COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Florida State (4-2 SU, 3-2 ATS) at (24) Florida (5-0 SU, 2-0 ATS)
The Seminoles head to Gainesville for an in-state, non-conference matchup with the two-time defending-champion Gators.
Florida has won three of the last five meetings, but Florida State got the cash in all five games. The home team is 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS in the last four head-to-head matchups.
The Seminoles have struggled away from home this season, losing two of three on a neutral court. The most recent setback was Sunday’s 68-67 loss to South Florida as a seven-point favorite in Daytona Beach, Fla. The previous day, the ‘Noles lost to Cleveland State 69-66 in overtime, falling as 12½-point favorites.
Florida has opened with five straight home wins (2-0 ATS in lined games), with the most recent coming Tuesday when the Gators destroyed Northern Florida 102-51 in a non-lined contest. The Gators’ toughest test to date came in the season opener on Nov. 9, when the Gators defeated North Dakota 75-65.
The under is 8-3 in Florida State’s last 11 road games and 12-5-1 in its last 18 overall. However, the over has been the play in each of the Seminoles’ last 11 non-conference games and is 14-3 in the Gators’ last 17 non-conference battles.
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA and OVER
Ohio State (3-0 SU, 2-1 ATS) vs. (15) Texas A&M (5-0 SU, 1-2 ATS), at New York
The Buckeyes look to knock off a second straight ranked opponent inside Madison Square Garden in New York City when they take on the 15th-ranked Aggies in the Preseason NIT championship game.
Ohio State hammered Syracuse 79-65 on Wednesday as a two-point underdog to advance to tonight’s matchup. Despite losing big-man Greg Oden and point guard Mike Conley Jr. to the NBA after reaching the NCAA title game last season, the Buckeyes have ripped off three straight double-digit wins to start the season. Against the Orangemen, Ohio State got big games from Kosta Koufos (24 points, 9 rebounds) and Othello Hunter (15 points, 8 boards).
The Aggies beat Washington 77-63 in the Garden on Wednesday, covering as 4½-point favorites. Texas A&M is off to a 5-0 start thanks in larger part to its defense, which is holding the opposition to 60.5 points a game and 39.7 percent shooting from the floor.
The Buckeyes are 9-4 ATS in their last 13 overall and 2-1 ATS this season.
Texas A&M is 27-13 ATS in its last 40 games overall.
The under is 9-3 in Ohio State’s last 12 Friday games, and the under has been the play in two of the last three for each of these teams this season.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
NBA
L.A. Lakers (7-4 SU, 8-3 ATS) at Boston (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS)
Two old rivals off to surprisingly strong starts meet up in Beantown, as the Kobe Bryant-led Lakers visit Boston battle the resurgent Celtics.
Los Angeles had a four-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in Wednesday’s 110-103 loss in Milwaukee as 2½-point favorite. The Lakers enter this contest ranked fourth in the league in scoring with 106.6 points per game.
The Celtics bounced back from their first loss of the season with Wednesday’s 105-82 rout of the Warriors, covering as 10½-point favorites. Boston’s three-headed monster of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, all averaging better than 20 points per game, have given New England another dominant sports franchise.
The Lakers are 8-3 ATS in their last 11 road games and put up a season-high 134 points in Tuesday’s 20-point rout of the Pacers in Indiana.
The Celtics are 6-0 (5-1 ATS) at home, winning by an average of 19 points per game thanks in part to Garnett, as the newcomer is shooting 63.3 percent in front of the home fans.
Boston, which has only had three games all season decided by 10 points or less, is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games laying chalk.
The Lakers have dominated this series lately, going 7-2 SU (6-3 ATS) in the last nine. Los Angeles swept the two-game set last year, winning 111-98 as a 6½-point road chalk in January, then scoring a 122-96 rout as an eight-point home favorite in February.
The under is 6-3-1 in the Celtics’ last 10 overall. However, the over has been the play in three of the last four head-to-head matchups between these two. Also, the over is 7-2 in Boston’s last nine games against Western Conference teams.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BOSTON
New Orleans (9-4 SU, 7-5-1 ATS) at Utah (8-4 SU, 6-6 ATS)
The upstart Hornets travel to Salt Lake City to take on the Jazz in one of the toughest NBA venues for road teams to visit.
