February 23, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

#5 Illinois (-7) at Michigan State - Illinois has won five games in a row to force their way into the top of the crowded Big Ten. The conference has a three headed monster, with #3 Illinois, #4 Ohio State, and #5 Illinois. The Fighting Illini’s last two games this season are against those two teams ranked above them. They can’t overlook a desperate Michigan State team that is scratching and clawing to try and make the NCAA Tournament. They won’t. Pick: Illinois 82 Michigan State 70

#10 West Virginia (-7.5) at TCU - West Virginia is coming off of a big win at #12 Texas last week, and looks to build on that momentum as they face a road test against TCU. The Horned Frogs struggle offensively, which should play right into the hands of that West Virginia defense. We like the Mountaineers to cover. Pick: West Virginia 75 TCU 66

Georgia Tech at #16 Virginia Tech (-3) - Georgia Tech is a solid basketball team. They aren’t good enough to make the NCAA Tournament like their coach thinks they should, but they are a solid team. The problem for them is they aren’t good enough to win games like this. We like the Hokies to cover the three points. Pick: Virginia Tech 74 Georgia Tech 68

Iowa State at #2 Baylor (-23.5) - In this matchup you have a team with a 12 game losing streak (Iowa State) going on the road to face a team with a 17 game winning streak (Baylor). The Bears haven’t played a game in three weeks, so you have to think their will be some rust their. This is a good tune-up game for Baylor as they are finally back on the court. Pick: Baylor 85 Iowa State 69

St. John’s at #8 Villanova (-11.5) - These two teams met earlier this month, and it was St. John’s pulling the upset against Villanova. The Wildcats are looking for revenge, and we think they will get it, but by single digits. We like the Johnnies to cover. Pick: Villanova 78 St. John’s 71

#7 Oklahoma (-10.5) at Kansas State - Kansas State finally got a Big 12 win in its last game, but it was against fellow doormat Iowa State. Now they are once again facing a ranked foe, and we don’t like their chances. Oklahoma is too good of a team to let Kansas State hang around in this game. We expect a big win for the Sooners. Pick: Oklahoma 83 Kansas State 67

#17 Kansas at #14 Texas (-2.5) - The only game today featuring two ranked teams takes us to Austin, where the Longhorns and Jayhawks square off. Kansas has won five games in a row, and hasn’t allowed an opponent to score 70 points in that stretch. We think that strong defensively play continues, and Kansas gets the win. Pick: Kansas 69 Texas 64

Ole Miss at #24 Missouri (-3.5) - Ole Miss has already knocked Missouri off once this month, with an emphatic 80-59 win. That was the first of three consecutive losses for the Tigers. They got back in the win column in their last game, but need a better effort against the Rebels here. We think that will happen. Pick: Missouri 75 Ole Miss 68

NBA:

Atlanta (-7.5) at Cleveland - Both of these teams allow around 113 points defensively. The difference is the Hawks score on average ten more points per game than the Cavaliers. We think that trend will continue, and Atlanta will win this game comfortably. Pick: Atlanta 115 Cleveland 104

Detroit at Orlando (-3.5) - These two teams played two nights ago and the Magic got the 105-96 win over the Pistons. That was the third straight win for Orlando and the third straight loss for Detroit. We see no reason why today will be any different. We like the Magic to get the sweep over the Pistons in their two game set. Pick: Orlando 108 Detroit 101

Sacramento at Brooklyn (-6.5) - The Nets have won six straight games, and look to make it seven in a row when the Kings come to Brooklyn. Kevin Durant is still out in this game but it won’t matter. We expect a lot of points in this game, just more by the Nets. Pick: Brooklyn 124 Sacramento 115

Golden State (-3) at New York - Golden State and its high powered offense comes to Madison Square Garden to face the Knicks and their stingy defense. This is a fascinating matchup that we can’t wait for. Anyone who reads our picks knows how high we are on the Knicks. That will continue with a win today. Pick New York 107 Golden State 102

Philadelphia (-1.5) at Toronto - Toronto has won four games in a row to climb over .500 for the season, and those wins haven’t been flukes. They have beaten the Bucks twice and the 76ers once during that win streak. Philadelphia is just 5-5 in its last ten games, so it is sputtering a bit right now. Give us the Raptors to continue their impressive stretch. Pick: Toronto 112 Philadelphia 106

Boston (-2) at Dallas - Boston has been trading wins and losses its last five games. Dallas has won four out of five to inch closer to .500. If the Mavericks didn’t play last night we would be tempted to pick them to win. Since they did play last night, and Boston has an extra day of rest, we are going with the Celtics to get the win. Pick: Boston 113 Dallas 107

Minnesota at Milwaukee (-10.5) - Honestly, you couldn’t make this line high enough for us to pick the Timberwolves. They are going through so much turmoil right now, firing their coach and bringing in an outsider, that they are in complete disarray. They had to be talking to their new coach for awhile, so the writing was on the wall for Ryan Saunders, That is pretty shady by Minnesota. Give us the Bucks by 20+ in this one. Pick: Milwaukee 127 Minnesota 104

Portland at Denver (-6.5) - The Blazers have dropped two straight games since their six game winning streak, and now heads to Denver to play the second night of back to back games. We have been high on Damian Lillard and the Blazers this season, but this game just screams a Nuggets win. We think Portland will cover, but lose its third in a row. Pick: Denver 117 Portland 114

Washington at Los Angeles Clippers (-10.5) - The Wizards have won five straight games, and are a double digit underdog to the Clippers. They did beat the Lakers in overtime last night, and now they head to the same building to try and knock off the other Los Angeles team. It won’t happen. Washington will cover, but not win. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 119 Washington 112

Happy picking everyone!