Daily Sports Roundup
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Flyers play host to the Canadiens, while the Lakers take on the Jazz, and the Hawks attempt to pick up a win in Cleveland.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are 10 games on the NBA's schedule for Friday, including Utah at the Lakers. Los Angeles last took on the Jazz back on February 10 in Utah, with the home side falling 96-81 as a 5.5-point favorite. Lamar Odom had a team-high 25 points in that win for the Lakers, who played that game without an injured Kobe Bryant. Pau Gasol picked up 22 points and 19 rebounds in the contest. Andrei Kirilenko was good for 17 points for Utah, while Deron Williams added 11 points.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Friday: Milwaukee at Charlotte, Chicago at Washington, Miami at Indiana, Houston at Boston, Phoenix at Detroit, New Orleans at Memphis, Orlando at San Antonio, New York at Golden State, and Atlanta at Cleveland. The Hawks are riding high heading into Friday's matchup, as they beat the Lakers 109-92 at home in their last game on Wednesday. Atlanta, though, hasn't managed to knock off Cleveland since December 2008.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, the NHL offers up seven games on Friday, with Chicago at New Jersey, the Rangers at Tampa Bay, San Jose at Minnesota, Edmonton at Dallas, Calgary at Colorado, Vancouver at Anaheim, and Montreal at Philadelphia. The Canadiens failed to help their playoff chances on Wednesday night, falling 2-1 at home to the Hurricanes. Marc-Andre Bergeron had the only Habs goal in that loss, while Carey Price stopped 25 of 27 Carolina shots. The Canadiens and Flyers last met in back-to-back games back on February 12 and February 13, with Philadelphia managing to grab the win in both those contests (3-2 and 6-2).
Friday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Miami Heat at Indiana Pacers: Pacers center Jermaine O'Neal (knee) is questionable.
Milwaukee Bucks at Charlotte Bobcats: Bucks guard Carlos Delfino (neck) and Bobcats forward Stephen Jackson (hamstring) are questionable.
Houston Rockets at Boston Celtics: Rockets center David Anderson (back) and guard Kevin Martin (shoulder) are questionable.
New Orleans Hornets at Memphis Grizzlies: Grizzlies center Marc Gasol (shoulder) is doubtful and guard Ronnie Brewer (hamstring) is questionable.
Phoenix Suns at Detroit Pistons: Suns guard Steve Nash (back) and Pistons guard Richard Hamilton (ankle) are questionable.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Chicago Bulls opened as 4.5-point favorites over the Washington Wizards but that number has fallen to 4. The total opened at 193 and dropped to 192.5.
The Los Angeles Lakers opened as 5-point picks over the Utah Jazz but that line has dropped to 4.5. The total opened at 205 and has dipped to 204.5.
Weather to watch
The Northeast has been hit hard by flooding and rising waters over the weekend could lead to some travel delays.
Who's hot
Cleveland Cavaliers are 10-1 SU in their last 11.
Phoenix Suns have won nine in a row SU.
Atlanta Hawks are 8-2 ATS in their last 10.
Chicago Bulls are 7-2 ATS in their last nine.
Indiana Pacers are 6-1 SU in their last seven.
Miami Heat have won six in a row SU.
Who's not
Washington Wizards are 1-16 SU in their last 17.
New Orleans Hornets are 4-12-1 ATS in their last 17.
Detroit Pistons are 0-9 SU and ATS in their last nine.
Houston Rockets are 0-6 ATS in their last six.
Colorado Avalanche are 1-6 SU in their last seven.
Key stat
504 - Combined points of the Atlanta Thrashers' final five regular-season opponents. The ninth-place Trashers are trying to make the playoffs but face the first-place Capitals (110) twice, the third-place Penguins (95) twice and the fourth-place New Jersey Devils (94) once.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
The only things that have been able to stop Spurs guard Manu Ginobili lately are back spasms. Ginobili averaged 25.8 points per game last week to be named Western Conference Player of the Week on Monday, the same day he had to take a day off because his back hurt so bad he couldn't pull up his pants. The Spurs lost to the Nets and Ginobili vowed to return tonight against the Magic. He is listed as probable.
Game of the day
Jazz at Lakers
Notable quotable
"We thought it would only be a radio promotion and that would be it. But it kind of caught fire and grew into something we didn't expect."
Texas Motorspeedway president Eddie Gossage said after an April Fool's joke that Dallas radio DJ Terry Dorsey was legally changing his name to Texasmotorspeedway.com got picked up by major news services.
Tips and notes
Time is running out for Warriors coach Don Nelson to become the winningest coach in NBA history. He needs three more and is rumored to be out of a job next season. His team wants to get the record for him and the Knicks are a must-win if he has any chance. The Knicks are on their fourth stop of a five-game, West Coast swing, losing the first three by a combined 69 points. It's time to win one for Nelly.
The Flames refused to be snuffed out of the playoff race despite looking like longshots at this time last week. After big wins over the Capitals and Coyotes, the Flames get a shot at the team currently clinging to the eighth spot - the Avalanche, who have allowed five goals per game in their current three-game skid. The Flames have won five straight at home and will have a playoff atmosphere on their side in the Saddledome.
Not to throw stones at the glass-slipper stories in this year's NCAA Tournament, but history show that experience is a huge factor at this stage of the game. Five of the last six national titles were won by teams that visited the Final Four at least five years prior. The 2007 Florida team was the lone exception and it returned to repeat in 2008. Michigan State and Duke get the ex(perience) factor over Butler and West Virginia.