Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, February 23
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Cavaliers play host to the Hornets, Syracuse meets Providence, and the Olympic hockey tourney starts its playoffs.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are eight games on the NBA's schedule for Tuesday, with New York at Boston, Minnesota at Miami, Portland at New Jersey, Phoenix at Oklahoma City, the Lakers at Memphis, Detroit at Sacramento, Philadelphia at Golden State, and New Orleans at Cleveland. The Cavaliers lost their third straight game on Sunday, falling 101-95 on the road against Orlando despite LeBron James' 33-point performance. The Hornets are coming off a 102-94 home win over Houston on Sunday; David West scored 27 points, while Darren Collison added 26 points.
As well, the top teams in action on the college basketball schedule for Tuesday are Tennessee (at Florida), New Mexico (at Colorado State), Georgetown (at Louisville), Kansas State (at Texas Tech), and Syracuse (at Providence). The Orange shook off a loss to Louisville by knocking off Georgetown 75-71 in their last game on Thursday; that put Syracuse at 25-2 straight-up, and they're 15-7 ATS on the season. The Orange and Friars already met once this season back on February 2, with Syracuse cruising to an 85-68 home victory in that matchup.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the Olympic men's hockey tournament begins its playoffs on Tuesday with the qualification round: Switzerland vs. Belarus, Czech Republic vs. Latvia , Slovakia vs. Norway, and Canada vs. Germany. The Canadian team lost 5-3 to the United States on Sunday night, which kept them from getting a bye into the quarterfinal round of the event. The United States, Sweden, Russia, and Finland all earned byes directly into the quarterfinals, which will take place Wednesday.
Tuesday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Minnesota Timberwolves at Miami Heat: Heat guard Dwyane Wade (calf) is doubtful and guard Rafer Alston (hand) is questionable.
New York Knicks at Boston Celtics: Celtics guard Nate Robinson (flu) is probable and forward Paul Pierce (thumb) is doubtful.
Los Angeles Lakers at Memphis Grizzlies: Lakers guard Kobe Bryant (ankle) and center Andrew Bynum (hip) are probable.
Philadelphia 76ers at Golden State Warriors: Sixers guard Willie Green (shoulder) is probable and forward Jason Smith (ankle) is questionable. Warriors forward Ronny Turiaf (flu) is questionable and forward Corey Maggette (hip) is out.
Lines to keep an eye on
Portland Trail Blazers at New Jersey Nets: Total opened at 183.5 and jumped to 184.5. Under is 6-1 in the Blazers' last seven.
Detroit Pistons at Sacramento Kings: Total opened at 194.5 and dropped to 193.5. Under is 3-1 in the Kings' last four.
Florida opened as a 4-point home favorite over Tennessee but the line has dropped to 3. The Vols are 8-1 SU vs. the Gators in their last nine meetings.
Who's hot
Dallas Mavericks are 8-2 SU and ATS in their last 10.
Oklahoma Ciy Thunder have won nine in a row SU.
Miami Heat are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six.
Who's not
New Jersey Nets are 1-11 SU in their last 12.
New York Knicks are 1-9 SU in their last 10.
Minnesota Timberwolves have lost their last six SU.
Key stat
83-4 - The combined scores of the American and Canadian women's hockey teams at the Vancouver Olympics. The U.S. advanced to Thursday's gold medal game by outscoring its four opponents by a total of 40-2. The U.S. will face Canada, which defeated its four foes 43-2.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Phoenix Suns guard Steve Nash did not join the team on its flight to Oklahoma City to face the rolling Thunder because of back and abdominal pain. Nash played through the pain Sunday to dish out 17 assists, but the Suns opted to rest him. The two-time MVP runs the Suns' offense, which could have trouble keeping pace with the Thunder with second-year reserve Goran Dragic as his replacement.
Game of the day
Tennessee Volunteers at Florida Gators (-3, 136)
Notable quotable
''I just bet peanut butter and jelly sandwiches on the game. That's all I did. It's a lot of peanut butter . Trying to figure out who wants crunch and who wants smooth is going to be the tough part.''
-- Chicago Cubs pitcher and Canada native Ryan Dempster joked after he was spotted paying off teammates Monday, one day after the U.S. upset Canada in Winter Olympics men's hockey.
Tips and notes
-- What's being called the "Miller-cle on Ice" in the U.S. prompted calls for a goalie change in Canada after the Americans' Olympic hockey upset of the Canucks. Roberto Luonga, playing on his home ice, will replace Martin Brodeur in net vs. Germany, which was shut out twice in group play. Regardless of who's in goal, Canada's pride and professionalism are the main reasons to load up on the Leaf.
-- No stat is more telling for Tennessee than rebounding. In the Vols' 20 wins they have outrebounded teams by an average margin of 8.8. In their six losses they were beaten on the boards by a 4.1 margin. They edged Florida 61-60 last month and had six more rebounds for their sixth straight win in the series, and that was before the return of Vols' big man Brian Williams, who had seven boards Saturday.
-- Virginia is playing its fourth road game and its fifth game overall in the last 11 days tonight at Miami, the result of a snow postponement vs. Maryland. The Cavaliers have lost their last five SU and the travel is starting to take a toll. The Cavs were routed 72-49 at Clemson on Saturday and had just enough time to get home and fly to Miami, which is 11-2 at home this season.