Betting news, trends, odds and predictions for Thursday, March 22, 2018 from various handicappers and websites
Jeff Benton
Your Thursday freebie is the Michigan Wolverines over the Texas A&M Aggies.
I guess it is time to take this Michigan team seriously!
The Wolverines not only won the postseason Big Ten Tournament, but they nipped one of the hottest teams in the land when they beat Houston, 64-63 over the weekend but did not cover as the -3 1/2 point favorites. Even with that spread loss, John Beilein's team has rattled off 11 in a row with just 2 point spread losses in that span.
Texas A&M recorded an eye-opening 21-point win over the defending national-champion North Carolina Tar Heels their last time out, and in Charlotte no less! Pretty darn impressive if you ask me, and they also knocked out a pretty piping-hot Providence team by 4 in the first round.
This is still an Aggies team that sports 12 straight up losses this season, and is allowing 66.2 points per game over their last 5 compared to Michigan's 59.6 per game over their last 5.
I have seen it before, a team gets an unexpected win over a higher-seed - in this case A&M blowing out # 2 UNC - and then they cannot follow it up in the following game, especially after having a few extra days back on campus to let said win soak in.
Going to lay it with the Maize-and-Blue.
4* MICHIGAN
Tommy Brunson
My free play for Thursday is the Jazz to get back to their winning ways in Dallas against the Mavericks.
Utah was riding a 9-game winning streak, but they were upended at home on Monday by the Atlanta Hawks of all teams!?!?
With 3rd through 8th still very much unsettled in the Western Conference it would behoove the Jazz-Men to pick up a win over the Mavericks who have been eliminated from any postseason conversation.
The Mavs have lost 3 straight and 4 of their last 5, and they have failed the spread in 3 of those 5. The Jazz meanwhile are still on a positive 6-2 spread run their last 8 games, and they have covered in 7 of their last 10 overall.
Series-wise, Utah has won 5 of the last 6 meetings, and 7 of their last 10 overall, and while the Jazz is just 1-4 against the spread the last 5 meetings, with so much on the line as far as playoff seeding is concerned, look for Utah to come to play in this road game on Thursday.
Jazz play sweet music in Dallas tonight.
2* UTAH
Marc Lawrence
Mar 22 '18, 10:05 PM in 13h
NBA | Hawks vs Kings
Play on: Hawks +2½ -107 at 5Dimes
Play - Atlanta Hawks (Game 811).
Edges - Hawks: 15-2 SU and 14-3 ATS in this series… Kings: 5-11-1 ATS as a favorites against non-conference foes… Can’t ignore the series history and the chance to fade the lowly Kings laying points. With that we recommend a 1* play on Atlanta. Thank you and good luck as always.
Mark Wilson
Mar 22 '18, 9:35 PM in 13h
NCAA-B | Kansas State vs Kentucky
Play on: Kentucky -6 -108 at 5Dimes
Kentucky
Scott Spreitzer
Mar 22 '18, 7:05 PM in 10h
NBA | 76ers vs Magic
Play on: 76ers -7 -108 at 5Dimes
We're recommending a play on the 76ers minus the points on Thursday night. While this is the second of back-to-backs for Philadelphia, they didn't have to exert a lot of energy last night after building a 30 point lead through three quarters in their 119-105 home win over Memphis. They'll aim for their 5th straight head-to-head cover over the Magic, along with their 5th win in six meetings in Orlando. The Magic have won just one of their last seven games, scoring 88 points or less in five of those games. The Magic have been no match for Philly's offensive attack in this season's two meetings, allowing 116 and 130 points in the Sixers 11 and 19 point wins. And with Robert Covington on fire from "downtown," we expect another spread covering win for Philadelphia. We're recommending a play on the 76ers minus the points on Thursday night. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.
Jesse Schule
Mar 22 '18, 10:05 PM in 13h
NCAA-B | Florida State vs Gonzaga
Play on: Florida State +6 -115 at BMaker
Florida State vs Gonzaga Free Pick March 22, 2018
The Bulldogs will be a six point favorite in their Sweet 16 matchup versus Florida State, and I like the underdog in this spot. Gonzaga just barely avoided a first round upset against UNC Greensboro, winning by a score of 68-64. They trailed by five points in the final six minutes of their second round game against Ohio State, but rallied to win 90-84. The Seminoles resume in the tournament so far is significantly more impressive. They crushed Missouri by double digits in the first round, and went on to upset #1 seed Xavier in their second round matchup. BPI favors the Bulldogs, but don't be fooled by their impressive stats. They racked up a lot of wins, and scored a lot of points against the minnows of the West Coast Conference. Gonzaga has been one of the most overrated teams in the country over the last decade, and that is evidenced by the fact that they are 2-6-1 ATS in their last 9 NCAA Tournament games. They have also failed to cover in five straight against teams from the ACC. I'll take the points with a red hot Florida State team.
Take FSU.
GL,
Jesse Schule
rt Aronson
Mar 22 '18, 8:00 PM in 11h
NCAA-B | Sam Houston State vs Texas-San Antonio
Play on: Texas-San Antonio -4 -104 at 5Dimes
This is a 1* Free Play on UTSA.
This is the quarterfinals of the CIT tournament. Sam Houston State enters off a 69-62 win over Eastern Michigan, receiving 19 points and four boards from Josh Delaney. UTSA advanced with a solid 76-69 win against Lamar, getting 16 points and eight boards from Deon Lyle. The Bearkats haven’t performed well on the road (they’re also just 4-7 ATS in their last 11 as the underdog, compared to 8-4 ATS as a fav for the Roadrunners this season), and we think UTSA will take advantage (note that the Roadrunners are also 4-2 ATS in all tournament games this year, while the Bearkats are just 6-8 ATS in their last 14 tournament contests.) We think UTSA is worthy of a second look in this particular matchup.
AAA Sports
Jim Feist's Comp Pick, Thursday, March 22, 2018
3/22 07:05 PM PT / 10:05 PM ET
NBA (811) ATLANTA HAWKS VS (812) SACRAMENTO KINGS
Take: (812) SACRAMENTO KINGS
online.flowpaper.com/78230730/NBANCAANHL20171855/#page=1
South point LAS Vegas
All times Pacific
Not sure anyone needs
Mike Wynn
Free Play: Free Pick Texas A&M/Michigan Over 136 Points
Razor Sharp
YOUR RAZOR SHARP FREE PICK FOR THURSDAY: Take LOYOLA-CHICAGO/NEVADA OVER the total of 143½
Totals4U
Thursday's Free Selection: Tampa Bay/New York over 6 1/2
Jeff Allen Sports
Thursday's Free Selection is on the Florida Panthers
Atlantic Sports
Thursday's Free Selection from Atlantic Sports: New Orleans - 3 1/2