Televised Tip Sheet
By Brian Edwards
For the first time since August, gamblers are facing a Saturday without football. Nevertheless, there are betting options galore in college basketball. Let’s take a look at a few of the televised games.
**Ohio State at Tennessee**
--Tennessee (15-1 straight up, 7-5 against the spread) is in a major revenge spot here after dropping a pair of heartbreakers to Ohio State last season. During the regular season, the Buckeyes won a 68-66 decision thanks to 24 points and 15 rebounds from Greg Oden. However, UT took the money as a 9½-point underdog. Then in the Sweet 16, Ohio St. rallied from a 49-32 deficit at intermission to capture an 85-84 victory, but Tennessee hooked up its backers again as a 4½-point ‘dog.
--This time around, Tennessee is the ‘chalk.’ Las Vegas Sports Consultants opened it as a 10-point favorite with a total of 146.
--Bruce Pearl’s team faces a quick turnaround here after destroying Vanderbilt 80-60 Thursday night in Knoxville. The Volunteers, who improved to 3-0 in SEC play, easily covered the number as 10 ½-point home favorites. Wayne Chism paced UT with 18 points and 18 rebounds.
--This is the third straight road game for Ohio State (12-5 SU, 7-6 ATS), which has dropped back-to-back games at Purdue (75-68) and at Michigan State (66-60). The Buckeyes failed to cover as one-point ‘chalk’ against the Boilermakers, but they did take the cash as 8 ½-point ‘dogs in East Lansing.
--The Vols got great news Friday when UT's medical staff cleared Duke Crews to play. Crews, who averaged 6.5 points and 4.6 rebounds in Tennessee's first eight games, was sidelined with a heart condition on Dec. 14.
--Ohio St. owns a 3-3 spread record as an underdog this year.
--The ‘under’ is 8-5 overall for the Buckeyes, 7-5 overall for the Vols.
--Tip-off is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Eastern with CBS providing regional coverage.
**Clemson at Duke**
--LVSC opened Duke (14-1 SU, 8-6 ATS) as a nine-point ‘chalk’ with a total of 152.
--Duke has won 21 consecutive games against Clemson, but the Tigers have covered the spread in three of the last four head-to-head meetings.
--Clemson (14-3 SU, 10-4 ATS) has been an underdog twice this season. The Tigers won 84-82 at Mississippi St. as four-point ‘dogs, and they dropped a 90-88 decision in overtime to unbeaten North Carolina as 5½-point home ‘dogs.
--The Blue Devils have won their first two ACC games both SU and ATS. Following an 87-65 home win over Virginia, they collected a 70-57 win at Florida State as 5½-point ‘chalk.’ Jon Scheyer scored a game-high 21 points, draining 9-of-13 shots from the field.
--The ‘under’ has cashed in five straight Duke games. On the flip side, the ‘over’ is 9-4 overall for Clemson.
--ESPN will provide the telecast at 6:00 p.m. Eastern.
**Kentucky at Florida**
--LVSC opened Florida (15-3 SU, 6-3 ATS) as a 6½-point favorite with a total of 141.
--UF won its first two SEC games, prevailing 90-83 at Alabama as an underdog and dropping Auburn 72-56 as a 14 ½-point home favorite. The Gators saw their perfect conference record ruined Wednesday when Ole Miss held them off by an 89-87 count. They did hook up their backers, however, as six-point underdogs.
--Kentucky (7-8 SU, 4-7 ATS) won its SEC opener over Vanderbilt last Saturday, handing the Commodores their first loss of the season in double overtime, 79-73. The Wildcats took the cash as one-point favorites at most spots. Patrick Patterson, a freshman post player that picked UK over UF in a down-to-the wire recruiting battle, scored 23 points and grabbed 12 rebounds for the ‘Cats. Ramel Bradley finished with 20 points, six rebounds and five assists.
--Billy Gillispie’s team fell to 1-1 in SEC play after Tuesday’s 69-64 loss at Mississippi State. The ‘Cats managed the spread cover as nine-point underdogs.
--UK sophomore guard Jodie Meeks has missed back-to-back games with a hip flexor injury. Meeks, who averages 10.8 points per game, is listed as “questionable” in this spot. Derrick Jasper, who is averaging 6.5 rebounds in just four games played, is also a question mark with a knee injury.
--Florida is led by freshman guard Nick Calathes, who leads the SEC in assists with 5.8 per game. Calathes averages a team-high 15.3 PPG. Sophomore center Marreese Speights averages 13.4 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. He will draw the assignment of defending Patterson, one of the nation’s premier freshmen.
--Kentucky has spent decades beating up on inferior SEC foes. However, the Gators have dominated the Wildcats recently. In fact, UF has won six in a row over UK, posting a 4-2 spread record over that stretch. Furthermore, Florida head coach Billy Donovan turned down UK in its overtures to hire him away from the Gators after last season.
--Patterson leads UK in scoring and rebounding, averaging 16.8 points and 8.0 rebounds per contest.
--The ‘over’ is 7-5 overall for the ‘Cats, 5-4 overall for the Gators.
--ESPN will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.
**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**
--North Carolina is 18-0 for the first time since 1985-86. The Tar Heels will play host to Maryland as 19-point favorites. Tip-off is slated for 3:30 p.m. Eastern on ABC. UNC owns a 9-2 spread record as a double-digit favorite this season.
--Mississippi St. will take a seven-game winning streak into Coleman Coliseum on Saturday. The Bulldogs are a pick ‘em at Alabama. They have the best shot blocker in the nation, Jarvis Varnado, who is averaging 5.5 rejections per contest.
--In recent years, the Missouri Valley Conference has been all about Creighton, Southern Illinois and Wichita St. But on Saturday first place will be on the line when Drake plays host to Illinois St. as a five-point home ‘chalk.’ Both teams are out to 6-0 starts in MVC play. The Bulldogs are hoping their leading scorer Josh Young can return to the lineup after missing back-to-back games. He is listed as “questionable” with a sprained ankle.
--Speaking of the MVC, don’t expect to see a bunch of bubble teams this year as we have in the past. There only appears to be three NCAA Tournament candidates – Drake, Illinois St. and Creighton. So. Illinois, picked by many to make a return appearance in the Sweet 16, is 8-9 overall and 3-3 in MVC action.
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Mid-Major Battles
By Judd Hall
There are four games that will help determine who will win the regular season championships in the West Coast Conference and the Horizon League. Lucky for us, all four will be going down on Saturday.
San Diego at Gonzaga
The Bulldogs have undoubtedly been the class of the WCC for the past decade. However, the talent gap between Gonzaga (13-4 straight up, 9-8 against the spread) and the rest of the league has shrunk considerably.
