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**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:02 PM

Streaking Knicks host streaking Celtics Wednesday

BOSTON CELTICS (19-4)

at NEW YORK KNICKS (16-9)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Boston -3.5, Total: 205

Two of the hottest teams in the East face each other for the second time this season as the Celtics take on the Knicks Wednesday in Madison Square Garden. Boston has won 10 straight games (6-3-1 ATS) while New York has strung together an eight-game winning streak (7-1 ATS) for the first time in 16 years. The Knicks are an incredible 13-1 (12-2 ATS) in their past 14 games.

Boston won the first meeting 105-101 on Oct. 29 at home, but was unable to cover the 9.5-point spread. Rajon Rondo’s triple-double performance (10 points, 10 rebounds, 24 assists) against New York was one for the record books, tying Isiah Thomas (Feb. 7, 1985) for the most assists in a triple-double in NBA history, and the second-most assists in Boston’s franchise history (Bob Cousy 28 assists, 1959).

Speaking of record books, Amar’e Stoudemire is in the midst of a Knicks franchise record eight straight games with 30 or more points. Stoudemire is averaging 33.9 PPG on 58% FG during the run, while adding 10.9 RPG. In the last meeting with Boston, Stoudemire had a game-high 27 points, but New York struggled down low, getting outscored 54-38 in the paint and outrebounded 64-46.

New York won a 129-125 shootout over Denver Sunday, with all five starters scoring at least 16 points on 52.3% shooting. The Knicks are dominating on offense with a league-best 108.5 PPG, but are allowing 106.6 PPG, four-most in the NBA. The shots won’t come so easily against the defensive-minded Celtics, who are holding opponents to a league-best 91.0 PPG.

Boston will finish its three-game road trip in New York as they look to extend its overall win streak to 11 and road win streak to six. The Celtics dominated the Bobcats in a 93-62 blowout on Saturday, allowing no more than 16 points in a quarter and forcing 21 turnovers. The Celtics shot an efficient 52.3 FG Pct and is the only NBA team shooting over 50 percent (50.9%) for the season. Boston has played well on the road going 9-3 (SU and ATS) and averaging a +10.9-point margin of victory, while New York has been mediocre at home at 6-5 (5-5-1 ATS).

The Knicks won 104-101 in the last matchup in New York, but the Celtics have won five of the past six meetings by an average 5.8 points. Boston is 17-11 ATS (61%) in New York since 1996, and these two FoxSheets trends pick Boston to cover the small spread:

BOSTON is 11-0 ATS (+11.0 Units) in road games vs. excellent free throw shooting teams - making >=80% of their shots over the last 3 seasons. The average score was BOSTON 100.5, OPPONENT 88.4 - (Rating = 3*).

Play On - Favorites (BOSTON) - after a blowout win by 20 points or more against opponent after a combined score of 225 points or more. (40-17 over the last 5 seasons.) (70.2%, +21.3 units. Rating = 2*).

Six of the past nine meetings have gone Over the total, and the FoxSheets also like the Over for this game:

BOSTON is 29-9 OVER (76.3%, +19.1 Units) in road games when playing with 3 or more days rest since 1996. The average score was BOSTON 99.4, OPPONENT 102.2 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:02 PM

Blazers-Mavs try to get back on winning track

PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (12-13)

at DALLAS MAVERICKS (19-5)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Dallas -7, Total: 185

The Trail Blazers look to avoid losing three in a row as they wrap up their four-game road trip in Dallas Wednesday night. But don’t hold your breath Blazers fans, as they are only 5-10 on the road this year (4-8-3 ATS). Portland got a day to rest after back-to-back losses in San Antonio and Memphis, losing 86-73 to the Grizzlies on Monday. The Blazers shot under 38% in the past two contests (37.9% and 36.7%), preserving their reputation as one of the inferior offensive teams in the league (93.9 PPG, 43.0 FG Pct.).

The Mavericks should have no problem executing on these numbers as one of the league’s top defensive teams, holding opponents to 93.0 PPG and 43.4% FG. However, defense was lacking Tuesday night as the Mavs’ 12-game win streak ended with a 103-99 loss to the Bucks. Milwaukee outscored Dallas 52-38 in the paint and connected on 9-of-13 three pointers, while the Mavs only dropped 5-of-20 from three-point land. Dirk Nowitzki (25.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG) had another 30-point game (12-24 FG), after scoring 31 two days prior against Utah.

