THE SPORTS ADVISORS
(3) North Carolina (21-2, 9-12 ATS) at (6) Duke (20-3, 11-10-1 ATS)
Another chapter in the most intense rivalry in college basketball will be written tonight when North Carolina makes the eight-mile trek down Tobacco Road to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first of two regular-season meetings with Duke, with first place in the ACC on the line.
The Tar Heels have ripped off seven straight victories, all in ACC play, including Saturday’s 76-61 home win over Virginia, though they came up short as a hefty 24-point home chalk. It was the first time in nine games that North Carolina was held under 80 points, as it shot just 41.8 percent from the field. The Tar Heels have been blowing out opponents all season, with 21 of their 22 victories coming by 15 points or more.
Three days after an embarrassing 74-47 loss at Clemson as a four-point road favorite, Duke returned home and came out flat against Miami, Fla., on Saturday, falling behind 32-19 at halftime. But the Blue Devils rallied and pulled out a 78-75 overtime victory, failing miserably as a 14-point chalk. Duke has followed up a 10-game winning streak (5-3-1 ATS in lined games) by splitting its last four contests (1-3 ATS). Still, 16 of the team’s 20 wins have been by more than 10 points.
Both squads are two games clear of the rest of the field in the ACC standings at 7-2 SU. However, neither has been profitable in conference action, with the Tar Heels going 3-6 ATS (2-2 ATS on the road) and Duke posting a 4-5 ATS mark (3-2 ATS at home).
North Carolina has taken control of this storied rivalry in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings and cashing in five of the last six, including three consecutive wins and covers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Last year, Duke took the first clash 89-78 as a 4½-point road underdog, but the Tar Heels got revenge in a 76-68 victory as a 1½-point pup. UNC is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 trips to Cameron Indoor Stadium, the underdog is 12-3 ATS in the last 15 battles overall and the visitor has gotten the money in four of the last five.
From 2004-07, these rivals played seven games decided by a total of 27 points. However, the last three meetings were decided by margins of 14, 11 and eight points.
The Blue Devils average 78.2 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting, including 83 ppg on 46.5 percent shooting at home. More than anything, though, coach Mike Krzyzewski’s team has made its mark on defense this season, holding opponents to 61 ppg (40 percent shooting) overall, including 59 ppg (40 percent shooting) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Tar Heels rank second in the nation in scoring at 92.3 ppg and 10th in field-goal percentage (48.8), and they’re putting up 83 ppg (46.5 percent shooting) on the highway. However, UNC is surrendering 71.2 ppg overall (40 percent) and 70 ppg on the road (40.2 percent).
North Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games on Wednesday and 5-1 ATS in its last six after a non-cover, but the Heels have failed to cover in nine of their last 12 ACC contests and 10 of their last 13 after an outright victory. Duke is 6-2 ATS in its last eight after a non-cover, but 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 on Wednesday and 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight after a SU win. Also, in their only game as an underdog this season, the Blue Devils annihilated Purdue 76-60 as a two-point road pup.
North Carolina is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall (all in conference), 8-2 on Wednesday, 4-1 after a SU win and 17-8 after an ATS setback. On the flip side, Duke is riding “under” streaks of 21-6 overall (10-2 last 12), 18-5 at home (6-2 last eight), 13-3 in ACC play, 35-17 on Wednesday, 19-7 after a SU win and 4-1 after an ATS loss.
Finally, the over is on a 5-1 run in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
(14) Xavier (20-3, 12-8-1 ATS) at Dayton (21-3, 8-11 ATS)
Coming off its first conference loss of the season, Xavier will attempt to bounce back when it visits Dayton in a battle of two of the top three teams in the Atlantic 10.
The Musketeers had an 11-game winning streak (8-1-1 ATS in lined games) snapped in Saturday’s 72-68 loss at Duquesne as a five-point road chalk. Xavier, which had scored at least 70 points in nine of its 11 wins during the streak, has struggled on defense lately, allowing 80, 74 and 72 points in its last three contests.
Dayton’s seven-game winning streak went by the wayside Sunday as it fell at Charlotte 79-66 as a two-point road favorite. The Flyers, who are just 4-8 ATS in their last 12 contests, have averaged just 61.3 points per game in their last four outings. Although they’re unbeaten through 14 games at Dayton Arena – holding visitors to 53.4 ppg – the Flyers are just 3-7 ATS in lined home contests.
Xavier still sits alone atop the A-10 standings, a half-game ahead of St. Joseph’s and one game clear of Dayton. The Musketeers are 8-1 SU and 6-1-1 ATS in conference, including 3-1 SU and ATS on the road. Dayton is 7-2 SU and 3-6 ATS in league play, including 4-0 SU but just 1-3 ATS at home.
