Locks
NBA – Clippers/Mavs Over 221 (-110): 8:30 PM CT on TNT
In the three games of this series so far we have eclipsed this number twice, and I don’t think tonight is going to be any different than just two nights ago when these two teams combined for 226 points. In that game, the Dallas Mavericks offense really struggled to get going and the game still went over fairly comfortably.
If we get some more offensive output from the Mavs this total will only run higher because by now we know their defense can’t stop a nose bleed. If you’re feeling wild, take the Clippers -2.5 to even this series as well. But let’s play it safe and take the over tonight.
NBA – Nets -7 vs. Celtics (-110): 6 PM CT on TNT
Yeah, I know, Jayson Tatum is pretty good. But is he back to back 50 point game good? I don’t think so.
This Boston Celtics team is relying heavily on their young star to keep them relevant in this playoff run, and I just can’t see him doing what he did on Friday night again tonight. Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant and James Harden are simply too good for me not to think they’re going to bounce back and get it right tonight.
The over on this game was intriguing to me as well but my gut tells me the Nets should run away with this one early so that’s what I’m going with.
MLB – A’s ML vs. Angels (-130): 3:10 PM CT
This one comes down to both the pitching matchup and that I don’t think the Oakland A’s will drop back to back games to this mediocre Los Angeles Angels ballclub. Cole Irvin has been solid for the A’s early this year but Jose Quintana has been BAD for the Angels. Quintana currently has a 7.92 ERA and a WHIP dangerously close to 2.
That’s not gonna slide for the left handed starter against an Oakland lineup that has some powerful right handed hitters. Look for the A’s to finish off this series with another win tonight en route to a 3-1 series victory over the Angels.
Degenerates
MLB – Twins/Royals Over 9 (-110): 1:10 PM CT on Bally Sports North
The Minnesota Twins offense is rolling right now, which contributes to, but isn’t actually the main reason I like today’s over.
Unders have been my favorite trend so far in baseball early on this year, but the Twins have actually gone over this total in five of their six games. Paired with that is this lousy pitching matchup between two guys that have struggled to prove they’re worth a rotation spot this year.
The Twins will send out Matt Shoemaker (5.48 ERA) while the Kansas City Royals deal with their own struggling pitcher in Brad Keller (5.72 ERA). I didn’t lock this one because I know how bad Kansas City’s offense can be as well as Minnesota’s streakiness, but I trust them to stay hot against a team that they know they shouldn’t be behind in the series on their way to a series win.
If Shoemaker wasn’t pitching for Minnesota I would take the -130 moneyline as well, but he is and I don’t trust him with a bet on the line.
Tiny Nick is 269-177 ATS (+80.7 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.
