Raiders Host Broncos on Christmas Eve

Monday Night Football with ZERO Playoff Implications

Divisional bragging rights will be about all that is on the line on Monday Night when the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders meet at Oakland Alameda Coliseum. Neither team is eligible for the playoffs, so the most intriguing storyline may be if this is the Raiders last game in Oakland.

TV: 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Broncos -3 O/U: 42.5

Oakland is in the running for the league's worst record in Jon Gruden's first season as coach. The Raiders may need to find a temporary home while a new stadium is being built in Las Vegas in time for the 2020 season.

Denver's excitement has been tempered by back-to-back losses to Cleveland and San Francisco. There were losses that extinguished its postseason chances. They still expect a rude welcome from the Raiders faithful.

This, That and a Dart Throw

The Broncos are 6-8 on the season. Denver won three in a row to jump into the thick of the AFC playoff race. They then scored a total of 30 points in the losses to the 49ers and Browns. A pair of sub-.500 teams at the time to put the Broncos out of the playoff hunt. Case Keenum was working with a patchwork receiving corps that has three rookies playing prominent roles. He has thrown one touchdown pass and two interceptions in his last two games, despite going to the air 90 times. Rookie running back Phillip Lindsay has been one of the bright spots in the season. He needs just nine yards to reach 1,000 for the year. He was held to 24 on 14 carries by Cleveland. Denver ranks sixth in the league with 42 sacks. They have gotten a total of 26.5 from the linebacker tandem of Miller and rookie Bradley Chubb.

The Raiders are 3-11 going into tonight's game. What a difference one week makes. After throwing for 322 yards and two touchdowns in a 24-21 upset win over Pittsburgh, Derek Carr was sacked five times as Oakland dropped a 30-16 decision to the Bengals. Cincinnati had lost five in a row. Carr, who has not thrown an interception, absorbed 36 sacks in his last nine games. He completed 90.6 percent (29-of-32) of his passes for 288 yards and was taken down only once in a 20-19 loss at Denver in Week 2. Tight end Jared Cook is Carr's top target. He has 63 receptions and six touchdowns. Leading rusher Doug Martin has failed to gain 40 yards in each of his last two games as well. Oakland's pass rush has been non-existent with a league-low 12 sacks. That is a dozen fewer than any other team.

NFL Betting Odds & Trends

Denver Broncos
The Broncos are 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
The Broncos are 8-16-1 ATS in its last 25 games
The Broncos are 8-17 SU in its last 25 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The Broncos are 5-12 ATS in its last 17 games on the road
Denver is 4-13 SU in its last 17 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games on the road
The Broncos are 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Oakland
Denver is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games when playing Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games when playing Oakland
The Broncos are 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against Oakland
Denver is 11-4 SU in its last 15 games when playing on the road against Oakland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Denver's last 6 games when playing on the road against Oakland

Oakland Raiders
The Raiders are 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games
The Raiders are 3-15 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 14 of Oakland's last 21 games
The Raiders are 3-5-1 ATS in its last 9 games at home
Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Oakland's last 11 games at home
The Raiders are 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Denver
Oakland is 3-11 SU in its last 14 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Oakland's last 7 games when playing Denver
The Raiders are 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
Oakland is 4-11 SU in its last 15 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Oakland's last 6 games when playing at home against Denver

Next up:
Denver home to Los Angeles Sunday, December 30
Oakland at Kansas City Sunday, December 30

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NFL Saturday: Redskins vs Titans

Titans Host Banged up Redskins

The Tennessee Titans and the Washington Redskins battle today at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Both teams are in must win mode, but only one of these teams is healthy. In the NFL you can never count any team out.

TV: 4:30 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Titans -10.5 O/U: 37.5

The Titans have rocketed themselves back in the mix for a postseason berth on the strength of a three-game winning streak. The Titans vie for a clean sweep of the NFC East today against the Redskins.

