Winning Picks from Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy

My selection is on the 'under' between Colorado and Winnipeg at 9:30 pm et on Tuesday.

We saw a wild, high-scoring affair to open this series on Sunday. I don't think either coach came away particularly pleased, even if Rick Bowness had to be happy that his team did come away victorious. Look for a much different style of game to unfold in Game 2 on Tuesday, noting that the 'under' is 42-24 with the Avalanche seeking revenge for a same season loss against an opponent including a 13-8 mark in that situation this season. The 'under' is also 8-2 in the Jets last 10 contests when coming off four straight 'over' results including a 2-0 mark this season. Keep in mind, the Jets check in having allowed just 2.5 goals per game on home ice this season. They'll most definitely get some push-back from the Avs here but I think it lends itself to a lower-scoring affair. Take the under (8*).

Tuesday NBA Free play. My selection is on Phoenix plus the points over Minnesota at 7:30 pm et on Tuesday.

The Timberwolves took the opener of this series in blowout fashion but I look for the Suns to rebound in Game 2 on Tuesday. Note that Phoenix is a long-term winner at 93-71 ATS when coming off a loss by 20 points or more, including a 2-0 ATS mark in that situation this season. The Suns are also 18-10 ATS in their last 28 contests after scoring 100 points or less in their most recent game, as is the case here, including a 5-1 ATS record in that spot this season. Meanwhile, Minnesota is just 3-6 ATS in its last nine games when leading in a playoff series and 3-7 ATS as a home favorite of six point or less this season. Take Phoenix.

National League Total of the Week. My selection is on the 'under' between New York and San Francisco at 9:45 pm et on Tuesday.

We saw a relatively low-scoring game between these two teams last night and I expect more of the same on Tuesday. Luis Severino entered the season with rather low expectations as he made the move from the Bronx to Queens to join the Mets. However, the veteran right-hander had a terrific Spring and has picked up where he left off in the regular season, recording a serviceable 3.70 FIP and 1.38 WHIP. The Giants don't have a lot to go on against Severino as their current hitters are a combined 2-for-28 against him with a pair of singles. Behind Severino is a Mets bullpen that entered this series among the best in baseball, sporting a collective 2.95 ERA and 1.15 WHIP. Giants ace Logan Webb has been terrific in the early going this season, posting a 2.85 FIP and 1.17 WHIP in 30 2/3 innings of work. Webb is capable of giving the Giants seven-plus quality innings on any given night and he draws a favorable matchup here as current Mets hitters are 13-for-73 against him with only four extra-base hits. Pete Alonso has homered off of Webb but is just 1-for-11 against him. The Giants bullpen hasn't been great this season but again that's not as much of a concern with Webb starting as they may only be asked to piece together an inning or two. Take the under (10*).

Tuesday MLB Free play. My selection is on Chicago over Houston at 7:40 pm et on Tuesday.

Both of these teams are reeling a bit as they enter this three-game series in Chicago. The Astros took the opener of their weekend series in Washington but followed it up with consecutive losses. Meanwhile, the Cubs could only split a four-game series with the Marlins here at home. I look for Chicago to bounce back on Monday as it sends left-hander Jordan Wicks to the mound against fellow southpaw J.P. France. Wicks isn't a candidate to work deep into the ball game but that's just fine as the Cubs bullpen has held up well, recording a 2.93 ERA over the last seven games. Wicks owns an impressive 3.06 FIP but a lofty 1.77 WHIP so far this season. Note that of the current Astros hitters only Victor Caratini has ever seen Wicks at the Major League level (0-for-1). J.P. France continues to decline for the Astros. He has posted a 4.85 FIP and 1.67 WHIP so far this season. Current Cubs hitters are 6-for-16 off of him with five of those six hits going for extra bases. The Houston bullpen checks in sporting a collective 5.36 ERA and 1.52 WHIP this season. Take Chicago.

Western Conference First Round Game of the Year. My selection is on Dallas minus the points over Los Angeles at 10 pm et on Tuesday.

One record-setting poor shooting quarter effectively sunk the Mavericks in the opener of this series on Sunday. Dallas didn't get off to the start it had hoped for in that contest but still had hope after trailing by 12 points following the first quarter. From there it was a 22-8 second frame in favor of the Clippers and that was essentially that for Game 1. With that being said, the Mavs did show some fight, ultimately making the final score respectable thanks to a hot shooting second half. I do think we'll see them carry over some of the positive momentum from that strong second half in Game 2 on Tuesday. As indicated by the line, the Mavs are still the superior team in this matchup and check in 29-18 ATS in their last 47 games as a road favorite of six points or less including a 15-4 ATS mark in that situation this season. Meanwhile, the Clips are just 12-16 ATS in their last 28 contests as a home underdog including a 2-4 ATS record this season. Take Dallas (10*).