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Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza

by Doc's Sports - 1/19/2016

Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton

There are just three NFL games left in the 2015 season (not counting the Pro Bowl). And in this week's discussion with Doc's Sports expert handicapper Raphael Esparza, we will get his take on both the AFC and NFC Championships on the slate for this upcoming Sunday in what appears on the surface to be two very good games.

Raphael cut his teeth as an expert handicapper during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. At the pinnacle of career, the former Vegas Sports Informer was the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Grand's Aria until his retirement in 2013. Since then, he has been splitting his time between Las Vegas and New Orleans, running a successful and diverse sports investment service. The following is this week's Q&A with one of Doc's most interesting handicappers.

Doc's Sports: We have already talked about the Las Vegas sportsbooks' success against the betting public in the NFL regular season, but what is the verdict for which side came out on top through the first two rounds of the NFL Playoffs?

RE: Both weekends probably resulted in a slight gain for the books, but it has mostly been a wash with quite a bit of two-way action on a number of the games. The betting public was heavy on Washington in the Wild-Card Round, so that loss helped the books and Green Bay covering the following week against Arizona also worked in their favor.

Doc's Sports: The Denver Broncos are listed as three-point home underdogs with many of the books in town for this Sunday's AFC title matchup against New England. Denver has always been a tough out at home, so which way are you leaning in this matchup?

RE: I would have to go with Denver as a sentimental favorite, and I do like the three points at home, but I probably will not have a play on this game. The Broncos' defense gave up quite a few yards through the air against Pittsburgh last week, and if they can't get to Tom Brady this week it could be a long day for Denver.

Doc's Sports : Carolina was unstoppable in the first half of its Divisional Round game against Seattle before it decided to stop playing in the second half to hold on for the win. Which Panthers team shows up this Sunday against Arizona, the world-beaters from the first half or the no-shows from the second half?

RE: I am not putting all that much stock in the Panthers' second-half performance against Seattle simply because I think they just lost interest in a game that was out of reach. I like their chances to win at home again this week more so because of how Arizona looked against Green Bay. I have not been all that impressed with the Cardinals' overall form in their past few outings.

Doc's Sports : Conference play in men's college basketball is entering its fourth week, so which one of the major conferences in your opinion appears to be deepest in talent this season?

RE: Hands down it would have to be the Big 12. This has easily been the most entertaining conference to watch the past few weeks with epic matchups involving Oklahoma against both Kansas a few weeks back and Iowa State just this past Monday. It is also the deepest conference in my book right now with a handful of teams that can make a legitimate run towards a national title this season.

Doc's Sports: Much of the NBA regular season has focused on the defending champion Golden State Warriors' pursuit of the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls record for most regular-season wins at 72-10. Right now, the San Antonio Spurs are in the midst of an 11-game winning streak, and they remain on Golden State's heels for the top spot in the Western Conference. Of the two, which one is your top team in the league right now?

RE : I would have to put San Antonio at the top with Golden State a close IA. We knew how good the Warriors were going to be coming into this season as defending champs, but I actually think that San Antonio has the ability to keep getting better and better as the season wears on. The great part of this debate is that it should eventually get decided on the court in the Western Conference Finals.

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