SPORTS ADVISORS
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(2) Kentucky (26-1, 14-11 ATS) at (19) Tennessee (20-7, 10-13-1 ATS)
Just two weeks removed from their first meeting of the year, these SEC rivals clash again when the Wildcats travel to Knoxville’s Thompson-Boling Arena to face Tennessee.
Kentucky won its first 19 games of the year, got tripped up SU and ATS at South Carolina on Jan. 26, and has since won eight in a row – most recently avenging the loss to the Gamecocks with Thursday’s 82-61 home blowout as a 16-point favorite. The Wildcats are putting up 80.5 ppg (10th nationally) on 48.1 percent shooting, while allowing 65.2 ppg on just 37.8 percent shooting (sixth).
The Volunteers have been up and down lately, dropping three of their last five games (1-4 ATS), including a 75-62 setback at Florida on Tuesday as a two-point pup. During the five-game stretch, Tennessee has been outscored by an average of about five ppg (70.6-65.4), but four of those contests – including all three losses – were on the road. At home, where they’re 13-1 SU but only 5-6 ATS, the Vols pile up 82.0 ppg on 48.5 percent shooting and give up 63.9 ppg on 37.5 percent shooting.
Kentucky has cashed in the last five meetings in this rivalry (4-1 SU), including the 73-62 home win two weeks ago as a 9½-point favorite. Last year in Knoxville, the ‘Cats rolled 90-72 as a six-point pup, moving to 4-1 ATS on their last five Tennessee trips. That said, the home team has cashed in five of the last seven meetings. Also, the SU winner is 9-1 ATS in the last 10 contests
The Wildcats are on ATS upswings of 4-0 overall (all in the SEC), 7-2 on the highway, 5-0 on Saturday, 4-0 against winning teams and 5-1 versus squads with a win percentage above .600. On the flip side, the Vols are on ATS slides of 2-8 overall (all in SEC action), 0-6 after a SU loss, 1-4 at home, 2-5 against winning teams and 2-5 after a non-cover.
The under for Kentucky is on runs of 4-1 overall (all in SEC play), 5-2 after a spread-cover and 4-1 against winning teams, and Tennessee is on “under” streaks of 23-9 overall, 6-1 at home, 6-2 in SEC play, 6-0 after a non-cover and 4-1 after a SU loss. Also, in this rivalry, the total has stayed low in four of the last five meetings overall, but the over has hit in four of the last five Knoxville clashes.
ATS ADVANTAGE: KENTUCKY
Notre Dame (18-10, 11-10-1 ATS) at (11) Georgetown (19-7, 12-10)
The Hoyas look to beef up their postseason credentials when they play host to Notre Dame in a Big East tilt at the Verizon Center.
Georgetown has been a middling operation lately, going splitting its last eight games (both SU and ATS), but rallied to beat Louisville 70-60 Tuesday as a four-point road underdog to halt a two-game SU and ATS hiccup. The Hoyas are the fourth-best shooting team in the country, connecting on 49.9 percent of their shots, including 39.3 percent from three-point range (19th), while allowing 40.9 percent shooting. The Hoyas are 11-3 (5-6 ATS) at the Verizon Center, where they shoot even better, hitting at a 51.4 percent clip.
The Fighting Irish’s flagging NCAA hopes got a slight boost Wednesday night with a 68-53 victory over No. 12 Pittsburgh as a one-point home pup, despite Notre Dame not having leading scorer Luke Harongody (knee) for the third straight game. The Irish went 10 of 18 from three-point range against Pitt and they rate fourth in the nation behind the arc, hitting 41.5 percent. The Irish allow a whopping average of 80 ppg on the road this season, while scoring 74.7. They’ve lost six of seven true road games, but cashed in the last two (at Louisville and at Seton Hall).
Last season, Notre Dame beat Georgetown 73-67 as a three-point home favorite, ending a 5-0 SU run by the Hoyas in this rivalry (4-1 ATS). The home team and the favorite 4-1 ATS in the last five meetings, and the SU winner is 5-1-1 ATS in the last seven clashes.
The Hoyas are on ATS nosedives of 7-24-1 coming off a pointspread victory, 2-6 at home against teams with a losing road record and a meager 10-23 within the Big East. Meanwhile, Notre Dame is on a 16-34-1 ATS plunge in its last 51 games following a spread-cover.
