Daily Sports Roundup
Tuesday, March 9
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: The Big East begins its conference tourney, while the Maple Leafs meet the Bruins, and the Lakers play host to the Raptors.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up eight games on Tuesday, with Philadelphia at Indiana, the Clippers at Orlando, Houston at Washington, Miami at Charlotte, Utah at Chicago, Boston at Milwaukee, Sacramento at Portland, and Toronto at the Lakers. The Raptors (32-29 SU, 28-33 ATS) had star forward Chris Bosh back in the lineup on Sunday, but they still lost 114-101 at home to Philadelphia. The Lakers (46-18 SU, 27-35-2 ATS) have lost three straight games, and they were knocked off 96-94 in Orlando on Sunday. Kobe Bryant had 34 points in that loss.
Championship week continues in college basketball on Tuesday with 16 games on the schedule - including the four opening-round matchups in the Big East Tournament at Madison Square Garden (DePaul vs. South Florida, St. John's vs. Connecticut, Providence vs. Seton Hall, and Rutgers vs. Cincinnati). As well, Butler will take on Wright State in the championship game of the Horizon League tournament on Tuesday at Hinkle Fieldhouse. The Bulldogs are undefeated both at home and in conference play on the season, and they beat the Raiders twice.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, nine games make up the NHL's schedule for Tuesday, with the Islanders at Philadelphia, Nashville at Atlanta, Calgary at Detroit, Tampa Bay at Montreal, Florida at Minnesota, Vancouver at Colorado, Ottawa at Edmonton, Columbus at Anaheim, and Boston at Toronto. The 29-24-11 Bruins were edged 2-1 in Pittsburgh in their last game on Sunday, while the 20-33-12 Maple Leafs fell 3-1 to the Flyers in their Sunday matchup. The Bruins and Maple Leafs just met last Thursday, with Tim Thomas making 24 saves in a 3-2 Boston home shootout win.
Tuesday's Wagering Tips
Lines off the board
Houston Rockets at Washington Wizards – Trevor Ariza (hip) has missed the team’s last seven games and is expected for a return on Tuesday although is listed as questionable. Kyle Lowry (ankle) has been out since Feb. 9 and is probable.
L.A. Clippers at Orlando Magic – Eric Gordon (leg) missed the Clips’ last game and is questionable.
Toronto Raptors at Los Angeles Lakers – Hedo Turkoglu (ankle) missed the team’s last game and is probable.
Ottawa Senators at Edmonton Oilers – Daniel Alfredsson (illness) missed the team’s last game and is probable. Goalie Brian Elliott (illness) is questionable. Filip Kuba (lower body) has missed two straight games and is doubtful.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Miami-Charlotte total has moved from an opener of 183.5 to 185. Four of the last five games in this series have gone over.
We’ve got a reverse spread movement in the Celtics-Bucks matchup. Boston opened as 1-point favorites and that number has swung to -1 in favor of Milwaukee.
In a rare occurrence, sportsbooks have bumped a hockey total up a half a goal. The Boston-Toronto total opened at 5 and a few shops are currently dealing 5.5.
Who’s hot
The Magic are 8-2 SU and 6-4 ATS over their last 10 games.
Edmonton goalie, Jeff Deslauriers, has given up one goal in his past two starts (both wins) while denying 50 shot attempts.
Dwyane Wade is averaging 33.3 points and 12 rebounds over his last three games, all wins.
Who’s not
The Maple Leafs have dropped 5-of-6 games, surrendering 2.59 units on the moneyline.
The Clippers have lost three in a row SU and ATS.
Key stat
9 – Number of lowest seed ever to win the Big East conference tournament. Syracuse became the first team to win four games in four days during that 2006 tourney and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Cincinnati is the No. 9 seed this year and is getting +5000 odds to win the Big East championship.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Portland Trail Blazers center Marcus Camby reinjured his ankle last Friday during practice and missed the team’s game Sunday. His replacement, Juwan Howard, registered eight points and seven rebounds in the game. Camby returned to practice on Monday, playing through the “pain”, and is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s affair against Sacramento.
Notable quotable
"I see myself as defending myself as a player. I'm a man, just like they a man. If a man is talking to me this close to my face I'm going to say something back. He has to respect me just like I respect him. He was this close in my face - I can feel his lips touching my cheek.”
-- Wizards’ forward Andray Blatche said in regards to Kevin Garnett’s intimidation tactics that upset the four-year pro during Sunday’s loss to Boston.
Tips and notes
- The flu bug could be circulating through the Bulls locker room. Forward Luol Deng was sent home from practice on Monday with the illness and is questionable for Tuesday’s matchup versus Utah. If Deng doesn’t play it leaves Chicago’s frontcourt very thin with Joakim Noah already sidelined. There might be no way for Chicago to stop Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap down low if both big men are out.
- Last Friday, Carlos Arroyo took Rafer Alston’s spot as the starting point guard in the Heat lineup. Since Arroyo entered the starting rotation, Miami is 2-0 SU and ATS with both wins coming against upper-echelon teams in Los Angeles and Atlanta. Arroyo has recorded 19 points and eight assists in the two recent starts and the Heat are 10-5 ATS overall this season when he starts.
- The Bucks are on an absolute tear right now, having gone 10-0 ATS and 9-1 SU in their last 10 outings, and it doesn’t sound like they are going to let up. Last week Andrew Bogut said being a .500 team was “nothing to be proud about” and John Salmons admitted they were not satisfied and were “trying to move up in the standings.” Milwaukee moved a half game ahead of Toronto and into fifth place in the Eastern Conference standings this weekend and more wins could be in store.