Look for the Mavs to play with high intensity as they try to rebound from the loss. The power forward matchup will be a fun one to watch as LaMarcus Aldridge (17.4 PPG, 7.8 RPG) faces a tough defensive bout against Nowitzki, who is shooting a phenomenal career-high 56.4% and has scored 25 or better over the past six games. Defense won’t be a walk in the park for Nowitzki though, as Aldridge has played well in his 13 meetings against Dallas, shooting 51.9% and averaging 18.1 PPG and 7.2 RPG.

During the 12-game win streak, seven of the wins were at home and the Mavericks were beating opponents by an average of 8.3 points. Dallas is 11-4 in the American Airlines Center this season, but is still having trouble covering the numbers at 6-7-2 ATS.

The Mavericks are 18-13 ATS (21-10 SU) when hosting the Blazers since 1996. The FoxSheets expect Dallas to win by double-digits on Wednesday night.

Play On - Favorites of 3.5 to 9.5 points (DALLAS) - after going over the total by 24 or more points total in their last three games, a top-level team (>=75%) playing a marginal losing team (40% to 49%). (28-8 since 1996.) (77.8%, +19.2 units. Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:03 PM

Heat seek 10th straight double-digit win Wednesday

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (7-17)

at MIAMI HEAT (18-8)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -17.5, Total: 194

Two teams headed in opposite directions meet in Miami on Wednesday night when the scorching Heat play host to struggling Cleveland. After losing four of five from Nov. 20 through Nov. 27, Miami has won nine straight games, which includes a 118-90 rout in Cleveland on Dec. 2. The Heat have won every game by double-digits during the streak, including victories over Atlanta, 89-77, on Dec. 4, at Utah, 111-98, on Dec. 8 and New Orleans, 96-84, on Monday. After a seven-game ATS losing streak, Miami is a perfect 7-0-1 ATS in December.

With its win over the Hornets, Miami became the sixth team in NBA history to record nine straight victories by at least 10 points or more. And LeBron James (24.0 PPG, 7.2 APG, 5.9 RPG) was involved two of those times, as his Cleveland team accomplished the feat from Nov. 22 through Dec. 9, 2008. The Heat are outscoring their opposition by an average of 17 PPG during their winning streak.

Miami can match an NBA record that only three teams have ever done when it hosts Cleveland. The Heat can join the 2007-08 Houston Rockets, the 2003-04 New Jersey Nets and 1946-47 Washington Capitols as the only teams who have won 10 straight by at least 10 points.

In the first meeting two weeks ago, James torched his former team to the tune of 38 points -- 24 in the third quarter -- on 15-of-25 shooting from the field. James has scored at least 20 points in four straight games and six of his last seven.

Dwyane Wade (23.4 PPG, 4.3 APG) has led Miami in scoring in four of the nine games, including the last three. He had 22 points on 10-of-16 shooting to go along with nine assists and nine rebounds in the first game at Cleveland.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers have lost eight straight and 12 of their last 14. It's the franchise's longest skid since November and December of 2003. And they haven't been competitive in the losses either, losing four of the eight games by at least 20 points, and posting a 1-7 ATS mark.

Mo Williams leads the Cavs in scoring with 14.4 PPG and 5.9 APG, but he's shooting only 41% from the field. He scored 11 points on 2-of-8 shooting against Miami in Round 1. Daniel Gibson (13.2 PPG, 3.0 APG) had 21 points to lead the Cavaliers in the first meeting.

An encore performance by Miami and James is very likely on Wednesday. The Heat are stingy on defense, allowing only 91.0 PPG, and the Cavs don't look like they can muster up enough points to stay competitive.

These FoxSheets trends side with Miami to win and cover the spread again:

Play Against - Underdogs (CLEVELAND) - revenging a home blowout loss vs opponent of 20 points or more against opponent off a home win by 10 points or more. (33-9 over the last 5 seasons.) (78.6%, +23.1 units. Rating = 3*).

Play On - Home teams (MIAMI) - after beating the spread by 42 or more points total in their last five games against opponent after being beaten by the spread by 42 or more points total in their last seven games. (44-17 since 1996.) (72.1%, +25.3 units. Rating = 2*).

Although 34 of the past 50 meetings between these teams finished Under the Total, this four-star FoxSheets trend expects the game to go Over the Total.

