My 6* BIG TIGER is on the Boston Bruins.

The Panthers come in off a shootout road victory in The Big Apple, but I think they're going to have their hands full here vs. the Bruins who enter in a foul mood after three straight defeats, including at home to the Flyers in their last one. 

Key Trends:

- Florida averages 3.53 GPG and Boston concedes 2.41. 

- The Bruins average 3.53 GPG and the Panthers allow 3.53.

The verdict: Enough is enough! Note as well that Florida is a pathetic 2-7 in its last nine after a victory, while Boston is still 10-4 in its last 14 as a home favorite.

The verdict: Expect the Bruins to come in razor focused and to find a way to get the job done at the end of the night; play on Boston!

My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on CS Northridge.

This is the Matadors home opener and I expect them to at the very least, take this one right down to the wire. CSUN lost 87-67 at Oregon State and then 97-70 at New Mexico. A little home cooking is just what the doctor ordered to get untracked in my opinion though. Terrell Gomez is averaging a team-high 16.5 points so far for the Matadors. But if recent history is any precedence, then CSUN has to be loving its chances as it won this game 90-83 last year. After falling 87-71 at Cal, the Waves bounced back with a 77-73 win over UC Irvine last Saturday, but I believe they'll struggle to contain this determined home side. 

Key Trends:

- Peppderine is just 1-5 ATS in its last six after a win by six points or less.

- The Wave are only 1-3 ATS in their last four as a road favorite.

- CSUN is 3-1 ATS in its last four as a home dog in the 3.5 to six points range.

The verdict: Expect this one to come down to the wire and grab as many points as you can!

My 9* BEWARE OF DOG is on the Brooklyn Nets.

I think the Nets matchup well against the Jazz here and I think the visitors have a real shot at pulling off the outright upset. That said, in the end I'll grab the points. This is going to be Donovan Mitchell vs. Kyrie Irving and in that matchup, I give Irving the big advantage. 

Key Trends:

- Brooklyn is 21-10 ATS in its last 31 as a road dog in the 6.5 to 12 points range.

- Utah is just 38-39 ATS the L2 years as a home favorite.

The verdict: The Nets defense is its weak point, but the Jazz aren't known for running up the score. This is a great matchup and situational play in my opinion; grab the points!

My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Philadelphia 76ers.

The Cavs broke a three-game losing slide by responding with back-to-back victories. Cleveland's wins though have been over the Wizards and Knicks. The 76ers struggled on their Western road swing, doing half of it without big man Joel Embiid in the line-up. Philly then returned home to bea the Hornets. Now fifth in the East, the 76ers won't be taking anything for granted here. 

Key Trends:

- The Cavs average 107.1 PPG and the Sixers allow 106.2.

- The 76ers average 111.00 PPG and Cleveland concedes 108.0.

The verdict: Cleveland is just 1-4 ATS in its last five after two or more consecutive upset victories as an underdog and I'm not reading too much into its minor win streak here. After their sub-par road trip, look for the 76ers to keep the foot on the gas at home vs. this "lesser" competition; lay the points!

My 10* BIG TIGER is on Akron.

EMU is 4-5 and desperate for some victories as it looks to run down a bowl berth. The Eagles are just 1-4 in conference play, while the Zips are 0-9 overall and 0-5 in league action. Note that Akron will not only be relishing the thought of playing spoiler here vs. the Eagles, but it's also out for revenge after dropping this game last year by a score of 27-7. The Zips have the second worst offense in the nation, but they actually have a decent defense, allowing only 390 YPG. Eastern allows 455 YPG. 

Key Trends:

- EMU is a poor 6-9 ATS in its last 15 as a favorite (including only 1-3 ATS this season.) 

- Akron is 3-1 ATS in its last four after a two-game road trip.

The verdict: Outright victory? I doubt it. But the conditions are definitely right for a much more competitive battle than what this spread would suggest in my opinion; grab the points!