San Jose St
Rice -3
WAC tourney begins from Tulsa, Oklahoma. For San Jose State, a pair of 6’-3” junior guards lead the way for the Spartans. Guard Brandon Hawkins averages 15 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists per game, while Phil Calvert chips in 10 points per game. 6’-8”, 276-lb Marion Thurmond is a solid defender and grabs 7 boards each game. SJ State is 9-21 SU and 10-15 ATS, and terrible away from home (2-11 SU, 5-8 ATS). They are shooting 41% from the field and are 4-13 SU/7-10 ATS the last 17 games, but had an upset of Hawaii 57-53 as Thurmond had 11 boards. They were smashed 84-55 at SMU and 71-46 at Hawaii, but got a 76-72 upset at Nevada. For 10-18 Rice, the backcourt is decent with 6’-2” junior Omar-Seli Mance (12 ppg, 41% from 3-point land) and Jason McKrieth (12 ppg), while the frontcourt is solid with 6’-9” junior Brandon Evans (5 rpg), 6’-6” junior Mike Harris (13 ppg, 8 rpg) and 6’-11” senior T.J. McKenzie. Rice averages 66 points per game and is solid from the free throw line (70%). Rice is 2-11 SU/3-8 ATS on the road. Rice beat SJ State 70-58 and 62-46, going 2-0 SU/ATS, so why can't they do it again?
Projected Score: Rice 73, San Jose St 55
Injury Report
UTEP
Boise St -1½
The 12-16 Boise State Broncos are led by Abe Jackson at 19 points, 5 rebounds per game. But the team is very weak offensively, averaging 62 points per game and shooting 41% from the field and 31% from long range. Boise is 9-6 SU at home/7-6 ATS, but 3-10 SU/5-7 ATS on the road. After losing 7 in a row, Boise is on a 4-2 SU/3-1-1 ATS run that included a 61-58 upset win at Fresno as a +12 dog (they trailed by 8 at the half but ended up nailing 10-24 3-pointers). They also beat SMU 80-63 as an underdog. UTEP is 10-21 SU, 7-16 ATS. The Minors are led by 5’-10” point guard Eugene Costello (13 ppg, 3 apg) and two decent frontcourt players: 6’-10”, 250-lb senior center Brian Stewart (11 ppg, 6 rpg) and 6’-6” junior Roy Smallwood (13 ppg, 6.8 rpg). The Minors are not a good shooting team at 44%, but solid from the charity stripe (72%) while averaging 69 points per game. UTEP is 9-7 SU at home (4-6 ATS), and 0-12 SU/3-7 ATS on the road! The team is on a 1-9 SU/2-7 ATS run. These teams split 2 games, with each winning big on the home court. This game will be in Tulsa, so we'll lean toward the team that does have at least one road win!
Projected Score: Boise St 72, UTEP 64
Injury Report
Illinois Chi -1½
Loyola Chi
Horizon League championship game finds to big underdogs squaring off: #5-seeded Loyola against #6 Illinois-Chicago. 16-12 Loyola has shown the importance of why guard play can be key in the NCAA post-season. Loyola smashed Wright State 90-64 as a +2 dog on Saturday, then beat Green Bay 63-57 on Sunday. Loyola is 6-10 SU/10-6 ATS on the road and led by 5’-8” junior David Bailey, who leads the Horizon League with 21.7 points, 4.6 assists per game. A 6’-3” junior Vasilis Tsimpliavidas is chipping in 8 ppg and 6’-7” senior Jon Freeman is averaging 8 points, 4 rebounds per game. 6’-6” forward Ryan Blankson does the dirty work and leads the team with 10 rebounds per game. Loyola is solid from the free throw line (70%), weak from field (41%) and on a 6-7 SU/5-8 ATS run. The Illinois-Chicago Flames are 19-13 SU, 18-11 ATS. Coach Jimmy Collins has 6’-11”, 245-lb center Thor Solverson (8 points and 5 rebounds per game) to clog up the middle. 6’-2” Jordan Kardos (12 points per game), 6’-1” junior Jon Scheiderman (9 ppg while shooting 45% from long range), 5’-11” Martell Bailey (5 assists per game), and 6’-2” Cedric Banks (13.6 ppg) run the break while the Big Guy rebounds. They are not a good free throw shooting team, but bomb away at 41% from 3-point land. Illinois-Chicago upset Milwaukee, 75-63, as a +4 dog, and surprised Detroit 79-68 on Sunday. The home team won easily this season in this series, with Loyola rolling 76-57 at home and Ill-Chicago winning 76-63 at home. Look for a close, defensive duel.
