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Big Monday Battles

January 30, 2011


The weekend’s college hoops offerings gave us some exciting finishes all across the country. Now that the public has whetted their appetite, they’re waiting a little more. That’s what ESPN will do with its Big Monday doubleheader. We’re going to open the night in Washington D.C. for a Big East battle. After that, we’re going to the Lone Star State for a test of Big XII powers.

Louisville at Georgetown – 7:00 p.m. EST, ESPN

When you are in a league that has 16 teams, you need to do whatever you can in order to differentiate yourselves. The Cardinals and Hoyas did just that over the weekend in the Big East. Now they’re going to try and one-up the other team on Monday night.

Louisville (17-4 straight up, 10-7-1 against the spread) took one on the chin last week in a surprising 67-72 loss on the road to the Friars. But the Cardinals have soared back into the Big East race with a pair of thrilling wins at home against West Virginia. And just last Saturday, Rick Pitino’s club surprised the Huskies with a 79-78 triumph as a 5 ½-point road pup.

The Cardinals were down by as much as nine-points with just over eight minutes left in the second half. That’s when Louisville went on an 18-9 run to force extra basketball. After a back-and-forth first overtime, the second extra session saw the Cards jump out to a 79-74 lead that they never relinquished. Peyton Silva was the man that paced Louisville with 19 points, seven assists and four rebounds.

Georgetown (16-5 SU, 13-7 ATS) looked like they were dead in the water just two weeks ago with a four-game losing streak. But the Hoyas have fought back strong with four straight wins, covering the spread in each of those contests.

The most recent win for the Hoyas came last Saturday in a 67-66 win over Villanova as 4 ½-point road underdogs. Georgetown was in control for the majority of the game. However, they did find themselves down 66-65 in the final 14 seconds of the game. That was before Big East Preseason Player of the Year Austin Freeman drained a pair of free throws to seal the win. Freeman played like the title he earned before the season started, scoring 30 points with four boards and six assists.

Recent history between these teams shows that Georgetown is the play. The Hoyas have gone 5-2 SU and 3-3-1 ATS since 2000. Yet the Cardinals are on a 3-1 ATS run in this head-to-head series. The ‘under’ is 5-2 in this setup.

Louisville is just 3-2 SU and ATS on the road this season, which shouldn’t make anyone squeal with glee. Georgetown is 7-2 SU at the Verizon Center this year, but just 4-4 ATS. The ‘under’ is a combined 7-4 in the last 11 games for these two programs.

Texas at Texas A&M – 9:00 p.m. EST, ESPN

The Big XII might look like it’s supposed to be the domain of the Jayhawks, but the Lone Star State is where the power of the conference truly is right now.

Texas (18-3 SU, 13-3 ATS) has the makings of a team that could go deep into March. The Longhorns’ latest proof of this possibility coming in the form of a 71-58 pasting of Missouri as seven-point home favorites last Saturday. Jordan Hamilton led the charge with 16 points and a career-high 13 rebounds. It also doesn’t hurt that they held Mizzou to just 34 percent shooting from the field and held a 40-28 rebounding edge for the game.

Texas A&M (17-3 SU, 7-4-1 ATS) will be aiming to get back on track at home in this game…especially after falling prey to the Cornhuskers in a 57-48 loss as a 1 ½-point road pup. You can look at this game as an easy look ahead spot. The Aggies were roughed up in this game by Nebraska, shooting just 39 percent from the field. That stings considering they won the rebounding edge 29-25 in the game. Nathan Walkup was the lone standout with 13 points and three boards.

As bad as things might look for the Aggies, this game could go their way. The home team has gone on a 10-0 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 meetings. The ‘under’ is on a 4-2 run between these rivals. That includes a 81-60 beatdown the Longhorns gave A&M on Jan. 19 as 6 ½-point home favorites.

Texas A&M has gone 10-0 SU and 3-1-1 ATS in home dates this season. The ‘Horns are 4-1 SU and ATS away from Austin in true road games.

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Pacers fire O'Brien, make Vogel interim coach

January 30, 2011


INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Jim O'Brien's future as Pacers coach was in question heading into a four-game road trip, and team president Larry Bird didn't get the answers he wanted.

Bird fired O'Brien on Sunday after the team squandered a promising start to the season by losing seven of its past eight games.

Bird had discussed the team's coaching options with owner Herb Simon, saying he wanted to see how the team performed on a Western swing against the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State, Portland and Denver.

``We were in three of the games and the Denver game we didn't really have a chance,'' Bird said.

The Pacers returned to Indiana to play the Orlando Magic on Wednesday, with O'Brien's status tenuous. Orlando won 111-96 win, and Bird had seen enough.

``We came home to Orlando, and really, the game was over in the first three minutes,'' Bird said. ``So that's when I really started thinking that we really probably needed to do something. I called Mr. Simon up and he said, 'whatever you want to do' and so, here we are.''

