Tag: NBA

Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Clippers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Sunday’s Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Clippers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets

The Washington Wizards (6-11) visit the Los Angeles Clippers (14-6) Sunday for a 10:30 p.m. ET tip at the Staples Center. We analyze the Wizards-Clippers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

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Wizards at Clippers: Key injuries

Wizards

  • C Ian Mahinmi (Achilles) out
  • SG C.J. Miles (wrist) out
  • SF Moritz Wagner (ankle) questionable

Clippers

  • SG Rodney Mcgruder (hamstring) out
  • SG Landry Shamet (ankle) out

Wizards at Clippers: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Sunday at 6 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 122, Wizards 112

Moneyline (ML)

The Clippers, who are 11-1 at home and 4-1 against the Eastern Conference this season, are heavy chalk (-910), which I can’t suggest to anyone to play. A $10 wager on the Clippers would profit just $1.10 if they win.

The Wizards (+600), who are 3-7 on the road, would pay 6-to-1 with an outright victory, but it’s not going to happen. We’ll focus on the spread and the Over/Under below.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Clippers are 8-4 at home ATS and scoring 5.2 points above the cover line on the season. Washington is 6-3-1 ATS on the road, while winding up nearly five points per game above the projections. It is a close number from Vegas, but still a little high.

Back WASHINGTON (+13.5, -125). The Wizards should keep this close enough to come in just under the spread, only having to lose by 13 or fewer points.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 238.5. This is a number that could be very near the line. The Wizards allow 121.2 points per game overall on the season. But the Clippers yield just 107.5 points per contest, which is why I’m picking the UNDER (-106).

A $10 bet would profit $9.43 if the Over hits.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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The Internet thinks Carmelo Anthony deserves an apology

In six games with Portland, the 35-year-old veteran is averaging 17.7 points and 6.0 rebounds in just over 30 minutes per game.

It appears apologies are in order to former Oklahoma City forward, Carmelo Anthony.

Or at least, social media seems to think so.

Anthony was signed by the Portland Trail Blazers on November 19 of this year, his return to the league one of the bigger stories in the NBA so far this season.

The 35-year-old veteran had been out of basketball since being cut by the Houston Rockets in November 2018, leading many to believe that his professional career was coming to, or had already come to, an end.

But Melo’s resurgence over the last several weeks has had many naysayers changing their tune. So much so, that an unofficial apology note has popped up on social media.

While made in jest, some of the points the apology note makes are valid, Mercury being in retrograde notwithstanding.

As pointed out by ClutchPoints, Melo’s return “got off to a slightly rocky start, but he has since rebounded in spectacular fashion.”

Against his former teammates in Oklahoma City, Melo scored 19 points in 29 minutes, going 9-of-11 from the field in the Trail Blazer’s 136-119 win over the Thunder.

OKC has two more games during the regular season against Carmelo Anthony and the Trail Blazers, the next coming in Portland on December 8. The two teams will meet for the final time during 2019-20 on Saturday, Jan. 18.

Dennis Schroder has to continue scoring well for Thunder

The Thunder need Dennis Schroder to continue scoring at a solid rate this season.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Dennis Schroder has been a solid scorer throughout his career, yet he has not been an efficient bucket getter.

Schroder has only shot at least 45% from the field one season, and that was when he posted the second-highest scoring average of his career.

In his second season with the Thunder, Schroder has continued to show he can score, albeit on mediocre efficiency. He’s averaged 15.4 points per game on 43.9% shooting.

But on Friday night the Thunder needed all of Schroder’s team-high 25 points, even if he got them on a season-high 24 field goal attempts. The Thunder won 109-104 over the New Orleans Pelicans. With the win, the Thunder move to 7-11 on the season.

When Schroder scores 20 or more points, the Thunder are 3-3. A rebuilding team, the Thunder usually look for either Schroder, Chris Paul, Danilo Gallinari or Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to score.

Those four are the top four scorers on the team, with Gilgeous-Alexander leading the team in points per game (18.3).

It also helps that Schroder ranks second on the team in assists. He’s helping to initiate offense in multiple ways for a team that ranks 20th in points per game and 24th in assists.

Schroder isn’t the most efficient scorer, but he has games where he helps produce wins. With the NBA ruled by a bevy of dominant guards and wings, having Schroder contribute in the way he does will be important as the Thunder look to develop in a first year of a rebuild.

