COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(3) Kansas (13-0, 7-3 ATS) at Boston College (10-2, 4-4 ATS)
Kansas puts its perfect record on the line once again when it travels up the eastern seaboard to battle Boston College in Chestnut Hill.
The Jayhawks have been idle since Saturday’s 86-53 thrashing of Yale, barely covering a whopping 32-point spread. Kansas is on a 6-2 ATS roll, including 5-2 ATS when laying double digits. In fact, Bill Self’s squad has won 10 of its 13 games by double digits and is averaging 83.5 points per game on 52.4 percent shooting, figures that rank 16th and second in the nation, respectively.
Since an 83-80 loss to UMass as a 4½-point home favorite back on Dec. 12, Boston College has ripped off three straight victories, all at home, Most recently, the Eagles crushed Division II Longwood 81-52 in a non-lined game, but in their previous two contests they barely got by Division II Sacred Heart (80-75) and Northeastern (57-55). In lined games, B.C. has followed a 4-1 ATS run with consecutive non-covers.
These schools met last year in Lawrence, Kan., and the Jayhawks rolled to an 84-66 victory, cashing as a 10-point home chalk.
The Jayhawks are 3-0 on the highway (1-1 ATS), while B.C. is 8-2 on its home floor, but just 2-4 ATS in lined contests, outscoring its visitors by an average of just eight points per game (73-65).
Kansas is just 2-7 ATS in its last nine against ACC foes.
The under is 8-2 in Kansas’ last 10 outings, including 3-0 “under” on the road, but the over is 23-11 in B.C.’s last 34 non-conference games, including 5-2 in its last seven lined outings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS
Iowa (7-7, 3-7 ATS) at (25) Wisconsin (11-2, 6-4 ATS)
Wisconsin shoots for its fifth consecutive victory when it hosts Iowa in its first Big Ten home game of the season.
The Badgers opened conference play with Wednesday’s 70-54 rout of Michigan, easily covering as an 8½-point road chalk. Ten of Wisconsin’s 11 victories have come by double digits, the lone exception being last Saturday’s thrilling 67-66 last-second win at then-No. 9 Texas.
Iowa came up just short against No. 11 Indiana on Wednesday, falling 79-76 to drop to 3-7 SU in its last 10. However, the Hawkeyes did cash as a 10-point home underdog, this after going 1-8 ATS in their previous nine lined games.
Wisconsin swept the season series last year, winning 57-46 as a five-point road favorite and 74-62, pushing as a 12-point home chalk. The Badgers are 8-1 in the last nine meetings and 9-4-2 ATS in the last 15 clashes. The favorite is also 9-4-2 ATS in the last 15.
Wisconsin is 8-1 on its home floor (3-3 ATS), the loss coming to Marquette a month ago. The Badgers are also on a 7-3-1 ATS roll against league opponents.
The Hawkeyes are 1-3 SU and ATS on the highway, and in addition to their ongoing 2-8 ATS slump, they’re 2-9-2 ATS in their last 13 Saturday outings. On a positive note, with the spread-cover against Indiana, Iowa is 15-6-2 ATS in its last 23 conference games.
As usual, the Badgers get it done with defense, ranking forth in the nation in points allowed (54.1 per game) and 15th in opponents’ field-goal percentage (37.5). Iowa is also a defensive-oriented squad, limiting foes to 57.0 ppg, good for 12th best nationally.
The under is 7-4 for Iowa this year, while Wisconsin has stayed under the number in every game during its five-game winning streak. Also, the under is on runs of 7-1 for the Badgers in conference action and 6-2 in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WISCONSIN and UNDER
Oregon (9-4, 4-6 ATS) at (21) Arizona (10-3, 5-5-1 ATS)
Two days after suffering a conference loss at Arizona State, slumping Oregon heads a little farther south in the desert for a league battle with the Wildcats in Tucson, Ariz.
The Ducks got outscored 36-24 in the second half in Tempe on Thursday night, losing 62-54 as a 3½-point underdog. Oregon is 1-3 in its last four games, with all three losses coming on the road. It is also 0-3 ATS in its last three lined outings.
Arizona had little trouble with Oregon State in its Pac-10 debut on Thursday, winning 76-63, but falling short as a 17-point home chalk. The Wildcats are 7-1 in their last eight, the only loss coming a week ago today at No. 2 Memphis. However, they’re just 1-3-1 ATS in their last five.
