Daily Sports Roundup
Thursday, February 25
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavs and Celtics meet in a key Eastern Conference clash in Boston, while second-ranked Kentucky hosts South Carolina.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are three games on the NBA's schedule for Thursday, with Milwaukee at Indiana, Denver at Golden State, and Cleveland at Boston. The Cavaliers put an end to their three-game skid on Tuesday night, getting past the Hornets 105-95 at home. LeBron James scored 20 points to go along with 13 assists for Cleveland in that win, while Shaquille O'Neal contributed 20 points and seven rebounds. The Celtics are also coming off a win on Tuesday night, as they got past New York 110-106 at home. Ray Allen led Boston with a team-high 24 points against the Knicks, while Rajon Rondo picked up 15 points and 16 assists.
As well, five ranked teams are in action on the college basketball schedule for Thursday, with Santa Clara at No. 18 Gonzaga, No. 17 Wisconsin at Indiana, Georgia at No. 16 Vanderbilt, Tulsa at No. 5 Duke, and South Carolina at No. 2 Kentucky. The Wildcats won their seventh game in a row on Saturday, getting past Vanderbilt by a score of 58-56; DeMarcus Cousins had 19 points in that win, which moved Kentucky to 26-1 (14-11 ATS). The Gamecocks fell 63-55 to Tennessee in their last game on Saturday, with Brandis Raley-Ross scoring 16 points in the defeat. South Carolina is now 14-12 (9-14 ATS) through 26 games.
Thursday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics – Paul Pierce (thumb, flu) missed last game and is questionable. Marquis Daniels (flu) did not practice Wednesday and is questionable. (see note below)
Indiana Pacers at Milwaukee Bucks – Pacers played on Wednesday. Danny Granger (personal) did not play in the last two games and is probable.
Line to keep an eye on
The Nuggets-Warriors total dropped from an opener of 227.5 to as low as 226.5 at some shops. The last four games in this series have gone over and these are the second- and third-highest scoring team in the league.
Weather to watch
Another major snowstorm is expected to hit the Northeast beginning Thursday morning.
The storm will move rapidly northward from the Delmarva Peninsula up through western New England. Travel problems will be apparent in the region with metro areas like NYC and Philadelphia expecting the biggest delays.
The Knicks are scheduled to play the Wizards on Friday and travel plans could be affected by the storm.
The second run of the women's giant slalom at the Winter Olympics on Wednesday was postponed because of dense fog. The final leg of the event was rescheduled for Thursday.
American star Lindsey Vonn crashed during her first run Wednesday, knocking her out of medal contention. She fractured her right pinkie in the fall, which puts her status for Friday's slalom up in the air.
Who’s hot
The Blue Devils have won six straight games and are 3-1-2 ATS during that stretch.
North Texas has won 8-of-9 games and is 7-1 ATS in that span.
Who’s not
Louisiana Tech is 0-6 ATS in its last six games as the favorite.
Hawaii has dropped eight straight and is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 games.
Key stat
77 – Number of consecutive games won by the Duke Blue Devils at home versus non-conference competition. Duke hosts Tulsa on Thursday and is favored by 18 points. The last time the Devils met the Hurricanes was in 1999 and the Dukies covered as 24.5 favorites in a 41-point blowout.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Pacers swingman Danny Granger has missed the team’s last two games dealing with a personal issue and his status for Wednesday versus Milwaukee is uncertain. Coach Jim O’Brien called the situation “serious” and had no timetable for his return. Mike Dunleavy has started in place of Granger but has struggled.
Games of the day
Cleveland Cavaliers at Boston Celtics
Denver Nuggets at Golden State Warriors (+6, 227)
Notable quotable
"In the fourth quarter, you saw the defensive tenacity and that got us in transition a lot. That's when we're at our best."
-- Warriors rookie guard Stephen Curry said after the team held Atlanta to 14 fourth-quarter points during Sunday’s 108-104 comeback victory.
Tips and notes
- The flu bug may be circling the Celtics locker room as both Marquis Daniels and Paul Pierce are dealing with the illness. Those two players are the team’s best options to defend LeBron James on Thursday but both missed practice Wednesday and are questionable. Newly acquired forward Marcus Landry may be asked to guard James.
- Phil Mickelson was reported to be honing his putting touch at TPC Scottsdale this week, a course he played many times while attending Arizona State. He told reporters he didn’t want to lose “momentum” missing 8- to 12-foot putts like he has been this season. Mickelson is a two-time champion at the Phoenix Open (1996, 2005) and is getting +800 odds to win the tournament.
- Golden State has incurred third-quarter deficits of 18 points or more in the last two games and battled back in both. The young squad has a “never give up” attitude and defeated the Hawks on Monday after trailing by 18 late in the third. The Warriors have won three games this season when trailing by 17 points or more but hadn’t accomplished that feat prior to this year since the early 70’s.