MVC tourney: Creighton vs. Bradley preview and pick
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Creighton Bluejays vs. Bradley Braves
These two teams will be sick of each other by the time Friday’s game is over. They just met Saturday night in the regular season finale in what was the highest scoring game in the Missouri Valley Conference since 1984.
Creighton pulled out a 111-110 home victory, but failed to cover as 7 1/2-point favorites. For the second meeting in about two weeks, these two teams topped the total, though Bradley won the first meeting 87-59 as two-point faves.
The high scoring games shouldn’t come as a major surprise, seeing as how these are two teams that love a good track meet and both are accustomed to seeing over/unders in the high 130s or low 140s.
Creighton was the second-best over bet in the MVC this season with an over/under ratio of 16-8 and Bradley ranked No. 3 in the over department at 18-10. Only Indiana State was more profitable to over bettors with a mark of 19-8.
Bradley leads the conference in scoring with 73.4 points per game and Creighton ranks third with 72.1. The Braves are also the worst scoring defense in the conference with 71.2 points against per game, so you can see why their totals tend to get lofty.
Bradley’s top five scorers are all guards and four of them average double figures in points per game. Jeremy Crouch (15.5 ppg) and Daniel Ruffin (15.2 ppg) are among the top five scorers in the league and Ruffin also happens to be the country’s active career assists leader with 605.
Ruffin has suffered some injuries this season but he is coming off a career high 30 points in Saturday’s loss to Creighton and the Braves are 13-6 with him in the lineup this year. He loves to spread the ball around among this deep offense on which nine players average at least three points per game.
Unfortunately for Bradley, they’re without team third-leading scorer, Andrew Warren, who broke his hand in the first meeting against the Bluejays.
If you want to talk about depth though, Creighton is the model for the conference. The Jays also have nine players with at least three points per game and they boast two members of the MVC All-bench team, guards Booker Woodfox and Cavel Witter. They rank second nationally as a team with 37.5 bench points per game.
Woodfox was named the captain of the All-bench squad and the sophomore Witter is coming off his break-out game after racking up a Valley season-high 42 points in the OT win over Bradley.
How Witter and the rest of Creighton’s grasshoppers will stack up in the tourney remains to be seen, however.The defending MVC tourney champ Bluejays have eight players on the roster who are either freshman or sophomores and the pressure is on. With 20 wins, they need a strong run in St. Louis this weekend to convince the NCAA suits they’re worthy of a tournament berth.
Beating Bradley won’t be easy. This team came on late in the season after overcoming injury problems early on and the Braves covered the spread in eight of their last 10 games. They are one of only three teams in the Valley to beat Drake this season and their three-guard attack can rain treys on you all day.
Bradley ranks sixth nationally with 290 three-pointers this season. Creighton, meanwhile, isn’t the greatest at defending from long range with a defensive three-point percentage of 36.5
MVC tourney: Northern Iowa vs. Southern Illinois preview
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Northern Iowa Panthers vs. Southern Illinois Salukis
If Southern Illinois wants to find itself scrawled in the bracket of the NCAA Tournament for the seventh straight year, the team will probably need to win Arch Madness.
To do that, the Salukis will have to beat a pesky Northern Iowa team that already beat them once this year, 68-63, back in early February when the Panthers were favored by two points.
The Salukis easily won and covered in the second meeting and to do it again, they’ll need tough defense and big play from the frontcourt.
The Panthers are just 1-12 this season when held to fewer than 60 points and 16-1 when they score more than 60. And usually, when they score more than 60 it comes from the paint, namely center Eric Coleman.
Coleman, an MVC second-team selection, is the only Division I player in the nation to lead his team in scoring (11.9 ppg), rebounding (8.5 rpg), assists (2.0 apg), blocked shots (1.4 bpg), steals (0.7 spg) and field goal percentage (.551).
Unfortunately for Northern Illinois, he is the only player on the team to average double digits in scoring. If you can shut him down, you can shut the Panthers down. The Salukis held him to just two points and three rebounds when they beat the Panthers 67-47 on Feb. 20.
Fortunately for Southern Illinois, they have a strong frontcourt and team-leading scorer and MVC first-teamer Randal Falker will likely be charged with the task of guarding Coleman. Falker was the Valley’s defensive player of the year last season, so the job is in good hands.
However, that will limit his production, which means the points will have to come from somewhere else for the Salukis. Forward Matt Shaw (12 ppg) will need a huge effort just like when he poured in 23 and had nine rebounds in the most recent meeting with Northern Iowa.
He’ll be helped on the outside by point guard Bryan Mullins, who averages 11 points and five assists per game and was named this year’s MVC defensive player of the year.
