Sports Handicapper Joseph D'Amico's Picks & Predictions

Dallas Mavericks.

With all respect to the NBA's best team, the Oklahoma City Thunder, they are regularly overvalued by oddsmakers. Yes, there are 21-1 straight up this season. But they've only covered 11 of their 22 outings, which includes no covers in six of their last nine games. Granted the Mavericks leave a lot to be desired. But one thing they don't leave to be desired, is ATS covers. They are on a three-game cover streak in which they've also won all three of those games, which includes two away games. These two teams met at the end of October in Dallas when OKC prevailed 101-94. That was Cooper Flagg’s season-low as far as scoring and shooting. The standout rookie accounted for just two-points on just 1-of-9 shooting. Right now, the 18-year-old became the youngest player in the NBA history to score 20 or more points in three consecutive games. During their three-game win streak, he is averaging 27.0 PPG, and 59.3% shooting from the floor. I feel he will play a significant role in this matchup, and keep this game a lot closer than the pointspread.

Memphis Grizzlies.

I think the line is off in this matchup. I feel the Grizzlies should be a two-point fav here. But that's OK, we can take advantage of the mistake made by the oddsmakers. Following a six-game losing streak in this rivalry up until last March, Memphis took the only meeting this season, a little more than a week ago on the road, 112-107. The Clippers are struggling, my friends. They are just 2-8 straight up their last 10, and have only covered one of their last six outings. They are overall just 3-9 on the road this season. Meanwhile, Memphis is starting to heat up. They won and covered two games before a bad road outing at the hands of the Nuggets, then went on to win and cover three straight all on the road, before their last outing, a road loss and no cover at the Spurs. They're in a “bounce-back” mode here against the team they took down already this season. Both teams score about the same, and both defenses allow about the same. The big difference you will see here is Memphis being far superior from the free-throw line, and on the offensive glass. Oh, by the way, they're also at home.

Denver Nuggets.

After starting this season 11-2, the Denver Nuggets are just 5-4 their last nine outings. Most teams would be happy with a winning percentage of .714, but not the Nuggets. They have won eight consecutive road games straight up, covering seven of those eight. To say they've dominated the Atlanta Hawks, would be an understatement. Denver has prevailed in five consecutive meetings with Atlanta both SU and ATS, and overall, eight of the last nine both SU/ATS. Atlanta used to be one of the best home teams in the NBA. But that's not the case anymore as this season they're just 4-5 on their own court, and have struggled badly. I just don't see this team keeping pace on the scoreboard with their lackluster offense. I mean they rank 18th in scoring, and must try to keep pace with the top-scoring team in the NBA. I just don't see it happening.

Washington Capitals.

Washington will enter tonight's matchup with confidence knowing they have taken five consecutive meetings with Anaheim, which does include three straight on the road. They also come into this matchup overall, one of the hottest teams in the NHL, winning six in a row and nine of their last 10 outings, which does include all four road games played during that span. Meanwhile, Anaheim is struggling. They have split out their last 10 games, and playing at home hasn't given them too much of a benefit recently, dropping three of their last five games played on their own ice. Their defense is almost nonexistent, as they rank 21st in the league, allowing 3.2 GPG. Yes, it's true they own of the highest-scoring offenses in hockey, but their defense has been so bad, it has hurt them. Meanwhile, the Capitals during their current six-game hot streak, have outscored opponents by a combined 27-9. As a matter of fact, their defense/goaltending has been outstanding. They ranked second in the NHL, yielding just 2.5 GPG, while they also possess the second-best scoring offense, scoring over 3.5 GPG.

Joe D is ON FIRE in ALL SPORTS, and today we continue to SCORCH THE BOOK on both the hardwood and the ice: 4-0 NBA FAST BREAK, 66.6% ODDSMAKERS MISTAKE, & SLAM DUNK plays along with my 12-3 NHL POWER PLAY.

*10-3 NCAAF RUN (as of posting) *FRI & SAT CONF CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS*Joe D’s NCAAF is SCORCHING HOT & as one of the most profitable documented big game cappers over the L25 years, this is the time of year, WE SCORCH THE BOOKS: C USA, MOUNTAIN WEST, BIG 12, SEC, ACC, BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS.

Friday’s FREE NCAAB WINNER: Gonzaga Bulldogs.

Game 883.

4:00 PM PST/7:00 PM EST.