Bruising running back Derrick had a franchise-best 238-yard, four-touchdown performance in Tennessee's 30-9 win over Jacksonville on Dec. 6th. He followed that up by recording a career-high 33 carries for 170 yards and two scores in Sunday's 17-0 victory over the New York Giants. Henry broke fellow former Heisman Trophy winner Earl Campbell's previous franchise-best two-game benchmark of 405 yards. He has an NFL-best 11 touchdowns in his last eight games. The Titans defense has permitted opponents to convert only 5-of-28 third-down attempts over the last two weeks. Washington has overcome a litany of serious injuries to remain in contention for an NFC postseason berth.

This, That and a Dart Throw

The Redskins are 7-7 and depending on a career journeyman quarterback. Josh Johnson is making his first start in seven years. He did engineer a pair of scoring drives in the fourth quarter to help Washington snap a four-game skid with a 16-13 win over Jacksonville on Sunday. The 32-year-old earned another start after passing for 151 yards and a score, while scampering for 49 more for the Redskins. They will likely will lean on the ageless Adrian Peterson Saturday afternoon. They are up against Tennessee's 12th-ranked rush defense. Jordan Reed's availability is in question after he missed last week's win over the Jaguars due to foot and toe injuries. Fellow tight end Jeremy Sprinkle caught all three passes that came his way, including a 6-yard toss for a touchdown.

The Titans are 8-6 and in a crowded AFC playoff field. Henry's success on the ground can be traced to the effort of the offensive line. The unit is led by tackle Taylor Lewan. He was selected to his third consecutive Pro Bowl this week. Marcus Mariota has benefited by extension. Mariota's primary target in the passing game continues to be Corey Davis. He has reeled in a touchdown pass in two of his last three home outings.

PREDICTION: Titans 20, Redskins 14

NFL Betting Odds & Trends

Washington Redskins
The Redskins are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 12 of Washington's last 18 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The Redskins are 2-7 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 6 games when playing Tennessee

Tennessee Titans
The Titans are 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
Tennessee is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games at home
The Titans are 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
The Titans are 7-2 ATS in its last 9 games when playing Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Tennessee's last 6 games when playing Washington

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Ravens Visit Chargers in Pivotal Saturday Night Matchup

Ravens Must Win & Chargers Need to Win

Week 16 of the NFL season means fans have games that hold significant playoff implications. One of those games is this Saturday’s matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and the Los Angeles Chargers. Both clubs currently occupy playoff positions in the AFC. The Ravens have yet to secure a playoff berth. They have both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans hot on their heels. Every win counts at this stage of the season, so Saturday will be a critical game.

TV: 8:20 p.m. ET, NFL Network. LINE: Chargers -4 O/U: 42

At 8-6, the Baltimore Ravens have the slight edge over the Colts and Titans. They attained that edge because of their superior winning percentage within the AFC. A single loss will really hurt the Ravens’ chances at making the playoffs. It will be interesting to see how the Ravens match up. Saturday will be the Ravens’ most important game of the season to date.

The Chargers pulled off an incredible victory over the AFC West-leading Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night. They now have the opportunity to overtake the Chiefs in the division and earn a First Round Bye. A lot is riding on Saturday night’s matchup for both clubs.

This, That and a Dart Throw

Baltimore has won four of five since rookie Lamar Jackson took over as the starting quarterback. The only loss came in overtime at Kansas City. Jackson has yet to throw for more than 178 yards in either of his five starts. He has double-digit rushes in each game to help Baltimore become the first team since the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1976 to rush for at least 190 yards in five consecutive games.

Los Angeles made it four straight wins and 10 of 11 despite. This was an injury to top receiver Keenan Allen and the absence of top running backs Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler. Gordon is expected to return to the lineup after sitting out the past three games due to a sprained MCL. He has rushed for 802 yards and nine touchdowns while also snagging 44 passes for four more scores. Allen is a game-time decision. 2017 first-round pick Mike Williams scored three touchdowns on a season-high seven receptions against Kansas City. The performance earned him the AFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. Rivers is having an MVP season with 31 touchdowns and eight interceptions. The Chargers have the ninth-ranked run defense at 103.7 yards per game.

