My 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK is on the UNDER Magic/Clippers.

Orlando's surprisingly been one of the hottest teams in the league over the last two weeks, but after last night's 119-118 victory over the Lakers just last night in this same building, I believe the wheels finally come off the bus for the visiting side tonight. I think the Magic come out flat here, especially with much more "winnable" games at lowly Golden State and Charlotte to finish out their road-trip.

The Clippers come in off a 128-103 win over the Cavaliers, but with a night off before a long six-game road trip, the home side also has a legitimate "look ahead" situation to overcome here. 

Key Trends:

- The Magic have seen the total go under the number in five of their last six after two or more straight ATS/SU victories.

- LA has already seen the total go under the number in 11 of its last 17 following a SU home win. 

The verdict: When taking into account all of the above factors, I definitely feel that this number is too high; play the under!

My 10* BIG TIGER is on Marist.

I think Marist, which comes in off a 69-52 loss at home to Rigers on Sunday, will keep this one closer than what Las Vegas is trying to lead us to believe. Braden Bell had nine points and three streal in the most recent setback for the Red Foxes. 

Monmouth enters off an 84-70 loss at Quinnipiac. The Hawks are 5-0 at home this year and are led by Deion Hammond with 15.3 PPG. 

But with a game at Manahattan on Saturday night, I think the home side gets caught "looking past" its lowly opponent to that much more difficult contest vs. the No. 2 team in the conference standings. 

Key Trends:

- Marist is a strong 4-1 ATS in its last five as a road dog in the 9.5 to 12 points range (including 1-0 ATS this year.) 

- Monmouth is already just 1-2 ATS this year as a home favorite.

The verdict: The stars and the planets have aligned for the Red Foxes tonight; grab up all those points!

My 10* BEST OF THE BEST is on the San Jose Sharks.

I think Colorado is over-priced. Yes, the Avs have lost four straight and seven of their last ten, but the Sharks come in off a 6-3 loss at Arizona and after a terrible start to the 2019/20 campaign, the visitors can ill afford to ever take a night off or to "look past" their competition. Neither team is "hungrier" than the other. 

The Avs can indeed put their full focus onto this game with upcoming contests vs. Vancouver twice and the Ducks on the horizon.

The Avs however have the defending champion and red hot Blues coming to town on Saturday night.

Can anyone say letdown spot?

Key Trends:

- San Jose 8-4 in its last 12 following a division game.

- Colorado is just 2-3 (-1.3 units) this year after three or more consecutive losses.

The verdict: This one SCREAMS upset; play on the Sharks!