If the Panthers hope to pull off the upset, they’ll likely have to rely on defense. They are the best team in the conference at defending field goals and rank third in the conference with just 60.9 points against.
In the first meeting against the Salukis this year, they held them to just 36 percent on field goals and 25 percent on three-pointers.
But that was at home. Northern Iowa can expect more of a road atmosphere this time in St. Louis where Southern Illinois is traditionally known to bring the biggest, and loudest, throng of fans of any school to Arch Madness.
Arch Madness
The Missouri Valley Conference has been regarded as the nation’s premier mid-major league in recent years, typically sending at least two – usually three or even four -- teams to the NCAA Tournament. However, Drake (25-4 straight up, 17-7 against the spread) is the only school that knows it will hear its name called on Selection Sunday this year.
With that in mind, Arch Madness began Thursday at Scottrade Center in St. Louis. The Bulldogs, who haven’t advanced past the MVC Tournament quarterfinals since 1993, are the No. 1 seed thanks to an improbable 15-3 record in league play.
But if Keno Davis and Co. cut the nets down Sunday, they will be bucking a decade-long trend. Since Illinois St. pulled the trick in 1998, no top seed has won the loop’s automatic bid to the Big Dance.
Drake will take on Indiana State in today’s lid-lifter at 1:00 p.m. Eastern. There was no overnight line released.
The Sycamores advanced by taking out Wichita State 71-67 in a pick ‘em affair. The 138 combined points sailed ‘over’ the 125½-point total. Jay Tunnell and Gabe Moore scored 18 points apiece for the winners.
The loss ended an extremely disappointing campaign for the Shockers, who went to the Sweet 16 just two seasons ago. What a difference a year has made for Gregg Marshall, right?
At this time last season, Wichita State’s first-year coach was preparing Winthrop for a trip to the NCAA Tournament in which the Eagles beat Notre Dame in a first-round upset. On Thursday night, Marshall’s first season with the Shockers ended when he was ejected with more than 12 minutes remaining.
Missouri State won last night’s other play-in game, thumping Evansville 69-46 as a 10-point ‘chalk.’ The Bears move on to face Illinois State (22-8 SU, 13-15 ATS) tonight at 7:00 p.m. ET. No overnight line was released.
Creighton (20-9 SU, 14-11 ATS) and Bradley (17-14 SU, 16-12 ATS) will collide this afternoon 30 minutes after Drake-ISU (around 3:30 ET.). Most sports books are listing the Bluejays as 1½-point favorites. Las Vegas Sports Consultants sent the total out at 143.
These teams just squared off Saturday with Creighton winning a 111-110 decision in overtime. However, Bradley took the cash as a 7½-point road underdog.
In the first meeting earlier this season, the Braves mashed the 'Jays by an 87-59 count.
Both teams have seen the ‘over’ produce big-time profits this year. To be exact, the ‘over’ is 18-10 overall for the Braves, 16-8 for the Bluejays. Most impressively, the ‘over’ has hit in eight consecutive games for Bradley.
Furthermore, the ‘over’ is 7-2-2 in the last 11 head-to-head meetings between Bradley and Creighton.
The nightcap game on Friday will feature Southern Illinois and Northern Iowa. LVSC opened SIU as a 6½-point favorite with a total of 114.
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Washington Wizards vs. Toronto Raptors
- The Washington Wizards and the Toronto Raptors will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Air Canada Centre.
Oddsmakers currently have the Raptors listed as 5-point favorites versus the Wizards, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Antawn Jamison paced Washington with 19 points and six rebounds in its 122-92 loss to the Orlando Magic on Wednesday night.
Orlando covered as 2-point road favorites as the teams played over the 202-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Rasho Nesterovic scored 16 points and hauled down 10 rebounds as the Raptors defeated the Miami Heat 108-83 on Wednesday night.
Toronto cashed as 2-point road favorites as the teams played under the 198-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Team records:
Washington: 29-31 SU, 35-24-1 ATS
Toronto: 33-27 SU, 34-26 ATS
Washington most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing Charlotte are 6-4
After playing Orlando are 6-4
After a loss are 3-7
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Seattle are 5-5
After playing Miami are 3-7
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Washington's last 5 games when playing Toronto
Washington is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Washington's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Toronto's last 5 games when playing Washington
Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against Washington
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Toronto's last 5 games at home
Next up:
Washington home to Charlotte, Saturday, March 8
Toronto home to Seattle, Sunday, March 9
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- The fans at Wachovia Center will be treated to a game between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Philadelphia 76ers when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the 76ers listed as 11-point favorites versus the SuperSonics, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Kevin Durant was the high scorer for Seattle with 23 points in its 118-106 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night.