The Thunder will play the Pelicans on Sunday in New Orleans at 5 p.m. EST.

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Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Indiana Pacers at Philadelphia 76ers sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Indiana Pacers (12-6) visit the Philadelphia 76ers (13-6) at Wells Fargo Center Saturday with tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pacers-76ers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

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Pacers at 76ers: Key injuries

Pacers

  • SF JaKarr Sampson (back) questionable
  • SG Victor Oladipo (knee) out

76ers

  • SG Josh Richardson (hamstring) doubtful
  • C Kyle O’Quinn (calf) out

Pacers at 76ers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 11:45 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Pacers 111, 76ers 107

Moneyline (ML)

The 76ers (-176) are heavy favorites at home and the number is lower than it should be against a PACERS (+145) team in the midst of a five-game winning streak and with eight victories in their last 10 outings. The Sixers have won two in a row of their own and are a perfect 8-0 at home, while the Pacers are just 3-4 on the road, but the value here is too great to turn down.

Both teams are coming off Friday victories with Indiana topping the Atlanta Hawks 105-104 in overtime and Philly skating by the New York Knicks 101-95. Neither win was overly impressive against bottom-feeding opponents and the back-to-back situation for both sides make this more of a coin-flip game. Take the value with the visitors.

New to sports betting? A $10 bet on the Pacers to win outright returns a profit of $14.50.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The PACERS (+4.5, -121) are still getting adequate value against the spread where they’ll need to stay within four points in a loss or win outright. Indiana is 9-8 ATS overall and 3-4 on the road while Philadelphia is just 8-10 overall and 4-4 at home.

The Pacers trounced the Brooklyn Nets 115-86 in their last road game and four of their last six victories were decided by double digits. The Sixers won each of their last two games by exactly six points as they’ve had trouble separating and staying ahead late in games. The Pacers will keep this close if unable to win outright.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 206.5. Take the OVER (-115). Both teams are on the second half of a back-to-back which typically puts a lean on the Under, but Saturday’s number is too low as the Sixers are expected to get a key reinforcement with C Al Horford returning from his rest night.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 51-47

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

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Denver Nuggets at Sacramento Kings odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Saturday’s Nuggets at Kings NBA matchup, with NBA betting odds, picks and best bets

The Sacramento Kings (7-10) entertain the Denver Nuggets (13-3) Saturday with tip-off coming just after 5 p.m. ET at the Golden 1 Center. We analyze the Nuggets-Kings odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

Place a legal sports bet on this NBA action or other games at BetMGM.

Nuggets at Kings: Key injuries

Nuggets

  • C Bol Bol (foot) out

Kings

  • SF Trevor Ariza (groin) out
  • PF Marvin Bagley III (thumb) out
  • PG De’Aaron Fox (ankle) out
  • PF Richuan Holmes (migraine) probable

Nuggets at Kings: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated Saturday at 6 a.m. ET.

Prediction

Nuggets 110, Kings 102

Moneyline (ML)

The Nuggets have started off the season winning 13 of their first 16 contests. Denver is 5-1 on the road and 7-2 overall against the Western Conference. This is a Nuggets team that has won six straight and nine of 10.

The Kings are 4-3 at home but have lost two straight and three of four.

Hence, our pick is with the NUGGETS (-189).

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Denver returns a profit of $5.29 with an outright win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Kings are 4-3 at home ATS and 11-6 overall on the season. Meanwhile, Denver is just 8-7-1 overall and 3-2-1 on the road while allowing 0.2 points per game below the cover line. This becomes a razor-thin pick but the feel is that Denver can pull this off late via the foul line.

Back DENVER (-4.5, -106). The Nuggets will cover and win by five or more points on Saturday evening.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 203.5. Denver and Sacramento average less than 110 points per game typically but one of them will come close or hit 110 on Saturday Finally, Sacramento’s injuries may help Denver push a bit more offensively. It is why we are picking the OVER (-129) on a low projection.

A $10 bet here on the over returns a $7.75 profit.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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The 6 NBA storylines we need to pay attention to in December

The league could get crazy pretty quickly.

We’re just about done with the first month of NBA basketball. Now the real games are about to begin.

October and November are typically the time teams use in the season to get their rotations together while feeling out their strengths and weaknesses.

