It’s going to be a sweet night for sport bettors out there. One of the hottest teams in the NBA, the Detroit Pistons, takes on the East’s second-best team, the Toronto Raptors. Later on in the night, the inaugural College Football Playoff will crown its first-ever champion when the Ohio State Buckeyes take on 2014 Heisman winner Marcus Mariota and the Oregon Ducks.
Don’t pass on the best action for the day. The Buckeyes vs. Ducks game, in particular, cannot be missed. It’s on pace to become the most heavily bet college football game ever. So read on for the best picks on the two hottest games of the day.
Excited for the two big NFL conference championship games this weekend? Then check out our previews for the Packers vs. Seahawks and Colts vs. Patriots.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Detroit Pistons vs. Toronto Raptors (7:30 PM ET)
Line: Detroit Pistons (+6) at Toronto Raptors (-6); total 208.5 – view these lines
[sc:NBA240banner ]The Detroit Pistons have played excellent basketball since waiving Josh Smith on December 22. They’ve gone from scoring 94.4 points per game to 106.2, their field goal percentage has risen from 41.3 percent to 46.5 and they’ve allowed 94.3 points per game after allowing 101.1 in their first 28 games. The Pistons have also gone 5-0 on the road over that span.
The same can’t be said of the Toronto Raptors. The Raptors are 1-4 SU/ATS in their last five and have allowed 110.4 points per game over that stretch.
Kyle Lowry should figure heavily in this game. He had 15 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals in the Raptors’ 110-100 win over Detroit on December 19. The Raptors are 4-0 SU/ATS in their last four games against Detroit.
Writer’s Prediction
The Pistons take a big win over the Raptors. Take them to cover +6.
Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Oregon Ducks (8:30 PM ET)
Line: Ohio State Buckeyes (+6) at Oregon Ducks (-6); total 74.5 – view these lines
The spotlight will be on Marcus Mariota, who is the key to the Ducks’ National Championship bid. Mariota has been remarkable season, passing for 4,121 yards with 40 touchdowns and just three interceptions. He’s also adept with his feet, racking up 731 yards rushing and 15 scores.
Still, the Ohio State Buckeyes may be able to rain on Mariota’s parade. The Buckeyes have one of the best passing defenses in the country, which has allowed only 191.6 yards passing per game. Ohio State also has a beast of a running back in Ezekiel Elliott. He racked up a total of 450 yards and four touchdowns on just 40 carries over the past two games. Milking the clock with the running game should allow the Buckeyes to see less of Mariota on the field.
Ohio State is 8-0 all-time against the Ducks.
Writer’s Prediction
The Buckeyes upset Oregon. Take the Buckeyes at +6.
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