Sunday 3/6/16 service plays chatter/comps/requests & other stuff...

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Suns (16-46) at Grizzlies (37-24)

Date: March 06, 2016 4:00 PM EDT

The Memphis Grizzlies have thrived even with a pair of starters missing but couldn't get past the lowly Phoenix Suns last weekend.

That's the only sub-.500 team in the past six weeks to beat the Grizzlies, who will try to turn the tables when the teams meet again Sunday in Memphis.

The Grizzlies (37-24) are 7-2 since losing top scorer Marc Gasol for the rest of the season to a broken foot. They've also played the last seven games without their top defender, swingman Tony Allen (sore knee).

Zach Randolph provided 25 points - one shy of his season high - and grabbed four of his eight rebounds in the final 30 seconds Friday in their third straight win, 94-88 over Utah.

"Every night's going to be like that because we're short-handed," said Randolph, whose team is 4-0 at home during Gasol's absence. "Everybody has written us off and said we don't have a chance. That we might not make the playoffs, so it's definitely a challenge."

That seems unlikely with the Grizzlies entrenched in the Western Conference's top five after going 12-4 since Jan. 25 - only Golden State and San Antonio have fewer losses in that span. Memphis' only defeat during that stretch to a team not in playoff position was Saturday's 111-106 loss in Phoenix.

Alex Len had 22 points and 16 rebounds as the Suns ended a 13-game losing streak, which matched a single-season franchise record, and an eight-game slide against Memphis.

Len had a career-high 31 points and 15 boards Friday as Phoenix (16-46) ended a franchise record-tying 17-game road skid with a 102-84 victory over Orlando. It was the first time in 10 games they held an opponent below 105 points.

"We're trying to get better every day, play consistent because sometimes we'll win then the next game we'll lose by 20 or 30," said Len, averaging 19.0 points and 11.9 rebounds in his last seven games. "We have just have to play consistent, bring effort and try to get better. The rest is going to take care of itself."

The Suns have lost four straight in Memphis but came close in the last two, falling 95-93 on Dec. 6 on a last-second basket and in double overtime last season. The Grizzlies have won 16 of 19 at home.

Randolph will try to keep Phoenix from earning back-to-back road wins for the first time in exactly one year while improving on his 19.1-point average in the last 11 games. He was averaging 13.8 points in his first 45 contests.

Randolph and Conley each had a team-high 19 points last weekend in Phoenix but combined to shoot 12 for 31. Conley shot below 38 percent for the third time in four games with his 4-of-13 performance Friday.

Conley is averaging 19.7 points, including 41.0 percent from 3-point range, in his last nine games against Phoenix. Only his 20.1 scoring average against Dallas is higher versus one opponent in the past three seasons.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mavericks (33-29) at Nuggets (24-38)

Date: March 06, 2016 5:00 PM EDT

Dallas' failed attempt at beating a sub-.500 team to complete its homestand has a real possibility to haunt it down the road as it tries to hang on to a playoff spot in the Western Conference.

That's mostly because after visiting the Denver Nuggets on Sunday, the Mavericks won't see another non-postseason contender for nearly three weeks.

Dallas (33-29) is clinging to sixth place in the West one-half game head of Portland, but an extended slump could wind up pushing it out of playoff position altogether. Instead of taking advantage of a Sacramento team playing the second night of a back-to-back and entering 11 games under .500, the Mavericks fell 104-101 on Thursday to finish 4-2 on their homestand.

Chandler Parsons scored 28 points and is averaging 25.3 while shooting 62.3 percent from the field - 51.9 from 3-point range - over his last four, with Dallas winning the previous three. It shot just 24.1 percent from 3 against the Kings, though, and fell behind by as many as 14.

'This is a team that we should beat, that we're playing for something much bigger and more than they are,' Parsons said. 'This is the type of loss that kind of bites you in the butt, that you wish you could have back in a couple of weeks.'

Dirk Nowitzki missed all five of his 3s while finishing with 16 points and five turnovers. He's shooting 21.4 percent from long range over his last four.

"We've got to salvage this with what we did well and go to Denver, making sure we take care of that one," said Wesley Matthews, who had four points while hitting 2 of 9 from the floor. "We've got another home stretch that we need to take care of."

Indeed the Mavericks return home for three straight after facing the Nuggets (24-38), but the teams visiting aren't pushovers. The Los Angeles Clippers come in to finish Dallas' back-to-back set Monday, followed by East playoff contenders Detroit on Wednesday and Indiana on Saturday.

The Mavericks then face Charlotte, East-leading Cleveland and NBA-best Golden State before a home-and-home with Portland to complete their difficult stretch. Not until a rematch with Sacramento on March 27 will Dallas play another team currently below .500.

It'll try not to look past the Nuggets after winning the previous two meetings this season at home. The last matchup in Denver finished with the Mavericks winning a wild 144-143 double-overtime thriller April 10 despite a career-high 47 points from Danilo Gallinari.

Gallinari, though, has sat out the last three and is expected to miss at least a month with an ankle injury. That's bad news for an already thin Nuggets team that has dropped six of its last eight.

Denver has lost two of three to open a seven-game homestand after Brook Lopez tapped in a teammates' miss with 0.4 seconds left in overtime to give Brooklyn a 121-120 victory Friday.

Emmanuel Mudiay finished with 25 points and Gary Harris added a career high-tying 21, but the Nuggets allowed the Nets to shoot 50.5 percent from the field.

"Our defense was awful (in the first half). It was a joke how badly we defended," coach Michael Malone said. "Second half was much better, but when are we going to learn our lesson? You cannot pick and choose when you are going to defend.'

Parsons scored 27 points in the last meeting, but he's averaging just 12.8 in five career games in Denver.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Trail Blazers (33-30) at Pistons (31-31)

Date: March 06, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

Portland's hottest stretch of the season fizzled under the extinguisher this week, but nothing seems to be cooling down Damian Lillard these days.

While the snubbed All-Star looks to continue his sizzling stretch, his Trail Blazers hope to avoid a third straight loss when they close a lengthy trip with Sunday night's visit to the Detroit Pistons.

Lillard's scoring ramped up at the tail end of Portland's 18-4 stretch from Jan. 10-March 1, and it nearly peaked when the Trail Blazers (33-30) suffered their second consecutive loss on Friday, 117-115 at Toronto, dropping them to 3-2 on a season-high six-game trip.