The over for Georgetown is on surges of 6-1 at home and 4-0 on Saturday, but the under for the Hoyas is on upswings of 4-0 after a SU win, 46-21 after a spread-cover and 5-2 in the Big East. Notre Dame is on “under” runs of 13-3 after a spread-cover, 4-1 after a SU win and 6-2 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UNDER
(21) Texas (22-6, 10-14 ATS) at (22) Texas A&M (19-8, 15-8 ATS)
The Longhorns, trying to regain the form that led to a 17-0 start, make the trip to College Station to face Big 12 and in-state rival Texas A&M at Reed Arena.
Texas has followed a 3-6 SU and 2-7 ATS purge by winning its last two games, beating Texas Tech 71-67 as a 6½-point road chalk last Saturday, then topping Oklahoma State 69-59 laying nine points at home Wednesday. The Longhorns average 82.5 ppg (fifth in the country) on 47.2 percent shooting, while allowing 67.8 ppg on 38.9 percent shooting. However, they’re just 5-4 in true road games, including 3-3 when visiting Big 12 foes (1-5 ATS)
After a 6-1 SU surge, Texas A&M dropped two of its last three games, including a 70-66 loss at Baylor on Wednesday. However, the Aggies cashed as a 6½-point chalk and have now reeled off seven straight ATS victories. On the year, A&M has outscored opponents by about six ppg (71.3-65.0), but on the home court, the Aggies average 73.5 ppg and give up just 59.0 ppg. They’ve won 13 of 14 in College Station (6-4 ATS in lined games).
Texas A&M has cashed in three straight and four of the last five in this rivalry, despite going just 2-3 SU in that stretch. On Jan. 16, Texas needed overtime to pull out a 72-67 home victory, falling far short as a 14½-point chalk. The Aggies are 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings overall and 7-0 in the last seven College Station clashes, and the home team is on an 11-4-1 ATS tear.
The Longhorns are on a plethora of pointspread purges, including 3-12 overall, 6-20-1 in conference play, 5-15-1 on the road, 3-11 against winning teams, 1-6 on Saturday and 1-8 after a SU win. Conversely, along with their current 7-0 ATS surge, the Aggies are on pointspread rolls of 6-0 against winning teams, 25-8 after a SU loss, 19-7 in Big 12 play, 5-2 at home and 35-17 on Saturday.
Texas is on “over” streaks of 9-2 after a spread-cover, 8-2 on Saturday, 7-3 on the highway and 18-8 after a SU win. A&M, meanwhile, sports “under” runs of 4-0 overall (all in the Big 12), 6-2 at home, 5-1 after a SU loss and 6-2 on Saturday. The under has also been the play in three of the last four meetings in this rivalry, including the Jan. 16 contest, despite it going to overtime.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TEXAS A&M
Arizona State (20-8, 11-13 ATS) at California (19-9, 15-12 ATS)
The top two teams in an underwhelming Pac-10 Conference square off when the Sun Devils head north to Berkeley’s Haas Pavilion for a battle Cal.
Arizona State has won four in row and six of its last seven games (4-3 ATS), including Thursday’s 68-60 win at Stanford as a 2½-point favorite. The Sun Devils average 68.4 ppg on 45.8 percent shooting, but their defense is the key, allowing just 58.5 ppg (seventh in the nation) on 39.6 percent shooting. On average, ASU has barely outscored foes on the road this year, averaging 66.1 ppg and giving up 65.8. That said, since losing their first two conference games of the season (both on the road at UCLA and USC), the Sun Devils are 5-1 SU and ATS on the highway
The Bears are on a 5-1 SU and ATS roll, having hammered Arizona 95-71 Thursday night as a 12-point home chalk, following a 64-49 win at Oregon last Saturday giving 6½ points. In fact, all five of Cal’s wins during their current run have come by double digits. The Bears have run up a 14-1 home mark this year (5-8 ATS in lined action) on the strength of averaging 83.1 ppg, while allowing 63.9 ppg.
California is 3-1 SU and ATS in the last four meetings in this rivalry, including a 78-70 road win catching four points on Jan. 28. The underdog is 5-1 ATS in the last six contests, the road team is on a 16-5 ATS run, and the Sun Devils have cashed on five of their last six trips to Berkeley. The SU winner has covered in the last 11 meetings.