Milwaukee covered as 9-point home favorites as the game played over the 207.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Six players reached double digit scoring as the 76ers defeated the Clippers 106-80 on Monday. The 76ers easily covered the 4-point spread, while the 186 points were UNDER the posted total of 188.
Andre Iguodala had a team-high 18 points, while Louis Williams had 16 points and eight assists in the win.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 2 straight games.
Philadelphia has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Seattle: 16-45 SU, 30-30-1 ATS
Philadelphia: 28-33 SU, 32-28-1 ATS
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Toronto are 2-8
After playing Milwaukee are 2-8
After a loss are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Milwaukee are 3-7
After playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing Philadelphia
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Seattle's last 5 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Seattle is 7-1 ATS in its last 8 games on the road
Philadelphia is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Philadelphia is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Seattle
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing at home against Seattle
Next up:
Seattle at Toronto, Sunday, March 9
Philadelphia at Milwaukee, Sunday, March 9
Atlanta Hawks vs. Charlotte Bobcats
- The fans at Charlotte Bobcats Arena will be treated to a game between the Atlanta Hawks and the Charlotte Bobcats when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Bobcats listed as 1½-point favorites versus the Hawks, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Joe Johnson paced Atlanta with 24 points in its 116-101 loss to the New Orleans Hornets on Wednesday night.
New Orleans covered as 9.5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 196-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Jason Richardson dropped 42 points and pulled down seven rebounds to lift the Bobcats to a 118-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night.
Charlotte cashed in as 3-point home underdogs as the game played over the 221-point total set by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Atlanta has lost 3 straight games.
Charlotte has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Atlanta: 25-35 SU, 29-31 ATS
Charlotte: 22-39 SU, 25-34-2 ATS
Atlanta most recently:
When playing on Friday are 8-2
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing New Orleans are 4-6
After a loss are 2-8
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Friday are 0-8
Before playing Washington are 2-8
After playing Golden State are 3-4
After a win are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 10 of Atlanta's last 14 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Atlanta's last 9 games when playing Charlotte
Atlanta is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Charlotte's last 7 games
Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Charlotte is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing at home against Atlanta
Charlotte is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
Next up:
Atlanta home to Miami, Saturday, March 8
Charlotte at Washington, Saturday, March 8
Golden State Warriors vs. Miami Heat
- The Golden State Warriors and the Miami Heat will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at AmericanAirlines Arena.
Oddsmakers currently have the Warriors listed as 5½-point favorites versus the Heat, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Monta Ellis led the way for Golden State with 32 points and eight rebounds in its 118-109 loss to the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night.
Charlotte cashed in as 3-point home underdogs as the game played over the 221-point total set by sportsbooks.
Reserve Marcus Banks paced Miami with 21 points in its 108-83 loss to the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night.
Toronto cashed as 2-point road favorites as the teams played under the 198-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Miami has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Golden State: 37-23 SU, 25-35 ATS
Miami: 11-48 SU, 20-38-1 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Friday are 3-7
Before playing Orlando are 6-4
After playing Charlotte are 3-4
After a loss are 9-1
Miami most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Atlanta are 5-5
After playing Toronto are 6-4
After a loss are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 17 of Golden State's last 21 games
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing on the road against Miami
Miami is 11-1 SU in its last 12 games when playing at home against Golden State
Miami is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games when playing at home against Golden State
Miami is 16-5 SU in its last 21 games when playing Golden State
Next up:
Golden State at Orlando, Saturday, March 8
Miami at Atlanta, Saturday, March 8
Detroit Pistons vs. New York Knicks
- The Detroit Pistons and the New York Knicks will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at Madison Square Garden.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Chauncey Billups had 23 points and seven assists for Detroit in its 90-78 loss to the Boston Celtics on Wednesday night.
Boston covered as 4-point home favorites as the teams played under the 184-point total posted by sportsbooks.
Jamal Crawford paced New York with 25 points in its 119-105 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night.