Lillard poured in 50 points, one shy of his career high set in a 137-105 win over league-leading Golden State on Feb. 19. He made 16 of 28 shots and 6 of 13 3-pointers, scoring 22 points in the fourth quarter alone.

His second 50-point outing in two weeks made Lillard the second Blazer ever with that many in a career, joining Geoff Petrie. He also became the first with three 40-point games in a season since Brandon Roy in 2009-10.

However, Lillard also joined Damon Stoudamire as the only Portland players with 50-point games in a loss.

Nobody's going to blame him.

After backcourt mate C.J. McCollum's 24 points, no other Blazer cracked double figures while the remaining nine who logged minutes shot 39.5 percent.

Lillard has carried a heavy scoring load, averaging 33.3 points in 11 games since Feb. 8. He scored at least 30 points in nine of those contests, a stretch that came shortly after he was left out of the All-Star game for the first time since his 2012-13 rookie season.

While Lillard remains a constant, Portland's defense has wavered this week. Opponents averaged 100.1 points in 21 previous games before Boston and the Raptors handed the Trail Blazers their seventh and eighth games allowing at least 115.

"It comes down to the defensive end for us," coach Terry Stotts said. "We've made good strides since mid-January because of our defense. ... Going forward, for us to make a playoff push, our defense has to be a little bit more consistent."

Detroit (31-31) is a top 10 defensive team, but offensive woes have led to consecutive defeats. The Pistons couldn't manage 90 points in losses of 97-81 at San Antonio on Wednesday and 102-89 at New York on Saturday.

Andre Drummond finished with 21 points and 16 rebounds against the Knicks, and Tobias Harris added 18 and eight. However, leading scorer Reggie Jackson made only 3 of 17 shots for eight points.

'We made one run in the entire game. I was not impressed,' coach Stan Van Gundy said.

Jodie Meeks was available to play for the first time since breaking his right foot on Oct. 28, but he wasn't activated.

The Pistons, who are 18-11 at home, snapped the Blazers' five-game win streak in this series with a 120-103 victory on Nov. 8 in Portland.

Jackson scored a career-high 40 points and Drummond had 29 with 27 rebounds. Lillard finished with 26 points and 11 assists but committed five turnovers.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: 76ers (8-54) at Heat (36-26)

Date: March 06, 2016 6:00 PM EDT

Despite so much changing since the All-Star break, the Miami Heat are at a pretty high comfort level.

Especially Hassan Whiteside.

No player has grabbed more rebounds or blocked more shots since the break, and the 7-footer has even been hitting most of his free throws for a Miami team which can post its longest win streak in two years by completing a home-and-home sweep of the Philadelphia 76ers on Sunday night.

Hosting the league's worst team gives the Heat (36-26) a prime opportunity to win a fifth consecutive game, something they haven't done since the LeBron James era - an eight-game run Feb. 11-March 3, 2014. After all, Miami did just win Friday in Philadelphia despite blowing an early 16-point cushion, leading by as many as 18 in the fourth quarter of a 112-102 victory.

Whiteside had 19 points and 19 rebounds for his seventh double-double since the break. He was 7 of 8 from the foul line and has gone 28 for 30 in the last six games, fairly astonishing for a career 55.6-percent free-throw shooter.

'You know when it's a rainy day and you get hot chocolate and you put a nice movie on and you tuck yourself in?' Whiteside explained. 'That's how comfortable I feel at the free-throw line.'

Whiteside is averaging 18.5 points, 15.5 boards and 3.8 blocks in eight games since being suspended for Miami's first game after the break for throwing an elbow at San Antonio center Boban Marjanovic.

'After the All-Star break, he came back a different person on the basketball floor," star Dwyane Wade said. "He's really focused on being dominant night in and night out.'

Wade hasn't been too shabby himself with 23.8 points per game in the last six. Even with him missing the first two games after the break for a sore knee and Chris Bosh missing them all due to a blood clot, only Golden State and San Antonio have better records since All-Star weekend than Miami's 7-2 mark.

That distinction is particularly impressive considering that span has included plenty of roster turnover. Beno Udrih was lost to a foot injury before getting waived, Chris Andersen and Jarnell Stokes were traded away and veteran Joe Johnson was signed. Miami is 4-0 since landing Johnson, averaging 14.2 points on 62.2 percent shooting in a Heat uniform.

"I think adding a player like Joe and with guys coming out of the All-Star break having to play without Chris has really built the confidence in everyone," Wade said. "And it's all come together.'

The opposite has been true of the 76ers (8-54), losers of 11 straight. Top big men Jahlil Okafor (shin) and Nerlens Noel (knee) sat out Friday, as did reserves Nick Stauskas and Kendall Marshall due to illness, and all of them have been ruled out of this game.

That could lead to more minutes for 36-year-old Elton Brand, who had eight points and four rebounds Friday in his 76ers debut. He's trying to set a good example for a young team which is likely to finish with fewer than 20 wins for a third straight season.

"You might not be as fast or as athletic, but you can want it, you can just play hard," Brand said. "That's what our fans and this city is about, hard work."

Whiteside thinks they've shown that.

"They really play hard," he said. "... You can't come in here and try to disrespect them and think they're gonna just give you the game."

The 76ers, though, have allowed an average of 117.9 points in their last 10.

The Heat have held their last eight opponents to 40.7 percent from the field.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Rockets (30-32) at Raptors (41-19)

Date: March 06, 2016 6:30 PM EDT

The Eastern Conference's best team over the past two months, the Toronto Raptors are on such a roll that not even an epic scoring effort could knock them off course.

They'll again face a player capable of such a performance Sunday night when James Harden and the Houston Rockets try to end their historic home winning streak.

Looking to move closer to the top of the East, the Raptors will chase their 13th consecutive home win by dealing Houston its ninth straight loss north of the border.

Toronto (41-19) improved to 2-0 on its seven-game homestand with an improbable 117-115 victory over Portland on Friday, overcoming a 50-point night by Damian Lillard and leaving coach Dwane Casey somewhat bewildered.

"Our guys are working at it as far as getting better defensively, and completing the play so to speak with a rebound," Casey said after his club outrebounded Portland 38-36 but allowed 114 points or more for the second time in the past three games.

DeMar DeRozan countered with a sensational effort of his own, finishing with 38 points and setting an NBA record with 24 consecutive free throws made in one game.

