We have to hold our noses here and pick the Timberwolves in this matchup. They have been a poor ATS team but have faltered laying big numbers but we like them as a slim underdog tonight. We like the Wolves deep roster to compete to win this one even if Anthony Edwards plays, but lock in your bets soon as if he suits up the line will move. The Wolves won and covered four straight, including the last two in the Bay Area, and we think they are a sharp pick today.

The Sharks have been playing well and they keep getting favorable lines from the oddsmakers. They have just two points less than the Penguins on the season. San Jose plays well on the road, and they are a threat every night, especially against middling or equal teams. The Sharks have won at Toronto and Carolina in their last three, so they will be confident here. Pittsburgh has lost three straight, the last two to Anaheim and Montreal at home, so no sure why they are getting so much love from the oddsmakers here.

We think the Spurs are a team that can threaten the OKC dynasty that looks like it will likely happen. They have been stockpiling top tier young talent, and the cornerstone is Wembanyama, who return to action here in this NBA Cup semi-final matchup. The Spurs have been one of the teams that has consistently covered against the Thunder. They have covered in two of the last three meetings and three of the last five. We think at this point the Thunder are the better team, but we definitely think San Antonio will keep this one within double digits. No blowout tonight!

6-unit play: Take #308954 UC-Davis -2.5 over Illinois State (Saturday, Dec. 13th, 5:00 p.m. ESPN+) We're backing the home chalk of UC Davis tonight as the Aggies host Illinois State in the FCS quarterfinals. UC Davis enters with momentum and multiple edges, boasting an offense that averages 32.5 points per game behind redshirt freshman quarterback Caden Pinnick. His 2,800 passing yards, 29 touchdowns, and dual-threat ability pair with wideout Samuel Gbatu Jr.'s field-stretching speed and Jordan Fisher's 1,000-yard rushing season to form a balanced attack. Against a Redbirds defense that showed cracks in its upset of North Dakota State, the Aggies are primed to light up the scoreboard.

Illinois State counters with a strong defense led by Tye Niekamp's 145 tackles, but UC Davis has the blueprint to break through. Pinnick's efficiency and low turnover rate, combined with disruptive defenders like Sam Goligoski and Jacob Psyk, give the Aggies the tools to control the line of scrimmage. Last year's 42-10 rout of Illinois State showed how UC Davis can dictate tempo. With Redbirds quarterback Tommy Rittenhouse nursing a hamstring injury, the Aggies' front seven should find opportunities to tilt possession.

Beyond the matchups, intangibles favor UC Davis. The Aggies enjoy home-field energy and fresher legs, while Illinois State arrives worn down from five road trips in six weeks. Their dramatic win over NDSU was draining, and sustaining that level against a rested UC Davis squad is unlikely. With momentum, depth, and the home crowd behind them, the Aggies are set to advance with a decisive 34-24 victory.

4 Unit Play. Take #602 Texas Tech over Arkansas (12p.m., Saturday, December 13 ESPN2) This game is being played in Dallas and is a rematch of the Sweet 16 game last year. Arkansas blew that game and I see that having a carryover effect into this game. Both teams are 7-2 this season but I see Texas Tech rounding into form after their blowout win over LSU last time out.

3 Unit Play. Take #197 Boise State Broncos over Washington Huskies (8p.m., Saturday, December 13 ABC) Just do not expect Boise State to get blown out in this bowl game. They played last week and looked impressive, and I feel the short turnaround will help them in this game. Boise State is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 bowl games and I expect Coach Danielson is eager to get a bowl game victory on his resume. The Huskies were up to try and knock out the Ducks from the playoffs in their regular season finale, but they could only muster 14 points at home. I see them struggling to blow out Boise State questioning their motivation to do such a thing.