24 Jan

Why Pacers’ Pascal Siakam trade feels a lot like Timberwolves’ deal for Rudy Gobert

The Indiana Pacers trading for Pascal Siakam feels a little bit like the Minnesota Timberwolves trading for Rudy Gobert. Hear me out: Two small-market franchises, both emboldened by the emergence of a young superstar, both a little a drunk on the possibility of becoming, perhaps overnight, a real postseason player, taking a high-risk flier on a big-name veteran whose best years may or may not be behind him.

In a vacuum, they both probably overpaid to do so. Minnesota basically mortgaged vital organs to get its hands on Gobert. Indiana didn’t give up as much for Siakam (though three first-round picks isn’t exactly a bargain), but the heaviest cost will come with the max contract they’ll likely have to give him this summer.

Siakam is not a max player, and he’s likely a depreciating asset. He’ll be well into his 30s at the end of whatever deal he signs next.

But in the context of a flyover franchise with limited appeal as a big-name destination (even in the case of Indiana, which could’ve had max space at its disposal), overpays are often the cost of business. Gobert is 31 years old and had $170 million in guaranteed money on his contract when the Wolves took him on.

At the moment, it would appear that Minnesota’s gamble has paid off. The Wolves, who made the playoffs just two times in the 18 years preceding the Gobert trade, look like a legit title contender, particularly if they can add some shooting juice at the deadline.

The Pacers, meanwhile, haven’t gotten past the first round since the Paul George days. Tyrese Haliburton, like Anthony Edwards in Minnesota, has gotten so good so quickly that the fear of missing out on even an outside opportunity to contend outweighs the fear of a compromised future.

The future, after all, might be now. Nobody is vaulting Indiana to the top of the title conversation after this trade, but nobody had Minnesota as a contender after the Gobert deal, either. Maybe the Pacers are closer than we think. Not every team is the Lakers or Warriors. For some teams, just being really good is the goal, and from there you cross your fingers. Truth is, everyone crosses their fingers these days.

Think about it: Outside of Boston, the East is wide open. The Pacers own the best offense in history. They have beaten the Bucks four times, the Celtics twice, split with the 76ers. And now they add a second All-Star level player, and it’s one that fits.

The Pacers play at a breakneck pace, and Siakam is a gazelle in the open floor. The Pacers drive and kick as much as any team, and Siakam, who is a more respected and capable shooter than his 32% clip would suggest, feasts on closeouts. He’ll live in the paint amid Indiana’s ample spacing. Indiana has deep scoring balance beneath Haliburton, but nobody who qualifies as a real No. 2 option. Siakam, at 22 points per game, is exactly that. He’s not the defender he once was, but he provides the wing length Indiana largely lacks. This really is a perfect marriage.

Where this will get tricky is next season, or a few years from now, if the Pacers are locked into a max-ish deal with Siakam and not really getting any better. The Hawks can tell you about this particular purgatory. They tried to expedite their timeline by trading the farm for Dejounte Murray — only to find themselves in Play-In Tournament perpetuity. It looks like they’re going to be selling him for 50 cents on the dollar at the Feb. 8 trade deadline or later this summer.

That may be the way this goes for the Pacers. Or, maybe, Siakam hits, if not over the rest of this season, then in the near future, like Gobert has in his second campaign in Minnesota. Maybe the Pacers aren’t even done dealing. It’s likely they aren’t, in fact. They still have a 2026 and 2028 pick they can trade. Obi Toppin and/or Jalen Smith could be dangled. Buddy Hield, who’s on an expiring deal, was supposed to be traded a long time ago. Just about every team would pick up a call about Bennedict Mathurin.

Indeed, a consolidation package can still be put together for a third wheel. A two-way wing would be the highest item on their priority list. How about the aforementioned Murray? Indiana has the two first-round picks Atlanta reportedly covets. Murray would be a third top-notch shot creator.

Jerami Grant would be even better. He’s a 41% 3-point shooter, and he and Siakam together would give Indiana the size on the wing to at least compete defensively in the playoffs. He makes a lot of money, and Indiana is already looking at close to a max contract for Siakam and a potential super-max for Haliburton should he make Al-NBA, which is pretty likely.

Want to pay a little less? How about Dorian Finney-Smith? Or Bojan Bogdanovic? The Pacers are dangerous right now. They’re not far from being a lot more than that.

