Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03-30-19 | Texas Tech v. Gonzaga -4 | Top | 75-69 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
My 10* Elite Eight GAME OF THE YEAR is on Gonzaga at 6:0 ET. 29-6 Texas Tech has used its defense to advance to the Elite Eight for the second straight year. After holding Northern Kentucky to 57 poinst and Buffalo to 58 points in the opening week, the Red Raiders held Michigan to just 16 first-half points and a season low in points in a dominating 63-44 victory on Thursday night in the Sweet 16. Awaiting them will be 33-3 Gonzaga, the West's No. 1 seed. The Bulldogs avenged last year's loss to the Seminoles by beating fourth seed Florida State, 72-58, earlier on Thursday. Gonzaga leads the nation in scoring (88.2), field-goal percentage (52.8), scoring margin (23.6) and assist-to-turnover ratio (1.76) and will be attempting to reach the Final Four for the second time in three years. Sophomore guard Jarrett Culver, the Big 12 Player of the Year, leads the team in scoring (18.9), rebounding (6.4), assists (3.8) and steals (1.5) and had a team-high 22 points in the win over Michigan. Sophomore guard Davide Moretti is second in scoring (11.6) while shooting a team best 46.2 percent from three-point range and had 15 points. Matt Mooney, a 6-3 graduate transfer from South Dakota, is also averaging in double figures (10.9). 6-10 forward Tariq Owens, a graduate transfer from St. John's, gives the Red Raiders a key shot-blocking presence in the paint with 85 blocks and is also averaging 8.9 & 5.8. As for Gonzaga, the Bulldogs have two 6-8 junior forwards who are likely lottery picks. West Coast Conference Player of the Year Rui Hachimura leads the team in scoring (19.6) while also shooting 45.5 percent from three-point range and WCC Defensive Player of the Year Brandon Clarke is averaging 16.9 points and a team best 8.5 rebounds plus leads the NCAA with 115 blocks (had five against Florida State). Guards Zach Norvell Jr. (15.1) and Josh Perkins (10.9) also are averaging in doubles figures, with Perkins ranking eighth nationally with 228 assists (6.2 per). Chris Beard got his team past John Beilein and Michigan but getting past Mark Few and Gonzaga is a 'bridge too far!' Tech's D is outstanding (58.7 PPG ranks 3rd / 36.7% FG percentage against ranks 1st) but Gonzaga will NOT shoot 32.7% (including 1 of 19 on threes) like Michigan. Gonzaga has won 30 games by double-digits, including 20 by 20 or more points. Lay the reasonable price. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-29-19 | Nuggets v. Thunder -4.5 | Top | 115-105 | Loss | -114 | 12 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the OKC Thunder at 8:05 ET. The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver is 50-24, just ONE game back of the Warriors for the West's top record. However, Denver missed a chance to move into a tie with Golden St last night when the Nuggets lost badly in Houston to the Rockets, 112-85. Denver looks to complete a four-game sweep of the season series when it visits the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday. The Nuggets have won the first three meetings by an average of nine points and prevailed 105-98 back on Nov 24 in their first visit to Oklahoma City this season. The Thunder have been struggling, dropping five of six games before posting a 107-99 home win over Indiana on Wednesday. The 44-31 Thunder currently sit in seventh place in the Western Conference with seven games remaining. The 5-8 spots are tightly bunched (teams separated by just 1 1/2 games) but OKC appears destined to be on the road in the first round of the playoffs, as the Thunder are 3 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed. Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.2-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.7 and 8.7 PPG. However, Denver's offense suddenly has disappeared, as the Rockets have failed to reach 100 points in three straight games for the first time all season. The Nuggets shot just 36.9 percent from the floor, including 4-for-24 from three-point range last night in Houston. The Thunder looked headed for a defeat as the Pacers built a 11-point lead on Wednesday but they scored 24 consecutive points over a stretch of nearly seven minutes to seize control (Pacers missed 14 consecutive shots during that span). Paul George (28.2-8.1-4.1) is expected to play despite left shoulder pain, after scoring 31 points in the win over his former team. Russell Westbrook (22.9-11.0-10.4) collected 17 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds against the Pacers, for his 29th triple-double of the season and the 133rd of his career. It's hard to really trust OKC but I went against Denver last night with Houston and will do so again here with the Thunder. Here's why. This will be the Nuggets' sixth road game in the last seven contests and is part of the toughest stretch of the season, Last night's contest against Houston began a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games will be against probable Western Conference playoff games. After last night's 'ugly' defeat, the Nuggets fell to 0-7 SU (1-6 ATS) on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1. "Case closed," as Archie Bunker used to famously say! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-29-19 | Auburn v. North Carolina -5 | Top | 97-80 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on North Carolina at 7:29 ET. 28-9 Auburn has won 10 straight games, after its 89-75 win over Kansas, one of the nation's traditional juggernauts. The Tigers are in teh Sweet 16 for teh first time since 2003 and face Midwest's No. 1 seed, the 29-6 North Carolina Tar Heels (another CBB 'blue blood!'). "What a better way of, or a better opportunity to try to make history, than to have to go through Kansas and then have to go through North Carolina," Auburn coach Bruce Pearl told reporters. North Carolina beat Washington 81-59 in teh second round and look to advance to the Elite Eight for the third time in the last four seasons Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.9 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the 6-8 Okeke,who averages 11.8 & 6.7. The Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St but only 17 points vs Kansas. Auburn averages 79.8 PPG and has heavily relied on its three-point shooting during its 10-game winning streak and on the season (421 made three-pointers). Senior guard Cameron Johnson (16.9 & 5.8) and fellow senior, the 6-8 Maye (14.9 & 10.6), plus freshman PG White (16.1-3.6-4.1) have been team leaders all season for the Tar Heels, However, 6-6 freshman reserve forward Nassir Little (10.0 & 4.7) has 39 points and 11 rebounds off the bench in his first two NCAA games. North Carolina averages 86.0 PPG, 3rd-best in the nation entering the Sweet 16. "305 threes ties our school record for makes in a season, that's pretty impressive. They've made 421," North Carolina head coach Roy Williams told reporters. "So our 305 is not quite as impressive." However, knows how to win in this round, as he's 8-1 in the Sweet 16 while with the Tar Heels.In contrast, Auburn is seeking its first Elite Eight berth since 1986. Bruce Pearl’s Auburn team has been living well since suffering an 80-53 blowout loss at Kentucky in late February,However, "Live by the three, die by the three." The Tar Heels are currently 17-2 in their last 19 games (only defeats coming to ACC juggernauts Virginia and Duke) and 27 of NC's 29 victories this year have come by six points or more. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-28-19 | Nuggets v. Rockets -5 | Top | 85-112 | Win | 100 | 10 h 6 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET. The Denver Nuggets missed the playoffs last year (one game shy of the No. 8 seed) but have no such worries this season. Denver has won SEVEN of its last eight and at 50-23, is just a half-game back of the Warriors for the West's top record (who'da thunk it!). The Nuggets visit Houston tonight, to take on the Rockets. Houston won an NBA-best 67 games last season but currently sit 47-28 (four back of Denver), as the Rockets battle the 47-27 Blazers for the No. 3 seed (note: the Jazz and Clippers are just two games back of Houston for the 4th-seed). Tuesday's 95-92 home win over the Detroit Pistons gave the Nuggets their first 50-win season since going 57-25 in 2012-13, while Houston suffered a 108-94 road loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday. Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.8) and assists (7.5), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (18.1-4.2-4.9). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus four more, averaging between 5.9 and 8.9 PPG. Reigning MVP James Harden (36.2-6.5-7.5) has made a strong case to win it again this season, while Gordon (16.2) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack. Swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night, although Green is expected to miss his third straight game (shoulder). Center Clint Capela flys under the radar but he's averaging career highs in points (16.5) and rebounds (12.5). Here's the bottom line. The Nuggets posted a 136-122 home win over the Rockets back on Feb 1 but that win halted a NINE-game losing skid against the Rockets. This contest against Houston begins a stretch in which seven of Denver's next eight games are against probable Western Conference playoff games. The problem? The Nuggets are 0-6 SU (1-5 ATS) on the road vs Western Conference playoff teams since Dec 1! Let's NOT ignore Houston's dominance over Denver in recent years (see above) or that since Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets have been tough to beat. The Rockets lost their first game with him back in the lineup. but they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs), jump-starting a 14-3 SU run. Lay the VERY fair price. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-27-19 | Lipscomb v. NC State -3.5 | Top | 94-93 | Loss | -104 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on NC State at 9:00 ET. 24-11 North Carolina State squeezed past Hofstra (84-78) and Harvard (78-77) in the first two rounds of the NIT and Wednesday will host 27-7 Lipscomb, with a trip to New York and a Final Four game at MSG on the line. Both NC St's wins were non-covers but note that Hofstra was the CAA's regular-season champs and Harvard was the Ivy League's co-regular season champs. Nothing new here, as Lipscomb shared the Atlantic Sun regular-season title with Liberty. The Bisons have beaten Davidson (89-81) and UNC Greensboro (86-69) on the road but to reach New York, will have to win at a pretty tough venue, Raleigh's Reynolds Coliseum. Lipscomb features great depth, as 10 players get 10-plus minutes of playing time. Seniors Mathews (120.0 & 5.3) and the 6-7 Marberry (15.0 & 4.3) lead the way, while junior PG Cooper (10.2-3.5-4.2) rounds out teh double digit scorers. The total sems to be more than the sum of its parts with Lipscomb, as the Bisons average 8.7 PPG (). Speaking of depth and balance, NC State has SIX players averaging between 8.9 and 13.4 PPG, led by 6-5 senior guard Torin Dorn (13.4). He also produces a team-high 7.2 RPG. PG Markell Johnson adds 12.4 points and a team-best 4.2 assists per contest, while shooting 40.8 percent from three-point range. Bryce adds 11.6 & 4.6 and the lone non-guard of NC State's "core six" is 6-10 sophomore Funderburk (8.9 & 4.3). The Atlantic Sun co-champs (Liberty and Lipscomb) have acquitted themselves quite well in the postseason, with Lipscomb’s pair of wins (and covers) at Davidson and NC-Greensboro plus Liberty's effort in the San Jose sub-regional (Flames upset Miss St 80-76 as a 7-point dog and then lost by nine to Va Tech, getting anywhere from 8.5 and 9.5 points in a lose/push/win scenario). The Wolfpack played 18 of 19 home games at PNC Arena during the regular season but have used on-campus Reynolds Coliseum.for the NIT games. “The crowd, the atmosphere is awesome,” NC State senior forward Wyatt Walker told the Raleigh News & Observer after Sunday’s win. “Reynolds is awesome.” Yes, NC State has been cutting it close in the NIT so far, but this marks Lipscomb's THIRD road game in nine days. NC State AD Debbie Yow complained the her Wolfpack got snubbed by the Big Dance Selection Committee but getting to Madison Square Garden for next week’s semifinals should be viewed as a nice consolation prize. That's my bet. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-26-19 | Pistons v. Nuggets -7 | Top | 92-95 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on teh Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET. The Denver Nuggets were 46-36 last season (one game out of the West's final playoff spot), so few (if any) expected them to be challenging the Golden St Warriors (three titles in the last four seasons) for the West's best record in the 2018-19 season, However, that's the situation as the NBA enters its final 16 days. The 49-23 Nuggets are fighting for the top seed in the Western Conference as the Warriors are just a half-game better as of Tuesday morning, at 50-23. The Piston also missed the last season (like the Nuggets, they were 9th) but they were a sub-500 team at 39-43). However, at 37-36 on the season to-date, Detroit is cling to the East's 6th-seed, in a virtual tie with the 38-37 Nets and one game up on the 8th-seeded Heat. Detroit also has to be concerned with Orlando (five straight wins) and Charlotte (three straight wins), who are also clearly withing striking distance. The stage is set for the Piston vs the Nuggets tonight in Denver. Detroit concludes a five-game road trip tonight at Pepsi Center. The Nuggets are 1-3 so far, with their lone win coming in Phoenix, over the pathetic 17-58 Suns. PF Griffin (24.7-7.5-5.5) and center Drummond (17.3 & 15.4) join PG Jackson (15.3 & 4.2 APG) as the only consistent contributors. In stark contrast, Denver is arguably the NBA's deepest team. Center Jokic leads in scoring (20.2), rebounding (10.8) and assist (7.6), while PG Murray has been steady as it goes (17.9-4.2-4.8). Behind those two, Denver has FIVE players averaging in double digits plus five more, averaging between 5.8 and 8.9 PPG (include Thomas, who has played just 10 games). The goods news for Detroit is, that the Pistons will play five of their final eight games at home, following tonight's game. However, that won't help here. Detroit has lost EIGHT of its last nine visits to Denver, which will surely remember getting humbled by 26 points at Little Caesars Arena back on Feb 4. Denver returns home for this one off a four-game road trip and will have to go right back on the road after tonight's game (at Houston on Thursday and at OKC on Friday). Considering that and with the team's embarrassing Feb 4 loss at Detroit still somewhat fresh, expect the Nuggets (30-6 at home, average winning margin of 11 points) to roll. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-26-19 | Creighton v. TCU -4 | Top | 58-71 | Win | 100 | 13 h 59 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on TCU at 9:00 ET. Both Creighton (20-14) and TCU (22-13) have advanced to this third round game with back-to-back home wins. The winner of tonight's game in Fort Worth, advances to MSG and the NIT's version of its 'Final Four' next Tuesday. The Bluejays have won SEVEN of their last eight contests, including a pair of NIT home games, 70-61 over Loyola-Chicago and a 79-67 over Memphis. The Horned Frogs have earned double-digit home victories over Sam Houston State (82-69) and Nebraska (88-72). Creighton head coach Greg McDermott starts four guards and the 6-9 Martin Krampelj (13.7 & 6.9). All five scored in double digits in the team's win over Memphis, despite Krampelj being limited to just 18 minutes due to foul trouble (he still had 12 points). 6-7 freshman forward Christian Bishop (just 3.9 & 2.0 on the season) tied a season high with 21 minutes and produced eight points to go along with a career-high 10 rebounds. The team's guard quartet includes Alexander (19 & 4.0), Ballock (11.0-4.4-3.2), Zegarowski (10.6-3.2-3.4) and Mintz (9.8-3.0-3.1). TCU starts a pair ov veteran guards, junior Bane (15.6 & 5.7) plus senior PG Robinson (12.6 & 7.1 APG, along with a solid three-man frontcourt. The trio includes the 6-7 Noi (13.8 & 4.9), the 6-8 Miller (10.9 & 6.6) and 6-11 freshman Samuel (7.7 & 6.9). All starters save Robinson (9 points and 9 assists), scored in double digits in Sunday's home win over Nebraska. Bane scored 20 of his 30 points in the second half Sunday, reaching the 30-point mark for the second time in 15 days, after not accomplishing that feat once over his first 105 games! Sure, the Bluejays have surged as of late (see above) but Creighton has NEVER won a true road game in the NIT (0-4) and will be seeking its first NIT victory away from home since 1942, not to mention the chance to win three straight games in the NIT for the first time ever!In contrast, head coach Jamie Dixon has returned to his alma mater and quickly turned around the basketball program upon his arrival in 2016-17. He doubled the Horned Frogs' win total from the year before, en route to the school's first postseason title (2017 NIT). TCU ended its 2017 NIT championship run that season with three blowout wins and has seemingly picked up where it left off, as the Horned Frogs are seeking their EIGHTH straight NIT win. Why won't they get it here? TCU is 29-2 SU at home against non-conference opponents under Dixon and the pointspread and the impost too steep! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-24-19 | Nebraska v. TCU -4 | Top | 72-88 | Win | 100 | 15 h 15 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on TCU at 9:30 ET. Nebraska suffered through a 2-11 stretch (from Jan 21-Mar 5) but erased an early 14-2 deficit at home to beat Butler 80-76 on Wednesday. It was the school's first postseason victory in 11 years! Last year's NIT bid was a let down, as Nebraska won 23 games (finished fourth in the Big Ten) and admitted it was not pumped for last year's NIT. TY's team says it feels different. The fourth-seeded Cornhuskers (19-16) now visit the top-seed in its NIT bracket on Sunday, the 21-13 TCU Horned Frogs. TCU felt it was snubbed by the NCAA this season and came out out sluggish against Sam Houston State. The Horned Frogs trailed by eight before closing the first half on a 15-3 run and then made 11 of their first 14 attempts after intermission to take 17-point lead in an eventual 82-69 win. Nebraska's 6-8 Isaiah Roby (12.1 & 7.1) scored a career-high 28 points in the win over Butler. Starting guards James Palmer Jr. (19.7-4.2-3.0) had 23 points, five rebounds and three assists against Butler, while Glynn Watson Jr. (13.5-4.0-3.0 assists) scored 17 points. That trio has stepped up since Nebraska lost the 6-9 Copeland (14.0 & 5.4) for the season after 20 games. In fact, Palmer is averaging 24.6 points, Roby 17.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.0 blocks, and Watson 18.6 points and shooting 19-of-41 from the arc, over the team's last five games. Six TCU players scored in double digits against Sam Houston St. PG Alex Robinson (12.7-3.7-7.1) recorded his ninth double-double of the season with 13 points and 11 assists. The 6-8 JD Miller (10.8 & 6.6) contributed 15 points and eight rebounds, while leading scorer Desmond Bane (15.2-5.6-2.4) added 13 points and nine rebounds. Freshman center Kevin Samuel (7.6 &.7.0) scored 11 points. TCU's fourth double digit scorer on the season is the 6-7 Noi (13.9 & 4.9). Nebraska may be claiming that the team is "pumped' for this year's NIT but a comeback home win over a Butler team which struggled all season on the road, hardly convinces me. The Huskers’ 80 points against Butler were their most in EIGHT postseason games, dating back to the 2004 NIT. Nebraska travels to Fort Worth tonight to face a TCU team which won the NIT in 2017 and is surely capable of winning it again, this year. Nebraska is 2-9 SU in true road games this season, while allowing 78.6 PPG. End of the 2019 'road' for the Cornhuskers. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-24-19 | Spurs v. Celtics -2 | Top | 115-96 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 10 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET. The San Antonio Spurs have certainly been streaky this season. The Spurs' annual "Rodeo Road Trip" was a disaster, as they went 1-7 from Feb 4-25. San Antonio then ripped off NINE wins in a row, before losing 110-105 at home vs Miami (Wed) and then 111-105 at Houston on Friday (Harden has 61 points!). The 42-31 Spurs now sit alone in eighth place in the West, although OKC, Utah and the LAC are all just one game better at 43-30. The Sputs visit TD Garden tonight to take on a Boston team in shock, after Saturday's 124-117 loss in Charlotte. The Hornets closed Saturday night's game on a 30-5 run. Charlotte trailed 112-94 with 8 minutes, 22 seconds remaining!!!.The 43-30 Celtics are one game back of the Pacers for the East's No. 4 seed, edge in the first round. The Spurs are led by guard DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and PF Aldridge (21.0 & 8.9) but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.1 PPG. Guard Bryn Forbes (11.6) hit all three of his three-point tries en route to a team-high 20 points at Houston but his teammates were just 4-of-21 from beyond the arc (note: Spurs are the NBA's best three-point shooting team at 39.7%). LaMarcus Aldridge scored 32 points to lead San Antonio to a 120-111 victory back on Dec 31 over the Celtics at home but was held to 10 at Houston and has fallen short of his average (21.0) in four of the last five games. Kyrie Irving (24.0-5.1-7.0) scored 31 points and Jaylen Brown (13.2 & 4.3) had 29 in Saturday's loss, which has the team wondering where to go as it heads into the second half of a back-to-back. Boston's depth is impressive, as along with Irving and Brown, they have forwards Tatum (15.9 & 6.2), Morris (14.2 & 6.6) and Hayward (10.8 & 4.3), F/C Horford (13.2-6.7.4-1) plus guards Rozier (9.3) and Smart (8.5). Brad Stevens' team has been a huge underachiever this season but I have to believe Boston will respond here at home, off last night's total collapse. Let's not ignore that San Antonio's nine-game winning streak (prior to its Wednesday loss at home to Miami and Friday's loss at Houston),was comprised of SEVEN home wins. The lone road wins came against losers like Atlanta and Dallas. The Spurs come to Boston 3-8 SU on the road since Feb 1 and would basically need to win to cover here. Back the home team. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-23-19 | Auburn v. Kansas +2.5 | Top | 89-75 | Loss | -110 | 16 h 33 m | Show |
My signature 10* LEGEND Play is on Kansas at 9:40 ET. Auburn and Kansas both played in their respective conference tournament championship games last weekend (Auburn won / Kansas lost) and both advanced to this second round contest. However, 5th-seeded Auburn barely survived 78-77 over 12th-seeded New Mexico St, while 4th-seeded Kansas rode a 32-6 second-half run to coast to an 87-53 win over 13th-seeded Northeastern. Auburn made 15 three-pointers and recorded 14 steals en route to securing its first SEC Tournament title since 1985 with Sunday's 84-64 rout of Tennessee, its fourth game in four days. However, the collective wear-and-tear of a FIFTH game in eight days nearly caught up with the Tigers on Thursday when they escaped with a 78-77 victory over New Mexico State after nearly blowing a seven-point lead in the final minute! Senior guard Bryce Brown leads the balanced Tigers, averaging 15.7 PPG. Junior PG Harper adds 15.3 and 5.7 APG. The team's lone big man of note is the he 6-8 Okeke averages 11.8 & 6.8. he Auburn bench averaged 26.3 points during the SEC Tournament and added 28 points vs New Mexico St. Kansas scored 50 points in the paint for the second straight game in its win over Northeastern and the Jayhawks set several season bests in Thursday's rout, field-goal percentage for a half (70.4), field-goal percentage for a game (55.7) and field-goal percentage defense (28.7). That's not a bad 'trifecta.'The 6-9 Dedric Lawson (19.1 & 10.3) had 25 points and 11 rebounds in only 27 minutes to post his 21st double-double on the season. Freshman guard Devon Dotson (12.3-3.7-3.5) scored 18 points and did not commit a turnover Thursday. Since Vick (14.1 & 4.0) was lost after 23 games, Agbaji (8.9 & 4.8) and Garrett (7.3 & 4.2) have stepped up on the perimeter to complement Dotson. Auburn comes in on a nine-game winning streak but almost didn't survive against New Mexico St. Auburn features a guard-oriented attack and puts up 79.5 PPG but I took New Mexico St against them nothing that playing at altitude (Salt Lake City) could have an effect for a team playing its FIFTH game in eight days. It's now a SIXTH game in 10 days and note that EIGHT of Kansas' nine losses this season have come in true road games (Jayhawks went 3-8 on the season). That makes this Bell Self-coached team 23-1 SU in home and neutral games (16-0 at home / 7-1 in neutral) on the season. Auburn's last Sweet 16 appearance came back in 2002-03, so look for the nation's preseason No. 1 team to make it 24-1 and be the ones advancing to this season's Sweet 16. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-23-19 | Florida v. Michigan -6 | Top | 49-64 | Win | 100 | 9 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* play is on Michigan at 5:15 ET. Second-seeded Michigan (29-6) routed No. 15 seed Montana 74-55 on Thursday and now moves on to take on 10th-seed Florida in the West Regional (game is in Des Moines, Ia). Florida nearly squandered an 18-point second-half lead but held on to knock off seventh-seeded Nevada 70-61 on Thursday. The Wolverines's victory over Montana was their 17th NCAA Tournament win since 2013, which is the most of any team during that span. Michigan is looking advance to the Sweet 16 for the fifth time in its last six appearances. As for Florida, the Gators needed a pair of wins in the SEC Tournament to punch their ticket to the Big Dance but have won three of their last four games after dropping the previous three and hope to build off their upset of the Wolf Pack by advancing to the Sweet 16 for the second time in the last three years. Florida center Kevarrius Hayes (8.3 & 6.2) scored a team-high 16 points to go along with three blocks before fouling out with 2:20 to go, as the Gators scored the final seven points to stave off a late rally by Nevada. Guard Jalen Hudson (9.2) added 13 of his 15 points in the first half while SF Keyontae Johnson (8.1 & 6.3) chipped in 10 points and 10 rebounds against the Wolf Pack. KeVaughn Allen (team's leading scorer at 11.9 PPG) scored all 10 of his points in the second half while freshman PG Andrew Nembhard (8.1 & 5.3 APG) had eight points, seven rebounds and five assists. It's no surprise that Florida won with defense (63.6 PPG ranks 21st), as it held Nevada to 34.5 percent from the floor, including 5 of 24 from three-point range. Michigan guard Charles Matthews 12.3 & 5.0) was bothered by an injured right ankle in the Big Ten tourney but looked fine vs Montana, leading the way with 22 points and 10 rebounds to register the seventh double-double of his career in the win. 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year and added 14 points and seven rebounds, while PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.0-6.7) had just four points but produced 10 assists and seven rebounds against the Grizzlies to become the first player in program history to have eight games with at least 10 assists in a single season. Guard Poole (12.7) and 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 7.0) round out Michigan's core, one which is more than capable of furthering John Beilein's recent NCAA successes. I noted Florida's strong defensive numbers earlier but Michigan has held 20 opponents to 60 or fewer points this season and enters this contest allowing 58.5 PPG, the second-fewest points in the nation. Michigan is holding opponents to 39.7% shooting (17th), including 28.7% on threes (5th-best). Michigan's D is even better than Florida's plus the Wolverines have more scoring options on the offensive end of the court. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-22-19 | UCF v. VCU +1 | Top | 73-58 | Loss | -108 | 15 h 4 m | Show |
