Will Rogers

The set-up: Houston destroyed the lowly Hawks 121-105 last night and I think it’ll keep the foot on the gas here as well as it looks to gain ground in the competitive West as the season winds down. Overall the Rockets average 112.9 PPG and they allow 109.9. The Grizzlies had a stretch of decency about a month ago, but they’ve predictably started to stumble again, coming into this one having lost two straight. Memphis averages a league-worst 102.1 PPG, while allowing 104.6. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Houston is 7-2 ATS in its last nine in the second game of a back-to-back after scoring 120 or more points in a victory in the first, while Memphis is only 6-7 ATS this year when playing with triple revenge vs. an opponent (three straight losses in the series.) This is a bad matchup for Memphis. Houston will look to put the foot on the gas early here and try to go up big at half. This is a play on Houston in the first half.

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The set-up: Let’s face it, it wouldn’t be difficult to write a convincing argument for this total to “over” or “under” the number. Both teams possess some of the most dangerous offensive talent on the planet. But each side also sports some of the best goaltending in the league as well. These are two of the top teams in the East and Tampa just beat the Capitals 6-3 at home last week in a “barn burner.” Suffice it to say, with the shift in venue, I’m expecting a much more defensive affair this time around. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Washington has seen the total go “under” the number in 11 of its last 14 in trying to revenge a loss vs. an opponent in which it gave up six or more goals in and in which it lost by two or more goals in. This number is high, play the “under.”

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The set-up: Clearly the oddsmakers agree that this is going to be a tight battle. Despite backing its way down the stretch, ASU has now made back-to-back NCAA Tourney appearances for the first time since the early 80’s. If recent history is any precedence, then the Sun Devils have to be loving their chances today as well as they’d meet the Red Storm in LA last year and beat them 82-70. This is St. John’s first winning season for Chris Mullin since he took over four years ago. St. John’s got out to a quick start in non-conference play and despite a shot in The Big Dance, the team has failed to live up to expectations as far as many are concerned. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but St. John’s is just 5-11 ATS in its last 16 neutral sit games, while ASU is 3-1-1 ATS in its last five neutral site affairs. Lay the short points, play on Arizona State.

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The set-up: Seattle won 9-7 in the 2019 season opener in Japan early yesterday morning. Domingo Santa delivered a grand slam in the victory. Both teams bats looked great, including the A’s Khris Davis, who led MLB with 48 home runs last year, Matt Chapman and Stephen Piscotty who all went yard, and the Mariners got balanced hitting from Tim Beckham and newcomer Edwin Encarnacion, who scored twice.

The pitchers: Mariners go with LHP Yusei Kikuchi, as the 27 year old makes his MLB debut in his home country. 

The A’s hand the ball to Marco Estrada, who steadily declined with the Blue Jays over the last three years before posting a career worst 7-14, 5.64 ERA record. The 35 year old isn’t getting any younger, as he had difficulties with his hip and back all year in 2018.

The pick: I think these starters get chased early and I look for these hard-hitting offense to put a plethora of points on the board once it’s all said and done. Play the “over.”

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