Weekly Q&A with Doc's Sports Expert Handicapper Raphael Esparza 2/5/2019

by Docsports.com - 2/5/2019

When it comes to winning selection packages for betting on sports, Doc's Sports Service has earned the reputation as a recognized leader and trusted name in the sports handicapping industry since 1971. As part of a very talented team of expert handicappers working directly with Doc's, Raphael Esparza earned his reputation for high-unit winning selections during a long and successful career in the Las Vegas sportsbook industry. That career culminated in 2013 when he retired as the Director of the Race and Sports Book for MGM Resorts' Aria.

Known in town during his sportsbook days as the Vegas Sports Informer, Raphael shifted all of his energy to running a successful sports investment business from his home base in Las Vegas as well as from the Big Easy in New Orleans. From big unit plays in college basketball to 'best bets' for entertainment award show props, his selections span one of widest arrays of betting options in the sports betting industry. As part of his association with Doc's, we get to pick his brain every week for insight into some the hottest trending betting topics in the world of sports.

Doc's: Sunday's Super Bowl LIII was interesting to say the least. Early reports out of Las Vegas points to a decent return for the local books with a lower than expected handle for bets placed. What is your take on the actual betting results given the unexpected low score?

RE: The total Super Bowl revenue in the state of Nevada was $345 million with a hold of $10 million. Both of these figures were both lower that last year's game. You have to factor in other states in the sports betting business this season as one reason for the lower revenue. A big factor in Las Vegas was much more money coming in on the New England moneyline bet as opposed to the spread. This was not the case in Super Bowl LII.

Doc's: With football finally on the shelf for the season, are you expecting anything dramatic to happen ahead of the NBA trade deadline this Thursday?

RE: I do not see New Orleans moving Anthony Davis with the current options on the table. Other than Memphis looking to move either Marc Gasol or Mike Conley, I doubt any big names will change teams over the next few days.

Doc's: The NHL went back to work following its annual All-Star break, and the Calgary Flames continue to set the pace in the Pacific Division race with 73 total points. As one of the biggest surprises this season, can the Flames hold the current lead to win the division title by season's end in early April?

RE: The Flames have been the big story in the NHL this season much the same way that Vegas captured everyone's attention last season in this division race. I would still go with San Jose as my top choice to win the Pacific Division, but Calgary should remain on the list as one of the top four teams in the Western Conference.

Doc's: The current top five college basketball ball teams are identical between each national poll. Going with the Esparza Top 5, what would your five-team list look like?

RE: I would follow suit with the top four teams in either poll, but I am moving my Nevada Wolf Pack into that No. 5 position ahead of Kentucky. Nobody is going to take a Mountain West team over a SEC power, but I am.

Doc's: This Sunday's Grammy's are the next entertainment awards show on the schedule. Do you have any bold betting predictions for this year's awards?

RE: I am working on a few prop bets for the Grammy awards, but I am much more up to speed when it comes to the movie industry as opposed to the music industry. I would add that the -250 betting odds for 'A Star is Born' title song Shallow could be as high as -1000 to win Song of the Year and I would still bet that way.

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

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