Sean Murphy Handicapper, Premium and Free Picks

My selection is on Orlando plus the points over Philadelphia at 7:10 pm et on Monday.

We won with the Magic on Friday in Miami and then got the result we wanted in a lopsided loss to the Bulls on Saturday, setting Orlando up as a significant underdog against the red hot 76ers on Monday. The Magic had a tough night at the office against the Bulls on Saturday, not all that surprising as they were in a back-to-back and three-in-four situation and it showed as they allowed Chicago to knock down 48-of-81 field goal attempts. Here, I'm confident we'll see Orlando rebound, noting that it remains a terrific 7-2 ATS over its last nine games. Philadelphia has reeled off seven straight wins, however, I do think it could prove difficult to get up for this Monday night affair, noting that it has won 10 straight matchups in this series. The 76ers have incredibly shot better than 50% from the field in six straight games. That's masked the fact that they've struggled to contain opposing offenses, allowing 43 or more made field goals in six of their last eight contests, despite seven of those opponents getting off 87 or fewer field goal attempts. Take Orlando (8*).

Monday CBB Free play. My selection is on the 'under' between Iowa State and Texas Tech at 9 pm et on Monday.

We won with the 'over' in Texas Tech's win at LSU on Saturday but I'll shift gears and back the 'under' as the Red Raiders return to Big 12 play on Monday. Texas Tech continued to perform well defensively in that victory over the Tigers, holding them to just 22 made field goals. They've now limited their last three opponents to just 20, 19 and 22 made field goals. Meanwhile, Iowa State checks in top-10 in the country in adjusted defensive efficiency according to KenPom. With that being said, Iowa State is coming off consecutive games in which it opponents shot the lights out. The Cyclones did limit Kansas State and Missouri to just 48 and 53 field goal attempts respectively, however. Here, I'm confident we'll see them keep the pace down as well, noting the losing side has scored 51 points or less in four of five meetings between these two teams going back to the start of 2021. Take the under.

ACC Game of the Week. My selection is on Syracuse plus the points over Virginia at 7 pm et on Monday.

I'll grab all the points I can get with Syracuse on Monday as it hosts Virginia - which has suddenly vaulted itself into the national title conversation on the heels of six straight wins. Here, I can't help but feel the Cavaliers are in for a letdown after matching a season-high with 30 made field goals in Saturday's rout of Boston College. Of note, Virginia also matched a season-low in ACC play by limiting the Eagles to only 20 made field goals. It figures to face a tougher test on Monday as Syracuse looks to bounce back from consecutive losses. The Orange had impressively knocked down 30, 28, 29, 31, 29 and 23 field goals over its previous six games before shooting just 23-of-49 from the field against Virginia Tech on Saturday. Syracuse allowed the Hokies to make good on 32 field goals in that contest - a season-high allowed from the Orange. Here, we'll note that Virginia is 12-23 ATS after giving up 60 points or less in its previous game over the last three seasons, outscoring opponents by just 1.6 points on average in that situation. The Cavaliers are also a miserable 3-11 ATS after winning their previous contest by 15 points or more, outscored by an average of 1.1 points in that spot. The Orange were right there with the Cavaliers for 40 minutes in their first meeting this season. I'm confident this one will go down to the wire at the very least. Take Syracuse (10*).

Monday NHL Free play. My selection is on Winnipeg over St. Louis at 8:05 pm et on Monday.

Both of these teams enter this game scuffing their heels with the Blues having dropped four straight games and the Jets losers of three in a row. I'm confident we'll see Winnipeg bounce back, however, noting that it has gone 17-8 on home ice this season and checks in an incredible 8-1 after a home loss by three goals or more over the last two seasons, as is the case here, outscoring opponents by 2.0 goals on average in that situation. Winnipeg is also 25-10 in its last 35 home games after scoring two goals or less in three consecutive games, outscoring the opposition by an average margin of 1.1 goal in that spot. The Blues are likely to be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline, never able to find any sort of consistency this season and currently sitting eight points back (with three teams to leapfrog) in the Western Conference playoff hunt. Take Winnipeg.