Sports Betting Tips Weekly: Hot and Cold Wagering Options 1/26/2016

by Victor Ryan - 1/26/2016

This week's look at the hottest and coldest bets in sports includes a streaking ACC college basketball team that's worked its way to the verge of the AP Top 25 as well as a big-name power program from the Big 12 that's hit the skids in recent weeks.

Meanwhile in the NBA, one young team is finally living up to expectations and has become a real threat in the Eastern Conference while padding the pockets of bettors. Conversely, another young team from the East has fallen on hard times and been a money pit for handicappers. Let's get started.

College Basketball

Clemson (12-7, 10-5, seven straight wins)

The Tigers have more than held their own in the competitive ACC both straight up and against the number. They have been particularly good against the spread of late. The Tigers have reeled off seven straight ATS wins. That has coincided with a five-game straight up winning streak, which was finally snapped last weekend in a 69-62 loss to No. 13 Virginia as a 10-point underdog.

Clemson has been bolstered by one college basketball's best defenses as their 62.7 points allowed ranks 16^th in the nation. Jaron Blossomgame has been the driving force on the offensive end for the Tigers. The junior forward has averaged a team-high 16.4 points per game on 51.4 percent shooting while adding 6.9 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game.

Next up for Clemson is at home against Pittsburgh on Wednesday, followed by a trip to Florida State on Saturday.

Other hot college basketball bets: Charlotte (6-13, 13-5, 10 straight wins), Temple (11-7, 11-6, six straight wins), Saint Joseph's (16-3, 13-4, five straight wins), James Madison (16-5, 10-8, five straight wins), Wichita State (14-5, 10-7, five straight wins), Pacific (6-13, 9-8, five straight wins).

Kansas (16-4, 10-8, five straight losses)

Kansas is one of several schools to hold the top spot in the AP poll this season, but they've hit a little bump in the road since beginning the gauntlet of the Big 12, which most believe is the toughest conference in the country.

The Jayhawks have gone 2-3 straight up in their last five, with two of the losses coming to then-No. 11 Iowa State and in a blowout to No. 14 Iowa State. Kansas, which has averaged 83.7 points per game this season to rank 13^th in Division I, has struggled offensively in conference. Coach Bill Self has attributed the downturn to a rash of turnovers and poor shot selection.

In eight Big 12 games, Kansas has yet to even approach its seasonal point average.

Next up for the Jayhawks is at home against No. 20 Kentucky on Saturday

Other cold college basketball bets: Old Dominion (10-10, 3-13 five straight losses), Austin Peay (9-13, 7-10, five straight losses), Washington State (9-10, 8-10, five straight losses), Western Illinois (7-11, 6-8, five straight losses)

NBA

Toronto Raptors (29-15, 25-18-1, four straight wins)

Toronto has the second-highest winning percentage in the NBA against the spread (58.2 percent), trailing only Golden State (60.47 percent). The Raptors have been a friend to bettors all season, but they have been particularly effective of late. During its current eight-game winning streak, Toronto has gone 7-1 ATS while winning its last four against the number.

The Raptors boast one of the NBA's stingiest defenses as their 96.8 point allowed ranks fourth-best in the league. But it's the improvement on the offensive end that's been the catalyst for Toronto's hot stretch. They have topped 100 points in five straight games, and in each of those they topped 50 percent shooting from the field. That's a vast improvement from earlier in the year. There were high expectations for the young Raptors entering the season, and after some troubles early on this team has finally hit its stride.

Orlando Magic (20-23, 24-19, four straight losses)

Orlando has been an overall profitable proposition this season, but the Magic are currently in their worst stretch of the year. Orlando has lost its last four both straight up and against the number. That includes an atrocious 96-87 home loss to Philadelphia as a seven-point favorite and an overtime loss to Charlotte in which they blew an 18-point fourth quarter lead.

Coach Scott Skiles has tried to keep an even keel with the young Magic, according to local reports. The patient approach might be best with this team. Skiles this week has driven home the point he wants Orlando to play faster, which would seem a smart move given how stagnant the Magic often are on the offensive end. Their 98.8 points per game ranks No. 23 in the NBA.

Orlando has a tough little road trip ahead as they travel to take on Milwaukee on Tuesday followed by a tilt at the Celtics on Friday.

Other hot NBA bets: Miami Heat, "under" is 30-14 (68.2 percent).

NHL

Washington Capitals (35-8-1, +$1,309)

The Capitals own the NHL's best record, and their current eight-game winning streak has made them the most profitable bet in the league. The next closest is the Florida Panthers, who are 28-15-5 overall and +903 on the money line this season, according to OddsShark.

How dominant have Alex Ovechkin and the Capitals been this season? They rank first in goals per game (3.3), first in goals against (2.2), first in power-play percentage (27.1 percent) and fifth in penalty kill percentage (84.8 percent). This team is obviously getting it done in all phases. Ovechkin is third in the league with 28 goals and remains one of the most dominant players in the league. The Capitals look to be on a Stanley Cup crash-course with the west-leading Chicago Blackhawks.

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