The Pacers went 121-169 under O'Brien in a 3 1/2 seasons and are 17-27 this season. O'Brien was ejected in his final game, a 110-89 loss to Chicago on Saturday.

Assistant coach Frank Vogel will take over for the rest of the season. He has been a scout for the Los Angeles Lakers and Washington Wizards, and served as an assistant coach for O'Brien in Philadelphia and Boston.

Bird was bothered by O'Brien's refusal to give more minutes to the team's young players. Bird said he'd like to see rookie Paul George play more, and he was frustrated with how little forward Tyler Hansbrough played early in the season. He felt that O'Brien's public berating of center Roy Hibbert damaged the 7-foot-2 center's confidence. Bird and Vogel agreed that Hibbert is an important piece of the team's future.

Bird also said he would like to see rookie Lance Stephenson get onto the court. The second-round draft pick has not played this season.

Many fans criticized O'Brien because he constantly changed lineups, at times leaving players inactive, then suddenly making them starters and sometimes leaving players who were performing well on the bench for long stretches.

Vogel said continuity is important, but he'll be careful.

``You want to have a steady rotation, but if you're losing games, how do you stick with a steady rotation?'' Vogel said. ``We're trying to find combinations that work, and you'll see that play out over the next few weeks.''

The Pacers were one of the league's leaders in field-goal percentage defense early in the season, but Indiana allowed more than 110 points four times during its six game skid.

``You are what you work on,'' Vogel said. ``The first half of the year, we were a defensive-minded team. We got so good on defense, and we were winning games with it. But our offense was killing us, so we made a dramatic shift to improve our offensive execution in practice. That has come and that has improved, but the defense has slipped. We have to find a balance.''

Vogel, 37, has not been a head coach in the league. Bird doesn't think that will hinder his relationship with the players.

``They will respond,'' Bird said. ``I've already talked to a couple of them, and they're going to do everything they can to help Frank out. The players will react.''

Bird said he expects Vogel to lead the Pacers to the playoffs this season.

``I said that three years ago, that I think in the third year, this team should make the playoffs,'' he said. ``We're 10 games under .500. I'm not saying we're going to win a championship, but this team should make the playoffs.''

Bird said the team's overall plan is on track. He said the team already has a solid group of young players and will have significant salary cap space in the offseason.

``We have a three-year plan and we're right on it,'' he said. ``I looked the other day and we're going to have more money than anybody in the summer to go out and either trade one of our expiring contracts or go into the free agency market and get the pieces we need.''

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NBA Betting Preview: Bucks at LA Clippers

Blake Griffin has made the Los Angeles Clippers respectable.

The Clippers are so respectable they can break their team record for most consecutive home victories since the franchise moved from San Diego to Los Angeles for the 1984-85 season.

Los Angeles puts its eight-game win streak at Staples Center on the line Monday night at 7:35 PT when it hosts the Milwaukee Bucks.

Griffin has put up 38 double-doubles, including 32 in his last 33 games. The 6-foot-10 power forward, playing in his first full season, had 24 points and 10 rebounds in sparking the Clippers past Charlotte, 103-88, on Saturday night as 5 ½-point favorites. The combined 191 points just dipped ‘under’ the 192-point total.

The Clippers are 8-5 in January, clinching their first winning month since November of 2009.

Milwaukee, on the other hand, has been racked with injuries. This has resulted in an underachieving 19-26 mark for a team many thought would contend with Chicago to be the best in the Central Division.

Don’t be surprised, though, if the Bucks start to make a move while the Clippers slide since they are without Eric Gordon.

Gordon, the eighth-leading scorer in the NBA at 24.1 points a game, figures to be sidelined for at least a couple more weeks after chipping a bone in his right wrist during a 113-109 victory against Golden State on Jan. 22. The Clippers are 1-2 in their first three games minus Gordon.

The Bucks know all about being without key players. They have piled up nearly 160 player-game misses due to injury or illness. This has resulted in chemistry issues due to 13 different starting lineup combinations and offensive ineptitude.

Milwaukee ranks last in scoring at 91.7 per game and is 29th in field goal percentage shooting 42.6 percent from the floor. John Salmons, the Bucks’ second-leading scorer, has missed the seven games with a hip strain. Drew Gooden is sidelined with a foot injury and Michael Redd hasn’t play all season due to torn knee ligaments.

Only nine times have the Bucks reached triple-digits, going 7-2 in those games. Milwaukee is 2-18 when scoring 89 or fewer points.

Point guard Brandon Jennings, Milwaukee’s leading scorer at 17.9 points a game, came off the bench and played 11 minutes in the Bucks’ last game, a 91-81 home victory against New Jersey this past Saturday night. The Bucks were 6 ½-point favorites with the 172 combined points going ‘under’ the 183 ½-point total.

The Bucks were 8-11 during the 19 games Jennings missed because of a broken foot. Carlos Delfino recently returned for Milwaukee, too, after missing 32 games with concussion-like symptoms and a neck strain. Delfino, who scored 21 points versus the Nets, gives the Bucks a much needed outside shooting threat.

