Daily Sports Roundup
Friday March 5
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Red Wings take on the Predators, while the Raptors host the Knicks, and the Pistons look for a win against the Cavaliers.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are 11 games on the NBA hardwood on Friday night, including Detroit at Cleveland. The Pistons and Cavaliers haven't met since November 25, when LeBron James and company pulled out a 98-88 road win. James led the way with 34 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists for the Cavaliers in that contest, while Mo Williams had 14 points to go along with eight assists. Rodney Stuckey had 25 points in the loss for the Pistons, while Charlie Villanueva had 19 points.
Also on the NBA's schedule for Friday: the Lakers at Charlotte, Milwaukee at Washington, Boston at Philadelphia, Golden State at Atlanta, Orlando at New Jersey, Sacramento at Dallas, Indiana at Denver, New Orleans at San Antonio, Oklahoma City at the Clippers, and New York at Toronto. The Raptors hope that star forward Chris Bosh (ankle injury) can get back on the floor for Friday night; Toronto has lost four straight games to sit at 31-28 SU and 28-31 ATS this year.
Mid-major tournament games populate the college basketball schedule for Friday, along with one major-conference game between St. John's and DePaul at Allstate Arena. The Red Storm (15-14 SU, 12-14 ATS) have lost three straight games, falling 85-66 to Syracuse in their last outing on Tuesday. The Blue Demons (8-21 SU, 14-9-2 ATS) have lost 11 games in a row to sit in the basement of the Big East standings. DePaul lost 63-59 to South Florida in their last contest, and they also fell 67-47 when they played St. John's on January 17.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, there are five games on the National Hockey League schedule for Friday, with Philadelphia at Buffalo, Vancouver at Chicago, New Jersey at Calgary, Minnesota at Edmonton, and Nashville at Detroit. The Red Wings last hosted the Predators back on January 29, with Detroit pulling out the 4-2 home win. Jason Williams, Nicklas Lidstrom, Drew Miller, and Henrik Zetterberg all scored for the Wings in that contest, while Jimmy Howard stopped 46 of 48 Nashville shots. Francis Bouillon and Shea Weber had the Preds goals in the loss.
Friday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
New York Knicks at Toronto Raptors – Chris Bosh (ankle) has missed the team’s last six games but is expected to return on Friday. Andrea Bargnani (illness) is probable for the game.
Sacramento Kings at Dallas Mavericks – Andres Nocioni will miss the game after being suspended for a DUI charge. Jason Terry (face) is out indefinitely after having surgery Friday (see below).
Line to keep an eye on
The Pacers-Nuggets spread has come down a point to 10.5 at some shops after opening at 11.5 in favor of Denver. Indiana is 1-4 ATS in its last five outings.
Who’s hot
The Flyers are 7-3 in their last 10 games and have defeated Buffalo in two straight.
Denver’s J.R. Smith is averaging 16.7 ppg over his last six in only 27 minutes of action.
Sacramento is 4-0 ATS in its last four outings and 3-1 SU, with two wins as dogs of 7 points or more.
Who’s not
Fordham has dropped 20 consecutive games with eight of those losses coming by more than 20 points.
The Bobcats are 4-6 SU in their last 10 games and 2-8 ATS during that stretch.
Key stat
24 – Number of games Hawks’ sixth man Jamal Crawford has scored 20 or more points this season, which leads the NBA. Crawford gives Atlanta a legit scoring presence off the bench and is the leading Sixth Man of the Year candidate.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Mavericks’ sixth-man Jason Terry will be out for at least a few games after having surgery on Friday to repair the orbital bone around his left eye. Terry was struck by the elbow of Minnesota’s Corey Brewer during Wednesday’s game and his eye was swollen shut afterward. J.J. Barea and Rodrigue Beaubois are expected to see extended playing time in Terry’s absence. The reigning NBA Sixth Man of the Year was averaging 34 minutes, 17.0 points and 3.8 assists off the bench. Terry said in a text he won’t be out “long” but another report said it could be 7-10 weeks.
Game of the day
New Orleans Hornets at San Antonio Spurs (-8, 197)
Notable quotable
"It's been the most difficult time of my life, no two ways about it. If I had known something was going on, the whistle would have been blown. Of course I'm mad at him, why would you not be? I'm close with his wife and he's got two lovely children and he's let them down. (But) when a guy's having a tough time, it's not up to me to beat him with a stick right now. He's getting enough grilling from everybody else.”
-- Tiger Woods’ caddie Steve Williams said in regards to the ongoing Tiger saga.
Tips and notes
- European golfer Lee Westwood had never played the Honda Classic but after a suggestion from his agent, entered the tournament field this year. After seeing the course first hand, Westwood’s agent said, “Why aren't you here? This golf course would suit you down to a tee." So far so good as Westwood is 1-under par, four strokes off the lead after Round 1. He is getting +1615 odds to win the tourney going into Friday.
- Raptors coach Jay Triano said Andrea Bargnani has been affected by Chris Bosh’s absence, saying defenses have keyed in on him more. Bosh is expected back Friday and apparently has an agenda. He said, “You’re going to be able to tell every time I step on the court how long I’ve been waiting on this.” Triano also said the team will go back to plays “more familiar” to the players with Bosh on the floor and that “most of the stuff will go through him.” Bosh and the Raps could be poised for a big Friday night.
- The Nuggets medical staff gave Carmelo Anthony an I.V. on Wednesday because of lingering fatigue. Carmelo said he wasn’t feeling well and, "My body has started shutting down on me that last week. It’s fatigue and having no energy." The I.V. must have helped as Melo dropped in 30 that night, but prior to the extra juice Anthony had only posted a 22.5 ppg average over his last six and was shooting very poorly.