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


by Docsports.com - 1/22/2019

Zion Williamson Duke Blue Devils

The Super Bowl is the biggest single-day betting event of the year, and Doc's Sports Service has you covered with a wide variety of selection packages for this year's big game. With the help of some of the top expert sports handicappers in the nation such as Raphael Esparza , Docs can help you make the last game of the NFL season your most profitable one.

Raphael cut his teeth as an expert handicapper during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. Upon his retirement in 2013, he had ascended all the way to Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

Once referred to as the Vegas Sports Informer during his sportsbook days, he shifted all of his energy to running a successful sports investment business from the home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. From Super Bowl betting packages to betting props for the next Super Man movie, Esparza's selections cover some of the widest territory in the realm of sports betting. Each week, Doc's gets the opportunity to pick his brain when it comes to the hottest trending sports betting topics.

Doc's: The matchup for Super Bowl LIII has finally been set with New England opening as a slim one-point favorite against the Los Angeles Rams. With close to two weeks to go until kickoff on Sunday, Feb. 3, what kind of movement do you expect to see?

RE: The line has already jumped as high as 2.5 points with early money on New England. I highly doubt the spread will retreat below two points, and it could easily jump to three points. At three points, look for the books start adjusting the juice if money keeps pouring in on the Patriots.

Doc's: Turning to the current 58-point total line for Super Bowl LIII, does the early value lie with a bet on the "over" or the "under"?

RE: Betting the total all depends on how you see this game playing out. If you like New England, then go with the under on the assumption that the Patriots' defense will step up its game. If you like the Rams, then go with the over in a game that turns out to be a high-scoring shootout like most bettors expect.

Doc's: We already know that prop bets will play a significant role in any selections you decide to release for Super Bowl LIII. Are there any early props on the board for this matchup that may have caught your eye?

RE: I am going with "Yes" that Gladys Knight will wear pants to sing the National Anthem at the Super Bowl, and I am also going with "No" that Tom Brady rushes for a touchdown in that game.

Doc's: The college basketball season continues to heat up heading into the final two weeks of January. How important was Duke's win against Virginia on Saturday in light of the recent loss of Blue Devils' point guard Tre Jones with a shoulder injury?

RE: This was a very important win for Duke coming off the bad loss to Syracuse while also losing Jones. In a major reversal of fortunes, the Blue Devils now have the overall edge in the ACC with a brighter prospect that Jones might be able to return to the lineup earlier than first expected.

Doc's: Last week you mentioned that if Manny Pacquiao looked strong in Saturday night's fight against Adrien Broner, it could set up another bout against Floyd Mayweather. Pacquiao himself as already stated he wants another shot at fighting Mayweather, but what are your betting odds the rematch ever takes place?

RE: The interesting twist to this story is Pacquiao's injured eye coming off that fight. If it turns out to be significant, it could mark the end of a window for this next fight given an extensive layoff. If it turns out to be something minor (which is expected), the odds would favor a rematch as early as November. My opening odds in this rematch would favor Mayweather at -240.

Click here to visit Raphael Esparza's Insider's Page at Doc's Sports for more information on his amazingly-profitable sports handicapping picks. Also, get $60 worth of Esparza's member's picks absolutely free-no obligation, no sales people - you do not even have to enter credit card information. You can use this $60 credit for any sports Esparza handicaps. Click here for $60 worth of free picks from Raphael Esparza.

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