This marks the Bucks’ third game in a stretch where they play 12 of 13 games against foes with a losing mark. The Bucks have reached 98 points during four of their past seven games. Previously, Milwaukee had failed to reach 98 points in 17 of their last 21 games.

Milwaukee is 15-2 when scoring 96 or more points. The Clippers rank 19th defensively giving 101.5 points a game. The Bucks rate fourth on defense allowing 92.8 points per contest.

This is the first meeting between Milwaukee and the Clippers this season. The teams split last season with the Clippers winning, 101-93, as five-point home favorites and the game barely going ‘over’ the 193 ½-point total and the Bucks prevailing at home, 107-89 as 11-point favorites with the combined 196 points going ‘over’ the 191 ½-point total.

The Bucks have lost and failed to cover during their last two road games versus the Clippers.

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Texas Aggies host Longhorns in NCAA odds battle

The good news for Mark Turgeon and the Texas A&M Aggies is they won't have to spend much time moping around and dwelling on Saturday's loss at Nebraska. That's because the Aggies have all of one day of rest to prepare for the streaking Texas Longhorns who come to College Station on Monday in what shapes up as a must-win for Texas A&M.

Tip-off from Reed Arena on the A&M campus is 6 p.m. (PT) and the game will be televised by ESPN.

The Aggies went ice cold in the second half of Saturday's 57-48 loss to the 'Huskers in Lincoln, scoring just 17 second-half points and managing to sink but two field goals over the final 10 minutes of action. Nebraska, who closed as 1½-point favorites at home, found itself down by seven at the half before outscoring A&M (17-3 straight up, 7-4-1 against the spread) 33-17 after the break.

A&M committed 14 turnovers to the Cornhuskers' seven, and shot just 39 percent for the game while grabbing a subpar 29 rebounds on the afternoon. The Aggies are 45th in the nation in working the glass, 38.5 boards per contest.

While the Aggies were dropping their second conference game of the season, Texas (18-3 SU, 13-3 ATS) was busy winning its sixth consecutive contest both straight up and against the spread. The Longhorns' 71-58 win at home versus Missouri came as 7½-point favorites and kept their unbeaten Big 12 mark intact at 6-0 atop the conference.

Texas was led by sophomore sensation Jordan Hamilton who recorded his second straight double-double with 16 points and a career-best 13 rebounds. Senior Gary Johnson added 15 points and nine boards in the win while freshman Tristan Thompson also just missed a double-double with nine points and 13 rebounds.

The Aggies will be looking for a regular season split against Texas after getting trounced in Austin nearly two weeks ago, 81-60. The Longhorns easily covered the 6½-point chalk in that matchup that stopped A&M's 13-game win streak. 'Over' 131½ ticket holders were rewarded, the only contest of Texas' six Big 12 battles to go above the total.

In that Jan. 19 game, the Aggies found themselves in an early hole thanks in large part to getting on the bad side of the officials. Texas raced to a 20-5 lead to open the game and never looked back.

Texas A&M is starting to run out of time on the regular season slate to impress voters and the eventual NCAA Tournament seed committee. Texas is one of only two teams currently ranked left on the Aggies schedule, with a March 2 game at Kansas the other. Another slow start against the Longhorns like what happened in Austin, and the Aggies will be in big trouble, even on their own court.

For six seasons now the two old rivals have taken turns splitting their matchups with home wins. Last season's game at Reed Arena saw the Aggies delight their crowd with a 74-58 win as one-point favorites, the contest staying below the 140-point NCAA odds.

Texas' last win in College Station came exactly seven years ago (Jan. 31, 2004) when the Longhorns pasted a 69-59 loss on Texas A&M.

The Aggies next host the Baylor Bears this Saturday. Texas will head back home to Austin for Saturday's contest with the Texas Tech Red Raiders.

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Wizards battle NBA road odds at Dallas Mavericks

The Washington Wizards will again attempt to capture their first road win of the season when they travel to Dallas for a Tuesday matchup against a Mavericks squad that is in the midst of a four-game winning streak.

Tip-off is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. (PT), with Dallas a hefty 10 ½-point home favorite on the overnight line. The total is set at 195 points.

Washington, which saw its road losing skid reach 23 games after Saturday’s 107-93 setback at Memphis, now owns the third-worst road start in NBA history The Wizards failed to cover as nine-point underdogs, lowering their road spread record to 6-17.

The combined 200 points skipped above the 197-point closing total, which enabled the ‘over’ to cash in Washington’s last four games and improve to 14-9 in 23 road dates. However, the ‘under’ is still 25-21 in the club’s first 45 encounters.

Rookie John Wall led six Washington players in double figures with 14 points and added eight assists.

Washington has started this four-game road trip with two losses that couldn't have been more different. The Wizards suffered a spirited 124-117 overtime loss at Oklahoma City on Friday night as a 10 ½-point ‘dog.

