COLLEGE BASKETBALL
(17) Oregon (5-1, 3-2-1 ATS) at (25) Kansas State (5-1, 2-2 ATS)
The day’s only matchup of Top 25 teams comes from Manhattan, Kan., where the 25th-ranked Wildcats host No. 17 Oregon in a non-conference battle.
Kansas State is coming off last week’s three-game stint in the Old Spice Classic in Orlando. The Wildcats lost their opening game in the tournament 87-77 to George Mason as a one-point favorite, but bounced back with wins over Central Florida (73-71 as a 3½-point chalk) and Rider (82-69 as an eight-point favorite).
The Ducks rebounded from their first loss of the season – a 99-87 setback at St. Mary’s – with Saturday’s resounding 110-79 rout of San Francisco as an 18-point home favorite. Tonight, Oregon is on the road for the third time in its last four games, and the Ducks are just 2-6 ATS in their last eight lined contests on the highway.
Kansas State is unbeaten in three home games, but the last two – against lightly regarded and non-lined Pittsburgh State (76-66) and Western Illinois (77-64) – were closer than anticipated. Still, going back to last season, the Wildcats are on a 9-4 ATS roll at home.
The Ducks are on positive ATS runs of 11-4-1 overall (10-4-1 in non-conference games) and 4-0 against the Big 12, while the Wildcats are 2-5 ATS in their last seven non-league contests.
The over is 6-2 in Oregon’s last eight overall, 5-0 in K-State’s last five overall and 4-0 in the Wildcats’ last four at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OREGON and OVER
NBA
Denver (9-6, 7-8 ATS) at L.A. Lakers (8-6 SU and ATS)
Allen Iverson, Carmelo Anthony and the slumping Nuggets will try to snap out of their funk when they head west to Hollywood to take on Kobe Bryant and the Lakers.
Denver has followed up a six-game SU and ATS winning streak by dropping three of its last four, going 0-4 ATS in the process. On Tuesday, the Nuggets hosted Indiana as a seven-point favorite and fell 112-110, getting outshot 48.4 percent to 36.1 percent.
The Lakers put the brakes on a three-game slide with Tuesday’s 106-99 win over Seattle. However, they failed to cover as a 12-point home favorite, and like the Nuggets they come into this game in an 0-4 ATS slump, this after opening the season 8-2 ATS.
The home team is on runs of 8-2 SU and 10-4 ATS in this rivalry. Last year, the Lakers won the first clash 123-104 as a six-point home chalk, but the Nuggets won the next three (2-1 ATS), scoring 113, 111 and 115 points along the way. The winner has covered the spread in eight of the last 10 meetings.
The Nuggets have been underdogs just twice this season, going 0-2 ATS. They’re also just 2-5 ATS on the road.
Los Angeles is 4-1 in its last five home games (3-2 ATS).
The straight-up winner is 13-2 ATS in Denver’s 15 games and 12-2 ATS in L.A.’s 14 contests.
The under is 5-2 in Denver’s last seven and 8-3 in its last 11 on the highway dating to last season. Conversely, for the Lakers, the over is on runs of 16-5 on Thursdays and 32-14 as a favorite.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS
gametimepicks.com
Cassell listed as day-to-day
Strained left calf is already feeling better and he might be able to play Friday at Denver.
The Clippers received good news Tuesday, learning that Sam Cassell, who left Monday's game against the Houston Rockets because of a strained left calf, is listed as day-to-day.
Cassell, who strained his calf in the first quarter of the loss, visited Tuesday with Tony Daly, the team's physician. He reported that he was feeling better, although it is uncertain if Cassell will play against the Nuggets in Denver on Friday.
The Clippers, who have lost seven of nine games after starting 4-0, have been hit hard by injuries. They are without Elton Brand and Shaun Livingston, they lost Corey Maggette for four games, and nearly every rotation player has dealt with some type of physical problem.
Maggette made his return shortly after Cassell's injury and scored 21 points in 29 minutes off the bench against Houston.
The health of Cassell, 38, is a key concern for the team because he sat out 24 games last season after an assortment of injuries. He is averaging 13.1 points and 4.2 assists in 13 games.
If Cassell can't play Friday, Brevin Knight and Dan Dickau will share the point guard duties.