Some of the narratives for this season are beginning to take shape. December is really when teams truly start to figure out who they are. By the end of 2019, we’ll know who is truly tanking, who is truly contending and who should give up hope altogether for this season.

Here are six things you need to pay attention to in the NBA for the next month.

1. Just how real are the Lakers?

The Lakers are the league’s best team right now with a 16-2 record and have the league’s third best net rating at 7.9. They’re legit good. That’s not a question. The thing still left to be figured out is how good has their success actually been.

Their schedule has been weak. Their opponents’ .475 winning percentage ranks 24th in the NBA. We’ll see who they really are by the end of the month after they face the Jazz, Mavericks, Nuggets (twice), Bucks and Clippers next month. Buckle in, y’all. It’s might get bumpy.

2. The Raptors might be legit Finals contenders

Don’t look now, but the Raptors are one of two teams in the league that rank in the top 5 in both offensive and defensive efficiency. The other is the Milwaukee Bucks. These Raptors look like have a real shot in getting back to the Finals.

This upcoming month will be tough. Six of their first eight matchups in December are against playoff teams — including Kawhi Leonard’s Clippers. That slate will be a great litmus test to see how real they actually are.

3. James Harden’s push for 40 points per game

As it stands, James Harden is averaging 37.7 points per game, just a shade under 40. He’s still shooting 43 percent from the field and 34 percent from deep – slightly below his career averages in both categories – so he can still get to that 40 mark.

The Rockets’ December schedule should help. They’ll play six matchups against the bottom 10 defenses in the league. They get the Spurs twice, Cavaliers, Pistons, Warriors and the Pelicans to close the month out. Harden is going to have a field day.

4. Will Kyrie Irving’s return throw the Nets off?

Kyrie Irving should return soon after missing some time with a shoulder injury. The problem? The Nets have been just fine without him. They’re 6-2 in the eight games without him after a 4-7 start and Spencer Dinwiddie has looked like an All-Star.

It’d be ridiculous to say that the Nets are better off without Irving. But there’s something to them playing better right now with him out of the lineup. The Nets are better when the ball moves and Irving’s 34 percent usage rate clearly doesn’t mix with that. They’ll have to find a happy medium when he gets back to stay afloat.

5. Can this Carmelo Anthony experiment last? 

Carmelo Anthony has been up and down in his time with the Blazers. His last two games he’s averaging 22 points per game and shooting 61.3 percent from the field. Before that? 13 points while hitting 34 percent from the field and 31 percent from deep. The real him probably lies somewhere in between that.

The problem is the Blazers badly need him to be that best version of himself. If he can’t, this experiment might end quickly. He’s on a non-guaranteed deal until January 7 and is paid by the day. Any slip and he could be out of there.

6. Victor Oladipo back?

Malcolm Brogdon and Domantas Sabonis have played like All-Stars and have the Pacers just a game back of the four seed in the East. The good news is Victor Oladipo might be back soon to help. There’s still no timeline on his return, but he was assigned to the Fort Wayne Mad Ants a couple of weeks ago and has been a full participant in practice.

He won’t be the same Oladipo when he finally gets back, but anything close to All-Star form is a bonus for the Pacers and will make them a formidable team moving in to the new year.

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3 things to watch in Thunder’s game against New Orleans Pelicans

The Thunder will look to bounce back from their loss Wednesday against the Portland Trail Blazers

The Oklahoma City Thunder gave up a season-high 136 points in their loss to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday, marking their fourth loss in the last five games.

At 6-11 this season, the Thunder are in a rebuild, but they have had some bright spots. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has shown promise as a second-year guard, averaging a career-high in points (18.8) and rebounds (5.1). Chris Paul has posted some of the best 3-point shooting numbers of his career.

The Thunder will play the New Orleans Pelicans at Chesapeake Energy Arena on Friday at 8 p.m. EST.

Defensive Communication

Each of the Trail Blazers’ starters scored in double figures Wednesday, with Damian Lillard scoring a team-high 27 points.

The Thunder didn’t defend the 3-point line well, as the Blazers shot 46.7% from deep. Paul spoke on how the Thunder’s defensive communication has to improve.

“We gotta be better, we gotta be better,” Paul said, per Fox Sports Oklahoma. “We gotta communicate better. I think early in the game, I was late on all my rotations, but we gotta be better. And if we get better defensively, I think we’ll start seeing different results.”

