Reading material

NC State 158
Duke -12½
Scheduled Start Time: 10:00am (Pacific Time)
North Carolina State played their best game of the entire season and showed why they will be a very dangerous team in the NCAA Tournament with their 86-82 win over Maryland on Saturday. The Wolfpack shot 59% from the field as a team as five players scored in double figures, led by Anthony Grundy with 24 points, to go with his eight rebounds and four assists. The Wolfpack allowed the Terrapins to stay in the game by missing a number of free throws in the game’s final minutes, but Grundy finally connected on a the game-clincher with just a couple of seconds remaining on the c****. Duke beat Wake Forest for the third time this season, 79-64. The Blue Devils covered the 12 ½ point spread thanks to a balanced attack that saw six Blue Devils score at least eight points. Duke has beaten North Carolina State twice this season, and covered easily both times. They haven’t been playing well since beating St. Johns on February 24th, but they looked like they might be ready to shake their rust off against Wake Forest. Take Duke to win the ACC Championship.
Projected Score: Duke 88, NC State 74
Injury Report

Miss St 132½
Alabama -3
Scheduled Start Time: 10:00am (Pacific Time)
Few would have expected this would be the matchup for the SEC Championship Game, with teams like Florida, Kentucky and Georgia in the conference. But it seems the strength of the conference was in the Western Division all along, where these two teams reside. Mississippi State finished second in the division, behind Alabama. They went 10-6 during the SEC regular season, while Alabama had a 12-4 mark. After beating LSU on Saturday, Mississippi State is now 25-7 on the season, and assured of a birth in the NCAA Tournament, and possibly, a very high seed with a win in this game. Alabama is 26-6 on the season and while they aren’t likely to earn a number one seed no matter what happens in this game, a win would make them both the regular season and post-season SEC Champs, a very impressive achievement. These teams split their two regular season meetings, with each squad winning, and covering, comfortably, at home. This game should be tighter than either of those contests, but Alabama has the superior depth and athleticism, especially up front. Lay the points and take the Tide.
Projected Score: Alabama 65, Miss St 61
Injury Report

Oklahoma 159
Kansas -9
Scheduled Start Time: 12:00am (Pacific Time)
Aaron McGhee had 16 points and 15 rebounds as No. 4 Oklahoma overcame another poor shooting performance and beat Texas 67-51 in the Big 12 semifinals Saturday. Ebi Ere and Jason Detrick added 15 points each for the defending tournament champions, who will meet No. 1 Kansas in Sunday's title game. Kansas beat Texas Tech 90-50 in the semifinals. McGhee, who had 11 defensive rebounds on Saturday, has 31 boards in two tournament games. Ere and Detrick hit three 3-pointers each as the Sooners (26-4) shot 10-for-21 from long range, including 8-for-15 in the first half. Oklahoma hit only 39 percent (14-for-36) of its 2-point shots, though, and its 50 percent (9-for-18) shooting from the free throw line was its worst this season. For Kansas, Drew Gooden had 16 points and 21 rebounds, and freshman Aaron Miles had 15 assists as the No. 1 Jaywawks dominated from the start and beat Knight's resurgent Texas Tech 90-50 in the semifinals of the Big 12 tourney Saturday. Gooden's rebounds and Miles' assists were tournament records. It was the biggest margin of defeat for a Knight-coached team since Indiana lost to Michigan 112-64 in February 1998. "We could have let down," said Gooden, who by halftime already had his 21st double-double of the season. "But I've never won a tournament championship here and I want to win it all." The Jayhawks (29-2) were up 83-35 with about 7 minutes left -- their biggest lead -- when coach Roy Williams pulled most of his starters. Kansas has won 15 straight games. Texas Tech (23-8) made only 19 of 70 shots. The Jayhawks, the nation's highest-scoring team, seized a 25-9 lead by hitting 11 of their first 14 shots. "You've really got to work and work against Kansas," Knight said. "You become concerned about stopping their break. Then you're concerned about stopping the post scoring, and you forget about the emphasis you have to put on movement to get open. They're the best team we've faced this year. And we can’t argue with Bobby Knight, Kansas is awesome and Oklahoma finds that out one more time on Sunday.
Projected Score: Kansas 89, Oklahoma 77
Injury Report

