Our team of writers and handicappers hand out their NBA and College Basketball picks and predictions for Wednesday, January 14.
Duke Blue Devils at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 7:00 PM ET
Duke’s early success this season can be credited to a simple formula – balanced scoring on offense combined with suffocating defense.
This could spell trouble for Georgia Tech, which has struggled to find its rhythm on offensive lately.
The third-ranked Blue Devils look for another strong defensive performance as they try to win their seventh straight game on Wednesday when they visit the Yellow Jackets, who try to avoid starting 0-3 in ACC play for the second consecutive season.
After limiting Virgina Tech to just 13 second-half points in winning its ACC opener 69-44, Duke (14-1, 2-0) nearly duplicated that defensive performance in its second conference game.
In Saturday’s 66-58 victory at Florida State, the Blue Devils led 19-14 at the break. Duke held Florida State to just 7-of-34 shooting in the first half and 31.0 percent shooting in the game.
Georgia Tech has yet to face a ranked opponent this season after going 1-7 against Top 25 teams in 2007-08. The Yellow Jackets have lost seven straight games against Top 5 opponents since a 78-75 win over then-No. 2 North Carolina on March 12, 2005.
NCAAB Free Pick: UNDER 145.5 – View Game Matchup | Best Line: 145.5 Sports Interaction
Michigan State Spartans at Penn State Nittany Lions, 6:30 PM ET
One of the Big Ten’s hottest players faces the conference’s top scorer when Kalin Lucas and Michigan State, seeking its best conference start in 31 years, face Talor Battle and Penn State on Wednesday at the Bryce Jordan Center.
The seventh-ranked Spartans (13-2, 3-0) are resuming their Big Ten schedule after beating defending national champion Kansas 75-62 on Saturday despite shooting 39.3 percent from the field.
The win was Michigan State’s ninth in a row and allowed it to remain the lone undefeated team in conference play. The Spartans haven’t won their first four conference games since 1977-78.
Lucas scored 22 points and was 3-of-4 from 3-point range Saturday after scoring 20 points in a win over Ohio State last Tuesday, earning Big Ten player of the week honors. He’s 12-of-18 (66.7 percent) from beyond the arc in the last five games.
The Spartans have won 25 of the 29 all-time meetings with the Nittany Lions, but Penn State is 10-1 at the Bryce Jordan Center this season.
NCAAB Free Pick: OVER 185 – View Game Matchup | Best Line: 139.5 Sports Interaction
Miami Heat at Milwaukee Bucks, 8:05 PM ET
Even as a pro, Dwyane Wade continues to play well in Milwaukee.
The NBA’s leading scorer looks for another strong effort in his collegiate hometown while trying to help the Miami Heat to a second straight road victory Wednesday night against the Bucks.
Wade had 31 points and eight assists in Miami’s 99-96 victory over surging Minnesota on Tuesday, improving the Heat (20-17) to 2-2 on their franchise-record seven-game road trip.
Michael Redd scored 21 points last month against Miami, and is averaging 24.0 in his last three contests versus the Heat.
NBA Free Pick: BUCKS – View Game Matchup | Best Line: -5.5 Sports Interaction
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Posted: 1/14/09 11:00AM ET