Friday’s game will mark the second meeting between the Thunder and the Pelicans. The Thunder won the first game 115-104 in the season series Nov. 2. That game was a quality one defensively for OKC, as it held New Orleans to 42.6% shooting from the field.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander needs a scoring boost

Gilgeous-Alexander started his second year with a jolt, as he averaged 21.0 points per game in the first 10 games of the season.

The past five games, though, Gilgeous-Alexander has been in a minor slump, averaging 14.8 points. Gilgeous-Alexander’s 3-point shooting numbers have been down as well. The first 10 games, he shot 40.9% from the 3-point line. In the previous five, he’s shot 35.7%.

With Gilgeous-Alexander still being a young player, he’s going to have slumps like the one he’s in now. Point guard is arguably the hardest position in the league to consistently perform at a high level on both ends of the floor.

For Gilgeous-Alexander, this game against the Pelicans might give him the scoring boost he needs. The first time these two teams played this season, Gilgeous-Alexander scored 23 points and shot 3-of-5 from the 3-point line. The performance was one of nine times this season that he scored 20 or more points.

The Thunder need better 3-point shooting

The Thunder started the season shooting well, but in this recent stretch, they’ve struggled to make shots from behind the arc.

In their past five games, they’ve shot 35% or better from the 3-point line once. That was in a 130-127 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. During their most recent win, a victory over the Golden State Warriors, the Thunder shot 34.4% from the 3-point line.

Though the Thunder are below .500, they’ve been able to stay in games for the most part. Their largest loss was when the Indiana Pacers beat them 111-85. OKC also posted its third-lowest 3-point shooting numbers of the season during that game, shooting at a 24.0% clip from deep.

The Thunder have been able to compete in part because of their 3-point shooting. Paul is one of their best shooters, as he’s shooting 39.2% from the 3-point line. Danilo Gallinari leads the team in 3-point percentage, shooting 40.4%.

OKC had success shooting threes the first time it played the Pelicans this season.

The Thunder shot 40.5% from the 3-point line during that game, and it’s one of six times this season they’ve shot 40% or better from beyond the arc.

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Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Los Angeles Clippers at San Antonio Spurs sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets

The Los Angeles Clippers (14-5) head to the Riverwalk to face the San Antonio Spurs (6-13) Friday with tip-off coming just after 8:30 p.m. ET at AT&T Center. We analyze the Clippers-Spurs odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

BET $1, WIN $250 in free bets if ANY NFL team scores a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bet now and win!
Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Clippers at Spurs: Key injuries

Clippers

  • SF Rodney McGruder (hamstring) out

Spurs

  • PF Chimezie Metu (foot) out

Clippers at Spurs: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1:15 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Clippers 120, Spurs 110

Moneyline (ML)

The Spurs are just too much of a risk even at home to think about a wager. Los Angeles is -250 and that could shift before game time. That being said, it is too hard not to make a selection here.

Our pick is with the CLIPPERS (-250).

New to sports betting? A $10 wager on Los Angeles returns a profit of $4 with an outright win.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

Los Angeles is 10-9 against the spread, but just 2-5 on the road while falling nearly two points per game below the cover line. Those numbers are not all that good and yet, San Antonio is much worse. The Spurs carry a 1-9 ATS at home on the season. It could be 0-10 if it hadn’t been for a fortunate bounce. San Antonio averages eight points below the spread at home. That is the worst in the entire league.

Pick LOS ANGELES (-6.5, +100). The Spurs with that “average loss a game” is above the spread which is almost unheard of by now. The even odds for the Clippers provide a ton of value as Los Angeles just has to win by seven points or more.

Over/Under (O/U)

The projected total is set at 223.5. Both teams can score 110+ points and Los Angeles can top 120+. The projection seems low and the OVER (-129) is worth a slight wager. Just make sure Kawhi Leonard plays for Clippers.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @ChrisWasselDFS and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s Washington Wizards at Los Angeles Lakers sports betting odds and lines, with NHL betting picks, tips and best bets.

