Daily Sports Roundup
Monday, March 15
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Flames play host to the Red Wings, the Celtics get a visit from the Pistons, and the Lakers try for a win over Golden State.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are six games on the NBA's schedule for Monday, with Detroit at Boston, New York at Philadelphia, Denver at Houston, Washington at Utah, New Orleans at the Clippers, and the Lakers at Golden State. The Lakers (48-18 SU, 28-36-2 ATS) won their second straight game on Friday night, getting past the Suns in Phoenix by a final score of 102-96. Kobe Bryant had 21 points for Los Angeles in that victory. The Warriors (18-47 SU, 37-21-1 ATS) got past the Raptors at home in their last game on Saturday; Stephen Curry had 35 points. The Lakers and Warriors have met three times this season, with Los Angeles winning each time.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
As well, the NHL offers up three games on Monday night, with Boston at New Jersey, Edmonton at Columbus, and Detroit at Calgary. The Red Wings won their second straight game on Saturday, slipping past the Sabres in a 3-2 overtime decision. Pavel Datsyuk, Patrick Eaves, and Brian Rafalski scored for Detroit in that game, while Jimmy Howard stopped 24 of 26 Buffalo shots. Detroit is just 1-2 against Calgary so far this season, and they lost 4-2 at home to the Flames when the teams last met on March 9. Jarome Iginla and Rene Bourque each had two points for Calgary in that win, and Miikka Kiprusoff made 28 saves.
Monday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
New Orleans Hornets at Los Angeles Clippers - Hornets forward James Posey (flu) is probable and Clippers guard Eric Gordon (leg) is questionable.
Washington Wizards at Utah Jazz - The Jazz played Sunday night and guard Deron Williams (shoulder) is probable for Monday.
Edmonton Oilers at Columbus Blue Jackets - Oilers center Patrick O'Sullivan is questionable and Blue Jackets right wing Kristian Huselius (upper body) is probable.
Lines to keep an eye on
Detroit Pistons at Boston Celtics - The Celts opened as 10.5-point favorites but quickly fell to 9.5. Boston is 1-8 ATS in its last nine Monday games.
Denver Nuggets at Houston Rockets - The total opened at 215.5 but climbed to 216.5 at some books. Over is 7-2 in the Nuggets last nine as a favorite.
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors - The Lakers fell from 8-point favorites to 7.5 and the total dropped from 223 to 222.
Who's hot
Golden State Warriors are 6-2 ATS in their last eight despite going 2-6 SU.
Denver Nuggets have won six in a row SU.
Calgary Flames are 5-1 in their last six.
Who's not
Washington Wizards are 1-9 SU in last 10.
Philadelphia 76ers are 1-8 SU in their last nine.
New Orleans Hornets are 1-6 SU and 0-6-1 ATS in their last seven.
Los Angeles Clippers are 1-9 SU in their last 10.
Key stat
15.9 - Average margin of victory for the New Orleans Hornets in their current 10-game winning streak over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
With Boston Bruins center Marc Savard out with a concussion, the Bruins need Mirslav Satan back on the ice to pick up some slack and his offense. Satan has been sidelined with a groin injury and is questionable to return for tonight's game against the New Jersey Devils, the sixth stop in their current seven-game road trip. If Satan can't skate and score the Bruins will be hard pressed to keep pace with the Devils.
Game of the day
Detroit Red Wings at Calgary Flames - Both teams have won four of their last five and are battling for playoff position.
Notable quotable
"I am a dummy. I have no intelligence whatsoever."
ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale said while prefacing his argument that Virginia Tech should have made the NCAA Tournament ahead of Wake Forest.
Tips and notes
The New Orleans Hornets had lots of extra leg room on their flight out West without James Posey (flu), Peja Stojakovic (abdominal strain) and Sean Marks (shoulder) aboard. The Hornets are on a combined 0-8 ATS run without these three in the lineup, not to mention Chris Paul (knee). Posey plans to fly solo to join the team in L.A. for tonight's game at the Clip Joint but his help may be too little, too late.
The Utah Jazz return home tonight with no rest from a four-game, five-day road trip and the journey took its toll. Forward Andrei Kirilenko (calf), center Mehmet Okur (back) and guard Ronnie Price (wrist) are out for tonight's game against the Washington Wizards and guard Deron Williams (shoulder) will try to play. The combination of pain and fatigue are a concern for the usually hot home team.
Whether you're filling out a bracket for an office pool or looking for some action on the future odds, it's best to play it safe when picking a champion. Sixteen of the last 19 national titlists have hailed from either the Big 12, Big East, ACC or SEC, also the top four conferences in the RPI this season. Major conference teams are battle- and bettor-tested. You might get a bigger payday with the mid-majors, but only if they win.