The Sun Devils have beaten the spread in just two of their last eight Saturday games, but they are 5-1 ATS in their last six road contests and 5-2 ATS in their last seven coming off a spread-cover. The Bears are on ATS upticks of 5-1 overall (all in the Pac-10), 4-1 at home and 4-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600.
The under is 4-1 in ASU’s last five starts (all in the Pac-10), but the over is 13-2 in its last 15 against winning teams. In addition, Cal is on “over” tears of 4-1 overall, 10-0 against winning teams, 15-5-1 at home, 35-15-1 in the Pac-10, 50-19-1 after a SU win, and 42-17-1 after a spread-cover. Finally, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in 13 of the last 16 clashes overall and six of the last eight at Cal.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CALIFORNIA and OVER
(10) New Mexico (26-3, 17-9-2 ATS) at (13) BYU (26-3, 16-10 ATS)
The scorching-hot Lobos go after their 13th consecutive win overall and their seventh straight road victory, traveling to the Marriott Center to face Brigham Young in a battle of the Mountain West Conference’s top two teams.
New Mexico hasn’t lost since Jan. 9, when it fell to visiting UNLV 74-62 as a five-point chalk. The Lobos are on a 12-0 SU tear (7-4-1 ATS), but they’ve barely escaped in their last two, holding off Air Force 59-56 last Saturday in Albuquerque and pulling out a 72-66 win over Colorado State on Tuesday, failing to cover as a big favorite in both games. New Mexico is 11-2 (7-4-1 ATS) away from home, averaging 74.9 ppg and giving up 68.8.
BYU has won four in a row SU and ATS, with three of those wins coming by 22 points or more and all four coming by at least 14 points. On Wednesday, the Cougars rolled past San Diego State 82-68 laying 7½ points at home. BYU rates in the top 10 nationally in points per game (82.8, third), field-goal percentage (48.9, eighth), three-point percentage (42.0, third) and free-throw percentage (77.9, first).
New Mexico is 2-1 SU and ATS in the last three meetings in this rivalry, following a 6-0 SU and ATS run by Brigham Young. A month ago at the Pit, the Lobos prevailed 76-72 as a 1½-points home chalk. The SU winner has cashed in 16 straight meetings in this rivalry, the home team is on a 5-1 ATS string, and the chalk has covered in nine of the last 13 clashes. Finally, BYU is 7-2 ATS in the last nine meetings overall and 7-0 in the last seven Provo contests.
The Lobos are on ATS runs of 19-9-2 overall, 3-1-1 on the road and 15-7 against teams with a win percentage above .600, but they are also 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight Saturday games. The Cougars are on spread-covering sprees of 4-0 overall (all in the Mountain West), 8-3 at home, 4-1 after a SU win, 6-2 on Saturday 14-5 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 16-6 after an ATS win.
New Mexico is on a bundle of “under” tears, including 4-1 overall, 5-1-1 on the highway, 12-3-1 in conference play and 9-3 on Saturday. BYU, meanwhile, is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall (all in the MWC) and 8-3 against winning teams. Also, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in eight of the last 11 meetings, though the under has hit in the last two contests.
ATS ADVANTAGE: BYU
Maryland (20-7, 14-9 ATS) at Virginia Tech (21-6, 10-10-1 ATS)
Surging Maryland, seeking its fifth straight win, treks to Blacksburg to face the Hokies in a matchup of two of the ACC’s top teams.
The Terrapins have won four in a row and six of seven (5-2 ATS), all in conference play, with the only loss coming at first-place Duke. On Wednesday, they rallied to beat Clemson 88-79 as a five-point home favorite. Maryland sports one of the top shooting defenses in the nation, allowing just 37.6 percent from the floor (sixth), and they’ve been even better on the highway, holding opponents to just 36.1 percent in their own gyms.
Virginia Tech had notched wins in five straight games and eight of nine before an ill-fated two-game road trip. The Hokies lost to Duke 67-55 on Sunday, pushing as a 12-point ‘dog, then got rocked at Boston College 80-60 as a one-point pup Wednesday. For the season, Va-Tech is averaging 71.5 ppg and giving up 62.9, but on the home floor, it is outscoring opponents by more than 17 ppg (74.1-56.8).
Maryland is 3-1 ATS in the last four meetings in this rivalry, though it has only won one of those four contests, posting an 83-73 victory last year as a 3½-point home favorite. The road team is 3-1-1 ATS in the last five matchups, and the pup is on a 4-1-1 ATS uptick.