The Musketeers have dominated this rivalry over the past two seasons, going 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS, including 2-0 SU and ATS at Dayton Arena. Last year, Xavier won 69-43 as an 11-point home favorite, 57-51 as a 4½-point home chalk and 74-65 in the Atlantic 10 tournament, coming up just short as a 9½-point choice. The favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and the SU winner has cashed in eight of those 10 contests.
Both teams play tremendous defense, with Xavier allowing 63.5 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting and Dayton yielding 59 ppg on 38.1 percent shooting. The Musketeers rate the edge on offense, averaging 74 ppg (47.4 percent), while the Flyers put in 67.1 ppg (42.3 percent).
Xavier is on ATS streaks of 8-2-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 6-1-1 against teams with a winning record and 4-1 as a favorite of less than five points. The Flyers are in pointspread funks of 3-7 overall, 1-5 at home, 8-17 in A-10 play and 2-6 on Wednesday, but they’ve cashed in both games as an underdog this season.
The over is on stretches of 5-2 for Xavier on the road, 13-3 for Xavier after a SU loss, 4-0 for Xavier after a non-cover, 9-3-1 for Dayton in league play and 5-1-1 for Dayton after an ATS setback. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five battles between these rivals at Dayton Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: XAVIER
(23) Syracuse (18-6, 9-11 ATS) at (1) Connecticut (22-1, 10-9 ATS)
UConn guns for its 12th consecutive victory when it hosts slumping Syracuse, which has lost five of its last seven games, including four straight Big East road contests.
The Huskies struggled with Michigan in a non-conference home game Saturday, eventually pulling away for a 69-61 victory but coming up way shot as a 16½-point chalk to end a four-game ATS winning streak. UConn has scored between 68 and 71 points in four of its last five games, but defensively, Jim Calhoun’s team remains solid, allowing just 56.6 ppg (35.2 percent shooting) in its last five games and holding nine of its last 11 opponents to 61 points or less.
Syracuse went to Villanova on Saturday and got spanked 102-85 as a 6½-point road underdog, the second time in as many road outings that the Orange surrendered 100 points. Since winning 16 of its first 17 contests, Syracuse is 2-5 SU and ATS, including 0-4 SU and ATS on the road, all in Big East action. Jim Boeheim’s squad yielded 92 ppg in those four road defeats. The SU winner is 9-0 ATS in the Orange’s last nine contests, all in league play.
This has been a competitive rivalry in recent years, with UConn winning six of the last 10 matchups both SU and ATS, including a 63-61 win as a 2½-point road underdog in last year’s lone meeting. The winner has cashed in each of the last 10 series clashes, the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes, and the Huskies are 6-0 ATS in the last six regular-season battles against Syracuse on their home court.
In addition to its ATS slumps of 1-4 overall and 0-4 on the road, Syracuse is 2-5 ATS in its last seven on Wednesday, 1-5 ATS in its last six as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in its last five against winning teams. Also, after starting the year 3-0 SU and ATS against Top 25 teams, the Orange have gone 1-4 SU and ATS in five contests against ranked Big East foes. UConn has cashed in four consecutive Big East games and four of five against winning teams, but it is 2-6 ATS in lined home games this season. The Huskies are 7-1 (6-2 ATS) against Top 25 competition
The under is 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head battles, including 6-2 in the last eight at Connecticut. Also, UConn is on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 5-2 in Big East play and 10-4 against winning teams, and the Orange have stayed low in 10 of their last 14 against winning teams. However, the over is 4-1 in Syracuse’s last five on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCONN and UNDER
(2) Oklahoma (23-1, 10-8-1 ATS) at Baylor (15-8, 6-9 ATS)
Baylor, which has seen its NCAA Tournament hopes take a big hit this month, can help its resume immensely if it can hand second-ranked Oklahoma its first Big 12 loss of the season.
The Bears fell apart down the stretch at Texas Tech on Saturday, falling 83-76 as a 4½-point road favorite, their fifth consecutive SU and ATS defeat. During the slump, Baylor is 0-2 SU and ATS at home and it is averaging 72.2 ppg on just 38.3 percent shooting while allowing 84 ppg on 50.3 percent shooting. Since starting the season 12-1 (4-1 ATS in lined games), the Bears are 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS, including 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS at home.
The Sooners ran their winning streak to 11 with Saturday’s narrow 77-72 victory over Big 12 bottom-feeder Colorado, falling way short of covering as a 19½-point home favorite. Oklahoma has followed up a 5-1-1 ATS run with back-to-back non-covers, and the team’s last four wins have come by an average of 7.3 points per game. However, the Sooners have been filling the bucket lately, pouring in 83 ppg on 49 percent shooting in their last five contests.
Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team unbeaten in conference play at 9-0 (5-3-1 ATS), including 4-0 (3-0-1 ATS) at home. Baylor is now just 3-6 (2-7 ATS) in the Big 12, including 2-2 (1-3 ATS) at home.
This has been a lopsided series in favor of Oklahoma, which has won 29 consecutive meetings since 1997 and is 34-5 all-time against Baylor. Back on Jan. 24 in Norman, Okla., the Sooners cruised to a 95-76 victory as a seven-point home chalk, a result that started the Bears’ current five-game SU and ATS slide. Oklahoma is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings overall and 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight trips to Waco, including a 77-71 upset win as a 4½-point road favorite last year.
Oklahoma is on ATS streaks of 5-2-1 on the road, 5-2-1 against winning teams, 8-3 on Wednesday and 4-0 as a favorite of less than five points, but it is 19-40-3 ATS in its last 62 road games versus teams with a winning home mark. Baylor carries negative ATS trends of 0-5 overall, 1-4 at home and 0-4 against winning squads, but the Bears have cashed in all three games as an underdog of less than five points.
Seven of the last eight series clashes in this rivalry have topped the total. Also, Baylor is on “over” streaks of 24-8-1 overall, 11-5 at home, 39-17-1 in Big 12 play, 7-1 versus winning teams, 11-3-1 after a SU defeat and 21-6-1 after a non-cover, while the Sooners have topped the total in six consecutive games (all against league foes). However, the under is 9-4-1 in Oklahoma’s last 14 on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA and OVER
NBA
Denver (35-17, 29-22-1 ATS) at Orlando (38-12, 33-16-1 ATS)
The Nuggets continue their eight-game road trip with their one and only stop this season in Orlando, where the Magic will attempt to defeat Denver for the third straight time.
Denver was down the state in Miami last night, rolling over the Heat 99-82 as a 1½-point road favorite. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 10, but they’ve followed up a 4-0 ATS run by going 3-4 ATS in their last seven. George Karl’s club has scored in triple digits eight times in its last 11 games – tallying more than 110 points five times – but it managed just 81 and 70 points in its last two defeats.
Orlando has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses in its last five games, most recently pounding the Nets 101-84 as a 13-point home favorite. The Magic are 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven (3-1 SU and ATS at home), averaging 110 ppg during this stretch. Going back to Jan. 6, Orlando is 12-4 SU and ATS, scoring more than 100 points 11 times. Finally, the SU winner has cashed in each of the Magic’s last 15 outings.
Orlando went to Denver on Jan. 17 at the tail end of a four-game Western Conference road trip and hammered the Nuggets 106-88 as a 1½-point road underdog. That snapped an 11-game SU and ATS winning streak by the home team in this rivalry. In fact, the Nuggets are 0-8 SU and ATS in their last eight trips to Orlando. Going back further, the Magic have covered in 12 of the last 17 head-to-head battles.
The Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in their last nine outings when playing on back-to-back nights and 5-10 ATS in their last 15 on the highway versus teams with a winning home record. Conversely, the Magic are on a plethora of positive pointspread surges, including 35-17-1 overall, 4-1 at home, 4-0 against the Northwest Division, 35-16-1 versus the Western Conference, 22-8-1 on Wednesday, 21-6-2 when playing on two day’s rest and 13-4 against winning teams.
The under is 4-1 both in the last five meetings between these teams overall and in the last five in Orlando. Also, the Magic are on “under” stretches of 11-4 at home, 11-5-1 against Northwest Division foes, 10-3 when playing on two days’ rest and 4-1 against winning teams. However, the over for Denver is on runs of 4-2 overall, 7-4 on the road, 11-5 against the Eastern Conference and 5-1 on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Phoenix (28-22, 17-30-2 ATS) at Cleveland (39-11, 32-18 ATS)
The Cavaliers return to Quicken Loans Arena carrying a two-game losing skid as they host the Suns, who are concluding a three-game road trip.
Cleveland won its first 23 home games this season before running into the Lakers’ buzzsaw on Sunday, falling 101-91 as a five-point favorite. The Cavs then went to Indiana last night and lost 96-95 as a 6½-point road chalk, moving to 8-3 in their last 11 games, but just 5-6 ATS. Despite Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles, Cleveland is still 18-6 ATS at home this season, including 6-2 ATS in the last eight, and it surrenders just 89.5 ppg to visitors at Quicken Loans Arena.
Phoenix started its trip with Sunday’s 107-97 rout of Detroit as a one-point underdog, but followed that with Monday’s 108-91 loss in Philadelphia as a 3½-point pup. The Suns are 5-9 in their last 14 games and 9-23-2 ATS in their past 34 outings. On the road this season, Phoenix is 14-12 SU but just 10-15-1 ATS, averaging 103 ppg but giving up 103.8.
