Tiny Nick’s Gambling Picks: 11/25
Locks
NFL (1 Unit) 3-Team 6 Point Teaser (+150)
What’s Thanksgiving without watching football, and what’s watching football without some action on the game? This Tiny Turkey Teaser should get you through the day from hors d’oeuvres to warming up some leftovers.
Chicago Bears/Detroit Lions Under 47.5: 11:30 AM CT on FOX
This almost guarantees to be the least entertaining game of the day, but that’s probably going to be due to a lack of scoring. These teams are 29th and 30th in scoring, and as a result, have a combined record of 14-6 to the under.
Both of these teams also have big question marks at quarterback, plus key receivers who will likely miss this game. I see both teams taking a run-heavy approach here, especially on the short week. This game might get you napping before the tryptophan sets in, so I love this teased under here.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Dallas Cowboys -1.5: 3:30 PM CT on CBS
My Cowboys have been one of the best at covering numbers this season at 8-2 ATS, but I’d rather have them at close to a pick ‘em price for this game. The Dallas offense did not look great last Sunday with key injuries plaguing them, but the defense really carried the load and should be able to shut down this imploding Raiders team.
The Vegas offense has fallen apart during their tumultuous recent stretch, averaging just 14.3 PPG the last 3 weeks against suspect defenses. It won’t be a usual high-octane performance, but I’m confident that the Cowboys can grind out a win here at home in a bounce-back spot.
Buffalo Bills -0.5 @ New Orleans Saints: 7:20 PM CT on NBC
Speaking of teams that need a bounce-back win, both of these squads need one in the worst way. But I see Buffalo being the one to turn things around against this depleted Saints team. New Orleans will again be missing Alvin Kamara and potentially Mark Ingram, so replicating what the Colts did to Buffalo on the ground last week will be difficult.
The Saints are also thin along the offensive and defensive lines, further limiting their ability to exploit Buffalo’s weaknesses up front. That should allow the Bills to play their preferred style of getting QB Josh Allen on the move. If the Buffalo offense regains its form, this MASH unit of a New Orleans offense simply won’t keep pace and the Bills should get the road win.
Degenerates
NCAA Basketball Alabama/Iona Over 147.5 (-110): 4:00 PM CT on ESPN2
In Nate Oats for Alabama and Rick Pitino for Iona, this game features two coaches more than willing to play at an incredible pace. In fact the Crimson Tide are playing at the 18th-fastest pace in the country so far this season. Iona hasn’t found many opponents willing to play fast which has held down their offensive ratings, but this matchup should generate their ideal tempo.
It’s a neutral court and therefore sometimes difficult for teams to figure out the sightlines early on. But I see a style here that leads to a lot of transition buckets, so those easy points should carry this one over the total.
Tiny Nick is 457-356 ATS (+82 Units) on his Locks since joining Zone Coverage.
Every day he will offer his Locks and Degenerate picks. Locks are the games he’s confident in. Degenerates are entertaining but riskier picks.