Phillies vs Blue Jays Free Pick August 25, 2018

NHL 3-PACK

The New York Islanders have been the hottest team in the NHL lately with 13 wins and an overtime loss through their last 14 games. That OT loss came against Pittsburgh on Nov. 7, and I like the Penguins to get the better of the Isles again in this matchup. Pittsburgh has been inconsistent and enters this contest banged up, but it is 7-3-1 home at PPG PAINTS Arena and the Islanders can't keep winning forever.

8* play on Pittsburgh Penguins. 

NHL 3-PACK

The Vegas Golden Knights snapped an ugly five-game skid in an impressive way when they defeated the Flames 6-0 in the second leg of a back-to-back situation on Sunday. I like them to use that momentum to power past the Toronto Maple Leafs who enter this contest as losers in five a row, the most recent a 6-1 loss at Pittsburgh. The Maple Leafs are 1-6 in their last 7 road games while Vegas is 18-7 in its last 25 games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.

8* play on Vegas Golden Knights. 

NHL 3-PACK

The Dallas Stars won just one of their first nine games on the season. They've turned it around completely since, entering this contest with 10 wins in their last 12 games, and here they'll host a Vancouver Canucks team that has just one win in its last seven games. The Nucks have really struggled on the defensive end lately with four or more goals allowed in four of their last five games, and I'm expecting the red hot Stars to take full advantage of their reeling opponent. 

8* play on Dallas Stars. 

GAME OF THE MONTH (NBA): MIKE'S BEST NBA TOTAL FOR NOVEMBER

The LA Lakers are tied for the best record in the league while having the very best point-differential, and arguably the biggest reason for their success is their play on the defensive end of the hardwood. The Lakers have the very best defensive efficiency in the NBA (even better than Utah!) and they've allowed an average of just over 97 ppg over their last three contests. The OKC Thunder have been held to fewer than 90 points in two of their last three games, including a 90-88 loss to the Clippers here at Staples Center Monday night. 

Under is 34-16-1 in Thunder last 51 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600. Under is 15-7 in Lakers last 22 games vs. a team with a winning % below .400. Under is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.

10* play on UNDER. 

CBB 3-PACK

The No. 7 Maryland Terrapins are a perfect 3-0 SU on the season and they've covered the spread in back-to-back-to-back games following an 80-50 rout as a 19-point favorite over Oakland. The visiting Fairfield Stags on the other hand have dropped three of their first four games on the season following a demoralizing OT loss at Loyola-Maryland last time out. They are just 6-14 ATS in their last 20 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600 and I expect Maryland to win by 30+. 

8* play on Maryland. 

CBB 3-PACK

The No. 5 Kansas Jayhawks should have no trouble to take care of business against East Tennessee St. home in Allen Fieldhouse. Note that while the visiting Buccaneers have averaged 76.5 ppg while opening the season 3-0 SU, they're just 1-2 ATS and have not played a team near the caliber of this Jayhawks side. 

Kansas put up 112 points in a rout of Monmouth-NJ last time out and are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game plus 9-3 ATS in their last 12 home games. 

8* play on Kansas. 

CBB 3-PACK

The UT Arlington Mavericks have their work cut out for them when they visit the No. 8 Gonzaga Bulldogs Tuesday night. Note that the Bulldogs put a 79-49 beating on Texas A&M last time out to improve to 4-0 SU on the season. They've covered the spread in three straight games, twice as favorites of 29 points or more, and they're 17-6 ATS in their last 23 games following a straight up win of more than 20 points. The Mavericks are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 non-conference games and unlikely to be able to hang with the superior Bulldogs. 

8* play on Gonzaga.