Backcourt mate and former Rocket Kyle Lowry scored 28 and hit 9 of 15 from the foul line to help Toronto set franchise marks in both free throws made (43) and attempted (54) en route to a team-record 12th straight win at Air Canada Centre.

Jonas Valanciunas added 17 points and 10 rebounds for the Raptors, who have averaged 109.5 points in their past six games. Lowry has scored 34.3 over his past four.

Only San Antonio (23-3) and Golden State (22-3) have better records than Toronto (20-4) since Jan. 6.

Now the Raptors will try to keep a close watch on Harden with a chance to move within two games of East-leading Cleveland.

Houston's All-Star guard is second in the NBA with 28.8 points per game and has averaged 36 in his last six. His 26.3 scoring average in four career visits to Toronto in his highest of any opposing venue.

The Rockets rank fifth in the league with 105.5 points per game but they've shot 42.3 percent and 12 for 70 (17.1 percent) from 3-point range in their last two.

"Any time he's on the floor, (Harden) can go off," Casey said. "The ball usually ends up in his hands, so we've got to have four other guys locked in on him. That's going to be a huge key."

Harden was a one-man show with 36 points and eight assists Saturday, though he also had nine turnovers in a 108-100 loss at Chicago. Dwight Howard scored eight and was 3 of 9 from the field after averaging 18.3 on 63 percent shooting over his previous nine.

The Rockets (30-32) had their lead in the race for the West's eighth and final playoff spot sliced to one with the loss and Utah's victory at New Orleans.

"It's frustrating, I know our guys are frustrated," interim coach J.B. Bickerstaff said.

Houston has split the series each of the past nine seasons but hasn't won in Toronto since 2006-07. Harden scored 31 on March 30 when the Rockets were without Howard, Donatas Motiejunas and Patrick Beverley in a 99-96 loss in the last road meeting.

DeRozan had 42 points and 11 rebounds for the Raptors, who are one win from tying the franchise record for victories against Western Conference teams with 16.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Game of the Day: Rockets at Raptors

Houston Rockets at Toronto Raptors (-7, 215)

The Toronto Raptors will try to extend the longest home winning streak in franchise history when they take on the Houston Rockets on Sunday. The Raptors are 2-0 thus far on a seven-game homestand and have taken 12 straight at Air Canada Centre after a 117-115 victory over Portland on Friday.

DeMar DeRozan hit a team-record 24 free throws on 25 attempts in the contest as part of a season-high 38-point effort for Toronto, which enters 2 1/2 games behind first-place Cleveland in the Eastern Conference. "I was just taking what they were giving me, honestly," DeRozan told the media. "I wasn't trying to force anything. Every time I saw an angle I was trying to take advantage of it." This is the first meeting of the season between the Rockets and Raptors, who have split the season series nine straight times. Houston fell 108-100 at Chicago on Saturday and has lost 10 of 15 overall to leave it clinging by a game to the eighth and final playoff spot in the West.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ROOT (Houston), Sportsnet ONE (Toronto)

LINE HISTORY: The Raptors opened as 7-point home favorites, while the total opened at 215.

INJURY REPORT:

Rockets - PF T. Jones (questionable Sunday, illness).

Raptors - SF D. Carroll (out indefinitely, knee).

POWER RANKINGS: Rockets (-0.9) - Raptors (-7.2) + home court (-3) = Raptors -9.3

WHAT SHARPS SAY: "The fact is the Rockets are closer to the non-contenders in terms of rating than they are the playoff contenders. That's as disgraceful as James Harden's defense and now they're facing a team that has won 11 straight at home." - Power Sports.

ABOUT THE ROCKETS (30-32, 26-35 ATS, 36-25 O/U): James Harden had a team-high 36 points in Friday's loss but needed 26 shots to get there and turned the ball over nine times, which gives him 17 giveaways against 15 assists over the last two games. The star guard is averaging 35.4 points in a span of seven road contests. He was 4-of-12 from 3-point range on Saturday for a team that has gone a woeful 12-of-70 in the last two games.

ABOUT THE RAPTORS (41-19, 33-27 ATS, 32-27-1 O/U): DeRozan's effort grabbed plenty of headlines, but so too did the 50-point night by Trail Blazers guard Damian Lillard, whose performance highlighted Toronto's recent defensive downturn. "It's not like (our) guys are slacking or anything or just not giving an effort, it's just attention to detail and doing a few little things that will help us defensively and make it harder for (opponents) to make shots," coach Dwane Casey told the Toronto Sun on Saturday. The Raptors have allowed an average of 104.2 points - more than six over their season average - in the last nine games.

TRENDS:

* Rockets are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games in the second half of a back-to-back.
* Raptors are 5-1 ATS in their last six versus Southwest Division opponents.
* Over is 6-0 in Rockets last six games in the second half of a back-to-back.
* Over is 5-1 in Raptors last six overall.

CONSENSUS: Bettors are giving the edge to the Raptors on home court, with 59 percent of wagers on Toronto. As for the total, 68 percent of wagers are on the over.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NBA

Sunday's hot teams
-- Warriors won last seven games (8-6 last 14AF).
-- Memphis won five of last six games (4-2 last 6HF).
-- Dallas won three of its last four games (4-5AF).
-- Detroit won its last two home games, by 13-20 points (12-3 last 15HF).
-- Miami won its last four games (5-7 last 12HF).
-- Raptors won six of their last seven games (7-2 last 9HF).

Cold teams
-- Lakers lost nine of their last ten games (11-13HU).
-- Thunder lost four of last five games (2-9 last 11F). Milwaukee lost three of last five games (5-3 last 8HU).
-- Suns lost eight of their last ten games (1-11 last 12AU).
-- Nuggets lost six of their last eight games (8-4-1 last 13HU).
-- Portland lost its last two games, after winning seven of previous eight (6-3 last 9AU).
-- 76ers lost their last ten games (6-13 last 19AU).
-- Rockets lost seven of their last ten games (4-7 last 11AU).

Series records
-- Lakers lost last four games with Golden State (2-7 vs spread last 9).
-- Thunder won six of last eight games with Milwaukee.
-- Grizzlies lost eight of last nine games with Phoenix.
-- Mavericks won five of last six games with Denver.
-- Trailblazers won five of last six games with Detroit.
-- 76ers lost their last four games with Miami
-- Home side won last ten Houston-Toronto games.