But that’s speculation at this point. For now, Siakam is a major get for Indiana. The deal comes with a lot of risk, which I haven’t heard talked about much, but the potential reward warrants the reach. It doesn’t mean it will work out. But again, in the context of a franchise that can’t depend on optimal circumstances landing in their lap, a long shot is still a shot. Good on the Pacers, and the Timberwolves, for pulling the trigger.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, January 19 predictions from proven model

We’ve got another exciting Southeast Division matchup on Friday’s NBA schedule as the Miami Heat will host the Atlanta Hawks. Miami is 24-17 overall and 12-7 at home, while Atlanta is 17-23 overall and 9-12 on the road. The Heat have won four straight meetings with the Hawks and five straight matchups at home. The Heat are 19-20-2 against the spread in the 2023-24 NBA season, while the Hawks are a league-worst 10-30 ATS.

Tip-off is at 8 p.m. ET at Kaseya Center in Miami. The Heat are favored by 7.5 points in the latest Hawks vs. Heat odds, per SportsLine consensus, and the over/under is 224.5 points. Before entering any Heat vs. Hawks picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Atlanta vs. Miami. You can head to SportsLine to see its picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Hawks vs. Heat:

Heat vs. Hawks spread: Heat -7.5
Heat vs. Hawks over/under: 224.5 points
Heat vs. Hawks money line: Heat: -328, Hawks: +258
Heat vs. Hawks picks: See picks at SportsLine
What you need to know about the Heat
The experts predicted a close game on Wednesday and a win for the Heat, but boy were they wrong. They found themselves the reluctant recipients of a 121-97 punch to the gut against the Toronto Raptors. The Heat’s defeat signaled the end of their three-game winning streak. The Miami trio of Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro each scored 16 points in the defeat.

Each of those players are averaging at least 21 points, five rebounds and four assists, though they haven’t spent much time on the court together, going 5-5 in their 10 games in which all started. Jaime Jaquez Jr. is fourth on the team with 14 points per game, but he’s listed as doubtful with a groin strain, while Kevin Love (knee) is questionable. Miami is 2-0 ATS versus Atlanta this season, and the Heat have covered in five of their last six games overall. See which team to pick here.

What you need to know about the Hawks
Meanwhile, Atlanta skirted by the Orlando Magic 106-104 on Wednesday thanks to a clutch jump shot from Dejounte Murray with less than a second left in the fourth quarter. The victory made it back-to-back wins for the Hawks, who haven’t won three straight since the second week of the season. Atlanta shortened its rotation in that victory over Orlando, playing just eight players, but six of them scored in double-figures.

The Hawks average the fourth-most points per game, and while a high volume is their calling card — as they attempt the most shots per game — high efficiency is not as Atlanta ranks 20th in field goal percentage. Leading scorer Trae Young (27.2 PPG) is shooting just 42.1% from the field, which is his lowest since his rookie year. However, the Hawks are simply hoping that Young is able to play as he’s listed as questionable with an illness, while De’Andre Hunter (knee) is listed as out. See which team to pick here.

Key Betting Info
Some of the betting trends to consider are:

The Hawks are 3-12 ATS in their last 15 games vs teams that win over 55% of games.
The Hawks are 8-28 ATS in their last 36 games vs teams allowing over 102 PPG.
The Heat are 18-18-2 ATS in their last 38 games vs teams allowing over 102 PPG.
How to make Heat vs. Hawks picks
The model has simulated Hawks vs. Heat 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that is hitting in almost 60% of simulations. You can only see the pick at SportsLine.

24 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 19 best bets from simulation model

The Los Angeles Lakers are set to host the Brooklyn Nets in a cross-conference showdown on Friday at Crypto.com Arena. Los Angeles is 21-21 overall and 15-7 at home, while Brooklyn is 16-24 overall and 6-14 on the road. The Lakers are looking to win their third straight after knocking off the Dallas Mavericks 127-110 in their last outing. The Nets are aiming to snap a four-game losing streak after falling 104-102 to the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. LeBron James (ankle) and Anthony Davis (ankle) are both going to be game-time decisions for the Lakers. Mikal Bridges (shin) is a game-time decision and Ben Simmons (back) is out for Brooklyn.

Tip-off is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET. The Lakers are favored by 7 points in the latest Lakers vs. Nets odds, and the over/under is 227 points. Before making any Lakers vs. Nets picks, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from the proven computer simulation model at SportsLine.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

The model has set its sights on Nets vs. Lakers and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Here are several NBA odds and betting lines for the game:

Lakers vs. Nets spread: Lakers -7
Lakers vs. Nets over/under: 227 points
Lakers vs. Nets money line: Lakers: -274, Nets: +221
Lakers vs. Nets picks: See picks here
What you need to know about the Nets
The Nets’ recent rough patch got a bit rougher on Wednesday after their fourth straight loss. They lost 105-103 to Portland on a last-minute jump shot From Anfernee Simons. Mikal Bridges led the way for Brooklyn, scoring 21 points to go with four rebounds and dour assists. Spencer Dinwiddie added 19 points and seven assists.