It’s hard to take San Diego (8-10 SU, 7-6-1 ATS) seriously as an heir to the throne though. The Toreros may have won two of their last three matches, seeing the ‘over’ go 2-1 in that stretch as well. The problem is San Diego has been bad on the road, going 3-5 SU, but 5-2 ATS away from home.
The Zags are strong in games where they are labeled the home squad with an 8-3 SU and 5-6 ATS mark in this situation. The ‘under’ is 5-1 in Gonzaga’s past six home contests.
Gonzaga is 10-0 SU and 6-4 ATS in the last 10 head-to-head meetings with the Toreros with the ‘over’ going 6-4 in that stretch.
Pepperdine at St. Mary’s
The Gaels should have no problem keeping themselves atop of the league on Saturday when they welcome cellar dwellers, Pepperdine (6-12 SU, 9-6-1 ATS) to McKeon Pavilion. Especially since St. Mary’s (14-2 SU, 8-5 ATS) has won seven of its last eight matches, covering the spread in just four of them.
The Wave have dropped six straight contests over Division I opponents, yet went 3-2 ATS. Pepperdine’s slump even took down head coach Vance Walberg along the way. Walberg leaves a club that has scored 80 points in a game just seven times against top tier foes to Eric Bridgeland, a former coach at the Division II level.
St. Mary’s has gone 7-1 SU and 5-2-1 ATS in its last eight head-to-head clashes with the Wave. The ‘over’ has been a solid play during that stretch, going 5-3.
Butler at Youngstown State
Butler (16-2 SU, 10-7 ATS) has some explaining to do after losing on the road to Cleveland State as 5½-point favorites, 56-52. It was the Bulldogs’ first defeat since Dec. 8 away from home versus Wright State.
The Penguins has been playing better basketball, if not winning. Youngstown State (7-10 SU, 8-5 ATS) has gone 1-3 SU and 3-1 ATS. The ‘under’ has gone 3-2 for the Pens this year, while Butler is has seen it go 6-0-1 in seven road tests this season.
The Bulldogs look to be a strong play on the money line in this instance as they’re 9-1 SU. However, you may want to back YSU here as they hold a 6-4 ATS in its last 10 matches with Butler.
Valparaiso at Cleveland State
Valparaiso (13-5 SU, 8-5 ATS) has put together a nice two-game win streak right now, but covered the spread in just one of them. The Crusaders could use the win against the Vikings right now as it would help them pull within one game of the lead in the Horizon League.
Cleveland State (13-5 SU, 10-5 ATS) is fresh off its 56-52 home victory over the Bulldogs as a 5½-point favorite. The win improved the Vikings to 7-2 SU and 5-3 ATS at home this season while the ‘under has gone 6-2 during that stretch.
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(25) Villanova (12-3, 4-8 ATS) at Syracuse (13-5, 7-9 ATS)
Villanova, which hasn’t covered a pointspread in more than a month, heads to upstate New York for a Big East battle with the Orange.
Villanova needed a 15-0 second-half run Wednesday to overtake a sub .500 DePaul squad 76-69, avenging an 84-76 upset loss just two weeks earlier at DePaul. But ‘Nova failed as a 10-point home chalk, dropping to 0-6 ATS in its last six starts (4-2 SU). In the win over DePaul, the Wildcats (2-2 Big East) were pretty much right on target for their season averages of 77.9 points per game on offense and 69.1 ppg allowed defensively.
Syracuse rolled past Rutgers 81-59 as a 16-point home favorite Wednesday, halting an 0-2 SU and ATS skid. The Orange (3-2 Big East) are averaging 83.2 ppg (11th in the country), and they are shooting a whopping 51.1 percent from the field, good for fourth in the nation. However, they’re allowing 74.7 ppg.
These two teams met twice last year, with Syracuse cashing both times. The Orange took a 75-64 win at home as a two-point favorite in January, and Villanova won 78-75 at home in March but couldn’t cover the 6½-point spread. The series is split at 5-5 SU and ATS in the past 10 meetings, but the road team is on a 5-2 ATS run.
The Wildcats have nothing but negative ATS trends to note, including 3-10 against teams with a winning percentage above .600, 1-4 on Saturday and 0-5 against the Big East dating to last season. They are 3-3 ATS in road/neutral site games this year.
The Orange are 7-2-1 ATS in their last 10 Saturday starts, but they are 1-7 ATS coming off a spread-cover and 0-4 ATS after winning by more than 20. They’re also just 5-6 ATS at home.
The total has stayed low in five of the Wildcats’ last six contests, including the past three in a row. For Syracuse, the under is on streaks of 10-6 overall (3-0 in the last three) and 4-1 in Big East play.
ATS ADVANTAGE: SYRACUSE and UNDER
Notre Dame (13-3, 7-6 ATS) at (5) Georgetown (13-2, 5-7 ATS)
The Fighting Irish play just their second road game since November when they travel to Washington D.C. for a Big East matchup against fifth-ranked Georgetown.
Notre Dame eased past Cincinnati 91-74 Tuesday as an 11½-point home favorite, moving to 3-1 SU and ATS in conference play. The victory came on the heels of last Saturday’s 92-66 blowout loss at Marquette catching 6½ points. Notre Dame is averaging 79.4 ppg and shooting a solid 41.6 percent from beyond the arc (8th nationally), while allowing 63.9 ppg and standing among the Top 25 in defensive field-goal percentage (38.7, 24th). The Irish have the ninth-best average total rebounding margin (9.5 per game).
Georgetown had a five-game winning streak snapped in Monday’s 69-60 loss at Pittsburgh as a one-point chalk, falling to 1-3 ATS in the Big East (3-1 SU). The Hoyas average 72.7 ppg, with the nation’s third-best shooting percentage at 51.1 percent. They also rank high in points allowed (56.7 ppg, 8th), field-goal defense (35.8 percent, 2nd) and three-point defense (29.4 percent, 12th).
In this series, Georgetown is on a 4-0 run (3-1 ATS), including a 66-48 home rout last January laying 3½ points and an 84-82 nail-biter last March in the Big East tournament in New York, falling short as a 3½-point chalk. The series is split 5-5 in the last 10 meetings, with Notre Dame holding a slim 5-4-1 ATS edge. However, the Irish are 6-2 ATS in their last eight visits to Georgetown, and the underdog is on a 10-3-1 ATS run in this rivalry.
The Fighting Irish are 1-3 SU and ATS in road/neutral site games this season. But they are 26-12-1 ATS in their last 39 on highway, 5-1 ATS against the Big East and 25-10-1 ATS against teams with a winning home record (Georgetown 8-0).
The Hoyas are 2-5 ATS in their last seven home starts (2-3 ATS this season) and are 0-7 ATS in their last seven Saturday contests. However, they have positive ATS trends of 5-0 following a SU loss and 14-5-2 in the Big East, and they’re 4-2 ATS as a favorite of up to 14½ points.
