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The NBA Show

Kate Constable:

Good afternoon. Happy Monday. Thanks for kicking your week off with us here on the BetUS NBA show. Alongside our expert, NBA handicappers, Chris Farley and Alex Christensen. I’m Kate Constable. I say you’re expert NBA handicappers, which you guys are, but one of you is also pretty much an expert NFL handicapper as well. Alex, it’s not you. Chris, you… See? Alex just agrees with me. He knows it’s not him.

Alex Christensen:

No, I don’t know what I’m doing.

Kate Constable:

Just wrapped up the Circa Million contests because the regular NFL season came to a close yesterday and you finished pretty high up. Tell us all about it.

Chris Farley:

We did. I mean the official results aren’t out yet, but everybody’s calculating things for us and it looks like we’re going to be top 10. It looks like we’re probably going to be tied for seventh place. So, I was still awake 12 hours ago. So, I’m still recovering from a very fun nerve-wracking, exciting weekend, but I appreciate you bringing that up, Kate.

Chris Farley:

I mean, hitting 70% in the NFL is almost impossible and probably not something that we’ll ever do again. So, it just feels like a once in a lifetime thing. And can’t wait to see the official results, though. Let’s go Circa. Can we please get it together? And let’s give out the final list so we know what’s going to happen here. But yeah, it’s been an awesome year in the NFL.

Kate Constable:

The official results, and I’m sure the official check you’ll be getting as well. That probably sounds pretty nice, but is it a relief that this is all over now?

Chris Farley:

It is. I mean, especially when you know you’re within range. The pressure that we felt the past few weeks, we did well, but it’s a lot of back and forth, a lot of texting, a lot of questioning. So, yes. It would be nice just to watch some NFL games and have regular bet online on them and not the stakes of a huge contest, for sure.

Kate Constable:

Well, congratulations throughout all of that, we’re very excited for you. And next year we’ll probably be tailing more of your NFL bets. Alex, you’re our expert tennis better as well. So, you have that going for you, which is hard. Not too many people bet tennis. Let me tell you.

Alex Christensen:

It’s the best. I don’t know why they don’t. I mean, if you’re looking for something to bet, it’s 11 months a year, 24 hours a day. There is two people playing tennis somewhere on planet earth. I assure you there’s a match to handicap and bet, and we’ve got the Australian Open coming next week. So, a lot of work to be done.

Kate Constable:

Well, maybe someday on this show, we’ll get some tips and tactics on how to bet tennis from you. But today we’re going to focus on betting online on the NBA and yesterday’s slates a couple of exciting games, most audibly Klay Thompson being back in the lineup. Did either of you get to catch that game and what his performance was like?

Alex Christensen:

Saw a little bit of it. He’s moving around okay. He was making his baskets. I was mostly disappointed in the Cleveland Cavaliers. So, I had plus 10.

Chris Farley:

Me too. I expected the cast to cover that one, but yeah, it’s just great to see Klay out there. Yeah. It just seems like a great guy. I mean, I get nervous for anyone who is having recurring knee issues, because I mean, I’ve been through some of that. So, I just hope that he stays healthy. The Warriors are only going to get better and that’s scary.

Kate Constable:

Yeah. Look out, Warriors are going to be dangerous coming up there. For sure making a push for that top spot in the Western conference and likely headed to the finals, but we’ll wait and see, before we get ahead of ourselves.

Kate Constable:

We’ll start today’s show taking a look at our overall record to kick things off. Tough week for me last week, I will be the first to admit that. I am 54 and 50. Alex, 46 and 41. Chris leading the way, once again, 58, 39. All around 198, 172 things are looking pretty good. All right. Well, we will kick things off talking about the Milwaukee Bucks in Charlotte tonight taking on the Hornets. Bucks are two point favorite. So, we’ll [inaudible 00:03:59] at a whopping 236 and a half.

Kate Constable:

This is the second game of a mini series between these two teams. Hornets beat the Bucks 114, 106 on Saturday. The Hornets were favored by a point and a half in that game. Now, it’s the Bucks that are the two point favorite. Chris, who do you like in this one?