The Nets enter this matchup with a 19-19-2 overall record and a 7-13 road record against the spread this season. The Nets have a strong backcourt nucleus led by Bridges (21.4 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game), Cam Thomas (20.5 points, 2.5 rebounds, 2.2 assists per game), and Spencer Dinwiddie (13.3 points, 6.1 assists, 3.6 rebounds per game). The Nets may be without Bridges, who is listed as a game-time decision with a shin injury. See which team to pick here.

What you need to know about the Lakers
Even though the Lakers have not done well against the Mavericks recently (they were 2-8 in their previous ten matchups), they didn’t let the past get in their way on Wednesday. Los Angeles strolled past Dallas with points to spare, taking the game 127-110. The win made it back-to-back wins for the Lakers. It was another big night for Anthony Davis, who almost dropped a triple-double on 28 points, 12 rebounds, and nine assists.

The Lakers have played at a high level when their full starting five is healthy and available to play. Davis (25.2 points, 12.2 rebounds, 3.7 assists, 2.5 blocks per game) and LeBron James (24.7 points, 7.6 assists, 7.2 rebounds per game) are both again having All-Star caliber seasons. Point guard D’Angelo Russell adds 15.7 points, 6.1 assists, and 2.8 rebounds per game. The Lakers are 6-6 against the spread in their last 12 games vs teams that win less than 45 percent of games. See which team to pick here.

How to make Lakers vs. Nets picks
The model has simulated Lakers vs. Nets 10,000 times and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning Over on the point total, and it’s also generated a point-spread pick that hits in well over 60% of simulations. You can only see the model’s pick at SportsLine.

21 Jan

Stars kicker goes 8-for-8 for all 24 of team’s points, hits 55-yard walk-off FG

We’ve reached the midway mark of the USFL’s 10-game regular season and if there’s one word that sums up what we know about who’ll win the North Division, it’s this — nothing.

ALL FOUR TEAMS are 2-3 after the Philadelphia Stars upset the New Jersey Generals on Sunday. And if you’re wondering how the Stars did it, the only name you need to know is Luis Aguilar. Philly’s kicker scored every one of his team’s points, going 8-for-8 on field goals, including a walk-off 55-yarder in the final ticks.

Later on Sunday, the USFL saw its last unbeaten team fall, as the New Orleans Breakers were upset by the Memphis Showboats. The Breakers dropped to 4-1, while the Showboats are the fifth of the league’s eight teams to sit 2-3.

We’ll go over that and all the Week 5 games below (check out the standings here). First, a look at the Week 5 scores:

Saturday
Pittsburgh Maulers 23, Michigan Panthers 7
Houston Gamblers 27, Birmingham Stallions 20
Sunday
Philadelphia Stars 24, New Jersey Generals 21
Memphis Showboats 17, New Orleans Breakers 10

Stars kicker goes 8-for-8 with three from 50+, scores every Philly point
Luis Aguilar not only connected on the most field goals in USFL history, he did it without missing one, and the point to make here is that if he had missed any of the eight, the Stars very well might have lost. Instead, they won 24-21, as three of Aguilar’s field goals were from 51 yards or more. Here’s the distance for each: 22, 42, 56, 36, 27, 51, 49, and the 55-yard winner, which you can watch below.

🤯 @luisaguilar124 WITH THE WALK OFF 55 YARD FIELD GOAL

HE WAS 8 FOR 8 TODAY 👏

🎥: @nbc | @peacock pic.twitter.com/G9Fky5UYu8

— USFL (@USFL) May 14, 2023
While this was obviously not an NFL game, for the sake of comparison, the all-time NFL record for made field goals in a game is eight (Titans’ Rob Bironas, vs. Texans in 2007).

Philly, which made the USFL title game last year, had won only once going into Sunday. The Generals had entered the week atop the division. The Stars won despite quarterback Case Cookus throwing for only 125 yards (0 TDs, 0 INTs) and their leading rusher managing just 22 yards on 15 carries.

New Jersey quarterback De’Andre Johnson led the team in rushing (62 yards, 1 TD) and also threw for 79 yards. Kyle Lauletta also split time at quarterback, completing 10 of 12 passes for 111 yards with an interception.

Breakers suffer first loss as Showboats shock
The New Orleans Breakers were in a prime spot to put two games between themselves and the defending champion Birmingham Stallions in the South Division after the Stallions lost on Saturday. Instead, New Orleans suffered its first loss of the season against a Memphis team that had entered with one win.

The deciding play came with 2:16 left in the game, as Showboats quarterback Cole Kelley found John Mitchell in the end zone.

The @USFLShowboats with the go-ahead score late in the game! 👀pic.twitter.com/9hu0Z68JqT

— USFL (@USFL) May 14, 2023
Kelley finished 24 of 36 for 224 yards with 1 TD and 1 INT.

