Daily Sports Roundup
Friday, February 19
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Harvard plays host to Cornell, while the Nuggets visit the Wizards, and the Mavericks seek a road victory over the Magic.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up a busy schedule of 12 games for Friday, including Dallas at Orlando. The Mavericks (33-21 SU, 22-32 ATS) knocked off the Suns in their last game on Wednesday, winning by a final score of 107-97 at home. Dirk Nowitzki led the way with 28 points and seven rebounds in that victory for the Mavs, while Jason Kidd was good for 18 points and 10 assists. The Magic (37-18 SU, 27-25-3 ATS) topped the Pistons 116-91 on Wednesday, with Dwight Howard picking up 33 points and 17 boards in the home win. Vince Carter was good for 20 points.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Friday: Cleveland at Charlotte, San Antonio at Philadelphia, Chicago at Minnesota, Toronto at New Jersey, Milwaukee at Detroit, Miami at Memphis, Indiana at New Orleans, Atlanta at Phoenix, Utah at Golden State, Boston at Portland, and Denver at Washington. The Wizards (18-33 SU, 21-30 ATS) found an even worse team to beat on Wednesday night, getting past the Timberwolves 108-99 at home. Andray Blatche had 33 points for Washington, which has now traded away both Caron Butler and Antawn Jamison.
As well, the top matchups on the light college basketball schedule for Friday are Old Dominion at Northern Iowa, William & Mary at Iona, and Cornell at Harvard. The Big Red (21-4 SU, 13-7 ATS) got past Princeton 48-45 last time out, getting 13 points from Ryan Wittman in the victory. The Crimson (17-5 SU, 8-7 ATS) have won three straight games, knocking off Brown 81-67 last game. Kyle Casey poured in 27 points for Harvard in that contest. Cornell leads the Ivy League conference standings at 7-1 on the season, while Harvard sits with a 6-2 record.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, preliminary action continues at the Olympic men's hockey tournament on Friday, with Belarus vs. Sweden, Finland vs. Germany, and the Czech Republic vs. Latvia. Finland got past Belarus 5-1 in their opener on Wednesday, while Sweden beat Germany 2-0, and the Czech Republic knocked off the rival Slovaks 3-1. Jaromir Jagr, Patrik Elias, and Tomas Plekanec had the goals for the Czech Republic in that victory, while Tomas Vokoun stopped 34 of 35 shots.
Today's Wagering Tips
Friday, February 19
Lines off the board
Toronto Raptors at New Jersey Nets – Chris Bosh (ankle) will miss Friday’s game after injuring his ankle in Wednesday’s loss to Memphis.
Miami Heat at Memphis Grizzlies – Dwayne Wade (calf) left Thursday’s game in the first quarter and is doubtful. Jermaine O’Neal (back) is questionable.
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers – Brandon Roy (hamstring) only played 15 minutes on Tuesday before leaving the game and is questionable.
Lines to keep an eye on
The William & Mary at Iona total can be found anywhere from 121.5 to 123. The W&M Tribe have played to the under in their last nine games.
The total for the Old Dominion-Northern Iowa game opened at 110.5 and is currently listed as high as 112.5.
Who’s hot
Old Dominion has won eight of its last 10 games, going 5-5 ATS during that time frame, and is getting points Friday.
Harvard is 8-2 overall in its last 10 and 8-1 straight up at home this season.
Who’s not
San Antonio is 2-5 ATS in its last seven games.
The Brown Bears have dropped eight of their last 10 games, going 3-5 ATS in that span.
Key stats
29 – Number of different starting lineups the Warriors have used in 53 games this season. Golden State has lost 280 games due to players’ injuries and currently have four players on its roster who did not participate in the team’s training camp.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
No. 24-ranked Northern Iowa will again be without center Jordan Eglseder in the featured matchup versus Old Dominion on Friday. Eglseder was suspended by the team for three games after an OWI arrest. He is the team’s second-leading scorer at 12.2 points per and pulls down more than seven boards a game. The Panthers had no trouble taking care of Creighton without him on Wednesday, winning 70-52 as 8.5-point favorites.
Game of the day
Boston Celtics at Portland Trail Blazers
Notable quotable
"On paper it looks that way. Just like any team that makes a major trade like that, it's gonna take some time for that team to get that rhythm and get comfortable with each other. I looks like it can help them, but you still gotta play."
-- Portland head coach Nate McMillan on the Mavericks becoming a better team after the acquisitions of Caron Butler and Brendan Haywood.
Tips and notes
- The Wizards are completely rebuilding and Mike Miller described it as the “Extreme Makeover Team Edition.” A less than star-studded starting five took the floor Wednesday and defeated Minnesota, getting inspired play from Antawn Jamison’s replacement, Andray Blatche. Blatche had 33 points and 13 boards and the team may begin to rally around their season’s torment.
- Corey Maggette didn’t get his wish to be traded but will not be playing for the Warriors any time soon. Maggette earlier said the team had “no chemistry whatsoever.” Golden State will be shorthanded again with Maggette out but the team has thrived in similar situations this season. The Warriors defeated Dallas on the road in November with seven players.
- Marcus Camby could be jetlagged when he takes the floor in a Trail Blazers uniform Friday. His former team, the Clippers, played in Portland Tuesday and Camby only brought one change of clothes. He was given the day off Wednesday to fly back to L.A. and collect his belongings. Camby arrived back in Oregon that night and could start Friday.