The Suns have won and covered four straight meetings with the Cavaliers, and they’re 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) in the last 10 clashes. They’ve posted consecutive wins at Quicken Loans Arena by a total of seven points, going 2-0 ATS. The favorite has cashed in each of the last seven clashes in this rivalry.
Phoenix is in ATS tailspins of 4-11-2 overall, 3-7-1 on the road, 3-9-1 against the Eastern Conference, 3-7-2 when playing on one day of rest and 1-4 on Wednesday. Cleveland has failed to cover in four of its last five against the Pacific Division, but the Cavaliers are on positive pointspread stretches of 37-18 overall, 21-6 at home since last year’s playoffs, 13-5 against the West, 6-1 when playing on Wednesday and 7-2 when playing on consecutive nights.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in this rivalry and 4-0 in the last four in Cleveland. Also, the over is on stretches of 5-1 for Phoenix on Wednesday, 35-17 for Phoenix against the Central Division, 5-1 for Phoenix against winning teams, 4-1 for Cleveland on Wednesday, 6-2 for Cleveland against winning teams and 5-1 for Cleveland when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and OVER
L.A. Lakers (42-9, 27-24 ATS) at Utah (29-23, 26-26 ATS)
After a brief stop at home last night, the Lakers head back on the road for a clash against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.
Los Angeles followed up a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS Eastern Conference road trip with Tuesday’s 105-98 victory over Oklahoma City, failing to cover as a 12-point home favorite. The Lakers have scored at least 100 points in eight straight games and 22 of the last 23, the only exception being a 99-85 win over the Spurs 2½ weeks ago. In fact, Los Angeles has scored in triple digits in all but seven of 51 games, averaging 108.5 ppg overall and 113.4 ppg on the road.
Utah had a three-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in Sunday’s 116-96 loss at Golden State as a 1½-point road favorite. Prior to that contest, the Jazz had averaged 108.2 ppg in their previous six games. Although Jerry Sloan’s team is on a 3-0 SU and ATS run at home, it is just 6-8 SU in its last 14 overall and 5-10 ATS in its last 15.
The Lakers have won three straight meetings against Utah, and they’re 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine clashes, including a six-game Western Conference semifinal playoff series victory last spring. In the lone clash this season, Los Angeles prevailed 113-100 as a 10-point home chalk on Jan. 2. Going back to the 2006-07 season, the Lakers are 9-3-1 ATS in this rivalry, and the host is on an 11-4-1 ATS roll.
In addition to its 6-0 ATS run on the road, L.A. is on pointspread surges of 5-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 4-0 against winning teams and 19-7 when playing on back-to-back nights (9-3 in back-to-backs this season). Utah has cashed in seven of its last 10 against the Pacific Division, but is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 versus the Western Conference.
The last four meetings in this rivalry have gone over the total. Also, for the Jazz, the over is on runs of 15-6 overall, 8-3 at home, 11-5 against the Western Conference, 30-12 versus the Pacific Division, 11-4 when playing on Wednesday and 4-0 against winning teams. Finally, Los Angeles is on “over” streaks of 6-2 overall, 8-1 on the highway, 5-2 against the Western Conference, 5-1 on Wednesday and 4-0 when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and OVER
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(3) North Carolina (21-2, 9-12 ATS) at (6) Duke (20-3, 11-10-1 ATS)
Another chapter in the most intense rivalry in college basketball will be written tonight when North Carolina makes the eight-mile trek down Tobacco Road to Cameron Indoor Stadium for the first of two regular-season meetings with Duke, with first place in the ACC on the line.
The Tar Heels have ripped off seven straight victories, all in ACC play, including Saturday’s 76-61 home win over Virginia, though they came up short as a hefty 24-point home chalk. It was the first time in nine games that North Carolina was held under 80 points, as it shot just 41.8 percent from the field. The Tar Heels have been blowing out opponents all season, with 21 of their 22 victories coming by 15 points or more.
Three days after an embarrassing 74-47 loss at Clemson as a four-point road favorite, Duke returned home and came out flat against Miami, Fla., on Saturday, falling behind 32-19 at halftime. But the Blue Devils rallied and pulled out a 78-75 overtime victory, failing miserably as a 14-point chalk. Duke has followed up a 10-game winning streak (5-3-1 ATS in lined games) by splitting its last four contests (1-3 ATS). Still, 16 of the team’s 20 wins have been by more than 10 points.
Both squads are two games clear of the rest of the field in the ACC standings at 7-2 SU. However, neither has been profitable in conference action, with the Tar Heels going 3-6 ATS (2-2 ATS on the road) and Duke posting a 4-5 ATS mark (3-2 ATS at home).