Projected Score: Illinois Chi 63, Loyola Chi 59
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No line available at this time.
CHI Bulls
WAS Wizards
On Saturday, the Bulls lost tot the Nets 92-84. Jalen Rose led the Bulls with 27 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter. Marcus Fizer scored 15 points, and Eddie Robinson had 12. The Nets have beaten the Bulls in four consecutive games for the first time since 1982. "I thought reserve Jason Collins (17 points) replacing Todd MacCulloch killed us early," Cartwright said. "I was disappointed that our big guys were allowing that guy to hurt us." Six players in double digits -- led by Courtney Alexander's 32 points -- filled the void left by the team's two leading scorers as the Wizards broke a seven-game losing streak with the 107-102 victory Sunday night over the Orlando Magic in overtime. "I can't even tell you how big a win that was for our team," said coach Doug Collins, his shirt drenched in sweat from 53 minutes of high-intensity instruction. The Wizards had been 0-4 without Jordan, who is on the injured list following knee surgery. In addition, Hamilton missed the game with a virus that sent him to the emergency room suffering from dehydration Saturday night. The Wizards led by 14 in the first half and never trailed until the fourth quarter. Just when it seemed Orlando had seized the momentum, the Wizards held on down the stretch and outscored the Magic 12-7 in overtime. Jalen Rose is becoming the Bulls scoring machine and the Wizards, with minimal amounts of defense, don't match up on Tuesday.
Projected Score: CHI Bulls 90, WAS Wizards 84
Injury Report
ATL Hawks 190½
CLE Cavaliers -4½
Atlanta tried to hand the staggering Memphis Grizzlies their eighth straight defeat when the teams conclude their two-game season series on Monday. Atlanta has won two of its last three contests, including an 84-81 triumph over Cleveland on Saturday. Toni Kukoc was 9-of-11 for 23 points off the bench for the Hawks, who outscored Cleveland's reserves, 41-7. Ira Newble added a career-high 16 points in the win. by beating the Cavaliers lost to the Bucks 101-91 Sunday night. Cleveland (H: 14-16 SU, 17-13 ATS) opened a 27-15 lead with 1:31 left in the first quarter, but Milwaukee ended the period with an 8-0 run. After nine first-half lead changes, Milwaukee took over for good in the third quarter. The Cavaliers made only four field goals in the period, shooting 21 percent, and the Bucks went on a 14-4 run to end the third up 80-64. Andre Miller led Cleveland with 17 points on 4-for-13 shooting and 9-for-10 from the line. Tyrone Hill had 12 points and 12 rebounds. Lamond Murray was a dismal 3-for-13 and missed all three of his 3-point attempts for the Cavaliers. Cavs have a revenge factor and look for a return to form by Murray as the Cavs hold at home.
Projected Score: CLE Cavaliers 100, ATL Hawks 94
Injury Report
MIA Heat 171
DET Pistons -3
Alonzo Mourning scored 10 of his 23 points during a decisive 24-5 run to start the third quarter, and the Heat (R: 13-17 SU, 15-14 ATS) cruised to a 109-95 victory over the Mavericks on Saturday night. Miami, which began the night first in the NBA in defense and last in offense, got 26 points from Eddie Jones and a season-high 19 points from reserve Chris Gatling. The Heat surpassed 100 points for only the seventh time this season, but they topped 100 for the second straight game. Jerry Stackhouse made a driving layup with 3.7 seconds left -- just Detroit's third basket of the fourth quarter -- to lead the Pistons (H: 20-8 SU, 14-13 ATS) to an 83-81 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday. Reserve Corliss Williamson added 19 for Detroit, which won its third straight game. The Heat come off one of their best games of the season while the Pistons held on against the Hornets on Sunday. The Heat, who have won two in a row, can be very effective when they get on a streak, so, after humbling the new and improved Mavs, look for them to continue their streaky winning ways.