These teams faced off three times last year. The road team prevailed in both regular-season clashes, while Oregon scored a 69-50 blowout win as a two-point underdog in the Pac-10 Tournament. The Ducks are 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, with the underdog getting the money in all five contests.
Arizona is 8-1 at home but just 3-4 ATS. Dating to last year, the ‘Cats are just 5-13 ATS in Tucson and 2-5 ATS in conference.
Oregon is 2-4 on the highway and has now failed to cash in eight of its last 11 as a visitor (2-3 ATS this year). On the positive end, the Ducks are still 6-1 ATS in their last seven Pac-10 contests and 7-1 ATS in their last eight Saturday games.
The under is 4-0 in the last four series meetings, 4-1 in Arizona’s last five overall and 3-1-1 in Oregon’s last four lined affairs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(5) UCLA (13-1, 7-4-2 ATS) at Cal (10-2, 6-2 ATS)
Two teams that kicked off their Pac-10 campaigns with impressive wins battle in Berkeley, Calif., where No. 5 UCLA takes on Cal.
The Bruins went to Stanford on Thursday night and pulled away late, securing a 76-67 victory in a pick-em game. UCLA has ripped off six straight wins (3-2 ATS) since suffering its only loss of the season, a 63-61 home setback to Texas.
While UCLA was beating Stanford, Cal was upending No. 22 USC 92-82 up the road in Berkeley, covering as a three-point home favorite. The Bears have won and covered three in a row, with all three victories being double-digit routs.
UCLA, en route to its second consecutive Pac-10 title, crushed the Bears twice in the regular season last year, wining 62-46 as a six-point road chalk and 85-75 as a 15-point home choice. However, Cal shocked the Bruins in the opening round of the conference tournament, winning 76-69 in overtime as a 14-point underdog.
The straight-up winner has covered the spread in five of the last 10 series meetings. Meanwhile, the underdog is 7-2 in the last nine battles and the visitor is 7-1 ATS in the last eight.
Cal moved to 9-1 at home (5-1 ATS) with the win over USC, and the Bears have cashed in seven of their last eight in Berkeley dating to last season.
The Bruins, who rank fifth in the nation in scoring defense (54.7 ppg allowed), are a perfect 5-0 on the road (3-1 ATS). Also, going back several years, they’re on an astonishing 27-12-1 ATS tear away from Pauley Pavilion.
UCLA is on a 12-5 “under” streak, including 7-4-1 “under” this year (3-1 on the highway). The under is also 26-11 in the Bruins’ last 37 Saturday games. Conversely, the over is on runs of 6-1-1 for Cal overall, 12-5-1 for Cal on Saturdays, 4-1-1 for Cal at home, 7-2 for UCLA in Pac-10 games and 4-1 in the last five series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(22) USC (9-4, 6-4 ATS) at (24) Stanford (11-2, 6-6 ATS)
Stanford and USC look to bounce back from losses in their Pac-10 openers when they clash at Maples Pavilion in Palo Alto, Calif.
The Trojans had a three-game winning streak snapped in Thursday’s 92-82 loss at Cal as a 1½-point road underdog. They’ve followed up a 4-1 ATS streak with consecutive non-covers.
Stanford took a seven-game overall winning streak and an eight-game home winning streak into Thursday’s conference debut against fifth-ranked UCLA, but the Cardinal came up short 76-67 as a 2½-point home underdog. Stanford is 2-7 ATS in its last nine games, including three straight non-covers.
USC fell to Stanford 65-50 as a 1½-point road underdog in the first meeting last year, but the Trojans got revenge with a pair of four-point victories, one at home (69-65 as a five-point favorite) and one in the Pac-10 tournament (83-79 in overtime as a 2½-point choice).
The home team has won each of the last five regular-season meetings (3-2 ATS).
The Trojans dropped to 4-2 SU and ATS on the highway this year after the loss at Cal. They’re also 12-1 ATS in their last 13 games following a loss and 12-4 ATS in their last 16 Saturday games.
Even though Stanford is 8-1 at home, it is just 1-5 ATS in its last six at Maples Pavilion. The Cardinal have also failed to cash in four straight Saturday games, and they’re 0-4-1 ATS in their last five conference contests.
