Announcement

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:02 PM

Lakers try to add to Cleveland's losing ways

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (8-29)

at LOS ANGELES LAKERS (27-11)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Los Angeles -15, Total: 199.5

Not much has gone right for the Cleveland Cavaliers since LeBron James decided to spurn them for South Beach, and things don’t look to improve on Tuesday when they visit the defending NBA Champion Lakers.

Perhaps Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert is wishing he didn’t “personally guarantee that the Cleveland Cavaliers will win a championship before the self-titled former ‘King’ wins one”. While Gilbert made those comments out of anger and disappointment in James decision to leave, his comments look delusional now. While LeBron and the Heat have won nine straight and 21 of their last 22 games, the Cavs have now lost 10 straight and 20 of their last 21 games. Cleveland has not been as bad ATS (13-23) as it has been overall (8-29), but its 3-11-1 record in the past 15 road games ATS is nothing to brag about. The news got worse for the Cavs on Sunday before taking the court against Phoenix when they learned that leading rebounder and interior defender Anderson Varejao will miss the rest of the season with a torn ankle tendon. Cleveland is already without guard Daniel Gibson (ankle) and forward Leon Powe (knee surgery).

The Lakers have seemed to recover after suffering through a three-game losing streak from Dec. 21-28. They have won six of seven SU since the skid, but have really struggled ATS. Los Angeles is 8-16 in its past 24 games, which includes losing eight of its past 11 home games ATS. Andrew Bynum has played well in his last four games averaging 15.5 PPG while shooting 61.4 percent from the field.

Despite the Cavaliers struggles, 15 points is a lot to give another team and I’m just not comfortable with the Lakers’ lack of ATS home success recently. The Cavaliers are 9-4 ATS at Los Angeles since 1997, and I’m taking Cleveland plus the points. The FoxSheets gives two more reasons to stay away from the Lakers:

Play Against - Home favorites of 10 or more points (LA LAKERS) - after going under the total by 54 or more points total in their last 10 games. (158-100 since 1996.) (61.2%, +48 units. Rating = 2*).

Play Against - Home favorites of 10 or more points (LA LAKERS) - off 2 or more consecutive home wins, tired team - playing 6 or more games in 10 days. (36-13 since 1996.) (73.5%, +21.7 units. Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also provide a highly-rated trend siding with the Under.

LA LAKERS are 10-0 UNDER (+10.0 Units) when playing against a terrible team (Win Pct. <=25%) over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LA LAKERS 101.3, OPPONENT 91.0 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:05 PM

Wisconsin tries snap 5-game skid at MSU

WISCONSIN BADGERS (12-3)

at MICHIGAN STATE SPARTANS (10-5)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Michigan State -3.5, Total: 122.5

The Wisconsin Badgers, on the strength of suffocating defense, an offense that almost never turns the ball over, and a coach looking for his 10th straight trip to the NCAA Tournament, is climbing the ladder to the top of the Big Ten standings. Bo Ryan’s squad is as methodical and consistent as they are unassuming. While the rest of college basketball seems to play the hare, Wisconsin is content at being the tortoise, slow and steady, and winning another race. Tuesday night, the Badgers will ease on down the road into East Lansing for a date with the Spartans from Michigan State. If Wisconsin has been typically unassuming, MSU has been not so typically unrecognizable, struggling to find its offense and its identity since a December 1 loss to Duke started Tom Izzo’s team on a mini downward spiral.

In many ways the Spartans have been their own worst enemy during this slump (5-4 SU, 4-4 ATS), failing to control things that normally would be well within their control. Michigan State is shooting 65.5% from the free-throw line (third-worst in the Big Ten), and were victimized by that weakness once again last Saturday in a 66-62 loss at Penn State. Michigan State shot 10-for-20 from the line, while the Nittany Lions were 15-for-23, a pivotal scoring advantage in a close game. Additionally, the Spartans are averaging a conference-worst 15.1 turnovers per game. Senior Durrell Summers leads the team in scoring at 15.6 PPG, and junior Draymond Green (11.7 PPG, 8.9 RPG, 4.0 APG) is tops on the squad in rebounding.

