Daily Sports Roundup
Monday, March 1
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavaliers play host to the Knicks, Georgetown takes on West Virginia, and the NHL returns to the ice in Colorado.
Tipping off on the hardwood.
There are nine games on the NBA's schedule for Monday, with Orlando at Philadelphia, Dallas at Charlotte, San Antonio at New Orleans, Atlanta at Chicago, Portland at Memphis, Toronto at Houston, Denver at Phoenix, Utah at the Clippers, and New York at Cleveland. The Cavaliers (46-14 SU, 29-29-2 ATS) won their third straight game on Friday, getting past the Raptors 126-118 in Toronto. LeBron James was good for 36 points in that contest. The Knicks (20-38 SU, 26-32 ATS) fell 120-109 to the Grizzlies in their last game on Saturday night.
As well, the marquee college basketball games on Monday are Oklahoma at Texas, and Georgetown at West Virginia. The Hoyas (19-8 SU, 12-11 ATS) fell 78-64 to Notre Dame at home in their last game on Saturday. Greg Monroe had a team-high 15 points for Georgetown in that loss, while Hollis Thompson and Jason Clark each picked up 12 points. The Mountaineers (22-6 SU, 11-16 ATS) are coming off a 74-68 win over Cincinnati on Saturday. Kevin Jones tossed in 15 points for West Virginia on that day, and Darryl Bryant was good for 14 points.
Taking a trip around the rink.
Finally, the National Hockey League returns from its Olympic break with a single game on the schedule for Monday, as Colorado hosts Detroit. The Red Wings entered the break with a record of 28-21-12, which ties them with Dallas for ninth place in the Western Conference standings. The Avalanche are a surprising 35-20-6 so far this year, and with 76 points they're tied with Vancouver for first place in the Northwest Division. The Avalanche fell 3-0 to Los Angeles in their last game on February 13, while the Wings' last outing was a 4-1 win over the Sens.
Monday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Atlanta Hawks at Chicago Bulls: Bulls' center Joakim Noah (foot) and forward Luol Deng (Knee) are questionable and guard Derrick Rose (knee) is probable.
Toronto Raptors at Houston Rockets: Rockets forwards Shane Battier (flu) and Trevor Ariza (hip) and guard Kyle Lowry (ankle) are questionable. Raptors played Sunday.
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns: Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin (ankle) is questionable. Nuggets played Sunday.
Lines to keep an eye on
New York Knicks at Cleveland Cavaliers: The total opened at 210.5 and quickly dropped to 209.5. Over is 9-1 in last 10 in New York.
Portland Trail Blazers at Memphis Grizzlies: The total opened at 194 and jumped to 195. Over is 8-2 in Portland's last 10 road games.
Georgetown Hoyas at West Virginia Mountaineers: The total fell from 138 to 137.5 and the Mountaineers went from 5.5-point favorites to 6.5.
Fresno State Bulldogs at Utah State Aggies: The total slipped from 129 to 128. The Bulldogs have played in eight straight overs.
Who's hot
New Orleans Hornets are 7-2 ATS in their last nine.
Dallas Mavericks have won six in a row SU.
Phoenix Suns have won five in a row SU and ATS.
Who's not
New York Knicks are 1-9 SU in their last 10.
Charlotte Bobcats are 2-7 ATS in their last nine.
Houston Rockets are 2-7 SU and ATS in their last nine.
Key stat
102 vs. 101 - Total number of points the Utah Jazz have defeated the Los Angeles Clippers by in their last six meetings vs. the highest point total the Clippers have scored in those games.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Spurs guard Tony Parker has missed 10 of the last 13 games with everything from hip and ankle injuries to food poisoning and the Spurs are 3-7 ATS in his absence. Problem is they are only 1-2 ATS with him in that span, probably because he hasn't been able to fully recover. Parker is probable for tonight's game against the New Orleans Hornets.
Game of the day
Georgetown Hoyas at West Virginia Mountaineers (-6.5, 137.5)
Notable quotable
"No one knew our names. People know our names now."
Team USA center Chris Drury, a holdover from the 2002 American men's hockey team, said after Sunday's 3-2 overtime loss to Canada in the Vancouver Olympics gold-medal game.
Tips and notes
After making a big splash in the Big Apple, Tracy McGrady sat out the second half of Saturday's loss to Memphis and did a similar disappearing act in Friday's overtime win against Washington. McGrady blames it on his knee but teammates are already growing tired of T-Mac's act. He says he will play tonight in Cleveland, but for how long?
Don't expect Team USA stars Paul Stastny or Brian Rafalski to be on the ice tonight when NHL play resumes with the Red Wings at Avalanche, much less those who played lesser Olympic roles. The NHLPA botched their travel plans by booking their return flights before the start of Sunday's gold medal game against Canada and the overtime match made it difficult for them to fly and recover in time to play.
With the top three ranked teams falling over the weekend, the nation's longest winning streak now belongs to Utah State, which has won its last 13 (10-3 ATS). Tonight the Aggies, 15-1 SU at home, host Fresno State, a team they defeated by 26 points last month on the road, and they have a surprisingly rowdy crowd. Look under the visitor's basket for the fat guy who wears only body paint and a diaper and try hitting a free throw.