New Orleans simply couldn’t find its offense against a Memphis team that had entered tied for allowing the most points in the USFL. Quarterback McCleod Bethel-Thompson (206 yards passing, 1 TD, 1 INT) accounted for the only Breakers touchdown.

Saturday’s games
Gamblers upset Stallions with huge fourth quarter
Houston won its third-straight game by upsetting the defending champs, and they did it with a big fourth-quarter where they outscored the Stallions 20-7. Birmingham had led 13-7 entering the final frame, but that’s when Houston backup quarterback Terry Wilson came through.

Wilson, who started the game due to an injury to Gamblers quarterback Kenji Bahar, had thrown for just 48 yards in the first three quarters. He more than doubled that total with one pass, a 50-yard touchdown to Anthony Ratliff-Williams.

Houston running back Mark Thompson had three touchdowns, including two in the final four minutes of the game. He’s got eight TDs this season. Stallions quarterback Alex McGough threw for 209 yards with a pair of TDs, and also ran for 76 yards.

The Stallions had some familiar fans in the crowd.

NFL HOFer in the house 🙌

Randy Moss is here supporting his son, @USFLStallions’ @thaddeusmoss 👏 @NFLonFOX pic.twitter.com/RfEDvy8Sjx

— USFL (@USFL) May 13, 2023
Pittsburgh wins with defense
The Maulers have allowed the fewest points in the league so far, and Saturday’s win showcased why. After falling behind 7-0, Pittsburgh didn’t allow another point.

Quarterback Troy Williams threw for two touchdowns on 184 yards passing and also added a rushing TD, leading the Maulers in rushing with 59 yards.

Pittsburgh’s defense may not have even allowed seven points were it not for Michigan’s Ishmael Hyman returning an early punt 74 yards to the Pittsburgh 26. Panthers quarterback Josh Love hit Cole Hikutini for the TD a few plays later

21 Jan

Breakers dominate; former Chiefs LB tabbed as Defensive Player of the Year

And then, there were none. After a 4-0 start, the New Orleans Breakers suffered their first loss of the 2023 season following a 17-10 loss to Memphis Showboats in Week 5. While the loss ended their perfect season, it did little to dampen what was a glittering start for coach John DeFilippo and his team.

The Breakers have been the USFL’s best team so far, but everything is still up for grabs as the league heads into the second half. Each team in the North division currently has a 2-3 record. New Orleans has a one game lead in the South division, with the Gamblers and Stallions just one game behind. Memphis closed the gap between themselves and the Breakers in the standings this past weekend after holding New Orleans’ explosive offense to just one touchdown.

Before Week 6 kicks off, here’s a look at our USFL midseason awards.

MVP
Winner: RB Wes Hills, Breakers
Runner-up: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Breakers

Hills epitomizes what the USFL is all about. Despite a successful college career and a brief run of success in the NFL, Hills was largely inactive over the last two years while playing in the Canadian Football League. After a long wait, Hills has finally gotten his chance to be a featured back at the pro level with the Breakers. To say that Hills has taken advantage of the opportunity would be a vast understatement.

The league’s current leader in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns, Hills set the modern league’s single-game records after racking up 191 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in New Orleans’ Week 3 win over the defending champion Stallions. A week later, Hills ran for two scores in the Breakers’ 20-17 win over the Generals. Even in defeat this past weekend, Hills tallied 82 total yards that included seven catches for 46 yards.

“All the ups and downs, it’s great to see that I’m able to show the world and prove it myself that I can play,” Hills said during a recent interview with CBS Sports. “I’ve got a little game. It’s a good feeling. It’s a really good feeling.”

Offensive Player of the Year
Winner: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Breakers
Runner-up: QB Alex McGough, Stallions

Bethel-Thompson jumped to the USFL this year after a highly successful six-year run in the Canadian Football League that included two Grey Cup victories. The soon-to-be 35-year-old has nearly 300 more passing yards than the league’s second-leading passer, the Stars’ Case Cookus. Along with completing nearly 67% of his passes, Bethel-Thompson is also tied for second in the USFL with seven touchdown passes.

“He’s a great leader, great person, even better father,” Hills recently said of Bethel-Thompson, who prior to the CFL played for five different NFL teams that included a stint with John DeFilippo in Philadelphia in 2016. “He’s a great guy. It means a lot to be able to play with a veteran that has won championships and has been so successful at his position. … He came in and took control of the offense.”