New Orleans followed a five-game winning streak (3-1-1 ATS) with consecutive home losses Monday and Wednesday. The Hornets fell to Orlando 95-88 on Monday as one-point favorites, and then dropped a 105-93 decision to the Pacers two days ago as a 7½-point chalk.
The Jazz demolished New Jersey 102-75 as 11-point favorites on Monday, their third straight double-digit cover on their home court. Since losing its home opener to the Rockets, Utah has won five in a row on its own floor (4-1 ATS).
New Orleans is 6-1 SU and 4-2-1 ATS on the highway this season, including an ongoing four-game road winning streak (2-1-1 ATS). The Hornets score 99.7 points a game on the road and hold the opposition to 91.3 points, both of which are superior to their home statistics.
Utah shoots 51.6 percent, averages 111.3 ppg and limits the opposition to 96.5 ppg in Salt Lake City.
The Jazz have won seven of the last 10 against New Orleans (5-4-1 ATS), including taking two of three last season. Also, the underdog is on a 6-2-1 ATS roll in this series.
New Orleans is on ATS runs of 20-8-1 overall and 13-3-2 on the road. Meanwhile, the Jazz are 12-3-1 ATS in their last 16 at home, but they’ve struggled recently on Fridays, going just 1-7 ATS.
The under is 8-1 in the Hornets’ last nine overall, but the over is 9-3 in Utah’s last 12 against Western Conference foes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH
gametimepicks.com
NBA Today - November 23
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD Friday, Nov. 23
L.A. Clippers at Phoenix (9 p.m. EST). The Clippers look to snap the Suns seven-game winning streak.
NEXT BIG THING?
Blazers guard Brandon Roy is one of five athletes nominated for ESPN The Magazine's annual NEXT issue as the next big thing in sports. New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain, West Virginia running back Noel Devine, American sprinter Tyson Gay and San Francisco 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis are also candidates.
SPEAKING
''When we played them in the exhibition season, it was nice to see some of the guys I worked with and kind of wave at them, but there were no real emotions there.'' - Magic coach Stan Van Gundy, on facing his former mentor Pat Riley and Orlando's Southeast Division rival Miami.
Friday's NBA matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Charlotte Bobcats at Orlando Magic
Orlando and Charlotte have split 12 meetings since the Bobcats entered the league.
Golden State Warriors at Washington Wizards
Golden State split two games with Washington last season, with the home team winning each contest.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston Celtics
Los Angeles won both games against Boston last season by an average of 19.5 points. Bryant averaged 40.5 points and 8.5 assists in those games.
Houston Rockets at Miami Heat
The Rockets swept the Heat in their season series last season for the first time since 1994-95.
Philadelphia 76ers at Detroit Pistons
The Sixers have lost seven of their last 10 trips to Detroit.
Dallas Mavericks at Indiana Pacers
The Mavericks have beaten the Pacers four straight times.
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs have won eight of the last nine between the teams, and five straight over the Grizzlies at home.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Denver Nuggets
The Timberwolves have lost seven of 10 against the Nuggets, including three of four on the road.
New Orleans Hornets at Utah Jazz
The Jazz are 5-1 against the Hornets since the beginning of the 2005 season.
Los Angeles Clippers at Phoenix Suns
The Clippers were one of just seven teams to win at Phoenix last season, winning 103-99 on April 17, and splitting four games with the Suns overall.
Sacramento Kings at Portland Trail Blazers
The Blazers and Kings split their four meetings last season.
New Jersey Nets at Seattle SuperSonics
The Sonics have won 16 of their last 18 home games against the Nets, dating to the 1989-90 season.
O'Neal sits down with knee problems
Pacers forward, who will be out indefinitely due to swelling, will have MRI on Friday
NEW ORLEANS -- Jermaine O'Neal was forced to miss Wednesday night's game at New Orleans with swelling in his left knee, and there's no definitive return date for the Indiana Pacers forward.
Pacers coach Jim O'Brien said the team plans to sit O'Neal until an answer is found for the constant swelling.
