Sports Handicapper Frank Sawyer's Picks & Predictions

At 7:40 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the Brooklyn Nets (551) and the Boston Celtics (552). THE SITUATION: Brooklyn (15-43) has lost six games in a row after their 126-118 loss at home against San Antonio last night. Boston (38-20) saw their four-game winning streak snapped in a 103-84 loss at Denver as a 3.5-point underdog on Wednesday. 

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Nets have played 13 of their last 20 games Under the Total after a straight-up loss at home. They have also played 5 of their last 6 games on the road Under the Total when playing without a day of rest. This is their third game since Tuesday — and they have played 6 of their last 8 games on the road Under the Total when playing for the third time in the four days. The only somewhat reliable scorer on the team now is Michael Porter, Jr. — but he has made only 8 of his 38 shots from behind the arc in their five games since the All-Star break for a dismal 21.0% shooting clip. The rotation is mostly rookies who are on a tryout for bigger roles next season. Brooklyn is scoring only 99.6 Points-Per-Game since the return from the break — and they are quite capable of clunkers as they scored only 84 and 86 points in two of those five contests. The Nets have played 18 of their last 29 games on the road Under the Total — and they have played 6 of their last 8 road games Under the Total as an underdog getting at least +12.5 points. Boston has played 8 of their last 10 games Under the Total after a straight-up loss on the road, including all four of their games then played at home. They have played 5 of their last 7 games Under the Total after failing to score more than 100 points in their last game. Additionally, this is also their third game since Tuesday — and they have played 12 of their last 16 games Under the Total when playing for the third time in four days. The Celtics should play better on defense after the Nuggets shot 41.9% from the field against them. While that is not a bad number, it was the best any opponent has shot against them in their last three games. Boston has taken their defense to another level this month as they lead the NBA in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency during that span. They return home, where they have played 17 of their last 27 games Under the Total — and they have played 14 of their last 22 home games Under the Total when favored. They have played 9 of their last 12 home games Under the Total against teams with a losing record. They have also played 9 of their last 13 games Under the Total when laying double-digits, including 7 of those 10 games played at home. 

FINAL TAKE: These two teams have played 6 straight Unders when playing at Boston’s TD Garden. The last game between these two teams was on January 23rd in a 130-126 victory on the road for the Celtics. The Nets have played 16 of their last 25 games Under the Total when playing with same-season revenge. 25* NBA Atlantic Division Total of the Month with Under the Total in the game between the Brooklyn Nets (551) and the Boston Celtics (552). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 7:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing the Saint Peter’s Peacocks (870) minus the points versus the Manhattan Jaspers (869). THE SITUATION: Saint Peter’s (15-11) has lost two games in a row after their 72-63 loss at Siena as a 6-point underdog last Sunday. Manhattan (12-17) saw their three-game winning streak snapped in an 84-70 loss at home against Marist as a 5-point underdog last Friday. 

REASONS TO TAKE THE PEACOCKS MINUS THE POINTS: Saint Peter’s should rebound with a strong effort as they have covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games at home after a straight-up loss. The Peacocks are not a good shooting team — but they remain intriguing because they are very good at generating additional scoring opportunities for themselves. Saint Peter’s ranks 21st in the nation by forcing turnovers in 20.4% of their opponents’ possessions. They also pull down 36.7% of their missed shots, ranking 18th in the nation. They should get plenty of second-chance scoring opportunities against this Jaspers’ team that ranks 11th-worst in the nation by allowing their opponents to pull down 36.7% of their missed shots. The Peacocks return home, where they are scoring +4.1 more points per 100 adjusted possessions. They also surrender -8.2 fewer points per 100 adjusted possessions. They enjoy the eighth-best improvement in Adjusted Net Efficiency when playing at home. Saint Peter’s has covered the point spread in 9 of their last 11 games at home — and they have covered the point spread in 7 of those 9 games when either favored or a pick ‘em. Manhattan has failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 8 games after a straight-up loss to a fellow Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference opponent. And while they allowed Marist to make 55.2% of their shots, they have then failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 8 games after allowing their most recent opponent to make 55% or more of their shots. The Jaspers are a terrible defensive team that ranks eighth-worst in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency. But on the road, they are also scoring -5.0 fewer points per 100 adjusted possessions, which is the 295th worst drop in efficiency in the nation. The culprit is their shooting inside the arc as they are only making 45.4% of their 2-point shots on the road, ranking 330th. Manhattan has failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games on the road. They have also failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 11 games with the Total set in the 140s. 

FINAL TAKE: The Jaspers have failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 9 road games as an underdog or pick ‘em — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight road games as an underdog of 6.5 to 12 points. 25* CBB Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Game of the Month with Saint Peter’s Peacocks (870) minus the points versus the Manhattan Jaspers (869). Best of luck for us — Frank.