NCAAB Tips and Trends – Sweet Sixteen
Saturday, March 29
West Regional Final
#3 Xavier vs. #1 UCLA
Xavier: The Musketeers continued to show a ton of character in rallying back to beat West Virginia 79-75 in Thursday's West Regional Semifinals. They blew an 18-point first-half lead but limited the Mountaineers to just 1-of-11 shots from 3-point range while sinking 11 of their own. Josh Duncan scored a career-high 26 points to lead Xavier and will likely be matched up with UCLA's Kevin Love. Duncan managed to stay in the game despite picking up his fourth foul with 12 1/2 minutes in regulation and got West Virginia star Joe Alexander to foul out early in OT, which was the turning point.
Xavier is 3-0 ATS in the NCAA Tournament.
The OVER is 7-1 in Xavier's last 8 non-conference games.
The OVER is 8-2 in Xavier's last 10 neutral site games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 62
UCLA (-6, O/U 129): The Bruins need to improve their offensive play against pressure defense if they hope to make it to their third straight Final Four, which would be the first time since John Wooden was head coach. They struggled at times against Western Kentucky and can expect more fierce defense by Xavier. UCLA turned the ball over 11 times in the first 13 minutes of the second half and saw a 41-20 halftime lead shrink to 61-57. It's worth noting that 7 players picked up at least 4 fouls in that game while 9 players tallied at least 4 in the other semifinal. The Bruins have a slight edge in depth though the Musketeers have more balanced scoring.
UCLA is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games overall.
The OVER is 6-2 in UCLA's last 8 Saturday games.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 68
East Regional Final
#3 Louisville vs. #1 North Carolina
Louisville: The Cardinals remain 1 of the 2 most dominant teams in the NCAA Tournament so far, winning their 3 games by an average of more than 22 points. The problem is, they will be facing the single-most dominant team in the Tar Heels, who are winning by more than 30 per game. Louisville has to feel very confident defensively though after limiting Tennessee to just 60 points - more than 20 points below the team's season average - in Thursday's semifinal victory. The Cards also saw a 24-8 lead over the Vols cut to 37-36 but shot 67 percent in the second half (14-of-21) to seal the deal. "We can weather a storm," Louisville guard Andre McGee said. "And that shows a lot about our character as a basketball team."
Louisville is 12-2 SU & ATS in its last 14 games overall.
Louisville is 3-0 ATS in the last 3 meetings.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 70
North Carolina (-5.5, O/U 154.5): The Tar Heels have blitzed opponents offensively through the first 3 rounds, but they have not faced a team with a similar caliber of talent until now. Louisville has used a suffocating pressure defense to limit teams to less than 61 points per game this year. Meanwhile, Thursday's 68-47 semifinal win over Washington State marked just the third time North Carolina failed to score at least 72 points in a game. The Tar Heels have won all 3 of those games, going 2-1 ATS and proving they can succeed at a slower pace.
North Carolina is 3-0 ATS in the NCAA Tournament.
North Carolina is 8-3 ATS in its last 11 non-conference games.
The OVER is 7-3 in North Carolina's last 10 non-conference games.
The OVER is 7-2-1 in North Carolina's last 10 games as a favorite.
Key Injuries - NONE
PROJECTED SCORE: 75
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Detroit Pistons
- The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Detroit Pistons will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Cavaliers were clipped 100-99 by the Hornets last time out, as 2-point favorites at home. The 199 points made it OVER the game's posted total of 193.5.
Zydrunas Ilgauskas had a game-high 29 points and 15 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
The Pistons played tight defence and earned a convincing 85-69 victory over the Heat on Thursday. The Pistons failed to cover the 20.5-point spread, while the combined 154 points fell UNDER the posted total of 179.
Chauncey Billups had 13 points and 11 assists for the Pistons, while Arron Afflalo and Jason Maxiell had a team-high 15 points each in the win.
Current streak:
Cleveland has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Cleveland: 40-32 SU, 34-38 ATS
Detroit: 51-21 SU, 38-33-1 ATS
Cleveland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 4-6
After playing New Orleans are 5-5
After a loss are 6-4
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 5-5
After playing Miami are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Cleveland is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Detroit
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Cleveland's last 6 games on the road
Cleveland is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Detroit
Cleveland is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Detroit
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games
Detroit is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Cleveland
Next up:
Cleveland home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 30
Detroit at Minnesota, Tuesday, April 1
Phoenix Suns vs. New Jersey Nets
- The Phoenix Suns and the New Jersey Nets will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Izod Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Suns listed as 6½-point favorites versus the Nets, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Amare Stoudemire went for 22 points, seven rebounds, and five blocks as the Suns defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 107-93 on Friday night.
Phoenix covered as 1.5-point road favorites as the game played under the 216-point total set by sportsbooks.
Vince Carter led New Jersey with 33 points and nine rebounds in its 123-115 loss to the Indiana Pacers on Friday night.
Indiana won as 5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 218-point total posted by sportsbooks.
Team records:
Phoenix: 48-24 SU, 34-35-3 ATS
New Jersey: 31-42 SU, 30-42-1 ATS
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Denver are 6-4
After playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After a win are 6-4
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Indiana are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Phoenix is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games when playing on the road against New Jersey
Phoenix is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing New Jersey
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games when playing at home against Phoenix
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games at home
New Jersey is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Phoenix home to Denver, Monday, March 31
New Jersey home to Philadelphia, Tuesday, April 1
Milwaukee Bucks vs. Chicago Bulls
- The fans at United Center will be treated to a game between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Chicago Bulls when they take their seats on Saturday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Mo Williams led Milwaukee with 18 points in its 103-86 loss to the Orlando Magic on Friday night.
