Daily Sports Roundup
Wednesday, November 11
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Celtics play host to the Jazz, the Suns try to knock off the Hornets, and the Blackhawks and Avs take the ice in Chicago.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
Wednesday's college football matchup has Toledo at Central Michigan, with the Chippewas set as 15.5-point home favorites. Central Michigan (7-2 SU, 6-2 ATS) fell 31-10 to Boston College in their last contest, with Ryan Radcliff rushing for the team's only touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Rockets (4-5 SU, 4-5 ATS) were defeated 31-24 by Miami-Ohio in their most recent contest two weeks ago.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
A busy night around the NBA on Wednesday sees 13 games on the schedule, including Utah at Boston. The Jazz improved to 3-4 on the season by beating the Knicks 95-93 on the road on Monday night. Andrei Kirilenko and Carlos Boozer each scored 23 points for the Jazz in that victory, while Mehmet Okur had 12 rebounds. The 7-1 Celtics last played on Saturday against the Nets, when they rolled to an 86-75 win. Paul Pierce tossed in 16 points for Boston in that contest.
Also on the NBA's Wednesday slate: Chicago at Toronto, Golden State at Indiana, Atlanta at New York, Philadelphia at New Jersey, Charlotte at Detroit, Denver at Milwaukee, Cleveland at Orlando, Portland at Minnesota, Memphis at Houston, Dallas at San Antonio, Oklahoma City at the Clippers, and New Orleans at Phoenix. The Suns sit at 7-1 on the season after beating the Sixers 119-115 on Monday night. Steve Nash had 21 points and 20 assists in that win.
As well, college basketball offers up three games on Wednesday, with Robert Morris at Syracuse, Detroit at No. 13 California, and N.C. Central at No. 6 North Carolina. The Tar Heels won their season opener 88-72 over Florida International on Monday night, with Deon Thompson scoring 20 points in the win.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are six games on the National Hockey League schedule for Wednesday, with Edmonton at Buffalo, Los Angeles at Carolina, Anaheim at New Jersey, the Islanders at Washington, Detroit at Columbus, and Colorado at Chicago. The 12-4-2 Avs fell 5-3 to the Oilers in their last game on Sunday, with Marek Svatos, T.J. Hensick, and David Jones all scoring. The Hawks are 9-5-2 after beating the Kings 4-1 on Monday night; Troy Brouwer collected three points.
Today's Helpful Tips
Wednesday, November 11
Stung
When the Phoenix Suns last played the New Orleans Hornets in April, they covered the spread for the first time in nine meetings between the teams. It also was the first time in six games the teams played to the under. The Hornets have won their last three visits to Phoenix, which is giving 5.5 points with a total of 215.5.
MAC daddy
Central Michigan is coming off a 31-10 loss at Boston College. But within the MAC, the Chippewas are 5-0 straigt up and 4-1 against the spread, all as a favorite. CMU has won its last four meetings with Toledo, covering three times. The Chippewas are favored by 17 points, the biggest line in the series since 2004.
What's your point?
Utah Jazz Deron Williams is nursing a sore lower back and bruised left calf that forced him to miss practice Tuesday. The point guard leads the Jazz in scoring (21.4) and assists (10.7). His backups are Ronnie Price and rookie Eric Maynor, who has played just 16 minutes this season. Williams' status is likely why no line has been established. The Jazz have covered five of the last six meetings.
No luck for the Irish
Notre Dame tight end Kyle Rudolph, who suffered a shoulder injury in a loss to Navy on Saturday, probably won't play until a potential bowl game. Mike Ragone likely will start for Rudolph. However, the Irish may get back leading rusher Armando Allen, who has missed three games with an ankle injury. Notre Dame is getting seven points at Pittsburgh, with the underdog covering the last four meetings.
Getaway day
The Denver Nuggets are 3-2 on their road trip, which ends in Milwaukee. In its last eight road trips of two games or more, the Nuggets have failed to cover in the finale seven times. Denver is giving 3.5 points with a total of 196.5.
Ill wind
The Carolina Hurricanes have lost 12 straight games, failing to score more than two goals in their last seven. In addition, the Hurricanes will be without injured goalie Cam Ward, meaning Michael Leighton and his 5.12 GAA will be between the pipes. Carolina is +145 vs. Los Angeles with a total of 5.5.
Notable quotable
"I just felt like changing it. It's been a long time, and J.R. has no significance to my name. My name is Earl, so I figured, why not?"
Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith, who said Tuesday upon returning from a seven-game suspension that he wants to be known by his given name of Earl Smith III.