Chris Farley:

I really like the Bucks and I like the Bucks for a few reasons. Obviously, of all two days ago, they lost to the Hornets. That was a close game, but too many teams can get caught by these Hornets because the Hornets, they run fast, they facilitate the ball really well. And the Bucks like to run fast too, but sometimes I think that could be a team’s Achilles heel trying to do that against the Hornets.

Chris Farley:

The Hornets can just be so super efficient on offense. I expect the Bucks to really slow this one down today or at least try to. Giannis had a fantastic game in that first matchup, but he shouldn’t have to shoulder that much of a load. So, I just expect the Bucks, who are one of those teams, right? We have those teams in the NBA. We have those teams in every sports bets, which we just expect them to answer the call after a subpar performance. They played, but they just didn’t shoot very well. And obviously, a team like the Hornets can run away with it.

Chris Farley:

So, I expect a real good performance here by Giannis. And I think the Bucks are going to slow this one down and it’s a back to back. So, a great team like the Milwaukee Bucks are typically going to answer. And I mean, at a short line too, you might as well just take this at minus two. It’s a moneyline play. Love the Bucks tonight.

Kate Constable:

I’m with you, Chris. I like the Bucks too. Just this bounce back spot after losing on Saturday. And in Saturday’s game, the Bucks came into that game coming off of a back to back. They played Brooklyn the night before in Brooklyn. So, maybe a little bit of fatigue factor in that game. The Bucks also shot a season low 39 percent in that game. So, that is only going to go up, you would hope. And the Bucks bench, literally no help in that game.

Kate Constable:

Sandro, I’m going to butcher this so badly, Mamu. We’re just going to leave it at that, I heard that’s what he goes by. I don’t know how to pronounce this last name, but he had five points off the bench for the Bucks. The only bench points they had all game, they were out scored 33 to five on the bench. That’s not going to happen again tonight. Pat Connaughton, Donte DiVincenzo, likely back tonight, questionable, but that’ll bring some more depth in the back court and stronger perimeter defense. So, I like the Bucks minus two in this one, as well, Chris. Alex, what are your thoughts? Giving us a little slight [inaudible 00:06:26] that we’re on the right side?

Alex Christensen:

Well, to be honest, I’m a little surprised that you’re having trouble saying Mamukelashvili. I mean, maybe it’s just the tennis handicapping and I’m used to all that stuff, who knows? But I think this is a decent spot for the Bucks. Little worried it’s the last game of a road trip. They’re looking ahead to go home for a couple days for the first time in a while. They’ve also got a game coming up here against the Warriors and I don’t like who’s missing for them. I mean, generally they’re a very good team. They’re really deep, but a lot of their guards are out.

Alex Christensen:

Jrue Holiday would be someone you would really love to have in this game, either to guard Terry Rozier, to guard LaMelo Ball, people like that. This would be a game where George Hill would get used a lot. Grayson Allen would probably have some impactful minutes here. So, I think this is a spot where the Bucks probably can hunker down and win. But they got a nuclear game from Giannis in the first game of this series. But like you said, no points in the bench. So, is there maybe a little bit more balance tonight? I wonder if the bench can, again, make up for what they missed last time, but at the same time, Giannis has to play at a high level.

Alex Christensen:

Just a lot of little things for me to nitpick here about the Bucks. Overall, though, I think this is a nice spot for Milwaukee. Yes, they generally bounce back after a win. It was an awful spot in the first game coming off back to back with the Nets here. So, lean Bucks, but just a lot of nitpicky things keeping me off of it.

Kate Constable:

Giannis had 43 in that last game, but 35 of those points came in the second half. He only had eight first half points. So, it’d be really nice, for Chris and I tonight, if the Bucks could get out on a strong note, Giannis could have a big first half to go along with that second half. So, Chris and I are taking the Bucks minus two. Alex, please pronounce that name for me again.

Alex Christensen:

Sorry. I muted myself. Mamukelashvili.

Kate Constable:

Oh, yes. Okay. Mamukelashvili. I will lock that into the memory bank there for next time.

Chris Farley:

I mean, great to see someone else struggling with the name, besides me.

Kate Constable:

Usually, it’s all on Chris. So, I’ll take that one for you today, Chris.