The Terrapins are on several positive pointspread streaks, including 11-3 overall, 6-2 on the road, 19-7 inside the ACC, 10-3 against winning teams, and 7-3 after a SU win. The Hokies are 4-1-1 ATS in their last six starts after a non-cover, but they’ve gone 0-3-1 ATS in their last four overall, all in the ACC.
The under for Maryland is on runs of 4-0-1 on the road and 5-2 after a spread-cover, and the under for VaTech is on rolls of 5-2 overall, 4-0 on Saturday, 4-1 at home and 5-2 in the ACC. However, the Terps are on “over” surges of 13-6-1 overall, 10-3-1 against teams with a win percentage above .600 and 43-20-1 on Saturday, and the Hokies sport “over” streaks of 4-1 after a SU loss, 5-2 after a non-cover and 5-2 against winning teams.
Finally, in this rivalry, the total has gone high in five of the last seven matchups.
ATS ADVANTAGE: MARYLAND
(1) Kansas (27-1, 10-14-1 ATS) at Oklahoma State (19-8, 12-8-1 ATS)
The top-ranked Jayhawks take their 13-game winning streak to Stillwater, Okla., for a Big 12 clash with Oklahoma State at Gallagher-Iba Arena.
Kansas suffered its only loss of the season on Jan. 10 at Tennessee (76-68 as a five-point road chalk), then jumped into Big 12 play and ripped off 13 straight wins, including nine by double digits. The latest was Monday’s 81-68 rout of Oklahoma, the ninth time in 13 league contests that Bill Self’s squad topped 80 points. However, Kansas came up well short as a 20½-point home favorite, and that’s the one negative with the Jayhawks, who have failed to cover in four straight overall and seven of their last eight (0-3 ATS in their last three Big 12 road games).
The Cowboys’ three-game SU and ATS winning streak came to a halt Wednesday when they lost 69-59 at Texas, falling just short as a nine-point road underdog. On the bright side, Oklahoma State is 13-1 at Gallagher-Iba Arena (6-1-1 ATS in lined games), including 5-1 SU and ATS in conference home games. Going back to last year, Oklahoma State has won 18 of 19 at home (10-2-1 ATS in lined action), going 10-1 (9-2 ATS) when hosting league rivals.
The SU winner has covered the spread in all 13 of OSU’s Big 12 contests.
The Jayhawks are 10-1 in road/neutral-site games (4-6-1 ATS), averaging 76.1 ppg (46.2 percent shooting) and holding opponents to 65.4 ppg (37.9 percent). Oklahoma State outscores visitors by 15 ppg (79.6-64.6) while posting a 48 percent to 40.5 percent shooting advantage.
Kansas has won four of the last five meetings in this rivalry (3-2 ATS), but in the most recent contest in Stillwater two seasons ago, Oklahoma State scored a 61-60 upset victory as a whopping 11-point home underdog. In fact, the host has won three in a row (3-0 ATS) and six of the last eight (5-3 ATS) in this series.
The Jayhawks are in pointspread ruts of 0-4 overall, 3-7-1 on the road, 0-4 on Saturday, 1-4 after a non-cover, 1-5 versus winning teams. Conversely, Oklahoma State is on ATS upticks of 23-9-1 overall, 34-16-3 at home (10-2-1 last 13), 16-7 in Big 12 play, 20-9-1 against winning teams and 5-1-1 when playing at home against an opponent with a winning road record.
Kansas carries “under” trends of 4-1 on the road, 4-1 against winning teams and 35-17 after a SU victory. On the flip side, Oklahoma State has topped the total in four of five at home, four straight Saturday outings and four of five after either a SU or ATS loss. Finally, the under has hit in four of the last five Kansas-Oklahoma State battles overall, and the last five clashes in Stillwater have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA STATE and UNDER
Missouri (21-7, 14-8 ATS) at (6) Kansas State (23-4, 15-6-1 ATS)
Kansas State will try to extend a six-game winning streak, avenge one of its conference losses and continue the home team’s dominance in this rivalry when the streaking Tigers pay a visit to Fred Bramlage Coliseum in Manhattan.
Missouri has won three in a row and four of its last five, most recently blasting Colorado 92-63 as a 14½-point home favorite on Wednesday. With that spread-cover, the Tigers have cashed in four straight games overall, and they’ve also gotten the money in three straight road games (2-1 SU), all against Big 12 foes. Mizzou is 3-3 SU and 4-2 ATS in conference roadies, with two of those losses (at Oklahoma and at Baylor) being by a total of seven points.
