Sports Handicapper Dan Kaiser's Picks & Predictions

The Magic were considered one of the best teams in the East, but have struggled out of the gate at 1-2. Paolo Banchero leads the team with 19.7 points and 9 rebounds per game. Franz Wagner is putting up 22.7points a game. This is Orlando's first road game of the season. They went 19-22 on the road last year. Orlando is putting up 110 points per game, ranking 26th. The Magic have given up 114 points, good for seventh in the NBA. The Philadelphia 76ers were not expected to be a serious challenger in the East. Tyrese Maxey has put up 34 points a game so far, and rookie guard VJ Edgecomb has added 24.5. The 76ers went 12-29 at home last season. Philadelphia is putting up 121 points in two games, ranking 11th. They have given up 118.5 points, ranking 12th. Joel Embiid (knee) is out for this game. The Magic were 3-1 in the head-to-head matchups last season. I like the Magic to win here as well.

Play on Orlando. This is a FREE PLAY!

Toronto is on the second game of a back-to-back. Last season, Toronto was 3-12 in the second game of back-to-back situations with a -10.3-ppg scoring differential. Toronto went 9-21 against the Western Conference last season. This season, Toronto is 6th in scoring with 127 points per game. On the defensive end, they are 17th in scoring defense at 120 points per game. San Antonio is also on the second leg of a back-to-back. The Spurs are tied for 11th in scoring offense at 121 points per game. On the defensive end, they are 3rd in the league in scoring defense at 105 points per game. The Spurs are dealing with a lot of injuries. Both teams are on the second leg of a back-to-back. The Spurs were at home, but Toronto had to travel for this game. Last season, Toronto was terrible on the second leg, and until they prove me otherwise this season, I will have ot fade them here.

Play on San Antonio. This is a 3% play.

The Dallas Mavericks have started the season at 1-2. They will be playing their fourth straight home game. The Oklahoma City Thunder have started the season a perfect 3-0. Dallas won three of four against Dallas last season, all as an underdog. Two of the Thunder's three wins have come in overtime. Oklahoma City ranks 13th in offensive rating and fourth in defensive rating. SGA is averaging 40 points, six rebounds, and five assists. Chet Holmgren has added 24.7 points and 10 rebounds. They have been doing it without Jalen Williams. Williams will also not play against Dallas. Also, Alex Caruso is out with a concussion, and Chet Holmgren is listed as day-to-day. This is the second game of a back-to-back for Dallas. Dallas ranks 28th in offensive rating and 18th defensively. The Mavericks are without Kyrie Irving until January. Anthony Davis has been putting up 24.7 points, 12 rebounds, 2.3 steals, and 1.7 blocks. P.J. Washington has added 17.3 points and seven rebounds per game, while rookie Cooper Flagg has chipped in 16.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists. Mavericks have struggled offensively this season and could struggle tonight playing their second game in a row. Take  OKC in this one.

Play on OKC, this is a 3% play.

Atlanta is 1-2 and will face 2-0 Chicago. Chicago is 6-4 in its last 10 games against Atlanta. Atlanta is 28th in scoring at 109.7 points per game. Trae Young leads Atlanta with 20.7 points and seven assists per game. Kristaps Porzingis is averaging 20 points and seven rebounds per game. On the defensive end, they are giving up 120.7 points per game, which is 19th. Jalen Johnson and Kristaps Porzingis are questionable. Chicago is 23rd in scoring at 112.5 points per game. Nikola Vucevic leads the Bulls with 21.5 points and 11 rebounds per game. Josh Giddey averages 20 points, 6.5 rebounds, and seven assists per game. Giddey is questionable, and Coby White is out until early November. On the defensive end, they are giving up 104.5 points per game. The Bulls are the better offensive team, and rebounding team. The Bulls should be able to take advantage of a Hawks defense that has not played well this season.

Play on Chicago. This is a 4% play.

The St. Louis Blues face the Pittsburgh Penguins in NHL action. The Blues are 3-4-1 and in the middle of the Central Division, but have lost back-to-back games. The Penguins are 6-2-1 and have the second-best record in the Metropolitan Division. The Blues are putting up 3.00 goals per game. The Blues’ defense needs to see some stark improvement, as they are letting up 4.13 goals per game, including 13 goals in the last two games. Jordan Binnington has posted a .872 save percentage and 3.12 goals-against average. The Pittsburgh Penguins are putting up 3.56 goals per game, scoring 14 goals in their last three games. On the defensive end, they are giving up 2.56 goals per game. Arturs Silovs has posted a .914 save percentage and a 2.56 goals-against average. Joel Hofer will be in goal for St. Louis. He is 1-1 with a 6.21 GAA and a .789 save percentage.  The Penguins will go with Tristan Jarry in net. He is 3-1 with a 2,51 GAA and a .921 save percentage.  The Penguons are at home, have the better goaltender, and I am getting + money. Count me in.

Play on, Pittsburgh. This is a 3% play.

The Los Angeles Dodgers were able to take home-field advantage with a win in game one at home, with a sweep.  The Jays took Game 1 with a nine-run sixth inning. In Game 2, Toronto was limited to four hits. Max Scherzer gets the start for the Jays. In 17 regular-season starts, he was 5-5 with a 5.19 ERA, a 1.294 WHIP, and 82 strikeouts in 85 innings of work. In the postseason, he is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA and a 1.235 WHIP. In his last three starts, Scherzer is 1-2 with a 10.32 ERA, a 2.21 WHIP. The LA bullpen struggled in Game 1, but in Game 2, Yoshinobu Yamamoto didn’t give the bullpen a chance. He threw a complete game, allowing one run on four hits. Tyler Glasnow gets the start for the Dodgers tonight. In 18 regular-season starts, he was 4-3 with a 3.19 ERA, a 1.096 WHIP, with 106 strikeouts in 90.1 innings of work. In the postseason, he has no record with a 0.68 ERA, a 1.125 WHIP, with 18 strikeouts in 13.1 innings. The Dodgers’ offense is explosive at home, and they will be facing a pitcher in Scherzer who has pitched just once in the postseason. Toronto will need to go to the pen at some time. LA has the momentum and will have an advantage on the mound.

Play on LA, this is a 4% play.