Alex Christensen:

Again, a lot of Eastern European names in tennis, he’s used to it.

Kate Constable:

Yeah.

Chris Farley:

I probably said that one before. I probably bet on her a month ago. Who knows?

Kate Constable:

All right. Well, moving on to the San Antonio Spurs in New York tonight to take on the Nicks. Nicks are a six point favorite totals 212 and a half. This is the final game of a seven game road trip for the Spurs. And it hasn’t exactly been a kind road trip to them. It went just one in five so far, losses coming from the Grizzlies, Pistons, Raptors, Sixers, and Nets. Their only win, the two point win against the Celtics. Alex, what’s the play here in New York tonight?

Alex Christensen:

I think this is a great bounce back spot for the next year. It’s been a struggle for New York. I think we’ve really seen the value of Derrick Rose. He’s someone that comes off the bench, provides a lot of stability for them. And they’ve really missed, things have gotten a little bit better. They split with Boston, beat Indiana in a pretty convincing manner. So, starting to get things together here, but they come home to face the San Antonio’s first team. And we just talked about bad [inaudible 00:09:27].

Alex Christensen:

They too are coming off an overtime loss to the Brooklyn Nets here, having a ton of injuries. They’ve been playing with a short roster for about a week or so now. So, just a ton of fatigue and minutes built up on the legs that are out there. Again, you look at some of the players missing Keldon Johnson, Devin Vassell, Derrick White, Thaddeus Young. These are guys that are either starters or play big minutes and really provide a lot of positivity for this Spurs team. So, last game of a road trip, I think that the Spurs will be out there licking wounds, ready to get home tonight. So, I like the Knicks tonight and I think they cover a pretty big number.

Kate Constable:

Nick’s have also covered one in four in their last five home games. So, that trend is in your favorite tonight, Alex. Chris, the under is eight and two in the Nick’s last 10 home games as the favorite, but you are playing the over here tonight over 212 and a half. Tell us about that.

Chris Farley:

I am. I just think that number’s a little too low. I have this around 218, 219. Most of it is just because I’m expecting some positive regression from the Nick’s on offense. I mean, they’re coming off that series with Boston where that’s a very intense series, right? It always has a playoff field between those two teams. A lot of hard defense being played there. I don’t think this game is going to have that same feel, right?

Chris Farley:

The Spurs are tired, like Alex said. The Knicks are probably happy to not be facing this Celtics and they’re coming off that game where they score 75 points. I mean, that was a pretty ugly performance. They’re on offense by the Knicks. This line is where it’s at too, probably, because of some of the defensive improvements that we’ve seen from the Knicks.

Chris Farley:

But I expect a much better shooting night for them tonight, especially against a tired Spurs unit. I mean, you’d be hard pressed to find… If you look the Spurs last 20 games, you can count on one hand how many games go under 214, 213. So, the Spurs can put up points. I know they’re injured, but hopefully their exhaustion leads to a little less defense. And I just expect some better performances on offense for the Knicks. Kemba Walker, he’s questionable, I believe still. Hopefully, he plays tonight because he could be some extra juice there for the offense and for the pace. But yeah, I just think this number’s a little too low. So, small play for me. But I do like the over.

Kate Constable:

Teams played in San Antonio back in December, Spurs lost that one, 121, 109. So, chance to even the series on the season. But Alex has taken the Nicks minus six and Chris is playing the over 212 and a half. The 76ers in Houston tonight to play the Rockets. Sixers are a 10 point favorite on the road. Total here is 226 and a half. This game is a makeup game from earlier this season, game got canceled because of all the COVID and players being out.

Kate Constable:

So, this is one of those makeup games and the Sixers, they’re looking for their seventh straight win. Winners of sixth straight right now. The Rockets, they’re on the second night of a back to back. They lost to the Wolves last night, dropped 10 of their last 11. Alex, going back to the well here on this one, Rockets team total under 108. Why do you like it this time?