Play Over - All teams where the total is between 190 and 199.5 points (MIAMI) - a good offensive team (98-102 PPG) against a horrible defensive team (>=102 PPG), after allowing 85 points or less. (35-8 since 1996.) (81.4%, +26.2 units. Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:04 PM

Minnesota favored by 15 over Akron

AKRON ZIPS (4-3)

at MINNESOTA GOLDEN GOPHERS (9-1)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Minnesota -15

Minnesotans have spent the past several days plowing through the effects of one of the most tenacious snowstorms in years. Wednesday night, their favorite basketball team will try and plow through a 4-3 Akron Zips squad that got buried in its last game by 35 points.

Tubby Smith’s Golden Gopher squad (6-4 ATS) already boasts impressive victories over North Carolina, West Virginia and Cornell, but has struggled of late to maintain its defensive edge after the loss of senior guard Al Nolen (9.2 PPG), the team’s top perimeter defender. In three games without Nolen, who is recovering from a stress fracture in his foot, the Gophers allowed eight more points per game, as its opponents’ three-point FG% ballooned from 33.9% to 44%. Minnesota has been led in scoring by senior guard Blake Hoffarber (15.0 PPG, 41% three-point FG). Junior forward Trevor Mbakwe (13.8 PPG, 10.2 RPG, 1.3 BPG) has been a beast on the boards, and has provided a strong interior presence along with 6-foot-11 center Ralph Sampson III (12.2 PPG, 6.4 RPG, 2.1 BPG).

In its last game, a Sunday afternoon loss at Temple, the Akron Zips came within 15 points of living up to its name in a bad way, as the Owls took a 40-15 lead into halftime. Akron (2-3-1 ATS this season) shot a forgettable 29% in the first half, and was outrebounded for the game 44-27. The Zips are only shooting 42.4% from the field as a team, placing them in the bottom third in FG Pct. in Division I. Akron is led by 6-foot-8 junior Nikola Cvetinovic (13.4 PPG, 5.1 RPG) and junior guard Brett McClanahan (12.4 PPG, 5.9 RPG) who is also the team’s top rebounder. The game will mark the end of a four-game road stretch for Akron, as the Zips look to make it three out of four on the trip. When this one is all over, Akron will be able to answer which task was toughest: getting through the Minnesota defense, or getting through the Minnesota snow.

These two FoxSheets trends predict that Minnesota will win and cover the hefty spread:

Play On - Any team (MINNESOTA) - a good offensive team (74-78 PPG) against a good defensive team (63-67 PPG), after allowing 60 points or less. (203-134 over the last 5 seasons.) (60.2%, +55.6 units. Rating = 2*).

Tubby Smith is 22-11 ATS (66.7%, +9.9 Units) versus poor foul drawing teams - attempting <=18 free throws/game as the coach of MINNESOTA. The average score was MINNESOTA 70.3, OPPONENT 59.4 - (Rating = 1*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:04 PM

UCSB and UNLV look to shake off rust Wednesday

UC SANTA BARBARA GAUCHOS (4-3)

at UNLV REBELS (9-1)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Line: UNLV -16.5

The last time that UNLV played a game in its home arena, the Thomas & Mack Center, was nearly four weeks ago, November 20 to be exact. Since that win over Wisconsin the Runnin’ Rebels have played three true road games, three neutral-site games in Anaheim, and a contest in Las Vegas in the Orleans Arena. If they can remember where their home arena is located (and which locker room to go to), the Rebels will look to bounce back from its only loss of the season when they take on the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara.

UNLV head coach Lon Kruger thought that the long stretch away from home, combined with fatigue, played a key role in his squad’s lack of second-half energy in its past two games. In a 75-72 victory December 8 over 15-point underdog Boise State, UNLV was outscored 45-34 in the second half. In Saturday’s 77-69 loss to Louisville, the Rebels were outgunned by the Cardinals 44-31 in the second half, blowing a five-point halftime advantage. One thing that is certain about this UNLV team, wherever it has played, its shooting touch has made the trip. UNLV is shooting 52.8% from the field, which is the third-highest mark in Division I. Junior swingman Chace Stanback (13.9 PPG, 56.4 FG%) and guard Oscar Bellfield (12.5 PPG, 49.4 FG%, 54.8 three point FG%) are leading the team in scoring. Last season’s top scorer, Tre’Von Willis, has not started a game yet this season after missing the first two games due to disciplinary reasons. In eight games, he is averaging 10.5 PPG coming off the bench, and scored a season-high 17 in the loss to Louisville.

