March 4, 2021 Picks:
College Basketball:
Michigan State at #2 Michigan (-12) - This is the first of two consecutive matchups between the Spartans and Wolverines. Michigan is trying to bounce back from their last game, a loss to Illinois. Michigan State needs to win one of these games to ensure them a spot in the NCAA Tournament. We don’t think it will happen today. The Spartans won’t win, but they will cover. Michigan 78 Michigan State 69
#17 Oklahoma State at #3 Baylor (-12) - Oklahoma State is coming off two consecutive wins against Oklahoma, and an argument can be made they are the second best team in the Big 12. If they win this game we think that argument is over. We don’t think they will win, but they will cover. Pick: Baylor 81 Oklahoma State 73
TCU at #6 West Virginia (-13) - This is the second time these two teams have squared off in the last two weeks. The first one was won by the Mountaineers, who got the 74-66 road victory. Now these teams square off in Morgantown. TCU hasn’t won a game against a team other than Iowa State in a month. That won’t change today. Pick: West Virginia 79 TCU 63
Iowa State at #18 Texas Tech (-17.5) - Iowa State has dropped 15 games in a row. We don’t like them to pick up their first Big 12 win here. Texas Tech is going to win big. Pick: Texas Tech 83 Iowa State 65
UTEP at #13 Kansas (-17) - This is a really interesting time for a non-conference matchup for the Jayhawks. Kansas is probably trying to stay fresh, and keep momentum rolling after their big win against Baylor last week. Kansas’ defensive intensity has really picked up in recent weeks. That is why we are going with the Jayhawks to cover. Pick: Kansas 83 UTEP 59
Nebraska at #5 Iowa (-17.5) - Nebraska has won two games in a row in the Big Ten, which is surprising to us. Neither of those teams are the caliber of Iowa though. Iowa will win this game, but this line is too high. Give us the Cornhuskers to cover. Pick: Iowa 89 Nebraska 75
#15 Texas at #16 Oklahoma (-2) - Oklahoma is coming into this game with three consecutive losses, including an inexplicable loss to Kansas State. In the first matchup between these two teams Oklahoma won by one point. We think Texas gets the win here and earns the split against the Sooners. Pick: Texas 84 Oklahoma 78
Arizona State at #24 Colorado (-10.5) - One thing about Arizona State games. They are usually close affairs. It doesn’t matter if they are playing the best or worst team in the conference, the majority of Sun Devils games are within single digits. We think that will be the case here as well. Pick: Colorado 75 Arizona State 69
NBA:
Toronto at Boston (-8) - This is the third matchup this season between the Raptors and Celtics. Boston is 2-0 against Toronto this season. We think they will make it 3-0 with a win today. However, we think this line is too high. Give us the Celtics to win, but the Raptors to cover. Pick: Boston 117 Toronto 112
Los Angeles Clippers (-5.5) at Washington - Washington is 7-3 in their last ten games, to move within shouting distance of the Eastern Conference playoffs. While that might be too tall of a task, just the fact they are in the conversation is impressive. We don’t like their chance against the Clippers today. Give us Los Angeles to cover. Pick: Los Angeles Clippers 127 Washington 114
Detroit at New York (-7) - The Knicks are a seven point favorite! The basketball world is starting to see what we are, that New York is a good basketball team. Detroit got a big win its last game against Toronto, but we don’t think they will have enough in the tank to keep up with the Knicks. Give us New York by double digits. Pick: New York 116 Detroit 103
Denver (-4) at Indiana - Denver is looking for its fourth straight road win as it faces off against the Pacers, who just snapped a four game losing streak yesterday. We are always nervous about picking teams on the second night of back to back games, and that is no different today. Give us Denver to wear Indiana down and get the win. Pick: Denver 122 Indiana 109
Milwaukee (-6) at Memphis - To us this is a question about which Milwaukee team is going to show up. Is it going to be the won that scored 129 points against New Orleans last week, or the one that scored 97 against Denver two days ago. We are saying it will be the former, and the Bucks will cover the spread. Pick: Milwaukee 121 Memphis 112
Miami (-1.5) at New Orleans - This is the second game this season between the Heat and the Pelicans. The first one was all the way back on opening day, when Miami won 111-98. We feel like this game will have the same outcome. A Miami win. Pick: Miami 109 New Orleans 104
Oklahoma City at San Antonio (-7) - Earlier we talked about the second night of back to back games causing us worry. That is the case here as well, especially with the offensive egg that the Thunder laid yesterday. They only scored 78 points in the entire game. Give us the Spurs to cover in this one. Pick: San Antonio 108 Oklahoma City 96
Sacramento at Portland (-4.5) - Both of these teams played last night, and both teams got wins. Portland had a game winner from Damian Lillard to beat the Warriors, while Sacramento beat the Lakers. We like Portland to get off to a hot start and get the win here, covering the spread. Pick: Portland 118 Sacramento 110
Golden State at Phoenix (-11.5) - Both Draymond Green and Stephen Curry are out for the Warriors in this one. That, combined with the fact the Suns have had an extra day of rest, means this is an easy pick for us. Pick: Phoenix 125 Golden State 108
Happy picking everyone!