Stanford has stayed under the total in eight of its last nine games, and the under is 9-3-1 in its 13 outings this season (6-2-1 at home). Also, the Trojans have stayed low in seven of their last nine lined affairs.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC and UNDER
LSU (7-6, 1-6 ATS) at (12) Texas A&M (13-1, 5-3 ATS)
The slumping Tigers head to College Station, Texas, to battle a Texas A&M squad that’s reeled off six consecutive wins.
LSU is coming off consecutive losses to Washington (73-65 at home last Saturday) and Tulane (68-63 on the road Wednesday). The Tigers are 1-3 in their last four, failing to cash in all four contests.
The Aggies last played on Monday, when they blew out Rice 68-41 at home, failing to cover as a 30-point favorite. A&M has won six in a row since a 78-67 loss at Arizona, but only two of the six wins have come against lined foes.
LSU has had the Aggies’ number the last two seasons, wining 58-57 as a 4½-point favorite in the 2006 NCAA Tournament and 64-52 as a two-point home chalk last year.
The Tigers are 1-5 in road/neutral-site contests (1-4 ATS). They’re also mired in extended ATS slumps of 18-37-1 overall, 7-19-2 on Saturdays and 2-5 against the Big 12.
Texas A&M is 11-0 on its home floor (3-2 ATS). The Aggies have also cashed in six of their last seven on Saturday.
The Aggies, who outscore their opponents by an average of 21 points per game (78-57), rank sixth in the country in field-goal percentage (51.2) and second nationally in field-goal defense (35.2).
The under is 4-2 in Texas A&M’s last six lined outings, while LSU has stayed low in each of its last five lined games and 22 of its last 30 non-conference battles. Also, the under is 2-0 in the last two meetings between these schools.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS A&M and UNDER
Minnesota (10-2, 4-3 ATS) at (6) Michigan State (12-1, 5-2-2 ATS)
Michigan State tries for its 10th consecutive win when it hosts Minnesota in the Big Ten opener for both squads.
The Spartans closed out non-conference play with last Saturday’s 93-75 rout of Wisconsin-Green Bay, coming up short as a 21½-point home favorite. Michigan State has played just five lined games during its winning streak, going 3-1-1 ATS.
The Golden Gophers had a seven-game winning streak halted in Sunday’s 81-64 loss at UNLV as a two-point road underdog. Tubby Smith’s squad has faced just three lined teams in its last seven games, going 1-2 ATS.
Michigan State destroyed Minnesota in the lone meeting last year, rolling 70-46 as a 16-point home favorite. The Spartans are 6-1 in the last seven in this rivalry (4-3 ATS). Also, the home team has won eight of the last 10 SU while covering the number in 10 of the last 12.
The Spartans are unbeaten through 10 home games this season (4-2 ATS), outscoring opponents by 20 points per game (83-63). Dating to last year, Tom Izzo’s squad is on an 11-4 ATS spurt on its home floor.
With the loss in Las Vegas on Sunday, the Gophers dropped to 3-2 on the highway (1-2 ATS). They’re just 1-4 in their last five lined road games, and they ended last year on a 1-5 ATS nosedive in Big Ten play.
The over is 4-1 in Michigan State’s five lined home games this season. However, the under is on runs of 14-5-2 for Michigan State in conference play, 8-3 for Minnesota overall, 9-4 for Minnesota on the road, 20-7 for Minnesota on Saturday and 4-1 in this rivalry overall and 5-1 in head-to-head meetings at Michigan State.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MICHIGAN STATE and UNDER
UConn (10-2, 3-4 ATS) at Notre Dame (11-2, 5-5 ATS)
Fresh off of victories in their conference openers on Thursday, UConn and Notre Dame clash in South Bend tonight.
The Huskies went to Seton Hall two days ago and trashed the Pirates 98-86, covering as a four-point road favorite. UConn has won five in a row, and it snapped an 0-5 ATS drought with Thursday’s spread-cover.
Notre Dame extended its winning streak to nine in a row – all at home – with Thursday’s 69-56 rout of West Virginia as a one-point home favorite. The Irish have followed up an 0-4 ATS drought by going 4-1 ATS in their last five. Also, eight of their nine victories during their streak have come by double digits, and the other was a nine-point win.
By quirk of the conference schedule, these teams didn’t meet last year. In their most recent clash in February 2006, the Huskies escaped with a 75-74 overtime win, but the Irish easily cashed as a 13½-point road underdog. The home team is 7-1 in the last eight regular-season meetings (5-3 ATS), including 5-0 in the last five. Also, the underdog has cashed in five of the last seven battles.