Flip Saunders’ Wizards have now yielded 100 points or more in eight of their last 10 contests. They rank 22nd in the league defensively, allowing an average of 103.3 points per game. The opposition is shooting 47.1 percent from the field against the Wizards (25th) and 37.4 percent from beyond the arc (24th).

Offensively, the Wizards rank 22nd with an average of 97.2 points per game. They are 24th in both field goal percentage (44.3) and three-point shooting (33.8).

Dallas extended its winning streak to four games with Saturday’s 102-91 victory against the Atlanta Hawks as five-point home favorites. The win and cover improved Dallas’ home ledger to 18-8 SU and 11-13-2 ATS. The Mavs are defeating their opponents at home by just under four points per game (98.2 to 94.5).

The combined 193 points skipped above the 190 ½-point closing total, allowing the ‘over’ to cash in Dallas’ last six home games. The ‘over’ is now 15-11 in the squad’s 26 home dates and 25-21 overall.

Dirk Nowitzki lead seven Mavs in double figures with 19 points, while Jason Terry contributed 18 points and 11 assists.

Though the Mavericks rank sixth in the league by shooting 46.5 percent from the field, their 97.1 points per game average ranks a poor 23rd. However, they rank sixth defensively, allowing just 94.5 PPG.

Dallas and Washington have met once this season (Jan. 20), with the Mavs sneaking past the Wizards as four-point road favorites, 94-93.

The combined 187 point dipped below the 197-point closing total, leaving the ‘under’ 4-1 in the last five series meetings. The Wizards are now 5-2 ATS in the last seven matchups against the Mavs.

Nowitzki once again led the Mavs with 28 points, while Shawn Marion added 12 points and 12 rebounds. Randy Foye led the Wizards with 27 points, with Brendan Haywood contributing 13 points and 18 rebounds.

The Mavs shot 45.9 percent from the floor compared to 44 percent for the Wizards. Washington won the rebounding battle (50-47), but the Mavs held a wide advantage in assists (27-15). Washington was 16-of-20 from the charity stripe compared to 12-of-14 for the visiting Mavs.

Washington will conclude its four-game road excursion Tuesday with a stop in New Orleans to play the Hornets. Dallas begins a three-game road trip Wednesday at Madison Square Garden for a match against the Knicks.

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Week 13 NCAA basketball betting preview

About the only thing that came from the college basketball season's 12th week is a stronger foothold for the Ohio State Buckeyes atop the rankings.

Seven of last week's AP top 10 suffered a bruise to their loss columns, including a pair from the Big East that each fell twice, Syracuse and Villanova. For the Orange, it was the second consecutive week to lose twice. The two losses by 'Nova left the Wildcats in a bit of a tailspin with defeats in three of their last four contests.

Brigham Young's euphoria over handing previously fourth-ranked San Diego State its first loss was short-lived when the Cougars dropped Saturday's game at New Mexico, the third-straight season to lose at The Pit in Albuquerque.

No. 2 Pittsburgh's perfect run in the Big East came to an end with a rare home defeat, falling 56-51 to No. 15 Notre Dame. No. 5 Connecticut dropped a 79-78, double-overtime game at home to Louisville and Duke suffered its second loss of the season when the Blue Devils, 8½-point favorites, were upset Sunday by St. John's at Madison Square Garden.

Ohio State will definitely hold the No. 1 ranking, with Kansas a likely candidate to move up to second. How the dominoes fall after that pair is anyone's guess. Pitt, SDSU, Texas and Duke would get my votes from 3-6 if I had a vote.

Whether or not the season's 13th week will prove just as unlucky for high-ranked squads remains to be seen. Here's where the most recent top 10 from the AP poll will be in action the next seven days.

1. Ohio State (22-0 SU, 10-9 ATS)
Both of the Buckeyes' games this week will be previewed here at Don Best, beginning with Thursday's (Feb. 3) home matchup with Michigan. Ohio State closes the week next Sunday with a pre-Super Bowl broadcast on ESPN at Minnesota. The Buckeyes won and covered both meetings with the Gophers last season, including a 90-61 rout in the Big Ten Tournament Championship. Both games also went 'over' the total.

2. Pittsburgh (20-2, 8-9)
Having already bounced back from last Monday's loss to the Irish with a narrow 65-62 win at Rutgers on Saturday, Pitt has but one game on its slate this week, Saturday's home tilt with Cincinnati.

3. Duke (19-2, 10-10)
The Blue Devils return to ACC play on Wednesday (Feb. 2) when they travel to Maryland. Duke topped the Terps earlier this season at home, 71-64, failing to cover the 14½-point spread. Mike Krzyzewski's crew closes the week at home versus NC State. Those two also met already with the Blue Devils taking a 92-78 victory as 10½-point favorites.

4. San Diego State (21-1, 13-7)
Steve Fisher's squad is on the road Wednesday at Colorado State who is currently just a game behind the Aztecs and BYU Cougars at the top of the MWC standings. SDSU will then return home to host TCU on Saturday, having already beaten the Horned Frogs in Ft. Worth earlier this season, 66-53, as 10-point chalk.

