Daily Sports Roundup
Thursday, February 18
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Georgetown plays host to Syracuse, the Lakers take on the Celtics, and the streaking Cavs get a visit from the Nuggets.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up two top matchups on Thursday night, including Denver at Cleveland. The Nuggets (35-18 SU, 24-26-3 ATS) fell 111-92 at home to San Antonio in their last game before the break, despite a 20-point performance from Nene. Carmelo Anthony added 19 points and six rebounds in that loss for Denver. The Cavaliers (43-11 SU, 27-25-2 ATS) are riding a 13-game winning streak into Thursday's matchup. Cleveland got 32 points and 13 assists from LeBron James in their last contest, a 115-106 home win over the Magic last week.
Thursday's late NBA matchup then has Boston at the Lakers. The Celtics (33-18 SU, 19-31-1 ATS) began their second-half schedule with a 95-92 win in Sacramento on Tuesday night. Paul Pierce and Rasheed Wallace each scored 17 points in that win for Boston, while Ray Allen was good for 15 points. The Lakers (42-13 SU, 25-29-1 ATS) won their fourth straight game on Tuesday, beating Golden State 104-94 despite the continued absence of Kobe Bryant. Los Angeles is not expected to have Bryant (ankle) back in the lineup on Thursday.
As well, there are five games involving ranked teams on the college basketball schedule on Thursday, with No. 17 Vanderbilt at Mississippi, No. 19 Pittsburgh at Marquette, No. 14 Wisconsin at Minnesota, No. 13 Gonzaga at Loyola Marymount, and No. 5 Syracuse at No. 10 Georgetown. The Orange (24-2 SU, 14-7 ATS) and Hoyas (18-6 SU, 11-9 ATS) have met once already this season, with Syracuse picking up a 73-56 win over Georgetown back on January 25. Andy Rautins and Kris Joseph each poured in 15 points for the Orange in that meeting.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the Olympic men's hockey tournament continues on Thursday with three more matchups on the schedule: the United States vs. Norway, Switzerland vs. Canada, and Slovakia vs. Russia. The American squad slipped past the Swiss 3-1 in their tournament-opening game on Tuesday, while the Russians beat Latvia 8-2, and the Canadians blanked Norway 8-0. Roberto Luongo posted the shutout for Canada vs. the Norwegians, but Martin Brodeur has been pegged as the team's starting goalie for Thursday. Sidney Crosby had three assists on Tuesday.
Today's Wagering Tips
Thursday, February 18
Lines off the board
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant (ankle) has missed the last four games and is questionable.
Weather to watch
It doesn’t appear that any Olympic events will be postponed as Thursday’s forecast for Vancouver calls for a high of 53 degrees with sunny skies and no precipitation.
Who’s hot
The Cavaliers have won 13 straight games and are 8-5 ATS during that stretch.
Both Boston and L.A. have played to four consecutive unders.
Who’s not
The Celtics have lost five consecutive games ATS and are 2-11-1 ATS in their last 14 outings.
Washington State has dropped five of its last six games, going 2-3 ATS in that span.
Key stats
4 – Number of times the Cleveland Cavaliers have been home favorites of 6 points or less. The Cavs are 3-1 SU and 2-2 ATS in that situation and face the Nuggets as 6-point favorites on Thursday.
11-0 – Home record for Cavaliers versus Western Conference teams.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Syracuse forward Wes Johnson injured his shooting hand on Feb. 10 versus UConn and admitted the setback affected his play in the team’s loss to Louisville. Johnson practiced Monday and Tuesday with a wrap on his thumb and said the hand felt “all right.” Johnson averages 16.0 points and 8.8 rebounds for the Orange and may not be 100 percent on Thursday.
Games of the day
Denver Nuggets at Cleveland Cavaliers (-6, 206)
Boston Celtics at Los Angeles Lakers
Syracuse at Georgetown (-1.5, 144)
Notable quotable
"I wouldn't say there was a rivalry, but I and the Canadian team - I never see them except on the track and there are people I like more."
-- German hockey player Michi Hlailovic said regarding his rivalry with team Canada.
Tips and notes
- The University of New Orleans withdrew from the Sun Belt Conference three weeks ago in order to move the athletic programs to Division III. The basketball team has been playing like a D-III school since then, going 0-7 SU and ATS. Only two of those defeats were by single digits and three saw losing margins of 20 points or more.
- With Kobe Bryant out of the lineup, the Lakers have been earning wins defensively. L.A. garnered three straight quality wins before the break – at Portland, versus San Antonio, at Utah – holding all under 90 points. The up-tempo Warriors were only able to score 94 Tuesday night and the Lakers have played four straight unders.
- The No. 4 golfer in the world, Lee Westwood, has never made it past the second round of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in nine career attempts. Westwood defeated Chris Wood in their match on Wednesday and will face Nick Watney in the second round. Westwood is listed at -190 to win the match with Watney getting +140 odds.