McLeod Bethel-Thompson had himself a day yesterday 💪 pic.twitter.com/8Yqp4lggdb

— New Orleans Breakers (@USFLBreakers) April 30, 2023
Defensive Player of the Year
Winner: DE Breeland Speaks, Panthers
Runner-up: LB Chris Orr, Generals

The Chiefs’ second-round pick in the 2018 NFL Draft, Speaks has finally reached his potential as a pro player in the USFL. Speaks, who played with five NFL teams from 2018-21, currently leads the USFL with 6.5 sacks. He was tabbed as the league’s Defensive Player of the Week for a second time this past weekend after having six tackles and 2.5 sacks in Michigan’s loss to Pittsburgh.

Coach of the Year
Winner: John DeFilippo, Breakers
Runner-up: Ray Horton, Maulers

A longtime NFL assistant who won a ring as the Eagles quarterbacks coach, DeFilippo is enjoying a strong start to his career as a head coach. His offense currently boasts the league’s passer (Bethel-Thompson), rusher, (Hills) and receiver (Sage Surrett). The Breakers currently lead the USFL with an average of nearly 354 total yards per game.

In a short amount of time, DeFilippo has created a winning atmosphere in New Orleans that could result in the Breakers’ first championship.

“I love him,” Hills said of his coach. “He blessed me with this opportunity to come here and showcase what I can do. He’s a real players coach. … He’s not wound too tight. He’s a pretty laid back guy, but when it’s time to focus up and he needs to reel us back in, he does that with no problem.

“He has the team’s respect, by far. Everybody in that locker room loves him.”

21 Jan

Breakers lose 2nd straight after 4-0 start; every team within a game of first

It’s hard to believe, but the USFL has already entered the second half of its 2023 season. The second half promises to be an exciting one, as all eight teams are still in the hunt to earn one of the four playoff spots. In fact, every team in the USFL is either in first place or a game out of first through six weeks.

Week 6 started with the Memphis Showboats winning their third straight game (after an 0-3 start) by blanking the Pittsburgh Maulers, who fell to 2-4. Saturday’s second matchup saw the defending champion Birmingham Stallions post an impressive 27-13 win over the Michigan Panthers. Birmingham, after dropping two of its previous three games, improved to 4-2.

Sunday’s action started with the Philadelphia Stars evening their record to 3-3 after handing the once 4-0 New Orleans Breakers their second straight loss. Then the Houston Gamblers won their fourth straight game by defeating the New Jersey Generals, who dropped their third straight.

Below are the final scores from each game, followed by our biggest takeaway from each Week 6 contest.

Saturday
Memphis Showboats 22, Pittsburgh Maulers 0
Birmingham Stallions 27, Michigan Panthers 13

Sunday
Philadelphia Stars 16, New Orleans Breakers 10
Houston Gamblers 16, New Jersey Generals 10

Sunday’s games
Gamblers win by playing complementary football
Houston made two big defensive plays in the first half that led to quick scores from the offense. The first occurred when Donald Rutledge and Isaiah Pryor combined to stuff Generals running back Darius Victor on a fourth-and-2 play.

❌ BIG STOP ❌ pic.twitter.com/2byQJZCVr6

— Houston Gamblers (@USFLGamblers) May 21, 2023
Houston’s offense parlayed the stop into a 7-0 lead on Mark Thompson’s touchdown run moments later. Ahead 10-0 in the second quarter, Jeremiah Johnson’s pick of Generals quarterback Kyle Lauletta set up Nick Vogal’s 37-yard field goal on the half’s final play.

Houston’s defense came up big in the second half. They forced an incompletion on New Jersey’s 4th-and-12 attempt to keep the ball after making it a six-point game. Thompson then milked the remaining three minutes of game clock by picking up two first downs on the ground.

Stars slow Breakers offense; New Orleans now tied atop South
There wasn’t much separating the Stars and Breakers on Sunday. The biggest difference was the Stars’ defensive score on Amani Dennis’ 72-yard pick-six that gave Philadelphia a 13-0 lead less than four minutes into the second quarter.

AMANI DENNIS PICK SIX!!!

Philadelphia Stars go up 13-0 in the 2nd quarter!! #USFL pic.twitter.com/of2stfSBPc

— Defiant Takes Football (@DefiantTakes) May 21, 2023
New Orleans — which now sits in a tie atop the South Division after its second straight loss — rallied back but was unable to complete its comeback bid after coming up empty on its last four possessions. The Breakers missed a golden opportunity to tie the score when Matt Coghlin missed a 42-yard field goal following Nevelle Clarke’s interception off Stars quarterback Case Cookus.

Sunday was a tough one for Breakers quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. The USFL’s leading passer, Bethel-Thompson threw two interceptions against the Stars while completing less than 58% of his throws. This came on the heels of the Breakers’ first lost last week, when they managed just 10 points against the Showboats.

