturday 3-23-19
Anaheim @ Los Angeles 10:35 PM ET
Play On: Los Angeles -113
The Anaheim Ducks travel to Los Angeles to take on the Kings on Saturday night. Anaheim is 31-45 SU overall this year while Los Angeles comes in with a 26-47 SU overall record on the season. Anaheim is scoring only 2.3 goals per game overall this year, 2 goals per game on the road this season and 1.9 goals per game against division opponents. Anaheim is allowing 3.1 goals per game overall this year, 3.2 goals per game on the road this season and 3.4 goals per game their past 5 games overall. Los Angeles is allowing only 2.3 goals per game against division opponents this season. We'll recommend a small play on Los Angeles tonight! Thanks and good luck, Rocky
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Free Silver Key Pick for Saturday NBA Basketball
Utah -9 over CHICAGO (8:05 et)
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