The Spartans are averaging 73.8 PPG this season, but in the past eight meetings, Wisconsin has held State to under 70 points. Not a surprise considering that last season the Badgers led the conference in scoring defense at 56.9 PPG. This season, they’re at it again, holding opponents to 55.2 PPG, fifth-best in the nation entering this week. On the offensive end of things, the Badgers are picking up right where they left off last year, when they led the country in fewest turnovers per game at 8.8. This season, they are again tops in that category, surrendering just 8.1 turnovers per game, and a mere 4.3 miscues in Big Ten conference play. Directing the Badgers precise attack is junior guard Jordan Taylor (16.4 PPG, 4.8 APG, 4.1 RPG) who has an assist-to-turnover ratio of almost 5-to-1. In conference play, Taylor is averaging 20.3 PPG. Senior forward Jon Leuer (19.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG) leads the Badgers in scoring and rebounding.

Michigan State has defeated Wisconsin five straight times in East Lansing. The last Badger victory in the Breslin Center came in 2004, a 68-64 win in overtime. The FoxSheets give two more reasons to expect Michigan State to win and cover.

MICHIGAN ST is 29-14 ATS (67.4%, +13.6 Units) in home games when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 80%) after 15 or more games since 1997.The average score was MICHIGAN ST 72.9, OPPONENT 62.5 - (Rating = 1*).

WISCONSIN is 7-19 ATS (26.9%, -13.9 Units) versus good teams - outscoring their opponents by 4+ points/game after 15+ games over the last 3 seasons. The average score was WISCONSIN 59.8, OPPONENT 59.7 - (Rating = 1*).

This FoxSheets four-star trend leans towards the Under.

Izzo is 14-2 UNDER (+11.8 Units) off an upset loss as a road favorite as the coach of MICHIGAN ST. The average score was MICHIGAN ST 70.3, OPPONENT 59.6 - (Rating = 4*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:06 PM

#10 UConn looks to continue dominance over Rutgers

RUTGERS SCARLET KNIGHTS (10-5)

at CONNECTICUT HUSKIES (12-2)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Connecticut -12, Total: 134.5

Non-conference wins over powerhouses like Michigan State, Kentucky and Texas have catapulted the Huskies in the national rankings, but disappointing in-conference road defeats to Pittsburgh and Notre Dame have held them back from building on their early-season tournament resume. UConn will look to get back into the Big East win column Tuesday night in Hartford against Rutgers, a team that Connecticut is 17-1 against since 1995.

UConn’s offensive issues have been well documented. Since a sizzling start to the season that has seen its best player lead the nation in scoring, Connecticut has been searching for a complement to junior guard Kemba Walker (25.8 PPG). If the past two games are any indication, Jim Calhoun might have found a Robin to Walker’s Batman in freshman guard Shabazz Napier. The 6-foot-0 Napier is averaging 9.6 PPG, but in the past two games, he scored 18 points in a losing effort against Notre Dame, and 15 points in Saturday’s gutsy overtime victory over Texas. It was just the second time this season that Napier has registered double figures in back-to-back games. Additionally, last week marked Napier’s two highest scoring games of the season. Alex Oriakhi (10.5 PPG, 9.3 RPG, 2.2 BPG) leads the team in blocks and rebounds, grabbing 21 boards against the Longhorns. Just to illustrate how heavy a load that Walker is carrying for his team, at 264 FG attempts, he has taken more shots than the next two closest teammates combined, and 31 percent of the Huskies’ FGA this year. In the past four games, Walker has put up 95 shots, making just 33 baskets (34.7%).