PREDICTION: Chargers 26, Ravens 23

NFL Betting Odds & Trends

Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Baltimore's last 12 games
The Ravens are 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
Baltimore is 7-14 SU in its last 21 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Baltimore's last 6 games on the road
The Ravens are 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing LA Chargers
The Ravens are 6-3 SU in its last 9 games when playing LA Chargers
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Baltimore's last 6 games when playing LA Chargers

Los Angeles Chargers
LA Chargers is 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games
LA Chargers is 10-1 SU in its last 11 games
LA Chargers is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games at home
LA Chargers is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of LA Chargers's last 5 games at home
LA Chargers is 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Baltimore
LA Chargers is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games when playing Baltimore
The total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Chargers's last 6 games when playing Baltimore

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The Top Three Sports-Themed Online Slot Machines

Even though American gamblers were able to place a bet on their
Thanksgiving games for the first time in decades this year, the
sports-themed slot is still reigning supreme in online gambling. A lot has
changed in the world of gambling since sports betting outside of Nevada became
legal for the first time. And I’m sure most casual gamblers will agree that
they’ve been made for the better.

Sports-themed online video slots have been
cropping up since the early 2000’s, and now there’s more choice for players
than ever. Whilst you may not be able to make a bet on your favourite team to
win, you can be sure that all the live excitement will be felt when you see the
reels spinning. In recent years online slots which are inspired by the
traditional land-based slot machines have become the flagship games for many
online casinos such as Egypt Slots. Whether you want to play football
themed online slots, basketball-themed online slots or tennis themed
slots, there’s plenty to choose from. With so many options, it may be a little
hard to know where to start, so we’ve done all of the hard work for you and
compiled a list of the 4 top Sports themed online slot games which are
currently available to play. And they’re so much more than a gimmick. The key
to the success of the sports-themed slots is the fact that the game developers
responsible for creating them are massive sports fans themselves. Which is how
slot machines such a Striker Goes Wild and Champion’s Goal became so popular.
The immersive, high-intensity progressive slot reels provide an authentic game
experience which helps you to enjoy the stadium euphoria from your living room.

New to Online Slot Games?

Online slot games can seem fairly
complicated to those who have never played before, but remember, they’re the
most popular game for a reason. Unlike with many casino games, especially with
card games there are very few rules to understand before you start to play.
Although the gameplay experience of every game is different.

Once you’ve familiarised yourselves with
the general rules of the online video slots, you can always play through the
game in demo mode before you place a bet. If you were wondering why there are
so many slot machines, and so many more keep on being created, it’s for the
diversity of the games. Games can have anywhere from 5 to 1000 different ways
to win. So, there are options for those who want a simple gameplay experience
and those looking for ones which are a little more complex. Different games will
also have different minimum and maximum betting amounts, but generally, you can
expect to stake anywhere between £0.01 to £150. You’re able to adjust your
stake amount before you spin the reels which work in the same way as
traditional land-based slot machine games. There are usually 5 reels on each
slot, however this is also subject to change depending on which game your
playing.

Other differences between games are the
return to player rate, which generally averages at around 95%, but in some
cases the return to player rate can be significantly higher. There is also a
great variation in the number of features and bonus rounds each game has.
Before you spin the reels, make sure you’re completely in the know about wild
cards, scatter cards and multiplying bonuses which can help you to increase
your progressive jackpots by reading a comprehensive beginners guide. But by now,
you’re probably realising that there’s much more to online video slots than
what traditional slot machines had to offer. All of the fun features are in
addition to the online games having far more substantial prizes and cash out
far more regularly. Did we mention that you don’t even have to leave the sofa
to play? There’s no wonder that land-based slot machines are struggling to keep
up with the competition.

Here are our top three online slots for football and basketball fans.

Best Sports-Themed Online Slot Machine Games

1. Bicicleta Slot Game

This online slot is perfect for anyone wanting to get to grips with online slots in a football-themed game. The game-play is kept fairly simple with only 25 different ways to win on the 5-reel slot machine which was designed by the gaming giants Yggdrasil. They created the perfectly structured game for football plans which were looking for a more tranquil gameplay experience compared to the more high-intensity games. To cater to your passion for the beautiful game the usual fruit symbols on the slots will be replaced by football-themed symbols, and the game’s background will depict a pitch. With bets starting from as little as 0.25, what have you got to lose? For those looking to cash out big, the max stakes are set to £100. You’ll be surprised at how high the jackpots get after the wildcards pop up.