Totals
-- Four of last five Golden State games went over the total.
-- Four of last six Oklahoma City-Milwaukee games stayed under.
-- Four of last five Memphis games stayed under total.
-- Five of last seven Dallas-Denver games went over total.
-- Eight of last ten Detroit games stayed under the total.
-- Eight of last ten Philly games went over the total.
-- Last six Houston games went over total if it played night before.

Back/backs
-- Detroit covered its last four games if it played night before.
-- Houston is 3-9 vs spread in last 12 games if it played night before.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

'Home Cookin'

Home-court advantage is certainly something Toronto Raptors can tap into when Houston Rockets pay a visit Sunday afternoon. Raptors tough nuts to crack on Air Canada Center hardwood are 23-6 (16-13 ATS) on the campaign in front of its friendly crowd and enter the contest ridding a sparkling 12-0 (8-4 ATS) streak on home court outscoring visitors by 10.3 points/game.

Toronto should feel pretty confident about extending the impressive home streak. Raptors have won/covered eight consecutive running the hardwood vs Houston north of the border. Another telling betting stats that favors Toronto. The Rockets have not been good bets in non-conference games. In twenty such matchups the result has been a 6-14 mark against the betting line.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Phoenix Suns at Memphis Gizzlies March 6, 4:00 EST

Life on the road has been a nightmare for the Phoenix Suns. A sputtering offense (97.3 ppg) and inability to keeping the ball out of their own basket (109.6 ppg) away from home the result has been 5 wins, 25 losses with a money-burning 8-22 mark against the betting line. Phoenix did snap a 17 game road skid at Orlando Friday but Suns remain a woeful 1-17 (2-16 ATS) since December 14th with a losing margin of 18.6 points/game. Another flashing red light for Phoenix backers, the Suns are 2-9 last eleven trips into Memphis (3-7-1 ATS).

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Mustangs (25-4) at Bearcats (21-9)

Date: March 06, 2016 12:00 PM EDT

Nic Moore's 100th game for No. 24 SMU will be the last for the senior point guard and the Mustangs.

Even with 25 wins and the chance to win their second consecutive American Athletic Conference regular-season title, the Mustangs will be done after Sunday's trip to Cincinnati because of NCAA sanctions.

'That's been out of my mind now since they told us the news, so I'm not about to start thinking about it right now,' Moore said. 'The only thing I'm thinking about is this next game, doing what we need to do to win a regular-season title again, and then they can just talk about us, and say that they messed up.'

Instead of playing in the NCAA Tournament for the second year in a row, Moore's last dance with SMU (25-4, 13-4) will come a week before this season's 68-team bracket is even revealed.

The Bearcats (21-9, 11-6) hope to be a part of it but are likely on the bubble, partly due to an 0-3 record against ranked teams, so this game has great significance for them as well as Moore.

He's been such a significant part in what has been quite a turnaround for the Mustangs under Hall of Fame coach Larry Brown.

During Moore's three seasons playing, SMU got back into the Top 25 for the first time in nearly three decades, reached an NIT championship game and last year played in the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1993. Moore was the AAC Player of the Year as a junior, and this season has a league-best 2.6 made 3-pointers per game while ranking second in the league in scoring (16.1 points), assists (5.3), free throw percentage (80 percent) and steals (1.4).

'His heart is so huge, his competitive spirit is so great, but to see him grow up as a human being, and mature and become a leader, that's pretty neat to be around that,' Brown said.

SMU is having the kind of season that would usually garner a high seed in the NCAA Tournament. But the Mustangs have known since late September, when sanctions were announced, that they would have only their 30 regular-season games.

The NCAA penalties came after an investigation that included a look into online course work for former guard Keith Frazier before his enrollment into SMU. Frazier averaged 11.9 points in 10 games this season as a junior before leaving the school, transferring to North Texas and leaving the Mustangs with only seven available scholarship players.

'To win 25 games, as challenged as we've been ... I hope that they will be rewarded for what they have accomplished,' said Brown, finishing his fourth season at SMU.

A win Sunday guarantees SMU at least a share of the AAC title. Conference co-leader Temple, which beat the Mustangs on Jan. 24 to end their school record 18-0 start, plays later Sunday at Tulane.

'The biggest game this year,' said Moore, who still finds it hard to fathom that it will be his last one with the Mustangs. 'We've shown that we can compete at the highest level, compete with anybody in the country.'

SMU was still undefeated two months ago when it overcome a seven-point deficit in the final 3:40 against Cincinnati, including two 3-pointers by Moore in that final spurt for a 59-57 victory.

The Bearcats are 10-4 since that game, but road losses to Tulsa and Houston in the past 2 1/2 weeks could prove costly if they don't beat the Mustangs or go deep in the AAC Tournament.

Coach Mick Cronin was particularly unhappy with Thursday's 69-56 loss to the Cougars despite missing starters Shaq Thomas (knee) and Farad Cobb (groin) for a second straight game.

"I'm not buying any excuses," Cronin told the team's official website. "Obviously it's an issue. ... Still, you shouldn't get manhandled. We've got guys on scholarship. I've got no problem with losing but to get manhandled, I've got a problem with that."

It's unclear if Thomas or Cobb will be able to play as they're celebrated on Senior Night at Fifth Third Arena.

Top scorer Troy Caupain has totaled 36 points in the last two games, but second-leading scorer Gary Clark has 10 in that span on 2-of-16 shooting.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Terrapins (24-6) at Hoosiers (24-6)

Date: March 06, 2016 4:30 PM EDT

Even after securing an outright Big Ten title, Indiana still feels like it has something to prove.

And the 12th-ranked Hoosiers can accomplish another significant feat Sunday against No. 14 Maryland, which enters its regular-season finale with plenty more on the line.

While the Terrapins, Michigan State and Iowa all have been ranked in the top five at some point this season, Indiana (24-6, 14-3) has outdone them all in terms of conference success and consistency. The reward will be a No. 1 seed in next week's Big Ten tournament, which the Hoosiers clinched with Tuesday's 81-78 win over free-falling Iowa.

Though it's received some criticism over a perceived softer schedule than the conference's other contenders, Indiana has beaten the 16th-ranked Hawkeyes and current No. 15 Purdue during its present four-game winning streak. It's also played the entire league schedule without second-leading scorer James Blackmon Jr., sidelined since December by a knee injury.

"All we've done is play the game that's been on our schedule," coach Tom Crean said. "When you're winning a title against a team that's got the same thing at stake, that's a big deal."