Alex Christensen:

Well, in general, the Rockets, I think get overpriced here a little bit from a total’s perspective, given how fast their pace is. I look at the matchup tonight with the 76ers. Let me click refresh on the injury report here. Yes, Joel Embiid is still nowhere to be found on it. I think he’s just going to be near the baskets ending just about everything away. You look at some of the injuries here for the Sixers, there are great injuries in terms of unders. There’s going to be no Tyrese Maxey tonight. Seth Curry is questionable. Those are guys that not only score a lot, but also give up a lot of points. Shake Milton is out. He fits that same bill. You look on the other side. No Eric Gordon here. No Sengun, apologies. On the Rockets there tonight.

Alex Christensen:

And are two guys, again, that generate a lot of points. The Rockets just really struggling, it’s a tough spot for them. They come off the game last night against the Dallas Maverick. So, I think they’re going to have tired legs here against a Sixers team that comes in fresh. They had the weekend off. Should be just great defense for them tonight in which should be a slow, ugly game. So, everything points to a Rockets team total. And yes, as you mentioned, this game was postponed. There’s also the Brooklyn Nets game. That’s the other game, the pop back on the schedule. So, make sure you double check and got everything.

Kate Constable:

Yeah. What a game for the Brooklyn Nets, too, just to switch gears. They played last night and Brooklyn flied to Portland to play the Blazers tonight. That is a tough spot, hence why their game isn’t on our list today. But back to this game, 76ers and Rockets. Rockets are fifth endpoints in the paint, but with Joel Embiid playing the way he has been lately, clogging up the lane there, I don’t think they’re going to get too many. Tough night for Christian Wood going up against MB tonight. So, Alex, I like the underplay. Once again, Chris, any play on this game for you?

Chris Farley:

Yeah. I really like the under in this one, too. I’ll probably put a play on it before the end of the night. 76ers won the last contest by 20, but the total just feels too high because… And Philly’s the perfect team to face the Rockets and to beat the Rockets easily because they can really slow down the… Losing my brain power here as I sit here from last night.

Chris Farley:

But post-op, right? Joel Embiid down low a lot. So, the Rockets rely on pace and rhythm, especially to get their offense going. Philadelphia’s not going to give them a chance to get much rhythm in this game. So, I actually really do like the underplays in this one. Haven’t had the same amount of time to prep for this game as usual because of extenuating circumstances. But I mean, this total feels way too high for me. I think this should be in the lower 220’s.

Kate Constable:

All right, Chris. Well, stick with us. We have one more game to talk about and then you can go take a nap, do whatever you need to do. Alex is playing this game. He’s taking Rockets team total under 108. The Cleveland Cavaliers in Sacramento tonight to play the Kings. Cavs are a five and a half point favorite on the road. Total set at 219 and a half. Both of these teams are on the second leg of a back to back and both lost by double digits last night.

Kate Constable:

Cavs lost to the warriors. Kings lost to Portland. And the Cavs have struggled as of late. They had a great start to the seasons. First half of the season’s been fantastic, but three and five in their last eight games. But I’m going to play them tonight. I like the Cavs minus five and a half in this one, they had a poor offensive effort against the Warriors last night. Only took 75 shots all game. Shot just 29% from three. Darius Garland had only nine points. He’s probable for tonight’s game after being on the injury report this afternoon.

Kate Constable:

And then, with Richaun Holmes out for Sacramento, I think this is a great spot for Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley to be able to do pretty much whatever they want offensively. And then, defensively we know what they are, with being fantastic rim protectors. And with the Kings having so many quick, fast guards. I mean, they shoot a ton of threes that the Cavs are top three, top five, rather, in three point attempts and opponents three point percentage from deep. So, not too concerned about the Kings chucking up a lot and having all those perimeter players overpowered the Cavs tonight. So, I like the Cavs minus five and a half. Alex. Any thoughts on this one? Do you agree with me?

Alex Christensen:

This is one I’ve been going back and forth all day waiting for the Garland news. So now, that it looks like he’s expected to play, might lay the points with Cleveland, might be a Cleveland team total over. Maybe a King’s team total under, like you said, missing Richaun Holmes here, the Cleveland Cavaliers should be able to do mostly whatever they want from an offensive perspective. Defensively, they match up very well with Sacramento. They have the guys to slow down what Sacramento wants to do.