1. Basketball Star Slot Game

If you’d prefer to get stuck into some
basketball action you can’t go wrong with the Basketball Star slot. The game
packs in plenty of features that mean you can win massive rewards, to make it
that little bit more interesting, there are over 243 different ways to win! So,
if you’re looking for a progressive sports-themed game, look no further. Aside
from the allure of the features which may just help you to cash out on a
life-changing amount of money you can expect to see an array of exciting
animations and even a group of cheerleaders to personally cheer you on!

1. Champion’s Goal Slot Game

If you’re serious about graphics quality in your gaming experiences, you definitely won’t be disappointed by the visual delight which is Champion’s Goal. The game was designed by a studio which is famous for their love of football and they’ve gone above and beyond on making the atmosphere as authentic as possible. The glossy design is paired with a pumping soundtrack, and uniquely the Champion’s Goal is one of the only games which is touchscreen optimised. Even though Champion’s goal is aesthetically pleasing, its still a little less progressive than a lot of the sports-themed online slots with only 20 ways to win.

Birmingham Bowl: Memphis Tigers vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The fans at Legion Field see the Memphis Tigers and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday afternoon. They will be playing in the 2018 Jared Birmingham Bowl.

TV: Noon ET, ESPN. LINE: Memphis -3.5;O/U: 72.5.

Memphis and Wake Forest will meet for the first time since 1967. The Tigers finished first in the West Division of the American Athletic Conference, but fell in the title game 56-41 to unbeaten Central Florida. The Demon Deacons were tied for fifth in the ACC Atlantic Division. They became bowl-eligible with a 59-7 win over Duke in their regular-season finale.

Darrell Henderson is Memphis' top offensive threat. He is one of the best running backs in the nation. Henderson was recently named to the Walter Camp All-America first team. The 5-9 junior rushed for 1,909 yards on 214 attempts. He averaged 8.9 yards per attempt while scoring 22 touchdowns. Wake Forest allowed 191.3 rushing yards per game during the regular season. That ranked 91st in FBS.

Wake Forest will be without its top quarterback as freshman Sam Hartman has been declared out. Hartman injured his leg in early November against Syracuse. He missed the final three regular-season games. Sophomore Jamie Newman took his place. Newman isn't the downfield passing threat Hartman is. He finished the season with 755 passing yards on 101 attempts. He had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 8:3.

This, That and a Dart Throw

Memphis was 8-5 on the season and 5-3 in the conference. The Tigers will be looking to alleviate the sting from their setback to UCF. Memphis jumped out to a 24-7 lead in the first quarter. They'll try to do so by scoring a lot of points. They feature an explosive offense that averages 248.8 passing yards and 285.5 rushing yards a game. The Tigers are scoring 43.6 points per game, which is the seventh-high mark in the nation. Receiver Damonte Coxie is another player to watch. He has a catch in 17 straight games and is the third player in program history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season. He had 66 catches for 1,104 yards and seven touchdowns in the regular season.

Wake Forest was 6-6 overall and 3-5 in the conference during the regular season. The Demon Deacons are in a bowl game for the third year in a row and it took their best performance of the season to get them there. In the route of Duke the offense put up a season high in points. The defense surrendered fewer than 17 points for the first time. The defense ranks 116th out of 129 teams in total defense by giving up 465.3 yards per game.

PREDICTION: Memphis 58, Wake Forest 24

Birmingham Bowl Betting Odds & Trends

Memphis Tigers
Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Memphis is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Memphis's last 6 games

Wake Forest Demon Deacons
Wake Forest is 4-10 ATS in its last 14 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Wake Forest's last 6 games

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Bahamas Bowl: FIU Golden Panthers vs Toledo Rockets

FIU and Toledo are Evenly Matched

The FIU Golden Panthers and the Toledo Rockets meet on Friday when they battle at Thomas Robinson Stadium. They are playing in the 2018 Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Toledo -7; O/U: 56.5.

