Daily Sports Roundup
Friday, January 29
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Capitals take on the Panthers, the Cavaliers have a game in Indiana, and the Celtics look for a win over the Hawks.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA's busy slate for Friday has a dozen games on tap, including Boston at Atlanta in a battle of Eastern powers. The Celtics will be looking to rebound from a pair of losses to the Hawks earlier in the month, as they fell 93-85 in Atlanta on January 8 and 102-96 in Boston on January 11. Joe Johnson led the way for the Hawks with 36 points in that latter matchup, with Josh Smith and Marvin Williams each scoring 14 points. Rajon Rondo tossed in 26 points for Boston in the defeat.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Friday: the Lakers at Philadelphia, Denver at Oklahoma City, Washington at New Jersey, the Clippers at Minnesota, Miami at Detroit, Chicago at New Orleans, Portland at Houston, Memphis at San Antonio, Sacramento at Utah, Charlotte at Golden State, and Cleveland at Indiana. The Cavaliers last took on the Pacers on November 20 in Indiana, with Cleveland picking up a 105-95 road win. LeBron James had a game-high 40 points for the Cavs in that matchup, while Danny Granger had 19 points for the losing Pacers.
On the college basketball schedule for Friday the top matchup will take place at the Resch Center, with Wisconsin-Green Bay hosting Butler in a game between the top two teams in the Horizon League. The Bulldogs (16-4 SU, 8-12 ATS) had no trouble with Illinois-Chicago last time out, cruising to an 84-55 win; Gordon Hayward had 25 points for Butler in that contest. The Phoenix (15-7 SU, 7-7-2 ATS) beat Youngstown State 69-55 last game; Troy Cotton poured in 23 points.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, the National Hockey League offers up six games on Friday, with Toronto at New Jersey, Boston at Buffalo, Nashville at Detroit, Anaheim at Tampa Bay, Colorado at Dallas, and Florida at Washington. The Panthers improved to 23-21-9 on the season with a 2-1 win over Montreal in their last game on Tuesday night; Florida goaltender Tomas Vokoun has given up just seven goals over his last seven outings. The Capitals, though, beat the Panthers of 5-4 in a shootout when the teams last met on January 13, and they're 4-0 against Florida this year.
Today's Wagering Tips
Friday, January 29
Lines off the board
Washington Wizards at New Jersey Nets – Devin Harris (wrist) has missed the last two games and is doubtful.
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons – Michael Beasley (knee) is doubtful for the game. Will Bynum (ankle) and Ben Gordon (groin) have both missed recent games and are questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers at Minnesota Timberwolves – Baron Davis (knee) is probable. Marcus Camby (ribs) left last game and is questionable.
Denver Nuggets at Oklahoma City Thunder – Carmelo Anthony (ankle) has missed the last two games and is probable.
Sacramento Kings at Utah Jazz – Deron Williams (personal) is out. Carlos Boozer (calf) left last game and is questionable.
Princeton at Brown – Tyler Ponticelli (back) missed last game and is questionable.
Penn at Yale – Mike Howlitt (foot) missed last game and is questionable.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Grizzlies-Spurs total incurred action right out of the gate, moving from an opener of 197 to 199.
The Maple Leafs-Devils total moved from an opener of 5.5 (+106/under) to 5.5 (-110/under). The last three meetings between these two teams have gone under.
The Lakers-Sixers total jumped from 201.5 to 202.5. Four of the last five in this series have gone over.
Who’s hot
The Nuggets have won eight consecutive games (4-3-1 ATS), including the last two without leading scorer Carmelo Anthony.
Butler has won 10 of the last 11 meetings versus Wisconsin-Green Bay (7-4 ATS).
Jose Theodore has earned six straight wins behind a .942 save percentage.
Who’s not
The Penn Quakers have lost three straight and are 1-13 overall on the season (1-8 ATS).
The Maple Leafs have dropped eight of 10 and are -5.89 units during that span.
Andre Iguodala is averaging 11.8 points over his last six games.
The Kings are 2-10-1 ATS since the New Year.
Key stat
41.3 – Points per game LeBron James has averaged in his last three visits to Indiana. The Cavs are 5-1 ATS in their last six away games versus the Pacers and are laying 7 points Friday night.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Spurs guard Tony Parker was carried off the court Wednesday after spraining his left ankle. The injury doesn’t appear to be too serious, but will sideline Parker for at least Friday and Sunday’s games. Parker missed four games in November and the Spurs went 2-2 SU and ATS while three of the four games went under the total.
Games of the Day
Roger Federer vs. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (+465)
Memphis Grizzlies at San Antonio Spurs (-4, 197)
Notable quotable
"This guy's got a great clock in his head. The big thing is that he throws the ball so early that we're going to have to do a good job of finding ways to get to him and when we do get to him we're going to have to make sure he gets a couple 'remember me' shots when we get there. And the only thing you’d like for me to say is that if it happens you hope he doesn’t get back up and play again."
Saints defensive coordinator Greg Williams told Nashville radio station 104.5 The Zone about facing Peyton Manning in the Super bowl.
Tips and notes
Wizards coach Flip Saunders said his team has been “emotionally and mentally worn down” since the Arenas incident. Antawn Jamison said the loss of his teammates has made him “tougher” and “hungrier”. Washington is 3-9 SU and 5-7 ATS since the initial Arenas suspension and face the lowly Nets Friday.
Only one wild card has ever won a Grand Slam – last year when Kim Clijsters won the US Open. Justine Henin is a -110 favorite as a wild card to beat Serena Williams in the Aussie Open final.
Amar’e Stoudemire is likely on his way out of Phoenix and his play has showed he may have already checked out. In his last three games, Stoudemire has eight turnovers and is averaging 14.3 points and 5.0 rebounds. This article outlines some of the teams interested in acquiring Stoudemire.