First year coach Mike Rice’s team faces a tall order in trying to beat UConn on the road. The Huskies have won its past seven Big East home games versus Rutgers by an average of 16.4 points. The Scarlet Knights could incorporate a formula that worked well in Saturday’s 85-72 victory over Providence. Let the star bomb away, and clamp down on the rest of the team. The Friars Marshon Brooks scored 29 points on Saturday, but Rutgers held the rest of the team to just 25.5% shooting from the floor. Rutgers is led by senior Jonathan Mitchell (13.0 PPG, 6.1 RPG) who leads the team in scoring and is tied for the lead in rebounding. Mitchell is the only player on the team averaging double figures in points. Coming up with a winning defensive effort similar to the one displayed last week against Providence is crucial to the Scarlet Knights’ success. Rutgers only averages 68.7 PPG, while pulling down just 34.2 rebounds per game (231st in Division I). UConn is grabbing 42.4 boards per game, which ranks fourth in the nation.

The Huskies are 11-4 ATS in the past 15 meetings with Rutgers, including 3-1 ATS at home. The FoxSheets give two more reasons to bet on Connecticut to win and cover.

CONNECTICUT is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) after 3 straight games committing 14 or less turnovers over the last 3 seasons. The average score was CONNECTICUT 77.8, OPPONENT 62.2 - (Rating = 3*).

RUTGERS is 0-8 ATS (-8.8 Units) in road games after 2 straight games being called for 5+ more fouls than opponent since 1997. The average score was RUTGERS 61.4, OPPONENT 78.3 - (Rating = 2*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:07 PM

Tennessee slight favorite over Florida Tuesday

FLORIDA GATORS (12-3)

at TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS (10-5)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Tennessee -2.5, Total: 137

If a basketball team’s multiple personalities were a psychological disorder, the Tennessee Volunteers would have an appointment on the couch twice a week. Are they the team that schooled Big East powers Villanova and Pittsburgh at “neutral” sites in November and December, or the team that promptly lost three straight (two of them at home) after starting the season 7-0 and surging to a #7 national ranking? Are they the unit that allowed the College of Charleston to shoot 57% en route to whipping the Vols on their home floor 91-78, or the crew that ran then-22nd-ranked Memphis out of the gym in a 104-84 whipping last week? Are they the group that can play scarily well for stretches with its coach Bruce Pearl on the sidelines, or will they be the squad that’s a major question mark as they play the second of eight straight conference games without Pearl, as he serves his SEC-imposed suspension for misleading NCAA investigators in a probe that is ongoing? Tuesday evening at Thompson-Boling Arena, Tennessee gets a chance to show which of the aforementioned personalities (or maybe a new one) best describes them as they take on Billy Donovan’s Florida Gators in Knoxville.

The Gators have suffered three losses this season, one to #2 Ohio State, another to #23 UCF, and a third to Jacksonville on December 20. Since that last hiccup, Florida has won four straight, including its SEC opener at home against Mississippi on Saturday, 77-71. Five-foot-8 junior guard Erving Walker led the team with 20 points, while sophomore Kenny Boynton chipped in with 17. Senior big men Vernon Macklin (10.9 PPG, 6.2 RPG) and Chandler Parsons (10.4 PPG, 6.7 RPG) are handling business in the paint very well. One question mark for the Gators has been the drop in production from senior Alex Tyus, who after scoring in double figures for the two previous seasons is presently delivering just 8.8 PPG.

After the 68-65 loss to Arkansas on Saturday, Pearl was quoted as saying that watching his team lose was “as hard as you could possibly imagine,” adding that he felt as if he had let his team down. Pearl saw the game from a hotel room in Fayetteville. Since defeating Pittsburgh, Tennessee is 3-5 SU (1-6 ATS). The Volunteers are an up-tempo squad that can crash the boards with the best of them (39.9 RPG, 29th in Division I). One reason that they need to is because with a team FG% of just over 44%, there are more than a few errant shots to be chased down. Throw in an average of 15 turnovers per game and a 33% clip on three-pointers, and you have the potential for some wild, ragged games. When the three-ball is falling like it was versus Memphis (12-of-21) the Vols can gain momentum like a runaway freight train. When they struggle like they did against Arkansas (6-for-16), the turnovers in the half-court sets start to mount (18 vs. Arkansas) and the team grows impatient. Prior to the Memphis game, Pearl spoke of a recommitment his team needed to make on the defensive end of the floor. After allowing the Razorbacks to shoot 50% on Saturday, it appears that lesson needs to be reinforced by interim coach Tony Jones. If ever there was a time for junior guard and leading scorer Scotty Hopson (16.3 PPG) to show some leadership, now might be the time.

