Sports Handicapper Frank Sawyer's Picks & Predictions

Take Over the Total in the game between the New Orleans Pelicans and the Phoenix Suns. New Orleans (5-9) has won their last two games with their 115-104 win over Portland on Tuesday. The Pelicans have covered the point spread in those two games as the favorite — and they have played 10 of their last 14 games Over the Total after covering their last two games as the favorite. New Orleans has played three straight Unders — but they have then played 10 of their last 14 games Over the Total after playing three straight Unders. Phoenix (7-6) has lost three of their last four games after their 120-116 loss at Sacramento on Tuesday. The Suns have then played 10 of their last 12 games Over the Total after a straight-up loss. Phoenix has also played 5 of their last 6 games Over the Total at home. Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports DELIVERED their 25* NBA Northwest Division Game of the Month last night on Utah who beat Minnesota to help continue their 15 of 24 (63%) All-Sports run over the last six days along with a RED HOT 10 of 13 (77%) Game of the Month/Year run in All-Sports run! Now Frank UNLEASHES his 25* NBA Thursday TNT Game of the Month for tonight’s New Orleans-Phoenix ATS winner at 10:35 PM ET — DO NOT MISS IT!

Frank EASILY DELIVERED his 25* NHL Western Conference Game of the Month on Tuesday with Dallas’ 6-1 win over Vancouver to help further his RED HOT 10 of 13 (77%) Game of the Month/Year run in All-Sports! Frank begins Thursday on a NEAR PERFECT 4 of 5 (80%) NHL run which has improved his 35 of 57 (61%) NHL mark along with his SIZZLING 27 of 42 (64%) NHL run with their highest-rated 25* plays! Frank chooses his battles carefully in the NHL in the first half of the season — and he furthers his 17 of 26 (65%) NHL Sides run along with his longer-term 74 of 114 (65%) NHL Side mark of underdogs and favorites never priced higher than -150 with his 25* NHL Underdog of the Month tonight! DON’T MISS IT!

At 10:35 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Phoenix Suns (526) minus the points versus the New Orleans Pelicans (525). THE SITUATION: Phoenix (7-6) has lost two straight games as well as three of their last four contests after their 120-116 loss at Sacramento as a 3-point underdog on Tuesday. New Orleans (5-9) has won their last two games after their 115-104 win over Portland as a 3-point favorite on Tuesday.

REASONS TO TAKE THE SUNS MINUS THE POINTS: Both these young teams are M*A*S*H units right now — I will address that in my Final Take. The Pelicans are due for an emotional letdown as they win these games at less than full strength. New Orleans has failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a point spread win — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 49 of their last 78 road games after a double-digit win at home. Now this team goes back on the road where they are just 1-5 this season while getting outscored by -7.0 PPG due to a defense that is allowing 120.8 PPG. The Pelicans are allowing their last five opponents to make 48.7% of their shots. New Orleans has failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 road games as an underdog. The Pelicans have also failed to cover the point spread in 7 of the last 10 games against teams with a winning record. Phoenix has been one of the surprises of the league with their fast start before suffering their recent slide. Head coach Monty Williams has done a nice job with this team — and they have an underrated rising star in Devin Booker. The Suns have bounced-back to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a straight-up loss. Now they return home where they are 5-4 while outscoring their opponents by +5.0 PPG due to an offense that is scoring 115.2 PPG on 47.6% shooting from the field. Phoenix has covered the point spread in 7 of their last 10 home games — and they have covered the point spread in 4 straight home games against teams with a winning percentage no better than 40% on the road. The Suns have also covered the point spread in 4 straight games against teams with a winning percentage below 40% overall — and they have covered the point spread in 7 of their last 10 games with the Total set at 220 or higher.

