Daily Sports Roundup
Wednesday, January 20
Today in the Daily Sports Roundup: Duke takes on N.C. State, the Jazz look for a win in San Antonio, and the Nets and Suns meet on the hardwood in Phoenix.
Tipping off on the hardwood . . .
The NBA offers up a busy night on Wednesday, with 13 games on tap including a mismatch between the Nets and Suns in Phoenix. New Jersey lost yet again on Monday, falling 106-95 on the road to the Clippers. Brook Lopez picked up 23 points and eight rebounds for the Nets in that defeat, while Kris Humphries added 21 points off the bench. The Suns fell 125-118 in Memphis on Monday, with Steve Nash scoring 22 points in the loss. Robin Lopez poured in 19 points
Also on the NBA hardwood on Wednesday: Sacramento at Atlanta, Dallas at Washington, Portland at Philadelphia, Indiana at Orlando, Miami at Charlotte, Boston at Detroit, Toronto at Milwaukee, Memphis at New Orleans, Oklahoma City at Minnesota, Chicago at the Clippers, Denver at Golden State, and Utah at San Antonio. The Jazz lost 119-112 to Denver in their last game on Sunday, while the Spurs are coming off a 97-90 road win over New Orleans on Monday.
There are two ranked matchups on the college basketball schedule for Wednesday, with No. 12 Georgetown at No. 9 Pittsburgh, and No. 25 Baylor at No. 3 Kansas. Other Wednesday contests involving Top-10 teams: Iowa at No. 6 Michigan State, No. 4 Villanova at Rutgers, and No. 6 Duke at North Carolina State. The Blue Devils blasted Wake Forest 90-70 in their last game on Sunday, while the Wolfpack are coming off a slim 73-70 defeat vs. Clemson on Saturday.
Taking a trip around the rink . . .
Finally, there are just three games on the NHL's schedule for Wednesday, with St. Louis at Montreal, Vancouver at Edmonton, and Florida at New Jersey. The Panthers are coming off a 1-0 home win over the Thrashers on Monday night, with Tomas Vokoun making 27 saves for the shutout. Gregory Campbell scored Florida's only goal in the contest. The Devils were blanked 4-0 on the road by the Isles on Monday afternoon, with Martin Brodeur allowing four goals on 32 shots.
Today's Wagering Tips
Wednesday, January 20
Lines off the board
Miami Heat at Charlotte Bobcats - Gerald Wallace (ankle) briefly left Monday’s game and is listed as probable.
Portland Trail Blazers at Philadelphia 76ers - Brandon Roy (hamstring) has missed the last two games and is questionable. Portland has gone 2-1 SU and ATS without Roy this season.
Boston Celtics at Detroit Pistons - Richard Hamilton (illness) missed Monday’s game and is questionable. Tayshaun Prince (knee) has not played in the last five games and is questionable. Ben Gordon (groin) has missed the last four games and is questionable.
Oklahoma City Thunder at Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin Love (illness) was not in the lineup Monday and is doubtful.
Florida Panthers at New Jersey Devils - Stephen Weiss (lower body) did not play on Monday and is questionable.
Lines to keep an eye on
The Grizzlies-Hornets total opened at 202.5 and now sits at 203.5 at most books. The over is 11-3 in the last 14 matchups of this series.
Who’s hot
Charlotte Bobcats - Won five in a row overall and eight straight at home and are on a 12-6 ATS run.
Florida Panthers - Taken four of last five, netting +3.43 units on the moneyline.
Memphis Grizzlies - Won four consecutive games and eight of last 10, going 7-3 ATS in that span.
Northeastern Huskies - Winners of nine straight, going 8-1 ATS during that stretch.
Who’s not
Sacramento Kings - Lost nine of their last 10, going 2-7-1 ATS in those games.
Edmonton Oilers - Dropped eight straight and 15 of last 16.
Iowa Hawkeyes - Are 1-4 against the Big Ten this season and 2-3 ATS while getting outscored by 11.0 ppg.
North Carolina Tar Heels - Have lost three of last four games and 2-5 ATS in last seven.
Key stats
Connecticut outscored opponents by a 43.5 margin last season without Jim Calhoun as its head coach. Granted, the two wins came against Rutgers and Tennessee-Chattanooga but the 31- and 56-point blowouts could have come from an inspired team playing for its coach. The Huskies have lost three straight and are laying 10 points to St. John’s Wednesday.
Injury that shouldn’t be overlooked
Gerald Wallace sprained his left ankle in Monday’s win over the Kings and is going to be a game-time decision against the Heat. Wallace was injured in the fourth quarter but returned to the game and finished with 28 points. Wallace is averaging 18.5 ppg and 11.3 rpg and he if can’t go, coach Larry Brown said that Flip Murray would start at the two-guard and Stephen Jackson would move into Wallace’s small forward spot.
Game of the Day
Baylor Bears at Kansas Jayhawks (-14.5, 149)
Notable Quotable
“The fact we did win that game by 14 points, it wasn't like we squeaked it out by one point or something like that. We played well. Granted, it was the Colts JV team or whatever people want to call it. They still had the Colts uniform on."
-- Jets jovial head coach Rex Ryan said referring to the Week 16 game against Indianapolis when the Colts benched their starters with a 15-10 lead.
Tips and notes
- Portland could be without point guard Brandon Roy for the third straight game versus the 76ers. The Blazers would love to have Roy and his 23.4 ppg back in Philly Wednesday with the team averaging a paltry 93.6 ppg on the road where they are 9-10 overall (10-9 ATS).
- Under head coach Bob McKillup, Davidson is 24-7 against Western Carolina. The Wildcats are 12-3 in the last 15 games at home versus the Catamounts. Davidson has won nine of the last 10 meetings in this series, going 8-2 ATS. The Wildcats are 4-point home favorites with a total of 143.5.
- The Celtics went 18-7 during the regular season last year without Kevin Garnett in the lineup (10-15 ATS) but are only 4-5 SU and ATS sans “The Big Ticket” during the 2009-10 campaign.