The set-up: Detroit lost 4-1 in Boston yesterday. Pittsburgh is about a -500 favorite in this game, so the Red Wings won't expect to have any mercy put upon them here. The visitors have nothing to lose (except another game of course!), and I believe that after yesterday's low-scoring effort, that they come out and push the pace of this one from start to finish. While only averageing 2.02 GPG, the Wings come in allowing 3.71. The Pens on the other hand average 3.27 GPG, while allowing 2.70. 

The pick: Note as well that Pittsburgh has already seen the total go "over" the number in four of its last five after playing three or more straight "unders." I think the home side destroys the Wings today, but I also expect Detroit to put a couple in the back of the net as well. This number is low, expect a shootout.

10* TOTAL DESTRUCTION on the OVER Wings/Pens.

The set-up: Vancouver actually plays with revenge here after losing the only other game so far between the teams this year, 1-0 back in November. And that was despite putting 40 shots on net. But that was then and this is now. Anaheim most recently enters off a 6-0 loss to Calgary. The Canucks on the other hand enter off back-to-back victories. 

The pick: Vancouver is also 5-0 (+5.2 units) this year when playing with three or more days rest, while Anaheim is a poor 11-17 (-4.6 units) this season vs. clubs with winning records. All things considered, a very reasonable price in my opinion.

6* DESTRUCTION on the Vancouver Canucks.

The set-up: Both teams have been playing to higher-scoring affairs of late, but I think today's competitive battle will fall under the number once it's all said and done. Memphis comes in hungry, as a three-game win streak has been followed by back-to-back losses. Overall the Tigers average 74.3 PPG. UConn's two-game win streak was snapped by a last second loss to SMU last time out and I think the Huskies are still collectively "caught up" on that heartbreaker. 

The pick: Note as well that Memphis has seen the total go under the number in eight of its last 12 Conference road games after back-to-back SU losses, while UConn has seen the total dip below in nine of its last 13 home games following a SU conference setback. I expect a war from start to finish. This number is a tad high.

10* AAC TOTAL OF THE YEAR on the UNDER Memphis/Connecticut.

The set-up: Villanova won't want to take the foot off the gas now in this dangerous non-conference road matchup on Sunday afternoon. The Wildcats escaped most recently with a slim 72-71 win over Marquette on Wednesday, while the Owls nudged past Tulane 72-68. Villanova's five starters all average in double figures; overall the Wildcats average 73.5 PPG. Temple has just two players averaging in double figures and the Owls average 69.3 PPG. 

The pick: Temple's been great at home of late, but now the level of competition gets raised dramatically. Villanova's depth is going to be the difference for me today, as I expect the Wildcats to come in focussed on the task at hand after their most recent "close call." Lay the points.

10* SUPER-DESTRUCTION on Villanova.

The set-up: For these types of events/wagers, I always try to "find an angle" to use. Team LeBron won this event last year, so Team Giannis already plays with the "revenge" factor. But overall I think Team Giannis holds a lot of value because of the way that Antetokounmpo's draft has widely been viewed. While on paper Team LeBron could look better, I believe the way that Team Giannis has been viewed by the media as being the "lesser" team will only add fuel to the fire to these All Stars.

The pick: And that's the case. This game is being played by the best of the best. And in these types of games, everyone is looking for some sort of motivation to use. And in this case, as mentioned above, Team Giannis has two big motivational factors working in its favor today. While I obviously would not be shocked by the outright upset, in the end I'm going to grab the points.

10* BLOWOUT SPECTACULAR on Team Giannis.