North Carolina has taken control of this storied rivalry in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings and cashing in five of the last six, including three consecutive wins and covers at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Last year, Duke took the first clash 89-78 as a 4½-point road underdog, but the Tar Heels got revenge in a 76-68 victory as a 1½-point pup. UNC is 8-2 ATS in its last 10 trips to Cameron Indoor Stadium, the underdog is 12-3 ATS in the last 15 battles overall and the visitor has gotten the money in four of the last five.
From 2004-07, these rivals played seven games decided by a total of 27 points. However, the last three meetings were decided by margins of 14, 11 and eight points.
The Blue Devils average 78.2 ppg on 44.8 percent shooting, including 83 ppg on 46.5 percent shooting at home. More than anything, though, coach Mike Krzyzewski’s team has made its mark on defense this season, holding opponents to 61 ppg (40 percent shooting) overall, including 59 ppg (40 percent shooting) at Cameron Indoor Stadium.
The Tar Heels rank second in the nation in scoring at 92.3 ppg and 10th in field-goal percentage (48.8), and they’re putting up 83 ppg (46.5 percent shooting) on the highway. However, UNC is surrendering 71.2 ppg overall (40 percent) and 70 ppg on the road (40.2 percent).
North Carolina is 6-1 ATS in its last seven games on Wednesday and 5-1 ATS in its last six after a non-cover, but the Heels have failed to cover in nine of their last 12 ACC contests and 10 of their last 13 after an outright victory. Duke is 6-2 ATS in its last eight after a non-cover, but 6-14-1 ATS in its last 21 on Wednesday and 2-5-1 ATS in its last eight after a SU win. Also, in their only game as an underdog this season, the Blue Devils annihilated Purdue 76-60 as a two-point road pup.
North Carolina is on “over” stretches of 4-1 overall (all in conference), 8-2 on Wednesday, 4-1 after a SU win and 17-8 after an ATS setback. On the flip side, Duke is riding “under” streaks of 21-6 overall (10-2 last 12), 18-5 at home (6-2 last eight), 13-3 in ACC play, 35-17 on Wednesday, 19-7 after a SU win and 4-1 after an ATS loss.
Finally, the over is on a 5-1 run in this rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NORTH CAROLINA and OVER
(14) Xavier (20-3, 12-8-1 ATS) at Dayton (21-3, 8-11 ATS)
Coming off its first conference loss of the season, Xavier will attempt to bounce back when it visits Dayton in a battle of two of the top three teams in the Atlantic 10.
The Musketeers had an 11-game winning streak (8-1-1 ATS in lined games) snapped in Saturday’s 72-68 loss at Duquesne as a five-point road chalk. Xavier, which had scored at least 70 points in nine of its 11 wins during the streak, has struggled on defense lately, allowing 80, 74 and 72 points in its last three contests.
Dayton’s seven-game winning streak went by the wayside Sunday as it fell at Charlotte 79-66 as a two-point road favorite. The Flyers, who are just 4-8 ATS in their last 12 contests, have averaged just 61.3 points per game in their last four outings. Although they’re unbeaten through 14 games at Dayton Arena – holding visitors to 53.4 ppg – the Flyers are just 3-7 ATS in lined home contests.
Xavier still sits alone atop the A-10 standings, a half-game ahead of St. Joseph’s and one game clear of Dayton. The Musketeers are 8-1 SU and 6-1-1 ATS in conference, including 3-1 SU and ATS on the road. Dayton is 7-2 SU and 3-6 ATS in league play, including 4-0 SU but just 1-3 ATS at home.
The Musketeers have dominated this rivalry over the past two seasons, going 6-0 SU and 5-1 ATS, including 2-0 SU and ATS at Dayton Arena. Last year, Xavier won 69-43 as an 11-point home favorite, 57-51 as a 4½-point home chalk and 74-65 in the Atlantic 10 tournament, coming up just short as a 9½-point choice. The favorite is 8-2 ATS in the last 10 meetings, and the SU winner has cashed in eight of those 10 contests.
Both teams play tremendous defense, with Xavier allowing 63.5 ppg on 38.3 percent shooting and Dayton yielding 59 ppg on 38.1 percent shooting. The Musketeers rate the edge on offense, averaging 74 ppg (47.4 percent), while the Flyers put in 67.1 ppg (42.3 percent).
Xavier is on ATS streaks of 8-2-1 overall, 7-1 on the road, 6-1-1 against teams with a winning record and 4-1 as a favorite of less than five points. The Flyers are in pointspread funks of 3-7 overall, 1-5 at home, 8-17 in A-10 play and 2-6 on Wednesday, but they’ve cashed in both games as an underdog this season.
