Sports Betting

Wednesday’s Best ESPN BET Bets: Pitt-North Carolina St, Davidson-Duquesne, Pelicans-Clippers

Published

3 months ago

February 7, 2024

What looked like to be a 3-0 night for the Winning Picks turned into a 1-2 night real quick. The under was able to cover in Jets/Penguins but our two basketball spread bets went from winners to losers real. Houston led for much of the game by more than 21 before a fury in the last several minutes by Oklahoma St to ruin the cover. The Knicks game was way worse, as they blew a 23 point lead heading into the 4th quarter and won by 10, killing the -14.5 spread. We moved 135-105-3 on the year.

We have talked about almost every Super Bowl bet possible on the Winning Picks for the last week and a half, but we have left off a very big one: the total for the game. As of now, the total for the Super Bowl is 47.5 for the game. It has not really moved like the spread as in this game. While you could be thinking of taking the over in this game due to last year’s high scoring affair, that game could be an outlier.

Since Super Bowl 50, the total has only gone over in three of the eight Super Bowls. When these two teams faced off in Super Bowl 54, the total of 54 went under. This year it is a bit lower, surprisingly given the way the 49ers defense has played over the past two playoff games. I have not decided which way I lean on this total, but I will let you know Sunday.

Now onto the Winning Picks!

Pittsburgh Panthers at North Carolina St Wolfpack (-3.5) O/U 143.5 7:00 PM on ESPNU

A date with the Wolfpack is here for the Panthers in Raleigh as they hope NC St doesn’t cause a mass destruction of their NCAA hopes tonight. After a big comeback win over Wake Forest and cruising past Notre Dame, Pitt finds themselves crawling back into the bubble picture for the tournament.

Like Pitt, the Wolfpack need to stack wins in the ACC in order to make the tourney. Their best wins of the season include beating Virginia and Miami, and outside of that their resume stinks. The Panthers have won two straight versus NC St and I believe that trend continues tonight. Pitt wins and covers in Raleigh.

Pitt Covers +3.5, Pittsburgh Panthers 68 North Carolina St Wolfpack 67

Davidson Wildcats at Duquesne Dukes (-6.5) O/U 137.5 7:00 PM on SportsNet Pittsburgh/ESPN+

After losing five straight games to start A-10 play, Duquesne has gotten on a bit of a heater as of late winning four straight games including three in conference play. One of those wins came on Saturday when the Dukes scored a season high 85 points and knocked down 14 three pointers in their win over Rhode Island. Can Duquesne keep this up tonight?

Not to pour water on the Dukes’ fire, but the high scoring game Saturday had more to do with the poorish play of the Rams defense, which gave up nearly 76 points per game coming in. Davidson, on the other hand, only allows 67 points per game. I believe tonight we get back to those hard nosed defensive games Duquesne has played recently and the under covers tonight at the Cooper Fieldhouse.

Under 137.5 Covers, Davidson Wildcats 62 Duquesne Dukes 65

New Orleans Pelicans at Los Angeles Clippers (-6.5) O/U 231.5 10:00 PM on ESPN

The Los Angeles Clippers finally return home from a long 7 game East Coast road trip as they face off with the visiting New Orleans Pelicans. This will be the Clippers first home game since January 23rd, which was over 2 weeks ago!

Coupled with the fact that this will be LA’s 5th game in just the past week, fatigue has to be a factor in tonight’s game versus a more rested Pelicans squad. Though I think the Clippers can win this game straight up, I like New Orleans to get the cover tonight in the City of Angels.

Pelicans Cover +6.5, New Orleans Pelicans 110 Los Angeles 113