Indiana Pacers vs. Dallas Mavericks
- The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Indiana Pacers and the Dallas Mavericks when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Mavericks listed as 12½-point favorites versus the Pacers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Mike Dunleavy tossed in a game-high 32 points, as the Pacers defeated the SuperSonics 114-107 last time out. The Pacers failed to cover the 9-point spread, but the 221 points made it OVER the posted total of 219.
Dunleavy finished 10-for-16 from the field with six rebounds, and Danny Granger chipped in with 23 points in the win.
Dirk Nowitzki scored a game-high 26 points and hauled down nine boards on Wednesday, as the Mavericks over the Bobcats 118-93. The Mavericks covered the 10.5-point spread, and the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 201.
Josh Howard had 24 points, seven rebounds and six assists in the win.
Current streak:
Dallas has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Indiana: 25-39 SU, 29-34-1 ATS
Dallas: 42-23 SU, 28-33-4 ATS
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Orlando are 3-7
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a win are 2-8
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Miami are 7-3
After playing Charlotte are 6-1
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Indiana's last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Indiana's last 14 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Indiana's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Indiana's last 6 games when playing on the road against Dallas
Dallas is 15-1 SU in its last 16 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Dallas's last 8 games
Dallas is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Indiana
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Dallas's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Indiana at Orlando, Saturday, March 15
Dallas at Miami, Sunday, March 16
Toronto Raptors vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Toronto Raptors and the Denver Nuggets will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Pepsi Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Nuggets listed as 10-point favorites versus the Raptors, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Raptors were defeated 117-106 by Golden State last time out, as 10-point underdogs. The 223 points were a PUSH against the posted total of 223.
Anthony Parker scored 22 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Raptors.
The Nuggets had no trouble in disposing the Grizzlies 108-86 last time out. The Nuggets covered the 16.5-point spread, but the 194 points were UNDER the posted total of 226.5.
Kenyon Martin scored 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Nuggets, and Carmelo Anthony added 14 in the win.
Current streak:
Toronto has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 34-30 SU, 35-29 ATS
Denver: 38-26 SU, 33-31 ATS
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 3-7
After playing Golden State are 4-6
After a loss are 7-3
Denver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Seattle are 5-5
After playing Memphis are 9-1
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Toronto's last 21 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Toronto's last 9 games when playing on the road against Denver
Toronto is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games
Toronto is 2-6 ATS in its last 8 games
Denver is 14-2 SU in its last 16 games at home
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Toronto
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Denver's last 5 games
Next up:
Toronto at Sacramento, Sunday, March 16
Denver home to Seattle, Sunday, March 16
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Seattle SuperSonics
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Seattle SuperSonics will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at KeyArena.
Oddsmakers currently have the SuperSonics listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Timberwolves, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
The Timberwolves lost 103-96 to the Trail Blazers as 2-point underdogs on Tuesday. The 199 points made it OVER the posted total of 185.
Al Jefferson led the Timberwolves with 20 points, and Rashad McCants added 18 in the loss.
The SuperSonics were crushed 111-82 by the Celtics on Wednesday, as 18-point road underdogs. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 203.
Kevin Durant led the SuperSonics with 16 points and three rebounds.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 6 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 14-49 SU, 30-32-1 ATS
Seattle: 16-49 SU, 32-32-1 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Portland are 4-6
After playing Portland are 1-9
After a loss are 3-7
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Denver are 6-4
After playing Boston are 5-5
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 8 games on the road
Minnesota is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Seattle
Seattle is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Minnesota
Seattle is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Seattle is 5-0-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Portland, Saturday, March 15
Seattle at Denver, Sunday, March 16
Pac-10 Semifinals
By Brad Young
The Pac-10 Tournament has followed serve so far, with the top four seeds still remaining. In fact, the only higher seed to win a game at Staples Center was an opening-round contest when ninth-seed California slipped past eighth-seed Washington.
The four seeds remaining are all comfortably in the NCAA Tournament, while three schools suffered notable losses from Thursday’s quarterfinal action to remain ‘bubble’ teams. Arizona should advance to its 24th consecutive NCAA Tournament with a solid Ratings Percentage Index of 34, while Oregon (54) and especially Arizona State (74) will have to sweat out Selection Sunday.
