Ciro Immobile Lorenzo Insigne Italy Las Vegas Expert Picks: Euro 2020, NBA, MLB

Las Vegas Expert Picks: Euro 2020, NBA, MLB

Vegas veteran Benjamin Eckstein, author of America’s Line, brings three decades of experience to make weekly picks in his “Ecks & Bacon” column.

Euro 2020 Pick

LAS VEGAS — C’mon with me for a quick afternoon trip to Rome where Italy is hosting Turkey in the Sportsbook game of Euro 2020. Yeah, 2020. Why? Because it was postponed last year due to COVID-19. Euro 2020, for those not familiar, is a test of the national teams, and MOLTO IMPORTANTE (very important) because the World Cup is coming up in November 2022 in Qatar.

Like the Azzurri in this spot, not just because they are at home in the Stadio Olimpico, but because they are on some kind of CRAZY roll. Ever since Roberto Mancini took over, the team has been MAGNIFICO! They have gone UNDEFEATED during their last 27 outings, TWENTY-SEVEN!

And even more impressive is the goal production and defense. They have found the back of the net SEVENTY times and conceded just 14, which is a RIDONKULOUS PLUS FIFTY-SIX goal differential. And the Italian fans will be chanting “Campioni del mondo” (world champions) to the tune of “Seven Nation Army” by the White Stripes. Jack White, the Azzurri and the White Stripes is an amazing trifecta, and that’s why Turkey will head back to Istanbul with a loss.

NBA Pick

Back to the NBA and it’s difficult to make a strong play to the 76ers when Joel Embiid is one bang away from another MRI scan. However, the little meniscus tear in his right knee didn’t pose any problems in Game 2. Joel went NUTZ with 40 points and 13 boards.

And with three days to rest and get treatment, the knee “should be” fine. Should be is NOT a medical term because as you all know, I’m not a doctor, but still am nervous. And what makes me more nervous is the Hawks’ record at the State Farm Arena in the ATL.

They’ve pitched a 13-0 straight-up PERFECTO at home since the middle of April, with a bank account-fattening 11-2 (85%) record against the spread. Everyone’s gonna think about flinging a box of popcorn at me, but will be taking a small taste of the Hawks to cover. But, if Embiid has to sit out Game 3, then we go ALL-IN, both hands, on Atlanta. 

MLB Pick

So now people are throwing shade at Jacob deGrom because there is a video making the rounds of him going to his belt before a pitch and touching his glove. Yeah, OK. WHATEVER! His catcher, Tomas Nido said, “I promise you he doesn’t use anything. If he did, they would be lucky to even foul tip the ball.”

If you have not been following, deGrom’s numbers are HISTORIC. He is pitching to a 0.62 ERA, yeah, ZERO POINT SIX TWO, allowing only seven earned runs over 58 innings. And if you’re sitting, how about 93 Ks, yes, NINETY-THREE. He just faced the Padres in San Diego last Saturday and threw seven innings worth of bagels, giving up only three hits and posting 11 Ks. Gonna throw some chips at the Mets tonight, and you can BOOK IT!!!

And if you’re looking for Sportsbooks over the weekend on the NHL ice, PLZ hit me on Instagram. I will be doing quick 15-second picks at www.instagram.com/vegasvigorish!

Benjamin Eckstein is a nationally syndicated sportswriter/oddsmaker. His column, America’s Line, with the Ecks & Bacon appetizer, has run in the New York Daily News and over 100 other papers since 1988. You can follow him online at www.americasline.com. He is beloved by most, when he picks Sportsbooks, and detested by others, when he picks the occasional loser. If you wanna piece of Eck, hit his Email...ben@americasline.com.

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