Cleveland cashed as 4.5-point road favorites as the game played over the 191-point total set by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New York has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Detroit: 44-17 SU, 34-26-1 ATS
New York: 18-43 SU, 29-31-1 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Chicago are 7-3
After playing Boston are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
New York most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Portland are 1-9
After playing Cleveland are 5-5
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Detroit is 15-4 SU in its last 19 games
Detroit is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing New York
The total has gone OVER in 13 of Detroit's last 19 games when playing New York
Detroit is 17-8 SU in its last 25 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 10 of New York's last 12 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 5 games at home
New York is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Detroit
New York is 18-7 SU in its last 25 games when playing at home against Detroit
Next up:
Detroit home to Chicago, Sunday, March 9
New York home to Portland, Saturday, March 8
Chicago Bulls vs. Boston Celtics
- The Chicago Bulls and the Boston Celtics will both be gunning for a victory on Friday when they meet at TD Banknorth Garden.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Luol Deng and Ben Gordon poured in 23 points apiece to help the Bulls get past the Cavaliers 107-96 last time out. The Bulls covered the 4-point spread, while the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 197.
Joakim Noah had 13 points and 20 rebounds for a double-double in the win.
Kevin Garnett had 31 points and six rebounds to lead the Celtics over the Detroit Pistons 90-78 on Wednesday night.
Boston covered as 4-point home favorites as the teams played under the 184-point total posted by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Chicago has won 2 straight games.
Boston has won 6 straight games.
Team records:
Chicago: 25-36 SU, 27-34 ATS
Boston: 47-12 SU, 34-23-2 ATS
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Detroit are 5-5
After playing Cleveland are 7-3
After a win are 1-9
Boston most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Memphis are 3-7
After playing Detroit are 3-7
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games when playing Boston
Chicago is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games when playing Boston
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Boston's last 6 games when playing Chicago
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games
Next up:
Chicago at Detroit, Sunday, March 9
Boston at Memphis, Saturday, March 8
New Jersey Nets vs. New Orleans Hornets
- The fans at New Orleans Arena will be treated to a game between the New Jersey Nets and the New Orleans Hornets when they take their seats on Friday.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Richard Jefferson led the way for New Jersey with 22 points in its 100-93 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday night.
Memphis upset New Jersey as 3.5-point home underdogs as the teams played under thr 201-point total set by sportsbooks.
Peja Stojakovic dropped 29 points and pulled down nine rebounds as the Hornets got past the Atlanta Hawks 116-101 on Wednesday night.
New Orleans covered as 9.5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 196-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
New Jersey has lost 3 straight games.
New Orleans has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New Jersey: 26-35 SU, 24-36-1 ATS
New Orleans: 41-19 SU, 36-23-1 ATS
New Jersey most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing Dallas are 3-7
After playing Memphis are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5
New Orleans most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 4-6
After a win are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
New Jersey is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New Jersey's last 6 games
New Jersey is 7-2 SU in its last 9 games when playing New Orleans
New Jersey is 5-1-1 ATS in its last 7 games when playing on the road against New Orleans
New Orleans is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
New Orleans is 12-3 SU in its last 15 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 11 of New Orleans's last 15 games at home
Next up:
New Jersey at Dallas, Saturday, March 8
New Orleans at Houston, Saturday, March 8
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- The Portland Trail Blazers and the Milwaukee Bucks will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Bradley Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
The Trail Blazers were defeated 97-92 by the Suns last time out, as 3-point underdogs. The 189 points were UNDER the posted total of 208.
Brandon Roy tossed in 25 points with five rebounds and four assists for the Trail Blazers.
Charlie Villaneuva scored 32 points and grabbed 11 rebounds to lift the Bucks past the Seattle SuperSonics 118-106 on Wednesday night.
Milwaukee covered as 9-point home favorites as the game played over the 207.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Portland has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Portland: 31-30 SU, 31-30 ATS
Milwaukee: 23-38 SU, 28-32-1 ATS
Portland most recently:
When playing on Friday are 2-8
Before playing New York are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Philadelphia are 3-7
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Portland's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Portland's last 9 games when playing Milwaukee
Portland is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Portland is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Milwaukee is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Milwaukee's last 9 games when playing Portland
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Milwaukee's last 6 games at home
Next up:
Portland at New York, Saturday, March 8
Milwaukee home to Philadelphia, Sunday, March 9
Utah Jazz vs. Phoenix Suns
- The Utah Jazz and the Phoenix Suns will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at US Airways Center.
Oddsmakers currently have the Suns listed as 4-point favorites versus the Jazz, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Deron Williams dropped 21 points and dished out 11 assists as the Jazz cruised past the Minnesota Timberwolves 105-76 on Wednesday night.
Utah won as 14.5-point home favorites as the game played under the 203.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Amare Stoudemire had 22 points and six boards for Phoenix in its 126-113 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.
Denver covered as 5.5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 229.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
Utah has won 3 straight games.
