Dyson, Wiggins won't play against Cards
Connecticut guards Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins will remain suspended for tomorrow night's basketball game against the University of Louisville in Hartford, UConn team spokesman Kyle Muncy confirmed this afternoon.
Dyson, the team's leading scorer at 14.3 points a game, and Wiggins, the Huskies' top reserve, were both suspended indefinitely before Saturday's game at Indiana. UConn still beat the Hoosiers 68-63.
U of L coach Rick Pitino said the absence of the two players won't change his game plan.
"In the short haul, two or three games, you're a better basketball team because the other players have the wounded tiger syndrome," Pitino said. "In the long run it's detrimental, but in the short run your guys sometimes rally and play better. It's like us, when Earl (Clark) was out for the Kentucky game."
UConn (14-5, 4-3 Big East Conference) has won three straight, while Louisville (15-5, 5-2) is on a two-game winning streak. Both teams excel at defense; the Huskies rank 11th nationally in field-goal percentage allowed at 37.6 percent, while the Cards are 15th at 37.5 percent.
The Huskies also lead the country in blocked shots per game, thanks in large part to 7-foot-3 center Hasheem Thabeet. But Louisville had success against Thabeet inside last year while sweeping UConn in two games.
"You can't compare last year to this year because they're a totally different basketball team and Thabeet is a totally different player," Pitino said. "He was just a freshman last year, so we're going after a much different basketball player this time around.
"They're one of the hottest teams in the Big East. Even the game they lost they could have won, at Georgetown, they really had the game won. So they're as physically talented as any team in the Big East."
courier-journal.com
Denver (26-17, 21-22 ATS) at New Orleans (31-12, 28-14-1 ATS)
The Nuggets head to the Big Easy hoping to snap out of a road funk when they face the NBA’s hottest team in the Hornets.
Denver dropped its fifth straight road game last night, falling 90-85 in Dallas. However, the Nuggets did get the cash as an 11-point pup, halting an 0-4 ATS slide on the highway. Throw in Denver’s seven-game home winning streak, and the host is now 12-1 SU in the team’s 13 games in January (10-3 ATS), including 11-0 in the last 11 (9-2 ATS).
New Orleans comes into this one riding an eight-game SU and ATS winning streak. Nobody has even stayed close to the Hornets as they’ve won each of their last six by 15 points or more, including Saturday’s stunning 102-78 rout of the Spurs as a 5½-point road underdog.
Going back to Dec. 19, New Orleans is on a 16-2 SU and ATS tear, lifting the club atop the Western Conference standings. The straight-up winner has covered the spread in each of the Hornets’ last 21 outings.
Denver is 3-1 SU and ATS the last four times it has visited the Hornets. However, that one loss came in New Orleans on Nov. 4, which the Hornets won 93-88 as a five-point home underdog. The Nuggets got revenge at home on Dec. 12, prevailing 105-99, but failing to cash as an eight-point chalk.
In this series, the road team is on runs of 7-4 SU and 9-2 ATS, with the underdog getting the cash in seven of the last eight.
Denver is on a 3-9 ATS slide against the Southwest Division.
New Orleans has won and covered six straight inside the Hornets’ nest, upping its home record to 15-7 SU (13-9 ATS). Dating to last year, the Hornets are also 25-9 ATS at home against teams with a losing road mark. Furthermore, Byron Scott’s squad is on ATS tears of 38-15-1 overall, 41-18-1 against the Western Conference and 5-2 against teams with a winning record.
The under is 22-8 in the Nuggets’ last 30 against Southwest Division teams and 9-3 in the Hornets’ last 12 against Northwest Division foes. But on Mondays these teams seem to light it up with the over 6-2 in Denver’s last eight and 10-3 in New Orleans’ last 13 Monday tip-offs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NEW ORLEANS
San Antonio (28-14, 19-22-1 ATS) at Utah (26-18, 22-22 ATS)
After suffering an embarrassing home loss Saturday, the Spurs now head to the EnergySolutions Arena to take on the NBA’s top home team in Utah.
San Antonio took the floor Saturday against New Orleans with a three-game winning streak, then proceeded to get destroyed 102-78 as a 5½-point home favorite, the team’s worst loss of the season. The Spurs, who got outscored 60-35 in the second half (30-14 in the fourth quarter), are mired in a 3-10 ATS slump.
Utah went to Houston on Sunday and came away with a 97-89 win as a one-point underdog. The Jazz have won and covered three in a row and are 7-1 SU in their last eight (6-2 ATS).
These two teams squared off on Dec. 7, with San Antonio scoring the 104-98 home win in a pick-em contest. Including a five-game playoff series last year, the host is on a 10-1 SU and ATS roll in this rivalry.