The Hoosiers have gotten there by remaining among the nation's best offensive teams in Blackmon's absence and continuing to hold serve at home. They're 16-0 at Assembly Hall and can finish undefeated there for the first time since 2006-07.

"The fans have stuck behind us no matter what," said point guard Yogi Ferrell, who be making his 73rd and final home start. "Over the last four years, I feel that the fans have shown us a lot of love no matter where we stand in the Big Ten."

Maryland (24-6, 12-5) was expected to be in the Hoosiers' position as the league's preseason favorite and had been living up to expectations with a 10-2 conference start. The Terrapins then dropped three of their next four as star guard Melo Trimble endured an extended shooting slump, putting them in a spot where they need to win on Sunday to guarantee a top four seed and an advantageous double-bye for the tournament.

The Terrapins appear to have regained some lost momentum, though. They hit a season-high 14 3-pointers in Thursday's 81-55 senior night rout of Illinois and have shot 51.7 percent from the field while averaging 82.0 points over their last three games. Prior to that stretch, Maryland was held to a season-low point total in a 70-57 home defeat to Wisconsin on Feb. 13 that preceded an upset loss at Minnesota in which it shot 37.5 percent.

'We got rolling,' forward Jake Layman said. 'When we're playing like that, sharing the ball, we're very hard to guard.'

Layman has shot a crisp 76.0 percent from the field while averaging 16.3 points over the last three. After hitting 23.4 percent and committing 19 turnovers over his previous four, Trimble broke out with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting against the Illini.

Maryland won two of three meetings with the Hoosiers last season, including a 75-69 victory in the Big Ten tournament quarterfinals. However, the Terps have lost 19 straight on the road to ranked teams since upsetting No. 1 North Carolina 82-80 on Jan. 19, 2008.

That skid includes an 89-70 loss at then-No. 23 Indiana on Jan. 22, 2015, in which Ferrell scored 24 points and finished 7 of 8 from 3-point range.

Ferrell, who averaged 21.7 points in last season's series, followed a 27-point effort Feb. 25 at Illinois by scoring 12 of his 20 points against Iowa in the second half.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Preview: Badgers (20-10) at Boilermakers (23-7)

Date: March 06, 2016 7:30 PM EDT

The first three recipients of the Big Ten tournament's four double-byes came out as expected. The team in the final slot might not be - even though it was the national runner-up a year ago.

Wisconsin looks to close an improbable run and nab the tourney's third seed with a win in Sunday night's regular-season finale at 15th-ranked Purdue, which can steal the spot on Senior Night with some help.

The Badgers (20-10, 12-5) appeared to fall out of the Big Ten race two months ago, dropping four of five games to open the conference schedule after coach Bo Ryan's sudden retirement in mid-December.

However, an 11-1 run and four straight victories has them right in the middle of a congested top half of the league behind champion Indiana.

Michigan State locked up the No. 2 seed for next week's tourney in Indianapolis with Saturday's win over Ohio State, and Maryland is guaranteed a top-four spot regardless of its Sunday result against the Hoosiers.

Iowa's Saturday win at Michigan means Purdue (23-7, 11-6) will need a win and a Terrapins loss to clinch the fourth seed.

Wisconsin will either grab the third seed with a win or drop to sixth with a loss, a huge disparity as the double-bye supplies teams with two days off to open the five-day tourney, which starts Wednesday.

'The Big Ten is a knock 'em down, drag it out-type battle,' Wisconsin interim coach Greg Gard said. 'That's what makes this league so fun. Makes it stressful, too, at the same time. It prepares you well for the NCAA Tournament play.'

The Badgers were a lost team the last time they faced Purdue, suffering a conference-opening 61-55 loss on Dec. 29 in Madison two games after the retirement announcement from Ryan, who was cleared by the school in a statement Friday of allegations of misuse of the schools resources during his admitted affair with a woman.

The December win snapped the Boilermakers' four-game losing streak in this series.

Purdue played the role of title contender until losing three of five in February, and it could fall to the sixth seed with a loss Sunday.

They enter the regular season finale with momentum, though, following their second straight win Tuesday, 81-62 at Nebraska.

The Boilermaker bigs dominated inside, led by Vince Edwards (20 points), A.J. Hammons (16) and Caleb Swanigan (10). Purdue shoots only 36.3 percent from 3-point range but made 7 of 15 against the Cornhuskers.

'We don't need to be a high-volume 3-point shooting team,' coach Matt Painter said. 'We need to probe the defense, move the basketball, drive the ball some, take some 3s, hit some intermediate shots. But our bread and butter is posting up and getting the ball inside.'

The 7-foot senior Hammons was a major force in the paint in the first matchup against Wisconsin, making 9 of 14 shots for 24 points. He has averaged 18.1 points and 8.0 rebounds the last eight games.

While Purdue is 16-1 at home and has won seven straight there, Wisconsin has won five of its last six road games to improve to 6-4 away from Madison.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Sunday's Big Ten Tip Sheet
By David Schwab

The Indiana Hoosiers have already clinched the Big Ten regular season title heading into Sunday’s finale at home against the Maryland Terrapins, but there will be bragging rights on the line in a 4:30 p.m. (ET) tip at Assembly Hall in the first meeting this season between two of the top teams in the conference.

Wrapping-up play in the Big Ten regular season, Wisconsin will go on the road to face Purdue at 7:30 p.m. with the Badgers looking to avenge a loss to the Boilermakers in their first conference game of the year.

No. 14 Maryland Terrapins at No. 12 Indiana Hoosiers (CBS, 4:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Indiana -4

Betting Matchup

It has been a bumpy ride for the Terrapins down the stretch run of the season with just two straight-up wins in their last five games while going 1-3-1 against the spread. Maryland closed as a favorite of eight points or more in all three of those recent losses. This past Thursday in an 81-55 romp over Illinois, the Terrapins were able to cover as 15 ½-point home favorites and the total stayed UNDER 143. It has now stayed UNDER in nine of their last 11 games.

Both sophomore guard Melo Trimble and senior forward Jake Layman posted 18 points in Thursday’s win and the team as a whole shot a blazing 56 percent from three-point range; hitting 14-of-25 attempts. Trimble has led the way all season long with 14.3 points per game and Layman is one of four other Maryland players scoring in double figures. The Terrapins are averaging 76.3 PPG and shooting an efficient 49.2 from the field.

