Frank Sawyer

FRANK’S CUTTING ROOM FLOOR FOR THURSDAY:

My “Cutting Room Floor” are the situations I considered the closest but did not make the “final cut” for my officials plays today for personal clients and subscribers. The last play on my cut list for Thursday was with the Over in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Denver Nuggets. Denver (55-35) made this a series on Tuesday with their 114-106 upset victory over the Lakers as a 5.5-point underdog. The Nuggets have played 9 of their last 14 games Over the Total after pulling off an upset win as an underdog. And while Denver has nailed at least 47.3% of their shots in at least six straight games, they have then played Over the Total in 10 of their last 13 games after shooting at least 47% from the field in five straight games — including five straight Overs. Los Angeles has played 8 of their last 11 games Over the Total after a straight-up loss. And the Over is 22-8-2 in the last 32 meetings between these two teams. This is likely a a profitable situation (despite it not making my final cut). Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports was a WINNING 2-1 in All-Sports on Wednesday to continue their SIZZLING 42 of 69 (61%) All-Sports run over the last nineteen days! Frank begins Week Three of the NFL season on a 17 of 27 (63%) NFL run — and now he furthers his NEAR PERFECT 6 of 7 (86%) NFL Game of the Month/Year sides run with his 25* NFL Thursday Night Football Game of the Month for tonight’s Miami-Jacksonville ATS winner on the NFL Network at 8:20 PM ET! DO NOT MISS OUT!

Frank SWEPT THE BOARD in the NBA playoffs last night — CA$HING on Miami and the Celtics-Heat Over — to further his 26 of 41 (63%) NBA playoff run this postseason! Frank is on a 12 of 17 (70%) NBA playoff sides run — and now he furthers his SCORCHING 16 of 20 (80%) NBA Game of the Year mark with his 25* NBA Thursday TNT Game of the Year for tonight’s LA Lakers-Denver ATS winner at 9 PM ET! DON’T MISS IT!

At 9:00 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Los Angeles Lakers (709) minus the points versus the Denver Nuggets (710) in Game Four of the Western Conference Finals. THE SITUATION: Los Angeles (62-22) lost their first game in their last seven playoff contests with their 114-106 upset loss to the Nuggets on Tuesday as a 5.5-point favorite. Denver (55-35) now trails in this series by a 2-1 margin. This game will be played on a neutral court in Orlando.

REASONS TO TAKE THE LAKERS MINUS THE POINTS: Los Angeles slacked with their effort on defense on Tuesday as they allowed the Nuggets to shoot 54.8% from the field which was the worst defensive effort in their last thirteen games. After allowing Denver to score 93 points after the first three quarters, the Lakers tightened things up to limit the Nuggets to just 21 points in the final twelve minutes. LA was also out-rebounded by a 45 to 25 margin while pulling down an embarrassingly sparse four offensive boards. Anthony Davis did not bother to notch his first offensive rebound until the 4th quarter. This team has covered the point spread in 8 of their last 11 games after being out-rebounded by at least ten boards in their last game. The Lakers’ effort was not as high as it has been in their six-game winning streak. But LeBron James and company should respond with a strong performance tonight as they have covered the point spread in 20 of their last 27 games after winning three of their last four games — and they have covered the point spread in 21 of their last 31 games after winning four of their last five games. The offensive prowess of this team has been consistent as they have shot at least 50% from the field in nine of their last eleven playoff games. Nine of their last ten playoff wins this postseason have been by more than 6 points — so when the Lakers win, they are also covering point spread expectations. And then there is James. In his career, James has seen his team take a 2-0 lead in the playoffs twenty-three times. It has been just eight times when James’ team then lost Game Three up 2-0 in the series. Only once in Game Four did James and his teammates then respond with a straight-up victory to seize the commanding 3-1 series lead. Denver has covered the point spread in the last two games in this series — but they have then failed to cover the point spread in 13 of their last 17 games after covering the point spread in two straight games. The Nuggets have also failed to cover the point spread in 37 of their last 61 games away from home after a straight-up win — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 32 of their last 52 games away from home after a point spread win. Denver played one of their best games in the postseason Jamal Murray scoring 28 points with 12 rebounds and 12 assists while Nikola Jokic added 22 points along with 10 boards. And Jeramy Grant played perhaps his best playoff game ever with 26 points while outplaying a listless Anthony Davis. The Nuggets’ 54.8% shooting percentage was the mark in their last eleven games — and they have made at least 47.3% of their shots in six straight games. But Denver may be due for a letdown as they have failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games after making at least 47% of their shots in five straight games.