My 10* 1st Round Game of the Year is on VCU at 9:40 ET. 23-8 UCF earned an at-large bid for the first time in program history and the 9th-seed in the East Regio. The Knights will face No. 8-seed VCU in a first-round matchup on Friday in Columbia, SC. UCF set a program record with 23 regular-season wins, while posting statement victories over then-No. 6 Houston on the road and then-No. 19 Cincinnati in the span of five days. However, UCF (3rd in the AAC) fell in the quarterfinals of the AAC Tournament 79-55 to Memphis. VCU was predicted to finish seventh in the conference in a preseason poll but claimed the Atlantic 10 regular-season title with a 16-2 league record. However, the top-seeded Rams suffered a 75-70 setback to Rhode Island in the quarterfinals of the A-10 Tournament and take a 25-7 record into the Big Dance. The Knights have an excellent guard trio in Taylor (16.0), Dawkins (15.2 & 5.0) and PG Allen (6.8-3.2-4.3). Up front, it's the 7-6 Fall (10.9 & 7.3) and the 6-11 Smith (8.3 & 5.2). Defense is the team's strength, holding opponents to 64.3 PPG (28th) on 39.5% shooting (13th). VCU's best player Marcus Evans (13.8-3.0-3.2) was forced to leave last Friday’s quarterfinal loss in the first half with a knee injury but is expected to play in the NCAA Tournament. Backcourt mate Jenkins (11.4 & 3.9) joins him in double digit scoring, as do a pair of forwards, the 6-6 Vann (10.9 & 3.5) and the 6-7 Santos-Silva (10.1 & 7.4). Speaking of defense, the Rams allow 61.6 PPG (10th) on 38.4% shooting (6th), including 27.6 on threes (3rd). This marks the first at-large bid in program history for UCF and only its fifth NCAA appearance all-time. UCF has never been seeded higher than 14th before. VCU was just 18-15 in 2017-18, missing the postseason for the first time in 12 years iIt also ended a stretch of SEVEN straight NCAA appearances). This year's turnaround was envisioned by head coach Mike Rhoades, who told his team they could make the tournament after last year's disappointment. Expect the loss to Rhode Island in the A-10 tourney to be a HUGE motivating factor for the Rams. Does VCU have anyone to handle the 7-6 Fall? Not really but Fall only plays about 25 minutes per game, doesn’t run the floor well and his offensive game is VERY limited! VCU wins this battle of defensive teams. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-22-19 | Spurs v. Rockets -6 | Top | 105-111 | Push | 0 | 10 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Western Conference Game of the Month is on the Hou Rockets at 8:05 ET. The San Antonio Spurs saw their nine-game winning streak snapped with a 110-105 home loss to the Miami Heat on Wednesday. They open a three-game road swing tonight in Houston, against a Rockets team which is also coming off a loss on Wednesday, 126-125 in OT at Memphis. Houston had won 12 of 13 prior to that defeat and at 45-27, resides in third place in the Western Conference, a half-game ahead of the Portland Trail Blazers. Meanwhile, while the 42-30 Spurs are in a four-way tie for the fifth through eighth spots (current tiebreakers have SA with the No. 6 seed).. San Antonio had good offensive balance in the loss against Miami, with five players scoring 15 or more points. That's nothing new. DeRozan (21.5-6.3-6.1) and Aldridge (21.1 & 9.0) have been the team leaders all season but six more players check in averaging between 8.0 and 14.2 PPG. The Spurs make 47.8% of their shots (2nd), including an NBA-high 39.9% on threes. Reigning MVP James Harden (36.1-6.5-7.7) poured in 57 points on Wednesday (his seventh 50-point effort of the season). Harden almost a comeback from a 19-point deficit but his effort left the Rockets one point short."If we play that way, the way that we played in the fourth quarter (and) overtime defensively, then we'll be all right," Harden said after the game. Gordon (16.5) and PG Paul (15.6 & 8.2 APG) give Houston a dynamic three-guard attack plus swingmen House (9.9) and Green (9.5) can be very dangerous on any given night. However, don't overlook center Clint Capela, who is averaging career highs in points (16.8) and rebounds (12.4). Note that when Capela returned from a thumb injury after the All Star break, the Rockets lost their first game with him in the lineup. However, they won the next game in Oakland (118-112 over the Warriors as 12-point underdogs) and were on a 12-1 run before losing Wednesday. Yes, the Spurs had won NINE in a row prior to their Wednesday loss but SEVEN wins came at home. The lone road wins were in Atlanta (Hawks are 25-48) and Dallas (Mavs are 28-44 and losers of 15 of their last 17!). The Spurs are just 13-22 SU on the road, where they allow 115.1 PPG. NONE of that spells good new against a Houston team off a rare loss. Home team gets the "W" and the 'CASH!' Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-21-19 | St. Mary's v. Villanova -4.5 | Top | 57-61 | Loss | -105 | 37 h 57 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Villanova at 7:20 ET. Villanova is the defending NCAA Tournament champions (two titles in the last three years) and enters the Big Dance after winning the Big East regular-season and tournament titles. 25-9 Villanova earned a modest 6-seed in the South region and opens its quest for third national championship in four years against No. 11 seed Saint Mary's in Hartford, Ct. Saint Mary's was not expected to make this year's field of 68 but it upset then-No. 1 Gonzaga in the WCC championship game, 60-47. Saint Mary's head coach Randy Bennett has led the Gaels since 2001 but 22-11 St Mary's has advanced to the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in the last six years. In contrast, Villanova has made the NCAA Tournament in seven straight years and 14 of the last 15. Junior guard Jordan Ford averages a team-best 21.3 PPG, after averaging 11.1 last season. The only other St Mary's player in double digits is 6-8 sophomore forward Malik Fitts (15.3 & 7.6). Nobody else on the team averages more than nine points, although the 6-10 Jordan Hunter is a presence on the interior with averages of 7.9 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.4 blocks. Villanova relies heavily on guard Booth (18.6-3.9-3.8) and the 6-8 Paschall (16.5 & 6.2), a pair of first-team Big East selections who have been part of both national title winners. Sophomore guard Gillespie (11.1) is the team's third double-digit scorer plus the 6-8 Saddiq Bey (8.4 & 5.3) has emerged in the second half of his freshman season, registering double-digit points in 11 of the last 16 games. Villanova became the first school to win three consecutive Big East tournaments titles and will likely remember that it was bounced by the Gaels in the second round of the 2010 NCAA Tournament. This Hartford venue is a LONG way from St Mary's home in Moraga, Ca and I don't believe the Gaels can beat the defending champs right after upsetting Gonzaga. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-20-19 | Raptors v. Thunder -4 | Top | 123-114 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* NBA 35-Club-Play is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET. The 50-21 Toronto Raptors and the 42-29 Oklahoma City Thunder play the front end of a home-and-home set on Wednesday. The Raptors reached the 50-win threshold for the fourth straight season by routing the New York Knicks 128-92 on Monday, despite All-Star forward Kawhi Leonard being held out to rest. The Raptors have 11 games left and own a four-game lead in the race for the No. 2 seed plus sit three games back of the Bucks for the East's top seed.OKC's three-game slide leaves them with the West's No. 6, just 1 1/2 games behind the No. 4 seed but also just a half-game ahead of the No. 8 seed. Leonard (27.1 & 7.4) is expected to play here but PG Lowry (14.8-4.8-9.0) suffered an injury to his right ankle in the third quarter of the Knicks game and he could sit out Wednesday. Lowry missed the previous two games with a left ankle injury and told reporters after the contest that the now-injured right ankle was "pretty tender." Serge Ibaka (15.1 & 8.1) will be available again tonight, after a fight-caused three-game suspension. However, it should be noted that the late additions of Gasol (9.5 & 6.9) and lin (8.4) have made the Raptors a deeper AND better team. Westbrook (22.9-11.1-10.5) served a one-game suspension for drawing his 16th technical foul of the season and missed Monday's 116-107 home loss to the Miami Heat. Dennis Schroder (15.4) moved into the starting lineup in place of Westbrook and scored 20 points but the bench took a major hit without him. The Miami reserves had a 67-10 edge in points as Oklahoma City's bench was 4-of-22 shooting and missed all 10 of its three-point attempts. Paul George (28.3-8.2-4.2) scored 31 points against the Heat and is averaging 30.3 PPG over the past four contests, The Raptors seem to have settled into the idea that they will be the East's No. 2 seed and their recent form has been less than inspiring, going 10-5 SU but 5-10 ATS in their last 15. Meanwhile OKC needs to focus down the stretch, as the team has legitimate shots at finishing as the West's No. 3 seed or its No. 8 seed! OKC badly needs to end its three-game slide tonight. Westbrook is back and my bet says the Thunder will roll! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-19-19 | Pacers v. Clippers -5 | Top | 109-115 | Win | 100 | 16 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the LA Clippers at 10:35 ET. The 44-27 Indiana Pacers are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference as they continue a four-game road trip against the LA Clippers at Staples Center on Tuesday. The Pacers enter off a 106-98 loss Monday night at Portland. A Miami Heat loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Monday, or a Pacers victory, would have clinched a playoff berth for Indiana but neither happened. Losers of seven of their last 11, the Pacers visit the 41-30 Clippers, who are closing in on wrapping up a Western Conference playoff berth. The Clipps have won SEVEN of eight and are six games clear of the ninth-place Sacramento Kings with 11 left to play. Indiana center Center Myles Turner (13.3 & 7.0) scored a season-best 28 points against Portland to fall three points shy of his career high but PF Thaddeus Young (12.5 & 6.5) was on the other end of the spectrum as he scored a season-low two points on 1-of-8 shooting. With Oladipo (18.8-5.6-5.2) out for the season, SF Bogdanovic 917.8 & 4.1), big man Sabonis (14.2 & 9.1, despite just FIVE starts), PG Collison (11.3 & 6.0 APG) and swingman Evans (9.8) are the main contributors, They have recently been joined by SG Mathews (12.5 PPG in 15 games), a late addition from the Mavs t LA sixth-man man Lou Williams (20.4 & 5.2 APG) buried a three-pointer as time expired to provide the club with a 119-116 win over the visiting Brooklyn Nets on Sunday. Along SF Gallinari (19.4 & 6.1) and 6-8 PF Harrrell (16.4 & 6.7), the trio represents the core of LA's team since the NBA trade deadline when the Clippers made three separate moves to alter a roster that was fighting for playoff eligibility. When the Pacers earned a 116-92 home win Feb 7 over the Clippers, leading scorer Tobias Harris, Boban Marjanovic, Mike Scott, Marcin Gortat, Milos Teodosic and Avery Bradley never made it to Indiana that night. Clippers players who had yet to arrive by then, but have since helped the team to an 11-4 record while solidifying L.A.'s playoff chances include, Landry Shamet, Wilson Chandler, Jamychal Green, Garrett Temple and Ivica Zubac. So LA takes the court 11-4 in its last 15, including wins in SEVEN of its last eight. In stark contrast, the Pacers enter having lost SIX consecutive road games (1-5 ATS). It may come as a surprise to many that the "left for dead" Clippers are just ONE game behind San Antonio (No. 5 seed) and 2 1/2 games back of the No. 4 seed. Lay the points. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-19-19 | San Diego v. Memphis -6.5 | Top | 60-74 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show |
My NIT 10* Game of the Week is on Memphis at 8:00 ET. The San Diego Toreros finished seventh in the West Coast Conference and lost in the semifinals of the MWC tourney to eventual champion Saint Mary's. At 21-14, the Toreros didn't even bother to hold a team watch party on Sunday night to view the selection show, feeling chances were so slim at garnering the school's first-ever NIT invite. However, San Diego was the 32nd and final team announced to the NIT field (the 6-seed in the TCU bracket). Often, schools invited to the NIT experience a letdown, disappointed after failing to garner a spot in the NCAA Tournament. That is clearly NOT the case with San Diego. However, San Diego opens its first-ever NIT game against a school that is also FAR from being disappointed to be playing in the NIT. 21-13 Memphis is headed to a postseason tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 season as the No. 3 seed in the TCU bracket. The Tigers' last trip to the NIT came in 2010 and Memphis won the tournament in 2002. Under first-year head coach Penny Hardaway, Memphis forced its way to the edge of the Big Dance bubble with a late-season run that ended with a three-point loss to Houston in the AAC semifinals last Saturday. The Toreros are led by an impressive trio of seniors. The 6-7 Pineiro (19.1 & 9.5) will be the best player on the floor, supported by a pair of veteran guards in Carter (14.8) and Wright (13.8 & 4.7 APG). That said, Memphis counters with a superb pair of seniors, as well. PG Martin leads the team in scoring (19.6), assists (4.4) and steals (2.2) and was a first team All-AAC pick. Up front, it's 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport (13.2 & 7.1). Hardaway loves to use multiple players, as while freshman guard Tyler Harris (10.6) also averages in double figures, SIX more Tigers chip in between 4.8 and 8.5 PPG. I wish these teams weren't playing each other but that's the luck of the draw. Memphis was 15-12 SU at home during the regular season (lost to only Tennessee and Cincinnati), while averaging about 85.0 PPG. The Tigers got to play on their home floor (FedExForum), beating Tulane 83-68 and UCF 79-55, before barely losing 61-58 to Houston (31-3 and 11th-ranked in the final AP poll). Memphis will likely have to win on the road the rest of the way in this year's NIT but that's NOT the case here. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-18-19 | Nuggets v. Celtics -3.5 | Top | 114-105 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET. The surprising Denver Nuggets are 46-22, leaving them just one game back of Golden St for the West's best record. Meanwhile, the disappointing Boston Celtics sit 43-27, leaving them one back of the 4th-seed Pacers and two games back of the third-seeded 76ers in the East. The two teams meet for the second time this season, as the NBA season enters its final weeks. The first meeting came way back on Nov 5, with Nuggets earning a 115-107 win at Pepsi Center, as Jamal Murray scored 48 points. Murray jacked up a last-second three-pointer to try to reach 50 in that contest and Boston guard Kyrie Irving wasn't happy, throwing the basketball into the stands after the buzzer and drawing a fine. Now seriously, does anyone think that's a motivating factor? A motivating factor is the two teams' current standings and as noted, both are in important 'battles' for playoff position. The Nuggets are led by center Jokic, who leads Denver in scoring (20.3), rebounding (10.7) and assist (7.6). Denver has fought through countless injuries this season (to many key players) but almost ll are healthy now and behind Jokic, Denver has NINE players averaging between 8.0 and 18.3 PPG (includes Thomas and his 8.6 PPG in nine games). An issue here will be Denver's lack of success on the road vs the league's best teams (more in a second). PG Irving (23.7 & 7.1 APG) doesn't seem content in Boston (understatement?) but his production can't be questioned. He sat out a Mar 6 game at Sacramento but has played all four since, topping 30 points in THREE of them. Boston can almost match Denver's depth and it's hard to ignore the team's excellent 26-10 home mark, with the Celtics averaging 115.1 PPG. Now back to Denver's road woes vs quality opposition. Since winning at Toronto back on Dec 3, the Nuggets have lost at San Antonio (111-103), at Houston (125-113), at Utah (114-108), at Philly (117-110), at San Antonio again (104-103) and at Golden St (112-105). Why NOT expect another Denver loss here at TD Garden? Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-17-19 | Michigan +1 v. Michigan State | Top | 60-65 | Loss | -108 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Michigan at 3:30 ET. Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opened the Big Ten tourney as the No. 3 seed behind No. 3 Purdue and No. 6 Michigan St. Purdue lost its first tourney game to Minnesota, while Mich and Mich St have each won two straight to advance to Sunday's title game at the United Center in Chicago. Michigan now gets a third crack Michigan State, which owns wins of 77-70 and 75-63 over the Wolverines. The Spartans are positioned for a potential No. 1 NCAA tournament seed with a win Sunday and the stakes are high for the Wolverines, as well. A win would likely elevate them to a No. 2 seed and would also enable them to get the last word in a rivalry that is beginning to approach Duke-North Carolina in terms of national interest. Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (14.9 & 5.2) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (12.8) and Matthews (12.3 & 5.0) join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.3-5.0-6.5), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. In fact, the junior PG scored 15 points and dished nine assists Saturday as Michigan routed Minnesota 76-49 for its 10th straight Big Ten tournament victory. That came less than 24 hours after a 10-point, 11-assist performance in a 74-53 blowout of Iowa. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.6 & 6.8) and John Beilein has a core that has Michigan on the cusp of a third straight Big Ten championship. Michigan State never trailed in a 67-55 win over Wisconsin on Saturday, as the Spartans led 27-10 just over 12 minutes into the game. However, the win might have come with a price. PG Cassius Winston (19.0 & 7.5 APG) scored 21 points and dished out six assists but played the second half at less than 100 percent and limped off the floor when he was subbed out for good in the last minute (he's gritty but has a very bothersome ankle). Remember, MSU has already lost shooting gaurd Langfors d (15.0), who hasn't played in 2019. Up front, MSU is loaded with the 6-8 Ward (14.4 & 6.4), the 6-8 Tillman (9.5 & 7.0) and the 6-7 Goins (8.5 & 9.0).. Great coaching matchup between Beilein and Izzo but I just HAVE to play Michigan in this "double-revenge" situation, as the Wolerines make it a 'lucky' 11th straight Big Ten tourney win. Good luck...Larry. |
|||||||
03-16-19 | Oregon v. Washington +2 | Top | 68-48 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
My 10* NCAAB 10* Game of the Year is on Washington at 10:30 ET. Washington is currently 26-7 and won the Pac 12's regular season title by three games. The Huskies should be "off the bubble" but the Pac 12 gets little respect (deservedly so this year), so Washington hopes to win its first conference tournament title since 2011 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Standing in the way is 22-12 Oregon, the Pac 12's preseason favorite. However, the Ducks' season was derailed early, when 7-2 freshman Bol Bol (21.0 & 9.6) was lost for the season after just nine games. Oregon finished 10-8 in league play (No. 6 seed) but have now beaten Wash St, Utah and Arizona St to reach the title game. Are the Ducks now a possible at-large team? The sixth-seeded Ducks won their SEVENTH straight game and third and in three nights on Friday, knocking off No. 2 seed Arizona State 79-75 in overtime to move within one win of an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. "I'm really happy for the guys," Oregon head coach Dana Altman said (note: Altman became the all-time leader by winning his 18th Pac-12 Tournament game, moving past Arizona's Sean Miller). "Washington will be a tough game. We played them just a week ago and we played really good against them. I hope we can muster up the same kind of effort." The Ducks have made their late winning run thanks to some strong defense, holding their last seven opponents to an average of 55.1 PPG. Junior PG Payton Pritchard (12.5-3.7-4.4) is the lone returning starter from the Ducks' 2017 Final Four squad but so many others have stepped up this season. 6-9 freshman forward Louis King (13.1 & 5.8) plus another a pair of 6-9 forwards, senior White (10.5 & 3.9) and sophomore Wooten (6.3 & 4.6) have been noteworthy. Washington opened the second half last night with a 25-5 run and held Colorado to 20 percent shooting, including 2-of-16 on three-pointers, after the break in rallying to defeat the Buffaloes 66-61 in the other semifinal. Huskies' head coach Mike Hopkins lobbied after Friday night's win that 6-5 senior guard Matisse Thybulle (9.4 & 3.1), who had 12 points, three blocks and a steal to move into a tie with Gary Payton for the Pac-12 career steals record of 321, should be the national defensive player of the year. FIVE Huskies finished in double figures last night, led by sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell (16.5-5.4-3.2), the Pac-12 Player of the Year, and 6-9 sophomore forward Nahziah Carter (8.0 & 2.6), who both finished with 14 points.On the season, guard Crisp (12.7) and the 6-8 Dickerson (12.4 & 7.5) joined Nowell in double digit scoring. I noted at the top that an at-large bid may not be coming to the loser of this game. Washing would be a favorite to get one but the Huskies sure don't want to 'sweating' Selection Sunday. More motivation is provided by the fact that Oregon spoiled Washington's Senior Night last Saturday by handing the Huskies their ONLY home loss of the season, 55-47. Four wins in four days is just too much to ask of the Ducks against the avenging Huskies! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-16-19 | Blazers v. Spurs -2 | Top | 103-108 | Win | 100 | 13 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the SA Spurs at 8:35 ET. Both teams played last night, making home floor advantage that much more important. Especially at this time of year. Playing the second game of a back-to-back is never easy, but in the final month of the season it can be excruciating. Especially when both games are on the road. The Blazers pulled away for a 122-110 win at New Orleans last night, while the Spurs posted a relatively simple 109-83 home win over the Knicks, resting many of their starters down the stretch. The 42-26 Blazers are a half-game up on the Rockets in a battle for the West's No. 3 seed and the Rockets are just a half-game up on the 5th-seeded Thunder. It will be quite a finish. The Spurs have won SEVEN in a row and are now 40-29. San Antonio is safely inside the playoff 'cut line' (6 1/2 games clear) but "don't look now," the Spurs are just THREE games back of the Blazers. The win over the Knicks gives San Antonio a 27-7 home mark (22-12 ATS) and the Spurs will take a NINE-game home winning streak into this contest .The home team has won and covered the first three meetings between these teams this season and the Spurs have defended their homecourt well in this series, taking 10 of the last 12 SU (9-3 ATS) over the last four years. At this price, San Antonio offers great value! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-16-19 | Western Kentucky +1 v. Old Dominion | Top | 56-62 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on Western Ky at 8:30 ET. The Old Dominion Monarchs and Western Kentucky Hilltoppers meet at the Ford Center at The Star in the C-USA championship game. ODU won the regular season title at 13-5, while Western Ky finished in a four-way tie for second at 11-7. The Monarchs are coming off a 61-59 win over the UAB Blazers and enter having won NINE of their last 11 games. The Hilltoppers are coming off a 70-59 win over the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles and have won NINE of their last 12. Old Dominion features a dynamic one-two guard duo of Stith (17.0 PPG and 7,5 RPG are both team highs) plus PG Caver (16.7-4.4-5.5). Defense is key for ODU, as the Monarchs also just 60.9 PPG (7th-best in the nation). Western Ky will own the best big man in the game, the 6-10 Bassey (14.6 & 100). The Hilltoppers also have an excellent trio of guards, who combine to chip in just under 40 PPG (Hollingsworth leads the way at 14.6 per). The Monarchs won both meetings against Western Kentucky this season, games in which they controlled the pace and kept the Hilltoppers in check defensively. However, both games were played on ODU's homecourt, due to C-USA's "bonus play" schedule (new this season). ODU was able to hold Western Ky in check but beat them by just FOUR and THREE points on their home floor. Western Ky now gets ODU in a neutral-site setting and the Hilltoppers are a money-making 46-21 ATS in their last 67 neutral site games. Meanwhile, the Monarchs are just 18-37 ATS in their last 55 vs Conference USA opponents and 1-6 ATS in their last 7 neutral site games (0-2 in this tourney, so far.). No home cookin' for ODU in this one and the "double-avenging" Hilltoppers make the third time a 'CHARM!' Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-15-19 | Duke -3 v. North Carolina | Top | 74-73 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 44 m | Show |
My CBB 10* Late-Breaker is on Duke at 9:00 ET. 27-5 Duke is ranked 5th in the latest AP poll, while North Carolina (with an identical 27-5 mark) is ranked 3rd. Carolina is the No. 2 sedd in the ACC and Duke No. 3, as the two schools renew their storied rivalry in the ACC Tournament semifinals Friday at Charlotte, N.C. It doesn't get much better than this for college hoops fans.EVERYONE knows the set-up. Zion Williamson, the Blue Devils' freshman phenom, suffered a knee injury in the first minute of the first meeting (Feb 20) between the two schools, as the Tar Heels romped 88-72 at Duke. North Carolina again prevailed 79=70 this past Saturday, in Chapel Hill. The 6-7 Williamson (21.9 & 9.0) missed the five games that Feb 20 contest but made a triumphant return in Duke's 84-72 victory over sixth-seeded Syracuse in Thursday's quarterfinals. He showed no rust at all on Thursday, making all 13 of his field-goal attempts in a dominating performance that included 29 points, 14 rebounds and five steals. RJ Barrett (23.3-7.5-4.1) and Williamson are 1-2 in the ACC in scoring, with freshman guards Reddish (14.0) and Jones (8.9 & 5.4 APG) rounding out this special class. The Tar Heels opened with an 83-70 victory over seventh-seeded Louisville on Thursday for their EIGHTH straight win. Freshman guard Colby White (16.4 & 4.2 APG) led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists. However, North Carolina's two 'main guns' are senior guard Johnson (16.8 & 5.9) and 6-9 senior Maye (14.8 & 10.4). Duke averages 84.1 PPG (7th) and North Carolian 86.5 PPG (3rd). North Carolina and Duke each have 101 victories in the ACC Tournament and have combined to win 38 of the 65 titles. I hesitated on this, wondering if Duke was "too obvious" but in the end decided I HAVE to take Coach K in this "double-revenge" scenario and live with it. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-15-19 | Iowa v. Michigan -8 | Top | 53-74 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on Michigan at 9:25 ET. 26-5 Michigan is 10th in the latest AP poll but opens the Big Ten tourney as just the No. 3 seed. Michigan begins its quest for its THIRD straight Big Ten Tournament championship when it takes on 22-10 Iowa, the No. 6 seed. Iowa got off to a hot start and never looked back last night, routing 11-seed Illinois 83-62. The Hawkeyes had lost their previous four games to fall out of the national rankings but came out firing on all cylinders as they knocked down six 3-pointers in the first half before finishing 12-of-23 from beyond the arc, The 6-6 Baer (6.9 & 4.6) came off the bench to knock down five 3-pointers en route to a team-high 17 points. He's part of a frontcourt trio that includes teh 6-9 Cook (14.9 & 8.) and the 6-11 Garza (12.8 & 4.4). Joe Wieskamp (11.1) scored 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting from the floor, to go along with seven rebounds. He joins Bohannon (11.7) ansd Moss (9.1) as Iowa's top perimeter people. Michigan's 6-7 Ignas Brazdeikis (15.0 & 5.3) was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. Guards Poole (13.0) and Matthews (12.8 & 5.1), join him in double digits. However, let's not forget PG Zavier Simpson (9.1-5.1-6.3), who earned All-Big Ten Second Team honors. Throw in 7-1 center Teske (9.7 & 6.7) and John Beilein has a core that could just earn Michigan that third straight Big Ten championship. Michigan head coach John Beilein has had his team ready to play at a high level entering the Big Ten tournament the past two seasons and why not here. Up first is Iowa, which embarrassed Michigan 74-59 Feb 1 in Iowa City, when Michigan shot a woeful 32.3% from the floor (8-33, 24.2% on threes). Iowa shot 45.6% in that game (including 6 of 14 from long range) but will face a 'mean' Michigan defense allowing 58.8 PPG (2nd-best in the nation). Iowa is hoping to advance to the semifinals for the first time since 2006 but that won't happen here vs Michigan, which has won EIGHT straight Big Ten tourney games (7-1 ATS). Good luck...Larry. |
|||||||