San Antonio is just 8-9 on the highway this season (6-11 ATS), and while it has won two straight as a visitor, the last one wasn’t easy as Gregg Popovich’s club needed a big fourth-quarter rally Thursday night to escape lowly Miami with a 90-89 win as 9½-point favorites.
Utah is 18-3 SU (14-7 ATS) in Salt Lake City, including eight consecutive home wins (6-2 ATS) since a 104-98 loss to the Celtics on Dec. 29. Going back to last season, Jerry Sloan’s squad has been a moneymaking machine at home (22-8-1 ATS).
The over is 7-1 in the last eight series meetings, but the under is 18-7 in the Spurs’ last 26 overall (7-0 in the last seven) and 7-2 in their last nine Monday tip-offs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Louisville (15-5, 8-10 ATS) at UConn (14-5, 6-9 ATS)
The Cardinals fly east to take on the suddenly red-hot Huskies in a Big Monday Big East showdown in Storrs, Conn.
Louisville comes into this one having won two straight following Saturday’s 67-57 home win over St. John’s. However, the Cardinals came nowhere near covering the 16-point spread, and they’ve followed up a 4-0 ATS streak by failing to cash in two of their last three. Louisville is 5-1 in the Big East (4-2 ATS).
Rick Pitino’s Cardinals are 3-1 SU and ATS in their last four on the highway, including an 80-60 blowout win over Big East foe South Florida on Wednesday, cashing as 6½-point favorites. Dating back to last season, Louisville is on an 11-3 ATS roll away from home.
Connecticut has rattled off three straight wins (2-1 ATS), the highlight being Saturday’s huge 68-63 road upset at No. 8 Indiana as an 8½-point ‘dog. That victory came on the heels of Wednesday’s 84-83 road win at Cincinnati as a 4½-point chalk. The Huskies are 5-3 SU and ATS in league action and have alternated spread-covers in their last five contests.
Jim Calhoun’s squad does it with defense at home, holding teams to 63.2 points per game and an amazing 34.8 percent shooting. UConn has gone 9-1 in front of the home fans but is just 3-3 ATS. Dating back to last season the Huskies are mired in ATS slumps of 3-7 at home and 9-21 overall.
Louisville swept this series last season, winning 68-54 at home as a three-point chalk and 76-69 in Connecticut as a one-point ‘dog. The Cardinals are 3-1 ATS against the Huskies since joining the Big East in 2006 (2-0 ATS when visiting UConn).
The Huskies are just 2-4 ATS as a single-digit favorite, while tonight marks the first time all year that Louisville will take the floor as an underdog.
The under is 8-3 in Louisville’s last 11 overall and 6-2 in its last eight Big East contests, while the over has been the play in six of Connecticut’s last nine overall. Also, the over is 2-0 in the two head-to-head meetings at UConn the last two seasons.
ATS ADVANTAGE: LOUISVILLE
Oklahoma State (10-9, 4-7 ATS) at Oklahoma 14-5, 9-7 ATS)
The Cowboys try to put an end to their road woes when they travel to Norman to take on instate rival Oklahoma in a Big Monday Big 12 matchup.
Oklahoma State is 0-4 SU and ATS on the road this season, including league losses at Iowa State (73-66 as a two-point underdog) and Baylor (79-71 as a seven-point pup) in its last two as a visitor. Dating back to last season, the Cowboys are 2-14 ATS on the highway
Overall, the Cowboys have dropped four straight, including getting swept at home by Big 12 rivals Texas (63-61 on Monday) and Texas A&M (59-56 on Saturday). Oklahoma State (1-4 SU, 2-3 ATS in Big 12 play) did hit a last-second three-pointer to cash as a three-point underdog against the Longhorns, but came up short as a 1½-point home pup against A&M.
Oklahoma has followed a pair of league losses to Kansas State (84-82) at home and Kansas (85-55) on the road with consecutive Big 12 victories. The Sooners downed Texas Tech 63-61 as a 7½-point chalk on Jan. 19, then upset Baylor 77-71 as a 4½-point underdog on Saturday, halting an 0-4 ATS slide.
The host has dominated this rivalry, winning eight of the last 10 games but going just 5-4-1 ATS in the process. Last year, the Cowboys scored a 66-61 win, pushing as a five-point favorite, with Oklahoma getting revenge 67-60, barely cashing as a six-point chalk.
The Sooners have won three straight at home over their rivals from Stillwater (2-1 ATS). Also, the favorite is 6-1-1 ATS in the last nine meetings, not including one pick-em contest.
Oklahoma State has been outscored by an average of 10 points per game (80-70) when it hits the highway, while allowing the home team to shoot 49.3 percent from the floor.
