Daily Sports Roundup
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Mavericks take on the Thunder, while the Final Four features Butler vs. Michigan State and then Duke vs. West Virginia.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up nine games on Saturday, with Toronto at Philadelphia, Detroit at Atlanta, New Orleans at New Jersey, Charlotte at Chicago, Miami at Minnesota, Phoenix at Milwaukee, the Clippers at Denver, Portland at Sacramento, and Oklahoma City at Dallas. The Thunder improved to 46-28 SU and 44-30 ATS with a 109-104 road win in Boston on Wednesday night. Kevin Durant was good for 37 points in that victory, while Russell Westbrook tossed in 21 points on the night. The Mavericks (50-26 SU, 31-43-2 ATS) fell 97-82 to Orlando in their last game on Thursday, but they're 2-1 vs. the Thunder this year.
The bigger hoops event on Saturday, though, is the Final Four at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The night's first matchup has a pair of No. 5 seeds in action, with Butler taking on Michigan State. The Bulldogs, who are basically playing a home game on Saturday, have been pegged by the oddsmakers as 1-point favorites to advance to the championship game, with the total set at 126 points. The other Final Four matchup then has West Virginia, a No. 2 seed, taking on the lone remaining top seed, Duke. The Blue Devils are the oddsmakers' pick in that one, as they're favored by 2 points. The total sits at 131.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, the National Hockey League has 11 games on tap for Saturday, including a matinee matchup between the Thrashers and Penguins in Pittsburgh. The 34-32-12 Thrashers will continue their quest to move into the Eastern Conference playoff picture on Saturday, but their chances took a hit on Thursday with a 2-1 road loss to Washington. Tim Stapleton had Atlanta's lone goal in that contest. The 44-26-7 Penguins are trying to fend off the Devils for top spot in the Atlantic Division, but they fell 2-0 to Tampa Bay in their last game on Wednesday night. Pittsburgh is 2-0 against the Thrashers in their two meetings on the season.
Also on the ice on Saturday: Nashville at Detroit, Ottawa at the Islanders, Buffalo at Montreal, New Jersey at Carolina, Boston at Toronto, the Rangers at Florida, Washington at Columbus, Dallas at St. Louis, Edmonton at Phoenix, and Anaheim at Los Angeles. The Kings bounced the Canucks 8-3 at home in their last game on Thursday night, with Dustin Brown recording a hat trick and Drew Doughty picking up a pair of assists. Los Angeles has had Anaheim's number so far this season, as the Kings are 3-1 over their four games vs. their regional rival.
Saturday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Toronto Raptors at Philadelphia 76ers – Louis Williams (back) has missed the last five games and is questionable. Thaddeus Young (finger) has missed the last seven games and is questionable.
Detroit Pistons at Atlanta Hawks – Richard Hamilton (ankle) missed Wednesday’s game and is doubtful. Jason Maxiell (back) left during the team’s last game and is questionable.
Miami Heat at Minnesota Timberwolves – Jermaine O’Neal (back) missed Friday’s game and is doubtful.
Atlanta Thrashers at Pittsburgh Penguins – Evgeni Malkin (foot) has missed the last five games but is expected to return. Sergei Gonchar (illness) has missed the last four games and is questionable. Pavel Kubina (upper body) did not play in Thursday’s game and is questionable.
New Jersey Devils at Carolina Hurricanes – Zach Parise was expected to get Friday off but played so he could be out Saturday for rest.
Lines to keep an eye on
The total in the Thunder-Mavs game has spiraled out of control downward. The opener of 198.5 has been bet down to 195.5. Seven of the last 10 games in this series have gone under. The spread has also moved against the home team (Dallas) who opened as a 4-point favorite but now is 3-point chalk.
A large opening spread of 15 points in favor of the Nuggets has been bet down to 14 at most shops. The Clippers have lost three straight ATS.
An opening total of 192 has been bet up to 194.5 in the Blazers-Kings matchup. Sacramento has played to six straight unders and 4-of-5 games in this series have gone under.
Who’s hot
The Red Wings are 7-0 in their last seven games.
Butler has won 24 games in a row.
The Bulls are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games.
Who’s not
The Pistons are 0-9 SU and ATS in their last nine games.
Duke and West Virginia have played to the under in seven of their last 10 games.
The Capitals have dropped three of their last four games, losing 5.25 units on the moneyline.
Key stat
1 – Number of teams to win the NCAA tournament with no McDonald’s All-Americans. Maryland was the only team to ever do it (2002). Of the four teams remaining in the tourney, Duke is the only team with a McDonald’s A-A.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
West Virginia point guard Darryl Bryant might or might not be available for the Mountaineers Final Four game versus Duke on Saturday. The outlook isn’t good for Bryant as he said on Friday he would, “definitely like to see if he could go” and described his situation as “sucks.” Coach Bob Huggins said on Thursday it was “highly unlikely” Bryant would play. Junior Joe Mazzula started in place of Bryant in the team’s win over Kentucky and was a key factor after scoring 17 points.
Games of the Day
Michigan State Spartans vs. Butler Bulldogs (-1, 126)
West Virginia Mountaineers vs. Duke Blue Devils (-2.5, 131)
Boston Bruins at Toronto Maple Leafs
Edmonton Oilers at Phoenix Coyotes (-320, 5.5)
Notable quotable
"People were saying we were not going to get a win in March, and we got one. We got that monkey off our back and we have to keep going."
Wizards guard Nick Young said after the team’s road win over New Orleans on Thursday.
Tips and notes
Holding onto the last spot in the playoffs, Raptors coach Jay Triano has made changes to the starting lineup. Sonny Weems has started the last four games and Toronto has covered in all four and won the last two. Weems has averaged 10.7 ppg as a starter. Antoine Wright replaced Hedo Turkoglu as a starter five games ago and has posted 10.2 ppg and 5.0 rpg. Triano said these changes were permanent.
Joe Ogilvie changed his equipment before firing a 67 at the Houston Open on Friday. He ranked 175th on tour in driving heading into the tournament so he replaced his driver after the opening round. Ogilvie also switched putters and his green-work vastly improved as he only needed 26 putts in the second round. He also increased the loft on all of his clubs by one degree. Altering equipment during a tournament occasionally happens on tour but it is very unusual. Ogilvie is two strokes off the lead and is getting +2000 odds to win the tournament.
Phil Mickelson seemed dejected after shooting 76 in the second round of the Shell Houston Open on Friday. He said his round was frustrating and when a reporter attempted to cheer him up by reminding Lefty of a good finishing hole, Mickelson said, “That's not much consolation.” This uncharacteristic, defeatist attitude from Mickelson is not a good sign heading into the Masters. It might be wise to bet against Phil in a head-to-head matchup on Saturday.