Team records:
Utah: 40-22 SU, 33-29 ATS
Phoenix: 40-21 SU, 27-32-2 ATS
Utah most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Denver are 5-5
After playing Minnesota are 5-5
After a win are 6-4
Phoenix most recently:
When playing on Friday are 9-1
Before playing San Antonio are 5-5
After playing Denver are 8-2
After a loss are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
Utah is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Phoenix
Utah is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games
Utah is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
Utah is 6-2 ATS in its last 8 games when playing Phoenix
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Phoenix's last 6 games at home
Phoenix is 15-6 SU in its last 21 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Phoenix's last 7 games when playing Utah
Next up:
Utah home to Denver, Saturday, March 8
Phoenix home to San Antonio, Sunday, March 9
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Sacramento Kings
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Sacramento Kings will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at ARCO Arena.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Randy Foye led Minnesota with 18 points in its 105-76 loss to the Utah Jazz on Wednesday night.
Utah won as 14.5-point home favorites as the game played under the 203.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Beno Udrih led Sacramento with 25 points in its 116-109 double overtime loss to the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles upset Sacramento as 2.5-point home underdogs as the game played over the 202.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 5 straight games.
Sacramento has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 12-48 SU, 28-31-1 ATS
Sacramento: 27-34 SU, 31-29-1 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 5-5
After playing Utah are 3-7
After a loss are 2-8
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Friday are 6-4
Before playing LA Lakers are 8-2
After playing LA Clippers are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Minnesota's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Sacramento
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Minnesota's last 9 games when playing Sacramento
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games
Sacramento is 8-2 SU in its last 10 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Sacramento's last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
The total has gone OVER in 11 of Sacramento's last 14 games at home
Next up:
Minnesota at LA Clippers, Saturday, March 8
Sacramento at LA Lakers, Sunday, March 9
San Antonio Spurs vs. Denver Nuggets
- The San Antonio Spurs and the Denver Nuggets will both be trying to pick up a win on Friday when they battle at Pepsi Center.
Odds aren't yet posted for this game, so check back later for the opening line and total.
Manu Ginobili netted a game-high 28 points in leading the Spurs to a 108-97 win over the Pacers last time out. The Spurs failed to cover the 13-point spread at home, but the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 197.
Tony Parker chipped in with 19 points for the Spurs, and Matt Bonner had 15 off the bench.
Allen Iverson had 31 points and 12 assists as the Nuggets outgunned the Phoenix Suns 126-113 on Wednesday night.
Denver covered as 5.5-point home favorites as the teams played over the 229.5-point total listed by sportsbooks.
Current streak:
San Antonio has won 11 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 43-17 SU, 29-31 ATS
Denver: 36-24 SU, 30-30 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Friday are 7-3
Before playing Phoenix are 6-4
After playing Indiana are 8-2
After a win are 10-0
Denver most recently:
When playing on Friday are 4-6
Before playing Utah are 5-5
After playing Phoenix are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games on the road
San Antonio is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of San Antonio's last 13 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games at home
Denver is 12-2 SU in its last 14 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Denver's last 13 games when playing at home against San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Phoenix, Sunday, March 9
Denver at Utah, Saturday, March 8
Los Angeles Clippers vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The fans at STAPLES Center will be treated to a game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Los Angeles Lakers when they take their seats on Friday.
Oddsmakers currently have the Lakers listed as 15-point favorites versus the Clippers, while the game's total has not yet been posted.
Al Thornton went for 27 points to lead the Clippers over the Sacramento Kings 116-109 in double overtime on Wednesday night.
Los Angeles upset Sacramento as 2.5-point home underdogs as the game played over the 202.5-point total listed by oddsmakers.
The Lakers dominated the fourth quarter to come away with a 117-105 victory over the Kings last time out. The Lakers covered the 5.5-point spread, while the 222 points made it OVER the posted total of 221.
Pau Gasol had 31 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double in the win, and Kobe Bryant netted a game-high 34 points for the Lakers.
Current streak:
Los Angeles has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Los Angeles: 20-39 SU, 26-33 ATS
Los Angeles: 43-18 SU, 38-22-1 ATS
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 7-3
After playing Sacramento are 5-5
After a win are 1-9
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Friday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 7-3
After playing Sacramento are 3-7
After a win are 9-1
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of the LA Clippers last 12 games
LA Clippers are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of the LA Clippers last 6 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
LA Lakers are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
LA Lakers are 12-1 SU in their last 13 games
LA Lakers are 17-4 SU in their last 21 games when playing at home against LA Clippers
LA Lakers are 15-4 ATS in their last 19 games
Next up:
LA Clippers home to Minnesota, Saturday, March 8
LA Lakers home to Sacramento, Sunday, March 9