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The Los Angeles Chargers got the big win over the Packers on Sunday and now return for the short week here against the Raiders. They got the win over the weekend by really controlling the ball with the run game and playing some great defense.
They head on the road to face the Raiders today and are looking for their third straight win. The Raiders also won on Sunday as they beat the Lions. With the Raiders at 4-4 and Chargers at 4-5, this is a game with some playoff implications. Both of these teams have slim Wild Card hopes that could be dashed with a loss here.
We also have some good NBA action tonight with the NBA on TNT games. Tonight on national TV in the US sees the Celtics take on the Hornets, and the Blazers at the Clippers with Kawhi Leonard.
NFL Betting Tips:
San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders: These Thursday games are always tough for teams with just four days of rest before you include travel and whatever else these players are dealing with. That has led to a good amount of these games going over on Thursday nights and I think that will happen again here.
The Raiders have allowed 21 or more points in six straight weeks. Their defense allows big passing yards and is averaging 27 points per game allowed. Not great. The Chargers defense has been much better, but they have allowed most of their games to be close. They also have a 2-7 over/under record. That is not something that should keep going and I can see this line being set a few points under projection to hit that over.
NBA Betting Tips:
Boston Celtics at Charlotte Hornets: The Hornets at 4-3 are looking like they almost deserve to be on national TV tonight, but that is all smoke and mirrors. They’ve had a nice schedule thus far this season to get them to four wins, but if you look at their losses it paints a clearer picture of how this one might go. Every good team they’ve played has beaten them by 15 or more.
For the Celtics, they are in the midst of the “Kyrie Irving is gone” celebration tour and are playing some great basketball to start the season. Their defense is much improved and they are just clicking right now. I think they will grab the big road win here and cover easily. The Hornets have been lucky thus far, but I still think they lose 50+ games this year.
Portland Trail Blazers at Los Angeles Clippers: Is Kawhi Leonard going to play? Then the Clippers are going to win. This team is doing some real load management with Kawhi to keep him off of back-to-backs. They gave him yesterday off and he should be back tonight. If he is, the Clippers should win this one handily.
The Portland defense is really allowing a ton of points right now. Their defense really misses Jusuf Nurkic and Pau Gasol, and they are now without Zach Collins as well.
The Clippers when Kawhi is on the floor are one of the best defensive teams out there and this could be a long night for Lillard and McCollum. The Clippers front line should have a nice time today and I think they cover easily.
