Nick Parsons – Sports Handicapper

This is a 10* WESTERN-CONFERENCE NON-DIVISION TOM on the UNDER Jazz/Pels.

These teams have been involved in several higher-scoring games of late, including in a game against each other last time out, but everything finally points to more of a defensive battle for a couple different reasons on Monday in my opinion.

Utah is now 10-30 after losing back-to-back games, most recently a 136-123 loss here to Near Orleans on Friday. The Jazz have seen the total go OVER in three straight, but note that Utah has in fact seen the total go UNDER in four of its last five after playing to three or more straight OVERs in a row.

The Jazz have also seen the total go UNDER in eight of their last 12 in trying to avenge a SU/ATS road loss vs. an opponent.

New Orleans is only 11-32, but it's now won three straight. But with Milwaukee coming to town next, I think the home side takes the foot off the gas here and gets caught looking ahead.

Either way you cut it, I'm anticipating a much lower-scoring war here in the "rematch" on Monday night.

The play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* CENTRAL DIVISION TOY on the UNDER Wild/Avs.

I base my picks on many different things. This particular one is based on what I perceive to be a great "situation"

Minnesota is 27-15, but it'll be desperate here to snap a three-game slide, most recently a 6-2 loss at Division rival Nashville on Friday night. Note though that the Wild have seen the total go UNDER in four of their last five after three or more straight losses in a row.

Minnesota plays with revenge here as well after a humbling 6-1 loss at home to the Avs in early January, but note that the Wild have in fact seen the total go UNDER in eight of their last 12 in trying to avenge a divisional home loss as an underdog vs. an opponent.

Colorado is 28-18 and it's been trading wins/losses over its last nine games. After a 6-3 victory over Dallas last time out, it'll be looking to snap this pattern here. The Avs have seen the total go OVER in three straight, but note that Colorado has in fact seen the total go UNDER in three of its last four after playing to three or more straight OVERs in a row. With Winnipeg coming to town next, followed by a tough Eastern road trip, look for Colorado to buckle down defensively here at home vs. its division rival.

No matter which way you look at it, everything points to a much tighter, and ultimately lower-scoring battle than what the oddsmakers are trying to lead us to believe in my opinion.

The play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP

This is a 10* NON-CONFERENCE TOM on the UNDER Ohio State/Notre Dame.

If you're betting on this game, you almost assuredly know the cast of characters on each side (both players and coaches), their strengths and weaknesses, and how they got to this point. If not, just google it and you'll have access to millions of "review" articles.

I think the longer layoff will benefit these defenses, and be a small detriment to the offenses.

Ohio State has won all three playoff games by at least 14 points, most recently the 28-14 victory over Texas. The Buckeyes' only loss this year came against Oregon, who they also beat in the CFP.

Will Howard leads an offense that averages 35.8 PPG. But the Buckeyes' smothering defense concedes just 12.2.

Notre Dame enters with some injury concerns to key offensive players, including to QB Riley Leonard, who has finally just been cleared to play following a blow to the head in the win over Penn State.

The Irish averaged 37 PPG, but conceded just 14.3.

The majority of the money is predicting a shootout here, but I believe it's these underrated defensive units that will "steal the show" so to speak.

The play is the UNDER.

Good luck, NP