Now let’s break down the Pac 10’s version of the Final Four.
**Southern Cal (4) versus UCLA (1)**
-Caesars Palace installed UCLA as a 9½-point ‘chalk’ over Southern Cal, with the total set at 127. This Pac-10 semifinal contest is slated to start at 9:00 p.m. ET, with FOX Sports Net providing coverage.
-Southern Cal (21-10 straight up, 17-10 against the spread) toppled Arizona State Thursday as a four-point favorite, 59-54. The combined 113 points went ‘under’ the 125-point closing total.
-The Sun Devils appeared to tie the score late in the contest, but a basket was called off when a foul was called. The Trojans hit a pair of free throws to seal the contest and punch their ticket to the semifinals.
-Guard O.J. Mayo led all scorers with 23 points on 8-of-17 shooting while dishing out six assists. USC shot 43 percent (21-of-49) from the field, while outrebounding Arizona State, 32-19.
-The Trojans are 10-5 SU and 10-4 ATS away from home, winning those affairs by an average score of 69-63.
-UCLA (29-3 SU, 19-10 ATS) routed California Thursday as a 13-point ‘chalk,’ 88-66, while the combined 154 points went ‘over’ the 143-point closing total. The Bruins have alternated ATS wins and losses their last seven games.
-UCLA jumped out to a 14-point halftime advantage, and finished the contest by shooting 53 percent (32-of-60) from the field. Four of the five starters reached double digits in scoring, led by guard Darren Collison’s game-high 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting.
-The Bruins maintain a 13-1 SU and 10-3 ATS road record, winning those matchups by an average score of 70-61.
-USC and UCLA split their season series, with the road team prevailing each time. The Trojans triumphed Jan. 19 as a 12-point road underdog, 72-63, while the Bruins prevailed Feb. 17 as a seven-point road ‘chalk,’ 56-46.
**Washington State (3) versus Stanford (2)**
-There is no overnight line or total on this contest due to the late ending of the Arizona-Stanford game. This Pac-10 semifinal contest is scheduled to start at 11:30 p.m. ET.
-Washington State (24-7 SU, 14-14 ATS) held off Oregon Thursday as a 4 ½-point favorite, 75-70. The Cougars had failed to cover their previous two outings before upending the Ducks.
-Wazzu jumped out to a 42-27 halftime advantage, and prevailed by shooting 52 percent (25-of-48) from the field. Guard Derrick Low paced the offense with 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting.
-The Cougars own a 14-3 SU and 9-6 ATS road record, winning those affairs by an average score of 67-57.
-Stanford (25-6 SU, 15-15 ATS) wore down Arizona and triumphed as a three-point ‘chalk,’ 75-64. The Cardinal were just 1-4 ATS the past five games heading into their matchup with the Wildcats.
-Stanford dominated Arizona on the boards, 50-27, and shot 43 percent (30-of-70) from the field. Brook Lopez stepped up with 20 points and 15 rebounds, while his brother Robin Lopez added 14 and three.
-The Cardinal are 9-5 SU and 8-6 ATS away from home, winning those games by an average score of 68-65.
-Stanford swept Washington State this season SU and ATS, prevailing Feb. 2 as a 5½-point road underdog, 67-65, and March 1 as a 4 ½-point home favorite, 60-53.
vegasinsider.com
SEC Tourney Quarterfinals
By Brian Edwards
**South Carolina vs. Tennessee**
--Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened Tennessee (28-3 straight up, 16-11 against the spread) as an 11½-point favorite with a total of 147. Most sports books chimed in with UT at 12 and the total adjusted to 145.
--Bruce Pearl’s team just played South Carolina in Knoxville this past Sunday. The Gamecocks hung in early, trailing by just one at intermission. However, the Volunteers got busy in the second half, cruising to an 89-56 win as 15-point home favorites. Fittingly, Chris Lofton scored a game-high 28 points on Senior Day.
