Frank Sawyer: Expert Sports Betting Picks for Sale

Take the USC Trojans minus the points versus the California Golden Bears. USC (13-3) has won seven of their last eight games with their 74-63 upset victory at UCLA as a 1-point underdog on Saturday. Now after opening on the road for their first three conference games, the Trojans will be hosting their first Pac-12 opponent tonight. USC is 4-1-1 ATS in their last 6 home games after playing their last three games on the road. The Trojans have also played 17 of their last 24 home games against teams with a losing record on the road. Cal (8-8) has won two straight games with their 61-58 upset win over Washington as a 6.5-point underdog on Saturday. But the Golden Bears have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a straight-up win. Cal has also failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight road games as an underdog. Lay the points with USC. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports is a PERFECT 2-0 so far on Thursday —

At 10:30 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the California Golden Bears (693) and the USC Trojans (694). THE SITUATION: California (8-8) has won two straight games with their 61-58 upset win at home against Washington on Saturday as a 6.5-point underdog. USC (13-3) has won seven of their last eight games after their 74-63 upset win at UCLA last Saturday as a 1-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Trojans shot 57.4% from the field in their upset win over the Bruins which was their best shooting effort of the season. USC also held UCLA to just 37.9% shooting with that defensive performance being more indicative of their level of play since they have held their last five opponents to just 37.3% shooting from the field. USC has played an eye-popping 15 of their last 17 games Under the Total after a game where they made 57% of their shots while holding their opponent to no better than 43% shooting from the field. Additionally, the Trojans have played 29 of their last 40 games Under the Total after a straight-up win — and they have played 10 of their last 14 games Under the Total after a point spread victory. Now after playing their last three games on the road, USC returns home to make their Pac-12 debut in front of their home fans this season. The Trojans have played 7 of their last 8 home games Under the Total after playing their last three games on the road. The Under is 35-16-1 in USC’s last 52 games at home — and the Under is 21-8-1 in their last 30 home games against teams with a losing record on the road. And in their last 9 home games in conference play, the Trojans have played 8 of these games Under the Total. California has played 6 straight games Under the Total after a win over a Pac-12 opponent — and they have played 10 straight games on the road Under the Total after playing a game at home as an underdog. And while the Golden Bears have covered the point spread in their last two games, they have then played 9 of their last 10 games Under the Total after covering the point spread in their last two games. Cal looks to build off their best defensive performance of the season as they held the Huskies to just 29.5% shooting from the field. But now the Golden Bears go back on the road where they are scoring just 56.0 PPG while making only 36.2% of their shots. Cal ranks 353rd in the nation with an effective field goal percentage of just 35.3% in their three true road games. And over their last five games, the Golden Bears are making just 39.6% of their shots. Cal has played 17 of their last 23 road games Under the Total. The Golden Bears have also played 35 of their last 55 games Under the Total as an underdog including the Under going 3-0-1 in their last 4 games when getting the points.

FINAL TAKE: Cal has played 19 of their last 26 road games Under the Total against teams with a winning record — and they have played 20 of their last 27 road games Under the Total after fifteen games into the season against teams with a winning record. 25* CBB Pac-12 Total of the Month with Under the Total in the game between the California Golden Bears (693) and the USC Trojans (694). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 8:00 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (646) plus the points versus the Texas State Bobcats (645). THE SITUATION: Louisiana-Monroe (6-10) has lost three straight games with their 84-62 loss at Georgia State as a 12.5-point underdog last Saturday. Texas State (10-8) has won two straight games as well as three of their last four contests with their 82-57 win over Appalachian State as a 7-point favorite on Saturday.

