50* Powerhouse Play on Avalanche +130

The Avalanche (12-6-2, 26 points) trail only the defending champs in the Central, and they’ll aim to gain some ground with a contest against the Flames (10-10-3, 23 points) in Calgary tonight.

Colorado has proven themselves to be one of the most dangerous offensive teams in the league this year. Starting with a 9-4 win over Nashville, the Avalanche have won four of their last five. Most recently, Colorado defeated the Canucks in overtime.

On average, the Avalanche are scoring 3.65 goals per game (4th) while allowing 2.95 goals per game (tied for 13th).

Center Nathan MacKinnon has done most of the goal-scoring damage for Colorado. Thus far, MacKinnon has 13 goals and 16 assists for a team-high 29 points.

Through a pair of home games and a pair of games on the road, Calgary has now lost four in a row. Although one of those losses came in overtime, the other three were decided by two goals or more. Most recently, Calgary lost a 6-0 game to Vegas.

On average, the Flames are scoring 2.52 goals per game (tied for 28th) while allowing 3.04 goals per game (18th).

Calgary hasn’t been strong offensively, but Matthew Tkachuk is doing his part with 10 goals and 10 assists on the season.

50* Powerhouse Play on Samford -5 -109

The Samford Bulldogs (2-3) are undefeated at home, and they’ll aim to keep it that way this evening as they host the undefeated Manhattan Jaspers (2-0).

The Jaspers have played just two games so far this season, but they’ve won them both. After a nine-point win over Delaware State, Manhattan defeated Albany by six in a low-scoring affair. This will be Manhattan’s first road game of the year.

On average, the Jaspers are scoring 71 points and allowing 62.5 points per game while shooting just 38.6% from the field.

Guard Tykei Green leads this Manhattan squad with his 16 points and seven rebounds per game, but he’s shooting just 36% from the field. Samir Stewart is next on the list of scorers with 12 points per game.

Although Samford has lost all three road games, they’ve been able to stay perfect at home. The Bulldogs kicked off the year with a double-overtime loss to Morehead State, and most recently lost to North Alabama by just six.

On average, the Bulldogs are scoring 74.8 points while allowing 70.4 points per game.

While shooting 37.5% from three, Robert Allen leads Samford in scoring with his 17 points per game in addition to his 8.4 rebounds. Guards Josh Sharkey and Brandon Austin are averaging 15.5 and 14.8 points per game, respectively.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Kings -2 -109

Although they trail the two LA teams, the Suns (7-5) have been a pleasant surprise through 12 games. Tonight, they’ll try to continue that run against the Kings (5-7) in Sacramento.

Phoenix started with five wins out of seven, but they’ve since lost three of five. Over those last five contests, the Suns have allowed at least 112 points in four of them. Against Boston in their most recent game, Phoenix scored only 85 points.

On average, the Suns are scoring 114.9 points while allowing 109.6 points per game.

In three of Phoenix’ last five games, the team’s leading scorer put up 23 points or fewer. Devin Booker leads the Suns with 25 points per game.

The Kings suffered through the early part of the season, but they’ve now won three of their last four. Defense has led the way over that good stretch, as Sacramento has held three of their last four opponents to 99 points.

On average, the Kings are scoring 104.4 points while allowing 108.4 points per game.

Buddy Hield has proven himself as an NBA scorer after his prolific college basketball career. On average, Hield is scoring 19.9 points per game to lead the Kings.

50* Powerhouse Play on Wyoming PK -115

The Detroit Mercy Titans (0-2) have yet to win a game this season, and the Wyoming Cowboys (1-3) will hope that doesn’t change tonight when they host the Titans.

Detroit is headed for its third-straight road game after having to play in Clemson and NC State at the start of the year. Both games had remarkably similar result, as the Titans fell to the Wolf Pack 84-65 and then to the Tigers by a score of 87-65.

On average, the Titans are scoring 65 points and allowing 85.5 points per game.

Detroit Mercy hasn’t been very good offensively, but don’t tell that to Antoine Davis. Thus far, Davis is averaging 27 points per game while shooting 22.7% from three and 39.5% from the field.