The Los Angeles Lakers (16-2) host the Washington Wizards (6-10) Friday at Staples Center with tip-off scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. We analyze the Wizards-Lakers odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

BET $1, WIN $250 in free bets if ANY NFL team scores a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bet now and win!
Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Wizards at Lakers: Key injuries

Wizards

  • SF C.J. Miles (wrist) out
  • C Ian Mahinmi (Achilles) out

Lakers

  • C Anthony Davis (shoulder) probable
  • SG Avery Bradley (calf) questionable

Wizards at Lakers: Odds, lines, picks and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 1 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Lakers 124, Wizards 104

Moneyline (ML)

The Lakers (-715) have rung their win streak up to nine straight games entering Friday’s contest against the Wizards (+500). Washington is coming off a 140-132 road win over the Phoenix Suns Wednesday, but it’s still just 3-6 on the road this season and 4-6 over the last 10 games. The Lakers are 8-1 straight up at home, and they’re third in the NBA in opponent points allowed per game.

There have been bigger upsets in basketball, but there’s no reason to go chasing one in this matchup. Save your money and look at the spread, as a $10 bet on the Lakers to win outright as heavy favorites will return a profit of just $1.40.

Against the Spread (ATS)

The LAKERS (-11.5, -106) are laying double-digit points and will need to win by 12 or more for an against the spread bet to cash. It’s an easy choice with the Lakers 10-8 ATS overall and 6-3 at home, even though the Wizards are 10-5 ATS overall and 6-2 on the road.

The Lakers have far too much talent for the Wizards to handle, especially with Davis likely to suit up on the heels of his 41-point, nine-rebound performance against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Over/Under (O/U)

Washington ranks second in the NBA with a record of 9-6-1 against the Over/Under and it tops the projected totals by a league-high average of 10.6 points per game. Los Angeles is 8-10 against the O/U and falls an average of 2.3 points shy of the projections.

Back the UNDER 234.5 (-115) with the Lakers defense capable of slowing down a Wizards offense leading the league with 119.4 PPG.

Want some action in this one? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Esten’s NBA betting record: 49-47

Follow @EstenMcLaren and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship and there is no influence on news coverage.

[lawrence-newsletter]

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New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder odds, picks and best bets

Previewing Friday’s New Orleans Pelicans at Oklahoma City Thunder sports betting odds and lines, with NBA betting picks, tips and best bets.

The New Orleans Pelicans (6-12) take on the Oklahoma City Thunder (6-11) Friday night in a Western Conference matchup. Tip-off for the game at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City is at 8 p.m. ET. We analyze the Pelicans-Thunder odds and lines, with NBA betting advice and tips around the matchup.

BetMGM BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL

BET $1, WIN $250 in free bets if ANY NFL team scores a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019. Bet now and win!
Visit BetMGM for terms and conditions.

Pelicans at Thunder: Key injuries

Pelicans

PF Derrick Favors (back) out

PG Lonzo Ball (illness) out

PF Zion Williamson (knee) out

Thunder

SG Hamidou Diallo (elbow) out

Pelicans at Thunder: Odds, lines, picks, and betting tips

NBA odds courtesy of BetMGM; access USA TODAY Sports for a full set of today’s betting odds. Odds last updated at 12 p.m. ET.

Prediction

Thunder 115, Pelicans 112

Moneyline (ML)

The THUNDER (-182) are slight favorites at home despite winning just six of their last 19 contests. The Pelicans aren’t much better, winning only two of their previous six games. While I like the Pelicans to cover, the Thunder should ultimately get the “W” in this game.

Line/Against the Spread (ATS)

The Thunder (-4.5, -106) are two-basket favorites. While Oklahoma City hasn’t won a ton of game this season, it has fared well against the spread, covering in five of the last six games at home. The Thunder are a tough out every night of the week, as are the PELICANS (+4.5, -110).

New Orleans has covered in seven of its last 10 games, despite several injuries to starting players. The Pelicans are a young, fun team that can run up and down the floor all game long. Given there isn’t a big difference between these two teams take the Pelicans and the points in this contest.

Over/Under (O/U)

The total for this match-up is set at 226.5, as both teams can be fantastic on offense. Despite a ton of injuries, the Pelicans are averaging nearly 116 points per game as they shoot almost 39% from the three-point line. The Thunder haven’t been quite as dominant on offense, but they have surely had their moments as well with their new-look team. Expect the OVER (1-28) to hit in this Friday night contest.

Want some action on this game? Place a bet at BetMGM now. For more sports betting tips and advice, visit SportsbookWire.com.

Follow @Marcus_Mosher and @SportsbookWire on Twitter.

Gannett may earn revenue from audience referrals to betting services.  Newsrooms are independent of this relationship, and there is no influence on news coverage.

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