Daily Sports Roundup
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Stars play host to the Sharks, while the Lakers battle the Hawks, and the Jazz look for a home victory over the Warriors.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are 13 games on the busy NBA slate for Wednesday, including the Lakers at Atlanta. Los Angeles (54-20 SU, 31-41-2 ATS) fell 108-100 in New Orleans in their last game on Monday night despite Kobe Bryant's 31-point performance. Pau Gasol had 26 points and 22 boards in that contest. The Hawks (47-26 SU, 43-30 ATS) are coming off a 94-84 home win over Indiana on Sunday, with Josh Smith picking up 21 points and 13 rebounds. The Lakers and Hawks met in Los Angeles back on November 1, with the home team winning 118-110 as an 8.5-point favorite. Bryant led all scorers with 41 points in that victory for Los Angeles.
Also on the NBA schedule for Wednesday: the Clippers at Toronto, Philadelphia at Charlotte, Milwaukee at Cleveland, Miami at Detroit, Oklahoma City at Boston, Phoenix at New Jersey, Sacramento at Minnesota, Washington at New Orleans, Dallas at Memphis, Houston at San Antonio, New York at Portland, and Golden State at Utah. The Jazz (49-26 SU, 46-26-3 ATS) have won two straight games, getting past New York 103-98 at home in their most recent outing on Monday night. Utah beat the Warriors (21-52 SU, 42-30-1 ATS) by a score of 100-89 at Golden State as 5-point road favorites when the teams met back on February 19.
As well, there is one college basketball game on the schedule for Wednesday, as Saint Louis hosts Virginia Commonwealth in the second game of the CBI championship series. The Rams won the series opener 68-56 at home on Monday night, and they can clinch the tourney title with a road victory at Chaifetz Arena. Joey Rodriguez scored 22 points for Virginia Commonwealth on Monday night, while Willie Reed tossed in a team-high 11 points in the loss for Saint Louis.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are seven games on the NHL's schedule for Wednesday, with Florida at Buffalo, Carolina at Montreal, Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh, Chicago at Minnesota, Anaheim at Colorado, Phoenix at Calgary, and San Jose at Dallas. The 47-19-10 Sharks won their fourth straight game last time out despite missing star forward Joe Thornton; they beat Colorado 4-3 on Sunday. Thornton is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. The 33-29-14 Stars were beaten 3-1 in Anaheim in their last game on Monday. Dallas played that contest without forward Mike Ribeiro, who was scratched because he had missed a scheduled team meeting.
Wednesday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Oklahoma City Thunder at Boston Celtics – Paul Pierce (shoulder) suffered a stinger in practice Tuesday and is questionable (see injury note below).
Miami Heat at Detroit Pistons – Jermaine O’Neal (knee) missed the team’s last game and is questionable. Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton both injured their ankles on Sunday and are questionable.
Houston Rockets at San Antonio Spurs – Manu Ginobili (back) missed Monday’s game and is probable. Roger Mason left Monday’s game with a broken pinkie and is questionable.
Golden State Warriors at Utah Jazz – Monta Ellis (illness) missed the team’s last game with the flu and is doubtful. Andrei Kirilenko (calf) did not play on Monday and is doubtful.
San Jose Sharks at Dallas Stars – Joe Thornton (lower body) missed Sunday’s game and is doubtful. Mike Ribeiro (disciplinary) was benched on Sunday after missing a team meeting and is questionable.
Anaheim Ducks at Colorado Avalanche – Ryan Getzlaf (ankle) has missed the last two games and is doubtful. Jonas Hiller (back) is expected to miss Wednesday’s game.
Phoenix Coyotes at Calgary Flames
Line to keep an eye on
The Blazers-Knicks total opened at 200.5 and can be found anywhere from that number to 201.5 now. Portland has played to the under in four of its last five games.
Who’s hot
Virginia Commonwealth has played to the over in five of its last six games.
The Sabres are 6-1 in their last seven games.
The Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last six games.
Who’s not
The Canadiens have dropped four of their last five games.
St. Louis is 3-3 ATS in its last six games.
The Cavs are 2-4 ATS in their last six outings.
Key stat
660 – Number of tickets allotted to the Butler student body for the Final Four game on Saturday in Indianapolis.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Paul Pierce could miss Boston’s game on Wednesday versus the Thunder after suffering a shoulder stinger in practice on Tuesday. Pierce (18.2 ppg, 4.3 rpg) has missed 10 games this season, mostly because of the shoulder injury, and the Celtics went 2-8 ATS without him. Marquis Daniels would likely start against Oklahoma City if Pierce can’t go.
Game of the Day
UFC Fight Night 21 picks
Notable quotable
"In my mind, we'll be making the eighth spot. We'll be playing LeBron [James] – playing Cleveland. We can't walk around acting like we're not going to make [the playoffs], because that's when things turn on you. Our biggest goal is to make the playoffs, and we're going to make it."
-- Bulls point guard Derrick Rose said of his prediction of making the postseason. Chicago trails Toronto by one game for the eighth and final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
Tips and notes
- Despite grabbing a must-win game against Charlotte on Monday, there are serious chemistry problems in Toronto. After getting blown out by Utah at home last Wednesday, Chris Bosh said the team “didn’t come to play” and it doesn’t “have that fire right now.” On top of that, Hedo Turkoglu said he had the flu on Sunday and couldn’t play but was seen partying that very night. He got benched the next game. The Raptors are 6-14 ATS since the All-Star break.
- Warriors coach Don Nelson is three wins shy of becoming the NBA’s all-time winningest coach. Nelson has said that he doesn’t care about the record (yea right), but his players are well aware of it and are aiming to win a few for the gipper with nine games remaining. Corey Maggette said, “our guys are very conscious of [the record]” and “we can hopefully get the record for him.”
- Once a safe haven, the Celtics have not played well at the Garden this season. Boston is 23-13 SU at home this season and 11-24-1 ATS. Coach Doc Rivers admitted his team’s shortcomings saying, “We haven't had a lot of rhythm at home.” The Celtics will face Oklahoma City, Houston and Cleveland in their next three games beginning Wednesday – all at home.