Doc’s Sports – Sports Handicapper

The Hawks scored 127 in their last game, against Boston, one of the better defensive teams in the league. They have scored 120+ in two of their last three. The OKC offense is one of the worst in the NBA and we just don’t see them keeping up if Atlanta plays on the offensive end like they have lately. The OKC defense is solid. But it’s questionable if they will be able to score enough to keep this one close. OKC is coming off a win, and this team doesn’t win back-to-back games too often. We think this one could easily be a double-digit win for the road team. 

The Blazers over the Lakers is always one of our favorite bets to make. LA is normally overrated by the oddsmakers. The Blazers consider the Lakers one of their main rivals but the feeling is not mutual. But Portland brings their A Game almost every time these teams play. And they have covered more often than not in this series for years. They are 22-8 ATS in the last 30 meetings. Portland is 6-1 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog, and the Lakers just aren’t playing well right now. We expect a very close game here and either team could win this one.

We like to go with a good team that was embarrassed in their last game. We also like to go with the losing team when teams go against each other back-to-back this season. We have both scenarios tonight as these teams rematch from last night, where Memphis scored a near 30-point win. This Clippers team sometimes plays a bad game. This is the team that has looked like one of the best in the NBA many nights but yet lost to the Mavs earlier in the season by almost 50. It’s just one game. And the Clippers have shown the ability to bounce back after a bad game. This team has great depth and they are normally competitive when their stars are out or resting. The Grizzlies don’t have the same kind of depth. There are no indications that the Clippers won’t suit up their A Team tonight, and they should bring their A Game. The Clippers have been great in back-to-backs and are 5-0 ATS in their last five games playing on zero rest. Great chance for a dominating effort by the road team tonight.

6 Unit Play. Take 208942 Alabama State Hornets over Southern University Jaguars (7p.m., Friday, February 26 ESPN3) We will follow the line movement in this game, as both teams are opening up their spring season. Southern finished 6-1 on conference play in 2019, but they did not have a ton of blowouts except when having inferior smaller level teams. They opened 2019 at 1-3 and I do not see them blowing out Alabama State tonight in a true road game. The Jaguars win by defense and running the football and thus it is hard to cover this type of number unless they get turnovers. Alabama State has a strong offense led by Michael Jefferson and with Southern having some injuries on defense this game should go down to the wire.

3 Unit Play. Take #880 Utah State over Nevada (9p.m., Friday, February 26 FS1) Utah State is a strong team at home, especially being one of the few venues that allows fans into the game. Nevada has been on pause for close to 3 weeks and we have seen many teams (besides Michigan) struggle in their first game back. The Aggies has a rough series against Boise State but they will get back on track tonight. They are better inside the paint and unless Nevada goes crazy from the 3-point line they will lose by double digits. The favorite is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 games between Nevada and Utah State. The Aggies are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games as a favorite.

4-Unit Play. No.23/24. Take Over in Boston/New York (Friday at 7pm) Great underdog winner last night with the Jets. Let's keep the momentum rolling. as per your selection on the over in this matchup, both teams come in off losses and we expect them to be eager to get back in the win column. Both teams have combined to go over the number in six of their last eight games and we see another open affair with plenty of chances and goals.