UConn improved to 3-2 on the road (2-3 ATS) with Thursday’s win at Seton Hall. However, going back to last year, the Huskies are just 6-20 ATS overall, including 2-9 ATS as a visitor.
Notre Dame is 9-0 at home (3-3 ATS). The Irish are also 6-1 ATS in their last seven against the Big East.
The over is 5-1 in the Huskies’ last six games, 3-1 in Notre Dame’s last four and 3-0 in the last three clashes in South Bend.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NOTRE DAME and OVER
(4) Washington State (12-0, 5-4 ATS) at Washington (9-4, 5-7 ATS)
Two bitter instate rivals open conference play against one another, when unbeaten Washington State heads to Seattle to battle the Huskies in a Pac-10 clash.
The Cougars have been off since Dec. 28, when they capped a perfect non-conference season with a 67-34 rout of North Carolina A&T in a non-lined home game. Only three of Washington State’s 13 opponents have come within single digits of the Cougars.
Washington rebounded from a 1-4 slump by closing the non-conference season with four straight wins, including Monday’s 82-50 rout of Idaho State as a 22-point home favorite. The Huskies have followed a 1-7 ATS drought with four consecutive spread-covers.
The Cougars have beaten their archrivals five straight times (5-0 ATS) with three of those victories coming last season: a 75-47 destruction as a six-point home favorite, a 65-61 win as a three-point road underdog and a 74-64 rout as a three-point chalk in the Pac-10 tournament. The straight-up winner has covered the spread in each of the last seven meetings and nine of the last 10.
Washington State has won more than half of its games on foreign turf, going 7-0 SU and 3-2 ATS. However, the Cougars closed out last year by going 1-5 ATS in Pac-10 games.
The Huskies are 8-1 on their home floor, the only blemish being a last-second one-point loss to Pitt. Against the number, Washington is 4-4 in Seattle, including 3-1 ATS in the last four.
The big difference between these squads is on defense, as Washington State leads the nation in points allowed (49.7 per game), while the Huskies rank 211th (69.9 ppg). Washington State also has the nation’s ninth-best field-goal shooting offense (50.6 percent) and the seventh-best field-goal defense (36.3 percent).
Washington started the season on a 5-1 “over” tear, but has since stayed under the total in six consecutive contests. On the flip side, Washington State went 4-1 “under” in its first five, but is 4-2 “over” in its last six. In conference play, the under is on runs of 7-3 for the Cougars and 8-3 for Washington.
ATS ADVANTAGE: WASHINGTON STATE and UNDER
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New Jersey Nets vs. Atlanta Hawks
- The New Jersey Nets and the Atlanta Hawks will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Philips Arena.
New Jersey forced 21 Charlotte turnovers in Friday's 102-96 win, covering the 5-point home spread. The 202 points scored were OVER the posted total of 192.
Vince Carter fired in 30 points, and Jason Kidd had a triple-double with 12 points, 12 assists and ten rebounds for the Nets.
Atlanta was 1-for-10 from three-point land in Friday's 113-91 loss at Indiana, coming in as 3-point road underdogs. The 204 points scored were OVER the posted total of 195.5.
Josh Childress came off the bench with 26 points and eight boards, and Josh Smith notched 20 points for the Hawks.
Current streak:
New Jersey has won 4 straight games.
Atlanta has lost 3 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 16-16 SU, 13-18-1 ATS
Atlanta: 15-15 SU, 16-14 ATS
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 3-7
After playing Charlotte are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing Cleveland are 5-5
After playing Indiana are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games on the road
New Jersey is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Atlanta
New Jersey is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Atlanta
Atlanta is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Atlanta is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Atlanta is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games
The total has gone UNDER in 15 of Atlanta's last 21 games
Next up:
New Jersey at Charlotte, Tuesday, January 8
Atlanta home to Cleveland, Wednesday, January 9
Boston Celtics vs. Detroit Pistons
- The Boston Celtics and the Detroit Pistons will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at The Palace of Auburn Hills.
Boston had to withstand a late Memphis rally in Friday's 100-96 win, failing to cover the 13.5-point home spread. The 196 points scored were OVER the posted total of 194.
Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett had 23 points each, while Tony Allen came off the bench with 20 points for the Celtics.