"It doesn't help him or help us to have him on the court at 60 percent," O'Brien said. "We have to get him corrected and we'll do whatever we have to do to get that done."
O'Neal said he will undergo an MRI on his knee Friday.
"The biggest concern is why my knee is swelling at the rate it's swelling at," he said. "When you have fluid in your leg, it eliminates all strength in it."
O'Neal had surgery shortly after last season. He missed most of this preseason after injuring the same knee when he collided with teammate Shawne Williams in practice and hyperextended it after slipping on a wet spot in a preseason game.
O'Neal is averaging 13.2 points and shooting a career-worst 39 percent.
The six-time All-Star recently talked to Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas about how to deal with knee problems. Arenas will miss about three months after undergoing surgery.
www.indystar.com
Friday's Top 25 NCAAB betting matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
No. 18 Southern Illinois vs. Mississippi State
Mississippi State holds a 2-1 lead in the all-time series, but the teams have not met since Southern Illinois posted a 76-64 victory in the semifinals of the 1992 San Juan Shootout.
No. 21 Syracuse vs. Washington
Washington looks to avoid a third straight loss to a ranked opponent. The Huskies went 5-8 against Top 25 teams last season.
Buffalo at No. 17 Pittsburgh
The 17th-ranked Panthers hold a 7-1 edge in the all-time series between these schools, but nearly suffered a shocking loss to the Bulls on the road last Dec. 9. Then-No. 2 and 9-0 Pitt trailed by seven points at the half before rallying for a 70-67 victory.
George Mason vs. No. 19 Villanova
Villanova has won both games between the teams, most recently an 86-76 triumph Nov. 16, 1998.
No. 20 Kansas State vs. Central Florida
Kansas State and Central Florida are meeting for the second time, with the Wildcats winning 71-59 on Jan. 6, 2003.
Florida State at No. 24 Florida
Florida State beat Florida 70-66 in Tallahassee last season, one of just five teams to knock off the Gators. They've won two of three against the Gators, but have lost six straight in Gainesville since 1992.
Yale at No. 2 UCLA
UCLA won 95-65 on Dec. 26, 1963 in the only previous meeting with Yale.
No. 8 Indiana vs. Illinois State
Indiana has won all three matchups with the Redbirds, but the teams haven't met since 1988.
New Mexico State at No. 16 Texas
Texas has won two of three all-time meetings between the teams, with New Mexico State's victory coming in the first matchup in 1979 in Las Cruces.
Brigham Young vs. No. 6 Louisville
The Cougars, off to their best start since beginning 5-0 in 2002-03, are facing Louisville for the first time since a 75-60 win in the 1994 Great Alaska Shootout. The Cardinals have won the only other two meetings.
No. 7 Tennessee vs. West Virginia
West Virginia leads the all-time series 5-2 and swept a home-and-home series from Tennessee in the 2001-02 and 2002-03 seasons. The Volunteers' last win came Dec. 2, 2000, a 79-78 victory at West Virginia.
Montana at No. 9 Washington State
Washington State leads the all-time series against Montana 78-28, including 48-6 at home. The Cougars won the last meeting, 64-50 in 2003 at Montana.
Ohio State vs. No. 15 Texas A&M
Ohio State and Texas A&M have split two previous matchups, with the Buckeyes winning in 1947 and the Aggies prevailing 11 years later.
Virginia Tech vs. No. 23 Butler
The Bulldogs will meet Virginia Tech for the first ever time.
Old Dominion vs. No.1 North Carolina
The Tar Heels will be looking to improve to 8-0 versus Old Dominion. North Carolina won 90-64 on Nov. 22, 2003 in these teams' most recent meeting.
Texas Tech vs. No. 14 Gonzaga
This is the second meeting between Gonzaga and Texas Tech, which eliminated the Bulldogs 71-69 in the second round of the 2005 NCAA tournament.
Miami's Thomas out for season after knee injury
Associated Press
CORAL GABLES, Fla. -- Miami's Adrian Thomas will miss the rest of the season after he tore a ligament in his left knee during practice.
