Dwayne Bryant

THE PLAY: Arizona State +15.5 (-110)

The underlying numbers don't support Texas Tech laying more than two touchdowns. Arizona State owns a +1.1 yards-per-play margin against the #61 schedule, while Texas Tech is at +1.0 against the #64 schedule. Despite virtually identical schedule strength and efficiency margins, we're getting 15.5 points with the Sun Devils.

Texas Tech's recent margins have also been inflated by defensive scores. The Red Raiders have benefited from three pick-sixes over their last two games, including a Colorado game in which Tech won 29-7 despite being outgained. Quarterback Will Hammond has thrown just five touchdowns against five interceptions, and the running game hasn't been nearly as dominant as it was last season.

Arizona State has enough passing-game firepower to stay competitive behind Cutter Boley and Reed Harris, who has 34 catches for 590 yards through five games. The Sun Devils are also 4-1 ATS as conference underdogs of 14 points or more. Texas Tech has legitimate revenge after Arizona State handed the Red Raiders their only regular-season loss last year, but the underlying numbers make 15.5 points too much to pass up.

KEY SITUATIONAL ANGLE: Under Kenny Dillingham, Arizona State is 8-0 ATS in road or neutral-site games after two straight games where they forced no more than 1 turnover. The Sun Devils covered the spread by an average of 13.3 points!

THE PLAY: Houston Rockets OVER 48.5 Wins (-105)

NBA FUTURES: HOUSTON ROCKETS OVER 48.5 WINS (-105)

The Rockets have won 52 games in each of the last two seasons, including a 52-30 finish last year despite playing the entire season without starting point guard Fred VanVleet, who suffered a torn ACL shortly before training camp.

VanVleet is back for 2026-27, and I believe his return is significant for a Houston team that finished just 21st in offensive turnover rate last season. The veteran point guard gives the Rockets an experienced floor general alongside a talented core that includes Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun, Amen Thompson, and Jabari Smith Jr.

Sengun is coming off his second consecutive All-Star appearance, while the 23-year-old Thompson is coming off a breakout season and remains one of the league's premier young defenders. Houston also gets Steven Adams back after the veteran big man suffered a season-ending ankle injury in January.

Rebounding remains a major strength. Houston has led the NBA in rebounding percentage in consecutive seasons, and its 54.5% mark last year was the best by any team in the 30 years of play-by-play data. The Rockets also finished sixth in defensive rating.

Most importantly, Houston doesn't need to match last year's 52-win season for this wager to cash. The Rockets can take a three-win step backward, finish 49-33, and still get us to the window.

With VanVleet and Adams returning to a team that has already won 52 games in back-to-back seasons, I see value in Houston clearing this number.

BET: HOUSTON ROCKETS OVER 48.5 WINS (-105)