The Sooners are 10-2 SU (5-4 ATS) at home this season, averaging 75.8 ppg on 49 percent shooting while yielding 59.8 (40.1 percent). Going back to last year, Oklahoma is on a 14-6 ATS roll inside the Lloyd Nobel Center in Norman.
The over is 8-2 in the Sooners last 10 overall and 6-2 in their last eight against conference foes. For the Cowboys, the under is on runs of 6-2 in Big 12 action and 14-5 in Monday tip-offs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA
gametimepicks.com
NBA Today
SCOREBOARD Monday, Jan. 28
San Antonio at Utah (9 p.m. EST). A rematch of last season's Western Conference finals.
STARS Sunday
-LeBron James, Cavaliers, scored 41 points to lead Cleveland to a 98-95 victory over Los Angeles.
-Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter, to help Dallas hold off Denver 90-85.
-Al Jefferson, Timberwolves, scored a career-high 40 points and had 19 rebounds in Minnesota's 98-95 win over New Jersey.
-Kevin Martin, Kings, scored Sacramento's final five points, including a 20-footer as the clock expired, and Sacramento beat Seattle 103-101.
-Stephen Jackson, and Andris Biedrins, Warriors. Jackson scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Biedrins had an NBA season-high 26 rebounds to help Golden State beat New York 106-104.
MAGIC TRICK
Hedo Turkoglu nailed an off-balance 3-pointer with time expiring to lift Orlando to a 96-93 victory over the Kevin Garnett-less Celtics on Sunday. It was Orlando's second home win over Boston this season, and the Celtics' first game without Garnett, who has an abdominal strain.
KING OF L.A.
LeBron James scored 14 of his 41 points in the final period, and Cleveland beat the short-handed Lakers 98-95 Sunday for their 12th win in 15 games. Cleveland has beaten the Lakers in five straight meetings.
LONE WOLF
Al Jefferson had a career-high 40 points and 19 rebounds, hit the go-ahead free throws with 11.4 seconds to go, and lifted Minnesota to a 98-95 victory Sunday over New Jersey. Jefferson scored 20 of the team's 38 first-half points and fought all five Nets on the boards all game long, grabbing 19 of the team's 40 for the game.
CRASHING THE BOARDS
Andris Biedrins had an NBA season-high 26 rebounds to help Golden State rally from another double-digit deficit to beat New York 106-104 Sunday night. Denver's Marcus Camby and Phoenix's Shawn Marion each had 24 rebounds in a game this season. The last player with more rebounds in a game was Ben Wallace, who had 27 on Dec. 15, 2006, for Chicago.
CLUTCH
Dirk Nowitzki made consecutive 3-pointers late in the fourth quarter and wound up scoring 14 of the final 16 points for Dallas helping them hold off Denver Nuggets 90-85 Sunday night. ... Stephen Jackson scored 16 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Golden State rallied from another double-digit deficit to beat New York 106-104. ... Kevin Martin scored Sacramento's final five points, including a frantic race the length of the court for a 20-footer as the clock expired, and the Kings extended Seattle's franchise-record losing streak to 14 with a 103-101 victory. ... Brandon Roy scored 24 points, including the go-ahead free throw with 2.3 seconds left, and Portland erased an 18-point deficit to beat Atlanta 94-93.
STRUGGLING
The Kings extended the Seattle SuperSonics' franchise-record losing streak to 14 with a 103-101 victory Sunday night. Seattle has yet to win in 2008. Miami had the longest streak in the NBA this season at 15 losses. ... Richard Jefferson scored 35 points and Vince Carter added 25 in New Jersey's 98-95 loss to Minnesota on Sunday. The Nets have lost nine in a row, their longest losing streak since November 2004.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Caron Butler scored a career-high 40 points in Washington's 105-102 overtime loss to Milwaukee. ... Richard Jefferson scored 35 points but New Jersey lost to Minnesota 98-95. ... Kobe Bryant had 33 points and 12 rebounds in the Lakers' 98-95 loss to Cleveland. ... Kirk Hinrich scored 31 points but Chicago lost to Phoenix 88-77.
SPEAKING
''I think he wanted to set it up so he could hit a miracle and make his final bid for the All-Star game. If we win by seven, no drama. It doesn't make as good of a case.'' - Orlando coach Stan Van Gundy after Hedo Turkoglu hit the game-winning three pointer in Sunday's 96-93 victory over Boston.
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Top Teams of 2008
By Brad Young
The pro basketball season has passed the midseason mark, and is still weeks away from the February 17th All-Star Game in New Orleans. Since the calendar has flipped to 2008, we are going to take a look at the best straight up and against spread teams the past four weeks.