The FIU Golden Panthers regular season ended on a disappointing note. They lost 28-25 to Marshall and it prevented the school from earning a coveted spot in the Conference USA title game. The Panthers still garnered a well-deserved trip out of the country to play in the Makers Wanted Bahamas Bowl in Nassau. This is FIU's second straight bowl berth under coach Butch Davis (0-1). It is only the fourth in the program's history. Toledo has a much richer postseason tradition with eight bowl appearances in the last nine years and 18 overall.

FIU stumbled a bit at the finish with two losses in its last four games to fall into a second-place tie in the East Division of C-USA. They still equaled the school record for victories by winning eight games. They have a chance to surpass it with a Bahamas Bowl win. The sentiment was quite a bit different in Toledo. The Rockets soared down the stretch to keep alive their bowl hopes. They won five of their last six contests to extend their streak of winning seasons to nine. Toledo also finished tied for second in the West Division of the Mid-American Conference. These trajectories put the teams on a collision course for the Bahamas Bowl, which annually pits the MAC against C-USA in a series currently even at two wins apiece.

Offense will be the name of the game when the teams meet for only the fourth time in their history. The last time came when the Panthers posted a 34-32 victory in the 2010 Little Caesars Pizza Bowl to take a 2-1 advantage in the series. FIU brings in a quarterback somewhat familiar to Toledo. James Morgan threw five touchdown passes against the Rockets in 2016 while starting for Bowling Green. Now he's lighting it up in his first season with the Panthers. He has thrown for multiple touchdowns in 10 of his last 11 games. The Rockets will counter with an offense that has scored at least 45 points in four of their last five games. They surpassed 50 in three of those games and six times overall this season.

This, That, and a Dart Throw

The FIU Golden Panthers were 8-4 overall and 6-2 in the conference during the regular season. Morgan proved to be the answer at quarterback this season. He led C-USA in both passer rating and yards per attempt. He threw 26 touchdown passes and just seven interceptions. He saved his worst performance for the Panthers' biggest game. In the season finale against Marshall he failed to throw a scoring pass for the first time all year and recorded his first multi-interception outing of the season with a pair of picks. While the passing attack grabs most of the attention, the Panthers also have a solid running game. It is led by Napoleon Maxwell and D'Vonte Price. The duo proved its worth by finding some wiggle room against a Marshall defense ranked ninth in the nation against the run. FIU's defensive front has been pushed around at times this season. They are giving up 4.6 yards per carry. That won't get the job done against a Rockets team that is relying much more on the ground game. They are averaging 5.3 yards per rush and 223.6 yards per contest.

The Toledo Rockets were 7-5 overall and 5-3 in the conference. The Rockets thought they were set at quarterback with Mitchell Guadagni filling the void left by star Logan Woodside. The MAC's most efficient passer (162.0 rating) missed the last four games due to injury. He isn't expected to play in the Bahamas Bowl. That puts the job again in the hands of Eli Peters. Toledo hardly missed a beat without Guadagni. The offense still chewed up chunks of yardage. It produced over 430 yards in each of the last five games thanks to a powerful backfield-by-committee. They amassed a total of 677 yards in the last two contests alone. The Rockets expect to continue that success against FIU's not-so-dominant defensive line. The secondary will face its own challenge trying to contain the Morgan-led Panthers. The unit surrendered over 300 yards passing six times this season. It ranks 102nd in the nation with 257.8 passing yards allowed per game.

PREDICTION: FIU 44, Toledo 40

Bahamas Bowl Betting Odds & Trends

FIU Golden Panthers
Florida International is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Florida International is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Florida International's last 5 games

Toledo Rockets
Toledo is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Toledo is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games

Duke Faces Texas Tech in The Garden

Duke Faces 4th Top-Fifteen Team

The Texas Tech Red Raiders and the Duke Blue Devils meet on Thursday at Madison Square Garden. Duke is once again proving why they are always compete for national titles. Tonight's matchup will be a game of contrasting styles.

Duke is 34-18 all-time at Madison Square Garden, including a 29-11 record under coach Mike Krzyzewski.