The Wildcats are coming off consecutive road routs of Oklahoma (83-68) and Texas Tech (83-64), easily cashing as a 5½-point favorite in both games. Not only has Kansas State won six in a row and seven of eight – including five consecutive Big 12 road wins – but it is on a 8-3-1 ATS roll (all in conference). The ‘Cats are 13-2 SU and 8-2-1 ATS in Manhattan, but just 4-2 SU and ATS in conference home games (3-2 ATS as a home favorite).
The Tigers put up 72.8 ppg as a visitor but shoot just 39.6 percent from the floor, while surrendering 72.1 ppg (42.7 percent). Meanwhile, K-State is averaging 81 ppg (44.9 percent) at the Bramlage Coliseum while limiting visitors to 64.7 ppg (39.9 percent).
These teams opened the Big 12 season against each other on Jan. 9, and Missouri rallied for a 74-68 victory, getting a meaningless slam dunk at the buzzer to barely cover as a five-point home chalk. The host has won the last six meetings in this rivalry both SU and ATS and is 8-1 SU and ATS in the last nine meetings. Also, the SU winner has covered the spread in each of the last 12 series clashes.
Missouri has cashed in four straight overall, five straight on Saturday, eight straight following a victory of more than 20 points and 19 of 26 conference games. On the downside, despite cashing in four of six Big 12 road contests this year, the Tigers are just 12-25 ATS in their last 37 on the highway.
Kansas State is also on a slew of ATS hot streaks, including 14-4-1 overall, 7-2 at home, 6-2 in the Big 12, 10-4-1 after both a SU and ATS win and 39-18-2 on Saturday.
The Tigers are on “under” runs of 4-1 on the road, 5-2 after a SU win and 5-2 on Saturday, but they’ve topped the total in eight of nine against winning teams. The Wildcats are also on “over” surges of 7-1 against winning teams, 15-7 after a spread-cover and 8-3-1 on Saturday. Lastly, the over is 8-1 in the last nine battles between these schools, with the last four in Manhattan hurdling the posted total.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OVER
(7) Villanova (23-4, 17-9 ATS) at (4) Syracuse (26-2, 17-7 ATS)
The game of the day comes from the Carrier Dome in upstate New York, where the Orange host Villanova with first place on the line in the rugged Big East.
The Wildcats rebounded from their first two-game losing skid of the season – 84-75 home loss to UConn; 70-65 loss at Pitt – with Wednesday’s 74-49 destruction of South Florida. Villanova easily cashed as a 13-point home chalk, ending ATS slides of 0-3 and 1-5. Jay Wright’s club won 10 of its first 11 road games – including four straight Big East road wins and spread-covers – but it has since dropped two of its last three as a visitor (SU and ATS). The SU winner has covered the spread in each of ‘Nova’s last nine games on the highway.
Syracuse dropped a 66-60 decision to Louisville as a 7½-point home favorite two weeks ago, but then bounced back with a pair of impressive road wins over Georgetown (75-71 as a two-point ‘dog) and Providence (99-85 as an eight-point chalk). Somewhat surprisingly, both of Syracuse’s losses this season came at home (where the Orange are 15-2 SU and 7-6 ATS in lined action), while it is 11-0 on the road (10-1 ATS).
The Orange sit atop the 16-team Big East at 13-2 SU (10-5 ATS), one game ahead of Villanova (12-3 SU, 9-6 ATS).
The Wildcats swept the season series from Syracuse last year, winning 102-85 as a 6½-point home favorite and 89-86 at the Carrier Dome as a two-point pup. Villanova has won three in a row, five of six and seven of the last nine in this rivalry, going 6-3 ATS over this stretch. It is also 5-1 ATS in its last six trips to the Carrier Dome.
Also in this rivalry, the underdog has cashed in five of the last six, and the SU winner has covered the pointspread in each of the last five meetings and nine of the last 10.
These are two of the highest-scoring teams in the country, with the Wildcats ranking second in averaging 83.8 ppg and Syracuse sitting seventh at 81.2 ppg. The Orange also lead the nation in field-goal shooting at 52.2 percent, while ‘Nova sinks 46.6 percent of its shots. Syracuse holds a defensive edge, limiting opponents to 65.3 ppg (39 percent) compared with the Wildcats’ 72 ppg (40.4 percent).