5. Connecticut (17-3, 10-4)
One of this week's biggest matchups will be previewed at Don Best when the Huskies host Syracuse on Wednesday. It's the only regular season meeting between the two rivals, with 'Cuse taking a 72-67 home win as 11-point chalk last season in the only matchup. UConn closes the week Saturday at Seton Hall.

6. Kansas (20-1, 9-10)
The Jayhawks hit the Big 12 highway for a pair of games at Texas Tech on Tuesday (Feb. 1) and Nebraska on Saturday. Kansas won the three combined meetings with the two schools last season, beating the NCAA odds in the lone game versus Tech and going 0-1-1 ATS at the window in the two battles with the 'Huskers.

7. Texas (18-3, 13-3)
Rick Barnes' club begins the week Monday with a key matchup at Texas A&M. It's been seven years since the Longhorns beat the Aggies in College Station. Texas then returns home to host Texas Tech on Saturday. The 'Horns ran their win streak over the Red Raiders to five with an 83-52 win in Lubbock about three weeks ago.

8. Villanova (17-4, 11-7)
The Wildcats will be home for a pair of contests this week as they look to snap out of a two-game losing skid. Jay Wright's bunch first takes on Marquette on Wednesday before West Virginia comes to Philly on Saturday.

9. Syracuse (18-4, 7-13)
Following their Wednesday battle at UConn, the Orange remain on the road with Saturday's game at South Florida. The last trip 'Cuse made to Tampa saw the Orange escape with a 59-54 triumph as seven-point favorites.

9. Brigham Young (20-2, 8-10)
Wyoming is next up for the Cougars who trek to Laramie on Wednesday to take on a Cowboys team that has dropped five straight. BYU will then return home to Provo to host UNLV on Saturday.

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Heat favored by 17.5 points over lowly Cavs

CLEVELAND CAVALIERS (8-39)

at MIAMI HEAT (33-14)


Tip-off: Monday, 7:30 p.m. EDT
Line: Miami -17.5, Total: 202

The Miami Heat return home on Monday for a short one-game homestand to take on the once LeBron-led Cleveland Cavaliers, losers of 20 straight games. Miami played with their big three on Sunday for the first time since January 12 when the Heat’s recent struggles and injuries began. James gets another shot at the Cavaliers whom he has defeated in both meetings this season.

Miami has struggled ATS overall this season posting a 21-24 record, including an awful 7-14 ATS at home and 2-6 mark over their past eight home games. Prior to their loss to the Clippers on January 12, the Heat had won 21 of their previous 22 games. Since then they are 3-5 (2-5-1 ATS), but have won their last two SU. The big three for the Heat each scored 20 points in a game for the 11th time this season in Sunday’s 108-103 win at Oklahoma City. The Heat are 9-2 in those games. Dwyane Wade returned to action after missing Friday’s game against Detroit and scored 32 points. He has scored 30 or more in nine of his past 13 games, averaging 30.5 PPG over that span. Chris Bosh returned to action for the first time since January 15 and poured in 20 points and seven boards, while LeBron James scored 23 and dished out 13 assists. After scoring 38 points in the Heat’s 118-90 blowout win at Cleveland on December 2, James scored 21 and pulled down 13 boards in Miami’s 101-95 win at home on December 15. Since returning to action after missing the Jan. 15 game at Chicago, James is averaging 31.6 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 8.0 APG in that five-game span.

The Cavaliers fans were expecting a bit of a dropoff after the departure of the reigning two-time MVP, but hardly could have expected this kind of collapse. After a win over the Memphis Grizzlies, Cleveland sat with a record of 7-9 and preparing for a pair of tough home games against the Celtics and Heat. They lost big to the Celtics, but the much-anticipated game was coming against the defector and the Heat on December 2. All of Cleveland was waiting for this day since LeBron stabbed them in the back in a national announcement on ESPN in July. What occurred that night has affected Cleveland to this day as their 28-point washout ruined the evening for many fans wanting to get revenge. Cleveland has won just one game since, going 1-30 SU. The Cavs have fared better ATS than SU, but that’s hardly a compliment. They are 16-29 ATS, which numbers stretch into double-digits for most of their games. They are 10-15 ATS on the road, but are 3-0-1 in their past four road games ATS. They have lost a single-season franchise record 20 straight games SU and are coming of a 103-87 loss at Orlando. They have also lost 23 straight road games SU – also a club record – with their last road win coming against New Jersey on November 9. Daniel Gibson scored 26 points in the Cavs loss at Miami on December 15, but has been struggling lately, averaging just 7.7 PPG in his past three games. He did not start on Sunday against the Magic as coach Byron Scott inserted rookie Manny Harris instead. Harris was the only starter who reached double figures with 20 points. Samardo Samuels scored a career-high 16 points coming off the bench on Sunday. After reaching double-figures in points just once in his first 13 games of his rookie season, he has now reached double-figures in two of his past three games.