The over is on stretches of 5-2 for Xavier on the road, 13-3 for Xavier after a SU loss, 4-0 for Xavier after a non-cover, 9-3-1 for Dayton in league play and 5-1-1 for Dayton after an ATS setback. However, the under is 4-1 in the last five battles between these rivals at Dayton Arena.
ATS ADVANTAGE: XAVIER
(23) Syracuse (18-6, 9-11 ATS) at (1) Connecticut (22-1, 10-9 ATS)
UConn guns for its 12th consecutive victory when it hosts slumping Syracuse, which has lost five of its last seven games, including four straight Big East road contests.
The Huskies struggled with Michigan in a non-conference home game Saturday, eventually pulling away for a 69-61 victory but coming up way shot as a 16½-point chalk to end a four-game ATS winning streak. UConn has scored between 68 and 71 points in four of its last five games, but defensively, Jim Calhoun’s team remains solid, allowing just 56.6 ppg (35.2 percent shooting) in its last five games and holding nine of its last 11 opponents to 61 points or less.
Syracuse went to Villanova on Saturday and got spanked 102-85 as a 6½-point road underdog, the second time in as many road outings that the Orange surrendered 100 points. Since winning 16 of its first 17 contests, Syracuse is 2-5 SU and ATS, including 0-4 SU and ATS on the road, all in Big East action. Jim Boeheim’s squad yielded 92 ppg in those four road defeats. The SU winner is 9-0 ATS in the Orange’s last nine contests, all in league play.
This has been a competitive rivalry in recent years, with UConn winning six of the last 10 matchups both SU and ATS, including a 63-61 win as a 2½-point road underdog in last year’s lone meeting. The winner has cashed in each of the last 10 series clashes, the favorite is 5-2 ATS in the last seven clashes, and the Huskies are 6-0 ATS in the last six regular-season battles against Syracuse on their home court.
In addition to its ATS slumps of 1-4 overall and 0-4 on the road, Syracuse is 2-5 ATS in its last seven on Wednesday, 1-5 ATS in its last six as an underdog and 1-4 ATS in its last five against winning teams. Also, after starting the year 3-0 SU and ATS against Top 25 teams, the Orange have gone 1-4 SU and ATS in five contests against ranked Big East foes. UConn has cashed in four consecutive Big East games and four of five against winning teams, but it is 2-6 ATS in lined home games this season. The Huskies are 7-1 (6-2 ATS) against Top 25 competition
The under is 10-4 in the last 14 head-to-head battles, including 6-2 in the last eight at Connecticut. Also, UConn is on “under” runs of 4-1 overall, 5-2 in Big East play and 10-4 against winning teams, and the Orange have stayed low in 10 of their last 14 against winning teams. However, the over is 4-1 in Syracuse’s last five on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: UCONN and UNDER
(2) Oklahoma (23-1, 10-8-1 ATS) at Baylor (15-8, 6-9 ATS)
Baylor, which has seen its NCAA Tournament hopes take a big hit this month, can help its resume immensely if it can hand second-ranked Oklahoma its first Big 12 loss of the season.
The Bears fell apart down the stretch at Texas Tech on Saturday, falling 83-76 as a 4½-point road favorite, their fifth consecutive SU and ATS defeat. During the slump, Baylor is 0-2 SU and ATS at home and it is averaging 72.2 ppg on just 38.3 percent shooting while allowing 84 ppg on 50.3 percent shooting. Since starting the season 12-1 (4-1 ATS in lined games), the Bears are 3-7 SU and 2-8 ATS, including 2-3 SU and 1-4 ATS at home.
The Sooners ran their winning streak to 11 with Saturday’s narrow 77-72 victory over Big 12 bottom-feeder Colorado, falling way short of covering as a 19½-point home favorite. Oklahoma has followed up a 5-1-1 ATS run with back-to-back non-covers, and the team’s last four wins have come by an average of 7.3 points per game. However, the Sooners have been filling the bucket lately, pouring in 83 ppg on 49 percent shooting in their last five contests.
Oklahoma is the only Big 12 team unbeaten in conference play at 9-0 (5-3-1 ATS), including 4-0 (3-0-1 ATS) at home. Baylor is now just 3-6 (2-7 ATS) in the Big 12, including 2-2 (1-3 ATS) at home.
This has been a lopsided series in favor of Oklahoma, which has won 29 consecutive meetings since 1997 and is 34-5 all-time against Baylor. Back on Jan. 24 in Norman, Okla., the Sooners cruised to a 95-76 victory as a seven-point home chalk, a result that started the Bears’ current five-game SU and ATS slide. Oklahoma is 6-1-1 ATS in the last eight meetings overall and 6-1-1 ATS in its last eight trips to Waco, including a 77-71 upset win as a 4½-point road favorite last year.
