NBA Postseason Best Bets (5/17)
Alex Christenson
As we get closer to the holiday season, you have to pay attention to home court advantage in college basketball and when the students leave for break. Once they depart campus, then a lot of places have greatly reduced crowds giving more hope to the road team to pull off upsets or cover large numbers. You are going to notice more road teams on my card in the next few weeks as this occurs … although not here. Let’s take a look at this Monday slate.
All odds are per DraftKings Sportsbook.
Stonehill at New Hampshire
7 p.m. ET
New Hampshire -13.5
Stonehill is really bad defensively. They are 306th in 2pt% defense and 334th in 3pt% defense, allowing teams to shoot 38.1% from long range. On the road they’ve given up 80 or more in all but one contest, including giving up 97 at Texas A&M Commerce. The Wildcats play with a ton of pace and have scored 115, 82, 74 and 80 in their four home games. I think we are getting a good number here on the home team’s total.
The Pick
New Hampshire over 81.5 (-125)
Alabama A&M at Samford
7:30 p.m. ET
Samford -18.5
Samford has a top-20 tempo and an offense that should have no problems getting to the rim. They’ve scored 85 or more in all but one game during this seven-game win streak. Granted, most of those came against lesser competition, but they did put up 88 on Louisiana Nov. 30. Alabama A&M is 1-7 and in the 300s in 2pt% defense, 3pt% defense and FTA/FGAm meaning they are putting teams on the FT line often. The Bulldogs gave up 106 points at Lipscomb earlier this season. This one could get ugly too.
The Pick
Samford over 86.5 (-120)