Iowa 138
Ohio St -3
Scheduled Start Time: 12:30am (Pacific Time)
It seems like the Iowa men’s basketball team loves to play with their collective backs up against the wall. For the second straight season, the Hawkeyes entered the Big 10 Tournament needing to win the tournament in order to ensure themselves a spot in the Big Dance, and for the second straight season the Hawkeyes have won improbably and often to put themselves in a position few would have expected a few weeks ago. Iowa was just 5-11 in the Big 10 during the regular season and finished ninth in the conference. Their stars, Luke Recker and Reggie Evans were inconsistent all season, as was their point guard play, but over the last three days things have been very different. First, Recker has been the best player on the court in each game they’ve played. He’s won each of the last two games, against conference co-champs Wisconsin and Indiana, respectively, with last second shots and he’s averaging 23 points per game in the tournament. Evans came through with 11 points and 10 rebounds, as well as outstanding defense on Jared Jeffries, in the win over Indiana. Ohio State advanced to the conference final with a win over Illinois on Saturday, 94-88. They are a very tough team, but Iowa seems to be destined to win this title. The Hawkeyes believe in themselves right now, and with Recker and Evans clicking, they’ll move on to the NCAA Tournament.
Projected Score: Iowa 72, Ohio St 69

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TOR Raptors 195½
ORL Magic -4
Scheduled Start Time: 9:30am (Pacific Time)
When Tracy McGrady left Toronto for the free agent riches of Orlando, he was still considered an inferior player to his cousin, Vince Carter. But perceptions have changed, especially this season, as McGrady continues to excel, while Carter, and his team, struggle. McGrady single-handedly pulled his team out of a four-game losing streak with 50 points and 10 rebounds on Friday night against the Wizards. Mike Miller, Orlando’s second leading scorer, broke his write in the game and will be out for the foreseeable future, so even more should fall on McGrady’s shoulders. Carter’s Raptors finally won a game, beating the Heat, 83-74, on Friday, to snap a 13-game losing streak. Carter scored just 16 points, as Antonio Davis led the way for the Raptors with 23 points and 10 rebounds. Obviously neither team is playing very well right now, but Orlando has a healthy Tracy McGrady and they’re at home. Take Orlando to get their second win in a row.
Projected Score: ORL Magic 92, TOR Raptors 85
Matchup Report
Injury Report

SAC Kings -1
MIL Bucks 206
Scheduled Start Time: 12:05am (Pacific Time)
In what could be a preview of the NBA Finals , the Kings travel to Milwaukee to face the Bucks for the second time this season. In the first meeting of the season between these squads, the Kings got a 115-101 win in Sacramento, covering the 11-point spread in the process. The Bucks come into this game alternating wins and losses over their last six contests. They lost to the Cavaliers in overtime on Friday, 115-109, despite 30 points and 10 rebounds from Glenn Robinson. The Kings beat the Hornets at home on Friday, 99-87, to end a two-game losing streak. On the road this season, Sacramento is 13-14 straight up and 11-16 against the spread. They’ve lost and failed to cover in three of their last four road games, and are allowing opponents to score about 103 points per game away from Arco Arena. Look for the Bucks to take advantage of the Kings’ porous defense, and get a home win.
Projected Score: MIL Bucks 108, SAC Kings 99
Matchup Report
Injury Report

WAS Wizards 195
BOS Celtics -8½
Scheduled Start Time: 12:05am (Pacific Time)
The Wizards were having trouble finding wins before Michael Jordan went down to injury and things have not improved without him in the lineup. The Wizards have lost eight of their last 10 games, including a 99-96 loss to the Magic at home on Friday night, in which Tracy McGrady scored 50 points. The Wizards got 26 points from Rip Hamilton, but had absolutely no answers for McGrady. Now the Wizards begin back-to-back games against their Eastern Conference rivals, the Celtics. Boston is playing pretty well right now. They are on a three-game winning streak, which comes on the heels of a four-game losing streak. With their strong play this week, though, they moved back within five games of the Conference-leading Nets. The Celtics have been inconsistent at home this season, but they’ve played better recently, winning and covering their last two games at home to boost their record there to 18-11 straight up and 15-14 against the spread. Look for them to get their third win in a row, as the undermanned Wizards lose again.
Projected Score: BOS Celtics 102, WAS Wizards 92
Matchup Report
Injury Report

LA Clippers 193
CLE Cavaliers -2
Scheduled Start Time: 12:05am (Pacific Time)
This is the third game of a four-game road trip for the Clippers. It is also their eighth road game in their last nine games, and they have gone 4-4 straight up and 4-3-1 against the spread in those games away from home. They are 10-21 SU and 10-19-2 ATS on the road this season. They beat the Bulls, 94-90 on Friday night, pushing against the four-point spread in the process. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers got their second win in their last three games, beating the Bucks in overtime, 115-109. Andre Miller was outstanding for Cleveland, scoring 31 points to go with 11 assists, as six Cavaliers scored in double figures. This is the second and final meeting of the season between these two teams. In the other game, the Clippers scored 109-103 victory as the Cavaliers covered the nine-point spread. This game should have a different outcome, as Cleveland ambushed the Clippers behind another strong performance from Miller. Take the Cavs.
Projected Score: CLE Cavaliers 98, LA Clippers 95
Matchup Report
Injury Report

