The Rockets have been tough against the Jazz. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Bookie Busters was on fire this weekend ending 7-2-2
Let's continue the streak with some NBA and Soccer plays.
Roma vs. Liverpool
The Estadio Olimpico; a place where miracles happen, and the home side will be looking to strike lightning twice in front of over 73,000 enthusiasts. Confidence, mysteriously, is at an all-time high with the locals as they fresh memory of the recent 3-0 win over a Messi led Barcelona, make this feat everything but impossible. If you can stop Messi, then why not Mohamed Salah?
For starters, Salah has netted ten goals in this tournament, and 43 this season across all competitions. He's managed to get on the scoresheet in nine of The Reds last ten fixtures and thats pushed the over 2.5 goals total eight times in that sample size. In the first leg, Salah scored twice while setting up the other two goals, making it a night to remember for the Egyptian sensation.
The Pick
An open match with end to end action, as the home team must overcome a three-goal deficit. On their side, the benefit of scoring two away goals, but having to net at the minimum three, will leave them exposed playing out of character. The Pool counter attack is what they thrive on, and the situation will play right into their hands.
Play of the Week:
Liverpool Team Total Over 1.5 3x
Over 3
Both teams to score
Salah scores a goal 2x
Rockets vs. Jazz 7:00 PM
The No. 1 overall seed has been giving the Red Rowdy aficionadi worries for their streaky performances thus far in the playoffs. Game 1 of this series finally saw the Rockets come out and dominate from wire to wire led by James Harden's 41 point explosion while hitting seven shots from behind the arch. Houston is 5-0 ATS in the last five in this matchup. Game 1's performance comes as no surprise, as Harden has dominated in those contest averaging 31 points per game while shooting 42.2 percent from the field.
The Pick
Houston dominated the last game, all while only scoring 36 points in the paint. They relied on their bread and butter, the outside shot. When Houston is hitting their shots at the rate they do, it makes it impossible for teams to adjust, especially one that relies on a big body like Rudy Gobert.
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last five games. The Rockets are also 5-0 ATS in the last five games vs. the Jazz. The total has gone over in four of Utah's last five games when playing on the road vs. Houston. Houston is also 7-3 ATS at home in its last 10 when playing the Jazz. Look for Houston to have its way, making the Jazz play out of character having to chase the game from the start.
Rockets first Half -6.5
Rockets over 52 First Half
Rockets Team Total Over 107.5
Over 205
Celtics vs. 76ers
Over 207
UEFA Europa League Semifinals Thursday 1:45
Atletico Madrid vs. Arsenal
Atletico Madrid money line -130
For any questions or comments reach me at @JerryBoKnowz on Twitter.
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Can Will Anderson and the Texans defense force Drake Maye into rookie mistakes? Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.
The New England Patriots are turning things over to Drake Maye, and his first shot will come against the AFC South-leading Houston Texans.
The first-round draft pick is replacing Jacoby Brissett as the starter in the hopes that he can snap the Patriots’ four-game losing streak. But he’ll have to do it against one of the NFL's toughest defenses.
“There’s never a perfect time to make a change,” Patriots coach Jerod Mayo said this week after announcing the swap. “Every defense that we play ... they all have the ability to rush and get after the quarterback. So, I don’t think there’s ever a perfect time.”
But the Texans (4-1) will pose an especially difficult challenge for Maye and the makeshift New England (1-4) offensive line that has started five different combinations in five games. Houston pressures the quarterback more than any other team in the league – 42% of dropbacks, according to NFL NextGen stats.
“It’s probably going to be a little nervous at the beginning,” Maye said this week. “I think once we settle down, we have a chance to move the football and just have fun out there. ... That’s what this game is about: Don’t make it too big or the spotlight too big. Just go out there with those guys that we’ve been battling for three months since training camp, go out there and try to make some plays.”
After winning the opener and going to overtime in Week 2, the Patriots were blown out by the Jets and 49ers and lost 15-10 to Miami, another of the NFL’s worst teams. In all, Brissett has completed 79 of 135 passes for 696 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said there’s a challenge in facing an unknown such as Maye, who was 4 of 8 for 22 yards in mopup duty against the New York Jets in Week 3.
“What I’ve seen is a young, athletic quarterback who has a live arm, can move around really well in the pocket, can escape the pressures,” Ryans said. “Them, making that move, (they’re) looking for a spark for their offense, and he can provide it.”
Running game help
Houston’s running game could get a boost with the return of Dameon Pierce.
The third-year pro hasn’t played since injuring his hamstring in the season opener. But he has been practicing this week and Ryans said he expects him to play Sunday.
Pierce, who ran for 939 yards as a rookie in 2022, should improve a rushing attack which ranks 23rd in the NFL by averaging just 104.2 yards a game.
Stroud is excited to have Pierce back on the field.
“It is really big, I am very happy for DP,” he said. “He has worked really hard to come back.”
KPRC2's Aaron Wilson is reporting that Joe Mixon could return this week as well, he practiced on Thursday and Friday.
#Texans running back Joe Mixon practicing again Friday and is trending toward being available Sunday against Patriots. pic.twitter.com/dUsmfsamq0
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 11, 2024
Mixon has been out since injuring his ankle against the Bears in Week 2.
Special teams star
Houston kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn earned AFC special teams player of the week honors for the second time this season on Wednesday.
Fairbairn’s 59-yard field goal as time expired lifted the Texans to the victory over the Bills.
It was his eighth field goal this season of at least 50 yards, which is the most in NFL history through the first five games of a season. It’s also the most 50-yarders made in a season in franchise history.
“It’s comforting for everyone to know wherever we are, (Ka’imi) can make a play,” Ryans said.
Fairbairn loves being in those high-pressure situations.
“Whatever yardage it is, I really don’t care. I want that shot,” he said. “I think part of being good at this job is ... wanting that opportunity.”