18 games played, by sport.
NBA Circle Lakers at Warriors as the late-night marquee: Los Angeles rolled in at 4-1 and Golden State is trying to find its footing at 2-3, with the Lakers favored on the road, a sneaky-tight line that screams a dagger finish in Chase Center. Earlier, undefeated Houston heads to Dallas as the Rockets' 5-0 start gets its first real road test, and Memphis brings a perfect 4-0 record into Portland looking to keep ice in their veins against a feisty Blazers squad. Boston blowing out a limping Chicago by two touchdowns isn't a nail-biter, but it's a good measuring-stick game to see if Boston's buckets are for real this year.
NCAA Football The game to watch is James Madison hosting Troy, with the unbeaten-at-home Dukes favored by nearly 20 and looking to keep pace in the Group of Five race by controlling time of possession against a Troy defense that has struggled to get off the field. Keep an eye on Baylor at UCF too, a near pick-em where neither side should be able to just lean on smashmouth football, making this one likely to come down to who wins third-and-long. If James Madison jumps out early, watch for garbage-time stats to pile up and the over to cash easily, but if Troy hangs around, the backdoor cover is in play against that 19.5-point spread.
NFL The marquee game tonight is the Carolina Panthers heading to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers, who are favored by three and a half with the total sitting at forty-six and a half. Green Bay wants to lean on the run and control time of possession to keep Carolina's offense off the field, while the Panthers need to avoid third-and-long situations if they hope to keep pace. If the Packers jump out early, watch for this one to turn into a smashmouth, run-heavy affair with the under in play as Carolina scrambles for garbage-time stats.
NHL The marquee matchup tonight is Columbus Blue Jackets at Carolina Hurricanes, with the Hurricanes riding a league-best record and heavily favored to keep their power play rolling against a Blue Jackets penalty kill that will need a few stick saves to survive. Also keep an eye on Boston Bruins at St. Louis Blues, since Boston has been snipers all season and a late power play in a tight third period could be the difference. If either game is still level with three minutes left, don't be surprised to see a team pull the goalie and chase an OT winner top shelf.