Daily Sports Roundup
Monday, February 1
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Oilers look to snap a long losing streak, Texas takes on Oklahoma State, and the Mavericks try to beat the Jazz in Utah.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up seven games on Monday night, with Boston at Washington, Milwaukee at Miami, Phoenix at New Orleans, the Lakers at Memphis, Sacramento at Denver, Charlotte at Portland, and Dallas at Utah. The Mavericks (30-17 SU, 20-27 ATS) dropped a 114-112 decision at home to the Trail Blazers in their last game on Saturday; Dirk Nowitzki poured in 28 points for the Mavs in the loss. The Jazz (28-18 SU, 27-17-2 ATS) have won five straight, beating Sacramento 101-94 Friday night. Paul Millsap was good for 32 points in that win.
As well, the top teams in action around college basketball on Monday are Connecticut (at Louisville) and Texas (at Oklahoma State). The Longhorns (18-3 SU, 8-9 ATS) will be looking to bounce back from an 80-77 home overtime loss to Baylor in their last game. Damion Jones led the Texas attack in that contest, picking up 20 points to go along with 19 rebounds. The Cowboys (16-5 SU, 9-5-1 ATS) fell 95-80 on the road against Missouri last time out. James Anderson was good for 31 points for Oklahoma State in the loss, and Matt Pilgrim had 21 points
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the National Hockey League begins its February calendar with four games on Monday night: Anaheim at Florida, Buffalo at Pittsburgh, Philadelphia at Calgary, and Carolina at Edmonton. The Hurricanes improved to 19-28-7 on the season with a 4-2 win over Chicago in their last game on Saturday; that was the Canes' fourth consecutive victory. The Oilers, on the other hand, are now 16-31-6 after losing to Calgary 6-1 on Saturday. Edmonton has lost 13 straight games, and defenseman Sheldon Souray is out indefinitely with a broken hand.
Today's Wagering Tips
Monday, February 1
Lines off the board today
Milwaukee Bucks at Miami Heat: Miami's Dwyane Wade (back) and Michael Beasley (knee) are listed as probable.
Phoenix Suns at New Orleans Hornets: Both team's point guards, Steve Nash (groin) and Chris Paul (knee), are dealing with injuries.
Sacramento Kings at Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony (ankle) is listed as probable after missing the last four games.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Los Angeles Lakers opened as 2.5-point favorites over the Memphis Grizzlies and the line has dropped to as low as 1.5 at some books.
Who's hot
Milwaukee Bucks are 7-0 ATS in their last seven.
Utah Jazz are 9-1-2 ATS in their last 12.
Denver Nuggets are 10-2 SU in their last 12.
Carolina Hurricanes are 9-2-1 in their last 12 on the road.
Who's not
Boston Celtics are 1-7 ATS in their last eight.
Sacramento Kings are 3-16 SU in their last 19.
Calgary Flames are 1-9 in their last 10.
Edmonton Oilers are 1-19 in their last 20.
Key stat
12 - The number of combined overs hit consecutively by the Charlotte Bobcats and Portland Trail Blazers. Both teams have played in six straight overs and are averaging more than 100 points for and against during that span.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Indianapolis Colts All-Pro defensive end Dwight Freeney is in Miami receiving hyperbaric-chamber treatment and APR therapy to increase the blood flow to his injured ankle in hopes of healing before Sunday's Super Bowl. Keep an eye his progress throughout the week because the Colts' ability to pressure Saints quarterback Drew Brees is a big reason they are favored by 5.5 points.
Biggest game on the slate
Connecticut at Louisville
Notable quotable
"I think the staff looks forward to it every year. It's a time we can sit down and figure out some props and spill some red sauce or a little wine on the sheet. ... The drunker we get, the more outrageous the props will become."
Wynn Las Vegas sports book director John Avello on his staff's annual Italian dinner to brainstorm about proposition bets for the Super Bowl.
Tips and notes
Dallas Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle called his team ''soft'' defensively after allowing 114 points to Portland on Saturday, the third straight game the Mavs have given up at least 107. All three games were ATS losses and went over the total. Tonight they face the Jazz, who have scored over 100 in nine of their last 10.
The Lakers complete their eight-game, 12-day road trip today and no one feels the miles more than Kobe Bryant, who hit the game-winner over the Celtics Sunday despite his poor outing and health. The Lakers improved to 5-2 on the trip but the road could catch up to them in Memphis, which has won 11 of its last 12 at home.
Texas ranks 318th in free-throw shooting at 61.8 percent and it finally caught up with the Longhorns in losing three of their last four, hitting just 53 of 98 during that span while opponents made 79 of 111. That's a difference of 26 points - the combined margin of their three defeats. Oklahoma State shoots 71.4 percent from the stripe.