03-15-19 | Lakers v. Pistons -9 | Top | 97-111 | Win | 100 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET. Go figure the Detroit Pistons. The Pistons had won 12 of 14 before losing 103-75 at Brooklyn and then 108-74 at Miami. Detroit scored just eight third-quarter points and 25 in the second half of Wednesday's loss to the Heat, It's about our mental fortitude and coming out and having a better mindset at the beginning of games, myself included," Pistons power forward Blake Griffin told reporters. "I'm not excluding myself from that at all. If we have any fight about us at all we'll come out and rectify that." Detroit welcomes the Lakers to town tonight, who limp in off a 111-98 loss at the Toronto Raptors last night. LA has lost EIGHT of its last 10 games and the team is now 7 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Clippers for the final Western Conference playoff spot. LBJ (27.4-8.6-8.0) scored 29 points against Toronto but only played 32 minutes, as his playing time was reduced for the fourth straight game with the playoffs being a slim possibility. The Lakers have already lost Ingram (18.3-5.1-3.0) and Ball 9.9-5.3-5.4) for the season and could be without LBJ here, as it's expected he won't play in back-to-back situations. Detroit center Andre Drummond (17.3 & 15.2) saw his franchise-record-tying streak of 19 consecutive double-doubles come to an end against Miami, as he had just five points and nine rebounds before fouling out midway through the fourth quarter. It wasn't good news that PG Reggie Jackson (15.2 & 4.3 APGsprained his right ankle in the fourth quarter. If he's out, the roles of backups Ish Smith and Jose Calderon will expand. Rookie Bruce Brown and Luke Kennard could also get some minutes at the point.As always, Blake Griffin (24.9-7.7-5.4) will be counted on heavily. Detroit head coach Dwane Casey is miffed at the collapses as his club sits seventh in Eastern Conference playoff race with not much margin for error. "For two games in a row now, we didn't come out in playoff mode," Casey told reporters. "There's nothing schematically. There's nothing X-and-O wise. It's our approach. We have to understand at this time of year ... the only thing you can do is scrap and play hard."The again, here's the bottom line. The Lakers have ZERO motivation and let's NOT ignore that the Pistons are on a 7-0 SU & ATS run at home since Feb 4, while averaging a WHOPPING 122.4 PPG. The number seems high but LAY IT! Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-14-19 | Thunder +1 v. Pacers | Top | 106-108 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the OKC Thunder (7:05 EST). OKC had lost eight in a row ATS from Feb 14 thru Mar 5 but comes in 3-1 SU & ATS. Currently tied with Houston for No. 3 seed in the West with Portland just a half-game back (no margin for error down the stretch / top-four seeds get homecourt in first round). Off a win over Brooklyn last night, clearly Paul George will be looking to keep the momentum rolling here. Note that just one of the Pacers' 11 wins since Victor Oladipo's season-ending injury in late January has come against a team that is currently .500 of better! The Thunder have to be feeling confident here as well, as they’d take both meetings vs. the Pacers last season, including a 100-95 road victory. OKC remains 4.5 games behind the Warriors for the top spot after GS won in Houston last night. But with a chance to gain ground on both teams with another victory tonight, I’m expecting the visitors to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. I think it’s important to note as well that the Thunder are a solid 6-4 in the second game of back-to-backs this year, averaging 112.2 points and conceding 106.2 in those instances. For all the reasons listed above, play on the Thunder. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-14-19 | Alabama v. Ole Miss -2.5 | Top | 62-57 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* SEC Tourney G.O.Y. is on Ole Miss at 7:00 ET. 17-14 Alabama will square off with 20-11 Ole Miss in the second round of the SEC tourney on Thursday night. The winner gets second-seeded and fourth-ranked Kentucky in the quarterfinals on Friday. The Crimson Tide went 8-10 in SEC play (No. 10 seed), after falling 82-70 to Arkansas on Saturday to conclude a 2-6 end to the regular season. Meanwhile, Ole Miss rallied from a double-digit deficit to upend Missouri and reach 20 victories (10-8 in the SEC / No. 7 seed). Freshman PG Kira Lewis Jr.earned all-conference freshman team honors. He leads the Crimson Tide in scoring at 13.9 points per game and is the second-youngest Division I player in the nation. Petty (10.6 & 4.4) joins him in double digit scoring in the backcourt, while three more guards combine to chip in 20.5 PPG. 6-9 senior forward Donta Hall leads the SEC in double-doubles (13) and is Alabama's main (only?) frontcourt presence (10.5 & 8.5).. Ole Miss was picked to finish last in the SEC preseason media poll but the Rebels, under first-year head coach Kermit Davis, experienced a remarkable turnaround in Davis’ first season as coach. Junior guards Breein Tyree (18.5-3.0-2.9) and Terence Davis (15.5-5.8-3.4 points) combine to form the highest-scoring duo in the SEC. Two more guards, Shuler (10.1-4.1-3,0) and Hinson (8.1) add excellent depth. Up front, the 6-8 Stevens (8.4 & 4.5) is the best performer but two others combine to add 11.6 & 7.4. Ole Miss opened the season 14-3, going a remarkable 15-2 ATS. No way the team could have kept up that pace but the Rebels did win EIGHT more games than a season ago (the eight-victory jump is the largest among all Power 5 teams this season!). Hard to believe Ole Miss WON'T remember its lone meeting with Alabama this season, a 74-53 loss at Tuscaloosa. Ole Miss may have already clinched an at-large bid but NO WAY Davis will let his team get complacent. Alabama limps in 2-6 in its last eight games (1-7 ATS), having failed to score more than 70 points in ANY of those eight games (note: The Tide are 2-10 this season when held under that mark!). Expect the Rebels to win here (COMFORTABLY), making Selection Sunday a formality. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-14-19 | St. John's v. Marquette -2.5 | Top | 54-86 | Win | 100 | 7 h 10 m | Show |
My 10* Late-Breaker is on Marquette at 7:00 ET. St John's opened 12-0 in non-conference play but a three-game losing streak to end the regular season left the Red Storm in a serious at-large predicament. St John's seemed to have an NCAA Tournament at-large bid locked up before two losses to Xavier sandwiched around a second setback of the current season to DePaul. However, the Red Storm took care of DePaul 82-74 in Wednesday's opening round, as the Blue Demons went 4 of 20 on three-pointers. St John's would likely could cement an NCAA Tournament berth with a win Thursday evening against 23-8 Marquette, the Big East's No. 2 seed. The Golden Eagles lost twice this season to seventh-seeded St. John's but more importantly enter this game having lost FOUR in a row! Junior PG Shamorie Ponds leads the Red storm in scoring (19.7) and assists (5.3) with four more players averaing in double digits. Sophomore guard LJ Figueroa (14.6) leads the team in rebounding at 6.3 per plus guard Heron (an Auburn transfer) chips in 15.1 & 4.8. The 6-7 Clark (11.1 & 5.4) and junior guard Justin Simon (10.3-4.9-3.2) round out the group (Simon was named the league's Defensive Player of the Year). Marquette's Markus Howard (25.0-3.9-4.0) was just named the Big East Player of the Year. However, Howard was relatively quiet over his final five games during the regular season, shooting just over 35 percent from the floor and barely over 31 percent from three-point range during that stretch. The Hauser brothers have supported Howard all season, with 6-9 junior Sam adding 14.8 & 7.1 and 6-9 freshman Joey chipping in 9.8 & 5.3. That said, Sam Hauser (like Howard) has struggled lately, with performances of three points and seven points, shooting 1-of-7 and 2-of-11 from the floor in two of his last three games. So will Marquette 'roll over?' I CAN'T see that. The Red Storm beat Marquette by 20 in early January and by one in early February. If that alone wasn't motivation enough, how about the Golden Eagles current four-game slide which began with a 67-61 loss at Villanova on Feb 27. Steve Wojciechowsk's team is TOO good to go out with a loss in this one! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-13-19 | Butler -1 v. Providence | Top | 57-80 | Loss | -107 | 13 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* Big East Tourney Game of the Year is on Butler at 7:00 ET. Butler has gone 'dancing' in 10 of the previous 12 seasons but at 16-15 overall entering the Big East tourney, will need to capture the championship to make it to the Big Dance in 2019. Providence is just 17-14 overall and is a VERY unlikely at-large pick, so the Friars face a similar scenario as Butler. In this contest, Providence seeks its third win over Butler in a span of just over two weeks, as the eighth-seeded Friars take on the ninth-seeded Bulldogs in the first round of the Big East tournament at Madison Square Garden (both schools were 7-11 in league play). The Bulldogs had a couple of wins over SEC teams (Ole Miss and Florida) during a 9-4 non-conference slate and then split their first six conference games while eyeing a fifth straight NCAA Tournament berth, but it's been a downward trend ever since. Butler finished the regular season with a 1-4 slide Junior guard Kamar Baldwin leads the way with 17.5 PPG and was an All-Big East second team selection. Senior guard Paul Jorgensen (11.8 PPG) was named Big East Sixth Man of the Year. The Bulldogs have talent up front, with the 6-6 McDermott (9.7 PG) being the top scorer. The 6-11 Brunk (7.7 & 3.7) and the 6-10 Folwer (5.4 & 3.6) share time at center, while 6-7 Duke transfer Tucker (9.4 & 4.4) has been a solid addition since becoming eligible in mid-December. 6-7 Diallo is a big guard who leads the Friars in scoring (16.1), rebounding (8.2) and assists (3.1). Five more perimeter players chip in about 37 points per game. However, the only frontcourt player of note is the 6-10 Watkins (11.7 & 5.2). Noteworthy coming into this tourney are freshman guard AJ Reeves, who missed nine games in the middle of the season due to a foot injury bur scored 24 points against Butler last week. Senior guard Isaiah Jackson is averaging 18.3 points - nearly double his average for the season - over his last three games. Yes, Providence has won 10 of 13 matchups since Butler joined the Big East and Butler is just 1-5 in Big East tourney play. However, I have to believe the LAST team Providence wanted to face in its first Big East games was Butler. The Friars beat the Bulldogs twice in their last four games, in overtime on the road and then by 13 points at home. Butler will definitely be gunnin’ for Providence. Look at the line, the two-time loser this season opened a one-point choice. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
03-12-19 | Lakers -1 v. Bulls | Top | 123-107 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the LA Lakers (8:05 EST). Fair or unfair, there’s tremendous pressure on LeBron James to bring a winning team to LA at some point. Most hoped or expected that to happen in his first season, but clearly that was an unrealistic goal. And now an injury to Brandon Ingram and also guard Lonzo Ball has been shutdown. There was also a mid-season drama involving the possible signing of Anthony Davis and management offered almost the entire team in return. It’s been a difficult season for The King and the Playoffs are now likely just a “pipe dream” this season. James is missing players for tonight’s game, but he’s not being asked to win a championship tonight, just to beat the 19-49 Bulls. LA’s had two whole nights off after a 120-107 home loss to Boston, but James will take it upon himself here to respond and take advantage of a Bulls team which fell 131-108 in Detroit on Sunday. The Lakers are still 12-5 ATS in their last 17 after two straight losses by ten points or more, while the Bulls are only 5-12 ATS this season as a home dog of six points or less. I think James “goes off” tonight. Lay the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-11-19 | San Diego +5 v. St. Mary's | Top | 62-69 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 47 m | Show |
My 10* Perfect Storm is on San Diego (11:30 EST). The Toreros obviously won’t be going down without a fight today. In fact, with a tight spread like this, the outright victory is clearly not out of the question either. San Diego has played well during the WCC Tournament, winning its first three games. The Toreros play with “double revenge” here as well after losing both regular season games to the Gaels. Overall San Diego averages 72.6 PPG and it allows 68. Over their last three games though the Toreros have conceded an average of just 49.6 points. Saint Mary’s played well during the regular season, but it lost its regular season finale to Gonzaga to snap a five-game winning streak. Saint Mary’s averages 73.5 PPG and they allow 65. Over its last four it’s conceded just 48.7. These teams are evenly matched. The Toreros though have the added incentive of double revenge. Also note that the Gaels are just 2-7 ATS in their last nine neutral site games, while San Diego is 4-1 ATS in its last five neural site affairs. Grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-11-19 | Pistons v. Nets -2 | Top | 75-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Brooklyn Nets (7:35 EST). Purely from a situational stand point, I think this one sets up fantastically for Brooklyn and it’s become the basis of this particular selection. These teams have split a pair of meetings earlier in the season, with each winning on its own floor. The Pistons come in off five straight wins, but after completing the home and home sweep of Chicago just yesterday afternoon, I think Detroit finally comes in tired here in the second game of the back-to-back. The Nets enter almost as hot with three straight victories. Brooklyn’s been off since Saturday night though and I think it’ll take advantage of this favorable spot. These two are in a dog fight at the lower end of the Eastern Conference ladder and home court advantage can not be overlooked as a very real deciding factor either in my opinion. Additionally note that Detroit is just 11-13 ATS as a road underdog this year, while Brooklyn is 17-10 ATS this season vs. teams with winning records. I’m laying the points and expecting a decisive home victory. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-10-19 | Magic -1 v. Grizzlies | Top | 97-105 | Loss | -103 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Daytime Dominator is on the Orlando Magic (5:05 EST). The Magic haven’t thrown in the towel yet in the weak East. Orlando comes in off a 111-106 home win over the Magic in their latest contest. The Grizzlies are well out of the playoff picture, but they come in off a 114-104 home win over the Jazz on Friday. These teams haven’t played this year yet, but Orlando has won three straight in the series. The Magic are currently just one game behind the Heat for the final playoff spot. Orlando averages 105.9 PPG and it concedes 106.8. Nikola Vucevic has been unstoppable for the last ten games with 20.9 points, 12.3 boards and 4.7 assists per game. The Grizzlies looked poised for a letdown here after two straight wins. Overall Memphis averages 101.6 PPG, while allowing 103.8. Mike Conley averages 23.3 points and 5.6 assists per game. Orlando is clearly the “hungrier” team here. It has everything to play for. The Grizzlies have played well in two straight, but this is a team still looking for an identity and which is well out of a playoff spot. Note as well that the Magic are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 when playing on one days rest, while the Grizz are a poor 18-38 ATS in its last 56 Eastern Conference opponents. Play on Orlando. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-10-19 | Wisconsin v. Ohio State +3 | Top | 73-67 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on Ohio State (3:30 EST). This one simply “means more” to Ohio State. While the Badgers have already wrapped up their NCAA Tournament berth, the hungry Buckeyes who have lost two straight, are firmly on the bubble. The home side will also be without leading scorer Kaleb Wesson for a third straight, meaning guards Keyshawn Woods (15 points) and Duane Washington (11) are going to be leaned on here to step up and fill the void. The Badgers got 21 points from Ethan Happ in their 65-45 win over Iowa on Thursday. Note though that Wisconsin is a terrible 4-9 ATS this year after playing two straight games as a favorite, while Ohio State is 4-1 ATS in its last five off a poor road loss in which it scored 60 points or less in. Despite Wesson being out, I think that Ohio State rallies on Senior Night in this critical end of season contest. Grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-09-19 | Hornets +12.5 v. Bucks | Top | 114-131 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 30 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Charlotte Hornets (10:05 EST). I had a play on the Hornets last night, and while they beat the visiting Wizards, they didn’t cover the spread. Charlotte is still in a dog fight for a playoff spot though and it can ill afford to take the foot off the gas here facing East leading Milwaukee. While I’m not calling for the outright upset, I do definitely believe that the stage is set for a much more competitive battle than what this spread would suggest. Charlotte got 30 points from Jeremy Lamb on Friday and he and the rest of his team will look to take advantage of a Bucks team that’s lost three of its last four. In fact the Bucks entered their latest win vs. the Pacers have lost three previous. Giannis Antetokounmpo had 29 points, 12 boards and five assists in the win over Indiana. I think Milwaukee gets caught looking past its lowly, but very hungry opponent tonight. Grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-09-19 | UCLA +4.5 v. Utah | Top | 81-92 | Loss | -108 | 13 h 31 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on UCLA (7:00 EST). Clearly the outright win isn’t out of the question, but in a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these hungry teams has its hands on the ball last, I’m going to recommend grabbing the points. As the title of this package suggests, this is indeed a “revenge” game for UCLA, after Utah took the reverse fixture on the road 93-92 earlier in the season. UCLA comes in determined after its poor 93-69 loss to Colorado last time out, while Utah comes in complacent after its 83-74 home win over USC. Kris Wilkes was a bright spot for the Bruins in their latest setback, scoring 19 points and grabbing five boards. Overall the Bruins average 78.3 PPG and they concede 77.3. The Utes got 19 pints from Timmy Allen in their win over USC on Thursday. Utah averages 75.8 PPG and it concedes 74.6. I’ll point out though that UCLA is a solid 6-2 ATS in its last eight revenging a loss vs. an opponent which scored 85 points or more. Utah on the other hand is a money-burning 3-7 ATS this season after scoring 80 points or more. Grab the points and expect a “nail biter.” Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-09-19 | West Virginia v. Oklahoma State -4.5 | Top | 77-85 | Win | 100 | 9 h 23 m | Show |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play (10*) is on Oklahoma State (4:00 EST). The Mountaineers come in off a 90-75 home win over Iowa State on Seniors Night Wednesday. The Cowboys will look to do the same here in their regular season finale. OKS comes in with momentum as well after its 67-64 road win over Baylor. The Cowboys posted the 85-77 road win over WVU in the first meeting and I think they’ll lay the hammer down here as well. WVU has gotten back-to-back double-doubles from Derek Culver, but the Mountaineers still are second to last in the Big 12. Overall WVU averages 72.8 PPG and it concedes 76.5. OKS won’t be taking anything for granted here as it looks to post a win on Seniors night. The Cowboys had lost three straight previous to their latest road victory. Isaac Likekele had 23 points and nine boards against the win over the Bears. Overall the Cowboys average 67.4 points, while allowing 71.3. I’ll point out though that WVU is still just 1-6 ATS in its last seven on the road and only 1-4 ATS in its last five following an ATS win, while the Cowboys are 4-1 ATS in their last five vs. the conference. Lay the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-08-19 | Wizards v. Hornets -4.5 | Top | 111-112 | Loss | -111 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* BLOWOUT GAME OF THE MONTH is on the Charlotte Hornets (7:05 EST). Washington comes in off a 132-123 home win over impotent Dallas on Wednesday, but I think it’ll struggle here in this difficult road venue. The Hornets won’t be lacking for motivation here after giving up a lead in a 91-84 setback to Miami on Wednesday. So far these teams have split a pair of games this season and home floor advantage has been crucial. Charlotte won 123-110 at home in the last meeting on February 22nd and I expect a similar final score here as well. The Wizards are poised for a letdown after back-to-back home victories. Bradley Beal had 30 points and seven boards in the win over the Mavs on Wednesday. Despite the back-to-back victories, the Wizards are just 5-5 in their last ten, allowing 119 points during that stretch. Charlotte has been playing poorly as well of late, but it’ll be the hungrier team for sure after back-to-back losses. Kemba Walker had 20 points in a losing cause last time out. Overall the Hornets are just 3-7 in their last ten. Washington’s achilles heel though has been consistency from game to game, especially on the road where it’s a terrible 6-17 ATS as an underdog (just 9-23 ATS on the road overall.) Charlotte hasn’t been particularly great ATS at home this year, but it’s 2-0 ATS off an upset loss to a division rival as a favorite this year. I think the Wizards have a letdown here in their first game on the road, while I expect the hungry Hornets to leave everything they have on the floor to break their slide. Lay the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-08-19 | Minnesota +7 v. Maryland | Top | 60-69 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* LEGEND is on Minnesota (7:00 EST). Maryland backs its way into the conference tournament. The Terrapins have lost two straight as they head in the regular season finale. The Golden Gophers are surging in the opposite direction, as they’ve won two straight, most recently an epic upset over Purdue, avenging an earlier loss. Right now Minnesota is seventh in the conference standings, six games behind Michigan, Michigan State and Purdue. The Gophers are still on the bubble for the big dance, but an outright victory today would guarantee a spot. It’s a big game for Minnesota and I expect it to play with desperation from the opening tip, until the final horn. Minnesota averages 71.5 PPG and it concedes 68.7. Amir Coffey leads the way with 15.8 points and 3.7 boards per game. Maryland took the first game in Minnesota, but I think it’ll have its hands full here. The Terrapins are locked into the fifth spot in the Big Ten standings and it’s a No. 5 seed in the NCAA tournament. Only winning the ACC tournament itself would change that. The Terps average 71.8 PPG and they concede 65.1. Anthony Cowan Jr. averages 15.7 points and 4.3 assists per game. Note though that the numbers support the visitors here, as they’re 5-1 ATS in their last six road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage of greater than .600, while Maryland is just 3-7-1 ATS in its last 11 home games vs. a team with a road winning percentage of less than .400. I’m grabbing the points and expecting an all out war until the final horn. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-07-19 | Thunder +4 v. Blazers | Top | 129-121 | Win | 100 | 16 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* 35 Club Play is on the OKC Thunder (10:35 EST). OKC comes in off a 131-120 road loss in Minnesota on Tuesday, while Portland fell 120-111 at Memphis on Tuesday. This is a matchup which has proved difficult for Portland (OKC is 3-0 in the season series so far, including a 120-111 home win in the last meeting on Feb. 11th.) Clearly I always take the “revenge” angle into account when making my picks. Sometimes though the revenge angle doesn’t work because of the overall situation that each team finds itself in coming into the contest. And that’s the case here. The Thunder have lost five of their last six, almost entirely because of the absence of the injured Paul George. Whether George plays or not tonight, I think that Russell Westbrook and company can at least keep this one competitive until the final moments. Westbrook had 38 points, 13 boards and six assists in a losing cause last time out. The Blazers return home off a successful 5-2 road trip, but they looked pretty poor vs. a weak Grizzlies offense in their finale. Another letdown in the first game back home after the lengthy trip seems imminent to me. CJ McCollum led the Blazers with 27 points in the loss. I think the conditions are right for the outright upset, but in the end I’ll recommend grabbing the points in a contest which I see being decided by whichever of these hungry teams has its hands on the ball last. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-07-19 | Hawaii v. UC-Davis -2 | Top | 76-69 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 9 m | Show |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play (10*) is on UC Davis (10:00 EST). It’s a big game. Regular season finale and each of these teams is tied for fourth in the Big West standings with a 7-7 record. I don’t think that the home court advantage can be overlooked as a deciding factor in this particular situation. Hawaii comes in hungry, but with absolutely no momentum or confidence whatsoever after three straight losses (most recently 84-73 to Cal State Northridge.) Jack Purchase was a bright spot with 20 points. The Warriors average 103.0 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 107.4 points per 100 possessions. While their offensive average does go up during conference play, the Warriors’ weakness clearly remains on the defensive side of the floor. UC Davis is suddenly moving in the opposite direction, snapping a three-game slide with a confidence-building 66-59 home win over Cla State Fullerton on Saturday. TJ Shorts had 18 points in the victory. The Aggies average only 96.5 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 102.8 per 100 possessions. I’ll point out though that UC Davis is 20-8-1 ATS in its last 29 home games vs. a team with a losing road record. Also note that the Warriors are a money-burning 1-4 ATS in their last five road games vs. a team with a home winning percentage greater than .600. I’m laying the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-06-19 | Celtics v. Kings +2 | Top | 111-109 | Push | 0 | 16 h 41 m | Show |
The third pick (10*) of my Superstar Triple Play is on the Sac. Kings (10:05 EST). I base my picks on many different things. This one is based entirely on common sense. If the Boston Celtics have shown anything this season, it’s been inconsistency in effort from game to game. Boston enters off a big win at Golden State just last night and I expect it to have a predicable letdown here in the second game of the back to back. Sacramento has been “money in the bank” for bettors in this spot by going 14-8 ATS as a home underdog and 22-11 ATS at home overall. The Kings are also a solid 15-7 ATS in non-conference games this year, while the C’s are only 8-15 ATS in the same position. Grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-06-19 | South Florida -7.5 v. Tulane | Top | 75-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* Wipeout Winner is on South Florida (8:00 EST). South Florida will look to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. USF won’t want to be the team to lose to the Green Wave, who enter on an 18-game losing streak. USF in fact enters on a losing streak of its own and it’s going to be desperate to break the slide and get back into the winners circle with a big win here (the Bulls have lost three straight to Houston, UCF and UConn.) USF hasn’t finished with 20 wins since 2011, but with 18 victories right now and with two very “winnable” games left, the Bulls have their fate in their own hands. The Green Wave have been terrible all year and looking back sees them 20-42-3 ATS in their last 65 home games. USF has been struggling of late, but it enters 11-2 ATS in its last 13 on the road. Lay the points, expect a rout. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-05-19 | Rhode Island v. St. Joe's -1 | Top | 86-85 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 29 m | Show |
My 10* Conf. Crusher is on St. Joseph’s (7:00 EST). This is the first meeting between the schools this season. Last year they split a pair of games. I think that the home floor advantage will prove to be the difference in the end between these two hungry teams. Rhode Island comes in off a thrilling 72-70 road win over Dayton and I think it’s asking too much of the Rams to try and pull off back-to-back upsets away from friendly confines. St. Joseph’s enters off a 72-62 home win over La Salle and I believe the team will carry that momentum over here. The Rams are 4-7 SU on the road this year. So far in A-10 action they’ve averaged 68.2 points and conceded 67.3. Jeff Dowtin had ten points and five assists in his team’s most recent upset victory. St. Joe’s has won two straight. Charlie Brown Jr. has now posted at least 20 points eight times in A10 play after the win over La Salle. The Hawks average 69.9 points and allow 71.7. Rhode Island is a poor team which comes in off a monumental victory. The Hawks had lost three in a row before their two-game win streak and I don’t see them taking the foot off the gas this close to the end. Rhode Island suffers a letdown and the surging Hawks pull away down the stretch. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-04-19 | Texas +8.5 v. Texas Tech | Top | 51-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 15 m | Show |