It’s hard to fathom a team in the NBA being 18 points worse than its opponent, but the 2010-11 version of the Cavaliers compared to the same year’s Miami Heat certainly does fit that mold. However, this is a great test for the Cavs to see how much fight they have left in them. If they get blown out again against a Heat team dealing with their own injury issues, then they will never be heard from again this season. Miami is just 3-8-1 ATS as a double-digit favorite this year and I’m guessing that the Cavs will muster up enough pride and heart to only lose this game by 10-to-15 points. I’m taking Cleveland with the large heaping of points. The FoxSheets advises to:

Play On - Road underdogs of 10 or more points (CLEVELAND) - avenging a road loss vs. opponent, with a losing record. (106-56 over the last 5 seasons.) (65.4%, +44.4 units. Rating = 3*).

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Orlando faces tough road test Monday at Memphis


ORLANDO MAGIC (31-17)

at MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (24-24)


Tip-off: Monday, 8:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Orlando -1.5, Total: 198.5


The Magic travel to Memphis on Monday to take on the red-hot Grizzlies who have won five of their past six games. This is the second meeting of the season between these two teams as the Magic defeated Memphis at home, 89-72, on November 15.

While Orlando is 31-17 SU this season, they have really struggled ATS posting a 21-26-1 record. The Magic are just 9-14 ATS on the road, but are 3-1-1 ATS in their past five away games. Dwight Howard recorded his fourth 20-20 game of the season and 30th of his career on Sunday in leading the Magic to a 103-87 win against the Cavaliers at home. Howard is averaging 25.8 PPG and 15.0 RPG while shooting 60.4 percent from the field in his past 12 games. Howard had one of his worst shooting games of the season in the Magic’s win over the Grizzlies on November 15, going 5-for-13 from the field, but he still finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds. For his career, he is averaging 17.2 PPG and 12.0 RPG in 13 games against Memphis. Ryan Anderson added 23 points and 16 rebounds on Sunday and is averaging 16.4 PPG, 7.2 RPG and shooting 44.8 percent from three-point range in his last 11 games.

The Memphis Grizzlies improved 16 wins from the 2008-09 season to the 2009-10 season and are looking to keep the pace that they set. Memphis enters Sunday with a record of 24-24 SU, well on pace for the 40 wins it earned last season. They have done very well ATS going 29-18, including an impressive 13-7 at home where they have won six of their last seven ATS. They have also won five of six SU, including their last two games. Zach Randolph is making a push to be an All-Star, and certainly deserves it with the numbers he has put up. He is averaging a career-high 13.3 RPG on the season and is coming off a 24-point, 20-rebound performance against the Wizards. He has recorded 14 straight double-doubles, averaging 23.0 PPG and 14.9 RPG over that span. Randolph struggled in the previous matchup against Orlando, scoring just nine points and grabbing nine rebounds on 4-of-15 shooting. After scoring just four points in 15 minutes in the Grizzlies’ season-opener on October 27, that is the only other game that Randolph has not reached double-figures in points, and one of only nine games where he has not reached double-figures in rebounds. After starting the season with six straight games in double-figures in points, third-year player Darrell Arthur has reached double-figures just seven times, but he scored a career-high 22 points against the Cavaliers on Sunday.

The Grizzlies are looking to make a name for themselves as a playoff contender in the Western Conference. In order to do that, they need to beat teams at or even slightly above their level at home. I’m taking Memphis plus the points at home.

FoxSheets says:

MEMPHIS is 17-6 ATS (73.9%, +10.4 Units) as an underdog this season. The average score was MEMPHIS 100.1, OPPONENT 101.3 - (Rating = 2*).

The FoxSheets also lean towards the Under:

Play Under - Any team (ORLANDO) - a good team (+3 to +7 PPG diff.) against an average team (+/- 3 PPG diff.) after 42+ games, after leading their last 3 games by 5+ points at the half. (92-52 since 1996.) (63.9%, +34.8 units. Rating = 2*).

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Texas tries to snap 6-game losing skid at A&M


TEXAS LONGHORNS (18-3, 6-0 in Big 12)

at TEXAS A&M AGGIES (17-3, 4-2 in Big 12)


Tip-off: Monday, 9:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Texas -1.5, Total: 129

Texas A&M looks to extend its home winning streak against Texas when the two rivals meet on Monday night.

The Aggies have won six straight over the Longhorns in College Station and will look for payback after Texas won, 81-60, on Jan. 19 -- its ninth straight win in the series in Austin. The Horns shot a season-best 58.0% and held Texas A&M to 41.5% rom the field in that game. The Aggies are also looking to rebound from a 57-48 loss at Nebraska on Saturday. Nebraska limited A&M to just 24% shooting in the second half and 39.1% shooting for the game. Nathan Walkup (9.9 PPG, 5.8 RPG) led the Aggies with 13 points, while leading scorer Khris Middleton (15.9 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 40.0% three-pointers) chipped in with 12, but is hitting just 7-of-19 FG in his past two games. David Loubeau, the second-leading scorer on the team, (10.7 PPG, 5.2 RPG) had only seven points versus the Cornhuskers and has scored just 19 combined points in the past three games, while shooting 7-for-23 from the field.

