Daily Sports Roundup
Friday, January 15
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Flames host the Predators, the Hawks get a visit from the Suns, and the Lakers meet the Clippers in an all-L.A. contest.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up 13 games on a busy Friday night, including the Clippers at the Lakers. The Clippers were beaten 108-94 on the road by New Orleans on Wednesday night, with Baron Davis scoring 19 points to go along with six assists in that losing cause. Marcus Camby grabbed 20 boards. The Lakers are coming off a 100-95 road win over the Mavericks in their last game on Wednesday. Andrew Bynum led the way with 22 points and 11 boards for the Lakers that day.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Friday: San Antonio at Charlotte, Sacramento at Philadelphia, Minnesota at Memphis, Toronto at New York, Indiana at New Jersey, New Orleans at Detroit, Washington at Chicago, Miami at Houston, Oklahoma City at Dallas, Milwaukee at Golden State, Orlando at Portland, and Phoenix at Atlanta. The Suns will be looking to bounce back from their 122-114 loss in Indiana on Wednesday night; Steve Nash had 20 points in that matchup.
As well, Northern Colorado (15-3 SU, 10-5 ATS) will be looking to run their winning streak to seven games when they take on Portland State (7-9 SU, 5-8-1 ATS) in one of the few games on the college basketball schedule for Friday. The profitable Bears are coming off a 78-66 win over Idaho State on Saturday, as Chris Kaba poured in 17 points. The Vikings fell 90-58 to Montana last time out.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are just two games on the National Hockey League's schedule for Friday, with Toronto at Washington and Nashville at Calgary. The Predators head into Friday's matchup on a two-game winning streak, having knocked off the Oilers 5-3 in Edmonton on Tuesday night. Ryan Jones had a goal and two assists for the Preds in that game. Nashville and Calgary met in Tennessee last Tuesday night, with Miikka Kiprusoff making 27 saves in that 3-1 Flames victory.
Today's Wagering Tips
Friday, January 15
Lines off the board
New Orleans Hornets at Detroit Pistons – Ben Gordon (groin) and Tayshaun Prince (knee) missed last game and both are questionable.
Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers – Brandon Roy (hamstring) left last game and is doubtful. Vince Carter (shoulder) missed last three games and is questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers at Los Angeles Lakers – Pau Gasol (hamstring) missed last six games and is probable. Kobe Bryant (back spasms) briefly left last game and is probable. Chris Kaman (back) missed last game and is doubtful.
Brown at Yale – Starters Adrian Williams (shoulder) and Matt Mullery (ankle) are both questionable for Brown.
Lines to keep an eye on
Phoenix Suns at Atlanta Hawks - Opening total of 218 dropped to 217 quickly after its release.
Who’s hot
San Antonio Spurs – Won eight of last 10 and are 7-3 ATS during that span.
Northern Colorado Bears – Won six straight and are 6-1 ATS in last seven.
Baron Davis – Averaging 19.5 ppg, 9.7 apg and 2.3 spg over last six.
Who’s not
Kobe Bryant – Averaging 20.0 ppg over last seven with 19 turnovers.
North Dakota State Bison – Lost six of last seven.
Detroit Pistons – Lost nine of last 10 and gone 2-8 ATS in that stretch.
Toronto Maple Leafs – Dropped four straight and eight of last 10 games.
Key stat
San Antonio is 10-1 all-time against the Bobcats (8-2-1 ATS) and are undefeated (6-0 SU, 3-2-1 ATS) in Charlotte. The Spurs are 2-point favorites in North Carolina on Friday.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Brandon Roy is doubtful to play versus the Magic because of a hamstring injury. He left Wednesday’s game against the Bucks in the fourth quarter and did not return. Roy has missed one game all season and the Blazers defeated the Spurs on the road as 12-point underdogs. Andre Miller and Steve Blake will see extended minutes if Roy is out.
Game of the Day
Orlando Magic at Portland Trail Blazers
Notable Quotable
"Honestly, I see us sitting here next week having this press conference again. If that doesn't happen, to me, it will be a shock."
-- Vikings quarterback Brett Favre during Wednesday’s press conference causing some to conclude he is guaranteeing a win versus the Cowboys Sunday.
Tips and notes
- Flames right-winger Jarome Iginla has failed to score a single point in five straight games. He faces Nashville on Friday and has three goals and three assists in the three matchups versus the Predators this season.
- Sacramento Kings guard Kevin Martin will return to action for the first time in two months on Friday. Martin averaged 30.6 ppg during the first five games of the season but has not played since due to a wrist injury. Sacramento went 1-4 straight up and 2-3 ATS with Martin in the lineup.
- The Lakers will welcome back Pau Gasol on Friday after he missed the last six games with a hamstring injury. L.A. struggled without its starting center, going 3-3 SU and ATS in Gasol’s absence. All three of the Lakers defeats came on the road by double digits and the team was outrebounded in each contest. Gasol is averaging 16.8 ppg and 11.5 rpg.