Oklahoma is on ATS streaks of 5-2-1 on the road, 5-2-1 against winning teams, 8-3 on Wednesday and 4-0 as a favorite of less than five points, but it is 19-40-3 ATS in its last 62 road games versus teams with a winning home mark. Baylor carries negative ATS trends of 0-5 overall, 1-4 at home and 0-4 against winning squads, but the Bears have cashed in all three games as an underdog of less than five points.
Seven of the last eight series clashes in this rivalry have topped the total. Also, Baylor is on “over” streaks of 24-8-1 overall, 11-5 at home, 39-17-1 in Big 12 play, 7-1 versus winning teams, 11-3-1 after a SU defeat and 21-6-1 after a non-cover, while the Sooners have topped the total in six consecutive games (all against league foes). However, the under is 9-4-1 in Oklahoma’s last 14 on the highway.
ATS ADVANTAGE: OKLAHOMA and OVER
NBA
Denver (35-17, 29-22-1 ATS) at Orlando (38-12, 33-16-1 ATS)
The Nuggets continue their eight-game road trip with their one and only stop this season in Orlando, where the Magic will attempt to defeat Denver for the third straight time.
Denver was down the state in Miami last night, rolling over the Heat 99-82 as a 1½-point road favorite. The Nuggets have won eight of their last 10, but they’ve followed up a 4-0 ATS run by going 3-4 ATS in their last seven. George Karl’s club has scored in triple digits eight times in its last 11 games – tallying more than 110 points five times – but it managed just 81 and 70 points in its last two defeats.
Orlando has alternated SU and ATS wins and losses in its last five games, most recently pounding the Nets 101-84 as a 13-point home favorite. The Magic are 5-2 SU and ATS in their last seven (3-1 SU and ATS at home), averaging 110 ppg during this stretch. Going back to Jan. 6, Orlando is 12-4 SU and ATS, scoring more than 100 points 11 times. Finally, the SU winner has cashed in each of the Magic’s last 15 outings.
Orlando went to Denver on Jan. 17 at the tail end of a four-game Western Conference road trip and hammered the Nuggets 106-88 as a 1½-point road underdog. That snapped an 11-game SU and ATS winning streak by the home team in this rivalry. In fact, the Nuggets are 0-8 SU and ATS in their last eight trips to Orlando. Going back further, the Magic have covered in 12 of the last 17 head-to-head battles.
The Nuggets are 2-7 ATS in their last nine outings when playing on back-to-back nights and 5-10 ATS in their last 15 on the highway versus teams with a winning home record. Conversely, the Magic are on a plethora of positive pointspread surges, including 35-17-1 overall, 4-1 at home, 4-0 against the Northwest Division, 35-16-1 versus the Western Conference, 22-8-1 on Wednesday, 21-6-2 when playing on two day’s rest and 13-4 against winning teams.
The under is 4-1 both in the last five meetings between these teams overall and in the last five in Orlando. Also, the Magic are on “under” stretches of 11-4 at home, 11-5-1 against Northwest Division foes, 10-3 when playing on two days’ rest and 4-1 against winning teams. However, the over for Denver is on runs of 4-2 overall, 7-4 on the road, 11-5 against the Eastern Conference and 5-1 on Wednesday.
ATS ADVANTAGE: ORLANDO and UNDER
Phoenix (28-22, 17-30-2 ATS) at Cleveland (39-11, 32-18 ATS)
The Cavaliers return to Quicken Loans Arena carrying a two-game losing skid as they host the Suns, who are concluding a three-game road trip.
Cleveland won its first 23 home games this season before running into the Lakers’ buzzsaw on Sunday, falling 101-91 as a five-point favorite. The Cavs then went to Indiana last night and lost 96-95 as a 6½-point road chalk, moving to 8-3 in their last 11 games, but just 5-6 ATS. Despite Sunday’s loss to Los Angeles, Cleveland is still 18-6 ATS at home this season, including 6-2 ATS in the last eight, and it surrenders just 89.5 ppg to visitors at Quicken Loans Arena.
Phoenix started its trip with Sunday’s 107-97 rout of Detroit as a one-point underdog, but followed that with Monday’s 108-91 loss in Philadelphia as a 3½-point pup. The Suns are 5-9 in their last 14 games and 9-23-2 ATS in their past 34 outings. On the road this season, Phoenix is 14-12 SU but just 10-15-1 ATS, averaging 103 ppg but giving up 103.8.
The Suns have won and covered four straight meetings with the Cavaliers, and they’re 8-2 SU (7-3 ATS) in the last 10 clashes. They’ve posted consecutive wins at Quicken Loans Arena by a total of seven points, going 2-0 ATS. The favorite has cashed in each of the last seven clashes in this rivalry.