Saturday’s games
Defensive dominates again for Memphis
Defense has been one of the main reasons behind the Showboats’ three-game winning streak. Including Saturday’s shutout win over Pittsburgh, Memphis has held its last three opponents to a combined 20 points. Along with not allowing any points Saturday, the Showboats’ defense set up Memphis’ last score when Kyree Woods picked off Maulers quarterback James Morgan late in the third quarter. It was one of three interceptions for the Showboats defense.

Memphis also got a score from its special teams when Derrick Dillon returned a missed 59-yard field goal attempt 109 yards for a touchdown.

OMG!!! A 109-YARD TOUCHDOWN FOR @DerrickDillon4 💨

🎥: @USANetwork pic.twitter.com/O0TulvbYSW

— Memphis Showboats (@USFLShowboats) May 20, 2023
Stallions cash in on red zone opportunities
Statistically, it was a pretty even game between the Stallions and Panthers. The biggest different between the team teams was how they fared in the red zone. Birmingham scored touchdowns on three of its four trips inside Michigan’s 20-yard-line, while the Panthers were just 1 of 3 in the red zone.

Birmingham’s biggest red zone stand took place midway through the third quarter. Protecting a 20-10 lead, the Stallions forced Michigan to kick a field goal after Josh Love was unable to complete his third down pass. The Panthers then put the game away after scoring a touchdown on their ensuing drive. The back-breaking score was courtesy of Stallions quarterback Alex McGough, who threw two touchdown passes prior to his 10-yard touchdown run. McGough’s solid play was complemented by Stallions running back C.J. Marable, who ran for 100 yards on 18 carries.

17 Jan

DraftKings, FanDuel daily Fantasy basketball picks for Tuesday, Jan. 16 include James Harden

On a day with Joel Embiid, Nikola Jokic, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Devin Booker and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander in the NBA DFS player pool, could Domantas Sabonis be the top choice on a superstar-filled evening that daily Fantasy basketball players most want to fit into NBA DFS lineups? There are only three games on Tuesday’s NBA schedule, but many of the best players are featured and need to be considered when forming your NBA DFS strategy. Sabonis is coming off his fifth triple-double over his last nine contests after posting 21 points, 13 rebounds and 15 assists in a Sunday loss to the Bucks, and he only missed one shot the entire evening.

The Kings play the Suns on Tuesday, so should daily Fantasy basketball players prioritize fitting Sabonis into NBA DFS picks even on a day with the reigning NBA MVP and NBA Finals MVP in action? Who are some values from the NBA DFS player pool to complement these elite options when making NBA DFS lineups? Before making your NBA DFS picks, be sure to check out the NBA DFS advice, player rankings, stacks, and top daily Fantasy basketball picks from SportsLine’s Mike McClure.

McClure is a DFS professional with more than $2 million in career winnings. He’s also a predictive data engineer at SportsLine who uses a powerful prediction model that simulates every minute of every game 10,000 times, taking factors like matchups, statistical trends and injuries into account.

This allows him to find the best NBA DFS values and create optimal lineups that he shares only over at SportsLine. They’re a must-see for any NBA DFS player.

On Monday, McClure highlighted Cavaliers guard Donovan Mitchell as one of his top picks in his NBA DFS player pool on both sites. The result: Mitchell had 34 points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals, returning 53.25 points on DraftKings and 52.1 points on FanDuel. Anybody who included him in their lineups was well on the way to a profitable day.

McClure has turned his attention to NBA action on Tuesday and locked in his top daily Fantasy basketball picks. You can only see them by heading to SportsLine.

Top NBA DFS picks for Tuesday, January 16
For Tuesday, one of McClure’s top NBA DFS picks is Clippers guard James Harden, who is listed at $8,100 on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Harden, who led the NBA in assists per game last season, is showcasing his elite playmaking abilities yet again this year, averaging 10.4 assists over his last nine contests. It took some time for him to get familiarized with Clippers superstars like Leonard and George, which is why his season total for assists per game sits at 8.4, but that number continues to rise as Harden ranks sixth in the NBA in assists.

The Clippers play the Thunder, who are coming off surrendering 30 assists in a 112-105 loss to the Lakers on Monday. Harden’s had great success against Oklahoma City, one of his former teams, throughout his NBA career. The 10-time All-Star averages 27.5 points, 7.9 assists and 6.4 rebounds over 33 career games against the Thunder. The Clippers have scored at least 125 points in three of their last four games, and Harden is a huge piece of that offensive success.

Another part of McClure’s optimal NBA DFS strategy includes stacking Harden with point guard Russell Westbrook ($5,900 on DraftKings and $6,900 on FanDuel). Westbrook had 13 assists, tied for a season-high, with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals in a 109-105 loss to the Timberwolves on Sunday. The Clippers went with many smaller lineups with Ivica Zubac (calf) out, and the center is out again on Tuesday against the Thunder, which could mean more minutes and another increased role for Westbrook.