Alex Christensen:

My only, again, nagging concern and the reason I didn’t even really grab it this morning was it’s a really funky schedule spot here for Cleveland. They come off the game with Golden State tonight. They’ve got to look ahead spot. They’re traveling to Utah on Wednesday. So, I wonder how this is going to go. I thought, maybe, that Garland would miss, honestly, to try to rest and prep for Utah. It should be a solid bounce back spot for Cleveland. I definitely think you’re on the right side and I think I’ll get there, but just waiting, maybe after the show, who knows?

Kate Constable:

Yeah. Come join me, can have a party. Chris, thoughts on the total here for you? 219 and a half or whatever side you like.

Chris Farley:

Yeah. No big thoughts on the total. I think that number’s right, but I definitely think the Cavs are the right side, but like I said, this is a really tough spot. I mean, this road trip they’re on is just pretty brutal. And I think they’re on the second game of it. But the real concern here for Sacramento, or for anybody who wants to bet Sacramento, is that they are the worst NBA team at paint defense. They allow 53 points in the paint per game. Last game between the Cavs and the Kings, the Cavs [inaudible 00:18:01] in the paint all day. Scores 64 points.

Chris Farley:

So, I just don’t see… Until something changes with the Sacramento Kings, the offensive scheme or mentality, I just don’t see them being able to stop other great offenses in these spots. So, five and a half is a pretty small number. The Kings can run fast, they can get ahead. That’s usually how they win games, but Cleveland’s defense is so good too. This feels like a good get right spot for Cleveland before they have much more difficult games ahead on this road trip.

Kate Constable:

I’m glad both of you guys agree with me. This line also seems like it’s agreeing with me as well because it opened at Cavs minus four all the way up to six, six and a half in some places. So, I’m playing the Cavs tonight, taking them minus five and a half. What did I get them at? Five and a half. Yes. Playing them five and a half. Okay. Picks for the Nets, Blazers. Thank you for sending in questions. Feel free to send more in and we’ll always get those answered towards the end of the show.

Kate Constable:

Nets, Blazers tonight, though. Brooklyn, like I mentioned, flying all the way off to Portland after playing the Spurs in overtime last night, not a good spot and they’re laying nine. So, nine point favorites on the road. Because of the circumstances and having to travel last night across country, I would side with the Blazers at plus nine. But Chris, do you have any other thoughts?

Chris Farley:

Yeah. I can’t side with the Blazers pretty much ever. So, I’m just not going to, but in case our listeners haven’t noticed, I mean the Portland Trail Blazers cannot play good defense. I mean, they are very, very bad on defense. So, I just expect the Brooklyn Nets to have it. Now, because this is such a difficult spot. Maybe that corrupts the performance for the Nets a little bit. But I think the only way to really look at this game is the over. The number’s pretty high though. I think it’s pretty spot on. But that’s the one angle that I would look in this one. I just don’t think there’s going to be a lot of defensive pressure. So, maybe a Nets team total as well.

Kate Constable:

Alex, with Kyrie being able to play on the road, does that change things?

Alex Christensen:

Again, maybe an over makes me feel a little bit about the Nets. I’m sorry, a little bit better about the Nets. [inaudible 00:20:08] be able to give Harden and Durant a little bit of a break. They did play in overtime yesterday, but that game had an early start. So, it’s a good chance. They actually got to Portland last night. So, they might be okay, it’s a terrible travel spot, but like Chris said, if you want to bet on the Blazers, you have to bet on the Blazers. That sounds terrible. So, don’t do that.

Alex Christensen:

Again, overs, I think, are good tonight. It’ll be a great spot for Kyrie, he should absolutely cook tonight. I don’t see any reason why he’s not going to get the ball every single time he wants. And I don’t see anybody on Portland who’s really going to be able to slow him down. So, maybe some Kyrie over [inaudible 00:20:42] a player pro perspective, something like that. But yeah, find something else to do.

Kate Constable:

Any plays on the Celtics, Pacers game tonight, Alex?

Alex Christensen:

Well, similar to the Portland Trail Blazers, this one requires you to bet on the Pacers, which means you have to bet on the Pacers. And it’s a terrible idea. I don’t bet on the Pacers. I don’t suggest anyone do that, but-

Kate Constable:

That’s on our list of do not bet, right?

