Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, February 9
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Kentucky meets Alabama, the Thunder take on the Trail Blazers, and the Nets try to avoid embarrassment against the Cavs.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up 11 games on its Tuesday night schedule, including New Jersey at Cleveland. The Nets and Cavaliers have combined for 45 wins so far this season - but New Jersey has just four of them. The Nets fell 99-92 in Detroit in their last game on Saturday, despite Devin Harris' team-high 21 points. The Cavaliers ran their winning streak to 11 games with a 113-106 home victory against New York on Saturday. LeBron James exploded for 47 points that night.
Also on the NBA hardwood on Tuesday: Minnesota at Philadelphia, Washington at Charlotte, Chicago at Indiana, Houston at Miami, Sacramento at New York, Atlanta at Memphis, Detroit at Milwaukee, Dallas at Denver, Utah at the Clippers, and Oklahoma City at Portland. The Thunder picked up their fifth straight win on Saturday night, getting the 104-95 victory over Golden State behind 29 points from Kevin Durant. The Trail Blazers fell 99-82 on Saturday against the Lakers.
As well, there are five games involving ranked teams on the college basketball schedule for Tuesday, with Tennessee at Vanderbilt, Illinois at Wisconsin, Georgetown at Providence, Purdue at Michigan State, and Alabama at Kentucky. The Wildcats enter Tuesday's game on a three-game winning streak, as they knocked off LSU 81-55 in their last outing on Saturday. DeMarcus Cousins poured in 19 points in that win. The Crimson Tide have lost six of their last eight games; they were beaten 74-67 by Mississippi in their last outing on Saturday.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are seven games on the NHL's schedule for Tuesday, with Florida at Carolina, Nashville at the Islanders, Calgary at Ottawa, Vancouver at Tampa Bay, Detroit at St. Louis, Dallas at Chicago, and Boston at Buffalo. The Bruins finally got back into the win column on Sunday afternoon, as Tuukka Rask made 36 saves in the team's 3-0 road win over the Canadiens. Boston had been on a 10-game losing streak. The Sabres were blanked 4-0 in Columbus in their last game Saturday; backup goalie Patrick Lalime stopped 21 of 25 shots in the loss.
Today's Wagering Tips
Tuesday, February 9
Lines off the board today
New Jersey Nets at Cleveland Cavaliers: Nets guards Devin Harris (back) and Chris Douglas-Roberts (shin) are listed as questionable.
Washington Wizards at Charlotte Bobcats: Bobcats guard Raymond Felton (ankle) and Tyson Chandler (foot) are listed as questionable.
Houston Rockets at Miami Heat: Rockets forward Trevor Aziza (hip) is listed as doubtful.
Atlanta Hawks at Memphis Grizzlies: Hawks guard Joe Johnson (flu) is listed as questionable.
Dallas Mavericks at Denver Nuggets: Mavs center Erick Dampier (knee) and forward Tim Thomas (personal) are listed as doubtful. Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony (ankle), guard Chauncey Billups (ankle) and centers Nene (foot) and Chris Anderson (knee) are listed as probable.
Lines to keep an eye on
Minnesota Timberwolves at Philadelphia 76ers: Total opened at 203.5 and jumped to 204.5. T'wolves have hit Over in six of last seven, but Under is 7-1 in last eight in Philly.
Chicago Bulls at Indiana Pacers: Total opened at 200 and jumped to as high as 202 at most books. Under is 9-3 in the last 12 at Indy.
Detroit Pistons at Milwaukee Bucks: Total opened at 188.5 and has climbed to 189.5. Bucks went from 7.5-point favorites to 8 at most books.
Utah Jazz at Los Angeles Clippers: Total opened at 198.5 and jumped two points to 200.5 at most books. Over is 7-3 in last 10 at Clippers.
Weather to watch
The opening race of the America's Cup was postponed Monday because of light, unsteady winds off the coast of Spain. The weather pattern is expected to persist and organizers hope to get the event under way Wednesday.
Who's hot
Utah Jazz are 12-1 SU in their last 13.
Cleveland Cavaliers have won 11 in a row SU, 6-1 ATS in last seven.
Milwaukee Bucks are 10-1 ATS in their last 11.
Ottawa Senators are 11-1 in their last 12.
Who's not
Sacramento Kings are 1-13 SU in their last 14.
Dallas Mavericks are 1-8 ATS in their last nine.
Detroit Pistons are 1-6-1 ATS in their last eight.
Boston Bruins are 1-10 in their last 11.
Key stat
3 to 1 - The number of losses the Cleveland Cavaliers have in their 18 games since New Year's Day vs. the number of wins the New Jersey Nets have in their 18 games since New Year's Day. Don't expect those numbers to change tonight.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Atlanta Hawks guard Joe Johnson is listed as questionable for tonight's game at the Memphis Grizzlies with the flu. He did not practice Monday but made the flight with the team for the one-game trip, possibly a sign he will play. Johnson averages 21.9 points, 4.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists per game.
Biggest game on the slate
Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan State Spartans (-3, 138.5)
Notable quotable
''Kahonas. Our coach has those and that's the reason we're the No. 1 football team in the world.''
-- Darren Sharper of the New Orleans Saints on coach Sean Payton's gamble to onside kick to start the second half of Super Bowl XLIV.
Tips and notes
The Washington Wizards got a mini-vacation in Florida while D.C. was in the grips of a weekend blizzard. After Saturday's game against the Atlanta Hawks was postponed, the Wizards opted to spend two days in Orlando before flying to Charlotte on Monday for Tueday's game against the Hornets. Despite the long trip, it could be just what the doctor ordered for the struggling Wiz.
Nashville Predators coach Barry Trotz called out veteran J.P. Dumont for dogging it and he responded Saturday by scoring two goals, but the team still lost to the Sharks 4-3. Trotz is trying to shake his team out of a 2-7 slump by publicly criticizing its leaders - a great plan if it works, but it can create dissention. The Predators open a four-game road trip tonight on Long Island.
Tennessee reinstated junior center Brian Williams from his suspension for a Jan. 1 joyride with three teammates, weed and a gun. He could be a big help in tonight's rematch of a 85-76 loss to Vanderbilt two weeks ago. The Commodores outrebounded the Vols 41-37 and had 24 second-chance points. The 6-foot-10 Williams is averaging 5.4 points and 5.9 boards per contest.