While the Rebels have been away from their home court for weeks, the Gauchos have just been away from competition period. UCSB has not played a game since defeating Santa Clara 80-69 on December 4. Junior forward James Nunnally had 34 points in that win, and is leading the team in scoring at 21.9 PPG. Nunnally has been even hotter of late, tallying 28.3 PPG in his last three contests while shooting 65% from the field. If the Rebels are to get back into the win column they will need to concentrate defensively on Nunnally, particularly from beyond the arc, where he has hit 10 of his last 18 three-point attempts. The Rebels also have to be wary of Orlando Johnson, the reigning Big West Conference Player of the Year. Johnson is averaging 21.4 PPG on 50.5% FG and is 16-for-35 (45.7%) on three-pointers. The Gauchos will need to pick up the pace on the glass if they are to have a chance. They are averaging 30.4 RPG, and are at the bottom of the national ratings in team rebounding. (326th out of 346 teams in Division I).

These teams have met twice since 2006 and both games were very close. UCSB actually won on UNLV’s home floor on Nov. 17, 2006 by a score of 79-76, and then beat the Rebels 63-60 a year later as a four-point favorite. Despite this recent history, these two FoxSheets trends predict that UNLV will win and cover the big spread:

UNLV is 16-4 ATS (80.0%, +11.6 Units) in home games after failing to cover 3 of their last 4 against the spread since 1997. The average score was UNLV 79.5, OPPONENT 65.6 - (Rating = 2*).

Lon Kruger is 83-52 ATS (61.5%, +25.8 Units) when playing against a team with a winning record as the coach of UNLV. The average score was UNLV 70.0, OPPONENT 66.8 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:05 PM

Baylor's Dunn expected to play Wednesday night

BETHUNE-COOKMAN WILDCATS (5-5)

at BAYLOR BEARS (6-0)

Tip-off: Wednesday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: TBD

After a long break, Baylor looks to continue its perfect start and set a new record for consecutive wins at home when it hosts Bethune-Cookman on Wednesday night. The Bears matched the school record with their 11th consecutive home win, a 68-54 decision over Arizona State, on Dec. 2.

LaceDarius Dunn bruised his forearm in the Bears' victory, but should be ready for the Wildcats after a 13-day layoff. In three games since his return from a suspension, Dunn has dominated on the court. He's averaging 22.7 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 3.3 APG and 2.3 SPG, while making 16 three-pointers and shooting 52% from the field.

The school's career leader for three-pointers (315), he's hit at least one from beyond the arc in 20 consecutive games. Dunn had 24 points vs. Arizona State and shot 6-of-12 from three-point range. He is one of four players who are averaging double-digits in scoring for Baylor. Quincy Acy (14.8 PPG, team-best 9.2 RPG), Perry Jones (12.8 PPG, 9.0 RPG) and A.J. Walton (10.4 PPG, 5.4 APG, 2.6 SPG) are the others.

Baylor hadn't trailed at any point during its previous three games and has defeated all six of its weak opponents by 10 points or more. The Bears should continue their solid work on the boards with Acy and Jones. Baylor owns the nation's fourth-best rebounding advantage at +12.5 RPG. Bethune-Cookman is the 20th-worst in the country at minus-7.4 RPG.

The Wildcats have won three of their past four games after enduring a four-game losing streak in November. But three of their five wins in 2010 have come against non-Division I teams. Bethune-Cookman has played one game against a school from one of the six power conferences, and that was a 78-45 blowout loss to Arizona on Nov. 23. It beat Webber International, 69-58, on Monday, as Alexander Starling scored 15 points and grabbed 10 boards.

Starling (10.2 PPG, 5.6 RPG) is third on the team in scoring behind C.J. Reed (19.2 PPG, 4.2 APG, 2.3 SPG) and Garrius Holloman (10.5 PPG, 5.8 RPG). But Reed has struggled to find his shot in the last three games, going 12-for-38 (31.6%) from the field for a combined 42 points.

The Wildcats haven't played a ranked opponent since losing to No. 22 Oregon, 92-64, in December of 2006. They've been outscored by an average of 39.3 PPG in losing all 16 games to Top 25 teams since 1996.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams. Behind Dunn's all-around game, the Bears should post another easy victory at home. Expect Baylor to win by 20-25 points.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:17 PM

Bucks seek second NBA betting upset at Spurs

The Milwaukee Bucks started this season off as one of the worst teams in the NBA. However, the basketball odds suddenly jumped in their favor on Monday night when they took down the Dallas Mavericks and ended the longest winning streak in the NBA to date at 12 games.