FINAL TAKE: The Suns are still without center DeAndre Ayton who is serving his 25-game suspension — and they will be without big man Aron Baynes who is dealing with a hip injury. Ricky Rubio is also doubtful for this game with a back issue. But they still have Kelly Oubre and Dario Saric to complement the best player on the court tonight in Booker. The Pelicans still have Jrue Holliday — but Derrick Favors and Josh Hart are out tonight along with Zion Williamson and Lonzo Ball is questionable to miss his seventh straight game with his ankle injury. 25* NBA Thursday TNT Game of the Month with the Phoenix Suns (526) minus the points versus the New Orleans Pelicans (525). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Take the North Carolina State Wolfpack minus the points versus Georgia Tech. NC State (4-6) has lost four straight games after their 34-20 loss to Louisville on Saturday. But the Wolfpack have then covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games played on a Thursday night under head coach Dave Doeren. NC State is also 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 road games against teams with a losing record at home. Georgia Tech (2-8) has lost three in a row with their 45-0 loss to Virginia Tech. The Yellow Jackets have then failed to cover the point spread in 10 of their last 14 games after a double-digit loss at home. Georgia Tech has also failed to cover the point spread in 7 straight games at home. Lay the points with NC State. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports DELIVERED their 25* NFL Monday Night Football Total of the Month on Monday with the Kansas City-LA Chargers Under to further a RED HOT 6 of 8 (75%) NFL Prime-Time run along with a longer-term 133 of 210 (63%) NFL Prime-Time mark! Frank is on a NEAR PERFECT 7 of 8 (88%) Football Game of the Month/Year run — and now he furthers his 44 of 71 (62%) NFL TOTALS TEAR along with his 65 of 102 (64%) Football Totals run with his highest-rated 25* plays with his 25* NFL Thursday Night Football Total of the Month with tonight’s Indianapolis-Houston O/U winner on Fox-TV at 8:20 PM ET! DON’T MISS OUT!

Frank GOT OUT HIS BROOM FOR THE TWELFTH TIME LAST SUNDAY in the NFL this season for Prime-Time games with the Rams and the Chicago-LA  Under to make it THIRTY-THREE NFL PRIME-TIME SWEEPS over the last two seasons! Frank is ON FIRE with NFL Sides plays with his RED HOT 10 of 15 (67%) NFL Sides run! Now Frank turns to Thursday Night Football on a 6 of 8 (75%) NFL Prime-Time run which has continued his 61 of 97 (63%) NFL Prime-Time run which is RIGHT IN LINE with his consistent longer-term 133 of 210 (63%) NFL Prime-Time mark  — and now he has tonight’s Colts-Texans’ ATS winner on Fox-TV at 8:20 PM ET! WATCH & WIN — and BANK on Frank!

Frank was 1-1 in All-Sports on Wednesday — CA$HING his 25* NBA Northwest Division Game of the Month on Utah but losing their CFB play on Toledo — to continue his SIZZLING 15 of 24 (63%) All-Sports run over the last six days! Frank is now on a RED HOT 9 of 13 (69%) CFB run which has continued his CONSISTENTLY RELIABLE 67 of 111 (60%) CFB mark going back to last season! Now Frank has tonight’s NC State-Georgia Tech O/U winner on ESPN at 8 PM ET! WATCH & WIN — and BANK on Frank!

At 8:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack (111) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (112). THE SITUATION: NC State (4-6) has lost four games in a row with their 34-20 loss to Louisville last Saturday as a 4.5-point underdog. Georgia Tech (2-8) has lost three straight games after their 45-0 loss at home to Virginia Tech last Saturday as a 6-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Wolfpack are relying on a redshirt freshman quarterback in Devin Leary as they hope to make it to a bowl game for a sixth straight season. NC State is scoring only 22.9 PPG this year which is 104th in the nation — and they are scoring just 18.5 PPG while averaging 342.5 total YPG in their four games on the road. Leary will likely struggle in this nationally televised game on the road tonight behind a team that has played 10 of their last 14 games Under the Total away from home. The Wolfpack has also played 6 straight games Under the Total on the road as an underdog — and they have played 6 of their last 7 road games against teams with a losing record at home. Additionally, the NC State has played 19 of their last 26 games under the Total against teams with a losing record. And in their last 22 games in conference play, the Wolfpack have played 15 of these games Under the Total. Georgia Tech is also relying on a redshirt freshman in quarterback James Graham who hit rock bottom after completing just 7 of 14 passes for 43 yards before being benched on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets trailed by a 21-0 score to the Hokies before even getting their first 1st down. Georgia Tech has played 9 of their last 11 games Under the Toal after a loss by at least four touchdowns in their last game. The Yellow Jackets stay at home where they have played 5 of their last 6 games Under the Total. Georgia Tech has also played 5 of their last 6 games Under the Total after allowing at least 42 points in their last game. This Yellow Jackets team has struggled to move the football in the transition from a spread triple-option attack to a pro-style formation in the first year under head coach Geoff Collins. Georgia Tech is scoring only 16.5 PPG while averaging 290.2 total YPG which is tied for 124th and 125th in the FBS. In their five games at home, the Yellow Jackets are scoring only 14.0 PPG along with just 241.4 total YPG.

FINAL TAKE: Georgia Tech has played 23 of their last 33 games Under the Total when playing on a Thursday night — and the Under is an incredible 19-1-1 in NC State’s last 21 games played on a Thursday. 10* CFB NC State-Georgia Tech ESPN O/U Special with Under the Total in the game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack (111) and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (112). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 9:05 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the money-line on the Toronto Maple Leafs (21) versus the Arizona Coyotes (22). THE SITUATION: Toronto (9-10-4) has lost six straight games after their 4-2 loss in Las Vegas to the Golden Knights on Tuesday. Arizona (13-7-2) has won two straight games as well as four of their last five contests with their 3-0 win over Los Angeles on Monday.

