Daily Sports Roundup
Wednesday, February 10
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: New Mexico takes on UNLV, the Blue Devils meet the Tar Heels in an ACC clash, and the Celtics try for a win in New Orleans.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
There are 10 games on the NBA's schedule for Wednesday, with Miami at Atlanta, Philadelphia at Toronto, Sacramento at Detroit, Milwaukee at New Jersey, Orlando at Chicago, Charlotte at Minnesota, Portland at Phoenix, the Lakers at Utah, the Clippers at Golden State, and Boston at New Orleans. The Celtics will be looking to bounce back from a 96-89 loss to Orlando in their last game on Sunday; that put Boston at 32-17 SU and 19-29-1 ATS on the season. The Celtics beat the Hornets 97-87 in Boston when the teams met November 1.
As well, there's one ranked matchup on the college basketball schedule for Wednesday, with No. 15 New Mexico at No. 23 UNLV. The Lobos (21-3 SU, 15-8 ATS) slipped past San Diego State 88-86 in their last game on Saturday, with Darrington Hobson scoring 29 points in the contest. The Rebels (19-4 SU, 15-6 ATS) knocked off BYU 88-74 in their Saturday outing. Tre'Von Willis was good for a game-high 33 points for UNLV in that game, while Matt Shaw had 13 points.
Other games involving ranked teams on Wednesday: No. 13 Ohio State at Indiana, No. 20 Georgia Tech at Miami, No. 19 Northern Iowa at Drake, No. 24 Baylor at Nebraska, Connecticut at No. 2 Syracuse, and No. 8 Duke at North Carolina. The Blue Devils (19-4 SU, 14-8 ATS) edged Boston College 66-63 on Saturday, with Jon Scheyer leading the attack with 21 points. The Tar Heels (13-10 SU, 6-14 ATS) fell 92-71 to Maryland on Sunday; they've lost three in a row.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, the NHL offers up eight games on Wednesday, with Nashville at the Rangers, San Jose at Columbus, Washington at Montreal, the Islanders at Pittsburgh, Phoenix at Minnesota, Atlanta at Colorado, Edmonton at Anaheim, and Philadelphia at New Jersey. The Flyers and Devils met in Philadelphia on Monday night, with New Jersey blowing a 2-0 lead in a 3-2 loss. Mike Richards, Jeff Carter, and James van Riemsdyk had the Philadelphia goals in the contest, while Zach Parise and Anssi Salmela scored for New Jersey in the losing cause.
Today's Wagering Tips
Wednesday, February 10
Lines off the board
Milwaukee Bucks at New Jersey Nets – Both teams played Tuesday night. Devin Harris (shoulder) was doubtful heading into Tuesday’s game with Cleveland and did not play. Chris Douglas-Roberts (back) was expected to play Tuesday but did not see any action.
Boston Celtics at New Orleans Hornets – Paul Pierce (ankle) played 30 minutes in the team’s game on Sunday and is questionable. Marcus Thornton (back) has missed the last three games and is questionable.
Los Angeles Lakers at Utah Jazz – Kobe Bryant (ankle) missed the last two games and is questionable. Andrew Bynum (hip) missed team’s last game and is doubtful.
Los Angeles Clippers at Golden State Warriors – Clippers played Tuesday night. Monta Ellis (knee) left in the fourth quarter of the last game and is questionable.
Phoenix Coyotes at Minnesota Wild – Shane Doan (upper body) was injured in Monday’s game and is questionable.
Virginia at Maryland - Weather (see note below).
Lines to keep an eye on
The Charlotte-Minnesota total dropped from an opener of 201 to 200 shortly after appearing on the board. The over has hit in three straight in this series and both teams have played to the over in two straight.
The Magic-Bulls total opened at 192 and now most shops are working with 193. Three of the past four games in this series have gone over.
Weather to watch
Another severe storm expected to hit the Washington, D.C. area has postponed an ACC Wednesday night matchup between Virginia and Maryland. The makeup date is scheduled for Feb. 15.
The Tennessee Tech-Austin Peay game scheduled for Tuesday night was postponed because of the possibility of ice-covered roads after the game. The matchup has been rescheduled for Feb. 18.
Who’s hot
The Jazz have collected eight straight wins and are 6-1-1 ATS in that span.
Nicklas Backstrom has at least one assist in eight consecutive games and has registered 17 points (four goals) during that stretch.
Who’s not
The Pistons are 3-7 SU and 2-7-1 ATS in its last 10 games overall.
The Islanders have lost seven straight (-7.52 units) and are 2-8 SU in their last 10 games.
Key stat
36 – Numbers of games decided by single digits in SEC basketball this season. There have been 47 total conference games heading into Tuesday night.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Allen Iverson will miss the 76ers next two games heading into the All-Star break. Iverson has been absent from the team for a week because of an extended illness to one of his children. He is expected to return to the lineup on Feb. 16 after the break and there is no word on whether he will play in the All-Star game – he was selected as a starter. Iverson is averaging 14.4 ppg in 25 games with the Sixers. Philly is 3-0 SU and ATS in its last three games, all sans Iverson.
Game of the day
Duke at North Carolina (+5.5, 158.5)
Notable quotable
"He is finally understanding that he doesn't have to play up to the hype. Now he's running our team the way it needs to be run."
Kentucky head coach John Calipari on the role of his freshman phenom John Wall. Calipari iterated that he wanted Wall to be the team’s playmaker and doesn’t have to be the top-scorer.
Tips and notes
Memphis forward Pierre Henderson-Niles left the Tigers basketball team on Monday. Henderson-Niles started 16-of-23 games this season but had his minutes cut in recent weeks. After Memphis lost to SMU on Jan. 30, Henderson-Niles wrote on Facebook, “Wanna give dis [stuff] up.” His frustrating departure could be an unwelcome distraction for a team trying to get into the tournament.
During the offseason, Hornets’ GM Jeff Bower said he wanted the team to create more offensive opportunities. Bowers became head coach in November and New Orleans is averaging six more field goal attempts per game this season. Oddsmakers are still adjusting to the Hornets new style as the team has gone over in nine of its last 10 outings.
Towson and James Madison will both play Wednesday after each team played on Monday night due to inclement weather. Towson has played in five games this season coming off of a day’s rest and lost all five (1-3 ATS). JMU played in six games this year when only getting a day to recoup and went 4-2 SU and 3-2 ATS.