Early Thoughts

Steve Quinne’s first take on Super Bowl Weekend

Kansas City Chiefs at Philadelphia Eagles
State Farm Stadium – Glendale, AZ
6:30 PM ET
SuperBook Line: Philadelphia -2.5

The Eagles are the early favorite, which makes sense. They did finish the season with a 15-3 record after winning the NFC Championship Game. But on the other side, it’s Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs. Despite being gimpy with a bad ankle, the Kansas City quarterback led his team to another Super Bowl. As he gets healthy, watch this line move in the other direction. So if you like KC, jump on it now.

Early Lines

A sneak peek at Super Sunday

Money Monday

Three suggestions for early-in-the-week action

St. Louis Blues at Winnipeg Jets
Canada Life Centre – Winnipeg, MB
8:00 PM ET
SuperBook Line: Winnipeg -210

The only NHL game on the slate on Monday night is a tempting one. Winnipeg has owned St. Louis this year.

They beat them 4-0 back on Oct. 24 and followed it up with a convincing 5-2 victory on Dec. 8. Although the Jets have lost three in a row, they’re still comfortably in second place in the Central division with 63 points. That’s tied for the second most points in the Western Conference.

Meanwhile, the Blues have lost four in a row and been outscored 19-8 over that stretch. A shot at the postseason appears to be slipping away, as St. Louis has just 49 points and sits eight points back of Colorado for the final wild card spot in the West.

The Blues also have to jump Nashville and Calgary, so the task feels nearly impossible. They’ll be a fascinating team to watch at the trade deadline — if they’re buyers or sellers — but if feels like the locker room knows what direction that is heading.

The slide continues with a loss to the Jets. Take the Jets in this one.

Norm LaChatlier’s pick: Winnipeg M/L (-215)

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Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thudner
Paycom Center – Oklahoma City, OK
8:00 PM ET
SuperBook Line: Golden State -3.5

This is a line that everyone is going to look at on the surface and think Golden State is an easy cash. They have way more star power, many more national TV games and are a much more recognizable brand.

However, don’t sleep on Oklahoma City, winners of eight of its last 11 games. That includes triumphs over Denver, Brooklyn and Philadelphia, some of the better teams in the league.

The Thunder have clawed back to 24-25 on the season and currently occupy the No. 11 seed in the Western Conference. The Thunder are right on the verge of potentially earning a spot in the play-in tournament.

Oklahoma City is a very solid 15-10 at home, regaining some of the magic the team had in OKC with Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant. Meanwhile, the Warriors are a pitiful 6-18 on the road this season, including losses to the likes of Chicago, New York and Indiana over the last six weeks.

It feels counterintuitive, but this game would be a pick ‘em if it weren’t for the names on the front of the jerseys. Take the Thunder at home and be thankful for the gift of three points.

Jason Schlefsky’s pick: Oklahoma City +3.5 (-110)

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Washington Wizards at San Antonio Spurs
AT&T Center – San Antonio, TX
8:00 PM ET
SuperBook Line: Washington -5.0

The Spurs are just pitiful, losing five straight games and 10 of their last 11. It’s pretty clear that San Antonio is tanking for the first time almost anyone can remember.

That’s strange for a Gregg Popovich-led team, but they’re playing no defense at all. In their last five losses, the Spurs have given up 128, 138, 113, 147 and 131 points. In fact, they’re giving up 122.2 points per game, which is dead last in the NBA.

San Antonio is just 9-18 at home, so that’s not a factor in this game either. On the other side of things, the Wizards have won five games in a row, climbing into the No. 10 seed in the Eastern Conference and angling for a spot in the play-in tournament. Four of those five wins have come on the road, including three-straight victories.

Those include taking down the Mavericks and Pelicans, so it’s not like they’re just doing it against bad teams. After facing the Spurs, they’ll head to Detroit, with a real chance to go a perfect 5-0 on the road trip.

It’s two teams going in completely different directions. Don’t overthink it on Monday night, the Wizards will trounce the Spurs and easily cover the five points.

Jason Schlefsky’s pick: Washington -5.0 (-110)