Texas is aiming for its seventh straight win overall and is off to its best conference start (6-0) since Big 12 play began in 1996-97. And once again, it has relied on its stellar defense to lead the way. The Longhorns have held their first 21 opponents to an average of 60.5 PPG on 36.6% shooting, including 27.9% from long range. Texas has held 14 of 21 teams below 40% shooting and four below 30% shooting. And in six conference games, the Horns have limited opponents to an average of 54.2 PPG on 36.9% shooting, including 18-of-88 (20.5%) from three-point range. They have won their six league games by an average of 18.5 PPG and are coming off a 71-58 victory over Missouri on Saturday. The Longhorns limited the league's highest-scoring team (83.7 PPG) to its lowest point total and lowest FG Pct. (33.9%) of the season. Texas is led by Jordan Hamilton (19.0 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 42.4% three-pointers), who's had six double-doubles this season and has topped the 20-point mark in nine of 21 games. Hamilton had a game-high 27 in Texas' rout against A&M two weeks ago and scored 16 points with a career-high 13 boards versus the Tigers on Saturday. Tristan Thompson (12.9 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 2.2 BPG) scored nine points against Mizzou, which ended his double-digit scoring streak at nine games. Thompson did finish with 13 rebounds and also tallied 18 points and six boards in the first meeting with A&M.

Texas owns a 133-85 advantage against Texas A&M in the all-time series. The Horns are 19-7 versus the Aggies during the Rick Barnes era and have won 38 of the past 47 meetings between the two schools. However, Texas A&M holds a 55-50 advantage in games played in College Station and has held Texas to an average of 62.5 PPG and 37.3% shooting during its six-game win streak over the Horns at College Station. The Aggies have also won 14 straight and 30-of-31 at Reed Arena. They are 11-5 ATS (69%) in home contests over the past two seasons and has held visiting teams to 38.7% FG this season. Both these teams hit the boards hard, but the Aggies have an 11.9 RPG margin as compared to Texas’ +7.2 rebounding advantage on the season. These two FoxSheets trends support picking Texas A&M to win its seventh straight home game against its rival on Monday.

TEXAS A&M is 8-0 ATS (+8.0 Units) after scoring 60 points or less over the last 3 seasons. The average score was TEXAS A&M 72.1, OPPONENT 65.3 - (Rating = 3*).

Play Against - A favorite (TEXAS) - in a game involving two excellent defensive teams (<=63 PPG) after 15+ games, after 2 straight wins by 10 points or more.(110-67 since 1997.) (62.1%, +36.3 units. Rating = 2*).

This highly-rated FoxSheets trend predicts the game will finish Under the total.

TEXAS A&M is 8-0 UNDER (+8.0 Units) after 2 straight games with 12 or less assists over the last 2 seasons. The average score was TEXAS A&M 68.0, OPPONENT 60.3 - (Rating = 3*).

[StarDust Bum]

Georgetown seeks 5th straight win hosting Louisville


LOUISVILLE CARDINALS (17-4, 6-2 in Big East)

at GEORGETOWN HOYAS (16-5, 5-4 in Big East)


Tip-off: Monday, 7:00 p.m. EDT
Line: Georgetown -5, Total: 143

Georgetown looks to extend its winning streak to five games when it hosts Louisville on Monday night. The Hoyas are outscoring opponents by an average of 75 to 65 during the streak and out-shooting them 51.0% FG to 41.0% FG.

The Hoyas, who are second in the nation in field-goal percentage (50.9%), shot 52.2% in Saturday's 69-66 victory at Villanova. Austin Freeman (18.8 PPG, 47.2% three-pointers) scored 10 of Georgetown's final 12 points and finished with a game-high 30 points on 10-of-19 shooting, his third contest with at least 30 this season. Freeman has scored in double-figures in 19 of 21 games this season, including six straight, and is averaging 24.3 points during the Hoyas' four-game winning streak. He also tied a career-high with six assists against the Wildcats. Second-leading scorer Jason Clark (12.8 PPG, 4.2 RPG, 39.1% three-pointers) chipped in with 10 points, while Chris Wright (12.8 PPG, 5.6 APG), the third Hoyas player who averages double-figures, was held scoreless, finishing 0-for-3 from the floor with six assists. After Saturday's victory over Villanova, Georgetown improved to 3-2 against teams that were ranked at the time it played them. It beat Missouri in overtime, 111-102, Memphis, 86-69 and the Wildcats, and fell to Notre Dame, 69-55 and Pittsburgh, 72-57.