My 10* CBB UNDERDOG SPECIAL is on Texas (9:00 EST). Texas Tech comes in having won seven straight, including a victory over TCU on Saturday. Texas hasn’t thrown in the towel though. Far from it. After two straight losses the Longhorns enter off a 17-point win over Iowa State. Texas is almost assuredly going “dancing” this year, but one last signature upset victory would completely seal the deal. Either way, I’m not expecting the visitors, led by Courtney Ramey with 15.3 points over the last three games, to go down without a fight tonight. Texas Tech beat TCU 81-66 to keep its conference title hopes alive. The Red Raiders are led by Jarrett Culver with 17.9 points and 6.2 boards per game. But Texas Tech has been susceptible for letdowns in this spot, going just 2-7 ATS in its last nine home games against teams with a road winning percentage under .400. Texas on the other hand is 6-1 ATS in its last seven vs. teams with winning records. Grab the points and expect a war. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-04-19 | Nuggets +1 v. Spurs | Top | 103-104 | Push | 0 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* GAME OF THE WEEK is on the Denver Nuggets (8:35 EST). Denver has been the talk of the NBA all year, but the Nuggets have been waffling of late. Denver comes to town off a 120-112 home loss to the Pelicans on Saturday. The Spurs have won two in a row after getting the better of OKC 116-102 at home on Saturday (Paul George was not in the line-up for the Thunder in that one.) Denver now trails Golden State by 1.5 games, while sitting 3.5 ahead of Portland. The Blazers of course are coming off a big win in Charlotte last night, so a win here after two straight losses is paramount for the visiting side. The Nuggets average 112.2 PPG and they allow 107.2. Nikola Jokic has been a difference maker for Denver and he averages 22.4 points, 11.7 boards and 7.4 assists per game. San Antonio is in the eighth spot currently in the East, but the one thing that it’s definitely shown this year is difficulty with consistency from game-to-game. The Spurs average 112 PPG and they concede 111.2. Over their last ten though they’re just 3-7 while averaging 108.6 PPG. DeMar DeRozan has led the way over this poor stretch with 23 points and 6.1 boards. I like Denver to get back on track and break its two game slide, while everything points to a predictable letdown for San Antonio after back-to-back victories. Play on the Nuggets. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-03-19 | Washington -2 v. Stanford | Top | 62-61 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
My 10* Conf. Crusher is on Washington (4:00 EST). Washington is still atop the PAC 12 standings, but it won’t be taking anything for granted here after suffering a loss earlier in the week. The Huskies in fact lost to previously winless Cal, 76-73 on Thursday. David Crisp was a bright spot in a losing cause with 32 points, while Jaylen Nowell added 22. The Huskies average 108.2 points per 100 possessions and they allow just 92.6 points. After “looking past” the Golden Bears, I’m expecting the No. 1 team in the conference to come in very focused here. Stanford broke a two-game slide with a 98-50 beatdown win over WSU last time out, getting 22 points from KZ Opala. Overall the Cardinal average 105.3 points per 100 possessions, while allowing 98.6. Washington has struggled at Stanford over the years, but the overall situation favors the Huskies here. I expect the “better” team to keep the foot on the gas from start to finish. This line could easily be a few points higher in my opinion. Play on Washington. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-03-19 | Rockets +3 v. Celtics | Top | 115-104 | Win | 100 | 9 h 17 m | Show |
My 10* Las Vegas Insider is on the Houston Rockets (3:35 EST). The Rockets hit the road after a 121-118 home win over Miami, while Boston got the better of Washington 107-96 in its latest action. Houston destroyed Boston 127-113 at home in the first meeting back on December 27th and I’m expecting a small upset here as well. James Harden had 58 points, seven boards and ten assists in the Rockets’ most recent win over Miami. Houston averages 113.4 PPG and it allows 111.2. The Rockets are now 7-3 in their last ten and have gotten progressively more consistent as point guard Chris Paul has gotten healthier. The Celtics snapped a four-game slide vs. the lowly Wizards, but Boston has struggled against the NBA’s “elite.” I think that will once again be the case here. The C’s average 112.1 PPG and they allow 106.6. Houston is surging right (4-1-1 ATS in their last six following an ATS loss) and I think it brings its “A” game in this high-profile contest. Boston has been consistently inconsistent all year (note is just 1-4 ATS in its last five when playing on one days rest) and I believe that trend continues here. Clearly the outright isn’t out of the question, but grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-02-19 | San Diego +6 v. BYU | Top | 73-87 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* CBB GAME OF THE MONTH is on San Diego (9:00 EST). San Diego finished 18-12 (BYU is 18-12 overall as well). The Toreros won’t be playing in the NCAA Tournament, but they enter the regular season finale “firing on all cylinders” and I believe the team carries that momentum over here. San Diego has won two of three. The Toreros are a well balanced team, averaging 72.9 PPG and allowing 69.2. Keep your eyes on Isaiah Pineiro, who leads the team with 19.5 points and 9.4 boards per game. BYU has faltered under the pressure as the season has wound down, as it enters having lost two straight. The Cougars have a decent offense which averages 79.4 PPG, but their defense has been poor in conceding 76.1 (note that BYU gave up 102 points in their last game.) I think it’s significant to note as well that this is a “revenge” game for the Toreros after they fell 88-82 in OT at home on February 14th (and that is INDEED significant, as note that San Diego is a money-making 6-1 ATS in its last seven revving a loss where an opponent scored 85 points or more in!) In a contest which I envision coming down to whichever of these evenly matched sides has its hands on the ball last, I’m grabbing the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-02-19 | Nets +4 v. Heat | Top | 88-117 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker’s Error is on the Brooklyn Nets (7:35 EST). Brooklyn looks to make a quick rebound here after falling 123-112 at home to Charlotte just last night. Miami comes in off a 121-118 road loss to Houston and I think it’ll predictably falter here in its first game back in friendly confines after an extended Western swing. These teams have split a pair of games this year, with each winning on the others floor. The Nets are out of the playoff picture now, but not by much. Brooklyn needs to start finding its winning touch again quickly if it has any hope though. Overall the Nets average 112 PPG and they concede 112.5. D’Angelo Russell averages 25.9 PPG. After beating the Warriors, the Heat lost to the Rockets and I believe the team suffers another letdown here. Overall the Heat average only 105.7 PPG, while allowing 106.8. Miami is now just 3-7 SU in its last ten. The Heat are also only 1-6 ATS in their last seven home games, which doesn’t bode well facing a Nets side which is 13-3 ATS in its last 16 road games vs. a team with a losing SU home record. While the outright win is clearly not out of the question, let’s grab the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
03-01-19 | Clippers v. Kings -2.5 | Top | 116-109 | Loss | -118 | 15 h 6 m | Show |
The third pick of my Superstar Triple Play is on the (10*) Sacramento Kings (10:05 EST). The Clippers lost in Utah on Wednesday and I think they’ll stumble in this difficult road venue as well. The home side won’t be lacking for motivation here after back-to-back losses to the Bucks and Wolves. LA looked terrible in the loss to the Jazz, shooting just 39.4 percent from the floor overall, including going just 5 of 24 from range. Lou Williams was a bright spot off the bench with 18 points, two boards, six assists and two steals. The Kings have lost four straight close games, including a 141-140 setback to the Bucks most recently. Sacramento guard Buddy Hield had 32 points, six boards, three assist and three steals in the most recent setback. In what could be a potential playoff series preview, I think the “hungrier” home side pulls away down the stretch for the comfortable ATS cover. Lay the points. Good luck…Larry |
|||||||
02-28-19 | Jazz v. Nuggets -6 | Top | 111-104 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 12 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Den Nuggets at 10:35 ET. The 34-26 Utah Jazz won 111-105 last night in Salt Lake City over the Clippers and tonight visit Pepsi Center In Denver to take on the 42-18 Nuggets. Utah resides in sixth place in the West and this contest in Denver begins a stretch during which EIGHT of the team's next 13 games will be on the road. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are just one-half game behind first-place Golden State in the Western Conference and enter on a five-game overall winning streak in which the Nuggets have scored 120 or more points three times. Donovan Mitchell scored 32 points against the Clippers and has now recorded 20 or more points in 20 of his last 21 contests. That's hardly news, as the second-year SG averages a team-high 22.9 PPG (4.0 RPG & 4.0 APG, as well). Joining Mitchell in the starting lineup are PG Rubio (13.2 & 6.0 APG). center Gobert (15.4 & 12.9), swingman Ingles (11.8-3.8-5.0) and PF Favors (11.2 & 7.2). Coming off the bench are SF Crowder (12.1 & 4.8) and swingman Korver (9.1 PPG on 39.1% three-point shooting). All-Star center Nikola Jokic recorded 36 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds to narrowly miss his 13th triple-double of the season in Tuesday's home win over the Thunder. Jokic is averaging 20.7 points, 10.7 rebounds and 7.7 assists to lead Denver in all THREE categories. The Nuggets have played much of the season with key players sidelined but other than an ankle injury to forward Trey Lyles (9.2), Denver is now healthy. A remarkable NINE Denver players average between 7.0 and 18.1 PPG, which doesn't include Isaiah Thomas, who is averaging 11.3 PPG in 17 minutes in the last four games (his 1st action of the season). The homecourt edge has really meant something in this series, with host side winning and covering all SIX meetings since last season. Denver opened the season 6-0 at home but then lost THREE in a row from Nov 9-13. Since then, Denver is 21-1 SU at home, going 17-5 ATS. Why step in front of that 'train?' Not I. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-28-19 | Connecticut v. Wichita State -4.5 | Top | 63-65 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Wichita St at 7:00 ET. UConn sits at 13-14 (4-10 in AAC play) after its latest game. The Huskies took a late lead after battling back from a 15-point deficit with nine minutes remaining Sunday against now 23rd-ranked Cincinnati but saw their losing streak reach five games after suffering a 64-60 setback. “The crowd just was awesome and certainly willed us in the second half, when we were on the ropes,” Huskies head coach Dan Hurley told reporters. “Credit Cincinnati. They have the culture we want. They have the culture on the court that we want.” Wichita State began last Saturday’s game against Memphis as if it was determined to reach .500 after its 1-6 conference start but let its 16-point, first-half lead evaporate and dropped an 88-85 decision. The Shockers are 13-13 overall, including 6-8 in league play. Hurley made the decision to bring Christian Vital off the bench for the first time in 46 games and it seemed to work for the Huskies, as the 6-2 junior guard recorded team highs of 14 points and seven rebounds in 26 minutes (his fewest during conference play). With senior guard Jalen Adams (17.0-3.8-3.) out for the season, Vital leads the Huskie sin scoring at 14.0 PPG and also in assists (6.0). Fellow guard Alterique Gilbert (12.6 & 3.8 APG) is the only other UConn player averaging in double digits. Gilbert’s offensive woes continued Sunday, as the sophomore guard is shooting 28.6 percent (8-for-28) and is 0-for-12 from three-point range in two games since being removed from the starting lineup. WSU's 6-11 Echenique (8.9 & 6.0) provided his best performance in a Shockers uniform, registering a team-leading 17 points on a season-best 87.5 shooting effort (7-for-8) while pulling down a career-high 12 rebounds in last Saturday's loss to Memphis. Also, one game after registering the first double-digit assist performance by a Wichita State freshman in 46 years, Jamarius Burton (6.0) added a team-best nine against Memphis and is leading the squad with 3.2 per game. The 6-8 Markis McDuffie (18.2 & 4.8) leads Wichita St in scoring. followed by guard Haynes-Jones (12.3). Joining Haynes and Burton on the perimeter are freshman guards Dennis (7.8 & 4.7) and Stevenson (7.4). UConn is still searching for its first win in a true road game this season, entering 0-7 SU, while allowing 78.3 PPG. Yes, UConn beat Wichita St back on Jan 26 but Adams was around in that one, scoring 19 points. However, the team hasn't won since his season ended. Head coach Gregg Marshall was hoping to register his 300th victory with the program on Saturday, but instead the 88 points allowed by the Shockers were the most recorded by a visiting team during his 12-year tenure. I sure expect a "bounce-back" here, as it is hard to ignore that even with Saturday's home loss to teheTigers, Wichita St is 81-7 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-27-19 | Marquette v. Villanova -4.5 | Top | 61-67 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on Villanova at 9:00 ET. Questions surrounded Villanova after the Wildcats lost back-to-back games to Penn and Kansas, as the defending champs (actually, two titles in a three-year span) sat just 8-4 in mid-December. However, 11 consecutive wins later (including a 10-0 start in the Big East) erased most doubts that the Wildcats were again VERY relevant. A 66-65 loss at Marquette was no big deal, especially since Villanova bounced back in its next game with a 85-67 win over Providence. However, 'Nova comes into this rematch with now-No. 10 Marquette (23-4 and a Big East-leading 12-2 mark) off THREE consecutive losses (at St John's. Georgetown and Xavier). Marquette can clinch at least a share of the regular-season league title and the No. 1 seed in the Big East tournament with a win ('Nova is 20-8 / 11-4 in Big East). The Golden Eagles' dynamic PG Markus Howard led Marquette with 38 points in that Feb 9 win and the potential All-American checks in averaging 25.3-4.1-4.0. The 6-8 Sam Hauser (15.7 & 6.9) is joined by his 6-9 younger brother Joey (10.0 & 5.4). Marquette connects on 39.9 percent from three-point range (15th) with each of its top-three scorers (see above) draining at least 40 percent of their three-pointers. The Wildcats continued their recent shooting woes against Xavier, as they shot under 34 percent from the floor and just 10-of-36 from three-point range. Senior guard Phil Booth, who averages a team-high 18.4 points, is just 5-of-25 from three-point range during teh team's three-game slide. 6-8 senior forward Eric Paschall (17.2 & 6.1) and sophomore guard Collin Gillespie (11.2) are the team's other double digit scorers. Villanova was ranked 13th before its slide (now unranked) but as head coach Jay Wright noted after the loss to Xavier, "I don't think confidence is the issue. We're not executing the way we want to, not getting easy baskets off of our defense. It just makes every shot we take monumental. I thought we got some good looks, but we didn't get any second shots in the second half." It's HAS to be noted that Marquette's Howard battled through a groin pull and was just 2-of-12 shooting in the team's last game. Can he be effective against Villanova? This is a HUGE test for 'Nova and let's not forget the etam's 11-2 home record or more importantly, the team's TWO titles in the last three years. Home team gets its revenge! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-27-19 | Blazers v. Celtics -2.5 | Top | 97-92 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on the Bos Celtics at 7:35 ET. The Boston Celtics have now lost FIVE of their last seven games, after Tuesday's 118-95 loss in Toronto (ended a winless three-game road trip). The struggling Celtics hope to begin a turnaround when they host the Portland Trail Blazers on Wednesday. The Blazers enter having reeled off four straight victories and led by 23 points at halftime before letting Cleveland back in the game but then finishing strong in Monday's 123-110 road win. 37-23 Portland currently holds down the West's No. 4 seed , two games up on No. 5 Houston but also just one game back of No. 3 OKC. Portland is led by the dynamic guard duo of Lillard (25.8-4.6-6.5) and McCollum (21.1 & 4.1) plus center Nurkic (15.4 & 10.2). Also, the recent addition of Kanter (14.3 & 7.7 in three games) can't be underestimated. Kyrie Irving had a miserable game for the Celtics with only seven points last night and head coach Brad Stevens ripped his club following the lackluster effort. "I thought we were all over the place defensively. We're taking too many shortcuts,” Stevens told reporters. "We have to be a lot more connected as a team. That’s been a theme for a while." Irving (23.5 & 6.9 APG) has been increasingly frustrated in recent weeks, and his response to a question about how to fix the defensive issues was a brief one - "That's up to Brad," he said of the coach. The Raptors were 17-for-36 from three-point range and built a 21-point halftime advantage as Boston allowed at least 109 points for the SIXTH time in seven games. The Blazers beat the Celtics 100-94 in Portland earlier this season (Nov 11) but they are just 7-12 as road dog on the season. The Celtics are 23-8 SU at home, outscoring opponents by 9.6 PPG (are 19-10 as a home favorite). This marks Boston's first home game at TD Garden since teh All Star break (actually Feb 13, which is TWO weeks ago!). Off last night's 'ugly' effort, expect a bounce back! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-26-19 | Temple v. Memphis -3 | Top | 73-81 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Memphis at 9:00 ET. No. 8 Houston is 26-1 (the nation's lone one-loss team) and leads the AAC at 13-1. In American Athletic Conference action tonight from Memphis, it's the 20-7 Temple Owls (10-4 AAC) taking on the Tigers, who are 17-11 overall, including 9-6 in league play. Temple has posted victories in five of its last six and enters on a four-game winning streak, looking to match a season high of five consecutive wins. The Tigers are off an impressive 88-85 win this past Saturday at Wichita St (Shockers are 81-7 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!) and will be seeking their FIFTH victory in six games. The Owls get the bulk of their scoring from a trio of guards in Shizz Alston (18.9 & 5.1 APG), Quinton Rose (16.5) and Nate Pierre-Louis (13.9 & 5.8). Quinton Rose and Shizz Alston Jr. combined for 49 points in Saturday's 84-73 win over Tulsa. Nate Pierre-Louis has scored in double digits in 15 of his last 16 games and had ZERO turnovers in 32 minutes against Tulsa. Helping out up front are the 6-10 Ernest Aflakpui (6.2 & 7.1) and the 6-7 J.P. Moorman II (5.4 & 3.9). Senior PG Jeremiah Martin is by far the top scorer for Memphis, averaging 19.0 PPG, along with 4.4 assists, 4.1 rebounds and 2.4 steals. He has been on a tear over the last seven games with point totals of 25, 26, 31, 37, 41 and 43 in that stretch (he had 37 versus Wichita State on Saturday). The 6-8 Davenport chips in 13.7 & 7.1 plus freshman guard Harris adds 11.5 PPG. First-year head coach Penny Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more players averaging between 4.7 and 9.1 PPG. Memphis lost 85-76 at Temple back on Jan 24 but this contest will be played at FedEx Forum, where the Tigers are 13-2 SU (losses to Cincy and Tenn), where they average a whopping 88.0 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-26-19 | Celtics v. Raptors -3.5 | Top | 95-118 | Win | 100 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Month is on the Tor Raptors at 8:05 ET. The Boston Celtics and Toronto Raptors were expected to be among the top contenders in the Eastern Conference this season. The Raptors have lived up to expectations but as for the Celtics, not so much! 37-23 Boston visits Toronto on Tuesday night mired in fifth place in the East after losing FOUR of its past six games. Meanwhile, 44-17 Toronto sits No. 2 in the East and still have the first-place Milwaukee Bucks in their sights (Raptors trail the Bucks by just 2 1/2 games). Boston was humbled 126-116 by the 16-45 Bulls on Saturday in Chicago in its most recent game. "We just got outplayed in every which way," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters. "There are no two ways around it. You know, credit them obviously. Once they got rolling, there was no stopping them." PG Kyrie Irving (23.8 & 6.9 APG) has been frustrated with his team's play in recent weeks. He had 37 points and 10 assists against the Bulls but the Celtics still lost by 10. Small forward Gordon Hayward (11.1 & 4.6) seemed to be rounding into form in recent weeks but scored just five points in 24 minutes against Chicago, after missing one game with an ankle injury. Boston has a deep frontcourt, with SF Tatum (16.4 & 6.3) and swingman Brown (12.8 & 4.7) plus PF Morris (14.4 & 6.1) and PF/C Horford (13.1 & 6.9). Boston's D remains among the best in the NBA, allowing 106.8 PPG (5th) on 44.2% shooting (2nd). Toronto saw its seven-game winning streak end with a surprising 113-98 home loss to the Orlando Magic Toronto decided to rest Khawi Leonard () against the Mgic and the contest fell in between Friday's emotional game with the San Antonio Spurs -- Leonard's former team -- and the Celtics. So much for planning! The startling loss to Orlando dropped Toronto to 13-4 when playing without Leonard. PF/C Siakam (16.1 & 7.0) has been a huge surprise this season, while PF Ibaka (15.9 & 8.1) and PG Lowry (14.5-4.4-9.10 have contributed solid seasons. Ibaka scored 14 points off the bench to extend his career-long streak of consecutive games in double digits to 22. Expect trade deadline acquisition Marc Gasol (10.0 & 6.2 in five games) and Jeremy Lin (8.3 & 4.0 APG) to be valuable additions as the season winds down towards the playoffs. This is the fourth and final time the two teams meet in the regular season. The Celtics have won the two matchups in Boston, while the Raptors also protected home court with a 113-101 win on Oct 19. NOTHING changes here, as the home team wins and covers once again. Leonard returns and Toronto eliminates the 'bad taste' left by that home loss to the Magic, while reminding the Celtics that if they have to play in Toronto this postseason, they'll be in BIG trouble! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-25-19 | Kansas State v. Kansas -3.5 | Top | 49-64 | Win | 100 | 14 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* Feb Game of the Month is on Kansas at 9:00 ET. It's been well-documented that Kansas has won or shared the Big 12's regular season title each of the last 14 seasons, the longest such streak in Division I history. However, the 12th-ranked Jayhawks head into Monday night’s game with in state-rival Kansas St (Wildcats are ranked 23rd) in basically a "must-win" situation. Kansas enters the contest off the worst loss of the Bill Self era, 91-62 on Saturday at No. 14 Texas Tech. The loss dropped Kansas to 9-5 in the Big 12, while Kansas St sits 11-3 and Texas Tech at 10-4. With just FOUR games remaining for all teams, you can "do the math." Kansas State won the first meeting between the two schools this season (74-67 back on Feb 5 in Manhattan) and comes in off an 85-46 blowout of Oklahoma State on Saturday. The Wildcats enter having won SIX consecutive Big 12 road games. KSU's 39-point win over the Cowboys marks the school's biggest conference margin of victory since a 55-point win over Missouri back in 1998. The Wildcats shot 61.5 percent from the floor, including 10-of-20 from three-point range. Senior guard Barry Brown Jr., who has played in a school-record 132 consecutive games, leads the team in scoring (15.7) and steals (2.0). PG Stokes adds 10.1 PPG and 3.3 APG. SF Sneed checks in at 10.4 & 5.4 plus the 6-10 Wade, the preseason Big 12 Player of the Year, is second in scoring (13.1) while grabbing a team best 6.2 RPG. However, Wade has missed SIX full games this season and played just 11 minutes vs Oklahoma St (how healthy is he?). “Coach (Self) talked about getting ready for Kansas State,” forward Dedric Lawson told the Kansas City Star. “He said, ‘Can’t get this one back. Worry about the next one.’ I think we’ll bounce back pretty well. Sometimes a loss can be a blessing in disguise.” The 6-9 trnsfer from Memphis has been as good as advertised for teh Jaywhawks, as he lead in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (10.1). However, his brother KJ has been a MAJOR disappointment. After averaging 12.3 & 8.1 in his last year at Memphis, KJ Lawson has disappeared at Kansas, averaging 3.4 & 1.8. The 7-0 Azubuike (13.4 & 6.8) was lost for the season after playing just NINE games and guard Vick (14.1 & 4.) was recently sidelined due to personal reasons. Guards Dotson (12.0 & 3.7) and Aybaji (10.1 & 4.9) are solid contributors while Vick's absence gives more "PT" to Grimes (7.5) and Garrett (7.3). Kansas still hopes to claw into position for a 15th consecutive Big 12 championship but there is now "no margin for error." Kansas leads the series 196-94 and has won 57 of the last 63 meetings with Kansas State 9Regardless of teh venue. Kansas is 14-0 S at home this season (has won 18 straight at home) and while teh Jayhawks are just 7-7 ATS, they are winning on average by a margin of 80.9-to-66.8 PPG. Knasas is an outstanding defensive team (59.3 PPG allowed ranks 4th) but it needs to be, as the Wildcats average just 66.5 PPG (319th). Kansas has won the last 12 meetings with Kansas St at Allen Fieldhouse (Wildcats' last win at Kansas came back in 2006). Self's Jayhawks are 248-13 (.950) at home since his arrival. Lay the 'cheap' price. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-23-19 | St. Mary's v. San Diego +2 | Top | 66-46 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on San Diego at 9:00 ET. No. 2 Gonzaga is 26-2 overall (maybe No. 1 come Monday?) and sits 13-0 in the WCC to no one's surprise. What is somewhat new this year is that St Mary's is NOT right on the Bulldogs' heels. The Gaels are 18-10 overall and at 9-4, are tied for third in the WCC (with San Francisco), as both schools trail 10-4 BYU. St Mary's will travel to the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego on Saturday night to take on 17-11 San Diego. The Toreros are 6-7 in league play, after ending a three-game skid witha 63-52 home win over Portland. St Mary's embarrassingly lost 94-46 at Gonzaga back on Feb 9 but has won three in a row since (just 1-2 ATS). Randy Bennett's first six seasons at St Mary's resulted in just one postseason appearance (a first round NCAA loss in 2005) but he's led the Gaels to 11 straight postseason berths entering this season. That streak should continue this year but it will be one of the three-lettered tourneys, not the Big Dance (unless the Gaels win the WCC tourney). Guard Jordan Ford has almost doubled his average from last season (up to 21.8 from 11.1 PPG) and up front, the 6-8 Fitts (16.0 & 87.5) and the 6-10 Hunter (8.1 & 6.3). However, St Mary's depth is not what it used to be. San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.4 & 9.2) will be the best p[layer on the floor tonight and he gets help up front from the 6-10 Massalski (7.4 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 2.9). There is nothing wrong with San Diego's backcourt, either. Carter averages16.1 PPG, Wright 12.6-4.0-5.0 and Williams 8.8-4.2-3.2. St Mary's didn't get an at-large NCAA bid last year despite 30 wins, so one won't be coming its way this season. Meanwhile, the postseason-seeking Toreros are SURELY looking forward to this rematch, after their 'ugly' 76-59 loss in Moraga back on Jan 19th (note: Carter missed that contest due to an injury). The Gaels come to San Diego just 2-6 ATS on the road since December and San Diego is an impressive 12-3 SU on its homecourt. There's a 'storm brewing' in San Diego and St Mary's gets swallowed up. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-23-19 | Rockets v. Warriors -8 | Top | 118-112 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the GS Warriors at 8:35 ET. James Harden is in sole possession of the second-longest 30-point scoring streak in NBA history at an astounding 32 games but his Houston Rockets lost 111-106 at teh Lakers in Houston's first game back from the break. Harden scored exactly 30 points before fouling out with 1:24 remaining on Thursday and watched from the bench as Houston finished squandering a 19-point lead in a 111-106 defeat at Staples Center. The Warriors returned from the break on Thursday as well, eking out a 125-123 win over the Sacramento Kings in Oakland. It's hardly been smooth sailing for Golden St this season but at 42-16, the Warriors own the West's best record and are within two games of Milwaukee for the NBA's best record, overall. Houston center Clint Capela (17.5 PPG and 12.5 RPG are career highs!) returned from a 15-game absence on Thursday (thumb), scoring 12 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 33 minutes. However, the Rockets lost their second in a row and fell to 33-25, a full 12 games below where they stood at this point last season. Some analysts are grumbling about the club's style of play and reliance on Harden (36.5-6.7-7.7). Houston head coach Mike D'Antoni labeled such talk "absurd" before the Thursday game. "I don't know if they watched last year," he said of the naysayers. "Nobody else can do what he does. ... If you're a ball-stopper, usually you're inefficient. He's very efficient. So when the ball stops, it's a good thing."Is D'Antoni right? I'm NOT convinced. KD (27.6-7.0-5.9) was named the MVP of Sunday’s All-Star Game in Charlotte, and he showed off his skills at both ends of the floor in Thursday's win. He scored 28 points, grabbed nine rebounds and handed out four assists while matching a career high with seven blocked shots! Curry (28.8-5.1-5.3) added 36 points while going 10-of-16 from 3-point range, setting an NBA record with his fifth game this season with 10 or more made three-pointers. Golden St ranks 1st in scoring (118.9 PPG) and FG percentage (49.0), while ranking third in three-point percentage (38.4) and 4th in FT percentage (81.3). The Warriors have NOT been money-makers for awhile now but they almost will SURELY been heavily focused on Houston, which has already beaten them twice this season, including 135-134 in OT at Golden State on Jan 3. The Warriors have won 17 of their last 19 games and "put it all together" here vs the Rockets,. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-23-19 | Memphis v. Wichita State -3.5 | Top | 88-85 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on Wichita St at 8:00 ET. Jeremiah Martin set the American Athletic Conference single-game scoring record with a career-high 43 points in a 102-76 Memphis victory over Tulane. The Tigers' senior guard will now lead 16-11 Memphis (8-6 in AAC play) into a road game with the 13-12 Wichita State Shockers (just 6-7 in AAC play). Memphis will be visiting Wichita State for the first time in over FOUR decades on Saturday! As for the Shockers, Wichita State will look to get back to .500 after a 1-6 conference start, as it won for the FIFTH time in six games Wednesday with an 81-60 rout of Tulsa. The Shockers tied a school record by draining 15 three-pointers and Dexter Dennis matched a freshman mark by hitting six 3-pointers en route to his team-high 18 points. Martin (28.3-4.1-4.5) is averaging 29.6 points over his last six contests and became the first Memphis player – and first in AAC history – to record 40 or more twice in a career. The 6-8 Davenport chips in 14.0 & 7.1 plus freshman guard Harris adds 11.7 PPG. First-year head coach Penny Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more player averaging between 4.8 and 9.0 PPG. Jamarius Burton posted a career-high 10 assists in Wednesday’s victory, the most by a Wichita State freshman since 1973. Leading scorer Markis McDuffie (18.3 & 4.8) saw his career-high streak of 15 straight games with a three-pointer come to an end Wednesday, as the senior finished with just nine points (0-6 on threes). However, the Shocjkers still won at Tulsa by 21 points! PG Haynes-Jones (12.6) joins McDuffie as Wichita State's lone double digit scorers but the 6-11 Echenique (8.5 & 5.8) and freshman guard Dennis (7.4 & 4.7) are rounding into solid contributors. Memphis is great at home but a modest 2-6 on the road, where the Tigers allow 83.2 PPG. This Wichita St team is not like recent additions but the Shockers are rounding into form (see above). The revenge motive will be huge here (lost 85-74 art Memphis to open conference play on Jan 3) and let's NOT ignore the fact that Wichita St is 81-6 the last six-plus years at Koch Arena!. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-22-19 | Jazz v. Thunder -3.5 | Top | 147-148 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 54 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the OKC Thunder at 9:35 ET. Both the Utah Jazz and the OKC Thunder return from the All Star break with both teams looking to make amends. The Jazz lost 115-108 at Golden St in their last game before the break, while the Thunder lost 131-122 at New Orleans in their last time on the court. The 32-25 Jazz currently own the West's 6th-seed but are only 2 1/2 games clear of the playoff 'cut line.' As for the Thunder, they have recovered from an 0-4 start to the season to go 37-16. The team's 37-20 record gives them the West's 3rd-best record and seem to be a huge favorite to enter the postseason with one of the West's top-four records (good enough for the homecourt edge in the first round). The Jazz return to the court after a 10-day break. They have won 13 of their last 16 games and as noted above, come out of the break sixth in the Western Conference. However, the good news is that they have one of the NBA's easiest schedules down the stretch, playing just eight of their final 25 games against teams that are above .500. Center Rudy Gobert didn't hide his disappointment at not making the NBA All-Star Game for the first time despite, averaging 15.2 points and 12.9 rebounds while leading the league in field-goal percentage (65.4). "Just recharge, completely -- mentally, physically," Gobert said. "For me, I was able to get a little bit of sun and feel a lot better when I get back. The next two months, I feel like, will be a lot better." He's surrounded by a backcourt led by Mitchell (22.4-3.9-4.0) and PG Rubio (13.0 & 6.1 APG). Up front, it's SF Ingles (11.7-3.8-4.9) and PF Favors (11.0 & 7.1). SF Crowder comes off the bench to average 11.8 & 4.7, while SG Korver adds 9.5 PPG on 39.8% shooting from three-point range. Defensively, the Jazz allow 105.9 PPG to rank 4t-best in the league. OKC was 11-1 SU (10-2 ATS) prior to the team's loss at New Orleans just before the break. PG Russell Westbrook (21.7-11.2-11.2) takes to the court looking to extend his record of 11 straight triple-doubles, a stretch in which he is averaging 21.1-13.3-13.5 (he owns 24 triple-doubles on the season).Paul George (28.7-8.0-4.10 is having an outstanding season and that duo gets significant help from four more players. Backup PG Schroder 915.7 & 4.1 APG) is the team's third-leading score with starters like center Adams (14.7 & 9.5), PF Grant (13.1 & 5.1) and SG Ferguson (6.8) completing the group. More help is on the way with recently signed forward Markieff Morris expected to make his team debut after missing the last eight weeks due to a neck injury. Morris averaged 11.5 points and 5.1 rebounds in 34 games for the Washington Wizards before the injury and said he is ready to play a role in helping Oklahoma City make a deep playoff run. I noted above that the Jazz have a VERY favorable schedule down the stretch. However, in stark contrast, the Thunder have one of the league's most challenging schedules moving forward. OKC plays 17 of its remaining 25 games against teams above .500 including each of the first five out of the break. That said, the Thunder are 2-0 against the Jazz this season and have won the past five regular-season matchups. What's more, the Thunder have won 15 straight regular-season home games against Jazz with Utah's last win in Oklahoma City being a 120-99 rout on Oct. 31, 2010. Lay the short price! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-22-19 | Green Bay v. Illinois-Chicago -4.5 | Top | 63-62 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on Illinois-Chicago at 9:00 ET. The Green Bay Phoenix will travel to UIC Pavilion to take on the UIC Flames this Friday night in Horizon League play. Both teams are 14-13 overall on the season, including 8-6 in league play. Green Bay fell behind by a 44-33 margin early in the 2nd half against Detroit in its last game but was outstanding on both ends of the court down the stretch to come away with an 82-73 win. As for UIC, the Flames trailed by a 43-38 margin at halftime vs Youngstown State but after taking the lead midway through the 2nd half, were done in by an 11-0 Penguins run in an 81-73 loss (the defeat snapped a four-game Flames' winning streak). The Phoenix are a high-scoring team, averaging 82.7 PPG (18th). PG Cohen leads the team in scoring (16.6), rebounding (6.4) and assists (4.7), while fellow guard McCloud comes off the bench to average 13.9 PPG. Three more guards combine to chip in about 22.5 PPG. The lone frontcourt player of note is the 6-6 Hemphill (11.5 & 5.4). Green Bay's problem is a defense allowing 81.3 PPG (345th). The Flames are a guard-oriented team as well with SG Marcus Ottey (15.9), PG Tarkus Ferguson (15.1-6.7-5.1) and fellow Godwin Boahen (14.5-3.3-2.9) leading the way. A trio of forwards chip in about 23 points and 13 rebounds per game. The Flames average 75.0 PPG and allow the exact same amount (hence a 14-13 record). This is a key battle for 3rd-place in the Horizon League standings (Northern Ky and Wright St are each 11-4) and I favor the home team in "revenge mode." UIC lost 90-85 in Green Bat back on Jan 19, the most points the Flames have allowed in any game this season (excluding OT). Now, here at home (where the team is 11-3), the Flames can serve up some "payback" vs a Green Bay team that's just 3-11 SU on the road, allowing a whopping 87.8 PPG! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-21-19 | San Francisco v. BYU -4 | Top | 77-71 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
My CBB 10* Game of the Week is on BYU at 9:00 ET. No one is surprised that Gonzaga sits atop the WCC at 12-0 (25-2 Zags are currently No. 2 in the AP poll). Tonight in WCC play, the 20-6 San Francisco Dons will travel to the Marriott Center in Provo to take on the 18-10 BYU Cougars. The Dons won their third straight game this past Saturday when they edged Portland 68-63 in OT. At 8-4, San Francisco is tied for third in the WCC with St Mary's. The Cougars come in off winning their fifth in a row after defeating Loyola Marymount 70-62 this past Saturday. BYU sits 10-3 in WCC play, second to only Gonzaga. San Francisco had trouble on the offensive end in regulation against the Pilots but Dons found their offensive rhythm in the extra period and were able to pull away after taking a 63-58 lead with 2:21 left in OT. San Francisco starts guards Mineland (14.9 & 4.8), Ferrari (14.3-5.4 APG) and Ratinho (9.7), with the 7-0 Lull (8.5 & 5.3) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.2 & 5.2) up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 9.4 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG. BYU trailed by a 36-30 margin at halftime vs the Lions but was outstanding defensively in the second half and was able to pull away after a 14-0 Cougars run gave BYU a 66-58 lead with just :51 seconds left in regulation. BYU can score, averaging 80.1 PPG (39th in the nation). The 6-8 Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.1) and rebounding (9.6) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.5 PPG and 5.2 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. BYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.1 PPG (264th) BYU's Hardnett has been sidelined by a hand injury (expected to be out here) but the Cougars haven't missed a beat. BYU lost at St Mary's by 20 points back on Jan 5 but has since gone 9-2, losing badly at San Francisco and at home to Gonzaga. Since the loss to the Zags, BYU has won FIVE in row (4-1 ATS), Hard to believe the Cougars WON'T well-remember their loss at San Francisco and it's impossible to ignore the fact that the Dons are 0-7 ATS in seven WCC road games. Make that 0-8! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-21-19 | Heat v. 76ers -6.5 | Top | 102-106 | Loss | -102 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 7:05 ET. Elton Brand was as solid NBA player but he's made quite a mark as Philly's GM here in the 2018-19 season. Brand made his second big move since the beginning of the year by adding PF Tobias Harris from the Clippers (at the trade deadline), after dealing for Jimmy Butler earlier in campaign. However, 37-21 Philadelphia would not have homecourt advantage in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs if the season ended at the All-Star break. The 76ers will try to continue to try to push their way up the standings when they return from the break by hosting the 26-30 Miami Heat on Thursday. The Heat are tied with the Detroit Pistons for the No. 8 spot in the East heading into the final stretch and are finishing off a six-game road trip that bridged the break. Miami opened its trip with a 118-108 win at Portland (Feb 5) but then dropped THREE in a row. However, the Heat closed out the Western Conference portion of their trip with a 112-101 victory at Dallas on Feb 13. After finishing up with Philadelphia, Miami will play 10 of its next 12 at home, including two games against the Pistons. Miami began to surge after former All-Star PG Goran Dragic went down and the team inserted SF Justise Winslow into the starting lineup and let him take over playmaking duties. Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG) is on the verge of returning from arthroscopic knee surgery. Is that good or bad news? Winslow (12.4-5.5-4.1) has been playing at the point with Wade (14.0-3.8-4.3) coming off the bench. SG Richardson (17.6) leads the team in scoring and center Hassan is a double-double 'machine,' averaging 12.8 & 12.4. Miami's D has been good all season, allowing 105.7 PPG on 44.3% shooting (both rank 3rd-best in the NBA). Philadelphia is third in the league in scoring (115.9 PPG) but 20th in points allowed (112.2). The 76ers recognize that they need to get better on that end of the floor to compete for the East title. "We know that offensively we are a top-power team," Tobias Harris told reporters. "We also know that if we become a top-power defensive team that's going to make us really tough to play against so that's how we've got to look at it." Harris has been an excellent addition, averaging 17.8 points on 51.9 percent shooting in four games since joining the team from the Los Angeles Clippers. Center Embiid (27.3 & 13.5) is an established All-Star plus the trio of Butler (18.8-5.0-3.8), Redick (18.6) and Simmons(16.8-9.0-7.9) give Philly quite the starting-five. Miami has been inconsistent all season, with only one win streak longer than two games. The Heat now look to complete this six-game road trip with a visit to Philly, a trip which began way back on Feb 5 (odd, to say the least). As for Philly, the 76ers have to be VERY anxious to get back on the court and get rid of the 'bad taste' left by their Feb 12 home loss to the Celtics (0-3 vs Boston this year!). Miami doesn't score much (ranks 27th at 105.1 PPG) and Philly averages a whopping 119.1 PPG at home. Lay the points! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-20-19 | Wichita State v. Tulsa -2.5 | Top | 81-60 | Loss | -111 | 14 h 60 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (AAC) is on Tulsa at 9:00 ET. Two also-rans in the AAC meet Wednesday night, as 12-12 Wichita St travels to 16-10 Tulsa. The Shockers are just 5-7 in league play, although after a disappointing 1-6 start, Wichita State reeled off four straight victories before falling 72-62 to then-No. 25 Cincinnati on Sunday. Tulsa sits 6-7 in conference play and the Golden Hurricane's only setback in their last five games is a 79-68 defeat at Wichita State on Feb 2 Dexter Dennis recorded team highs of 14 points and 13 rebounds on Sunday in the 10-point loss to the Bearcats. It was for his first career double-double and the first by a Shockers freshman in 11 years (note; Dennis averages just 7.0 & 4.5 on the season). Wichita State got encouraging contributions from its three centers, Jaime Echenique, Asbjorn Midtgaard and Isaiah Poor Bear-Chandler, who combined for 17 points, 25 rebounds and six blocks against Cincy. However, on the season, only the 6-11 Echenique (8.4 & 5.9) has been a somewhat consistent contributor. The 6-8 McDuffie (18.7 & 4.9) plus PG Haynes-Jones (12.4 & 2.8 APG) are Wichita State's lone double digit scorers. The Shockers average only 69.4 PPG (271st) on 40.7% shooting (331st). The Golden Hurricane needed overtime on Sunday to extend their winning streak to three games, as they posted a 77-73 road triumph over East Carolina. SIX players reached double digits in scoring, including 6-8 junior Martins Igbanu, who was 7-for-8 from the floor en route to team highs of 16 points and eight rebounds. Igbanu (12.0 & 5.5) is joined up front by the 6-7 Horne (9.9 & 4.). Tulsa's strength is a backcourt led by Jeffries (13.8 & 5.5) and PG Taplin (10.1 & 4.3 APG) plus a trio of other guards combining for just over 18 PPG. This marks the 130th all-time meeting between the two programs and the Shockers have won 11 of the last 12, including 79-68 at Wichita State on Feb 2. However, this year's Wichita St team is a woeful 1-7 SU in true road games, averaging a pathetic 59.2 PPG. Meanwhile, Tulsa is a robust 12-2 SU at home, losing only to AAC 'heavyweights' Cincinnati and Houston. Wichita St is NO 'heavyweight' this season. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-17-19 | Seton Hall v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 81-75 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 36 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Creighton at 3:00 ET. Villanova (11-1) and Marquette (10-2) have separated themselves from the rest of the pack in the 10-team Big East this season. Seton Hall was picked to finish eighth in the 10-team conference by league coaches in late October but "The Hall" made more than a little 'noise' back in December with upset wins over Kentucky and Maryland, laying the groundwork for what appeared to be the beginning of the school's fourth consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance. However, the Pirates inability to win away from home during Big East play has ninth-year head coach Kevin Willard's team flirting with bubble status at 15-9 (6-6 in league play). The Pirates travel to Creighton on Sunday afternoon to take on the disappointing 13-12 Bluejays. Creighton is coming off a winless road trip in which it dropped a pair of overtime affairs, and lost all three games by seven points or fewer. Yes, the 4-8 Bluejays are in a three-way tie for last place but they are only two games out of third in the tightly packed Big East (Seton Hall and St John's are tied for third at 6-6). Seton Hall turned in its most complete performance during league play Wednesday, taking down Georgetown 90-75 triumph over Georgetown. Myles Powell (22.0) is the Big Easts second-leading scorer and posted his fifth 30-point game of the season vs the Hoyas, sinking all 10 of his free-throw attempts for the second straight contest to extend his streak at the foul line to 25 in a row. PG McKnight (10.2 & 4.0 APG) and Cale (9.7 & 4.5) start with Powell in the backcourt. Up front, it's the 6-8 Nzei (9.6 & 5.1) and the 6-10 Mamukelashvili (8.5 & 7.2). Senior forward Michael Nzei enjoyed one of his best all-around performances of the season against the Hoyas, finishing with 18 points and nine rebounds (eight on offensive end). Alexander leads the team in scoring (16.4) while five other players average between 8.2 and 12.8 PPG. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Zegarowski (10.9), Ballock (10.0-4.1-3.4 & 3.6) and Mintz (9.8) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (12.8 & 6.7) and SF Jefferson (8.2 & 5.1) have been the best frontcourt contributors. .Ty-Shon Alexander has made at least one 3-pointer in 28 straight contests, tied for the second-longest streak in school history. Junior forward Martin Krampelj is averaging 16.3 points and 8.2 rebounds over his last 15 games (note: He compiled a career-high 25 points and season-best 11 rebounds in the Feb 9 meeting against the Pirates) . Seton Hall still has at-large aspirations but I believe that's 'fool's gold.' Seton Hall hopes to end a five-game road slide in this contest, as the Pirates begin a stretch in which they play three of four on the road, before wrapping up the regular season with home contests against No. 10 Marquette and No. 13 Villanova. These teams just met eight days ago (Feb 9) at the Prudential Center, with the Pirates edging the Bluejays 63-58. In this quick turnaround rematch, expect Creighton to easily get the better of Seton Hall. The Pirates have averaged only 67.2 PPG in eight true road games this season, while Creighton averages an impressive 81.5 PPG at CenturyLink Center. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-16-19 | UCLA v. Stanford | Top | 80-104 | Win | 100 | 15 h 8 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Stanford at 10;00 ET. UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over the Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped SIX of its last nine Pac-12 games and finds itself 13-12 overall, including 6-6 in Pac-12 play. Stanford looks to avenge that earlier loss to UCLA, while hoping to continue its climb up the Pac-12 standings when the teams meet at Maples Pavilion on Saturday night. The Cardinal have won FOUR of their last five games, after Wednesday’s 79-76 home win over USC. Stanford is 13-11 overall and like UCLA, 6-6 in Pac-12 play. UCLA needed overtime to get past last-place California on Wednesday, snapping a three-game losing streak. The Bruins avoided a disastrous loss to Cal after interim coach Murry Bartow took his starters out just three minutes into the contest and replaced them with five backups – including freshman guard David Singleton, who finished with 12 points on four 3-pointers. Throughout the season, UCLA's "Core 4" have been forward Kris Wilkes (17.7 & 4.8), guards Hands (12.4-3.6-6.3) and Ali (9.7) plus freshman center Moses Brown (10.7 & 8.9). The Cardinal rallied from a 14-point deficit to post their fifth straight win over the Trojans on Wednesday, as guard Marcus Sheffield scored a season-high 16 points. Senior center Josh Sharma had 14 points and nine rebounds in the victory and is averaging 10.7 points and eight rebounds over the past seven games (8.9 & 6.0 on the season). Sharma is joined up front by 6-9 sophomore forward KZ Okpala (17.5 & 5.7) and the 6-9 Da Silva (9.6 & 5.8). PG Daejon Davis (12.6-3.1-4.2) is suffering with a head injury (questionable here), giving more "PT" to Ryan (8.5), Wills (6.0) and the aforementioned Sheffield (5.2). The Bruins are a mess (needed OT to escape vs 5-19 / 0-12 in Pac-12 Cal), while the Cardinal are finding their 'sea legs,' with FOUR wins in their last five. Stanford is 8-2 SU at home, while UCLA's only road wins have come at Cal (see above), Wash St (3-8 in Pac-12) and in OT vs Oregon (trailed by 17 in the second half and were down 76-68 with 45 seconds to go in regulation!). Don't expect any 'miracles' here by fading UCLA. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-16-19 | Tennessee v. Kentucky -3.5 | Top | 69-86 | Win | 100 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (SEC) is on Kentucky at 8:00 ET. It was No. 2 Duke at No. 3 UVa last Saturday night and this Saturday night, it's No. 1 Tennessee at No. 5 Kentucky. 23-1 Tennessee owns a perfect 11-0 SEC record and takes a school-record 19-game winning streak into Lexington (only three of the contests have been decided by fewer than 10 points) but things figure to get a bit tougher down the final month of the season. The top-ranked Volunteers open a stretch in which they play three of the teams sitting directly below them in the SEC standings a total of four times over the next two weeks, beginning Saturday with this visit to No. 5 Kentucky. The 20-4 Wildcats (10-2 in SEC play) are likely still smarting from LSU's controversial tip-in at the buzzer to upend the Wildcats 73-71 on Tuesday. the loss ended Kentucky's 10-game winning streak and the defeat was also Kentucky's first in its last 17 home games, including 14 this season. The Volunteers rolled to their sixth consecutive double-digit victory with Wednesday's 85-73 win over South Carolina. Tennessee is defeating its opponents by an average of 18.1 points during its school-record, 19-game run. The 6-7 Grant Williams (19.4-7.4-3.5) is the reigning SEC player of the year and is a 2019 national player of the year candidate. He's surrounded by a plethora of perimeter players in 6-6 guard Schofield (16.7 & 6,4), PG Bone (13.2 & 6.5 APG) plus fellow guards Turner (11.7) and Bowden (11.5), There is also 6-11 center Alexander (8.5 & 6.9). As always, Coach Cal has impact freshman in guards Johnson (14.0 & 5.3) and Herro (13.0 & 4.0). However, 6-8 sophomore PJ Washington (14.4 & 8.1) and 6-8 senior transfer Travis (11.6 & 7.0) may be the keys to Kentucky's success this season. Washington has emerged as the team's primary offensive option and Tuesday marked the sixth time in his last seven outings he reached 20 points and the fourth time in the last six games he corralled at least nine rebounds. Reid Travis, who finished third in the Pac-12 in scoring (19.5 points) last season at Stanford but he has been held to fewer than 10 points in eight of 11 SEC outings. Coach Cal needs more from him! Kentucky is 90-17 all-time in Lexington against Tennessee but the Volunteers won 61-59 at Rupp Arena last season, as part of their regular-season sweep of the Wildcats. Tennessee is attempting to become the first school to win in back-to-back seasons in Lexington since Vanderbilt and Florida did it in 2005-06 and 2006-07. That's a tall order. I'm on the 'Cats, "Big Time!" Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-15-19 | Brown v. Cornell | Top | 66-70 | Win | 100 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (Ivy League) is on Cornell at 7:00 ET. The Brown Bears and the Cornell Big Red meet in Ithaca, NY for Ivy League action from the Newman Arena at Bartels Hall on Friday night. The Brown Bears beat Princeton 78-70 in its last outing and comes in 14-8 overall but just 2-4 in Ivy League play. Meanwhile, Cornell swept Dartmouth and Harvard on the Ivy road last weekend and while the Big Red are 12-10 overall, they are 4-2 in conference play (tied with Harvard and Princeton), just one-game back of first-place Yale (5-1). Desmond Cambridge led Brown in scoring as a freshman (17.3) and tops the team again this season, averaging 16.4 PPG. That said, 6-5 SF Choh (12.8), could be the team's best all-around player, leading in rebounds (8.9) and assists (3.5). Senior guard Okolie (11.0) is the the team's third double-digit scorer. Cornell's Matt Morgan has led the Ivy League in scoring in each of the last three seasons and the senior is well on his way to making if FOUR times in four years. He enters the season having scored in double digits in 51 straight games and has extended that streak to 73 in a row, this season (he's averaging 23.5 PPG and 4.5 RPG). 6-8 swingman Warren adds 10.6 PPG, 4.8 RPG and 3.1 APG. Jimmy Boeheim (Coach Boeheim's son) rounds out the double digit scorers at 10.6 PPG and the 6-6 Julian is the team's top rebounder at 6.5 per game (adds just a modest 4.0 PPG). "The Ancient Eight" (as the Ivy used to be called) joined the rest of the college hoops world by holding a postseason tourney a few years back but only the top-four teams get in. onA loss here by Brown (would fall to 2-5) could put the Bears' tourney hopes on 'life-support.' However, "must win" doesn't mean "will win." It's hardly good news that Brown's leading scorer (Cambridge) comes in shooting just 12 of 61 (19.7%) from the floor in his last four contests. Cornell's "road sweep" last weekend (see above) is a good sign for the Big Red, as is Cornell's recent domination of Brown (won both meetings last year). In fact, Cornell is 15-5-2 ATS in the last 22 meetings between these two schools and Brown limps in 1-9-1 ATS in its last 11 Ivy games. Go Big Red! |
|||||||
02-14-19 | BYU v. San Diego -3.5 | Top | 88-82 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 53 m | Show |
My 10* LEGEND play is on San Diego at 10:00 ET. It's live from the Jenny Craig Pavilion in San Diego on Thursday night, as 16-win teams BYU and San Diego square off in WCC action. The Cougars are 16-10 overall and their 8-3 league mark puts them in second -place behind only the No. 3-ranked Gonzaga Bulldogs, who are 23-2 (including 10-0 in WCC play). BYU looks to build on their current 3-game winning streak, after a 69-59 win over Pacific in the team's last outing. San Diego is hoping for a little more consistency, after alternating wins and losses in each of its last four games. The Toreros lost 70-67 at Pepperdine in their last outing, failing to avenge their LONE home loss of the season (more on that, later).. The 6-8 Yoeli Childs led the Cougars with 19 points along with 13 rebounds for the double-double in BYU's win over Pacific. Guard Connor Harding (13 points) was the only other BYU player to finish in double figures. BYU can score, averaging 80.2 PPG (36th). Childs leads the Cougars in scoring (21.0) and rebounding (9.7) but the biggest percentage of BYU's offense comes from the perimeter. PG Haws averages 17.0 PPG and 5.0 APG and Hardnett just misses out on double digits with 9.7 PPG, Another trio of guards combine for about 20 PPG. bYU's problem is a defense that allows 75.4 PPG (272nd) San Diego's 6-7 Isaiah Pineiro(19.2 & 9.0) will be a excellent counter to BYU's Childs. As for the backcourt, Carter averages 16.0 PPG, Wright 13.4 & 4.0 and PG Williams 8.8 & 3.1 APG. Helping out Pineiro up front are the 6-10 Massalski (7.6 & 5.9) and the 6-8 Floresca (5.2 & 3.1). San Diego doesn't score as much as BYU, as the Toreros check in averaging 73.5 PPG but they play better D, allowing 68.0 PPG (91st) BYU owns lots of firepower but the Cougars have been betrayed by theri porous D, especially on the road. BYU is 3-7 SU in true road games this season, allowing 86.5 PPG. BYU is 3-11 ATS in their last 14 road games and 2-8 ATS in their last 10 games against a team with a winning record. Sure, it's slightly uncomfortable laying points with an inconsistent San Diego team but the Toreros are 11-1 SU at home (lone loss to Pepperdine) and BYU's only conference road wins have come at Pacific, Pepperdine and Portland, teams which have combined to go 8-25 in WCC play. BYU's play against higher-quality opposition has seen them lose three times by 19 or more vs WCC 'heavies' Gonzaga, USF, & Saint Mary’s. San Diego is clearly NOT in Gonzaga's class but the Toreros are on par with the latter two. San Diego easily beat BYU at Jenny Craig last year (75-62) and is BYU is 4-0 ATS in BYU's last four visits to this venue. Also note that BYU's third-leading scorer (Hardnett) is sidelined with hand injury. Make that 5-0! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-13-19 | Arizona State v. Colorado -1 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