Projected Score: MIA Heat 95, DET Pistons 90
Injury Report
No line available at this time. ORL Magic 196½ PHX Suns 204 No line available at this time. TOR Raptors 181½
MIL Bucks
NY Knicks
Glenn Robinson scored 28 points, and Ray Allen had 27 as Milwaukee (R: 15-13 SU, ATS) got a rare victory without Sam Cassell by beating the Cleveland Cavaliers 101-91 Sunday night. Robinson shot 10-for-20 and added 10 rebounds. "It was a huge game for us. We lost one last night to Portland, so we wanted to come here and get it back," Robinson said. The Bucks lost 104-103 Saturday night on a buzzer beater in overtime by Damon Stoudamire. "We could have been psychologically worn out," Karl said. "We just came back and did what we are capable of doing." Cassell is listed as day-to-day. San Antonio defeated New York 99-83 on Sunday. Kurt Thomas had 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Knicks, who fell behind by 21 points during the third quarter and barely put up a fight the rest of the way. Chairman James Dolan of Cablevision, the corporate owner of the team, marched stern-faced down the hallway toward the *er room after the game. He did not speak to the team, Knicks forward Othella Harrington said. New York fell 15 games below .500 and 16½ games behind the first-place New Jersey Nets in the Atlantic Division. "I can't say I've necessarily conceded that (the Knicks won't make the playoffs), but I'm close to it," Latrell Sprewell said. "It's not like we're making any improvements." The Knicks continue to play for a lottery selection while the Bucks are playing for keeps. Take the visitors in a rout.
Projected Score: NY Knicks 114, MIL Bucks 96
Injury Report
IND Pacers PK
The Wizards broke a seven-game losing streak with the 107-102 victory on Sunday night over the Orlando Magic in overtime. Even without their top two scorers Michael Jordan and Richard Hamilton the Wizards were too much for the Magic. Tracy McGrady was part of the Magic's slow start, missing his first 10 shots before leading the comeback. He finished with 30 points, nine assists, eight rebounds and four steals, but he also missed three of his four free throws and two of his three field-goal attempts in overtime. Orlando's Pat Garrity sent the game into overtime with a dunk with 5.1 seconds left to tie it at 95. Chris Whitney missed a rushed 25-footer that could have won it for the Wizards at the end of regulation. Jermaine O'Neal had 29 points and 11 rebounds as the Pacers shook off Reggie Miller's suspension Sunday to win in the NBA's toughest road arena, 97-86. Though the Pacers earned the victory with a strong fourth-quarter rally and outstanding defense on Chris Webber and his teammates, O'Neal and coach Isiah Thomas both declined the credit for their fifth consecutive victory over Sacramento, which had its worst shooting game of the season. The Pacers are playing defense and they do have plenty of scoring and the home court on Tuesday, so they are the pick.
Projected Score: IND Pacers 111, ORL Magic 99
Injury Report
DAL Mavericks -9½
A young team on the rise (Dallas) against and old team on the decline. The Suns are setting, having gone 3-7 SU/4-6 ATS the last 10 games. They're off a 104-97 home loss to Houston as a favorite. Shawn Marion scored 24 points for the Suns. Penny Hardaway, playing 36 minutes in a reserve role, had 22 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Stephon Marbury had 21 points and 10 assists. Dallas has won 5 of 7 games and is in the middle of a nice home stretch here. They played at Denver on Sunday and won a wild game in OT. Michael Finley scored seven of his 30 points in overtime, and Van Exel added 20 points amid a constant chorus of boos as the Dallas Mavericks beat the Nuggets 116-110 Sunday night. Van Exel, who demanded that Denver trade him early this season and was finally dealt to Dallas on deadline day, was booed loudly when he entered with 2:06 left in the first quarter and each time he touched the ball thereafter. Dirk Nowitzki added 19 points and 10 rebounds for the Mavericks. Finley has averaged 18 points in 14 games since returning from a strained left hamstring. "We are blessed with a lot of good offensive players, and we do a pretty good job on that end," Dallas coach Don Nelson said. He's right -- Dallas is 39-19 in games OVER the total and 33-22 ATS.
