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Both of these teams’ offenses love to get to the rim, but both defenses are strongest at protecting the rim. That sets up for both offenses — which aren’t typically good at shooting from the perimeter — being forced to make a lot from deep to produce points. And given that it’s a tournament semifinal and a neutral court, it’s fair to expect some nerves to impact the perimeter shooting.
Furthermore, The Musketeers will again be without Scruggs, who’s their highest usage offensive player and creator. He’s also excellent at getting to the free-throw line and plays a very physical style, and his presence will continue to be missed.
The Bonnies won’t let themselves get sped up by Xavier —- even with the arena being particularly one-sided in their favor, they will control the pace of this game and make it a slow one. Beyond that, though I expect a bevy of missed jumpers from a pair of teams who really struggle to score. Frankly don’t be surprised if the rims need some re-adjusting after the bricks are done raining down —- IT’S LIMBO UNDER THE TOTAL TIME.
Washington State is healthy and has more than enough ball handlers to prevent turnovers against the Aggies’ pressure defense. The Cougars are top-50 at protecting the ball and will have major advantages on the offensive glass in this matchup. The lack of turnovers and extra offensive rebounds will enable the Cougars to control the pace Tuesday night. That means fewer transition opportunities for the Aggies to take advantage, and Texas A&M will need to score in the half-court to win this game.
Given how elite Washington State’s rim defense is, it’s hard to see how Texas A&M scores enough to win this game —- and while the Aggies are one of the hottest teams in the country, Washington State is playing just as well, and is finally healthy and matches up pretty well with the Aggies.
The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. Milwaukee and Philadelphia are both coming in off losses and are currently tied in 3rd place in the conference, just a half-game behind both Miami and Boston. A win in this game could move either team to the top of the standings —- so for once perhaps we’ll have a game worth handicapping in the Association.
Call me crazy, but I’m taking Giannis in a regular-season game as an underdog with something to both prove and play for. But beyond that; With Lopez back, Milwaukee has more size to throw at Embiid. While they don't expect to stop the MVP candidate, they can at least make him work with a combination of Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr, Antetekoumpo, and Serge Ibaka.
With the Bucks getting healthy I’m expecting Milwaukee to take advantage of the porous defense of the 76ers and pour some cold water on the notion that Philly is the team to fear in the East.
In a battle of Eastern Conference title hopefuls, The Penguins play host to the Rangers and seek revenge on a resounding 5-1 defeat they suffered on Friday. So with both teams fine-tuning their games as playoffs draw nearer, this should be a tight battle through the neutral zone. After starting slow last time out, the Penguins should be ready from the opening puck drop this time around. And if the Rangers maintain their recent levels of defensive responsibility, chances should be few and far between on both sides of the puck.
The B’s have been on a tear and are really starting to turn up the dial as the regular season winds down They have been playing their brand of hockey, and their top guys are scoring goals. There’s not much more you can ask from the B’s right now, and frankly, I fully expect them to beat the Leafs this evening.
The Leafs have just not found much success on the road lately, especially as an underdog, as they are 0-4 in their last four games as road dogs. Their goaltending has not been consistent enough for me to trust them, and frankly, the team as a whole has been underwhelming since the turn of the year.
So I’m going to skirt the -135 juice on the straight ML by backing the Bruins to get it done in regulation. Leafs are in a bit of a tailspin here, and if history tells us anything Boston’s not exactly a happy place for the Leafs.
The Anaheim Ducks enter this contest in awful form as they have now lost nine straight games. While it is still a game of puck, and anything can happen any given night, I would be shocked if they break the streak against a much more talented Dallas team.
For Anaheim, the issues are pretty much everywhere across the ice. Though the main problem of late has been in net. John Gibson is the projected starting goaltender for the Ducks and has been awful since the All-Star break —- Gibson is just 2-11-1 with an abysmal 0.857 Save Percentage. I do not imagine he finds a whole lot of success in turning that around against a Stars team that has averaged 3.23 goals scored per game over their last 13 contests.
Anaheim can’t score and can’t stop getting scored on, so I am not sure what needs to happen in order for them to break the losing streak. The reality is Dallas has more to play for, a better roster, and a better goaltender. Getting plus money in this spot feels like robbery.
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St Bonaventure Bonnies vs Xavier Musketeers
Play —- 1st Half Under 65.5/ Under 140Both of these teams’ offenses love to get to the rim, but both defenses are strongest at protecting the rim. That sets up for both offenses — which aren’t typically good at shooting from the perimeter — being forced to make a lot from deep to produce points. And given that it’s a tournament semifinal and a neutral court, it’s fair to expect some nerves to impact the perimeter shooting.