After four games in six days, the team had Tuesday off from practice.
latimes.com
NBA Today - November 29
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SCOREBOARD
New York at Boston (8 p.m. EST). The Knicks look to win their first road game against a Celtics team that hasn't lost at home.
STARS
-Dwight Howard, Magic, had a career-high 39 points and added 16 rebounds, leading Orlando to a 110-94 win at Seattle.
-Yao Ming, Rockets, scored 31 points and grabbed 13 rebounds, helping Houston beat Phoenix 100-94.
-Tony Parker, Spurs, had 29 points and 11 assists to help San Antonio beat Washington 109-94.
-Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, had 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead Dallas to a 109-103 victory over Minnesota.
OFF THE BENCH
The Atlanta Hawks pulled away late and beat the Milwaukee Bucks 96-80 on Wednesday night, including a dominant 43-7 advantage in bench scoring. Of Atlanta's six players to score in double figures, three were backups: Zaza Pachulia, 14; Josh Childress, 12 and Tyronn Lue, 11. The 43 points by the bench set a season high for Atlanta.
WINLESS
Seattle dropped its sixth straight, a 110-94 loss to Orlando on Wednesday night, remaining the only winless team at home in the NBA. The Sonics' 2-14 start matches the worst in franchise history. They began their inaugural 1967-68 season 2-14 under Al Bianchi. Seattle has lost 11 straight at home dating back to last year.
SNAPPED
Steve Nash had six assists in Phoenix's 110-94 loss to Houston on Wednesday night, ending his streak of at least 10 assists at eight games. The loss also ended the Suns' five-game home winning streak.
STRONG IN DEFEAT
Al Jefferson had a season-high 31 points and grabbed 14 rebounds in Minnesota's 109-103 loss to Dallas on Wednesday night.
SPEAKING
''A win is a win. LeBron is a big part of their team, but they've still got five guys with an NBA jersey on the court.'' - Detroit Guard Richard Hamilton, who led the Pistons with 18 points in a 109-74 victory over Cleveland on Wednesday night. LeBron James sprained his left index finger in the second quarter and did not return for the Cavaliers.
Thursday's NBA matchup betting notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
New York at Boston
The Celtics have gone 3-1 against the Knicks each of the last three seasons. This is their first meeting this season.
Denver at L.A. Lakers
After losing their first game against the Lakers last season, the Nuggets went on to win the teams' next three meetings.
Houston at Golden State
The Rockets (9-7) have won three in a row three times this season, but are still seeking their first four-game win streak. This is the Rockets first meeting against the Warriors this season.
Raptors' Bosh leaves with strained right groin
ASSOCIATED PRESS
TORONTO -- Toronto Raptors forward Chris Bosh left Wednesday night's game against Memphis in the second quarter with a strained right groin. The team announced that he wouldn't return.
Bosh scored eight points in the first quarter but was seen speaking with head trainer Scott McCullogh during the break. He stayed on the bench for the first minute of the second period before re-entering the game. Bosh scored one more basket, then left at 9:44 and walked slowly to the locker room.
Toronto's leading scorer and rebounder, Bosh is averaging 19.4 points and 8.4 rebounds this season.
He withdrew from the US team at last summer's FIBA Americas tournament because of lingering pain from a left foot injury, then missed much of the preseason with a sore knee.
Thursday's NCAAB Top 25 matchup notes
ASSOCIATED PRESS
No. 19 Gonzaga at St. Joseph's
This matchup marks the fifth meeting between Gonzaga and St. Joseph's. Each school has won two games in the series, with Gonzaga taking the most recent contest 102-94 at home on Dec. 31, 2005.
No. 17 Oregon at Kansas St.
The Wildcats, who are 3-0 at home this season, have won both previous matchups with the Ducks, but the teams haven't met since 1966.
Oklahoma at No. 24 Southern California
The Trojans host Oklahoma in a Big 12/ Pac-10 Hardwood Series matchup in the first meeting between the teams in nearly 24 years.
Clemson forward James Mays' hip is sprained, not fractured
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Bone scans revealed that James Mays' hip is sprained, not fractured, and Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said the senior forward may be able to play again before the end of the month.