Four games into the season, the redshirt sophomore was averaging 4.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 13.3 minutes. He scored a career-high 13 points and tied his career-high with four rebounds in the Hurricanes' season-opening win over Florida Southern.
Thomas was shooting 58.3 percent from the floor, 44.4 percent on 3-pointers.
Thomas suffered a season-ending abdominal injury last year, also just four games into the season.
Friday's Tip Sheet
VegasInsider.com
The NBA returns to the hardwood Friday with a dozen games slated, including a nationally televised double-header on ESPN. Miami welcomes Houston to South Beach in the first non-conference battle, while Seattle hosts New Jersey in the latter.
Heat and Supersonics’ fans are hoping the primetime lights will earn home victories for their teams, something neither team has done all yea. Miami (0-5) and Seattle (0-4) are the only teams in the NBA yet to win on their homecourt and tonight’s matchups certainly don’t favor the winless pair. Not surprisingly, both clubs have opened as home ‘dogs.
Miami (2-10 straight up, 5-7 against the spread) blew a 10-point (66-56) fourth quarter lead on Wednesday en route to an embarrassing loss to Atlanta, 82-79. Pat Riley’s offense continues to struggle, averaging a league-worst 85.4 points per game. The Heat have looked better on the court with the return of All-Star Dwyane Wade (18.8 PPG), but his erratic shooting (39.6%) has translated into a 1-3 ledger.
Riley has pointed to a lack of effort, yet some could definately argue that the lack of success falls on his shoulders and the front office. Outside shooting is hard to find in the NBA and Miami decided to not sign or traded away Jason Kapono, James Posey and Antoine Walker. You can even toss in Gary Payton and Eddie Jones into the offseason blunders as well. The only true threat from the outside these days is point guard Jason Williams (24.3%) and he’s attributed to the fourth worst shooting (31.5%) team from beyond the arc.
The Heat have a chance to save face Friday against a struggling Houston (6-6 SU, 4-8 ATS) team that has dropped five straight games. The Rockets had Tracy McGrady back in the lineup Wednesday but it wasn’t enough as the club fell to Dallas 100-94 as a 2 ½-point home underdog. Houston is 3-3 SU and 2-4 ATS away from home this season.
Houston swept the season series against Miami last year, winning and covering both games by double-digits. The total went 1-1.
While Miami was expected to contend in its conference, Seattle (2-10 SU, 5-7 ATS) knew it was in rebuilding mode under new head coach P.J. Carlesimo. The Sonics have been competitive at home, evidenced by its 3-1 record versus the number. The team has been in every game and losses to the Suns (106-99), Jazz (103-101) and Pistons (107-103) were all within reach.
Unfortunately for Seattle, Carlesimo hasn’t been able to bring his defensive approach from days as an assistant in San Antonio to the Emerald City. The Sonics are allowing 108.8 PPG, ranked second worst in the league.
Rookie Kevin Durant (19 PPG) has shown some spurts at times, yet his shooting touch (37.4%) has been anything but consistent. Power forward Chris Wilcox continues to improve year after year with 16.2 PPG and 7.9 RPG.
Seattle might not have to worry too much about playing “D” on Friday, as New Jersey (5-7 SU, 4-8 ATS) visits Key Arena. Even though the Nets snapped a six-game losing streak on Wednesday by beating Portland 106-101, the offense is still lacking punch. Lawrence Frank’s team is averaging 86.5 PPG on the season, but did get a boost when Vince Cater returned on Thanksgiving Eve. Carter posted 13 points in 27 minutes against the Blazers and should see those numbers increase going forward as long as his ankle holds up.
Seattle has won and covered three in a row against New Jersey, including two straight at Key Arena. The ‘over’ is 2-1 during this stretch.
Agent Who?
Washington (6-5 SU, 7-4 ATS) received some bad news on Wednesday when it learned All-Star point guard Gilbert Arenas (knee) will miss up to three months. On the bright side, the Wizards have won and covered six in a row after starting the season 0-5. Fans in the nation’s capital shouldn’t get too excited, considering the six wins have all come against teams with losing records.