Indiana’s run to the top of the standings in the Big Ten has been fueled by a current four-game SU winning streak with a 3-1 mark ATS. In a big 81-78 win against Iowa to open the month of March, the Hoosiers closed as four-point road underdogs. The total went OVER 151 ½ points in that game and it has gone OVER in four of their last six outings. They are 14-3 SU in conference play with a 9-8 record ATS.

Senior guard Yogi Ferrell led all scorers in the win over Iowa with 20 points and four of Indiana’s five starters posted at least 11 points in that game. Ferrell is the fourth-highest scorer in the Big Ten this season with 17.1 PPG and he also leads the team in assists with 5.5 a game. The Hoosiers are ranked 11th in the nation in scoring with 82.8 PPG and they are hitting 50.2 percent of their shots from the floor.

Betting Trends

-- The Terrapins are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six road games and just 2-5-1 ATS in their last eight games following a SU win. The total has stayed UNDER in 12 of their last 16 games following a SU win.

-- The Hoosiers are 5-2 ATS in their last seven games at home and 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games played on Sunday. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games against a team with a SU winning record.

-- The favorite in this Big Ten battle is 5-1 ATS in the last six meetings and the total has gone OVER in four of the last five games.

Wisconsin Badgers at No. 15 Purdue Boilermakers (Big Ten Network, 7:30 p.m. ET)

Opening Odds: Purdue - 6

Betting Matchup

The Badgers are tied for second in the Big Ten standings with a SU 12-5 record and they are building some solid momentum for the postseason with 11 SU victories in their last 12 games. Betting on Wisconsin has also been hot with a 10-2 record ATS in those 12 outings. The total stayed UNDER 131 ½ points in Wednesday’s 62-49 win against Minnesota as 10-point road favorites and it has stayed UNDER in the Badgers’ last seven games.

Junior forward Nigel Hayes has been Wisconsin’s leading scorer this season with 16.1 PPG and he is adding 5.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists to the mix. Freshman forward Ethan Happ is averaging another 11.9 points and he is the team’s top shooter with a 53.2 field goal percentage. The Badgers are well down the list in the Big Ten in scoring with 68.9 PPG, but they remain one of the top defensive teams in the nation with a points-allowed average of 63.5.

Purdue has won its last two games with a victory at home against Maryland and a road win this past Tuesday over Nebraska as a favorite in both contests to move to 11-6 SU in conference play. The Boilermakers have been able to cover in two of their last three games and the four-point win over Maryland ended as a PUSH. Prior to that, they had been a tough team to bet on with a 1-7 record ATS in their previous eight games. The total has gone OVER in their last three outings and it has gone OVER in five of their last eight games.

Sophomore forward Vince Edwards got hot in Tuesday’s win at Nebraska with a team-high 20 points while shooting 8-for-12 from the field. He is one of four players averaging at least 10 PPG and the name at the top of the list with an average of 14.8 points is senior center AJ Hammons. The big man has been able to eclipse this average in three of his last four starts. The Boilermakers are the fourth-highest scoring team in the Big Ten with 77.5 PPG.

Betting Trends

-- The Badgers have covered in five of their last six road games and they are 10-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU win. The total has stayed UNDER in 15 of their last 18 games on the road.

-- The Boilermakers are 1-3-1 ATS in their last five home games, but they have covered in seven of their last 11 home games against a team with a SU winning record on the road. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games played at home.

--The road team in this conference matchup has gone 6-1 ATS in the last seven meetings and the total has stayed UNDER in five of the last seven meetings at Purdue. The Boilermakers struck first blood in this season’s series with a 61-55 road victory on Dec. 29 as five-point road favorites.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

NCAAB

Notes for Sunday's games..........

Indiana won its last four games, scoring 78 ppg; they're 8-0 at home in Big 14, with three of last four home wins by 7 or less points. Hoosiers lost two of three vs Maryland LY, winning game here 89-70, losing by 2-6 in other two meetings, one in Big 14 tourney. Big 14 home favorites of 6 or less points are 12-10 vs spread. Maryland is 2-3 in last five tilts after a 22-3 start, losing last two road games, at Minnesota/Purdue.

Wisconsin won 11 of its last 12 games, with loss at Michigan State by 12; Badgers lost 61-55 at home to Purdue Dec 29, first Boiler win in last five series games- Wisconsin won its last two visits here. Purdue is just 4-3 in last seven games, but won its last seven at home. Badgers play the slowest-paced games in conference, but force highest %age of turnovers. Big 14 home favorites of 6+ points are 36-18 vs spread.

Missouri Valley tournament (St Louis)
Northern Iowa won 11 of last 12 games after a 10-11 start; challenge for Panthers is to win big game day after they knocked off MVC's kingpin, in OT. UNI swept its games with Evansville, but by total of five points; 57-54 at home, when they trailed in last minute, 54-52 in Evansville just 8 days ago, in a slow-paced (61 poss) brickfest (both teams were under 0.90 ppp). Purple Aces won six of last seven games, had much easier win yesterday- UNI had two played 42:00 against Wichita State.

CAA tournament (Baltimore)
One year ago today, William & Mary beat Hofstra 92-91 in double OT in this round; Hofstra swept Tribe this year, winning 91-63 at home on Jan 24 (Hofstra was 15-37 on arc, trailed by 9 in first half), 86-80 on the road Feb 11 (Tribe led 9-0, game was tied at half). W&M is just 3-4 in its last seven games; Hofstra won its last seven games. neither team had a tough game yesterday. Hofstra is #20 in country in experience.

NC-Wilmington won 14 of last 16 games, winning at Northeastern 90-73 after Huskies won first meeting 65-63; UNCW lost 78-71 to Huskies in tourney LY- they're 4-2 in last six games vs Northeastern. Huskies won six of last seven games since loss to UNCW; they got injured star Ford back, have played well lately. Seahawks are 4-8 in this tourney since '07; Northeastern won this event LY. Huskies want a slower tempo.

Horizon tournament (Joe Louis Arena, Detroit)
Home side won both Green Bay-Milwaukee games this year; tilts were decided by total of 3 points. Green Bay is 7-3 in last ten series games, but lost in OT to Panthers in tourney two years ago. Milwaukee played seven guys between 22-27:00 in easy win yesterday- they've won four of last five games overall, scoring 83.8 ppg. Green Bay won five of its last six games; both teams here and in top 80 in country in experience.

