Daily Sports Roundup
Friday, November 20
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Boise State takes on Utah State, the Hawks play host to the Rockets, and the Magic and Celtics meet for a contest in Boston.
Colliding on the gridiron . . .
There are three college football games on the schedule for Friday, with Akron at Bowling Green, Eastern Michigan at Toledo, and No. 6 Boise State at Utah State. The ranked Broncos (10-0 SU, 7-2 ATS) kept their record perfect last time out, rolling over Idaho 63-25; Kellen Moore had five TD strikes in that game. The Aggies (3-7 SU, 7-2 ATS) got past San Jose State 24-9 last game. Oddsmakers have Boise State as 23.5-point favorites for Friday, with a total set at 61.5 points.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up a slate of 10 games on Friday, including a matchup of the Magic and Celtics in Boston. The Magic (9-3 SU, 7-5 ATS) are coming off a 108-94 win over Oklahoma City on Wednesday night, with Vince Carter scoring a team-high 18 points in the contest. The Celtics (9-3 SU, 5-7 ATS) topped Golden State 109-95 in their Wednesday outing. Paul Pierce led the way with 19 points for the Celtics in that win, while Rajon Rondo picked up 18 points and 12 assists.
Rounding out the NBA schedule for Friday: Miami at Toronto, Memphis at Philadelphia, Cleveland at Indiana, Washington at Oklahoma City, Sacramento at Dallas, Charlotte at Milwaukee, Portland at Golden State, Denver at the Clippers, and Houston at Atlanta. The Hawks (10-2 SU, 11-1 ATS) will put their spotless home record (6-0 SU, 6-0 ATS) on the line in that last matchup. Atlanta beat Miami 105-90 at home on Wednesday, with Joe Johnson pouring in 30 points.
Also, college hoops preseason tourneys remain in full swing on Friday, including games in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off, Paradise Jam, Charleston Classic, Air Force Classic, and Coaches vs. Cancer Classic. As well, No. 2 Michigan State will try to run their season record to 3-0 on Friday night when they play host to winless Toledo. The Spartans grabbed a 75-71 win over Gonzaga in their last contest on Tuesday, with Durrell Summers picking up 21 points and 11 boards on the night.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are a half-dozen games on the NHL schedule for Friday, with Boston at Buffalo, Florida at Detroit, the Islanders at Minnesota, Philadelphia at San Jose, Colorado at Vancouver, and Montreal at Washington. The Canadiens are now 10-11-0 on the season after slipping past Carolina 3-2 in a shootout on Tuesday; Habs forward Brian Gionta is out indefinitely with a foot injury. The Capitals, now 13-4-4, doubled up on the Rangers by a score of 4-2 on Tuesday.
Friday's Wagering Tips
Noisy Boise
Boise State has another national TV game to impress the BCS voters when it visits Utah State. The Broncos have gone 7-0-2 against the spread in the last nine meetings and are 4-1 against the over in the last five matchups, winning 52-0 with a total of 60 in 2007. In addition, Boise has averaged 51.8 points in its last four games overall and 46.3 in its last seven vs. Utah State. The Broncos are giving 23 points with a total of 61.5.
League leaders
When the Houston Rockets visit the Atlanta Hawks, it will be a matchup of two of the NBA's top teams against the spread. The Rockets are fourth with an ATS record of 8-4, while the Hawks lead the NBA at 11-1 ATS, including 6-0 at home. Houston has covered the last four meetings. Atlanta is favored by seven points with a total of 206.5.
Grounded ground game
The Atlanta Falcons likely will be without running back Michael Turner and could be without running back Jerious Norwood vs. the New York Giants on Sunday. Turner missed practice Thursday with a high ankle sprain and Norwood was limited in practice with a hip injury. Jason Snelling, who has 37 carries this season, likely will start against a defense ranked 13th vs. the run. The Giants are favored by 6.5 points with a total of 45.5.
Spur of the moment
San Antonio Spurs guard Manu Ginobili will be out a week with a strained left groin. The Spurs began a four-game homestand vs. Utah on Thursday that also includes games vs. Washington (Saturday), Milwaukee (Monday) and Golden State (Wednesday). Ginobili averages 14.1 points off the bench.
Change in the tide
When Alabama hosts Providence, it will be without starting senior guard Anthony Brock, who has been suspended indefinitely for a team rules violation. Brock scored 15 points in a season-opening loss to Cornell. The Tide are giving 5.5 points to the Friars, who won three neutral-site games in as many nights last weekend.
Hole in the center
Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut, who is averaging 16.1 points and a team-best 9.2 rebounds, will miss two to four weeks with a strained left leg. Bogut's absence comes just as Michael Redd was preparing to return. Some of Bogut's minutes may go to face-up forward Ersan Ilyasova, who averages 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 20 minutes. Milwaukee is giving 5.5 points to visiting Charlotte with a total of 179.
Lucky 13?
New Jersey Nets All-Star point guard Devin Harris said he will "definitely play" Saturday against the New York Knicks. The Nets are 0-12 (4-8 ATS), and Harris has missed 10 games with a groin injury. No line has been posted yet.
Absentee Senator
The Ottawa Senators will be without right wing Alexei Kovalev, who is going to Russia for his mother-in-law's funeral. Fifth on the team with 10 points, Kovalev will miss Saturday's game vs. Buffalo and could also miss Monday's match vs. Washington. Ottawa is 6-2 when Kovalev scores a point and 6-3-3 at home.
Line movement
The New York Rangers have taken slumping Enver Lisin off their top line and replaced him with right wing Ales Kotalik, who will now skate with Marian Gaborik and Vaclav Prospal. New York's top three scorers are now all on the same line. Lisin, who is scoreless in his last eight games, will skate with Christopher Higgins and Pierre Parenteau. The Rangers host the Florida Panthers on Saturday.
Notable quotable
"We’re a 3-6 team with nothing to lose. I know they have playoff aspirations and everything, so we’re really looking forward to come down to Houston and destroying all playoff thoughts and aspirations they have."
--Tennessee Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck, talking about Sunday's road game vs. the Houston Texans.