Now, Milwaukee has to travel down the road in the Lone Star State to visit the San Antonio Spurs, the team with the best record in basketball.

Milwaukee has suddenly won three straight and is 2-0-1 against the NBA lines in this stretch as well. The playoffs are absolutely in reach for head coach Scott Skiles and company, as this team is clearly a lot more talented than a squad that started this year at just 7-13 in its first 20 games.

It's great to see the Bucks averaging 99.0 PPG over these three wins, but they are still averaging a dreadful 92.0 PPG, easily dead last in the NBA. The team is only shooting 41.0 percent from the floor, also ranking No. 30.

There really just aren't any superstars on this team to speak of right now, though there are six different players that are averaging double digits in scoring. Brandon Jennings is the leader once again at 18.7 PPG, and he is also leading the squad with 5.5 APG. Jennings is one of just four players on the team, including John Salmons, Ersan Ilyasova and Keyon Dooling that have played in all 23 games this year for Milwaukee.

The team is almost at as full strength as it can get right now, as only Carlos Delfino (concussion) and Michael Redd (knee) are out of action, and both are going to certainly be off the court until at least the start of 2011. Drew Gooden is the most recent returnee to the lineup, as he has missed the better part of the last eight games with a foot injury. He scored eight points and pulled down four boards in his return and is expected to get back into the regular rotation with the 30+ minutes per game he is used to starting on Wednesday.

As far as the Spurs are concerned, NBA bettors have absolutely nothing to fret. They are averaging 106.4 PPG this year, ranking No. 4 in the league, and this is why they have the best record in the league and are on a pace for 71 wins on the campaign.

Tony Parker's hand injury sustained in a victory over the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday might prove to be hampering in this one against the Bucks, but he should be in the lineup. Parker ranks No. 2 on the team in scoring at 16.9 PPG. Manu Ginobili is the team's leading scorer at 20.0 PPG.

The scary thing for the rest of the Western Conference is that San Antonio hasn't gotten the best out of its superstar, Tim Duncan, quite yet. We know that Duncan is at the tail end of his career and that he isn't going to be playing 35+ minutes per night like he used to, but he is only averaging 13.4 PPG and 9.2 RPG this year and clearly has room for improvement.

The Spurs did sweep this series with ease last year, winning 112-97 at the Bradley Center and 112-98 at home. However, prior to that point, the Bucks had gone 8-1 ATS over the previous eight and are still very dangerous in a game like this for NBA bettors.

Milwaukee is 22-7-2 ATS in its last 31 games after scoring at least 100 in their previous outing, and it is 16-7 ATS in its last 23 road games against teams with a winning home record. Unfortunately for the Bucks though, San Antonio is 12-3-1 ATS in its last 16 against the Eastern Conference and 7-2 ATS its last nine after playing with two days worth of rest.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:18 PM

NHL Odds: Blue Jackets travel to Vancouver

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be in the Great Northwest this Wednesday night to take on the Vancouver Canucks for the first time this season. The matchup from Rogers Arena in Vancouver is set for a 7 p.m. (PT) start.

Ever since the calendar turned the page to the month of December, Columbus has felt the cooling effects of the unofficial start of winter. The Blue Jackets are just 2-5 in their first seven games of the month and have lost their last four games on the road. They are currently 16-11-2 with a total of 34 points, seven points behind Detroit in the Central Division and in 11th place in the Western Conference.

Columbus rallied for two goals in the third period to beat the New York Rangers 3-1 at home this past Saturday night as a 119 favorite, but lost to Calgary in overtime 3-2 its last time out as a 115 home underdog. It has not been able to string back-to-back wins together since winning five games in a row in mid-November.

Rick Nash continues to lead the Blue Jackets in scoring with 17 goals and 25 total points and Derrick Brassard leads the team in assists with 13. Steve Mason has seen the majority of the minutes in goal this season and has a goals against average of 3.06 with a save percentage of .907. He should get the call for this game as Mathieu Garcon got the start in goal in Monday night’s loss to the Flames.