The over is 6-2 for Notre Dame in its last eight against the Big East and is 5-2 in its last seven contests overall. But for Georgetown, the under is on strong runs of 42-19 overall, 40-14 at home and 9-2 on Saturday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: GEORGETOWN and UNDER
Maryland (11-7, 4-9 ATS) at (1) North Carolina (18-0, 12-3 ATS)
Maryland looks to get a mediocre season on track when it travels to Chapel Hill to take on the unbeaten, top-ranked Tar Heels in an Atlantic Coast Conference battle.
Maryland topped Wake Forest 71-64 on Tuesday but failed to cash as a 7½-point home favorite, ending a 3-0 ATS run in lined contests (2-1 SU). The Terrapins (1-1 ACC) are averaging 71.5 ppg and allowing 64.3, but they field the fourth-best field-goal defense, with opponents hitting just 36.4 percent of their shots.
North Carolina barely held off Georgia Tech 83-82 on Wednesday night, failing to cover as a hefty 11-point road chalk as it dropped to 1-2 ATS in conference play. The Tar Heels are putting up an average of 91.7 ppg (2nd), shooting 49 percent from the field (15th) and collecting 14.1 offensive rebounds per game (7th). They allow 70.7 ppg and are fourth in defensive rebounds (27.3 per game).
These two teams met just once last season, with Maryland notching an 89-87 victory as a 3½-point home favorite. That ended a 5-0 run by Carolina in this series (4-1 ATS). The favorite is 9-4 ATS in the last 13 series meetings, the home team is 6-1 ATS in the last seven, and Maryland is 2-5 ATS in its last seven trips to Chapel Hill.
The Terrapins are 1-4 SU in road/neutral site games this season (2-3 ATS). They’re also on extended ATS slides of 4-10 overall, 3-7 coming off a win, 0-5 following a non-cover and 2-7 against teams with a winning percentage above .600.
The Tar Heels, despite their recent road ATS hiccups, are still on positive spread-covering streaks of 43-21-1 overall, 35-17-1 at the Dean Dome (6-0 ATS at home this year), 19-7 on Saturday and 37-16-1 coming off a victory. Also, they’re 9-2 ATS as a double-digit chalk this year.
For Maryland, the over is on a 4-0 run on the highway and is 13-3 in its last 16 Saturday contests. For Carolina, the over is 8-2 in its last 10 overall and 9-4 in its last 13 at home. Finally, these teams have exceeded the posted price in 11 of the last 15 meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
Ohio State (12-5, 7-6 ATS) at (6) Tennessee (15-1, 7-5 ATS)
The Buckeyes, last year’s national runner-up, take a respite from Big Ten play, but get no break from the schedule-makers, as they travel to Knoxville to take on SEC power Tennessee.
Ohio State fell behind by 20 points early in Tuesday’s game at Michigan State, battled back in the second half but still fell short 66-60, covering as an 8½-point pup. The Buckeyes have alternated ATS wins and losses over their last five games, all in Big Ten play. Ohio State has been strong defensively all year, holding opponents to 60.0 ppg (27th), 37.0 percent from the field (7th) and 28.8 percent from 3-point range (10th).
Tennessee pounded rival Vanderbilt 80-60 as an 11½-point home chalk Thursday night, upping its winning streak to 10 games (5-3 ATS in lined contests). The Volunteers rank fourth in the country in scoring at 86.3 ppg, while allowing 68.2 ppg and just 30.1 percent shooting from beyond the arc (24th).
These two teams met twice last year, with Ohio State – and No. 1 overall draft pick Greg Oden --winning two tight games, while Tennessee got the cash as the underdog both times. The Buckeyes won 68-66 at home in January laying 9½ points, then eked out an 85-84 win as a 4½-point favorite in the NCAA South Regional semifinals in San Antonio. In the latter contest, Tennessee blew a 49-32 halftime lead.
The Buckeyes, who are on a 5-2 ATS run overall, are 4-3 SU and ATS on the highway this season. But they are 1-4 ATS coming off a loss and 1-6 ATS against the SEC.
Conversely, the Volunteers are on positive ATS spurts of 4-1 coming off a win, 4-1 against the Big Ten, 13-5-1 in non-conference games and 5-2 on Saturday. Finally, Tennessee is 4-1 ATS at home this season.
The under is 6-1 for Ohio State in non-conference play and 23-9-1 for the Buckeyes on Saturday, but the over is 5-2 in their last seven against the SEC. Also, the over is 4-1 in Tennessee’s last five home starts and 34-16-1 following a Vols victory.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TENNESSEE
USC (10-6, 8-6) at (4) UCLA (16-1, 9-5-2 ATS)
Cross-town rivals square off when the Trojans bus to Pauley Pavilion for a Pac-10 Conference meeting against red-hot UCLA, which is riding a nine-game winning streak.
Southern Cal rolled past Washington 66-51 last Saturday as a 6½-point home favorite for its first Pac-10 win of the season (1-3, 2-2 ATS). The Trojans average 68.1 ppg and are shooting 47 percent from the field, while allowing just 61.0 points on 38.2 percent shooting.
UCLA handed Washington State its first defeat of the season last Saturday, prevailing 81-74 as a six-point home chalk as Ben Howland’s team improved to 5-3 ATS in lined contests during its winning streak. The Bruins (4-0, 2-2 ATS in the Pac-10) average 74.9 ppg while shooting 49.4 percent from the field (13th), and they’re allowing just 56.1 ppg, fifth-best in the nation.
USC is on a 3-0 ATS run in this series (1-2 SU), losing but covering both of last year’s meetings. The Bruins squeaked out a 65-64 road win giving 3½ points in January and won 70-65 in February as a 10-point home chalk. The series is an even 5-5 SU and ATS in the last 10 contests, but the home team is 4-1 ATS in the last five. Also, the underdog has cashed in nine of the last 11 in this bitter rivalry.
The Trojans are on positive ATS runs of 4-1 away from home, 23-9 on Saturday and 23-10 against opponents with a winning percentage above .600. They are also 4-2 ATS as a ‘dog this season. On a negative note, USC is just 1-4 ATS when coming off a spread-cover.
The Bruins are on positive ATS runs of 5-2 overall, 4-1 on Saturday, 9-3-2 coming off a win and 11-4-2 against teams with a winning percentage above .600. However, they are a middling 4-4-1 ATS at Pauley.
The under is 9-3 in USC’s last 12 starts, 11-5 in UCLA’s last 16 home contests and 27-12 in the Bruins’ last 39 Saturday games. Conversely, the over is 19-7 for USC in Pac-10 play and 10-4 in the Trojans’ last 14 road trips. Finally, the total has alternated in the last eight games in this series.