TV: 7 p.m. ET, ESPN2 LINE:  Duke -9.5; O/U: 148.5.

No. 11 Texas Tech is one of nine remaining undefeated teams in the country. If it still is among that group after Thursday, it will have earned it. The Red Raiders have an uphill battle as they face second-ranked Duke.

The Red Raiders are off to their best start since going 12-0 to begin the 1929-30 season. They've played one of the weakest schedules in the nation heading into Thursday's matchup. The Blue Devils have had a much more challenging slate. This will be their fourth game against a opponent ranked 15th or better. Their only loss was a two-point setback against Gonzaga. Duke has won its last five games by an average of 39.8 points. They had 101-50 rout of Princeton on Tuesday.

This and That Along With a Dart Throw

Texas Tech is 10-0 this season. The Red Raiders top the nation in field-goal defense allowing a paltry 32.2 percent. They are tied for the lead in scoring defense at 51.2 points per game. Reigning Big 12 Player of the Week Jarrett Culver is averaging 19.1 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.5 assists. He poured in 30 points in Saturday's 82-48 win over Abilene Christian. He leads the way at the offensive end. Matt Mooney chips in11 points a contest and is the only other double-digit scorer. The Red Raiders have six players who average at least 7.4 points. Texas Tech ranks second in the Big 12 with 11.5 turnovers per contest.

Duke is 10-1 on the season. The Blue Devils lean on the most dynamic freshman duo in the nation. R.J. Barrett averages 24.5 points and 7.1 rebounds, while Zion Williamson throws in 20.1ppg, 9.1rpg, and two blocks. The scary part is that's only half of their incredible first-year group. Cam Reddish chips in 14 points and Tre Jones contributes 8.3 ppg, and 5.6 assists. The duo is playing big roles for the team. Duke averages 93.6 points and is shooting better than 50 percent. Duke defends the perimeter well also. They are holding opponents to 28.1 percent from 3-point range and they force 16.9 turnovers per game. The Blue Devils also lead the nation with an average of 8.1 blocked shots.

PREDICTION: Duke 84, Texas Tech 69

NCAA Basketball Betting Odds & Trends

Texas Tech Red Raiders:
Team record: 10-0 SU,5-5 ATS
Current Streak: won 10 straight games.
Texas Tech is 7-13-1 ATS in its last 21 games
Texas Tech is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Texas Tech's last 11 games

Duke Blue Devils:
Team record: 10-1 SU,7-4 ATS
Current Streak: won 5 straight games.
Duke is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Duke is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Duke's last 5 games

Next up:
Texas Tech home to UTRGV Friday, December 28
Duke at Clemson Saturday, January 5

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Gasparilla Bowl: Marshall Thundering Herd vs South Florida Bulls

First Ever Matchup for Marshall and South Florida

The Marshall Thundering Herd and the South Florida Bulls meet for the first time ever on Thursday night at Raymond James Stadium. They will be participants in the 2018 Bad Boy Motors Gasparilla Bowl in Tampa, Florida.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Marshall -4; O/U: 51.

South Florida hopes to lose the sting of a five-game losing streak that ended the regular season. The Bulls started the season with seven consecutive victories and had visions of a major bowl game. Then injury issues set in along with a leaky defense. A defense that allowed 39.6 points per game led to five double-digit setbacks. Marshall won three straight games to seal its fifth bowl appearance in six years. They ended the regular season with a 41-20 loss at Virginia Tech.

The Bulls go for its sixth win in seven bowl games. They beat Texas Tech and South Carolina in the Birmingham Bowl the last two years. The Thundering Herd have won six bowl games in a row, including a 31-28 triumph against Colorado State in the 2017 New Mexico Bowl. The Bulls, who are 6-3 overall in bowls, started that run with a 41-14 victory over Memphis in the St. Petersburg Bowl in 2008. Marshall won the Beef O'Brady's Bowl in 2011 and the St. Petersburg Bowl in 2015.

