Daily Sports Roundup
Thursday, November 12
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavaliers take on the Heat, the Lakers try to knock off the Suns, and the Bears and Niners meet on the field in San Fran.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
The National Football League begins its Thursday games this week with Chicago at San Francisco. The Bears (4-4 SU, 4-4 ATS) were blasted 41-21 at home by the Cardinals on the weekend, despite Jay Cutler throwing three touchdown passes to Greg Olsen. The Niners (3-5 SU, 5-2-1 ATS) are coming off a 34-27 home loss to the Titans in their last contest. Oddsmakers have San Francisco pegged as the 3-point home favorite for Thursday, with the game's total at 43.5.
As well, there are three college football games on Thursday, with Ball State at Northern Illinois, Bowling Green at Miami (Ohio), and No. 23 South Florida at Rutgers. The ranked Bulls (6-2 SU, 3-3 ATS) got past West Virginia 30-19 last time out, with B.J. Daniels throwing for 232 yards and three scores in the victory. The Scarlet Knights (6-2 SU, 3-3 ATS) slipped past Connecticut 28-24 in their most recent game. South Florida has been listed as a 1-point fave for Thursday.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up a pair of marquee matchups on Thursday, with Cleveland at Miami and Phoenix at the Lakers. Kobe Bryant and company will be well rested for their matchup with their division rival - they last played on Sunday against the Hornets, picking up a 104-88 home win. Bryant led the way with 28 points for the Lakers in that contest, while D.J. Mbenga picked up 10 points and 12 rebounds. Andrew Bynum (elbow) and Pau Gasol (hamstring) both sat out Sunday's game.
There are also a couple of college hoops games on Thursday night, with Georgia State at N.C. State and James Madison at Ohio State. The No. 16 Buckeyes opened their season with an easy 100-60 win over Alcorn State on Monday night. Evan Turner turned in a triple-double for Ohio State, recording a line of 14-17-10.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the NHL has nine games on tap for Thursday, with Florida at Boston, Ottawa at Philadelphia, Vancouver at Detroit, New Jersey at Pittsburgh, Minnesota at Tampa Bay, Nashville at St. Louis, Montreal at Phoenix, Dallas at San Jose, and Atlanta at the Rangers. New York fell to 10-7-1 on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to the Flames. The Rangers were also bitten by the injury bug in that contest, with Brandon Dubinsky (wrist) and Chris Drury (head) both leaving the game. Dubinsky is out for at least a month, while Drury is considered day-to-day.
Today's Helpful Tips
Thursday, November 12
The Crabtree effect
After Week 4, the San Francisco 49ers were 3-1 straight up, 4-0 against the spread and coming off a 35-0 win over St. Louis. They reached an agreement with rookie holdout receiver Michael Crabtree and appeared on their way. But since Crabtree has put on the uniform, the 49ers are 0-4 straight up and 1-2-1 ATS. San Francisco is giving three points to Chicago with a total of 43.
Ilya play?
Atlanta Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk, who has played just eight games this season, did not travel with the team to New York and remains out with a foot injury. He leads the team with nine goals even though he has not played since Oct. 24. No line has been established.
Help on the way
The Washington Wizards may get back forwards Antawn Jamison and Mike Miller on Saturday, NBA.com reported. Jamison has missed the entire season with a partially dislocated shoulder and Miller suffered a sprained shoulder last week. The Wizards also are without injured point guards Randy Foye, Mike James are Javaris Vrittenton. They are just 2-6 straight up, 2-6 against the spread and 1-7 against the over.
The hot hand
Tampa Bay Lightning coach Rick Tocchet told the Tampa Tribune on Wednesday that he plans on riding the hot hand with his goaltenders. That would be Antero Niittymaki, who has a 1.61 GAA and .953 save percentage in his last three matches. Tampa Bay is -144 vs. Minnesota with a total of 5.5.
Flying high
The Philadelphia Flyers may get back center Daniel Briere and left wing James van Riemsdyk vs. the Ottawa Senators. Briere has been out with a quadriceps injury but practiced Tuesday and needs clearance from team physicians. Van Riemsdyk has a broken pinkie but also practiced Tuesday. The duo has combined for eight goals and 13 assists this season. The Flyers are -156 with a total of 5.5.
Backfield in motion
The Philadelphia Eagles will be without defensive back Joselio Hanson for four games after he was suspended by the NFL for testing positive for a banned substance. The Eagles already are without cornerback Ellis Hobbs for the season, and cornerback Asante Samuel (neck) and safety Quintin Demps (ankle) are questionable. Philadelphia is getting one point at San Diego with a total of 47.
Red-hot RedHawks?
Is Miami of Ohio making a late-season push for respectability? After losing their first eight games, the RedHawks beat Toledo and lost by two points to Temple. Miami has covered its last three games and is getting 17 points vs. Bowling Green, which it has beaten as an underdog the last three meetings.
Notable quotable
"There are a lot of tools in this offense that are available and I'm looking forward to him using those."
Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini, who reinserted Brady Quinn as his starting quarterback. The Browns have five offensive TDs and are 30th in scoring, 31st in total yards and 32nd in passing yards.