ATS ADVANTAGE: USC
Texas Tech (10-6, 7-4 ATS) at Oklahoma (12-5, 8-6 ATS)
The Red Raiders, coming off coach Bob Knight’s 900th career victory, head to Norman for a Big 12 battle against Oklahoma.
Texas Tech whipped Texas A&M 68-53 as a five-point home pup Wednesday, moving to 1-1 SU and ATS in Big 12 play and 4-1 in its last five overall (2-1 ATS in lined contests). The Red Raiders are averaging 69.9 ppg, shooting 48 percent from the field and 39.3 percent from 3-point range, while allowing 61.9 ppg.
Oklahoma got pounded at Kansas 85-55 Monday catching 15 points, its third straight ATS setback (1-2 SU), which came on the heels of a 5-0 ATS roll. The Sooners (0-2, 1-1 ATS in the Big 12) are averaging 73.9 ppg while shooting 47.2 percent, and allowing 63.2 ppg and limiting the opposition to 39.8 percent shooting, including just 30.4 percent from 3-point range.
These two teams split last year’s meetings, with each squad winning at home. Texas Tech posted a 68-54 win laying three points in January, and Oklahoma won 75-61 in February as a 7½-point chalk. The host is on a 4-0 ATS run in this rivalry.
The Red Raiders are on negative ATS runs of 2-5-1 on Saturday, 2-5-1 on the highway and 2-5-1 in Big 12 play. On the positive side, they are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games overall.
The Sooners are 9-2 at home this season (5-2 ATS in lined games), and they’re 6-2 ATS in their last eight lined contests in Norman. On the negative side, though, Oklahoma has failed to cash in five straight Big 12 games and is 2-5 ATS in its last seven on Saturday.
For Texas Tech, the under is on runs of 4-0 overall, 4-1 in Big 12 play, 6-2 on Saturday, 8-3 against teams with a winning record and 8-3 against the Sooners. But for Oklahoma, the over is 7-1 in the last eight overall, 5-1 in the last six in the Big 12 and 4-1 in the last five at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA
(10) Texas A&M (15-2, 6-5 ATS) at Kansas State (11-4, 4-5 ATS)
The Aggies will try to bounce back from just their second loss of the season as they stay on the road for another Big 12 clash, this one against Kansas State.
Texas A&M took an eight-game winning streak to Texas Tech on Wednesday night but got steamrolled by Bobby Knight’s squad, falling 68-53 as a five-point road chalk. The Aggies are just 2-4 ATS in their last six lined games, including 0-2 SU and ATS in their only two true road games this season.
Kansas State opened Big 12 play with last Saturday’s 84-82 victory at Oklahoma as an eight-point road underdog. The Wildcats, who have been idle for a week, have won six of their last seven, but only three of those were lined games (2-1 ATS).
The Aggies barely got past K-State last year, winning 69-65 as a 13½-point home chalk in the only meeting between the schools. The Wildcats have cashed in each of the last three series clashes, and the underdog is 6-3 ATS in the last nine.
Texas A&M continues to rank in the Top 10 nationally in both field-goal offense (50.9 percent, 5th) and field-goal defense (37.0 percent, 9th).
The Wildcats have shined on Saturdays in recent years, going 38-14-3 ATS in the last 55. The Aggies have also done well on Saturdays of late, cashing in four of the last five.
Dating to last season, Kansas State is on a 4-0 ATS roll in conference, while A&M is in a 1-5 ATS slump against Big 12 foes.
Kansas State has topped the total in seven of its nine lined outings this season, including the last three in a row. Conversely, the under is 7-4 for Texas A&M this year, including 3-1 in the last four. The under is also 6-2 in the Aggies’ last eight road games and 4-1 in the last five series meetings.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS STATE and UNDER
(24) Clemson (14-3, 10-4 ATS) at (7) Duke (14-1, 8-6 ATS)
Duke figures to face its stiffest test to date at home when it welcomes 24th-ranked Clemson to Cameron Indoor Stadium for an ACC matchup.
The Blue Devils fended off a late Florida State rally on Wednesday night, pulling away for a 70-57 victory as a 5½-point road chalk. Duke has won four in a row and is off to a 2-0 SU and ATS start to the ACC campaign.
Clemson has bounced back nicely from a two-game slide, outlasting Florida State 97-85 in overtime as a 9½-point home favorite last Saturday, then hammering North Carolina State 70-54 as a 12½-point home chalk on Wednesday. The Tigers are 5-1 ATS in their last six overall, and they’re 2-1 SU (3-0 ATS) in ACC action.
These teams played two thrilling games last year, with the Blue Devils coming out on top both times. They won 68-66 at home, failing to cover as a 6½-point favorite, and 71-66 on the road as a one-point underdog. Clemson has lost 21 straight games to Duke, but is 3-1 ATS in the last four.
The road team has cashed in six of the last eight series meetings, with the Tigers going 4-1 ATS in their last five visits to Cameron.
Duke is 9-0 SU and 6-1 ATS at home, destroying its visitors by more than 30 points per game (93-61). Overall, the Blue Devils pour in 84.5 ppg, good for ninth-best in the nation.
The Tigers are hitting the road for the first time since New Year’s Day, when they went to Alabama and destroyed the Crimson Tide 87-61 as a two-point chalk. With that win, Clemson improved to 5-1 on the highway (4-1 ATS).
The under is 9-5 for Duke this year, including 5-0 in the last five. However, the over is 13-4 in Clemson’s 17 lined games dating to last season, including 3-1 in the last four, and 24-11 in Duke’s last 35 league games. Also, the last three Tigers-Blue Devils battles have hurdled the total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: DUKE and OVER
Arizona (11-6, 7-7-1 ATS) at California (11-5, 8-5 ATS)
Two league rivals coming off tough losses meet up in northern California, where the Bears host Arizona in a Pac-10 battle.
The Wildcats played across the bay in Stanford on Thursday night, losing 56-52 but cashing as a five-point underdog. Arizona has lost three straight Pac-10 games since knocking off Oregon State 76-63 in the league opener on Jan. 3. On the bright side, Thursday’s spread-cover was Arizona’s second in a row and halted its 0-3 ATS slide in league action.
Cal took No. 25 Arizona State to double-overtime on Thursday, eventually falling 99-90 as a six-point home chalk. The Bears are 1-3 SU and ATS in the Pac-10, with the winner covering the spread in all four contests. In fact, the winner has cashed in all 13 of Cal’s lined games this year.
The Wildcats swept the season series last year, rolling 94-85 at home (failing as a 14½-point favorite) and 70-65 on the road (cashing as a 3½-point chalk). Arizona is on a 6-1 roll against the Bears (4-3 ATS), but Cal is 3-1 ATS in the last four.