The Vols are 10-3 SU (8-5 ATS) since 1997 when hosting Florida. The FoxSheets also like Tennessee to win and cover.

TENNESSEE is 20-6 ATS (+13.4 Units) at home when the line is +3 to -3 since 1997.The average score was TENNESSEE 70.3, OPPONENT 66.4 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also side with the Under on Tuesday night.

FLORIDA is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) versus good foul drawing teams - attempting >=25 free throws/game over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 69.2, OPPONENT 61.9 - (Rating = 3*).

FLORIDA is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) after playing 2 consecutive games as favorite over the last 2 seasons. The average score was FLORIDA 70.2, OPPONENT 59.2 - (Rating = 3*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:08 PM

Kentucky looks to beat Auburn for 12th straight time

AUBURN TIGERS (7-8)

at KENTUCKY WILDCATS (12-3)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Kentucky -25.5, Total: 137

Kentucky looks for its first SEC win of the season when it hosts Auburn at Rupp Arena on Tuesday night.

The Wildcats saw their seven-game winning streak snapped with a surprising SEC loss at Georgia on Saturday, 77-70. Kentucky shot only 38% for the game and posted its second-lowest total of the season, 10 points below its season average of 80.0 PPG. Freshman Brandon Knight leads the Wildcats with 17.7 PPG, but he was limited to just 10 points against Georgia, which marked his second-lowest scoring output of his young career. Terrence Jones (17.6 PPG, 9.2 RPG) had 24 points and 10 rebounds for his sixth double-double, but just his first in the past seven games. Jones has scored in double-figures in every game except one this season. Darius Miller (9.2 PPG, 5.1 RPG) went just 2-of-11 from the field for seven points against the Bulldogs.

Auburn is coming off a 62-55 loss to LSU on Saturday, which ended its winning streak at four games. The Tigers scored only six points on 8.3% FG in the entire first half and trailed 37-6 early in the second half. But Auburn finished the game on a 49-25 run to make the final score respectable. Earnest Ross (13.0 PPG, 6.9 RPG) scored 21 points, and Kenny Gabriel, who averages 9.3 PPG and 5.9 RPG, was one of the few bright spots, with 17 points on 6-of-10 shooting. He also had seven rebounds. Frankie Sullivan (8.2 PPG) didn't play after suffering effects from a knee injury that kept him out for the first eight games of the season. He is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game. The Tigers have struggled on offense all season and are averaging just 64.6 PPG and shooting 40.4% from the field.

Last season, Kentucky won at Auburn, 72-67, giving the ‘Cats 11 straight wins in the series that now stands at 84-17 in favor of UK. However, Auburn is 3-1 ATS in the past four meetings where Kentucky has been a double-digit favorite. The Tigers don't have the weapons to beat the Wildcats, but they should be able to keep the score closer than the enormous spread would indicate. The FoxSheets give two reasons to choose Auburn to cover the spread.

AUBURN is 11-1 ATS (+9.9 Units) versus teams who average 40 or more rebounds/game on the season over the last 3 seasons. The average score was AUBURN 74.6, OPPONENT 69.6 - (Rating = 3*).

Play On - Road teams as an underdog or pick (AUBURN) - off an embarrassing home loss scoring less than 60 points, with a winning percentage of between 45-55% on the season. (108-58 over the last 5 seasons.) (65.1%, +44.2 units. Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also side with the Over on Tuesday night, based on this five-star coaching trend.

Tony Barbee is 16-1 OVER (+14.9 Units) in a road game where the total is 130 to 139.5 in all games he has coached since 1997. The average score was Barbee 75.2, OPPONENT 74.4 - (Rating = 5*).