Home side won both Detroit-Wright State games this year; Raiders won by point in first game, lost by 7 at Detroit in rematch. Wright is 6-3 in last nine series tilts, winning last three meetings in Horizon tournament. Titans are 7-3 in last ten games, Wright won its last four; neither squad had tough game yesterday. Detroit 2-3 in this tourney since they won it in '12, when McCallum Jr played. Wright State lost in tourney finals in three of last six years.

MAAC tournament (Albany)
Monmouth had yesterday off; they whacked Fairfield twice this season, winning 86-74 on road Jan 11 (trailed by 11 in first half, made 12-24 on arc), 91-67 at home Feb 5 (Stags were just 8-28 on arc). Fairfield is 8-6 in this tourney last seven years; they're 7-1 in last eight games, but used only two subs for 22:00 last nite. Hawks are 12-1 in last 13 games; they forced 21 turnovers in win vs Rider Friday, used three subs 14:00+.

Iona had yesterday off; they split pair with Siena this year, losing 81-78 at home Feb 13 (Iona led by 12 in second half), Gaels won rematch nine days later, 87-81- Siena was 11-20 on arc in first game, 4-21 in rematch. Iona is 8-2 in this event last four years, losing in finals in last two. Siena is 5-5 in this event last six years, but lost last four second round games. Saints won five of last seven games; they played four guys 30+ minutes in last night's 89-76 win over Manhattan. Game is on Siena's floor.

Southern Conference tournament (Asheville, NC)
Chattanooga was 0-5 in SoCon tourney before yesterday's 59-54 win vs Samford yesterday- Bulldogs were 0-14 on arc in game they led by five at half. Home side won both UTC-Western Carolina games this season; Mocs won 77-58 at home (WC star Brown was 2-14), lost 67-61 when WCU forced 26 turnovers in sloppy game. Mocs won 21 of their last 24 games. Catamounts won eight of last nine games, needed double OT to beat Wofford yesterday- three guys play 44:00+; Brown played 50:00.

East Tennessee State won its last six games, breezing past Mercer by 15 yesterday; Buccaneers split pair with Furman this year, losing 74-70 as Paladins shot 67% inside arc, won rematch 80-75 in game they led by 19 at half (Furman was 20-30 inside arc in both games). Furman lost three of last four games; they have good senior PG. ETSU won last six games, with four of the six wins by six or less points- they're #14 in country in experience. .

Summit tournament (Sioux Falls)
Neb-Omaha is 4-5 in its last nine games after a 14-7 start; road team won both their games with Denver this year. Mavericks won first meeting in Denver, 69-55 (shot 59% inside arc), lost rematch 75-72. Advantage for Omaha, having time to prep for unusual Princeton-style offense- they split pair of games in only Summit tourney, in 2014. Denver is 2-5 in this event last five years, losing three of last four second round games.

North Dakota State won Summit tourney last two years, but lost four of last six games overall; home side won both games with IUPUI this year- Bison lost 73-72 on road Jan 31 (led by 10 with 8:11 left), won 63-59 at home (shot 56% inside arc). IUPUI lost five of last seven games overall; they also lost last four first round games in this tourney, three by 17+ points. Bison won seven of its last eight games overall against IUPUI.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Previews, Streaks, Tips, Notes

Wisconsin Badgers at Purdue Boilermakers March 6, 7:30 EST

Home court advantage should play a significant role in Purdue winning this contest. The Boilermakers tough to topple on home court have won sixteen of seventeen this season in front of its frienzied home crowd with a 7-5-1 record against the spread in lined games. Sportsbooks have Purdue 6.0-point home favorites. Might be a tad generous.

Boilermakers have been poor bets of late posting a 3-7-1 ATS record last eleven on the hardwood and are also ridding a 3-4-1 ATS stretch hosting a conference opponent. On the other side, Badgers playing solid hoops on both ends of the court have won 11-of-12 with a sparkling 10-2 mark at the betting window. Additionally, Wisky losing the earlier matchup have shown a tendency to exact pay-back in this series, they're on a 4-0 SU/ATS streak following a loss.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

At the Gate - Sunday
By Mike Dempsey

Shagaf showed his class in Saturday’s $400,000 Gotham (G3), grinding in the stretch over a speed friendly racing strip to get up late and win by 1 ¼ lengths over pacesetter Laoban.

The Chad Brown trainee returned $4.50 as the betting favorite and earned 50 Derby points, stamping his ticket to the Run for the Roses.

The most impressive three-year-old on Saturday is not Derby bound. The brilliant filly Songbird won the $100,000 San Ysabel (G3) to remain undefeated in six career starts.

She was 1-9 on the morning line and toyed with her competition, taking the field gate to wire and was geared down late by jockey Mike Smith, winning by 3 ¾ length and it could have been 10 lengths.

Her connections continue to say the ultimate goal is the Kentucky Oaks (G1) and she will not take on the boys in the Derby.

She appears to be the best three-year-old regardless of sex, and it would be great to see her take on Mohaymen and Nyquist in the Kentucky Derby.

However, for her to get in she would have to take on the boys in a Derby points race, and that seems unlikely.


Here is today’s opener from Gulfstream Park to get the day off to a good start:

GP Race 1 Clm $16,000 (12:35 ET)
#2 Rose Graciela 7-2
#4 Lady's Lunar Luck 5-2
#1 Summertime Music 20-1
#8 Great Cross 4-1

Analysis: Rose Graciela tracked the early pace and weakened to finish seventh last out for this tag and for the third time in a row got claimed, today going for the Vitali barn that is having a good meeting. The barn is 12% winners overall first off the claim. Two back this filly was a game second, beaten 3/4 of a length for the top spot. She has landed in the money in 11 of her 16 trips over the grass here.

Lady's Lunar Luck made a mild late rally to finish third last out as the beaten favorite for this tag, exiting the same race as our top pick. She seems to be better when she is closer to the lead and she should be in this spot. She won for a $20,000 tag three back and did it up front. She is a nine-time winner on turf in her career.

Wagering
WIN: #2 to win at 3-1 or better.
EX: 2,4 / 1,2,4,8
TRI: 2,4 / 1,2,4,8 / 1,2,4,6,8

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Aqueduct:

AQU Race 5 The Jimmy Winkfield (3:20 ET)
#7 Condo King 7-2
#5 King Kranz 5-2
#4 Quijote 4-1
#3 Awesome Gent 9-2

Analysis: Condo King cuts back from a route where the colt chased the early pace and faded to finish sixth in the Jerome (G3). The RRod trainee was a game maiden winner two back by a neck over King Kranz, who won the Lost in the Fog in his next outing. The barn has been hot and is 22% winners moving runners from route to sprint.