My 10* Conference Crusher (Pac 12) is on Colorado a7%) run with all CBB plays since Saturday.t 10:30 ET. The Colorado Buffs opened the season 9-3 in non-conference games but when Pac-12 play began, Colorado started 2-6. However, the Buffs have rebounded from their poor Pac-12 start to post impressive double-digit wins over Oregon and UCLA, before winning 69-65 at USC Saturday as a 5 1/2-point underdog. Suddenly, Colorado is the hottest team in the Pac-12. The 14-9 Buffaloes (5-6 in Pac-12 play) will try to build on their positive mojo Wednesday night when they host 16-7 Arizona State. The Sun Devils have won five of their last seven contests and are tied with Utah and Oregon State for second place at 7-4. That’s still a full three games in back of Washington but Arizona State is fresh off handing the Huskies their first conference setback, winning 75-63 at home Saturday night. Two days have struggling through one of their worst shooting games of the season (33.8-percent in a 91-70 home loss to Washington State), the Sun Devils shot a season-best 61.7 percent in beating Washington. Forward Romello White had 17 points to lead four Arizona State players in double figures and also was one of three Sun Devils to collect at least eight rebounds. ASU dominated the Washington 40-23 on the boards. Led by guards Luguentz Dort (16.2 points per game) and Remy Martin (13.1), five players are averaging double figures for Arizona State. Senior forward Zylan Cheatham (11.5 & 11.0) plus guard Edwards at 10.4 and the 6-7 Lawrence at 10.O are the other two. White (9.3 & 5.7, just misses. ASU leads the conference in overall scoring at 78.9 PPG (that's 52nd nationally) and average rebound margin (7.1). As for Colorado, even with its win streak, the Buffaloes haven’t gained much ground in the Pac-12 standings. They are currently part of a four-way tie for seventh place at 5-6. Only Washington State (3-8) and hapless California (0-11) are worse. That said, the Buffs have dominated defensively during their current three-game win streak, holding Oregon, UCLA and USC to a combined 39.6 shooting, including 17-of-70 from three-point range (24,3%). PG McKinley Wright leads the team with 13.0 PPG and 4.9 APG. Swingman Tyler Bey adds 12.0 PPG and a team-high 8.9 RPG. 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert (11.3 & 5.1) and guard Gatling (10.7) round out the double digit scorers. I noted Colorado's excellent defensive play earlier but the Buffs have played excellent D all season long. Colorado is third in the conference in allowing 68.8 PPG and is limiting the opposition to 30.5-percent shooting from three-point range (33rd nationally). Arizona State’s 61.7-percent shooting outing versus Washington marked its first 60-pecent showing in a Pac-12 game since 2013.DO NOT expect a repeat performance here in Boulder, where the Buffs are 8-2 SU. No real pointspread to worry about here. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-13-19 | Heat v. Mavs -2.5 | Top | 112-101 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Dal Mavs at 8:35 ET. The Miami Heat have performed well away from home for much of the season. However, the Heat will conclude a five-game road trip prior to the All Star break with tonight's game in Dallas. Wins have been tough to come by on their current trip, against some of the best the Western Conference has to offer. Miami opened the trip with a 118-108 win at Portland (Feb 5) but has since dropped THREE in a row. One night after a valiant effort in a two-point loss at Golden State, Miami dropped a 103-87 decision at Denver on Monday, tumbling out of the top eight in the East with a 25-30 record. As for the 26-30 Mavericks, they traded four starters in an eight-day span. Second-leading scorer Harrison Barnes (17.7 & 4.2) was the last to go, when Dallas shipped him to the Sacramento Kings for fellow forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph. Prior to that, the Mavs traded PG Dennis Smith Jr. (12.9 & 4.3 APG), SG Wesley Matthews (13.1) and center DeAndre Jordan (11.0 & 13.7) to the New York Knicks. That left star rookie Luka Doncic as the lone remaining starter.The Mavs had won SIX of nine but their last time out, lost 120-104 to James Harden ("just" 31 points!) and the Houston Rockets on Monday. Center Hassan Whiteside entered Denver averaging 17.8 points and 14.6 rebounds during a streak of five straight double-doubles but he was held to six and eight, respectively, against the Nuggets' big men. The 29-year-old Whiteside (12.9 & 12.5) averages 14.1 points, 13.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks at home, where Miami plays 10 of 12 games soon after the All-Star break. With PG Dragic and his 15.3 PPG and 4.9 APG sidelined, Winslow (12.4-5.3-4.1) has been playing at the point with Wade (13.8-3.8-4.4) coming off the bench. SG Richardson (17.6) leads the team in scoring. Miami's D has been good all season, allowing 105.7 PPG on 44.4% shooting (both rank 3rd-best in the NBA). Rookie Luka Doncic (20.8-7.1-5.5) had 21 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists for Dallas in the road loss at Houston. Doncic is likely looking forward to the break, after playing all 12 minutes of the fourth quarter in Sunday's win over Portland and then carrying Dallas through 36 minutes in the loss to Houston. I expect that both Hardway (14.5 PPG in his four games with Dallas) and Burke (8.5 in the same span), will get plenty of "PT" here in Dallas. Also, expect forwards Powell (8.7 & 4.4) and Finney-Smith (7.9 & 4.7) to see increased minutes and offer increased production after the trades. In fact, Powell is shooting 62.3 percent from the floor over his last 10-games. Miami opened this trip with an upset of Portland and sat 14-11 SU (16-9 ATS) on the road at that time. However, the Heat are 0-3 over the previous seven days. This is the final contest of a five-game, nine-day road trip and Dallas is 20-8 SU (19-8-1 ATS) at American Airlines Center this season. Doncic will surely be looking forward to a rest with the All Star break coming (that said, he has to be a little miffed he's not playing in it) but 19-year-old isn't showing any signs of slowing down on the stat sheet. He's averaging 24.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 6.6 assists in five games in Feb. Mavs roll. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-12-19 | Butler v. St. John's -3.5 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 15 h 48 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on St John's at 8:30 ET. Marquette edged Villanova on Saturday, 66-65. The result left the Wildcats at 10-1 and moved the Golden Eagles to 9-2. Those schools are well ahead of the rest of the pack in the conference, as the Big East has five teams tied for third at 5-6 in league play. Two of that quintet of teams, which all look up at Villanova and Marquette, will meet Tuesday night when 14-10 Butler visits 17-7 St. John's. All five of those schools will need a strong stretch run if they plan on making this year's NCAA Tournament. Butler rebounded from a three-game losing streak by winning its last two contests by just a combined six points. The Bulldogs' leading scorer Kamar Baldwin had 18 points to help Butler to a 73-69 victory at Georgetown on Saturday. The junior guard leads the team in scoring (17.2) and rebounding (5.0) and is joined on the perimeter by Jorgensen (11.8) and PG Thompson (6.1 & 4.2 APG). 6-7 sophomore forward Jordan Tucker (Duke transfer) scored 14 of his 15 points prior to the break in the win at Georgetown and is now averaging 10.0 & 5.2 since becoming eligible 15 games ago. 6-6 forward McDermott adds 9.9 & 3.8 while the center duo of the 6-11 Brunk (8.1 & 4.1) and the 6-10 Fowler (5.5 & 4.0) complete Butler's major contributors. St John's is coming off a damaging 70-56 home loss to Providence on Saturday. That 56-point effort was the Red Storm's worst in Big East action since it was held to 45 in a loss at Butler last season. The absence of second-leading scorer Mustapha Heron (15.0 & 4.9) with a knee issue was a factor. Junior PG Shamorie Ponds scored 20 points and checks in at 20.7-4.6-5.3 on the season. Fellow guard Figueroa averages 14.3 PPG and a team-high 6.5 RPG plus another guard, Simon, adds 10.1-4.8-3.5. St John's doesn't have much size up front, as the 6-7 Clark (11.4 & 5.8) is the team's best frontcourt player. Butler has won seven of the last nine meetings with St John's, including 80-71 at home back on Jan 19 (Baldwin had 30 points). Yes, Butler has made the "Big Dance" in 10 of the previous 12 years but the prospects for a 2018 invite are bleak. Butler has won just two of seven road games this season (averaging only 65.7 PPG), while St John's checks in 9-3 SU at home, where the Red Storm are outscoring opponents 80.7-to-69.6 PPG. More good news comes St John's way in that Heron is expected to return to the lineup on Tuesday (see above). Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-12-19 | Celtics v. 76ers -5.5 | Top | 112-109 | Loss | -124 | 15 h 35 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Phi 76ers at 8:05 ET. Elton Brand was as solid NBA player but he's made quite a mark as Philly's GM here in the 2018-19 season. Brand made his second big move since the beginning of the year by adding PF Tobias Harris from the Clippers, after dealing for Jimmy Butler earlier in campaign. Both moves were made to ostensibly to get Philly over the hump vs.new/old nemesis Boston. The Philadelphia 76ers are sure playing like a team that is headed in the right direction, as they are coming off impressive wins over the Denver Nuggets (117-110) and Los Angeles Lakers (143-120) since making a series of deadline moves. The Boston Celtics failed to make any upgrades prior to the deadline and are looking like a team that could have used a shake-up. The Celtics lost 129-128 on a buzzer-beater to the Los Angeles Lakers at home on Thursday and then blew a 28-point lead before falling to the Los Angeles Clippers 123-112 on Saturday in a demoralizing defeat. Boston's Saturday's collapse began late in the first half, after All-Star guard Kyrie Irving suffered a sprained knee that will leave him on the sidelines Tuesday and potentially Wednesday against Detroit at home. Gordon Hayward (10.2 & 4.6) had a team-high 19 points off the bench but Irving's fellow starters combined to shooting 14-for-42 (33.3%) from the floor without their leader. Hayward comes off the bench along with Brown (12.7 & 4.3), while Tatum (16.4 & 6.3) and Morris (14.6 & 6.) typically start up front with Horford (12.4 & 6.6). With Irving sidelined, expect Rozier (9.1) and Smart (8.2) to start in the backcourt. Joel Embiid (27.4 & 13.5) went off for 37 points and 14 rebounds in Sunday's 143-120 rout of the Lakers, as 36-20 Philadelphia moved one game ahead of Boston (35-21) for fourth place in the Eastern Conference. Embiid was 12-for-16 from the floor in Sunday's win, while newly acquired forward Tobias Harris had 22 points on 9-of-14 in his second game with the team. Harris was averaging career highs of 20.9 & 7.9 with LA and has averaged 18.0 & 7.0 in his two games with the Sixers. Rounding out Philly's starting-five is Butler (18.9 & 4.9), Redick (18.7) and PG/swingman Ben Simmons (16.7-9.2-7.9). Philly's starting-five may not quite measure up to Golden State's (which team's does?) but it's clearly the East's top unit. I'm not sure Boston can 'hang' with Philly here, without Irving's 23.6 PPG and 6.9 APG. The 76ers are 23-6 at home, averaging a whopping 119.4 PPG. Sans Kyrie, Boston gets rolled, as Philly avenges the Celtics' two home wins (105-87 & 121-114 in OT) over the 76ers earlier this year. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-11-19 | Heat v. Nuggets -10.5 | Top | 87-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 21 m | Show |
My 3rd play of Monday's STP is an 8* on the Den Nuggets at 9:05 ET. The Denver Nuggets 'limp' home after losing the final three games of their four-game road trip. 37-18 Denver will be looking to avoid matching a season-high four-game losing streak Monday night, when the Nuggets welcome the 25-29 Miami Heat to Pepsi Center. The Nuggets allowed an average of 132 points in two straight losses, before giving Philadelphia all it could handle in a 117-110 loss on Friday. Denver now begins a stretch in which the Nuggets play six of seven at home, where they are an NBA-best 23-4. Miami visits the Mile High City after rallying from nine down in the fourth quarter to take a three-point lead with less than a minute to go, surrender the final five of the game in a 120-118 loss at Golden St (the Warriors own a 40-15 record, best in the West). Josh Richardson (Miami's leading scorer at 17.8 PPG) poured in 37 points but the Heat lost for the fifth time in six games, dropping into a tie with Detroit for eighth place in the Eastern Conference. Richardson is averaging 25.3 points over the last three contests and backcourt mate Dion Waiters (9.2) stepped up to score a season-high 24 on Sunday. Center Hassan Whiteside recorded his fifth straight double-double Sunday and is averaging 17.8 points along with 14.2 rebounds during that stretch (he's averaging 13.1 & 12.6 on the season). Veteran Dwyane Wade (13.9-3.9-4.4) scored 10 points and has averaged 17.0 PPG over his last four contests. Small forward Justise Winslow had 22 points on 8-of-16 shooting against Golden State but has mostly been playing in the backcourt with PG Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG) sidelined. Winslow is averaging 12.3-5.4-4.2 on the season. Denver head coach Michael Malone told reporters his players could hold their heads high after Friday’s effort but guard Will Barton (12.3-4.4-3.4) said it is time to get back to business as the Nuggets’ lead over Oklahoma City for second in the West has shrunk to one game. Center Nikola Jokic continues to put up big numbers, recording triple-doubles in five of the last eight games. He leads Denver in scoring (20.4), rebounding (10.5) and assists (7.7). PG Jamal Murray (18.6-4.3-5.0) has averaged 21 points and 8.5 assists in two contests since returning from a six-game absence because of an ankle injury, while fellow guard Malik Beasley (11.6) is averaging 20.7 points over his past six outings. However, SG Gary Harris (14.8) is expected to miss his sixth straight game, while PF Paul Millsap (12.0 & 6.5) could sit out a fourth straight with an ankle injury. Injuries are nothing new to Denver this season, yet as noted earlier, the Nuggets own the NBA's best home record (23-4 SU), averaging 116.5 PPG and winning by an average of 12 points per game. Miami has been a solid road underdog the last two seasons but the Heat are coming off a heart-breaking loss last night in Oakland and will be playing their third game in four days on the road. That's is NOT a recipe for success. Lay the points! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-10-19 | Magic v. Hawks +2.5 | Top | 124-108 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on the Atl Hawks at 7:35 ET. The Orlando Magic opened their three-game road trip in impressive fashion on Saturday, continuing a sudden surge back into the Eastern Conference playoff race. The Magic took advantage of the absence of Milwaukee superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo (knee) to coast past the Bucks 103-83 on Saturday, improving to 4-1 on the heels of a 3-11 swoon. Orlando sits at 24-32, " 2 1/2-games out of teh East's final playoff spot. Atlanta's league-worst defense (more later) was on full display in Saturday's loss, as Charlotte shot 54.5 percent and recorded 30 assists on 48 baskets in a 129-120 loss. The Hawks are 18-37 and are hardly thinking postseason as the All Star break looms. Rookie Isaiah Briscoe hit all three of his shot attempts in Thursday's win over Minnesota and was 4-for-5 from the floor while handing out seven assists in the rout of the Bucks. "By far, his best game. Both ways, and he hit his jumper," head coach Steve Clifford said of the 22-year-old guard. Orlando's 7-0 All-Star center, Nikola Vucevic, added 15 points and 17 rebounds. Vucevic (20.5 & 12.0) and 6-9 PF Gordon (15.9 & 7.4) are Orlando's top-two producers, although Clifford has a solid three-guard rotation. That group includes Fournier (14.8), Ross (14.7) and PG Augustin (11.5 & 4.7 APG). The Hawks have opened a seven-game homestand by dropping the first two contests. They allowed 46 first-quarter points to Charlotte and fell short with a late rally in Saturday's nine-point loss. The 6-10 John Collins led the way offensively with 21 points on 8-of-12 shooting. That's not exactly new, as the second-year 6-10 forward averages team highs of 19.4 PPG and 9.9 RPG. Rookie PG Trae young checks in at 16.9 PPG and 7.5 APG plus FIVE more players average in double digits (two more check in at 8.3 & 9.4). Scoring is NOT Atlanta's problem. It's a defense that allows 118.4 PPG (30 of 30 teams) on 47.7% shooting (28th). However, with Orlando coming off a win at Milwaukee, a team with the NBA's best record, the Magic are in a perfect spot for a letdown. Note that Orlando looks to win its third straight overall contest, for the FIRST time since mid-November. NOT! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-10-19 | Connecticut v. Memphis -7 | Top | 71-78 | Push | 0 | 6 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Memphis at 2:00 ET. UConn began the season 6-1, including a win against Syracuse. It seemed as if players and fans alike were attracted to first year head coach Dan Hurley's intense attitude and aggressive play on the court. However, to put it mildly, Connecticut has had its share of ups-and-downs and comes into Sunday's game at Memphis 13-10 overall, including 4-6 in AAC play. What's more, senior guard Jalen Adams (17.0-3.8-3.) is out for the next four to six weeks, which basically means the season. Memphis also features a first-year head coach but Anfernee “Penny” Hardaway is facing NONE of the issues Hurley is dealing with. The well-liked mentor has his Tigers at 13-10 as well, including 5-5 in league play. Adams was coming off an altercation with Hurley in UConn's previous game and then played just six minutes in the team's 81-63 loss at Temple on Wednesday, before suffering a sprained MCL in his left knee. 6-9 sophomore forward Josh Carlton (8.6 & 5.9) didn't post a double-double in his first 54 games at UConn but he had 18 points and 13 rebounds against Temple for his second straight, following a 20 & 16 performance against East Carolina. Junior guard Christian Vital (14.0 & 6.0) had 18 points and 13 rebounds against the Owls, while Eric Cobb (4.0 & 4.2) added 13 points and five rebounds. He's getting extra time because Alterique Gilbert (13.0 & 3.8 APG) has missed three straight games with a shoulder injury. Memphis knows all about star guards, as the Tigers feature PG Jeremiah Martin. He made a career-high eight, three-pointers while scored a game-high 26 points against No. 25 Cincinnati on Thursday. However, it wasn't enough, as the Bearcats rallied from an 11-point deficit early in the second half for a 69-64 victory. "We didn't rebound the ball (well) in the second half and they got a couple of easy baskets," said Martin, who was coming off a career-high 41-point effort at South Florida. Martin is averaging 16.7-4.0-4.3 on the season.The 6-8 Davenport chips in 14.3 & 7.4 plus freshman guard Harris adds 12.1 PPG. Hardaway likes to use his bench and Memphis has six more player averaging between 5.5 and 8.8 PPG. UConn is an un-perfect 0-5 SU in true road games and that streak doesn't figure to end here (especially without Adams) against a Memphis team which is 11-2 SU at home, averaging a whopping 87.7 PPG. Memphis is 8-3 as a home favorite, including a PERFECT 6-0 when laying less than double digits! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-09-19 | Washington v. Arizona State -1 | Top | 63-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 0 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Arizona St at 10;00 ET. Washington returned all five starters from LY's 21-win team (NIT, not NCAA bid) but did anyone expect 12 straight wins and a 10-0 conference start, the school's best since 1952-53? Washington won at Arizona for the first time in seven years 67-60 on Thursday, despite senior forward Noah Dickerson (12.6 & 6.7) struggling with an ankle issue plus senior guard Matisse Thybulle (10.0) and senior forward Dominic Green (6.8) struggling with the flu (entire coaching staff was ill). The 19-4 Huskies (10-0 Pac 12) head to Tempe tonight to face the 15-7 Arizona State Sun Devils (6-4 in Pac-12). Arizona State is coming off its worst loss of the season, a stunning 91-70 home loss against Washington State on Thursday (ASU was favored by 15 points!) Sophomore guard Jaylen Nowell averages team highs of 16.4 points and 3.4 assists, while adding 5.4 RPG. Dickerson battled through an ankle injury to score 10 points in 26 minutes against Arizona, while Thybulle had five steals on Thursday. Washington is off to its best conference start since going 14-0 in 1952-53, boasts the stingiest defense in the Pac-12 at 64 points per game (60.4 during its winning streak) and hasn't allowed more than 70 in a conference game Head coach Bobby Hurley told the media after the Wash St loss, "There really wasn't anything overly positive that you can say. It was a pretty damaging loss for us." Senior forward Zylan Cheatham (11.6-1.1-3.5) entered the week one of 18 players nationally averaging a double-double, but only one other is also averaging at least three assists (Wisconsin's Ethan Happ). Freshman guard Luguentz Dort is the leading scorer at 16.2 PPG, with three more ASU players scoring in double digits. PG Martin checks in at 13.1 (5.1 APG), 12.4), guard Edwards at 10.3 and the 6-7 Lawrence at 10.2 & 4.0). Bobby Hurley's Sun Devils generated national headlines by handing then-top-ranked Kansas its first loss, 80-76, back on Dec. 22. However, ASU is just 6-5 its last 10. That said, off the team's embarrassing home loss to Wash St, Washington and its unbeaten Pac-12 record should bring out the VERY best in the Sun Devils. They are 10-3 SU at home, while averaging 82.5 PPG. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-09-19 | Colorado v. USC -4.5 | Top | 69-65 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on USC at 10:00 ET. The Colorado Buffs opened the season 9-3 in non-conference games but when Pac-12 play began, Colorado started 2-6. However, the Buffs have rebounded from their poor Pac-12 start to post impressive double-digit wins over Oregon and UCLA in their last two outings. In the 22-point win over the Ducks on Feb 2, Colorado dominated defensively, holding Oregon to a season-low 51 points and a nine-year low 31 percent shooting from the floor. At UCLA this past Wednesday, Colorado shot 53.8 percent from the floor, including 13-of-24 from three-point range plus recorded a season-high 22 assists on 28 made baskets in an 84-73 win. The 13-9 Buffaloes (4-6 Pac-12) will try to maintain that momentum Saturday night when they visit USC. The Trojans are 13-10 overall (6-4 in Pac-12 play), after a 77-70 home loss to Utah on Wednesday night. In contrast to Colorado, USC has dropped two of its last three games following a 5-2 Pac-12 start. The Buffs received a huge boost Wednesday from junior-college transfer Shane Gatling who connected on 8-of-10 shots, including 7-of-9 three-pointers, in scoring a season-high 28 points. Sophomore swingman Tyler Bey also stayed hot with 16 points and 10 rebounds, giving him his third double-double in the last five games. Gatling (10.5) and Bey (12.4 & 9.0) are two of the four Buffaloes averaging double figures, with sophomore PG McKinley Wright leading the way (12.7 PPG) plus a team-high 5.0 APG. 6-10 forward Lucas Siewert (11.3 & 5.1 points) rounds out the main contributors. The Trojans fell behind Utah by 23 points midway through the second half and finished with a 38.0 field-goal percentage, including 9-of-26 from three-point range. “That was our worst effort in a long time,” USC head coach Andy Enfield said afterward. “I’m disappointed in our team, (but) I’ll take the blame for that.” USC has a set of "twin towers" in the 6-10 Boatwright (17.3 & 6.7) and the 6-11 Nick Rakocevic (16.0 & 9.9). Guard Jonah Mathews scored 18 points to pace the Trojans vs Utah and he tops a four-man guard rotation by averaging 12.9 PPG on the season. Porter (9.2) is back in the lineup after missing more than a month and joins Aaron (8.8 & 4.6) and PG Thornton (8.4 & 5.0 APG). I still don't trust Colorado away from Boulder and its win over erratic UCLA is not a mind-changer, as it was just the Buffs' second in their last nine Pac-12 road games. Sure, USC is a bit of an underachiever but note that the Trojans had won SEVEN straight at Galen Center before stumbling vs the Utes. USC is the play. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-09-19 | Thunder v. Rockets -1.5 | Top | 117-112 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* Oddsmaker's Error is on the Hou Rockets at 8:35 ET. The Oklahoma City Thunder (35-19) visit the Houston Rockets (32-22) on Saturday night, with the ABC cameras on hand. James Harden extended his streak of 30-point games to 28 with 36 points in a 127-101 victory at Sacramento on Wednesday, pulling within three games of tying Chamberlain for the second-longest streak in NBA history at 31 (note: Wilt's record 65-game streak is likely NOT in danger!). Coming to town with OKC is Russell Westbrook and he brings along a streak of eight consecutive triple-doubles, after going for 15-13-15 in Thursday's 117-95 win over the Memphis Grizzlies. That moved him past Michael Jordan and within one of tying the mark of nine straight set by Chamberlain in 1968 (that Wilt guy keeps popping up). The Thunder currently occupy the No. 3 seed in the West, three games ahead of the 5th-seed Rockets (Portland sandwiched in between, one up on Houston and two back of OKC). Westbrook (21.2-11.1-11.2) is averaging a triple-double for the third straight season and leads the NBA in assists, nearly two more than the next-closest player (Toronto's Kyle Lowry is at 9.3). However, Paul George is OKC's top scorer, averaging 28.0 PPG. Backup PG Schroder averages 15.7 & 4.2 APG, starting center Adams 15.2 & 9.7) and PF Grant 13.2 & 5.0. No other OKC player averages as much as 7.0 PPG. The Rockets were active at the trade deadline, acquiring guard Iman Shumpert from the Sacramento Kings while jettisoning James Ennis III (to the Philadelphia 76ers), Marquese Chriss and Brandon Knight (both to the Cleveland Cavaliers) to free roster spots in order to aggressively pursue additions via what should be a robust buyout market. Those moves completed the exodus of the five players the Rockets adding during the past offseason, with Carmelo Anthony and Michael Carter-Williams traded earlier this season. The constant has been Harden, averaging 36.5-6.8-7.9. PG Chris Paul (15.5 & 7.9 APG) is back but center Clint Capela (17.6 & 12.6) is still out. However, he is expected to return after the All-Star break. Can't imagine Harden NOT be primed for this showdown with Westbrook and he's carried Houston since Paul first went out (now back) plus kept it going through Capela's absence, as well. A HUGE bonus has been getting Kenneth Faried (from Boston), as the 6-8 vet has averaged 16.1 & 10.2 in nine games. Houston is 15-3 SU at home since Dec 1 and that has me "all over" the Rockets in this one. