Will Rogers

The set-up: Both teams come in off losses. Ottawa fell 8-7 on the road to Chicago, while New Jersey lost 4-3 at home to Pittsburgh. The Sens have now lost seven of their last ten. Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson is 3-13 with a 4.35 GAA on the road and the Senators are only 8-21 overall on the road, averaging 3.03 goals and allowing 4.38 in those contests. The Devils haven’t been much better, as they come in having lost six of their last nine. Devils’ goalie Cory Schneider is 6-5 with a 2.21 GAA lifetime vs. Ottawa. New Jersey is 15-14 at home, averaging 3.13 goals and allowing 2.87 in those games. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but Ottawa is 9-4 in its last 13 home games as a favorite in the -110 to -150 range, while Ottawa is a poor 16-49 in its last 65 as a road underdog. This one has beatdown written all over it. Lay the price.

10* play

The set-up: SIU Edwardsville Cougars enter off a 73-69 loss to Tennessee-Martin last time out. The Cougars are struggling down the stretch having lost four straight and I don’t see that trend of futility ending tonight. The Cougars allow over 80 PPG on average to their opponents. Tennessee State Tigers look to take advantage and to bounce back from an 84-65 loss to Jacksonville State on Saturday. The Tigers won’t be lacking for motivation here either as they enter having lost three straight. 

The pick: Take it for what you will as well though, but the Cougars are just 3-9 ATS on the road this year and only 5-9 ATS following a conference game, while the Tigers are already 4-1 ATS this season after three or more consecutive SU losses. I’m banking on the home floor advantage being the difference. Lay the points.

10* play

The set-up: Jayson Tatum of the Cetlics predicted that his team would win the Championship this year over the All Star break. Whether or not that bold prediction comes true will come with time, but I do think that the C’s can keep this one competitive, if not even take it outright. Boston scored the 118-110 home win over Detroit in its final game before the break, while Milwaukee earned the 106-97 road win over Indiana in its latest action. These teams have been competitive this year, having split two games thus far. Boston averages 113 PPG and it allows 106.6. The Bucks average 116.9 PPG and they allow 107.1. 

The pick: With Kyrie Irving expected to suit up tonight, the Celtics become even more dangerous in the first game back from the break. Note that the Celtics are 9-3 ATS in their last 12 when playing with three or more days rest, while the Bucks are only 3-10 ATS in their last 13 when playing with three or more days rest. Grab the points.

10* play