As of posting this play first thing in the a.m. this morning, most of the general public has been betting on the Kentucky Wildcats. My friends, I understand why. This is a highly-touted, talented team led by a smart head coach, playing on their own court. Why shouldn't the general public take them getting five-points (as of post)? But I'm here to tell you, I feel the masses are once again wrong. While Kentucky is a good team, they have been asked to step up three times this season, and have fallen short all three times. They lost and failed to cover to Louisville, 96-88, lost and failed to cover to Michigan State 83-66, and lost and failed to cover to North Carolina 67-64. Other than that, all of their opponents have been doormats. Now they face a Gonzaga Bulldogs opponent that comes off their first loss of the season. That's right, Gonzaga prevailed in their first seven outings of the regular season, covering six of those seven, against such notables as Oklahoma, Creighton, and Alabama. But in their most recent contest back on November 26 they were absolutely decimated by Michigan, 101-61. That was the worst defeat of Coach Mark Few’s tenure at the helm. Just in case you were not aware, he has been there since 1999. I expect this team to not only bounce back here with a vengeance, but to really put a hurting on their opponent. Yes, they fell into an early hole against the Wolverines, and shot just 34% from the field and only 14% from downtown. Very own characteristic for Gonzaga. They possess a very frustrating defense, and an offense that averages over 90.8 PPG. Both teams are good at both end of the court on the glass, and both teams are good at defending the perimeter. But as I mentioned earlier, each time Kentucky stepped up this season, they fell away short. I just feel coming in off not just their first loss of the season, but the most embarrassing lost in as far back as I can remember, will further motivate Gonzaga here. Take the Bulldogs. Thank you.

Boise State.

As a Las Vegas resident of 36 years, I know the Mountain West Conference very well. While I try to support my local teams as much as possible, my loyalty is to my bankroll and to you. My friends, Superman had kryptonite and UNLV has Boise State. The Rebels cannot beat the Broncos, who have taken 10 consecutive meetings in this rivalry, covering seven of those 10, which does include six consecutive ATS covers. This season, these two conference rivals met on October 18 here in Vegas, as BSU prevailed 56-31. Both teams come in here on winning streaks, but Boise State had an extra day to rest, heal, and prepare. This is also a home game for the Broncos, and you know how loyal their fans are. Quarterback, Madsen (nearly 2,000 YP, nearly a 60% CR, 15/7) is returning from injury, but reports are he is 100%. There is also the storyline the Broncos are leaving the mountain west for the Pac 12 next year. They want to leave on a high note. This is also going to be a cold game, which does not benefit UNLV. There is no question the Broncos defense is tougher. Yes, I will admit the Rebels offense scores a bit more, but Boise State has frustrated better offenses than this. They continue their domination in this rivalry.

Jacksonville State.

Sports fans, in all sincerity, the wrong team is favored in this matchup. Yes, Kennesaw State sports a better overall record at 9-3, and a better ATS mark as well, at 7-4-1, but they've lost and failed to cover the last three meetings with Jacksonville State, which does include a November 15 game, 35-26. The Gamecocks are a heck of a team, going 8-4 SU, and covering six of their 12 outings this season. One of the biggest differences in this matchup is the home record of Jacksonville State, as they are 5-0 when hosting this season. This game is being played in Jacksonville, Alabama and will be filled with Gamecock fans. With all respect to the Owls, they are just 3-3 on the road in 2025. Playing away from home has been an issue for the team. The K State defense leaves a lot to be desired, while their offense turned the ball over 14 times this season. The Jax State offense possesses the nation’s third-ranked rushing attack. They also possess a pretty decent defense that has snagged 12 takeaways. They will control the clock and the tempo of this game offensively, and win this game outright. But I will take the points the odds makers are giving us.

*10-3 NCAAF RUN*FRIDAY & SATURDAY CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS*Joe D’s NCAAF is SCORCHING HOT and as one of the most profitable documented big game cappers over the L25 years, this is the time of year, WE SCORCH THE BOOKS. Join me with my CONFERENCE USA, MOUNTAIN WEST, BIG 12, SEC, ACC CHAMPIONSHIP WINNERS & WIN!

Friday’s FREE WINNER: OVER in the AAC Championship between North Texas/Tulane.

Games 107/108.

5:00 PM PST/8:00 PM EST.

Let me ask you this my friends, what do you get when two explosive AAC offenses face one another? I'll tell you what you get, you get a lot of scoring! North Texas and Tulane have yet to face one another this season. The last two seasons, they accounted for a combined 63 and 82 points scored. The Mean Green enters this matchup playing three consecutive overs and five overs in their last seven games. Overall, on the campaign, nine of their 12 contests have gone over the total. The Green Wave have played some less than stellar opponents over recent outings. But when they face solid offenses, guess what happens? The games go over. Case in point, an over with South Alabama, an over with Duke, an over with UTSA, and an over with Memphis. The North Texas offense ranks fourth nationally in scoring, accounting for over 46.8 points per game. They possess one of the most aggressive passing offenses in the nation, and have a pretty solid ground game as well. The Tulane offense posts over 31.3 PPG with a well-balanced unit, equally good in the air as they are on the ground. Both defenses allow about the same. However, the Mean Green aren't so mean against the run in which they rank 124th. The Green Wave rank 120th against the pass. I feel both offenses can and will exploit both defense’s weaknesses here. While it is a lot of points, trust me when I tell you these two teams will combine to score so many points, the bulbs on the scoreboard will burn out. Take the over. Thank you.