The favorite has covered the number in five of the last seven head-to-head clashes.
Despite the loss to Arizona State, the Bears are still 7-3 ATS in their last 10 at home. Meanwhile, Arizona is 2-4 in true road games (3-2-1 ATS).
The over is 10-3 in the last 13 series meetings and 5-1 in the last six at Cal.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(3) Kansas (17-0, 10-4-1 ATS) at Missouri (11-6, 5-6 ATS)
Missouri looks to knock off a ranked Big 12 opponent at home for the second straight Saturday when it welcomes unbeaten Kansas to Columbia.
The Tigers hammered then-No. 12 Texas 97-84 as a 1½-point home underdog last Saturday in the conference opener for both schools. However, Missouri then got caught looking ahead to this showdown, losing 72-67 at Iowa State as a 5½-point road favorite on Wednesday.
Missouri is 1-3 ATS in its last four lined outings and 8-20 ATS in its last 28 Saturday affairs. On the bright side, the Tigers have won all 11 of their home games (4-1 ATS), outscoring their visitors by an average of 25 ppg (86-61).
Kansas continued its dominating play with Monday’s 85-55 rout of Oklahoma as a 15-point chalk. A week ago today, the Jayhawks opened the Big 12 season with a 79-58 rout of Nebraska as a 10-point road favorite, and they’ve now defeated 14 of their 17 opponents by double digits, including the last six in a row.
The Jayhawks are 5-1 ATS in their last six games, all as a double-digit favorite. On the highway this year, Bill Self’s squad is 5-0 SU and 3-1 ATS. Going back to last year, Kansas is on a 19-7 ATS roll away from home.
Kansas has won the last three series meetings (2-1 ATS), including last year’s 92-74 rout at Missouri as a five-point road chalk. The underdog is 8-3-2 ATS in the last 13 head-to-head clashes, and the straight-up winner is 7-2-1 ATS in the last 10.
Not surprisingly, the Jayhawks rank in the Top 20 nationally in scoring offense (83.8 ppg, 10th), field-goal offense (52.3, 2nd), scoring defense (58.4 ppg, 20th) and field-goal defense (27.8, 14th). Today, though, Kansas faces a Missouri squad that allows its opponents to convert just 25.6 percent of its 3-point shots, the second-best figure in the nation.
Kansas, which opened this year on an 8-3 under tear, has topped the total in its last four games. The over is also on runs of 12-4 for Missouri dating to last year (7-4 this year), 6-2 for Missouri at home, 6-2 in this rivalry (4-0 at Missouri) and 6-2 for Kansas in Big 12 play.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KANSAS and OVER
(21) Miami, Fla. (14-2, 8-1 ATS) at N.C. State (11-5, 3-10 ATS)
Having opened ACC play with a couple of ugly blowout losses on the road, North Carolina State finally comes home, where it will face a Hurricanes squad that’s coming off just its second defeat of the season.
The Wolfpack rolled through an easy non-conference schedule with an 11-3 record, then reality hit a week ago today when they got punked 93-62 at archrival North Carolina, never threatening to cover as an 18½-point underdog. Following that contest, N.C. State traveled down to Clemson on Tuesday and got rocked 70-54 as a 12½-point underdog.
The Wolfpack are 1-7 ATS in their last eight lined games, including 1-3 ATS as an underdog.
Miami kicked off its ACC season with a 78-68 rout of Georgia Tech as a 6½-point home favorite. Then the Hurricanes hit the road on Wednesday and suffered a 76-66 beatdown at the hands of Boston College, falling way short as a 1½-point road underdog, their first non-cover of the season. Despite that setback, they’re still on a 13-3-1 ATS roll going back to last season.
The ‘Canes topped N.C. State in the lone meeting between the schools last year, prevailing 80-65 as a one-point home favorite. The home team is 3-1 SU and ATS in the last four battles, with the winner covering the pointspread in all four contests.
N.C. State is 7-21-1 ATS in its last 29 home games (1-4 ATS this year). On the flip side, Miami is 5-1 SU and ATS in road/neutral-site outings.
N.C. State opened the season by staying under the total in four straight games, all at home. Since then, the over is 7-2 for the Wolfpack in lined games. Similarly, Miami stayed under the total in its first six games on the board, but the over is 3-0 in its last three. Also, the over is 3-0 in the last three head-to-head meetings, 5-1 in Miami’s last six ACC games and 5-1 in N.C. State’s last six league contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MIAMI (FLA.) and OVER
Kentucky (7-8, 4-6 ATS) at Florida (15-3, 6-3 ATS)
Two of the SEC’s perennial powers, both coming off heartbreaking road losses, meet up in Gainesville, Fla., where the two-time defending champion Gators host Kentucky.
Three days after handing Vanderbilt its first loss of the season (79-73 in overtime at home), Kentucky went to Mississippi State and saw a second-half rally fall short, losing 69-64. However, the Wildcats, who have alternated SU wins and losses in their last seven outings, cashed as a nine-point underdog, moving to 4-2 ATS in their last six.
Florida opened SEC play with a pair of easy wins over Alabama (90-83 as a three-point road underdog) and Auburn (72-56 as a 14½-point home chalk). But on Wednesday, Billy Donovan’s squad traveled north to Mississippi State, trailed the entire way, made a valiant comeback, but eventually succumbed 89-87 as a 5½-point underdog. The Gators have now cashed in four straight lined games.
On its way to back-to-back national championships, the Gators took out Kentucky four times, going 3-1 ATS in the process. All three spread-covers came in double-digit victories. Going back to March 2005, Florida has won six straight meetings (4-2 ATS).
Playing a mostly powder-puff schedule, Florida is off to a 14-1 start at home (4-2 ATS). The Gators have also cashed in seven straight SEC games.
Kentucky has lost all three of its games away from Lexington, covering only in Wednesday’s contest at Mississippi State. Going back to last year, the Wildcats are mired in ATS funks of 1-5 on the road and 2-6 when playing on Saturday.
The under is on a 10-4 run in this rivalry
ATS ADVANTAGE: FLORIDA and UNDER
(22) Arizona State (14-2, 8-4 ATS) at Stanford (14-3, 7-9 ATS)
Arizona State, which long ago exceeded last year’s eight-win total, tries for its 11th straight victory when it heads to Stanford in a key clash between rivals hoping to challenge for the Pac-10 title.
The Sun Devils, playing just their second true road contest of the season and the first in more than a month, earned a gutsy 99-90 double-overtime victory at Cal on Thursday. Arizona State covered as a six-point underdog as it moved to 4-0 SU and ATS in league action.
While the Sun Devils were working overtime across town in Berkeley on Thursday, Stanford was outlasting Arizona 56-52 at home in Palo Alto. However, the Cardinal came up just shy as a five-point home chalk, dropping to 1-4 ATS in Pac-10 action (3-2 SU).
