Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, February 2
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The new-look Maple Leafs play host to the Devils, Kentucky takes on Mississippi, and the Hawks look for a win in Oklahoma.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up seven games on Tuesday, with Memphis at Cleveland, Toronto at Indiana, Milwaukee at Orlando, Detroit at New Jersey, the Clippers at Chicago, Golden State at Houston, and Atlanta at Oklahoma City. The Hawks (30-16 SU, 30-16 ATS) were thumped 104-86 in Orlando in their last game on Saturday; Joe Johnson had 19 points for Atlanta in that defeat. The Thunder (26-21 SU, 28-19 ATS) are coming off a 112-104 home win over Golden State in their Sunday outing. Kevin Durant exploded for 45 points for OKC in that victory.
As well, top games around college hoops on Tuesday sees Providence at Syracuse, Seton Hall at Villanova, Kansas State at Nebraska, Michigan State at Wisconsin, TCU at BYU, and Mississippi at Kentucky. The Wildcats (20-1 SU, 10-9 ATS) bounced back from their first loss of the season with an 85-72 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday; DeMarcus Cousins tossed in 21 points for Kentucky that day. The Rebels (16-5 SU, 11-6 ATS) fell 80-73 to Arkansas in their last game on Sunday. Murphy Holloway scored 19 points for Mississippi in that loss.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are nine games on the National Hockey League's schedule for Tuesday, with Washington at Boston, Tampa Bay at Atlanta, Vancouver at Montreal, Minnesota at Dallas, Phoenix at Nashville, Columbus at Colorado, the Rangers at Los Angeles, Detroit at San Jose, and New Jersey at Toronto. The last-place Maple Leafs shook up their roster on the weekend, trading for Flames defenseman Dion Phaneuf and Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Toronto blew an early lead in falling 5-3 to the Canucks last time out on Saturday.
Today's Wagering Tips
Tuesday, February 2
Lines off the board today
Toronto Raptors at Indiana Pacers: Raptors forward Hedo Turkoglu is listed as doubtful with a broken bone under his eye.
Detroit Pistons at New Jersey Nets: Pistons guard Will Bynum (ankle) and forward Charlie Villanueva (back) are listed as questionable.
Los Angeles Clippers at Chicago Bulls: Both team's centers are injured - L.A.'s Chris Kaman (ankle) and Chicago's Joakim Noah (foot).
New York Rangers at Los Angeles Kings: The Rangers are negotiating a trade with the Calgary Flames that could impact their lineup.
Lines to keep an eye on
Atlanta Hawks at Oklahoma City Thunder: The Thunder came out as a 1-point favorite but the line has become a pick-em at most books.
Milwaukee Bucks at Orlando Magic: The total opened at 194.5 and jumped to 195.5, curious since both teams have gone under in their last two.
Weather to watch
Heavy rains spoiled Monday's Media Day, a soggy reminder of the last Super Bowl in Miami in 2007. The Colts remember it well since they won, but a 20 percent chance of rain for Sunday is cause for concern for two pass-happy dome teams. Keep one eye on the forecast this week and another on the odds, especially the total.
Who's hot
Cleveland Cavaliers have won eight in a row SU, four in a row ATS.
Chicago Bulls have won five in a row SU and ATS, all on the road.
Washington Capitals are 13-1 in their last 14.
Vancouver Canucks have won seven in a row.
Who's not
Houston Rockets are 2-12 ATS in their last 14.
Detroit Pistons are 1-6 SU and ATS in their last seven.
Boston Bruins are 1-10 in their last 11.
Toronto Maple Leafs have lost six in a row.
Key stat
Golden State Warriors are 1-6 SU in their last seven but 5-2 ATS during that span.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Phoenix Coyotes top scorer Scott Upshall may be out for the season with a torn ACL and the loss could be devastating to a team that struggled to light the lamp until recently. Shane Doan may pick up some slack, scoring three goals and nine points last week, but foes now face one less threat.
Biggest game on the slate
Ole Miss Rebels at Kentucky Wildcats
Notable quotable
''After retirement, I'm coming after your job, Clark. I'm just letting you know, so you either have three more years or seven more years.''
U.S. President Barack Obama told CBS college basketball color commentator Clark Kellogg during Saturday's Duke-Georgetown broadcast.
Tips and notes
PGA Tour commissioner Tim Finchem meets with the players today to discuss the ruling on Phil Michelson's square-grooved Ping wedge. A technicality will allow his use of the outlawed club because it was made before 1990, a loophole created by a Ping lawsuit. The club itself may have no impact on his game, but how will Lefty handle the heat?
Golden State coach Don Nelson should throw out his halftime speeches. The Warriors were outscored by 13 points in the third quarter of Sunday's 112-104 loss to Oklahoma City, the 30th time they have been outpointed in that pivotal period. They are 3-27 in those games and Nelson is shaking up his second-half strategy to ''stop having these lazy third quarters.''
The Dallas Stars are switching goalies again. Marty Turco gets the start tonight after Alexander Auld gave up four goals in a loss to Phoenix on Sunday. Auld got the job after Turco went through a cold spell in mid-January, and so on and so on. Turco gets another chance to return to his former form tonight against the Minnesota Wild.