How will Nets fare without Kevin Durant vs. Celtics? Plus, other best bets for Thursday

Kevin Warren is leaving his post as Big Ten commissioner to become the new president of the Chicago Bears. He will help the Bears move to suburban Chicago. The Bears are hoping to build a new stadium in suburban Arlington Heights. Warren had mixed results during his time as the Big 10 commissioner.

The picks are while I touch up my resume to submit for the open Big Ten commissioner job.

Kevin Durant is injured and will miss Thursday's game against Celtics. The Nets are second in the Eastern Conference and are favored to beat the Celtics, but they are home underdogs. The under is 5-1 in Brooklyn's last six games. They are also favored against the spread. I'm picking the Nets to win. For the total, I think the bet is on the over.

Minnesota is a bad team. Ohio State has the most efficient offense in the country. The Gophers are very bad. They are the worst team in Big Ten. They lost to Cal Baptist. Their last two games have been against Wisconsin and Nebraska. Minnesota is the least powerful team from the Big 10.

Coastal Carolina Chanticleers are favored by 7.5 points over Old Dominion. Old Dominict is one of the worst free-throw shooting teams in the country. Coastal Carolina is a good free throw shooter. The game will be broadcast on ESPN+.