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 03:09 PM

Knicks continue tough road trip in Portland

NEW YORK KNICKS (21-15)

at PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS (20-18)

Tip-off: Tuesday, 10:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Portland -3, Total: 202.5

The Knicks travel to Portland for the third leg of their four-game road trip to take on the Blazers.

Portland is coming off an impressive showing against the unbeatable Heat, losing in OT after leading by seven points with just over two minutes remaining. It’s hard to fault a team that lost to an opponent that has won 21 of 22 games, but the Blazers knew they blew a golden opportunity. That loss snapped Portland’s eight-game home win streak and dropped its record to 10-6 ATS at home as they were five-point underdogs in a game they lost by seven. LaMarcus Aldridge continued his excellent play, scoring 31 points grabbing 14 boards and dishing out seven assists against Miami. He became the first player in Blazers history to record five straight games of 25 points and 10 rebounds as he has averaged 27.8 PPG and 11.6 RPG while shooting 51.9 percent over his past five games. The Blazers’ second leading scorer, Brandon Roy, hasn’t played since Dec. 15 and remains out indefinitely with two sore knees.

Despite losing three of their last five ATS on the road, the Knicks are still one of the best teams in NBA ATS this season both on the road (14-5) and overall (23-12). However, they are just 5-5 in their last 10 games ATS. The Knicks shot a season-low 36 percent from the field in their 109-87 loss against the Lakers on Sunday. The Blazers have only allowed 100 points in four of their 16 home games this season, so don’t look for the Knicks to get any better looks on Tuesday. Amar’e Stoudemire extended his streak of scoring at least 20 points to 21 games on Sunday, scoring 23 for the second consecutive game, but shot a dreadful 7-for-24 from the field. Stoudemire has failed to score 20 points in just seven games this season, but one of those games came against Portland in the Knicks’ 100-95 loss to the Blazers at MSG on October 30.

The Knicks have clearly proven they can defeat teams that are below or even at their level this season. However, the Blazers at home (12-4) are no pushover. The Knicks have lost nine of their last 10 games at Rose Garden and I expect that streak to continue on Tuesday. I’m taking Portland minus the points.

FoxSheets says:

PORTLAND is 17-5 ATS (77.3%, +11.5 Units) in home games after a game where they made 85% of their free throws or better over the last 3 seasons. The average score was PORTLAND 102.2, OPPONENT 93.5 - (Rating = 1*).

**Dat Boi E** · 01-11-2011, 04:51 PM

good luck tonight, Bum!

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 06:36 PM

Good Luck to you DAT BOI

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 06:49 PM

Texas visits Texas Tech in NCAA odds clash

A Tuesday night Lone Star State battle pits the No. 12 Texas Longhorns against the Texas Tech Red Raiders in a Big 12 matchup at United Spirit Arena in Lubbock. Tip-off is set for 4 p.m. (PT) and the game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

Texas is coming off a tough 82-81 overtime loss to No. 9 Connecticut as an 8 ½-point home favorite this past Saturday, ending its recent six-game winning streak. The loss dropped the Longhorns to 12-3 straight-up and 7-3 against the spread. It was their first SU loss at home after winning nine straight games.

Sophomore guard-forward Jordan Hamilton leads a youthful Texas lineup with 19.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game. He is joined by freshman forward Tristan Thompson, who is averaging 12.2 points and leads the team in rebounds with 7.9 per game. Another freshman, guard Cory Joseph, is averaging 11.1 points and leads the team in assists with 3.2.

The Longhorns are averaging 78 points per game and shooting 44.9 percent from the field. They are hitting 36.9 percent of their shots from three-point range, but the foul line remains a huge weakness for this team. Texas has only converted 64.8 percent of its foul shots through the first 15 games.

One area this youthful group has excelled in is rebounding. Texas is ranked second in the nation with an average of 42.9 boards per game.

