Sports Betting
Tuesday’s Best ESPN BET Bets: Pitt-Georgia Tech, St. Bonaventure-Duquesne, Lakers-Clippers
What was looking like a winning night turned into a losing night for the Winning Picks, going 1-2. North Carolina was able to comeback and cover against Wake Forest after trailing at halftime. No one is playing better basketball right now than the Tar Heels. Despite Joel Embiid dropping 70 points against the Spurs, the cover got away from the 76ers in the final minute. Evengi Malkin’s own goal was the difference in the under not hitting in the Penguins/Coyotes game. We move to 115-85-3.
With Embiid’s record setting performance last night, the most points by a 76er since Wilt Chamberlain’s 100 point game, we have a new clear favorite for the NBA MVP race. On ESPN Bet right now, Embiid is +100 or even money to win the award. This means if you bet $100, you will be $100.
The next closest is former MVP Nikola Jokic at +255. It will be interesting to see how these odds turn out but Embiid is the runaway favorite as of now. The Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is third at +450. I love Shai, but he does not have the name recognition yet to win the award. Unless he drops 80 points by the end of the season.
Now time for the Winning Picks!
LA, TN, CO, AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH
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Pittsburgh Panthers (-2.5) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets O/U 144.5 7:00 PM on ESPNU
Pitt was able to capture not only their biggest regular season win of the Jeff Chapel era, but their first win over a Top 10 in almost a decade. We did have Duke in the Winning Picks on Saturday, but given their performance against the Blue Devils and other Quad 1 teams in college basketball, the pick was wanted.
The Panthers have proven to be a better team on the road in ACC play than at The Pete. Pitt is 2-1 on the road while they have yet to win at home in the ACC, going 0-4. Like the Panthers, Georgia Tech has struggled at home in conference play, beating Duke ironically back in December in both teams’ ACC opener.
This could be a letdown spot for Pitt but I believe this team can carry the momentum from their win over Duke over the next several games. Take the Panthers to win and cover in Atlanta.
Pitt Covers -2.5, Pittsburgh Panthers 69 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 65
LA, TN, CO, AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH
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St. Bonaventure Bonnies at Duquesne Dukes (-1.5) O/U 141.5 7:00 PM on SportsNet Pittsburgh/ESPN+
Speaking of a team that really needs to find momentum, Duquesne has faltered in A-10 play after being a preseason pick to win the conference by some college basketball pundits. Keith Dambrot squad has a lot of close losses in the final minutes of the game, something that reminds me of the previous coach for the Dukes last season as head coach.
I covered Jim Ferry’s last season with Duquesne during the 2016/2017 season for Pittsburgh Sports Now, and boy was it a wild ride of crushing last second losses. There were at least 5 of those close losses in that season that also had a City Game win over Pitt. It was a weird season. I am not saying the Dukes will get rid of Dambrot, but a turnaround needs to start tonight.
I believe the Dukes will finally get their first A-10 win and cover against the Bonnies.
Duquesne Covers -1.5, St. Bonaventure Bonnies 66 Duquesne Dukes 71
LA, TN, CO, AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH
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Los Angeles Lakers at Los Angeles Clippers (-9.5) O/U 234.5 10:00 PM on TNT
The Battle of Los Angeles rages on as the Lakers go on the “road” to face the Clippers. The Lakers will be without LeBron James for this contest after he led the Lake Show to 2 previous victories over the Clippers earlier in the season. Do the Lakers have a chance without King James?
No team has played better over the past 2 months of the season than the LA Clippers. After a rocky start for the first few games following the James Harden trade, they have been a tour de force. Besides the Nuggets, they are the team to beat out of the West.
Without LeBron, it will be tough for the Lakers to hang around long in this game. I like the Clippers to win and cover tonight in the Battle of LA.
Clippers Cover -9.5, LA Lakers 101 LA Clippers 119
LA, TN, CO, AZ, IA, IL, IN, MI, OH
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