Frank Sawyer of Hollywood Sports Reviewed

FRANK’S CUTTING ROOM FLOOR FOR WEDNESDAY, 1/7:

My “Cutting Room Floor” plays are the situations I considered the closest to being worthy of investment but did not make the “final cut” for my official plays today for subscribers. The last play I cut for Wednesday is with the Oklahoma City Thunder minus the points versus the Utah Jazz. Oklahoma City (30-7) has suffered two upset losses as double-digit favorite after their 124-97 loss at home against Charlotte as a 15.5-point favorite on Monday. The Thunder have still covered the point spread in 41 of their last 67 games when laying 10 or more points. They have also covered the point spread in 21 of their last 30 games at home with the Total set at 230 or higher. Utah (12-23) has lost four games in a row after their 137-117 loss at Portland on Monday. The Jazz have failed to cover the point spread in 10 of their last 16 games on the road with the Total set at 230 or higher. They have also failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games as an underdog getting 10 or more points. Take Oklahoma City minus the points. Best of luck — Frank.

Frank Sawyer CA$HED his NHL play on Edmonton last night! Frank is on a 13 of 20 (65%) NBA run with featured 25*/20*/10* plays that fuels his 27 of 42 (64%) NBA featured plays winning streak — and now he furthers his 12 of 15 (80%) NBA sides run with featured plays with a SUPER SIDE SITUATION that has B-L-O-W-O-U-T written all over it! CA$H-IN this EASY WINNER!

At 8:10 PM ET on Wednesday, we will be playing the Phoenix Suns (545) minus the points versus the Memphis Grizzlies (546). THE SITUATION: Phoenix (21-15) has won two games in a row before their 100-97 loss at Houston as an 8.5-point underdog on Monday. Memphis (16-20) snapped a four-game losing streak with their 106-105 upset victory against San Antonio as a 6-point underdog last night. 

REASONS TO TAKE THE SUNS MINUS THE POINTS: Phoenix played the Rockets tough — but they may have still been riding high from their 18-point comeback to upset Oklahoma City the day before. The Suns are one of the surprises in the league this season — and they have still won six of their last eight games. Phoenix has covered the point spread in 5 of their last 6 games after a straight-up loss by six points or less. They have also covered the point spread in 4 of their last 5 games after not allowing more than 100 points in their last contest. The difference for this team this season is the play of their defense. After ranking 27th in the NBA by surrendering 117.7 points per 100 adjusted possessions last season, they have risen to 10th in the league this season by holding their opponents to 112.9 points per 100 adjusted possessions — and that is the biggest improvement for any team in the NBA this season. The Suns have covered the point spread in 13 of their last 15 games when favored. They have also covered the point spread in 7 straight games when laying 3.5 to 9.5 points — and they have covered the point spread in 5 straight games on the road when favored. Furthermore, they have covered the point spread in 13 of their last 15 games against teams with a losing record. They thrive against teams that do not play great defense. The Grizzlies are allowing their opponents to make 46.5% of their shots, which results in 116.6 Points-Per-Game. Phoenix has covered the point spread in 17 of their last 20 games against teams that allow their opponents to make 46% or more of their shots, including 10 of those 12 games played on the road. They have also covered the point spread in 11 of their last 13 games against teams that are giving up 116 or more PPG, including five of those six games played on the road. Memphis comes off their best defensive performance of the season by holding the Spurs to just 37.3% shooting. But the Grizzlies have failed to cover the point spread in 5 of their last 7 games after a straight-up win at home — and they have covered the point spread in 4 straight home games after a win by six points or less. And while this is their third game since Sunday, they have failed to cover the point spread when playing for the third time in the last four days. Memphis tends to fold when finding themselves in close games. They entered the week with a Net Efficiency Margin of -11.2 points per 100 adjusted possessions in games with a +/- 3-point differential with three minutes left in the game — so don’t tear up your ticket if the game is close. The Grizzlies have failed to cover the point spread in 6 of their last 8 games at home as an underdog — and they have failed to cover the point spread in 9 of their last 13 games as an underdog getting 3.5 to 9.5 points. They have also failed to cover the point spread in 12 of their last 15 games against teams with a winning record, including six of those seven games at home. The Suns will be without Jalen Green, who is out with a hamstring — but the Memphis injury list is long. Zach Edey is out with an ankle. Cedric Coward is doubtful with an ankle. Both Ja Morant and Santi Aldama are both questionable with a calf and an ankle. 

FINAL TAKE: Phoenix will have extra motivation to avenge a 114-113 loss at home to the Grizzlies as a 2-point underdog on October 29th. The Suns have covered the point spread in 7 of their last 10 games when playing with revenge. 20* NBA Blowout Bookie Buster with the Phoenix Suns (545) minus the points versus the Memphis Grizzlies (546). Best of luck for us — Frank.