Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, March 2
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Penguins play host to the Sabres, Vanderbilt takes on Florida, and the Celtics look to bounce back against Detroit.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are just four games on the NBA schedule for Tuesday, with Golden State at Miami, Sacramento at Oklahoma City, Indiana at the Lakers, and Boston at Detroit. The Celtics (36-21 SU, 21-35-1 ATS) were embarrassed in a loss to the lowly Nets on Saturday, falling 104-96 at home. Kevin Garnett had 26 points for Boston in that contest, while Marquis Daniels was good for 16 points. The Pistons (21-38 SU, 25-31-3 ATS) were beaten 95-88 by Golden State in their last game on Saturday; Tayshaun Prince tossed in 18 points for Detroit in that defeat.
Notable games on the college basketball schedule for Tuesday include St. John's at Syracuse, Villanova at Cincinnati, Baylor at Texas Tech, Illinois at Ohio State, and CSU Bakersfield at Gonzaga. As well, Vanderbilt will be looking to pick up a win over Florida at the Stephen C. O'Connell Center. The Commodores (22-6 SU, 14-12 ATS) had no trouble with Arkansas in their last game, winning 89-72; Jeffery Taylor had 18 points for Vanderbilt in that contest. The Gators (20-9 SU, 13-11 ATS) fell 78-76 to Georgia last game, despite Chandler Parsons' 29 points.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
The National Hockey League offers up a dozen games on Tuesday, including Buffalo at Pittsburgh. The 33-18-9 Sabres entered the Olympic break on a skid, going just 3-5-2 in their past 10 games. That stretch cost Buffalo the lead in the Northeast Division standings - they trail the Ottawa Senators by one point. The 36-22-4 Penguins also sit in second place in their division right now - they trail the New Jersey Devils by one point in the Atlantic. Pittsburgh captain Sidney Crosby scored the Olympic-winning goal for Canada against the USA on Sunday.
Also on the ice on Tuesday: Montreal at Boston, Florida at Atlanta, Carolina at Toronto, Vancouver at Columbus, Chicago at the Islanders, the Rangers at Ottawa, Philadelphia at Tampa Bay, Edmonton at Nashville, Los Angeles at Dallas, St. Louis at Phoenix, and New Jersey at San Jose. The 40-13-9 Sharks entered the break with the highest point total in the Western Conference, but they fell 3-1 in Buffalo in their last outing on February 13. The 37-21-3 Devils are only 3-5-2 in their past 10 games, and they lost 5-2 to Carolina in their last matchup.
Tuesday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Golden State Warriors at Miami Heat: Warriors guard Monta Ellis (back) and forward Andris Biedrins (groin) are out.
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons: Celtics center Kendrick Perkins (flu) is doubtful and forward Paul Pierce (thumb) is probable. Pistons centers Kwame Brown (flu) and Chris Wilcox (back) are questionable and forward Jonas Jerebko (ankle) is probable.
Vancouver Canucks at Columbus Blue Jackets: Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo is questionable for rest after the Olympics. Blue Jackets defensemen Mike Commodore (hip) and Rostislav Klesla (groin) are questionable.
Buffalo Sabres at Pittsburgh Penguins: Sabres goalie Ryan Miller and Penguins forward Sidney Crosby may rest after the Olympics.
Lines to keep an eye on
Sacramento Kings at Oklahoma City Thunder: The total opened at 202 and jumped to 203 at some books. Over is 9-2-1 in last 12 at Thunder on Tuesdays.
Indiana Pacers at Los Angeles Lakers: The total opened at 206.5 and leaped to 208.5. The last three meetings have gone over.
Minnesota Golden Gophers at Michigan Wolverines: The Gophers fell from 1-point favorites to a pick 'em. The total jumped from 124 to 126.
Who's hot
Oklahoma City Thunder are 11-2 SU in their last 13.
Ottawa Senators are 14-2 in their last 16.
Philadelphia Flyers are 7-1 in their last eight at home.
Carolina Hurricanes have won five in a row.
Chicago Blackhawks have won four in a row.
Who's not
Los Angeles Lakers are 0-6-1 ATS since the All-Star break.
Detroit Pistons are 2-7-1 ATS in their last 10 at home.
Miami Heat have lost four in a row SU.
Florida Panthers have lost six in a row.
Key stat
6 - The number of games in which Oklahoma City Thunder phenom Kevin Durant has NOT scored 25 points or more this season. The Thunder are 0-6 in those games.
Injury that shouldn't be overlooked
Golden State guard Monta Ellis' and his ailing back did not join the team for its five-game road trip. He is out against the Heat and he could miss more depending upon the test results. The already wounded Warriors may decide to rest him during the road trip to allow his sore back time to recover. It could be a long without his 25.7 points per game.
Game of the day
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Clemson Tigers (-7, 137.5)
Notable quotable
"I lived in the U.S. for 30 years, but if the U.S. is playing Canada in hockey, I'm sorry, I'm wearing a maple leaf on my sweater."
Michael J. Fox of his loyalties for Sunday's Olympic gold-medal hockey game.
Tips and notes
The Lakers are coming off a big win over the Denver Nuggets despite a poor shooting night by Kobe Bryant (3-of-17 for 14 points). Look out, Pacers. The last three times Bryant was held to 14 points or fewer he rebounded in the next games with performances of 30, 31 and 33 points. Expect that number to continue to increase against the struggling Pacers.
Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo, fresh off a grueling stretch of four games in six days for Canada in the Winter Olympics, is getting a day off to recover from his gold-medal performance. Andrew Raycroft will take his place between the pipes against Columbus, but the Canucks don't lose too much with Luongo on the lounge. Raycroft has a 2.31 GAA, a .911 save percentage and big skates to fill.
Villanova was shorthanded in Saturday's loss to Syracuse after junior guard Corey Stokes was caught urinating outside a bar last week. Stokes, who averages 9.0 points and 4.3 rebounds per game, was punished with just 12 relief minutes Saturday and had no impact. He'll be back in the lineup tonight at Cincinnati (0-9 ATS in its last nine at home) ... as long as he doesn't double dribble.