South Florida hopes to have a healthier offense after a four-week break. They needed it following the 38-10 loss to No. 7 Central Florida on Nov. 23. The Bulls averaged 35.6 points during their 7-0 start, will face a defense that allowed 22 points per game. The Herd D tied for sixth in the nation with 39 sacks. South Florida did't have No. 1 quarterback Blake Barnett in two of its last three games because of a shoulder injury. He may return, but the Bulls will have a new play caller after offensive coordinator Sterlin Gilbert was hired as McNeese State's new coach. Marshall is permitting 103.9 rushing yards per game. Senior linebacker Chase Hancock leads the way with 98 tackles. Lineman Ty Tyler boasts a team-best eight sacks and 11 players have an interception.

This, That and a Prediction

Marshall was 8-4 and 6-2 in Conference USA. Quarterback Isaiah Green had a solid first year at the helm. He threw for 2,238 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He only completed 55.7 percent of his passes. Tyler King rushed for 655 yards in the first seven games, but has been out the last five with an undisclosed injury. Brenden Knox picked up the slack with 485 in the last four games. He had 204 against Virginia Tech. Wide receiver Tyre Brady is a Conference USA first-team pick and is the top target for Green He hauled in 66 passes for 914 yards and nine touchdowns this year.

South Florida was 7-5 on the season and 3-5 in the American Athletic Conference. Barnett threw for 2,498 yards in 10 games. He had 11 interceptions to go along with 11 touchdown passes. Chris Oladokun or Brett Kean would step in if the former Alabama quarterback can't go. Jordan Cronkrite has rushed for 1,095 yards. That is sixth most in a season at South Florida. The top receiving targets are wideout Tyre McCants. He had 58 catches for 612 yards, and three TD's. Tight end Mitchell Wilcox had 40 receptions for 506 yards, and two TD's. Linebacker Khalid McGee leads the beleaguered Bulls' defense with 104 tackles.

PREDICTION: Marshall 31, South Florida 21

Bad Boy Motors Gasparilla Bowl Betting Odds & Trends

Marshall Thundering Herd
Marshall is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Marshall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Marshall's last 5 games
Marshall is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Marshall is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Marshall's last 7 games on the road

USF Bulls
South Florida is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
South Florida is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games
South Florida is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
South Florida is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home
South Florida is 14-3 SU in its last 17 games at home

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Kings Host Improving Thunder Wednesday Night

Kings Look to Halt Thunder Streak

The Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sacramento Kings will meet on Wednesday night at Golden 1 Center. The Thunder are marching up the win column lately. They have no trouble shoving some opponents out of the way on the way up - literally and figuratively.

TV: 10 p.m. ET, NBATV, FS Oklahoma, NBCS California (Sacramento).

LINE: Thunder -5; O/U: 232.5.

(opens in a new tab)">Oklahoma City rolled past the Chicago Bulls 121-96 on Monday. The game was more notable for a multi-player scuffle that erupted in the third quarter. Thunder star Russell Westbrook was shoved in the chest by Chicago point guard Kris Dunn. That set off a chain of events that led to a pair of technical fouls for each team.

The Thunder have improved to 19-10 on the season. Westbrook led Oklahoma City with 13 points, 16 rebounds, 11 assists and five steals on Monday. It was his fourth straight game with at least four steals. Westbrook posted a triple-double in four of eight games this month. He is only shooting 36.4 percent from the floor in December.

C Steven Adams is averaging 20 points in December, raising his season average to 16.1.

The Kings are 16-14 on the season. Shooting guard Buddy Hield was the lone starter to log more than 10 minutes on Monday. He finished with a team-high 21 points on 7-of-13 shooting in 18 minutes. Hield is averaging 24 points on 52.9 percent shooting over the last four games. He is 18-of-40 from 3-point range in that span.