Alex Christensen:

Not on my list. Yeah, very much so. But again, you look at it, everything about the spot says Indiana, Boston has really struggled. So, maybe an under?

Kate Constable:

Yeah. Total’s 212 and a half. Boston’s a six and a half point favorite. Chris, Alex doesn’t trust the [inaudible 00:21:23] of the Pacers. I don’t trust the Pacers, you bet the Pacers?

Chris Farley:

I don’t trust the Pacers and I don’t trust the Celtics, especially afterwards that Thursday night or Friday night when they really… Oh, man. I still remember that.

Kate Constable:

Yeah, that was not good.

Chris Farley:

Yeah. So, maybe Celtics team total under something, I could just… I think there is going to be some residual effects from the Celtics and Nick’s [inaudible 00:21:46]. They play really hard against each other. So, maybe a little less defense tonight too, but I can’t bet this game either. I think the line’s about right.

Chris Farley:

I got the Celtics is five and a half points better than the Pacers. I probably still give the Pacers a little too much credit, but any given day, the Pacers can put up 140 points on any NBA team, it seems. So, maybe this is one of those nights against maybe a slightly more tired Boston unit. But otherwise, no place for me.

Kate Constable:

Yeah. You never really know quite what you’re going to get from the Pacers. It could either be a fantastic effort, fantastic output or they just lay down.

Alex Christensen:

You know what you’re going to get. You’re going to get pain.

Kate Constable:

Yeah.

Alex Christensen:

Pain and suffer.

Kate Constable:

Yeah, exactly.

Chris Farley:

Stress.

Kate Constable:

Okay. So, staying away from that game. We started the show today talking about the NFL a little bit. We’re going to stick with football. College football national championship is tonight. I just want to get to your guys’ play really quick on that Alabama, Georgia. Georgia’s a two and a half point favorite. Alex, who would you take?

Alex Christensen:

Well, everyone seems to really like Georgia, but at the same time, everybody’s telling me to bid Alabama plus money. I have no idea what to do. College football is something that gets maybe about this much of my attention span. I will say that if you take a step back and look at it, Georgia was a seven point favorite the last time they played in a game that Alabama absolutely had to win and they lost. And now, we’re down to two and a half, three. Seems like a pretty big adjustment. And the only thing I will say, a very smart person told me to bet Brock Bowers, whoever that is, to score a touchdown and to score the first touchdown. So, I’ll steal that play.

Kate Constable:

Okay. Brock Bowers. Chris, how about you?

Chris Farley:

Yeah. Maybe a pizza bet on Brock Bowers. I have no idea who that is, Alex. So, good luck. Yeah. I think two ways to look at this game for me is, when you have this kind of value on Alabama, generally I take it, right? You’re not going to get Alabama at plus money almost ever. I know that Georgia has the revenge factor after that last game. And Georgia is a very good football team and they’re good defense, but it’s Alabama, it’s Nick Saban. The coaching disparity is still pretty huge there in the way that he prepares for these games.

Chris Farley:

One angle that I like to take with these big showtime games, especially national championship or Super Bowl, is usually the first half under is a pretty good play, depending on where the line is. I think it’s around 28 just because there’s nerves. Obviously, both teams have great defenses. So, maybe take a live total over. I do expect both of these teams to put up points like they did last time, but maybe it starts a little slow. So, that’s something I’ll be looking into as well.

Kate Constable:

All right. I like it. First half under, possibly Alabama. It is very hard to bet against Nick Saban. I mean, it’s like betting against Tom Brady in the Super Bowl, you just can’t do it.

Chris Farley:

Yeah.

Kate Constable:

That is all we have for you on today’s show. A little NFL, little NBA, little college football. We’ve got it all here today. But before we go, we’ll check out our best bets. Getting ahead of myself here. All right. Bucks minus two is a play for both Chris and I. Alex, obviously, has a team total unders play. That’s pretty much a given. Couple times a week, Alex will have a team total under. I’m taking Cavs. And then, Chris has the over in Spurs and Nicks. Now, it is time to go. That is all we have, nothing else on the list. So, we’re going to let you guys go. We’ll see you back here tomorrow afternoon for more hoops talk, have a good night.

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