Sports Handicapper Frank Sawyer's Picks & Predictions

Take Under the Total in the game between the UTSA Road Runners and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders. UTSA (10-7) has won seven straight games with their 76-74 upset victory over North Texas as a 2-point underdog. The Road Runners have covered the point spread in 8 straight games after a straight up win. UTSA has also covered the point spread in 4 straight games on the road. Middle Tennessee has lost three straight games with their 73-56 loss at Louisiana Tech as a 13-point underdog. The Blue Raiders have failed to cover the point spread in 11 of their last 13 games after a straight-up loss. Middle Tennessee has also failed to cover the point spread in 6 straight games at home. Take UTSA minus the points. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports CA$HED their 25* CBB ACC Total of the Month on Monday with the Florida State-Pittsburgh Under to further a  16 of 22 (73%) CBB TOTALS TEAR which has fueled a 54 of 79 (68%) CBB longer-term O/U mark! Now Frank spots ANOTHER OUTSTANDING O/U OPPORTUNITY with a 25* CBB Conference Total of the Month! DO NOT MISS OUT!

At 7:30 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the Texas-San Antonio Road Runners (621) and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (622). UTSA (10-7) has won seven straight games with their 76-74 win over North Texas as a 2-point underdog on Saturday. Middle Tennessee (3-14) has lost three straight games after their 73-56 loss at Louisiana Tech on Saturday as a 13-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: UTSA has played 14 of their last 19 games Under the Total after a straight-up win — and they have played 11 of their last 14 games Under the Total after a win against a conference rival. The Road Runners have also played 10 of their last 13 games Under the Total after winning six or seven of their last eight games. UTSA has held their last five opponents to just a 40.1% field goal percentage. The Road Runners lead Conference USA in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency in four games so far this season — and they rank 105th in the nation in Adjusted Defensive Efficiency overall. But UTSA also ranks a low 328th in the nation with an effective field goal percentage of 45.3%. The Road Runners make just 38.3% of their shots on the road. UTSA has played 5 of their last 7 games Under the Total on the road — and the Under is 5-2-1 in their last 8 road games against teams with a winning percentage below 40% on their home court. The Road Runners have also played 7 of their last 9 road games Under the Total with the number set in the 140 to 149.5 point range. Middle Tennessee has played 6 of their last 8 games Under the Total after a loss on the road — and they have played 8 of their last 11 games Under the Total after a point spread loss. The Blue Raiders made only four of their ten free throws in that game — and they have played 7 of their last 9 games Under the Total after shooting no better than 53% from the charity stripe in their last game. Middle Tennessee struggles to make baskets — they are 339th in the nation with an effective field goal percentage of 44.0% and the Blue Raiders are 329th in the country in Adjusted Offensive Efficiency. But this team does hold their visitors to just a 39.3% opponent’s field goal percentage. They have played 7 of their last 9 home games Under the Total with the number set in the 140 to 149.5 point range. Middle Tennessee has also played 16 of their last 22 games Under the Total with the number set in the 140 to 149.5 point range. And in their last 24 games as an underdog, the Blue Raiders have played 15 of these games Under the Total.

FINAL TAKE: Both these teams struggle to score baskets — but they are solid on the defensive end of the court (particularly with Middle Tennessee playing at home). These two teams have played 5 of their last 6 games Under the Total — expect another lower-scoring game between these two teams. 25* CBB Conference USA Total of the Month with Under the Total in the game between the Texas-San Antonio Road Runners (621) and the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders (622). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Take Over the Total in the game between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Indiana Pacers. Philadelphia (29-16) has won six of their last eight games with their 149-107 win over Minnesota on Tuesday. The 76ers have then played 4 straight games Over the Total after a double-digit win. Philadelphia has also played 12 of their last 15 road games Over the Total against teams with a winning percentage over 60% on their home court. Indiana (29-14) comes off a 131-97 win over Phoenix on Tuesday. The Pacers have played 9 straight games Over the Total after scoring at least 100 points in their last game. Indiana has also played 7 straight games Over the Total after a straight-up win. Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports was a WINNING 2-0-1 in the NBA last night — CA$HING on Boston and Portland while pushing with New Orleans (which some could have won or lost at +7.5 to +6.5) — to further a RED HOT 20 of 27 (74%) NBA run — and this includes a 13 of 15 (83%) NBA Sides mark during that span! Now Frank has tonight’s 76ers-Pacers’ ATS winner on TNT at 7:05 PM ET! WATCH & WIN — and BANK on Frank!