Wyoming has lost three straight after opening the year with a 54-40 win over Idaho State. The Cowboys’ three losses came against South Carolina, CSU Fullerton, and Oregon State.

On average, the Cowboys are scoring 50.5 points and allowing 62.3 points per game.

Hunter Maldonado has been Mr. Do-It-All thus far for Wyoming. On the season, Maldonado is averaging 18.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 0.8 blocks per game, all of which lead the team. If Maldonado can improve his 13.3% shooting from three, he can take his game to the next level.

1* Free Play on Blackhawks +115

Two teams riding winning streaks are set for a head-to-head clash this evening when the Hurricanes (12-7-1, 25 points) go into Chicago to take on the Blackhawks (9-7-4, 22 points).

Carolina has kept their third position within the Metropolitan with three-straight wins, but they’re now 11 points behind the Capitals. After throttling Ottawa by a score of 8-2, the Hurricanes needed overtime to beat Buffalo and Minnesota.

On average, the Hurricanes are scoring 3.45 goals per game (8th) while allowing 2.95 goals per game (tied for 13th).

Defenseman Dougie Hamilton powers the Carolina offense with his nine goals and 13 assists for a team-high 22 points. Goaltender Petr Mrazek is allowing 2.62 goals per game with a .904 save percentage.

After a rough start to the season, Chicago has picked up the pace of late. Most recently, the Blackhawks have won four straight by scoring at least four goals in each contest. Chicago scored seven in a blowout win over Nashville two games ago.

On average, the Blackhawks are scoring 3.05 goals per game (15th) while allowing 2.85 goals per game (10th).

While allowing 2.46 goals per game, goaltender Robin Lehner holds an impressive save percentage of .936. Patrick Kane leads the Hawks offensively with his 11 goals, 15 assists, and 26 points.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on New Mexico +1 -110

Both the New Mexico Lobos and UTEP Miners are undefeated. That will change for one of these teams after tonight’s game between the two on UTEP’s home floor.

New Mexico has kicked the year off with four-straight wins, and the most impressive part has been their offensive consistency. In each of those four contests, the Lobos have scored between 90 and 97 points while holding every opponent to 80 points or fewer.

On average, the Lobos are scoring 93 points while allowing 74.8 points per game.

Guard JaQuan Kyle leads the Lobos with his 19 points per game, much of which has come on the back of his 52.4% shooting percentage from beyond the arc. Kyle is also adding 6.3 assists and 4.5 rebounds per game. Four other New Mexico players are averaging at least 11.8 points per game.

UTEP has won all three of its games played thus far, which came against New Mexico Highlands, New Mexico State, and Eastern New Mexico. The Miners were held to just 65 points against New Mexico State.

On average, the Miners are scoring 76.3 points per game while allowing 59 point per game.

UTEP has just three players averaging 10 points or more, led by the 16 points per game of forward Bryson Williams.

50* Powerhouse Play on Flyers +125

While the Flyers (10-6-4, 24 points) are watching the Capitals run away in the Metropolitan, the Panthers (10-5-5, 25 points) are just four points behind the Bruins. Tonight, the Panthers will host Philly in Florida.

Philadelphia has lost three in a row, but they’ll finally be coming into tonight’s game on two full days of rest. It’s also worth noting that none of those three losses came by more than one goal, and two were decided by a shootout. Prior to that losing streak, Philly won four in a row.

On average, the Flyers are scoring 2.90 goals per game (tied for 18th) while allowing 2.80 goals per game (8th).

Defense has been the strength of this Philadelphia team, and goaltender Carter Hart has been the fulcrum of that defense. With a  save percentage of .903, Hart is allowing 2.50 goals per game.

The Panthers enter tonight’s game as winners of three of their last four, but none of those victories came by more than a single goal. In fact, two of the three wins came via shootout. Throughout this good stretch, Florida has continued to let in goals.

On average, the Panthers are scoring 3.55 goals per game (5th) while allowing 3.55 goals per game (28th).