Mays told reporters Tuesday night he thought the hip was fractured and he was likely out four-to-six weeks. He was in street clothes and walking with crutches as he watched his team beat Purdue 61-58.
After the game, Purnell said he wanted to wait for the results of the bone scans before accepting the worst case scenario.
''We are obviously encouraged by the results of James' bone scans,'' Purnell said Wednesday.
Mays will talk to reporters again Thursday, the school said.
Purnell hopes to have Mays back on the court by the time the team heads to Puerto Rico for the San Juan Shootout, beginning Dec. 20. The Tigers play just twice more before the tournament.
Mays is averaging 15.5 points and 7.3 rebounds this season.
Clemson got more good news Wednesday, when doctors cleared Sam Perry for more activity in practice. The senior forward had knee surgery Nov. 16.
Purnell said he expects Perry will be back for the Puerto Rico tournament.
''He is awfully important to this team in terms of not only his defensive ability, but also more importantly, his leadership,'' Purnell said.
Perry came into this season averaging 4.6 points a game and played 101 games in a row before his injury.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics
- The fans at TD Banknorth Garden will be treated to a game between the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics when they take their seats on Thursday.
Stephon Marbury tossed in 28 points to lead the Knicks to a 113-109 win over the Jazz on Monday, as 5.5-point underdogs. The 222 points sailed OVER the posted total of 194.
Marbury finished 9-for-14 from the field, while Zach Randolph had 25 points and Jamal Crawford added 22 in the win.
The Celtics were defeated 109-104 by the Cavaliers last time out, as 3.5-point favorites. The 213 points sailed OVER the night's posted total of 191.
Ray Allen shot 10-for-25 from the field with 29 points, seven rebounds and five assists in a losing effort.
Current streak:
New York has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 4-9 SU, 6-7 ATS
Boston: 11-2 SU, 9-4 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Milwaukee are 1-9
After playing Utah are 3-7
After a win are 3-7
Boston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 6-4
Before playing Miami are 4-6
After playing Cleveland are 3-7
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of New York's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of New York's last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games
New York is 2-4 ATS in its last 6 games when playing on the road against Boston
Boston is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home
Boston is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games at home
Boston is 11-2 SU in its last 13 games
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Boston's last 5 games at home
Next up:
New York home to Milwaukee, Friday, November 30
Boston at Miami, Friday, November 30
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
- The Houston Rockets and the Golden State Warriors will both be trying to pick up a win on Thursday when they battle at Oracle Arena.
Yao Ming had a game-high 31 points Wednesday, leading the Rockets to a 100-94 win over the Suns. The Rockets won the game as a 5.5-point road underdog, while the final score fell UNDER the posted total of 205.5.
Ming finished 12-for-19 from the field with 13 rebounds to complete the double-double with the Rockets.
The Warriors came-from-behind with 24 points in the fourth quarter en route to a 103-96 win over the Kings last time out. The Warriors covered the slight 1.5-point spread on the road, but the 199 points were well UNDER the posted total of 219.5.
Monta Ellis led the Warriors with 22 points, while Stephen Jackson added 21 and Baron Davis chipped in with 19 points in the victory.
Current streak:
Houston has won 3 straight games.
Golden State has won 4 straight games.
Team records:
Houston: 9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS
Golden State: 7-7 SU, 7-7 ATS
Houston most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Sacramento are 8-2
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a win are 6-4
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Seattle are 5-5
After playing Sacramento are 6-4
After a win are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Houston's last 6 games when playing on the road against Golden State
Houston is 18-4 SU in its last 22 games when playing on the road against Golden State
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games when playing Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Houston's last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 5 games at home
Golden State is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 6 games when playing at home against Houston
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Golden State's last 5 games when playing Houston
Next up:
Houston at Sacramento, Saturday, December 1
Golden State at Seattle, Sunday, December 2
Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Lakers
- The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers will both be gunning for a victory on Thursday when they meet at STAPLES Center.
Allen Iverson led the Nuggets with 26 points, seven rebounds and eight assists in a losing effort.
Kobe Bryant rose to the challenge once again, as he tossed in 35 points in the Lakers 106-99 win over the SuperSonics on Tuesday. The Lakers failed to cover the 11.5-point spread, and the 205 points were UNDER the posted total of 217.5.