--South Carolina (14-17 SU, 13-14 ATS) advanced past the first round by knocking off LSU by a 77-73 count, extending the career of the retiring Dave Odom for at least one more day. All five USC starters scored in double figures, but Devan Downey – one of the nation’s most underrated players – was the catalyst with 12 points, 11 assists and seven rebounds. Mike Holmes, a freshman who is going to be a big-time player for the next South Carolina coach, finished with 16 points.
--The 'Cocks are 2-1 ATS in three games this season as double-digit underdogs. As for the Vols, they are 7-4 ATS as double-digit favorites.
--Raycom affiliates will provide television coverage from the Georgia Dome at 1:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Arkansas vs. Vanderbilt**
--LVSC opened this game as a pick ‘em with a total of 146. Most spots moved the total into the 143-144 range as of Thursday night.
--This is a rematch of a game played in Fayetteville on March 1 when Arkansas (20-10 SU, 9-15 ATS) won a 78-73 decision. However, the Commodores covered the number as 6½-point underdogs. Shan Foster, who was named SEC Player of the Year after leading the league in scoring (20.5 points per game), drained a deep and difficult 3-ball from the left wing in the waning moments to allow Vandy backers to cash. Foster made 8-of-12 shots from the floor and 6-of-8 from beyond the arc in a 22-point effort. Sonny Weems paced the Razorbacks with 20 points.
--Vanderbilt (26-6 SU, 16-15 ATS) finished third in the SEC East, forcing it to play on Thursday. Kevin Stallings’ team took out Auburn 93-82, hooking up its backers as an eight-point ‘chalk.’ The 175 combined points obliterated the 147-point tally. A.J. Ogilvy scored a game-high 27 points, while Foster added 26 on 9-of-14 attempts from the field.
--Vandy has won nine of its last 11 games, compiling a 7-4 spread record.
--This game will tip around 3:15 p.m. Eastern. To be exact, they’ll start 30 minutes after the conclusion of USC-UT.
Editor’s Note: Previews of Friday’s night session ('Bama-Miss. St. and UGA-UK) will follow when the lines are released…
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--With Thursday’s loss to Alabama, Florida is destined for the NIT. Ouch! Likewise, with Ole Miss's lost to Georgia, the Rebels are NIT bound.
--I hope that Dennis Felton saved his job at UGA with last night's win. I really think he deserves one more season.
--GatorSports.com recently polled a group of sports writers in the Southeast to rank their top 75 basketball players in SEC history. UT’s Lofton was the only active player to make the list at No. 45. Of course, with no questions asked, "Pistol" Pete Maravich was ranked first.
--Here’s my All-Time All-SEC Team:
Starting Point Guard: Chris Jackson (LSU)
Starting Shooting Guard: ‘Pistol’ Pete Maravich (LSU)
Starting Small Forward: Bernard King (Tennessee)
Starting Power Forward: Charles Barkley (Auburn)
Starting Center: Shaquille O’Neal (LSU)
Back-up “Big”: Dan Issel (Kentucky)
Back-up “Big”: Al Horford (Florida)
Back-up Forward: Dominique Wilkins (Georgia)
Back-up Guard/Forward: Dale Ellis (Tennessee)
Back-up Point Guard: Kyle Macy
Zone Buster: Chuck Person (Auburn)
Utility/Versatility: Antoine Walker (Kentucky)
Three Alternates: Joakim Noah (Florida), Robert Horry (Alabama) and Jamal Mashburn (Kentucky)
--If there was room for a buzzer-beating specialist, it would be Vandy’s Barry Goheen. Just ask Pitt’s trio of Charles Smith, Jerome Lane and Bobby Martin, whose careers ended in the second round of the 1988 NCAA Tournament when Goheen nailed back-to-back 3’s in the last six seconds of regulation to force overtime. The ‘Dores eventually won in the extra session, only to get beaten at the Pontiac Silverdome in Detroit in the Sweet 16 by the eventual champs, Larry Brown’s Kansas Jayhawks, who were led by Danny Manning and beat Oklahoma in the finals. That Sooners squad was led by Mookie Blaylock and Stacey King. Anyway, back to Goheen….he hit several other buzzer beaters during his collegiate career.
vegasinsider.com