The Panthers are an offensive team, and center Jonathan Huberdeau leads the way with nine goals and 18 assists for a team-high 27 points.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Predators -175

The Jets (12-8-1, 25 points) are currently four points clear of the Predators (9-7-3, 21 points) in the Central. Tonight, the Preds will play host to Winnipeg in Nashville.

Winnipeg has now won four of its last five, one of which came in overtime and three of which were decided by a single goal. In the middle of that stretch, the Jets were shut out in a 4-0 game against Colorado. Winnipeg is yet to score more than four goals in any of their last 16 games.

On average, the Jets are scoring 2.71 goals per game (23rd) while allowing 3.00 goals per game (17th).

With eight goals and 12 assists, center Mark Scheifele leads the Jets with 20 points. Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has won nine games with a save percentage of .927.

The Predators are due for a win after losing four straight, three of which came on the road. Nashville will be happy to be at home, where they can boast a 6-3-2 record.

On average, the Predators are scoring 3.68 goals per game (3rd) while allowing 3.37 goals per game (22nd).

The Predators win games by outscoring opponents with an offensive onslaught, and that offense can boast five players with six or more goals. Defenseman Roman Josi leads the team with 20 points on seven goals and 13 assists.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Northern Illinois -4 -110

Stuck in the middle of a compact and crowded Mid-American Conference are the Eastern Michigan Eagles (5-5) and Northern Illinois Huskies (4-6). These two teams will face off in Illinois this evening.

Eastern Michigan has won two of their last four games. Most recently, the Eagles defeated the Akron Zips by a score of 42-14. One of the two losses came to a good Buffalo team, and the other was a three-point overtime loss to Toledo.

On average, the Eagles are scoring 28 points per game on 389 yards of offense while allowing 31 points per game on 435 yards.

Eastern Michigan quarterback Mike Glass III has been good throughout the year. While completing 65.2% of his passes, Glass has thrown for 2,237 yards with 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The Huskies dropped four in a row earlier on this season, but have since won three of five. Most recently, Northern Illinois shut out Akron, were shut out by Central Michigan, and then earned a three-point win over Toledo last week.

On average, the Huskies are scoring 24 points per game on 371 yards of offense while allowing 28 points per game on 386 yards.

The Northern Illinois offense has struggled mightily at times, and much of that can be attributed to quarterback Ross Bowers. On the season, Bowers has completed just 57.8% of his passes and has one more interception (8) than touchdowns (7).

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Rangers +165

The Washington Capitals (16-3-4, 36 points) are well atop the Metropolitan division, but they’ll have to go on the road to take on a well-rested Rangers team (8-8-2, 18 points) this evening.

The Capitals last played two days ago when they defeated Anaheim by a score of 5-2. That victory was one of three over Washington’s last four games. However, the Capitals’ other two victories came by a single goal each and they lost to Montreal by three.

On average, the Capitals are scoring 3.74 goals per game (1st) while allowing 2.96 goals per game (17th).

While Alex Ovechkin leads Washington with his 15 goals, no player has done more damage than defenseman John Carlson, who’s racked up eight goals and 27 assists for a team-high 35 points.

The Rangers have lost three of their last four, but the last two of that stretch were on the road against Tampa Bay and Florida. At home, New York is 5-4-2. The Rangers have scored at least three goals in each of their last six games.

On average, the Rangers are scoring 3.33 goals per game (tied for 9th) and allowing 3.61 goals per game (30th).

The biggest advantage for New York, apart from playing at home, is that they haven’t played since the 16th, meaning they’ve had two extra days of rest compared to Washington.

50* Powerhouse Play on Bucks/Hawks under231½ -109

While the Bucks (10-3) are proving they’re still one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, the Hawks (4-9) are struggling. Tonight, these teams will take the court in Atlanta. The over/under is set at 231.5 points.

Milwaukee enters tonight’s game as the winner of four straight. The Bucks didn’t play the toughest competition in the world – Oklahoma, Chicago (twice), and Indiana – but they took care of business while playing three on the road. The Bucks held Indiana to 83.

On average, the Bucks are scoring 118.5 points and allowing 109 points per game.

