First Pick: Under 6.5 Goals

Rundown: The Los Angeles Kings are set for the Freeway Face-off against the Anaheim Ducks in a Western Conference battle at the Honda Center. Los Angeles is coming off a win over the Ottawa Senators on Monday, while Anaheim is fresh off a 5–4 loss to Vancouver. Entering today’s matchup, these two teams combine to average 6.3 goals per game and allow 5.8, both below the posted total. This matchup features strength against strength, with Anaheim entering as the NHL’s second-highest-scoring offense and Los Angeles boasting the league’s fourth-ranked scoring defense. Los Angeles’ strong defense has resulted in just 14 of their 23 games to go under the 6.5 goal total. This matchup between longtime rivals should deliver physical, hard-hitting action throughout all three periods and likely come down to the wire.

Second Pick: Lakers -10.5

Rundown: Rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and the Dallas Mavericks (5-14) travel to Crypto.com Arena to square off with former Maverick Luka Doncic and the Los Angeles Lakers (13-4). The Lakers enter tonight’s matchup red hot, winners of five consecutive games and six of their last seven. Los Angeles has been strong against the spread this season, posting a 12–5 record ATS. Dallas’ slow start has resulted due to subpar play on both ends of the court, boasting the 4th-worst scoring offense (109.5 PPG) and 16th-ranked scoring defense (115.5 PPG). Those numbers are a positive sign for Los Angeles as they are 12-0 ATS this season when they put up more than 115.5 points. Luka Doncic has been at the forefront of Los Angeles’ scoring, posting a league-best 35.2 points per game. Anticipate Los Angeles to control the game early and roll to a dominant home victory. 

Third Pick: Under 224.5 Points

Rundown: The Los Angeles Clippers (5-13) host the Memphis Grizzlies (7-12) in an NBA Cup Group Play matchup Friday night from the Intuit Dome. Los Angeles enters tonight as one of the coldest teams in the NBA, having lost 11 of its last 13 games, while Memphis comes in having won three of its last four. Both teams rank near the bottom of the league in scoring offense, with Memphis at 24th and Los Angeles at 25th. In Memphis’ 19 games to this point, just seven have gone over the projected point total (36.8%). Los Angeles and its opponents have combined to score 223.5 points on average over the last 10 games. The underperforming offenses on both sides of the court could result in a low-scoring, defensive-centric game. 

Rundown: My Black Friday deal this year is providing a bonus pick from today’s NFL Black Friday matchup, between the 8-3 Chicago Bears and the 8-3 Philadelphia Eagles. Caleb Williams and the first-place Bears will look to hold onto their division lead as the Jalen Hurts-led Eagles aim to maintain their comfortable edge in the NFC East over the Dallas Cowboys. While the surface record for Chicago looks encouraging, the under-the-radar numbers are concerning. Chicago currently owns a negative point differential (-3) and among the worst 8-3 teams in NFL history. 

After surrendering a 21-point lead in last week’s 24-21 loss to the Dallas Cowboys, it will be crucial for Philadelphia to get back on track behind their home fans. Expect Nick Sirianni to attack Chicago’s 26th-ranked scoring defense on the ground with All-Pro running back Saquon Barkley and guide Philadelphia to a convincing win.