REASONS TO TAKE THE MAPLE LEAFS WITH THE MONEY-LINE: Head coach Mike Babcock was fired yesterday with this Toronto team with Stanley Cup aspirations reeling out of control. Management needed to make a move — and the proverbial old saying that you can’t fire the players applies in this spot. The writing was probably on the wall last year when President Brendan Shanahan hired the analytics wonder boy, Kyle Dubas, to be his general manager. Babcock is more of an old school coach — and it is always a bit icy when the head coach was not the selection of the general manager. Dubas’ top choice was presumably assistant coach Sheldon Keefe who has worked for Dubas in the minor leagues where they both had success culminating with the Toronto Marlies. The players understood this dynamic — so their lack of effort over the last few weeks helped seal the fate of Babcock who can be hard on his players. Expect this Maple Leafs team to step up with one of their best efforts of the season to validate Dubas’ decision to sack a Stanley Cup-winning coach. I am not sure about the construction of this roster to make a deep playoff run — but this is still a very good team. Toronto ranks 5th in the NFL in Corsi-For percentage which measures puck possession which indicates they should be seeing better results. Injuries have not helped — but captain John Tavares is back in the mix. The Maple Leafs have lost eight of their eleven games decided by one goal. But even without the team having the extra motivation to prove themselves after the griping to their agents that got back to Toronto management got Babcock removed, this team was likely to respond with a strong effort tonight. The Maple Leafs have won 9 of their last 14 games after a loss by at least three goals. Toronto has also won 15 of their last 21 games after losing five or six of their last seven games. And while they surrendered three goals in the third period on Tuesday to Vegas, they have then won 20 of their last 28 road games after allowing at least two goals in the third period in their last game. Lack of focus and discipline on defense has been the biggest issue for this team — they have allowed at least five goals in five straight games. But Toronto has then won 16 of their last 25 games after allowing at least four goals in three straight contests. And while they have lost their last three games by multiple goals, they have then won 5 of their last 6 road games after losing at least two in a row by two or more goals. Arizona has shut out their last two opponents — but they have then lost 52 of their last 71 games after not allowing more than two goals in two straight games. The Coyotes are getting outstanding goaltending from Darcy Kuemper and Antti Raanta — they lead the NHL in on-ice save percentage of .913. Unfortunately for Arizona, that is a fickle metric that is susceptible to regression — it suggests to me that this team that missed the playoffs last year is overachieving. As it is, the Coyotes have lost 16 of their last 25 games after a win at home by at least two goals. Arizona has also lost 30 of their last 47 games at home in the first half of the regular season. And in their last 7 games against teams with a winning percentage at 40% or worse. The analytics also suggest this Coyotes team is overachieving — they rank 23rd in the league in Corsi-For Percentage and 25th in the NHL in Fenwick-For Percentage.

FINAL TAKE: As if the Maple Leafs needed even more motivation, this is a homecoming game for their superstar, Auston Matthews, who grew up in nearby Scottsdale. Look for one of the best efforts of the season from Toronto which should translate into a victory over an upstart Coyotes team. 25* NHL Underdog of the Month with the money-line on the Toronto Maple Leafs (21) versus the Arizona Coyotes (22). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 8:20 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Houston Texans (110) minus the points versus the Indianapolis Colts (109). THE SITUATION: Indianapolis (6-4) snapped their two-game losing streak on Sunday with their 33-13 win over Jacksonville as a 2.5-point favorite. Houston (6-4) saw their two-game winning streak end on Sunday with their 41-7 loss at Baltimore as a 4-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE THE TEXANS MINUS THE POINTS: The Texans should respond with a strong effort after their embarrassing effort on Sunday as they are 7-1-1 ATS in their last 9 games after a point spread loss. They also are 16-7-1 ATS in their last 24 games are failing to score more than 14 points in their last game. Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 18 of 29 passes against the Ravens for just 169 yards in that game with Houston only finishing with 110 net passing yards — but they have then covered the point spread in 4 straight games after failing to pass for at least 150 passing yards. Now the Texans return home where they are 3-1 this season where they are outgaining their opponents by +44.5 net YPG. Houston has been playing much better defense as those where they are holding their visitors to just 21.0 PPG along with only 332.2 total YPG. They were gouged for 263 rushing yards to the Ravens’ rushing attack last week — but they have then covered the point spread in 9 of their last 12 games after allowing at least 150 rushing yards in their last game. And while Houston has given up 408.3 total YPG over their last three games, they have then covered the point spread in 20 of their last 27 games after allowing at last 400 YPG over their last three games. The Texans have also covered the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games in November. Indianapolis has failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 11 games after a win at home. And while the Colts have won four of their last six games, they have then failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 11 games after winning four or five of their last six contests. The Indianapolis offense will be hampered with injuries for this game being played on a short week. Running back Marlon Mack will also be out several weeks after fracturing his hand last week in the third quarter after leading the team with 108 rushing yards. And while wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight end Eric Ebron has practiced yesterday and are expected to play tonight, their respective effectiveness remains in question as they are dealing with their calf and ankle injuries. Even backup running back, Jordan Wilkins, is slowed with a hamstring injury. QB Jacoby Brissett completed 15 of 24 passes for 148 passing yards last week — and Indy has failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after passing for no more than 150 passing yards in their last game. These are far from optimal conditions for an offense that ranks 21st in the NFL by averaging 343.8 total YPG — and that number drops to just 330.7 total YPG that they average on the road. The Colts go back on the road after playing their last two games at home — but they have then failed to cover the point spread in 5 of the last 7 games after a two-game homestand. And while Indianapolis has not allowed more than 90 rushing yards in three straight games, they have then failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 10 games after not allowing more than 99 rushing yards in three straight games.