The Cardinal have dominated Arizona State of late, winning the last four in a row (3-0-1 ATS). Last year, Stanford rolled 71-60 in a pick-em contest in Tempe and 63-53 at home, pushing as a 10-point chalk. The Cardinal are 7-3-1 ATS in their last 11 against ASU, and the favorite is 4-0-1 ATS in the last five.
Going back to non-conference play, Stanford is mired in a 1-6 ATS slump, including 0-4 ATS at home. The Cardinal are also 1-7-1 ATS in their last nine Pac-10 games.
Arizona State went just 2-17 SU in Pac-10 play last year, but finished on a 10-5-1 ATS roll. So including this year’s league games, the Sun Devils are on a 13-5-1 ATS streak against conference foes.
This game pits two of the nation’s best defensive teams against one another. Stanford gives up just 56.7 ppg, which ranks eighth in the nation, while Arizona is 22nd in the country at 58.8 ppg allowed, a figure that ballooned after the Sun Devils gave up a season high to Cal on Thursday. In fact, before Thursday, ASU had limited 12 straight opponents to 65 points or fewer.
Arizona State’s shootout at Cal on Thursday easily topped the posted price, and the total has alternated in its last eight lined games. However, for the Sun Devils, the under is on runs of 17-8 overall, 13-4 in Pac-10 play and 10-3 on the road. For Stanford, the under is 13-3-1 this year (12-1 in the last 13), 4-0 in Pac-10 play and 8-1 at home.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ARIZONA STATE and UNDER
gametimepicks.com
Saturday's NBA Tip Sheet
By Brad Young
**Warriors at Bucks**
-Caesars Palace installed Milwaukee as a slight one-point home favorite over Golden State, with the total listed at 214. This game is slated to begin at 8:35 p.m. ET.
-Golden State (24-17 straight up, 19-21 against the spread) is playing for the second time in as many nights after outlasting Chicago Friday as a 2½-point road ‘chalk,’ 119-111. The combined 230 points soared ‘over’ the 213-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the second game in a row.
-The Warriors are now 13-10 SU and 11-11 ATS on the road, with the ‘under’ going 13-9. Golden State has been dropping its road endeavors by an average score of 106-105.
-Milwaukee (16-23 SU, 18-20 ATS) improved to 2-3 SU and 4-1 ATS its last five games after knocking off Atlanta Wednesday as a 3 ½-point home favorite, 87-80. The combined 167 points never seriously threatened the 190½-point closing total, enabling the ‘under’ to cash the second consecutive contest.
-The Bucks are 11-5 SU and 7-8 ATS on the road, winning those games by an average score of 97-96.
-Milwaukee had beaten Golden State three times in a row SU and ATS before dropping the lone encounter this season (December 5) as a 10-point road underdog, 120-90. The combined 210 points went ‘under’ the 216½-point closing total.
-Milwaukee guard Maurice Williams (illness) and forward David Noel (wrist) are ‘questionable’ against the Warriors.
**Pistons at Bulls**
-Caesars Palace opened Detroit as a 5½-point road ‘chalk’ over Chicago, with the total set at 185½. This Central Division contest is scheduled to start at 8:35 p.m. ET.
-Detroit (29-11 SU, 25-14 ATS) is playing for the second time in as many nights after being upset by Sacramento Friday as a nine-point home favorite, 100-93. The combined 193 points landed directly on the closing total. The Pistons are 1-3 ATS their last four games.
-Detroit is 15-7 SU and 13-8 ATS on the road, winning those games by an average score of 97-93.
-Chicago is off Friday’s home setback to Golden State, falling to 1-3 SU and ATS the past four games. The ‘over’ has gone 5-1 the previous six outings for the Bulls.
-Chicago is now 7-11 SU and 5-13 ATS on its home court, with the ‘over’ going 11-7. The Bulls have been dropping their home games by an average score of 99-97.
-Chicago is 2-0 SU and ATS the past two meetings with Detroit, while the ‘over’ has cashed each time. The Bulls prevailed this season as a one-point home underdog, 97-93, and as a 7½-point road ‘dog, 98-91.
-Chicago guard Kirk Hinrich (back) is ‘doubtful’ against the Pistons.
**Nets at Clippers**
-Caesars Palace opened New Jersey as a one-point road ‘chalk’ over Los Angeles, with the total set at 186. This matchup is scheduled to start at 10:35 p.m. ET.
-New Jersey (18-20 SU, 15-23 ATS) is mired in a three-game SU and ATS losing skid after Wednesday’s home loss to New York as a 7½-point favorite, 111-105. The combined 216 points went ‘over’ the 190½-point closing total, ending three consecutive ‘under’ outings.
-The Nets are 9-6 SU and ATS on the road, with the ‘under’ going 9-6. New Jersey has been dropping its road endeavors by an average score of 99-95.
-Los Angeles (11-24 SU, 16-19 ATS) hopes to regroup after getting routed Friday night by Utah as a 9½-point road underdog, 106-88. The combined 194 points failed to eclipse the 199½-point closing total, helping the ‘under’ cash the second straight matchup.
-The Clippers are just 6-13 SU and 8-11 ATS at Staples Center, with the ‘under’ going 12-7. Los Angles has been dropping its home games by an average score of 95-91.
-The Clippers beat the Nets in the lone encounter this season (Dec. 11) as a 6½-point road underdog, 91-82. The combined 173 points went ‘under’ the 184½-point closing total.
-New Jersey center Jamaal Magloire (personal) is ‘out’ indefinitely, while guard Antoine Wright (ankle) is ‘probable.’
-Los Angeles forward Aaron Williams (wrist) is ‘out’ indefinitely.
vegasinsider.com.
Portland Trail Blazers vs. Orlando Magic
- The Portland Trail Blazers and the Orlando Magic will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Amway Arena.
Portland outscored Miami by 14 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 98-91 win, covering the 4-point road spread. The 189 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Brandon Roy dropped 24 points, and Travis Outlaw came off the bench with 18 points for the Trailblazers.
The Magic lost 99-93 to the Bobcats last time out, as 1.5-point road favorites. The combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 207.5.
Dwight Howard had 24 points and 21 rebounds for a double-double in the loss.
Team records:
Portland: 24-15 SU, 25-14 ATS
Orlando: 24-17 SU, 26-15 ATS
Portland most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Atlanta are 3-7
After playing Miami are 5-5
After a win are 7-3
Orlando most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Detroit are 4-6
After playing Charlotte are 7-3
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
Portland is 19-3 SU in its last 22 games
Portland is 18-4 ATS in its last 22 games
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Portland's last 12 games when playing Orlando
Portland is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Orlando
Orlando is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Portland
Orlando is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Portland
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Orlando's last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Orlando's last 12 games when playing Portland
Next up:
Portland at Atlanta, Monday, January 21
Orlando home to Detroit, Monday, January 21
Sacramento Kings vs. Indiana Pacers
- The fans at Conseco Fieldhouse will be treated to a game between the Sacramento Kings and the Indiana Pacers when they take their seats on Saturday.