Detroit pulled away with a 14-point fourth-quarter advantage in Friday's 101-85 win at Toronto, covering the 4.5-point road spread. The 186 points scored were OVER the posted total of 184.5.
Richard Hamilton paced the attack with 22 points, while Rasheed Wallace added 20 points for the Pistons.
Current streak:
Boston has won 8 straight games.
Detroit has won 11 straight games.
Team records:
Boston: 28-3 SU, 20-10-1 ATS
Detroit: 26-7 SU, 23-9-1 ATS
Boston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Charlotte are 5-5
After playing Memphis are 2-8
After a win are 9-1
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 7-3
After playing Toronto are 7-3
After a win are 10-0
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Boston's last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
Boston is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games
Detroit is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Detroit is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Boston home to Charlotte, Wednesday, January 9
Detroit at Dallas, Wednesday, January 9
Sacramento Kings vs. Chicago Bulls
- The Sacramento Kings and the Chicago Bulls will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at United Center.
Sacramento had 21 turnovers in Friday's 97-93 loss at Cleveland, coming in as 8-point road underdogs. The 190 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 192.5.
John Salmons netted 22 points, and Francisco Garcia sunk 15 points for the Kings.
The Bulls lost a 115-109 game to the Trail Blazers in double-vertime last time out, as 4-point favorites. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 188.5.
Ben Gordon had a team-high 32 points, while Joe Smith had 31 points and 11 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Team records:
Sacramento: 12-19 SU, 17-14 ATS
Chicago: 12-19 SU, 11-20 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Orlando are 2-8
After playing Cleveland are 3-7
After a loss are 6-4
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 2-8
Before playing New York are 4-6
After playing Portland are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
Sacramento is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games when playing Chicago
Sacramento is 8-1 ATS in its last 9 games on the road
Sacramento is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Sacramento is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Chicago's last 5 games
Chicago is 4-8 ATS in its last 12 games
Chicago is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Sacramento home to Orlando, Tuesday, January 8
Chicago home to New York, Tuesday, January 8
New York Knicks vs. Houston Rockets
- The New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Toyota Center.
New York had 16 turnovers in a 97-93 loss at San Antonio, falling as 12-point road underdogs. The 190 points scored were OVER the posted total of 185.5.
Eddy Curry put up a game-high 25 points and 12 rebounds, while Jamal Crawford netted 24 points for the Knicks.
Houston overcame 20 turnovers in Friday's 96-94 win at Orlando, coming in as 4.5-point road underdogs. The 190 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 192.
Yao Ming put up 26 points and ten rebounds, and Rafer Alston added 20 points for the Rockets.
Current streak:
New York has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 8-23 SU, 13-18 ATS
Houston: 16-17 SU, 15-17-1 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Chicago are 2-8
After playing San Antonio are 7-3
After a loss are 2-8
Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Washington are 6-4
After playing Orlando are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games on the road
New York is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone OVER in 6 of New York's last 8 games
Houston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing New York
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games at home
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing New York
Next up:
New York at Chicago, Tuesday, January 8
Houston at Washington, Tuesday, January 8
New Orleans Hornets vs. Phoenix Suns
- The New Orleans Hornets and the Phoenix Suns will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at US Airways Center.
New Orleans outrebounded Golden State by ten in Friday's 116-104 win, coming in as 3-point road underdogs. The 220 points scored were OVER the posted total of 208.5.
Chris Paul put up 24 points and 13 assists, while Tyson Chandler notched 22 points and 22 rebounds for the Hornets.
Amare Stoudemire tossed in a game-high 34 points with 11 rebounds for a double-double, and the Suns defeated the SuperSonics 104-96. The Suns failed to cover the 14.5-point spread, while the 200 points were UNDER the posted total of 218.
Steve Nash poured in 17 points to go with 10 assists, while Leandro Barbosa had 16 points in the win.
Current streak:
New Orleans has won 2 straight games.
Phoenix has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
New Orleans: 22-11 SU, 19-13-1 ATS
Phoenix: 23-9 SU, 14-17-1 ATS
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 3-7
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 8-2
Before playing Denver are 6-4
After playing Seattle are 7-3
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
New Orleans is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
New Orleans is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Orleans's last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 5 games when playing at home against New Orleans
Phoenix is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing New Orleans
Phoenix is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Next up:
New Orleans home to LA Lakers, Wednesday, January 9
Phoenix home to Denver, Monday, January 7
Utah Jazz vs. Portland Trail Blazers
- The fans at Rose Garden will be treated to a game between the Utah Jazz and the Portland Trail Blazers when they take their seats on Saturday.
