We rebounded from a bad Monday to go 2-1 on Tuesday, upping our record to 31-27 on the year. Florida Atlantic faded away in the second half but Kansas St was able to cover for us and win outright as well vs Villanova. The LA Lakers were able to advance to the next round of the NBA In-Season Tournament by defeating the Phoenix Suns by 3.
Speaking of the Lakers and the In-Season Tournament, they have emerged as the second shortest odds to win the tournament right now at +240. The Milwaukee Bucks, who will face the Indiana Pacers tomorrow night, have the shortest odds at +170. The Lakers will also play tomorrow night and face the New Orleans Pelicans, who easily dispatched the Sacramento Kings Monday night.
If it couldn’t be more obvious now, the NBA is setting up for LeBron James and the Lakers to make it to the finals of this brand new in-season tournament and more than likely face the Bucks. Getting two of the biggest stars in the league in the finals of the new format would be best for business for the NBA.
At +240, those are great odds to take right now on the Lakers to win the whole tournament. You will even have a potential hedge spot depending on who LA faces in the finals, as long as they get past the Pelicans.
Now time for the winning picks!
Pittsburgh Penguins at Tampa Bay Lightning (-135) O/U 6.5 7:00 PM on SportsNet Pittsburgh
For the second time in less than a week, the Penguins travel to Tampa to face off against the Lightning. The Pens victory last week in Tampa Bay was followed by back-to-back overtime losses against the rival Philadelphia Flyers.
Tristan Jarry will get the start in net while Andre Vasilevskiy gets the start for the Lightning. Vasilevskiy has been shaky since returning from injury, giving up 4 goals against the Pens last week and 6 goals in a loss to the Stars on the road. The former Vezina winner faced the Stars again on Monday and recorded his first shutout of the season in a 4-0 victory.
With Vasilevskiy finding his form and the Penguins struggling on the road to score, the Under is 6-2 in their road games. I like the Under in this rematch tonight.
Under 6.5 Covers, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 Tampa Bay Lightning 3
Duquesne Dukes (-4.5) at Marshall Thundering Herd O/U 156.5 7:00 PM on ESPN+
The Duquesne Dukes make the trip down south to Huntington, West Virginia to face the Thundering Herd of Marshall. It has become a tradition under Keith Dambrot for the Dukes to face The Herd. Wednesday night’s matchup will mark the fifth time the Dukes have faced off against Marshall since 2018.
Being such familiar opponents, the Dukes haven’t been able to figure out The Herd. After winning the first matchup in 2018, Duquesne has dropped the last 3 to Marshall including two games on the road. Though Marshall has not been as good this season as in years past, I believe they will be competitive tonight.
That being said, in the Dukes’ two losses on the road to Marshall, the Under has covered in both games. I like the Under to cover again tonight, it is way too high.
Under 156.5 Covers, Duquesne Dukes 75 Marshall Thundering Herd 71
Pitt Panthers (-3.5) at West Virginia Mountaineers O/U 137.5 9:00 PM on ESPN2
This year’s Backyard Brawl on the hardwood will look a little different than previous years. Bob Huggins is no longer the Mountaineer coach, though he has been in attendance for most of their games since resigning/retiring as head coach.
Hopefully with no more Huggy Bear it turns around the fortune of the Panthers against the Mountaineers. Pitt has not beaten WVU since 2012 when they were both still members of the Big East. Granted, the rivalry was on pause until 2017 and the Mountaineers have won 6 straight vs the Panthers since their last victory.
The Mountaineers have been great out of the gate in most of their games this season but have faltered in the second half of games. One reason being they really only play about 8 players a game with how thin they are depth wise.
Pitt is 1-3 against Power 6 schools this year. I think the Panthers will weather the first half storm by the Mountaineers and pick up their first victory in 11 years against WVU, covering in the process.
Pitt Covers -3.5, Pitt Panthers 73 West Virginia Mountaineers 68
