Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, January 19
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Capitals play host to the Red Wings, Clemson takes on Georgia Tech, and the Raptors look for a victory in Cleveland.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up just two games on Tuesday night, with Indiana at Miami and Toronto at Cleveland. The Raptors pushed their season record over the .500 mark (21-20 SU, 20-21 ATS) with a 110-88 win over the Mavericks on Sunday afternoon. Chris Bosh scored 23 points and added 13 rebounds for Toronto in that victory, while Andrea Bargnani picked up 22 points. The Cavaliers (31-11 SU, 20-21-1 ATS) edged the Clippers 102-101 in Los Angeles in their last game on Saturday. LeBron James led the way with 32 points for Cleveland in that win.
As well, in notable college hoops matchups on Tuesday it's Tennessee at Alabama, Purdue at Illinois, Boston College at Miami, and Clemson at Georgia Tech. The Tigers (15-3 SU, 9-6 ATS) are coming off a 73-70 win over North Carolina State in their last game on Saturday, with Trevor Booker pouring in 20 points for Clemson in that contest. The Yellow Jackets (13-4 SU, 8-4 ATS) upset North Carolina 73-71 on Saturday, with Iman Shumpert tossing in a team-high 30 points in the win. Gani Lawal added 12 points and 12 rebounds for Georgia Tech.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are eight games on the NHL's schedule for Tuesday, with Tampa Bay at the Rangers, Columbus at Philadelphia, Toronto at Atlanta, Chicago at Ottawa, the Islanders at Pittsburgh, Buffalo at Anaheim, San Jose at Los Angeles, and Detroit at Washington. The 24-16-8 Red Wings will be looking to bounce back from a 4-3 shootout loss to the Blackhawks on Sunday afternoon, with Nicklas Lidstrom picking up a goal and an assist in that defeat. The 30-12-6 Capitals have won three straight contests, getting past the Flyers 5-3 on Sunday.
Today's Wagering Tips
Tuesday, January 19
Lines off the board today
Islanders at Penguins
Lines to keep an eye on
The Blues at Blue Jackets line launched at Columbus -130 and has fallen as low as -114 on one book, -120 on several others.
Weather to watch
Heavy rains forced delays in Monday's opening round of the Australian Open and more today could throw the tournament even farther off schedule.
Who's hot
Indiana Pacers are 4-1 SU and ATS in their last five.
New York Islanders are 5-1 SU and ATS in their last six.
Whos' not
Cleveland Cavaliers are 2-6-1 ATS in their last nine.
New York Rangers are 4-16-1 against the over in last 21.
Key stat
Tennessee is only 2-9 ATS in their last 11 games against Alabama.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Jets defensive end Shaun Ellis broke his left hand on the Chargers' first play Sunday and missed much of the first half while getting X-rays and a wrap job that resembled a roll of paper towels. Despite his ability to get to the play in the second half, he was unable to make it when he got there, once letting QB Phillip Rivers slip his grip on a would-be sack. That's bad news against Peyton Manning's lightning-fast release. He may be replaced by a slower Mike DeVito. The Jets are 7.5 underdogs with a total of 40.
Biggest game on the slate
Sharks at Kings features a showdown of Western Conference title contenders. San Jose goalie Evgeni Nabokov has been ungiving recently, stopping 95 of 98 shots and allowing only one goal per game over the last three entering Monday's late game against Calgary. The Kings have been winning with determination, going 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven, and have had a rare a three-day break.
Notable quotable
''This is my fourth time doing it, so I know people probably get sick of seeing me dunk, but like I said, the champion's got to go back. ... It's in the rulebook.You win, you go back every year."
-- New York Knicks guard Nate Robinson on his decision to defend his title in the Feb. 13 NBA slam dunk contest.
Tips and notes
-- Indiana Pacers guard Luther Head is questionable with an ankle injury against Miami, his former team, leaving Brandon Rush in his place to try to beat the Heat's tough back court. Rush tallied 15 points, six rebounds and five assists Friday in relief of Head, but has been otherwise invisable for Indy. The Pacers need a healthy Head-Rush combo to hang with Dwyane Wade and Rafer Alston. Miami is favored by 5.5 with a total of 205.5.
-- Tennessee has held its own despite being short-handed after four players were suspended for their Jan. 1 joyride with weed and a weapon. Two of those players are back for the first time for Tuesday's night's SEC tilt at Alabama - guards Melvin Goins and Cameron Tatum. Although their numbers, a combined 14.8 points per game, aren't enough to make a huge difference, their presence may give the Vols a mental boost and help avoid physical fatigue. They are 2-point favorites over the Tide.
-- Indiana State guard Dwayne Lathan is doubtful with a leg injury in Tuesday night's game at Missouri State. The Sycamores' top scorer was averaging 13.1 points per game and had seven straight games in double digits before suffering the injury Saturday. The Sycamores looked lost on offense in his absence, getting blown out 62-40 to Northern Iowa. The Bears are 8.5-point favorites with a total of 132.