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-08-19 | Heat v. Kings -2.5 | Top | 96-102 | Win | 100 | 15 h 41 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Sac Kings at 10:05 ET. The Sacramento Kings won just 27 games ALL of last season and last produced a winning record back in the 2005-06 season. However, the 28-26 Kings proved that they have EVERY intention of ending their 12-year playoff drought with the acquisition of Harrison Barnes. The Kings acquired the 6-8 forward from the Dallas Mavericks on Wednesday night in exchange for forwards Justin Jackson and Zach Randolph (no big loss, there). Sacramento welcomes the Miami Heat to town tonight, having gone 3-1 on what will be a six-game homestand (note: Kings were routed 127-101 by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday). The 25-27 Heat also made some moves. acquiring forward Ryan Anderson from the Phoenix Suns for guards Tyler Johnson and Wayne Ellington. The Heat opened their six-game road trip with an impressive 118-108 win over the Portland Trail Blazers on Tuesday. Center Hassan Whiteside led Miami with 28 points and 11 rebounds, as he's headed to yet another double-double season (13.0 & 12.4). By moving Johnson (10.8) and Ellington (8.4) the Heat have unclogged their guard rotation, which still includes starters Josh Richardson (17.3) and Justise Winslow (backups 12.3 & 5.7) plus reserves Dwyane Wade (14.0), Rodney McGruder (8.7) and even Dion Waiters (7.9 PPG but just 14 games played). Goran Dragic (15.3 & 4.9 APG), an All-Star point guard in 2017, is on injured reserve (return up in the air). Buddy Hield, the key player in the Boogie Cousins trade, leads Sacramento in averaging 20.4 PPG, while shooting a white-hot 45.5% on threes. Second-year PG Fox (17.3 & 7.2 APG) is looking like a future All-Star as well. Also, Bogdanovich (14.8) and center Cauley-Stein (12.9 & 8.6) have become regular contributors.Not to be forgotten is rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (13.1 & 7.0), who has recorded four straight double-doubles, as the No. 2 overall selection from Duke, is averaging 16.3 points and 11.8 rebounds over the past four games, while scoring in double digits in seven straight outings (also 12 of his last 13 since returning from an injury). The addition of Barnes (17.7 & 4.2 TY with Dallas) will be huge, as he had also averaged 18.9 & 6.1 and 19.2 & 5.0 his first two full seasons with the Mavs. I am aware that the Heat are dangerous as road underdogs (52-25-2 ATS in that role the L3 seasons) but the Kings are 19-9 ATS at home this season. What's more, the Kings are on an 8-1 ATS run at home (7-1 SU in the last eight) and have covered 10 of their last 12 when installed as a favorite at Golden 1 Center going back to last season. The Kings have won the last three meetings with the Heat, including a 123-113 win in Miami back on Oct 29.make that FOUR in a row and a covers as well. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-07-19 | Cincinnati v. Memphis +3 | Top | 69-64 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Memphis at 7:00 ET. Cincinnati has won SEVEN in a row and at 19-3 (8-1 in AAC, tied for 1st with Houston), finds itself in the AP top-25 for the first time this season (Bearcats were ranked 25th in Monday's new poll). Cincy embarks on a two-game road trip that starts tonight in Memphis against the 13-9 Tigers (5-4 in AAC play) and ends at 21-1 Houston on Sunday (Cougars are currently 12th in the latest AP poll). Cincinnati held off a second-half rally from SMU for a 73-68 triumph on Saturday, extending its winning streak to seven games. Meanwhile, Memphis comes in off two straight road losses. The Bearcats lost THREE key players from last year's team. Shooting guard Evans (13.0) and the 6-8 Clark (12.9 & 8.7) were NBA draft picks plus the 6-9 Washington (11.3 & 5.3) is also gone. Cincy depends WAY too much on Jarron Cumberlandand (18.7-4.0-3.5). He's second in the AAC in scoring and has scored 23 points or more in three straight games. A trio of guards join him on the perimeter in Williams (11.0), Jenifer (8.8) and Broome (8.2). The 6-8 Scott (9.3 & 6.3) and the 6-11 Brooks (8.5 & 5.7) are Cincy's top-two frontcourt contributors. Mick Cronin-coached teams always play defense and the Bearcats come in allowing 61.5 PPG (11th). Memphis wasted a record 41-point second-half performance from senior guard Jeremiah Martin in Saturday's 84-78 loss at South Florida on Saturday. The Tigers scored just 13 in the first 20 minutes and just couldn't recover. However, head coach Penny Hardaway told reporters after the game, “I’m proud of my guys for fighting back in the second half. The first half was a nightmare. The second half was our type of basketball.” Martin leads the team in scoring (16.4) and assists (4.3), while 6-8 senior forward Kyvon Davenport adds 14.4 points and a team-high 7.4 rebounds per game. Freshman guard Tyler Harris (12.6) is the top three-point threat (56 makes) plus senior guard Kareem Brewton Jr. adds 8.9 PPG. Memphis is nowhere near the defensive team Cincy is (Tigers allow 77.3 PPG, which ranks 301st) but here at FedEx Forum, Memphis is 11-1 SU, averaging 89.7 PPG (average margin of victory is 16-plus PPG!). This isn't exactly Cincy/Xavier in terms of a heated (hated?) rivalry but Memphis is looking to become relative again (the Pastner experience was a washout) and the Tigers would 'LOVE' to take down the Bearcats ahead of Saturday's showdown with Houston. Home dog barks LOUDLY in this one. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-07-19 | Houston v. UCF +2.5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
My 9* PERFECT STORM is on UCF at 7:00 ET. Central Florida looked terrible in a 20-point loss at Memphis on Jan 27 but bounced back with a 73-67 home win last Thursday against UConn. The 16-4 Knights (6-2 in AAC play) haven't played since last Thursday and have to be excited about welcoming No. 12 Houston (21-1 / 8-1 in AAC play) to Orlando this Thursday. The Cougars also have had a week off since a 73-66 win over Temple, avenging their only loss of the season. Junior guard Armoni Brooks entered the last outing as the Cougars' leading scorer but he had an off night against Temple due to foul trouble and was held to a season-low three points. He's now second on the team in scoring (14.3)m but leads in rebounding (at 6.1) to senior guard Corey Davis Jr. (15.0), who had 24 points in the win over the Owls. Senior PG Galen Robinson Jr. sits second in the conference with 5.3 assists per game, while adding 8.1 PPG. Two more guards, Jarreau (8.0 & 3.7) and Hinton (7.7 & 4.5), round out Houston's top scorers. However, Kelvin Sampson has a trio of forwards who combine for about 20 PPG and 13 RPG. Senior guard B.J. Taylor, the conference preseason player of the year, is bidding to lead the club in scoring for the third straight season with an average of 16.9 points and the coaches' son, Aubrey Dawkins averages 15.1 PPG and 5.4 RPG. PG Allen (7.2 & 4.2 APG) makes for a nice guard trio plus 7-6 senior center Tacko Fall (9.8 points, team-high 7.1 rebounds) leads the conference with 2.8 blocks per game. He paces the AAC in field-goal shooting at 75.7 percent to help the Knights shoot a conference-best 46.8 percent. The 6-11 Smith (8.2 & 5.2) is a quality side-kick. Houston is a terrific defensive team, allowing 60.5 PPG (6th) on 36.3% shooting (2nd). UCF ranks second in the conference to Houston in field goal percentage defense (39.3) and third behind Houston and Cincinnati in scoring defense (63.9) but it's a much-improved and efficient offense that is the difference in the team this season (see above). Central Florida was the preseason favorite in the American Athletic Conference and has a GREAT chance here to make this a nip-and-tuck race to the finish by winning here. Houston and Cincy are both 8-1 but a UCF win over Houston and with some help, a Memphis home win tonight over Cincy, the Knights would be 7-2 to Houston and Cincy's 8-2 mark. UCF can't control the Cincy/Memphis outcome but the Knights can and WILL win here. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-06-19 | Rockets v. Kings +3 | Top | 127-101 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 58 m | Show |
James Harden takes the court tonight in Sacramento, looking to record his 28th straight game of 30 or more points. The 31-22 Houston Rockets visit the 28-25 Sacramento Kings on Wednesday and have won 15 of their last 17 meetings against the Kings. However, this is not "your father's" Kings. The upstart Kings extended their home-court winning streak to SEVEN in a row on Monday, with a 127-112 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. A 28-25 mark may see ho-hum to some but Sacramento won just 27 games ALL of last season and last produced a winning record back in the 2005-06 season. on Monday (current 12-year playoff drought), a triumph that left Sacramento on Harden poured in 44 points in Monday's 118-110 road win over the Phoenix Kings, registering his 20th, 40-point outing of the season. Harden has now scored 40 or more points in 15 of the last 21 games. "They held him to 44. That's pretty good," Housto head n coach Mike D'Antoni told reporters afterward. "He's seen everything, he's going to score." Power forward Kenneth Faried filled in at center with Capela out and had 17 points and matched his season best of 14 rebounds to post his fifth double-double in the past six games. However, he's played in just 20 games this season, averaging 9.7 & 6.3. The injury-ravaged Rockets have just four games remaining until the All-Star break offers some much-needed rest (more later). Sacramento is now 3-0 on a six-game homestand, after Monday's 127-112 victory over the Spurs. Rookie forward Marvin Bagley III (13.2 & 6.9) has recorded three straight double-doubles and had a season-high 24 points, to go along with 12 rebounds during the victory over the Kings. The No. 2 overall selection from Duke, is averaging 18.3 points and 12.3 rebounds over the past three games and scored in double digits in six straight outings. Buddy Hield, the key player in the Boogie Cousins trade, leads Sacramento in averaging 20.4 PPG, while shooting a white-hot 45.9% on threes. Second-year PG Fox (17.5 & 7.2 APG) is looking like a future All-Star as well. Also, Bogdanovich (14.9) and center Cauley-Stein (13.1 & 8.6) have become regular contributors. Here's the rub. The Rockets won in Phoenix on Monday without center Clint Capela (right thumb) and guard Eric Gordon (right leg), utilizing their 16th different starting lineup in the process. They have thrived on occasion despite the injuries, but far more often they have persevered, with forward P.J. Tucker the only member of the roster to have participated in all 53 contests. PG Chris Paul has missed 23 games this season, while Gordon has missed 12 and Capela 11. James Ennis III made his 25th start in the Rockets' 118-110 victory, but he's been absent 14 games. Have to LOVE the way Sacramento is playing and the team's stretch of home wins is the longest since the Kings won 14 straight during the 2005-06 campaign (last playoff appearance!). Sacramento is 17-10 SU and 19-8 ATS at the Golden 1 Center and comes in having won and covered SEVEN straight at home. No reason NOT to take them here as a home dog, considering the fact that Houston is 5-11 ATS as a road favorite this season. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-06-19 | Colorado v. UCLA -5.5 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 55 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on UCLA at 9:00 ET. UCLA dismissed head coach Steve Alford on December 31, 2018, two days after the Bruins' ugly 73-58 loss to Liberty. It marked the first time the program ever had made a coaching change in the middle of the season. Murry Bartow (son of former UCLA coach Gene Bartow) was named interim coach for the Bruins and in his first game (at home vs Stanford), UCLA ended a four-game slide with a 92-70 win over te Cardinal. Two more wins followed but the 'honeymoon' period is over for UCLA's interim coach, as following that 3-0 start in the conference, UCLA has dropped four of its last six Pac-12 games and finds itself in the middle of the pack at the midpoint of the conference season (12-10 / 5-4). The 12-9 Colorado Buffs visit Pauley Pavilion tonight, Meanwhile, Colorado comes in having dropped four of its last six and at 3-6 in the conference, is sitting above only Washington State (1-8) and California (0-9) in the standings. Surprisingly, the Buffaloes are coming off a win a lopsided 73-51 victory over visiting Oregon last Saturday. The Buffs dominated Oregon on the glass (45-32) and at the free-throw line, draining 24-of-28 attempts while the Ducks were 11-of-18. Sophomore swingman Tyler Bey led the way with a career-high 27 points on 9-of-9 shooting while pulling down 10 rebounds. Bey averages 12.2 PPG (2nd-best on te team) plus 8.9 RPG (team-leader). PG Wright leads the team in scoring (12.8) and assists (4.8) plus also averages a healthy 4.8 RPG. Fellow guards Gatling and Schwartz combine to chip in 17.6 PPG plus the 6-10 Siewert (11.6 & 5.1) is Colorado's best big man. Three of UCLA’s four Pac-12 losses have come on the road with the latest being a 69-55 decision Saturday at first-place Washington. The Bruins’ 55 points were a season low while connecting on only 4-of-15 3-point attempts and also committing 23 turnovers. Guard Kris Wilkes scored 20 of the Bruins’ 55 points and leads the team at 17.7 PPG. PG Jaylen Hands (11.7 & 6.5 APG), fellow gurad Prince Ali (10.7) and freshman center Moses Brown (11.2 & 8.8) round out UCLA's double digit scorers. Wilkes has scored in double figures in 24 straight contests (dating back to last season) and is averaging 23.3 points over his last three contests while shooting 56.3 percent during that span. Even after the 55-point effort versus Washington, the Bruins are averaging a conference-best 79.4 points in Pac-12 play, while the Buffaloes are 10th at just 69.4. The Bruins should still be highly motivated, as a possible top-4 seeding in the Pac-12 tournament would give them a bye into the quarterfinal round. UCLA should surely remember losing 68-59 at home to Colorado (as an 11 1/2-point favorite) and 80-76 in Boulder, last season. Note that prior to that, UCLA had won SEVEN of the eight matchups since Colorado joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Revenge works here, as UCLA has won 40 of 46 games in Pauley Pavilion since the start of the 2016-17 season and Colorado is 1-6 ATS away from Boulder since Dec 1, with the only "W" coming in 68-59 win at Pac-12 doormat Cal (0-9 in league play). Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-05-19 | Florida State v. Syracuse -2.5 | Top | 80-62 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
My 10* CBB Game of the Week is on Syracuse at 8:00 ET. The Florida State Seminoles opened the season with a 12-1 record and were ranked 9th in the AP poll when they lost 65-52 at UVa on Jan 5. That began a 1-4 stretch but the Seminoles have rebounded from a three-game losing streak to win three in a row and at 16-5 (4-4 ACC) are No. 22 in the current AP poll. Syracuse lost at home to 'neighbor' Buffalo 71-59 back on Dec 18 but the Orange have since gone 9-2 SU & ATS to check in at 16-6, including 7-2 in ACC play. The Seminoles didn't do much offensively against Georgia Tech in a 69-59 win at Ga Tech in their last game. "We've got to find a way to smooth it out where we're consistent with how we go out and perform every night out," Florida State coach Leonard Hamilton told reporters. "That's kind of been a moving target for us. I'm just glad that we're back to 4-4 (in the ACC). We have to keep hopefully moving in the right direction." Only two Florida State players scored in double figures, the 6-10 Mfiondu Kabengele (13.0 & 5.0) and guard Terance Mann (11.4 & 6.6), who scored 12 points apiece. FSU finished at 34.8 percent from the floor (including 4-of-16 on threes) but held the Yellow Jackets to 28.3 percent shooting, including 3-of-21 from beyond the arc. Syracuse's leading scorer, Tyus Battle (17.5), scored 31 points against Boston College last week but in his other three games since Jan 24, he has averaged just 8.7 points on 8-of-31 shooting. On the other hand, PG Frank Howard (8.4 & 3.3 APG) is coming on of late and scored 10 of his 15 points in the second half of Saturday's win against Pittsburgh. Up front, head coach Jim Boeheim's team features forwards Elijah Hughes (14.1 & 4.4) and the Oshae Brissett (13.5 & 7.6). as always, Boeheim's zone D is giving opponents fits this season, as Syracuse allows just 63.6 PPG (20th in the nation). FSU's Kabengele averages only 19.3 minutes (fifth-most on the team) but leads the Seminoles in scoring (13.0).I'm not sure he and the 7-4 Koumadji (6.4 & 5.4) will match up all that well against Syracuse's frontcourt duo of Hughes and Brisset. The home team is 5-0 ATS in the last five meetings between these two schools and note that Syracuse is allowing just 58.3 PPG in its 14 home games this season. The Orange were able to win at Duke earlier and should have little trouble shutting down FSU's mediocre offense here in the Carrier Dome. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-05-19 | Clippers v. Hornets -3.5 | Top | 117-115 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 0 m | Show |
My 10* NBA Game of the Week is on the Cha Hornets at 7:05 ET. The LA Clippers are 29-25, a record which gives them the West's No. 8 seed. LA is just 2 1/2 games out of the No. 5 seed but also just three games ahead of the No. 11 seed. The Clippers continue their six-game road trip with a visit to Charlotte on Tuesday. The Hornets are 26-26, leaving them with the East's No. 7 seed, three games up on the 9th-seeded Pistons. Charlotte has knocked off Memphis and Chicago in the first two of a three-game homestand. The Clippers got off to a fine start on their six-game road trip with a win at Detroit on Saturday but could not handle Toronto on Sunday on the second of a back-to-back, dropping a 121-103 decision. Visits to Indiana, Boston and Minnesota will round out the trip, as LA clings to the No. 8 spot in the West. PF Harris continues to lead the team in scoring (20.7) and rebounding (7.9), while Lou Williams (19.2 & 5.7 APG) continues to play as well as any sixth-man in the league. SF Gallinari (19.0 & 6.0) and backup PF Harrell (15.6 & 6.7) are both major contributors, as well. All-Star PG Kemba Walker (24.6-4.2-5.6) continues to carry the team and scored 15 of his 37 points in the fourth quarter on Saturday against Chicago, while adding 10 assists. NINE more players get regularly minutes for Charlotte, averaging between 6.6 and 14.8 PPG. 6-5 SG Lamb is the team's second-best scorer and also leads the team in rebounding (5.6). Finding secondary scoring is the always a big challenge for Charlotte but second-year guard Malik Monk (10.4) is stepping up as of late. He scored 18 points against the Bulls, his fourth straight game scoring in double figures. The Hornets are catching the Clippers at the right time, as LA limps into Charlotte 5-9 SU & ATS over the team's last 14 games. Meanwhile, Charlotte is 19-8 SU at home (compared to 7-18 on the road), having won FIVE straight at Spectrum Center (4-1 ATS), as well as NINE of 10 since mid-December. No real pointspread to cover here, so go with the Hornets. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-04-19 | Penn State v. Northwestern -3.5 | Top | 59-52 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 11 m | Show |
My 10* PERFECT STORM is on Northwestern at 7:00 ET. Penn State picked up some nice victories early in the season (the best being a 63-62 win over now 18-3 Virginia Tech) but the Nittany Lions are 0-10 in Big 12 play, after opening 2019 with EIGHT consecutive losses (2-6 ATS). Penn State (7-14, 0-10 Big Ten) visits Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston to take on Northwestern (12-9, 3-7 Big Ten) on Monday. The Wildcats look to halt a two-game losing skid when they host Penn State. Northwestern dropped a 62-46 decision at Wisconsin on Jan 26, before suffering a 70-52 setback at then-No. 21 Maryland on Jan 29 (Northwestern is 0-4 against ranked teams this season). Penn State is still winless in Big Ten play after coming up short in its upset bid of No. 17 Purdue on Thursday. The Nittany Lions rallied from a 17-point deficit to force overtime against the red-hot Boilermakers, but ended up on the wrong side of a 99-90 final. Penn St looks for its first win of 2019, as the Nittany Lions last win came back on Dec 29 against UMBC. "I know our record isn't what we expect or where we want it to be but the kids are competing and playing hard," Penn State head coach Patrick Chambers told reporters. "The ultimate goal down the stretch here in February is that they continue to progress."The 6-8 Lamar Stevens leads in scoring (18.9) and rebounding (7.7) and had a team-high 24 points and pulled down six rebounds in the loss to Purdue. Guard Rasir Bolton (10.1 & 4.7) had 18 points and is joined in the backcourt by PG Josh Reaves (10.1 & 3.6 APG) and Myles Dread (9.0). The 6-9 Watkins (8.5 & 8.6) joins Stevens up front. The 6-7 Vic Law leads Northwestern in scoring (15.3) and adds 6.6 RPG. He was limited to five points in the loss to Maryland. Anthony Gaines (6.5 & 4.4) scored 11 of his career-high 18 points in the second half and pulled down seven rebounds, but it wasn't enough as the Wildcats shot 31 percent from the floor in the loss to Maryland. 6-8 center Dererk Pardon (13.9 & 7.8) added 14 points and seven rebounds against the Terrapins to finish in double figures for the 19th time in 21 games. Ryan Taylor (11.7) joins Gaines in the backcourt, while the 6-7 Turner (8.1) joins the frontcourt plus leads the team in assists (3.3). I guess Penn St will eventually win a game but I don't expect it to be here against a Northwestern team that still has postseason hopes (albeit one of the three-lettered ones!). Penn State has lost EIGHT consecutive true road games, including all SIX this season while averaging only 62.7 PPG. Meanwhile, Northwestern is 9-3 SU at home, while holding opponents to 60.8 PPG at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The price is 'cheap' in this one. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-04-19 | Hawks v. Wizards -6 | Top | 137-129 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 13 m | Show |
The 17-35 Atlanta Hawks sit 7 1/2 games out of the East's final playoff spot as they head into the finale of a seven-game road trip Monday night at the 22-30 Washington Wizards. The Hawks are 3-3 on the trip so far, after Saturday’s 118-112 victory at Phoenix. The Wizards continue to adjust to life without PG John Wall (20.7 & 8.7 APG), as they come off losing 131-115 at home to Milwaukee on Saturday, their fourth defeat in the past six games. However, Washington sits a more modest 2 1/2 games out of the East's No. 8 seed. Atlanta’s draft-night trade sent Luka Doncic to Dallas for Trae Young. Doncic is likely headed for ROY honors but Young's 'star' is 'shining brightly' these days as well. He has scored 20 or more points with eight-plus assists in each of his last four games, scoring 27 points with eight assists and seven rebounds in Saturday's win over the Suns. He's second on the team in scoring (16.9) and leads Atlanta by handing out 7.4 APG. Atlanta's top scorer and rebounder is second-year player John Collins. The 6-10 big man out of Wake Forest averages 19.7 & 9.9. Collins matched his career high with 35 points Saturday and added 16 rebounds (one off his career best). The Hawks have plenty of depth, as seven players average in double digits but the team struggles because it allows 118.0 PPG (30th of 30 teams). Guard Bradley Beal (24.7-5.0-5.1) scored 24 points in the loss to Milwaukee but he continues to raise his game in Wall’s absence, averaging 27.3 points and shooting 37.5 percent from three-point range in the 17 games since Wall was shut down with a season-ending ankle injury. PG Tomas Satoransky made 41 starts when Wall was injured last season and is averaging 10.4 points and 5.8 assists in 30 starts this season. Trevor Ariza was acquired from Phoenix and the SF has played very well in 22 games, averaging 14.8-5.8-4.1. Otto Porter Jr. (12.6 & 5.6) returned to the starting lineup after coming off the bench for most of January, and despite a sprained toe finished with 18 points and seven rebounds Saturday. The Hawks have been on an extended road trip because of the Super Bowl being played in Atlanta and will return home after Monday's game. I have to like the Wizards in this one, as the Hawks are just 9-22 SU on the road, allowing a whopping 118.2 PPG. Meanwhile, the Wizards are 7-3 SU and 8-2 ATS at home their last 10. Lay it. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-03-19 | Xavier v. Creighton -6.5 | Top | 54-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 1 m | Show |
My 10* Weekend Wipeout Winner is on Creighton at 1:00 ET. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons but this season is shaping up much differently. The Musketeers have missed the NCAA Tournament just ONCE in the last 13 seasons and haven't finished with a losing conference record since 1982. However, both of those scenarios are in danger of becoming reality in the 2018-19 season. Xavier was the Big East's regular-season champion last season (15-3) but enter Sunday in a tie for last-place in the conference at 3-6 with Providence. The Musketeers lost for a fourth straight time Thursday at Georgetown (80-73), falling to 11-11. As for Creighton (12-9 / 3-5 Big East), the Bluejays rank second in the Big East in scoring with 82.7 PPG and are one of seven teams in the nation shooting at least 50 percent from the floor (50.1% ranks 5th) but the offense "crapped out" in an 83-67 loss at home to St. John's on Wednesday (Creighton finished with a season-worst 41.7 percent mark from the floor). "I was really disappointed," head coach Travis Steele told reporters after Xavier allowed 52 second-half points in the loss at Georgetown. "I told our guys going into the game we couldn't have the mentality to try to outscore the Hoyas. We had to have that defensive nastiness and toughness, which I didn't think we had at all in the second half." Xavier has great balance on offense, with five players scoring in double figures. Guard Scruggs (13.4 & 4.9) leads the way, followed by the 6-7 Marshall (13.3 & 7.0), PG Goodin (12.1 & 4.8 APG), the 6-9 Jones (11.0 & 7.4) and the 6-11 Hankins (10.2 & 4.9). So why is Xavier 11-11? The Bluejays had won two straight before their uncharacteristic offensive struggles vs St John's, which included a 9-of-34 showing from beyond the arc. Alexander leads the team in scoring (17.4) while four other players average between 10.0 and 11.4 PPG. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (10.9 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.8) and Mintz (10.0) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.4 & 6.3) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) have been the best frontcourt contributors but Jefferson remains out with an ankle injury. No reason to think that Creighton won't bounce back from its horrible shooting effort on Wednesday, as the Bluejays not only rank 5th nationally by making 50.1% of all FGs, they also rank 4th in the nation from three-point range at 41.6%. Xavier is 1-5 SU in true road games this year, where the team is averaging just 62.8 PPG. I expect a big bounce-back effort from Creighton and Xavier will NOT be able to keep up. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-02-19 | 76ers v. Kings +3.5 | Top | 108-115 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Sac Kings at 10:05 ET. The Philadelphia 76ers are 34-18 (currently own the East's third-best record, four game back of the Bucks) and will try to avoid a letdown after what has to be the team's best win of the season. The 76ers put up a 42-point third quarter en route to a 113-104 win at Golden State on Thursday, snapping the defending champs' 11-game winning streak. Philly now wraps up a four-game road trip at the Sacramento Kings, who are 26-25. That may not seem like much but Sacramento won just 27 games ALL of last season and last produced a winning record back in the 2005-06 season. "It's a fantastic win. This group -- myself included -- we have not beaten Golden State," head coach Brett Brown told reporters. "To do it on the road, to do it in front of their fans against a team that is this good and had won that many in a row, it is a good night." Joel Embiid had 26 points and 20 rebounds in the victory as Philadelphia improved to 14-5 against the Western Conference, the top mark in the East. Embiid (27.2 & 13.4) gets better each game and is supported by Butler (18.6-3.2-5.0 in his 30 games with Philly), Redick (18.3) and Simmons (16.8-9.5-8.1). Philly averages 115.6 PPG (4th-best) but allows 111.9 PPG (21st), including 114.8 PPG on the road where the 76ers are a modest 13-13. The Kings returned from a 2-4 road trip and routed the Atlanta Hawks 135-113 on Wednesday night. Harry Giles (just 6.0 PPG on the season) recorded a season-high 20 points for Sacramento in what was the opener of a six-game homestand. Rookie Marvin Bagley III backed Giles' big effort with 17 points and 12 rebounds of his own against Atlanta as the young Duke products provided a potential glimpse of the future for Sacramento. He's back healthy and is averaging 12.9 & 6.6 RPG. Buddy Hield, the key player in the Boogie Cousins trade, leads Sacramento in averaging 20.2 PPG, while shooting a white-hot 45.8% on threes. Second-year PG Fox (17.4 & 7.2 APG) is looking like a futre All-Star as well. Also, Bogdanovich (15.3) and center Cauley-Stein (13.1 & 8.7) have become regular contributors. Head coach Dave Joerger has an "under the radar" good team in Sacramento. Aren't the Sixers in an obvious "let-down" situation here? It shouldn't go unnoticed that Philly is just 12-20 ATS coming off a SU win this season and beating Golden St in Oakland is no ordinary win! Meanwhile, Sacramento is 15-10 SU and 17-8 ATS at the Golden 1 Center and comes in having won and covered five straight at home. The Kings have also won FOUR of their last five over Philly, including a 2-0 SU & ATS sweep last season. Home dog barks LOUDLY in this one. Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-02-19 | Alabama v. Auburn -9 | Top | 63-84 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