The nine-time All-Star spent the first 11 years of his career with the Thunder. Westbrook is averaging 22.8 points, 8.6 rebounds and 8.3 assists over 12 contests against his long-time former home, including having 15 points and 13 rebounds against OKC on December 21. Westbrook comes at a much lower price tag at this stage of his career without as many scoring or assisting opportunities in Los Angeles as in previous stops of his career. However, he could play a larger role on Tuesday and serve as a value for NBA DFS lineups. See McClure’s other NBA DFS picks right here.

How to set your NBA DFS lineups for Tuesday, January 16
McClure is also targeting a player who could go off for massive numbers on Tuesday because of a dream matchup. This pick could be the difference between winning your tournaments and cash games or going home with nothing. You can only see who it is here.

17 Jan

2024 NBA picks, Jan. 16 best bets by proven model

Two of the best teams in the NBA meet at Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia on Tuesday. The Philadelphia 76ers welcome the Denver Nuggets to town, with Philadelphia playing on the second end of a back-to-back. The 76ers are 15-6 at home and 25-13 overall, while the Nuggets are 28-13 overall and 11-9 away from Denver. De’Anthony Melton (back) is listed as out for Philadelphia.

For this game, SportsLine consensus lists the 76ers as 1.5-point favorites, and tip-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. The total number of points Vegas thinks will be scored, or the over/under, is 233.5 in the latest Nuggets vs. 76ers odds. Before making any 76ers vs. Nuggets picks, you need to see the NBA predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s advanced computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has returned well over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past five-plus seasons. The model enters Week 13 of the 2023-24 NBA season on a sizzling 42-23 roll on all top-rated NBA picks this season, returning nearly $2,000. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on Sixers vs. Nuggets and just locked in its picks and NBA predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model’s picks. Now, here are several NBA odds and betting lines for Nuggets vs. Sixers:

Nuggets vs. 76ers spread: 76ers -1.5
Nuggets vs. 76ers over/under: 233.5 points
Nuggets vs. 76ers money line: 76ers -125, Nuggets +105
DEN: The Nuggets are 7-13 against the spread in road games
PHI: The 76ers are 2-4 against the spread with no rest
Nuggets vs. 76ers picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Nuggets can cover
Denver’s offense attracts earned attention, but the team’s defense is also stout. The Nuggets are allowing only 1.13 points per possession this season, ranking in the top 10 of the NBA in defensive efficiency. Opponents are shooting only 46.5% from the field and 52.3% from 2-point range against Denver, and the Nuggets are giving up only 12.5 second-chance points per game. Denver is also in the top 10 in assists allowed (25.6 per game), and the defensive performance further fuels an elite offense.

The Nuggets are near the top of the league in offensive efficiency, scoring 118.6 points per 100 possessions, and Denver is in the top five of the NBA in field goal percentage (49.8%) and 2-point percentage (56.4%). The Nuggets are also shooting 37.8% from 3-point range, and Denver is elite in generating assists (29.7 per game) and avoiding turnovers (12.7 per game). From there, Denver is in the top tier of the league in producing points in the paint (54.9 per game), and the Nuggets secure 30% of available offensive rebounds. See which team to pick here.

Why the 76ers can cover
While the 76ers have a rest disadvantage on paper, Philadelphia does have the edge in playing at home at Wells Fargo Center. The 76ers are 15-6 at home this season, out-scoring opponents by 10.1 points per 100 possessions. Philadelphia is elite on both ends of the court, forming a strong overall baseline. On offense, the 76ers are putting up more than 1.19 points per possession and leading the NBA in both free throw creation (27.1 attempts per game) and free throw accuracy (84.0%). Philadelphia is also in the top eight of the NBA in fast break points, offensive rebound rate and second-chance points, with the 76ers committing a turnover on only 12.5% of offensive possessions.

Denver struggles to force turnovers on defense, creating only 12.6 per game, and Philadelphia does not have that issue with its own defense. The 76ers lead the NBA with 9.1 steals per game while posting a top-five mark in creating 14.9 turnovers per contest. Philadelphia also leads the NBA in 3-point defense, holding opponents to only 33.7% shooting from beyond the arc. See which team to pick here.

How to make 76ers vs. Nuggets picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Under on the total, projecting 228 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits well over 50% of the time. You can only see the model’s picks at SportsLine.

17 Jan

Why the Timberwolves are a strong underdog bet to win the Western Conference

It’s time to start taking the Minnesota Timberwolves seriously. The Western Conference’s top team entered Tuesday with a 28-11 record. Only the Boston Celtics, who are largely considered the favorite to come out of the Eastern Conference, have won more games so far this season. However, sportsbooks are consistently projecting the Timberwolves to be the fourth- or fifth-most likely team to win the Western Conference. Minnesota has made tremendous progress since falling short of the playoffs last season, but it has the goods to reach the final stage in 2023-24.