Toronto, Cleveland, Washington, New Orleans, Dallas, Houston, Utah, Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors have all enjoyed prosperous new years. Other teams haven’t been as fortunate this year, with New Jersey, Indiana, Milwaukee, Miami, Memphis, Seattle, Minnesota and the Los Angeles Clippers struggling.
Toronto is a modest 24-19 straight up and 24-18 against the spread, 10 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics in the Atlantic Division standings. The Raptors started 2008 by dropping back-to-back outings SU and ATS, but have gone 7-2 SU and ATS since then. Toronto has continued its recent winning ways by routing Milwaukee Friday as a 10-point home ‘chalk,’ 106-75.
Cleveland (24-19 SU, 20-23 ATS) resides 6 ½ games behind first-place Detroit in the Central Division, and has gained ground this year by going 10-2 SU and 7-5 ATS. The Cavaliers continued their recent winning ways by upending the Los Angeles Lakers Sunday as a four-point road underdog, 98-95.
Washington (23-19 SU, 26-15 ATS) is another squad in second place in its division, residing three games behind Orlando in the Southeast Division. The Wizards are 8-5 SU and ATS this month after Sunday’s upset loss to Milwaukee as a three-point road ‘chalk,’ 105-102.
New Orleans (31-12 SU, 29-14 ATS) is a game ahead of Dallas in the Southwest standings, with three teams in this division making this list of top teams. The Hornets have remained on top by going 11-1 SU and ATS this calendar year, currently enjoying an eight-game winning streak after roughing up San Antonio Saturday as a 5 ½-point road underdog, 102-78.
Dallas (29-13 SU, 18-22 ATS) is 10-2 SU and 6-5 ATS the past 12 games after knocking off Denver Sunday as a 10 ½-point home favorite, 90-85. Houston (24-20 SU, 21-22 ATS) is the other Southwest Division juggernaut, going 9-4 SU and 8-5 ATS since New Year’s Day. The Rockets took a small step back with Sunday’s setback to Utah as a home ‘pick,’ 97-89.
Speaking of the Jazz, Utah (26-18 SU, 22-20 ATS) has gone 9-2 SU and 7-4 ATS in 2008 compliments of its current four-game winning streak. Just a half-game separates Denver, Portland and Utah atop the Northwest Division standings, the most closely contested division in basketball.
There are also three Pacific Division rivals battling for the top spot, with Phoenix, the Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State going a combined 23-10 SU after Sunday’s action. The Suns (32-13 SU, 21-23 ATS) are 3 ½ games ahead of Los Angeles in the standings after upending Chicago Sunday as an eight-point road ‘chalk,’ 88-77. Phoenix is now 10-4 SU, but just 7-7 ATS in 2008.
The Lakers (27-15 SU, 23-18 ATS) are now 8-4 SU and 5-6 ATS this year, mired in a three-game losing funk with road losses to San Antonio and Dallas coupled with their home setback to Cleveland. Los Angeles started January by winning its first seven games.
Golden State (27-18 SU, 21-23 ATS) is now 8-5 SU and 4-9 ATS in 2008 after holding off New York Sunday as a 10-point home ‘chalk,’ 106-104. The Warriors started the new year with back-to-back SU and ATS losses, and has now dropped their last three outings ATS.
vegasinsider.com
Big Monday
Another Big Monday is upon us with ESPN throwing a tripleheader at gamblers. The opener is the highlight with UConn invading Freedom Hall to take on Louisville. There are 10 games on the relatively small card. Let’s take a look.
**Connecticut at Louisville**
--UConn (14-5 straight up, 6-9 against the spread) pulled a shocker Saturday, snapping Indian’s 29-game winning streak at Assembly Hall by beating the Hoosiers 68-63 as an 8 ½-point underdog. Five Huskies scored in double figures led by Craig Austrie’s 15 points. The win was even more impressive since Jim Calhoun indefinitely suspended a pair of key players on the eve of the game.
--Jerome Dyson and Doug Wiggins sat out at IU because of an undisclosed violation of team rules. Dyson is UConn’s second-leading scorer, averaging 14.8 points per game. Wiggins averages 6.2 PPG. It is unclear whether either player will be available Monday.
--Louisville (15-5 SU, 8-10 ATS) seems to be on track after a disappointing early-season stretch. The Cardinals have won six of their last seven games, posting a 5-2 spread record. They are off a 67-57 non-covering victory over St. John’s as 16-point home favorites.
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened the Huskies as 2 ½-point favorites, but most books had UConn at minus one Sunday night. LVSC sent the total out at 138.
