Tuesday’s Pregame Buzz
NBA
Detroit Pistons at Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers have lost 3 straight and 13 of 17, including a 98-96 defeat to woeful Miami on Saturday. Indiana averages 103 points per game - tied for 6th-most in the NBA - but has been held below 100 in the last 3 contests. EDGE: PISTONS
Indiana's problems also stem from its inability to stop opponents on the offensive end, allowing 107 ppg in January. “It comes down to defense, and we are not getting stops,” said Pacers head coach Jim O’Brien. EDGE: PISTONS
The Pistons are 2-0 SU & ATS against the Pacers this year, averaging 106 ppg and shooting 47% from the field. EDGE: PISTONS
Pistons are 11-3-1 ATS in their last 15 games after scoring 100+ points previously.
Pacers are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Eastern Conference.
The UNDER is 17-4 in the last 21 meetings in Indiana.
Boston Celtics at Miami Heat
Celtics are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 road games against a losing home team.
Heat are 2-14-1 ATS in their last 17 games after a SU win.
The UNDER is 5-0-1 ATS in the last 6 meetings.
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Warriors are 3-15 ATS in their last 18 games following a SU win.
Rockets are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games against the Pacific Division.
The OVER is 5-1 in the last 6 meetings.
Atlanta Hawks at Phoenix Suns
Hawks are 4-12 ATS in their last 16 road games against a home team winning over 60%.
Suns are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games when playing on 1 days rest.
The underdog is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
New York Knicks at Los Angeles Lakers
Lakers star Kobe Bryant has excelled against the New York Knicks in recent games. Bryant is averaging 37 points in his last 5 games against New York. The Lakers have won 4 of the last 6 meetings but have failed to cover 4 of the last 5. SLIGHT EDGE: LAKERS
New York has lost 10 straight road games to Western Conference foes, including a 106-104 setback on Sunday night against the Warriors. EDGE: LAKERS
The Knicks have won 5 of their last 9 games, and Nate Robinson has stepped up to average of 16 ppg over his last 9. Robinson had 16 points and a career-high 9 rebounds against the Lakers back in December. EDGE: KNICKS
Knicks are 4-13 ATS in their last 17 games after scoring 100+ points previously.
Lakers are 5-1-1 ATS in their last 7 games following a SU loss.
The road team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings.
CBB - Stats Matchups
Ohio State at Penn State
Ohio State is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
Penn State is 0-4-1 ATS in its last 5 games against the Big Ten.
The road team is 7-2ATS in the last 9 meetings.
Virginia Commonwealth at George Mason
VCU is 10-4 ATS in its last 14 games against a winning team.
George Mason is 4-9 ATS in its last 13 home games.
The home team is 8-3 ATS in the last 11 meetings.
#8 Tennessee at Alabama
Tennessee is 0-8 ATS in its last 8 games against a winning team.
Tennessee is 0-8 ATS in the last 8 meetings with Alabama.
Alabama is 6-0 ATS in its last 6 games against a winning team.
The home team is 7-3 ATS in the last 10 games.
Pregame.com
Rockets C Yao Ming (upper respiratory infection) has been downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game.
Pacers G Jamaal Tinsley (13 ppg; knee) has been downgraded to doubtful for tonight's game.
Celtics C Kevin Garnett remains a game-time decision tonight with an abdominal strain.
Rajon Rondo's ankle sprain from Sunday is not limiting him much and he's expected to play tonight for the Celtics.
Garnett to miss game against Miami
January 29, 2008
MIAMI (AP) -Boston center Kevin Garnett will miss the game against Miami because of a strained abdominal muscle, his second contest on the sideline.
Garnett won't dress for the game Tuesday night against the Heat, coach Doc Rivers said after the morning shootaround.
``He always wants to play, which is good,'' Rivers said. ``But he understands it's the right thing for the team.''
Garnett, the Celtics' second-leading scorer (19.2) and leading rebounder (9.9), sat out the 96-93 loss in Orlando on Sunday.
Rivers said no decision has been made on whether Garnett can play Thursday, when the Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks.
``If he can play Thursday, we'll play him,'' Rivers said. ``But again, it's got to be almost 100 percent. That's the way I look at those types of injuries.''