Furthermore, The Musketeers will again be without Scruggs, who’s their highest usage offensive player and creator. He’s also excellent at getting to the free-throw line and plays a very physical style, and his presence will continue to be missed.
The Bonnies won’t let themselves get sped up by Xavier —- even with the arena being particularly one-sided in their favor, they will control the pace of this game and make it a slow one. Beyond that, though I expect a bevy of missed jumpers from a pair of teams who really struggle to score. Frankly don’t be surprised if the rims need some re-adjusting after the bricks are done raining down —- IT’S LIMBO UNDER THE TOTAL TIME.
Washington State vs Texas A&M
Play —- Washington State ML (+106)Washington State is healthy and has more than enough ball handlers to prevent turnovers against the Aggies’ pressure defense. The Cougars are top-50 at protecting the ball and will have major advantages on the offensive glass in this matchup. The lack of turnovers and extra offensive rebounds will enable the Cougars to control the pace Tuesday night. That means fewer transition opportunities for the Aggies to take advantage, and Texas A&M will need to score in the half-court to win this game.
Given how elite Washington State’s rim defense is, it’s hard to see how Texas A&M scores enough to win this game —- and while the Aggies are one of the hottest teams in the country, Washington State is playing just as well, and is finally healthy and matches up pretty well with the Aggies.
Milwaukee Bucks vs Philadelphia 76ers
Play —- Bucks ML (+103)The Milwaukee Bucks travel to Philadelphia to take on the 76ers in a crucial Eastern Conference showdown. Milwaukee and Philadelphia are both coming in off losses and are currently tied in 3rd place in the conference, just a half-game behind both Miami and Boston. A win in this game could move either team to the top of the standings —- so for once perhaps we’ll have a game worth handicapping in the Association.
Call me crazy, but I’m taking Giannis in a regular-season game as an underdog with something to both prove and play for. But beyond that; With Lopez back, Milwaukee has more size to throw at Embiid. While they don't expect to stop the MVP candidate, they can at least make him work with a combination of Lopez, Bobby Portis Jr, Antetekoumpo, and Serge Ibaka.
With the Bucks getting healthy I’m expecting Milwaukee to take advantage of the porous defense of the 76ers and pour some cold water on the notion that Philly is the team to fear in the East.
New York Rangers vs Pittsburg Penguins
Play —- Under 6 (-120)In a battle of Eastern Conference title hopefuls, The Penguins play host to the Rangers and seek revenge on a resounding 5-1 defeat they suffered on Friday. So with both teams fine-tuning their games as playoffs draw nearer, this should be a tight battle through the neutral zone. After starting slow last time out, the Penguins should be ready from the opening puck drop this time around. And if the Rangers maintain their recent levels of defensive responsibility, chances should be few and far between on both sides of the puck.
Toronto Maple Leafs vs Boston Bruins
Play —- Bruins in Regulation (+108)The B’s have been on a tear and are really starting to turn up the dial as the regular season winds down They have been playing their brand of hockey, and their top guys are scoring goals. There’s not much more you can ask from the B’s right now, and frankly, I fully expect them to beat the Leafs this evening.
The Leafs have just not found much success on the road lately, especially as an underdog, as they are 0-4 in their last four games as road dogs. Their goaltending has not been consistent enough for me to trust them, and frankly, the team as a whole has been underwhelming since the turn of the year.
So I’m going to skirt the -135 juice on the straight ML by backing the Bruins to get it done in regulation. Leafs are in a bit of a tailspin here, and if history tells us anything Boston’s not exactly a happy place for the Leafs.
Dallas Stars vs Anaheim Ducks
Play —- Stars in Regulation (+104)The Anaheim Ducks enter this contest in awful form as they have now lost nine straight games. While it is still a game of puck, and anything can happen any given night, I would be shocked if they break the streak against a much more talented Dallas team.
For Anaheim, the issues are pretty much everywhere across the ice. Though the main problem of late has been in net. John Gibson is the projected starting goaltender for the Ducks and has been awful since the All-Star break —- Gibson is just 2-11-1 with an abysmal 0.857 Save Percentage. I do not imagine he finds a whole lot of success in turning that around against a Stars team that has averaged 3.23 goals scored per game over their last 13 contests.
Anaheim can’t score and can’t stop getting scored on, so I am not sure what needs to happen in order for them to break the losing streak. The reality is Dallas has more to play for, a better roster, and a better goaltender. Getting plus money in this spot feels like robbery.