In building an 11-3 road/neutral-site record, Villanova has put 82.2 ppg on 48.2 percent shooting, but the Wildcats have also given up 78.6 ppg (42 percent) away from home. By comparison, the Orange outscore visitors by 19 ppg (81.6-62.6) and outshoot them 53 percent to 38 percent.
In addition to its 2-5 ATS slump overall, Villanova has failed to cash in four straight games after a SU victory. However, the Wildcats have covered in six of their last eight road games and 11 of 15 after a spread-cover. Syracuse is on pointspread rolls of 26-9 overall, 19-8 at home, 17-6 in conference play, 21-8 versus winning teams, 21-9 after a SU victory and 21-8 when coming off a spread cover.
Also, Syracuse’s 17-7 ATS mark is tied for third-best in the nation, while the Wildcats’ 17-9 ATS record is tied for ninth.
Villanova has topped the total in 15 of 21 overall, five of six on the road and 13 of 17 after a SU win, and the over is 9-2 in Syracuse’s last 11 Saturday contests. However, the Orange are also on “under” runs of 9-3 overall (all in the Big East), 4-0 at home and 6-1 after a SU victory. Finally, these two topped the total in both meetings last year.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
NBA
Houston (29-28, 26-31 ATS) at Utah (37-21, 35-20-3 ATS)
The struggling Rockets head north to Salt Lake City, hoping to win at EnergySolutions Arena for the second time this year as they visit the Jazz.
Houston is coming off Friday’s 109-105 upset victory over San Antonio as a 3½-point home underdog. The Rockets snapped a three-game losing skid with the victory, but they’ve still dropped six of their last eight games, all SU and ATS. Going back further, they’re lost 10 of their last 15 contests and they’re 6-18 ATS in their last 24. On the bright side, Houston has managed to win three of its last five road outings both SU and ATS.Utah rebounded from Monday’s 105-100 home loss to Atlanta (as a three-point chalk) with Wednesday’s 102-93 victory over Charlotte, barely covering as a 7½-point home favorite. Then the Jazz went to Sacramento last night and got stunned 103-99 as a seven-point road favorite. Utah has still won 19 of its last 24 games, going 17-4-3 ATS. During this stretch, the Jazz are 11-2 on their home floor (8-3-2 ATS). Also, last night’s result aside, Jerry Sloan’s squad has scored at least 100 points 18 times in this 24-game surge.
Houston pounded the Jazz 113-96 as an eight-point underdog back in the first week of the season, but Utah got revenge 11 days ago, rolling 104-95 in Houston as a three-point road chalk. Prior to this season, the home team had won seven straight series clashes (4-3 ATS), but the visitor has now covered in 11 of the past 16 meetings.
The SU winner has covered the spread in each of the Rockets’ last 11 games and 15 of the last 16, and the winner is 15-1 ATS in their last 16 road outings (10-0 ATS last 10). Also, the winner is 18-1-3 ATS in Utah’s last 22, including 9-0 ATS in the last nine. Finally, the winner has cashed in six of the last eight meetings between these teams.
Houston has failed to cover in 18 of 24 overall, nine of 12 on the road, nine of 13 against Western Conference opponents, four straight versus the Northwest Division, five of six on Saturday and seven of eight when playing on consecutive nights.
On the opposite end of the pointspread perspective, the Jazz are on ATS surges of 33-16-3 overall (17-4-3 last 24), 16-6-2 at home, 13-3-2 in Western Conference contests, 36-15 when facing Southwest Division foes, 3-0-1 on Saturday and 5-2-1 when going on the second night of a back-to-back.
The underdog has cashed in 14 of Houston’s last 19 games, but the favorite is 10-5-1 ATS in Utah’s last 16.
The over is on runs of 5-1 for the Rockets on back-to-back nights and 4-1 for Utah at home. However, the under is on streaks of 14-6 for Houston on the highway, 4-1 for Houston in Western Conference games, 5-3 for the Jazz overall and 5-1 for the Jazz against Western Conference opponents. Also, the under has cashed in three of the last four meetings between these two.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UTAH and UNDER
The Golden Bears won 78-70 in Tempe on January 28, a game in which they were up by as many as 16 in the second half. With the win today, Cal can clinch at least a share of the Pac-10 title - its first since 1960.