Frank DELIVERED his 25* NBA Wednesday ESPN Game of the Month last night on the Celtics to make it THREE STRAIGHT BASKETBALL HIGHEST-RATED 25* WINNERS THIS WEEK while furthering his 39 of 59 (66%) run with their highest-rated 25* plays along with a longer-term 53 of 79 (67%) All-Sports 25* run! Now Frank turns to College Basketball with his 25* CBB Conference Game of the Month! DON’T MISS OUT!

Take Under the Total in the game between the James Madison Dukes and the Delaware Blue Hens. James Madison (9-9) has won two straight games after their 74-65 win over Towson State on Saturday. The Dukes have then played 11 of their last 16 games Under the Total after a straight-up win. James Madison has also played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total on the road. Delaware (12-7) saw their four-game winning streak snapped with a 71-58 loss at the College of Charleston as a 10.5-point underdog. That result finished below the 136.5 point total which was the Blue Hens’ 5th game Under the Total in their last 7 games in Colonial Athletic Association competition. Furthermore, in the last 7 meetings between these two teams, the game finished Under the Total 6 times. Take the Under. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports was a WINNING 2-0-1 in the NBA last night — CA$HING on Boston and Portland while pushing with New Orleans (which some could have won or lost at +7.5 to +6.5) — to further a RED HOT 20 of 27 (74%) NBA run — and this includes a 13 of 15 (83%) NBA Sides mark during that span! Now Frank has tonight’s 76ers-Pacers’ ATS winner on TNT at 7:05 PM ET! WATCH & WIN — and BANK on Frank!

Frank DELIVERED his 25* NBA Wednesday ESPN Game of the Month last night on the Celtics to make it THREE STRAIGHT BASKETBALL HIGHEST-RATED 25* WINNERS THIS WEEK while furthering his 39 of 59 (66%) run with their highest-rated 25* plays along with a longer-term 53 of 79 (67%) All-Sports 25* run! Now Frank turns to College Basketball with a 25* CBB Conference Game of the Month! DON’T MISS OUT!

At 7:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Delaware Blue Hens (610) minus the points versus the James Madison Dukes (609). James Madison (12-7) had won four in a row before their 71-58 loss at the College of Charleston as a 10.5-point underdog on Saturday. James Madison (9-9) has won two straight games after their 74-65 win over Towson on Saturday as a 4-point favorite.

REASONS TO TAKE THE BLUE HENS MINUS THE POINTS: Delaware shot just 35.9% from the field which was the worst shooting effort for them in their last five games. They also allowed the Cougars to make 51% of their shots which was the worst defensive performance in their last five contests. The Blue Hens should bounce-back with a strong effort as they are 38-16-3 ATS in their last 57 games after a point spread loss — and this includes them covering the point spread in four of their last five games after a point spread loss. Furthermore, Delaware has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a loss on the road where they have failed to score at least 60 points. The Blue Hens have still covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after winning two of their last three games. They return home where they are 6-3 with an average winning margin of +6.1 PPG. Delaware makes a healthy 48.9% of their shots on their home court while limiting their guests to just a 41.7% field goal percentage. The Blue Hens have covered the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games on their home court — and they have covered the point spread in 7 of their last 10 home games against teams with a winning percentage below 40% on the road. Delaware has also covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games against conference opponents. When this team is on, they are making their 3s as they rank 43rd in the nation with a 37.7% shooting percentage from behind the arc. James Madison has failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a straight-up win — and they have covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a point spread loss. The Dukes go back on the road where they are just 3-7 with an average losing margin of -8.0 PPG. James Madison scores only 63.5 PPG when playing on the road where they are making just 39.9% of their shots — and they are also allowing their home hosts to make 46.2% of their shots. The Dukes have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games on the road — and they have also failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight road games against teams with a winning percentage over 60% on their home court. Lastly, James Madison has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 road games as an underdog.

FINAL TAKE: Delaware has been a surprise team in the Colonial Athletic Association — look for them to bounce-back with a decisive victory back on their home court against a James Madison team that is not very good when playing away from home. 25* CBB Colonial Athletic Association Game of the Month with the Delaware Blue Hens (610) minus the points versus the James Madison Dukes (609). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 9:35 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Oklahoma City Thunder (552) minus the points versus the Los Angeles Lakers (551). THE SITUATION: Oklahoma City (26-17) has lost four of their last five games with their 142-126 loss in Atlanta on Tuesday as a 10.5-point favorite. Los Angeles (24-21) enters this game coming off a 107-100 win over Chicago as a 7-point favorite on Tuesday.