Texas Tech has lost seven of its last 10 games, including a 71-59 loss to Baylor as a four-point home favorite in its Big 12 opener this past Saturday. This latest setback leaves the team at 8-8 SU overall but a dreadful 2-9 versus the odds.

The Red Raiders have shown some good balance on offense with four players averaging in double-digits. Senior forward Mike Singletary leads the way with 13.7 points per game. He is also the team’s leading rebounder with 5.8 per game. Another senior, Brad Reese is averaging 12.4 points and 5.1 rebounds per game, while senior guard John Roberson is averaging 11.9 points and a team-high 4.2 assists.

Texas Tech is shooting 45.4 percent from the field and scoring an average of 75.3 points per game, but its real weakness has been on the glass. The Red Raiders are averaging just 33.9 rebounds per game, ranking it 246th among Division I schools. This will present major problems against a Texas team that has been dominating in this area.

Texas is 2-3 ATS in its last five games on the road and 3-1 ATS in its last four games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of its last six games.

Texas Tech is 1-4 ATS in its last five home game and just 1-6 ATS in its last seven games overall. The total has stayed ‘under’ in four of these games.

Head-to-head, the Longhorns have won nine out of the last 10 games SU but the series is 5-5 ATS during this span. The total has gone ‘over’ in three of the last five meetings.

Last season, Texas won 71-67 as a 6 ½-point road favorite and should be favored by at least that much in this game. This time around, stick with the Longhorns and their tremendous advantage over the Red Raiders under the boards, even if the line opens a few points higher.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 06:51 PM

Utah Utes host BYU in hardwood Holy War

The BYU Cougars and Utah Utes definitely don't like each other and when they meet up, regardless of what type of sports betting battle it is, the intensity is definitely cranked up a notch.

They'll meet on the hardwood at the Jon M. Huntsman Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday night at 5:30 PT for a crucial NCAA basketball betting NCAA Basketball Teams, Scores, Standings & Betting Odds - DonBest.com affair.

The Cougs still only have that one loss to the UCLA Bruins to speak of this year, though they really haven't done a great job against the college basketball odds since that point. They're only 2-4 ATS in spite of the fact that they are 6-0 since December 21.

The offense has really been flying high this entire season, but particularly of late. A scoring average of 83.7 PPG for the season ranks No. 9 in the country, and this is a number that has really jumped thanks to BYU's average of 87.4 PPG over the course of its last five.

Jimmer Fredette is one of the top scorers in the nation at 24.9 PPG, and he certainly isn't shy about stroking the ball from anywhere on the court. The senior has come up big his entire career in big time games, and that continued at the outset of the MWC play this year when he dropped 39 on the UNLV Rebels on the road in the biggest win of the season. Fredette "only" put 22 on the Air Force Falcons in a 76-66 'W' in the first home game of the conference season.

Utah really hasn't played well this year, much to the surprise of the faithful in the Beehive State. This is a program that has generated a ton of fantastic seasons on the hardwood, and to start off 7-9 with some nauseating losses just has to make all of the Utes sick.

They have dropped six in a row SU, including a 71-62 decision at home against the San Diego State Aztecs on Saturday. The only good news for the Utes is that they did cover the NCAA basketball spreads in that game, marking their first cover since December 4 against the Bradley Braves. They were 0-7-1 ATS in their previous eight after getting off to a 4-2 ATS start this year.

Utah's top men to watch are Will Clyburn and Josh Watkins. Relatively speaking, Clyburn has been a tad quiet in conference play this year, averaging just 16.5 PPG and 6.5 RPG. For the season, his numbers are a tad healthier at 18.8 PPG and 8.3 RPG. Watkins is the only other double digit point scorer on the team. He is accounting for 13.9 PPG and is leading the team with 3.1 APG.

Utah has really struggled defensively this year as well, allowing 71.1 PPG, allowing at least 74 points eight times already. The good news is that this unit does play significantly better at home, allowing just 68.8 PPG on the campaign.

