The bad news: the total combined record for today’s featured teams: 13-45 (a .224 winning percentage). The good news: two teams are sure to come away with a much needed win.
In the NFL, the Jags and Texans – defending AFC South champs – fight for the right not to be called the division’s worst. Likewise in the NBA, the Nets and Knicks – defending Atlantic Division champs – also hope to avoid the label of worst team in the Worst Division at this point in the season in NBA History.
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Sports Betting Preview for December 5
Top Stories in Sports Today
NCAAB – UNC Upsets #1 Spartans
The unranked North Carolina Tar Heels have toppled their second Top 3-ranked school this season as they took down the #1 Michigan State Spartans 79-65 at East Lansing. Tom Izzo now drops to 0-7 SU and ATS against the Tar Heels in their last seven meetings.
NBA – Wolves-Spurs Game in Mexico City Cancelled
The first regular season game to be held in Mexico since 1997 was cancelled due to smoke inside the arena caused by a faulty generator.
NBA – Blazers Douse Thunder’s Hot Streak
LaMarcus Aldridge erupted for 38 points and added 13 rebounds to help Portland defeat the Thunder, 111-104. The loss ended Oklahoma’s winning streak at eight games.
Top Games to Bet On
Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (8:25 PM ET)
The Houston Texans’ transformation from first to worst is nearly complete. Thanks to an epic ten-game losing skid, last year’s AFC South winners currently own the worst record in the NFL. After a somewhat promising first few games, quarterback Case Keenum has failed to throw a touchdown pass in the last two weeks. Houston is 5-1 SU in their last 6 games against the Jags, with that one loss coming just 11 days ago. [sc:Other250banner ]
Three wins in the four games after their bye have lifted the Jaguars from the bottom of the NFL standings. More impressively, all three wins have come on the road, including a 13-6 win at Houston. The Jacksonville running game, dead-last in the NFL at 70 yards/game, has come back to life with back-to-back 110+ yard games. The Jags have gone 3-1 ATS after their bye.
New York Knicks vs. Brooklyn Nets (7:00 PM ET)
This has been the season from hell for the New York Knicks. With their most indispensable player in Tyson Chandler injured four games into the season, the Knicks have slumped to a 3-13 start, and are in the midst of a nine-game losing streak. Their star player Carmelo Anthony has issued a challenge to his “laughingstock” team to end their skid tonight against the Nets. The Knicks are 7-3 in last 10 games vs. Brooklyn.
Things haven’t fared much better in the neighboring New York borough. Expected to challenge in the East this season, Brooklyn is nowhere near doing so after a dreadful 5-13 start. Injuries to key personnel (Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Andrei Kirilenko) and coaching turmoil have all played their part in the ongoing disaster. But a loss at home to the equally awful Knicks would be unacceptable. The OVER is 9-4 in the Nets’ last 13 home games.