Sacramento shot 50.7% from the field in Friday's 100-93 win at Detroit, coming in as 9.5-point road underdogs. The 193 points scored were a PUSH with the posted total of 193.
Kevin Martin led the way with 24 points, and Ron Artest had 18 points for the Kings.
The Pacers erupted for 46 points in the fourth quarter to come back and defeat the Warriors 125-117 on Wednesday. The Pacers covered the 2-point spread, and the combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 221.5.
Danny Granger led the Pacers with 29 points and nine rebounds, while shooting 7-for-15 from the field.
Team records:
Sacramento: 16-22 SU, 21-17 ATS
Indiana: 18-22 SU, 20-19-1 ATS
Sacramento most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing New Jersey are 3-7
After playing Detroit are 6-4
After a win are 3-7
Indiana most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Philadelphia are 5-5
After playing Golden State are 3-7
After a win are 2-8
A few trends to consider:
Sacramento is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Sacramento's last 6 games
Sacramento is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Indiana
Sacramento is 8-3 SU in its last 11 games when playing Indiana
Indiana is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Indiana's last 7 games at home
Indiana is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing at home against Sacramento
Indiana is 4-1-1 ATS in its last 6 games when playing Sacramento
Next up:
Sacramento home to New Jersey, Tuesday, January 22
Indiana at Philadelphia, Monday, January 21
Toronto Raptors vs. Philadelphia 76ers
- The Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers will meet on the court at Wachovia Center on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.
Toronto held Atlanta to 41.3% from the floor in Friday's 89-78 win, covering the 6-point home spread. The 166 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 186.5.
Chris Bosh was on fire with 35 points, and Anthony Parker netted 18 points for the Raptors.
Philadelphia had 23 turnovers in Friday's 116-89 loss at Boston, falling as 10.5-point road underdogs. The 205 points scored were OVER the posted total of 185.
Andre Igoudala had 17 points, while Samuel Dalembert notched 12 points and ten boards for the 76ers.
Current streak:
Toronto has won 2 straight games.
Team records:
Toronto: 22-18 SU, 23-17 ATS
Philadelphia: 15-25 SU, 18-21-1 ATS
Toronto most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 7-3
After a win are 5-5
Philadelphia most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Indiana are 7-3
After playing Boston are 4-6
After a loss are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
Toronto is 7-1 SU in its last 8 games when playing Philadelphia
Toronto is 11-2 ATS in its last 13 games when playing on the road against Philadelphia
Toronto is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games
Toronto is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Philadelphia's last 5 games when playing Toronto
The total has gone OVER in 7 of Philadelphia's last 9 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Philadelphia's last 7 games when playing at home against Toronto
Next up:
Toronto at Boston, Wednesday, January 23
Philadelphia home to Indiana, Monday, January 21
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Charlotte Bobcats
- The Memphis Grizzlies and the Charlotte Bobcats will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Charlotte Bobcats Arena.
Four Memphis players scored at least 20 points in Friday's 124-100 win over Seattle, covering the 6-point home spread. The 224 points scored were OVER the posted total of 216.
Mike Miller dropped 25 points, while Pau Gasol had 24 points and 12 rebounds for the Grizzlies.
Charlotte was 4-for-16 from three-point land in Friday's 112-84 loss at New Orleans, falling as 9-point road underdogs. The 196 points scored were OVER the posted total of 192.5.
Emeka Okafor netted 13 points, while Gerald Wallace added 12 points for the Bobcats.
Team records:
Memphis: 11-28 SU, 19-20 ATS
Charlotte: 15-24 SU, 16-22-1 ATS
Memphis most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Chicago are 5-5
After playing Seattle are 2-8
After a win are 1-9
Charlotte most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-4
Before playing San Antonio are 1-5
After playing New Orleans are 3-4
After a loss are 4-6
A few trends to consider:
Memphis is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Charlotte
Memphis is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games on the road
Memphis is 6-3 ATS in its last 9 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Memphis's last 6 games
Charlotte is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
Charlotte is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Charlotte's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Charlotte's last 7 games at home
Next up:
Memphis home to Chicago, Monday, January 21
Charlotte home to San Antonio, Monday, January 21
New York Knicks vs. Miami Heat
- The New York Knicks and the Miami Heat will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at AmericanAirlines Arena.
New York were outrebounded 41-32 in Friday's 11-98 loss at Washington, falling as 8-point road underdogs. The 209 points scored were OVER the posted total of 195.
Quentin Richardson led the way with 21 points, and Jamal Crawford had 19 points for the Knicks.
Miami were outscored by 14 points in the fourth quarter of Friday's 98-91 loss to Portland, coming in as 4-point home underdogs. The 189 points scored were UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Dwayne Wade had a game-high 37 points, while Shaquille O'Neal added 20 points and 11 rebounds for the Heat.
Current streak:
Miami has lost 12 straight games.
Team records:
New York: 12-27 SU, 17-22 ATS
Miami: 8-31 SU, 14-25 ATS
New York most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 3-7
Before playing Boston are 6-4
After playing Washington are 5-5
After a loss are 3-7
Miami most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Cleveland are 8-2
After playing Portland are 3-7
After a loss are 0-10
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 5 of New York's last 5 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of New York's last 6 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 8 of New York's last 10 games
New York is 7-3 ATS in its last 10 games when playing on the road against Miami
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Miami's last 6 games when playing at home against New York
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Miami's last 5 games
Miami is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against New York
Next up:
New York home to Boston, Monday, January 21
Miami home to Cleveland, Monday, January 21
Detroit Pistons vs. Chicago Bulls
- The fans at United Center will be treated to a game between the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls when they take their seats on Saturday.
Detroit shot 42.5% from the floor in Friday's 100-93 loss to Sacramento, falling as 9.5-point home favorites. The 193 points scored were a PUSH with the posted total of 193.
Chauncey Billups notched 28 points and ten assists, while Richard Hamilton netted 24 points for the Pistons.
Chicago had 18 turnovers in Friday's 119-111 loss to Golden State, falling as 2-point home underdogs. The 230 points scored were OVER the posted total of 212.
Ben Gordon dropped 29 points, and Andres Nacioni had 28 points for the Bulls.