--Dating back to last season, UConn has been burning its backers to the tune of a 9-21 ATS mark in its last 30 lined games.
--UConn is 2-2 ATS in four underdog spots this year.
--The ‘under’ has been a money maker for the Cardinals, cashing at a 12-6 pace. The Huskies have watched the ‘over’ go 9-6 overall, but the ‘under’ is 4-2 in their home games.
--Rick Pitino’s team swept the season series with UConn last year and has taken the cash in three consecutive meetings.
--ESPN will provide television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Oklahoma State at Oklahoma**
--Most sports books have installed Oklahoma (14-5 SU, 9-7 ATS) as an eight-point favorite. LVSC opened the total at 135.
--Oklahoma State (10-9 SU, 4-7 ATS) will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak. The Cowboys are 1-4 ATS in their last five games. They lost Saturday to Texas A&M by a 59-56 score as 1 ½-point underdogs.
--Oklahoma St. owns an abysmal 1-6 spread record in seven games as an underdog. Even worse, Sean Sutton’s team is winless both SU and ATS in four true road games.
--Oklahoma returns home after collecting a big win Saturday at Baylor. The Sooners, who closed as 4 ½-point underdogs, withstood a late rally by the Bears to capture a 77-71 win. Money-line players earned a payout in the plus 180 range. Blake Griffin, OU's leading scorer and rebounder, was not expected to play, but he came off the bench and produced 17 points and 15 rebounds in just 22 minutes of action.
--OU has a 10-2 SU record at home and a 5-4 ATS mark.
--The ‘over’ is on an 8-2 run for Oklahoma.
--Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.
**Cal Poly Slo at Pacific**
--Pacific (14-5 SU, 6-9 ATS) has a decent shot to come out of the Big West with the lone invite this league will get. The Tigers improved to 5-1 in conference play Saturday, collecting a 71-58 triumph at UC-Santa Barbara as seven-point underdogs. Chad Troyer drained six 3-pointers and scored a career-high 27 points.
--Most betting shops have Pacific marked as a 12-point ‘chalk.’
--Cal Poly Slo (7-11 SU, 6-7 ATS) has been horrible as an underdog, posting a 2-7-1 ATS record. The Mustangs are 1-3 ATS as double-digit underdogs.
--Pacific is 1-2 ATS as a double-digit favorite.
--The ‘under’ is 10-4 overall for Cal Poly Slo.
--The ‘under’ is 4-1 in the last five head-to-head meetings between these Big West adversaries.
--ESPN2 will have the telecast at 11:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--Call me a homer if you wish, but the two-time defending national champions are starting to look dangerous. Yes, Billy Donovan purposely – and wisely – played a soft non-conference schedule this season, allowing his young team (zero seniors, one junior in Walter Hodge) to gain confidence and grow up while winning games.
Nick Calathes leads the team in scoring, leads the SEC in assists and is as productive as any freshman in the nation. He scored 15 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed seven rebounds in UF’s 86-64 win over Vanderbilt on Sunday as a six-point favorite.
The sign of a dangerous team is when a squad shows improvement every time out, and that’s exactly what the Gators are doing. They grew up in the second half of a win at Alabama, rallying to take a 90-83 win. UF trailed the Crimson Tide virtually the entire game, only to take over down the stretch. Ditto in Wednesday’s win at South Carolina, where Florida overcame the outstanding play of Devan Downey to get the victory.
When he’s not in foul trouble, Marreese Speights can dominate the paint and his endurance is improving lately, allowing Donovan to give him more minutes. Speights was in foul trouble against Vandy, but he still manged 12 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes of action.
Jai Lucas, the freshman point guard who is the son of former Maryland great John Lucas, is getting better every game. He had 11 points against the Commodores even though he took just four shots. Lucas committed just one turnover in 31 minutes.
But the player I’m most impressed with is Dan Werner, who struggled to get into a rhythm offensively as a freshman, when he would only get 5-7 minutes of playing time per game. This year, however, Werner, who is a tad undersized to play power forward, is mixing it up inside, stepping out and shooting effectively from the perimeter and most importantly, displaying tremendous passing ability. Werner produced 14 points, nine boards and six assists in the win over a suddenly-slumping Vandy team.
vegasinsider.com
Dallas Mavericks vs. Memphis Grizzlies
- The Dallas Mavericks and the Memphis Grizzlies will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at FedExForum.
The Mavericks defeated Denver 90-85 as a 10.5-point favorite last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (208.5).
Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 32 points and pulled down 11 rebounds for Dallas, while Josh Howard added 20 points and eight rebounds in the win.
The Grizzlies let LA back in the game, but managed to get past the Clippers 125-120 on Saturday. The Grizzlies managed to cover the 3-point spread, while the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 200.5.
