Excerpts from Mad Max’s Notes

NFL

Chargers at Raiders

I swore on Mondays show that I was done betting on Raiders games this season. Everyone will probably jump on the Chargers after they beat up the Packers and forget that the Raiders beat the Lions last week. But let’s dissect this a bit. The Chargers fired their offensive coordinator and Rivers looks young again magically. The Raiders cannot defend against the pass. On offense, they have one of the best running backs and a decent enough QB to hang in there but the Chargers are good one the road…

NBA

Celtics at Hornets

After dropping their opener, the Celtics have won 5 in a row. Kemba Walker returns back to the place he called home for his career before this season and faces off against a Hornets team that has won 3 straight and somehow didn’t know it was supposed to be bad. The Celtics have a fairly balanced offensive attack so it’s not relying just on Kemba. Behind Kemba’s 26, Tatum is averaging 21 points per game and Hayward is averaging 20. Not sure the Hornets have enough to keep up.

Thunder at Spurs

The Spurs are not lighting it up early in the season but that was their MO last year too. The Thunder have been surprising, and they’ve won 2 in a row and are 5-2 against the spread. San Antonio tends to be a better team at home but both home and away they have struggled defensively this season

Heat at Suns

The Heat burned me two days ago and the Suns have been consistently making me money this season. Ricky Rubio has added a new dimension to this Suns team and he complements Devin Booker so well. Both teams are 5-2 but Phoenix is 7-0 against the spread.

Blazers at Clippers

Kawhi got the night off yesterday so presumably his load has been managed and he’ll be good to play tonight. The Blazers have been underperforming so far and the Clippers are 3-1 against the spread at home.

NHL

Devils at Flames

I spoke about the Heat and Suns in the NBA so might as well talk about the Devils and Flames. The Flames are another team that burned me as they stormed back for an OT win over the Coyotes the other day. The Devils are a team that started off terrible but seem to have gotten things right recently. They’ve won two in a row and their defense has been good.

Capitals at Panthers

Washington is playing very well lately and have won 4 in a row mostly against quality opponents. The Panthers are getting better but still can give up a lot of shots on goal and often that results in giving up a ton of goals.

Penguins at Islanders

Looks a bit trappy and could be a let down game for the Islanders.

Rangers at Hurricanes 

Rangers in a back to back and Hurricanes at home explains the line.

Canadians at Flyers

Philly is 5-1 at home but Montreal is 5-1 on the road. The Flyers so well as favorites but with all the money on them why is the line getting better for them?

Golden Knights at Maple Leafs

Vegas has struggled lately but is solid on the road this season. Looks like the sharps are on Vegas.

Kings at Senators 

Two subpar teams here. Money seems to be all over the Kings and I seem to agree. They aren’t scoring goals but get a lot of shots and the Senators defense might turn those shots into goals.

Canucks at Blackhawks 

Vancouver has lost a couple of close ones but have been very solid overall.

Predators at Avalanche 

Avalanche have lost 5 in a row. That must stop eventually. Not sure if it’s tonight.

Blue Jackets at Coyotes

Columbus is on a bad losing streak and the money seems to think there is value in betting them.

Wild at Sharks

Two teams that just broke losing streaks. Similar statistically except the Sharks have almost double the penalty minutes as the Wild.