Team records:
Detroit: 29-11 SU, 25-14-1 ATS
Chicago: 15-23 SU, 13-25 ATS
Detroit most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Orlando are 10-0
After playing Sacramento are 8-2
After a loss are 8-2
Chicago most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Memphis are 4-6
After playing Golden State are 5-5
After a loss are 7-3
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Detroit's last 5 games when playing Chicago
Detroit is 19-5 ATS in its last 24 games when playing on the road against Chicago
Detroit is 11-3 SU in its last 14 games on the road
Detroit is 14-4 SU in its last 18 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Chicago's last 7 games at home
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Chicago's last 6 games
Chicago is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Chicago is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Detroit
Next up:
Detroit at Orlando, Monday, January 21
Chicago at Memphis, Monday, January 21
Golden State Warriors vs. Milwaukee Bucks
- The Golden State Warriors and the Milwaukee Bucks will both be gunning for a victory on Saturday when they meet at Bradley Center.
Golden State hit 11 three-pointers in Friday's 119-111 win at Chicago, covering the 2-point road spread. The 230 points scored were OVER the posted total of 212.
Baron Davis poured in a game-high 40 points, and Stephen Jackson added 24 points for the Warriors.
The Bucks took control in the final minutes on Wednesday, as they defeated the Hawks 87-80. The Bucks managed to cover the 3.5-point spread, but the combined score fell UNDER the posted total of 191.5.
Andrew Bogut led the Bucks with 21 points and 10 rebounds, while Michael Redd added 17 points in the win.
Team records:
Golden State: 24-17 SU, 19-22 ATS
Milwaukee: 16-23 SU, 18-20-1 ATS
Golden State most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Minnesota are 6-4
After playing Chicago are 1-9
After a win are 5-5
Milwaukee most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 1-9
Before playing New Orleans are 6-4
After playing Atlanta are 5-5
After a win are 3-7
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Golden State's last 7 games when playing on the road against Milwaukee
Golden State is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 5 of Golden State's last 7 games when playing Milwaukee
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Golden State's last 6 games
Milwaukee is 6-1 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 7 games when playing at home against Golden State
Milwaukee is 10-3 SU in its last 13 games when playing at home against Golden State
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Milwaukee's last 8 games at home
Next up:
Golden State home to Minnesota, Monday, January 21
Milwaukee at New Orleans, Monday, January 21
San Antonio Spurs vs. Houston Rockets
- The San Antonio Spurs and the Houston Rockets will meet on the court at Toyota Center on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.
The Spurs were knocked off 90-88 by Cleveland State last time out, as 7.5-point favorites. The 178 points fell UNDER the posted total of 181.
Manu Ginobili shot 10-for-15 from the field with a game-high 31 points in a losing effort for the Cavaliers.
The Rockets were upset 111-107 by the 76ers last time out, as 9-point favorites. The combined score sailed OVER the posted total of 183.
Yao Ming shot 8-for-11 from the field with 25 points and eight rebounds in the loss.
Current streak:
Houston has lost 2 straight games.
Team records:
San Antonio: 25-12 SU, 18-19 ATS
Houston: 20-19 SU, 19-19-1 ATS
San Antonio most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 9-1
Before playing Charlotte are 5-1
After playing Cleveland are 7-3
After a loss are 7-3
Houston most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing Seattle are 8-2
After playing Philadelphia are 9-1
After a loss are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 5 games when playing Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of San Antonio's last 7 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of San Antonio's last 6 games on the road
San Antonio is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Houston
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Houston's last 5 games when playing San Antonio
The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Houston's last 7 games when playing at home against San Antonio
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Houston's last 5 games at home
Houston is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing San Antonio
Next up:
San Antonio at Charlotte, Monday, January 21
Houston home to Seattle, Monday, January 21
Seattle SuperSonics vs. Dallas Mavericks
- The fans at American Airlines Center will be treated to a game between the Seattle SuperSonics and the Dallas Mavericks when they take their seats on Saturday.
Seattle shot 43.4% from the field in Friday's 124-100 loss at Memphis, falling as 6-point road underdogs. The 224 points scored were OVER the posted total of 216.
Kevin Durant sank 22 points, and Wally Szczerbiak added 19 points for the Supersonics.
Dallas lost a hard-fought 122-120 game to the Kings last time out, as 6-point favorites. The 242 points sailed OVER the posted total of 195.
Devin Harris led the Mavericks with 25 points and nine assists, while shooting 8-for-10 from the field in the loss.
Current streak:
Seattle has lost 9 straight games.
Team records:
Seattle: 9-30 SU, 17-22 ATS
Dallas: 26-12 SU, 17-20-1 ATS
Seattle most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 5-5
Before playing Houston are 4-6
After playing Memphis are 1-9
After a loss are 1-9
Dallas most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 7-3
Before playing Washington are 9-1
After playing Sacramento are 7-3
After a loss are 6-4
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 15 of Seattle's last 18 games when playing on the road against Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Seattle's last 11 games when playing Dallas
The total has gone UNDER in 7 of Seattle's last 10 games
Dallas is 5-0 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Dallas is 5-0 SU in its last 5 games when playing Seattle
Dallas is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
Dallas is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing at home against Seattle
Next up:
Seattle at Houston, Monday, January 21
Dallas at Washington, Monday, January 21
Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets
- The Minnesota Timberwolves and the Denver Nuggets will meet on the court at Pepsi Center on Saturday in a battle of division rivals.
Minnesota shot 2-for-11 from three-point land in Friday's 115-95 loss at Phoenix, falling as 13.5-point road underdogs. The 210 points scored were OVER the posted total of 210.5.
Al Jefferson had a game-high 27 points 14 rebounds, and Rashard McCants hit 19 points for the Timberwolves.
Linas Kleiza scored a game-high 41 points in leading the Nuggets to a convincing 120-109 victory over the Jazz last time out. The Nuggets covered the 2.5-point spread, and the combined score made it OVER the posted total of 220.5.
Kleiza shot 13-for-21 from the field and grabbed nine rebounds. Allen Iverson chipped in with 28 points in the win.
Current streak:
Minnesota has lost 4 straight games.
Team records:
Minnesota: 5-33 SU, 15-23 ATS
Denver: 23-15 SU, 19-19 ATS
Minnesota most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 6-4
Before playing Golden State are 2-8
After playing Phoenix are 4-6
After a loss are 1-9
Denver most recently:
When playing on Saturday are 4-6
Before playing LA Lakers are 6-4
After playing Utah are 6-4
After a win are 5-5
A few trends to consider:
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 5 games when playing on the road against Denver
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Minnesota's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Minnesota's last 12 games when playing Denver
Denver is 6-1 SU in its last 7 games at home
Denver is 5-1 ATS in its last 6 games at home
Denver is 5-1 SU in its last 6 games when playing Minnesota
Denver is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Minnesota
Next up:
Minnesota at Golden State, Monday, January 21
Denver at LA Lakers, Monday, January 21