Rudy Gay shot 13-for-25 from the field with 34 points and 12 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Dallas: 30-13 SU, 18-22-3 ATS
Memphis: 13-31 SU, 21-23 ATS
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Monday are 9-1
Before playing Boston are 8-2
After playing Denver are 8-2
After a win are 8-2
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Denver are 5-5
After playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After a win are 1-9
A few trends to consider:
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Memphis
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Dallas is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Memphis
Dallas is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games when playing at home against Dallas
Next up:
Dallas at Boston, Thursday, January 31
Memphis home to Denver, Wednesday, January 30
Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Hornets
- The Denver Nuggets and the New Orleans Hornets will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at New Orleans Arena.
The Nuggets lost to Dallas 90-85 as a 10.5-point underdog last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (208.5).
Allen Iverson led the Nuggets with 23 points and nine assists and Anthony Carter netted 20 points in the loss.
The Hornets outplayed the Spurs in Saturday's 102-78 win over the Spurs. The Hornets won the game as 5.5-point underdogs, while the 180 points fell UNDER the posted total of 183.
David West shot 15-for-19 from the field with a game-high 32 points and Peja Stojakovic added 23 in the victory.
Current streak:
New Orleans has won 8 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 26-17 SU, 22-21 ATS
New Orleans: 31-12 SU, 28-14-1 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Memphis are 9-1
After playing Dallas are 7-3
After a loss are 8-2
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Golden State are 5-5
After playing San Antonio are 4-6
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Denver is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
Denver is 9-4 SU in its last 13 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone OVER in 9 of Denver's last 13 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Denver at Memphis, Wednesday, January 30
New Orleans home to Golden State, Wednesday, January 30
San Antonio Spurs vs. Utah Jazz
- The San Antonio Spurs and the Utah Jazz will both be gunning for a victory on Monday when they meet at EnergySolutions Arena.
The Spurs lost 102-78 to the Hornets last time out, as 5.5-point favorites at home. The 180 points fell UNDER the posted total of 183.
Tim Duncan and Tony Parker each tossed in 17 points in the loss for the Spurs.
The Jazz defeated Houston 97-89 as a 1-point underdog last time out. The combined score fell UNDER the posted over/under total (197).
Deron Williams scored 17 points and handed out 12 assists for Utah, while Andrei Kirilenko and Kyle Korver also scored 17 points in the win.
Current streak:
Utah has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 28-14 SU, 20-22 ATS
Utah: 26-18 SU, 22-22 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Monday are 8-2
Before playing Seattle are 6-4
After playing New Orleans are 8-2
After a loss are 6-4
Utah most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-5
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing Houston are 6-4
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of San Antonio's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 7 of San Antonio's last 8 games when playing Utah
San Antonio is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing Utah
Utah is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Utah is 8-1 SU in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Utah's last 8 games when playing San Antonio
Utah is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Next up:
San Antonio at Seattle, Tuesday, January 29
Utah home to New York, Wednesday, January 30
Charlotte Bobcats vs. Los Angeles Clippers
- The Charlotte Bobcats and the Los Angeles Clippers will both be trying to pick up a win on Monday when they battle at STAPLES Center.
The Bobcats fell 103-96 to the 76ers last time out, as 5.5-point favorites. The 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 190.
Jason Richardson shot 13-for-24 from the field with a game-high 35 points in a losing effort.
The Clippers fell 125-120 to the Grizzlies in overtime on Saturday, as 3-point road underdogs. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 200.5.
Corey Maggette netted a game-high 35 points with nine rebounds for the Clippers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Charlotte: 17-27 SU, 18-25-1 ATS
Los Angeles: 13-27 SU, 18-22 ATS
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Monday are 5-4
Before playing Sacramento are 2-4
After playing Philadelphia are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Monday are 4-6
Before playing Atlanta are 7-3
After playing Memphis are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Charlotte is 8-4 ATS in its last 12 games
Charlotte is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games
Charlotte is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Charlotte is 2-3-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing LA Clippers
LA Clippers are 6-1 SU in their last 7 games when playing Charlotte
LA Clippers are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 13 of the LA Clippers last 19 games at home
Next up:
Charlotte at Sacramento, Wednesday, January 30
LA Clippers home to Atlanta, Wednesday, January 30
Missouri guard out 4-6 weeks with broken jaw from altercation
ASSOCIATED PRESS
COLUMBIA, Mo. --Missouri guard Stefhon Hannah will be sidelined four to six weeks after he broke his jaw in an altercation over the weekend.