FINAL TAKE: This is a rematch of the Colts’ 30-23 win over the Texans back on October 20th in Indianapolis where they were 1.5-point favorites. Houston has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games when avenging a loss on the road — and they have covered the point spread in 27 of their last 39 games when playing with revenge from a loss where they allowed at least 28 points. 10* NFL Indianapolis-Houston Fox-TV Special with the Houston Texans (110) minus the points versus the Indianapolis Colts (109). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 8:20 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the Indianapolis Colts (109) and the Houston Texans (110). THE SITUATION: Indianapolis (6-4) snapped their two-game losing streak on Sunday with their 33-13 win over Jacksonville as a 2.5-point favorite. Houston (6-4) saw their two-game winning streak end on Sunday with their 41-7 loss at Baltimore as a 4-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Colts have played been playing defense as of late. They are 11th in the NFL by allowing 325.6 total YPG but over their last three games that mark has lowered to just 270.0 total YPG — and they have held their last there opponents to only 18.3 PPG. But the Indianapolis offense will be hampered with injuries for this game being played on a short week. Running back Marlon Mack will also be out several weeks after fracturing his hand last week in the third quarter after leading the team with 108 rushing yards. And while wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight end Eric Ebron has practiced yesterday and are expected to play tonight, their respective effectiveness remains in question as they are dealing with their calf and ankle injuries. Even backup running back, Jordan Wilkins, is slowed with a hamstring injury. These are far from optimal conditions for an offense that ranks 21st in the NFL by averaging 343.8 total YPG — and that number drops to just 330.7 total YPG that they average on the road. The Colts have played 8 of their last 10 road games Under the Total against teams with a winning record at home. Indianapolis has also played 13 of their last 16 games Under the Total against teams with a winning record. Additionally, Indianapolis has played 8 of their last 11 games Under the Total in November — and they have played 13 of their last 19 games Under the Total against fellow AFC South opponents. Houston has played 8 of their last 11 games Under the Total after a loss on the road — and they have played 5 of their last 7 games Under the Total after a loss by at least two touchdowns. The Texans managed only 232 yards last week — and they have played 5 straight games Under the Total after failing to generate at least 250 yards in their last game. Houston has also played 11 of their last 15 games Under the Total after not scoring more than 14 points in their last contest. The Texans are scoring just 20.0 PPG over their last three games while averaging just 343.3 total YPG with both marks far below their 24.5 PPG and 380.2 total YPG season averages. Now Houston returns home where they have played 7 of their last 8 games Under the Total. The Texans have been playing much better defense as those where they are holding their visitors to just 21.0 PPG along with only 332.2 total YPG. Houston has allowed 408.3 total YPG over their last three games — but they have then played 12 of their last 15 home games Under the Total after allowing at least 400 total YPG over their last three games. The Texans have also played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total after allowing at least 30 points in their last game. And in their last 6 games against AFC South opponents, Houston has played 5 of these games Under the Total.

FINAL TAKE: This is a rematch of the Colts’ 30-23 victory over Houston back on October 20th. But despite that game finished above the 46.5 point Total, these team two teams have played 5 of their last 7 meetings Under the Total. 25* NFL Thursday Night Football Total of the Month with Under the Total in the game between the Indianapolis Colts (109) and the Houston Texans (110). Best of luck for us — Frank.