REASONS TO TAKE THE WARHAWKS PLUS THE POINTS: UL-Monroe allowed the Panthers to nail 57.7% of their shots which was their worst defensive effort of the season. The Warhawks should respond with a stronger effort as they are 5-2-1 ATS in their last 8 games after a point spread loss — and they are 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games after a loss by at least 20 points. Furthermore, UL-Monroe has covered the point spread in 7 of their last 10 games after losing at least two straight games to Sun Belt Conference opponents. Now after playing their last three games on the road, the Warhawks return home where they are 6-3 this season with an average winning margin of +9.2 PPG. UL-Monroe should play better on defense as they limit their visitors to just 40% shooting this season. The Warhawks have covered the point spread in a decisive 38 of their last 60 games after allowing at least 80 points in their last game — and this includes them covering the point spread in twelve of these last seventeen situations. UL-Monroe has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games at home as an underdog — and they have covered the point spread in 6 straight home games as a dog getting up to 6 points. Texas State nailed 53.8% of their shots last Saturday against the Mountaineers which was their second-best shooting effort all season. The Bobcats have then failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after a point spread victory. Now Texas State goes back on the road where they are just 2-6 with an average losing margin of -4.1 PPG. A concern for this team is finding offense after their three-year starter on the wing in Nigel Pearson. The Bobcats are making only 41.6% of their shots on the road — and they have made just 41.3% of their shots in their last five games despite their nice shooting performance on Saturday. Much of the Texas State offense comes from getting to the free-throw line — they rank 12th in the nation with a Free Throw Attempt-to-Field Goal Attempt ratio of 41.6%. Getting these calls is not as reliable when playing in hostile environments. The Bobcats have failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight games on the road — and they have also failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games as a favorite. Additionally, Texas State has failed to cover the point spread in 8 straight games against teams with a winning percentage of 40% or less.

FINAL TAKE: The Bobcats will have success forcing turnovers as they rank 2nd in the Sun Belt by forcing turnovers in 21.9% of their opponent’s possessions — and the Warhawks are 10th in the conference by turning it over in 22.2% of their conference possessions. But UL-Monroe should be able to make this up to stay competitive with their 3-point shooting. The Warhawks are 2nd in the Sun Belt by making 39% of their shots from behind the arc — and they are 22nd in the nation by nailing 41.7% of their 3-pointers at home. Texas State is 287th in the nation by allowing their opponents to make 36.0% of their 3-point shots. 25* CBB Sun Belt Conference Underdog of the Month with the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks (646) plus the points versus the Texas State Bobcats (645). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Take the Milwaukee Bucks minus the points versus the Boston Celtics. Milwaukee (36-6) has won four straight games with their 128-102 win over New York on Tuesday. The Bucks are 37-16-1 ATS in their last 54 games after a double-digit victory. Milwaukee has also covered the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games at home. Boston (27-12) looks to bounce-back from their 116-103 loss at home to Detroit as a 9.5-point favorite last night. The Celtics have failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after scoring at least 100 points in their last game. Boston has also failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 appearances on TNT Thursday. Lay the points with Milwaukee. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports DELIVERED their 25* NBA Wednesday ESPN Game of the Month last night on Philadelphia laying the points versus Brooklyn to continue their NEAR PERFECT 5 of 6 (83%) Basketball Game of the Month/Year run! Frank pushed his CBB play on Providence (hopefully for most at -5) — so he remains on a 9 of 13 (69%) CBB run along with a RED HOT 8 of 11 (73%) CBB Sides run! Now Frank spots a LIVE DOG for his 25* CBB Conference Underdog of the Month! DO NOT MISS OUT!

At 7:08 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Over the Total in the game between the New Jersey Devils (27) and the Washington Capitals (28). THE SITUATION: New Jersey (17-22-7) saw their two-game winning streak snapped on Tuesday with their 7-4 loss at Toronto. Washington (31-11-5) has won four of their last six games with their 2-0 win at home over Carolina.