Hannah was injured outside the Athena, a Columbia nightclub and restaurant, and had surgery, Tigers coach Mike Anderson said in a release posted on the school's Web site Sunday. The senior is averaging a team-high 14.7 points and 5.1 assists per game.
''While our primary concern in this case is Stefhon's well-being, we will go through the process of gathering facts surrounding this incident and we will proceed appropriately,'' Anderson said.
The altercation took place late Saturday night after Missouri returned from a 66-62 victory at Colorado. Police Sgt. Krista Shouse-Jones said the 22-year-old Hannah was ''assaulted by an unknown assailant with an unknown object'' and taken to a hospital. No arrests had been made in the case.
Missouri's next game is Wednesday at home against Nebraska.
Hannah is the latest Tigers player to be involved in an off-court incident since Anderson was hired about two years ago. Kalen Grimes, the school's leading rebounder last season, was dismissed from the team after being arrested for hitting a man in the face with the butt end of a shotgun in St. Louis last July.
Two days before Grimes' arrest, forward DeMarre Carroll, Anderson's nephew, was shot in the ankle outside of a Columbia nightclub. Police said Carroll was a bystander in that incident.
After Carroll was wounded, Anderson announced a no-tolerance policy in an effort to keep his players out of trouble.
Last February, reserve guard Mike Anderson Jr., the coach's son, was suspended from the team after a drunken-driving arrest, but has since been reinstated.
Monday’s Pregame Buzz
NBA
Denver Nuggets at New Orleans Hornets
* Nuggets are 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games vs. Southwest Division.
* Hornets are 38-15-1 ATS in their last 54 games overall.
* Underdog is 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings.
* Road team is 9-2 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
* The OVER is 6-2 in DEN last 8 Mon. games.
* The OVER is 10-3 in New Orleans' last 13 Monday games.
* The UNDER is 21-8 in Denver's last 29 vs. Southwest Division.
* The UNDER is 9-3 in New Orleans' last 12 vs. Northwest Division.
Dallas Mavericks at Memphis Grizzlies
* Mavs are 7-1 ATS in the last 8 meetings in Memphis.
* Mavs are 13-4 ATS in the last 17 meetings.
* The OVER is 8-3 in Dallas' last 11 Monday games.
* The UNDER is 8-3 in DAL last 11 road games.
* The UNDER is 14-6-1 in DAL last 21 games vs. Southwest Division.
San Antonio Spurs at Utah Jazz
* Spurs are 3-10 ATS in their last 13 games overall.
* Jazz are 22-8-1 ATS in their last 31 home games.
* Home team is 10-1 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
* The OVER is 7-1 in the last 8 meetings.
* The UNDER is 19-7 in San Antonio's last 26 games overall.
* The UNDER is 7-2 in San Antonio's last 9 Monday games.
Charlotte Bobcats at Los Angeles Clippers
* Bobcats are 4-11 ATS in their last 15 road games.
* Clippers are 1-7 ATS in their last 8 Mon. games.
* The OVER is 21-8 in LA's last 29 games vs. Southeast Division.
* The OVER is 19-7 in Charlotte's last 26 games vs. Pacific Division.
* The OVER is 7-2 in Charlotte's last 9 Monday games.
* The UNDER is 13-6 in LA's last 19 home games.
CBB
Louisville at Connecticut
* Louisville is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 road games.
* UConn is 7-2 ATS in its last 9 Monday games.
* UConn is 9-21 ATS in its last 30 games overall.
* UConn is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 home games.
* The UNDER is 6-2 in Louisville's last 8 vs. Big East.
* The UNDER is 8-3 in Louisville's last 11 games overall.
Oklahoma State at Oklahoma
* Oklahoma State is 2-14 ATS in its last 16 road games.
* Oklahoma is 14-6 ATS in its last 20 home games.
* The OVER is 8-2 in Oklahoma's last 10 games overall.
* The OVER is 6-2 in Oklahoma's last 8 games vs. Big 12.
* The UNDER is 6-2 in Oklahoma State's last 8 games vs. Big 12.
* The UNDER is 14-5 in Oklahoma Stae's last 19 Monday games.
Cal Poly at Pacific
* Cal Poly is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games vs. Big West.
* The OVER is 12-5 in Pacific's last 17 games vs. Big West.
* The UNDER is 8-2 in Cal Poly's last 10 games overall.
Pregame.com
Conference Weigh-Ins
VegasInsider.com
Now that we are entering the second-half of conference play, talk of March Madness rapidly begins to settle into the picture. And with it the forever ongoing controversy of which teams will make it to the Big Dance and which ones will be left
Home, looking instead to hitch a ride into the NIT sock hop.