My 10* Rivalry Rout is on Auburn at 8:00 ET. Alabama/Auburn in college hoops is not quite like the "Iron Bowl" on the football field but is still carries plenty of 'weight!' 13-7 Alabama (4-3 SEC) knocked off three ranked teams last in January and now looks to start February in style with a road victory against in-state rival Auburn on Saturday night. The Crimson Tide beat now-No. 7 Kentucky on Jan 5 and then-No. 20 Ole Miss on Jan 22, before taking a double-digit lead and holding on for an 83-79 victory over 22-ranked Mississippi State on Tuesday. As for 14-6 Auburn (3-4 SEC), the Tigers won NINE of their first 10 games but have gone 5-5, since. Auburn was ranked 14th at 13-3, when it lost to Kentucky, the first of a three-game skid. The Tigers snapped that three-game losing streak by pulling away in the second half for a 92-58 victory over visiting Missouri on Wednesday, Alabama head coach Avery Johnson told reporters his team still has “malfunctions,” but continues to battle and possesses strong balance: “We had quite a few guys offensively contribute (Tuesday). When you have eight guys in the rotation with six, seven or more points, it’s kind of hard to scout where our offense is coming from.” PG Lewis leads in scoring at 13.9 PPG but his team-high 2.8 APG is VERY low for a PG. Fellow guard Petty averages 11.8 & 4.2, while four more guards chip in between 6.6 & 8.6 PPG. The 6-9 Hall (11.7 & 8.9) is 'Bama's lone big man of note. “Three (losses) in a row, that wasn’t us,” Tigers junior forward Danjel Purifoy told reporters after scoring a season-high eight points against Missouri. “We just came out tonight just trying to be ourselves and play like we normally play.” Senior guard Bryce Brown (16.8) is the team's leading scorer and tops the team in three-point makes (71). Junior PG Jared Harper (15.4) leads the SEC in assists (6.5), while 6-8 sophomore forward Chuma Okeke has stepped up in Austin Wiley's absence, to average 10.6 & 6.3 on the season. He's averaging 12.8 points over the last five contests, with the 6-11 Wiley (10.8 & 6.1) missing the last four with a leg injury. This is an important crossroads SEC contest, as Alabama has not won back-to-back games in almost a month and need to add a win here to bolster its NCAA Tournament resume. Same for Auburn, which sits under .500 in the SEC. It's been reported that the 6-11 Wiley is slated to return from injury for this rivalry game and that would be GREAT news. Even if he's not back, I'm "all over' the revenge-minded Tigers, who were knocked out of the 1st round of the SEC tourney last year in a 81-63 loss to Alabama. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-02-19 | San Francisco v. St. Mary's -5 | Top | 80-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
My 10* Revenge Rout is on St Mary's at 4:00 ET. It's hardly news that 20-2 Gonzaga (No. 4 in the latest AP poll) is dominating the WCC once again with a 7-0 record. However, what is a surprise, is that the St Mary's Gaels are just 13-8 overall, including only 4-3 in league play (that leaves then tied for 4th in the WCC). The Gaels will welcome San Francisco to Moraga, Ca this afternoon The surprising Dons have won 20 and 22 games the last two seasons (lost in the CIT championship game last year) but not many predicted them to be 17-4 (5-2 in WCC play) at this point in this year's season. The Dons look to get back in the win column after a 67-64 loss at San Diego on Tuesday, which ended a three game winning streak. San Francisco appeared to be in control with an 11-point lead at the break but San Diego went on a 46-31 second half run behind a 47.8%-34.5% shooting edge and seven more makes at the FT line.San Francisco starts guards Mineland (14.9 & 5.1), Ferrari (13.7-5.5 APG) and Ratinho (9.7), with the 7-0 Lull (8.0 & 5.5) and the 6-8 Renfro (7.2 & 5.30, up front. However, the 6-9 McCarthy comes off the bench to average 10.5 PPG and a team-high 6.8 RPG. The Saint Mary’s Gaels limp in having dropped back to back contests, after an 84-77 OT loss at Pepperdine as an eight point favorite (lost at BYU 71-66 before that). The 6-8 Malik Fitts (15.7 & 7.8) kept the Gaels in the game pouring in 27 points and hauling in nine rebounds, while leading scorer Jordan Ford (21.7) had 17 points. Joining Ford in the backcourt are PG Kuhse (4.6 & 3.2 APG) and Krebs (9.0 & 4.2). 6-10 center Howard averages 9.4 & 6.0. Randy Bennett's first six seasons at St Mary's resulted in just one postseason appearance (a first round NCAA loss in 2005). However, he's led the Gaels to 11 straight postseason berths entering this season. That streak could end in 2019, as St Mary's checks in just 13-8. However, don't be too quick to eliminate the Gaels. San Francisco might be the second best team in the WCC but it will be tough to sweep the Gaels (won 76-72 at home back on Jan 3). There is plenty of pride on this St Mary's program and note that the Gaels are not just 10-2 SU at home this season but also a MONEY-MAKING 10-2 ATS (have outscored opponents 87.1-to-65.9 PPG). Revenge works, here! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-01-19 | Rockets v. Nuggets -4.5 | Top | 122-136 | Win | 100 | 14 h 46 m | Show |
My NBA 10* Game of the Week is on the Den Nuggets at 10:05 ET. Houston's James Harden continued his scoring spree with 37 points on Tuesday, his 24th straight game of 30 or more points. "It's a terrible loss for us. Terrible," Harden told reporters afterward. "A letdown. We had no energy from the beginning of the game." The 29-21 Rockets (currently the West's No. 6 seed) will head to Denver for tonight's game with the Nuggets. Denver beat the 105-99 Pelicans in New Orleans, a day after the Pelicans won in Houston. It was Denver's FOURTH straight victory and 14th in the past 18 contests, giving the Nuggets a 35-15 record (a half-game behind the Warriors' for the West's best record). The good news for Houston is that not only have the Rockets already posted two double-digit victories over Denver earlier this season but Houston opens a four-game road trip looking to defeat Denver for the 10th consecutive time.Harden (36.3-6.7-8.10 is having another MVP-like season and PG Chris Paul (15.3 & 8.0 APG) has returned from a 17-game absence. However, center Clint Capela, averaging career highs in scoring (17.6) and rebounding (12.6), remains sidelined until late-Feb with a thumb injury. Denver center Nikola Jokic had 20 points, 13 rebounds and 10 assists for his eighth triple-double of the season in the Nuggets' win at New Orleans. He leads the team in scoring (20.1), rebounding (10.4) and in assists (7.7), on the season. PG Jamal Murray (18.5) will likely miss his fourth straight game (ankle) and that will give backup Monte Morris (10.2 & 3.7 APG) a chance to follow up on Wednesday's strong effort of 20 points, seven assists and six rebounds. Most importantly, Morris didn't commit a single turnover in 40 minutes in his second career start and has just four miscues in 118 minutes over the past four games. Denver has fought through key injuries all season but SG Harris (14.8 & 5.6), swingman Barton (12.9 & 4.5) and PF Paul Millsap (12.3 & 6.7) are all back playing regularly. Yes, Houston has won NINE straight over Denver and who can deny what Harden as done lately. Harden just concluded one of the top months in NBA history by averaging 43.6 points, 8.7 rebounds, 7.6 assists and 2.1 steals in 14 games. He has scored at least 35 points in each of his past 11 games, including efforts of 61, 58 and 57 and has made at least five 3-pointers on 11 occasions. Harden scored 610 points in the month to become the first player since Michael Jordan - 729 in March of 1987 - to reach 600 in a month. However, Houston will be without Clint Capela this time around (27.5 PPG vs the Nuggets this season) and PG Chris Paul's return has resulted in an 0-2 ATS start. Houston is just 8-15 ATS on the road this season, while the Nuggets are 22-4 SU & 18-8 ATS at Pepsi Center this season, outscoring opponents 115.3-to-103.8 PPG. Lay it! Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
02-01-19 | Brown v. Dartmouth +2 | Top | 60-58 | Push | 0 | 12 h 43 m | Show |
My 10* Ivy League Game of the Year is on Dartmouth at 7:00 ET. Brown was the Ivy League's highest scoring team last season (77.0 PPG) but the Bears finished 11-16 (4-10 in the Ivy). All five starters returned this season and Brown checks in at 12-6 overall but 0-2 in Ivy play. The Bears head to Hanover, NH Friday night for a game with Dartmouth's Big Green. Dartmouth was just 7-20 last season, including finishing last in Ivy League play at 3-11. The Big Green check in at 10-8 so far this season, after opening with a split against Harvard in the school's first two Ivy League games (Dartmouth won and covered at home and covered in the loss at Harvard). Sophomore guard Cambridge leads the team in scoring (17.9) and 6-5 SF Choh leads in rebounding (8.8) and assists (3.3), while joining Cambridge in double digits (12.7). Guards Okolue (9.6 & 3.7) and Anderson (9.2) fill out the starting backcourt, while the 6-6 Howard (8.5 & 4.5) starts up front with Choh. As for Dartmouth, the 6-7 Knight leads in scoring (15.4) and rebounding (7.6), while a trio of guards join him in double digit scoring. That group includes PG Barry (13.7-3.6-3.7) plus fellow guards Sistare (10.8 & 4.5) and Foye (10.5). The 6-8 Jackson adds 8.9 & 5.3. Brown may be a slightly better team but how does one ignore the fact that going back to the end of last season, Brown will take an 0-7 SU & ATS Ivy League run into this contest at Leede Arena, where the Big Green have fashioned a 7-1 SU home mark this season. Also note that Dartmouth is 18-6-3 ATS in its last 27 games following a loss (Big Green lost but covered at Harvard on Jan 26). Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
01-31-19 | Xavier v. Georgetown -3 | Top | 73-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
My 10* Game of the Week is on Georgetown at 8:00 ET. Xavier is just 11-10 overall, including 3-5 in the Big East. The Musketeers already have two more conference losses as they did in 2017-18, when the team went 15-3 in league play to win the Big East regular-season title. Xavier hasn't spent much time worrying about qualifying for the NCAA Tournament in recent years, having gone 'dancing' in 16 of the last 18 seasons but this season is shaping up much differently. In contrast, Georgetown is 13-7 overall (3-4 in the Big East), which is a nice improvement over last year's 15-15 team, which finished 5-13 in Big East Play. However, the Hoyas are in search of their first winning streak this season in Big East play. The Musketeers won the first meeting with the Hoyas 81-75 on Jan. 9, behind a double-double (23-10) from the 6-11 Zach Hankins (10.3 & 4.8). That win was followed up with another home win against Butler but Xavier has dropped three straight since, the latest an 87-82 defeat to No. 10 Marquette on Saturday. The Musketeers are greatly underachieving this season. Xavier has great balance on offense, with five players scoring in double figures. Joining Hankins are guard Scruggs (13.3 & 4.8), the 6-7 Marshall (13.2 & 7.1), PG Goodin (12.0 & 4.9 APG) and the 6-9 Jones (11.3 & 7.6). So why is Xavier 11-10? The Hoyas rode freshmen Mac McClung, James Akinjo and Josh LeBlanc to a critical 89-78 win at St. John's on Sunday. McClung scored 25 points (his most in a Big East contest this season), as Hoyas accounted for the games' final 10 points! Meaningful contributions have been few and far between for Jamorko Pickett, who after a solid freshman season has been relegated to a lesser role behind this season's newcomers. The 6-8 guard supplied nine points and seven rebounds to the win over St. John's but is averaging only 5.8 & 4.5 this season. McClung (13.9) and PG Akinjo (13.4 & 5.4 APG) form a dynamic freshman backcourt duo, while the 6-7 LeBlanc (9.4 & 7.6) has supported 6-10 senior center Govan (19.8 & 8.2), up front. Xavier has dominated the series with the Hoyas with 14 wins in 18 meetings, including six straight and 10 of 12 as Big East foes.However, this is not "your father's" In fact, a loss would add more impending peril to Xavier's streak of 36 straight seasons with a .500 or better record in conference play (Xavier currently sits at 3-5 in the Big East), a mark that is five seasons longer than any other Division I program. The Musketeers are 1-4 SU in true road games, averaging only 60.8 PPG. Patrick Ewing's team puts another 'nail' in Xavier's 'coffin.' Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
01-31-19 | Mavs v. Pistons -2 | Top | 89-93 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show |
My 10* Situational Stunner is on the Det Pistons at 7:05 ET. Rookie sensation Luka Doncic led the Mavericks past the Pistons 106-101 last Friday in Dallas. The two teams meet again tonight in frosty Detroit, as Doncic will look to repeat his 32-8-8 performance. The 19-year-old rookie is the first teenager in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles in a season after posting two in the past five games. The 23-27 Mavs lost fouhe second game of a four-game homestand, having dropped four of their last five contests to fall to 21-28. Second-year PG Dennis Smith Jr. (12.7) returned to the Mavericks after an unhappy sabbatical on Jan 22 and his return coincides with the Mavs' 3-1 run. Smith missed six straight games due to friction over his role but shared the ball-handling duties with star rookie Luka Doncic. Smith scored 13 points, recorded a career-high 15 assists and matched his career best of 10 rebounds against the Knicks for his second career triple-double. He's scored in double digits in each game, averaging 15.5-6.0-7.5. "Smith had a big impact game," Head coach Rick Carlisle told reporters, later adding this remark about Smith posting a triple-double one game after Doncic: "It means that they can play together if you ask me." Doncic is averaging 20.4-6.9-5.4 on the season. With Detroit's season being mired in mediocrity, there is plenty of speculation that the 29-year-old Blake Griffin could be on the move prior to the Feb. 7 deadline. Griffin scored 18 points in Tuesday's 115-105 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks, after scoring 30 or more points in eight of his previous 11 appearances. He checks in at 26.3-8.1-5.3 on the season and has NOT asked for a trade. Center Drummond (16.5 & 14.8) is having a solid season but Detroit's backcourt has been shaky at best. PG Jackson (14.3 & 4.2 APG) has been inconsistent and currently Bullock (12.0) and Smith (8.7) are dealing with ankle and groin issues, respectively. There is little doubt that Dallas is a team on the rise, as the team's 23 wins (through 50 games) is just one shy of the team's entire win-total from last season (24). However, Dallas checks in just 5-20 SU on the road this season and off a game last night (a road win to boot), I will not take them in this spot against the avenging Piston with "no margin for error" (will likely need to win to cover!). Good luck...Larry |
|||||||
01-30-19 | Jazz v. Blazers -1 | Top | 105-132 | Win | 100 | 15 h 28 m | Show |
My 10* Weekly Wipeout Winner is on the Por Blazers at 10:354 ET. The Utah Jazz visit Moda Center in Portland on Wednesday having won NINE of 10 and 11 of their last 13. Utah is making its way up the Western Conference standings at 29-22 (currently own the No. 7 seed) but one of the teams still in front of them in the West are the Portland Trail Blazers, who are 31-20 (currently own the No. 4 seed, the last with homecourt advantage in the first round). The Trail Blazers enter on a nice roll as well, having gone 5-1 SU & ATS since back-to-back loses at Denver (Jan 13) and Sacramento (Jan 14). PG Ricky Rubio is back in the lineup (missed six games from Jan 9-18 with a hamstring issue) and the Jazz are thriving behind the play of their starting backcourt. Donovan Mitchell is averaging 22.5-3.8-4.0 and Rubio 12.8 & 6.0 APG. The duo combined for 47 points and 13 assists in a 125-111 win at Minnesota on Sunday. "We were playing the right way," Jazz coach Quin Snyder told reporters. "Our shots were better because of our guards. When we attack the rim, everything else opens up and we get easier shots and shoot better." Mitchell has scored at least 24 points in each of the last 12 games (he is averaging 28.1 points on 45.1 percent shooting in January). All five Utah starters average in double figures, as joining Mitchell and Rubio are center Gobert (15.0 & 12.9), swingman Ingles (11.6-3.8-4.9), PF Favors (11.0 & 7.2). Coming off the bench are SF Crowder (12.1 & 4.7) and SG Korver (10.1 PPG on 41.2% from three in his 29 games with the Jazz). Utah is one of the NBA's best defensive teams, allowing 105.1 PPG (3rd-best). Portland has its own dynamic backcourt duo with Damian Lillard (26.2-4.5-6.2) and CJ McCollum (20.8), who recorded his first career triple-double (28-10-10) in a 120-111 win over the Atlanta Hawks on Saturday (Lillard sat that one out but will play here). Note that Seth Curry (6.3) started in place of Lillard on Saturday and scored a season-high 22 points. Center Nurkic (15.2 & 10.4) is vastly underrated, as is PF Aminu, who adds 9.6 & 8.2. Portland's home record is now 21-7 on the season and the Blazers take the Moda Center court tonight on a seven-game home winning streak (6-1 ATS). Portland owns all the tools to cool off the red-hot Jazz, who are after all, a modest 14-12 SU on the road (Utah will need to win to cover here). Portland wins "with room to spare." Good luck... Larry |
|||||||
01-30-19 | St. John's v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 83-67 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
My 10* 35-Club Play is on Creighton at 8:30 ET. Expectations were high coming into the current CBB season for St. John's. The Red Storm opened with12 consecutive victories and by winning 14 of their first 15. However, as St John's gets set to open a challenging three-game road trip (No. 2 Duke and No. 10 Marquette follow), the Red Storm have lost FOUR of their last five (now 15-5 / 3-5 in Big East). The school's lone win in its last five was an 81-66 victory at home over Creighton, which is the team St John's opens its three-game road trip against on Wednesday. Creighton improved to 7-4 at home after easing to a 75-61 win over Butler this past Friday. The Bluejays welcome the Red Storm to CenturyLink Center 12-8 overall, including 3-4 in the Big East. Junior PG Shamorie Ponds has scored at least 20 points in six straight games, including a team-high 21 against Georgetown in Saturday's 89-78 loss to the Hoyas. He leads the team in scoring (20.6) and assists (5.6). Backcourt partner Mustapha Heron is averaging 18.7 points over the last three games to boost his season average to 15.4 PPG (also 5.0 RPG). Three more players average in double digits, the 6-6 Figueroa (14.6 & 6.8), the 6-7 Clark (12.4 & 5.8) and guard Simon (10.8 & 5.2). Sophomore guard Ty-Shon Alexander has been instrumental in Creighton's B2B two victories last week, making six 3-pointers and scoring 26 points in the 91-87 win at Georgetown, before adding 19 points against Butler to earn Big East player of the week honors. Alexander leads the team in scoring (17.6), after averaging only 5.7 as a freshman. The Bluejays own a deep perimeter, as Ballock (11.0 & 3.6 APG), Zegarowski (10.6) and Mintz (10.4) join Alexander at the guard position. The 6-9 Krampelj (11.3 & 6.4) and SF Jefferson (9.4 & 5,4) have been the best frontcourt contributors but Jefferson will be out with an ankle injury. St John's Jan 16 win over Creighton halted a string of six straight losses in the series but also note that the Bluejays have won all SEVEN matchups in Omaha against the Red Storm. Creighton averages 83.4 PPG (20th) on 50.5% shooting (4th), including 42.5% on threes (2nd). That's TOO much 'firepower' for the slumping Red Storm. Lay the modest impost. Good luck...Larry |
Register for an Account Now for Free Picks and More Special Offers!
Larry Ness Basketball Top Sides Picks
Date | Match Up | Rating | Score | Result | Profit | Lead Time | Analysis |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
03-30-19 | Texas Tech v. Gonzaga -4 | Top | 75-69 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 2 m | Show |
03-29-19 | Nuggets v. Thunder -4.5 | Top | 115-105 | Loss | -114 | 12 h 32 m | Show |
03-29-19 | Auburn v. North Carolina -5 | Top | 97-80 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
03-28-19 | Nuggets v. Rockets -5 | Top | 85-112 | Win | 100 | 10 h 6 m | Show |
03-27-19 | Lipscomb v. NC State -3.5 | Top | 94-93 | Loss | -104 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
03-26-19 | Pistons v. Nuggets -7 | Top | 92-95 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 57 m | Show |
03-26-19 | Creighton v. TCU -4 | Top | 58-71 | Win | 100 | 13 h 59 m | Show |
03-24-19 | Nebraska v. TCU -4 | Top | 72-88 | Win | 100 | 15 h 15 m | Show |
03-24-19 | Spurs v. Celtics -2 | Top | 115-96 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 10 m | Show |
03-23-19 | Auburn v. Kansas +2.5 | Top | 89-75 | Loss | -110 | 16 h 33 m | Show |
03-23-19 | Florida v. Michigan -6 | Top | 49-64 | Win | 100 | 9 h 54 m | Show |
03-22-19 | UCF v. VCU +1 | Top | 73-58 | Loss | -108 | 15 h 4 m | Show |
03-22-19 | Spurs v. Rockets -6 | Top | 105-111 | Push | 0 | 10 h 13 m | Show |
03-21-19 | St. Mary's v. Villanova -4.5 | Top | 57-61 | Loss | -105 | 37 h 57 m | Show |
03-20-19 | Raptors v. Thunder -4 | Top | 123-114 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
03-19-19 | Pacers v. Clippers -5 | Top | 109-115 | Win | 100 | 16 h 44 m | Show |
03-19-19 | San Diego v. Memphis -6.5 | Top | 60-74 | Win | 100 | 13 h 2 m | Show |
03-18-19 | Nuggets v. Celtics -3.5 | Top | 114-105 | Loss | -109 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
03-17-19 | Michigan +1 v. Michigan State | Top | 60-65 | Loss | -108 | 8 h 32 m | Show |
03-16-19 | Oregon v. Washington +2 | Top | 68-48 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 18 m | Show |
03-16-19 | Blazers v. Spurs -2 | Top | 103-108 | Win | 100 | 13 h 51 m | Show |
03-16-19 | Western Kentucky +1 v. Old Dominion | Top | 56-62 | Loss | -108 | 11 h 54 m | Show |
03-15-19 | Duke -3 v. North Carolina | Top | 74-73 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 44 m | Show |
03-15-19 | Iowa v. Michigan -8 | Top | 53-74 | Win | 100 | 11 h 32 m | Show |
03-15-19 | Lakers v. Pistons -9 | Top | 97-111 | Win | 100 | 10 h 59 m | Show |
03-14-19 | Thunder +1 v. Pacers | Top | 106-108 | Loss | -109 | 12 h 20 m | Show |
03-14-19 | Alabama v. Ole Miss -2.5 | Top | 62-57 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
03-14-19 | St. John's v. Marquette -2.5 | Top | 54-86 | Win | 100 | 7 h 10 m | Show |
03-13-19 | Butler -1 v. Providence | Top | 57-80 | Loss | -107 | 13 h 54 m | Show |
03-12-19 | Lakers -1 v. Bulls | Top | 123-107 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
03-11-19 | San Diego +5 v. St. Mary's | Top | 62-69 | Loss | -105 | 17 h 47 m | Show |
03-11-19 | Pistons v. Nets -2 | Top | 75-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
03-10-19 | Magic -1 v. Grizzlies | Top | 97-105 | Loss | -103 | 11 h 8 m | Show |
03-10-19 | Wisconsin v. Ohio State +3 | Top | 73-67 | Loss | -110 | 10 h 32 m | Show |
03-09-19 | Hornets +12.5 v. Bucks | Top | 114-131 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 30 m | Show |
03-09-19 | UCLA +4.5 v. Utah | Top | 81-92 | Loss | -108 | 13 h 31 m | Show |
03-09-19 | West Virginia v. Oklahoma State -4.5 | Top | 77-85 | Win | 100 | 9 h 23 m | Show |
03-08-19 | Wizards v. Hornets -4.5 | Top | 111-112 | Loss | -111 | 12 h 28 m | Show |
03-08-19 | Minnesota +7 v. Maryland | Top | 60-69 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
03-07-19 | Thunder +4 v. Blazers | Top | 129-121 | Win | 100 | 16 h 51 m | Show |
03-07-19 | Hawaii v. UC-Davis -2 | Top | 76-69 | Loss | -110 | 15 h 9 m | Show |
03-06-19 | Celtics v. Kings +2 | Top | 111-109 | Push | 0 | 16 h 41 m | Show |
03-06-19 | South Florida -7.5 v. Tulane | Top | 75-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 35 m | Show |
03-05-19 | Rhode Island v. St. Joe's -1 | Top | 86-85 | Loss | -107 | 12 h 29 m | Show |
03-04-19 | Texas +8.5 v. Texas Tech | Top | 51-70 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 15 m | Show |
03-04-19 | Nuggets +1 v. Spurs | Top | 103-104 | Push | 0 | 14 h 44 m | Show |
03-03-19 | Washington -2 v. Stanford | Top | 62-61 | Loss | -109 | 10 h 45 m | Show |
03-03-19 | Rockets +3 v. Celtics | Top | 115-104 | Win | 100 | 9 h 17 m | Show |
03-02-19 | San Diego +6 v. BYU | Top | 73-87 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 35 m | Show |
03-02-19 | Nets +4 v. Heat | Top | 88-117 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
03-01-19 | Clippers v. Kings -2.5 | Top | 116-109 | Loss | -118 | 15 h 6 m | Show |
02-28-19 | Jazz v. Nuggets -6 | Top | 111-104 | Loss | -115 | 15 h 12 m | Show |
02-28-19 | Connecticut v. Wichita State -4.5 | Top | 63-65 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 26 m | Show |
02-27-19 | Marquette v. Villanova -4.5 | Top | 61-67 | Win | 100 | 12 h 8 m | Show |
02-27-19 | Blazers v. Celtics -2.5 | Top | 97-92 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 21 m | Show |
02-26-19 | Temple v. Memphis -3 | Top | 73-81 | Win | 100 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
02-26-19 | Celtics v. Raptors -3.5 | Top | 95-118 | Win | 100 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
02-25-19 | Kansas State v. Kansas -3.5 | Top | 49-64 | Win | 100 | 14 h 43 m | Show |
02-23-19 | St. Mary's v. San Diego +2 | Top | 66-46 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 35 m | Show |
02-23-19 | Rockets v. Warriors -8 | Top | 118-112 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 23 m | Show |
02-23-19 | Memphis v. Wichita State -3.5 | Top | 88-85 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 32 m | Show |
02-22-19 | Jazz v. Thunder -3.5 | Top | 147-148 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 54 m | Show |
02-22-19 | Green Bay v. Illinois-Chicago -4.5 | Top | 63-62 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 16 m | Show |
02-21-19 | San Francisco v. BYU -4 | Top | 77-71 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 52 m | Show |
02-21-19 | Heat v. 76ers -6.5 | Top | 102-106 | Loss | -102 | 11 h 37 m | Show |
02-20-19 | Wichita State v. Tulsa -2.5 | Top | 81-60 | Loss | -111 | 14 h 60 m | Show |
02-17-19 | Seton Hall v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 81-75 | Loss | -105 | 7 h 36 m | Show |
02-16-19 | UCLA v. Stanford | Top | 80-104 | Win | 100 | 15 h 8 m | Show |
02-16-19 | Tennessee v. Kentucky -3.5 | Top | 69-86 | Win | 100 | 13 h 14 m | Show |
02-15-19 | Brown v. Cornell | Top | 66-70 | Win | 100 | 12 h 51 m | Show |
02-14-19 | BYU v. San Diego -3.5 | Top | 88-82 | Loss | -108 | 14 h 53 m | Show |
02-13-19 | Arizona State v. Colorado -1 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 12 h 31 m | Show |
02-13-19 | Heat v. Mavs -2.5 | Top | 112-101 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 40 m | Show |
02-12-19 | Butler v. St. John's -3.5 | Top | 73-77 | Win | 100 | 15 h 48 m | Show |
02-12-19 | Celtics v. 76ers -5.5 | Top | 112-109 | Loss | -124 | 15 h 35 m | Show |
02-11-19 | Heat v. Nuggets -10.5 | Top | 87-103 | Win | 100 | 13 h 21 m | Show |
02-10-19 | Magic v. Hawks +2.5 | Top | 124-108 | Loss | -115 | 11 h 28 m | Show |
02-10-19 | Connecticut v. Memphis -7 | Top | 71-78 | Push | 0 | 6 h 58 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Washington v. Arizona State -1 | Top | 63-75 | Win | 100 | 13 h 0 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Colorado v. USC -4.5 | Top | 69-65 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 58 m | Show |
02-09-19 | Thunder v. Rockets -1.5 | Top | 117-112 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 19 m | Show |
02-08-19 | Heat v. Kings -2.5 | Top | 96-102 | Win | 100 | 15 h 41 m | Show |
02-07-19 | Cincinnati v. Memphis +3 | Top | 69-64 | Loss | -105 | 11 h 13 m | Show |
02-07-19 | Houston v. UCF +2.5 | Top | 77-68 | Loss | -110 | 11 h 2 m | Show |
02-06-19 | Rockets v. Kings +3 | Top | 127-101 | Loss | -105 | 15 h 58 m | Show |
02-06-19 | Colorado v. UCLA -5.5 | Top | 84-73 | Loss | -109 | 14 h 55 m | Show |
02-05-19 | Florida State v. Syracuse -2.5 | Top | 80-62 | Loss | -109 | 13 h 56 m | Show |
02-05-19 | Clippers v. Hornets -3.5 | Top | 117-115 | Loss | -110 | 12 h 0 m | Show |
02-04-19 | Penn State v. Northwestern -3.5 | Top | 59-52 | Loss | -110 | 13 h 11 m | Show |
02-04-19 | Hawks v. Wizards -6 | Top | 137-129 | Loss | -105 | 12 h 13 m | Show |
02-03-19 | Xavier v. Creighton -6.5 | Top | 54-76 | Win | 100 | 6 h 1 m | Show |
02-02-19 | 76ers v. Kings +3.5 | Top | 108-115 | Win | 100 | 13 h 7 m | Show |
02-02-19 | Alabama v. Auburn -9 | Top | 63-84 | Win | 100 | 12 h 26 m | Show |
02-02-19 | San Francisco v. St. Mary's -5 | Top | 80-86 | Win | 100 | 8 h 16 m | Show |
02-01-19 | Rockets v. Nuggets -4.5 | Top | 122-136 | Win | 100 | 14 h 46 m | Show |
02-01-19 | Brown v. Dartmouth +2 | Top | 60-58 | Push | 0 | 12 h 43 m | Show |
01-31-19 | Xavier v. Georgetown -3 | Top | 73-80 | Win | 100 | 13 h 13 m | Show |
01-31-19 | Mavs v. Pistons -2 | Top | 89-93 | Win | 100 | 12 h 19 m | Show |
01-30-19 | Jazz v. Blazers -1 | Top | 105-132 | Win | 100 | 15 h 28 m | Show |
01-30-19 | St. John's v. Creighton -4.5 | Top | 83-67 | Loss | -105 | 14 h 44 m | Show |