REASONS TO TAKE OVER THE TOTAL: The Devils have played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total after allowing at least five goals in their last game — and they have played 14 of their last 19 games Over the Total after allowing at least 6 goals in their last contest. Additionally, the Over is 5-1-1 in New Jersey’s last 7 games after a loss by at least three goals. New Jersey is allowing 3.8 Goals-Per-Game in their last five contests — and they have surrendered at least three goals in five straight games. But the Devils have also scored 3.6 Goals-Per-Game over these last five games — and they have scored at least four goals in four of their last six contests. Louis Domingue will likely be between the pipes for this team tonight after getting pulled in that game against the Maple Leafs are allowing five goals in just over 30 minutes of play. Domingue has done his best work at home where he has a 1.68 Goals-Against-Average in three starts with a .934 save percentage — but he has been saddled with a 4.93 GAA with a .856 save percentage in his seven games (five starts) on the road. Regardless of who starts in net tonight for New Jersey, they have allowed their home hosts to score 3.6 Goals-Per-Game. The Devils have played 5 of their last 7 games Over the Total on the road. New Jersey has also played 9 of their last 13 games Over the Total as an underdog. Washington has played 21 of their last 28 games Over the Total after a victory — and they have played 10 of their last 13 games Over the Total after a win at home. Additionally, the Capitals have played 11 of their last 14 games Over the Total wen playing an opponent that allowed at least five goals in their last game. Washington is scoring a healthy 3.5 Goals-Per-Game this season. They have played 19 of their last 27 games Over the Total when playing at home — and they have played 4 of their last 5 games Over the Total against teams with a winning percentage of 40% or less. With rookie Ilya Samsonov earning the shutout on Tuesday, the Braden Holtby will be in goal tonight. The veteran has underachieved this season with a 3.02 GAA along with a .899 save percentage — and he has a rough 3.34 GAA with a .868 save percentage in his three starts this month.

FINAL TAKE: The Capitals will be motivated to avenge a 5-1 loss at home to the Devils on Saturday. Washington has played 33 of their last 50 games Over the Total when avenging a loss at home by at least three goals. The Capitals have also played 23 of their last 33 games Over the Total when avenging a loss to their opponent scored at least four goals — and they have played 7 of their last 8 games Over the Total when playing with revenge from a loss where they allowed at least five goals. 25* NHL Pre-All Star Break Metropolitan Division Total of the Year with Over the Total in the game between the New Jersey Devils (27) and the Washington Capitals (28). Best of luck for us — Frank.

The American Express takes place in the Coachella Valley in Palm Springs. This Pro-Am is formerly known as the Bob Hope Classic among a few past iterations. With 156 professionals entered in this event, the first three rounds take place on the La Quinta Course, the Nicklaus Tournament Course, and the Stadium Course respectively with the cut occurring after those 54 holes. The final round then takes place on the Stadium Course. With good weather expected, low scores are expected. Adam Long won this event last year at -26 under par.

Our Best Bet to win this event is Rickie Fowler who is the favorite to win this event according to Bovada at 11-1 odds. Let’s go with the five-time winner on the PGA Tour who is a Southern California native whose last victory on the tour was at the WM Phoenix in another west coast tournament where he won by four strokes after leading the field for 54 holes. This is Fowler’s first time back at this event since 2014. He is in good form to start the season after getting married (and overachieving) last October with a tie for 5th place two weeks ago in Maui at the Sentry Tournament of Champions. He certainly has the skill set to put up a big number as he ranked 14th on the tour for the 2018-19 season in Shots-Gained: Total last year. Fowler was 29th in Birdies or Better last season while also ranking 10th in Eagles. Fowler also ranked 13th in Shots-Gained: Putting last season. Fowler is paired in head-to-head betting with Francesco Molinari. Molinari risks being rusty with this being his first professional event since November 3rd where he was in Dubai for the WGC-HSBC Championship. I don’t think Molinari’s profile fits this course. He was just 82nd on the tour for 2018-19 in Shots-Gained: Tee-to-Green — and he was 169th in Greens in Regulation. Molinari was also 183rd in Eagles Percentage and 162nd in Birdies Average. Take Fowler (7113) in head-to-head propositions with Molinari (7114) for Day One. Best of luck for us -- Frank.