Rivalry Renewed
It’s arguable to say that Boston (9-1 SU, 8-2 ATS) and the L.A. Lakers (7-4 SU, 8-3 ATS) put the NBA on the map with its storied history in the eighties. The Celtics are listed as favorites (2/1) to win the NBA Finals according to Sportsbook.com and the Lakers have turned some heads this year as well. Boston has dropped three in a row to L.A. but that could change Friday, especially the way Gang Green (6-0 SU, 5-1 ATS) has played at home this season.
Hot and Hotter!
Dallas (9-2 SU, 6-5 ATS) has ripped off five straight wins and the streak could reach double-digits if you look at the upcoming schedule. The Mavericks are on a roll, but Phoenix (10-2 SU, 6-6 ATS) has been a tad better. The Suns notched their seventh straight victory Wednesday after racking Sacramento 127-11 in wire-to-wire fashion. The club is 4-3 ATS during this run, and the ‘over’ is 4-3 too.
Historic rivals do battle on Friday
While the rivalry between the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers is not what it used to be, the battle will still have some bite when they meet at the TD Banknorth Garden in Friday night’s NBA marquee matchup.
Los Angeles Lakers at Boston
Kobe Bryant leads the Lakers into Boston to face the Celtics and their “Big Three”, who finally lost a game last Sunday to the Orlando Magic. The Celtics fell behind early but still managed to make a game out of it. The Lakers are riding a three-game winning streak (XX), and Bryant is leading the way by trying to get his teammates more involved in the offense. Bryant is starting to realize that when his teammates are playing well, it will free up the floor for his dazzling penetration skills.
The Lakers have won their last three meetings with their old rivals, including two straight at Boston, but the Celtics are a much different team than they have been over the past couple of seasons. Bryant put up an average of 40.5 points in the Lakers’ two wins over Boston last season, and he also added 8.5 assists. Paul Pierce was held to just 15 points in his one meeting with the Lakers, but with Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen now at his side, Pierce does not have to carry the load himself.
Charlotte at Orlando
These two teams are one-two in the Southeast division (XX), as the Magic host the Bobcats at Amway Arena. The Bobcats hold a narrow 3-2 lead over the Magic in their past five meetings and they have done it with balanced scoring, as seven Bobcats averaged over 11 points per game in four meetings last year. The Bobcats also forced 15.2 turnovers per game against the Magic, who look more mature than they have in recent years.
Dwight Howard had 16.5 points and 14.0 boards against the Bobcats last year, but with his improved offensive repertoire, the big center could have a breakout game for the division-leading Magic. Jameer Nelson will have to do a better job of distributing the ball against the Bobcats, as the point guard managed only three assists a night against Charlotte last season.
New faces set to join Orlando Magic
PF Brian Cook and G Maurice Evans won't have Thanksgiving Day off as the new Magic players will join some coaches and work out today at RDV Sportsplex.
Cook and Evans were acquired Tuesday from the Los Angeles Lakers for F Trevor Ariza.
Cook, 6 feet-9, 250 pounds, was activated Wednesday against the San Antonio Spurs. Evans did not dress for the game.
They arrived just before noon in San Antonio from Indianapolis, where the Lakers faced the Pacers Tuesday night. Cook and Evans went over to AT&T Center an hour early before the game with Coach Stan Van Gundy and his assistants to work on offensive plays.
It was the first time Cook had been traded since the Lakers drafted in him 2003.
"I have mixed emotions," Cook said. "I loved the guys that were on my last team, but it was time for a change. I'm glad to be here. I think it will be a great situation for me."
Redick sees action
Magic SG J.J. Redick said he had been frustrated enough with his lack of playing time that he wondered if perhaps he should ask about playing with the Anaheim Arsenal of the NBA's Developmental League.
But Redick surprisngly found himself in the game against the Spurs at the end of the first half and early into the second quarter. He missed a jumper and picked up a foul.
Redick recently returned after missing six games with back spasms. He has played in just three games this season and did not play the last three. He said before the game he was frustrated, waiting for his chance.
"They [coaches] have told me they haven't needed me," Redick said. "It's tough. You want to play, obviously. You want to compete — that's the toughest thing for me."
Etc.
F Pat Garrity was activated after missing two games with a sprained left ankle.
www.orlandosentinel.com