Winning Picks from Sports Handicapper Sean Murphy

My selection is on Boston minus the points over Golden State at 5:10 pm ET on Monday.

We'll back the Celtics as they seek to avenge an earlier home loss to the Warriors while rebounding from Saturday's upset loss to the Hawks. Boston has struggled to find consistency recently, alternating wins and losses over the past couple of weeks, making this road trip pivotal for maintaining momentum in the East.

Golden State has picked up back-to-back wins, but its overall performance this season has been inconsistent, with the team sitting just a game above .500. The Warriors have also struggled against the spread, going 2-5 ATS over their last seven contests. Facing a highly motivated Celtics squad with superior depth and firepower, the Warriors could find themselves overwhelmed on Monday.

Look for Boston to set the tone early and control this game as they make a statement on the road.

Take Boston. Projected score: Boston 122, Golden State 108.

My selection is on Ohio State minus the points over Notre Dame at 7:30 pm ET on Monday.

Ohio State enters this matchup in peak form, delivering three dominant performances against Tennessee, Oregon, and Texas following their surprising loss to Michigan on November 30th. The Buckeyes have shown they can rise to the occasion against elite competition, and their schedule ranks among the toughest in the nation, further justifying their status as favorites here.

Notre Dame has enjoyed an outstanding season, rattling off 13 straight victories since a shocking loss to Northern Illinois back in early September. Their most recent triumph was an upset win over Penn State in the CFP semi-finals. The Irish have also been a bettors' favorite, going 9-0-1 ATS over their last 10 games. However, this marks a significant step up in competition against a deeper and more talented Buckeyes squad.

With Ohio State firing on all cylinders and boasting a talent edge on both sides of the ball, I expect them to put an end to Notre Dame's ATS streak and claim a convincing victory.

Take Ohio State. Projected score: Ohio State 28, Notre Dame 17.

My selection is on Columbus over New York at 7:30 pm ET on Monday.

We'll back the Blue Jackets as an underdog on Long Island, where they look to rebound from a 1-0 shutout loss against the Rangers on Saturday. That defeat snapped Columbus' impressive six-game winning streak, during which they recorded four victories as underdogs. While the Jackets' road record this season sits at just 6-12-4, they’ve shown recent improvement with wins in two of their last three away games.

New York is coming off a 4-1 win over San Jose on Saturday, but their 8-11-2 record on home ice this season leaves much to be desired. This game could prove tricky for the Islanders, as they’ll have three days off following this contest before a revenge spot against Philadelphia, which recently defeated them 5-3 on this very ice. Meanwhile, Columbus faces a challenging road trip with upcoming stops in Toronto and Carolina, making this a pivotal opportunity to secure points.

Take Columbus. Projected score: Columbus 3, New York 2.

Monday NBA Free play. My selection is on Utah plus the points over New Orleans at 8:10 pm ET on Monday.

We'll grab all the points we can with the revenge-minded Jazz as they return to New Orleans. Utah dropped a 136-123 decision here on Friday, marking their second consecutive defeat and fifth loss in their last six games. Despite the rough patch, this matchup offers the Jazz an opportunity to bounce back against a Pelicans team that has been overachieving of late.

New Orleans enters this game on a three-game SU win streak and has covered the spread in five straight contests. However, the Pelicans remain a woeful 11-32 SU on the season, which highlights the unsustainable nature of their recent surge. Utah is likely to adjust and bring a more competitive effort this time around, keeping this game close and possibly pulling off the upset.

Take Utah. Projected score: New Orleans 118, Utah 116.

My selection is on New York minus the points over Atlanta at 3:10 pm ET on Monday.

The Hawks are riding high with three consecutive wins, both SU and ATS, but I expect those streaks to end here as they head to New York for their third straight road game. Atlanta's recent victories have all come as underdogs, including an impressive upset in Boston on Saturday, which could leave them primed for a letdown in this spot.

Meanwhile, the Knicks have been idle since Friday's upset loss at home against Minnesota, giving them ample time to regroup and prepare. While New York has dropped three straight ATS, this matchup presents a great opportunity for them to rebound. The Knicks should benefit from fresher legs and the motivation to snap their skid, particularly in this matinee setting.

Take New York. Projected score: New York 114, Atlanta 102.

My selection is on Montana minus the points over Idaho at 9 pm ET on Monday.

Montana will be eager to rebound after a disappointing 86-62 road loss at Idaho State on Saturday. Despite that setback, Montana owns a stronger overall record than Idaho, having faced a more challenging schedule to date. The Grizzlies have displayed resilience in similar situations this season and will likely view this game as a key opportunity to get back on track.

Idaho enters this contest following a win and cover at home against Eastern Washington on Saturday. However, consistency has been an issue for the Vandals, as they’ve alternated wins and losses over their last four games. Given Idaho's inability to string together consecutive victories, this looks like a tough spot for them against a motivated Montana squad.

Take Montana. Projected score: Montana 77, Idaho 67.