Frank Sawyer

At 9:00 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing the Illinois-Chicago Flames (862) minus the points versus the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (861). THE SITUATION: Illinois-Chicago (14-13) saw their four-game winning streak snapped last Saturday with their 81-73 upset loss at Youngstown State as a 1-point favorite. Wisconsin-Green Bay (14-13) has won two straight games as well as four of their last five contests with their 82-73 win over Detroit as a 5.5-point favorite.

REASONS TO TAKE THE FLAMES MINUS THE POINTS: Illinois-Chicago has covered the point spread in 15 of their last 24 games after a loss to a Horizon League rival — and this includes them covering the point spread in four of their last six games after an upset loss to a conference rival. The Flames have also covered the point spread in 13 of their last 15 games when playing with five or six days of rest. Now after playing their last three games on the road, Illinois-Chicago returns home for the first time since February 3rd. The Flames are 11-3 on their home court with an average winning margin of +7.7 PPG — and they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 home games after playing their last three games on the road. They make a healthy 47.2% of their shots at home while holding their opponents to just a 40.9% field goal percentage. Illinois-Chicago has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games at home — and they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with a winning percentage below 40% on the road. Furthermore, the Flames have covered the point spread in 28 of their last 41 home games when favored in the 3.5 to 6 point range. Steve McClain is an underrated head coach who has assembled a nice trio of scorers on the perimeter with Marcus Ottey, Tarkus Ferguson, and Godwin Boahen. McClain has his team defend the 3-point line well to force opponents to take lower percentage jumpers inside the arc. Illinois-Chicago has the second best Adjusted Defensive Efficiency in the Horizon League while leading the conference in opponent’s effective field goal percentage due to their opponent’s 42.7% shooting percentage inside the arc which is also best in the league. Green Bay makes only 32.8% of their shots from 3-point land — so they are reliant on shooting inside the arc. The Flames lead the Horizon League in taking shots from behind the 3-point line — and they are making 36.6% of their 3-pointers led by their trio of good guards. The Phoenix has failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 9 games after a straight-up win — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after a point spread victory. Green Bay has also failed to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after winning two straight games — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 9 games after winning their last two games at home. And while the Phoenix have covered the point spread in their last two games as the favorite, they have then failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight games after covering two straight games as the fave. Now this team goes back on the road where they are just 4-11 with an average losing margin of -8.9 PPG. Green Bay makes only 43.2% of their shots on the road — and their up-tempo pace results in home teams scoring 86.6 PPG on 47.7% shooting against them. The Phoenix have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 road games — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 road games against teams with a winning percentage over 60% on their home court.

FINAL TAKE: Illinois-Chicago will be looking to avenge a 90-85 loss to Green Bay back on January 9th. The Phoenix have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 6 trips to Chicago to play the Flames. 25* CBB Friday ESPNU Game of the Year with the Illinois-Chicago Flames (862) minus the points versus the Wisconsin-Green Bay Phoenix (861). Best of luck for us — Frank.

Take Over the Total in the game between the Utah Jazz and the Oklahoma City Thunder. Utah returns from the All-Star Break coming off a 115-108 loss at Golden State last Tuesday. The Jazz have then played 5 of their last 6 games Over the Total after scoring at least 100 points in their last game. The Over is also 5-2-1 in Utah’s last 8 games on the road. Oklahoma City (37-20) comes off a 131-122 loss at New Orleans last Thursday. The Thunder have played 6 of their last 7 games Over the Total after a loss. OKC has also played 9 of their last 13 games Over the Total on their home court. Take the Over. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer’s Hollywood Sports DELIVERED their 25* NBA Thursday TNT Game of the Year with the LA Lakers last night who PULLED THE UPSET over Houston to further 38 of 63 (60%) NBA run which includes a 27 of 44 (61%) NBA Sides mark! Now Frank UNLEASHES his 25* NBA Friday ESPN Game of the Year tonight! WATCH & WIN — and DON’T MISS OUT!

At 9:35 PM ET on Friday, we will be playing the Oklahoma City Thunder (530) minus the points versus the Utah Jazz (529). Oklahoma City (37-20) saw their four-game winning streak snapped last Thursday in their 131-122 upset loss at New Orleans as a 4.5-point favorite. Utah (32-25) returns from the All-Star Break after a 115-108 loss at Golden State as a 9-point underdog back on February 12th.

REASONS TO TAKE THE THUNDER MINUS THE POINTS: Oklahoma City has rebounded to cover the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after a point spread loss. The Thunder have also covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games when playing with at least three days of rest. The OKC like to push the pace to take advantage of the athleticism of Paul George and Russell Westbrook. They have seen at least 229 combined points scored in each of their last three games — and they have then covered the point spread in 11 of their last 13 home games after playing three straight games where at least 215 combined points were scored. The Thunder return home where they are 20-7 this season with an average winning margin of +7.5 PPG. Oklahoma City has covered the point spread in 4 straight games at home — and they have covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 home games against teams with a losing record on the road. Look for head coach Billy Donovan to emphasize better play on the defensive end of the court after they allowed the Pelicans to make 54.3% of their shots which was the worst defensive effort in their last five games. The Thunder have still covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games against teams with a winning record. OKC has also covered the point spread in 18 of their last 27 games when favored in the 3.5 to 9.5 point range. Utah went into the All-Star Break with three straight point spread covers. But the Jazz have then failed to cover the point spread in 7 of their last 10 games after covering the point spread in two straight games — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games after covering the point spread in three of their last four contests. Furthermore, Utah has failed to cover the point spread in 8 of their last 11 games against teams with a winning percentage over 60%. And in their last 13 games against fellow Northwest Division opponents, the Jazz have failed to cover the point spread in 9 of these games. Utah stays on the road where they are just 14-15 this season.

FINAL TAKE: OKC should be close to full strength tonight. Dennis Schroder and Jerami Grant missed their last two games but Schroder will be back on the court after the birth of his new baby and reports are encouraging that Grant’s ankle has healed. The Thunder also may debut Markieff Morris who they picked up from Washington — he has been out since December with a neck injury but has been cleared to play for two weeks. The Jazz do not match up well with OKC — they have failed to cover the point spread in 4 straight meetings with them while also covering the point spread in 4 of their last 5 trips to Oklahoma City. 25* NBA Friday ESPN Game of the Year with the Oklahoma City Thunder (530) minus the points versus the Utah Jazz (529). Best of luck for us — Frank.