REASONS TO TAKE THE THUNDER MINUS THE POINTS: Oklahoma City played their worst defensive game of the season as they allowed the Hawks to make 62.2% of their shots which is the highest opponent’s field goal percentage they have given up all season. The Thunder also made only 45.7% of their shots which was the lowest field goal percentage in their last four contests. Oklahoma City has lost and failed to cover the point spread in four of their last five games and might have hit rock bottom with that bad loss to an Atlanta team firmly committed to tanking to create the best opportunity to draft Zion Williamson next June. The Thunder have covered the point spread in 12 of their last 16 games after losing four of tier last five games — and they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after failing to cover the point spread in four or five of their last six games. Furthermore, Oklahoma City have covered the point spread in 6 straight games after scoring at least 125 points. The Thunder have also played four straight Overs — and they have covered the point spread 7 of their last 9 games after playing at least two straight Overs. They return home where they are 14-6 with an average winning margin of +7.4 PPG. Los Angeles will be playing without both LeBron James and Rajon Rondo for the twelfth straight game tonight as they remain out with injuries. The Lakers are just 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 games after a straight-up win. Los Angeles has also failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after scoring at least 100 points in their last game — and they are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing at least 100 points in their last contest. The Lakers are struggling to shoot the basketball with James on the court to lead the offense — they are making just 43.8% of their shots over their last five games. Now this team goes back on the road to travel to Oklahoma City where they have failed to cover the point spread in 16 of their last 21 games.

FINAL TAKE: LA will be looking to avenge a 107-100 loss at home to the Thunder back on January 2nd — but they have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 7 opportunities to avenge a same-season loss. The Thunder should play very hard on the defensive end of the court to redeem themselves from their disappointing effort on Tuesday. 10* NBA Wednesday Late Show Bailout with the Oklahoma City Thunder (552) minus the points versus the Los Angeles Lakers (551). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 7:05 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the Indiana Pacers (544) minus the points versus the Philadelphia 76ers (543). THE SITUATION: Indiana (29-14) has won nine of their last eleven games with their 131-97 win over Phoenix on Tuesday as a 10.5-point favorite. Philadelphia (29-16) has won six of their last eight games with their 149-107 win over Minnesota on Tuesday as a 6-point favorite.

REASONS TO TAKE THE PACERS MINUS THE POINTS: We had the 76ers on Tuesday with the expectation that the team would be inspired to support Jimmy Butler in his first opportunity to play against his former team. Philly responded with their best offensive performance of their season with those 149 points along with a 59.8% field goal percentage. The Sixers also played hard on the defensive end of the court as they held the Timberwolves to just a 38.9% field goal percentage which was the best defensive effort in their last nine games. I expect a big emotional letdown from this team tonight. As it is, the Sixers have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a point spread loss — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a double-digit win. Philadelphia has also failed to cover the point spread in 7 straight games on the road after a win by at least 10 points. Furthermore, the 76ers have failed to cover the point spread in 12 of their last 15 games after winning at least two in a row — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 10 games after scoring at least 130 points in their last contest. Despite their strong defensive effort on Tuesday, the Sixers have allowed their last five opponents to make 48.1% of their shots. Despite the kumbaya moment against Butler’s former teammates, this Philadelphia team still has chemistry issues of their own with Butler and Joel Embiid having difficulty sharing the basketball. Now this team goes back on the road where they are 10-12 with an average losing margin of -4.5 PPG. The 76ers have failed to cover the point spread in 17 of their last 25 games on the road — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5  road games against teams with a winning record on the road. The Sixers have also failed to cover the point spread in 10 of their last 14 road games with the Total set in the 220 to 229.5 point range. Indiana comes off a big win that had the added benefit of affording the opportunity for Victor Oladipo to rest most of the second half. The Pacers made 51.7% of their shots again the Suns — and they have made 49.2% of their shots over their last five games. Indiana has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a point spread win. And while the Pacers have only covered the point spread in two of their last seven games, they have covered the point spread in 21 of their last 30 games after failing to cover the point spread in five or six of their last seven games. Indiana stays at home where they are 15-5 this season with an average winning margin of +10.3 PPG. The Pacers make 47.1% of their shots at home — and they limit their guests to only 97.0 PPG along with a 41.8% field goal percentage. Indiana has covered the point spread in 29 of their last 47 home games when laying no more than 6 points. The Pacers have also covered the point spread in 19 of their last 28 games against teams with a winning record.

FINAL TAKE: Indiana may not have the superstar names like Butler, Embiid and Ben Simmons, but head coach Nate McMillan has a deep roster of players that buy into his concepts of team play and tough defense. 20* NBA Indiana-Philadelphia TNT Special with the Indiana Pacers (544) minus the points versus the Philadelphia 76ers (543). Best of luck for us — Frank.