The most significant change from last year’s Timberwolves and this year’s is defense. Minnesota swung for the fences in 2022 by acquiring Rudy Gobert via trade. The former Utah Jazz big man was expected to anchor his new squad’s interior with his rim protection, but Minnesota finished with a middling defense that was largely underwhelming. That problem is long gone.

The Timberwolves are currently allowing a league-low 107.3 points per game and all but one of their starters has a defensive rating lower than 109. Of all the league’s five-man lineups with more than 300 minutes played this year, only the Celtics’ starting five can top the 106.8 defensive rating that Minnesota’s starters have posted.

Another thing that’s made a huge difference for Minnesota is rebounding. Gobert played for strong rebounding teams in Utah, but last year’s Timberwolves gave up the ninth-most rebounds per game to opposing teams. Only the Phoenix Suns and New York Knicks have given up fewer rebounds than this year’s Timberwolves, though. Karl Anthony-Towns’ availability has had a lot do to with that drastic change.

KAT’s rebounding average dropped below 10.0 for the second time in his career in 2022-23, when Gobert came along and pushed him to power forward. Towns snared 8.1 boards per contest and appeared in just 29 games due to injury. A healthy offseason and a strong start to 2023-24 have given him time to adjust, though, allowing the Timberwolves to dominate with length on the glass and prevent second-chance opportunities. It’s clear that pairing the two in one frontcourt was a great idea, and the results show it. The Timberwolves went just 21-23 in games Gobert played in without KAT last season. They’ve gone 41-23 with both bigs playing since Gobert’s move to Minnesota.

The Timberwolves’ young core lacks legitimate playoff experience, but the numbers favor them making a strong run right now. The last four Western Conference champions have had top-10 scoring defenses and were top-10 in terms of limiting opposing teams’ rebounding production. If you’re looking for a dark horse to bet on, it’ll be hard to find a more enticing option than the Timberwolves’ Western Conference title odds at +700.

17 Jan

Kings coach Mike Brown fined $50,000 by NBA for on-court actions, off-court comments toward refs vs. Bucks

The NBA announced that Sacramento Kings coach Mike Brown was given a $50,000 fine following his actions during and after the team’s loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Sunday. Brown was irate for what he felt was inconsistent officiating during his team’s loss, and during the postgame press conference went on a five-minute rant, complete with props to show why he was so frustrated and what led to his ejection.

The league said Brown was given a fine for “aggressively pursuing a game official during live play, and for publicly criticizing the officiating.”

With just under 10 minutes to go in the fourth quarter, and with the Kings down 105-95, Brown can be seen yelling at a referee as the Bucks were in transition. He stepped onto the court and accidentally bumped into Bucks forward Pat Connaughton, and then got face-to-face with the official. He was quickly ejected and had to be held back by Malik Monk.

Mike Brown had to be held back by Malik Monk after he was ejected from tonight’s game 😬 pic.twitter.com/t36hpcy05g

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 15, 2024
After the game while talking to the media, Brown brought in a laptop to show why he was upset.

“I just wanna show you guys why I got kicked out of the game,” Brown said as he prepared to show reporters clips of the game.

Brown proceeded to show a series clips of what he felt were bad foul calls on the part of the officials.

Mike busted out the film to break down why he got ejected tonight 😂 pic.twitter.com/7sO8yJ3g9y

— Kings on NBCS (@NBCSKings) January 15, 2024
“The referees are human, and they’re going to make mistakes, but you just hope that A) there’s some sort of consistency and B) there’s some sort of communication between the refs,” Brown said. “And the refs tonight, they were great, they communicated with me all night. But in terms of consistency, you guys saw it right here. Dame coming off the pick-and-roll and Foxy getting hooked and almost falling coming off the pick-and-roll.

“And, on top of that, if you get communication and you get some form of consistency in the game, OK, then you can live with some things. But the consistency that I [saw] tonight — wasn’t in my opinion — there. And then, I don’t understand the rule, if the rule is you’ve got to go vertical both hands up, how can you take away two free throws with a guy with his forearm down here? If they’re going to change the rule on me and say, ‘OK the forearm can be down here, and another one can be up there,’ then all right I know that going forward. But that’s not what the rule is, because we get called on [Sabonis] all the time and they tell us he’s got to have both hands up if you want to go vertical. That’s why I got kicked out.”

It’s a hefty fine for Brown, but I’m sure it was well worth it as he was able to get his point across to show what he felt has been some inconsistency in officiating. He’s the latest head coach to be given a fine for criticizing officials, with Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic getting hit with a $25,000 fine for a postgame rant that called the officiating in a loss against the Lakers a “shame for the league.”