Cappers Sports Picks

820 North Carolina at Duke

While the general public will look for this to be a high scoring contest. When you break these teams down we find plenty of value on the under. The Tar Heels are an excellent 3 point shooting team, cashing in on 38.6% of attempts from long range. But that’s the strength of this Duke defense as the Blue Devils hold the opposition to just 29.7% from deep. North Carolina in our opinion takes way too many midrange shots, and Duke permits 28.2% of shots to be taken from that range. Duke only allows 29.2% shooting from that area of the court. 

On the other hand Duke takes 43.7% of its shots at the rim, while North Carolina only allows 30.4% of shots to be taken from close range. So the preferred shooting areas of both teams should be defended well in this matchup.

PLAY UNDER

796 Louisville at Syracuse

Tough spot here for the Cardinals who are off three tight games before hosting Virginia. Louisville had to go to overtime against Florida State, lost by two against Duke and followed that up with a one point win hosting Clemson. We all know it’s easier to shoot well from behind the arc at home, but on the road could be a different story here. Louisville attempts 43% of its shots from long range, and Syracuse allows opponents to take 48.1% of its shots from distance. So the Cardinals should get plenty of three point attempts, but the Orange are very good inside defensively. On the season Syracuse has held the opposition to just 30.1% shooting behind the arc at home.

PLAY SYRACUSE

73 Boston at Las Vegas

We are well aware on the Bruins fourth game in six days, but there is no way we want any part of this fading Knights team as a favorite. Halak has been a hot goaltender as of late stopping .938% of shots the past five games. Cehlarik missed the last game but we expect him back tonight. 

While Halak has been hot the same cannot be said of Fleury who has only stopped .886% of shots the past five games. In fact, things have been so bad that the team started Subban in net each of the last two games. The Knights defense has continued to turn the ball over deep in its zone, which is a major reason why the goaltending hasn’t been as good this year. The Knights had a ton of breakaway chances last season, and that has dried up this year. As a season ticket holder for the host I’m very worried about this team going forward.

PLAY BOSTON