Bryant finished 12-for-22 from the field with eight rebounds and six assists, while Lamar Odom added 20 points in the win.
Current streak:
Denver has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
Denver: 9-6 SU, 7-8 ATS
Los Angeles: 8-6 SU, 8-6 ATS
Denver most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing LA Clippers are 4-6
After playing Indiana are 6-4
After a loss are 4-6
Los Angeles most recently:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Utah are 3-7
After playing Seattle are 3-7
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Denver's last 7 games when playing on the road against LA Lakers
Denver is 4-1 SU in their last 5 games when playing LA Lakers
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Denver's last 7 games
Denver is 7-3 SU in its last 10 games
LA Lakers are 18-2 SU in their last 20 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of the LA Lakers last 7 games when playing at home against Denver
LA Lakers are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games when playing at home against Denver
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of the LA Lakers last 5 games at home
Next up:
Denver home to LA Clippers, Friday, November 30
LA Lakers at Utah, Friday, November 30
Rockets, Warriors could stage shootout
The highlight on NBA’s Thursday schedule could be a looming shootout in the Western Conference, as the slumping Rockets face the rising Warriors.
Houston (-1) at Golden State
The Rockets head to Oracle Arena to meet the Warriors, who have been playing much better since the return of Stephen Jackson to the lineup. The Warriors seem to be back to their free-flowing offensive ways, trailing only Phoenix in points per game with 108.7. Meanwhile, the Rockets started to slide with an injury to Tracy McGrady, and now they cannot seem to find their rhythm since their hot start to the campaign. The Warriors have won two straight against the Rockets after falling three consecutive times, and it will be interesting to see whether the Rockets can keep up with the Warriors’ run-and-gun offense.
New York at Boston (-13)
The Knicks travel to TD Banknorth Garden to meet the Celtics, who have showed no signs of slowing down with an 11-1 record as of Tuesday, including 7-0 at home. This does not bode well for the Knicks, who are currently 0-6 on the road. The Knicks appear to be distracted by many offseason happenings, and the countdown has started to the firing of head coach Isiah Thomas. The Celtics keep rolling behind their trio of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, and many analysts are already touting KG for MVP this season. The Celtics have won three of their last five meetings with the Knicks, including two straight.
Denver at Los Angeles Lakers (-5)
Another Western shootout is on tap when the Lakers host the Nuggets at Staples Center, as both teams are averaging just over 105 points a game. Everyone knows that the Nuggets can score with Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, but the defensive presence of Marcus Camby is what allows Denver to get out and run. The Lakers have lost three straight as of Tuesday, but things are still looking good in La-La Land as young center Andrew Bynum has played very well, even earning accolades from Kobe Bryant who was critical of Bynum last season. The Nuggets have taken four of their last five meetings with the Lakers.
Seattle's Collison out at least 3 games with broken nose
November 28, 2007
SEATTLE (AP) -SuperSonics forward Nick Collison will miss at least the next three games after breaking his nose against the Los Angeles Lakers.
Collison was on the active roster Wednesday night against Orlando, but coach P.J. Carlesimo said Collison would not play. He will also miss Friday's game against Indiana and Sunday's game against Golden State. He will be re-examined early next week.
Collison was injured in late in the third quarter of Tuesday night's loss at Los Angeles. He was hit in the face as Kobe Bryant made a swipe at the ball. Collison suffered a cut below his right eye, and doctors determined Wednesday that Collison fracture his right nasal wall.
Collison has started seven of Seattle's 15 games and is averaging 8.1 points and 7.1 rebounds in 26 minutes.
Nuggets ink F/C McCoy
November 29th, 2007
Denver, CO (Sports Network) - The Denver Nuggets signed forward/center Jelani McCoy on Thursday, announced team vice president of basketball operations Mark Warkentien. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.
McCoy played in two games this season with the Los Angeles D-Fenders (NBADL), averaging 8.0 points per game along with 6.5 rebounds, 4.0 blocks and 3.5 assists.
On October 23, he was placed on waivers by the Nuggets after appearing in four preseason games.
In seven NBA seasons, McCoy has averaged 4.7 PPG and 3.6 rebounds while playing for Seattle, Los Angeles Lakers, Toronto, Cleveland and Atlanta.