Phoenix is in ATS tailspins of 4-11-2 overall, 3-7-1 on the road, 3-9-1 against the Eastern Conference, 3-7-2 when playing on one day of rest and 1-4 on Wednesday. Cleveland has failed to cover in four of its last five against the Pacific Division, but the Cavaliers are on positive pointspread stretches of 37-18 overall, 21-6 at home since last year’s playoffs, 13-5 against the West, 6-1 when playing on Wednesday and 7-2 when playing on consecutive nights.
The over is 6-2 in the last eight meetings in this rivalry and 4-0 in the last four in Cleveland. Also, the over is on stretches of 5-1 for Phoenix on Wednesday, 35-17 for Phoenix against the Central Division, 5-1 for Phoenix against winning teams, 4-1 for Cleveland on Wednesday, 6-2 for Cleveland against winning teams and 5-1 for Cleveland when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: CLEVELAND and OVER
L.A. Lakers (42-9, 27-24 ATS) at Utah (29-23, 26-26 ATS)
After a brief stop at home last night, the Lakers head back on the road for a clash against the Jazz at EnergySolutions Arena.
Los Angeles followed up a perfect 6-0 SU and ATS Eastern Conference road trip with Tuesday’s 105-98 victory over Oklahoma City, failing to cover as a 12-point home favorite. The Lakers have scored at least 100 points in eight straight games and 22 of the last 23, the only exception being a 99-85 win over the Spurs 2½ weeks ago. In fact, Los Angeles has scored in triple digits in all but seven of 51 games, averaging 108.5 ppg overall and 113.4 ppg on the road.
Utah had a three-game SU and ATS winning streak snapped in Sunday’s 116-96 loss at Golden State as a 1½-point road favorite. Prior to that contest, the Jazz had averaged 108.2 ppg in their previous six games. Although Jerry Sloan’s team is on a 3-0 SU and ATS run at home, it is just 6-8 SU in its last 14 overall and 5-10 ATS in its last 15.
The Lakers have won three straight meetings against Utah, and they’re 7-2 SU and 6-2-1 ATS in the last nine clashes, including a six-game Western Conference semifinal playoff series victory last spring. In the lone clash this season, Los Angeles prevailed 113-100 as a 10-point home chalk on Jan. 2. Going back to the 2006-07 season, the Lakers are 9-3-1 ATS in this rivalry, and the host is on an 11-4-1 ATS roll.
In addition to its 6-0 ATS run on the road, L.A. is on pointspread surges of 5-2 against the Western Conference, 4-1 against the Northwest Division, 4-0 against winning teams and 19-7 when playing on back-to-back nights (9-3 in back-to-backs this season). Utah has cashed in seven of its last 10 against the Pacific Division, but is 3-7 ATS in its last 10 versus the Western Conference.
The last four meetings in this rivalry have gone over the total. Also, for the Jazz, the over is on runs of 15-6 overall, 8-3 at home, 11-5 against the Western Conference, 30-12 versus the Pacific Division, 11-4 when playing on Wednesday and 4-0 against winning teams. Finally, Los Angeles is on “over” streaks of 6-2 overall, 8-1 on the highway, 5-2 against the Western Conference, 5-1 on Wednesday and 4-0 when playing on back-to-back nights.
ATS ADVANTAGE: L.A. LAKERS and OVER
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Golden Contender
Conf Usa play from GC card on Wednesday
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->On Wednesday night the Conf.Usaplay is on So.miss.Game 581 at 8pm eastern.No boring long winded writeup ill get right to the point.SO.MISS shoots and defends better.They are a solid 19-4 vs losing teams,9-3 vs trams who score less than 65 points per game,7-2 as a road favorite in thsi range and 3-1 after scoring 60 or less.Rice comes into this one realyy struggling against winning teasms going 2-11.As an underdog this year Rice is 2-13.They are 2-6 in conference games and 0-3 su ats as a home dog of 3.5 to 6. So.miss is the play here lay the 4.5-5 points tonight bol GC
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Conf Usa play from GC card on Wednesday
<!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->On Wednesday night the Conf.Usaplay is on So.miss.Game 581 at 8pm eastern.No boring long winded writeup ill get right to the point.SO.MISS shoots and defends better.They are a solid 19-4 vs losing teams,9-3 vs trams who score less than 65 points per game,7-2 as a road favorite in thsi range and 3-1 after scoring 60 or less.Rice comes into this one realyy struggling against winning teasms going 2-11.As an underdog this year Rice is 2-13.They are 2-6 in conference games and 0-3 su ats as a home dog of 3.5 to 6. So.miss is the play here lay the 4.5-5 points tonight bol GC
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