For the time being we'll let the talking heads and online analysts beat this horse to death. Instead, we'll prepare ourselves by keeping a pulse on how the major conferences are faring this season - from a pointspread perspective - as we ready our selves for both events with a review of strengths and weaknesses from a conference perspective.
The numbers below are all ATS (Against The Spread) and are for all games played through Sunday, January 27th. Let's check the Tale of the Tape…
ACC
Home 47-37-2
Away 36-29-2
As favs 67-53-2
As dogs 28-28-2
Vs Non Cons 65-51-2
Noteworthy 6-14-2 off DD loss
BIG EAST
Home 53-67-1
Away 43-46-2
As favs 69-86-1
As dogs 45-45-1
Vs Non Cons 58-74-3
Noteworthy 4-14 DD favs off SUATS win
BIG 10
Home 36-56-2
Away 38-24-1
As favs 46-54-3
As dogs 33-38-1
Vs Non Cons 43-56-4
Noteworthy 5-19-1 with single revenge from LY
BIG 12
Home 46-32-1
Away 23-31-1
As favs 51-39-1
As dogs 30-36-1
Vs Non Cons 57-47-1
Noteworthy 17-7 vs opp off BB losses
CUSA
Home 36-31-5
Away 25-30-4
As favs 40-32-5
As dogs 33-40-4
Vs Non Cons 47-45-5
Noteworthy 16-6-1 dogs vs opp off loss
HORIZON
Home 39-37-1
Away 44-36-1
As favs 34-39-1
As dogs 55-37-1
Vs Non Cons 43-30
Noteworthy 25-8 dogs vs opp off BB SUATS wins
MAC
Home 47-31
Away 41-51
As favs 39-41
As dogs 54-54-1
Vs Non Cons 57-59-1
Noteworthy 7-17 off SU dog win
MVC
Home 42-37-4
Away 34-39-2
As favs 49-45-3
As dogs 32-31-3
Vs Non Cons 39-38-3
Noteworthy 7-17-3 off DD loss
MWC
Home 33-26-2
Away 30-29-1
As favs 42-35-1
As dogs 28-25-2
Vs Non Cons 47-36-3
Noteworthy 14-7-2
Home of DD win
PAC 10
Home 43-46-2
Away 38-21-2
As favs 60-50-4
As dogs 26-28-1
Vs Non Cons 51-43-5
Noteworthy 17-4-2 as road favorites
SEC
Home 39-46-2
Away 22-28
As favs 51-52-2
As dogs 23-33
Vs Non Cons 47-59-2
Noteworthy 15-6 off DD loss
SUN BELT
Home 40-42
Away 51-48-1
As favs 40-41
As dogs 58-52-1
Vs Non Cons 41-36-1
Noteworthy 4-11 as DD favs
WAC
Home 23-40-1
Away 29-34-1
As favs 24-34-1
As dogs 31-43-1
Vs Non Cons 26-48-2
Noteworthy 5-13 as DD favs
Most interesting is the lack of success by three major conference in games outside league play (Big 10, Big East and WAC), while only two conferences stand heads and shoulders above all other in non-conference clashes (ACC and Horizon).
By keeping a pulse on the sparring sessions that take place from now until the regular season ends you can put yourself into position to deliver a knockout punch this post-season.
Wofford's leading scorer G Shane Nichols (16 ppg; ankle) is listed as doubtful for tonight's game.
Nuggets F Carmelo Anthony (25 ppg; ankle) has been upgraded to probable for tonight's game.
Hornets G Bobby Jackson (7 ppg; hamstring) is questionable for tonight's game.
Mavs F Jerry Stackhouse (10 ppg; hamstring) and G Devin Harris (14 ppg; ankle) are not expected to play tonight.
Grizzlies F Pau Gasol (19 ppg; back) is listed as questionable for tonight's game.
Grizzlies F Stromile Swift (7 ppg; ankle) and G Mike Conley Jr. (9 ppg; chest) are expected to miss tonight's game.
Clippers C Chris Kaman (17 ppg; shin) is questionable for tonight's game.
Bobcats F Raymond Felton (13 ppg; ankle) is questionable for tonight's game.
Mavericks' Harris out 2-3 weeks
January 28, 2008
DALLAS (AP) -Mavericks guard Devin Harris will miss at least 2-3 weeks with a bone bruise on his left ankle.
Harris was injured when he landed awkwardly on a hard drive to the basket early in the fourth quarter of a 90-85 victory against Denver on Sunday. He didn't travel for Dallas' game Monday at Memphis.
An MRI performed Monday showed no additional damage to the ankle.
In his first year as the full-time starter at point guard, Harris is averaging career highs of 14.4 points and 5.3 assists per game. He's shooting 48 percent from the field, including a career-best 36 percent from 3-point range.