PREDICTION: Thunder 115, Kings 110

NBA Betting Odds & Trends

Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder are 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
Oklahoma City is 19-6 SU in its last 25 games
The Thunder are 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Oklahoma City's last 15 games on the road
The Thunder are 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Sacramento
Oklahoma City is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Oklahoma City's last 12 games when playing Sacramento
The Thunder are 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The Thunder are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Oklahoma City's last 7 games when playing on the road against Sacramento

Sacramento Kings
The Kings are 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Sacramento is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Sacramento's last 16 games
The Kings are 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 17 of Sacramento's last 25 games at home
The Kings are 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Oklahoma City
Sacramento is 7-18 SU in its last 25 games when playing Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Sacramento's last 12 games when playing Oklahoma City
The Kings are 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The Kings are 4-2 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Sacramento's last 7 games when playing at home against Oklahoma City

Next up:
Oklahoma City at Utah Saturday, December 22
Sacramento home to Memphis Friday, December 21

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Penguins and Capitals in NHL Action

Caps and Pens Tangle for Third Time

The fans at Capital One Arena will see the rubber-match betweenthe Pittsburgh Penguins and the Washington Capitals when they take their seats on Wednesday. The bitter Metropolitan Division rivals split their first two contests this season. Obviously, after the Capitals brushed aside the Penguins in the spring while capturing their first franchise Stanley Cup title.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, NBC Sports Network, TVAS

Line: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://record.commission.bz/_tflZyz2q5Blyi6yi6t2SVmNd7ZgqdRLk/165/" target="_blank">Caps -128; O/U: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://record.commission.bz/_tflZyz2q5Blyi6yi6t2SVmNd7ZgqdRLk/165/" target="_blank">6.5U +111; Puckline: (opens in a new tab)" href="https://record.commission.bz/_tflZyz2q5Blyi6yi6t2SVmNd7ZgqdRLk/165/" target="_blank">Caps -1.5 +185; (opens in a new tab)">Pens +1.5 -215.

Alex Ovechkin has seen his career-high 14-game point streak result in 12 victories for the Washington Capitals. He has amassed 17 goals and six assists during the streak.

Ovechkin scored a goal in Washington's 7-6 overtime loss at Pittsburgh on Oct. 4 and again in a 2-1 win on Nov. 7. The three-time Hart Trophy winner pushed his goal-scoring streak to six games. He followed up back-to-back hat tricks with his NHL-best 29th goal in Saturday's 4-3 shootout victory versus Buffalo. The Capitals have won five straight.

The (opens in a new tab)">Penguins were on a 5-1-1 surge before squandering an early two-goal lead in Monday's 4-2 loss against Anaheim. Evgeni Malkin opened the scoring with a power-play goal versus the Ducks. He has recorded 21 points in his last 14 games versus the Capitals. He has 10 goals and 11 assists.

The Penguins are 15-12-6 on the season. Sidney Crosby (four assists), Malkin (one goal, two assists) and Phil Kessel (two goals, one assist) carry three-game point streaks into Wednesday's matchup. They share top honors with a team leading 36 points.

Bryan Rust has found his offensive prowess since snapping a 21-game goal drought. He turned a hat trick at Chicago last Wednesday. He has scored five goals and set up another in his past four games. Rust also prevented a sure tally by making like Matt Murray and putting his legs together for a "two-pad" save on Anaheim's Jakob Silfverberg.

Murray has permitted at least three goals in nine of his 12 appearances in 2018-19.

The Capitals are 20-9-3 on the season. Nicklas Backstrom has set up six goals in his last three contests. He has matched defenseman John Carlson with a club-best 30 assists this season.

Carlson also set up six goals in a three-game stretch before being held off the scoresheet versus the Sabres. He has collected consecutive two-point performances versus Pittsburgh this season. That gives him 21 points (six goals, 15 assists) in 33 career meetings.

PREDICTION: Penguins 4, Capitals 2

NHL Betting Odds & Trends

Pittsburgh Penguins
The Penguins are 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games
Pittsburgh is 1-7 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
The Penguins are 2-8 SU in its last 10 games on the road
The Penguins are 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Washington
Pittsburgh is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Pittsburgh's last 13 games when playing Washington
The Penguins are 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Washington
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games when playing on the road against Washington

Washington Capitals
The Capitals are 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games
Washington is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Washington's last 8 games
The Capitals are 4-2 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Washington is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games at home
The Capitals are 5-2 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
Washington is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Washington's last 13 games when playing Pittsburgh
The Capitals are 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Washington's last 7 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh

Next up:
Pittsburgh home to Minnesota Thursday, December 20
Washington home to Buffalo Friday, December 21

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