Louisville has been living on the edge recently, as three of its past four wins have come by a single point. The Cardinals beat West Virginia, 55-54, on Jan. 26 and survived in double overtime at Connecticut, 79-78, on Saturday. Louisville also came back from an 18-point deficit with under six minutes left in a 71-70 stunner over Marquette on Jan. 15. Preston Knowles (15.1 PPG, 39.4% three-pointers) scored 15 against the Huskies (all after halftime), but shot just 6-of-15 from the floor. He's hitting 40.6% of his field goals this season and is 10-for-39 (25.6%) in his past three contests. Peyton Siva (11.1 PPG, 5.0 APG, 51.0 FG%) scored 19 points on 7-of-12 shooting versus UConn, which was his highest point total since he scored 29 against Western Kentucky on Dec. 22. He's made 18-of-25 field goals in his past four games. Like Georgetown, Louisville also holds a 3-2 mark against teams ranked at the time they played them. The Cardinals defeated Butler, 88-73, UNLV, 77-69 and the Huskies, and lost to Kentucky, 78-63, and Villanova, 88-74.

Georgetown has the edge in the all-time series, 6-4, but the two teams have split the past four meetings and are 3-3 ATS since 2000. Freeman scored 29 points on 9-of-12 shooting in last season's 70-60 victory at Louisville. Although the Cardinals have been a good play this year at 10-7 ATS, the Hoyas are 13-7 ATS including four straight wins. This five-star FoxSheets trend also likes Georgetown to win and cover on Monday.

LOUISVILLE is 1-14 ATS (-14.4 Units) after one or more consecutive overs over the last 2 seasons. The average score was LOUISVILLE 74.5, OPPONENT 66.1 - (Rating = 5*).

This four-star FoxSheets trend expects the game will finish Under the total.

GEORGETOWN is 17-2 UNDER (+14.8 Units) in home games after 4 or more consecutive wins since 1997. The average score was GEORGETOWN 74.2, OPPONENT 58.8 - (Rating = 4*).

[StarDust Bum]

Preview: Bucks (19-26) at Clippers (18-28)

Date: January 31, 2011 10:30 PM EDT

The Milwaukee Bucks have won three in a row, have Brandon Jennings back and are two games into an eight-game stretch against opponents with sub-.500 records.

There's nothing easy about facing the Los Angeles Clippers at Staples Center these days, though.

The Clippers look to win a ninth straight home game for the first time since moving to Los Angeles in 1984 as the Bucks begin a three-game road trip Monday night.

It took Los Angeles (18-28) seven weeks to get going, but it's done exactly that behind Blake Griffin's emergence as one of the league's most dynamic players.

The Clippers are 13-7 since a 5-21 start, and much of that turnaround has coincided with making Staples Center a legitimate home-court advantage. Saturday's 103-88 victory over Charlotte - highlighted by 24 points and 10 rebounds from Griffin - was Los Angeles' eighth in a row at home, tying the 1992-93 team for the longest streak since the team moved from San Diego.

Griffin had 19 points in the first half. He's averaged 21.0 in the opening 24 minutes of the Clippers' last four home games, and hasn't seemed to be affected by playing nearly 39 minutes per contest in January.

"I think I'm kind of used to it now,' said Griffin, who has 32 double-doubles in 33 games. "But at the same time, I've got to do a good a good job of taking care of my body and getting rest and making sure I'm ready to go night in and night out through this whole process.'

He has to shoulder even more of the offensive load with Eric Gordon out with a wrist injury, but Randy Foye has relieved some of the pressure. Foye has averaged 18.7 points in three starts after rarely contributing in the first half of the season.

"I put a lot of pressure on myself to make plays and try to help us, especially now,' Foye said. "With Eric out, I'm that guy they go to on the perimeter - me and Baron (Davis) kind of split it.'

While Gordon might be out until the All-Star break, the Bucks (19-26) got their own star guard back Saturday for the first time since breaking his foot Dec. 18. Jennings missed all three shots and only chipped in two free throws in 11 minutes off the bench, but was just glad to be back in a 91-81 win over New Jersey.

"I was all right," Jennings said. "I knew I wasn't going to play as much, when I did I was just trying to get back in the flow, trying to get my rhythm back. I'm just trying to get better and better in each game.'

Milwaukee is within one-half game of Charlotte for the Eastern Conference's No. 8 spot as it continues a light stretch of the schedule without John Salmons. The team's second-leading scorer behind Jennings, Salmons has missed the last seven games with a hip injury, but Carlos Delfino has stepped up.

Delfino, who himself missed 32 games with concussion-like symptoms, has averaged 17.0 points in the last three games. He had 21 Saturday starting in place of Chris Douglas-Roberts, out due to personal reasons.

"It's huge for us,' Andrew Bogut said of Delfino's contributions. "He can create off the dribble for us, we can put in pick and rolls, he has a high basketball IQ and he rebounds for us as well. We missed him as much as anybody.'

The Bucks need all the help they can get Monday. They've lost nine of 10 on the road against the Clippers.