Sean Murphy Handicapper Review & Free Sports Picks

Thursday NBA Free play. My selection is on Milwaukee minus the points over Chicago at 8:05 pm et on Thursday.

The Bulls are coming off their fourth win of the season, ultimately pulling away from the Bulls in a blowout win two nights ago. They'll face a much tougher challenge on Thursday, however, as they travel to Milwaukee to face a well-rested and supremely-talented Bucks squad. Milwaukee checks in ranking tops in the league in pace rating and fourth in defensive rating over its last five games. It also sits just outside the top 10 in offensive rating over that same stretch. Chicago has held its own in two of those categories, sitting top 10 in defensive rating and third in pace rating over its last five contests. The problem is, the Bulls rank just 25th in offensive rating over that same period. I simply feel the Bulls are going to have a tough time breaking through against a terrific Bucks defense, while Milwaukee will likely be able to build a sizable lead that will take Chicago out of its defensive game that has been so successful lately. Take Milwaukee (8*).

Sean has BIG PLANS on Thursday night, with THREE 10* TOP RATED NFL and CFB winners, keyed by his NFL AFC North Game of the Month featuring the Steelers vs. Bengals! Plus don't miss out as he extends his RED HOT 81-54 NBA run with another 10* totals winner!

My selection is on the 'over' between Brooklyn and Denver at 10:35 pm et on Thursday.

I'll back the 'over' in Denver on Thursday night. Brooklyn checks in ranking sixth in the league in offensive rating and fourth in pace rating over its last five games. This is certainly not an ideal matchup, however, as the Nets face a Nuggets squad that ranks third in the league in defensive rating over that same stretch. I do feel that given the pace and efficiency we've seen from Brooklyn offensively in recent games that it will be able to find some success in this matchup, noting that there's a good chance it will be in comeback mode much of the way. Denver ranks a miserable 23rd in the league in offensive rating and 29th in pace rating over its last five contests but this is a true 'get right' spot against a Nets squad that ranks 28th in defensive rating over that same stretch. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on the 'over' between North Carolina and Pittsburgh at 8 pm et on Thursday.

Both of these teams come in well-rested having not played since November 2nd, giving them ample time to gameplan for this key mid-November showdown. North Carolina QB Sam Howell has thrown for over 340 yards in three of his last four games, compiling an incredible 15 touchdown passes over that stretch. That's not to mention the Tar Heels very capable backfield tandem of Javonte Williams and Michael Carter. Pitt's offense has left a lot to be desired over its last few games, all of the lower-scoring variety, but I expect a big bounce-back here. QB Kenny Pickett has thrown four interceptions over his last two games, but I don't expect him to simply be a game manager in this contest. The Panthers know they'll need to go on the attack to keep pace with an improving Tar Heels offense, and I look for them to find some success with the Pickett-to-Ffrench connection. Maurice Ffrench hasn't hauled in a touchdown in his last two games, but should find the end zone against a beatable Tar Heels secondary here. Take the over (10*).

My selection is on Buffalo minus the points over Kent State at 7 pm et on Thursday.

I've said it on a few occasions this season and I'll say it again here; Kent State is one of the nation's weakest teams, particularly on the defensive side of the football, and I look for the Golden Flashes to get gashed once again here. Most jumped off the Buffalo bandwagon early this season as the Bulls dropped their first two MAC contests. Since then, all they've done is reel off three straight wins, outscoring the opposition by an incredible 107-34 margin. Of course their opposition has left a lot to be desired but you can only play the teams in front of you, and they catch another favorable matchup here, noting that the Bulls routed the Golden Flashes 48-14 in their most recent meeting last November. Buffalo will undoubtedly gain Bowl eligibility at some point, but it would certainly rather take care of that right here tonight. Take Buffalo (10*).

NFL AFC North Game of the Month. My selection is on Pittsburgh plus the points over Cleveland at 8:20 pm et on Thursday.

I have no confidence in the Browns to string together consecutive wins at this stage of the season. Meanwhile, the Steelers have found their identity as a hard-nosed team that runs the football and plays an aggressive, opportunistic brand of defense. Pittsburgh QB Mason Rudolph certainly doesn't instill a great deal of confidence, but he is expected to have RB James Conner back at his disposal on Thursday night and WR JuJu Smith-Schuster is in line for a big breakout performance against a Browns defense that has had no success defending receivers in the slot. The Browns have a quality defense and should be able to get after Rudolph in this one, but what about their offense? It's been a sputtering, turnover-prone unit and while RB Kareem Hunt gave them a boost in his debut, I'm not ready to say that the offense is back. Take Pittsburgh (10*).