Projected Score: DAL Mavericks 111, PHX Suns 99
Injury Report
GST Warriors
SAN Spurs
Here's the deal: Golden State is finished for the season and they have lost 7 of 8 games. The Warriors are 5-22 SU/12-15 ATS on the road, yet are getting the ATS covers lately (5-3 ATS run). Still, their defense is terrible away from home where they are being outscored by a 104-97 average. Now, the Spurs may easily get 104 points, but there's no way San Antonio's defense is going to allow Golden State to score 97. In fact, the Spurs are outscoring teams by a 97-91 average at home. San Antonio is coming off a big win over the slumping Knicks: Tim Duncan had 25 points and 12 rebounds Sunday as San Antonio defeated New York 99-83. The Spurs won their second consecutive while starting a string of games against the Knicks, Warriors, Rockets, Bulls (twice), Nuggets and Grizzlies. San Antonio does not play a team with a winning record until March 16 against Boston. "Absolutely, this is huge for us," Duncan said. "This is the exact kind of stretch we need to really build our confidence and get this team rolling in the right direction. Once we start rolling and guys are feeling good, I think it will snowball and be good for us." David Robinson had 13 points and 15 rebounds, and Steve Smith added 18 points. Looks like a rout for the home team.
Projected Score: SAN Spurs 108, GST Warriors 88
Injury Report
HOU Rockets -2½
Toronto is a mess, losing 11 straight while going on a 1-10 ATS run! They lost again at home to the 76ers. Vince Carter, playing his fourth game since coming off the injured list, had just 12 points for the Raptors, who are on their longest losing slide in four years. "I couldn't do anything on the offensive end, whether it was an open shot or a free throw," Carter said. "It's hard to cope with when the team is in this situation." The Raptors, booed throughout the game, have lost eight straight at home to fall to three game below .500 overall (29-32). At least Houston puts up a fight, going 4-2 SU/ATS the last 6 games. The Rockets are off a loss at LA to the Lakers, as a Steve Francis scored 20 points for Houston, but was 7-for-20 from the floor. Houston is 14-16 SU at home and has gone UNDER the total in 6 of 7 games now, so with Toronto struggling on offense, the UNDER is a decent play. Also, Hakeem Olajuwon, the Rockets' center for 17-plus seasons, will play at Houston on for the first time since joining the Raptors. Should be a fun game, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see Olajuwon roll back the c
Projected Score: HOU Rockets 83, TOR Raptors 82
Injury Report
MIN T'wolves 196
SEA Sonics -1
Two red-hot teams meet. The Minnesota Timberwolves are on a fire, going 8-3 SU/ATS the last 11 games including an impressive road win at Utah. Kevin Garnett had 26 points and 11 rebounds, and Trent added 17 points as Minnesota's reserves produced 56 points to lead the Timberwolves to a 116-105 victory over Utah on Saturday. Wally Szczerbiak scored 17 points, and William Avery had 14 and Marc Jackson 10 for Minnesota, which opened a four-game road trip. There were 87 free throws, with the Timberwolves hitting 34 of 43! Seattle is 8-2 SU/7-3 ATS the last 10 games and off a 96-71 rout of Memphis. Note that Seattle is home after a 5-game road trip where they went 4-1 SU/ATS. Seattle is 14-14 ATS at home, and we like the Timberwolves to get the road win.
Projected Score: MIN T'wolves 104, SEA Sonics 100
Injury Report
No line available at this time.
NJ Nets
LA Lakers
Possible NBA championship preview? New Jersey is on an 7-2 SU, but 4-5 ATS. Jason Collins scored 17 points and matched a career-high with 12 rebounds, and Lucious Harris scored 16 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Nets to a 92-84 victory over the Bulls. Kenyon Martin added 15 points, and Kerry Kittles and Keith Van Horn each scored 14 as New Jersey snapped a two-game losing streak and extended its home winning streak to five games. New Jersey is 15-13 SU/16-12 ATS on the road, while LA is 21-7 SU/17-11 ATS. They're also on a 4-1 SU/ATS run and won easily without Kobe Bryant, beating the Rockets 95-79. This looks to eb a close game, as New Jersey has no one to handle Shaq, but they have plenty of bodies to throw out there alongside a talented, unselfish Kidd.
Projected Score: NJ Nets 103, LA Lakers 102
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