FINAL TAKE: The Lakers have covered the point spread in 14 of their last 21 games when playing with revenge from an upset loss. 25* NBA Thursday TNT Game of the Year with the Los Angeles Lakers (709) minus the points versus the Denver Nuggets. Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 8:20 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing Under the Total in the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars (302). THE SITUATION: Jacksonville (1-1) enters this game coming off a 33-30 loss at Tennessee as a 7-point underdog. Miami (0-2) is winless in their first two games of the season after their 31-28 loss at home to Buffalo last Sunday as a 5.5-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE UNDER THE TOTAL: The Jaguars have played 7 of their last 10 games Under the Total after a loss on the road — and they have played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total after a loss to a divisional rival. Additionally, Jacksonville has played 7 of their last 8 games Under the Total after allowing at least 30 points — and they have played 6 of their last 7 games Under the Total after a game where at least 50 combined points were scored. Quarterback Gardner Minshew comes off a big game where he completed 30 of 45 passes for 339 yards — but the Jags have played 5 of their last 6 games Under the Total after a game where they passed for at least 300 yards. Minshew may be without one of his top weapons in wide receiver D.J. Chark who is questionable with a chest injury. Now Jacksonville returns home where they have played 9 of their last 13 games Under the Total — and they have played 4 of their last 5 home games Under the Total when favored. Miami needs to tighten things up on defense after allowing 524 total yards last week against the Bills. But the Dolphins have still played 4 of their last 5 games Under the Total in September. Additionally, the Under is 8-2-1 in Miami’s last 11 appearances on Thursday Night Football.

FINAL TAKE: The Dolphins have played 26 of their last 36 games on the road Under the Total with the number set at 45.5 or higher. Jacksonville has played 11 of their last 17 games Under the Total with the number installed in the 42.5 to 49 point range. 10* NFL Thursday Night Discounted O/U Deal with Under the Total in the game between the Miami Dolphins and the Jacksonville Jaguars (302). Best of luck for us — Frank.

At 8:20 PM ET on Thursday, we will be playing the Miami Dolphins (301) plus the points versus the Jacksonville Jaguars (302). THE SITUATION: Miami (0-2) is winless in their first two games of the season after their 31-28 loss at home to Buffalo last Sunday as a 5.5-point underdog. Jacksonville (1-1) comes off a 33-30 loss at Tennessee as a 7-point underdog.

REASONS TO TAKE THE DOLPHINS PLUS THE POINTS: There sure is a lot of love all of the sudden for this Jaguars’ team that was considered to be “tankin’ for Trevor” to get the opportunity to draft Trevor Lawrence as their franchise quarterback. But second-year QB Gardner Minshew is completing 75.4% of his passes with six touchdown passes and undrafted rookie running back James Robinson has emerged with 164 rushing yards to make their supporters understand why they released Leonard Fournette in training camp. Yet Jacksonville has still failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 9 games after a loss on the road — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after a loss to an AFC South rival. And while Minshew threw for 339 yards against the Titans defense, the Jaguars have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after passing for at least 300 yards in their last game. Keep in mind that it was Minshew’s two interceptions on Sunday that helped the Titans overcome being outgained by a 480 to 354 yardage margin to the Jaguars. Jacksonville has failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after failing at least 450 yards in their last game — and they have failed to cover the point spread in a decisive 43 of their last 69 games after outgaining their last opponent by at least 100 yards. Minshew may be without one of his top targets in wide receiver D.J. Chark who is listed as questionable with a chest injury. They return home where they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 home game when favored. And not only have the Jaguars failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after allowing at least 30 points but they have failed to cover the point spread in 19 of their last 27 home games after surrendering at least 30 points. Miami has covered the point spread in 7 of their last 9 games after a straight-up loss — and the have covered the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after a point spread setback. The Dolphins have also covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a straight-up loss where they covered the point spread as an underdog — and they have covered the point spread in 8 of their last 12 games after losing two straight contests to AFC East rivals. In head coach Brian Flores I trust to get this team focused on a short week. Remember, this team was supposedly “tankin’ for Tua” last year before they rallied from an 0-7 start to the season by then winning five of their last nine games. Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is inconsistent but it was the good version of him on Sunday as he completed 31 of 47 passes against an outstanding Bills defense for 328 passing yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. Getting wide receiver DeVante Parker healthy and back on the field is a big help for Fitzmagic — Parker has 78 catches for 1227 receiving yards with 10 touchdown passes in his last sixteen games. The Dolphins generated 410 yards of offense last week — and they have covered the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games after gaining at least 350 yards in their last game. Miami has also covered the point spread in 4 straight games after allowing at least 30 points in their last game.

FINAL TAKE: There is inherent value with the underdog in this one — and the Dolphins have covered the point spread in 10 of their last 14 games as the dog. Miami has also covered the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games when listed in the +/- 3-point range — and Jacksonville has failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 14 games when listed in the +/- 3-point range. 25* NFL Thursday Night Football Game of the Month is on the Miami Dolphins (301) plus the points versus the Jacksonville Jaguars (302). Best of luck for us — Frank.