Beyond the 30.3 points, 14 rebounds, and 6.2 assists of Giannis Antetokounmpo, the Bucks’ second-leading scorer is Khris Middleton, who’s averaging just 18.5 points per game.

The Hawks are coming off a difficult road trip in which they lost the final three games in a row against the Suns, Clippers, and Lakers. In each of their two most recent contests, Atlanta scored 101 points.

On average, the Hawks are scoring 106.1 points and allowing 115.5 points per game.

Only three Atlanta players are scoring more than 10 points per game. While Trae Young leads the team with 27 points per game, Jabari Parker and John Collins are adding 17 points, each.

50* Powerhouse Play on Rockets/Nuggets over222½ -109

The Rockets (11-3) and Nuggets (9-3) figure to play important roles in the Western Conference playoffs. For now, we’ll have to settle for an early-season clash between the two in Denver this evening. The over/under is set at 222.5 points.

Behind a nearly unstoppable James Harden, Houston has now won eight in a row. In each of those eight games, Harden has scored at least 36. In five of those eight games, Harden has scored 42 points or more. Four of those performances have resulted in 122 points or more for Houston.

On average, the Rockets are scoring 119.5 points and allowing 113.7 points per game.

Russell Westbrook is averaging 21.6 points a game for Houston, but he isn’t even close to Harden’s numbers. On average, Harden is putting up 39.2 points per game and is the MVP frontrunner at this point in the season.

The Nuggets have won six of their last seven games, propelling themselves into the lead in the Northwest. Denver is a defensive squad, but they’ve scored 106 points or more in seven games so far this year.

On average, the Nuggets are scoring 106.9 point and allowing 102.9 points per game.

Point guard Jamal Murray is the leading scorer for Denver. To this point, Murray is averaging 19.2 points per game. Nikola Jokic is adding another 16.4 points per game.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Hornets +4 -105

The Nets (5-8) won’t be at full strength this evening when they host the Hornets (6-8) in Brooklyn, yet they’re giving four points to the visitors.

Charlotte isn’t tearing up the NBA, but they’re a decent 3-4 on the road. Most recently, the Hornets have won two of their last three. Before losing to the Raptors, Charlotte defeated Detroit by three and New York by one.

On average, the Hornets are scoring 105.9 points per game while allowing 113.6 points per game.

Charlotte likes to score by committee. Of the five players averaging 11 points or more, Devonte Graham leads the way with his 18.3 points per game. Terry Rozier is adding another 16.4 points per game.

After a huge offseason, it looks like the Nets will have to wait until next year to truly reap the rewards. A mediocre start to the season has gotten worse as Brooklyn has dropped four of their last five. Over that stretch, Brooklyn was held to 93 points or fewer twice.

On average, the Nets are scoring 114.5 points and allowing 118.5 points per game.

Kyrie Irving is set to miss his third-straight game, which means the Nets will struggle to replace his 28.5 points per contest. They’ll aim to do so with Spencer Dinwiddie, who’s averaging 18.5 points per game.

100* Sharp Money Syndicate Play on Akron/Miami-OH under44 -109

The Akron Zips (0-10) are still in search of their first victory of the season. They’ll get one of their last two chances to do so this evening against the Miami of Ohio Redhawks (6-4). The over/under is set at 44 points.

Of Akron’s 10 losses this year, only the 37-29 defeat at the hands of UMass was a one-score game. The Zips have failed to score more than seven points on six occasions thus far. Even worse, Akron has scored just three points or fewer in four of their games.

On average, the Zips are scoring 11 points per game on 263 yards of offense while allowing 36 points per game on 400 yards.

The weakest part of this Akron offense is the running game. While the Zips have three players with at least 100 rushing yards, none of those three have more than Brandon Lee’s 177 yards. Combined, those three leading rushers have only a single touchdown between them.

Miami of Ohio has hit their best stretch of the season with four-straight wins. While scoring no more than 27 in three of those four victories, the Redhawks held their opponents to 24 points or fewer in all four. In their most recent contest, Miami held Bowling Green to three points.

On average, the Redhawks are scoring 25 points per game on 307 yards of offense while allowing 29 points per game on 381 yards.