Vancouver comes into this game having won six out of its last eight games including a 2-1 win over Edmonton as a 156 road favorite this past Sunday. The Canucks are 16-8-4 in 28 games and tied with Colorado for first place in the Northwest Division with 36 points. They trail the Red Wings by five points for the top spot in the Western Conference.

Daniel Sedin is the Canucks leading goal scorer with 16 and he also leads in total points with 36. His twin brother Henrik is right behind him with 35 points and leads the team in assists with 30.

Roberto Luongo has started 23 of the 28 games in goal and has a goals-against-average of 2.55 and a save percentage of .911.

The Blue Jackets are currently ranked 21st in the league with a 2.55 goals per game average while the Canucks are fourth with a 3.21 average. Columbus is giving up an average of 2.69 goals per game with Vancouver coming in slightly better at 2.57.

Columbus is 1-4 in its last five road games and is 8-8 overall as an underdog this season. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of its last six games.

Vancouver is 3-2 in its last five games at home and 14-8 this season as the favorite. The total has stayed ‘under’ in three of its last five games overall.

Head-to-head, the Canucks have won four out of the last five games and the last two at home. The total has gone ‘over’ in the last four meetings.

Vancouver has had recent success putting the puck in the net, averaging 4.13 goals in its last eight games, while Columbus has only scored a total of 17 goals in its last nine games. This, coupled with the Blue Jackets recent struggles on the road, makes the Canucks the clear choice in this one.

**StarDust Bum** · 12-15-2010, 07:19 PM

NCAA Odds: UNLV Rebels host Cal-Santa Barbara

Nevada-Las Vegas returns home from its first setback of the season, hosting a UC-Santa Barbara team Wednesday night that is enjoying its longest winning streak of the young season. The Rebels enter this contest having failed to cover their last three outings, but they rank third in the nation in field-goal percentage by hitting 53 percent of their shots.

UC-Santa Barbara (4-3 straight up, 5-2 against the spread) has won back-to-back contests SU and ATS after beating Santa Clara Dec. 4 as a two-point road underdog, 80-69. The combined 149 points toppled the 138-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the third consecutive contest. The Gauchos are now 4-1 ATS their last five outings.

UCSB prevailed by shooting 44 percent (24-of-54) from the field, and 47 percent (7-of-15) from behind the arc. The Gauchos limited Santa Clara to just two field goals during an 11 ½-minute stretch in the second half.

Forward James Nunnally netted a career-high 34 points in the victory, while forward Jaime Serna contributed 11, 10 rebounds and five blocks. Guard Orlando Johnson was the only other Gauchos player to reach double digits in scoring, pouring in 16 on 5-of-14 shooting.

UNLV dropped Saturday’s contest versus Louisville as a three-point road underdog, 77-69. The combined 146 points slithered past the 145-point closing total, helping the ‘over’ cash the third consecutive contest.

The Rebels led the Cardinals at halftime, 38-33, before unraveling in the second half. UNLV finished the contest by shooting 47 percent (21-of-45) from the field, and 47 percent (8-of-17) from 3-point land. The Rebels were unable to secure the road victory after committing 18 turnovers.

Senior Tre’Von Willis paced the offense with 17 points, while guard Oscar Bellfield pitched in with 16 and five rebounds. Guard Anthony Marshall contributed nine and 11 in the setback, while forward Chace Stanback had eight and four.

UCSB is 2-0 SU and 1-1 ATS the previous two encounters with UNLV, but these two schools have not met since the 2007-08 campaign. The Gauchos prevailed in 2006 as a 9 ½-point road underdog, 79-76, while the combined 155 points went ‘over’ the 135-point closing total. UCSB also won in 2007 as a four-point home underdog, 63-60, while the combined 123 points went ‘under’ the 136 ½-point closing total.

UCSB guard Justin Joyner is ‘questionable’ against the Rebels due to a shoulder injury. The Gauchos conclude a three-game road trip with Saturday’s effort versus San Diego State. UCSB is 8-2 ATS its last 10 games overall, and 7-3 ATS the previous 10 road endeavors.

UNLV follows this contest with Saturday’s home matchup versus Southern Utah before battling sixth-ranked Kansas State on a neutral court. The Rebels are 9-3 ATS their past 12 Wednesday games, while the ‘over’ is 7-3 the last 10 non-conference contests.

Wednesday’s matchup is scheduled to start at 7:00 p.m. PT from UNLV’s Thomas and Mack Center.

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