IND Pacers 190½
DET Pistons -5½
Scheduled Start Time: 12:05am (Pacific Time)
Two teams coming off tough losses. The Pacers are on a rugged road trip and have been beaten up by the Lakers and 76ers in the last two games (both on the road). Indiana is on a 2-4 SU/ATS run and is just 12-20 SU on the road, though 17-14 ATS. Detroit is 20-9 SU at home, 14-14 ATS and on a nice 9-3 SU/8-4 ATS run. The Pistons play tough defense, especially at home, and the road-weary Pacers will struggle to score again, especially after playing the tough defense that LA and Philly play. The Pistons are off a real bad game, getting smacked 117-92 at Boston. The Pistons are ninth in the league in team field-goal percentage (44.9) and Jerry Stackhouse and Clifford Robinson shoot around 40 percent. With all the defense, tired legs and weak shooters on the field, look for a low scoring UNDER game.
Projected Score: DET Pistons 88, IND Pacers 80
Matchup Report
Injury Report

UTH Jazz -1
HOU Rockets 188
Scheduled Start Time: 12:05am (Pacific Time)
Utah is rolling and in post-season form already, at 9-3 SU/ATS the last 12 games, including a big home win over the Lakers, 92-84. Karl Malone scored 23 points and Stockton added 19 on 7-for-12 shooting. Andrei Kirilenko and Jarron Collins, newcomers on a Jazz team known for veteran stars, contributed with defense. Collins played well in his first start against Shaq O'Neal and Kirilenko held Kobe Bryant to three second-half points. Utah is offa surprising home upset loss to the Knicks on Friday, 85-79 and the team is 14-15 SU/15-14 ATS on the road. The Rockets are on a 4-3 SU/ATS run,recently scored 112 points on Toronto and are healthier than they've been all season. Like Utah, Houston suffered an embarrassing home loss on Friday to Golden State. Houston was correspondingly cold from the 3-point line, sinking just 4 of 27. Cuttino Mobley led Houston with 31 points, followed by Steve Francis with 23. "They outhustled us and outrebounded us," Francis said, referring to Golden State's 58-45 advantage on the boards. "We just couldn't get the stops on them in the fourth quarter." Should be a high scoring game as both teams like to run and should bounce back from poor shooting games; take the OVER.
Projected Score: HOU Rockets 109, UTH Jazz 107
Matchup Report
Injury Report

NY Knicks 196
LA Lakers -13½
Scheduled Start Time: 3:00pm (Pacific Time)
The stumbling New York Knicks continue their road trip and are on a 3-7 SU/ATS run. New York completed a 2-1 homestand with a 102-89 victory over the Bucks just hours after coach Don Chaney was given a contract extension through the end of next season. Kurt Thomas collected 29 points and 20 rebounds as Chaney improved to 12-28 since taking over for Jeff Van Gundy, who resigned on December 8. The Knicks won two of three on the heels of a six-game losing streak and had a big upset win at Utah on Friday, 85-79. Still, New York is just 7-20 on the road. The Lakers are on a nice 5-2 SU/ATS run, but suffered a 92-84 loss at Utah. LA is a solid at home and should bounce back in a big way against the underachieving Knicks, who rarely play defense anymore!
Projected Score: LA Lakers 116, NY Knicks 89

CHA Hornets 181
PHX Suns -1
Scheduled Start Time: 6:05pm (Pacific Time)
Charlotte has a winning record SU and ATS away from home, so they actually feel more at home on the road, for some reason. But they've had a tough run the last two games on this West Coast swing: One night after a difficult overtime loss at Seattle, the Hornets got a 4-for-18 shooting performance from Jamal Mashburn and lost 99-87 at Sacramento. Charlotte had 19 turnovers and shot 40 percent from the field while losing its third straight on the road, where the Hornets are 17-14 this season. "He's still getting his game back, but you could see it tonight, his legs weren't there," Charlotte coach Paul Silas said of Mashburn. "He had no lift on his shot. He was just out of sync." Phoenix is on a 4-8 SU/6-6 ATS run and had an exciting home win over New Jersey recently (the return of Jason Kidd), an 89-87 win. Stephon Marbury, the player the Suns got in the trade that sent Kidd to New Jersey, scored 20. Shawn Marion led Phoenix with 24 points. He was 8-for-8 at the foul line, including two free throws that gave the Suns an 89-85 lead with 46.5 seconds to play. Jake Tsakalitis had 12 points and 12 rebounds in a career-high 42 minutes. Tough one to call, but with the low total and both teams loaded with more offensive talent than defensive forces, take the OVER.
Projected Score: PHX Suns 98, CHA Hornets 96

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