Carlos Boozer had 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds as the Jazz got past the Philadelphia 76ers 110-107 on Wednesday night.
The Jazz couldn't cover as 9-point home favorites as the teams played well over the 196-point total set by oddsmakers.
The Trail Blazers outlasted the Bulls for a 115-109 double overtime victory last time out, as 4-point road underdogs. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 188.5.
Brandon Roy scored a team-high 25 points with six rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Trail Blazers.
Current streak:
Utah has won 2 straight games.
Portland has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Utah: 18-16 SU, 15-19 ATS
Portland: 20-13 SU, 21-12 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Indiana are 5-5
After playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
Portland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Golden State are 4-6
After playing Chicago are 4-6
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Utah's last 6 games
Utah is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
Utah is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Utah is 5-11 SU in its last 16 games
Portland is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Portland is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games
Portland is 9-1 ATS in its last 10 games at home
Portland is 14-2 ATS in its last 16 games
Next up:
Utah home to Indiana, Tuesday, January 8
Portland home to Golden State, Wednesday, January 9
Bulls F Luol Deng (19 ppg; Achilles) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.
Providence G Sharaud Curry (3 ppg; foot) is not expected to play on Saturday, and G Dwain Williams (9 ppg; ankle) is questionable.
Bowling Green G Ryne Hamblet (13 ppg; academics) will not play the rest of the season.
Arizona's leading scorer G Jerryd Bayless (19 ppg; knee) is not expected to play on Saturday.
Northern Illinois leading scorer G Ryan Paradise (11 ppg; nose) is not expected to play on Saturday.
Loyola-Chicago F Leon Young (12 ppg; illness) is listed as doubtful for Saturday's game.
Jazz F Andrei Kirilenko (back) will not travel with the team for Saturday night's game at Portland.
Roy: 'Game-time decision'
Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy, who is extending his hot December into the first week of January, has been deemed by the team training staff as a "game-time decision" for tonight's home game against Utah.
Roy has a badly bruised tailbone, the result of a hard fall Thursday after his driving layin was blocked by Ben Wallace in the final minute of regulation during the Blazers' 115-109 double-overtime victory at Chicago.
"My legs kind of ran into (Wallace's) and I landed smack on my butt,'' Roy said after the game. "And it just went downhill from there.''
After the fall, Roy's back began to tighten up, gradually hindering his game. Roy had a sweet and-one in the overtime, driving baseline after a spinning move off Kirk Hinrich and being fouled by Wallace while making the layin. But with his back tightening and aching, Roy deferred more and more, a direct contrast to the first four quarters, when Roy sliced-and-diced his way to 20 points and a career-high tying 11 assists.
By the time the second overtime rolled around, Roy had told coach Nate McMillan that he could no longer run the show. In the decisive second overtime, Roy did not attempt a shot, and did not have an assist, scoring two points on free throws after Joe Smith fouled him on the perimeter while leaving a large scrape and finger nail scratch under Roy's right eye. The game had to be stopped after Roy's first free throw in order to clean the blood from the scrape.
Roy, who played a game-high 49 minutes - including the final 19:02 - said he tried to tough it out, but eventually felt he had to tell McMillan the truth.
"Coach kept asking me how I felt, and I kept saying 'I'm coo', I'm coo','' Roy said. "Then finally, I said, 'Alright, I'm cool, but don't give me the ball'.''
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Are you ready for NBA weekend betting, I suppose that we read some statistic and that we prepare for winning weekend...
Look at my pick's :
New Jersey Nets +3½ +145 -(New Jersey forced 21 Charlotte turnovers in Friday's 102-96 win, covering the 5-point home spread. The 202 points scored were OVER the posted total of 192.)
Detroit Pistons -2 -130-(Detroit pulled away with a 14-point fourth-quarter advantage in Friday's 101-85 win at Toronto, covering the 4.5-point road spread. The 186 points scored were OVER the posted total of 184.5.)
Houston Rockets -9½ -450-(Houston overcame 20 turnovers in Friday's 96-94 win at Orlando, coming in as 4.5-point road underdogs. The 190 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 192.)
P.s. Good luck if you betting .....