King Kranz faded to finish sixth in the Withers (G3) in his first route try and now also cuts back to a sprint. He broke his maiden in his win in the Lost in the Fog two back in a sharp effort. He ran well last fall in the Futurity (G2) as maiden, checking in second and was beaten just 3/4 of a length in his second career start by Mohaymen, now the Derby favorite. He is the logical one to bet here and he figures to bounce back with a much better effort with the cut back.

Wagering
WIN: #7 to win at 5-2 or better.
EX: 5,7 / 3,4,5,7
TRI: 5,7 / 3,4,5,7 / 2,3,4,5,7

Today’s Featured Race of the Day from Gulfstream Park:

GP Race 11 OClm $35,000N1X (5:35 ET)
#6 Al Khazaaliya 9-2
#9 Jellicle Ball 7-2
#3 Indian Starlight 4-1
#7 V V Goodnight 6-1

Analysis: Al Khazaaliya made a good late run to finish third last out at nine furlongs on the turf here in her second start off the bench for the Pletcher barn, beaten 1 3/4 lengths for the top spot. Two back off a 11 month layoff the filly came with a good late rally to miss by just a neck. The extra distance here should suit this gal who appears to be sitting on a good one here for the meet's leading barn.

Jellicle Ball makes her first start since running seventh in the Boiling Spring (G3) last September at Monmouth Park. She made her U.S. debut two back in the Lake George (G2) at the Spa where she was sixth but beaten just a length. She broke her maiden on the all-0weather at Kempton back in '14and has not win since. She returns with lasix and she does have four sibs that are turf winners. The Motion barn is 20% winners with runners coming back off a +180-day layoff.

Wagering
WIN: #6 to win at 7-2 or better.
EX: 6,9 / 3,6,7,9
TRI: 6,9 / 3,6,7,9 / 3,6,7,9,10

Live Longshots:
These are price plays for exotic players looking to find a couple of extra contenders to use in their trifecta and superfecta wagers. Or for those with smaller bankrolls, you might want to get in a small win-place wager.

Gulfstream Park
R1: #1 Summertime Music 20-1
R2: #3 Sweet Irish Rose 10-1
R3: #9 Feeling Bossy 15-1
R7: #8 Dr Dynamite 8-1
R7: #10 Hattricksvictory 12-1
R9: #9 Run to the Beat 10-1
R9: #5 Creative Thought 8-1
R10: #3 Where’s That Cat 12-1
R10: #2 Mystical Terp 12-1
R13: #4 Sir Magu 12-1

Good luck today!

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

SPOT PLAYS

For Sunday


TRACK (RACE) HORSE, MORNING LINE


Aqueduct (6th) Againsome, 3-1
(9th) Mary's in Utopia, 4-1

Fair Grounds (2nd) Lime Martini, 9-2
(8th) Samantha's Prize, 3-1


Golden Gate Fields (4th) Anillo, 4-1
(9th) Unusually Green, 4-1


Gulfstream Park (3rd) Lake Turkana, 6-1
(6th) Bodacious Babe, 6-1


Oaklawn Park (2nd) Magnum Force, 7-2
(6th) Distant Mesa, 5-1


Parx (6th) Starry Moon, 5-1
(8th) More Than Special, 6-1


Santa Anita (2nd) I'll Wrap It Up, 5-1
(4th) Cee the Preacher, 7-2


Sunland Park (5th) Likeness, 3-1
(8th) The Waki Rapper, 4-1


Tampa Bay Downs (5th) Pio's Passion, 3-1
(8th) Chique to Chique, 5-1


Turf Paradise (6th) Sherry Cagan, 5-1
(7th) Faith Under Fire, 5-1


Turfway Park (2nd) Exciting Band, 3-1
(3rd) Hope to Shine, 7-2

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Scott Spreitzer

Thunder vs Bucks

Bonus Play Oklahoma City Thunder

I'm recommending a play on the Thunder on Sunday. After blowing a few games of late, OKC can either go into a shell for a week or so, or they can refocus and bounce back strong on Sunday. The Bucks haven't been taking care of home court, splitting their last six games, outright, and winning just five of their last nine at home. The Bucks like their new-look offensive attack with the "Greek Freak" running things, while Michael Carter-Williams has moved over the to the 2-spot. But MCW is a bit banged-up (knee) and has been downgraded to doubtful for today's contest. As far as Antetokounmpo is concerned, OKC has the better version in Kevin Durant, who should be hellbent to keep his team on track in the fourth quarter after the last couple of meltdowns. Durant and Westbrook combined for 53 points in the most recent meeting, a 131-123 win over Milwaukee in December. Despite the new look, the Bucks are still the same on the defensive end, where they have allowed 107 ppg over their last seven contests. They should be "just what the doctor ordered" for OKC to get back in the win column. I'm recommending a play on the Thunder minus the points. Thanks & GL! Scott Spreitzer.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Kyle Hunter

Wisconsin vs Purdue

*3 Star NCAA BB Free Pick* Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Badgers are red hot right now. Wisconsin comes into this one as winners of 11 of their last 12 games. Their lone loss during that span was a road loss at Michigan State.

Purdue is a very good team, but they aren't on the same kind of upward trajectory that Wisconsin is on. The Boilermakers are playing solid basketball, but almost all of their recent wins are very close games.

Wisconsin will slow the pace of the game down which makes a close game that much more likely. The Badgers defense has been excellent of late.

The road team is 6-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings between these two. Wisconsin is 10-2 ATS in their last 12 games overall. Take Wisconsin.

 

[Can'tPickaWinner2]

Jim Feist

Jim Feist's Comp NBA Pick, Sunday, March 6, 2016 6:05 PM EST

(831) PHILADELPHIA 76ERS VS (832) MIAMI HEAT

Take: UNDER

Reason: Your Bonus Play for Sunday, March 6, 2016 is in the NBA scheduled contest between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Heat in Miami. Miami is a strong defensive club, No. 2 in the NBA in points allowed and No. 1 in the East. Miami is 38-16-1 under the total after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game. They face a Philadelphia team with little offense, last in the NBA in scoring and 25th in field goal shooting. Miami is 41-18-1 under the total after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game. Play the 76ers/Heat Under the total.