Of late, the Cougars really have been the dominant team in this series, turning the tide from the earl to mid 2000s, when the Utes came out on top more often than not. Since the 2006-07 season, BYU owns a 7-1 SU and 6-2 ATS edge in the NCAA basketball betting proceedings in the Holy War. If there is something to grasp onto for Utah though, it is that it is 13-4 SU and 8-7 ATS here at home since 1996 in this series.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 06:53 PM

NBA Betting: NY Knicks at Trail Blazers

Don’t count out the Portland Trail Blazers even if star guard Brandon Roy remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. Roy has missed the last 12 games. Yet Portland has gone 8-4 despite his absence.

The Trail Blazers will try to win their ninth home game in 10 tries when they host New York Tuesday night at 7:05 PT.

Portland nearly won for the ninth straight time at Rose Garden, but lost in overtime to Miami, 107-100, on Sunday night as five-point underdogs. The combined 207 points flew ‘over’ the 183-point total.

LaMarcus Aldridge had another huge game for Portland in the loss with 31 points, 14 rebounds and seven assists. Aldridge is averaging 27.6 points in his last six games, while averaging 11.6 rebounds in his last five outings.

The Trail Blazers led Miami, 89-82, with 2:13 left on a 3-pointer by Wesley Matthews before suffering the ‘bad beat’ loss. Matthews is another reason why the Trail Blazers have continued to win without Roy, a three-time All-Star.

Matthews is averaging 15.9 points per game and leads the team in three-pointers with 68, the most of any second-year player in the league.

An undrafted rookie out of Marquette, Matthews averaged 9.4 points for Utah last season. Portland signed Matthews to a five-year, $34 million contract last summer making him the highest paid second-year player in NBA history.

That big salary gamble is paying off right now as Matthews has a chance to win the league’s Most Improved Player Award.

At 20-18, Portland has the eighth-best record in the Western Conference. The Trail Blazers are 10-6 ATS at Rose Garden and 15-8-1 ATS in their last 24 meetings versus Eastern Conference foes.

New York has surprised winning 21 of its first 36 games, which is good enough for the sixth-best record in the East. The Knicks are looking to make the playoffs for the first time in seven seasons.

The Knicks, the highest-scoring team in the league at 107.6 points a game, had won nine straight games against Western Conference foes until falling to the Los Angeles Lakers, 109-87, this past Sunday night as 6 ½-point road ‘dogs. The combined 196 points went ‘under’ the 211 ½-point total.

The loss ended a three-game winning streak for New York. Amare Stoudamire scored 23 points for the Knicks. Stoudamire ranks as the league’s No. 2 scorer at 26.2 points a game trailing just Kevin Durant.

The Knicks made just 36 percent of their shots against the Lakers. New York had just beaten Phoenix, 121-96, as 2 ½-point road ‘dogs and defeated San Antonio, 128-115, as 5 ½-point home ‘dogs in its two previous games.

This is the Knicks’ third road game in five days. New York concludes its four-game West Coast swing meeting Utah on Wednesday.

Portland doesn’t play again until Friday when it travels to Phoenix.

The Knicks have covered in 10 of its last 12 meetings versus Western Conference teams. New York is 11-3 ATS in its last 14 away matchups. The Knicks are 13-4 ATS the past 17 times they have been a road underdog.

The ‘over’ has cashed in seven of New York’s past 11 games versus Western Conference competition.

New York and Portland met earlier this season at Madison Square Garden in the Knicks’ home season debut. The Trail Blazers won, 100-95, as five-point road favorites on Oct. 30. The combined 195 points dipped ‘under’ the 199 ½-point total.

Roy was the game’s high scorer with 29 points. Wilson Chandler had 22 points and 16 rebounds for the Knicks. Stoudamire had 18 points.

**StarDust Bum** · 01-11-2011, 07:15 PM

Florida at Tennessee
January 11, 2011

There are 12 games on tonight’s college basketball board, including a crucial SEC East contest in Knoxville.

