Sean Murphy Sports Betting Picks

My selection is on Pittsburgh over Florida at 7:05 pm et on Friday.

I think we'll see the Penguins best effort here after they dropped the opening two games of this three-game road trip. Following tonight's game Pittsburgh will have three full days off before taking the ice again at home against the Coyotes. It certainly doesn't want to be stewing on an 0-3 road trip and four-game losing streak. Note that despite the Pens 6-7 road record, they've actually outscored opponents by an average margin of 0.5 goals away from home. They catch the Panthers in a favorable spot here, noting that Florida checks in off a wild 5-4 victory over Dallas two nights ago and is just 26-32 in its last 58 games after scoring four goals or more in its previous contest. Pittsburgh is 4-3 in the last seven meetings in this series including an even 2-2 mark in its last four trips to Sunrise. Take Pittsburgh (8*).

My selection is on the 'under' between Pittsburgh and Florida at 7:05 pm et on Friday.

The 'under' is 9-1 in the Penguins last 10 games including a perfect 2-0 on their current road trip. While a date with the Panthers could generally be considered a potential breakout spot for an opposing offense, I'm not sure there's a quick fix for the Pens right now. Note that Florida is actually giving up just 2.6 goals per game this season. The Panthers have scored 13 goals over their last three games but that scoring tear actually helps our cause here, noting the 'under' is a long-term 81-56 with Florida having scored three goals or more in three consecutive games. Meanwhile, the 'under' is a perfect 6-0 with the Penguins coming off a road loss this season and a long-term 23-6 when playing on the road off a loss by two goals or more, which is also the situation here. Since the start of 2019, nine of 12 meetings in this series have totalled six goals or less. While these two teams are known for their offense, they actually qualify as having two of the worst power plays in the entire league. The Pens are 7-for-71 with the man advantage this season while the Panthers check in 15-for-81. Take the under (8*).

My selection is on Sacramento minus the points over Phoenix at 9:10 pm et on Friday.

The Kings have an extra day of rest advantage here after they bowed out of the in-season tournament with a disappointing home loss against the Pelicans on Monday. They've now lost four of their last seven games but I like their chances of bouncing back against the Suns on Friday. Phoenix is 1-3 SU and 0-4 ATS over its last four contests. Bradley Beal has yet to make much of a contribution at all due to injury while Kevin Durant is now sidelined as well. Durant's absence has obviously been factored into the line but as a whole, the Suns have struggled offensively, knocking down fewer than 40 field goals in four straight games. Note that the Kings are 17-4 ATS in their last 21 games following a home defeat and have proven to be road warriors, going 35-19 ATS in their last 54 contests away from home. The Suns are 23-28 ATS in their last 51 games as an underdog and 2-6 ATS in their last eight contests as a home underdog of six points or less. Take Sacramento (8*).

Atlantic Division Game of the Month. My selection is on New York plus the points over Boston at 7:40 pm et on Friday.

The Knicks have played just once since last Friday as they got drilled by the Bucks in the quarter-final round of the in-season tournament on Monday. Milwaukee simply couldn't miss in that game, shooting a blistering 60% from the field. I'm confident we'll see the scrappy Knicks respond in this divisional road contest on Friday. They're set up well having gone a long-term 71-44 ATS when coming off a game in which the opposition shot 55% or better from the field. This is a revenge spot for the Knicks as well after they suffered a lopsided 16-point defeat in Boston back in November. Note that New York checks in 6-5 on the road this season where it has outscored opponents by an average margin of 0.3 points. Boston has dropped the cash in consecutive games and is just 2-7 ATS over its last nine contests. It's difficult to cover these lofty spreads when you're playing as loose as the Celtics are defensively. They've allowed 90 or more field goal attempts in six of their last eight games. Take New York (10*).

Friday NBA Free play. My selection is on Denver minus the points over Houston at 9:10 pm et on Friday.

The Nuggets have dropped consecutive games but draw a 'get right' spot at home against the Rockets on Friday. Note that Houston is 2-1 against Denver so far this season but both victories came at home. In the lone previous meetings here in the Mile High City, the Nuggets prevailed by double-digits. Houston checks in just 15-32 ATS in its last 47 road games following an outright underdog victory at home, as is the case here after Wednesday's victory against Oklahoma City. The Nuggets, meanwhile, are 36-24 ATS in their last 60 home games and 6-3 ATS in their last nine contests as a home favorite. This is one of those difficult one-game road trips for the Rockets and I simply believe a letdown will be in order, noting that they've cooled off considerably following a hot start to the season, going 3-6 SU over their last nine games including 0-3 ATS on their most recent road trip. Take Denver.

My selection is on Cleveland minus the points over Miami at 8:10 pm et on Friday.

Just a simple fade of the Heat off their 'upset' win in Toronto on Wednesday. Miami hasn't exactly been blowing the opposition off the floor at home this season, going 5-3 in South Beach but an even 119.2 points apiece in terms of scoring average. Note that the Heat are just 27-40 ATS in their last 67 games following a SU win and 19-34 ATS in their last 53 contests coming off an ATS victory. The Cavaliers got off to a slow start this season but have since gone 8-3 over their last 11 games including an impressive double-digit victory over the upstart Magic on Wednesday. Letdowns haven't really been a problem for the Cavs as they're 35-23 ATS in their last 58 games following a double-digit victory. Also note that Cleveland will be seeking revenge for a 33-point home loss against Miami suffered back in November. Note that the Cavs have gone a perfect 2-0 ATS the only two times they've been in a similar revenge spot over the last two seasons. Take Cleveland (8*).