Orlando cashed as 6-point road favorites as the teams played under the 207-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Luol Deng led Chicago with 19 points in its 106-103 loss to the Atlanta Hawks on Friday night.
Atlanta couldn't cover as 5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 207-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Milwaukee has lost 3 straight games.
Chicago has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Milwaukee: 24-47 SU, 30-40-1 ATS
Chicago: 28-44 SU, 32-40 ATS
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing New York are 3-7
After playing Orlando are 2-8
After a loss are 2-8
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Milwaukee's last 8 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Milwaukee's last 19 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Milwaukee's last 6 games when playing Chicago
Milwaukee is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Chicago is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Milwaukee
Chicago is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Chicago's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Milwaukee home to New York, Tuesday, April 1
Chicago home to Boston, Tuesday, April 1
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Golden State Warriors and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 7-point favorites versus the Warriors, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Golden State had 40 points in the third quarter of Thursday's 111-95 win over the Trail Blazers. Golden State covered the 11.5-point spread, and the 206 points fell UNDER the posted total of 210.
Stephen Jackson threw in 24 points to lead Golden State, and Monta Ellis had 18 points with 10 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
Carmelo Anthony tossed in 32 points with 10 rebounds for a double-double on Thursday, and led the Nuggets to a 118-105 victory over the Mavericks. The Nuggets covered the 9-point spread at home, and the 223 points made it OVER the posted total of 215.
Allen Iverson chipped in with 31 points and five assists, while making all six free throws in the win.
Current streak:
Denver has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 44-27 SU, 31-40 ATS
Denver: 44-28 SU, 40-32 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 6-4
After playing Portland are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
Denver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Phoenix are 5-5
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State's last 13 games when playing Denver
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Golden State's last 14 games on the road
Golden State is 11-5 SU in its last 16 games
Denver is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Denver is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Denver is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Golden State
Next up:
Golden State home to Dallas, Sunday, March 30
Denver at Phoenix, Monday, March 31
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- The fans at Rose Garden will be treated to a game between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Portland Trail Blazers when they take their seats on Saturday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Jason Richardson had 27 points to lift the Charlotte Bobcats past the SuperSonics 96-93 on Friday night.
Charlotte won as 4-point road underdogs as the teams played under the 207-point total set by oddsmakers.
The Trail Blazers were defeated 111-95 by the Warriors last time out, as 11.5-point underdogs on the road. The 206 points fell UNDER the posted total of 210.
Steve Blake shot 8-for-12 from the field with 22 points in the loss.
Current streak:
Charlotte has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 27-45 SU, 30-40-2 ATS
Portland: 38-35 SU, 37-36 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-5
Before playing Toronto are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 2-5
After a win are 5-5
Portland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing LA Lakers are 2-8
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games when playing Portland
Charlotte is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games
Charlotte is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games when playing Portland
Charlotte is 4-15 SU in its last 19 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Portland's last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Portland is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games at home
Portland is 5-2 SU in its last 7 games when playing Charlotte
Portland is 3-12 ATS in its last 15 games at home
Next up:
Charlotte home to Toronto, Monday, March 31
Portland at LA Lakers, Wednesday, April 2
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Los Angeles Clippers will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at STAPLES Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Rudy Gay went for 28 points and seven rebounds to lead the Grizzlies past the Los Angeles Lakers 114-111 on Friday night.
Memphis upset Los Angeles as 14.5-point road underdogs as the game played over the 218-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Corey Maggette paced Los Angeles with 28 points in its 121-101 loss to the Utah Jazz on Friday night.
Utah covered as 16-point home favorites as the teams played over the 206-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 10 straight games.
Team records:
Memphis: 19-53 SU, 32-40 ATS
Los Angeles: 21-51 SU, 31-41 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Atlanta are 3-7
After playing LA Lakers are 5-5
After a win are 1-9
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Dallas are 1-9
After playing Utah are 5-5
After a loss are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games when playing LA Clippers
Memphis is 5-16 SU in its last 21 games
Memphis is 1-3-1 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
Memphis is 1-4 SU in their last 5 games when playing on the road against LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games when playing Memphis
LA Clippers are 5-1 SU in their last 6 games when playing Memphis
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games when playing Memphis
LA Clippers are 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing at home against Memphis
Next up:
Memphis home to Atlanta, Monday, March 31
LA Clippers home to Dallas, Monday, March 31
Phoenix at New Jersey, 7:35 ET
Phoenix: 24-9 ATS as a road favorite of 6 points or less
New Jersey: 1-8 ATS after scoring 110+ points
Cleveland at Detroit, 7:35 ET
Cleveland: 5-1 Under after a close loss by 3 points or less
Detroit: 12-4 ATS off BB ATS losses
Milwaukee at Chicago, 8:35 ET
Milwaukee: 7-1 ATS off 3+ ATS losses
Chicago: 6-13 ATS when playing 6+ games in 10 days
Golden State at Denver, 9:05 ET
Golden State: 5-18 ATS off home win
Denver: 11-3 ATS in March
Charlotte at Portland, 10:05 ET
Charlotte: 12-4 Under after covering 2 of their last 3
Portland: 1-11 ATS as a home favorite of 3.5 to 6 points
Memphis at LA Clippers, 10:35 ET
Memphis: 5-13 ATS off SU win
LA Clippers: 23-13 Under at home