Februray 24, 2021 Picks:

College Basketball:

NC State at #15 Virginia (-11) - Virginia has dropped two straight games and is an eleven point favorite against NC State. We like Virginia a lot, but they aren’t playing like they should be an eleven point favorite. Their offense has been scuffling lately, not scoring more than 65 points in its last four games. We expect another defensive struggle, with a single digit win by Virginia. Pick: Virginia 67 NC State 60

#11 Florida State (-11.5) at Miami - These two teams are trending in opposite directions. The Seminoles have three straight wins, while the Hurricanes have dropped three straight. We expect Florida State to continue flying high, and get a double digit win over Miami. Pick: Florida State 82 Miami 69

#6 Alabama at #20 Arkansas (-2) - This is a fascinating matchup between the top two teams in the SEC. Arkansas is coming into this game having won four in a row, while Alabama has won three straight. This is also a matchup between the two highest scoring teams in the conference, so expect some fireworks. Pick: Alabama 88 Arkansas 84

DePaul at #13 Creighton (-15) - Creighton hasn’t played a game in eleven days, and we have seen most teams with extended layoffs have significant rust. That is the reason why we are picking DePaul to cover the 15 points. Pick: Creighton 75 DePaul 66

#25 Tennessee (-8) at Vanderbilt - These two teams have already played once, and it was a 20 point win for the Volunteers. Tennessee isn’t playing as good as it was back in January, but still has the talent to get a double digit win over the Commodores. Pick Tennessee 78 Vanderbilt 65

NBA:

Golden State at Indiana (-2) - The reason why the Pacers are favored is because the Warriors are coming off a hard fought win against the Knicks last night. That is also why we like the Pacers to cover the two point spread. Stephen Curry will score a lot of points but will be inefficient in doing so, and the Pacers will take advantage. Pick: Indiana 114 Golden State 108

Boston (-2) at Atlanta - Both of these teams are coming off buzzer beater losses the night before, with Boston falling to Dallas and Atlanta losing to Cleveland. The Celtics are a better team and should win this game by more than two points. Whether they will is another question, but we are going to ride with Boston. Pick: Boston 116 Atlanta 111

Houston (-3.5) at Cleveland - We know that Cleveland just snapped its ten game losing streak last night, but has anyone seen the Rockets play lately? Houston has lost eight games in a row, and are still missing Christian Wood and Victor Oladipo. We like the Cavaliers to get their second straight win. Pick: Cleveland 112 Houston 105

Toronto at Miami (-2) - Toronto saw its four game winning streak snapped last night, and now heads to Miami to face a Heat team that has won three straight themselves. Kyle Lowery is expected to miss this game for the Raptors, which means even more pressure on Fred VanVleet. We like the Heat in this one. Pick: Miami 111 Toronto 103

Minnesota at Chicago (-4) - Another game where the line seems too low. You have a Minnesota team in disarray, playing the second night of back to back games, against a Bulls team that is well rested. Give us Zach LaVine and the Bulls to win this game by double digits. Things are getting ugly in Minnesota. Pick: Chicago 123 Minnesota 109

Detroit at New Orleans (-9.5) - Even though the Pistons played last night, this line seems about three points too high. Detroit is not playing bad basketball right now, but this line makes it seem otherwise. Give us the Pelicans to win, but the Pistons to cover. Pick: New Orleans 114 Detroit 108

San Antonio (-1) at Oklahoma City - San Antonio hasn’t played a game in ten days and is missing a bunch of key players. That being said, we still think this line should be more than one point. Oklahoma City still struggles to score the basketball, and we think that will be their downfall today. Pick: San Antonio 113 Oklahoma City 104

Charlotte at Phoenix (-10) - Seriously, does Phoenix ever play a road game? This is their ninth home game in their last eleven games, which is probably why they have such a good record. Phoenix is looking for its fourth straight win, and we think they will get it. Just not by double digits. We like the Hornets to cover. Pick: Phoenix 116 Charlotte 110

Los Angeles Lakers at Utah (-9) - We didn’t think we would see the day when the Lakers are this big of an underdog, but here we are. Los Angeles is still trying to find its way minus Anthony Davis, while Utah just keeps on rolling. The Jazz are looking for their 15th consecutive home win. We think they will get there, and win big in doing so. Pick: Utah 123 Los Angeles Lakers 109

Happy picking everyone!