Pick Management 
Jacob’s Above Average Plays are back after a great 2-1 night. Today he has one NBA and two NHL plays that are going to continue our winning ways.
Take Miami Heat +1 versus Indiana Pacers ( 7:10 pm EST, Wednesday 8 January 2020)
I really like Miami going into this game as they face off against a banged-up Pacers team. Miami has won seven out of their last ten games, scoring an average of 111.11 points per game. They are also shooting great from behind the arc, shooting almost 38% (37.8%). They are led by Jimmy Butler, who is scoring just over twenty points per game (20.4), 6.9 rebounds, 6.6 assists, and Bam Adebayo, who is averaging 15.6 ppg, 10.6 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. These two have worked well not only as a powerhouse duo on offense, but have shut teams down defensively all year. It also helps that Miami has seven players who average more than ten points per game. They do not have just an above-average offense, but defense too. Miami ranks 10th in overall scoring defense allowing just 107.3 ppg to opposing teams, keeping them under a 45% shooting percentage (44.2%). Miami is one of the most balanced teams in the NBA – with the injury issues the Pacers are dealing with, Indiana could be in trouble.
The Pacers are coming into this game with power forward, Domantas Sabonis, listed as day-to-day with a knee injury, and point guard, Malcolm Brogdon, listed as out with a back injury. Sabonis and Brogdon are tied for second in scoring on the team, which is going to be a lot of points to make up for if Sabonis is out too.
Take Miami as one-point underdogs as they shut down the Pacers at home.
Take Washington Capitals -125 versus Philadelphia Flyers ( 7:30 pm EST, Wednesday 8 January 2020)
I’m going back to the well with the Capitals tonight as they travel to Philly to take on the Flyers.
Both of these teams have above-average offenses, but the Capitals are the better overall team. With both teams on back to back games, that makes me like the Capitals even more.
The Flyers are returning home for the first time after an awful six-game road trip. On this recent road trip, Philly won just one of those six games – averaging 2.6 goals and allowing 4.6 goals. Those are not the scores we have typically seen the Flyers put up or allow, as they have averaged over 3 goals a game (3.19) and have allowed 3.12 goals. Their recent below average form does not spell good news for them as they take on the number one team in the East, especially since Philadelphia has lost the last five versus Washington.
Washington, on the other hand, has continued to play above-average. They secured a win for us last night. They covered the puck line, beating Ottawa 6-1. They have scored an above-average 3.76 gpg on the road, which has led to them winning seventeen out of their twenty-three road games. Allowing just 3 gpg when on the road, they are ranked 13th in the NHL in scoring defense. With Philadelphia’s recent offensive woes, I see that trend continuing.
Take the Capitals to beat Philly -125. They have an above-average offense, defense, and Philly is playing awful lately. I see Washington scoring early and often as they continue their winning ways versus Philly.
Take Washington Capitals versus Philadelphia Flyers OVER 1.5 First Period -165( 7:30 pm EST, Wednesday 8 January 2020)
Both of these teams have been scoring a lot of goals this year. While I just listed how bad Philly has been playing, I do believe the Capitals can do this themselves. They are currently scoring 3.75 gpg on the road and Philly allows an above-average 4.6 goals per game, so I see the Capitals pouring in goals tonight. Washington is 5-2 on back-to-back games while Philly is 3-5, so the trends continue as to why the Capitals should score a lot in this game.
While Philly has been playing poorly as of late, the rest of the year they had scored a lot in games prior to their most recent road trip. They are 24-19 this year going over the total in the first period, so it isn’t like it hasn’t happened before – I just count more on the Capitals for this one.
Washington is playing great hockey and they score a lot. They are facing a team they have beat up on, winning seven of their last nine versus them. Take the over 1.5 goals in the first period as the Capitals get this one themselves.