Most betting shops have installed Tennessee (10-5 straight up, 6-8 against the spread) as a three-point home favorite with a total of 137. Gamblers can back Florida (12-3 SU, 4-7 ATS) to win outright for a plus-115 return (risk $100 to win $115).

UT head coach Bruce Pearl will be sitting out the second leg of an eight-game suspension handed to him by SEC Commissioner Mike Slive for lying to NCAA investigators. His first absence came in Saturday’s SEC opener at Arkansas, a 68-65 loss for the Volunteers as one-point road favorites.

Tobias Harris had 21 points and 11 rebounds in the losing effort against the Razorbacks. Scotty Hopson added 15 points.

Billy Donovan’s team won its SEC opener Saturday night, beating Ole Miss 77-71 as an eight-point home favorite. However, the Gators gave up the backdoor cover after leading by 11 at halftime.

Erving Walker was the catalyst for UF, scoring 20 points to go with six assists, four rebounds, two steals and only two turnovers. Chandler Parsons added 17 points, seven rebounds, five assists and zero turnovers. Kenny Boynton also chipped in with 17 points, while Vernon Macklin added 16 points and seven boards.

Tennessee has already lost three times at Thompson-Boling Arena this year. Even worse, the Vols have limped to a 3-6 spread record at home. They have lost outright to the likes of Oakland, USC and College of Charleston.

Pearl’s team overcame an offseason of distractions to win its first seven games of the season. During that stretch, Tennessee beat VCU and Villanova at Madison Square Garden before going into Pittsburgh and dominating the hometown Panthers. Since then, however, the Vols have been mired in an epic slump, going 3-5 SU and 1-6 ATS.

UT has been a single-digit favorite five times, compiling a 2-3 spread record. Meanwhile, Florida has won outright in both of its previous underdog spots (at Florida St. and at Xavier).

The ‘over’ is 8-5 overall for the Vols, 5-3 in their home assignments. Totals have been an overall wash for the Gators (5-5), but they have seen the ‘over’ hit in three consecutive games.

Florida sophomore forward Erik Murphy is “questionable” with a sprained foot. Murphy, who averages 6.3 points and 3.2 rebounds per game, sat out Saturday’s win over the Rebels.

Tennessee has won eight of the last 10 head-to-head meetings against the Gators, posting a 7-3 spread record. UT had won six in a row until UF won a 75-62 decision in Gainesville last year on Feb. 23.

Tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. Eastern on ESPN.

**B.E.’s Bonus Nuggets**

--Due to snowy weather conditions, tonight’s Ga. Tech at Clemson game has been pushed back to Wednesday. According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Yellow Jackets’ practice was cancelled Monday. They will practice today and then bus to Clemson.

--Michigan St. will play host to Wisconsin tonight at Breslin Center in East Lansing. As of early this morning, most books had the Spartans listed as 3 ½-point favorites with a total of 122 ½. ESPN will have television coverage at 7:00 p.m. Eastern.

--Illinois was listed as a five-point road favorite for tonight’s game at Penn St. as of early this morning. The total was 135 ½. The Nittany Lions have covered the spread in seven of the last eight head-to-head meetings against the Illini. PSU is coming off Saturday’s 66-62 home win over Michigan St. as a six-point home underdog. The Big Ten Network will provide television coverage at 9:00 p.m. Eastern.

--Marquette destroyed Notre Dame by a 79-57 count as a three-point home favorite last night. Dwight Buycks scored a career-high 21 points, draining all five of his attempts from 3-point range. The Golden Eagles put on a dazzling display behind the arc, nailing 12-of-17 treys.

--Purdue has won 10 in a row, posting a 7-1 spread record in the process. The Boilermakers are facing back-to-back road games, at Minnesota and at West Virginia. They will take a 4-0 record in Big Ten play into Wednesday's game against the Gophers.

Announcement

The Bum's Tuesday's Best Bets NBA-NHL-NCAAB !

The Bum's Tuesday's Best Bets NBA-NHL-NCAAB !

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment

Comment