Locks
NCAA Basketball – Michigan State -4 vs. Purdue (-110):
Outside of a total collapse at Minnesota, this Spartan team has looked like the Tom Izzo-coached squad we are so used to seeing each year. Purdue just isn’t very good this year and it seems to me like they are getting more respect than they deserve based on their name.
4.5 points should be a small enough margin for Michigan State to cover if they want to continue to move up the rankings, although this spread could move fast when the public gets a hold of it so get it early. After a convincing win against a solid Rutgers team, I think the Spartans continue to roll at home so throw their money line in a parlay at least, especially at home.
NBA – Wizards/Celtics Over 234 (-110):
The Washington Wizards’ defense is absolutely atrocious this season, allowing an astonishing 122 PPG while also putting up 120 points of their own. That is insane and just because the Boston Celtics play a little slower doesn’t mean they won’t take every basket the Wizards give them.
Boston’s young core should be able to run it up in what I expect to be a track meet later today. If there is one thing Russell Westbrook is good for it’s running up and down the court as fast as possible and on a team that plays no defense — a recipe for an over. My only concern is Washington doesn’t score enough in this one.
Degenerates
NCAA Basketball – UNF @ Jacksonville -1.5 (110):
I would put this one in the locks but the last few days have been so upside down that college basketball has made me a little gun shy today. Dontarius James comes into this one averaging 16.9 PPG for Jacksonville, who have started out the season strong and even played Miami pretty tight recently.
Meanwhile, North Florida doesn’t have anyone averaging above 13 PPG while struggling to get in the win column consistently (2-8), so I expect the Dolphins to handle business here. It’s also worth mentioning the Ospreys’ only wins this season have come against FIU and, ahem, Edward Waters College.
NCAA Basketball – Oakland -1 @ Green Bay (-110):
These are two bad teams that are pretty evenly matched in most statistical categories. However, Oakland has shown much more promise now that Horizon play has started, with a 3-1 straight up and ATS record in their last four games. I think that explains the move on this number through zero to Oakland as a short favorite. I’ll follow the money in this spot and take the Golden Grizzlies at essentially a pick-em.
NBA – Warriors/Clippers Over 233 (-110):
As long as the majority of the stars play in this one (Steph Curry, Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and over specialist Lou Williams) the over should be a fun play to watch on late-night prime time TV. The Golden State Warriors are allowing 119 PPG while the Los Angeles Clippers are more than capable of scoring when they need to.
I also think Curry rebounds after a horrible game against these same Clippers in which he only scored 13 points a couple of nights ago. That dud of a game didn’t bring this total down so I’m agreeing with Vegas on it and hitting the over while also making a little play on the Warriors as well now that Draymond Green is back.
Tiny Nick is 91-46 ATS (+44.5 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.
Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games he’s confident in. Degenerates are entertaining, but riskier picks.
